Our Dogs' Stories: Reducing the Shelter Dog Population

Meet Rudabaker James Brundage (AKA: RUDY). The Brundage family fostered Rudy through Dog-Harmony several years ago and just couldn't let him go. He was rescued off of a porch where he was caged 24/7, malnourished, diseased skin falling off of him, no hair and sleeping in his own feces. Somewhere along the line his left paw broke and was never reset so he walks a little funny. While captive, he wore down and lost many of his teeth from trying to chew his way out of his caged nightmare. Dog-Harmony rescued him near death. We took him in as a foster in hopes we could get him the medical attention he needed and eventually be well enough to be adopted out to a loving family. After many months of doctor visits and lots of love, this sweet baby's rashes began to heal, his hair began to come back and he was finally gaining weight. In the meantime, we all fell in love. We had all lived through something with him. Rudy and Chris became best friends, Kenzie and Payton fought over who could snuggle with him at night and I continued to wrap him in blankets and love to making sure he was living his best life. We whole-heartedly adopted Rudy. I know that Dog-Harmony is much more than rescue adoption. They go into schools and teach young children about bite prevention and work hard to train both animals & humans...….but Dog-Harmony is so much more to our family. They brought us a fur-baby we never knew we needed. I am so honored to fundraise for this local rescue that not only recued Rudy and countless other animals, but also rescued my heart. Please consider supporting. There are so many "Rudy's" out there waiting to be rescued off porches and free from chains & cages. This is a smaller local organization that could really use the support!

I adopted my adorable, energetic, Florida brown dog, Chloe, from Dog-Harmony, Inc. in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida in November 2017. Chloe came to Dog-Harmony from another shelter due to overcrowding. Too many dogs are returned to the animal shelters, which are overwhelmed in northwest Florida and by necessity have high euthanasia rates.

New to the Panhandle area of Florida and looking for volunteer opportunities involving rescue dogs, I applied to Dog-Harmony. After meeting Chloe, I knew my life would change. I was in love with the exuberant, brown puppy and already wracking my brain to figure out how I could take care of a dog.

Dog-Harmony emphasized that there was no pressure to adopt Chloe at that meeting, and that fostering-to-adopt was an option. The most important thing was to take the time to make sure Chloe and I were a good match and that we had fun in the process of getting to know each other.

I have been happier than I have been in several years since I adopted Chloe, who has become my official office partner at Elevate Next. In fact, I started my own consulting firm due in large part to Chloe. I needed a work lifestyle that still allowed time with Chloe for training, socialization and adventures.

Best of all, Chloe has introduced me to an incredible network of dog-loving friends and colleagues. We both made great friends at the local dog park, and our favorite state park is Rocky Bayou, where Chloe loves to swim. I can’t thank Dog-Harmony enough for the opportunity to adopt Chloe, who has truly rescued me.

Denny was one of eight puppies in a litter dropped off at a vet’s office in Pensacola. After they were healthy enough to leave the vet’s office, Dog-Harmony pulled them and started searching for new homes for all puppies. Amy Yanora, Manager of Robin’s Bikes & Fitness, had just lost a dog and wasn’t quite ready to adopt another one, but Denny stole her heart. He goes to work with her every day at the bike shop and with her on all her adventures hiking, camping and travelling.

From Amy: Then I saw him at Hidden Dunes when Robin donated a bicycle for a fundraiser. I said, "Nancy, if you ever need help fostering, I wouldn't mind helping with that cute one, he's so handsome.” I had him for a week or 2 before hurricane Michael was coming and I told her Denny could evacuate with us. He was amazing! He drove in the back seat with the shop cat, Bubba and never made a peep. He slept curled up around my head and followed me anywhere. Everyone who knew me, knew I was going to fail at fostering. My husband Mark said "oh! I thought you were bringing Foster, the dog home, not, we are going to "foster" a dog"🤣🤣 He knew the first time he saw him, we would keep him. Denny has truly been a Godsend. I do not know what I'd do without him. He is TOTALLY my Therapy Dog. He goes everywhere, and I mean everywhere, with me.

Maggie came from a family who could no longer care for her and Shantelle Dedicke stepped up to foster the adorable Maggie.

Finn came from another shelter along with Chloe. He was very shy at first and would not let anyone touch him. Janie Schmidt-Harris, a Dog-Harmony volunteer, and her husband decided to foster Finn about a month after their wedding. Finn absolutely completed our little family. He's been with us through so much over these past three years, and I can't imagine our life without our little snuggle bug.

Dublin came to Dog-Harmony from another shelter due to overcrowding.

From Corey Flynn: Dublin found us. She brought her personality and charm into our household when things were just getting a little – well, shall we say - boring. She spiced up our world, challenged our patience and showed a new kind of love to us and our other pup, Irie.