Random Licks: Bobbi and the Strays II


Posted on Jul 10, 2008 By Glenn Close Comments(5)

I want to follow up on what I wrote about visiting Bobbi and the Strays  because I've gotten some more pictures of their facility at the JFK Jetport as well as some portraits of some of their dogs that are available for adoption. I also took a video of my trip there to capture the incredible work they are doing and the wonderful nature of the dogs themselves.

I have met many of these lovable canines and hope that they will all find homes. Many of these dogs were rescued in the eleventh hour just before they would have been euthanized because they were recognized as dogs who would make good companions if they could find the right homes.

Thanks to Bobbi, Tabitha and Laura for the wonderful pictures and comments.





Here is one view of our room at the Vetport.

 

Because we have no storage space, unfortuately supplies are often kept in two of the cages.

 

To try and motivate them and reward them, I created the Top Dog Program. Every time they go out of their way or go the extra mile to help the animals get adopted, they get a "treat". Whoever has the most treats at the end of the month wins a prize.

 

We have a goal chart to help us stay focused. If we don't make our goal, its no big deal as long as we are trying our hardest. But sometimes its hard to see the same faces in cages day after day. This reminds us of how many we found great, loving homes for. If we do reach our goal, there are "treats" for everyone, of course =)

 

We took in four dogs today at the Vetport. Cece was one of them. She was surrendered to Animal Care and Control at 9 years old. She is the sweetest dog.

 

Great with people and other dogs. Being a 9 year old pit mix at ACC isn't a good thing. I am glad she safe with us. She is a sweetheart!

 

This golden mix came in today as well. He was found wandering the streets with another dog (the cocker pictured below). They were both covered in dirt and oil when they came in =(

 

This is the cocker spaniel that came in with the Golden mix above.

 

 

The heat wave was really taking a toll on the animals. We got them some kiddie pools so they can enjoy their time out of the cage.

 

They were a bit afraid at first, so we only filled them low, but eventually they were jumping in and out of them. So great to watch them experience this joy...

 

This is a mobile adoption event. We take the animals to different locations that cooperate in helping us show our animals available for adoption...This is a group of amazing volunteers on a hot august day taking out our animals for our mobile bus adoption events. North Shore Animal league lends us their bus 1 day a month, and we take the animals around town in the hopes of getting them adopted.

 

 

We put "adopt me" vests on them so they are irresistible!

 

Mikey looking cute!

 

A volunteer offering "Spot" some comfort and warmth on a cold day out.

 

"Tickles" getting comfy in a volunteers car that transported her to an adoption event in Long Island.


Glenn Close: "I met Tickles. She is a particularly sweet dog."

Even though we try very hard to socialize and play with them to improve their quality of life, the reality is they spend most of their time waiting....

 

Chrissy waiting for breakfast...

 

Sam waiting for a walk...

 

Punkin waiting for her family to come back...

 

Vance waiting to play ball...

 

Bones waiting for a belly rub...

 

Bandit waiting to go to the park...

 

Foxy waiting for Dinner...

 

Sheba waiting for someone to notice her...

 

Okay now that you have seen the depressing ones, here are some pics of our efforts to improve their quality of life during their stay.

 

This is Horatio, saved off the dreaded Euth List. He is out on a trip to a dog park. He is great with other dogs and playing with them releases all that pent up energy he had from being in the cage. He loved the kiddie pool!

 

Horatio makes friends with a golden retriever at the park

 

Vance has been with us a long time. He's kind of hiding behind the tunnel, but in this pic a volunteer and our two trainers (Who donate their time) are teaching him to go thru the agility tunnel at training class.


Kristie, a volunteer, shows off Vance's obedience diploma. Vance is now working towards his CGC while he waits to be adopted.

 

Below is a picture of the Biscuit Toss competition they did during graduation. Vance beat everyone without a problem!

 

Every Friday morning at 7am , a volunteer and I meet our trainer at Alley Pond Park to take two dogs off leash hiking through the trails. Sorry this pic is blurry, but here are Bones (the tan one, his owner became homeless and he is still at the shelter) and Horatio (the black one saved off the euth list, he is now in a foster home) enjoying their freedom.

 

One day they had farm animals at Alley Pond Park. Here Bones meets the sheep!

 

This is Wednesday, a pit we saved from the South Bronx. She is now CGC certified and going to obedience competitions. She also may be in the Pet Fashion Show in August. We are trying to certify as many dogs as we can, esp pit and pit mixes to help change their (undeserved) bad rap. She is wearing her CGC bandana here =)

 

Recently Harry the hound (owner surrender, "new baby") got to go to
obedience classes in the park with a volunteer. Harry was more interested in lying in the grass though =) He was still a hit though, everyone loved him. It's a great way to help socialize and get exposure.

 

A photo with the volunteer that took Harry to the park.

 

Chee Chee also goes every week with a volunteer to learn obedience and get some away from the shelter time. Chee Chee came to us via ACC Brooklyn. She was owner surrendered with her seven puppies. They were 12 days old. All of the pups have been adopted, but Chee Chee is still waiting. Hopefully someone will meet her in the park and fall in love!

 

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Comments
Thank you Glenn, for vsiting our shelter and bringing awareness to the cause. We and our animals really appreciate it=) I know how busy you must be and it really means a lot that you took the time to do this. I really loved the video and thought it came out great. Hopefully it will inspire people to adopt, volunteer or foster- or just spread the word. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! Sincerely, Laura PS Wednesday, our CGC pit, was adopted this week =)
Posted By Laura
on Jul 16, 2008
Glenn, It really means alot to Bobbi and the volunteers at Bobbi & The Strays, and of course, the animals, to have your support. I am one of the trainers working with Bobbi's rescues and their dedicated volunteers, and am very proud of how far the dogs have come with their training at our classes. Hopefully, collectively, we can help get people to adopt some of these puppers and get the word out that Bobbi is in dire need of a new facility so more animals can be rescued and rehomed. Fond regargds, Bonnie Folz Pawsative Dog Training
Posted By Bonnie
on Jul 17, 2008
Wow! that video was really great!! Watching the video and seeing the pictures almost made me cry because I miss the dogs and my co-workers from the shelter so much. Thank you so much for doing this for Bobbi and the Strays, they REALLY deserve it!!! I'm so happy to hear about Wednesday! -Maxine
Posted By maxine
on Jul 17, 2008
Wow! I found this article by mistake. I wish I could send you a photo. What a tiny world! I just registered to this site. $ years ago in 2004 Bobbie and thr Strays had a dog named Lola at the JFK airport (I know this because the last owner of my dog gave me a photo) I have a picture of Lola in the arms of one of Bobbies workers there! She changed hands maybe twice and I went to petfinders.com and got her through Our Companions Animal Sanctuary In CT. I have since renamed her Bonnie Bella. She was Lola, then renamed Porsche and now Bonnie. I have vet papers from when she was at Bobbie's. I am 43 and have multiple sclerosis. I want you all to know that your homeless Lola from 2004 has saved my life. Shes my reason. We have a trainer every wednesday and it turnes out that dog formerly known as Lola is a very talented dog!! Beautiful. and so so Trainable! She loves to dress up and entertain people. Soon she will be a good citizen and we will entertain children in the hospital or elderly people in nursing homes. This dog is my very best friend. Please email me and let me send you some pictures to show you how she has grown! I am very fortunate to have her. Its funny, I noticed this article and I used to think who is Bobbie and the strays, I wasn't clear that it was the name of the shelter and always thought it was a rock band! hahaha. Brillant! Well You do rock! Thanks for My Bonnie! (Your Lola of 2004) J Baron
Posted By Jewels
on Jul 20, 2008
I am SO happy to see Bobbi & the Strays featured here! We rescued a gorgeous, silly and loving Rottweiler in August 2007 from Bobbi - her name used to be Angie but now she is known as Butter (because she is just so sweet and smooth...just like buttah). If it were not for all of the time, compassion and energy of Bobbi and her volunteers, I can't imagine the life our Butter would be living right now...she was found roaming the runways at JFK and we all know that big black dogs are among the last to be adopted. Butter now lives a comfortable, indulged life in NYC and happily takes her walks exploring the neighborhoods and parks and playing with her many dog friends along the way. Keep up the excellent work - you are truly making a difference! We know for a fact that you have changed our lives and Butter's life - Thank you!!
Posted By Joanna
on Aug 20, 2008
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About the Author
Hello and welcome to LIVELY LICKS: Profiles of Dogs and their People.
I have been known for many years as an actress and, as you probably know, have played some characters who have not always treated animals – especially dogs – kindly. The truth is that I have been surrounded by dogs my entire life and am a better human being because of it. Our dogs love us and keep us laughing through good times and bad. This blog is a tribute to all the fabulous dogs who trot and wag their way through our lives and to the people who they have so successfully trained.

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