Home at Last!

Scout & Molly are finally in their forever home! Ti and Brian picked them up from the shelter yesterday, and it was love at first sight. Here's an email from Ti:

"...Scout & Molly are home and are getting settled in well! They have already chosen sides of the bed, met Elvis (which prompted us to close the door to that room for a while - I don't think he's ready for big siblings yet), eaten dinner, and gone for a walk to check out the neighborhood. Scout is now sprawled on their blanket from Aunt Marcie, chewing a rawhide, and Molly is sitting on the couch taking it all in. She is actually pretty good with Brian already, she put her paws on him in the backseat of the car and has walked over to him a few times. She also takes treats from him, well, they both do :) ...We love them both already!!"

Here are some pictures of Scout and Molly with their very own forever family:

We're so happy that Scout & Molly are finally home with Ti and Brian! It's been a long, bumpy, and emotional road, and we could not have asked for a better outcome!

I'm going to hand the blog over to Ti and Brian so they can continue with updates, so stay tuned to watch Scout & Molly enjoying their new, happy life!

Scout & Molly are adopted!

We are thrilled to announce that, after a long and bumpy road, Scout & Molly have finally found a forever home to call their own. While today was bittersweet for Marcie & Matt, putting the dogs on the bus headed north means Scout and Molly's long-awaited dream of a family of their own has finally come true.

Ti & Brian are newlyweds that both grew up with dogs in their lives. As they begin their new life together, it felt like the right time to add a furry family member (though they do have one furbaby already, Elvis the Guinea pig!). When looking for a dog, they began wondering if a bonded pair of dogs would better suit their needs. Ti emailed Great Dog Rescue to inquire about Scout & Molly, and the rest is history. The more they learned, the more excited they became. After a long conversation with Marcie, Ti & Brian decided this super-special pair was just what they had in mind!

We are so excited to finally be sending Scout & Molly "home" to a family that already has so much love for them. This opens a new chapter for them, and we'll be watching to see the excitement that bring!

We would like to take this opportunity to thank those that contributed both to Scout & Molly's care, and to Great Dog Rescue New England. Without such an outpouring of generosity, these dogs would not have made it out of that Georgia shelter alive.

And to Marcie & Matt, your generosity and kindness will never be forgotten. We are so very greatful for all you've done.

Stay tuned for frequent updates of Scout & Molly in their new home! We'll let you know when they make it up north safely (and will have pictures too!), and Ti will be taking over the blog so we can all watch Scout & Molly enjoy their new life with this amazing family!

Big News for Scout & Molly!

It's been awhile since we've updated the blog, and we have lots of good news to share! First and foremost, Molly had her second eye surgery about 10 days ago. She's doing very well. She had some tear ducts removed, and is expected to be just fine. While the doctor says she may need another surgery, all our fingers and paws are crossed that this was her last surgery and she's on the mend permanently now! Poor Molly was also diagnosed with tape worms. She's already begun treatment and is doing fine.

The pups have been enjoying the summer weather, and Scout has really enjoyed playing with Marcie's two dogs. Here he is in action:

"Here Sophie, lemme just stand on him and you bite him!"

"Jack, I don't really wanna share this tug toy with you bud..."

"Ok, Ok...I'll share! You're furriness is squiiiishing me!"

Our other big piece of news is that Scout & Molly are finally going to be heading up to Massachusetts! While Marcie & Matt will surely miss them, it's time for these lil' doggies to move on and find a forever home of their own. And speaking of forever homes, you best tune in next week. We promise to have the biggest announcement yet! You won't want to miss it!

Bad News for Molly

Yesterday, Marcie noticed that Molly's good eye was very red and swollen. She also noticed the spot where her other eye used to be was also red and swollen. Since Molly had just completed a round of antibiotics for her conjunctivitis, we assumed it was residual infection. Marcie dropped her at the vet's office this morning, and unfortunately, she received some bad news about Molly's previous eye surgery:

"...she will more than likely need surgery [again] this Friday. The eye specialist said it looks like the vet who removed the eye didn't remove all the tear ducts. So she is still producing tears and it's causing fluid buildup and has no way to drain....She pulled some of the fluid and is testing it to make sure it's not infected. She didn't see any puss - so that's a good thing...They will go in and clean out her eye to make sure everything is removed and clean. Then she will remove part of the eye lid that the previous vet left so her incision will be very clean and flat."

Molly's surgery will cost between $200 and $250, and is being scheduled for this Friday. Donation information can be found at the top of this blog. Every little bit helps, and Molly thanks you for caring!

In addition to the information above, we want to let you all know that we have begun reaching out to local media outlets in the hopes that Scout and Molly's story can reach as many people as possible. Sadly, we have not yet received any applications for potential adopters for the pair. They are thriving with Marcie & Matt, but it's been a long road, and the two are ready for their own forever home. Please, take a moment to forward the blog link to as many friends and family members as you can. They are incredibly sweet and loving pups, and deserve another chance at life.

New Scout & Molly Pictures!

Scout and Molly continue to make huge strides! Scout is a total ham, and Molly is really opening up now. Here's an email update from Marcie:

"They loved meeting Matt's parents this weekend. And, my sister came over with her dog and Layla the beagle. They had a blast. I tried to get pictures of Molly playing but she's afraid of the camera...

Miss Molly is doing much better with Matt. I've been having him walk Scout and I walk with Molly. Before, Molly would tuck her tail and try to get as far away from Matt as possible. But, now she wants to walk beside him. If he tries to talk to her, she gets nervous. But, she is definately showing interest in getting to know him..."

And below are some great new pictures of the two:

Waggin Tails!

Scout and Molly are doing wonderfully! Scout has always been a happy, waggy, loving boy, and continues to thrive with Marcie and Matt loving on him. Molly is also becoming a happy, waggy girl! Here's an email update from Marcie:

"...Miss Molly is becoming very spunky! She was tring to play the whole time we were walking this morning. Then, she saw a bird and tried to chase it. She's turning into a nut just like Scout."

Scout and Molly will be staying with Marcie and Matt a bit longer, as we have been unable to find them a foster home together in the NE area. If you or anyone you know might be able to foster them, or wishes to adopt this sweet pair, please visit www.gdrne.com and fill out an adoption application. Scout and Molly are healthy and ready for their forever home!

On another note, Great Dog Rescue is holding a Meet & Greet on Saturday June 27th from 11-1 at 259 Ayer Rd. in Harvard, MA. If you've been searching for a furry companion, or are interested in fostering or volunteering, please join us! We'll have lots of cutie pies available for snuggling!

Big news for Molly!

Molly has some very exciting news to share! She had a big night last night! Here's an email we received from Marcie:

...I had to tell you about Molly :-) I came home today and was playing with Scout as usual. Molly was watching from the kennel with the door open. She all of the sudden ran out and stood on her back legs with her little feet on my chest and looked right at my face! She has never done this before. Then, she play bowed to Scout and started running after him and play nipping at him :-) It was one of the most wonderful things I've ever seen. To see how afraid she was when we first got her just days ago and to see her run and play like a normal puppy was overwhelming. I calmed her down because I know she has to take it easy for awhile because of the HW. Then she went over and picked out a nylabone and started chewing on it. She wouldn't touch any of her toys before... I really think that once she has settled into their forever home, she will have an amazing personality. Scout loved it too. He was so happy to finally have her play with him. He's tried to get her to over the past days - but, she wasn't super interested.

But wait...that's not all of Molly's big news. There's more!

And, she finally took a treat from Matt. She has been so afraid of men that she wouldn't even take chicken from him. Yesterday he put a treat down in front of her and took a few steps back - she took it and seemed very happy. I'm so proud of her!

Scout is such a happy, playful, carefree pup, and now it seems Molly is following suit! Obviously, she's on the path to recovery from her eye surgery, spay and Heartworm treatment.

Anyone would be lucky to call these two their own. These dogs deserve the best life possible, and Great Dog Rescue is committed to making sure their wish comes true! Please visit their PetFinder listing (link in yesterday's post), and help us spread the word about these two babies!

Another big day!

Scout & Molly were listed on Petfinder last night. Today marks the official start of their adoption!! Check out their listing here:

http://www.petfinder.com/petnote/displaypet.cgi?petid=13918801

Scout & Molly will only be adopted out as a pair. They are so incredibly attached to one another and we believe the key to their happy life is keeping them together. Please spread the word to family and friends in New England! If you are interested in adopting these two sweethearts, please fill out an Adoption Application and Tracey will contact you soon!

Get along little doggies...

Scout and Molly are preparing for their transport up north! While Marcie and Matt will be sad to say goodbye, they are excited to see the pups find their forever home together! Great Dog Rescue is extremely appreciative for the kindness, patience, and sheer love Marcie and Matt have shown these two during their time together. While Scout has been improving daily, and has turned into quite the "stinker" (as Marcie so lovingly calls him), Matt has worked tirelessly with Molly to show her that men are caring and loving creatures too. Marcie tells us that Molly is coming out of her shell more and more each day, and she has no doubts that she'll be just fine. Had it not been for the affection and attention from Marcie and Matt, these two surely would not have made such huge strides in such a short amount of time. The world needs more people like Marcie and Matt.

Scout & Molly will begin their travels on Tuesday next week. We will continue to update the blog with their progress. In the meantime, enjoy these pics of the sweet lil' hound dawgs!

New dogs, new tricks...

It's been a week since our last update. Scout and Molly are doing wonderfully with Marcie and Matt! Shy little Molly is really starting to come out of her shell, and Scout is always hard at work, eager to please. Both are recovering beautifully from their surgeries, and will be ready for their journey to New England early next week. Here's an email update from Marcie:


Poor little Scout had an accident last night - in my running shoe! I took them both out to potty when I got home from work. We came back inside and I was going to play with them for a bit before feeding them dinner. Scout ran over to the door and stood on his back legs and hit it with his paw I thought he just wanted to walk longer. So, I turned my back for a second to talk to Molly - when I looked back at Scout, he was pooping in my shoe by the door! I grabbed him and we went outside to finish. It was really my fault. I think he was trying to tell me he had to go and I missed the sign. He's so smart. They're both really catching on to being house trained.

They're both doing great today. Molly actually tried to run a little on our walk and her tail and head were both held high! That's a big deal for her. She used to always walk around with her tail between her legs and her little head down. I was so proud of her!

Here are some pictures of the two little cutie pies!

Loving their walks...

The handsome Mr. Scout...

Miss Molly regaining her strength. So many surgeries for such a small girl, but she's definately on the mend!

We should mention here that Scout is quite the Ladies' Man! This is Scout loving on Marcie's sister, Rachel. While Scout does love to snuggle and play with Matt, it's apparent he prefers the ladies!

Car rides and tail waggin'!

Alicia and her husband Jason, who picked Scout and Molly up from the shelter and drove them the first leg of the trip, are currently on vacation. But that didn't stop Alicia from sending in the following adorable pictures from her part of the transport. Enjoy!

Here's Little Miss Molly, excited to be on her way to happiness!

And Scout was just as excited...

Molly was a little tired...

So she snuggled down next to her brother...

Scout and Molly say "Thanks for the lift guys!".

Starting to Feel the Love...

Scout and Molly were spayed and neutered yesterday, and both did remarkably well! Marcie called to check in on them after lunch, and though she had originally planned to leave them there for the night to recouperate, she decided they needed to be home with her and Matt. Here's an email that Marcie sent this morning:

Both pups are doing much better today :-) Scout acts as if nothing happened. Molly is still uncomfortable I think; but, she had a very good appetite last night and this morning. Scout wouldn't eat dinner - but he did have breakfast.

They have not had one accident while they've been with us! And, I know they have to potty because when we go outside they tinkle and tinkle. I'm trying to really keep them on a schedule. I think that will help more than anything.

Matt is spending a lot of time with them. Molly seems to be nervous around men. You can tell she wants to love them. She'll go over to Matt very carefully and he'll pet her and talk to her - then she comes back over and gets in my lap and looks at me like, "I'm just not too sure about him yet." :-) It's so sweet.

They are absolutely no problem at all - very sweet angels. Scout is always very concerned about Molly. He wants to see what she's doing and make sure she's ok.

I wish I knew what their lives were like before. There is this sad look in their eyes that just breaks my heart. Scout seems to be coming out of it faster than Molly. It looks like Molly has had at least one litter of puppies. I think with a safe place to stay, yummy food, walks and some love, they'll come around quickly! I'm so glad we're getting to spend this time with them :-)

This evening we're going to work on walking up and down stairs. Scout is terrified of stairs. He is also afraid to walk on the hardwood floors. The downstairs room they are in has carpet and he seems fine with that.

Scout and Molly have made huge strides in the few days they've been with Marcie and Matt. Dogs are resilient creatures. Scout and Molly have been through a lot in their short little lives, but, as Marcie stated above, with some love and kindness, they'll be ok.

Safe & Sound

After a very long day in the car, Scout & Molly are safe at home with Marcie and Matt. The transport went well, and everyone was very excited to meet the two. Here is a picture of Vicki, Scout, and Molly. Vicki drove the dogs from Atlanta, up to Marcie & Matt:

Here's what Vicki had to say about her leg of the transport:

Scout and Molly were super easy in the car, even though Scout somehow managed to unbuckle himself and fall on the floor between the hammock and the front seat. Luckily, he wasn't tall enough to climb over and get my chili dog lunch. :) I could see a nose poking over and hear lots of sniffing, but he eventually gave up and climbed back over and went to sleep next to Molly.

Below is an email we received from Marcie this morning:

They were so happy to be in our home last night. They just loved it. I hated to drop them off at the vet this morning.

We took Molly and Scout out for a very short walk around in the yard around 10 p.m. last night and then they went to bed. They didn't make a peep all night. I took them out around 6 a.m. to potty and they had not had any accidents in their crate! I think they're going to be pretty easy to train. I sing the potty song to them when they go outside and they get so excited! They seem so proud of themselves :-)

Molly is really shy. Scout seems to do ok. I already love them so much. Matt has fallen for them, too. They're so gentle and easy to handle. I heard Matt sneak downstairs to tell them goodnight and that he loves them. It was so cute.

Things were so crazy this morning that I forgot my camera! I'll send pictures this evening. Although I didn't get any good ones. We were so busy with baths and exploring that we forgot to take many. They're not easy to photograph either - I have a lot of Scout's nose pressed against the camera lens :-) He's a nut!

Scout & Molly will be spayed and neutered today, and we'll see what else the vet has to say about their health. Molly has completed her heartworm treatment and seems to have responded well. She needs to remain somewhat quiet until 6/15, as it's important her body have a chance to rest and recover from the hearworms.

Please send good thoughts to Scout and Molly while they're at the vet today. While we're sure they'll be just fine in surgery, they are a very bonded pair, and being seperated today will be difficult for them. These pups have already been through so much together, but we think they're beginning to understand that happiness is headed their way!

A Big Day!

Today Scout and Molly are leaving the shelter. This marks the official beginning of their journey, though they don't yet know or understand the happiness that will bring.

Alicia will be picking them up this morning, and she and her husband will drive more than 4 hours to deliver the pups to Vicky, who's waiting in Atlanta. Vicky will drive 2 more hours north, and Marcie will be waiting to bring Scout & Molly home.

Marcie emailed this morning and she's got everything prepared for Scout & Molly. They'll have their own room (lucky ducks!), as well as crates, new toys, food, water and a fenced-in yard for sniffing! They'll also have two new playmates, as Marcie & Matt have two pups of their own. What more could a dog ask for?!

Tomorrow Scout & Molly will be taken to the vet to be spayed and neutered. The vet also has a fantastic eye specialist on staff, which is great news for Molly! If her eye requires any post-surgery care, she will surely be in good hands.

Alicia, Vicky and Marcie are excited to meet Scout & Molly, and all have promised pictures of the journey along the way. Good luck to all the transporters today!

Scout & Molly - be sure to rest on your long car ride. This is the beginning of the rest of your happy lives!

Getting from There to Here
Great Dog Rescue New England has succcessfully placed over 3000 dogs in their forever homes since its beginnings in September of 2003. Each month, the rescue transports dozens of surrendered or abandoned dogs from shelters in the South to foster and forever homes in the New England area. Great Dog Rescue's USDA-licensed transport travels through Tennessee, heading north to the group's isolation facility in Harvard, MA. There was just one problem: Scout and Molly were in Southern Georgia and their temporary foster home was almost 6 hours away.

Marcie and Matt, well-versed in rescue and fostering, agreed to offer a temporary home for Scout and Molly while Molly regained her strength, and the two were prepared for their travels to New England. Marcie happily offered to drive a few hours to pick up both dogs, but a 12 hour hike to retrieve them wasn't possible on such short notice, and as Jane had stated clearly, the two needed out of the shelter quickly.

Most of yesterday was spent on the phone, sending emails, and waiting patiently. Finally, news came that fellow volunteer and dog-lover Alicia, along with her husband, was headed from Florida up to vacation in Tennessee - and she was happy to help! Alicia would be leaving Florida Sunday morning, and had plans to stop over in Atlanta for the night. Enter Vicky: also well-versed in rescue and a fellow dog-lover. Vicky would happily retrieve Scout and Molly from Alicia, and transport them further north to Marcie and Matt.

So tomorrow is a big day for Scout & Molly! They will be officially starting their journey to happiness. Fingers and paws crossed!

Meet Scout & Molly!

These beagle pups were dumped at the Okefenokee Humane Society in Waycross, GA, with no tags, and nowhere to turn. Humane Society workers Jane and Lori arrived to work one morning to find them tied to the front gate, each suffering from severe eye infections. Estimated to be about 6 years old, and possibly brother and sister, Jane and Lori knew they couldn't let these pups stay at the shelter.

Jane sent an emotional plea to Beagles to the Rescue in Chesapeake, VA, a non-profit, 501c3 organization. Volunteers scraped together enough funds to have Scout and Molly seen by a local Georgia vet. Scout was treated for his eye infection, and rebounded quickly from his treatment. Back at the shelter he soon began to show his true colors. Scout is a happy, excitable boy who loves his people and wags endlessly for pets and snuggles. But there was something missing from his life back at the shelter...his sister, Molly.

Upon closer examination, it became clear that Molly didn't just suffer from an eye infection...she also tested Heartworm positive. On top of that, Molly's eyes had become so severly infected that she required surgery to remove her right eye. As a result of her surgery, as well as the treatment required for her heartworms, Molly needed to remain at the vet.

Soon after Beagles to the Rescue listed Scout & Molly on their website, the news of these poor beagles' fate began to spread. Great Dog Rescue New England volunteer Tracey Johnson found the listing. Having two rescued beagles of her own, she knew she needed to help. Tracey and her husband donated to Beagles to the Rescue to help cover some of Scout & Molly's medical expenses. After she didn't see an update on the dogs' condition, Tracey contacted Jane to inquire about them. Although Scout & Molly were receiving medical care, they were not yet out of the woods. They needed to be moved out of the shelter as quickly as possible, and Beagles to the Rescue did not have room immediately.

Dissapointed and worried about the fate of Scout & Molly, Tracey sent a plea out to her fellow volunteers at Great Dog Rescue. Director Joanna Reck emailed back almost immediately and said "We'll take em!". And so began Scout & Molly's journey to happiness.