{"id":5606,"date":"2010-03-09T08:13:00","date_gmt":"2010-03-09T08:13:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/lbpost.com\/articles\/life\/pets\/not-just-a-pretty-face-bulldog-rescue-responsibility\/"},"modified":"2010-03-09T08:13:00","modified_gmt":"2010-03-09T08:13:00","slug":"not-just-a-pretty-face-bulldog-rescue-responsibility","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/esd\/hi-lo\/pets\/not-just-a-pretty-face-bulldog-rescue-responsibility","title":{"rendered":"Not Just A Pretty Face: Bulldog Rescue & Responsibility"},"content":{"rendered":"

10:00am |<\/strong> Talk about a mug shot\u2014there\u2019s something about a bulldog, isn\u2019t there, and the attendance, both human and canine, at Haute Dogs\u2019 sixth annual Bulldog Beauty Pageant was strong evidence that the squatty little smiling, gasping critters are irresistible. On Feb. 28, more than 400 dogs and about 1,000 fans crowded into the event, this year held near the duck pond at the Marketplace Shopping Center. A crowd of, say, Irish setters or border collies wouldn\u2019t have had the same absurdly comic effect.<\/p>\n

The event isn\u2019t limited to bulldogs. Pugs\u2014the other silly dog\u2014have their own category, and all breeds and nonbreeds are happily welcome in the senior category (age 10 and over).<\/p>\n

\"\" \"\"
<\/p>\n

Senior winner Yoshi Peters, 12, with human companion Janet Peters and the Long Beach Royal Court, and during a pensive moment after having been declared the winner. Yoshi has three working legs. He was found running along the highway and was taken to Best Friends in Utah, where Janet discovered him. \u201cThey said that he likes cats, but he doesn\u2019t,\u201d Janet said in offhanded acceptance. Photos by Jim \u201cWoody\u201d Woods<\/em><\/p>\n

The photo spreads in the local media and the Haute Dogs Web site<\/a> went up, ran, and were archived over a week ago. We\u2019re not going to give you another one\u2014we\u2019re opportunists for animals, and we have a different idea. It involves adoption, of course. For each of the bulldogs and other breeds waddling the narrow paths, there are at least six others abandoned or given up to shelters and rescues. The happy-looking guy at the top of the article comes from the all-volunteer Southern California Bulldog Rescue (SCBR), and he\u2019s no doubt smiling big because he\u2019s one of the lucky ones who got rehomed. But the Humane Society of the United States reports that bulldogs are one of the top 10 popular breeds left nationwide in shelters<\/a>. Last we looked, Petfinder.com<\/em> had 2,097 American and 415 English bulldogs in rescues and shelters across the country, and our ACS has housed a few of them in the past. Besides the often-mentioned economic reasons of people not being able to afford to care for their pets anymore, purebreds also enter shelters because their new owners haven\u2019t considered health and behavior issues associated with breeds.<\/p>\n

\u201cPeople don\u2019t realize the full maintenance and medical cost [when they decide to get a bulldog],\u201d said Vicki Verona of SCBR. Among other conditions, bulldogs are susceptible to skin-fold dermatitis, and all wrinkles must be kept clean. The breed is prone to \u201ccherry eye,\u201d dysplasia of hip and other joints, and multiple breathing issues aggravated by their mouth structure. Bulldogs are also heat intolerant, and most of them cannot swim and must be kept away from the backyard pool and watched carefully at dog beaches. There is a high incidence of caesarean delivery for the breed, reportedly because of pelvic structure; this is easily avoided by spaying or neutering the dog. Breeding without a specific permit is illegal in Long Beach; furthermore, rescue and controlling pet overpopulation go paw in paw. Altering a bulldog is also better for the animal\u2019s health.<\/p>\n

And they wheeze, snore and slobber. On the other hand, they\u2019re playful, affectionate, pretty mellow and funny as can be. They generally get along with children and other pets. They\u2019re also good cuddlers. To be clear, speak to a veterinarian, preferably one referred to you who has treated your pets in the past, about bulldogs\u2019 specific health issues. Then search shelters, or use Petfinder.com<\/a> or Adoptapet.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cOn Adopt a Pet, you can ask for an e-mail notification, and you\u2019ll get an e-mail saying, \u2018Hey, we got a bulldog named Fifi in your area,\u2019\u201d said SCBR\u2019s Skip Van Der Marliere.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Bettis was rescued by SCBR in horrible condition\u2014thin and frightened. The first adoptive parent had to give him up after her husband became ill, but the second and forever owners, Brook and Josh Tretter, took him right home and gave visiting rights to the first parent. \u201cI\u2019m the grandma,\u201d she said.<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"
Zoe, another SCBR rescue, had to be the \u201conly dog,\u201d and Crissa and Riego Vasquez\u2019s home fit the bill. Always ask the rescue or shelter if the dog will accept other pets and children. Here, Zoe is being further spoiled by eventgoer Melissa Mendoza.<\/em><\/p>\n

The bulldogs rescued by SCBR are often sick or have been victims of abuse or neglect. The volunteers take the ones rescued in shelters and from abusive situations and nurse them to health.<\/p>\n

\"\"\"\"Spanky was brought to SCBR in 2009, undernourished and frightened, with multiple skin issues. He developed pneumonia and showed signs of neurological problems. After three months of intensive veterinary care, he was put up for adoption and was taken in by a couple in Santa Barbara, who renamed him Max. Today, he enjoys walking and riding in the car with his mom and dad.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cWe got a dog surrendered for fight baiting just today,\u201d Verona said during a recent interview.<\/p>\n

Because of the situations in which SCBR volunteers find their rescues, Verona and Van Der Marliere make it clear that, no matter how many dogs are being fostered, they will not be adopted indiscriminately. A lengthy application and a home check are required before the prospective bulldog buddy is approved.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019ve considered everything and still really, really want that bulldog, adopting one is the best way to provide a loving home and to help curb pet overpopulation at the same time. Whatever you do, stay clear of online and newspaper ads, people on the street, pet stores and individuals who call themselves breeders but cannot prove themselves to be legitimate<\/em>, responsible<\/em> breeders<\/a>. Maybe you\u2019ll be parading your new best friend around next year\u2019s Beautiful Bulldog Event, all soft, shiny and slobbering, and part of the happy crowd mugging for the camera.<\/p>\n

To volunteer or foster one of the many bulldogs under SCBR\u2019s guardianship, visit the organization\u2019s Web site socalbulldogrescue.org<\/a>. <\/p>\n

\u201cI love a bulldog\u2014I always will,
Because a bulldog gives me such a thrill\u2026.\u201d
\u2014From a jingle we learned at camp<\/em><\/div>\n


Virtually Pets<\/strong><\/p>\n

Bulldogs\u2014what else? Vicki Verona sent us several candidates for adoption. To show you not only how far they\u2019ve come but also why this special breed needs a capable loving home, she\u2019s included a before and an after photo for each one. Contact SCBR on its Web site (above and in article).<\/p>\n

Bella<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"
Before<\/em> <\/p>\n

\"\"After<\/em><\/p>\n

Bella\u2019s smiling in the After<\/em> photo for good reason. She was a mess when SCBR took her in as an owner surrender. She was suffering from mange and improperly treated. The owner paid cash for her\u2014quite a bit of it\u2014from an individual in a parking lot whom she contacted through Craig\u2019s List. No papers for the dog, and the purchaser didn\u2019t know where the \u201cbreeder\u201d was located. She\u2019s since been inoculated, spayed and professionally treated. She\u2019s about a year old, loves people and deserves a home of her own.<\/p>\n

Lovey<\/strong>\"\"Before<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"After<\/em><\/p>\n

Lovey, only around 3 years old, was used as a breeding machine and then cast away to the shelter. SCBR believes that she was crated and on cement her whole life. With the help of a groomer and a spaying, she feels just fine. She definitely needs to be the only dog!<\/p>\n

And, if you want a dog but feel that a bulldog is not your type\u2026<\/p>\n

Bubbles<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"
Bubbles is a sweet little 7-year-old fuzzface terrier mix who was turned in to ACS by an individual who couldn\u2019t care for his elderly father and his dad\u2019s dog at the same time. Bubbles is floating around the shelter at 7700 E. Spring St., Long Beach, 90815, (562) 570-7387. She\u2019s in Kennel 705.<\/p>\n

Pet Projects<\/strong><\/p>\n

March Is Litter-Free Long Beach for Animal Care<\/strong>
Animal Care Services estimates that there are over 103,000 dogs and 123,000 cats in Long Beach. In an effort to reduce the number of animals impounded each year, ACS is promoting spay and neuter in the month March as \u201cLitter-Free Long Beach\u201d. Residents are encouraged to get their animals\u2014particularly cats\u2014spayed or neutered to reduce the number of unwanted litters in 2010. <\/p>\n

\u201cWe see the number of cat impounds triple, beginning in April of each year and lasting through the summer,\u201d said Ron Arias, director of the Health and Human Services Department. Last year alone, over 6,000 cats were impounded at the local shelter.<\/p>\n

A mandatory spay and neuter law exists for cats, and residents need a permit to breed dogs in the city or face citations. Spay\/neuter vouchers help offset the costs of the procedure. Visit ACS<\/a> to find out about obtaining a voucher.<\/p>\n

Latest pelican deaths prompt urgent appeal<\/strong>
Since January, thousands of California brown pelicans have been showing up dead and starving to death from Oregon to San Diego, California. Officials indicate weather and a reduced food supply as the primary cause of this year\u2019s surge in adult brown pelican deaths. This latest in a series of natural events killing thousands of otherwise healthy marine animals falls solely on the nonprofit rescue groups, which are limited in what they can do. Click here<\/a> to see how you can help.<\/p>\n

April 22, Annual Benefit for the Animals
For a fun and entertaining evening, join Friends of Long Beach Animals (FOLBA<\/a>) for its Annual Benefit for the Animals at the Long Beach Playhouse. The reception begins at 6:30 and features a delicious selection of finger food by Pamlin Catering and music by pianist Ralph Brunson. You will have time to browse and bid on a wide selection of silent auction items and to purchase your tickets for the raffle. At 7:30, our Hero to Animals 2010 will be introduced, followed by a performance of Agatha Christie\u2019s The Hollow. Tickets are $25 and are available at the following locations:<\/p>\n

\n

\u2022 Belmont Pets and Launderpet, 3429 E. Broadway
\u2022 Bixby Animal Clinic, 3938 Atlantic Avenue
\u2022 Bixby Knolls Launderpet, 4102 Orange Avenue, #113
\u2022 Chuck & Toby, 191 Park Avenue, Belmont Shore
\u2022 Go Dogs Go, 3440 N. Los Coyotes Diagonal <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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