Celebrate International Friendship Month—With Your Best Canine Friend!

Henry Ford once said, “My best friend is the one who brings out the best in me.” While we often think of best friends as human, there’s a reason we say that dogs are a man’s best friend. Dogs play just as important a role in our lives as our closest human companions. We create lasting memories with them, embark on adventures, and find comfort in their unwavering loyalty—just as we do with our dearest friends.

February marks International Friendship Month, a time to celebrate the meaningful relationships that enrich our lives. While the origins of this month remain unclear, its purpose is unmistakable: to recognize the beauty of friendship and embrace new connections. As W.B. Yeats once said, “There are no strangers in the world, just friends you have never met.” Whether human or canine, friends are the ones who lift us up in tough times and share in our joy during the best moments of life. Some even become family—irreplaceable and cherished.

This month serves as the perfect reminder that our best friend might just have four paws and a wagging tail. Dogs provide us with unconditional love, boundless joy, and companionship without judgment. They keep us active, make us laugh, and remind us of the simple pleasures in life. Could it be that dogs are the best friends a human could ask for?

If you've ever considered bringing a dog into your life, February is the perfect time to find your new best friend. Let this month be the moment you open your heart to a loyal companion. To Love a Canine Rescue has so many wonderful pups waiting for a loving home—perhaps one of them is meant to be yours. Don’t let this month pass by without celebrating the friendships you have and discovering the one that’s still waiting for you!

There are a million different ways to support TLC and our mission. Each just as rewarding and helpful as the next. What takes our organization to the next level are the dedicated volunteers who commit to being part of the solution. They find ways to make an impact and they help us move forward.

Case in point: Sue Curtis. Sue is one-of-a-kind and a jack-of-all-trades at the same time. She is a foster, Adoption Counselor, Applications Processor, Foster Follow-up (supports our fosters), Guide Dog (supports our volunteers), Miles for Mutts volunteer, and a member of the Events Team. She does it all and she does it well. All of her contributions have directly impacted dogs in need, rescue volunteers, and families throughout the area!

Sue started her volunteer journey as a foster over 4 years ago when her family decided to give it a try. After connecting 32 fosters with their forever families, she’s still fostering and helping to give dogs in need a second chance at a happy forever. She says fostering made her love for dogs grow even more! She loves to talk to people about their shared love for dogs, and her presence is calming and reassuring. This has made her an incredible advocate for the rescue and a knowledgeable assessor when it comes to processing applications, supporting new volunteers, and facilitating adoption appointments.

“I love being a volunteer for TLC and my involvement has given me a purpose in retirement. I am thankful for the work that everyone does, and am proud to be a part of the organization!” - Sue Curtis, Volunteer Extraordinaire

Sue is recently retired and loves the extra time she has to pour into the rescue, but she wants anyone on the fence to know that there is a volunteer opportunity for everyone. No matter how much - or little - time you feel you have, whether you want to help from home or be at events, you can make a difference. We hope you take a page from Sue’s full book and consider taking your love for dogs to the next level by giving back!

Sue, we appreciate you and all that you do for TLC!

Seeking Happy Tail: Minnie & Yeti!

Meet Minnie and Yeti, two sweet siblings who are searching for their forever homes! These one-year-old pups had a rough start, rescued from Mississippi along with their siblings. Born to a white Lab mom and a Shepherd dad, they arrived at TLC shy and unsure of the world. But with time, patience, and lots of love, they’ve started to come out of their shells—and now they’re ready to find families who will continue to help them blossom!

Minnie made the trip north first, in March 2024, timid and scared. At first, she found comfort in her crate, watching the world from a safe distance. But thanks to patient socialization, she’s grown into a wonderful, affectionate girl who will be a loyal companion to the right family. She still prefers to come to you on her terms, but once she trusts you, she’ll happily seek out affection. Minnie does well on walks, loves car rides (she jumps right in!), and is eager to learn—she already knows “sit”! She’s also housebroken, crate-trained, and adores toys, often collecting them in her crate like treasures. She would thrive in a home with a yard and another dog to help her feel confident, though she could adjust as an only dog with a patient adopter.

Yeti arrived in July 2024, shy and hesitant like his sister. At first, he hid in his crate, too nervous to explore. But now? He’s showing the world more and more of his sweet, goofy self each day! Yeti loves running around with his foster siblings, gathering toys in his crate, and—most importantly—cheese! He’s still learning to trust humans and does best when people let him come to them, but he’s already made huge strides. At night, he loves to sleep at his foster mom’s feet, showing his growing bond with people. Yeti is also crate-trained, housebroken on a schedule, and dog-friendly—especially when playing with his sister, Minnie. He’s looking for a patient home where he can continue to build confidence and discover just how fun life can be!

Both pups might prefer a home with another dog to help show them the ropes and give them the confidence they need to settle in. With love, patience, and a few tasty treats (especially cheese for Yeti!), these sweet pups will reward their future families with unconditional love and loyalty. Could you be the one to give Minnie or Yeti their happily ever after?

HELP US MAKE OUR 10TH ANNUAL RAFFLES FOR RUFFS THE BEST ONE YET!

We need YOUR help to make this year’s virtual basket raffle fundraiser a huge success! Raffles for Ruffs is a virtual basket raffle with the opportunity to win hundreds of baskets, 50/50 drawings, door prizes & incredible grand prizes! These are the faces that benefit from your basket donations!💙

How You Can Help:

• Donate a basket or item for our raffle

• Small businesses— contribute a product or service and receive promotion for your business!

• Make a monetary donation to support our rescue efforts

Why It Matters:

• Last year, we raised over $41,000, which helped us:

  • Treat heartworm-positive dogs

  • Spay/Neuter dogs and puppies

  • Provide wellness vet visits

  • Administer vaccinations

  • Continue rescuing the dogs who need us most!

Let’s make this 10th Annual Raffles for Ruffs a record-breaking success and save even MORE lives!

To donate and item or become a basket sponsor click the link below!

To provide a monetary donation for our basket items, visit donorbox.org/raffles-for-ruffs-2025

Photo Tip: Capture Awesome Action Shots of Your Dog!

1. Use Burst Mode: Hold down the shutter button to take multiple shots and pick the best one.

2. Get on Their Level: Lower angles make action shots more dynamic and exciting.

3. Good Lighting is Key: Bright natural light (morning or late afternoon) helps freeze motion.

4. Focus on the Eyes: Tap your screen to lock focus before they start moving.

5. Use a Toy or Treat: Get their attention and capture playful, mid-air moments!

Have fun and snap away—action shots take practice!