Wags and Wishes

Although Christmas has passed, each of the dogs in the GSROC lifeboat will continue to need support and care in the coming year. We are often asked what they need, and when we asked the dogs, this is the wish list they shared:

• Sponsors for individual dogs
• Frontline for Dogs and/or K9 Advantix
• Petsmart or Petco Gift Cards in any amount
• Rawhide chew bones (large)
• Rawhide chew strips (large)
• Dog treats -- healthy quality
• Premium quality dog food (e.g. Lamb and Rice)
• 22" - 24" choke chains for training
• Large and Extra Large Vari-Kennels
• Rolls of postage stamps (for mailings)
• Print and Copy Services
• Grooming services
• Advertising in various media
• Free or low cost spay & neuter surgeries
• Items for resale to benefit the dogs
• Garage Sale or Ebay items in good condition
• Heavy duty air purifiers for foster home use
• Volunteers to help spread the word
• Donations in any amount
• Links from your company or personal website to www.gsroc.org
• Office supplies (e.g. green portfolio folders, astrobrite paper, sheet protectors, brochure holders, etc.)
• Prepaid Phone Cards (for outbound calls)
• Prepaid Gas Cards (for veterinary transports)
• Desktop Copy Machine
• Erasable White Board
• Rolls of paper towel
• Puppy "Wee Wee" Pads
• Elevated "Kuranda style" beds for large dogs
• Martingale collars, all sizes
• Postage stamps and office supplies

Every donation is appreciated. Because GSROC is 100% volunteer-run, all contributions go to benefit the dogs. We are also thankful to those who share the link to the GSROC website through their social networks.

Is Your New Year's Resolution to Be More Charitable?

Ring in the beginning of 2012 by making a tax deductible contribution to the dogs of German Shepherd Rescue of Orange County. 

The easiest way to donate is to visit the website's donation page. You will find lots of resources on how you can give and contribute to these amazing dogs who have beat the odds and are on the road to find new and loving homes. 

If you have any questions, please contact German Shepherd Rescue of Orange County for further details. 

Celebrate Adopt a Senior Rescue Pet Month!

The Ten Most Important Tips for Keeping Your Older Dog Healthy

1. Establish a relationship with the best veterinarian you can find. For most older dogs, it is advisable to make an appointment with the vet every six months. Your vet should be someone whom you trust and with whom you feel very comfortable.
2. Become informed about the conditions common to older dogs and the therapies used for them. Be alert to symptoms, bring them to your vet's attention promptly, and be prepared to discuss treatment options.
3. Feed your older dog the best food you can afford; consider feeding him a home-prepared diet and two small meals daily rather than one large one.
4. Don't overfeed your dog. Obesity will create health problems and shorten his life.
5. Consider the use of dietary supplements such as glucosamine/chondroitin for arthritis.
6. Give your senior dog adequate exercise, but adjust it to her changing abilities.
7. Attend to your dog's dental health. Brush her teeth daily and have them cleaned professionally whenever your vet advises it.
8. Tell your vet you wish to have your dog vaccinated only once every three years, as currently advised by the major veterinary associations.
9. Be diligent in controlling fleas and ticks, and keep your dog and his environment scrupulously clean.
10. Make your senior dog as much a part of your life as possible, and do all you can to keep him interested, active, happy and comfortable.
(Of course, these ten tips also apply in large part to young dogs, too.)
These topics are among those discussed in depth on the Senior Dogs Project website. See www.srdogs.com/Pages/care.fr.html.

Copyright ©1997 - 2010.... The Senior Dogs Project .... All Rights Reservedhttp://www.gsroc.org

Are Dogs Good For Your Health?

As posted in  http://dogblog.dogster.com/
Feel like you ate too much yesterday? Looking to live life a little healthier today? Just grab your favorite dog, stroke her fur (lowers blood pressure), and take her for a walk (lots of benefits). Here’s a fun infographic showing how pets are good for your health. (I think I’ll try to stay out of the “death cat’s” way, though…)
Do you have personal experience with your dog helping your health in any way? Let us know!

(Infographic courtesy eBay Classifieds)

http://network.bestfriends.org/golocal/california/17868/news.aspx

Celebrate Adopt a Senior Rescue Pet Month!

whttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yqLInUNoEGw

As part of Adopt a Senior Rescue Pet Month, please check out our video of some of our deserving senior dogs.  They are hoping to find a wonderful family in time for the holidays.   Many of them have lost their homes through no fault of their own - economic issues, death of their owners, family illness - all of these issues have impacted these wonderful dogs and they have lost the only family they have only known.   Please share this video with others who may be planning to add a new family member.

November is Adopt a Senior Rescue Dog Month

Top Ten Reasons to Adopt an Older Dog*

Housetrained  
1. Older dogs are housetrained. You won't have to go through the difficult stage(s) of teaching a puppy house manners and mopping/cleaning up after accidents.

Won't chew inappropriate items
2. Older dogs are not teething puppies, and won't chew your shoes and furniture while growing up.
Focus to learn 3. Older dogs can focus well because they've mellowed. Therefore, they learn quickly. 

Know what "no" means 4. Older dogs have learned what "no" means. If they hadn't learned it, they wouldn't have gotten to be "older" dogs. 

Settle in with the "pack" 5. Older dogs settle in easily, because they've learned what it takes to get along with others and become part of a pack. 

Good at giving love 6. Older dogs are good at giving love, once they get into their new, loving home. They are grateful for the second chance they've been given. 

WYSIWYG 7. What You See Is What You Get: Unlike puppies, older dogs have grown into their shape and personality. Puppies can grow up to be quite different from what they seemed at first. 

Instant companions 8. Older dogs are instant companions -- ready for hiking, car trips, and other things you like to do. 

Time for yourself 9. Older dogs leave you time for yourself, because they don't make the kinds of demands on your time and attention that puppies and young dogs do. 

A good night's sleep 10. Older dogs let you get a good night's sleep because they're accustomed to human schedules and don't generally need nighttime feedings, comforting, or bathroom breaks.
*Adapted from Labrador Retriever Rescue's "Top Ten Reasons to Adopt a Rescue