Braving the Southern Alberta Floods

There is a lot of hard work involved with rescuing animals. Volunteers and workers put in countless hours caring for rescued animals and arranging adoptions. However, these tasks just barely scrape the surface of the work rescue organizations really do.

Recently, we've heard a lot about the efforts of rescue organizations during natural disasters like the tornado in Oklahoma. Operating a rescue organization is difficult enough under normal circumstances, but what happens in the wake of an emergency?

Last week, the beginning of a devastating flood hit Southern Alberta. Not only were rescues and shelters swamped with incoming animals, but they had to care for their existing animals, too.

Boston Terrier Rescue Canada was one of these groups and admirably rose to the challenges the flooding presented. A large transport of rescue dogs was scheduled prior to the flooding. These dogs were on their way to foster homes and desperately needed the care and attention the fosters would provide.

A lot of the rescue dogs were so malnourished that their ribs showed through their taut skin. Some of them desperately wanted to cuddle, but were afraid to get too close.

Then the flooding started and Boston Terrier Rescue had to make a decision: did they forego the transport or did they go ahead with it, even if it meant extra work and braving the flooded roads?

Boston Terrier Rescue decided to continue with the scheduled transport and their decision speaks volumes of the kinds of dedicated people who work and volunteer with rescue organizations.

Thanks to Boston Terrier Rescue, a number of dogs will be placed with new homes and will get the love they deserve.

If you would like to support or donate to Boston Terrier Rescue Canada, please visit their website at http://www.bostonterrierrescuecanada.com/

Would you like to become an Animal Wellness Ambassador? 40% of every subscription you sell will be donated to a rescue of your choice! Click here for more information: http://www.animalwellnessmagazine.com/aw-ambassadors/

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The Lovable Side of Pit Bulls

Up for adoption at love-a-bull.org

Is there any other breed of dog that receives as much discrimination as the pit bull?

Debates are endless about the pros and cons of the breed. Anti-pit bull groups lobby governments to pass laws banning the breeding and selling of these misunderstood dogs. People focus on breed-specific details rather than seeing the animal as a whole, which is sad because pit bulls can be very loving and gentle dogs.

At Animal Wellness Magazine, we try to look at things differently. Animals are our companions- they are living beings with emotions, personalities, and a variety of behaviours, and that goes for all breeds, regardless of their reputations. 

Unfortunately, the stigma surrounding pit bulls means that a lot of people are misinformed about how to care for these complex animals, which leads to shelters and rescue organizations filled to the brim with pit bulls. We're grateful for organizations like Love-a-Bull, because the idea of a gentle, lovable pit bull being on death row simply because of its breed is heartbreaking. 

In human terms, we think of this kind of social stigma as racism, but when applied to animals, people somehow justify it as being okay. 

Luckily, not all people think this way, and pit bull rescue organizations have emerged to help this beautiful breed. 

For example, the people at Love-a-Bull are doing some amazing work. One of their favourite stories involves two pit bulls that were service dogs for a family that had a child with autism, a child who had limited mobility because he had both lower legs amputated below the knees, and a father with cancer. Can you imagine the help their service dogs provided?

Unfortunately, after making a recent move, the family's new landlord threatened them with eviction due to their put bull type service dogs' breed. Even with confirmation from the family's pediatrician and dog trainer, the landlord held firm- all because of the stigma surrounding pit bulls.

Love-a-Bull made sure this story had a happy ending. The organization was able to secure the necessary documentation for the family to stay in their housing and keep their dogs!

Love-a-Bull has many more heartwarming rescue stories on their website. The organization also needs support for dogs waiting to be rescued. Visit their website to show their pit bulls some love! 

We'd like to see the myths dispelled and proper care given to a breed that is capable of much love, generousity, and kindness. A lot of this will come with education, and we're happy to contribute as much as possible! 

Interested in our Ambassador Program? Visit our website to check it out and help save more animals! 
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Animal Best Friends at Rocky Ridge Refuge

There's an important life lesson that's been reinforced throughout the years at Animal Wellness Magazine: animals have a lot to teach us.

With all the war that exists and all the fear of other people because maybe they are "different" from what you know, it is always heartwarming to see that even in the animal world differences can be overcome. 

Of course, the cutest instances of this are interspecies best friends. Sure, some of you must have a dog and a cat that get along, but what about a puppy and a capybara? Or a dog and a goat?

At Rocky Ridge Rescue, animal friendships abound! This refuge was the inspiration of one woman, Janice Wolf, who currently runs the rescue all by herself. The real beauty of her refuge is that she takes in sick, injured, and exotic animals that wouldn't be accepted at other rescue centers. Maybe the animals realize the second chance they've been given, because they are all so keen on supporting one another!

While all of the animals at Rocky Ridge are special, a few stand out for their extra special personalities. For example, there is Cheesecake the capybara who loves to adopt puppies. Capybaras are the largest rodents in the world, and have very sweet and nurturing personalities. How fortunate that the orphaned puppies that come to Rocky Ridge are welcomed by a new mother? Sure, she may not be of the same species, but when it comes to being a good parent, it's love that is the key ingredient anyway.

Another angel at Rocky Ridge is Butterbean, a bull terrier who likes animals with hooves. She's got a baby goat that's a best pal. They love to snuggle and play! And when Janice discovered that Bazinga the miniature horse had dwarfism, Butterbean was there to offer nurture and support.

There are so many things we can learn from Rocky Ridge Refuge. For one, that the power of a single person is greater than we realize. For two, that we should never let differences stand in the way of friendship and love.

If you'd like to donate to Rocky Ridge Refuge, please visit their website: www.rockyridgerefuge.com

Want to become an Ambassador or learn more about the Ambassador Program? Visit http://www.animalwellnessmagazine.com/aw-ambassadors/