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Puppies

Rescue Right Seeking Forever Homes for their Adorable Charges

August 25, 2022 by Abigail Glickman

Rescue Right is just located north on Old Post Road, yet is home to many adorable animals. It is the largest dog kennel in all of New York State that aims to find dogs their forever home. They average about 60 dogs at all times and have a surprising low return rate of 2-3%. They make sure all their dogs are able to sit, walk on a leash, and provide all the kisses they can. I had the pleasure of meeting their sweet, adorable dogs that need a home. Here are some of the heart-warming dogs that I learned to love within a matter of minutes…

Meet Bobo!

Bobo is 4 years old and a lab mix. He may seem friendly at first, but he is an old soul at heart. He is super calm and sweet. He is the kind of dog you want to come home after a long day of being bossed around by your haggish boss and have a glass of wine with. His previous owners were no longer able to take care of him, so he wound up at Rescue Right. How rude of them! He even knows “shake”, what a good boy! If you are lucky enough, you may even get a kiss. Thankfully for me, I was and had to get a picture. I mean, how could I not, it’s me after all…

Meet Jackson!


Jackson is only 4 months old and a Jack Russel…get it? He was unwanted by a pet store and found his way at Rescue Right. I know, how is that possible? Look at that sweet face! Him and his sister Jayce are the softest, charming pets that would make any family that much more complete. He can be a lap dog or a good boy to play fetch with. Despite his English roots of hunting foxes, he will also hunt for your heart and make you fall in love with him. Some might even call him a player…

Meet Doyle!

Doyle is about 14 weeks, but the charmer skills of your ex trying to take you back! He is a mix of many different breeds. BUT, what I can tell you is his personality makeup: about ¼ heart of gold, ¼ fur as soft as butter, ¼ smart as Einstein, and ¼ the best companion for long walks on the beach or long walks to go adopt another dog ;). He will make you feel protected, loved, and appreciated… way more than half the people you dated could say! Allow Doyle to replace that void in your life all your past relationships left you with!

Meet Logan!

Logan is a Lab mix and 6 months old. You know what people say, “eyes are the windows to the soul”. If those are not the most pure, innocent eyes, I do not know what is. Just imagine how he can make your family feel that level of calmness. Imagine this: it’s Thanksgiving night, all the in-laws left (about time), the day was spent arguing politics and realizing how much you cannot stand your mother-in-law, because yes, you did in fact make the stuffing, it was not store bought. You have a full kitchen to clean with leftovers spilling over the counter, and little Logan comes by and gives you a kiss and lays down next to you while you clean. How calming! Adopt Logan and allow him to bring serenity into your home that clearly you are not getting from the 5 year old candle you bought at Target that said “tranquility & calmness.”

Meet Ronnie!

The star of the show! Ronnie is a bear of a dog, providing the most soul-soothing hugs and softest place to rest your head. He is 4 years old and a Cacausion Shepherd. When I first saw him, I was immediately shocked by the size of this gentle beast, but that only meant the bigger the cuddles. If he was a person, he would be the guy that would come running if you called that you have a flat tire, he would be the guy to bring you soup when you are sick, he is the kind of guy that would be the staple in your life. Everyone needs a Ronnie in their life. Because as we all know how unpredictable life is, Ronnie will be the one factor remaining the same of constantly supplying the same love and affection. Ronnie is the perfect companion all wrapped into one: the perfect therapist to listen to all your problems, the perfect shoulder to cry on after the fifth speeding ticket you got, the perfect best friend to give constant cuddles and kisses. 

Go and adopt one of these furry friends, or any of the lovely dogs at Rescue Right!

Rescue Right, 402 Old Post Road, Bedford, NY 

 Visit www.rescueright.org

 

 

Filed Under: Cover Stories Tagged With: Abigail Glickman, adoption, Dogs, Don't Shop, Puppies, Rescue Right

Draw for Paws & Scarlett’s Rainbow Rescue: More Than $25K Raised for SPCA of Westchester To Date

August 24, 2019 by Stacey Pfeffer

“The Scarly Squad in Scarlett’s Garden shot on location at the Chwatko residence”. (L-R): Grace Frieder, Annabelle Fisher and Tate Shalov with Chwatko’s pets Ollie (dog) and Winnie (cat). PHOTO BY CAROLYN SIMPSON, DOUBLEVISION PHOTOGRAPHERS

Besides Scarlett Chwatko’s love of reading (see Bookmark Buddies story on page 27), she had a passion for art and animals. In fact, she often said “If I could, I would adopt every animal in the world I would”.  Scarlett grew up with rescue animals and most recently had a beloved dog named Ollie and cat named Winnie.

Her love of animals and the SPCA of Westchester was set an early age. In fact, for her fourth birthday, she wanted an animal party and her mother, Robin Chwatko, inquired if the SPCA of Westchester in Briarcliff Manor could help with that request. Sure enough, they did and several rescue puppies and kittens were brought to the party so that her friends could play with them. Instead of gifts, Scarlett asked all guests to make a donation to the SPCA of Westchester.

Scarlett’s relationship with the local SPCA only deepened over time. She often served as a cage captain during adoption events held throughout the year at the shelter. Cage captains accompany the pets in their cages during adoption events and help keep them calm and comforted.

Scarlett with her dog, Ollie
PHOTO COURTESY OF ROBIN CHWATKO

Draw for Paws: Scarlett’s Idea

“Scarlett loved art and drawing and animals more than anything,” explains Robin. Scarlett came up with the idea of Draw for Paws. She was hoping that people would donate $20 to this SPCA of Westchester and in return she would draw their pets or favorite animal with the proceeds going directly to the organization. She created the original sketches, the concept, the Draw for Paws logo and the color scheme. She also wrote the mission statement for the organization at a “business meeting” with her mother at Starbucks.

Turning a Dream into Reality

For the holidays this past winter, Robin bought Scarlett the domain name for the website, drawforpaws.org and hired a graphic designer to help finetune her Draw for Paws logo sketch. “We have tried really hard to keep everything as close to her vision as possible,” said Robin.

Naming the Transport & Adoption Events

The SPCA of Westchester has a special relationship with an organization based in Mississippi called Homeward Bound. The SPCA works with them to transport hundreds of puppies a year from high kill shelters in the South to bring them to the SPCA here in Westchester to find their forever homes. These puppy adoption events held several times a year at the SPCA are hugely popular with many successful adoptions taking place but they are costly-roughly $50,000 a year to rescue, spay/neuter, transport and adopt out 300-400 puppies.

“When we knew Scarlett wasn’t doing well, I knew that people in the community would want to honor her. Although there are wonderful organizations that help kids with cancer, I knew that she would not want that to be her legacy,” explains Robin.

As Scarlett’s condition worsened, Robin reached out to the SPCA. Together they thought that naming the transport/adoption events in her honor would be an ideal way for the community to help an organization that Scarlett loved and was truly passionate about. Scarlett was always thinking about how she could help the animals at the SPCA. “She would donate all the blankets she received during hospital stays to the animals,” Robin recalls.

Cage captains, (L-R) Bryce Gell, Annabelle Fisher and Maddie Weiser at the inaugural Scarlett’s Rainbow Rescue event
Photo courtesy of Robin Chwatko

Brainstorming A Name for the Transports

When Robin and Scarlett first conceptualized Draw for Paws, Scarlett said she wanted to create every picture on her own. Robin suggested that Scarlett “employ” a few of her friends to help with the artwork.  So she asked three of her friends, Annabelle Fisher, Grace Frieder and Tate Shalov (all rising fourth graders) to join her on this endeavor. These girls are all founding friends listed on the drawforpaws.org website.

After Scarlett’s passing, her friends came up with the name “Scarlett’s Rainbow Rescue” for the transports and decided to call themselves the Scarly Squad, but their involvement didn’t stop there. The Scarly Squad looked through Scarlett’s artwork and chose pieces that appear on the Draw for Paws website. They, along with Scarlett’s friends, family, and teachers also helped serve as cage captains at the inaugural Draw for Paws/Scarlett’s Rainbow Rescue adoption event held this past June at the SPCA in Briarcliff, which helped to raise more than $25,000 with funds that the community made in her honor at spca914.org/Scarlett and from contributions made on drawforpaws.org since the program launched. At this time, all contributions made on the Draw for Paws website will directly fund Scarlett’s Rainbow Rescue transport/adoption events.

Anyone Can Be an Artist

“We knew Draw for Paws was a way to directly involve Scarlett’s friends and family,” explains Robin. Robin admits that she was a bit hesitant initially and was worried that the people would not like the portraits drawn by the child artists but the response has been overwhelmingly positive from both the artists and the recipients of the artwork.

In order to become a Draw for Paws artist, an artist profile is needed. Artists are required to fill in an outline of a bunny that Scarlett drew named the Scarly Bunny and add a few details about themselves on the website. “Her friends are literally drawing WITH Scarlett-  immersing themselves in her art by filling in this sketch. It is such a beautiful and special way to support her, remember her, and connect to her. It is also very therapeutic for so many of these kids who are feeling her loss.”

What’s Next for Draw for Paws

Robin hopes to expand the reach of Draw for Paws. Right now, the majority of the artists are local but they have had requests for portraits from Texas, New Jersey, Florida and California. “While our campaign will continue to fund Scarlett’s Rainbow Rescue, we encourage kids anywhere to start a Draw for Paws Campaign to help animals. For example, if an artist based in Florida wants to protect sea turtles, we will promote their campaign on our site and help them get up and running,” explained Robin.

Beyond Puppy Portraits

“The portraits are really incredible. People love them and want multiple drawings by different artists to collect them.” And the artists aren’t only drawing dogs, they’ve made portraits of cats, chickens, hamsters and dophins.

Currently, the artist is chosen randomly. “You can get a 5-year-old or a teen drawing your portrait,” said Robin but she is working to get celebrities and well-established artists on board in the future. “My favorite day of the week is sending out the orders – I feel Scarlett every time I send a portrait to a recipient. It is amazing to be able to honor her vision and spirit exactly as she wished.”

Draw for Paws at the Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival

Draw for Paws will have a special presence at this year’s Chappaqua Childrens Book Festival. Several illustrators will raffle original art as well as hold live “how to draw” demonstrations at the Draw for Paws booth.

Draw for Paws Portraits

German shepherd created by Rex, age 9, Manhattan
Cat created by Grace, age 9, Chappaqua
Chicken created by Ella, age 9, Tampa

Filed Under: Cover Stories Tagged With: 95, Art, art and drawing, Bookmark Buddies, Draw for Paws, Kittens, Puppies, Rainbow Rescue, Scarlett Chwatko, Shelter, spca

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