Where Are They Now? Thrive Edition

In December of 2014, Thrive was contacted about Emma, a young, healthy Belgian Malinois mix with a severely broken leg in need of amputation. The shelter did not have the resources to pay for her necessary medical care, so the volunteers were looking for a rescue organization to intervene before she was euthanized the next morning. A Thrive volunteer pulled her from the shelter and we paid for the surgery. The family who fostered her during her recovery (founding Thrive member Susie Saladino and Greg Buttner) ended up adopting her as their own after a failed adoption attempt that Emma clearly did not think was a good fit. Shepherds are funny that way. Her hobbies now include hiking, chasing lizards and keeping everyone in line at her forever home in Carlsbad. When she isn't playing, she is involved in community service events which include educating children on the gift of overcoming adversity. 

Emma's intake picture perfectly illustrates the hopelessness of an injured and unwanted dog. It is solely because of the generosity of our supporters that she was saved.

This April marks the second year since Thrive Animal Rescue became a reality. Little did we know the day we started our Facebook page and ordered an adoption tent, that 2 years later we would have placed 200 dogs and saved countless seniors from the inevitable suffering of abandonment. It’s been quite a ride, and along the way many members of our organization have succumbed to the phenomenon of a “foster fail” and adopted a new family member from Thrive. 

To commemorate this wonderful anniversary milestone, we thought we would share a little peek at where some of these dogs ended up and what they’ve been doing. In writing this we are sending out a CALL TO ACTION: Please send us a photo of your Thrive rescue dog with a blurb about what they’re up to. Email your favorite photo to Olivia@thriveanimalrescue.com or tag us on Instagram @thriveanimalrescue. Please be sure to use the hashtag #ThriveAnimalRescue so we have a page full of our beloved rescues, past and present for our website. If your dog has his or her own Instagram account (as so many do) don’t forget to include your handle!

Cookie was found wandering the streets in the Palm Desert area and delivered to the Riverside County shelter. She was pulled by Thrive for an adoption event, but upon learning of her personality quirks, was rendered temporarily un-adoptable and in need of training. Thrive board member Victoria Shevlin Hobbs volunteered to foster her in the interim, and for reasons beyond our comprehension (insert tongue in cheek) she and husband Frank have fallen madly in love with her. 

Her hobbies now include heading up the welcoming committee of all current fosters in the Hobbs household, bossing around the Hobbs’ other family dogs and being the apple of Frank’s eye. She is currently the only dog allowed to sleep on Frank and Victoria’s bed. In short, Cookie is Thriving.

Izzy Pop Smith was adopted by Thrive board member Laurel Evans Smith and her family after losing their Mexican rescue dog Pablo to old age and severe hip dysplasia. Some of you may remember Izzy and her brother Ghost who we pulled from a San Diego shelter. This beautiful Mastiff/Hound duo had been surrendered by the person who raised them while living on the streets, in a car. They were remarkably well cared for, and had obviously been loved. 

Izzy now lives with her forever family in a home in Solana Beach with two human brothers, Silas and Lane, her father David Smith and an endless supply of tennis balls, love, and her brothers' socks that she destroys if left unattended. On occasion Izzy is reunited with her brother Ghost for playtime and a quick walk down memory lane. Ghost also found a wonderful forever family, and has his own Instagram account @ghoost_maaddeen.

Rowdy was a lonely little guy in the Chula Vista shelter. Not being able to resist his cute face and sweet nature, Thrive pulled Rowdy to find him a forever home. Thrive couldn't believe that two adoption events passed and no one wanted to make wonderful little Rowdy a part of their family. Rowdy is the perfect example of a "greater plan." Olivia, one of Thrive's many fosters, realized she was leaving an adoption event empty handed after her two other fosters had been adopted. She volunteered to take Rowdy home and wouldn't you know it, Rowdy's plan was executed perfectly. He slid right into the hearts of Olivia's family and his new brother Carter the tri-pod!

Currently Rowdy is living the dream in Encinitas on a street full of children who ask every day if Rowdy can come out and play. Rowdy befriends every single foster dog that comes into his house and wishes them a lifetime full of happiness on their way out. Rowdy loves everyone and everything and is convinced there is nothing but puppies and rainbows in this world. We should all live like Rowdy!! 

"Welcome to my home, where everything is perfect and all foster dogs find happy homes. Unicorns do exist and butterflies are my friends." ~Rowdy

Karl with a “K.” Like Lagerfeld…

Karl was pulled from one of LA County’s most overcrowded and underfunded shelters by Thrive’s founding board member Georgia Spogli. He was terribly ill and in need of medical attention, so getting him out of there was imperative. His foster, Tricia Knappe, took one look at the listless young dog who she would be taking care of and the rest, as they say, is history. 

Karl with a K, in the arms of Thrive's Founder Cece Bloum.

Karl now lives with Tricia and her two daughters Aleka and Miranda Gonzales. He is bilingual, splits his time traveling between Cancún and San Diego and has recently overcome his anxiety about spending time in his crate. Karl has appeared on TV with us for the Tonight In San Diego show and he was a star! 

Now, make our day and show us the favorite photo of YOUR Thrive dog thriving! Email your favorite photo to Olivia@thriveanimalrescue.com or tag us on Instagram @thriveanimalrescue. Please be sure to use the hashtag #ThriveAnimalRescue