Meet the residents of Devil Dog Ranch
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ZIGGY
This is Ziggy - a blue merle Collie-Australian Shepherd mix. I know it's hard to believe, but I found Ziggy at the SEAACA shelter in Downey, California. Poor guy - he was so depressed he wouldn't even lift his head when I visited him. Herding dogs are incredibly sensitive creatures and tend to shut down emotionally in shelters. Ziggy was no exception. Something about him got to me (probably his spooky marble eyes) and I took a chance on him. At SEAACA, like at many of the shelters, the dogs are given JUST ONE DAY to be adopted before being euthanized to make room for more incoming strays. I am so thankful I made that leap of faith and adopted him. He is such an incredible dog - sensitive, smart, cuddly, and a real clown too! |
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ZAZU
This is Zazu. Her recent DNA test says that she is a Retriever + Chow + Husky mix. I adopted her from a no-kill shelter in Santa Barbara called D.A.W.G. I fell in love with her photo on the D.A.W.G. website, and drove up to Santa Barbara to bail her out. Zazu is beautiful inside and out. She charms every human and dog she meets with her sweet personality, and has patiently taught all of my foster dogs how to play. True to her Retriever genes, she REALLY loves water, and can happily hang out in a lake or a pool for hours at a time. Zazu is also crazy about stuffed animals. She'll carry one around for weeks protecting it like it's her baby, then one day she'll rip into it and pull out all the stuffing. The house and yard are littered with dozens of these "pelts". |
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FOXY ROXY
In early 2002, I added another she-devil to my permanent pack. Roxy, aka Snack, aka The Fox, is likely a Chow-Pomeranian mix. She was at the North Central shelter, in a cage with a gaggle of rowdy puppies, pregnant and extremely miserable. Ace of Hearts Rescue bailed her out, and I agreed to foster her until a suitable forever home could be found - one where she'd be a pampered, little lap-dog. After only a month here at Devil Dog Ranch, however, all hopes of her being content with that sedate lifestyle were shattered! Foxy Roxy has proven herself to be incredibly energetic, and has waaaaay too much fun being a tomboy - racing through Elysian Park after Ziggy, chewing on Zazu's ears, legs, and tail, enticing her to play. Although pint-size, she's a confident little hunter, and always ready for adventure. Her lightning fast speed, coupled with her masterful, *Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon* leaps and pounces, makes me think she's destined to be an agility star! |
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OPAL
Opal is a purebred Chow who came to Devil Dog Ranch as a 3 month-old puppy. She was found running the streets in terrible condition, covered in motor oil, full of burrs and foxtails. She is Foxy Roxy's best girlfriend. They play non-stop and are virtually inseparable. Opal was the PERFECT puppy - sweeter than sugar, and smart as a whip, this little doll was housetrained in three days and has never, ever play-bitten - she only gives big, sloppy kisses! Opal is an Ambassador of Goodwill for her breed! |
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Ziggy's favorite position!
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Roxy in a meditative trance.
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Opal's favorite position, too!!
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Zazu; canine solar-panel, performs
her daily sun-worshipping ritual. |
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 Ziggy tutors Roxy in the fine art of "hanging out". |
 Opal kissing up to *His Highness*, Ziggy. |
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 Ziggy & Zazu practice their herding technique at Devil Dog Ranch. |
 Opal surveys her kingdom. |
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 Zazu with Zoe, a Devil Dog in training |
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 Grazing in the grass is a gas - - baby, can you dig it? |
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Ziggy is my camouflage dog -
he's hard to see in my yard. |
Zazu likes to hang out up here on the roof of my garden
shed - she's always on squirrel patrol.
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Roxy's favorite spot is atop my porch...
...15 feet above ground! |
 Foxy barking at the ripples! |
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 Ziggy goes in for another dip |
 Who says Chows hate water? The Fox chases her best friend, Opal. |
WET & WILD!
A day-trip to Angelus Crest Forest |
 My little otter, Zazu |
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uh, oh - I forgot to introduce Grommett!!
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Grommet
(aka Grommie Salami, aka Playboy, aka Tumbleweed) is a recent arrival
at Devil Dog Ranch. At 7 months old, he was dumped on me by an irresponsible
neighbor. Her reason was that her 9 year-old son had promised to take
care of him and wasn't doing a good job... This little guy was a mess!
Forced to live outside (because they were too lazy to housetrain him),
he was covered in ticks and fleas. He also had worms and mange. Despite
his rough beginnings, Grommet was, and continues to be, an absolute
delight! He's one of the most loving, well-behaved puppies anyone
could ever hope for. As you can see, little 12 lbs. Grommie and my
60 lbs. Chow girl Opal have formed a very special bond.
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