Friendly and Easy Going--That's Buddy! Buddy is pointer mix, perhaps with some hound, but whatever the mix he's a super friendly and easy going fella. He's the kind of dog that everyone would love to call their own....tail wagging, happy smile on his face, social, attentive, not rowdy or rambunctious, doesn't jump all over you...just a laid back kinda guy. Buddy is good with other dogs and very friendly with people. Buddy is at BARC and waiting for you to come and meet him. Let him help you keep your New Year Resolution of getting more exercise with daily walks! ID# A0978865. Contact marygoldsby@earthlink.net for more information.

Rita is Ready to Go! Lovely RITA (A0977234) has soft fur and a bushy tail almost like a Collie. She's mostly black with a few brown accents, including those comical eyebrows. Rita had the BARC Crud but now she's feeling better and ready to party! She's so happy to get outside and run and play and is eager to see other dogs. Rita is about a year old and a bigger dog of maybe 45-50 pounds. She could use a little fattening up and a good grooming, but otherwise she's ready to go. Rita has been spayed, she's heartworm negative and has been microchipped. This girl is a lot of fun and would love to be part of an active family with a big yard. Can you make this a happy new year for Miss Rita?

Tyler is All Smiles. Tyler is a pointer mix without a tail. We're not sure if he was born this way or if it was removed, but he wiggles it anyway. Even though he was picked up as a stray, he clearly was an owned pet, because he's already neutered and in good physical condition. Tyler is a smiling dog...a real grinning fool! He has beautiful markings and is very friendly with people and good with other dogs. Tyler is at BARC and waiting for you to come and meet him. Let him help you keep your New Year Resolution of getting more exercise with daily walks! ID# A0979186. Contact marygoldsby@earthlink.net for more information.

Meet Chip the Love Bug. Did someone say chocolate? Then they must be talking about Chip, this friendly, purebred chocolate Labrador retriever. But they should have named him Elmers because he?ll stick to you like glue. What a love bug! He?s a little shy when he first comes out of his kennel, but once he?s out, he?s a joy. Chip is looking for love and definitely some groceries! Won?t you come down to the shelter to meet him? He?s neutered and vaccinated and ready to jump in your car and head out. ID# A0978003. Email flettch@gmail.com to learn more about Chip.

Happy, Active Ginger Needs a Happy Home. Take a look at Ginger?s gorgeous coat like a tigress. True to her terrier roots, Ginger is happy and very active and is looking for an equally fun active person to live with. Is that you? She?s about one year old already spayed, microchipped, heartworm free, vaccinated, and ready for a jogging partner. Ginger is all fun and smiles and would live to find her forever home with you! With some structure and training and by getting out of the stressful kennel environment, Ginger is sure to become a loyal companion. ID# A0978167. Questions about Ginger can be emailed to flettch@gmail.com.

Junebug says, "Please Take Me Home!?" JUNEBUG (A0977932) is a young brindle girl of only six months with a very grown-up attitude. She looks at you with those big eyeballs about to pop out of her head (like a little bug) and it's like she's pouring her heart out to you. "Please take me home! I promise I'll be good and sweet every day." True enough, take little Junebug out and she's a bundle of joy, all cute and wiggly and playful and eager to please. Junebug is heartworm negative, spayed and microchipped. She's only about 25-30 pounds now and probably won't get bigger than 35-40 when she's all grown. Look into that little face... How can you resist?

And our 2 BARC STARZ Dogs from last week are still at BARC: Jimmy and Bettie.

JIMMY (A0974792) is a little medium-sized mutt guy who is full of energy and fun! He loves to run and play, especially with his doggie friends in the play yard. His best features are his pop-up ears that look like they're receiving messages from another planet. Jimmy has a great disposition that will really make you smile. He's about full grown at a year old so he will stay about 40 pounds. Jimmy is heartworm negative, neutered, microchipped and current on all his shots. A forever home would make this a happy new year for Jimmy!

BETTIE (A0831989) is a bull dog mix with a face so ugly you have to love it! She is heartworm positive so Bettie will need a special home or rescuer to help her get healthy. As you can see from the pictures, Bettie is a real snuggle bug who is very loyal to her friends and eager to please. She loves to give kisses and have her belly rubbed. Because she's so loyal she gets jealous when other dogs are around so she may do best in a one dog home, and we don't recommend cats with Bettie. This special girl is spayed and microchipped and current on all her shots. Resolve to help shelter dogs in '09 and rescue Bettie!

The adoption fee is only $55 for the dogs and includes: surgery for spay/neuter, vaccinations, deworming, microchipping and 1 year city license. What a deal for a lifelong friend!! You can go to the address below to find these dogs (and many others!):

BARC (Bureau of Animal Regulation and Care)
3200 Carr
Houston, TX 77026
(713) 229-7300
M - F 11:30am - 5:30pm
S & S 12:00pm - 4:00pm

You can see more photos by checking any of these websites:

www.petharbor.com (enter Houston and click on Bureau of Animal Regulation and Care)

www.houstontx.gov/health/BARC/index.html

www.petfinder.com (search under Texas and Bureau of Animal Regulation and Care and ALSO Friends of BARC)

www.barcfosters.org

www.1-800-save-a-pet.com

Email us with any questions (volunteersmb@friendsofbarc.org).