Mountaintop Natural Pets

Source: BusinessWire.com, Mar 17, 2010

LoveHandlers Animal Sanctuary (www.LoveHandlers.org) has opened it doors as a nonprofit no-kill charity rescue for “differently-abled” animals. Beautifully located on sixty acres in the heart of the Great Smoky Mountains of Greeneville, Tenn., LoveHandlers’ mission is to provide these deserving souls with a loving second chance at enjoying a full quality life; to rescue, save, shelter, rehabilitate and find human companions in good homes when possible. Otherwise the animals are cared for in a loving, secure and comfortable environment for the duration of their natural lives. LoveHandlers is operated 100% by donations and contributions are tax deductible to this nonprofit 501(c)(3) charity.

“Too many blind, deaf, injured and disabled dogs, cats and horses are discarded by owners without thought as to how much life and love is still in the animal”

“Too many blind, deaf, injured and disabled dogs, cats and horses are discarded by owners without thought as to how much life and love is still in the animal,” says LoveHandlers’ President Kirk Rees. “A blind dog can do everything a sighted dog does…it just does it closer.”

Rees founded LoveHandlers Animal Sanctuary in January 2007 after seeing a need for a caring environment to house and let these special animals have a second chance at a healthy fulfilling life. One year later, with 720 tons of stone for roadways, two 500 foot wells, septics, electricity, a 1700 square foot facility to host 100+ friends, construction of an additional grooming and health center as well as fenced pasture land, LoveHandlers began accepting disabled animals.

LoveHandlers Animal Sanctuary accepts disabled animals from all over the United States where they are medically treated, neutered, socialized and put up for adoption throughout North America. To date, dozens of “differently-abled” animals have found loving homes.

In early 2009 LoveHandlers Animal Sanctuary created the Apples Orchard Memorial Garden (named after its founding blind basset hound, Apples). Nestled in the peaceful backdrop of the Smoky Mountains, the Apples Orchard Memorial Garden features a walkway custom made of personalized bricks engraved with the name of a special animal friend that has passed on. A donation of $100 or more can be made in the name of one’s pet or donors can give the gift of friendship on behalf of a loved one who has lost their special pet. Visit their website to reserve an engraved brick or call 423-329-0554 for more information.

Source: BBCNews.com, July 24, 2009

A dog rescue centre in Norfolk is trying to find a new home for a blind sheepdog and its “guide dog”.

The two border collies, called Bonnie and Clyde, were found roaming on a country road. It was not immediately clear why one followed the other.

Cherie Cootes, from Meadowgreen Dog Rescue Centre, in Hales, near Loddon, said they could not be separated.

She discovered that Bonnie led Clyde, who had lost his sight because of a degenerative disease.

“If Clyde’s unsure where he is, he will suddenly go behind Bonnie and put his face on the back of her so she can guide him, he totally relies on her,” said Ms Cootes.

There’s no option of homing them separately. They’ve got to go as a pair Cherie Cootes, Meadowgreen Dog Rescue Centre

“And when she walks she tends to stop and make sure he’s there – she does look out for him.

“When she’s about you wouldn’t notice he is blind, but when she’s not about he refuses to move.

“There’s no option of homing them separately. They’ve got to go as a pair.”

The dogs were found running through Blundeston, near Lowestoft in Suffolk, during a storm three weeks ago.

Neither Clyde, who is thought by the rescue centre workers to be about five years old, nor Bonnie, whose estimated age is two or three, had identifying collars or chips.