WORK FINDS DOGS HOMES

Dog rescue work is done primarily by word of mouth. Endless rounds of phone calls and vet bills paid out-of-pocket go into individual efforts to find homes for stray dogs.

"It's just one of those things you do from time to time," instructor Larry Stone said.

Marilyn Neville breeds the rare Tosa Inu dog and in the last year has been involved in rescuing and placing some 17 dogs from across the country. Networking via telephone, Internet and mail, she helps produce a newsletter which documents the rescue efforts of people who love the big Japanese dog.

Delfine Seif said all five of her dogs were adopted from animal shelters.

One of her dogs, Bubba, was adopted from the Minniapolis humane society. Apparently dropped off at the pound because he got too big, the yellow lab puppy "was like an alligator, always snappy."

Now he's "a mellow yellow" member of the Canine Visitors project.

"He's become very people-oriented," Seith said. "He goes up and down the halls and doesn't miss one person to say hello."

Chris Frazier is a "foster parent" for various dogs. She cares for the animals until good homes can be found for them.

Sometimes it all boils down to timing. Last week, Stone stopped for a cold drink outside Marble Hill and ended up taking home and finding a home for a stray dog.

"I went in and the girl said, would you like a dog?'" Stone said.

The clerk said the dog had been hanging around the store for a couple of days and had been almost hit by a car.

Canine Companions hopes soon to form an alliance with domestic violence shelters and safe houses in the area.

"Often times when a family is rescued, they have a dog which can't go to the shelter with them," Yvonne Roman said. That's an added worry at an extremely stressful time. "We'll offer a foster home for the dog until the family is back on its feet and able to care for the pet," Roman said.