Hey guys, my name is Duke and I’m very pleased to meet you! I’m a charming and energetic one-and-a-half to two year old miniature pinscher mix with loads of personality. I’m the complete package: smart, social, affectionate, and playful, with a little mischief mixed in to keep things interesting. I only weigh about 12 pounds, but I’m no shrinking violet, and can run and play with the best of them. Sadly, my owners surrendered me to a shelter in Maryland, and said they just didn’t want me anymore. I don’t understand it, but I’m better off without those guys anyway. I was pretty scared in the …

Romeo is a charming 18-month-old American bulldog/terrier mix with soulful puppy dog eyes that he knows how to use to his advantage, and a big bully smile that’s very endearing. He currently weighs about 65 pounds, but should be closer to 70 at his ideal weight. He’s a handsome dog, with a striking black and white coat with hints of brindle mixed in. Romeo looks a little like “Petey,” the famous dog from The Little Rascals, and has similarly cute expressions.  When I met Romeo and his foster mom, Vicki, at the park for his photo shoot, he was the perfect model – calm, attentive, and ready to …

Meet Max, an adorable spaniel-terrier mix who is about a year old and weighs 23 pounds. Max is a playful and affectionate dog who loves being part of a family, and thrives in an active home. He still has some puppy ways about him and is learning the rules of home life, but he’s a very sweet, good-natured dog and will make a great addition to any family. Max is being fostered by the Jackson family in Lansdowne, which includes foster mom, Kim, three teenagers, three greyhounds, a sassy little pug mix and a kitty too. The Jackson's approach fostering as a family commitment, and Kim feels that …

Hey, guys! My name is Daisy and I’m so very pleased to meet you. I’m an adorable and loveable three-year-old fawn pug with big, soulful brown eyes and a frowny little face that you can’t help but smile at. I’m your typical pug - sweet and affectionate, love to snuggle and devoted to my people. I enjoy being the center of attention and, like all princesses, I deserve to be spoiled. I was surrendered by my former owner to a shelter in Maryland, which is no place for a delicate pup like me. I had a few challenges in my former home when they brought a new dog in because I didn’t feel like sharing…

Hey, you guys. My name is Barney, and I’m a proud and independent Shih Tzu. I’m still a young, active pup at two to three years old, and I weigh about 20 pounds. I’m the perfect age; old enough to know what I want and what I like, but young enough to be playful and excited about exploring the world around me. I’m a very sweet dog and obviously adorable, but I’m still learning to trust and figure out how to be part of family. I was rescued from Prince George’s County as part of a cruelty case. My former owner got mad at something, kicked me in the face and broke two of my front teeth. I will …

Sweetie’s name suits her perfectly; she has a heart of gold, a gentle nature, and is as sweet as can be. She has not always been properly cared for by her human family, but that hasn’t impacted her spirit or love of people one bit. Sweetie is a six-year-old, 98-pound Rottweiler mix -- a breed that’s often mischaracterized because they are a large, dark, and powerful dog. In reality, they are highly intelligent, loyal protectors of their family, and do so well in obedience training that they make excellent service and therapy dogs. Sweetie would be great in a service role because of her loving…

Hi, guys! My name’s Kia and I’ve been waiting patiently to find my new family for a while now. I’m not sure what the holdup is, so I’m taking this time to introduce myself because I know they are out there. I’m still a young pup at only three-years-old, and I have a goofy, playful nature. I'm an active dog. I weigh about 60 pounds, and Mutts Matter thinks I’m a shepherd mix, though some folks have suggested I may have some Rottweiler or hound in me, too. I just know I’m a mutt and proud of it. I’m a handsome dog with a sturdy build, shiny coat, and a big, infectious smile. My foster mom, …

Jonah is an adorable cocker spaniel puppy who is barely a year old and weighs 28 pounds. He has the softest, silky coat with beautiful rich chocolate and creamy white coloring, and big round puppy-dog eyes that just make you smile. With that perfect older-puppy temperament where he’s still playful and loves to hang out with you, but also independent and smart, Jonah doesn’t need constant attention… he’s got things to do.  Little Jonah took it upon himself to escape from a very hard life. He was found running at large with a bark collar and part of a chain still attached to him. He was being …

Hey there, Patch friends! My name is Lucky and I’m very pleased to meet you. I’m a gorgeous plott hound mix with striking, honey-brown eyes, and a vibrant dark brindle coat that really makes me stand out from the pack. I weigh about 50 pounds, but I’m just a little over a year old, so I still have some filling out and maturing to do. I’m a sweet and affectionate dog who needs some structure and leadership in my life. I’m great inside the house with my foster family and their dogs, but it takes me some time to trust new people and new situations. I think I probably need my own personal dog …

Hi! My name is Odie, and I’m one of those glass-half-full types of dog. I find joy in the simple pleasures of life, like snuggling with my person and eating treats of any kind. Love and food... what more do you need? I’m a six or seven-year-old pug, weigh a little over 20 pounds, and am almost totally blind, but that doesn’t stop me or dampen my spirits. I’m a healthy and resilient dog who is both confident and social, and I love to share affection.  Mutts Matter rescued me on Thanksgiving eve, when a kind soul reached out to them for help. I’m a casualty of divorce, and then my dad no longer…

Have you noticed people like to tell you when their dog is a rescue? That’s because they know they played an important part in saving the life of a deserving animal and have received an amazing companion. They have every right to be proud; rescuing an animal is the right thing to do. We want folks to spread the word so that others will consider the incredible good and personal satisfaction that comes from choosing to rescue.  Rescue has been around a long time, but it’s only recently become a part of our mainstream culture. Adopting a rescued pet is the final step in a process that involves a…

Hi! I'm Murray! As you can see from my pictures, I’m a handsome young boy. Mutts Matter thinks I'm a smooth-coated collie mix because I have the sweet, social temperament and long, delicate snout of a collie, but my coat is short and easy to maintain. While I’m still just a puppy at only ten months old, I’m almost fully-grown and weigh 60 pounds now. I have some puppy energy in me and need my daily exercise and play time. Mostly, I’m just a loving and affectionate boy who’s good with kids and other dogs, and really love to be around my people. My foster mom, Leslie, says I’m a 60-pound lap …

I’ve written a few articles over the past two years about fostering dogs, and multiple readers from the Patch community have stepped up to become foster families. It’s great to see more and more people becoming aware of dog rescue, getting involved, and understanding the importance and vital need of fostering. Fostering is the backbone of rescue, and we can only save as many dogs as we have foster families available to welcome them into their homes. It was only a few years ago that I learned about fostering and how it works. Fostering involves opening your heart and home to a pup in need, …

Hey Guys! What’s up? My name is Benji and I’m a super cute, playful and affectionate Havanese-Poodle mix.  I’m only about 11-months-old and weigh in at a solid 17 pounds. I’m a sturdy dog with lots of energy, and I need my daily exercise and playtime.   I’m a social pup, and love all kinds of people, kids and other dogs too. I really like to play, and I can mix it up with dogs big and small. I’m not afraid of anything yet, and can hang with the best of them. I’ve got lots of puppy enthusiasm, and a lot of love to share with my new family. My original owners gave me up to a local shelter …

Hey Guys! My name is Sassy and I’m an adorable Puggle, a crossbreed of a pug and beagle. I’m a little over three years old and a sturdy 20 pounds. I’m at an ideal age; old enough to know better and able to relax and enjoy companionship, but young enough to have plenty of energy and still want to play. My rescue friends think my name really suits me because I’m the total pup package, all wrapped up in a bundle of cuteness. I’m playful, social, smart, have a well-balanced temperament, and - let’s face it - I’m super cute and, yes, sassy!  Originally, Mutts Matter rescued me from the shelter …