About PIPs

My path with special needs pups started when I took in my Keena Girl. She was an 8-week-old puppy who came from a backyard breeder. The breeder quickly learned they could not sell her due to a bum back leg, so they dropped her off at a high-kill shelter. Since adopting Keena, I have spent my days dedicated to rescuing dogs in need.

Outside of rescue, I am a mom to 3 humans and 6 fur babies! I love camping, the mountains, and a glass of wine at the end of a long day. I love cheesy horror movies, end of the world movies and could watch a shark movie a million times over – anyone for Jaws and wine?

Why PIPs? I had a vision of bringing like-minded people together to save dogs in need. My goal is to make PIPs a place where everyone can collaborate, as well as connecting with the community- a rescue where we all feel our voices are heard. A rescue not only for fosters and volunteers but for adopters as well. I plan to focus on the quality of the foster homes and adopters to ensure the best future for our dogs. Having a rescue that focuses on “PIP-abled” dogs, means finding fosters and adopters who are open to learning or are already knowledgeable about special needs.

I can remember the dog that ran around our neighborhood and who would often visit me. I nicknamed him Stinky, because, well he stunk, but I loved him anyway and would go out in the rain to play with him. When I moved into my own apartment, I finally got that dog I had always wanted! Little did I know it would lead me to my future husband!

I remember being at home one day, watching Oprah, and there was a dog on the show that was used in dog fighting and Oprah was talking about his amazing journey to a home. This one moment affected me so much and I knew I had to get involved and advocate.

I am a mom to 2 humans and 2 fur babies, and they all participate in rescue just as much as I do. My weaknesses are the “3 P’s”: pibbles, pugs, and puppies! Such a diverse group, however being in rescue and having a home that I can foster allows me to help all 3. I also love to read, try new breweries, and wine bars (another perk of rescue events), and hang out with family and friends.

Rescue and fostering lead me to a community of dogs and people. I love how everyone is at a different point in life, but we still have one common passion: rescuing dogs.

She was dropped off with her litter in a rubbermaid tote, and yet was so open to being loved by me and my girlfriends. I instantly knew she was coming home with me!

I started working with a rescue when I was at work one day. I was scrolling through social media on a break and came across the sweetest, most terrified looking dog that needed to be picked up from a kill shelter. I sent a message to the rescue that I could do it, but I was told I was not in the system. This dog was literally five minutes from my office, so of course I responded with, “put me in the system!” In the interim of filling out the paperwork, the dog was picked up and while I did not end up bringing him home, two days later I had two little hound puppies to start my fostering journey! You know those type A people that do things and think of all the ways they could add to it? That is me! While I LOVED having them, I quickly learned my place in rescue was going to be spending my time planning and getting these dogs out to the masses. My love for all the dogs and talking to people make a perfect fit!

With my husband, two four-legged kids, two human kids and rescue, the rest of my time is spent on the soccer field and traveling to breweries that coincide with the soccer field! My husband and kids love being in rescue too- we have all reaped the benefits of not only helping, but the community that we belong to could not be replaced. It became the place I never knew I needed and now could not imagine my life without!

Five years after adopting Marley, I adopted my wild man, Tucker. My boys really sparked my interest in fostering and when Marley was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, my husband and I finally took the plunge and took in a litter of very malnourished, tiny puppies. Not planned but of course, we ended up adopting the smallest, feistiest one in the bunch. Boo was a welcome addition and breath of fresh air to our family. Then came Gus, our first bottle baby and special needs pup. We fostered many puppies and litters in the following year but then came a year old, gorgeous lab with no manners that needed a foster, we appropriately named her Busy and adopted (again). We continued to foster puppies until I caught sight of a horribly neglected senior lady. Betty opened our hearts to fostering seniors and she was with us for a few months before we adopted her. We were honored to give her the best few months of her life and be there when she took her last breath peacefully, surrounded by love.

I cannot explain how fulfilling, sometimes challenging, but so rewarding fostering and adopting is. Every pup that has come into our home has taught us something and we cannot imagine our lives without them.

That was it, I had found the thing that added meaning to my life and along the way I was lucky enough to find a group of fabulous friends who feel the same way.