Ready for action

Whee! Lily likes to feel the wind through her floppy ears as she darts around the yard. This adorable two-year-old loves to romp. But once she's tired, she'll roll over for some well-deserved belly rubs. She needs a fenced yard, because she's attracted to moving things. A car going down the street will get her immediate attention, and you don't want her chasing after it! Just make sure Lily gets plenty of exercise (a run or a long walk around the neighborhood is perfect!), and she'll be ready to give you lots of love. Lily is your Adoptable Pet for the week of September 30, 2013.

Bolt is all ears

Can you hear me now? With those magnificent ears, Bolt can probably pick up some intergalactic transmissions. But when those ears are at full staff, that's when Bolt is at his cutest. He's a tiny dog with an oversized personality. Everyone else may focus on those gorgeous ears, but you'll know the whole story: Bolt is a loving little dog who's ready to please you. He's your Adoptable Pet for the week of September 23, 2013.

What a positive attitude!

This youngster is a happy boy. Shaggy prefers to look on the bright side of things. Want to go for a walk? Want to play? Want to take a nap? He'll be more than happy to participate. You can tell from his smiling face that his goal is to enjoy life. Shaggy is one of five terrier mixes recently abandoned at a Dallas apartment complex. Read their story at Blue Ribbon News. If you're one who always tries to maintain a positive attitude, meet your perfect companion. It's especially amazing considering what Shaggy has been through! He's your Adoptable Pet for the week of September 16, 2013.

Abandoned dogs escape troubled past

Shaggy was one of five dogs abandoned in the parking lot of a Dallas apartment complex.

Shaggy was about to abandon hope. The seven-month-old terrier mix was completely disoriented when he discovered he was marooned with four similar puppies in the parking lot of a Dallas apartment complex. Some of the dogs, like his friend Thelma, had been stuffed into a recycling bin.

Before they could get their bearings, Shaggy and the rest of the confused young dogs were whisked away to the Dallas animal shelter. Danielle Fry, the shelter’s rescue coordinator, sent out an urgent call for help. She felt the petrified dogs would fare poorly in the shelter environment.

Within minutes, Christina Arriaga, who manages the rescue operation for the nonprofit Rockwall Pets, was busy arranging foster homes for the frightened puppies. Rockwall Pets quickly notified the shelter that it would take Shaggy, Thelma and the other three abandoned dogs.

Just two days later, the smile had returned to Shaggy’s face after he discovered he and his friends were safe. Rockwall Pets is a nonprofit rescue organization dedicated to ending the killing of healthy and treatable shelter pets in north Texas. Shelter killing is the number one cause of death for healthy dogs and cats in the United States, according to the American Humane Association.

After leading local efforts to achieve No Kill status for the Rockwall and Royse City shelters, Rockwall Pets set its sights on saving the lives of shelter pets throughout north Texas, especially in Dallas. The nonprofit estimates an average of 50 healthy and/or treatable dogs and cats are killed every day at the Dallas shelter. Rockwall Pets has saved the lives of nearly 300 pets from the Dallas shelter during the past 12 months.

Dallas Animal Services conducted an investigation into the abandonment of the dogs but could find no leads.

Within a couple of days of his rescue, Shaggy was attending his first Rockwall Pets adoption event. His ever-present smile offered no clue as to the horrors he’d witnessed the previous week. He was a long way from a filthy recycling bin in the middle of a crowded parking lot. For what could be the first time in their lives, Shaggy, Thelma and the rest of their friends are experiencing the love and joy of being a puppy.

Donate today to help the abandoned dogs.

Stevie is cute

We know the word "cute" is often overused. But when it comes to Stevie, there's no way to avoid it. Everything about this young dog is cute. She has a cute way of tilting her head when listening to strange sounds. She has a cute way of walking. She has a cute leap when chasing grasshoppers. Just face it. Stevie is cute. Don't miss your chance to adopt this certified cutie! Stevie is your Adoptable Pet for the week of September 9, 2013.

A Labor Day salute...to you!

This Labor Day, we want you to know how much you're appreciated. Your work and your dedication pays off in hundreds - and soon thousands - of lives saved.

It is truly a labor of love.

Whether you adopt, donate, foster, volunteer or just urge us on, you're working to help make north Texas a true shelter for homeless pets. Sure, we have a long way to go. But we promise you that we won't stop working until every healthy and treatable pet can look forward to a happy and loving life. Your tax dollars should not be used to kill healthy and treatable pets in your municipal shelter. You deserve nothing less. The pets deserve nothing less.

Thank you for supporting our No Kill effort. Your work, your donations, your home, your love and your support means everything to these pets.

Donate today to help save even more lives. It is truly a labor of love.

Steady as she goes

They call her mellow yellow. That's because this six-year-old beauty prefers to stop and savor the finer things in life. Sandy wants nothing more than a meaningful relationship. That means lots of love shared between you and her. You have to meet her in person to appreciate the calm, steady and confident air of her personality. If you're looking for a low-key but inspiring relationship, Sandy is ready to be your partner in life. She's your Adoptable Pet for the week of September 2, 2013.