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All Is Right Here
She was there, and then, she wasn’t. The only physical traces left behind were nose smudges on the patio window that looked somewhat like grease and several superficial scratches on my beloved hardwood floors that, to be honest, I was not thrilled to discover. For...
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“Dip Your Toes” Fostering
Every now and then we need a very temporary foster home for a senior dog. It might be an “emergency pull” that helps us get a dog out of danger right away while we look for a longer-term foster home. It might be one of our fosters is going on vacation (yep! they get...
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When Minutes Save Lives
If you haven’t thought about this before, the two minutes on this video might just save your dog’s life. It’s as simple as that. And if you HAVE thought about this before, that is definitely the first step in lifesaving! https://youtu.be/6UYiSuUp8fw...
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Oh, the Places You’ll Go!
It's an age-old story. Girl meets boy. Girl falls in love with boy. Boy and girl go kayaking together ... This is really a photo essay. It’s the story of a senior dog’s whole new life, a rescue, yes, but also an adventure not yet finished. Gertie had been...
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No Controversy: Why We Feed Grain-Free
Last July, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced it was investigating a possible link between potatoes and legumes as major ingredients in dog food and dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in dogs. They released “preliminary information,” and as media outlets went...
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The Healing Power of a Squeaky Ball
This is a story about love that may not be recognized at first glance. It is about a little dog named Josie who lost her main man, and then was surrendered to our rescue by his widow. In doing so, she chose a tough step that she felt was in Josie’s best interest. She...
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Honoring Hoover
His presence always seemed larger than life. And if we have anything to say about it, his legacy will continue to change lives for a long time to come. Hoover lived most of his years with Don. When we met them, Don was 87, and Hoover was 10. Think about it: At age 77,...
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February is National Pet Dental Health Month – Yay!
Special Note: This month we are focusing on helping to cover the dental costs for our dogs we rescue. Meet Oreo and Trigger, two dogs we are helping to improve their dental health and learn how you can help by clicking here! Contributed by Dr. Emily Stein,...
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Starla, Caroline and Steve: “We now know that age is just a number”
Who knew a blind dog would teach us so much about seeing life? Apparently Starla did. It’s hard for people to truly grasp how this “retrieve a tennis ball all day long” senior dog lives life so fully. It’s easier to explain how Starla changed how we view growing older...
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Kellan and Allie: “Not only the miles will mark Kellan’s journey”
He came a long way to happiness. Kellan was found as a stray last winter, emaciated and so weak he could barely lift his head. He was treated for some accompanying medical challenges by a shelter in Tennessee and responded to their care by showing a very sweet...
read moreHailey, Jean, and the “Ziggy Effect”
Founder Jean Stelten rescued Hailey some years ago but it was a 10-pound Sheltie named Ziggy who brought Hailey back to life. And it is that “Ziggy Effect” that underscores why building Top Dog Sanctuary is so important: Sometimes it takes a dog village to restore a...
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Woody and Harvey: “He lights up my life”
Charming, effervescent Woody was supposed to be on his last legs when he came to Top Dog Foundation. Yet three days after being abandoned by his family, this 14-year-old Jack Russell terrier mix was working the kissing booth at a local festival. He posed happily for...
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