The Revolution Has Begun

I received an email the other day and it floored me, I wanted to share it with you. I met Dennis through my good friend Kim a few months ago. He runs a pet store in Camarillo and his passion is saving dogs. He is a one of a kind guy and a real stand up person. He told me that he really loved the concept of Bound Angels, and had created a media center in his store that shows Bound Angels videos all day long. The center is beautifully created and a joy to visit. Everyone who walks into All Pet Headquarters in Camarillo can see the videos playing, learn about adopting shelter dogs, and NOW... adopt a shelter dog right there.

Dennis has dedicated an entire area of his store to puppies from kill-shelters that can be adopted from him instead of buying one. My hat is off to Dennis. The photo above is the marquee over the area where the puppies are house. He concept was a Knight riding in and freeing a dog and bringing him to a forever home. Here's a quick quote from the email which made my day:

"Robert, I truly like your work and think you do a great job with the videos and also believe the revolution has begun. A tribute to your work……Dennis"

Dealing with Fear Aggression

Last week a friend of mine asked me for some help in dealing with a pair of German Shepherds that were adopted to a very nice lady living in Santa Barbara. The best part of the story is that after these two a father and daughter had sat in the shelter for almost a year, they were adopted from a youtube video inspired by our Shelter Angel Video Program.

Well, it seems as though the girl, Lilly had a little bit of a biting issue. Some trainers had worked with her, but the lady was still a little pensive about how to handle Lilly. I offered to ride up with my friend and pay a visit.

This was a classic example of fear based aggression which is oftentimes mis-diagnosed as dominance. This is a very bad mistake and can be impossible to fix if not properly handled. Trainers who approach all situations with a blanket approach are the culprits of messing up more dogs than anything. I've seen motivational based trainers mess up dogs with serious dominance issues and correction based trainers mess up dogs with fear based aggression. I was happy to step in in place of a trainer who might screw this girl up any more.

I could see immediately that Lilly was very insecure without her dad Romi around. So I taught the owner how to build up Lilly's confidence and work from there. I will post an article over at www.blackbeltdogtraining.com in the next week on how to deal with fear based aggression in dogs.

The most important thing I would like to stress here is that it is crucial in dealing with a dog with aggression to determine the cause of it before you try to solve it. A good trainer / behaviorist will cost a bit more, but will solve the problem in a manner that is fair to the dog and it will work. I received an email that the owner already better understands how to deal with Lilly's personality and is doing the homework to get her on her way.

Blind Joey Update - Great News

It was almost two years ago that I wandered into the shelter in downtown LA and found a small, black dog sitting all alone in the middle of a kennel. This dog intrigued me and I could not figure out why. I studied the dog and upon closer examination found out she was blind. A seven year old BLIND dog, dumped at the shelter... I was furious.

Joey would be one of my first rescues and one of my most memorable videos, check out her video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zpQJ99ECGLg

I sent Joey off to a great rescue in New Orleans, Gypsy’s Eye Blind Dog Rescue. Michelle was an angel. We worked out the details and I flew Joey to her rescue a few days later. We kept in touch a bit, and I knew that Joey had found her home, but that was about it.

Then, just the other day, I received a message on facebook from Joey's new family. I got all choked up (of course)... and I want to share a little of the story with you here...

Hey Robert, I got your youtube message, but it thinks it's easier to send pics in a facebook message. Here's what my wife, Erin, wrote about Joey:

Cade had grown up with schnauzers and wanted to get one, but I was a cat person and thought a dog would be too much work. But I do love animals, and I’m big into animal rights. I gradually warmed up to the idea of a dog, but insisted that we rescue one, not buy one from a breeder. Cade began looking online and came across Joey, a partially blind schnauzer who had been sent to Louisiana from a shelter in California. We met with Michelle, who runs Gypsy’s Eye Blind Dog Rescue, and took Joey for a short visit. She was very wary at first but quickly got used to us. We grew to love her and decided to adopt her officially. Now she follows me around the house and growls at anyone who comes near me, including Cade! I still love my cat, but I am definitely a dog person now, too.

We groom her ourselves ... well, we try to. She won't let us get the clippers anywhere near her head. So she has a giant, fluffy head until we get her to Petsmart or someplace for some expert grooming.

And the attached picture is me and my wife at a dog birthday party with Joey.

A Happy Day for Romeo & Juliet

If you've ever wanted to see an expression of true happiness, you only needed to be with me as I secured the safety of Romeo & Juliet, the sharpei pair that have swept the web by storm. Blind Juliet depends on her Romeo for safety, security and love. He is absolutely one of the sweetest creatures God has ever created. They both hopped into the back of my car after leaving the shelter where they sat for over a month. Once in my car they then sat up and looked out the window. Even though little Juliet can not see anything, she stood up and perched herself against the window of my SUV just the same. Eventually Romeo made his way toward me and just licked the back of my arm. Slowly Juliet inched her way forward and began licking. My eyes filled with tears as I finally realized what a miracle these two have been a part of.

Through the help of so many people, starting with The Pasadena Humane Society (thank you Kevin), all of your generous help in spreading the message and Kathy of Merlin's Hope for stepping forward to place these two, these guys have a second chance at life... and not just a second chance, Merlin's Hope and Bound Angels are committed that it will be a second chance at life TWO-gether 4EVER. They will be fostered in a real home, with other dogs, a good diet and lots of love. NEVER another shelter for them.

I brought them to a friend of mine to board them overnight, as they will be getting aboard a jet place on Thursday heading for Merlin's Hope. Kim Haba, the best anesthesia free teeth cleaning tech gave them both a nice cleaning, we bought them two new beds and they're as happy as can be. This will be an exiting journey and we are all a part of it. Giving hope to the hopeless... Through the power of LOVE... its all possible... Look at those faces ...

More updates to come...

If you feel inclined to donate to be a part of this, it is greatly appreciated. Click HERE>>>

Stumped... He's still at the shelter

Over the past 2 months I've featured so many cool dogs and cats on our new Shelter Video Angels program at WWW.BOUNDANGELS.ORG/LAAS and I'm stumped that Luda is still there.. He is the sweetest boy, very up beat and fun, good with people and other dogs. He really needs a home. Won't you help spread the word?! He's at the North Central Shelter and you could not ask for a better bunch of people to deal with, everyone there is friendly and willing to help you out. Tell 'em Bound Angels sent you.

WATCH THE SUPER COOL VIDEO - Click Here...

Luda is about a year old,black lab mix, friendly and fun and during my test with him I could not see anything that was not perfect. They say black dogs have a hard time at the shelter, and I'm seeing that to be true. Lets break that stereotype...

Join the Revolution...

______________________________
Robert Cabral
BOUND ANGELS
"giving a voice to animals"
www.boundangels.org
www.BoundAngels.tv
www.youtube.com/boundangels
www.blackbeltdogtraining.com

Jasmine- A NEW LIFE

Sometimes people ask me why I do what I do, and I ponder. Then I get an email like this one and its pretty clear. The story of Jasmine is a sad one. You can check out her youtube video and you'll learn more, but what really hits home is when you hear the story from the person who adopts. This is the story from Vikki who adopted Jasmine not too long ago.. Thank you Vikki for sharing!

email #1

My name is Vikki from the pei_cafe,Kathy (aka MM) was telling me about all the great work you do trying to save animals.
I just wanted to take the time to thank you for all the hard work you do I just adopted a little black Sharpei named Jasmine from Kathy that came from CA...if it weren't for people like you I wouldn't have this sweet little girl....all of my dogs as well as both of my daughters have been throw away dog...rescues.

Kathy told me Jasmines story the more I hear and saw pictures of her the more I know I needed to see if she would allow us to adopt her...we were so thrilled to hear back from Kathy telling how happy she was that we wanted to give her a forever home....knowing how hard it is in this line of work and just how hard and depressing it can get I wanted you to know how much people like you *really* do make a differences in so many lives....thank God for people like you...what a shame there weren't more like you in this world because it sure would make this world a much better place....so thank you for doing what your doing and do keep making a difference in this world by doing what you do.
Vikki

email #2

Hello Robert,
It's so nice to meet you...I'm so *thankful* you saved this little girl she's a true joy such a sweet pei.

She looks better each week..I've given her a couple of baths to get all the dirty out of her and I think one more should do it...she loves when I brush her which makes her coat shine..its so soft now.

Your so right she really dose have a wonderful personality even after all she's gone through...its so hard for me to think of anyone hurting her much less wanting to put her down...its so hard to understand why or how people can treat them in them so cruel.

Yes Kathy dose a wonderful job with any fur she gets..were so happy that she showed us Jasmine even tho I wasn't looking to adopt another dog just having lost my big rescue chow Riley to cancer but hearing her story and knowing how much she reminded me of Riley's personality I just knew she needed us as much as my husband and I needed her.

Again I'm so happy you take the time to help as many of these second hand dogs get another chance at having a wonderful forever home...thank you for doing with out you and Kathy we wouldn't have this beautiful little pei girl.
Yes it would be very nice to stay in touch.

A couple of pictures to remind you what you do is so worth the huge effort,time and disappointments of not being able to save all you hope to be able to save..you did this one and she's a happy little girl now..
Vikki

Please watch Jasmine in the snow... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VtgPA7SUkh4

Thank you Vikki, you make the hard work worthwhile.

Kelly S. Saves one .... because she could save ONE...

It has been my goal with Bound Angels to inspire people to step up to the plate and "Join the Revolution." Well, I'd like to share a great story with you here from an Angel name Kelly.

**********
here's the email Kelly received:
I volunteer with my local impound, we have a "senior" female, who is hard of hearing and has some ear infection issues. She is in need of rescue, she is TERRIFIED in the shelter. She does warm up after you get her out. Very quiet girl. She is located in Sioux City, IA Animal Control center
************
Here's what I received from Kelly:
Hi Robert,
I am so Inspired by what you do. I saw what Kathy & Dawn from Merlin's Hope and you did for Jasmine. I got to meet her in Maine. I wanted to take her, we have 3 PEI and Newman is in the wheelchair. Jasmine is going to her forever home soon in Vermont, its just incredible! Anyway I saw this girl and she looked like my First dog I got from Animal Rescue. I lost 3 years ago and I could let this one go, same eyes staring back at me pleading get me out... I had no idea what to do I am in Massachusetts and she was is in Iowa. I called and emailed every rescue I knew. I have been on the phone for a week. A nice lady got her out got her to a vet where I offered to pay her board until we could get her into a rescue. My prayers were answered Tues and WE LOVE PAWS shar -pei rescue called me! They are going to help her get a forever home and I am covering her expenses. They have arranged and 8 person Transport. So She will be at the vets in Iowa a week more I just send them a box of things for her. She is not as old as they thought and is a sweet girl like Jasmine. I couldn't be happier. I wish everyone would help just one dog. My Husband has always said Kell you can't save them all. This time I said I can save this one :-)

Sheila MD part-time Lab rescue Volunteer Pulled her from Sioux city "she saved her life" She then Contacted Deanna who has arranged all the transport with Deb At "we love paws shar-pei rescue" Chicago. Doc and Barb at the Rock Rapids veterinary clinic in Iowa have been taking spacial care of her and they do right by rescue. All these people Deserve so much credit.


I am so inspired by everything you do you are just an incredible person.

Bless you,
Kelly

*******
I play the lottery every week, and although I've never one anyting on it, I have won the lottery in receiving this email from Kelly... I AM INSPIRED BY WHAT YOU DID!!!

Thanks for sharing....

Best to you!

Robert

Zeus - the happy ending

Zeus was more than a rescue or a dog I trained.  Zeus and I connected on such a deep spiritual level that its hard to describe in words.  I knew he would be a part of my life the first time I ever walked by his cage in August 2008.  I made several pleas, but no one stepped up.  Since he wasn't a 100% purebred Malinois, the Malinois rescues shunned him.  So, he was due to be killed.  Being the stubborn person I am, I bailed him out with no hope of what to do with him.  Living in a loft at the beach with one dominant dog, I knew he would not be coming to sleep over.  I boarded him and immediately began training and socializing him.  Something he did not have since he spent the last 5 months at the shelter.

He was a handful, and I don't say that too often.  Take a look at the videos and you'll see what mean.  For those who know the physical strength of a Mal,  you may understand.  He was one of the most challenging dogs I've trained and the most challenging one I've rescued.  I spent 3 weeks training him ever day and spending on average 2 hours a day with him.  He needed a lot of work.

In my heart I wanted to keep him, but I know my responsibility to him was to find him the best home I could.  Strangely enough I got an email from some great people who saw the YouTube video I did on him.  I had talked to several others, but none clicked with me.  Tim did right away.  Then I talked to his wife Lori and it was a hit.  I reviewed their application and drove down a few days later with Zeus.  Zeus and I looked at each other and we knew this is where he belonged.  I handed the leash over to their son Joey and the energy between Zeus and I moved to another place.  He would glance at me from time to time, but he knew what was happening.  He and I always communicated with a look, and this time was no different.

Zeus was so well behaved and calm, he was a teacher for me as much as I was for him.  He taught me strength and I taught him discipline, we taught each other about love.  The family of Lori, Tim and Joey are such a perfect family for him that my heart, although sad to say goodbye, was warm in knowing the love they would share.

I've received so many emails and calls from them praising how they love him that I feel still connected with him.  They give him the love and structure plus the big yard a dog like Zeus needs.  I am blessed to have met Zeus and further blessed that a loving, perfect family like Tim, Lori and Joey opened their hearts and door to him.