Jack Russell Rescue

I work within the organization to help unwanted Jack Russells in East Texas. The majority of the dogs that I get are on Death Row. Usually because they have stayed at a kill shelter too long and were not adopted.

I may best be able to explain what I am doing by telling you the story of the three rescues I have at this time.

To start out with I have had a couple of Jack Russells and just love them. I know you have all seen CJ and she can be pain to some but she amuses me to no end.

Because of my adoration for CJ I have spent time on the internet researching the breed and getting training tips and advice from other Jack Russell parents.

And of course I live to watch Animal Planet and all the shows on dogs, trainers, rescues, etc…

Anyway I was searching the internet when I came across an article on the huge influx of unwanted Jack Russells after the hurricanes. One thing lead to another and I saw a huge gap in East Texas for any one to help these energetic little dogs. They were being put to sleep by the dozens, abused, neglected, and discarded like old used cars.

I found russellrescue.com on the internet and volunteered to take in Jack Russells in East Texas. I really had no idea how bad it was for these little guys. Until I got my first dog.

Buffalo Bill Cody (Cody)

The organization called me for my first dog in January of 08. A Jack Russell male was in a kill shelter in East Texas and his time had run out. It was me or he was going to die. This dog had heart worms and the lady that had adopted him had taken him back to the shelter because she did not want to deal with the expense or the burden of dealing with the issue of a sick dog.

Of course I said I would take him. I had never done dog rescue and I am new to East Texas so I had to get going and find someway to assure this boy would have the best medical help.

I found a vet in Brownsboro, TX. Dr James Gibbs. Even though he had helped people in the past and had been taken advantage of, he said he would help.

I meet another rescue person 100 miles from my house and picked up Cody. Went I took custody of him all I got was one piece of paper from the shelter with limited information on it and the dog. He was under weight, his coat was dull, and he was scared to death.

Cody had been caged for so long, all his feet half way up his legs were stained in urine and feces His claws were so long that the blood vessels had grown out too long to trim in one setting.

But he was so happy to be out of the cage and in the fresh air, you could not help but love the spirit of this little dog.

He rode in my lap all the way home, looking out the window. When we got home his was thrilled to find a huge yard and no cage.

I had no information on his background so I am assuming some things about him due to his behavior.

Cody was afraid to sit in my lap

Cody was terrified of being picked up

Cody would lay under my bed ( while everyone else laid on top)

Cody would not play toys.

Treats, how to take them ( he acted like it was the only thing he had ever eaten)

Sharing anything was not going to happen

From his behavior we feel strongly that Cody was a seen and not heard dog. He was not allowed on the furniture, bed, lap etc..

When his was picked up it was very violent.

He was never play with or allowed to play toys.

And what we do know is he was on death row locked in a cage for more than 4 months and he had heart worms and no love.

After the first couple of days we went to our appointment at Dr. Gibbs. (BTW he also rescues on his own and had some dogs up for adoption)
Cody was very scared and he had to stay with the vet for a week to undergo heart worm treatment.

I was worried that he would panic at being caged again, but he managed to hang in there until he could finish his treatment.

Cody was my first rescue and in someways my experiment child.

I decided to treat him like he was my forever dog and instill in him the behaviors I wanted.

So I made a list of what I wanted in a dog and what I thought would make him irresistible as a pet for someone else.

1. He had to get along well with other dogs.

2. He had to learn how to share

3. He had to come when called

4. He had to get along good with the horses

5. He had to be trusted to stay home while off leash. I did not want to have to run all over chasing a dog.

6. He had to trust me and be a lap dog.

7. He had to have treat manners.

8. He also had to walk well on a leash.

9. He had to be fun to be around and play toys nicely.

10. He had to be a good boy and like people.

11. They have to ride well in the car or truck

12. They have to go to the horse show!!!

13. No barking or yipping all the time for no reason.

14. He had to understand I was lead dog and what I say goes.

15. He had to have fun and be happy!!!!

16. I had to be able to remove food or toys from his mouth whenever I wanted for any reason at anytime.

So that was my set of goals for Cody and now all my Jack Russells.

I hate it when I hear someone say a dog cannot be with any other dogs, It makes it hard on the dog and the owner.

I socialize all the dogs and they run in a pack. Once in a while there may be an issue, but all siblings have their issues once in a while.

When I go out to feed the horses at night I have 4 Jack Russells ( 3 of them rescues) and 2 Labs running along beside me off leash. They run and play while I feed. I do not worried about them running away. They play and hunt but stay within ear shot and check back often.

I am happy to say that a little love and patience goes a long way and Cody shows no signs of the dog that showed up in January.

He is 100% healthy, UTD on shots, heart worm free, neutered, ( all thanks to Dr Gibbs)and he has met or exceeded all of my goals.

He is beautiful, with a sunny and lovable disposition, healthy, and ready for his forever home. Cody is 2 years old

Because of my relationship with Dr Gibbs my second dog is Madision, Maddy.

Maddy is a 3 yr old female, UTD shots, Heart worm Neg, Spayed mostly white rough coat.

She came from a very loving home with a Mommy who treated her perfectly. Mommy had to go to a nursing home and the family was going to put poor Maddy to sleep. Like a dog is just a thing to dispose of.

She was an only child so we have had to teach her how to be socialized, but she is ready to go

My third dog is Bunji. Like Bunji Cord, Bunji Jump etc…..

I was called on Bunji and told on a Friday afternoon that he was being put to sleep the next day. He had been at a shelter for 4 months, one adoption had failed. ( person wanted to make him a drug dog and brought him back) The evaluation said he could NEVER be place because he was toy aggressive and OCD. They sent me a video of Bunji. I did not see behavior that would suggest he was not adoptable.

I met another rescue half way to Dallas to pick up Bunji. I took Cody with me so Bunji could meet one of the pack before he got home. Cody is very easy to get along with.

I was very surprised to see Bunji. He was very very thin. I could see all his ribs and his back bone as well as his hip bones.

He was so happy he bounced out of the cage. I took his leash and the one piece of paper with almost no information on it. I spent less than 30 minutes letting him get use to Cody and I loaded him up in the car for the trip home.

Cody slept in the front seat and Bunji sat on my lap all the way home.

It took Bunji less than 5 minutes to be at home and meld into the pack.

He does love his toys but shows no aggression. I can take toys or food out of his mouth when ever I want.

Bunji has not been with me long enough to have met all my goals but he is 90 % ready. We have not been to horse show yet. But he walks off leash and plays horses and is a wonderful boy.

Bunji is 3 yrs old , neutered, healthy and a brown and white rough coat.
He will be a wonderful playmate for children of all ages.
1-100 yrs old we love him
This dog would have been destroyed if I had not taken him, and for no other reason than he likes to play toys. He is very quite and well mannered in every way. But they would have destroyed him because people evaluate dogs in a shelter setting and think that the behavior they show is bad.

I know that my dogs have always been loved and well mannered but if they were in a shelter they would not be showing their best side.

I have a very small place and can only take in three dogs at one time , as I have three of my own and 9 horses.

I give them all individual attention and could not do that with more dogs

I would love to keep them all but I think I can help many more by giving them a foster home and rehabilitation then finding them their forever home. I have saved three but have had to turn down 2 this week because I need to find good loving homes for the ones I have here first.

What we are looking for.

People who want to adopt a new family member for life. I want these dogs to have a forever home and not to worry about love, food, or shelter.

people can contact me at my email or phone or go to russellrescue.com for an adoption application. The adoption fe is $150.00 but the dogs come healthy, vetted, heart worm neg, and spayed or neutered.

Or they can contact me if they are interested in any dogs that Dr Gibbs has. All Jack Russell’s