Pet Of The Week

There seems to be fashionable choices for dogs. So how is an animal rescue to compete with the fashionable size and breed choices the public chooses over adopting good, old-fashioned mutts?

A lot of people talk about adopting a rescue dog, but did you know that Community Animal Network often gets calls inquiring about adopting purebred puppies and specific breeds of kittens?

Our 5-year-old shelter “death row” rescue dog named Melody, bull mastiff and Labrador mix, “is the sweetest and has the most wonderful temperament,” people say after petting her and passing by.

The teenager whose determination to save this dog from shelters’ death row tugged at our hearts, and Melody has never looked better. Since her rescue, she has lost 18 pounds on a “grain-free” high protein diet and regular exercise along with her daily thyroid medication that costs less than $30 for an almost two-month supply.

The best news is that Melody’s weight loss has eliminated the suspected need for ACL tendon surgery, and she looks so much younger! She loves to play tug-of-war and to run and play, but still is a “couch potato” and cuddles up with her foster family.

Call (949) 759-3646 to adopt or volunteer to help. Come to the Fashion Island pet adoption event sponsored by Russo’s Pet Experience from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, to meet Melody and other animals.

Thank you for the $25 donation received last week, but more contributions are desperately needed to help local animals in need! Consider supporting Community Animal Network, P.O. Box 8662, Newport Beach, CA, 92658 and memo your check “Help Local Animals” nonprofit tax ID 33-0971560.

The Community Animal Network is a community-supported animal organization linking people and pets through community action. The network has no kennel and is able to help animals only when people become involved and provide temporary homes until permanent homes can be found. All veterinary services and food expenses are paid for by the network until the animals are adopted.

DIANNA PFAFF-MARTIN is the founder of Community Animal Network.