We don’t know what Desi’s background was before he came to us, but he had been at the shelter for about 10 days and not one “bite” of human interest. Desi was a very sad, quiet boy, with a bad upper respiratory infection.  He was dirty and matted and was estimated to be about 6 or 7 years old.  Poor boy was about to be euthanized when our volunteer Katie offered to take him in.

Desi spent about 4 months with Katie, and they became very attached to each other.  But Katie’s work schedule doesn’t accommodate the necessary commitment to adopting a dog.  Poor Desi was passed around from one MRO foster home to another – and even to a less-than-deserving adopter who decided she didn’t want him after a few days (no fault of Desi’s).

Desi spent a few more months in our foster care before Alyce came by to help walk our orphans.  The bond was almost immediate.  Alyce offered to help with fostering Desi for a short term.  Within a few days, she called to say Desi was part of the family and would be staying with her forever.

Desi’s always been afraid of cameras, so he’s been difficult to photograph.  Here’s a shot Alyce took from her cellphone.  Look how peaceful our boy is.  He plays with toys now and does the happy dance when Alyce comes home.  

Thanks to all the MRO volunteers who fostered and transported him from place to place over these past six months.  As you can see, it all led to a happy ending.

We had nowhere to put this lhasa boy the night he came from the shelter.  No one had told us that he was sick.   We couldn't expose him to our healthy dogs.   The vets' offices wouldn't board him because he could spread his upper respiratory infection throughout their facilities.

It had already turned dark.  The sick little boy and I walked around Stuyvesant Park for several hours making calls to find someone who didn't have other dogs who would foster him.  I finally remembered a local woman who had come to see our orphans several months prior, but didn't really connect with any of them.   I phoned her, and pleaded with her to foster
Angel until he was well enough to be exposed to our other dogs.  She reluctantly agreed.

The bond between the two was almost immediate.  Even before his two-week recuperation, Joanie decided this was her dog.  Angel has been at Joanie's side ever since.

This is our new baby, Princess Gracie Wanda. We love her!

Andy

Stella

Rory Then

Rory

Dear Sandy,
Rory has won EVERYONE's heart all over the neighborhood, at the soccer field, at school, at the pet store, at the groomer's! HE is adorable and such an incredibly GOOD dog. He has so many new doggie and people friends. We took him to Old Town Alexandria to the market early Sat. to meet a friend and her older chocolate lab for coffee - they hit it off beautifully, we strolled around Old Town, sat by the river and he seemed SO HAPPY.

He is terrific in the car. He jumps in and lays down on his blanket on the back seat - no jumping around or anything. I look back over my shoulder and see his chin resting on Kate's knees! Kate is ecstatic!! she is so proud of him and loves playing ball with him, chasing with him in the yard and walking him around the neighborhood. This boy can run, even with those short little legs! He curls up with her while she reads and does homework and when we study and match those terms and definitions on 3x5 cards on the living room floor, he sits in my lap and chews his bone! We really believe this dog was meant for us and our long wait for a dog was for this reason. He fits so well into our family and our comings and goings.

He is a great joy and we thank you for entrusting him to our care!

Jean

Gomez Then

Gomez

Here's Gomez Kaplan, a baby-biting shihtzu boy who lost his first home after rough handling by the family baby. He's now living with his mom, Judy, and we get to see him all the time.
(His mom bought him his goggles as the wind seemed to be hard on his eyes.)

Chulita

Dear Sandy,
Hello. Our book is out and I include it here as a little holiday gift for you.

Thank you for bringing Chulita into our lives. She has been great for us , and us for her. As you can imagine, she is now so mucha part of our lives. We love her deeply. She charms everyone who comes into contact with her. You may have not known this, she is incredibly smart.

I thought you might be interested in this little article because of the picture, which includes our beloved Chulita. She is the model for the little dog painted in the back of our book, our hero Pipiolo's love interest, also called Chulita in the book.

Enjoy.

I believe you will like this story, as it involves the rescue of roof dogs. Like you, our hero and heroine are "saviors." If you like the book, please do us a favor and recommend via your email network to all the other dog saviors in your remarkable organization. It can be ordered through Amazon.com or any bookstore.

Let me know how you like the book. My email is bmeuniel@swarthmore.edu.

Brian and Perky

Charlie

Sparky Now

Sparky

Sparky is a most wonderful little boy. He is well behaved and has become an integral part of our family. Sparky eats well and enjoys his daily walks and romps in our back yard.
He chased his first squirrel last week and gets along well with the other dogs in our family, especially our pom. I am very thankful for having Sparky and he has helped to fill a great void in my heart.

It's nice to know that the spirit of St. Francis of Assisi lives
through people like you. Hope you like the enclosed photos. I will send you progress reports on Sparky from time to time. God bless you and happy new year.

Larry B.

Gabriella

Dear Sandy,

My little puff ball and I are sooooo happy!!!!!!!!!
I cannot tell you how happy I am to have Gabriella. She is a dream. Gabby is just too cute, I love her to pieces and want you to know how grateful I am to you and your service to society.

Happy New Year!!!!

Ruff,

Angela and Gabriella

Jackie

Two months ago Jackie was overweight, under-exercized, unloved and homeless.

Now this incredibly cuddly chi, who charms all who meet her, has a new mom and dad and lives in a big old farmhouse in VT with lots of land to run around and yarn-producing sheep to visit in the barn. (When the snow is too deep, or if it's too cold, Jackie has the option of using the dirt floor basement in this 100 year old farmhouse.) Jackie's dad, Tim, has taught her to stand on her back legs and box with him. As you can see in the photo, the admiration is mutual.

Hi Sandy,

Hope you are having a nice weekend...we are!!. The transport went off without a hitch.. Joe is a very nice man - even called me at home last night to see if things were okay.

We just love Jackie. She is so perfect for us. She even looks like us - just a little chubby in places - and snores just like Tim! She sleeps in bed with us. Tim was afraid to move for fear of smooshing her. Tut (Truman renamed) and no name (yet) sleep together in his pen in our room. Everyone was great. They are even friends with Thumper the St. Bernard - not that they are snuggling yet - but they don't freak out with her.

Everything is just great. Really. We are so glad we have our new baby.
:-)

~~Kristine~~
Sheldon, VT
kgilman@pshift.com

Sophie

Photo of Angel in morning. He is no good before his first cup of coffee.

Angel

Ralph

Meet Ralph, a chihuahua/minpin mix who was found wandering the streets of Westchester County last February. His people had moved and left him behind. A very concerned woman named Chicki Newman brought Ralph to Miss Rumples’ Orphanage for placement. Ralph was examined, neutered, vaccinated, housebroken, and eventually placed with his new mom Catarina, who lives in Revere, MA. Mom Catarina dropped everything and drove down to New York City to claim Ralph. It was love at first sight.

Now Ralph gets to go to work with his mom every day. You see mom owns a skin salon/beauty spa in Revere (near Boston) and, since she’s the boss, Ralph is very welcome. Here is a photo of how Ralph begins his very busy day."

Lizzie Before

Lizzie

This is Lizzie, a 2 year old pom girl rescued from VA and transported to New York by volunteer transporter Ursula. Lizzie, who weighs 3-l/2 lbs., was living outdoors with cattle - without benefit of vaccinations, heartworm preventative or a healthy diet. She's since been spayed, vaccinated, groomed and is now living with Mrs. D. near Boston, MA. She gets home-cooked meals balanced with prime quality kibble and lots and lots of love. Lizzie is Mrs. D.'s constant companion. Her favorite thing is sharing Mrs. D's. bed. Here's a short note from Mrs. D.'s daughter who helped bring Lizzie and her mom together:

Dear Miss Rumples,

Here are the "after" pictures - of what Lizzie looks like now.  My Mother and her are VERY close.  She's really filled a void in my Mother's life since the loss of my Dad. 

THANKS!!

Barbara D.