Cam's Sanctuary

Cam gets his nails done. - June 2010

Cam IS Pets Alive
Cam has lived at Pets Alive for some time now. From their highs and lows to their rebirth, Cam has been witness to it all.

Everything that Pets Alive stands for can be found through Cam. Any other shelter would have either killed him, or rejected him. Cam has fear aggression, doesn't do well in a kennel environment and was fed through a funnel for a while. Yeah... Oh, and he's one of those short, meaty and muscular dogs that gets a bad wrap just for their looks in the first place.

Cam's Special
The way to Cam's heart is definitely through his stomach. Cam LOVES treats! Slow introductions from the right people, a bottomless pit of treats, some common sense about dogs and fear and all that good stuff...and eventually you've just made the best, and most loyal, friend you'll ever have in life. Cam would do anything for his most special of friends. My girlfriend has the good fortune to have Cam's complete, and total, trust and loyalty. She's dressed him up in several tutus, made him a pumpkin, a fairy, a Camzilla...and has painted his nails several times. He does it all for her.

Cam loves basketballs. The first time I gave Cam a basketball...OH MY GOD! He was more excited than I had EVER seen him before! He was SO HAPPY! Basketballs are love for Cam! He even got into his doggy pool to get to his basketball once!

Cam's Sanctuary
People who know Cam and his story, and have the fortune of being friends with him, naturally get protective of him and really, truly care about him. Personally, I can't think of any place safer for Cam than Pets Alive. He is such a wonderful dog and such a loyal companion... I wonder what would happen to him if he were adopted and got into a stressful and fearful situation. It's not about Cam being a dangerous dog. It's about the world being dangerous to Cam. He needs protection. He needs love, support and loyalty. And we get protective of him.

Cam's Homeless
For quite some time, whenever somebody would say "Cam needs to get adopted", I would always think "Cam has a home. Pets Alive is his home. He doesn't feel like he's at a shelter. It's his home." But I wonder lately if maybe Cam IS homeless. With as wonderful and incredible as Pets Alive is, especially for Cam, it's still not that warm bed which only home has. I don't know. Maybe Cam is homeless after all. I don't know.

I wonder what would be best for Cam - The safety, love and protection that his sanctuary of Pets Alive will always provide him with his whole life? Or a chance to live life in the outside world and have a home, new experiences, a warm bed at night that will always be his...but not that definite buffer from the world to protect him?

Cam's Silent Nights
I don't know what's best for Cam, but at times, especially during the colder weather, I sometimes picture Cam just laying there at night, the people have gone, the show is over and the day is done, there is nothing left but Cam, his barn, a couple of beds, a small heater and the quiet of the cold weather outside. How does Cam feel at those times? Is he still "Air Cam!"? Is he still happy? Does he get lonely? Does he get sad?

When the day is done, none of us is the warm bed Cam so deserves to call his home.

Clarence the Companion

Clarence the Companion - November 2010

Clarence is a great companion dog who loves a good walk, as well as just hanging out.

I can TOTALLY picture Clarence out some place enjoying a burger and some fries! I think he'd love a day like that!

Clarence also happens to be up for adoption at Pets Alive in Middletown, Ny! Check him out on their website! You can apply to adopt him, or even just help sponsor him! It all makes a huge difference!

Middletown Stray

Middletown Stray - November 21, 2010

Only a few moments after Toni and I got up to Pets Alive today, THIS beautiful boy arrived!

We know NOTHING about this dog except that two wonderful volunteers found him running along Van Burenville Road near Pets Alive in Middletown, Ny and brought him in to see if something could be done for him.

This lost fella seems to be in pretty good shape from the looks of him - no fresh scars, decent color and fur, teeth seemed pretty nice from a quick glance at them. He does have what appears to be a chronic ear infection, but other than that he's full of energy, VERY affectionate and friendly - he just couldn't stop giving us kisses! Needs a bit of leash training, but hey... and a neutering (Happy Toni?! I said it!).

Middletown (at least I'm calling him that for this moment), was found with PART of a tie out still attached to his collar - so he definitely broke loose while he was outside. I'm thinking that it had JUST happened this morning as well, because he barfed up some pretty recent kibble and what looked like perfectly intact pulls of white turkey meat.

Unfortunately, being a stray, this guy couldn't legally stay at Pets Alive and had to be sent over to the local Animal Control. Animal Control is required to hold strays for six days in case their owner is out looking for them and contacts Animal Control. The unfortunate part about situations like this is that often times dogs under this type of care are killed when their hold time is up.

I hope Middletown's humans are good people. And if they are good people, I hope they are able to find him...and neuter him (Happy Toni?!).

Super Nova!

Super Nova - November 2010

This is Nova, and he is SUPER!

Nova is a FANTASTIC dog who LOVES to play catch with tennis balls!

Beautiful colors, great markings, cheerful attitude... This is one happy and GORGEOUS boy!

Nova is currently up for adoption at Pets Alive! Go check him out!

Celebrity Tweet Challenge: Riley

Tweet Riley - November 2010

We at Heart-Shaped Head are looking for some Celebrity help to spread the word about some great, adoptable dogs! As a "Thank you!" for your help, Heart-Shaped Head will give EACH Celebrity a FREE Anthony Trott Original Portrait of the dog they tweeted!

The dog we'd like to start off with is: Riley

We actually just posted a blog about Riley and would really LOVE to help get her into a good home! She is SUCH a beautiful and sweet dog!

All you have to do is copy and paste the following into twitter:


Please check out @petsalive adoptable dog: Riley http://bit.ly/b04aBd @heartshapedhead


Of course, after that, we'll figure out the best way to contact you, or you contact us, and get that portrait painted and sent over to you! It's just our way of saying "Thanks for helping spread the word!"


* Post as many times as you want! We want these dogs to get adopted to good homes!
* One portrait per dog, per Celebrity.
* Offer valid until the featured dog gets adopted.
* Heart-Shaped Head's Celebrity Tweet Challenge is an independent project (I hope the shelters don't mind it).

** Free Portrait Offer extended only to Celebrities/Famous People participating in this contest.
** It takes about 6 - 8 weeks to get these portraits painted and shipped.
** Portraits currently ship within the continental U.S. only.

Sweet Riley

Sweet Riley - November 2010

Despite being thrown a few bum cards in life, this young mother of at least three pups is just about the SWEETEST thing EVER!

Riley is such an attentive dog! She already knows commands such as "Sit", "Down" and even "Roll Over" - I have YET to figure out how to teach any of MY pets "Roll Over"! Riley just loves to please people. It really amazes me how forgiving dogs can be to the human race.

I can't wait for the day Riley gets adopted! She's waiting over at Pets Alive for her furever home!

Bobey-Boy!!

A happy Bobey! - October 2010

Bobey is one of my personal FAVORITES at Pets Alive!

Besides the incredible life he has overcome, Bobey is just such a happy, happy dog! He is ALWAYS excited to see people (I'm told he is especially excited to see me). He does WONDERFULLY on walks, and he LOVES toys!

Bobey has to be one of the happiest dogs I have met.

Besides his BEAUTIFUL brindle color, I think his full body wiggle and joy of life might remind me a bit of a dog I had by the name of Shere Khan. Both seem to take on the approach of "Here I am! Here you are! This is the best time of our lives! Let's enjoy it together!"

There is nothing like a brindle so excited to see you that he does the full body wiggle when you come near!

Bobey actually became the best, and possibly only, friend of an autistic child. Tragically, for both Bobey AND the kid, there was a divorce and the mom said that she couldn't take care of both her son and Bobey. So now Bobey is back at Pets Alive. What a shame for both Bobey, and the kid. Doors were opening and bonds were being forged.

But life has its twists and turns. Before arriving at Pets Alive, Bobey was found chained to a tree as "punishment" for not performing as a fighter. In the first place, dog fighting is ridiculous, but WOW whoever these people were just did NOT know what they were doing if they thought that BOBEY could POSSIBLY be a FIGHTER! When I come up to Bobey, and as he rears up in his Gorilla-wiggle stance (this dog needs a tutu), I can actually SEE little hearts popping around his face as he looks at me! This dog has nothing but love, friendship and companionship to offer.

Someday Bobey will find his furever home. I hope he finds one with a child in it that he can bond with and become best friends with like he so recently did and was tragically torn away from. I hope that somebody comes to Pets Alive, takes a look at Bobey and says "Wow, this dog has nothing but love, friendship and companionship to offer. How about, in return, we offer him our home."

Beautiful Snoopy

Beautiful Snoopy - October 2010

Believe me when I say there is no shortage of BEAUTIFUL and WONDERFUL bully mixes in the world to show off...and Snoopy is no exception!

This beautiful, young girl from West Virginia LOVES people and treats, and she's full of energy!

Snoopy is also up for adoption at Pets Alive. So stop on by and say "Hello!"

Halloween Fun 2010

In the Spirit of Halloween, I give you Dogs in Costumes! (Ok, so they weren't actually dressed up FOR Halloween...my girlfriend is just insane.)

Prom Night Bindi - May 2010

Pimp Cam - July 2010

Camzilla - August 2010

Scrappy is the Devil - September 2010

Scrappy-Turtle - September 2010

Unicam - September 2010

Cam the Drunken Groom - September 2010

Pumpcam - September 2010

Bindi Bride - September 2010

More photos from the shoots!

Poor Rem

Visiting Rem - October 17, 2010

Rem is a beautiful Boxer currently living at Pets Alive Animal Sanctuary.

Some people say Boxers aren't considered to be part of the whole mix of dogs that make up "Bully Breeds". Some say they fit right in. To those who say they aren't... It's MY blog! So, NEENER NEENER!! :-P

Besides, Rem deserves attention anyways.

Rem's elderly human became too ill to take care of him, so he was surrendered to the shelter life. In general, boxers don't do well in shelters. From my experience, boxers don't seem to do too well with big changes in general - Hey, neither do I!

I have to admit, most of my interaction with Rem has been through the fence. I ALWAYS give him treats and he ALWAYS takes them WONDERFULLY! But I always feel so sorry for him. He just about always just looks so sad. Sure, some of it's just his "Boxer Face", but Boxers are companion dogs. They need that extra bit of love and attention. I HAVE recently gone IN with Rem TWICE over the past couple of times I have been up to Pets Alive though! So that's progress on my part! He was SO happy both times! It really is a beautiful site, seeing someone like Rem so happy.

There are a few people I know who walk Rem every time they visit. I am very grateful to those people for spending that time with him. I hope to get the confidence to be one of them soon.

I really, truly, love this dog.

An Angel Indeed

Angel at Pets Alive - October 2010

Angel is a BEAUTIFUL girl who is defying all the odds against her!

A black, bully mix, this girl was quite literally just "skin and bones" when she was found outside a New York City firehouse.

Luckily, somebody had the heart to save this Angel and bring her to the steps of Pets Alive, where she has been receiving the much needed nutrition and attention she so deserves.

Angels do exist. And we're better off for having them.

Golden Hearts: Rob and Marisol Thomas

After seeing videos of the 2007 Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo from SHowing Animals Respect and Kindness (SHARK), Rob Thomas and Matchbox 20 decided to withdraw from the line-up.

Cheyenne Frontier Days Headliner Withdraws! Matchbox Twenty Cites Rodeo Animal Abuse

---

Press Release Found on SHARK:

April 10, 2008

Regrettably, Matchbox Twenty will not be able to perform at Cheyenne Frontier Days on July 18th. After careful consideration it was decided that the participating in this event would directly contradict the mission statement of SIDEWALK ANGELS FOUNDATION, our non profit organization. The other members of Matchbox Twenty support this decision and while we understand that a great deal of effort went into the planning of this show, and apologize to any and all fans who purchased tickets to see us, we ask that they please understand that it would be impossible for us to put ourselves in the position of making money from what we believe to be the mistreatment of animals.

Sincerely,

Rob and Marisol Thomas and The Sidewalk Angels Foundation

---

Sidewalk Angels Foundation

"Established by Rob and Marisol Thomas, Sidewalk Angels Foundation is a New York-based non-profit organization that works hand-in-hand with charities in and around America's big cities. Life in the city can be so fast that those in need are often passed by. People who are destitute or homeless and get lost in the system; those who cannot afford proper medical care; animals that have been abandoned or abused -- these are universal problems that Sidewalk Angels encourages people to address locally."

Rob and Marisol Thomas also help support:

Pets Alive Animal Sanctuary

"Pets Alive is a no-kill animal shelter, located in the foothills of the Catskill Mountains, about 1 1/2 hours from New York City. Our mission is to rescue, rehabilitate, and place animals in need. Victims of neglect, abuse, and violence, many of them have special needs and have been rejected by other organizations.

Animals at the sanctuary range from dogs and cats to farm animals, exotic birds, and many others. Many of the animals at Pets Alive are older, have special needs or require special care."

Brando (a.k.a. No-Neck)

This is Brando (a.k.a. No-Neck)!

Brando's the stuff cartoons are made from. Just look at that big, round, marshmallow head of his! And that cartoon nose! When he stands up on his hind legs, HIS NECK DISAPPEARS! How great is THAT?!

This was our first in-run encounter with Brando, and this dog just could NOT have been more friendly and affectionate with us than he was.

Brando is just a happy, happy boy!

Meet Rocco

Meet Rocco!

Now, I have to admit, when I first passed by Rocco, I was a bit unsure about him myself. He's got a RASPY bark of a bark! It can be pretty intimidating. I wasn't sure if he had some issues, or if maybe he just learned how to bark from some old diner ladies that had been smoking since they were twelve.

Turns out the answer is B. The diner ladies. Rocco couldn't POSSIBLY be more incredible of a dog than he already is! These videos are from our VERY FIRST encounter with Rocco! Just look how lovey and playful this dog is! Such an incredible sight to see from ANY dog!

Both Toni and I feel incredibly fortunate to have met this wonderful soul.

By the way, Rocco got ADOPTED a couple months back! YAY ROCCO!!

Oreo

Oreo - June 2010

Oreo's is a tale of tragedy Shakespeare himself couldn't have written better. Beaten for hours by her owner then thrown from a rooftop six stories down to the streets, Oreo was "rescued" by the ASPCA and treated for her injuries - broken ribs, broken legs, open wounds...the list goes on and on. A few months later, Oreo was dead.

The ASPCA is said to have raised some $6,000,000.00 for Oreo through donations from people who heard her story. Oreo made a full medical recovery, and only a few months later the ASPCA killed her. Pulled for evaluation while still healing (physically, as well as emotionally) from being beaten for hours and then thrown six stories down into the road, Oreo's temperament evaluator stated that she was too aggressive and not fit for adoption - a death sentence by ASPCA standards.

Having learned of Oreo's story and her impending death at the hands of her "saviors", Pets Alive stepped in and stated that they would be more than happy to take in Oreo and all of the expenses and responsibilities that come with her. Pets Alive is highly experienced with bully breeds AND at handling animals which are in need of extra delicate attention and care. Basically, Oreo fit what Pets Alive does on a regular basis to a "T". Oreo was killed by the ASPCA the next day.

There has been a TON of politics, emotions, beliefs and even a law is trying to be passed in New York surrounding the events of Oreo's death. Bridges have been burnt, some have just been damaged, others have even formed through political bonds or similar beliefs on what Oreo has grown to represent... Hell, I even painted a portrait of the poor creature during these events... The dog that nobody ever met... Another face in the sea of needless death that is the kill shelter system...

She was just another dog, that didn't need to die, who nobody saved.

Scrappy-Doo!

A happy Scrappy! - June 2010

Scrappy's a good boy!

Many bully rescues have an INCREDIBLE life story, and Scrappy is NO exception! Marked as "EVIDENCE" for about a year of his life, Scrappy was used as a BAIT DOG by his human. Once everything was said and done, and the bastard convicted of dog fighting, the kind-hearted judge of this case ordered Scrappy "euthanized" - What's so "MERCY" about KILLING an innocent animal who is NOT in any pain or suffering? So, some people who ACTUALLY cared about animals, and weren't just doing a job like that judge was, sent out the S.O.S. beacons to save Scrappy!

Scrappy now lives at Pets Alive. He's lived there about 4 or 5 years. A small, muscular, BLACK PIT BULL with tons of scars scattered throughout, dogs like Scrappy have ZERO chance at most shelters. But man if Scrappy doesn't love his humans! Scrappy MIGHT lick you to death! I should know! I've had it happen to me! Kneeling on the ground, the Scrappy roared up and just started LICKING MY FACE CONTINUOUSLY!! It was a sight, I tell ya!

Scrappy loves people. Probably Scrappy's FAVORITE person in the world is a Pets Alive Volunteer by the name of Trudy Spiller - even if she does take pleasure in having him dressed up like a TURTLE every now and then! Trudy and Scrappy spend a lot of time together, and believe me he just LOVES the attention he gets from her!

Just like so many bully breeds, Scrappy's a good boy who just wants to please his humans the best he knows how.

Bindi the Alien

Bindi "the Alien" gets her nails done up. - May 2010 

I've said it before, and I'll say it again! Bindi is a special SPECIAL dog!

Bindi is DEFINITELY an Alien. Her spaceship is crashed SOMEWHERE in the woods behind Pets Alive - Some sort of funky monster-plant was aboard with her and has also taken residence in the Pets Alive woods. She has the power of levitation - I've seen it and I have a witness to the event! And MAN she walks, strike that, MARCHES like it's NOBODY'S business! Seriously, this dog would absolutely LOVE to live on a military base or some crazy, pumped up, motivated gym!

Bindi has got to be THE FUNNIEST character ever. She doesn't even need to do anything. I mean, look at her! She ISN'T doing anything but SITTING there and she's still a blast! You know that bent head angle dogs do when they look at you thinking "Um, and YOU'RE supposed to be the boss around here??" Bindi just keeps her head like that. Nothing's wrong with her. She's in INCREDIBLE shape! She just...likes looking at things that way? I don't know. And I don't try to figure her out. I suggest it's best to just enjoy the presence of her company. After all, how often is it you get to meet a dog who has her very own CUSTOM concrete cinder block house because she would take her EXTRA LARGE DOGLOO and TOSS it up into the AIR constantly!?!

Fish-Face Houma!

Houma "Fish-Face" with his toys. - July 2010

This is Houma!

Houma's quite literally been through it all! Rescued during a hurricane in New Orleans, he had to have IMMEDIATE emergency surgery for wounds on his head, neck and torso. Houma even has an AMAZING scar about an inch wide that runs the entire length of his back. Like I said, this dog has seen some tough times!

Through it all, this little Carp Fish-Face is IN LOVE with LIFE!

Houma is such a happy little boy! You'd never think ANYTHING bad ever happened to this guy if you didn't see his abuse badges. It is incredible to me that so much could happen to just one individual and they're not bitter towards life.

I've personally sponsored Houma for a couple of years now. He's my first sponsored pet at Pets Alive. I even wanted to adopt him the first moment I heard about him. At the time, he was still in some pretty touch and go bad shape internally. Houma still requires the right diet for his digestion, but you would not BELIEVE just how dog of a dog this guy is! To see Houma playing with his toys is to witness the pure innocence and joy of life everyone should experience.

This is Cam

Cam in his barn. - July 2010

This is Cam!

Cam has lived at Pets Alive for some years now.

All animals are special, especially the ones Pets Alive has taken in. But there really is just something about Cam that sets him apart from everyone else.

Thrashing around his run day and night, Cam was a severe Fear Aggression case of which I am sure many thought nobody could approach. Well, somebody did. A man by the name of Pat Whitacre of Best Friends Animal Society.

With superhuman patience and care, Pat stood by Cam's run, with a funnel, and waited for the briefest of moments when Cam would calm down just for a split second and reward that moment with a treat - funneled in to Cam. Well, Cammy-boy is a QUICK learner! And he LOVES his food! Through a ton of care, patience and understanding, Pat was able to work with Cam and plant the seeds needed for his quality of life to be restored.

From the further efforts of some more incredible people, including John Sibley and Toni O'Brien, Cam's quality of life has been brought up tremendously throughout the years and continues to grow each day. Cam has made new friends, including myself, has had sleepovers with his favorite person in the world, Pat, and has even been taken out for ice cream!

Cam is a TRULY special dog, and an INCREDIBLE case of "No dog too far gone."

When invited into Cam's Circle of Trust, you feel it deep.