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Received this today from my favorite rescue friend, Rita. She has dedicated her life to animal rescue and helped so many animals and people, too. Now Rita and her friend, Clifford, need help.
Please email yep6cats@aol.com if you can help. And now on to the story of Clifford
Clifford is the most wonderful retriever/chow mix. I rescued him off of death row from the high kill South Los Angeles City Shelter.
Everyone who knows Clifford loves him and Clifford loves everyone he knows. He is playful, lovable, silly, charming and utterly endearing. He is good with most other dogs. If there was any way possible, I would keep him as my own dog but my cats have threatened to leave me if Clifford comes to live here. (He is kind of bad with cats) All the people where he boards love him dearly and they say "Clifford is irresistible".
Unfortunately, Clifford has issues that have stopped him from being adopted and he has been in boarding for well over a year. The problem? Clifford is protective. He thinks some new people are scary and under the wrong circumstances, he might bite a stranger IF the stranger reaches towards or corners him. He is 100% trustworthy with everyone he knows, he would NEVER hurt his friends. He has never hurt anyone and is a very "lame" biter. He basically lunges, touches somebody with his teeth and then he is done. After witnessing this behavior when I first got him, I now make sure he is introduced to all new people properly and he has not bitten anyone. It takes about 5 minutes and a few treats to turn a stranger into Clifford's best friend. I do obedience training with Clifford every day and I can really see the results. He is much more trusting, walks up to strangers and wants to be pet, focuses and listens so much better but he still has a ways to go. He needs a home willing to continue his training because discipline and structure are key to helping Clifford continue to improve.
I cannot give up on him. I believe in this dog 100%. I know he would never really hurt anybody. I know somebody will love him to pieces and that he is SO worth whatever work is required to help him. But I cannot afford his $450 a month boarding bill anymore. I am an independent rescuer and pay the expenses for my rescue dogs and cats out of my own pocket.
Clifford needs (in order of preference)
- An adoptive home! His ideal home is with a dog savvy person or couple who have a house with a yard and a female dog Clifford's size. (he REALLY likes dominant german shepherd girls!) He would also do well with an active single person who works from home. The home must be willing to continue working with him on his training.
- A foster home. Same deal, either with a yard or with somebody who works from home and is dog savvy.
- A paid foster home??
- Play dates with your dog!! Clifford would love to play with your dog in your backyard for a few hours. (he cannot go to the dog park because he will go after unneutered males and so many people seem to bring their unneutered dogs to the dog park)
- If an adoptive or foster home cannot be found, I am desperate for donations. $450 a month is just not something I can afford. I am wondering if there are people willing to pledge $15 per month to pay for one day of Clifford's boarding. I would be so grateful for donations to help me with his boarding bill or pledges to sponsor one day of boarding every month for $15.
- TREATS! Clifford loves freeze dried liver treats, booda bimple bones, bully sticks and Trader Joes Peanut Better Dog Biscuits. (yes, this adds up too)
- Prayers and good thoughts.
Many of you know that I have spent years and years going to the South LA City shelter taking pictures of dogs and cats on death row, writing their stories, raising funds and coordinating their rescues and adoptions. I used to be at the South LA shelter 4 or 5 days a week and have saved hundreds of lives every year. I have raised funds for other rescuers who needed help with vet bills or boarding bills for their own rescues. Now I am the one who needs help. It is very hard for me to ask but I have no choice, I cannot afford Clifford's boarding bill any longer. I know so many people who love him and would adopt him in an instant if they had the right situation. (clifford comes with letters of recommendation!)
Please do not send nasty emails to me if you disagree with what I am doing. I know there are some rescuers who feel Clifford is a waste of rescue dollars. I know there are rescuers who think boarding a dog for over a year is cruel (even if he is out of his cage on adventures every day). This is a very difficult situation so please, only send emails if you can help or be supportive.
Please email yep6cats@aol.com if you can help Clifford and me or if you would like to meet Clifford.
Thank you for taking the time to read this and for any help you can offer. Assistance of any kind is sincerely appreciated.
Rita & Clifford | 
