When I was first approached by Linda Sullivan about the homeless dog Shaggy, I have to admit I was in disbelief. I have worked in the Galleria area for close to twenty years and can easily say I have never seen a homeless dog in this area. Our work with Barrio Dogs of Houston is primarily education and raising awareness in low-income communities on animal welfare. . .a community far different from this area.
I had to see it for myself and during a drive out there during my lunch hour with a fellow rescuer, there was no homeless dog to be found. I took a chance and asked some construction workers if they had ever seen a homeless dog in the field. They immediately replied “yes” and during that conversation, they spotted her and said “There she goes right now”.
Wow. To see this dog in this open field surrounded by traffic and the hustle and bustle was unbelievable. And what was more unbelievable is to find out that she had been living there close to nine months, maybe more.
We immediately set up a dog trap but found out within a few weeks that she was one tough cookie and to try to capture her would require the experts. I was fortunate enough to meet Kelle Mann Davis & Douglas Worthy with Lone Star Recovery who were a huge part of finally capturing Shaggy. However, please know it was many others who made this happen, including Karen LaBarba who would write Barrio Dogs continuously to let us know Shaggy still needed to be saved. Also, the emails and stories that we received on this one dog were amazing; we heard about her from the bus stop riders, business owners and residents who were feeding her and trying to save her.
For Barrio Dogs, it is a big mission for us to educate, empower and transform communities to make a change for animal welfare in low-income communities. It is a very hard struggle for us to make this change. In Shaggy’s case she had the opposite: an entire community supporting her. She is one very lucky dog and Barrio Dogs is very fortunate to have been part of her story. We have made some wonderful friends along the way and are thrilled to have been a part of this wonderful group of caring individuals who wanted a better life for Shaggy.
Gloria Zenteno
Founder & President of Barrio Dogs
Daisy, the sweet and beautiful Boxer who had been abandoned at AC Boarding & Grooming for close to a year, has been adopted! Here is a picture of Daisy with her new dad. Good luck to Daisy and her new family!
Late on Saturday, May 28, 2011, Barrio Dogs received a message about a brindle Staffordshire Terrier that was discovered at the Hermann Park Golf Course parking lot across from the Zoo. The report indicated that the poor dog was emaciated and that his ribs were sticking out. The caring finders fed him everything they could: bread, peanut butter crackers, chicken, meatballs - he even grabbed some Brie cheese out of the cooler when they were getting him more water. He is friendly but not neutered and has a beautiful brindle color although it is hard to tell his age. He is hiding behind a building near the golf course parking lot right across the street from the front entrance to the Zoo.
Scout was part of a dog pack that was rescued in late October 2010 in the Warehouse District near downtown Houston. Some very caring independent rescuers notified the Walnut Street Citizens Rescue and teamed up with them to save as many as possible from this pack that probably had been homeless and neglected for a few years. 
When Scout was first brought to the vet, she was near death and has gone through months of expensive vet care. She has been spending time with different volunteers and is now the picture of health. She is getting more socialized with other dogs and even humans. She even walks well on a leash, which is amazing progress for this rescue. We still consider her a special needs rescue, but if given the time and patience we feel in our hearts, she will be a wonderful pet. 
This little male miniature Pinscher was running down the middle of Winkler Street in the Greater East End, Houston, Texas in May 2011 when our rescue Hagerman, while being walked by a volunteer, noticed him and started barking. Winkler was inches away from being hit by a car when someone stopped their truck in the middle of traffic and tried to catch him. A Barrio Dogs volunteer was finally able to save Winkler from ongoing traffic. To date, no one has claimed him. 
Please help us find Winkler a foster or forever home. He is in boarding now but unfortunately our boarding costs are very high and putting him in foster care will be a huge help for us. Thank you for networking Winkler’s story. If you want more information, contact us at info@barriodogs.org.
Meet Apache. Found roaming the streets, Apache was in desperate need of help. His story can bring a tear to the eye of any animal lover, but here at Barrio Dogs we choose to focus on the positive. 
This beautiful Blue Staffordshire Terrier was abandoned at AC Boarding & Grooming almost a year ago. The facility's owner indicated that he had an owner who claimed he was coming to pick up Bruno but never did. Many months went by and we couldn’t help but notice Bruno was still waiting.
We immediately set up a dog trap but found out within a few weeks that she was one tough cookie and to try to capture her would require the experts. I was fortunate enough to meet Kelle Mann Davis & Douglas Worthy with Lone Star Recovery who were a huge part of finally capturing Shaggy. However, please know it was many others who made this happen, including Karen LaBarba who would write Barrio Dogs continuously to let us know Shaggy still needed to be saved. Also, the emails and stories that we received on this one dog were amazing; we heard about her from the bus stop riders, business owners and residents who were feeding her and trying to save her. 
Hank was rescued on May 1, 2011 on Navigation Street in the East End of Houston. He appeared to be abandoned; he had been tied up since the day before on a short chain with no food or water. 
