2007 After over 20 years in rescue, Smooch's Pooches is saying good-bye! It has been wonderful meeting everyone and finding the perfect companion for you all. We have made life-long friends, we have brought smiles to children as well as adults. We have given so many loving dogs second chances and found wonderful, furever homes. It has been our pleasure to help you in your search to bring home a dog that might have been lost forever. We take bittersweet memories with us as we walk down a different path going forward. Our rescue family has become our own and we are blessed to have you in our lives.
The joys we shared along the way made the hard parts at the end all worthwhile.
We will never forget the times we spent with you, the mail and the tears we shared. We have loved the photos you sent as your lives went on with these incredible dogs. We have seen new babies learn to love the dogs you have adopted, we have seen how they have enriched your lives and we know that they enriched ours. You successes made us whole!
So until we meet again, at the Bridge perhaps, we say "thank you!" ......... Sharona and Victor..............
In this House
(Author unknown)
Here in this house...
I will never know the loneliness I hear in the barks of the other dogs "out there".
I can sleep soundly, assured that when I wake my world will not have changed.
I will never know hunger, or the fear of not knowing if I'll eat.
I will not shiver in the cold, or grow weary from the heat.
I will feel the sun's heat, and the rain's coolness, and be allowed to smell all that can reach my nose.
My fur will shine, and never be dirty or matted.
Here in this house...
There will be an effort to communicate with me on my level.
I will be talked to and even if I don't understand, I can enjoy the warmth of the words.
I will be given a name so that I may know who I am among many.
My name will be used in joy, and I will love the sound of it!
Here in this house...
I will never be a substitute for anything I am not.
I will never be used to improve people's images of themselves.
I will be loved because of who I am, not someone's idea of who I should be.
I will never suffer for someone's anger, impatience, or stupidity.
I will be taught all the things I need to know to be loved by all.
If I do not learn my lessons well, my teachers will blame themselves, not me.
Here in this house...
I can trust the arms that hold, hands that touch...knowing that, no matter what they do, they do it for the good of me.
If I am ill, I will be doctored.
If scared, I will be calmed.
If sad, I will be cheered.
No matter what I look like, I will be considered beautiful and known to be of value.
I will never be cast out because I am too old, too ill, or too unruly, or not cute enough.
My life is a responsibility, and not an afterthought.
I will learn that my humans can almost, sometimes, be as kind and as fair as dogs.
Here in this house...
I will belong.
I will be home.
In Forever Homes
Went to Forever Homes in 2006
Maize, Lily, Vixen, Prancer, 2 Zoeys, Harley and Suzu, Velvet, Ginger, Sisco, Daisy Maisy, Buddy, Jezebel, Amica, Curly, Henry the 2nd, Roxy, Nola, Duke, Sadie, Brandy, Catherine, Minute, Andy, Diamond and darling Cassie, Tracker, Hope, Wuffles, and Spot
Into loving arms and new families 2007
Andy and Tipper, Beans, Billie, Bob, Bodie, Cole and Oreo, Shadow, Gambler, Goobers, Koa, Hinkley, Holly and Misletoe, Gracie Iris, Jakey Dog, Makana, Kiko, Marley, Scooby, Molly, Odie, Doodle, Rascal, Ringo, Romeo, Rosie Bones, Twinkle and Little Star, Mimi, Shye, Sugar Baby, Buddy, Bogie, Tara, Gus, Tux, Willie, Sammy and Snow, Ceilidh, Nuala , Cristal, Bandit, Phoebe and our much beloved boy.....Ben!
Forever homes in 2008 - Sadie, Dillon , Declan and Ginger
Wiggles, Waggles, Diesel, Zoey, Taffy, Polly, Joy, Marley, Buddy Bulldog, Willla Fiona, Caruso, Lois Ann, Phoebe, the kitties and the bunnies, Erin, now called Mabel, Bella, Kissy, Jaime and Jeffie, PITA, Ivorie, Jackson and so many more!
Went to the Rainbow Bridge in 2006
Peter, Puddles, Dickens, Buckeye and Buds, Their dear souls live on in every rescue dog that finds forever
Rainbow Bridge 2007
Ch Baliwick Brocade “Hilda”, beloved Hillie, Fenway,
Pinque , Lady Rose, George, Chuna, Skippy, 2 Leons, the 12 Angel puppies now safe in God's hands, and Cristal who never had a chance and for Lucy and all pit bulls forever lost to us.
Rainbow Bridbe 2008
Little Pinque lost her battle with congential heart disease at only 3 years old and Beauty lost to parvo from a GA kill shelter at only 8 weeks old. Beauty never had a chance but she was deeply loved for a week before dying. Our own dearly, beloved Mutley, our very first rescue dog from AZ who was the sentinel for what followed. He laid his head down forever and said good-bye after over 14 years with us.... soar with the angels dear, baby boy. Our beloved little Pixie, ET, so recently leaving us to join the rest. This dear, little rescued gal was with us such a short time. You little heart could just not hold out anymore! For Phoebe, who lost her valiant fight against Cavalier SM disease, gone to the Bridge at 11 years old.
And for my beloved companion, Victor. your last battle was the hardest to fight. You gave it your all. You are free now and reunited with your best buddies, George, Gilbert, Hilda, Muts, Pinque, Pixie, Peach, Buggy, Smooch and Jezebel, Chuna and Lady Rose. I hope you and the greyhounds are racing at the Bridge.
Rainbow Bridge 2009 - Minnie, Bodie, and Squeak babies that never knew furever - rest in peace in Victor's arms. Kane and Jack - killed in rescue in NYC! And Angel never allowed to be reunited with her beloved owner before being PTS at CACC NYC.
Rest in Peace dear dear ones. For those that never got to have FOREVER. You will have Forever in our hearts. Until we all meet again at the Bridge.
Entered into Rescue and never seen again
Nicholas, Tater and Rascal always in our thoughts
IN MEMORIAM
VICTOR KRAVITZ -CO FOUNDER, CO-PILOT of Smooch's Pooches entered into eternal and peaceful rest 12/22/08 after a long illness. He touched each and every rescue pup with love and kindness. Ready at a moments notice to run to meet a transport or to do one, his most important transport was his last one, too carry across all of the lost animals who never knew furever, who never had a second chance and who never felt the earthly love of a human. There must have been a thunderous roar at the Bridge when he walked over. He also was met by his beloved dogs, so missed, who have been waiting for him to join them and walk over together. (Rescue Rainbow Bridge, please e-mail me for a copy)
Another rescurer said "our time apart, even if decades here on earth, is but a blink of an eye for them. "
Rest in peace gentle man. Your mission here on earth is over for now.
News
The Holidays are upon us, and whatever holiday you choose to celebrate, I know that finding homes for your adoptable pets tops your Wish List. You can use the Petfinder PET PROMISE CERTIFICATE to do just that. Go to http://www.petfinder.com/petpromise for more information and to print the CERTIFICATE.
Pets as gifts have always been a topic of controversy. Some studies show that pets given as gifts stay in their homes LONGER than those acquired in other ways. Yet there is concern that the recipient be prepared for all the responsibilities that come with adding a pet to their family and that the holidays might be too hectic a time to introduce a new pet into the household. Whatever your take on pets as gifts, the PET PROMISE PROGRAM is a great solution.
The PET PROMISE CERTIFICATE allows the gift-giver to present a certificate promising the recipient the chance to adopt a pet. The gift-giver can wrap some necessary pet-care items such as a collar and leash or a carrier and give these with the PET PROMISE CERTIFICATE. Then after the hustle of the Holidays, the gift-giver can bring the new pet-parent-to-be to your shelter or your adoption event and you can help them pick the perfect pet to add to their family.
If we can encourage anyone thinking of adding a pet to their family as a holiday gift to think adoption - and stay out of the puppy-mill supplied pet stores - that will be a real gift to the homeless pets. So pass this Holiday tip along and encourage folks to give the gift of a PET PROMISE CERTIFICATE
1. Click here to download and print the Pet Promise Certificate. This will entitle the recipient to select a pet that will match their lifestyle and lets her know that you will pick up the adoption fees/donations.
2. Give the Pet Promise Certificate to your gift recipient along with a sample pet item, such as a cat carrier or a dog leash.
3. If your gift recipient is ready for the commitment and joy of adding a pet to her family, have her sign the Pledge.
4. Then you can search Petfinder™ together to find just the right homeless pet available for adoption in your area. We’ve got over 300,000 pets in need of good homes!
5. After your Pet Promise Certificate recipient has adopted her new pet, encourage her to enter her story in our Happy Tails contest, including photos of the new pet – we may use them on our website in the future!
Our Mission Statement
Smooch's Pooches - Mission Statement: Our goal is always to provide loving, forever homes to wonderful dogs in order to ensure their well being and lasting happiness.
We are a group of dedicated volunteers working to save the lives of wonderful pets who may have been abandoned, dumped or surrendered by the people they loved and trusted. Their only problem is that they don't have a forever home to go to.
Adopting a friend
Our adoption donation is usually $300 (puppies $350) . The cost for adoption is based on the best vet care available. In some case our vet cost for some very ill dogs has exceeded $1000. The average cost to us before any dog is adopted out ranges from $358 to $598. This can be higher if more services are required such as teeth cleaning. However our adoption donation will usually remain the same.
All dogs receive initial vetting before arriving at Smooch's Pooches All of our dogs are seen by our vet to ensure that the dog is healthy and protected. They are given any additional vaccinations needed, are checked for parasites and placed on heartworm treatment.
Most adult dogs will be spayed and/or neutered prior to being placed. Dogs younger than 6 months of age and not spayed/neutered must be spayed/neutered by the new owners.
We require an application for adoption and we do vet and personal reference checks . Home vists are scheduled once a prospective family has been selected. After the new home has been chosen an adoption contract is also required along with a spay/neuter contact if applicable.
Completing an application or having a home visit does not ensure that you will be eligible to adopt one of Smooch's dogs. We look for the best match for each dog. Please make sure that you have made the decision to adopt a dog before completing an application. We take this very seriously and spend a lot of time on all applicants.
Come Visit Us!
All Smooch's dogs are home fostered in experieced, loving homes by volunteers who evaluate the dogs to find the best match for a forever home. They are not kept in a shelter or kennel. All appointments to see any of Smooch's dogs are made at the convenience of the foster families.
Smooch's Pooches
A man wrote a letter to a small hotel in a Midwest town he planned to visit on his vacation.
He wrote: I would very much like to bring my dog with me.
He is well-groomed and very well behaved. Would you be willing to permit me to keep him in my room with me at night?"
An immediate reply came from the hotel owner, who wrote:
SIR: "I've been operating this hotel for many years. In all that time, I've never had a dog steal towels, bedclothes, silverware or pictures off the walls. I've never had to evict a dog in the middle of the night for being drunk and disorderly. And I've never had a dog run out on a hotel bill. Yes, indeed, your dog is welcome at my hotel.
And, if your dog will vouch for you, you're welcome to stay here, too."
