Cece Rider

No doubt most of you music fans are familiar with the blues classic “CC Rider”. If you find a musical act that hasn't covered this song...well, you just found someone who ain't worth listening to. Here are just a few of the versions out there:

12-string guitar legend, Leadbelly

The Grateful Dead

The Old Crow Medicine Show does a modern bluegrass version PS this is a really fun band to see live, and they are in the Bay Area fairly often.

Even Elvis covered the song

We have our very own CC, or shall I say Cece, at the shelter. She’s one of those mama dogs that got dumped at the shelter after being bred for puppies. We like to give these dogs some special attention. It’s apparent that she’s never had much training, but with some hard work I think we can whip her into shape. I’ve started taking her to BAD RAP class, and other volunteers have been working with her on basic commands. She's starting to respond, we're seeing improvements in her willingness to sit and look. Every time I go to her kennel I start singing CC Rider. So I figured this was a great time to OFFICIALLY start my music career with my own interpretation of the song.



Tell me what you think. And this is mournful, howl-at-the moon, delta-style blues.

Well now, CeCe Doggie,
See what you gone done
Well now, CeCe Doggie,
See what you gone done
Well you made me love you mama,
Now your BAD RAP training done come
Hey, hey, hey, hey

So I'm goin' to the shelter baby
And I’m headin’ right to your stall,
I'm goin' to the shelter baby
And I’m headin’ right to your stall,
Once you find yourself a good home
I might not be comin' back at all
Hey, hey, hey, hey

Instrumental/interlude. Come on, feel it now...



Well now, CeCe Doggie,
See the treat is held up high,
Well now, CeCe Doggie,
See the treat is held up high,
Just might get you a tasty morsel
If you start behavin' all right
Hey, hey, hey, hey

I'm a-goin' away doggie
But I sure don't wanna go
I’m a-goin' away doggie
But I sure don't wanna go
You know the trouble is
The shelter closes at fo’
Hey, hey, hey, hey

That is GOLD

Another Happy Ending - Bobo Leaves BACS! ADOPTED

Wilbur Finds a Home

From a life of neglect to a life full of love, tenderness, children, and pugs, Wilbur has finally found his home! A big THANKS for the efforts of many devoted Wilbur fans, for he seemed to touch the heart of just about everyone he met at the shelter. The energy was galvanized to place him onto this inviting patch of grass, with these most beautiful humans and canines by his side . . . forever.

BAD RAP Action

Lots of new volunteers and dogs at the class, let's check in for some exclusive coverage...

New viral video stars, Albert and Kelly:



Betty is a frisky pup, just look at what she did to Sue:



Deborah gets her game face on for the wedding march drill, Murphy's preparation looks a little less focused:



Larry gives Samuel his maiden voyage at class:



Working hard or hardly working? You be the judge. Tulip and David:



Our reigning Volunteer of the Month shows she is not going to let go of the crown without a fight. Maya gives Radar the business:



Super-sub Elizabeth guides Shirley Temple through drills:



DeAnna and her new charge, Rambler:



Kelley has turned Ruby into a rising class star:



My victim for the day, ol' Smiley Miley. She did really well in her very first class. She had a good time and thanked me by licking my face nonstop for about five minutes after class. See her demonstrating her crazy mad "Look" skills, by comparison it took Azul about six weeks before he decided he would look up at me:



Former BACS dogs Pony Boy (now Moby), Goldie (now Lucy), and Azul were also on hand, working with their new owners. Are you dogs a bit miffed that your pictures aren't up? TOO BAD, GET YOUR OWN BLOG! This one is for current adoption candidates only!

August's Volunteer of the Month

Maya

It's back to school month, and we're marking the occasion by recognizing one of our young up-and-coming volunteers. Maya has been spotted working with some of our rougher customers at BACS, and is even starting to take dogs to BAD RAP class. Maya, please do keep in mind that walking shelter dogs is much more fun than doing homework!

What do you do when you're not at the shelter?

Well for most of the year I have to spend all my time at school. I go to Berkeley High, going into my freshman year. Before I went to King Middle School. But now that it's summer I go to a lot of movies with my friends, gossip... normal teenage stuff. I spend a lot of time with my extended family too, and lately I've been educating them about pit bulls whenever I see them (they're not huge fans to say the least.)

Why did you initially decide to volunteer at BACS?

I've always loved dogs, especially big ones, but have never been able to have one for multiple reasons. I've actually always loved pit bulls, even when I was a little kid. I had heard all the horror stories but I met a few that were very nice, so I just didn't listen to the media. So last December I asked a friend where she got her dog, and she told me, "At that shelter down on second street. They're good but they have a lot of pit bulls..." But that grabbed my attention so my Mom and I started volunteering around mid February.

What are your favorite things about volunteering?

Probably meeting all of the new dogs that come in and getting to know them. I love dogs who are mellow but playful, and have energy but aren't hyper, so it's fun to try and pick out the dogs that I would like the most. It seems though that a dog will act the opposite with you from the way they act in their kennel, so it's nearly impossible to guess. I also love being able to help the dogs get adopted, learning skills for when I finally do get a dog, and bringing all my fearful friends and family to see how nice pit bulls really are.

Who are your favorite dogs, past and present?

Well, I was completely in love with both Red and Pony Boy, but Pony Boy just got adopted and Red went to a rescue a couple weeks back. I'm happy for them but I miss them. My first love was Blazey, an old lab mix back in March. Then I fell for Horton, the small brown and white pit bull. Now I guess my favorite would be Rory. He seems so scary in his kennel but he really is the sweetest dog, and I've actually seen him get scared of the cats in the office. I also love Cece, she is so stubborn but there's just something about the way she struts, or suddenly decides to jump and spin in the air because she is just so happy to be outside =). I also recently discovered what a love Radar is. I love Wilbur and Oliver too.

BACS is the August Focus of KOIT FM's Wet-Nose Wednesday Feature

This Wednesday morning (and every Wednesday in August), between 7 and 8, set your dial to 96.5 FM to hear the deejays promote two BACS dogs. The Wet-Nose Wednesday feature focuses on one shelter each month and tries to encourage listeners to check out the week's stars on their website, http://www.koit.com/pages/4053215.php. Last week's dogs were Bella and Vanilla Bean. Tune in this Wednesday morning to find out who this week's featured dogs will be.