Kayla's Trick - Peeing with Two Legs up in the Air and Finding a New Home!

Rescue groups working together to make a difference.

People can do more when we work together. That's the whole point of the Best Friends Network - for people who care about animals to work together more effectively and save more lives.

When Kayla, a young, friendly small dog who performed a trick when she tinkled - she would lift up both back legs - needed a new home, Shelter Showcase worked collaboratively with other groups so that Kayla would get the help she needed. Kayla had guarding issues - meaning, she would growl when you came too close to her food or toys - and Shelter Showcase didn't have an appropriate foster available at the time. So, Shelter Showcase put out a message to our fellow rescuers and offered to sponsor Kayla's rescue costs if a reputable organization could foster Kayla and find her the right home where she would be loved and safe forever.

Not one, but three groups offered to help, including Rescue Ridge, Mutts N More and a chihuahua rescue referred by Old Bridge Animal Shelter. Liz from Mutts N More just happened to be driving into New York City that weekend near where Kayla lived. So, Liz offered to pick up Kayla on Saturday and brought her back to New Jersey, to her new temporary home.

Liz wrote us the very evening she picked up Kayla, "When I brought her home, I gave her a bath, which she didn't care for too much, but tolerated it very well :-). She has obviously not been socialized with other dogs because she was so afraid of my little ones, she started to salivate, the poor baby. I slowly introduced them.....and after 1/2 hr, they were running around and playing!"

Liz fell in love with Kayla and wanted to adopt her. She thought long and hard about keeping her, but in the end, decided it was best to adopt her to a loving family and leave room in Liz's house to continue fostering and helping other dogs like Kayla.

Just a few days later, Liz wrote "Kayla was adopted yesterday to two absolutely wonderful women who are both teachers. Kayla has been spayed, had her teeth cleaned, and brought up to date on her shots. She is also micro-chipped. I completely fell in love with her and really wanted to keep her. The two women that have adopted Kayla were already approved by our rescue, and have been waiting patiently for the right dog. Kayla was it. When they met her and saw her charming personality, they instantly fell in love with her.

When Kayla was brought to her new home, she was fine. But when it was time for me to leave, she stood on her two hind legs and cried. That completely broke my heart!!!!!!!!! I called them this morning to see how she is doing and they said she was sad for a little while after I left but came around after they held her and spent time with her. Today she was perfect. She is eating and playing. They have a cat and she does so well with him.

... they already love her. They had purchased her two lovely, fluffy beds, bought her a pretty red harness and a pretty red leash to match, a heart shaped tag with her name & the owners info. Kayla will be very spoiled over there!"

And that is what happens when people work together to help a little dog in need!

Shelter Showcase is an all-volunteer non-profit organization. We thank the people who have donated their time and finances to make these happy endings possible. For more information on Shelter Showcase, please visit www.sheltershowcase.com For more information on Mutts N More, the organization who adopted Kayla to her wonderful new home, please visit www.muttsnmore.com