According to the American Kennel Club representatives, the bulldog is “kind but courageous, friendly but dignified…a thick-set, low-slung, well-muscled bruiser whose 'sourmug' face is the universal symbol of courage and tenacity.”
“Bulldogs are like 2-year-olds in fur suits,” says Diana Engeszer, founder of Saint Louis English Bulldog Rescue. “They are highly manipulative, cute, cuddly, stubborn, crafty, exasperating, high maintenance and loveable. They are not the breed for everyone, but if they are your breed, you will always have one in your home.”
Foster-based, Saint Louis English Bulldog Rescue’s mission is to rescue, rehabilitate and rehome purebred English bulldogs. “The bulldogs live in someone’s home where they are evaluated, treated and monitored as part of a family,” says Diana, who, at 70 years old, has worked with dogs most of her life.
“Most of our bulldogs are adopted by their foster families. Saint Louis English Bulldog Rescue is the safety net for those bulldogs for the rest of their lives. Recently, a little bulldog that had been adopted seven years ago needed to come back into rescue when her owner became very ill. We had another bulldog whose owner died suddenly and needed to be rehomed. We keep in touch with the adopters several times a year, too.”
St. Louis’ own Treats Unleashed helps the bulldog rescue with its mission with the biggest Easter egg hunt for dogs in the St. Louis area. Every year, rain or shine, some 500 dogs turn out with their owners the Saturday before Easter to hunt more than 3,000 eggs at Treats Unleashed in Ladue. For their efforts, they get a photo with the Easter bunny and give $5 each to Saint Louis Bulldog Rescue.
Most of the funds collected go to pay for veterinarian bills, says Treats Unleashed founder and owner, Teresa Miller, as the bulldog often suffers from allergies and skin conditions. (According to Diana, vet and medication costs are often well more than $1,000 per dog.) This year, Treats’ Easter event raised $2,500-plus for the cause. “It’s a great day for families to get out with each other and their pets and do something good for a great organization.”
Teresa founded Treats Unleashed 22 years ago in Chesterfield. Known for being “the natural place for pets,” Treats Unleashed specializes in all-natural pet food, fresh-baked pet treats, toys, supplies, grooming and self-wash services.
Today, her shops can be found in 20 neighborhoods from St. Louis to Kansas City and, along with the egg hunt, hosts other pet-centric events such as their “Howl-O-Ween Pet Party” and “Pumpkin Pie Eating Contest for Pets.”
“People treat their dogs like family, as they should in my opinion,” Teresa says. “They’re just looking for healthy ways to help their pets live as long as possible.”
Diana says Treats Unleashed treats everyone’s pets like family. “When we had a very difficult bulldog in rescue, Treats Unleashed stepped up with an incredible raw food donation to help stabilize his condition while we were figuring out what he could eat. Their help saved his life. Elliot is now almost 10 years old and living his best life in Florida with his retired adopters.”
Saint Louis English Bulldog Rescue is a member rescue of the Bulldog Club of America Rescue Network, a national organization originally formed by the Bulldog Club of America.
STLBulldogRescue.org
Treats-Unleashed.com
“When we had a very difficult bulldog in rescue, Treats Unleashed stepped up...Their help saved his life.”