Daily Dose of Cute

Did you know that October is Adopt a Shelter Dog Month? You probably did since I just mentioned it yesterday! So, in honor of Adopt a Shelter Dog Month, here are videos about our rescuing Dudley and Zelda, with additional pictures! As always, please feel welcome and invited to share stories and pictures of your rescued pets in comments.

Dudley

[music: Angelo Badalamenti's "Love Theme" from the score for Cousins]

Text Onscreen: The first time we ever saw our greyhound, Dudley, he had just been rescued from life at the track. And he looked sad. [image of Dudley looking very scared and sad, with his tail between his legs] We brought him home, and he looked pretty scared. At first. [video of Dudley lying on a plaid dog bed, looking up at me dubiously, from his first day with us] But all he needed, to be the confident and happy dog he had never been allowed to be, was love.

Series of video clips: Dudley chewing on a toy then looking up at me shyly; hopping up when Iain enters a room, then stretching and wagging his tail; bumping the camera with his nose; walking up the stairs and down the stairs; swimming in Lake Michigan; trotting at the dog park with his tongue lolling out; playing with Iain at the dog park; letting loose and having a powerful, graceful run at the dog park; spinning excitedly in the living room; wrestling with a blanket; playbowing at me; having a breathtaking run at the dog park that makes witnesses cheer as he runs past them; begging for a treat at home; playing with other dogs at the dog park; more running, with a big grin and his tongue hanging out.

Still pix of Dudz looking cute while chillaxing at home. Text Onscreen: Adopt a retired racer. www.ngap.org

This is the difference that rescue makes.

Zelda

[music: The Turtles' "Happy Together"]

Text Onscreen: We adopted Zelda from the Humane Society on the 16th of July, 2011. We have been Happy Together ever since.

Series of video clips: Zelda coming home in the car; wagging her tail before hopping on the couch; lying on the floor with her back legs out behind her, chewing on a toy, then peeking over her shoulder at me and wagging her tail and grinning; sitting and looking at me with a grin, then running toward me when I back up; greeting me SO HAPPILY at the front door with a wigglebutt dance and joy-spins; hanging out with Dudz on the couch; playing tug-o-war with Dudz; springing out the back door into the garden with Dudz; running around at the dog park; pulling a toy out of the toy box and taking it over to lie beside Dudz on a dog bed; running with Dudz out of my office and down the hall where she jumps on the furniture playfully and joy-spins; chillaxing outdoors; retrieving a ball in the garden; playing with Dudz in the snow; trying to keep up with Dudz at the dog park; running toward me in the garden; grinning at me and joy-spinning.

Still pix of Zelly napping with Iain and hanging out with Dudz and me. Text Onscreen: Opt to Adopt.

Me with my rescued pups, who rescued me right back, at the Indiana Dunes Oct. 2012.