On many occasions I have had the opportunity to assist a friend of mine, a fellow Humane Investigator, in checking on the animals in a very hairy part of town on the south side of the city. The streets are lines with dilapidated homes - many burned out or collapsed and prime targets for drug dealers and other such illegal characters. It's the kind of town you usually go out of your way to drive "around" rather than "through" if it happens to fall along your route of travel.

In this town I have seen some of the worst of the worst of animal abuse and neglect cases. Dog fighting is a popular "sport" in the area and the status quo is to keep your dog tied on a heavy chain, provide little to no shelter and give food and water only when it's convenient to do so.

It's here where Izzy was found chained to a fence with only an

Chase has officially found a home. He fell in love with his new mom right away (and vice versa) and he now lives happy as can be with his two human teenage sisters and two other dogs.

His mom, who works as a part-time groomer, reports that she was able to finish his haircut and he did very well for it. It had to be cut a lot shorter than she plans to keep him because of all the matting he had, but it's finally even.

He is a very happy little pup now, and is feeling great to finally be in a real home with a family that loves him. Congratulations, Chase!

(Chase was sent home with a matching 3/4" Leopard print dog collar and leash from Pink Puppy Designs.)

After a very nervous first few days, little Chase was finally comfortable enough with me to let me give him a haircut and a bath. He is now clean and fresh and is noticeably feeling much better. I'm not grooming professional, but at least it's better than it was before when he was all covered in matting and filth.

As you can see from the photo, he has begun showing off his interest in toys. He is testing out some of the eco-friendly rope bones that we are considering selling at Pink Puppy Designs. He seems to be enjoying every minute of it. Chase like to play fetch, but after a few throws from me he usually ends up playing fetch with himself. He tosses the toy up over his head all by himself and then runs after it. He thinks that's just the best!

View Chase's online

Chase is Miniature Poodle who is barely 2 years old.  I originally found him while on patrol with my fellow Humane Investigator.  He was filthy, covered in huge mats all over his body and was running loose in a rough neighborhood.  We chased him for blocks until he made his way back home.  After speaking with his owners (who, I might add, weren't too concerned that he was running in traffic) we discovered that their 9 year old son was Chase's sole caretaker and he was quickly loosing interest in the dog.  They decided he was just too much trouble and chose to give him up for adoption.

I decided to foster him and the first night I had him, it took 2 1/2 hours to leash him up and take him outside.  He was terrified and was being very protective of himself.  It was clear he had been shown little to no compassion from

January 2010 marks huge upgrades to the Pink Puppy Designs store. We now offer many features, such as an easier to browse catalog with a bunch of new pictures, wishlists, product reviews, and much more!

The image at the right is Mr. Pink relaxing after the endless hours he spent getting the new site ready... it's so hard being a Spokesdog.

In addition to all the great new changes on our site, we have also made improvements to processing times, which will reduce delays for custom products. Oh, and let's not forget the new blog, which will highlight Pink Puppy news, training tips, updates on the Spokesdogs, product information and updates from my rescue adventures, including information on my foster pets as they come and go.

Best wishes for a wonderful 2010 to you and your furry friends,

Stephanie Chizek of Pink Puppy Designs is also a Humane Investigator in Illinois. While on a case, she and her partner came upon a dog chained to a dilapidated doghouse. Rockefeller had been living there for 7 long years in a space of about 15 square feet day and night in all kinds of weather.

After speaking with the owners about the inadequate conditions, they signed him over to be put up for adoption. Stephanie brought him home so he would have a comfortable place to stay while he waited for a new home. At first he was very nervous about everything relating to living indoors since it was all very new to him. However, he is now learning what it is like to be an indoor dog... loved, kept warm, given lots of attention... and he loves it.

Rockefeller is currently available for adoption through Animal Education and Rescue (AEAR). For more information

I was driving back to Chicago From Atlanta and at a pit stop in Tennessee's Blue Ridge Mountains I found these precious puppies at a gas station. So many people had come and gone seeing them and ignoring them. This sister (left) and brother (right) were living in a water drainage pipe amongst jagged stones and broken bottles... covered in fleas and ticks and with bellies filled with icky worms. I have no doubt in my mind that had I not stopped at that very station, they would not have made it. However, now they are adjusting to a warm home and yummy food in a Chicago Suburb and are available for adoption through www.aear.org. Not bad after coming from a bed of broken bottles.

They are about 7 weeks old and adorable, naturally. Firecracker (brown) is a very confident pup who likes attention and likes to be the center

Bear is a 2 year old German Shepherd mix living in rural Indiana that ran into some really bad times. His former family had decided he just didn't fit into their life and they dropped him off at the local humane society. He had hit rock bottom and his luck seemed to have dried up. Unfortunately, a great many dogs were left neglected and unwanted and the humane society was busting at the seams with so many wonderful animals they were trying to save. Bear spent many days and nights wondering if someone would come and give him a home again, but no one did. His time was running out...

However, thanks to wonderful rescue workers and volunteers, a transfer was coordinated to Animal Education & Rescue. As of right now, Bear is still looking for a family to adopt him, but he's safe and warm in a foster home and so happy to