It’s 8 am here in Charleston and I couldn’t help but sneak away and type up today’s Rescue Confessions. Meet Gambit (Stylish_Gambino on Instagram) a forest pup (more on that in a second!) who is now living the good life napping everywhere. He’s an absolute cutie so let’s start the fun!
Margaret’s Turn:
Tell us about your rescue! Name, age, breed, species??
Gambit (aka Gamby, Gambino, Squish, Uncle Gambit) is a (going on 12) year-old cattle dog/hound/husky/bunny/cat mix from Tennessee. He’s SUPER soft, has no tail, and. His main interests include napping on the couch, napping in the car, hanging with his dog pals, shedding, and napping on the bed.
He was born and lived the first 6 months of his life in the Tennessee forest with a pack of 31 dogs and a man named Tony. Tony needed medical help but didn’t want to leave his dogs behind so Animal Rescue Corps came in to help. After some basic vetting, ARC works with Rescues all over the country to help adopt out dogs from the large-scale rescues they do. Four of the forest dogs ended up at Alive Rescue – though one turned out to be pregnant with 10 puppies – so make that 14!
Where did you two first meet?
I was his foster mama through Alive Rescue! He was actually my first foster pup ever and I met him the first night he arrived from Tennessee at the Little Barn with several of his family members. He was super shy and timid (and smelled AWFUL) but it was definitely love at first sight.
Why did you decide to pursue adoption?
I started volunteering at age 16 at the Dane County Humane Society in Madison, Wisconsin. I’ve pretty much been a rescue fan girl ever since! The resilience I’ve seen from abandoned and discarded animals is nothing short of inspiring. I adopted my first dog, Bea Arthur from Badass Brooklyn Animal Rescue when I saw her walking down the street in an adoption vest. She was the weirdest-looking most adorable dog I had ever seen and I knew she needed me as much as I needed her.
How did you know they were “the one” (or two, or three!)?
My first dog Bea has some dog aggression issues – particularly on leash but also just poor social skills in general. We worked REALLY hard to get her to a place where we could foster other dogs andGambit was my first foster actually! I knew I wanted to keep him from Day 1 but I couldn’t make that decision until I was sure Bea would be OK with it. The day she removed his “cone of shame” for him (after his neuter), I knew they were going to be just fine. She was looking out for him J Now she cleans his face every night and they play nonstop.
What advice do you have for someone who is deciding whether or not to adopt?
DO IT! There’s something REALLY powerful about knowing, regardless of what I’ve accomplished in my life, I have given another BEING a home and a place to belong and that is enough to fulfill me on even on the most discouraging of days.
Anything else you’d like to share (favorite dates/stories/lessons learned)?
If you aren’t able to adopt, FOSTER. If you aren’t able to foster, VOLUNTEER! There are SO many ways to get involved with animal rescue in Chicago – from walking dogs at a shelter, to fostering rabbits, to transporting cats to vet appointments.
And one more tip…the best thing I ever did for my first dog was to get a second dog. I know this isn’t feasible for everyone, but if it is the financial costs that make you hesitate, consider fostering another dog. The rescue will foot the bills for vet visits and supplies and you get to do something that has a HUGE impact on an animal’s life. Please don’t hesitate to find us on stylish_gambino for questions about getting involved!
Gambit’s Turn:
Favorite toy:
My mom’s shoes
Most impressive trick:
Paw – left and right!
Least impressive trick:
My signature play move is biting the back leg of my play buddy
I will do anything for:
CHEESE
Tennis balls or squirrels:
Did someone say SQUIRREL????
My favorite place:
Sleeping in my cozy red chair or snuggled up on mom’s side of the bed after she gets up
It drives my mother the craziest when…
Nothing drives them crazy because I’m absolutely perfect and work my magic by giving them my always concerned, derp face.
Likes to dress up? (Prove it!)
No…………..?! (excuse my mawm tho. she dresses me.)
How cool is Gambit’s story? I mean, from living in a forest to getting to romp on couches with an endless supply of cheese. Sounds like Gambit is enjoying life as a pampered pup. Thanks for reading, and if you are looking to get involved and help animals, check this post here.
xoxo,
Christine
