Angel cakes
It’s a universal birthday party for adoptable dogs
Every dog had its (birth)day on a recent Sunday in Chartiers, Washington County. It was “DOGust 1st, the Universal Birthday for Shelter Dogs,” so Angel Ridge Animal Rescue volunteers decked out adoptable dogs in crowns, hats and blue bandannas with glittery gold letters that spelled out “Birthday Boy” or “Birthday Girl.”
They celebrated with cake and snacks for volunteers and “pupcakes” and other treats for the nine dogs who live there while the rescue seeks their “furever” homes.
I have to admit I’d never heard of DOGust 1st. Apparently, North Shore Animal League America in Long Island, N.Y., designated Aug. 1 as the Universal Birthday for Shelter Dogs in 2008.
At Angel Ridge, each dog is leashwalked on 52 acres of grassy fields and woods high atop a hill with sweeping views of the countryside. The farm is a beautiful, peaceful locale for walks for people and potential pets, especially on a day like Sunday, with blue skies and low humidity.
Angel Ridge has about 100 volunteers, and several dozen came to the birthday party.
For Tulsa, a gray-faced Labrador retriever mix, life at Angel Ridge is a big improvement over her prior life. Volunteers think she’s 10 or 11 years old and spent her entire life, until recently, tied up outside with very little interaction with people. She’s happy and thriving at Angel Ridge.
Ringo is an adorable beagle-basset mix who loves every person he meets. He’s still getting used to living among other dogs; he howls, bays and “sings” when he sees his kennel mates. Ringo is at least 10 years old and is blind in one eye because of glaucoma. He needs daily medicated drops in his other eye, and that, coupled with his age, can make potential adopters wary.
At the other end of the age spectrum is Pepe, a recent arrival and a favorite with volunteers and visitors. He’s young — perhaps 1 or 2 years old. He loves people and they love him, but he may not be good with all dogs. He was a stray running loose on Racetrack Road, not far from Angel Ridge. Volunteers are surprised that no one is looking for him. When he was caught, he was a healthy weight, and his coat was clean and shiny.
And then there’s Toby, a yellow Labrador retriever mix who is about 1. He’s been adopted four times from Angel Ridge and returned each time. It’s not because he doesn’t get along with people and other dogs. When he gets to his new home, he bonds intensely with one person and then barks nonstop at the other person in the household.
Recently retired airline pilot Randy Hino and his wife, Lori, of Peters, hope to
adopt Toby. They have visited him several times a week, and by working with a behaviorist, hope their home will be Toby’s forever home.
We’ve all heard that it was hard to find and adopt dogs during the pandemic. That was hard on people who wanted dogs but good for shelters and rescues.
“That was our best year ever, with 199 dogs and 200 cats adopted,” said Kathy Rickle, a longtime volunteer and adoption counselor. “We don’t have room for any more cats.”
Although Angel Ridge has nine dogs now, the rescue had as many as 50 dogs in the 1990s, when Nancy Shannon started the rescue. She now lives out of state but still owns the property and remains involved.
For more information about adopting, volunteering or donating, go to angelridgeanimalrescue.org, email sandraschiller3008@aol.com or call 724-229-7053. The mailing address is 390 Old Hickory Ridge Road, Washington 15301.