The Mutt Matching Maven

22/02/2024

I love black dogs, especially black labs. Twenty-five years ago, I took a dog home from my workplace parking lot. I knew if she stayed there any longer, she was doomed. I coaxed this scared, skinny, mangy black lab into my minivan with a bag of stale potato chips. It’s a little unnerving to put a strange dog in your car and take it home…but as I drove over the Fred Hartman bridge, she leaned up and put her muzzle against my arm. And then I knew she was mine. I named her Gracie…grace means unmerited favor. A few short months later, Gracie died suddenly and shattered my heart.

Ever since, I want to save every black lab out there. And today, I want to save Betty. I walked her today and she is a wonderful dog…she is a cuddle bug and she stuck right next to me as we strolled around the play yard and got to know each other. Betty is a big puppy, 5-6 months old. She is precious and she needs a home. I can pick the good ones…and she’s a good one. If you need a sweet friend, if you have a yard to play in, and if you want to save a life, check out Betty. She is living at Tupelo-Lee Humane Society and she’s just waiting for you. Do it for Betty…and for all the Gracies in the world. Just do it. ❤️🐶

11/12/2023

Earl is fitting in quite well with our family! The boys are all decked out for the holidays! 🎄🐶❤️

28/11/2023

The Mutt Matching Maven is back! After a long hiatus, we are now fostering again. We currently have a precious little lab puppy whom we’ve named Earl. Earl is a stray that came up to a friend of mine’s house. This sweet girl has already taken in a stray pup this year and added to her family’s dog crew. So I’m helping her with Earl…🐶

Earl is a sweet guy that appears to be somewhere around 6-8 months old. He is so malnourished, it’s hard to tell. Earl is very timid, so we are going slow with him. He hasn’t uttered a sound yet…but his tail and his eyes tell us he is relieved to not be on his own anymore. We are letting Earl set the pace…he has been great with Minnie, our little pittie mix, and he wants to be playful…he’s just scared.

Earl has been bathed and had a flea pill. He was very heavily infested but his fur is soft as a mink coat now. He was great in the bath and has not soiled his crate once.

As soon as we get Earl socialized, fattened up, and neutered, he will be looking for his new home. He is going to make some happy family a gorgeous pet.

If you are interested in Earl, please let me know. I will be vetting his new home very carefully because Earl deserves a fresh start where love and kindness are doled out to him lavishly. He’s such a good boy. 🐶❤️

06/09/2023

UPDATE: Reba is headed to her new home on Friday. I got to meet her owner and it seems like a good match. A little piece of my heart will go with her. She is so special…but aren’t they all? I always fall in love with my fosters, but Mandie Patrick reminded me that there are many many more waiting in the wings, looking for someone to teach them about love until they leave for their new homes. I’ll be ready for my next furry friend…

Blessings on you, little Reba. You were a joy. ❤️🐶

The Mutt Matching Maven is back! After more than a year off, I am fostering again and want to match this precious puppy with the perfect family. Reba has been with us for a week now and she is a joy! Reba is about 10 weeks old and we’ve gotten to know her personality. She is pretty laid back for a young pup but she loves to play with her toys and chase a ball. Reba loved our 4 year old granddaughter…they played for 90 minutes and had a ball (pun intended!) She is quickly learning to potty on the newspaper. And a total guess: she is a mix of lab, retriever, and ??? Her paws make me think she’s headed for 50-60 pounds when full grown…the perfect size and temperament for a family dog.

My mission is to find the perfect fit for all my fosters. Please share this darling girl with the world of animal lovers and help me help her find her people.

10/06/2022

Shelters are being overwhelmed by the number of animals coming in. Sadly, some of these are longtime pets whose owners cannot afford to feed them right now. Gas and food prices are impacting everyone and our critters are suffering the consequences. Please consider supporting struggling pet owners by taking dog and cat food in with your food pantry contributions. This could help keep pets in their loving homes and out of the shelters.

27/04/2022

This is Spike. He and I spent some time together today at the shelter. I like Spike- he is a gentleman and he needs a home. If you’re looking for a sweet middle-to-large dog that loves a good back scratch, Spike could be your man. Contact me or Tupelo Lee Humane Society for more information. 🐶❤️

19/04/2022

This four year old spayed female Aussie/Heeler mix needs a new home where she can roam and play (or work!). Please share and help us find this beautiful dog a family and farm!

09/03/2022

Henry

I haven’t posted an update on Henry in a while and I know he has a lot of fans out there, so here goes…

We are still fostering Henry because we are committed to getting him the best care possible. Also, of course, we have fallen in love with this little beagle. He has wrapped his funky chopped-off tail around our hearts. Henry is a precious pup who is, probably for the first time in his life, enjoying a soft bed, a warm blanket, plenty of food and clean water. and all the petting a dog could want.

We are working with Dr. Aimee, Mandie, Amanda Bannon, and Rachel Allred to determine the next steps for Henry. Henry’s teeth were removed when he got to the shelter because they were rotten and infected. This surgery resulted in some openings in his jaw that refused to close. Food and water get through these and into Henry’s lungs, and he ends up with a chronic case of pneumonia. Combined with a terrible case of heartworms, Henry’s heart has become enlarged as his body struggles to continue pumping. Too much detail- sorry!

Henry may be headed to the MSU vet school for a full work up, to see if surgery is possible and advisable to give him a better quality (and extension) of life. I will keep you posted. If possible, this will be a delicate and expensive step. As I write this, Henry is snuggled up next to me…and I say a little prayer that we will find a way.

Hug your people (2- and 4-legged ones), foster (even for a day) a pup who needs to know about love, support your local rescues, and adopt, don’t shop!

Love,

The Mutt Matching Maven

12/02/2022

Since the Mutt Matching business is on hold until we find sweet Henry/Sounder a home, celebrate with me as I finally completed this 1000 piece puzzle. 🥳🐶 Tupelo-Lee Humane Society

11/02/2022

Sweet Henry says, “Happy Friday, all you dog lovers out there!”

06/02/2022

Henry, aka Sooner, Update:

We got some hard news about Henry on Friday. He has an enlarged heart and is in the early stages of heart failure. This is probably due to a long-untreated case of heartworms that has caused irreparable damage. Henry will not be treated for heartworms because his health is too fragile.

I’m not gonna lie…Friday was a tough day. My heart is broken for our little old man…and to know that this was preventable. Many beagles and other hunting dogs are “turned out” when they get old to hunt and left to fend for themselves. I’ve seen it many times before at the shelter. To treat a dog who’s been your best hunter like this...it just makes me crazy sad. And pretty furious.

Now we turn to how to celebrate Henry for the rest of his sweet life. He still has good energy and a great appetite- Henry loves people and other dogs. He is the friendliest, gentlest little man. He will receive the very best care to address his symptoms and keep him as healthy as possible, as long as possible.

We will not be returning Henry to the shelter…instead we will partner with Tupelo-Lee Humane Society to treat him and possibly find him a new owner that understands his situation and will love him well until the end.

Henry’s story is still being written. If you feel a tug in your heart to care for Henry, be an Angel and contact TLHS. Thank you, from Henry/Sounder, and the Mutt Matching Maven. ❤️

01/02/2022

Beagle’s gonna beagle! Henry is enjoying his pre- breakfast walk this morning. He has a spring in his step and kibble on his mind. He is such a sweet companion for walks and talks.

If you or someone you know needs a loyal pal, please contact Tupelo-Lee Humane Society and ask about “Sounder”, Henry’s shelter name. Henry is about 20 pounds of pure love. He gets along great with our pups and would make a great “pocket pet”. Please share and help Henry find his forever home. ❤️🐶

26/01/2022

Is there anything sweeter than pup cuddles in the morning? (Ok, maybe kid cuddles but those are unavailable!)

Sweet Henry, aka “Sounder”, had a rough day yesterday. He went in for some oral surgery, since all of his teeth were removed at the shelter clinic due to their awful condition. He was not able to have the surgery because he has pneumonia. Henry looked pretty rough when we got him home last night but he’s got a twinkle in his beautiful brown eyes this morning- eating well and howling until he’s fed! I think that’s a good sign!

Henry will be recovering for the next few weeks in his “foster hospital”. Please pray that the peace and quiet he has here will result in a healthy Henry. He is so very precious…❤️🐶
Tupelo-Lee Humane Society

23/01/2022

Update on Henry, aka Sounder…

Henry is turning into a happy little hound as he adjusts to life outside of the shelter. Henry loves walks in the woods, where he instantly remembers ”I am a beagle” and his sniffer goes into overdrive. With tail wagging, he examines all smells within our path. He loves to eat, he loves to nap in his crate or on the sofa, and he loves a good neck rub. He also likes to watch football. 😉 Henry is a really great companion…he’s been neutered, he’s crate trained and has only had one accident in 5 days (and this was due to foster error!)

Do you know someone who needs a pal like Henry? Please share and help us find a HOME FOR HENRY❤️

19/01/2022

The Mutt Matching Maven

Matching rescue pups with special people❤️🐶

17/01/2022