Live Life Off-Leash

A lot has happened since our last newsletter in March, and honestly, it’s tough to know where to begin. Right at the end of March, I got a call for help—a breeder in Randlett, Oklahoma had passed away, leaving behind 13 breeding dogs in urgent need. The family was overwhelmed and reached out, hoping for a lifeline. We didn’t hesitate.

Taking in that many dogs at once is no small feat. Every single one needed a foster home and immediate vet care. None were vaccinated, and all were still intact. My first priority was to get the older dogs placed safely. Thanks to our amazing fosters and community, I found places for most of the dogs within 24 hours. Over the next two weekends, we worked with the family to get them to Austin and we got them settled into loving foster homes.

Our vet bills soared—some dogs faced complications, others needed serious dental work. Organizing appointments, setting up rescue accounts for discounts, and juggling all the logistics was a challenge. But the response from our community was incredible. Donations poured in, matched only by the outpouring of love. These dogs, who’d lived their whole lives outdoors, started discovering the joys of the “good vizsla life”—lounging on couches and cuddling up with their humans.

Now, almost two months later, we’re still going strong. Two of the rescued females were pregnant, and thanks to two extraordinary fosters, we welcomed 15 puppies. The first litter gets to go home this weekend, all to experienced owners. And with the help of our friends at Fi Dogs, each puppy will head home with a Fi collar, so they’ll always be safe and never lost.

We still have two wonderful females looking for their forever homes—details are linked below. Through all of this, I feel incredibly lucky to be surrounded by such a dedicated support network. Every foster, donor, and volunteer has made a difference. Viz Whizz Dogs Rescue has spent over $20,000 on this effort, but the real reward has been seeing these dogs get the fresh start they deserve. Thank you all for making this possible.

For the latest updates on our rescue dogs, don't forget to visit our Facebook page. Your support makes all the difference, and we're grateful to have you with us on this journey.

Thanks for being part of our mission,

Nicky Monahan - Founder, Viz Whizz Dogs & President of VWD Rescue.

We love sharing good news, and this one means the world to us. Lincoln’s story has been one of the most emotional rescues we've had, and seeing him finally happy is the best reward.

Lincoln’s journey started here in Texas, living with two unneutered males and getting caught up in fights. It was a rough situation, and he deserved better. When he was surrendered to us, we found what we hoped would be his perfect home in Colorado, where he’d be the only dog. But things didn’t go as planned. When his new family picked him up, no one realized Lincoln was suffering from a severe toothache that anxiety meds had been masking. He was in pain, not himself, and as his adopters’ own life circumstances changed, they were unable to keep him.

While he was in Colorado, we made sure Lincoln got the medical help he needed. Viz Whizz covered his neuter, vaccinations, and the major dental work he required. The root was so deep it took hours, and the vet called to tell us what a sweet, brave boy Lincoln had been through it all. There was never a doubt: this was a dog who deserved every chance.

When it became clear Lincoln needed a new place fast, Tom—our incredible foster from Houston—stepped up. He drove hundreds of miles to pick Lincoln up and bring him to a safe, loving foster home. With Tom and his wife’s care and patience, Lincoln started feeling like himself again. His affectionate, “velcro” personality came shining through, and before long, we found the perfect forever home for him.

Now, Lincoln—“Link” to his friends—is living his best life with his new dad. They’re inseparable. Link is running off-leash, hiking with the local Viz Whizz pack, and making friends with every dog he meets.We are so grateful to Tom for opening his heart and home when Lincoln needed it most, and to Link’s new dad, for giving him the second chance and happiness he truly deserves. Rescue doesn’t always go the way you plan, but sometimes, it leads to something even better.

The past two months have truly blown me away — I’ve never felt so much support pouring in from our community. Your kindness and generosity are impossible to miss, and I want you to know just how much it means to me.

A huge thank you to all the fosters and transporters who stepped up so quickly for our breeding dogs: Agnieszka, LaVonne, Maya, Taylor, Dina, Gabriele, Kaylyn, Steve, Emily, Melissa S. and I have to give a very special shout-out to Melissa Jacutin and Andrea Warren, who went above and beyond — not only fostering and adopting a breeding dog, but also helping whelp and raise their litters. Bringing up nine and six puppies is no small feat. We’ve done our best to support from afar, but the real, hands-on, day-to-day work is on you, and we’ll always be grateful for it. These puppies are some of the luckiest around — and it’s all thanks to you.

To all our other fosters that step up over and over again - I truly appreciate everything you continue to do to help us with the dogs. Tom, Lauri, Ileana, Cary, Kari, Dorothy, LaShonda.

May 7th we lost another precious pup from our Viz Whizz community. Titan (October 17, 2013 - May 7, 2025) crossed the Rainbow Bridge at 11½ years old, leaving behind a legacy of love and cherished memories. I had the privilege of knowing this special boy from his younger days, as an OG, he would light up our Halloween parades and bound joyfully off-leash, showing off that classic Vizsla spirit and costumes!

Three months ago, when his owner reached out for help, our rescue stepped in. Andrew Chesney answered the call, becoming Titan's devoted foster parent and giving him the most beautiful final chapter. Under Andrew's care, Titan thrived - enjoying beach days with his frisbee, exploring hiking trails, and warmly greeting every visitor who crossed his path with lazy days at the office. Everyone loved him.

The morning call came far too suddenly. Yet even in those final moments at the vet, Titan wasn't alone - his foster dad was right there beside him. Rest easy, sweet Titan. You were so well-loved by everyone who had the honor of being part of your journey.

Please read the description and complete our form at at the bottom of our newsletter for consideration.

Looking For Her Special Someone Around 5 years old . Not spayed. If you’re looking for a dog who will change your life, meet Leila. She’s a five-year-old weim-mix beauty with the gentlest heart you’ll ever find. Leila is completely blind, but you’d never know it — she mapped out every step of our fosters home including the deck stairs in minutes, without a single accident. She’s that smart.

There’s something about Leila that just puts you at ease. She’s calm, affectionate, and soaks up every bit of love you offer. Her fur is soft as silk, she barely sheds, and the way she settles into your arms will make you never want to get up again.

Leila isn’t a dog for just anyone — she deserves a home as special as she is. Someone who sees her for the amazing spirit she is, and who’s ready to give her the safety and love she’s been waiting for. If you’ve been searching for a new best friend who will adore you right back, Leila’s your girl.

One of the sweet breeding dogs we rescued. She is ready for her new home. Sweet and gentle 8/9-year-old Vizsla with a calm spirit and a heart full of love. Lily has spent all of her years as a breeding dog, and now she’s ready for the next beautiful chapter of her life: a quiet, caring home where she can truly relax and be part of a family.

Lily is fully house trained. She enjoys slow walks, soft beds, and just being near her people. She’s looking for a peaceful, patient home—ideally without too much hustle and bustle—where she can feel safe, loved, and cherished in her golden years. She does well with other dogs, but no young or crazy puppies for her.

If you’re looking for a loyal, low-key companion with plenty of love to give, Lily might be your perfect match.

Also one of the sweet breeding dogs we rescued, she's been spayed and up to date on vaccines. Spent her life sharing a run outdoors with another female. Now she wants to enjoy a quiet retirement!

Zoey is a sweet, soulful senior girl around 7/8 years old who has seen her share of ups and downs. She’s gentle at heart, but the world can feel a little uncertain to her. She needs slower introductions to things and improves every day.

Zoey would do best in a calm, quiet home where she can feel safe and settle in at her own pace. She’s fascinated by cats, but maybe a bit too much, so a home without indoor cats is likely the best fit. She’d also prefer to be with calmer dogs that will give her space. She's good with other dogs.

Small children might be too much for her, but older, gentle kids who understand she needs time and patience could be a possibility.

Zoey is waiting for someone who can see the heart of a dog who has had a rough start to life and just wants to feel safe and loved. If you can give her that, she’ll give you all the love she has!

Both are neutered, current on vaccines, and heartworm negative.

Meet Jett—a handsome 9-year-old male Vizsla weighing in at 65 lbs. Jett’s looking for a new home, ideally with another Vizsla by his side. He’s well-socialized and gets along with just about everyone: men, women, teenagers, kids (ages 4-12), cats, and other dogs. He loves car rides and isn’t bothered by thunder or lightning.

Jett has never really been around babies, but he’s a pro with older kids. He’s housebroken, crate-trained, used to wearing a collar and leash, and sleeps on his dog pad in the laundry room. Sometimes he’ll snooze in your bed if you let him! He does have a couple of quirks—he gulps his food and has some separation anxiety, but these are manageable with patience and routine.

One important thing to know: Jett is well trained and knows commands like sit, heel, here, and kennel. If he’s in his kennel or on his bed, don’t try to force him to move—he’s protective of his space and once, years ago, snapped at someone who tried. Now, we just use treats to coax him, which works like a charm.

Meet Gunner, a four-year-old male Vizsla weighing in at 40 pounds—pure, goofy energy bundled in a soft, copper coat. Gunner is the ultimate adventure buddy: he loves being on leash, off leash, going for car rides, playing ball, swimming, and hanging out with just about everyone—kids, teens, adults, other dogs, and even cats. He doesn’t mind storms, and knows how to have a good time. He’s housebroken, crate trained, and sleeps in his dog bed in the laundry room, but he’s always ready to join you for a cuddle.

Gunner’s got a playful, fun-loving personality and knows basic commands like sit, heel, here, and kennel. He gulps his food a little too fast, sometimes digs, and struggles with separation anxiety, but he’s happiest with company—especially another Vizsla. Both Gunner and his buddy Jett love to quail hunt and are calm and steady around guns, making them a perfect pair for an active family who loves the outdoors.

Both dogs are up-to-date on heart worm prevention, flea and tick meds, and eats Purina Pro Plan Sport and nails are regularly trimmed.. It’s really important to their owner that Jett & Gunner finds a loving home where they can stay together and we’d love to try and do that. If you’re looking to welcome loyal, affectionate Vizslas into your life, Jett & Gunner might be the perfect match.

A little V-mix. Around 7 months old, 45lbs. Not spayed, full tail. This sweet, playful pup is looking for a forever home after being rescued from a tough start. Found at a mechanic shop, where she spent all her time in a crate. The moment the foster brought her home, she started showing her true colors—full of energy, affection, and a huge love for playtime.

She’s a beautiful mix, and her favorite things include chasing balls, going for car rides, playing with other dogs, and getting belly rubs. She absolutely loves cuddling and being petted—once she gets to know you, she wants nothing more than to be loved and snuggled. She’s been great with the fosters senior boxer, and while she hasn’t been around babies or teenagers, she’s always been friendly with adults. Bella is housebroken, crate trained, sleeps in a dog bed (or yours, if you let her), and is used to wearing a collar and leash. She’s still a puppy at heart, so she has plenty of chew toys and bones handy—especially since she’s got a thing for shoes if left alone!

Bella is enthusiastic, adaptable, and eager to learn. She’s just picked up “stay” and “come,” and she’s always ready for more training sessions. While she can be a little timid when meeting new people, it only takes a little time for her to come out of her shell. Every day, she gets more relaxed and trusting.

She’s up to date on her shots and on heartworm prevention. Bella’s highlight of the day is playing fetch—balls, toys, bones, you name it! She’s happiest when she’s running around and then coming back for some love.

Bella deserves a home where she’ll be cherished and cared for after everything she’s been through. If you’re ready for a loyal, fun-loving companion, Bella is waiting to meet you!

Donnie's the definition of a 2 year old velcro dog with boundless energy. He loves swimming, chasing balls, and impressing with his Hungarian commands like "fekszik" for "down." A true car ride enthusiast and daycare star, Donnie charms everyone with his friendly demeanor—just not kids. Due to a bite history with small children, Donnie needs an adult-only home with experienced dog owners who understand reactive behavior and can offer patience, care, and a structured routine.

Donnie's dream home includes: Experienced dog owners - A child-free environment - A spacious, secure yard - Active companions - Someone who’s home often. This handsome boy is fully vetted, crate trained, and thrives on his routine meals. For the right person, Donnie offers athleticism, intelligence, and loyalty. He's not just looking for an owner—he's searching for a teacher and a friend who sees the incredible dog he truly is. Are you the unicorn home he's been waiting for? We’ll ensure full transparency on his bite history.

By buying our merch, you're not just looking good on the trails – you're helping us support Viz Whizz and our Rescue dog program. So why wait? Get shopping now, most items ship next day!

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Donations to Viz Whizz dogs Rescue play a crucial role in helping our fast dogs and foster families. Every dollar contributed helps provide essential care, and a loving environment for dogs that have been abandoned or neglected. Last year we helped rehomed 54 dogs, many of whom had been turned away by other rescues.

https://www.paypal.me/vizwhizz

https://venmo.com/u/VizWhizz-Dogs

CHECKS made payable to 'Viz Whizz Dogs Rescue Inc.'

Address:

103 Crestview Drive, Cedar Park, TX78613

Join our team and be a part of our community. We're always looking for great people to help volunteer - as we all know, rescue takes a village. With our Viz Whizz community and dedicated volunteers, we can help more dogs, no matter their circumstances.

ʀᴇꜱᴄᴜᴇ ᴄᴏ-ᴏʀᴅɪɴᴀᴛᴏʀꜱ: (Regional)

You will be first point of contact with owner rehoming the dog. Responsible for helping get paperwork and information on the dog, connecting them with resources, helping coordinate any assessments or vet appointments needed and help co-ordinate placement and transport if needed. You will be a part of a community network.

ᴛʀᴀɪɴᴇʀꜱ & ʙᴇʜᴀᴠɪᴏʀɪꜱᴛꜱ:

We are looking to partner with the best of the best and have great trainers and behaviorists on hand to help with our rescue assessments as well as referrals for new owners. Making sure we set up our placements and new owners up for success.

ꜱᴘᴏɴꜱᴏʀꜱʜɪᴘ & ꜰᴜɴᴅʀᴀɪꜱɪɴɢ:

Working with team to find opportunities to sponsor our events, and help raise funds for our rescue program.

https://forms.gle/89ktTzkoEwUPUQgC7

Viz Whizz Dogs works hard to promote responsible breeders and has an extensive list of great breeders across the USA. If you would like more information, please reach out and we can share that with you. We have wonderful relationships with many of the breeders and know their dogs from our meet ups we host on the trails. If you're looking to be owned by a vizsla or fast dog, we encourage you to join a local meet up and come talk to members and see the dogs in action.

Spearheading the rescue Nicky Monahan, Founder Viz Whizz Dogs, based in Austin, Texas, Kim Leatherman based in Virginia, Working Dog Ranch LLC a Veteran owned business that Kim operates with her partner David who is an Air Force Veteran and has over 15 years of K9 experience. They breed Vizslas to be future working detection K-9s and Jayme Stephens, based in Mississippi is a Veteran and K9 trainer that makes gorgeous collars and leashes for dogs.

With years of experience working with dogs, Nicky, Kim and Jayme bring so much to the table with their knowledge and compassion for helping all dogs and giving them the best second chance. We have a group of dedicated volunteers ready to help.

Email: nicky@vizwhizzdogs.com
Website: https://www.facebook.com/vizwhizzdogs
Phone: (339)203-2099

President - Nicky Monahan

Director - Kim Leatherman

Director - Jayme Stephens

Admin Support - Alex Howard

Rescue & Foster Support - Anna Renken

Rescue Co-ordinator - Ashley DeBrusk

Rescue Co-ordinator - Christine Sabin

Rescue Co-ordinator - Lauri Armstrong