Introducing the Hedgesville Hounds Blog!
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Check us out! |
The Hedgesville Lexicon -- A Guide to the Terms We Use
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Clunk (Klunk)
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Party Beagle UPDATED 9/20/08!
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Snugglehound |
*Who We Are
The Hedgesville Hound group was formally established in 2003. We are a 501(c)(3) organization comprised of people who have several decades of combined experience. In fact, together we placed more than 120 wonderful dogs of all ages, breeds and sizes in wonderful homes across the Maryland and D.C. Metropolitan area last year!
Click here and here to view our 501c3 information.
Who are the Hedgesville Hounds?Although there is a Hedgesville, and we have definitely placed a fair number of hounds in homes, the term Hedgesville Hounds has become more emblematic than actual. It has its origins in one specific rescue that became quite inspirational to a number of volunteers. It has since captured in its scope the determination of many people with a common interest - dogs - and an uncommon commitment to helping them.
What began as an effort to help a single group of dogs in terrible need, gained momentum as these dogs were successfully placed in wonderful homes. The dogs became a kind of rallying cry, a challenge, and a cause.
Hedgesville Hounds exist everywhere. They are dogs of every breed - every size - every age - who by circumstance, ignorance, or cruelty and neglect, were put at risk. Sometimes they are cats, and even rabbits.
Our effort has been quite simple - to give them a voice. And a little help with arrangements.
And then let these wonderful creatures do the rest.Our Goal -- The Personal Touch, The Right Fit
These are the goals we strive to achieve -- our principles, if you will.
- One-on-One Communication: Once we have decided to pursue your application, we'll call you to answer your questions about the dog. If you have an hour's worth of questions, we'll give you an hour's worth of answers. This also makes applying a little more personal.
- Adoption Counseling and Followup: Once you have adopted one of our dogs, you are encouraged to contact us for advice. We have a network of volunteers, adopters and experts on different breeds who are eager to help you with some of the problems you might face with your new pet. We have loaned books, arranged for private training sessions, done Web research, consulted with behaviorists and otherwise tried to "be there" for our adopters when they need us.
- Networking: We strive for a strong working relationship with many other rescue groups. If we don't have the dog you are seeking, we can refer you to someone who does.
- Lifetime Commitment: We remain committed to our animals throughout their lives and are there to help out in any way we can.
- Wonderful Dogs: We are also a conduit to wonderful dogs whose existences are known only to a relatively small handful of other rescuers, and we make every effort to advertise those dogs to the public.
| THE ADOPTION PROCESS | WORD FORMAT ADOPTION APPLICATION | MEDICAL POLICY |
Where We Work
We place dogs in homes throughout the Washington, DC metropolitan area, Northern Virginia, Maryland and the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia. (Unfortunately, we can't make exceptions to this rule.)
How To Get StartedMost of your questions can be answered by reading the information on our site, and if you are interested in one of our dogs, the quickest way to start the process is to submit a non-binding application on line, rather than call us.
Acknowledgement of ApplicationsWe will acknowledge each application or inquiry that we have received from within our service area within 24 hours. If you do not receive a response, please assume that your application was not received or send an email to follow up. After recent problems,we are pleased to note that we are back in business as usual and expect to be able to work in this timeline. Please note: Our Petfinder listings make it clear that some dogs are not ours, but are instead courtesy postings for other rescues. If we receive an email or application about another rescue's dog, we forward such emails on to the appropriate rescue, but cannot be responsible for their response time.
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Featured Dog: Rudy
Left in an abandoned apartment for two weeks along with his little buddy, a cat, Rudy was, thankfully, discovered and rescued. We are so glad that he was found, as we think the world is a better place for having Rudy in it. (His little friend has also gone into safe rescue care.) First impressions of Rudy generally inspire an ear-to-ear grin; his noble, large head sits on shoulders supported by short, sturdy legs, which also support a very elongated span of body and tail. If Rudy's stature is a surprise at first, you have only to witness him in motion to marvel at his stocky power and his wondrous agility. Rudy is definitely a one of a kind dog, and in addition to Basset Hound, we are guessing that his fine head with its dark tapered muzzle and large ears may point to some shepherd ancestry as well. 
Rudy's face is very expressive - his beautiful dark, brown eyes are rimmed in black, and hold an expression that is at once, soft, open and intelligent. We are told that the family with whom Rudy formerly belonged had three children, and we see in Rudy a wonderful repertoire of play that he must have shared with his young humans. He is housetrained and gets along happily with cats and other dogs. It appears to us at this point that Rudy's early training emphasized fun over structured pursuits like leash walking, but we can also say without a doubt that he is one of the most sweetly cooperative dogs we have ever met, and that he is striving hard to learn. It is very evident that he was always included in home life, and that he yearns desperately to be included again. The most important thing to know about Rudy is that he is affectionate and loving - and although you might not guess this when you watch Rudy wildly plunging through the snow in joyous play, he also has a quiet dignity and earnestness that are very touching. The vet guesses Rudy's age at around 18 months - and although Rudy is rather thin at this writing, he is otherwise in excellent health. Rudy will bring loyal companionship, fun, and a deep and gentle bond to his adopter(s). 
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ATTENTION ADOPTERS: If you'd like to send us an update and new pictures of your dog, we'd love to see them. Please let us know whether we can use your first names or first names and initials. Please send an email and pictures to hedgesvillehound@aol.com. Please keep pictures to under 100K each -- thanks!
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Resources, Columns and Features
Looking for trainers?
This is a list of trainers who use positive reinforcement, which we heartily endorse as a general school of training. We haven't worked with all of these trainers, but as far as broad philosophy, we are emphatic in the use of positive reinforcement.
Click here to do more research.Breed Spotlight
One of our goals is to help people think outside the box in terms of dogs that might be a good match for. With this in mind, we introduce our "Spotlight Breed" feature, which will provide a mixture of practical information and first-hand experience on a specific breed that you might not have considered before.New! Click here to read the spotlight on the Foxhound.
Akita |
Black and Tan |
Bluetick |
Chessie |
Great Dane |
Pit Bull |
Senior Dachshund |
The So-Called Yellow Dog | The Blab -- UPDATED 8/09!!! |
The Mutt | The Chow Chow |
New Column!
NEW COLUMN!
Click here for a new column from one of our directors on "Animal Welfare's Dirty Little Secret."
Click here for a column on "Adopting A Special Needs Pet."
Click here for column one on "Adopting A Senior Pet."
Click here for the column"What Some Vets Don't Know."
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Want to Make a Donation?
We now take credit cards! |
or |
Send a check made out to "Hedgesville Hounds" to: Hedgesville Hounds PO Box 2174 Hedgesville, WV, 25427 |
Friends, Funds and Benefactors
Click here to see a list of our friends or find out how to become a benefactor.This page includes information about the Brandy Hodges Fund, as well as information about our newest DogFather, Karen!
This section includes the In Memoriam page, which acknowledges the generous donations made in the name of a departed companion. Click here to visit the latest "In Memoriam" page, which includes a special page for Edward "Bud" Hawkens. |
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Contact Us
Hedgesville HoundsRockville, MD 20850
Email: applications@hedgesvillehounds.com
Please note that wehave a new phone number as of 12/5/07:1-301-576-8461.
OR write to:
Hedgesville Hounds
PO Box 2174
Hedgesville, WV, 25427
Our Pet List
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