Cayuga Dog Rescue

12/20/2025

Calling all hound lovers!

https://youtube.com/shorts/T5sMOF98ZB0?si=fSdKIyCfBdGOAFth

Hello! My name is Hank and I am a cheerful, handsome, bouncy hound mix who also loves a good snuggle.

Quick Facts:
Breed: American English Coonhound mix
Gender: male, neutered
Age: 15 months
Size: 53 lbs.
Good with…
Dogs? Yes!
Cats? No
Kids? Yes

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12/17/2025

Hello! My name is Hank and I am a cheerful, handsome, bouncy hound mix who also loves a good snuggle.

Quick Facts:
Breed: American English Coonhound mix
Gender: male, neutered
Age: 15 months
Size: 53 lbs.
Good with…
Dogs? Yes!
Cats? No
Kids? Yes

History
Hank was fostered in central New York, then adopted to a family near Columbus, OH in the spring of 2025. His OH family is embracing big life changes, so Hank was looking for a new home when he returned to the Ithaca, NY area in December of 2025. He had always lived with other dogs, and this was to be his first home without a dog buddy. We had hoped cats would be an ok substitute. Unfortunately, upon his arrival to his new home, Hank learned that he doesn’t want to live with cats. Because of very tight quarters, managing his relationship to the OG cats in his new house isn’t workable.

Personality
Hank is a sweet, sensitive, and athletic young American English Coonhound mix. He loves being outside, playing fetch, and tug-of-war, and soaking up the sun. Hank is always ready for playtime – whether it’s with people or other dogs. He’s been only friendly with other dogs, and he accepts all limits or conditions for play that other dogs communicate. He may check back to see if they want to play now, but he doesn’t insist on anything. He can entertain himself, when that’s the thing to do.

When he’s on his own, there is always something to investigate in the yard or on the hike. He doesn’t need to be interacting to be happy. He settles in easily when it’s quiet time in the house. When his human needs to work, sleep, or leave for a bit, Hank can quietly entertain himself with a bone or chew toy or sleep until it’s time to get back outside (or share some pets and snuggles).

This smart pup is very food-motivated and looks forward to mealtime and training treats. He’s already learned commands like sit, wait, down, shake, and is working on a reliable recall. He’s good at his recall but can get distracted by fun and interesting smells in his environment. On hikes, he sticks around – especially if you are carrying the good treats. And, he loves a good training session. Treats and time with his human, having a little fun with purpose, is his idea of a great time. He works to understand what is being asked of him, and he wants to do the right thing.

He’s fully house trained and crate trained. He will march outside and immediately “go potty.” It’s hard to tell if he’s responding to a command or just knows that that’s sometimes the only reason you’re out. He is well-behaved outside of his crate when in the house. We currently just use it to keep him from having to interact with the cats at certain times of the day.

Hank is friendly with people and gets along well with kids, though he hasn’t lived with any yet. He greets guests and new friends with enthusiasm and is doing a great job of learning not to jump up to express his joy at meeting you. He will, however, enjoy a good lean into you, to show his desire to be best friends.

When he’s not playing or learning, Hank does enjoy snuggling up with his people or dog pals for an afternoon nap. If you are looking for a loyal, loving, and playful companion, Hank is your guy.

Cohabitation
Hank has successfully lived with people and other dogs in multiple settings. He hasn’t lived with kids but has visited with them happily.
Hank is not good with cats.

Favorite Activities
Hiking
Fetch
Sunbathing (hound style)
Playing with my human or by myself on my bed with a chew toy
Good morning pets, leans, and rubs
Training sessions – learning and treats
Why I am looking for a new home
Hank just moved back to central New York at the beginning of December. We took the chance because he had been fostered with cats (as a little puppy a year ago) and lived with other dogs before. Unfortunately, upon his arrival to his new home, Hank figured out that he doesn’t want to live with cats. Because of very tight quarters, managing his relationship to the OG cats in his new house isn’t workable.

Medical
Hank has no medical problems/history. He is up to date on vaccines, is on heartworm preventative, and treated for flea and tick prevention.

Summary
Hank is a friendly, happy, and athletic young dog who needs a new home because he can’t live with the resident cats. He’s looking for someone who wants a real buddy, someone who will play and snuggle in the course of a day. Hank adapts to whatever is asked of him but will thrive with someone who wants to train, play, and love with him without the distraction of small mammals.

12/12/2025

Are you ready for a cold, winter snuggle buddy? Adopt Zazu! She even come with a festive winter sweater:) Pink is her color!

My name is Zazu, and I am a sweet, snuggly girl with a heart (and eyes) of gold!
Breed: Pitbull mix
Gender: Female, spayed
Age: 5 years old
Size: 50 pounds

Good with….
Dogs? No small dogs…big dogs are a maybe!
Cats? Sorry, nope
Kids? 12+ years

History
I came to Ithaca, NY from a shelter in Virginia in 2020. My original owner kept me in single rooms in shared rentals, where I didn’t always have the space or socialization I needed. Since then, my owner has left the country and left me with my foster family. My foster family has known me for the past five years, but this is my first time living with them full-time.

Personality
I’m a sweet, affectionate girl with a big personality! I am a very expressive girl, and wear many of my emotions on my face. You will see me respond to all of my favorite words with my ears up and head turned to make sure I heard you well: “Walk” “Dog” “Hungry” “Breakfast” “Dinner” “Play” “Outside” “Look” and “Go” are some of my favorites! When you get dressed in the morning for work, or leave, I curl up in a circle on the bed with a sad face that says “Wish you were staying!” When you get back home, I get very wiggly and excited with a happy face that says “Yay! You’re Home!”
I bond closely with my people and thrive on gentle praise and routines. I like to stay close to my person even if I have space to roam, and I enjoy keeping an eye on your routines so that I can learn how to spend the day with you. I am also good at keeping myself distracted with bones and toys while you work. My foster family calls this my “job”. When I notice you are working from home, or are otherwise distracted, I will get to working on a bone of my choice. When you aren’t able to work from home, I am an excellent house-sitter. I have never destroyed anything in the house or shown any signs of separation anxiety when left alone, so don’t need to be crated for safety or to protect the home, but if a crate is available, I will sometimes use it to take a long nap.
When you aren’t busy, I have plenty of favorite games for us to play! My most favorite game is “Chase Zazu!” I like it when my people chase me around the house, the living room, or even just a table while I run away! It’s especially fun if you hide or surprise me from a different entrance! Of course, the “chase game” is only fun with people that I know and trust…otherwise I might not know it’s play, and might get scared! So maybe hold off on “chase zazu!” until I’ve been with you long enough that I know you are only playing. My second favorite game is wrestling with my foster parents. My love language is physical affection and playful tousling…just expect lots of kisses in return!

I love wearing sweaters, especially in the winter! I have such very short fur, it doesn’t provide any warmth against a NY winter! I’m also a huge fan of electric blankets in the winter. Once the electric blanket comes out, I run over and snuggle up on it for as long as you’ll let me. 😊

When I am very happy, I lay on my back with my eyes closed and relax. Sometimes I will do this with a toy in my hands to make things a little more exciting.
My original owner was a vegetable farmer who introduced me to various vegetable scraps over my time there. I love raw vegetables, especially root vegetables, as a treat. My original owner fed me one unseasoned cooked porkchop for my birthday each year, and I so hope that my new owner will continue that tradition (or something similar).

I am smart, food motivated, and thus a great learner! My foster family has taught me “sit”, “down”, “stay”, “leave it”, “drop it”, “roll over”, “shake”, and “wait”. I have a lot of room in my big head to learn more if you have the goods (treats!) and use positive reinforcement!

I love looking outside. My favorite hobby at my foster home is looking out my living room window at the yard. If you tell me to “look”, I will run over to the closest window to see what you see. I also love to sun myself on the porch, oftentimes upside down, and see what the world looks like from there. The world looks even better from a walk! I enjoy taking short walks with my person and smelling anything interesting along the way. I have a lot of excited energy when we start, even pulling some, but within 5 minutes, I slow down and often gently ask to stop altogether.

I love snuggling with you throughout the day, whether sitting on your lap or being your small spoon. At the end of the night I become very snuggly and have a hard time keeping my eyes open. I will push you gently with my nose to let you know I need your help to get under any blankets nearby. Once I tuck myself into the blankets next to you, I snore like a train until morning. Whereas most dogs will get you up early for breakfast, I am content to stay in bed well into the AM until you are ready to start the day with me.

Cohabitation
With people: I love people and bond quickly with my owner. I can be distant the first time I meet anyone new, but the next time I see them I will get wiggly and excited and happy to see them! So when you first come to meet me, I might be distant. That’s ok, just come a 2nd time please!

Sometimes I get too excited to meet people, and accidentally knock them over! For this reason I should not live with elderly, fragile, or mobility-challenged folks, or with kids under 12.

With dogs: I have done well with some big dogs in the past, but should not share a home with another dog. I don’t do well with other dogs when there are food, treats, or toys around. I resource guard and have pinned dogs to the ground in this situation. Though I have NEVER bitten or snapped at a dog in these situations, it’s clear that I’m stressed and also that I am causing the other dog stress. I would do great as an only dog!!!
With cats: Sorry, not a good mix. They trigger my prey drive, I see cats the same as squirrels.

Favorite Activities
Licking (kisses)
Sleeping under the covers
Smelling interesting smells on walks
Playing chase
Chewing bones (especially shredded wood bones)
Sunning
Laying upside down

Why I am looking for a new home
My owner moved out of the country without finding a new home for me, saying it was too hard to do that. My foster mom had been friends with my owner, so stepped up to foster me. But as there are other dogs in her house (and I don’t live well with other dogs), it’s a perpetual rotation of dogs in crates to keep everyone safe. This is not a long-term solution.

Medical
I am in good health! I am up to date on vaccines, am spayed and fit!

Summary
I am a spirited, sweet, silly, loving girl who has quality snuggles and a big heart to offer to my new family. I have loved all the humans I’ve met and am excellently behaved. Life with my previous owner was tumultuous as we moved from place to place before she left the country. I am hoping to find my forever home with someone who is committed to being my person. I will fall in love with you fast and hard (at the 2nd visit!) - I only hope that you will feel the same about me!

12/10/2025

How To Make An Easy DIY Snuffle Mat Puzzle For Food-Loving Dogs

One self-directed scent-based game your dog can play is puzzling out a snuffle mat. Snuffle mats give dogs an outlet for their desire to sniff, are highly rewarding, and are a great way to occupy them inside, especially when recovering from surgery (always check with your vet to ensure this level of activity is okay), as a distraction during a storm, or when you have company.

Dogs experience the world through their nose! A dog’s sense of smell is not only their strongest sense, sniffing is also extremely enriching. It can also help relieve stress, and is a fantastic way to help dogs relax and decompress after a stressful situation—it’s even useful during a vet or grooming visit if allowed!

Snuffle mats can also encourage dogs to eat slower (if you are using the mat as a way to feed your dog some or all of their meals), which can aid with digestion and provide an enriching and positive outlet for dogs to use their nose.

https://bark.co/blogs/bark-post/diy-snuffle-mat

12/08/2025

Quiche Lorraine says "Once I know you, I’m a super lovey-dovey girl and an Olympic-level cuddler/snuggler, I LOVE lounging all over you! Basically, I’m a 65-pound lap dog. You can move over and make loads of space for me next to you, and I’m still aiming right for your lap! I am also a head leaner…I love leaning my head on anything nearby–your lap, chest, arm, the side of my bed, the arm rest, even your laptop! I don’t quite get this “personal space” thing, but I’m learning that when you say “Goodnight!” it’s time for me to curl up in my own bed. Which of course is near to your bed. I just really, really love being close to my people.

I’m a super curious girl—one of my nicknames is “Nosey Rosie” because I am fascinated to know everything about everything! If you’re doing something, I’ll be there watching, or sniffing, or trying to help you with it in my doggy way.

I’m food-motivated and smart, which means I learn quickly when I’m set up for success. I know how to “Sit” (especially at crosswalks!) and “Down,” and I’m working hard on “Look!” (at you) when we are out on walks. “Touch!” (your hand) gets me so excited I can get a little mouthy with excitement, but am learning how to manage that energy with gentle guidance from my moms. I respond best to positive reinforcement (treats!) and patience.

Want to know my favorite things in the world? Snuggling (obviously)!! And snack time! Dog cookies…of course! But…celery, carrots, peanut butter, and bananas? Yes, please! I also deeply love toys that squeak, crunch, or give me something to gnaw on.

There are also some things that I don’t like. 1) Being left home alone. Not a fan. It makes me nervous and sad, and I will need your help getting more comfortable with you being gone. I don’t destroy anything in the house (one reason why I do NOT need to be crated), but I’m scared and occasionally have an accident or chew up one of my own toys; 2) Crates are a hard no for me. They panic me and I will squeeze my way out, which is DANGEROUS. That’s how some dogs accidentally strangle themselves, I cannot be in a home where crating is required. 3) I get a little spooked by sudden movements or by people walking behind me without warning, which is why being around kids would be stressful for me/not a good fit. 4) My current moms think that I don’t like squirrels and rabbits, because I bark at them so much, but truth be told, it’s really fun to yell at them, haha!"

http://cayugadogrescue.org/wp/adoptable-dogs/

12/05/2025

It is husky week here at CDR!

Juno says "Hello possible family member/s! If you are willing to invite me in, you’re in for a real treat & like my current foster family – you will never want me to leave!

I am incredibly friendly with every person and (domestic) animal that I greet. I REALLY LOVE having canine siblings! With people I joyfully verbalize “Hello!” and will lick your hand and excitedly anticipate a chance to play fetch or be active & adventurous with you in some way. I only occasionally jump up and quickly remember with a reminder from you to keep “down”. With animals I meet I do the usual doggie sniffs & then kindly propose playing with a down dog (yoga!) stance, an invitation to run, or I might find a toy and drop it in front of another dog to explore what we might do together!

As long as I have sufficient exercise, I can be content to lay around – preferably with you or my sibling/s nearby. If I am left alone I will express my displeasure with some very clear husky calls. And, while I’m mentioning it… if I am feeling excluded (like I’m outside and everyone else is inside) I have perfected what my current caregivers call a “sad sad whale call”. While I don’t prefer being alone, I am also ok with it. I am comfortable in my crate with a couple chew toys for up to 4 hours. It is unknown if I can be left free roaming in the house while you’re away!

It did not take me long to settle into life with my foster family. I’ve been here since mid-August and I have adopted all new routines; I can do this with you too! I sleep in my own bed (crate). And, although I will usually step out just to p*e in the morning and then go straight back to bed for a bit, I would also love to go for a run or play in the yard or have a brisk walk instead!

A few things I believe to be ridiculously adorable and/or skillful things about myself are: 1) When you’re standing around, I’ll suddenly appear between your legs, looking up at you, 2) I often say hello by bringing a toy, 3) You’ll be busy doing your thing and then realize I am curled up just behind you (I like to be close!), 4) I am pretty awesome at fetching and returning the object right to your feet… and 5) I am also getting pretty good at catching things in the air!"

http://cayugadogrescue.org/wp/2025/10/juno/

12/03/2025

It's very difficult to find the words to describe the sorrow you feel when a beloved pet passes on. Possibly, this is because you feel like no one else will understand how you feel.

For this reason, many grieving pup parents never talk about the loss of their pet, but Reddit user Rawtashk found the perfect outlet for his grief. He wrote a beautiful letter to his dog Drago and shared it with community on r/dogs. Rawtashk kindly gave us permission to share this incredible tribute. Here are excerpts from the powerful letter: Dear Drago, Hey, buddy. It's been a week now. It's been exactly 7 days since I held your head in my hands and repeated "I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry" with tears streaming down my face while I watched you take your last breaths. It's been 168 hours since I saw what little light that was left go out of your eyes and felt your body go limp.

https://bark.co/blogs/fun/letter-after-dog-passes

12/02/2025

Emmy is a super sweet, intelligent, athletic, dog who is looking for someone to share the rest of her years with. She thrives on knowing there is someone special dedicated to her, she loves getting to go for leashed outdoor adventures with you!

If you are interested in adopting me, please fill out an online adoption application and live close to Ithaca, Syracuse, Binghamton, Rochester, or Elmira. We do home visits on every applicant, and can’t do home visits where we don’t have local volunteers.

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvCC6_Hx3tp3FanxEppd4H5zyS_2rx8w8&si=Jpii_kVelMQ5xrP_

http://cayugadogrescue.org/wp/2025/10/emmy/

11/27/2025

Today, as many of us prepare to give thanks, we want to take a moment to let you know just how much we appreciate support from friends and animal lovers like you!!

Thank You!

11/24/2025

Happy pup-date on Ramona!

Ramona has had quite the string of medical adventures the past few months, but we are happy to say that she is doing very well! In June, we found a lump on one of her mammary glands and she had to have surgery to remove it. Thankfully, all of the testing on the mass came back benign, and it was mostly just infected tissue. She spent three weeks with stitches in, and pretty much from day one she wanted to be up and about her normal business. Unfortunately for her, this was not allowed, and we spent lots of time on the couch with her so that she could relax and recover. She didn't seem to mind being in a cone - she found it quite convenient to use as a portable pillow to nap wherever she wanted to!

After she had healed up from the surgery, she then had a mysterious wound/ulcer appear on her face below her eye. When antibiotics did not resolve it, our vet ran quite a few tests, including a bacterial culture and x-rays. None of these got us closer to figuring out the source of the issue. Thankfully, she has not been in pain, nor has she noticed it at all from what we can tell. We finally met with an internal medicine vet specialist last week and he conducted a CT scan of the area. The results showed an issue with one of her teeth that had not appeared on the x-rays, and so she is scheduled next week to have the tooth removed. We are hoping that this resolves the ulcer, but if not the vet thought it might potentially be an autoimmune issue that could (thankfully) be resolved with a few relatively standard medications.

Through all of this, Ramona has completely been her usual self - goofy, snuggly, and always excited for every meal. She is also now very popular with the folks at our vet's office - most of them know her by name when we walk in the door and love to tell her how cute she is or give her a treat! Her brother has also been a great helper through all of this. He made sure he was always close by when she was recovering and he has been extra cuddly with her the past few months, especially as the days get colder. She also had some of her favorites of our friends visit this fall, and she was overjoyed to get to see them. They love to play with her whenever they are here, and seeing her so excited when they walked in the door was very heartwarming. She is so adored by everyone she meets!