| This is a story about one woman who is making a | | | | Thanksgiving day early on, she saw a Sheppard |
| difference one dog at a time. Five years ago, | | | | with an "E" tag on its cage, which meant it was |
| Signe Razzi, a dynamic, energetic woman with a | | | | scheduled to be euthanized. She didn't understand |
| huge heart for cold wet noses, started | | | | why since she seemed like a sweet adoptable |
| volunteering as a dog walker at the Southern | | | | dog. She inquired as to why the Sheppard was |
| Arizona Humane Society in Tucson. She wanted | | | | going to be euthanized. She was told because she |
| to do something that would make a difference in | | | | was lactating she would not be adoptable for a |
| the lives of shelter dogs waiting to be adopted | | | | two weeks so they were going to put her down. |
| into loving homes. But, who would have | | | | This lucky little girl was Signe's first rescue of |
| anticipated she would end up becoming the | | | | many from PACC. She took her home and got |
| Mother Theresa for unwanted, | | | | her adopted to a loving home. Her foster |
| soon-to-be-euthanized pups. Signe (pronounced | | | | program had been born with the purpose of, "We |
| See Na); a hairdresser/artist/grass roots activist | | | | get them well and then we get them adopted |
| is quite a colorful character who is full of life and | | | | out." The average time she would have a foster |
| love and up to things in life! She is one of the | | | | was 2 months before it was adopted out to its |
| founders of the non-profit animal rescue called | | | | permanent home. Then there was a chow mix |
| Tucson Cold Wet Noses Fosters (TCWNF). Cold | | | | with separation anxiety issues that escaped and |
| Wet Noses helps nurture and rehabilitate | | | | was missing for five days. It was found in an |
| unadoptable, sick, abused dogs and some cats | | | | industrial office park. The office manager there fell |
| back to health and then find them loving forever | | | | in love and adopted Corey on the spot! |
| homes. | | | | Signe credits a great deal of the early success of |
| After Signe had been volunteering at the | | | | their rescue attempts at PACC to Terry Goddard |
| Southern Arizona Humane Society for a while, she | | | | who appeared in her hair salon one day. Terry |
| found out that Pima Animal Care Center (PACC) | | | | immediately fell in love with a little Charpe mix |
| needed volunteers. She admits she was reluctant | | | | that needed a home and helped get her adopted. |
| to go to PACC because she had heard how | | | | She got hooked and worked tirelessly to recruit |
| dismal the environment was there. But, since they | | | | dog walkers and fosters and get dogs adopted |
| needed help so desperately she decided to make | | | | out. |
| it her New Year's resolution to make a difference | | | | Terry was instrumental in getting TCWNF |
| in a place that really needed it. Signe said, "Every | | | | program launched. In fact, 99% of the rescues |
| day PACC comes out with a rescue list of dogs | | | | that Cold Wet Noses adopts out come from |
| and cats that have something up with them | | | | PACC. |
| (kennel cough, limping, and shyness) for which | | | | Signe currently has 5 of her own adopted dogs |
| PACC deems them unadoptable. A rescue group | | | | who share their home with several other foster |
| has to take them within 24 hours or they will be | | | | dogs. She averages having 10 dogs at any given |
| euthanized. If there is room in foster homes then | | | | time in her own home. She says, "You must have |
| those are the animals that we take, get well and | | | | a deep love and affection for dogs in order to do |
| put up for adoption, after we know them and can | | | | this work." Some of her personal philosophy is |
| assess their situation. We try to make the right | | | | that she loves dogs because they are innocent |
| match for the right dog. We do a few cats too | | | | like children. She doesn't believe in judging a dog |
| but mostly dogs. So many of them are great | | | | according to its breed but to connect with each |
| animals! And, if you relate and give a dog a | | | | individual dog. It is important to her to educate |
| chance to blossom, they do." | | | | people and clear up some misconceptions people |
| Signe went where very few others were willing | | | | have about dogs. She wants people to know that |
| to go. She admits, "It takes emotional discipline to | | | | older dogs can be trained just as well as puppies, |
| keep going back when it is so depressing there." | | | | but may need a little extra time. She warns that |
| Immediately she saw what was needed and got | | | | people need to be realistic about the responsibility |
| into action! She was undaunted by the task at | | | | of adopting a dog. They must be willing to take |
| hand as she created the dog walking program in | | | | the time and attention it will require to help their |
| cooperation with the PACC staff. She observed | | | | new family member adapt to their new home and |
| that, "All the dogs at PACC had to look forward | | | | lifestyle. Signe has observed that, "At first a dog |
| to was some food and water and a minimal | | | | keeps a low profile and will be on its best |
| amount of human contact and interaction." Signe | | | | behavior. It is during this period that people are |
| saw the need and an opportunity to make a | | | | unconsciously training their dog into behaviors |
| difference in the quality of life of these dogs. She | | | | without realizing it." She is a huge Caesar Milan |
| was on a mission! As she started recruiting | | | | (The Dog Whisperer) fan and agrees with his |
| volunteers to start walking dogs, Signe discovered | | | | philosophy. She comments, "You have to commit |
| that, "There is no way out once you get | | | | to provide them calm assertive leadership from |
| involved!" They started out walking dogs | | | | the start to avoid problems later. She also agrees |
| Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays every week. | | | | with his fundamental approach in training which is |
| They kept busy! In the beginning, there were only | | | | to exercise, discipline and give affection. |
| 5-7 people walking over 70 dogs. She said, "There | | | | Signe admits she has had a lot of help along the |
| were days I would wear a pedometer and I | | | | way from all the dedicated dog walkers and |
| would have walked 10 miles!" | | | | foster parents. She would like to thank them for |
| Signe shared some heartwarming stories of some | | | | their commitment and discipline to keep showing |
| of her favorite pups she has met along the way | | | | up to make a huge difference in the life of the |
| in her journey to make a difference. One | | | | dogs at PACC, one dog at a time. |