Foster Spotlight: DR. PEPPER

Pepper has been doing so well lately and just loves to lay on his bed and soak in the sunlight through the window. Sometimes the cats saunter into the room and he lifts his head with acknowledgement, then puts in back down on his bed to continue with his beauty rest.

Pepper in his foster home, on his favorite bed yet.

We’ve been working on sit, wait, & watch me, as well as just lots of good positive fun & love. He does “watch me” well & according to the information the trainer provided, that’s a good indicator that Pepper is willing to learn. Our routine has become more relaxed & fun-oriented. I’ve started a toy box for him, & put a couple of things in his crate, too. I’ve noticed he won’t play with them in his crate, but once I let him out, he’ll go in his crate & pull his toys out to play. He really is like a child sometimes. I was cutting up some stew meat for a meal the other day & made a pile of some pieces I wasn’t going to use. I called Pepper over & gave him the 1st piece. From that moment until I was done, I had his full attention & he sat for me every time I asked. LOL

Last Sunday’s trip to City Park was a success. He hates riding in the jeep & I have to carry him to get him into it, but once we got going, he’s started to relax. We didn’t have any tummy upset at all that day, & we went from home to City Park, then we drove down to the Fly & back home. At some point he was relaxed enough to try & lay down, but of course the seat is too small for him to do that so he just sighed & looked out the window.

Dr. Pepper really enjoyed his field trip to City Park.  He's lucky to have such an amazing Foster Mom

The cats still tantalize him, but I can tell they aren’t as much of a temptation as they had been. I have one that stays inside most of the time & sometimes if she is in the hall, she will sit still & let Pepper pass by her. You can tell they are both cautious, but I see that as a good sign that they are respecting each other. As long as the cat stands his/her ground, Pepper will leave them alone. If they run, however, he still tries to chase them. I’m wondering if that will ever change, tho. *sigh*  ~Rebecca T.


Pepper is looking forward to starting his obedience class in January. And really hopes his forever family comes to find him soon in the new year!!

Pepper's best Reindeer impersonation

Here's a link to Pepper's Bio on Petfinder: Adopt Pepper

We rely on supportive homes like yours to continue helping these animals in need of a little extra time and care.

If you are interested in joining the Foster Volunteer Team for Sula Foundation, please contact the Foster Coordinator at foster@sulafoundation.org

2013 Pit Bulls of New Orleans Calendar

Sneak Peek...

Six GREAT Reasons To Foster a Dog

1. Rescue dogs often need to learn what it’s like to live with a caring person (or family); they can come to know what a life filled with love should look and feel like.
2.  If you already have a dog, they will make a great playmate for your pooch.   If not or either way, the foster dog will have a chance to show you what it means to be a devoted and loyal companion. 
3. Foster dogs probably need some help in becoming the BEST dog they can be – You can help to show them manners and teach them.
4. Providing a temporary and loving home to a dog will teach them how to trust and will give children (and other adults) a lesson in compassion and kindness.
5. You will learn all about their unique personality, which will be helpful in finding them the perfect forever home!   You will be able to tell potential adopters about all of their strong points, as well as areas that need extra focus if they are considering adopting your foster. 
6. You’ll SAVE A LIFE and allow Sula to reach out to another deserving dog in our community!

Sula Foundation needs loving homes like yours so that we may continue to help Pit Bulls that need a little extra time, care and attention.  

 

If you are interested in joining the Volunteer Foster Team for Sula Foundation, please contact us at foster@sulafoundation.org or you may also submit an application form on our website.

Introducing Amy Knoll, Event Coordinator

Amy

Amy Knoll is a native of Chicago, she moved to New Orleans in 2008 after falling in love with a Katrina evacuee who needed to come home.  So here she is in New Orleans and we are happy to have her!

Since arriving to the Big Easy,  Amy has collaborated on several notable projects, culminating with the opening of her own store Bon Castor, in Bywater.  She really dove into our city and is thrilled to be absorbed into a community so rich in creativity and culture.    

Amy became involved with Sula after adopting Calliope, a pit-mix from the LA/SPCA . She quickly recognized that pit bulls and pit mixes are the unofficial Dog of New Orleans, and wanted to contribute towards health and safety of all the dogs in the City.  We are delighted that Amy has stepped up to the position as Event Coordinator and will be a major player in the continued growth of the Sula Foundation’s presence in New Orleans. 

Calliope

 Amy lives in the New Marigny with Sophie a chow/lab mix & Calliope a pit mix (pictured), two cats named Cleo and Erik……. and the boyfriend who recruited her here in the first place.  Feel free to bring your dog by the shop so Amy can gush over him/her and share treats. We hear she is very good at belly rubs, too!

Foster Spotlight: Luigi

Hi! My name is Luigi. For the past week I’ve been living in a new home with two fun humans, who call themselves my foster mom and dad, and two fun, furry friends, who are called my foster brother and sister.  My foster mom and dad constantly compliment my great behavior inside the house, my good manners, and my kindness towards my foster siblings.

 I’m really starting to get the hang of this having a family to love me thing! I can’t wait for my foster parents to get home every day! The first thing we always do is play in the backyard!  I love to chase my tennis balls, check out the new scents in the garden, following the lead of my foster brother, and I especially love running around, romping and wrestling with my foster sister. 

 

 Sometimes, I get so excited when I’m playing in the house with my foster siblings I pick up anything I can find to use as a play toy. Sometimes shoes, socks, books, anything really!  My foster parents always seem to help me learn which toys are actually mine (and fun to use when playing) by making me swap things that are not really mine with fun toys of my very own.  I even have my very own box of toys – How ‘bout that??  I love to dig through my box and find new toys and bones.   I’m not sure how they always get there, but I think it may be the humans putting them there for me.   No complaints here!

When nighttime comes, nothing is more enjoyable than cuddle time in the living room with my new foster family.  My foster parents always hug me, pet me and tell me how much they love me. They even tell me how handsome I am! I really hope I am making them as happy as they have made me!

Top Ten Reasons To Adopt Rooney

10. He is undeniably handsome and charismatic and will get you attention wherever you roam. 

9. He has a basic obedience certificate under his belt; and he’s eager to learn more.

8.  He has an endless zeal for life and the classic pit bull smile to make them swoon.

7. He is crate-trained and leash-trained.

6. He has been unfairly discriminated against and would love the opportunity to educate people on his breed and good nature.

5. He likes to hang out with dogs and people of ALL sizes.

4. He’s strong and athletic and will make a fantastic jogging partner.

3. He deserves it; he's been waiting patiently for humans of his very own for nearly 1 year.

2. He is a big teddy bear that loves toys and playing fetch; he longs for a toy box of his very own.

1. Because he will spend his life working to be the best dog and the most loyal companion to you and your family.  

ADOPTION APPLICATION

http://sulafoundation.org/adopt/adoption-application

PETFINDER PROFILE

http://www.petfinder.com/petdetail/22249780

Introducing Caroline

Hi! My name is Caroline. A few weeks ago, I got hit by car, then ended up at a real scary place they call "the shelter." My people didn't want me back, so the shelter put me on something called a euthanasia list. I have no idea what that means, but it sounds scary.

Then, some nice people came to get me and brought me to a home! I've been here for about two weeks, and everyone says I'm doing all the right things. I get so excited when I see my foster mom. I want to jump to be closer to her, but she's taught me that I get more attention when I sit calmly. So cool!

I also get to go on walkies around the neighborhood, where I can smell a bazillion new smells and meet all kinds of new people and other dogs. And the best part? If I stay close to my foster mom, and look up at her every so often, I get chicken! Yesterday, it started raining on us, so we had to run under a balcony. While we were waiting, my foster mom taught me how to "leave it". Whenever I REALLY want something, I can have it (or something even better) if I just leave it alone first. It's hard cause I get so excited, sometimes I feel like I'm gonna explode. My foster mom says I'm learning impulse control, whatever that means.

Oh, and I get to play with the big blue boy who lives here, too. To let him know I'm ready, I usually walk up to him, lick his jowls, and then throw myself onto the floor. Then, he bites my ear and it's on! We wrestle around for hours. I like him. He's really handsome and gentle with me.

Soon, I'll be looking for a forever home. They say that I need to get rid of all the worms in my heart first, though. I'm just happy my name is off that euthanasia list, cause whatever it means, it can't be as good as this.

Training begins September 6

You've all been asking so here's the scoop. Our next session of basic obedience classes for pits and pit mixes begins September 6! The class is lead by Gallivan Burwell at Upward Dog Training & Counseling, and held in the spacious, air-conditioned gym at Belladoggie Resort Spa for Dogs! To reserve your spot, visit sulafoundation.org/training. 


Questions? Email Kelly Cottrell at training@sulafoundation.org. Space is limited, so sign up as quickly as possible! 


We can't wait to see all those smiling pit bull faces!

Andrew the Orphan

My name is Andy. When I was a little pup, I lived outside with another dog that was always picking on me. Every day, I hoped that my owner would come into the yard to play with me, or let me come inside to snuggle with him. But that never happened. One day, he left me at a place called Canine Connection, which was AWESOME because I got to play with lots of other dogs, sleep inside, and gives lots of kisses to the staff there. All the humans loved me, and I felt so lucky. 

But I’ve been here for a really long time now.  Most of the other dogs get dropped off early in the morning, run around the yard for a while, and then a human comes to pick them up when it gets dark. I wonder why no human comes to pick me up. All I want to do is give lots of kisses, run around with my girlfriend Angel, and have a human to call my own. 

I have TWO basic obedience certificates. The trainer people said that I was the star pupil of the classes. I know sit, down, stay, come, touch, and watch! I’m super-focused on my people, and I’m highly food-motivated.  I love every human I’ve ever met, even the little ones. Every night, when the dogs at Canine Connection go home with their people, I wonder if I’ll ever be so lucky. I want a home too, cause I deserve it. 

-Andy