RotNDog Rehab Family
(aka our staff)
The RotNDog Rehab family currently consists of both dogs and cats. Below you will find each member and their adoption story, along with those who have passed over the rainbow bridge. You may see any one of these lovely kids modeling in photos, acting in videos, out and about around town, shown off in presentations, doing demo work, competing in the competition ring, or helping your dog through his/her training process.
R.I.P. Tabula Rasa CGC, CGCA, CGCU
Ras was adopted from the Humane Society of Broward County in 2008 where he was very sick and on the list to be euthanized. Once he felt better, he showed his true colors! Ras would turn into a whirling tornado of snarls and teeth when in the vicinity of any dog or moving object. Today, he is a Canine Good Citizen and can calmly walk by both dogs and moving objects in daily life. His nickname is Swamp Dog, as his favorite activity is running through the woods, swimming in murky waters, digging, and getting dirty! Ras was Jess' first dog acquired when she moved to FL. His full name, Tabula Rasa, means blank slate or, new beggining. And a great beginning it was! ~ Rasa passed away peacefully in July of 2020.
R.I.P. Malakai CGC, RN, RA, RE, CD, CGCA, CGCU
Kai was adopted from Miami-Dade Animal Services in 2010 where she was found as a stray and labeled as “Aggressive,” “Not Trustworthy,” and “Will Bite.” The staff was unable to examine her and breed rescue turned her down too. Luckily, Jess found her before her time was up; and thank goodness for she was definitely a diamond in the rough! Kai went from growling, snapping, and cowering away from people to winning first place in obedience competitions. She's earned her all three Canine Good Citizen titles along with 4 obedience titles. Her competitive career stopped short when we discovered she had an old injury, most likely from a previously abusive owner, which causes occasional pain. Although she's retired from the ring, she still enjoys being a demo dog today and accompanying Jess on various outings around town. She was named in memory of a previous Rottweiler who Jess rehabilitated - as the name itself is a biblical angel. Malakai is Jess's heart dog. And of course, she is THE face of RotNDog's logo! ~ Malakai passed in March 2020 after a long battle with osteosarcoma and to say that I have been devastated is an understatement. My life is completely different now, without her here, but her legacy lives on.
R.I.P. Trayano the Dragon CGC
Tray was adopted from Miami-Dade Animal Services in 2010 where he was also found as a stray and labeled as “Aggressive,” “Use Caution,” and “May Bite.” He too was adopted just in time to spare euthanasia. Tray had clearly NEVER lived in a house before. His previous occupation was most likely as a junkyard dog given his protective behavior, appearance, and lack of “house” experience. In additin, he came with severe confinement and separation anxiety as well as aggression to other dogs (quite the laundry list!). He got his strong name to balance out his severely fearful behavior. We diligently worked through his fear aggression towards people and other dogs and it has paid off! He got his Canine Good Citizen title and he even went through some prep for the competition ring. His favorite things included car rides, retrieving, and hand targeting. Sadly, Tray passed away unexpectedly in 2016. He is greatly missed.
Bucephalus CGC, CGCA, CGCU
Bu, a 90 lb pit bull / dogo argentino cross, was adopted from Big Dog Ranch Rescue in 2013 where he was originally surrendered for being aggressive towards people. After a year of declining behaviorally, becoming more aggressive, and developing a bite history with staff, the rescue decided to have him euthanized. That's when Jess stepped in. He is named after Alexander the Great's horse who was oversized, all black with a white stripe on his face, and very aggressive. Alexander the Great was the only one who could "tame" him (by removing the horse's fear) and Jess therefore found the name quite fitting! Bu has blossomed into a truly amazing dog. From not allowing anyone even remotely close to him, to frequenting VERY busy public places (while being happy and relaxed) - he has made quite the journey. People who knew him before and then meet him now, cannot even believe he is the same dog. Bu accompanies Jess a lot on her outings and training sessions with other dogs - always being the perfect gentleman. after years of hard work, he passed all three of the AKC Canine Good Citizen tests.
R.I.P. Morgra
Morgra, a Rottweiler, was picked up as a stray and brought to Palm Beach County Animal Care and Control 2013. Through networking, Jess was contacted when the shelter was unable to handle her and she was going to be euthanized (she was also too old for breed rescue to even consider at the age of 10). Once in a home environment, Morgra quickly learned that humans were not so scary. Her name comes from a character in the novel "The Sight," where the character's aggression was gavely misunderstood. After receiving heartworm treatment, difficult dental work, and several tumor removals, Morgra was happy and healthy. She enjoyed off leash walks on the beach and bossing around the other dogs. Sadly, she passed away in 2017 at a ripe old age. Jess was grateful for the time she had her.
R.I.P. Elahrairah
Elahrairah was a GSD and low content wolfdog mix who was rescued in 2013 as an 8 year old. Throughout his entire life, he frequented both Palm Beach County Animal Care and Control as well as Big Dog Ranch - always being returned for aggression and biting. He had gone through the hands of multiple abusive dog trainers and programs all to no avail (of course, making him trust people less and less). After biting quite a few people at the rescue during his last run, he ended his stay with a pretty severe bite and was once agian sent to PBACC but for the last time - to be euthanized. Jess was contacted and she adopted him straight out of bite quarantine. He was wheeled to her car in a stainless steel box crate - and he never looked back! His name came from a character in the novel "Watership Down," which means "Prince With a Thousand Enemies" (that he had obviously developed over the years!). Elahrairah had one of the WORST cases of defensive aggression involving body handling that Jess had ever seen. He was able to become a loving, well adjusted dog who enjoyed being muzzled, brushed, leashed, handled, as well as going on public outings. He left this world in late 2016 due to heart failure, but departed as "The Prince With A Thousand Friends."
Dracula The Count CD, CGC, RN, TKN
Dracula is a GSD who started out as a client's dog as a young puppy. He displayed very aggressive behavior towards people, even as a pup. As he grew older, his behavior only became worse and he began to bite people. Unfortunately, his owner was not equipped to work with his behavior appropriately due to their lifestyle. When the owner had been given a board and train opportunity with another trainer, he took it, and sadly, the trainer's techniques only made Drac worse - causing him to bite even MORE people, MORE frequently! After months of work, Drac really began to improve, but still, he didn't fit into his owner's lifestyle and he continued to have opportunities to bite. Eventually, in 2014, Jess adopted him to avoid the inevitable. Dracula was named by Jess as a bit of a (sick) joke - but he is incredibly intelligent and has been doing phenomenal. He is a Canine Good Citizen and has also earned his Companion Dog title, Rally Novice title, and Trick Dog Novice title..
R.I.P. Lerneaen Hydra
Hydra was adopted in 2016 when a rescue was about to euthanize her due to her behavior and bite history. She was territorial but she also had pain related aggression due to some medical issues. She quickly fit in to the pack as if she had always been there. Her number one love was tennis balls. Second to them, she enjoyed outings downtown and care rides. Her name comes from a mythical sea creature who guarded the gates to hell but also lured individuals in - something she was good at! Sadly, she passed away just a few months after her adoption due to a suspected brain tumor. She was cremated alongside her favorite tennis ball.
Peryton
Peryton was adopted from Miami Dade Animal Services in 2016 as a 5 year old where he was going to be euthanized for his aggressive behavior. Jess was contacted by some volunteers who knew his chances were slim. When she went to pick him up, the staff had a difficult time and needed to sedate him in order to do his basic medical care. Once home, Pery acclimated pretty quickly to the pack. He may not be the brightest crayon in the box but he makes up for it in his big, quirky, clumsy personality. There is a large scar around his neck from a previously embedded collar, which leads us to believe that he was likely tied up outside for most of his life. He was slow to trust in the beginning but now he's moving right along. Peryton is named after a mythical monster who needed to prove himself - and Peryton proved that he wanted to be a permanent RotNDog. Currently his claim to fame is snuggling and helping other dogs work through their reactivty on leash.
Kintsugi
Kintsugi was adopted as a 2 year old in 2017 from Miami Dade Animal Services when he was going to be euthanized for aggression. Jess was sent his info and videos of him in his kennel when staff could not handle him and a couple of volunteers knew that Jess would be his only hope. It was difficult convincing the shelter to release him, as they did not want to deal with him, but as Jess told them "If you can restrain/sedate a dog for euthanasia, then you can restrain/sedate a dog for discharge." She was able to convince them and he was brought out to her in a muzzle. Kintsugi came with a lot of baggage. He was poorly socialized and likely (poorly) trained as a protection dog for someone's business based on some of his behaviors as well as some physical attributes. He needed special care and attention and that's what he's been getting, for him to learn to trust. Now, he's on the right path. His name represents the Japanese art of fixing broken china with liquid gold, thereby making the broken and repaired more beautiful than the pristine. Kintsugi is such a fun dog now and we have bonded so closely. He enjoys traveling with me and has earned his AKC Trick Dog Novice title.
Rabscuttle
Rabscuttle was adopted as a 6 year old in 2018 from Palm Beach County Animal Care and Control where the staff labeled him as aggressive and were going to euthanize him since no one could handle him. One staff member took to him and asked Jess for help. He is the most recent addition, with some body handling issues as well as some dog aggression. He is currently being slowly introduced to the pack. Rabscuttle is named after Elahrairah's side kick in the novel Watership Down, since he does have some behaviors and mannerisms similar to E yet on a much smaller scale. Rabscuttle still has a lot to learn!
Myra the Queen ~ R.I.P. 2000-2013
Myra had been part of the family for a very long time. Adopted as a feral way back in 2000, she grew up with Jess and traveled to FL with her. She was always the Senior Staff member who protected all duties by giving Jess a break from dogs at the end of every day. She knew how to “beg” on her hind legs as well as "fetch" and would win any non-cat person over with her tricks. She is and will always be greatly missed. Myra was Jess's heart cat.
La Mariposa
Mariposa was found near death in 2009 with 5 fish hooks and 5 thousand maggots throughout her body. She needed multiple surgeries and 3 months of intensive care to fully recover. What seemed like a feral cat at first, slowly blossomed into a very social and talkative girl. She was given "The butterfly" name in Spanish to represent her beautiful transformation. Today, she keeps Jess's books and documents warm while also keeping the youngins' in line. She loves doing catnip, gossiping, and being the boss.
Sweeney Todd
Sweeney Todd was the first feral cat "adopted" out from Palm Beach County Animal Care and Control to be a pet in 2013. Jess has a strong love for black cats as well as ferals, so she accepted Sweeney as yet another challenge. What started off as a very scared and defensive cat, now is a very friendly, social, and hungry boy! He was named after the movie character for his "dark" past yet ability to love - along with his girlfriend below. Sweeney helps to "cat test" the occasional foster dog through the bedroom gate.
R.I.P. Mrs. Lovetts
Ms. Lovetts was also adopted in 2013 from Palm Beach County Animal Care and Control. While Jess was there, she spotted a woman approaching the shelter to surrender her, when she got loose in the parking lot. Once the woman caught her and entered the lobby, Ms. Lovetts made several seconds of eye contact with Jess and that was it. She was adopted and quickly bonded with Sweeney Todd, hence her name which also comes from the movie. Ms. Lovetts also helps to "cat test" the occasional foster dog through the bedroom gate, as she shows no fear! ~ Mrs. Lovetts passed away in February 2022 after being diagnosed with a brain tumor and home is just not the same without her.