Several weeks ago, a nurse named Becky was driving home after working a long night shift at Miriam Hospital in Providence. She spotted this emaciated girl on the side of the road. She stopped, and thank God she did. The reason we have not mentioned her before is because we, and her caretakers at North Providence shelter, were not sure she would survive. We are now able to share with you, the story, and her journey since her rescue. Meet Journey. She was cold, emaciated, and confused. Even so, she went willingly with animal control officers. She is being treated for a UTI, and is on RX food to slowly restore her body. Maybe one of the most curious things that Stephanie and I noticed was that Journey had no pressure sores. She had clearly not been outside for very long. So someone must have been keeping her indoors, not on a hard surface. Over the weeks Journey has shown improvement. She is slowly-but-surely gaining weight and strength. She is safe and sound in our foster care program where she is learning she is safe and loved. If you have room in your heart and on your couch for this sweet and gentle dog, please apply at handsomedansrescue.org.

Avery was found in a Woonsocket Cemetary at twelve weeks of age with a broken femur. He immediately came to my house for foster care. His surgeon tried to mend his broken leg, but the surgery did not work, so two weeks later the leg was amputated. Avery runs and plays just like any normal puppy. The only issue he is having is getting up and down long staircases. He can get up and down four or five steps outside but has not quite mastered staircases. So an adopter would need to be able to be able to carry him until he can manage stairs on his own. Avery is mellow for a puppy, though he does get his bursts of energy. He is very snuggly and will just lay on the couch next to you for hours. He is almost all the way potty trained and is crate trained, he knows sit, paw, down, and is working on leash manners. An adopter must be willing to continue Avery's training. That will be a requirement for his adoption. He adoption fee is $50 but pre-paid training is also required. Unfortunately, Avery has not been doing well with other dogs. We speculate that this is due to the fact that during the critical period of development he was unable to appropriately socialize with other dogs due to his injury and surgery recovery. We have tried socializing him with other dogs but it has not gone well. To be safe, we want him to be the only dog in the home. Avery does well with children, but he is a still a puppy so you will have to stay on top of him to be sure he is gentle with small kids. Avery cannot be neutered until he is one year old. His surgeon prefers that he wait so his remaining hind leg has the opportunity to fully develop for strength. An adopter must live in Southern New England and be able to get him for Cranston and Providence for his training. Please apply at handsomedansrescue.org. Thank you for choosing rescue!

Meet Boone. He came to our friends at the Cranston Animal Shelter several months ago after being abandoned at a local boarding facility. Boone is very nervous in his kennel so tends to not show well. Strangers scare him and it seems this poor guy is always expecting the worst so he barks and generally scares visitors away. However, outside the kennel and with people he knows and trusts, Boone’s true personality shines through. Our volunteers have been working with Boone every week and they see just what a wonderful dog he is. He walks great on a leash – he knows lots and lots of things – they report he is one of the smartest dogs with whom they have worked. – sit, paw, wait, come, relax, drop – these are just some of the things he knows. What we have also learned with Boone is that each new situation sets him back to his tentative and unsure space. While at the shelter we are working at exposing him to different people and experiences so he understands the world doesn’t have to be so scary. we think his best option when he is adopted is to go home with FREE training through Handsome Dan’s Rescue's Take My Lead program. We want to set Boone up for success with his new family and we believe ensuring that he and they go home with the right training and tools to work together as a team to overcome his fears, will be the ticket to success. Boone is about 5 years old, up to date on all vaccines and has been neutered. The ideal home would be one that is adult only with no other pets.

Mia is a happy and sweet 9 or 10-year-old. She was adopted in late 2018 but unfortunately, her owner had to relocate overseas for her job. Mia did very well with cats in her last home. We are guessing Mia is a shepherd husky mix, but that is just a guess. Whatever she is, she's beautiful, gentle, and friendly! Mia has been added to Handsome Dan's Rescue's Shelter Dog Enrichment Program where she will be attending Outbound Hounds' Pit Class with her enrichment specialist, Liz. Mia is also part of our Take My Lead program, meaning she goes home with FREE training to help her and her new owner with her reactivity around other dogs. For questions, please email Liz at epare1430@gmail.com To apply to adopt: http://www.handsomedansrescue.org/adoption-application/ Or contact North Providence Shelter directly at (401) 719-1516 900 Smithfield Road, North Providence, RI

Many times dogs find themselves in a situation that they never anticipated: being homeless. In Cali’s case - she has a quadruple whammy: She’s homeless, a senior, needs to be the only pet and a pit bull mix. Cali has been at the shelter since last May! Thankfully, she is very loved by staff and volunteers, but she longs for a home. We have added Cali to Handsome Dan's Rescue Shelter Dog Enrichment Program to do everything we can to ensure she stays solid after such a long shelter stay. She has been matched to Enrichment Specialist Amy, who will be bringing her to Outbound Hounds Pit Class on Saturdays learning things to make a good girl even better! Cali is easy going and loves all people, car rides, walks and playing with her toys. You would never know Cali is a senior, we were surprised to hear she was 9-years-old after having spent some time visiting with her. We are using the #CaliLove to hopefully have her seen by that special person who will take her home. She can use all the promotion she can get so please share this special girl. For questions, please email Amy at amy.gottfried@gmail.com. To apply, please go to handsomedansrescue.org or stop by Warwick Shelter, 101 Arthur Devine Blvd., Warwick during regular hours: M, T, W, F from 12 to 4 PM; Saturday and Sunday from 11 AM to 3 PM; closed Thursdays and holidays.

INTRODUCING Suzy McWiggles! Please READ and SHARE! Suzy is a happy three-year-old who is looking for a loving home where she will be forever cherished. She loves going out for adventures and equally enjoys a snuggle and a nap afterward. She is working hard on her dog skills and would do well with older children. Suzy is a resident of Providence Animal Rescue League and as of this Saturday, will be in Handsome Dan's Rescue Shelter Dog Enrichment Program. Even more exciting is that Saturday will be her first official day in the program, and it will also be Chris' first official day, though he has been a volunteer for quite some time he is new to this role. No better girl to break him in than Suzy! Chris and Suzy will be attending Outbound Hounds' Pit Class where she will learn lots of good manners and cued skills. During Suzy's spay last week, a lump was found. Her friends at PARL will be scheduling surgery to have that removed since she had been under anesthesia long enough when the lump was found, the safest option was to remove that another day. We are all hoping it's nothing serious. For info please email Chris at ccivittolo@gmail.com or fill out an application!

Uncle Bernie is a distinguished older gentleman looking for a home. Originally he belonging to a homeless person, he spent many years on the streets. Last Summer, he wandered into a vet's office, ending up at a shelter, but never claimed. Bernie spent several months at shelters where Handsome Dan's Rescue volunteers fell in love with his charming and easy going personality. Due to a recent health scare, Bernie was transferred into foster care with Handsome Dan’s Rescue. He now has a clean bill of health and is ready to find his forever home. Bernie loves people and has yet to meet one who doesn't become his new best friend. He’s friendly, wiggly, and adores attention. At 80lbs. he’s a big guy, but so gentle friends can’t help but want to pet his big blocky head. Uncle Bernie’s favorite toy is a tennis ball, he loves to play fetch, so we need to be sure his new family keeps well stocked! He has more pep in his step then his senior status would suggest. Bernie seems to enjoy the company of other dogs, but due to his affinity for chase, he should not live with cat friends. Uncle Bernie's had a pretty rough life until recently so we are hoping for someone willing to open their hearts and home to this senior dog, and give him the very best golden years. To apply to adopt Bernie: http://www.handsomedansrescue.org/adoption-application/ For questions about Bernie, please email Trish at ttorres@aspectsinc.com. Bernie's adoption donation is $50. Thank you for choosing rescue!

Shy little 2-3-year-old Lab/Hound mix Leia is a sweet and sensitive girl. She loves other dogs and once she finds the courage to bond to someone, they are friends for life. Due to Leia's fears, she is overwhelmed at Scituate Shelter. She has a dedicated team of volunteers by her side who were able to gain her trust and help her true colors emerge. Leia is a participant in Handsome Dan's Rescue's Shelter Dog Enrichment Program where she attends Outbound Hounds' Pit Class with volunteers Leslie and Diane. Leia loves other dogs! She gains confidence from dogs and seeks their attention. Since Leia is working on overcoming her fears, she is still unsure of how to behave when she is comfortable enough to get excited. She is working hard on understanding how to contain her excitement and be the best dog she can be! Leia comes with FREE private training and group classes through Handsome Dan's Rescue Take My Lead program. We put this in place to help her adopters continue to work on her training and set her up for success. If you can give Leia a patient and loving home to help her find courage and feel safe, please email Stephanie at slambertfrench@gmail.com with any questions, or to apply to adopt Leia: http://www.handsomedansrescue.org/adoption-application/

We are very excited to have 1.5 year old Moose in our Shelter Dog Enrichment program, where is matched to volunteer Rianna. She takes him on outings to give him some much needed respite from shelter life, and brings him to Outbound Hounds' Pit Class on Saturdays to work on commands and manners. Moose is a big hunk of a dog with perfect cow spots running down his back! Moose goes on group walks with other dogs but would do best as the only dog in the home. He is currently being cared for by the folks at Providence Animal Rescue League. Questions? Email Rianna Rlramirez513@gmail.com Apply to Adopt: http://www.handsomedansrescue.org/adoption-application/ Visit Moose at Parl at 34 Elbow St, Providence, RI 02903, or call (401) 421-1399 Thank you for choosing rescue!

Ruru is in our Compassion Hold program. He will live out whatever time he has left with his foster care provider, Steve. Eight month old Ruru has a severe heart condition. His cardiologist tells us it is likely he will not make it to adulthood. We took Ruru into our Compassion Hold (hospice) program from a local shelter and placed him into a home where he will be loved and spoiled for whatever time he has left. For more info on our Compassion Hold program: http://www.handsomedansrescue.org/home/programs/compassion-hold-program/

UPDATE: Mya was adopted last spring but due to some unfortunate unforeseen personal issues her adopter must rehome her. Apply to adopt: handsomedansrescue.org For questions: amy.gottfried@gmail.com ************************************************** Meet Mya! This wiggly girl is ready for some FUN! Mya is a resident of Warwick Shelter and a participant in our Shelter Dog Enrichment Program where she is matched to Amy. Mya and Amy attend training classes together to help Mya to be the best girl she can be. Mya is a higher energy girl who does like other dogs but prefers to be the only pet or could get along with a playful male. She does well with k For questions or more info on Mya, please email Amy at amy.gottfried@gmail.com Thank you for choosing rescue!

Hailey is about as sweet and gentle as they come. She was surrendered to a local shelter with two other dogs when her previous owner was moving, lived in the shelter for a few months and was treated for some health issues, until we transferred her into our foster care program here at Handsome Dan's Rescue. Hailey currently lives with another dog, but may do best as the only pet. Other than the normal issues that come with old age, Hailey is a happy and healthy senior. If you may be looking for a mellow friend, please consider Hailey. Adoption donation - $50 To apply to adopt: http://www.handsomedansrescue.org/adoption-application/ Thank you for choosing rescue!

Mister has been brought into our Compassion Hold program because he has terminal cancer. More to come...

If you're searching for sweet, sensitive, and slightly awkward then adoptable Nubbies is your guy. He's gangly, goofy, and gregarious... a real head turner who’s always getting compliments on how gorgeous he is. Just take one look into those soulful, kinda crossed eyes and you too will fall under his spell. But don't worry, he doesn't let all that flattery go to his beautiful blocky head, he's smart enough to know that he’s a work in progress. Always eager to please, he strives at PIT Class to become the best Nubbies he can be. In his spare time, he loves car rides, walks, snacks, and covering his friends (basically every person he meets) with kisses. Nubbies does well on leash walks with other dogs, but should be the only pet. He’s a big, exuberant boy so sturdy older kids or a grown-ups only house, please. Oh yeah. His enthusiasm for life has left Nubbies with painful hips. He takes supplements, is responding well, and in true Nubbies’ fashion, he doesn’t let it keep him down at all. To find out more about the incredible Nubbies, please contact his Enrichment Specialist, Sara, at saracaitlin@gmail.com. You can also contact the North Attleboro Animal Shelter directly at 508. 699.0128.