Jamie M Downey, Founder/Publisher
with Chester, Cheyenne and Casey

Publisher's Note: Fall 2009

WOOF! Cassie here. I talked my mom into letting me write her publisher's note and I have to say, this is my favorite issue of The American Dog so far! It's all about socialization, training, and commitment, with expert advice from the country's top trainers, so I know it will help keep dogs out of shelters.

This is a topic I know something about: I was dumped by my first family on the streets to fend for myself, which didn't work out too well for me. Do you know how hard it is to catch a bird or a squirrel when you are starving, dehydrated, sickly, and severely underweight? Well, I found it impossible, and it was slim pickings in the garbage cans I managed to scrounge through. When the animal control officers cornered me I couldn't escape, and ended up being incarcerated at the pound in Southern Illinois. Unaware of the fact that this particular shelter gasses dogs and cats to death, my fate was sealed.

Or so I thought. With only two days left before it was my turn to enter the gas chamber, an angel stepped forward, Ileana Pullos, founder of Fortunate Lab Rescue, and pulled me out in the nick of time! I will be forever grateful to her for saving my life. But I am even more thankful that she was a friend of my mom's, and emailed her to talk about the beautiful Chocolate Labs that she had available for adoption. My mom couldn't resist the pathetic-looking picture of me and now I have a wonderful forever home with a chocolate brother and sister. I'm one of the happiest dogs in the world!

I wish all American dogs could be as lucky as me. If everyone would adopt their next dog out of a shelter, we could stop the horrible euthanizing of five million pets per year. Shelter dogs make great companions and family members, and they'll promise to be good if you'll just give them a chance! So please enjoy this issue. I hope it inspires you to cherish and protect your best friends. And please consider adopting your next dog from a rescue group or your local animal shelter.

Sincerely, Cassie
The American Dog Family

Heather Green, Associate Publisher
with Bella, Remington and Jaidyn