The Bulldog Life

I'm a huge dog person and whenever I get paid to hang out with and take pictures of them I'm counting my lucky stars. In Georgia, obviously the home of the Georgia Bulldogs, lots and lots of people get Bulldogs as pets. Unfortunately these genetic monstrosities are not the best pets. They have lots of health problems, are high maintenance, requiring daily special care such as wrinkle cleanings and even butt wiping.
We did a story on Ruth Ann Phillips who has started a rescue group called Georgia English Bulldog Rescue to rehabilitate and find homes for all of the unwanted and often neglected Bulldogs in the area. She currently has 4 previously abused foster Bulldogs in her own home and also organizes a network of foster families who house them while looking for permanent families.
I recently spent a few hours hanging out with them and by the time I left was wanting to adopt a misfit Bulldog of my own. In particular I fell in love with Clementine who imposed her affection by jumping off the couch onto my head and licking it. Clemy, as her foster family calls her, had untreated mange for 5 years. Ruth Ann said she was the worst case she's ever seen. She described her paws as bleeding meaty balls she couldn't even walk on. She recounted a time when Clemy had just come to live with her. She was sitting on the floor with the pitiful creature, crying because of her severe condition. She then told Clemy this would be the last time she would cry and they would get her better. Then Clemy kissed her face.
Read the story here.


One of Ruth Ann Phillips foster Bulldogs "Clementine" lounges on the couch.


Ruth Ann Phillips holds her foster Bulldog "Clementine" Thursday at her home in Winder. Phillips with help from her two daughters started a Bulldog rescue group to keep them out of shelters.


Shelby Phillips, 13, laughs as foster Bulldog "Twiggy" rolls around in the yard Thursday at their home in Winder.


Shelby Phillips, 13, left, and best friend Erin Harbin, 14, walk two of the Phillips' foster Bulldogs in their yard Thursday at their home in Winder.


One of Ruth Ann Phillips foster Bulldogs Hercules jumps up on one of the many baby gates used to wrangle the dogs around Phillips' home.


Shelby Phillips, 13, gets kisses from foster Bulldog "Clementine" Thursday at her home in Winder.


One of Ruth Ann Phillips foster Bulldogs "Clementine" gets comfortable on the couch as "Twiggy" gets some attention.


Ruth Ann Phillips is followed by foster Bulldog "Clemy" as dinner time for the dogs arrives.


Ruth Ann Phillips gives a piece of cheese to foster Bulldog "Clementine" with "Macy" waiting for her turn.


Shelby Phillips, 13, right, and best friend Erin Harbin, 14, eat snacks in front of two of the Phillips' foster Bulldogs Thursday at their home in Winder.


Ruth Ann Phillips prepares medicine to clean foster Bulldog Clementine's wrinkles. Clementine still suffers the effects from having untreated mange for 5 years.


One of Ruth Ann Phillips foster Bulldogs "Clementine" peeks her head in an open cabinet.


Ruth Ann Phillips cleans foster Bulldog Clementine's wrinkles. Clementine still suffers the effects from having untreated mange for 5 years before being rescued.


Ruth Ann Phillips prepares to feed three of her foster Bulldogs Thursday at her home in Winder. Phillips with help from her two daughters started a Bulldog rescue group consisting of a network of foster families.


Ruth Ann Phillips pours food for foster Bulldog Clementine Thursday at her home in Winder. Phillips feeds her four foster Bulldogs separately.


Ruth Ann Phillips talks to her foster Bulldog "Clementine" Thursday at her home in Winder.


Shelby Phillips, 13, cuddles with foster Bulldog "Twiggy" Thursday at her home in Winder. Phillips helps her mother Ruth Ann with a Bulldog rescue group.