Today is a special day, its October 15th which means I’m participating in Blog the Change 4 Animals. Its a great opportunity to visit a lot of different blogs and learn more about ways we can help animals. I hope you’ll check out the other blogs at the end of this post and see more ideas about making a difference for animals.
I have no childhood memories of not having a dog in the family, our first dog, a Beagle named Suzy, was part of the family by the time I was two or three. My memories of her are few, but I know she was sweet, loving and happy! Its particularly heartbreaking to me to think that right now approximately 70,000 dogs are being used in the United States for laboratory testing. 96 % of them are Beagles.
Thanks to Candice Thies from Sweet Rocket Photography for sharing these photos of a wonderful beagle named Tommy and the organization that rescued him. Beagle Freedom Project works with labs to release dogs from a laboratory environment into foster care and permanent homes.
From Candice: “Beagle Freedom Project rescues beagles from animal “testing” labs. The testing can be anything from cosmetic, household items, pharmaceuticals ,etc. The beagles are caged from birth until they are rescued or put down after they are done with testing. While in captivity they have never been able to smell fresh air, feel grass between their paws or even felt a gently loving touch. They also have no names just numbers that are tattooed inside their ears and most often they are debarked so they can not make sounds while being tested on.
Thomas Jefferson aka Tommy was rescued in July along with 6 others from a lab near Washington DC. He spent all of his 4 years of life in a small cage where he was tested on daily. After his rescue we found out he has tattoos in both ears which indicates he has been in multiple labs. Once he chose us to be his foster parents he was, for the first time, in a car on an adventure for 10 hours to Kentucky.
Now over a month of being free he is still adapting to life as a dog. From day 1 he was scared of noises, quick movements, doorways, bowls and even the hardwood floor. He learned quickly he could run, run as fast as he could in the yard. He shares a home with 4 other dogs (3 dachshunds and a foxhound/beagle mix). Being debarked he has never heard such a sound so when the dachshunds started barking he thought it was the funniest. He would go up to their mouths and just sniff wondering where it was coming from and then run some more. The process for debarking is cruel and it is often reversible through hearing the sound of barking. So one day I heard his voice (which I thought I would never be able to) it was a scratchy voice but a sweet one at that.
Tommy enjoys going for car rides, hanging his head out the window, running in his big yard, playing with toys, and he what he loves most is being loved. He currently is pending adoption from an amazing family just a short ride away from us so we will be able to see him grow in his little life.
To help Tommy’s lab brothers and sisters please shop cruelty free. Look for the leaping bunny on the back of EVERYTHING (shampoos, makeup, cleaning supplies, even food) or look to see if it states “not tested on animals.”
Here is another way you can help dogs being tested in laboratories: sign this letter. Simply stated, Beagle Project Freedom is committed to all the dogs who are being tested. Although they oppose animal testing, they are asking labs to relinquish animals who are no longer being tested to Beagle Project Freedom so that they can have a better life.
After being fostered in Candice’s family, Tommy was adopted! Be sure to check out his facebook page and learn more about Beagle Project Freedom.
Candice is currently fostering another beagle from a lab! Hopefully she will find her forever home soon. Like Sweet Rocket Photography on Facebook to stay updated on Candice’s latest photography work.
About Sweet Rocket Photography: Based in Stanton, Kentucky, Candice is a portrait photographer specializing unique and whimsical portraits of pets and children. She has 3 dachshunds and a fox hound/beagle mix.
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Beth, what a beautiful post! Tommy is adorable, and it breaks my heart that he was subjected to animal testing and laboratory housing. I applaud this organization for getting these dogs the better lives they deserve. I just got a free app for my iphone called Cruelty Free, that gives you the names of brands that do not participate in animal testing on any of their products.
Such a wonderful story on Tommy.And so glad my daughter was so caring to help out on this project.Tommy was surely blessed to have Foster parents Candi and Josh.Thanks for giving him a great life that he deserved, and also to have 4 siblings showing him new stuff.
thank you so much for showing Tommy and the beagle freedom project love. it means a lot and I truly appreciate it!
That was a beautiful post and Tommy made my heart smile!
Thank you so much for sharing his story. These photos are so beautiful and I am thrilled to hear that he has a loving home now. You’ve really opened my eyes to this and I will be sure to double check everything I buy to make sure it is not tested on animals, I’d hate to think of any dog going through this. I’m happy to hear that these dogs get rescued, they deserve happy lives!
thanks for sharing about the beatle project and lab animals. i don’t know what happened to our world where so many ppl stop caring about animals and treating them with respect and love!!!
*beagle-not beatle. LOL
This is such a beautiful story Beth.
Tommy is the perfect reminder that animals are here to enjoy their lives – not be used and abused by us.
Hopefully one day everyone will realise that.
Thanks for the beautiful post xx
Tommy is beautiful! What a story. The eyes of these precious one’s are so incredible soulful. I cry when I look in to them. What I admire the most about them is their capacity to forgive. It’s just amazing. Thank you for being there for this handsome fella. It’s easier than you think to buy cruelty free, everyone. I can’t wait for the day when our country is cruelty free…Thank you BFP!
Thank you for sharing Tommy’s incredible tale. I’m so glad he’s gotten the life he deserves and can only hope that many more are as fortunate as he was to be rescued.
Great story with a happy ending for Tommy. Wish they all could have a loving family. Ending experiments on animals cannot happen soon enough!!!
What are those symbols tattooed on his ear, can you tell?
Those tattoos were how Tommy was identified in the Lab. He didn’t have a name, just an identification tattoo.