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March 21, 2018 by Terran 5 Comments

Adopt Don’t Shop: Lionel’s Legacy Senior Dog Rescue

One of my very favorite mantras in the whole world is adopt don’t shop. There are so many incredible dogs out there who have been abandoned through no fault of their own. Shelters are overcrowded and euthanizing dogs simply because they need to make room. Some shelters may not euthanize healthy dogs but if there’s even the slightest medical issue — no matter how treatable — that dog could be at risk of losing her life.

Here’s where Lionel’s Legacy comes in. They scoop up the elderly dogs, the seniors who may be perfectly healthy or the ones who need massive surgeries to be comfortable. They don’t give up on these dogs simply because of age or illness. The whole Lionel’s family are truly angels on earth, making a huge difference for dogs in need. 

A few weeks ago, I met up with the Lionel’s gang to photograph some of their adoptable pups. We met at Balboa Park on an absolutely beautiful day. The sun was shining, the dogs were happy, and everyone was in great spirits!

So, without further ado, here are some of the senior puppies who are in search of their forever homes where they can live out their second chances with an abundance of love, warm beds strewn about the house, and all the good stuff that makes life worth living. Descriptions provided by Lionel’s Legacy.
 

Chicali

Chicali is a big old lug who has spent his life in and out of the shelter and clearly shows signs of being a backyard hooligan. All of that has changed now that he’s a senior sweetie! Chicali is living the life with his furfriends and thanks to some good arthritis and pain meds he’s feeling a lot more comfortable. Chicali will be headed back to the vet for a dental soon and to have a few little old man lumps and bumps removed.

 

Becky

Well it was only a few short weeks ago when we were at the emergency room and Becky was fighting for her life. Becky had a wicked bout of Pancreatitis that we believe was connected to her Phenobarbital for a seizure disorder. After the ER visit she was transferred to Newport Beach Veterinary Hospital for about a week under the watchful eye of Jeffrey S Cohen Veterinarian who also had to treat her for pneumonia and rule out some other medical complaints and symptoms. We want you to know they donated 100% of their care knowing how much we had already spent at the ER. They knew this was a special case and that Becky wasn’t ready to pack her bags and close up shop just yet. As you can see she’s back to herself and doing amazingly well.

 

Jack

Jack is a petite little guy whose cute little ears flop up and down when he runs. He lives in a home with big and small dogs and has the merriest little personality. He’s up to date on vaccines, potty trained, and has even had sleep overs at other foster homes. They have all said, “4 paws up for Jack!”

 

Champion

Champion was rescued by Lionel’s Legacy in August of 2017 after being picked up and brought to the shelter multiple times. He’s not very mobile, so it was a mystery how this kept happening until we learned he had a younger brother who was an escape artist and Champion would follow along (slowly). While Champion has some mobility and thyroid issues, he is a sweet and happy (and obviously handsome!) guy. His foster parents have this to say about Champion, aka Champ Champ aka Grandpa Champs:

He came to us very nervous and uncomfortable with people. He also has had hip and joint problems since then. Over the last few months he’s really opened up emotionally with our little family, which includes our 8-month-old puppy. He loves to have his neck scratched and ears rubbed, and he’ll push up against you with his head when he wants cuddles. He’s very sweet, calm, and quiet, and he loves to nap under the tree. He also enjoys his walks, even though he gets worn out quickly and often has been stumbling and unable to get back up on his own. He’s really a tremendous joy to have around, and he’s such a sweet old man. His smile will melt your heart!

 

Lily

What can we say, Lily is like a beautiful flower who finally got her opportunity to blossom! Lily recently had a Mast cell tumor removed from her toe and the entire toe had to be removed to get good margins. She’s on the mend and beginning to get back to dog life! She is a younger senior at about 7 or 8 years old and loves kids and people and is learning to play with her canine friends. In fact, her new buddy Dozer is teaching her a thing or two about play bows, chase, you name it! He’s an older gent so the good mentor in him advises and watches while she tries things out. Lily is adoptable even though she had an isolated mast cell tumor on her toe. Lily had remarkable lab work and showed no signs of any spread so we’re hopeful her tumor was isolated and we are treating her preventatively with Benadryl and omeprazole.

 

Sam

Sam is a Louisiana transplant thanks to all of the horrible hurricanes that hit our country this year. He is a Labrador retriever weighing at about 70 lbs. and is 6-7 years young. After living many years in a kennel he has been acclimating to a home life with cats, dogs and people. He likes to a have a quiet space to go to in his foster home but has learned to really enjoy socializing and playing with others. Sam is a very sweet boy and a little on the shy side so he’d do great with a buddy (cat or dog) to show him the ropes in a new home. Females are his favorite, so far its the girlies who have showed him around his new home in San Diego. He’s already been to the beach, Liberty Station and Balboa Park. He loves exploring and would appreciate a nice sized yard. So what do you think? He’s a hunk isn’t he? Those golden eyes just mesmerize you! Sam is neutered, prefers not to be crated after living many years in a dog run and is house trained. He would be fine with kids but do best with older children who have a better understanding of monitoring sound and activity levels around him.

 

Little Jo

Little Jo is the cutest and there is no denying that! She came from Orange County shelter and clearly her previous owners didn’t appreciate her like we do! Jo likes to hang and snuggle, she lives with other dogs big and small but she just wants to be loved, plain and simple. Jo is about 10 years old and is looking for someone to adore her as much as we do!

 

Velma

Velma had a very large ulcerated mammary mass when she came to us and we weren’t sure if she’d survive surgery. Here we are 4 months later and this girl is still going strong!

 

Martini and Kahlua

Martini is best served with Kahlua! At least thats want this dynamic duo is saying! Martini and Kahlua are a bonded pair and very dynamic duo who have lived their lives side by side, drink by drink… out of the water bowl, of course! Martini and her sister Kahlua have been around lots of other canines, kids, and live changes and have kept on trucking along. They have had lab work done, both had dentals and have been medically cleared to find a family who enjoys drinking (water) just as much as they do!

 

Happy

Happy was given her name for the simplest reason possible, justly at her face! Happy currently lives with other dogs but she would be just as content being numero uno. Happy is smart, she is a terrier blend and she is also potty trained. Because Happy was a bit overweight before coming to us she does have a weakened trachea so we use a harness while walking and that really seems to help. Keeping her weight managed has made a huge difference and she can keep up with the others without any issues!

 

Mr. Fezziwig

Fezziwig is feeling a bit glum these days, he is still hanging out at Casa De Lionel after 2 fosters flaked and never even gave him a chance. All he wants is a chance. Fezziwig is blind, very mellow, great with dogs and cats. He needs a place to stay (hopefully forever). He sleeps most of the day and night and doesn’t make a peep. In order to make room for more senior sweeties the ones at Casa De Lionel must find homes first. When you foster, Lionel’s Legacy provides all the necessary, supplies, and veterinary services; you provide the love!

 

The Great & Powerful Oz

Between diabetes, a broken and dislocated jaw, and micro eye damage from an infection, this little guy had a lot to overcome when @lionels_legacy scooped him up from the Bonita shelter. The Great and Powerful Oz is steadily building strength, though, thanks to his amazing foster family! He has been gaining weight, exploring the yard, and his personality is beginning to show. He has even found his voice and is barking with his new doggo buddies!


If you feel so inclined, check out Lionel’s Legacy and the work they are doing for dogs like the ones above… dogs who have been mistreated and discarded, dogs who would otherwise be euthanized and forgotten. Lionel’s gives these dogs a second chance at a life filled with love and joy. They can always use donations and new foster families. Please consider making a difference!

Sponsor a dog
make a donation
foster a dog

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Filed Under: all pet portraits, doing good, field notes

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Maria Diehl says

    April 18, 2018 at 11:09 am

    Dear Terran, I want them all and if I lived about 2,000 miles closer they could all come and stay with me. One thing I do know for sure is that God has a special place in heaven for you and your colleagues at Lionel’s who take care of those who can’t help themselves. God Bless you all.

    Reply
    • Terran Bayer says

      April 18, 2018 at 11:12 am

      Just plop me down with all the dogs and I’ll be happy. ;) I wish you were closer!

      Reply
  2. Lori Walton says

    April 18, 2018 at 4:28 pm

    Oh, Terran – these photos are fabulous! Thank you for making me aware of this amazing organization.

    Reply
  3. Sophie says

    May 9, 2018 at 9:33 am

    I would take them all if I could! You do such an amazing job at capturing these beautiful pups – I know they will find the most loving homes <3

    Reply
  4. ASHLEY D says

    May 10, 2018 at 4:23 pm

    Just revisiting this beautiful collection of images. Love them! So much expression from the dogs.

    Reply

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Home » Adopt Don’t Shop: Lionel’s Legacy Senior Dog Rescue

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Based in San Diego, CA
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I want you to close your eyes for a moment. Well, I want you to close your eyes for a moment. Well, maybe don't close them because then you'll stop reading. So, let's just *imagine.* OK, here we go... Imagine you're at the beach with your four-legged best friend just as the sun is coming up over the horizon. A warm summer breeze carries the scent of the salty ocean through the air, the sand is soft between your toes, and things couldn't be more perfect. And then your dog poops. 💩 I mean, that's always a good thing but when you're in this moment, a beach stroll with a bag of poo in your hands isn't exactly the dream. Thankfully, the dooloop exists so you can keep your hands free and keep the moment perfect. ​​​​​​​​
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I've been a fan of @dooloopdogs for years now and am so thrilled to have them as one of our trip sponsors! If you don't have one, you seriously need one. Seriously!
Want to know more about how we are traveling, wher Want to know more about how we are traveling, where we're going, or what it's like living in a small space with your significant other and pup? Where do we stay? Do we have hot showers? What are some of our best memories so far? If you're curious, ask below and your question may be featured in an upcoming post!
SWOOOOON! This gorgeous Florida evening with Jaspe SWOOOOON! This gorgeous Florida evening with Jasper and his mom was absolute magic!!! The sunlight sparkled over the grassy sand dunes alongside the warm Atlantic Ocean as it slowly sunk down into the western sky. Jasper was happy as a little clam as he was rewarded with treats, snuggles, and playtime for being the goodest boy!​​​​​​​​
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A big, huge thank you to @wellnesspetfood for joining us as a trip sponsor of our Great American Road Trip!
Welcome to the wild, wild Westway family, Sibbie!​​​​​​​​
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Named for the American Revolutionary War heroine, Sybil Ludington, we felt like the Airstream who was going to take us on our Great American Road Trip needed to have a very American name. Sybil Ludington and her horse, Star (can you guess the truck's name?), completed a midnight ride farther than Paul Revere's to announce to her father's fellow militia men that the British were coming. She was even thanked by George Washington!​​​​​​​​
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Sibbie is a 30-foot Airstream. She has a full size sofa, dinette with two bench seats, a surprisingly large shower and bathroom, and a great kitchen with a propane stove, oven, and three-in-one microwave + oven + air fryer. She also has an insane number of windows and skylights that make the entire space feel light and bright! 😍 Greg, Roxy, and I fit very well and feel like it's just the right amount of space for the three of us!​​​​​​​​
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Who else out there has an Airstream? Do you love yours? We certainly love ours!​​​​​​​​
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St. Augustine, FL​​​​​​​​
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A big, huge, monstrous THANK YOU to my very first A big, huge, monstrous THANK YOU to my very first models of our trip: Julie, Louie, Bella, and Brooklyn! These four totally rocked their photo shoot for our three trip sponsors: @wellnesspetfood, @dooloopdogs, and @petplaysf! ​​​​​​
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Julie and Louie are both incredible photographers so it was extra fun to work with them! I know them from San Diego but when I found out they were in Fort Myers — just 2.5 short hours south of where we were picking up the Airstream — I knew we had to go see them and do a photo shoot!​​​​​​​​
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Isabella and Brooklyn are two of the cutest dogs you'll ever meet. I was warned that Brooklyn would take a minute to warm up, which she did, but once she realized we were there to shower her with attention, we became BFFs.​​​​​​​​
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Thank you, again, Julie & Louie! You guys rock and we had a blast with you!
We are nearly one month in to our big adventure! I We are nearly one month in to our big adventure! It's hard to even believe it! We have seen new places, visited old friends, and photographed a bunch of puppers already! ​​​​​​​​
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The journey began in San Diego, CA and took us to Tampa, FL for about a week. We headed down to Fort Myers and then up to St. Augustine before leaving the sunshine state. After that, we spent a night on a beautiful pecan farm just outside Savannah, GA before making our way to Charleston, Wilmington, and Charlotte (where we spent a few glorious hours floating in Lake Norman). Today, we are headed to a friend's place just outside Asheville!​​​​​​​​
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I promise to introduce you to our new Airstream in some upcoming posts. I will just say here that she is beautiful and everything we hoped she would be!​​​​​​​​
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We'll be in the northeast in a few short weeks & I absolutely can't wait!!!
Nothing says Airstream + Florida quite as much as Nothing says Airstream + Florida quite as much as a pink flamingo... so it's only fitting that we photograph the @petplaysf pink flamingo float toy as we kick off our big six-month road trip adventure in the Sunshine State! Am I right or am I right???​​​​​​​​
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We couldn't be more thrilled that P.L.A.Y. has decided to join us on our journey as a trip sponsor. We are going to have soooo much fun playing with and photographing their amazing products all around the US this year! Thank you, P.L.A.Y.!​​​​​​​​
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Who else's dogs love P.L.A.Y. toys??? 🙋‍♀️
Do you ever find a product that makes you question Do you ever find a product that makes you question how you ever lived without it? For me, that was @dooloopdogs! It's a brilliantly simple leash accessory that holds your pooch's poo bag so you don't have to. We've been using them for years and they're truly something special!​​​​​​​​
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When we began to plan our big road trip, I knew I'd be taking a few dooloops along with me (different leashes call for different dooloops, duh!) and I dreamed of having the company come along as an official trip sponsor. Well, it happened!!! We'll be sharing the dooloop love all around the US, photographing dogs with dooloops, and showing others how a simple tool can improve their daily walks with their pups! Thank you, dooloop! We're so excited to have you along for the journey!
I have some incredibly special clients, let me tel I have some incredibly special clients, let me tell you. They're clients I love working with and who consistently put their trust in me to create photos for their advertising & marketing campaigns around the globe. When I told Wellness Pet about our big adventure, the response was swift and definitive: "count us in!" I'm so, so, so thrilled to have them as a trip sponsor for our journey and to create images for them all along the way. We have used their products for years — Sojos, WHIMZEES, and their WellBites treats — so this partnership couldn't feel more perfect and authentic! Thank you, Wellness!
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