This is a series of diaries highlighting animal rescues around the country and noting and celebrating the work they do to help animals who have no voices but ours to speak for them. I have decided to make this a daily series because there are so many wonderful rescues out there who need human help and weekly just doesn't seem to be enough. I have long wanted to start a rescue but lack the resources or time available to do so right now so this is my attempt to do my part. I hope that these rescues will benefit from the kindness and benevolence of the community here at Daily Kos. They are amazing organizations and worthy of Kossack attention and care.
Now that I'm home, bathed, settled and fed
All nicely tucked into my warm new bed
I'd like to open my baggage
Lest I forget
There is so much to carry-
So much to regret. Hmmmm…..
Yes, there it is, right on the top.
Let's unpack Loneliness, Heartache and Loss
And there by my bed, hide Fear and Shame
As I look on these things I tried hard to leave
I still have to unpack my baggage called Pain
I love them, the others, the ones who left me
But I was not good enough - For they did not want me.
Will you add to my baggage?
Or will you help me unpack?
Or will you just look at my things -
And take me right back?
Do you have the time to help me unpack?
To put away my baggage
And never repack?
I pray that you do - I'm so tired you see
But I do come with baggage -
Will you still want me?
Author Unknown
Oldies But Goodies Cocker Rescue
The website is here
You can donate here
Adoption information is here
Oldies But Goodies Timeline
1996 - Oldies But Goodies Cocker Spaniel Rescue (OBG) was established by Debbie Reitz. The group started as a one-woman rescue, operating out of the back of her mini-van in the parking lot of a local pet clinic. Debbie’s mission was to rescue the dogs that no one else wanted, so in the beginning, she only accepted senior dogs or handicapped dogs. She worked tirelessly fostering these dogs and looking for their forever homes.
1998 - OBG had a website and a regular paper newsletter, the Cocker Connection, which is still in print today. Adoption shows were held twice-a-month in Virginia.
1999 - The first Board of Directors was formed.
1999 - In October, OBG was approved as a 501c3 nonprofit corporation
2000 - OBG hit a milestone: we adopted out 100 dogs! For the first time, OBG participated in the National Capital Area Combined Federal Campaign (“CFC”). The money raised through CFC campaign continues to be one of the largest sources of revenue for OBG each year.
2001 - OBG doubled the amount of dogs adopted - 200 this year! We expanded to six adoption shows a month and developed a network of supporting veterinarians, fosters and shelters circling the Beltway. OBG focused on fundraising and started its “Cockers Are the Sweetest Things” calendar, which is still published yearly.
2002 - OBG started its long standing relationship with Channel 9 news by first appearing on Petline 9. OBG still makes appearance with adoptable dogs!
2004 - OBG reported that 263 cockers had been saved and we were nearing our goal of saving 300 dogs in one year. The monthly newsletter was also launched and the first annual Bow Wow Bowl-A-Thon was held
2005 - OBG hit our goal of saving 300 dogs in one year! Unfortunately, this was the year of Hurricane Katrina. OBG worked with a local all breed rescue and saved five heartworm positive “honorary cockers” and four cocker spaniels.
2006 - OBG celebrated our tenth anniversary with Paws in the Park in Shirlington, VA which included a Memory Lane listing the names of over 2,000 dogs saved by OBG since inception!
2008 - OBG expanded our community service efforts with a fundraiser that not only benefited the rescue, but supported our armed services with the first “Save a Spaniel/Sponsor a Soldier” golf tournament.
2009 - The first “matching funds drive” was held with $100,000 raised to save dogs’ lives!
2010 - The Inaugural Cockers Uncorked Wine Tasting & Silent Auction event was held, and became the biggest fundraiser in OBG’s history to date. OBG also first won $1,000 in the Animal Rescue Site Shelter Challenge (a challenge we have won numerous times since then) for being the number one vote getter in Virginia and also won $1,000 for being the number one vote getter in the nation one week. The good news in 2010 continued with OBG being awarded $10,000 in Petfinder’s World’s Best Parent Contest thanks to Carol Bryant’s designation of OBG to win the prize if she won.
2011 - OBG celebrated our fifteenth anniversary with a party at Nottoway Park in Vienna, VA. We were approved to participate in the Chesapeake Bay Area and Virginia Peninsula CFC Campaigns. By 2011, we also had an active foster network in Virginia, Maryland, DC and Pennsylvania and on occasion in West Virginia and Georgia.
2012 - OBG was named a 2012 Top-Rated Non-Profit by Great Non-Profits, won $3,000 in the Bark Your Piece essay contest, won several more $1,000 grants from the Shelter Challenge and released Wigglebutt Wines.
Pawsome Supporters!
$85,000 Raised - Thank YOU!
Thanks to everyone who donated to OBG's Matching Funds Drive. We raised $85,000 for the dogs! Though it sounds like a ton of dough, medical and kennel expenses add up quickly so we are very grateful for every bit of support.
Thank you!
Strutt Your Mutt - DC Metro
Please join TEAM OBG for Best Friends Animal Society's 3rd annual event on Saturday, September 27th from 9am-1pm at Black Hill Regional Park in Boyds, MD. Help us raise $10,000 for OBG's pups!
Click Here for Details and to Register!
Please Donate to OBG's CFC!
CFC is our largest fundraiser of the year and allows us to save numerous dogs we would not otherwise be able to take. If you're a federal or state employee in any of the regions listed, please consider a donation to the dogs. Thank you!
About Breed Specific Rescue
Excerpt from July 2011 President's Letter by Beth Bauer
Have you ever wondered why breed specific rescues exist? I get that question often, both in regard to why OBG "only" rescues cockers when there are so many homeless dogs and why I choose to spend my volunteer hours that way. My reaction used to be a lighthearted “Have you seen their cute faces?!” but now it's a question I welcome because it is a great segue into telling them all the wonderful aspects of OBG!
We’re very proud that we take in many spaniel mixes and “honorary” cockers as well. Plus, any time we pull a cocker from the shelter, that helps free up space to give another dog more time to find adoption or rescue.
And speaking of the shelters … we love all dogs. Love them! So having a more narrow focus helps us come back from the animal shelter with one dog instead of say, ten!
Being a cocker rescue helps all our volunteers become familiar with the breed’s characteristics so we can represent the dogs’ needs accurately to adopters.
Adopters who have settled on a cocker as their breed have to look no further; we probably have the perfect cocker for them.
As a general rule, cockers are very social and love to be with their people, so adopters willing to make their cocker “part of the family” are our kind of people.
We also have to educate folks that cockers are a sporting breed, so have a moderate to high energy level (yes, there are exceptions!)
Cockers’ physical needs are not for the faint of heart. Those beautiful ears and flowing coats need constant upkeep, including regular grooming and ear cleaning.
Being a breed-specific rescue also helps us find foster homes. Some foster homes have space limitations and, with an average weight of 25 lbs, most of our wigglebutts – even honoraries - fit the bill!
So the next time someone asks why you “only” rescue cockers, take a deep breath, smile and tell them there’s really much more to it!
Available Dogs
Mister Marly
Senior | Male | Available
Mister Marley is a sweet buff-colored gentleman looking to find his forever home now that he is with OBG! So far he has been very gentle with the vet staff, appears housebroken and needs lose a couple of pounds.
Our vets report that he is healthy and likes other dogs too.
Mr. Marley needs to find a foster home so we can learn more about him -- will you open your home to foster him so we can find the perfect forever home for this 10 year old beauty? If so, contact us today!
Interested in adopting him?
Click here to contact his foster!
Jackpot
Adult | Male | Available
Likes Dogs?
Yes
Likes Kids?
Yes
Say hi to the cutest 4-year-old ball of fluff we've ever seen! Jackpot is aptly named as he was in the run next to a cocker spaniel at the animal shelter, and he won us over when we were there to claim his cocker neighbor! Just as he hit the jackpot, we know that whoever gets to spend the rest of their days with this little guy will also feel as if they've won the lottery!
Our adorable fella is a lhasa apso/shih tzu mix. He is a total sweetheart, always friendly and sits for treats. He got along wonderfully with the 8 year + kids in his prior home and he's housebroken! We will have lots more to share once Jackpot lands in a foster home. Stay tuned!
P.S, You can call him Jack for short :)
Interested in adopting him? Click here to contact his foster!
You should receive a response within 48 hours. If you do not, please resend a message through our contact page
More gorgeous dogs here!