TN Death Row Dogs

I was thrilled to see that our Facebook page hit 25,000 followers today! Thank you everyone for your continued support and the effort you put in daily to help TN dogs. I started this page in August of 2011 with a lot of hope, but no idea if anyone would even "like" it. There were so many dogs waiting to die with no way to be networked and with no hope of making it out, that I felt compelled to do what I could to help. Creating this page seemed like a logical first step in doing my part and starting our rescue a few months later would come to be the second part. It's pretty formidable to see just how many people have liked this page, even though I know that sometimes the stories and pictures are saddening. It upsets me daily that healthy dogs and puppies have to die simply because shelters need to make space for incoming dogs. Some of their faces will be burned into my memory until the day I die. But if we turned our backs because the stories are too painful, they would still be there, alone, forsaken and waiting to die. We might not be able to save every single dog through this page and our rescue, but we can damn sure give them our very best effort. With the help of all of you, this page has saved well over 1,000 dogs and our rescue has saved hundreds more. From all of us here at TDRD, we thank you for joining with us to fight for condemned dogs in Tennessee. We would not be successful without your shares, support and donations. I'm so very proud of all that we have accomplished together and am excited about the great things we will achieve in the future. ~Jamie

We want to thank Big Frog in Franklin for working so hard on these new designs for us!  They really brought our ideas to life and we're very proud to be able to offer these two new designs in a variety of colors and styles.  Our Shirt Shop also offers all of these styles with our logo as well and all of these hoodies, t-shirts, tank tops and children's shirts look fantastic!  Please click here to visit our Shirt Shop!

Destiny and I have been together down this long road to her recovery but what a great road it has been! I still remember the days of carrying her outside to potty because she was too weak to stand on her own. It is almost unbelievable how far she has come since early November when joining our rescue. Destiny is my foster dog and I can go on all day about her! She has gained 15 pounds and is now a healthy 38 pounds. She is a very happy girl that prances wherever she goes. Recently she has learned "sit" and "down" and I'm working with her on some new tricks.  Destiny doesn't have a bad day, ever. She is always thrilled to see you, butt wiggling and she loves food! Her love of treats makes her try to learn new things quickly. She does awesome with other dogs, delighted to meet their acquaintance. She a very sassy, spunky girl that likes to steal socks and anything else she can get her paws on. Destiny likes adventure, rides in the car like a pro and seems to even enjoy her vet visits. She is potty trained, crate trained and she likes to be around her people. She is a dog that desires a lot of love and attention, which we think she deserves! Whoever ends up with this little bundle of joy, will be adding a very special dog to their life. She lived a terrible life of starvation and neglect prior to coming to our rescue and she is thankful for every single day. Only amazing adopters need apply! Those interested in adding Destiny to their family can find our adoption application posted on our site at tndeathrowdogs.org. Inquiries can be sent to Jamie at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

When adopting a new dog, please make sure you are ready for the commitment and time a dog needs and realize that they are not perfect. Many shelter dogs have been through a lot in their lives. Many have not been fed properly, been treated kindly or even slept in a home. Many have not been lucky enough to be part of a family or be a companion for someone. I'm seeing all too often lately that people want a new pet, but then when it doesn't come fully trained and perfect, they no longer want it.  I've heard every excuse there is, the dogs chews, had an accident on their new carpet, has separation anxiety...  you name it and I've probably heard it.  Surrendering a dog should be a very last resort, after all other options have been exhausted. Trainers are there to help and can help if consulted, but many people don't give their dog that chance. Dogs aren't a handbag or pair of shoes that you throw out when you're tired of them and want a new style. Pets are for life and they may not come flawless, but they can be taught what is expected of them and most want so badly to please. Before surrendering a dog, please think long and hard about it. Think about what you are putting your poor dog through. Imagine your family, the only people you know and love, dropping you off with strange people in a chaotic, frightening place one day and never looking back. Imagine the confusion, fear and panic they feel as they watch you walk away.  Lastly, take a good look in the mirror, because chances are, you aren't perfect either. ~Jamie

[caption id="attachment_985" align="aligncenter" width="300"] There is no mandatory amount of time that O/S dogs have at shelters. They are the first to die when room needs to be made for incoming dogs. This dog was someone's pet once, but now sadly is just another statistic.

Adding a second location for TDRD up in New England has been a dream of ours for a long time.  We are proud and so very excited that this is going to finally be a reality because so many dogs will benefit from it!  Our northern TDRD branch will be located in Brunswick, Maine, and will start with just a couple of foster homes.  We want to slowly grow our presence there and eventually branch out a larger part of New England.  To get things started, we are looking to build a foster network in Maine and New Hampshire.  Those interested in fostering can fill out a Foster Application which is posted here on our site.  Inquiries and questions can be sent to Christa at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

We are proud to announce that we will begin offering private boarding and grooming at our facility, Barktopia on February 15th!  This is something we have been working towards for a very long time as ways to earn additional funds for our rescue.  We hope those in our local area will check us out!  Our boarding spaces are limited so those wishing to bring their pets to stay with us are strongly encouraged to make reservations in advance.  We will be offering transportation to and from our facility for client dogs and luxury boarding inside the Doggie Suite.

Please check out the Barktopia website for rates and reservation information!

In our endless pursuit of raising funds to save dogs and of course, looking stylish, we present to you the first ever TDRD zippered hoodie!  We've never done them before so we are very excited to be able to offer them!  Until January 29th, we will be offering pre-orders of these hoodies at a discounted price of $30 plus $5 s/h.  Not only will those placing a pre-order save a few dollars, but they can also pick their shirt color and have their choice of orange or black ink.

[caption id="attachment_943" align="alignleft" width="300"] Heathered Charcoal/Orange Ink


Those ordering can view available colors here.  Orders and payment can sent via Paypal to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by regular mail to P.O. Box 1015, Spring Hill, TN, 37174.  Please make sure to note your color, ink color (orange or black), size and current mailing address when ordering.

Those who purchase after the pre-order will have their choice of heathered charcoal with orange ink or brite pink with black ink.  The regular price will be $35 plus $5 s/h after the pre-order special ends.  Questions?  Feel free to email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

[caption id="attachment_939" align="alignleft" width="300"] Dawn, currently looking for her forever home. Photo by Kisa Kavass.


We are constantly complimented on the photos of our adoptable dogs which are taken by the lovely and very talented Kisa Kavass. Her help to us has been invaluable when it comes to making our dogs look their very best so they can find forever homes. On March 29th, she has offered to photograph folks with their dogs from 10am - 3pm with all proceeds benefiting our rescue efforts! Each session will cost $25 and last 15 minutes. Kisa will mail all the participants a CD with all of their photographs on it after the shoot. If you'd like to book a session with your dog(s), please email Jamie at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..  Kisa's amazing work can be viewed on her website.

A few months ago we decided that we wanted to do a calendar showcasing rescued and adopted dogs from all over the United States.  We received lots of great photographs and put them together to create our very first calendar which we are very excited to offer!  We hope to be able to grow our calendar a little each year and use the funds raised to help us save more dogs while celebrating adopted babies all year long.  Our 2014 calendar is $18 to purchase plus $5 s/h which can be sent via Paypal to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by regular mail to TN DRD, PO Box 1015, Spring Hill, TN, 37174.  To view the pages in the calendar, please click the photo below:

 

It has been five weeks since we took Destiny into our rescue with the help of a very kind Animal Control Officer from Jackson.  She has made so much progress!  The top left picture is her at our vet the day we took her in.  The other three pictures are from today, December 12th.  All of her wounds have almost healed completely and she has gained 15 pounds!  Destiny is a very outgoing, playful little girl that prances everywhere she goes.  She has become quite the little diva!  Next week, her vetting will be complete and she will be ready to find her forever home.  We hope she'll have a family of her own for Christmas!

[caption id="attachment_922" align="alignright" width="300"] A sneak peek at Mr. December, Tobie!


We are very excited about our 2014 Rescue Dog Calendar!  A few months ago, we asked our Facebook followers to submit photos of their adopted dogs and have put together our first calendar.  We hope to do this every year moving forward to celebrate adopted dogs everywhere and raise money for our rescue efforts.  As of today, 12/6, we are accepting pre-orders and are anticipating the arrival of our calendars in the next couple of weeks.  We hope to have the pre-ordered calendars shipped quick enough to arrive by Christmas.  Those wishing to purchase a calendar, can send $18 plus $5 s/h via Paypal to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by regular mail to PO Box 1015, Spring Hill, TN, 37174.  Please make sure to include your current address so we can mail these out asap!

Just nine days ago, a fellow rescuer texted me photos of a pitiful emaciated dog that was in terrible condition and asked if we had a spot for her.  For dogs like this, we had to make a spot because her life depended on it.  I could tell by looking at her photos that she wouldn't survive in the cold weather much longer and she needed immediate medical care.  Animal Control wanted to seize her and charge her owners with cruelty, but first they needed a rescue to take her.  We stepped up for this little girl and she left her chain behind, forever.  Her fate, her destiny changed in the process.  That is when she became Destiny, a beautiful name to match a loving soul.

Last Wednesday, Dr. Vaughn and his staff at Columbia Hospital for Animals waited almost an hour after closing to provide her with the emergency care she needed.  When the logging chain she lived her life on was weighed, it was an unbelievable 36 pounds.  Destiny stepped on the scale and only weighed 23 pounds.  The chain she had to pull around to move was 13 pounds heavier than she was.  It was no wonder that between the chain and terrible pressure sores that this sweet girl could not walk.

When she was put on the table for her exam, I was completely shocked by her condition and how someone could allow a dog to be tortured in this manner.  Some think that beating or causing an animal pain intentionally is what constitutes cruelty.  I can say that this was one of the worst forms of cruelty due to neglect that I have ever seen.  These people passed this dog each day on their way in and out of their home, watching her slowly starve to death.  She was infested with hundreds of fleas all over body which she chewed at constantly.  There have been some very cold nights here and this poor dog suffered out there in her cold dog house with no body fat to regulate her body temperature.  She had no bedding but the cold dirt floor of her dog house and as a result, she developed huge, deep pressure sores.  How anyone could allow her condition to deteriorate daily is beyond me and why none of their neighbors reported it is something I will never understand.

Destiny has gained a couple much needed pounds since last week and her wounds are healing.  Some of her photos are graphic, but it is important for people to see what happens to dogs that are chained and forgotten.  She suffered daily and not one person stepped up to help her.  It took a person that was visiting this neighborhood to make the call that ultimately saved her life.  Those witnessing this type of abuse need to do something, anything they can to help dogs like Destiny.

Those wishing to follow her progress and view additional photos can do so by visiting her album on our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.641033282606868.1073741847.239429629433904&type=3

We would like to thank everyone who has donated towards her care thus far.  Donors make our efforts possible and we appreciate them so very much.  We also would like to thank Dr. Vaughn and his staff for staying late to examine her and help her get some relief from her pain.  I want to thank the person that called her abuse in and those that helped facilitate her rescue.  It took a village but she is thankful everyday for this second chance she was given.  When she is healed and ready, we will help her find a family that will treasure her as she deserves.

Shop for Shelters is a site full of goodies for dog and pet lovers everywhere!  Not only do they have cute merchandise, but 15% of the proceeds from everything sold on their site goes directly to help shelters and rescues save more dogs!  We are honored to have been not only nominated, but chosen and hope everyone will visit their site and look around.  Happy shopping!

[caption id="attachment_895" align="alignright" width="300"] Violetta was saved from euthanasia by our rescue. This was her shelter photo.

I've noticed while out talking with the public that there are many misconceptions about dogs facing euthanasia.  Most people think that there is actually something wrong with these dogs.  They believe that they are old, aggressive or sick.  Perhaps it's easier for people to accept euthanasia if they believe this, I really don't know.  I want to say that there is nothing wrong with the vast majority of these dogs.  Perfectly healthy dogs are euthanized every day in this country.  When shelters reach capacity and the incoming dogs keep coming, they have to make space for the new dogs.  At many of these shelters the dogs only get the 3-5 day stray hold mandated by law.  Once their stray hold falls off and they are not claimed, the shelter may need their kennel.  Guess what happens then?  A perfectly friendly, healthy adoptable dog is put to death.  I learned of a healthy litter of 8 week old puppies and their mother that was euthanized this week while we scrambled trying to find a foster.  This is what we face daily, there are so many that need our help.  Owner surrendered dogs face even less of a chance at adoption because there is no mandatory required hold time for them.  The shelter doesn't need to wait for an owner to come forward.  When an owner surrenders their dog, the owner is known and often times this can be a death sentence for the dog.  If the shelter is already at capacity, these poor dogs will never see the inside of a kennel at all.  They will be taken straight to the kill room.  I'm not trying to upset people, but this is the reality everyday for homeless animals.  There is nothing wrong with them and we need to do more to help them.

It's been a long time coming but we finally have an online store where supporters can purchase TDRD merchandise!  We will be adding more products over time, but there is a great variety already for both people and dogs, big and small!  For those who would like to see products we don't offer, please let us know so we can work on getting them for you.  As always, we appreciate your support and so do many dogs who are in dire need a second chance.  Please visit our store, check out the goods and help us save lives!

Many folks have asked us if Party for Paws at the HRC in Nashville is still happening this year. I'm very happy to report that it is! This it will be a little different and the hours will be from 12-5pm on Saturday, November 9th. There will still be great drinks to enjoy, hors d' oeuvres, a silent auction and music, but it will be open to vendors as well! We would like to kick off the holiday shopping season with a bang in downtown Nashville, while we work to raise money for our rescue dogs. It's going to be a ton of fun!  

Pet Photos with Santa on the Second Ave Patio will also be taken that day as well!  Get your Holiday photo of Fluffy or Fido and help other dogs in need!  For only $5 you will receive a 4x6 professional print and all proceeds benefit our rescue! Complimentary Valet Parking at the Cafe with Purchase of Photo!

This is be a great day for dog lovers, holiday shoppers and the dogs we can save with the funds we raise.  We hope you'll stop by, have a drink and say hello!

Ava is the newest addition to our rescue and what a life of hell she has led.  She was found by a homeowner who went to go check on her rental property and promptly tried to get help for Ava.  The Animal Control Officer in this county refused to pick her up, despite her emaciated body, layers upon layers of scarring and injured leg.  She had to seek help from a neighboring shelter which ultimately took Ava in.  Ava's discovery was documented by video and posted to YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTHb591SQX8

Over the past few days, Ava has been in our care and visited our vet.  She has a long road to recovery, both physically and mentally.  Her injured leg is healing, she has been started on antibiotics to prepare her for the heartworm treatment she'll need and she has been eating regularly, something she wasn't able to do for a very long time.  Ava has the worst teeth I have seen on any dog that has come into our rescue.  Her canine teeth are broken and fractured, many of her front bottom teeth have either fallen out or been taken out.  Ava's owners admitting to repeatedly trying to fight her, despite the fact that she isn't aggressive towards other dogs.  Our hearts break knowing what she has been through and her scars are a constant reminder of the pain she has suffered. 

Ava won't get better overnight, but we are committed to her and will stand by her until she finds a wonderful home to call her own.  Everyday, we see a little more of her personality come out, she has started to play with bones and is slowly being socialized with other friendly dogs.  We wanted to help raise additional funds for her vetting, so we have come up with these hoodies that we think are pretty awesome!  There are lots of people on Ava's team that might not be here with her everyday, but they can surely be here with her in spirit.  Team Ava hoodies are $35 plus $5 S/H and can be purchased by clicking this link: https://www.booster.com/avasmedicalfund.

[caption id="attachment_870" align="alignleft" width="284"] Koa and his new family, the Russell's.


Last weekend after weeks of communication, Koa's parents drove down here from Kentucky to meet him.  As we suspected, it was love at first sight and Koa left to start a new chapter in his life as a beloved family pet!  After months of medical care, heartworm treatment, a month long board/train rehabilitation program to help him learn to live in harmony with other dogs, it was finally Koa's time to leave us.  We have loved the updates from his family on how he is progressing there and apparently has taken over their couch :)  We couldn't think of a dog more deserving of their love!  Welcome home Koa!

Our schedule is jam packed for the month of October and we're hoping lots of our dogs will find their forever homes.  Here is a look at where we'll be:

* October 3rd - Frankie's Pizza and Grill will be holding a fundraiser for us from 6 - 9pm.  10% of all proceeds will be donated towards our rescue efforts so please if you're in the area, stop by Frankie's and have some of their delicious pizza!

* October 5th -  We'll be at the Nashville Pet Products store in Spring Hill for their 10th Annual Customer Appreciation Day.  They'll be offering huge discounts throughout their store and customers are welcomed to bring their pets.  We'll be there with some of our dogs that are available for adoption from 10am - 3pm.

* October 12th - We are very excited to be taking part in Barktoberfest at Animalia in Franklin from 12 - 5pm.  Our decorations have been meticulously planned and we can't wait to see all of the other fantastic booth decorations.  This is going to be a fun day of dress-up for both pets and their people!

* October 19th - Join us in Franklin at Mars for the 5th Annual Mars Petcare Adoption Fair which runs from 10am - 3pm.  This is the largest pet adoption event in the state and there will be lots of rescues there with a dog for everyone!

* October 20th - It's time to break out the Halloween attire for Spring Hill's Family Fun & Fright Fest!  This event runs from 3 - 6pm and the address is 1431 Carter's Creek Pike in Spring Hill.  We'll have some games and candy for the kids, along with a couple of our amazing adoptable dogs on-hand!

 

 

[caption id="attachment_863" align="alignleft" width="300"] Lilly


A few months ago, a woman driving to work saw a puppy sitting on the side of the road near the tree line.  She was running late and didn't have time to stop, but when she returned home that day, she spotted the same puppy again.  She and her son decided to stop and see what was going on and to her surprise, there were other puppies there.  An entire litter had been dropped off, another unwanted, unplanned litter left alone to fend for themselves.  It was winter and very cold, they were starving and covered with fleas and ticks.  There is no telling how long they had been out there, but after taking them into our rescue, our vet estimated that they were seven weeks old.  After lots of tender loving care, a few from the litter have been adopted and we still have two beautiful girls awaiting their forever homes.

Lilly is a social butterfly and runs up to greet you with her tail wagging.  She is great with other dogs and has been raised with children in foster care.  She does very well at events, laying quietly in her crate waiting for someone to notice her.  She enjoys going for walks and is really good on a leash.  Lilly is housetrained, crate trained and ready for a family to call her own.

[caption id="attachment_864" align="alignright" width="300"] Izzy


Izzy has taken a little longer to come out of her shell.  She was very shy at first and was unsure of new people but she has made incredible progress.  Izzy has been raised with children in foster care as well and is crate trained, as well as housetrained.  She loves going for walks and bounces from side to side, happy to have the one on one time.  Izzy is going to make a devoted, loving companion for a very lucky family.

Both sisters have been vaccinated, dewormed, spayed, microchipped and kept on a heartworm/flea preventative schedule while in our care.  Those interested in adding one of these ladies to their family can contact Jamie at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for details.