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Mutts Matter: A lesson in (pug) perseverance

By WTOP Staff

Photos via Cassie Reniers/Sassy Pet Photography Photos via Cassie Reniers/Sassy Pet Photography Photos via Cassie Reniers/Sassy Pet Photography Photos via Cassie Reniers/Sassy Pet Photography

This biweekly column is written by Suzanne Lawter, Director of Community Outreach for Mutts Matter Rescue, a local nonprofit, all- volunteer dog rescue. Mutts Matter is a network of volunteers who love animals and want to make a difference by helping forgotten and discarded dogs find loving families. Since our founding in 2010, we have successfully rescued and placed more than 1,400 dogs in the local Washington Metropolitan area.

I’m Oscar. My story is one of strength and perseverance. I started my life with my very own family and a mom who adored me. Then a divorce happened, and I became a casualty. My mom moved into an apartment that didn’t allow dogs, so my dad gained custody of me. Suddenly, I went from being cared for in a comfortable home to being neglected and living outside in the elements all alone. I don’t know if my dad did this to me out of spite, or never loved me, but my world was turned upside down. Then one day he decided to drop me off at the local shelter, and I never saw him again, and that’s how Mutts Matter found me.

When my mom found out that I was in a shelter, she was devastated and came to claim me. When she learned that I had the opportunity to be taken in by a rescue, she knew it would be the best thing for me. She didn’t have the means to give me the care and life I deserved, and made the unselfish choice to let me go. Mutts Matter was able to give me the immediate medical care I needed, and got me stabilized in a foster home.

In my humble opinion, no dog should be left out in the elements, and this is especially true for Pugs like me, who are very sensitive to heat and need special care. I was given medicine to help my dry eyes and coat, and when the vet examined my teeth, she discovered that my jaw had been broken but never treated. I lived with that pain for many months, but I adapted, and didn’t let it change me. My jaw healed a little bit crooked and I lost some front teeth, so my tongue sticks out now, but my foster mom, Cassie, says it’s just another one of those endearing traits that makes me so special.

After only a few weeks in foster care, Mutts Matter found me a great home with a dad who adored me and worked from home, so I was never alone. He took great care of me, we did daily walks together to stay fit, and I thought I’d found my forever home. Sadly, my new dad got sick and was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. At the same time, one of my back legs started to go lame and I had some trouble walking. It was too much for him to manage, as he was dealing with his own declining health, so with great sadness he called Mutts Matter in to help.

The rescue took me to a neurologist, and they determined that I had partial paralysis in my back leg, and may have some nerve issues with the discs in my back. I’m not in pain, and can go potty outside like any other dog and follow my foster mom around the house like her little shadow.

I will live a happy, full life that may be a little limited, but I still get around on my own, enjoy food, toys, and belly rubs, and still have a lot of love to give. I lucked out and had a shiny new cart donated to my care so that I can be more mobile, and once again go on walks with my family. I love my cart and use it with ease. I don’t need it indoors, but it’s great to be able to explore my neighborhood again.

Cassie, my foster mom, has been my rescue angel and I’m so fortunate to have her in my life. She started taking me to acupressure sessions, and has learned how to give me massages on certain points of my body to promote circulation and healing. She put me on a raw diet and has been giving me natural supplements, and I even started swimming to help build up my leg muscles. I love the water and both of my legs are fully functional when I swim! The cool thing is, we’re already starting to see results, and I’m getting stronger and using my legs more.

I’m close to 8 years old now, so I’m no longer a young pup, but I still have a fighting spirit and lots of love to share. I’ve had my share of setbacks, but I’ve never let it change my natural sweet disposition, or how I relate to people. For the most part, I’m just like every other dog. I get excited when my family comes home and will wait for them by the door. I love to snuggle in bed. I’m a huge fan of food, and love to chew on bully sticks. I get excited when it’s time to go outside and really enjoy walks with my family.

I’m looking for a family who will love me for the rest of my days, and wants to care for me. I love to socialize, and want to be included in everything my people are doing. I would fit best in best in a quiet home, maybe a retired couple or single person who needs a devoted snuggle buddy. I would benefit from regular swimming sessions and acupuncture, but mostly I just need my person to love.

To learn more about Oscar, go to the Mutts Matter  Adoption Page and fill out an application, or you can contact Suzanne at suzanne@muttsmatterrescue.com.

Follow Mutts Matter on Facebook to learn more about us and see new pups coming into the rescue!

Photos via Cassie Reniers/Sassy Pet Photography

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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