Florida Little Dog Rescue Group

An Afternoon on I4....

If you live in Central Florida, I would gather that, like me, there are very few things that would make you grab your keys and head out the door without hesitation in the middle of rush-hour, with severe thunderstorm warnings going off, to travel down I-4 all the way towards Tampa then onto 75….but today I learned there’s a new thing I had never even thought about that would make me do just that!

Today that new thing was the picture that was sent to us from one of our rescue coordinators at a shelter…..of a poodle puppy, a sweet little four month old girl with a severe injury to her nose. How did she get that injury? A rubber band wrapped tightly around her nose, most likely to stop her from barking. This was not an accident. This was not a pup who somehow accidentally got this band wrapped around her nose ~ no this was intentionally done and then the puppy was put outside by herself in the heat, unable to open her mouth to pant or properly eat or drink. If you know anything about rubber bands that are meant for hair, the more you pull on them they don’t always get looser - they just tend to get a little bit tighter and that’s exactly what happened with this rubber band. So much so that it embedded itself in her nose and started cutting into her skin and cutting through her skin.

Thankfully, after this happened, she wound up with Animal Services. They got her stabilized and began looking for a rescue that would be willing to take her in and take on her medical care. No, we do not know what will happen to anyone involved with this. If there are any updates with the case, we will be alerted by the proper authorities. They have done a great job and got her out to rescue the moment she was able to be released. Obviously, we will thoroughly document all of her care and treatment (and provide them with all records requested) which we are not sure what she will need just yet or the full extent of the damage.

I was actually at our non-climate controlled storage unit (another fun place in Florida summers, lol!) with MamaJan today sorting through supplies and getting them all organized and prepped for fosters to come and pick up supplies for their pups. I looked over at MamaJan and showed her the picture and her first words to me were “looks like you’re going on a road trip today” and she was not wrong, hahahahaha! Thankfully our vets are amazing and we could get her in and start getting her cared for after hours tonight.

If you have followed us here for a little bit at FLDR, you know that we don’t shy away from huge medical cases and we are committed to making sure this little one gets all the care she needs. That being said, summer has left us pretty strapped - with low adoptions, low donations, fosters on vacation, its been more than a perfect storm for us, but we leapt on faith and are hoping some of you can lend helping paws. We, and she (who still needs a name!) would really, really appreciate it. You can donate through any of the links on our website. Please also visit our Facebook page to like and share!

I know this was a lot of reading, so thank you for making it through with us! We appreciate all of you and all of your continued support for our rescue pups!!!

Want to Shop AND Help the Pups?

Check out our Amazon Smile Wishlist, which lets you send much needed products right to our pups and foster parents!

link directly to our wish list :)

https://smile.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/32T2PWOYWK20J?ref_=abls_nvfly_yl

Teddy, a Maltese/Terrier mix

Meet Teddy! Teddy is a 5 year old male Maltese/Yorkie mix and he weighs about 11 pounds. He arrived in rescue when his previous family could no longer care for him. He has settled into foster care and is doing great, but is ready to find a forever family to call his own! His foster mom says, "Meet Teddy, the terrific! You could easily mistake him for a muppet - he looks and sounds like one as he is also quite the talker. If you are not familiar with pups who talk it can be a bit scary at first, but he likes to climb up on you with his face pressed to yours, his snout next to your ear and grrr, grrr, grrrr. The more you pet him the longer it goes on – his version of a purr. He is a big goofball! He plays with toys, he loves to eat, he wants in your lap or next to you as often as he can be. Teddy can be a bit jealous of others receiving attention, so care should be taken when children or other pets are around. He is quite handsome and has soft, beautiful, fluffy fur and it will take a bit to maintain that gorgeous look. He will need a daily face wash and brushing with regular trips to the groomer. Please know that Teddy is the epitome of a Velcro dog. Do you have a lap and a hand? You are what he is looking for. He wants all the attention. He gets upset when you leave the house and is very excited when you return. Gone to the mailbox, for 5 minutes, gone for the day? It won’t matter – he’s excited you are back. Teddy is good out with us in the backyard to explore, on a leash he pulls some, but is just happy being out and about and with you. Teddy has been around other pups his size and generally gets along well, as long as he is in your lap and receiving all the attention. He has not shown any food aggression but will quickly check their bowls to make sure nothing was left behind. Teddy takes to a crate but will express his displeasure for a few minutes, then he calms down and will keep himself occupied with a stuffed toy or bone. He is great with letting you know when he has to go out. When left alone, he has been known to mark his territory, so crating when you are not home is advised. This could also be in reaction to the other pups in the home. He would do quite nicely as an only dog. His bark is a bit loud, so no shared walls of an apartment, townhome, or condo is also advised. Let’s not forget the fact that he is a talker and folks not familiar with a talker may take his attempts at discussion as growling. He has had no sign of aggression; he is telling his story and folks not familiar with that may not see it the same way. Teddy is a small pup but seems larger with his fluff. Of the pups at the foster’s house, he appears to be the largest and weighs the least. This goofball is eagerly awaiting someone who needs a loyal companion, and he is just that guy!" Teddy is neutered, up to date on vaccines, heartworm negative, microchipped and has had his teeth cleaned. He is fostered in the Orlando area and his adoption donation is $350.

How Many Have YOU Helped Save?

5254*

Audrey has found her forever home!

In Our Birthday

Era!!

FLDR IS FIFTEEN!!!! FIFTEEN years ago we decided we wanted to save the unsaved, the leftovers, the ones passed by, overlooked ~ our founders wanted to save some puppers, and not change the world, per se, but change THEIR world~ show them that humans were kind, that they could be healthy and pain free ~ and the joys of belly rubs, warm beds, cuddles on couches. It was big dream, an ambitious goal. We were told it wouldn't work. We were told we would be done, broken, within a year. We were laughed at. We came from different rescue backgrounds, different family and work dynamics, but we all believed the dogs came first - their needs came first - we would find dogs their humans, not find a human a dog. It hasn't been easy. Enough tears to flood a river. Sleepless nights. Long days, longer nights. Interrupted vacations, cancelled date nights. Doubt beyond doubt, second guessing that became third guessing. Heartbreak. So much heartbreak ~ and yet 5,480 days, 5,175 wet noses, 15 years. All worth it. SO worth it. Worth every tear, every late night, every heartbreak ~ your kind words and support on some of our darkest days made it worth it. Every pup saved made it worth it. Fifteen years. It's still sinking in, but 15 years! There are not enough words to express our gratitude to all of you that have joined our rag-tag little pack along the way - that have cried with us, shaken your heads in disbelief with us, cheered with us, and loved our rescued pups with us as your own. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

And the number will go up, as at least 8 more pups are headed to us!

FOSTERS

NEEDED!!

FLDR wants to save as many puppers as we possibly can and the only way to do this is by YOU joining our team!! We need fosters!! If you live in the Orlando area and would like to help save lives, we want you to join our pack! We are in need of foster homes willing to open their hearts and make a space on the couch for a rescued pup, usually just for a couple of weeks! We take care of the vetting, grooming, medications and you provide the love and snuggles! Please complete the "Adoption Application" and just put in the comments - "Want to Foster" and a Foster Coordinator will reach out to you right away!

We are also in need of people willing to do transports, usually from Winter Haven to St. Cloud or from north Orlando to St. Cloud a couple of times a month, during a weekday. Please email littledogrescue@gmail.com for more info on helping with Freedom Rides!

Welcome to Florida Little Dog Rescue Group!

Florida Little Dog Rescue rehabilitates unwanted, abused and abandoned little dogs and places them in loving and responsible homes to live out their lives as cherished family members. We would love for you to join us by adopting a dog, volunteering as a foster home or donating money to help save the dogs. We are a 501(c)3 Charitable Organization, and all donations to FLDRG are tax deductible!

Save a Dog on Death Row!
They need YOUR help right now!!

Please help us save dogs on Death Row at local Animal Controls. These are dogs that can't be adopted out directly from Animal Control, mainly for medical reasons. When they can't be adopted, they need a rescue to save them when their time runs out. These pups desperately need our help, we are their last hope!

Click the Picture to Save One More!

Florida Little Dog Rescue Group rescues dogs from all over the state of Florida, but our main focus is the Central Florida area. Our volunteers live anywhere from Tallahassee to Tampa, but all of our dogs are fostered in the Orlando area. We are 100% volunteer-based, which means no overhead or salary costs. Your donation is used directly for dog care. We do not receive government funds. We are entirely supported by charitable donations.

We ensure that each dog is spayed/neutered, vaccinated, tested for heartworms and other parasites, examined by a vet and treated for any known conditions prior to adoption. All known medical information is fully disclosed to new families. While awaiting adoption, the dogs live in foster homes that provide love, patience and TLC to the pups! A pup's stay in foster care could vary from several days to several weeks, depending upon the dog's conditions and needs. Unlike shelter or kennel living, fostering the pups in a home environment allows us to personally evaluate each dog for behavior and temperament issues. We are able to see how they interact and react to other animals and children, if they are house trained, like to go for walks, play ball, etc. and that makes it easier to know what type of home/family would be best suited for them!

Please note, we are not a shelter. We do not have a kennel or facility that you can visit and see all the dogs. Each dog is fostered in an individual home. We do rescue out of our private homes and in our spare time. So, you cannot come visit our dogs until you have gone through the application and interview process and we have contacted you about scheduling a visit. We do not have set "hours" and we answer all calls and emails as quickly as we can!

Florida Little Dog Rescue - The Official Fan Page on Facebook