SAFE AND SOUND AND IN OUR HOME

We want to thank the transport for doing another spectacular job getting the dogs to us via 2,000 mile journey from Louisiana - Happy Holidays Gordon and Shirley, we truly appreciate all that you do.  They happily met firm ground and show no signs or indications that the trip was just completed a few hours ago.  We hope to have new photos posted tomorrow but for now we just want to allow them to acclimate to their temporary haven while they await their forever family introductions.  It really is very close now. 

THEY ARE IN NEW ENGLAND

The pups will be spending the night in Rhode Island tonight!  Welcome to New England sweet pups and rest well for your final leg to Maine tomorrow.

ITS CHRISTIANA DELAWARE THIS EVENING

All the dogs are doing exceptionally well and have acclimated to life on the road.  They will spend the night in Delaware and then continue north on 95.

NORTH CAROLINA TONIGHT

The pups are all doing extremely well and will be spending the night in North Carolina.  Traffic and weather have been conducive to making great time so far.  Paws crossed it stays that way.

OFFICIALLY HEADED NORTH

The dogs have all been transferred to the transport and they are headed north!  They plan to spend the night in Mississippi and then continue their travels in the morning.  Sleep well sweet pups, see you soon.

PUPPY WEEK IS AROUND THE CORNER

The transport left yesterday and will be in Louisiana tomorrow evenign to rendezvous with Bob who has stepped in for Rocky.  Thank you Bob.  All the dogs have seen the vet today and we will let you know when they are boarded and headed north!

SAFE AND SOUND IN MAINE

As tyically is the case, the transport did a spectacular job delivering healthy and happy pups to us, thank you again for what you do.  We were able to let all the dogs get some fresh air and will be settling them in for the night soon.  Sorry we did not have a chance to take photos but we definitely will have some for you tomorrow.  Be assured they are all well and eagerly await to meet their familes.  The excitement is palpable.  Night all.  

Christiana Delaware Tonight

The pups are all doing well and they will be in Delaware for the evening.  We expect to be picking them up on Sunday morning in Saco.   

ITS NOT A RAINY NIGHT IN GEORGIA

The trnaport reports that ll the dogs are doing quite well.  They will overnight near Atlanta Geogia and then continue up the coast as they make their way to Maine. The photoes are our Pom puppies Ginger and Nutmeg who are on the transport.

OFFICIALLY HEADING NORTH

Rocky met Safe Dog at 8:30 our time and transferred the dogs to the transport.  All the pups are now heading north and will likely spend the night in Mississippi.  Won't be long now.

TRANSPORT IS HEADED TO LOUISIANA

I know a lot of our adopters will be happy to know that the transport has left Maine and is headed south to pick up our dogs this Wednesday!   We will post when they have the dogs from Rocky and their progress heading north.  Looks like a good week weather wise.

OCTOBER TRANSPORT HEADING NORTH

The pups are on the transport and headed north.  They will spend the night in Mississippi - won't be long now!

THE PUPS ARE NOW IN MAINE

All the dogs are happily on solid ground, soaked up some sun and clean air and are now soundly sleeping. Adoptions can begin on Tuesday afternoon.

TRANSPORT UPDATE

The transport will spend the evening in CT and all the dogs are doing well.  We will do our best to have photos posted tomorrow evening once we have them settled in for  the night.  Adoptions can be scheduled as of Tuesday.   Won't be long now families.

PUPPY LOVE'S FIRST FUNDRAISER

We are pleased to announce a fundraising event on October 1, 2011 at the Bailey Island Library Hall from 7:30 to 11 PM.  The night will feature music by The Holy Mackerels who play an eclectic mix of dance tunes, sure to please a diverse audience.  There will also be a silent auction of items from Louisiana as well as Maine.  Hope to see you there.  Tickets are available by calling or emailing us.

FURTHER DELAYS IN THE TRANSPORT

In all liklihood the transport will not arrive today as hoped.  They encountered an air conditioning probelm in the front cab but do have AC running for the dog compartment.  That delay will likely push their Maine arrival to Tuesday morning the 23rd.  If that changes we will post another update.  The dogs continue doing well and we eagelry await their arrival.

ARRIVING IN MAINE TOMORROW

The trasnport is scheduled to be in Saco tomorrow afternoon.  We will post our first hand report on how all the pups are tomorrow but all is well per the transport.    Won't be long now!

HEADED FOR DELAWARE

The transport just left Columbia, SC and is headed for their Delaware drop off.  Not sure where they will spend the night but they are now making good time.  The hope is to reach Maine on Monday afternoon.   Paws crossed and we will keep you posted.  All the dogs are doing great.

THE PUPS ARE HEADED NORTH

The dogs were loaded on to the transport at 10 am and are heading north.  They hope to reach Maine on Monday but we will provide daily updates on their progress.  Paws crossed for smooth travels from Louisiana to Maine.

Louisiana Pickup Delayed to Thursday

The transport was delayed on the trip south waiting for replacement tires.  That pushes the Louisiana pickup to Thursday and the Maine drop off to at least Sunday.  

TRANSPORT IS ON ITS WAY

The transport left for Louisiana and Rocky will meet them on Wednesday to transfer this month's adoptions.  Won't be long now!

Puppy Love is a Non Profit Charity

Laurie Blain, President and a founder of Puppy Love, Inc., is pleased to announce that the Harpswell-based dog rescue group has received IRS approval as a 501(c)(3) public charity organization. 

“We are so excited with the approval which will open new funding opportunities to support Puppy Love’s mission to save dogs from sure death in the Louisiana county shelter system,” Laurie said.

Puppy Love received its first transport of dogs in September, 2010, and to date has placed over 160 dogs in loving forever homes in Maine and neighboring New England states.  Every one of the rescues were at risk of mass killing in the shelter system where dogs are placed in gassing rooms if they can’t be adopted or saved by rescue groups. 

Puppy Love works with two rescue groups in Louisiana which bring the dogs to veterinarians for health checks and then hold them for 14 days of observation to further monitor their health and behavior. Subsequently, the dogs move to private foster homes and are provided comprehensive vet care including wellness exams, spay/neuter, vaccinations, treatment for any identified acute medical issues, heartworm testing and preventive medication.  “By working rescue to rescue and maintaining good standards of care, we hope to minimize health problems,” said Laurie Blain, who co-founded Puppy Love with her husband, Ed.

When the dogs are ready for transport to Maine, they are issued a health certificate by a veterinarian to allow interstate travel.  A licensed transport based in Saco picks up the dogs in Louisiana.  The 1,800 mile trip north takes about 3 days, and the transport stops every 3 to 4 hours to walk and tend to all the dogs.  Once in Maine, the Blains and other families serve as foster homes until the dogs are adopted.

Adopters often refer to the operation as an underground railroad of sorts, moving the dogs from their plight in Louisiana to homes here, but often ask,  “why Louisiana?”  Economic impacts of Hurricane Katrina and the Deep Horizon oil spill have resulted in higher-than-usual numbers of surrendered animals.  In addition, lack of routine spaying and neutering results in overpopulation and overcrowded shelters. 

“Ed and I adopted several dogs from our rescue connection in New Iberia.  When we began the process of adopting our last dog, we discovered the Maine coordinator retired, and we were both eager to fill the void,”  Laurie Blain said.

The couple have been rescue volunteers for the past 17 years and they seem to have been born for their new calling.

Puppy Love will be developing fund-raising activities to support its mission of saving dogs at threat of destruction, and to educate the public regarding pet overpopulation, the merits of adoption versus breeding, and the importance of spaying and neutering.   Merchandise such as hats and shirts will be available for sale on the organization's web site in the near future.  A fund-raising benefit dance is scheduled for October 1 at Library Hall on Bailey Island, and will feature live music performed by the Holy Mackerals.  Tickets will be available soon.

For more information about the group or applying to adopt a dog, visit the Puppy Love website at www.puppyloveme.org, or call Laurie and Ed at 833-5199.

RHODE ISLAND TONIGHT

All is well on the transport with a planned over night in Rhode Island.  We will pick them up tomorrow and have them here safe and sound very soon.

TRANSPORT IS ON ITS WAY

The pups are all aboard and they are on their way from Louisiana.  Transport is about 3 hours behind schedule at this point due to traffic delays.

New Jersey Tonight

his month's litter inlcude:  Annabelle, Ginny, Mister, Magnum, Nomi, Pepper, Ragu, Raider,

 Rhea, Ritz, Sugar, Tzu Tzu andTony. Everybody is doing well and the transport expects to make it to NJ late this evening.  They have a drop off at 10:30 in NJ and will continue their journey to Maine.

Guess Who is Headed North

The June litter of adopted puppies has met the transport and will be northward bound!  They will leave Louisiana and spend the night in Mississippi.  Our rendezvous is scheduled for Friday the 17th as it stands now.  Won't be long now families.

PUPS ARRIVING TODAY

We got a surprise call that the transport will make Maine early evening!  Tomorrow we will try to get photos posted but it will be a busy day settling all the pups in.  Forever homes are around the corner.

Delaware Tonight

The transport will be laying over in Delaware for the night.  All the pups continue to do well. It is looking like a Sunday morning arrival in Maine.  

All is Well

The transport and all the dogs are doing well.  They will be spending the night in South Carolina and then continuing the journey north.  Let's hope they bring us some sunshine with the pups.

NORTHBOUND

The pups are on the transport and heading north form Louisiana,  Tonight they will be sleeping in Mississippi as they begin their journey to their forever homes.  We are eager to meet them and wish the transport safe travels.

TRANSPORT UPDATE

Tonight's layover is in Mobile, AL with an anticipated Louisiana pickup at 4 pm our time tomorrow.  The puppies are being prepared for their journey getting health certificates and being bathed. Won't be long now!

LOOKS LIKE A SUNDAY ARRIVAL

The transport has been slowed by the weather but all the dogs are doing great.  We expect a Maine arrival on Sunday.  Once we have a definite time we will be able to schedule adoptions starting on Tuesday.

SLOW TRAVELS BUT ALL IS WELL

Happy to report that all the dogs are safe!  Travel has been slowed by the severe weather but they are continuing with hopes of reaching South Carolina this evening.  We anticipate that the arrival to Maine will not occur until Sunday but we will know better when we receive tomorrow evening's report.  

The Dogs Are On Their Way North

Rocky made the connection with the transport about 5:30 our time and all the dogs are on their way to Maine.  They will be spending the night in Mississippi. 

TRANSPORT DELAYED UNTIL SUNDAY MORNING

Sorry to disappoint but the dogs won't be arriving until Sunday morning due to delays from traffic and a small mechanical repair.  That means that adoptions for pups six months or older can't happen until Tuesday morning and our 5 day holds will need to stay until Friday morning.  All the dogs are still doing well.  At 11 am the transport was in New Jersey.  They will be in southern New England tonight.

95 and NORTH BOUND

Just spoke with Safe Dog Express who were in Virginia and nearing their entry for 95 north.  They plan to spend the night in Maryland putting them about 8 to 9 hours of driving time to Maine.  All the dogs are doing well.

CAROLINAS TONIGHT

The dogs will be spending the evening in the Carolinas.  Shirley tells me that they are all doing very well and are a very sweet group of dogs.  

THEY ARE ON THEIR WAY

Rocky transferred the dogs to  Safe Dog Express around 7 pm on Wednesday and they will start the journey north!   Too soon to know their arrival time on Saturday but we will keep you posted as the details become known.

THE PUPS ARE IN MAINE

We picked up this months fosters and adoptions and they look great.  Everyone has settled in nicely and are happily playing in our puppy room.  They have been out a couple of times to the puppy coral and they don't seem to mind the snow one bit.  Rather amazing how quickly they can acclimate to the dramatic climate change from Louisiana.  Gotta tell you the pictures do not do any of them justice.  They are all beautiful.  Wait until you meet them!  We will get pictures up tomorrow.

Transport is Chugging Along.

The transport will spend the night in CT.  Major reports that  all is well and the dogs are doing fine but he is a little disappointed they don't listen to him.  By the way, Major is a pug.  We expect to have the pups with us tomorrow afternoon. 

THE TRANSPORT IS MAKING A 9:30 DELIVERY IN MARYLAND TODAY

Apparently we have some sibling rivalry.  Luna is vying for a position in front of brother Logan.  She says she wants to beat him to Maine since she has a forever home and he doesn't!  Darn those kids.  Maybe somebody can console Logan and offer him a forever home.  Wouldn't be the first time one of the kids got adopted on their way here.   Paws crossed.

TRANSPORT CURRENTLY IN NC AT 5:30 PM

Just spoke to the transport that is currently in North Carolina.   The dogs are all doing well and there was not a whimper let alone a bark in the background.  Things are looking good for Saturday so paws crossed that there are no weather or traffic delays.

They're On Their Way Home

Safe Dog Express has received all of our dogs and are heading north!  What a nice group of pups, eighteen in all.  We are really looking forward to meeting all the dogs who we have come to love as we discuss their attributes with their chosen families.  Wont' be long now.

TRANSPORT ENROUTE TO LOUISIANA

Our February transport is scheduled to arrive in Maine on the 26th providing there are no traffic or weather delays.  The pickup in Louisiana will be tomorrow afternoon.  Sugar Cookie is one of the foster dogs on the truck that is still looking for her forever home.  She is a 2 yo white Shepherd and Golden Retriever who is very smart and eager to please.  Her response to commands is an obvious indication that someone spent time training her.  She is a love who gets along well with other dogs and was good with her foster family cat.  If you're thinking you might want to put a little Sugar in your life give Cookie a try.

WAGS AND WHISKERS ADOPTION PROMOTION FEBRUARY 20

Ruby Tu will be joining us at an adoption promotion at Wags and Whiskers at 176 Front St. in Bath tomorrow the 19th from 11 to 1.  We will have flyers regarding our other Louisiana pups, including the two fosters available for adoption - Cookie and Logan.

Ruby Tu is a 5 year old Chiweenie - a Chihuahua/Dachshund who is only 7.5 pounds but has a big dog personality.  We love her!

February Transport

The next transport is scheduled to arrive on the 26th, subject to weather delays.  We still have room to add adopted dogs.

They're Here!!!

The January transport has arrived and all the dogs are settled down for the night.  We will have pictures to share but we gotta tell you - the pictures don't do justice.  They all came off the truck with tails wagging and not seeming too bothered by the snow.  We'll have more to say tomorrow but we're dog gone tired now. 

Transport Update

The transport is entering Delaware.  That has it looking like the dogs will arrive at 6 pm tomorrow in Saco!  Everyone is doing well and we are really getting excited to meet all the dogs. Won't be long now!

Transport Update

The transport was in Georgia late this afternoon 1//27 and hope to be in South Carolina tonight.  All the dogs are doing well.  Let's hope our snow does not come as too much of a culture shock. 

January Transport in Process

Safe Dog Express left Saco on the 24th and will be picking up our January adoptions and fosters on the 26th.  That will bring the dogs to Maine by the 29th if the weather cooperates.  Paws crossed that they have  a great trip home.