Nearly one month ago, when Buffalo's 2018 schedule, presented by Ellicott Hotels, was released, Bills fans around the country were introduced to a variety of adorable, adoptable dogs from Open Arms Rescue of WNY and Buddy's Second Chance Rescue. Making their big debut in the Bills "Schedule Unleased" video, the pups took the internet by storm, charmed their way into our hearts and in turn, found their forever homes. To learn more about how this lovable lot is doing now, buffalobills.com caught up with Tina Chaudhry, local animal advocate and co-creator of Western New York's Furtastic Adopt-A-Thon.
From the moment they strolled on the scene at One Bills Drive, the group of 15 pooches made an immediate impact on the Bills staff and players. Their incredible stories and unique personalities resonated with everyone they met and allowed them to make lasting connections with their future adopters. The video, which featured the dogs dressed up to represent the team's upcoming opponents, helped ensure that each dog would ultimately end up adopted.
Get to know the adorable dogs behind the Schedule Unleashed video, presented by Ellicott Hotels!
Age/Breed: Two-year-old beagle mix Skills: Bentley traveled all the way from Puerto Rico to find his forever home in Buffalo! When he first got here, he was emaciated, injured and scared but he has a come a long way! He is house-trained and loves to play fetch. Bentley is working on mastering stairs and loves being around people. To fill out an application to adopt Bentley and to view other adoptable dogs, click here!
Age/Breed: Two-year-old French bulldog/Staffordshire mix Skills: Bruno can do it all! He is housebroken, crate trained and great on a leash. He is mellow and shy but loves snuggling. Bruno enjoys one-on-one attention and is great with kids. To fill out an application to adopt Bruno and to view other adoptable dogs, click here!
Age/Breed: A two-year-old collie/terrier mix. Weight: About 30 pounds Coming all the way from Georgia, this little pup is learning how to walk on a leash and not have accidents in the house. Buddy is crate-trained, loves belly scratches and even plays well with other dogs. To fill out an application to adopt Buddy and to view other adoptable dogs, click here!
Age/Breed: Three-month-old hound mix Weight: 25 pounds Skills: Behind those piercing eyes is a sweet little girl puppy who loves playing! To fill out an application to adopt Capri and to view other adoptable dogs, click here!
Age/Breed: Two-and-half year-old pit bull/labrador mix Weight: 55 pounds Coco is neutered, house-trained, knows how to sit and stay and even obeys "no" without trouble! He is great with cats, dogs and kids. During his downtime, Coco enjoys hugs and snuggles. To fill out an application to adopt Coco and to view other adoptable dogs, click here!
Age/Breed: Two-year-old bulldog (mane not included) Weight: 59 pounds and growing! Though Connor is still transitioning to the cold weather after arriving from Georgia, he enjoys walks and is good on his leash. Don't let his size fool you, this puppy thinks he is a lap dog and loves to snuggle. He has lots of puppy energy and enjoys playing with other dogs and spending time with people! To fill out an application to adopt Connor and to view other adoptable dogs, click here!
Age/Breed: An almost one-year-old pit bull mix. Weight: 50 pounds Not only is Lilly house-trained and great on a leash, but she is also friendly to kids and other dogs! This little girl is fun and full of energy. She would be a great fit for a family, especially one that has another dog for her to play with! To fill out an application to adopt Lilly and to view other adoptable dogs, click here!
Age/Breed: Three-year-old purebred papillon Skills: Lucky is already neutered and up-to-date on all his vaccinations. He is currently working on not having accidents in the house, but this smart puppy will pick it up in no time! He enjoys playing with other dogs and cats. To fill out an application to adopt Lucky and to view other adoptable dogs, click here!
Age/Breed: Two-year-old pit bull mix Skills: Rosa is killing it! She is obedience trained, up-to-date on all vaccines, spayed, crate-trained and housebroken! She loves kids and other dogs but does not enjoy cats. Rosa is working with a trainer on facing her fear of men and is already gaining a lot more confidence. To fill out an application to adopt Rosa and to view other adoptable dogs, click here!
Age/Breed: 12-16-week-old black labrador retriever Weight: 18 pounds Skills: Pearl is a sweet and loving little girl puppy! To fill out an application to adopt Pearl and to view other adoptable dogs, click here!
Age/Breed: One-year-old mixed breed Weight: 30 pounds Skye is great on her leash, has had no accidents in the house and loves car rides. Though she doesn't know how to play with other dogs yet, she is great with cats and kids! This little girl prefers snuggling to time in her crate and loves to give lots of kisses. To fill out an application to adopt Skye and to view other adoptable dogs, click here!
Age/Breed: Senior chihuahua mix Weight: 10-15 pounds Skills: Titus is a survivor. He was hit by a car and abandoned and currently has a broken jaw that is wired shut. Despite being in pain, Titus is all smiles and loves people! To fill out an application to adopt Titus and to view other adoptable dogs, click here!
Age/Breed: Three-month-old plott hound/labrador mix Weight: 15-17 pounds Skills: Venus is a little girl who loves attention! She is a playful puppy that is currently working on house and crate training. She was shy at first but loves playing with kids and other dogs! To fill out an application to adopt Venus and to view other adoptable dogs, click here!
Breed: A one to two-year-old female mixed breed, possibly a greyhound mix. Weight: 35-40 pounds Winnie is crate trained, doesn't pull on her leash when walked and has had no accidents in the house! She's great with kids and loves playing with dogs her size but steers clear of cats and small dogs. With her sweet personality, it's no surprise she wants to be around people all the time and loves giving hugs. To fill out an application to adopt Winnie and to view other adoptable dogs, click here!
Age/Breed: Five-year-old cane corso Weight: 120 pounds This big boy is a total softie. Though his bark sounds fierce, he loves other dogs and is great with kids. He is housebroken, crate trained and great on a leash! To fill out an application to adopt Zeus and to view other adoptable dogs, click here!
"The great thing was, we had the one-two punch of your experience and they had an adoption event…It basically drove home all the final adoptions," said Chaudhry. "It was perfection. We know people responded to the video. It's amazing the power in [the Bills'] reach."
For Joel Burris, a nearby Greece, New York, resident, U.S. Army veteran and loving father of two, "Schedule Unleashed" further solidified that his decision to adopt a very special dog, was a great one. Burris, who has always had a love for dogs, especially larger breeds, stumbled upon an ad for Zeus, the five-year-old cane corso who represented the Bills bye week, and fell in love.
"I was on the internet looking around and I ran across his ad that [Open Arms of WNY] had for him," explained Burris. "My previous dog was also named Zeus – I had him ever since he was a puppy. I saw him and I like big dogs so…I thought, 'Oh man he's beautiful.'"
Acting quickly, Burris started the adoption process and shared the exciting news with his family members who were beyond thrilled to see one of their own making such a big splash.
"I did share that [video], all of my family is back in North Carolina, so they thought that was really cool to see," said Burris.
Since the adoption, Burris is happy to report that Zeus is fitting right in.
"He is awesome," said Burris. "I am just so impressed. You never know what you're going to get…We got along straight from the get-go…He is such a good-natured dog. We go for walks. My daughter had her first soccer game, so I took him out to the soccer field and we just hung out. Of course, he draws a lot of attention, so anyone that comes by wants to pet him.
"When you find the right one, it just clicks. Puppies are cute but we're at the stage now where we can enjoy each other, he's my little buddy. He follows me around everywhere, so it's nice."
Zeus' story is just one of several storybook endings that happened for the good boys and girls who starred in "Schedule Unleashed," explained Chaudhry.
"Isn't it the most wonderful, uplifting thing? Bruno [New England] went to a local veteran to be trained as a service dog through WNY Heroes. The stories are so great…Lucky the papillon [Jacksonville], he went to a woman who had just lost her dog and she renamed Lucky, Sunny because he brings the light back in her life."
Of course, the successful outcome wouldn't have been possible without the unwavering commitment from the staff at Open Arms Rescue of WNY and Buddy's Second Chance Rescue. If you are interested in adopting a best friend of your own, please visit www.oarwny.org or www.buddysrescue.org and submit an application.
