tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11330511654321446082024-02-24T01:33:00.204-06:00We Don't Rent PuppiesAdventures of a dog-rescue volunteer in Houston, TX. I volunteer with my local Animal Shelter, the Montgomery Couunty Animal Shelter, MCAS, FMCTAS.Calsidyrosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12556720235543035084noreply@blogger.comBlogger152125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1133051165432144608.post-33784387087917889132011-09-30T07:23:00.009-05:002011-09-30T07:45:04.299-05:00Time for FunWill it ever rain here in Southeast Texas? Will it ever cool down? Will we ever see a decrease in the intake numbers at our Montgomery County Texas Animal Shelter? I don't have the answers to these troubling questions, so I offer these tidbits from around the Interwebs.<br /><br />First, from <a href="http://www.marriedtothesea.com/">"Married to the Sea--The Champagne of Comics"</a>:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnBavzeQF03doPnoQMn0GBBbYX-vOFdVaM2PIbYA12_68qzaxKddr5suMZMqNhbf7Ht0YTT11Zf-mDuupqVQflsLsairLdrsL4Fa6BqufFJ5VCOhGobOe9fmDy4PeVSSJsR64SQlwkREoE/s1600/Hey+Hey+Hey.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 235px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnBavzeQF03doPnoQMn0GBBbYX-vOFdVaM2PIbYA12_68qzaxKddr5suMZMqNhbf7Ht0YTT11Zf-mDuupqVQflsLsairLdrsL4Fa6BqufFJ5VCOhGobOe9fmDy4PeVSSJsR64SQlwkREoE/s320/Hey+Hey+Hey.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658127977435996034" border="0" /></a><br /><br />From <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/50929289@N05/5956790204/">Flickr:</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/50929289@N05/5956790204/" title="The Dog Bits by John Lindesay Small, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6008/5956790204_52620c54a6_z.jpg" alt="The Dog Bits" height="400" width="640" /></a><br /><br /><br />From The Historic LOLs site:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9vm-T6A2ysSVj_XpfrvMmFub7nyDdATr1RV_h4U9kzqmTudsBKYbb9LcVOsVL2lHhkaQY_13kHR6OzlrjakU5hprI8J-8vavO_AB4u2-43QUAHJCkzQaWFfVk9nVZ3LhmIoRjsoRo7jwe/s1600/funny-pictures-history-this-weekend-at-the-lassie-showroom-and-casino.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 318px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9vm-T6A2ysSVj_XpfrvMmFub7nyDdATr1RV_h4U9kzqmTudsBKYbb9LcVOsVL2lHhkaQY_13kHR6OzlrjakU5hprI8J-8vavO_AB4u2-43QUAHJCkzQaWFfVk9nVZ3LhmIoRjsoRo7jwe/s320/funny-pictures-history-this-weekend-at-the-lassie-showroom-and-casino.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658131092531825986" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Have a bark-a-licious Friday!Calsidyrosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12556720235543035084noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1133051165432144608.post-24398836600004314842011-09-18T12:23:00.006-05:002011-09-18T12:45:18.131-05:00Adopt a Less-Adoptable Pet<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJOtdR-fNmJxxjvI8IrJH2_hOB12LzKeGh-5RZk7VXZCzGFrG3bfmZy9XHW8yuMuOsSF7GHodrX4006OfbWRQ1i2LH8W_u_h6tHyvh59afhE9wWeZ3N-SYP4XKwqlX-yTd4t7moRnF8aHo/s1600/lapw-landing-masthead.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 156px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJOtdR-fNmJxxjvI8IrJH2_hOB12LzKeGh-5RZk7VXZCzGFrG3bfmZy9XHW8yuMuOsSF7GHodrX4006OfbWRQ1i2LH8W_u_h6tHyvh59afhE9wWeZ3N-SYP4XKwqlX-yTd4t7moRnF8aHo/s320/lapw-landing-masthead.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653753646319994466" border="0" /></a><br />Petfinder.com is hosting an <a href="http://www.petfinder.com/promotions/less-adoptable-pet-week">"Adopt-a-Less-Adoptable Pet"</a> adoption campaign this month, September 17-25, 2011. Below is a video link on YouTube produced by the editors of <a href="http://lifeanddog.com/">"Life + Dog"</a>, a glossy pet-owner "lifestyle" magazine.<br /><br /><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/QluFAH8hPb4" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" width="560"></iframe><br /><br />I have a "less-adoptable" foster dog--Sassy, a 3-year-old black Chihuahua girl who is afraid of the camera, pudgy, bossy, snippy and black-coated--all things that work against her chances of adoption. Sassy came into <a href="http://operationpetsalive.org/">"Operation Pets Alive"</a> from a vet's office, where a client took her, saying they found her. The veterinarian spayed and vaccinated her. She is heartworm negative and is on prevention.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigKpv3mVUWDQD0MhJO365vgtYxqu_FPku0jJCchYq7LR9uM7gjOGB68-9xOz6p6pFKxb5tL_1K9N-EGJXF-fru7nAzcMzvLaIeQVtY92aA-7H4RgQrFlMZygXnPjDGICnlv3lkFaz6r6ag/s1600/A+Sassy+Girl.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 238px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigKpv3mVUWDQD0MhJO365vgtYxqu_FPku0jJCchYq7LR9uM7gjOGB68-9xOz6p6pFKxb5tL_1K9N-EGJXF-fru7nAzcMzvLaIeQVtY92aA-7H4RgQrFlMZygXnPjDGICnlv3lkFaz6r6ag/s320/A+Sassy+Girl.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5653754137996044450" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Sassy doesn't do well at off-sites, although I keep taking her to them. She jumps and snips against her crate warn people that she's nervous, and she lunges at other dogs in a show of bravado. Sassy needs a home with an owner who understands how to correct a dominant small dog and integrate her into the household. I have worked with her diligently and she's doing much better. While she could be placed with a household with other dogs, she would not be a good choice for families with small children--and, of course, children are immediately drawn to her because she has fluffy black fur.<br /><br />I hope to place Sassy soon so I can take another foster in for <a href="http://operationpetsalive.org/">"Operation Pets Alive"</a>.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;font-size:10pt;color:#000000;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:130%;color:#004000;"><span lang="en-us"></span></span></span>Calsidyrosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12556720235543035084noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1133051165432144608.post-10997386866700238892011-08-11T10:23:00.007-05:002011-08-11T13:57:25.256-05:00I Beg to Differ<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLDOy8Jz9K8GY-uvgBcJZyNZr2DdSHnr0jBVm0ZCNrxHeI3OES6exyP0TSx8JhA8oHNZXHO8fwobblND154OgBp3FJedU9Jpx_7U3f0B_ZHd2gu4xYnrkl0nzsSUqkW7_aTYf3rWVMGt9_/s1600/Dog+Listens.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 221px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLDOy8Jz9K8GY-uvgBcJZyNZr2DdSHnr0jBVm0ZCNrxHeI3OES6exyP0TSx8JhA8oHNZXHO8fwobblND154OgBp3FJedU9Jpx_7U3f0B_ZHd2gu4xYnrkl0nzsSUqkW7_aTYf3rWVMGt9_/s320/Dog+Listens.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5639623127700460514" border="0" /></a>
<br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">This post is in response to a blog post by Shannon Hill, which you should read first </span><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://shannonlhill.com/2011/08/shelter-politics-the-tuesday-night-meeting/">here.</a>
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<br />These are my opinions, but I hope they will stimulate a unified response.
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<br />Regardless of the individual opinions of the “inactive” volunteers, it is childish to keep pointing fingers and playing one-upmanship games that make one group of volunteers look “better” than another. We should fling off our martyrdom cloaks and work together.
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<br />Shannon:
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<br />As one of your so-called “inactive” volunteers, I submit that one doesn’t have to be “at the shelter” every minute of every day in order to address the needs of homeless animals in Montgomery County.
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<br />I’d like to share my thoughts with you and your blog readers about this.
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<br />Many people, including the “inactive” volunteers, are out working within the community to prevent animals from coming into the shelter.
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<br />If the intake numbers are reduced, I think we can all agree that would be good for the animals already in the shelter. To this end, I (along with others) have been working in a different set of “trenches”.
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<br />Please do not assume that we hesitate to spend countless hours and our own money to rescue, vet, foster and place homeless animals. Just like the shelter volunteers you describe in the list below, we:
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<br />• Foster animals
<br />• Clean cages
<br />• Take photos of animals
<br />• Bathe animals
<br />• Walk animals
<br />• Run adoption events
<br />• Deal with the public
<br />• Organize donations
<br />• Spend our own money to donate supplies.
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<br />Specifically, here’s what we, those supposedly “inactive” volunteers, are doing.
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<br /><ul><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">We’re working with another animal welfare group to sign up pet owners in the East County/New Caney for extremely low-cost or free spay/neuters using both the services of Spay Houston and the MCAS. </span>In<span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span>many cases, we have helped out with transportation for those who need it. We have assisted with more than 200 spay/neuter voucher redemptions in the past 9 months. These programs currently target larger dogs (30 to 60 pound or more), dogs who typically have large litters (8-12 puppies). In reviewing the animals-received lists produced by MCAS, and available to everyone (“inactive” or not) I have seen the tubs, boxes and crates filled with large-breed puppies that arrive at the shelter on a disturbingly regular basis. I hope that the shelter staff and “active” volunteers appreciate and see the value in reducing the number of unaltered dogs. Our typical voucher user is a pet-owner, often with multiple dogs, who cannot afford to shoulder the typical vet’s cost of $300 or so for a large-dog spay. Many of these dogs have already had litters, and our clients are relieved that they don’t have to deal with any more “oopsie” litters.
<br /></li></ul><ul><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">We have conducted trap-neuter-release of feral cats in the south county, dealing with several colonies, and placing dozens of kittens that have been socialized by our fosters. </span>As we all know, kittens have a much better chance at survival if they never set paw into the shelter. TNR keeps cats out of the shelter and reduces the need to kill feral adult cats.</li></ul>
<br /><ul><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">We have established a "Flight for Life" program. </span>Our “inactive” volunteers have worked with “active” volunteers to take long-term dogs (many in the Diamonds in the Ruff) program out of the shelter and put them in foster homes, were they are vet- and temperament-checked (paid for by use) and then into our “Flight for Life” program. The Flight for Life program sends qualified animals (via cash donations) by small plane transport to a shelter in New Hampshire for placement. While this program is small, the novelty of transporting by plane has raised public awareness about the needs of long-term dogs in the shelter.</li></ul><ul><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">We have picketed and talked with roadside breeders, who market dogs with little legal oversight.</span> We are working to address Texas laws that affect the welfare of all animals both in and out of the Shelter.</li></ul><ul><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">We have had several long-term dogs from the shelter enter our foster system. </span>The balance of animals in our program come from county citizens who otherwise would take these animals to shelter, thus adding to the intake numbers.</li></ul>
<br />As for me, I’ve spent a lot of times working in the “trenches” of the civic-government end to encourage public-funded entities to improve their animal sheltering programs.
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<br />In my experience, politicians are overjoyed when volunteers bicker among themselves because then the politicians don’t have to make any changes. Plus, our civic processes allow for expression in public forums whether we agree with everything that is said or not.
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<br />Furthermore, privatization of public entities is often a good thing.
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<br />However, the process needs to be transparent, and we need to know with some certainty just how the potential bidders plan to improve the shelter.
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<br />Certainly, the shelter has improved, and kill rates have gone from 80% or more to about 49%, based on the public numbers on the County website.
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<br />However, when my college-age boy insists that a “C” (a 50% save rate) is a lot better than a “D-" (a 20% save rate), like most parents, I’m not satisfied. I'm not paying hard-earned cash for C performance. A 50% is not a "good grade”. In fact, at the The Woodlands High School, a 50% is a failing grade. Likewise, I'm sure that the animals on the losing end of the 50% rate don't represent a successful outcome.
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<br />It is not an unreasonable to or hostile request to ask the shelter operations bidders to demonstrate publicly how to improve the statistics for dogs and cats at the shelter. It’s simply prudent.
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<br />There are multiple ways to improve the lives of our homeless animals. Working in “the trenches” at the shelter is not enough.
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<br />All our efforts are necessary. We can keep fighting amongst ourselves, about “active” and “inactive” or we can take responsibility to address the broader spectrum of factors that affect our shelter and the animals inside.
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<br />Like you, I want to improve the lives of animals in our shelter and in our community. I am proud that I'm actively involved in doing so.
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<br />Just because I'm not at the shelter, don't discount my efforts.
<br />Calsidyrosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12556720235543035084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1133051165432144608.post-67552564923682824582011-04-26T09:00:00.003-05:002011-04-26T09:11:00.951-05:00Our Typical SituationHere in Montgomery County, Texas, we have a mix of high-end surburban communities (The Woodlands), farm-and-ranch remnants, trailer parks, "ranchette" (non-agricultural acreage properties) and newer tract housing. Our typical intake at the Shelter is not an indoor pet that can no longer be cared for by its owner. Instead, our typical intake is an unintended litter from the mating of free-roaming, unaltered neighborhood dogs. These animals are typically found in the rural fringes of our county, and may or may not be considered pets. I am defining "pet" the way PetsMart or your favorite high-end "companion animal" lifestyle magazine defines "pet".<br /><br />The video below represents a fairly common situation--the owners don't have the funds or transportation to spay or neuter their dogs, and have limited abilities to provide proper whelping care. Several litters just like this one arrive at the Shelter every week. This is the reality behind many of the dogs in the Shelter runs:<br /><br /><iframe title="YouTube video player" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/kDmMatwk624" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="390" width="640"></iframe><br /><br />As the volunteer for Operation Pets Alive, a non-profit animal welfare group that serves Montgomery County, "This litter of puppies born to 2 free roaming unaltered neighborhood dogs. Found while OPA volunteer was working to TNR a feral cat colony. The owner does not have a car, money, or a job. OPA desperately needs foster homes to move these dogs into. They will all receive vaccinations and will be deworm. They could be ready for the next OPA Flight for Life departing May 14th but have to start their required vaccinations within the next 4 days."<br /><br />I will provide an update on this litter ASAP.Calsidyrosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12556720235543035084noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1133051165432144608.post-6989583494436345492011-03-25T21:54:00.003-05:002011-03-25T22:00:34.035-05:00Just for Fun<iframe title="YouTube video player" width="640" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/EVwlMVYqMu4" frameborder="0"></iframe><br /><br />This hilarious video was posted on Facebook by "Operation Pets Alive!". It is a must-watch! And be sure to read the film-maker's explanation about how they got the dogs to do this. The video was shot in one unedited take! If only my dogs had such good manners! If only my children did!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/calsidyrose/5556596809/" title="Bentley Enjoys the View by Calsidyrose, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5144/5556596809_5313a80145_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="Bentley Enjoys the View" /></a><br /><br />Our neighbor sent us this cell phone shot of their cat, Bentley, enjoying the scenery in Florida from the back seat of their SUV. It's amazing that he rides so calmly!Calsidyrosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12556720235543035084noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1133051165432144608.post-40553954585024667462011-03-16T14:58:00.004-05:002011-03-16T15:09:12.774-05:00Will Shame Work?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVwI2DkMWrKMf3dnH_Y89s435yxgxf6Aco0kqwvbQRBBCGCJ0Mpt6hsAI4GV_53Vp92Jpi0BsVy71w6dLZO1kEASKN2vhFnv9PlzYFerE_cjq_UAaiv128tP3ykrAxKqUHAIIEC8rfBn29/s1600/Intake+Sign.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 291px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVwI2DkMWrKMf3dnH_Y89s435yxgxf6Aco0kqwvbQRBBCGCJ0Mpt6hsAI4GV_53Vp92Jpi0BsVy71w6dLZO1kEASKN2vhFnv9PlzYFerE_cjq_UAaiv128tP3ykrAxKqUHAIIEC8rfBn29/s400/Intake+Sign.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584771906258337106" border="0" /></a><br />This photo by M. Harris of Montgomery County, Texas, Animal Shelter is new this week. I don't know whether to cry or use inappropriate adult language.<br /><br />This was posted on Harris's Facebook page (<a href="http://www.facebook.com/index.php?lh=9ef19d3e0f0061bcd46bfa2c7728f947&#%21/photo.php?fbid=10150113011211859&set=a.164811101858.117225.681746858&theater">here</a>) and has already garnered more than a dozen comments. Some people suggested putting up a second sign showing adoptions. Harris's response to that was, "Then they'd only see the adoption number and [think] this would be a great place to 'rehome' their pet." Unfortunately, I agree with her.<br /><br />While this sign offers a dose of reality, the fact is that the ones most emotionally moved by the number will be those who are already struggling to reduce the intake through fostering and rescuing. The Pollyana part of me begs to differ, but the cynical side of me doubts seriously that the average client who wants to surrender (or turn in) a pet will be moved to reconsider things. What do you think?Calsidyrosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12556720235543035084noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1133051165432144608.post-91428461477055554052011-03-08T18:01:00.003-06:002011-03-08T18:05:28.255-06:00Happy Mardi Gras!<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/calsidyrose/2943968241/" title="Mardi Gras 2006 by Calsidyrose, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2035/2943968241_580f0a86fa.jpg" alt="Mardi Gras 2006" height="392" width="500" /></a><br /><br />From Gretna, Louisiana, and PAWdi Gras 2006, my little dog, Cross, models her hand-made "Mardi Gras" outfit, complete with sequins and funky fringe. She wore this under duress.<br /><br /><h1 style="text-align: center;" id="title_div5504917782" class="photo-title insitu-trigger insitu-highlight">Laissez les bon temps rouler!</h1>(Let the Good Times Roll!)<br /><br />And throw the dogs a biscuit, mister!Calsidyrosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12556720235543035084noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1133051165432144608.post-50156994330661479432011-03-01T08:52:00.004-06:002011-03-01T08:54:24.077-06:00Mark for Spring Bark<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmptSch6p5__C1zjQ22jSZP2WfVDErGACNHo_Co1TMh1Rvlsxoyfe-TL6i-hPczSiNXhYaJ9hboMY682m6JEAT_cA7wkXGw8T4HePTfw9WEKmm0d5BVWcQLUpzI44yKxDISR4DHlw6vPdJ/s1600/Spring+Bark.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 272px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmptSch6p5__C1zjQ22jSZP2WfVDErGACNHo_Co1TMh1Rvlsxoyfe-TL6i-hPczSiNXhYaJ9hboMY682m6JEAT_cA7wkXGw8T4HePTfw9WEKmm0d5BVWcQLUpzI44yKxDISR4DHlw6vPdJ/s400/Spring+Bark.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579124845609357618" border="0" /></a><br />I so want this logo on a tee-shirt! And this year, I get to go--I'll be with Operation Pets Alive, right in the thick of the action.Calsidyrosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12556720235543035084noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1133051165432144608.post-61458630137183315662011-02-28T14:40:00.004-06:002011-02-28T17:21:49.934-06:00Flight for Life Sends 20 Dogs to NH<iframe title="YouTube video player" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/TT6dGmNWbd0" frameborder="0" height="390" width="640"></iframe><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /></span>Here's a video about Operation Pets Alive! and Cloud Nine's second "Flight for Life", which sent 20 rescued dogs from Montgomery County, Texas, to a Shelter partner in New Hampshire. Thanks to all who helped make this flight possible!<span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">From Operation Pets Alive's Facebook site, February 28, 2011:</span></span><span class="messageBody"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span>"BIG THANK YOU to Lone Star Animal Welfare League (formerly The Woodlands Dog Park Club) for funding OPA'S recent FLIGHT FOR LIFE!! Without your generosity 12 shelter dogs would not have the same chance for adoption that they now have. In fact, 7 "short listed" dogs were in urgent need of "saving". Way to step up and take action!! In addition, this flight allowed OPA to keep 6 pups out of the shelter and give them a great chance of finding a wonderful home! Hats off to you!"</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span>Calsidyrosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12556720235543035084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1133051165432144608.post-3259499866364195022011-02-27T11:14:00.027-06:002011-02-27T20:46:45.595-06:00What I've Been Doing<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcK58ipPgARQLmUPA8wIR79ZgF0Sr7cAU1wBjCicnn5EbucFHy3KIMF5fi_7sk41G_evFJ96JYy06koIStKXQklaTjjxof0rRAkIGwSg5vDuXS90fhXZuDl49p4iLTuB0vlgDRNnOcaFnZ/s1600/Dog+Blogger.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcK58ipPgARQLmUPA8wIR79ZgF0Sr7cAU1wBjCicnn5EbucFHy3KIMF5fi_7sk41G_evFJ96JYy06koIStKXQklaTjjxof0rRAkIGwSg5vDuXS90fhXZuDl49p4iLTuB0vlgDRNnOcaFnZ/s400/Dog+Blogger.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578445831004832162" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(204, 102, 0); font-weight: bold;font-size:85%;" >My dogs don't blog. They just make poop</span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color: rgb(204, 102, 0); font-weight: bold;">s.</span></span><br /></div><br />Not only has it been four months since I've posted, Blogger ate the first version of this post instead of uploading it, so all my brilliant thoughts have been lost to the ether of the Interwebs and I am forced to reconstruct a long post!<br /><br />Time flies. I don't have any excuses for not posting. I've been doing Dog Lady work. I just haven't posted. The reality is that once you break the habit, the longer you wait to get back to the blog, the tougher it is. Therefore, I am resolved not to take such a long break in the future.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQmyC_wQVkxy2US-ymljDVq75f4CU-w4QU_G2nKl9n5fk7KvNE4tV-2RUh59Ms4VryjP2d04-WNboyucVwJ9fnvxZNzPitoxs6kZ_LTy3qNsW42RYytgWiogOmRu18ykS_G6cwwT-QmeO3/s1600/More+Fun+Compressed.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 269px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQmyC_wQVkxy2US-ymljDVq75f4CU-w4QU_G2nKl9n5fk7KvNE4tV-2RUh59Ms4VryjP2d04-WNboyucVwJ9fnvxZNzPitoxs6kZ_LTy3qNsW42RYytgWiogOmRu18ykS_G6cwwT-QmeO3/s400/More+Fun+Compressed.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578445565862021522" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 102, 0);">Min Pins are like "Pringles"--you can't have just one.</span></span> </div><br />The little Min Pin foster puppy I've had since my last post in 2010 is still with me. She is not--and let me be clear about this!--a foster failure. She just hasn't met the right family yet. "Cricket," as we call her now, is stinkin' cute and very, very busy. She needs a family who is experienced in Min Pin antics and would do best in a situation where she doesn't have to be crated for 12 hours a day (she is a smarty-pants escape artist and can unlatch the crate so I have to use carabiner to close it). Cricket would appreciate a canine playmate as well.<br /><br />Her cast came off in January, and she's doing great, although her right paw is smaller than the left and she still favors the leg at times (out of habit or what, I'm not sure). She's matured into a tornado of energy with a chewing habit that is driving us nuts: glasses, iPod earbuds, dozens of mechanical pencils, books, papers, and two bag's worth of daily CT Hex dental treats. She'll find her home, now that it's warmer at the Off-Sites.<br /><br />My dear friend, the passionate and tireless Marcia P., who stepped down in late 2010 as Off-site Coordinator for the Shelter, has launched her own animal-rescue group. Although still in its fledgling stage (the 501 c 3 status is pending) Operation Pets Alive!: Helping People Save Pets has already accrued a list of accomplishments, including sponsoring foster-only Off-sites, TNR (Trap-Neuter-Release) of stray cats in several Montgomery County areas, and two "Flights for Life that send dogs from the Shelter to New Hampshire for adoption.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjji6q8ZZnk10pnwJerG3i5LGZx_7x3HYP62G-hzGXHnV57VBUWDldH1A4h3k5ny054XgQTzXkgok_f9ihfWGe-tDYxQn4N7wts5hJ9lDdCfrialP7ovVjMTxAUtZVLp2vuUHAs3JC4-ywr/s1600/Flight+for+Life+Number2+B4+TakeOff.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 226px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjji6q8ZZnk10pnwJerG3i5LGZx_7x3HYP62G-hzGXHnV57VBUWDldH1A4h3k5ny054XgQTzXkgok_f9ihfWGe-tDYxQn4N7wts5hJ9lDdCfrialP7ovVjMTxAUtZVLp2vuUHAs3JC4-ywr/s400/Flight+for+Life+Number2+B4+TakeOff.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578444945961499986" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color: rgb(204, 102, 0); font-weight: bold;">Courtesy of Operation <a href="http://www.facebook.com/index.php?lh=9ef19d3e0f0061bcd46bfa2c7728f947&#%21/pages/Operation-Pets-Alive/174285515938506">Pets Alive!: Helping People Save Pets</a></span> </span></div><br />The second Flight for Life is in the air as I re-construct this post--leaving from Conroe, TX with 20 dogs on board, including 12 Shelter dogs, two dogs from <a href="http://www.atdr.org/">All-Texas Dachshund Rescue</a>, and six puppies rescued by OPA. The dogs were bathed and loaded by volunteers. The pilot and plane are funded by generous gifts from friends and volunteers at OPA. What a thrill these dogs, including six long-term (over 90 days) dogs from the <a href="http://www.mcaspets.org/">MCTAS Shelter</a> will have when they find new homes.<br /><br />In other efforts, OPA has partnered with Susan Herbert, founder of <a href="http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/TX452.html">K-9 Corral</a>, a wonderful rescue group that has placed more than 3,500 animals, to ramp up Herbert's program to provide free and low-cost spay/neuters for owners of large (over 30 pounds) dogs in New Caney, TX, a once-rural, but now rapidly growing region of Eastern Montgomery County. Herbert has secured grants to provide vouchers to be used at <a href="http://www.spayhouston.org/">Spay Houston</a>, a wellness clinic that does low-cost shots and spay/neuters in Houston, TX.<br /><br />Spay Houston's fees are much lower than area veterinarian offices, making it possible for Houston residents to take action against unwanted litters. In 2010, K-9 Corral's Herbert handled 239 free or very low-cost operations by providing qualifying New Caney residents with vouchers.<br /><br />In January, OPA stepped in as a partner, providing professionally printed signs and flyers, along with volunteers who went door-to-door in targeted neighborhoods to spread the word about the vouchers. With OPA's assistance, Herbert manned tables at her local Wal-Mart. I helped for three Sunday afternoons, chatting with interested people about the program while Herbert filled out the paperwork. It was fulfilling and fun to connect these residents with a program that lifts the burden of cost. Many people could afford the Spay Houston rates for their small dogs or cats if they could get a voucher for their larger pets. K-9 Corral has done 157 operations so far this year, a testimony to the need for such programs.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivrY3djvvTic9-UPauMD065T8vnHOU3x4Ziejubp8vuZaLQBhypACivgARyqShyphenhyphenjoc0d85-zYwmMBeISXVxqcOMHlYzZnsK5p4SqrDs3-foJ0LESn1e_CqPGRWE5wIwvGDmffRd3yCeE5F/s1600/Dog+Blogger.jpg"><br /></a><br />Below is the draft logo I designed for OPA. It wasn't selected as the final logo, but I think it's spiffy. You can see a button-sized version of the final logo in my sidebar. I don't have a high-res image yet.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU-itBOKPS7fnsiq5sV2_LF9rvnBX-1g_OzAPD6hV87bkLnTxlcIFxqcezS1EFcG3jYf_uXF1CDTAC7XLaE23NUecvNjpe9nGhfMZEijd4sL-bmW2KkXk57ZMEqP5RT79dM3nw4pJuAsqx/s1600/OPA+Compressed.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 248px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU-itBOKPS7fnsiq5sV2_LF9rvnBX-1g_OzAPD6hV87bkLnTxlcIFxqcezS1EFcG3jYf_uXF1CDTAC7XLaE23NUecvNjpe9nGhfMZEijd4sL-bmW2KkXk57ZMEqP5RT79dM3nw4pJuAsqx/s400/OPA+Compressed.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578460113054979586" border="0" /></a><br /><br />So I've been busy, and my Dog Lady Stetson is still getting a lot of use. I'm looking forward to more opportunities to help pets in 2011. Leave me a note and let me know what things have been happening in your parts! I resolve not to leave this blog unattended in the future!Calsidyrosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12556720235543035084noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1133051165432144608.post-68768991182381380022010-11-19T11:34:00.005-06:002010-11-19T15:49:55.079-06:00Puppy Perils<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7qv10GMad9IN_Ei5RkEeoeZhKhh7SBIq5XETiPeW_DhVrVluhDIvfpVnYPtLX2qO4ieUW6GddBY3k_C8TK6SCNth1A87v0DRIGCo8ZZV_uu60ZkgZ_xid9XvHrl9j0khR3lZ88F9CR7cm/s1600/Color+Pup.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 375px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7qv10GMad9IN_Ei5RkEeoeZhKhh7SBIq5XETiPeW_DhVrVluhDIvfpVnYPtLX2qO4ieUW6GddBY3k_C8TK6SCNth1A87v0DRIGCo8ZZV_uu60ZkgZ_xid9XvHrl9j0khR3lZ88F9CR7cm/s400/Color+Pup.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5541319827421614226" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);font-size:85%;" >This is "Dezi", who is harder to "dress" than a Barbie doll. The red sweater is held on with the pink harness. The jingle bell helps me find her. The Cone of Shame keeps her from chewing on her cast. She can still move at the speed of light. <span style="font-style: italic;"> Thanks to Allie, of "Hyperbole and a Half" for giving me the courage to post one of my pencil sketches, tweaked in Photoshop Elements 6</span>.</span><br /></div><br /><br />Question: What goes "Tick, tick, jingle, tick.....jingle...click, yip, yip, yip."?<br /><br />Answwer: A Miniature Pinscher with a cast on her front leg.<br /><br />I do not normally foster puppies. I admit this. I prefer adult dogs. I don't have a puppy-proof house or yard, although my yard is escape-proof.<br /><br />So when I came home with this 5.2 pound black-and-tan puppy with a broken leg, I assumed that I'd be able to keep up with her. I mean, how fast can a tiny dog with a huge plaster splint around her front leg move?<br /><br />The puppy, cast and all, fell in my pool, right off the bat. I had to take her back to the Vet to have a new cast put on because she got completely soaked. I paid for it of course.<br /><br />I swear, I was watching her, but she darted around or behind me (or transported herself through space) in a couple seconds while we were walking around the pool back to the house.<br /><br />When I figured out that she wasn't next to me, I saw my own oversize MinPin, Chopper, staring intently at the pool, ears cocked, and the puppy was paddling--quite well, actually--to keep her head above water.<br /><br />Which makes me wonder how on Earth puppies ever make it to adulthood at all.<br /><br />Dezi, as she is named, is almost impossible to keep up with. Her cast doesn't slow her down at all--without it I'm sure she would move at warp speed.<br /><br />Things I have removed from her tiny puppy mouth: computer cords, lamp cords, a bit of celery that dropped on the floor, twist ties, sparkly purple stuff from something that must belong to my daughter.<br /><br />She can climb up stairs, but not down--the Cone of Shame that she must wear to keep her from chewing on her bandages limits her vision.<br /><br />She can get on the couch (she couldn't do this last week when I brought her home but she has grown, as puppies tend to do). She annoys Cross, my fluffy dog. She gets run over by Chopper because he zooms around snorking up things from the floors like a Dustbuster with legs.<br /><br />She thinks my husband is the most wonderful man in the world and when he walks in the door, she hops up and down like she's just pounded three Red Bulls. Then, she falls asleep in my arms and snuggles her head into my shirtsleeve and sighs a happy, happy puppy sigh. She is absolutely adorable.Calsidyrosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12556720235543035084noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1133051165432144608.post-14256537068394718102010-11-17T13:07:00.005-06:002010-11-17T13:16:49.550-06:00Just for Fun<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxXlWXaFmfTF5lodvMRtk-n5iIVl9Wwf5bSV2k3hQMZsEOv3rvwCj-Or6KOEpOUOr-IkrgkRhbED5LjJUmXJrfDeKAKbE-qG0_TRe-GrWCssrjOeYLmPUBeEAQp8GWV6nfBBhlVH8fMacl/s1600/Kellie6.png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxXlWXaFmfTF5lodvMRtk-n5iIVl9Wwf5bSV2k3hQMZsEOv3rvwCj-Or6KOEpOUOr-IkrgkRhbED5LjJUmXJrfDeKAKbE-qG0_TRe-GrWCssrjOeYLmPUBeEAQp8GWV6nfBBhlVH8fMacl/s400/Kellie6.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540598223349438274" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(204, 102, 0); font-weight: bold;font-size:85%;" >Allie's adopted dog really wants to please, if only she knew how!<br /></span></div><br />My daughter had me read a post on <a href="http://hyperboleandahalf.blogspot.com/">"Hyperbole and a Half"</a>, a zippy, <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">irreverent</span> blog by "Allie" last night, while I was in the middle of struggling over how to summarize my current volunteer situation. I haven't laughed so hard all week!<br /><br />Allie's adventures with her adopted dog and her amazing drawings done with MS Paint (the simplest drawing program for a computer) are spot-on, to work a well-worn pun! Read through her <a href="http://hyperboleandahalf.blogspot.com/2010/07/dog.html">"Dog"</a> post and enjoy!<br /><br />-*-<br />Drawing courtesy of "Hyperbole and a Half"Calsidyrosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12556720235543035084noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1133051165432144608.post-50901153378204864242010-11-16T20:52:00.006-06:002010-11-16T22:28:59.546-06:00Back on Track<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdgrf-quhkywxjmTYF3VIYhs4qIWfbhAZSmUQhzqu_dABsrNKivo8R-JtnthpZ3UNE5ctX5obkFeYF1OflJ0Rh-pVMj2TyPHz8UJFIugXJ_u7LAuzktQegrU3qC_6XlyZB20VyQbQTbqtN/s1600/I+Was+Told+There+Would+Be+Snacks.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 283px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdgrf-quhkywxjmTYF3VIYhs4qIWfbhAZSmUQhzqu_dABsrNKivo8R-JtnthpZ3UNE5ctX5obkFeYF1OflJ0Rh-pVMj2TyPHz8UJFIugXJ_u7LAuzktQegrU3qC_6XlyZB20VyQbQTbqtN/s400/I+Was+Told+There+Would+Be+Snacks.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540367318242360434" border="0" /></a><br />I have been away from my blog for three reasons:<br />1. My 16-year-old daughter had Marching Band Competitions from early October through the first week of November.<br />2. My Off-Site Coordinator and dear friend, Ms. M. stepped down from volunteer Team Lead for the Montgomery County Animal Shelter at the end of September.<br />3. The Shelter has undergone many shifts and changes, and I've been completely out of the loop.<br /><br />-*-<br />On November 9th, I found a home for the wonderful Mrs. Puff. A fellow Band Mom adopted her, and Mrs. Puff has already been Vet-checked and had treatment for her teeth. Mrs. Puff had 7 teeth pulled and is on a KD Diet and has trimmed down almost a pound since her arrival at the Shelter in late July. My friend is going to start PetsMart training with Mrs. Puff at the end of the month. Like many Chihuahuas, Mrs. Puff didn't know anything about leashes and had no real obedience skills. So this spry, 10-year-old girl will soon learn how to sit and heel! And since it is an "open adoption", Mrs. Puff may visit our house for dog-sitting when my friend is traveling.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR0NzajLHU3wfJ7SkHjCHp7XXk8P721D9ZuQ6PulrK8rPjEMgxjzIIoYYyGjHrgIHXn7KGdEGmWadSiiWIhFTIsTu2ffdQNhlhdjoNNQzwRf4ZF0JWe4XIneJxTGq4l05_IC5fpKET2E0s/s1600/Cutie+Dezi.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR0NzajLHU3wfJ7SkHjCHp7XXk8P721D9ZuQ6PulrK8rPjEMgxjzIIoYYyGjHrgIHXn7KGdEGmWadSiiWIhFTIsTu2ffdQNhlhdjoNNQzwRf4ZF0JWe4XIneJxTGq4l05_IC5fpKET2E0s/s400/Cutie+Dezi.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540370001240213170" border="0" /></a><br />I have a new foster--a very bouncy, cute-as-can-be black-and-tan Miniature Pinscher puppy. "Desiree" came to my house the day after Mrs. Puff left. She is about 4.5 months old and weighs 5.2 pounds with the cast on her broken right front leg. She arrived at the Shelter with the injury, along with dark blue paint on her toenails. She was someone's pet but wasn't claimed. Our Shelter has a less-than-stellar return-to-owner rate. Desiree has to wear the cast (and the Cone of Shame) for about 8 weeks. She'll visit the Vet who did the surgery, which included a pin to hold the bones in her leg in place, next week for a check-up.<br /><br />My own dogs are doing well--Chopper had his two heartworm shots and is at the end of his one-month of rest. And Cross is still a sweetie, although she needs an appointment at the groomer's to trim off her shaggies.<br /><br />-*-<br />I have removed this blog from my Facebook account via Networked Blogs. I made the decision after receiving a message from the acting Shelter Director regarding some numbers I quoted about the euthanizations of cats over the summer. I made it clear in the post (see September 16th) where I got the information: "Meanwhile, the Shelter is overrun with kittens and cats. I heard, unofficially, that approximately 1,000 cats and kittens have made the trip to the EU room in the past few weeks."<br /><br />The response from the Shelter Director was first posted on my Facebook wall, then later removed and sent to me via a Facebook message:<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">"Your 'unofficial' information about 1000 dogs/cats going to the EU room was very, very inaccurate. Since I know you care about the dogs who may not realize when people who don't know us read those things and may think we're a high kill shelter and we are NOT..and may choose not the help us. As you know, community support is vital to saving animals."</span><br /><br />The number of EUs per month is listed on the County's website under Archives. I checked the numbers here: http://www.co.montgomery.tx.us/animal/search/reportarchive.htm. Unless the County's own numbers are inaccurate, my qualified statement (regarding cats only, since that is what I was writing about in the two sentences I devoted to the subject) was not overstated. According to the County, 600 cats were euthanized in July 2010, while in August, 233 cats were euthanized due to space/behavior issues (the County is instituting new, more specific labeling criteria). An additional 207 cats were euthanized in August due to sickness or injury. These numbers match closely with the numbers from my "unofficial" sources.<br /><br />At the time Shelter Director's response arrived in my email, things were up in the air at the Shelter and rumors were flying loose and fast. Two months later, things have settled down and Constable Tim Holifield, the public official in charge of the Shelter (in theory, the buck stops with him), has made some changes and put some positive spin on things. I'm not criticizing, just stating my opinion, based on the communications sent out to volunteers.<br /><br />Meanwhile, my friend, Ms. M., has been on an information-gathering safari, rounding up no-kill sheltering models, including the benchmarks used by Austin Pets Alive. It is Ms. M's opinion that actual progress toward becoming a "No-Kill" Shelter is minimal at best.<br /><br />The Constable wrote in a volunteer newsletter circulated in mid-October:<br /><ul><li><span style="font-style: italic;">"WE ARE COMMITTED TO BECOMING A '</span><span style="border-bottom: 2px dotted rgb(54, 99, 136); cursor: pointer; font-style: italic;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1289965939_3">NO-KILL SHELTER</span><span style="font-style: italic;">'!</span></li><li><span style="font-style: italic;">As we progress to the status of 'No Kill', we must first successfully pass a multitude of milestones, each having their important place in every 'No Kill' Shelter. To my knowledge, in the State of Texas there are none that are government owned. The difficulty with a government owned facility is the lack of ability to decide which animals will be accepted or refused.</span></li><li><span style="font-style: italic;"> It is the position of staff, volunteers and </span><span style="cursor: pointer; background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; font-style: italic;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1289965939_4">animal lovers</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> alike of moving </span><span style="font-style: italic;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1289965939_5">Montgomery County Animal Shelter</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> closer and closer until we reach the ultimate goal of a 'No Kill Shelter'. We believe there are several components to reaching this goal and simply overcrowding a kennels with 3+ animals and watching them get sick, while claiming to be 'No Kill' except for </span><span style="cursor: pointer; background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; font-style: italic;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1289965939_6">sick animals</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> is not the answer."</span></li></ul> I'm clueless as to whether these statements represent true commitment or the usual political blather. We'll have to wait and see.<br /><br />Meanwhile, I'm fostering the Miniature Pinscher for the Friends of the Montgomery County Animal Shelter (FMCTAS), a fund-raising non-profit group that provides money for medical expenses and other needs that fall through the cracks at the Shelter. Although Desiree is an adorable dog, I'm not sure why she wasn't placed with a rescue, in particular, with the Texas Chapter of Internet Miniature Pinscher Service (IMPS) which does fabulous work foster, re-habbing and placing Min-Pins. The FMCTAS has spent a lot on this sweet girl (and we can only keep praying she doesn't get distemper) but if she is placed as an MCAS pet, she'll be adopted out for $75.00 at best.<br /><br />While there have been days I've stood in the Adoption Rooms and wished we had some purebred dogs instead of 80 pit-lab mixes and hyper Cattle Dogs, I know we probably need to focus on moving as many animals out of the Shelter as possible. Getting dogs (and cats) into rescue is vital.<br /><br />-*-<br /><br />So, faithful readers, I'm back on track, even if I don't know where I will be serving as a volunteer. For now, fostering is fine. Ms M. is working on some new directions and I plan to be involved with that, too, even if I'm not able to help with the ground-floor planning due to some other personal commitments. Please bear with me and stay tuned!Calsidyrosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12556720235543035084noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1133051165432144608.post-12219804688903064012010-10-24T19:14:00.011-05:002010-10-24T20:28:43.230-05:00October Multi-Tasking<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzibvMs3Sw3V5jz0QJKD8QuH2Y6fmGkLDpc33SqNtzEWn3836psXKIVNo2laPJb3KoVmIzSxuDzP91YSct9HSuHQSuqr4xilkC1Jmc683Cvk8WWz_NEjo1lAmvbj3yj6pBEc9cNaYvZzv_/s1600/Dog+in+Peru.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzibvMs3Sw3V5jz0QJKD8QuH2Y6fmGkLDpc33SqNtzEWn3836psXKIVNo2laPJb3KoVmIzSxuDzP91YSct9HSuHQSuqr4xilkC1Jmc683Cvk8WWz_NEjo1lAmvbj3yj6pBEc9cNaYvZzv_/s400/Dog+in+Peru.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531782679693565922" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">This is an iPhone photo of a Street Dog in Peru. </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">You can tell he's got severe mange. I'm not sure why he's wearing the shirt.</span><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 0); font-weight: bold;font-size:85%;" >I can't wait to hear the story from my friend when our Church group returns from Peru.</span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></div><br />I have had a whirlwind of October activities that have kept me away from doing Off-Site adoptions, thus the paucity of posts. I feel a bit like I've got a dog like the one in the photo below chasing after me!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGmK7RzSxfuElJ6GtLLys-jTSn9SZUEhpmVPnUB3_jCwPZUtTkLarYX05emh351yhcNryKUZ9glPJ8ln7foJK8N1SaOcEuIQCYc1vGvJG39qG6Y-zBHiGeioxRzho4gkAixz6suYfPjgvE/s1600/RenFest+239.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGmK7RzSxfuElJ6GtLLys-jTSn9SZUEhpmVPnUB3_jCwPZUtTkLarYX05emh351yhcNryKUZ9glPJ8ln7foJK8N1SaOcEuIQCYc1vGvJG39qG6Y-zBHiGeioxRzho4gkAixz6suYfPjgvE/s400/RenFest+239.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531779288675282770" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 0); font-weight: bold;font-size:85%;" >Goofy dog trailer hitch cover seen at the Texas Renaissance Festival.</span> </div><br />I had to take off my "Dog Lady" cowboy hat and don my "Band Mom" hat. My 16-year-old daughter plays mellophone (a marching-style French Horn) in The Woodlands High School Marching Band, and October is the busiest Band month.<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggZrM5GD05vAQDx0d00fWbkRfrnyAXXGPZ0VpRM7Jk1X7xZm2pTGLdQXr7HsuGyW2P8-unNXo67P6osnE2hd1vSwGN2glEAnhV-EDEkQCVwn3oNzB0-ndxSk5RiA7-0a7SqJrxS800h6Uz/s1600/Band+Mom+2009.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 340px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggZrM5GD05vAQDx0d00fWbkRfrnyAXXGPZ0VpRM7Jk1X7xZm2pTGLdQXr7HsuGyW2P8-unNXo67P6osnE2hd1vSwGN2glEAnhV-EDEkQCVwn3oNzB0-ndxSk5RiA7-0a7SqJrxS800h6Uz/s400/Band+Mom+2009.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531783637998647314" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">This is my "Band Mom" Hat. My "Dog Lady" Hat is a brown Stetson cowboy hat.</span> </div><br />There are football games, practices, competitions, auditions and fundraisers. We spend a lot of time on yellow school buses. We stand in lines, sit on stadium seats and cheer our Band kids on. They are super kids--dedicated, funny, and unfailing polite. They just earned a first place in their UIL Area Division, competing against 30 Bands to earn the privilege to go to the Texas State UIL Marching competition to be held next week in San Antonio. I will load up my three dogs (Chopper, Cross and my sweet foster, Mrs. Puff) to head to my Mom's house in Spring Branch (close to New Braunsfels). We'll leave the dogs with my Dad to babysit the pack--a total of seven dogs, including four Chihuahuas--and go watch the Bands participate in two separate competitions.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdTChAOGkFCAELhVMF4bmfjt_n60ZOASa1f1tcx-QZG69M-DGwbbaGv8ejyRZgVq_w_IAdDm3Go_dYS2h88idbwXULsZT53EeMhGCCgayrEWcGgUbkUB7fnPf7Anjrxjhw3e0IKUarsIra/s1600/Chopper.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 270px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdTChAOGkFCAELhVMF4bmfjt_n60ZOASa1f1tcx-QZG69M-DGwbbaGv8ejyRZgVq_w_IAdDm3Go_dYS2h88idbwXULsZT53EeMhGCCgayrEWcGgUbkUB7fnPf7Anjrxjhw3e0IKUarsIra/s400/Chopper.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531787044822153682" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 0); font-weight: bold;font-size:85%;" >Chopper in a quiet pose. Soon his Heartworms will be history!</span><br /></div><br />We've had a lot of transitions and changes at the Shelter lately, but there's one great bit of news--the Shelter has begun offering the Heartworm treatment to the adopters and fosters on the six-page waiting list. The treatments were halted in early summer for a number of reasons (cost, vaccine availability, staffing issues, etc.) but are now being offered. <br /><br />I had a part in this--my newly adopted dog, Chopper, was heartworm positive, so I have been asking, and asking again, when the treatments would begin again. I got the call this week to bring him in for a two-day, two-shot protocol. Now the issue will be keeping a bouncy, squirrel-chasing 18-pound Miniature Pinscher quiet for a month!<br /><br />I'm still fostering the amazing Mrs. Puff, the elderly but very spunky owner-surrender Chihuahua. My daughter wants to keep her. I love her dearly and she's a very easy dog. My dogs love her, too. But a fellow Band Mom has met her and wants to adopt her after the hub-bub of our competitive season is done in about two weeks. My friend recently lost her own elderly dog and has taken quite a shine to Mrs. Puff. I told my daughter we can go visit Mrs. Puff and even take her a Christmas present later this year!<br /><br />I'm looking forward to getting back into my Dog Lady volunteer work. I'm excited about some new volunteer opportunities that are on the horizon, and look forward to helping new foster dogs find homes. I received an email from the Shelter noting that we'll be participating in the Home for the Holidays program again this year--it's one of my favorite national tie-in programs.Calsidyrosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12556720235543035084noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1133051165432144608.post-29271944164716680022010-10-03T23:08:00.002-05:002010-10-04T12:13:34.944-05:00No-Kill Austin & More<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLaNEe8L9cGXL2X5nezkBW4Gr4ISO2nQ3cJuDw3LgFqqfOqWIuI_hC9EVLKPHza2CnrUK9ILFLGyx3F-lBcw71EDqlwtx7ou-KOLpo25-A5NVvEvYtNuArUvLaPmec6zaqJAo9bKwnp7J8/s1600/No+Kill+Austin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLaNEe8L9cGXL2X5nezkBW4Gr4ISO2nQ3cJuDw3LgFqqfOqWIuI_hC9EVLKPHza2CnrUK9ILFLGyx3F-lBcw71EDqlwtx7ou-KOLpo25-A5NVvEvYtNuArUvLaPmec6zaqJAo9bKwnp7J8/s1600/No+Kill+Austin.jpg" /></a>It's been busy around here--last week I spent a whole day in Austin, TX (a three-hour hike from my house) attending the "No-Kill Austin" conference, which promised appearances by Nathan Winograd and other big names in the "No-Kill Community". Winograd couldn't attend, but the roster of speakers offered several hands-on topics by folks from various Shelters, including The Animal Ark, of Hastings, MN. I had to find pet-sitting for my two dogs and one foster (thanks so much, Ms. Anne, a wonderful animal advocate!) and arrange for my 16-year-old daughter to pick my dogs up in the evening. I rode up with two volunteers from the Shelter, including my dear friend, Ms. M., who has been the Off-Site Team Coordinator for the Shelter volunteers.<br />
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Ms. M. has, after a great deal of thought and with sadness, decided to step down as Coordinator, a volunteer position she's held (actually, more like has "lived") for two years. Ms. M. has spent more than four years dedicated to the animals of the Montgomery County Animal Shelter. It's better to let her explain things herself, as written in her formal resignation letter to the volunteers:<br />
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<i><span style="font-size: small;">For four years, I have been working to lower the killing at this facility by volunteering. For the last two years, I have been supporting the shelter’s stated goal of becoming a no-kill* facility by leading a team of volunteers working to establish a key component, a Comprehensive Adoption Program. Let me stop here and say thank you to all of you that have worked along side toward this goal. We would not have been successful without you.</span></i> <br />
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</div><div class="yiv1931545902MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ3jvenl0jwPSq0mpZAkukVl6qCJ6AR71HKP219BFYkB6rMb0-cNve7Hf331JpMappYferwuYeMC1k_gcrRwGoUKSy3st0txUXkhthZrwBkiG3He4y__lFtYiVj5OKUgps0K73mx7ajkpl/s1600/MidDecember+023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ3jvenl0jwPSq0mpZAkukVl6qCJ6AR71HKP219BFYkB6rMb0-cNve7Hf331JpMappYferwuYeMC1k_gcrRwGoUKSy3st0txUXkhthZrwBkiG3He4y__lFtYiVj5OKUgps0K73mx7ajkpl/s320/MidDecember+023.JPG" width="213" /></a><i><span style="font-size: small;">September ended my second year in this team lead role. The team has accomplished much in the last two years</span></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-size: small;">-- </span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;">We have built a team of 300+ adoption volunteers and 53 trained off-site adoption coordinators.</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: small;">-- </span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;">Over 2700 animals are now “out-of-shelter” from off-site venues due to our efforts.</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: small;">-- </span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;">More than $20,000 in donations and merchandise has been raised for MCAS animals.</span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: small;">-- We have held over 1000 adoption events throughout <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1286162349_0">Montgomery County</span>.</span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: small;">-- Our adoption coordinators have contributed over 2 man-years of service to the County (just physically sitting at adoption events).</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: small;">-- </span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;">We have worked with over 80 businesses and agencies in Montgomery County.</span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: small;">-- Our second year we have increased performance in each of the above categories over first year results.</span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: small;">--We have planned events, arranged <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1286162349_1" style="border-bottom: 2px dotted rgb(54, 99, 136); cursor: pointer;">animal transport</span>, solicited donations of all equipment, tracked our results, participated in marketing, and maintained websites to communicate <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1286162349_2">event schedules</span> to fosters and volunteers</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: small;">-- </span></i><i><span style="font-size: small;">We have, as a team, made a concerted effort to help MCAS staff with <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1286162349_3" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; cursor: pointer;">adoption support functions</span> like help with kennel cards, animal inventories, tracking long-term animals, heartworm and FeLuk testing, on-line inquiries and data input for off-site adoptions.</span></i><br />
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<div class="yiv1005524220MsoNormal"><i>However, I cannot support the current change in direction to a “low-kill” goal.<span> </span>We can do better and the animals depend on us to do so.<span> </span><span> </span>A no-kill goal is non-negotiable. <span> </span>Our resources are too valuable to expend on a lesser goal.<span> </span></i></div><div class="yiv1005524220MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="yiv1005524220MsoNormal"><i>We need:</i><i> </i></div><div class="yiv1005524220MsoNormal"><i>--Leadership that believes it is possible to save all savable animals while maintaining quality of life for each and is dedicated to achieving this goal.</i><i> </i></div><div class="yiv1005524220MsoNormal"><i>--Full implementation all of the programs as identified in the No-Kill Equation (<a href="http://www.nokilladvocacycenter.org/pdf/Equation_000.pdf" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1286209842_4">http://www.nokilladvocacycenter.org/pdf/Equation_000.pdf</span></a>).</i><i> </i></div><div class="yiv1005524220MsoNormal"><i>--A means by which volunteers can participate in the development of policies and programs for their shelter.</i><i> </i></div><div class="yiv1005524220MsoNormal"><i>--An adoption program that is a primary shelter program with substantive shelter support.</i><i> </i></div><div class="yiv1005524220MsoNormal"><i>Animal inventories that are accurate (including fail-proof identification of animals) and used as the basis for formulating needed programs & <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1286209842_5">marketing strategies</span>.</i><i> </i></div><div class="yiv1005524220MsoNormal"><i>--Kennel cards that are complete, informative (including owner turn-in information) and accurate.</i><i><span style="font-family: Symbol;"><span></span></span></i></div><div class="yiv1005524220MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family: Symbol;"><span><span>--</span></span></span>Promised adoption services provided in an efficient manner so that animals can be competitively marketed to the public.</i><i> </i></div><div class="yiv1005524220MsoNormal"><i>--A fail-proof system to assure Spay/Neuter compliance.</i><i> </i></div><div class="yiv1005524220MsoNormal"><i>-- Appropriate goals set and progress toward them measured and communicated publicly.</i></div><div class="yiv1005524220MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="yiv1005524220MsoNormal"><i>It is time to get serious about implementing the only programs shown to be effective in saving all savable animals while maintaining quality of life. <span> </span>Shelters that have accomplished this say that it does not take four years or five years nor does it does require privatization.<span> </span>It does require the right goals, a determined, accountable management & staff and an engaged public, working diligently, and with integrity, to organize this shelter to support all necessary programs.<span> </span>I’m sure that this is possible for MCAS.</i></div><br />
-*-</div><ul></ul><ul></ul><ul></ul><ul></ul><ul></ul><ul></ul><ul></ul><ul></ul>The selfish part of me wants her to continue. But Ms. M. is adamant that the management of the MC Animal Shelter has reneged on promises to dedicate resources toward making the Shelter no-kill. I understand her concerns, and hope that I'll be able to work with her in her next endeavor. For the moment, she plans to take a well-deserved sabbatical and spend time with her family.<br />
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I have had the honor of working with Ms. M. for almost two years, and her dedication and energy has always amazed me. I will miss doing Off-Sites with her. It won't be the same.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYuWM_zLJaJRx7jJV-zgGnQB0HJ34byuOKQAEizFX1p6HIFnwEXIXR13zDnLH9hhR6GIcyBi4uYXdOUcnx79fz8dEf-OwahKT6CDNKUjnpMxdr2zNWfUzKQcl-vglPcBtLSrwNu5C_qU6V/s1600/Gib+Me+Dat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYuWM_zLJaJRx7jJV-zgGnQB0HJ34byuOKQAEizFX1p6HIFnwEXIXR13zDnLH9hhR6GIcyBi4uYXdOUcnx79fz8dEf-OwahKT6CDNKUjnpMxdr2zNWfUzKQcl-vglPcBtLSrwNu5C_qU6V/s320/Gib+Me+Dat.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqMfzcbwPauZRqVJfoE7ZH3y-QCisn2aG8WOWdHTIrQ-g9MoxGmn91Hzvr-ekLBHrBUclwH7xbMrkzXV_7aUTM1iDUXgxlxKy5NnaVmzkb3rZzxMu99SLFSgG285wWyrK0SN6kIa8ernqB/s1600/iWant+Mrs+Puff.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqMfzcbwPauZRqVJfoE7ZH3y-QCisn2aG8WOWdHTIrQ-g9MoxGmn91Hzvr-ekLBHrBUclwH7xbMrkzXV_7aUTM1iDUXgxlxKy5NnaVmzkb3rZzxMu99SLFSgG285wWyrK0SN6kIa8ernqB/s320/iWant+Mrs+Puff.jpg" width="320" /></a>At any rate, I'm not exactly sure what my future with the Shelter will be--right now I am in a "hold" pattern due to High School Band commitments through the end of October.<br />
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I have one foster dog, the awesome Chihuahua senior, Mrs. Puff. I'm working to find her a home. She is a great dog who deserves her own home. Of course, she thinks she already has a home. Here she is scratching a food dish to let me know that a treat might be appropriate.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfFizHwA-pfXWUKm4kSfLGBk7tUyzg3UvvGCMgloLbO-mWONSS2WBV2xY3n5QGFTIadtfZmZb42U9Ra7QLtrJFxqNigIO7sYhx8gazJwyLttPkWZ_FNl3Mzbq1kSBMppsSTjn1KhDoPPl-/s1600/Li'l+Dude+Portrait.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfFizHwA-pfXWUKm4kSfLGBk7tUyzg3UvvGCMgloLbO-mWONSS2WBV2xY3n5QGFTIadtfZmZb42U9Ra7QLtrJFxqNigIO7sYhx8gazJwyLttPkWZ_FNl3Mzbq1kSBMppsSTjn1KhDoPPl-/s320/Li'l+Dude+Portrait.jpg" width="265" /></a>My other Chihuahua foster, the incorrigible but cute "L'il Dude" is now with <a href="http://www.dakotarescue.org/">Dakota Rescue</a>. He'll get neutered then he'll be put up for adoption. I delivered him to his new foster mom in late September. I'll post an update when I have one.<br />
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Meanwhile, my own dog, Chopper, recently adopted from the Shelter, came inside one day with a severe squint in his left eye. I figured he'd poked himself on the shrubbery while trying to get at the neighbor's Labradoodle on the other side of the fence. When the squint didn't ease up, I decided to take him to my Vet. Dr. Williams did a stain and we saw a 2mm "hole" in the cornea. I had to administered antibiotic eye drops and tablets, but the hole has healed quickly and Chopper is back to his normal self.Calsidyrosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12556720235543035084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1133051165432144608.post-74870087131442414202010-09-16T22:37:00.002-05:002010-09-16T23:37:54.705-05:00No Kill vs Train-Wreck Dogs<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbY1MuWaQyuSmf5p7-MG__rVDZ6AUf3jhTQhgQF3k40WHu0ixbX-aC-A6FgqQHqg3Wal_OpypAX-HKxFsjUlxpHKfb8JHBH_5wc2FRlNbFayHelrXz0JjXosrn1HlHx81sMbysQS1YVwTM/s400/HW+Heavy.jpg" width="320" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #783f04;">This dog is probably a great dog.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #783f04;">Photo and caption by Angela Palance,a tireless advocate for the dogs at the Montgomery County Texas Animal Shelter.</span></span></div><br />
I'll be honest: I'm not a total convert to Nathan Winograd's vision of a No-Kill Nation. It's not that I don't want all Shelters to be "no-kill", but it's that I'm not convinced it is an achievable goal. Or even the right goal. But Winograd and his supporters brand folks like me as "part of the problem." We're the "nay-sayers," blocking the path to a swoony no-kill paradise where puppies and kittens are loved forever and ever in homes that make PetsMart managers giddy with joy.<br />
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Just because I have some reservations, doubts or unanswered questions shouldn't make me the enemy. I've put a lot of sweat and tears in animal rescue work. I look at what flows through the doors of the Shelter and wonder what compels us to insist that dogs like the ones below are "adoptable."<br />
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Here is a sample of what you'll find in the Adoption Rooms this week:<br />
<ul><li> Pit Bull mixes with heavy heartworm.</li>
<li>Untrained, barely socialized young Lab mixes who will yank your arms from the sockets.</li>
<li>Elderly Labs who aren't housebroken.</li>
<li>Anxiety-riddled Rat Terriers.</li>
<li>Chihuahuas that look like genetic mish-mashes.</li>
</ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgStASK599Sepa7WXAbtGEIGnTBXK_iGajfy0jpdJTv5KPH7UiCr4DMvYba7qnCKYaNXqzqVrA6T_l9L4zJ9Qnht8JY3tnWL78sgfAlKqpnNNwIohwj9-5PpWoU3cuXVSpoOuz6_rzz8bBn/s320/Choose+Me.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #783f04;">Checkers is falling apart in the Shelter. I can't foster him until my husband leaves for his next business trip because this poor little guy is so anxious he just can't stop barking. It's Shelter stress.</span></span></div><br />
Most of our dogs have at least one and often more health conditions, including (but not limited to) mange, flea dermatitis, giardia, worms, or bad teeth. And almost all of our dogs come with unknown (and unknowable) health and behavioral histories.<br />
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Who in their right mind wants these dogs? Who on earth can afford to treat and care for these dogs?<br />
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And don't think I'm just a heartless cynic. I know what these dogs cost because I just adopted one, my Miniature Pinscher, Chopper, who joined our pack this summer. Chopper was an ideal adoptable candidate from our Shelter. He was already neutered when he arrived, and he received a rabies booster, a heartworm test, microchip, and the Parvo-Distemper shot, plus Strongid for worms.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfctE5mVIvE2zGjtzX5bQ3TUkF_kRq0OAiFpgM31qfkZGFMgf4hO8NRKenKFOFC_SLU8REalBzm0VQpZnlHh94n6QHuqjWN3juGD84htLjeQdJrXMRTMPSfH1kR1PjsO5FCb93H402LFgr/s400/Chopper.jpg" width="400" /></div><div style="color: #783f04; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Chopper, my own personal (and much-loved) train-wreck dog.</span></div><br />
However, Chopper is heartworm positive--so I need $400 to $600 to treat that. He's got one rotten tooth that needs to be pulled at some point (say, $300 or so if I get the tartar scraped while he's under), plus he was positive for giardia. Once my adoption was final, I spent $300 getting Chopper Vet-checked, including a leptospirosis vaccine, fecal smear, urine culture and a blood work panel to make sure he can handle the heartworm treatment and the tooth-removal. I bought two antibiotics, heartworm prevention tabs, flea meds and a round of de-wormer. These were not out-of-the-ordinary expenses.<br />
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Nathan Winograd can talk all he wants about "no-kill" policies, but the one hitch in his giddy-up, the thing that he doesn't address in his best-seller "Redemption," is whether all those wonderful Americans who would love to add a pet to their household are actually willing to put in the financial and physical work it takes to bring a Shelter dog around. At the rate people keep bringing dogs in for owner-surrender, I don't think the American public is near as dog-friendly as Winograd paints it to be.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGc841eGmyoZu3tgR828yczngiTc5p03nJBRDHPY2hUjuciHshP1nF16I-oUG71CCljXjsM-DK0_iihh51_4Gem__mXwkl1KMnEuvUu90ZVOrVvHNipbmMbe01KaTq0faorPgJnPVoZeT1/s320/2nd+Chance+at+Love+002.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #783f04;">Li'l Dude, an un-altered Chihuahua boy is my latest foster. He weighs all of six pounds. He is anxious and very needy. While crated for <b>four</b> hours, he managed to bend the wires on this crate with his teeth, and he chewed up the bed into 2-inch pieces of foam, plus, he got the plastic tray scooted part-way out so he could "push" the crate across the room. He got hold of a cord to a foot control to the sewing machine (after "pushing" the crate) and chewed that up ($89--and I can't tell my husband), then he somehow finagled the door open and left poop surprises upstairs. </span></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #783f04;">He was a very naughty boy. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #783f04;">To top it all off, he's not yet housebroken. And he's a pushy little guy 'cause he's hung like a Clydesdale and has enough testosterone to equip a baseball team. Since </span></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #783f04;">Li'l Dude needs to gain weight before he can be neutered, it's going to be awhile before he loses his family jewels. </span></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #783f04;">I'm in conversation with a rescue group who might be able to take him.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #783f04;"> </span></span></div> Shelter dogs are no bargain. In fact, they are a gamble. And the Shelter doesn't offer guarantees.<br />
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Consider the heartworm issue. Our Shelter was offering the heartworm treatment vaccine for heartworm positive dogs, but that program has been tabled due to the expense to the County. Most likely, I'll be paying for the treatment at retail prices. Meanwhile, at the Shelter, our current dog population is running about 40 percent heartworm positive. So step right up and get yourself a dog, but be prepared to spend some serious money--and shoulder the risks that come with heartworm treatment. At least the dog will love you back. <br />
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And just so you don't think I'm totally against the good news as preached by Winograd, I'm signed up to go to the No-Kill Austin conference at the end of September. I'm willing to listen and be convinced.Calsidyrosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12556720235543035084noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1133051165432144608.post-68130717063609507432010-09-09T08:37:00.002-05:002010-09-09T08:40:56.283-05:00Shelter UpdateWe're working hard at the Shelter to get dogs and cats into fur-ever homes. However, sometimes it feels like an uphill battle.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPbYNxSQhn-oHwRJLs2Fg_UffMG3NZpHGwnhegU2QCMw6KycQKa9Z9NLp7Bo6R6mv5FyZqNMrOlhwI5pYzNoaIZN10ZSIb0PAzpUW_K9yZl9U14-itE9FejiPRPZlFXRu97buBuRGtU9v5/s320/Little+Pepper.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #783f04; font-size: x-small;"><strong>Little Pic-a-Pepper</strong></span></div><br />
On Labor Day, I adopted "Pepper", my spunky little tri-color Chihuahua foster boy. He's going to a home with a puppy mill-Papillon for a friend, and at-home owner who wanted a Chihuahua best friend. Pepper hardly gave me a second glance as he left!<br />
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Then, yesterday, I was waiting to see the Shelter Vet, Dr. D. He was conferring with a new adopter who had brought in a sweet Lab-mix puppy named Maya. The dog was lethargic, shut down, feverish and wouldn't do much more than sleep, plus was suffering from loose stools and poor appetite. When the pup's eyes began oozing green goop, the owner brought the dog in to try and figure out the problem. The prognosis wasn't good--most likely distemper (Even I could tell--the dog's nose was runnning, and the pup had that stunned, woozy-eyed "Big D" look). Dr. D. recommended euthanization, which at that point, was wise. The owner agreed, on the condition (of course) that he could come back in a week or so to choose another dog.<br />
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Meanwhile, the Shelter is overrun with kittens and cats. I heard, unofficially, that approximately 1,000 cats and kittens have made the trip to the EU room in the past few weeks.<br />
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We're running a big Off-Site push at four different PetsMart locations this week, as part of PetsMart's "Second Chance at Love" promotion. The PetsMart Charities are giving larger donations to the Shelter for each pet adopted from September 6th through the 12th. We're struggling with getting volunteers to work the weekday Off-sites--most have day jobs. I've been hauling dogs and working Off-sites all week and am exhausted. My house is a wreck, and my husband is ready to throw a big ol' hissy fit. Rain from Hurricane/Tropical Storm Hermione has slowed everything down. Today, the storms have departed Houston, but the humidity and mosquitoes are back.<br />
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I brought home a tiny, russet-red boy Chihuahua last night. I took him to Off-site, then realized too late that he was ill. He is very underweight, has upper respitory and God knows what else. Plus he's un-altered. He did eat last night, and has eaten this morning. I don't know whether he'll make it or not.<br />
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Here is a video that was made, using footage shot in our Shelter a few weeks ago.<br />
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Since the beginning of summer, we have seen an increase in owner-surrenders and adoption-returns on dogs. The owner-surrender dogs tend to fall apart in the Shelter encvironment. I have been taking Checkers, a five or six year old Rat Terrier to Off-sites. He thinks I'm his savior and he shrieks in his kennel if I walk out of sight, which annoys the PetsMart manager. The store manager is not happy to have us there, but we help increase sales--one of my adopters yesterday spent $96 buying supplies, including a dog crate. I spent $40 both this week and last week buying supplies for my dogs and fosters. It irks me when we can't have what should be a win-win relationship with PetsMart.<br />
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Once this PetsMart deal is done this weekend, we'll be back to our regular schedule--primarily weekend events. I just wish the stream of dogs and cats arriving at the Shelter would ease up.Calsidyrosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12556720235543035084noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1133051165432144608.post-37912791562513679432010-08-31T22:13:00.001-05:002010-08-31T22:15:52.441-05:00Dogs vs MenThis is a video from <a href="http://www.pawsitivelytexas.com/">Pawsitively Texas</a>, a local web hub serving the Houston Metro area. It's short and cute. Watch it!<br />
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<object height="385" width="640"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/80u_o8e4bhI?fs=1&hl=en_US&color1=0xe1600f&color2=0xfebd01"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/80u_o8e4bhI?fs=1&hl=en_US&color1=0xe1600f&color2=0xfebd01" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object>Calsidyrosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12556720235543035084noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1133051165432144608.post-72706676466898796812010-08-28T21:55:00.004-05:002010-08-29T09:54:24.513-05:00Bow Wow Bash & The Pet Psychic<b style="color: #783f04;">First, the caveat: </b> <i>I am not a true believer in pet psychics, but there is that "Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus!" part of me that absolutely wishes, really, really that it could be true. If someone asked me to clap my hands so a dog could talk to a pet psychic, I'd do it.</i><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6LYxw3bX1Xx-02bytW5hjgrTgeCDX82BpKuXXOkT6SER7PpuwW6weER7rDoyFAyef786Vsj_FmZdvR4PA4XLNc7Wga4aFbNho91fpjIIbt8pl67hHNx6qHfe60SOuv1x7_JXbIIy8TPMD/s1600/Psychic+Lights.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6LYxw3bX1Xx-02bytW5hjgrTgeCDX82BpKuXXOkT6SER7PpuwW6weER7rDoyFAyef786Vsj_FmZdvR4PA4XLNc7Wga4aFbNho91fpjIIbt8pl67hHNx6qHfe60SOuv1x7_JXbIIy8TPMD/s320/Psychic+Lights.jpg" width="296" /></a></div><br />
Thus said, this afternoon, I had the honor of meeting Sonya Fitzgerald, the famous animal communicator who dominated the cable station "Animal Planet" a few years back.<br />
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Ms. Sonya was the guest at our shelter's super sponsors, the awesome <a href="http://www.barkerstreetbakery.com/">Barker Street Bakery</a> in The Woodlands, TX. The good folks at Barker hosted the "Bow Wow Bash," complete with a dog-themed jump house for the kids, a pet-food donation drive, and a raffle that included goodies such as a flat-screen TV and a big leopard-print dog bed filled with treats and toys. More than $2,600 was raised for the <a href="http://www.fmctas.org/">Friends of the Montgomery Animal Shelter</a>, one of the non-profits who help our Shelter dogs by providing funds for Veterinary care and other needs. What a phenomenal fundraiser!<br />
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I took my bouncy little foster Chihuahua, Pepper, to the event, hoping to find him a home. Ms. Sonya was inside the store, talking to folks and their pets. I joined the line of devoted pet owners and their well-loved dogs, including a Catahoula mix wearing a devil costume, extra-fluffy Pomeranians, and Shelter rescues that included a distemper-survivor Spaniel mix who had severe tremors in her back legs.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5B3pmgZdHWxSSO8gOxmqjmfxVBa_7mLjjFbafLGcPLJWnIjpqbYJMp0QWw1BMyQwgIbdC-_DwwCvtcdQNUpG6jFTJBE6n3j9IQNgDKM_QMdhAcVIinBeltkQBZED7Z6eC1iJibfplFi4w/s1600/Pet+Psychic+004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5B3pmgZdHWxSSO8gOxmqjmfxVBa_7mLjjFbafLGcPLJWnIjpqbYJMp0QWw1BMyQwgIbdC-_DwwCvtcdQNUpG6jFTJBE6n3j9IQNgDKM_QMdhAcVIinBeltkQBZED7Z6eC1iJibfplFi4w/s320/Pet+Psychic+004.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #783f04;">Doggy cookies spell out the event name.</span></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">Ms. Sonya Fitzpatrick was a huge hit with all the dogs and their people, graciously greeting more than two dozen pets and their owners. Ms. Sonya wasn’t doing full readings, but she did convey things that were on the various dogs’ minds.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSDAYK7hFx_JIUOxUMmgyLXfsU_0jxHFrJiw5yqov4sfgxkETXkJW9-XvSOEgonmV7dFdu4OE1DrL0kPsgAO3TRgbDAnk6yofkzaSIE42lrXbn9IONVpY2AJyQvM5DtGiMJhhTSmukau2n/s1600/Ms+Sonya+%26+Pepper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSDAYK7hFx_JIUOxUMmgyLXfsU_0jxHFrJiw5yqov4sfgxkETXkJW9-XvSOEgonmV7dFdu4OE1DrL0kPsgAO3TRgbDAnk6yofkzaSIE42lrXbn9IONVpY2AJyQvM5DtGiMJhhTSmukau2n/s400/Ms+Sonya+%26+Pepper.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: center;"> <span style="color: #783f04; font-size: x-small;">We meet Sonya Fitzgerald.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"> <span style="font-size: small;">Pepper was a very good boy, considering the crowded store, antsy dogs and delicious treats and toys on display. When our turn came, I put him on the table. I had on my MCAS apron and I told Ms. Sonya he was my foster Shelter dog. I had written “ADOPT ME” on a shipping tag and attached it, a lá Alice in Wonderland’s famous “DRINK ME” order, and he’d already gotten many compliments and had his photo taken. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Ms Sonya said Pepper wanted me to know these things: “He wants to stay at your house. He loves it there. He likes everybody and he feels so loved. He doesn’t want to go with anyone else because he loves you best and most and you will cry if someone else takes him.” (Pepper is right, of course, but anyone could have told me that!)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Ms. Sonya promised to “tell” him that I will find him the best home for him and that I’ll always love him.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Pepper asked what happened to the other dog who was visiting.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">That had to be Tucker, I said, completely, totally captivated, in spite of myself. I asked Ms. Sonya to tell Pepper that Tucker was now home with his Mommy and that we were only babysitting. Then I asked if Pepper had anything to say about an older female dog.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">“He says she’s rude,” Ms. Sonya said before I even finished. “Rude, rude, rude. Quite the rudest dog he’s ever met and he doesn’t like her, not at all.” I’m not sure if Pepper meant Mrs. Puff my senior Chi or Cross my little Rat Terrier mix, who had been very bossy toward him at first, but now is willing to wrestle. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Then I asked if Pepper liked the name we had given him. Ms. Sonya said that he likes all the names I call him. (I pick out a name, but call most of my fosters by sweetie-names like "Snickers", "Pup-Pup" and "Little Dude" or the like. Pepper told Ms. Sonya that likes it that I talk to him and the other dogs all the time. (I do). But most of all he liked it when he got to sleep with me (I let him snuggle with me on the couch and once in bed). That was the best thing.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Pepper also told her that he is a good barker, a very good barker. (I have to agree with that). Pepper also said he is a very good guard dog and that I need him to do that job for me. He didn’t want to go home with anyone else today. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWNkc_u4y_xOI0uTEYLGVtKJ1cpUpPdfhkYpghfR2Jz2_1z9wzj9THvcUeMz4NajgK4XcjhQiW62rLLMSlcqOrYcduzxa1eMYaQN9-bgkarmzCiS91kzxMANsfih8WVyo_3lgDzJn0a66k/s1600/Hooker.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWNkc_u4y_xOI0uTEYLGVtKJ1cpUpPdfhkYpghfR2Jz2_1z9wzj9THvcUeMz4NajgK4XcjhQiW62rLLMSlcqOrYcduzxa1eMYaQN9-bgkarmzCiS91kzxMANsfih8WVyo_3lgDzJn0a66k/s400/Hooker.jpg" width="377" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: center;"><o:p></o:p> <span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #783f04;">There were many personalities at the Bash, including this Rottie Mix named "Hooker." I have never seen a dog willingly wear real shoes. She could walk with them on, too. Compared to this sweet girl, my own dogs lead very dull lives!</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">I know it’s silly, but I just got emotional about the whole thing. Ms. Sony thanked me for the work I do for these dogs and we made our exit. It's no matter whether her talent is real or not. The hard-working volunteers and generous donors pulled off a great event--Pepper got his photo taken for the newspaper, which may help him find the home he deserves, and I got to meet a celebrity who made me feel just a bit special. What's not to like?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">-*-</div><span style="font-size: x-small;">"Sign" photo courtesy of <a href="http://tvindy.typepad.com/photos/the_neon_lights_of_muncie/index.html">TVindy</a>. Photo of Pepper with Ms. Sonya and me--taken on my camera by a girlfriend.</span><br />
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Calsidyrosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12556720235543035084noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1133051165432144608.post-33150323223318151112010-08-27T20:31:00.002-05:002010-08-27T20:45:58.066-05:00Interesting Changes in the Breed<object height="344" style="background-image: url("http://i4.ytimg.com/vi/SRU8UdMnssU/hqdefault.jpg");" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/SRU8UdMnssU?fs=1&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/SRU8UdMnssU?fs=1&hl=en_US" allowscriptaccess="never" allowfullscreen="true" wmode="transparent" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" height="344" width="425"></embed></object><br />
I bookmarked this video some time ago, but it's well-worth watching, even though the video quality is not the best. What you will see is the transformation of a sturdy, big-headed, straight-backed working dog into a sloped or roached-back dog with a much light structure and a much weaker hindquarters.<br />
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Put together by a breeder of German Shepherds, this video compares photos of champions over time--from the 1940s to the early 2000s. It's mind-boggling to see how drastically the breed has changed in both the "American" and "German" lines. No wonder modern show-quality GSDs wobble so much as they walk.Calsidyrosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12556720235543035084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1133051165432144608.post-81857061023673905872010-08-20T22:26:00.000-05:002010-08-20T22:26:40.690-05:00This is a Bait Dog<div style="color: red; text-align: center;"><b>-*-WARNING-*- </b></div><div style="color: red; text-align: center;"><b>While there is no blood or raw flesh, these photos may be upsetting for some people.</b></div><div style="color: red; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCzK-kgrXMQfa_5XwDINR9C0hjpZLucAA4lji9dpaxfficNfF0ACpvd_TtWtBIFdpW_aEoS914JMFi1vZTgG2QFdQNK8B4F1OQPKFg7L5T7p4Kf9PjN6SgUr1XrQI8f7rCCAZMaTsVnrgu/s1600/Bait+Dog+Portrait.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCzK-kgrXMQfa_5XwDINR9C0hjpZLucAA4lji9dpaxfficNfF0ACpvd_TtWtBIFdpW_aEoS914JMFi1vZTgG2QFdQNK8B4F1OQPKFg7L5T7p4Kf9PjN6SgUr1XrQI8f7rCCAZMaTsVnrgu/s320/Bait+Dog+Portrait.jpg" /></a></div><div style="color: #783f04; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The only natural white fur on this dog is the white on his throat.</span></div><br />
Meet "Scrappy" (not his 'real' name, as his foster plans to find a better one). He is a silver-blue, full blood American Pit Bull Terrier. He is young, crate-trained, eager-to-please, good with cats, house-trained and just a tad protective of his people. Oh, and he doesn't fight.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoAhzraCHkW3M1wJg1XLtPqfKt3-iMIcSO30QhB31IpE4FqWslcWlnU-1FJNVdIWortt1Ve2t9ycwmvm5FLB37Mgc6XYWIhZIiBXFGCYvMRr2M2yBDvSCOhyphenhyphenl2kj7kRtwbBS7u_9IHVfR9/s1600/Bait+Dog+Fetch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoAhzraCHkW3M1wJg1XLtPqfKt3-iMIcSO30QhB31IpE4FqWslcWlnU-1FJNVdIWortt1Ve2t9ycwmvm5FLB37Mgc6XYWIhZIiBXFGCYvMRr2M2yBDvSCOhyphenhyphenl2kj7kRtwbBS7u_9IHVfR9/s400/Bait+Dog+Fetch.jpg" width="286" /></a></div><br />
That is, he doesn't fight or assert himself with other dogs. Hence, his scars. Scrappy is a "bait dog"--he was used to give fighting Pit Bulls more confidence. Turned in as a stray (what did you expect?) Scrappy arrived with raw wounds, badly infected cropped ears and a swollen leg due to a severe wound.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiwNJ9A7Zm_0G_LBpDK6RmXq4UdMlKptAvzw7LxTcO5J81bB0jUYViV0ftx5yX8lRqeTa0bkBGytKpYoPA-9KKsn5LHsKcJrslfa2o2YcNzKtSqIt6EsXzHezfyB6iT5cvZhnjfm78wjpA/s1600/Bait+Dog+with+Toy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiwNJ9A7Zm_0G_LBpDK6RmXq4UdMlKptAvzw7LxTcO5J81bB0jUYViV0ftx5yX8lRqeTa0bkBGytKpYoPA-9KKsn5LHsKcJrslfa2o2YcNzKtSqIt6EsXzHezfyB6iT5cvZhnjfm78wjpA/s320/Bait+Dog+with+Toy.jpg" /></a></div><div style="color: #783f04; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The worst scars are on his neck and hindquarters.</span></div><br />
At first it was assumed Scrappy would be euthanized, but somehow he made it to a foster home. His wounds are healing, although many of the scars will never regain hair, and others are coming in with white fur instead of silver. He is gaining weight and will soon be neutered.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDSAwFlsBxKOhPdAoI876XzgZYimL41BkpuopKRlBSO4CsjSfDMO278FuQg3W-YOCu22G63ERyJapCR82z4_dlO0B-xwy7x5IKBmoZLpQUNdxRW3nytzBSwdpVic0JdHrz4Cq-A4lA1-9m/s1600/Bait+Dog+Sit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDSAwFlsBxKOhPdAoI876XzgZYimL41BkpuopKRlBSO4CsjSfDMO278FuQg3W-YOCu22G63ERyJapCR82z4_dlO0B-xwy7x5IKBmoZLpQUNdxRW3nytzBSwdpVic0JdHrz4Cq-A4lA1-9m/s400/Bait+Dog+Sit.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Scrappy is living, breathing testimony to the horrors of dog-fighting. To know that this big, sweet, lug of a dog had no other purpose than to serve as a target for training other dogs is to see the proof in how a superbly people-oriented, eager-to-please breed can be manipulated into performing as a fighting machine. Scrappy wasn't "game" but dogs like him suffer just as much as the game "champions" in the ring. The scars are testimony to the courage of Pit Bulls, but it is the breed's courage that has been a burden. It's a shameful thing that a dog like Scrappy has had to endure so much.Calsidyrosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12556720235543035084noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1133051165432144608.post-2212748834147328842010-08-19T11:19:00.000-05:002010-08-19T11:19:09.636-05:00The Chihuahua Whisperer<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfdR1FWM0viXpjx-hj8NGBBttzHPapITFuBhwPnSKqIle9GDRMv5jStb92UymMgtP7Vp0q1HSr9SO2BFUiWP-Bc0LT0thSORz9M9pM53aDV__fVigK0R5xZ5v61Yfb1PkaZuu9erzA9VvM/s1600/Chi+Conga+Line.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="107" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfdR1FWM0viXpjx-hj8NGBBttzHPapITFuBhwPnSKqIle9GDRMv5jStb92UymMgtP7Vp0q1HSr9SO2BFUiWP-Bc0LT0thSORz9M9pM53aDV__fVigK0R5xZ5v61Yfb1PkaZuu9erzA9VvM/s640/Chi+Conga+Line.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>She's short, pudgy and middle-aged. Tiny dogs adore her. Their teeth and barking are only temporary obstacles. She takes these little critters with huge Napoleon complexes and teaches them how to be loving lap dogs. She is...The Chihuahua Whisperer.<br />
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BTW, these are the Chi's I've fostered since I started working with The Montgomery County, Texas, Animal Shelter (MCTAS). I've also adopted out other Chihuahuas and Chi-mixes at Off-Site events. I admit it: I am addicted to tiny dogs. :)Calsidyrosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12556720235543035084noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1133051165432144608.post-48215680438883642812010-08-16T17:43:00.001-05:002010-08-20T22:01:45.580-05:00Don't Pity the Shelter Dog<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyu2VDPRmhFYB2FXZyR8PFrHUVJqk6P2eOV0S8FWTfSqvnaPBPQmKwn2OXhpMcq84ZQ5MbnjMGrL7Bq0Uj8oaiJ7SHmXrpdjeOKBg8C8ovX5FPtH2amL00YyuvR69SbJ1iJsUSry_W2Fgg/s1600/Dog's+Eye.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyu2VDPRmhFYB2FXZyR8PFrHUVJqk6P2eOV0S8FWTfSqvnaPBPQmKwn2OXhpMcq84ZQ5MbnjMGrL7Bq0Uj8oaiJ7SHmXrpdjeOKBg8C8ovX5FPtH2amL00YyuvR69SbJ1iJsUSry_W2Fgg/s400/Dog's+Eye.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<b>Okay, it's an advertising line for Pedigree Dog Food, but it's true--don't pity the Shelter dog</b>.<br />
Pity never helped anyone, dog or person. Pity is easy, cheap and pointless. The key is to do something. I always have to tamp down the inclination to get hacked off when people come up to our Off-Site animals and say, "Oh, I could never do you what you are doing."<br />
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It's not rocket science, folks. It's not a 26-mile foot race. It's not a solo piano concert at Carnegie hall. It's just taking some sort of action. I know there are many reasons why some animal lovers can't do some aspects of the sort of volunteer work I do--allergies, parental responsibilities, incompatible work schedules, a reluctant spouse. You know, life stuff.<br />
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But don't give me lame excuses and expect me to absolve you of your pity. I don't have the time. It's hot out right now. The dogs are arriving in greater numbers at the Shelter. Those in charge of the County coffers are having second thoughts about taking the Shelter to a No-Kill position. Fosters are in short supply. Things are tough all over, and pity doesn't help.<br />
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So, here's what you can do next time you see me at an Off-Site event: Put some money in the damn donation jar. Or offer to walk a dog. Buy a box of dog biscuits or a leash or a collar, and donate them to the cause so I don't have to buy these things each week. If I'm by myself at the Off-site, offer to sit and just watch the animals so I can go take a bathroom break. These are the easy things, things you can do anytime you see animal rescue volunteers with adoptable dogs and cats at PetsMart, Petco, or other public places. These things are helpful.<br />
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Of course, you could volunteer your time to foster an animal. "Oh, I'd never be able to give them up if I fostered one," I hear people say. Nonsense. You're not taking the animal to keep. You are providing a crate, a bed, good food, a bath, a routine, some basic training, and some love. It's not that complicated. Okay, it's a lot more complicated if you take a sick, injured animal, or a litter of puppies, or a clutch of tiny kittens that need to be bottle-fed, but we have so many animals in need that you have your pick. You don't have to take on the worst case right out the chutes.<br />
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Foster homes improve a dog's chances of being adopted. A clean, exercised, well-fed dog is much more likely to find a home. A dog with any kind of a "history"--information a foster learns about the dog's temperament and needs--is much more adoptable. Sure, you take the risk of having a "foster fail" (when you end up keeping the foster animal), but there are folks who can help you avoid that if you feel so tempted. Besides, we all have foster fails.<br />
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If you can't do any the things I've suggested, at least do these things:<br />
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1.) Spay or neuter all your pets. The world does not need another litter of puppies or kittens.<br />
2.) Don't buy from roadside breeders or "puppy stores."<br />
3.) Make sure your dog is taking monthly heartworm prevention.<br />
4.) Microchip your pet and register the number.<br />
5.) Don't let your dog run loose. Don't keep your dog all day long in a backyard unless you have a properly constructed kennel with shade, shelter and fresh water and food.<br />
6.) Don't chain your dog.<br />
7.) Train your dog so he or she can be a good member of your family.<br />
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Above all, don't ever pity the Shelter dog. Adopt one. Foster one. Or donate your time and money. It's not hard to help.Calsidyrosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12556720235543035084noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1133051165432144608.post-54490075531110672682010-08-12T11:33:00.005-05:002010-08-12T11:47:24.626-05:00Doing it for the Dogs, Not for the Rush<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtOI6NVSiUZxgYmp0cWg-ALE7q5uNzxtWLoV8vYAesmmMXYKnuF-2EjZsolL6OAaqsGoDHBXxpCEeZveRpkPZ45di0FFia15pv3WNxXYo0UFS2dD_uN0z67GkWKo0m3ujf5lTX8SQmPFGG/s1600/Puppies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="327" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtOI6NVSiUZxgYmp0cWg-ALE7q5uNzxtWLoV8vYAesmmMXYKnuF-2EjZsolL6OAaqsGoDHBXxpCEeZveRpkPZ45di0FFia15pv3WNxXYo0UFS2dD_uN0z67GkWKo0m3ujf5lTX8SQmPFGG/s400/Puppies.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Today’s <a href="http://dogsdeservefreedom.blogspot.com/">post</a> on Dogs Deserve Freedom made me want to commit to print a theory I’ve long held about the nature of animal-rescue volunteers. People who are attracted to animal rescue are passionate, committed, prone to seeking justice and, above all, they are addicted to the rush. Yes, the rush. The high. We’re in for the dogs, but the rush is exhilarating. It’s really what drives us.<br />
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Animal rescue is as exciting and unpredictable as car racing (Yes, I’m reading <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Art-Racing-Rain-Novel/dp/0061537969/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1281630449&sr=1-1">“The Art of Racing in the Rain.”</a>). When I get a dog out of the kill room, or pull a sick animal through a deadly illness, or place a dog with a good family, I feel the rush. The adrenaline kicks in when we walk into the Shelter, and it ratchets upward when we are confronted with the evidence of a throw-away society. I feel like a superhero—although it pains me to admit it—when I pull a dog from a kennel. And the dogs worship me. I bask in their neediness. In some ways, I can’t help it—I’m a long-time volunteer, a parent and a recovering co-dependent.<br />
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Working a good 12-step program and maturity have helped me to identify my danger zones—the times when I’m too close, too enmeshed, and too focused. That’s when I have learned to draw back and take deep breath and remember why I am doing animal rescue: <b><i> </i></b><b><i>I’m doing it for the dog</i></b>. One dog at a time. Okay, maybe two or three at a time. I have done it for Queenie, JoJo, Aribella (those are the ones who died). I have done it for Dancer, Snowy, Rusty, Riley, Chloe, and countless others. But if I’m honest, it always comes back to the rush. That rush just feels so good. It makes me feel so alive.<br />
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The urge to seek the rush is why I think that animal rescue groups have such difficulty working together. Each person firmly, passionately believes that his or her way of doing animal rescue is the best way to “save” dogs. I call it the “Most-est Right-est” Syndrome. In short, MY way is the RIGHT way to save the animal. The rush is calling us.<br />
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Because it is so difficult for the animal rescue volunteer to compromise, or even to entertain the idea that there may be more than one “right” way to do things, groups view each other as the “enemy.” Shelter staff people are “evil”—callous, uncaring, curt and harsh. Breed Rescue groups are “greedy”, cherry-picking the “best” dogs and leaving the train wrecks in the Shelter. Shelter volunteers are “lone wolf” types, preferring to run their own Off-Sites their own ways. The fund-raising group feels that the Off-site volunteers are “cheating” them of donations. The person who is “Most-est Right-est” generally sets the agenda, and sometimes that agenda isn’t all that good for the animals. However, the moment an agenda is set, the in-fighting begins again. It’s all about the rush.<br />
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People bristle if any sort of structure or cooperation is suggested. I have watched volunteers accuse other volunteers of “animal cruelty”. In the Shelter or at an Off-site, you can come home feeling like you’ve run a marathon. You feel vindicated, victorious. The rush is so addictive.<br />
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I watch as our groups, splinter and re-splinter, fracturing like cracks in ice floes, cleaving off and creating new groups that will crack, fracture and cleave yet again. What is my defense? Well, I try to keep to the focus on the animal, the individual dog. I remind myself by keeping a collar filled with tags and bells from animals I’ve helped. I take photos, most of which are never posted on-line, to help me remember the dogs.<br />
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My goal is to keep my focus where it should be, which is on what's best for each dog. By doing animal rescue volunteer work, I can make life better, even if just for a brief moment, for one dog.<br />
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I wish our groups could cooperate more. I try to keep an open mind. I try to work for the greater good, even when inside, I feel my own way is “Most-est Right-est.” I try to remember that isn’t about me. It isn’t about the rush, it’s about the dogs.Calsidyrosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12556720235543035084noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1133051165432144608.post-61219940379560206072010-08-11T22:26:00.003-05:002010-11-17T13:07:45.616-06:00Old Dogs<div style="float: right; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/calsidyrose/4864533068/" title="photo sharing"><img alt="" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4120/4864533068_650c16c301_m.jpg" style="border: 2px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);" /></a><br /><span style="margin-top: 0px;font-size:0.9em;" ><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/calsidyrose/4864533068/">Senior Citizen Chihuahua</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/calsidyrose/">Calsidyrose</a></span></div>I feel the worst for the old dogs who come into the Shelter. The ones like Mrs. Puff, the old Chihuahua surrendered two weeks ago.<br /><br />No one noted any remarks beyond "owner surrender" on her intake paperwork. She is heartworm negative, so someone was caring for her, at least that much. But not enough to keep her to the end of her days.<br /><br />She is so self-contained, so fully aware--she watches me and I can hear her thoughts: <br /><br />You are nice, but...<br />The couch is comfy, but...<br />I like your grass, but...<br />The food is good, but...<br /><br />Sometimes it is difficult to meet her gaze, which is intensely direct and unflinching. Her ears stand up like bat wings, and she follows my movements with her gaze, clouded though it is due to beginnings of cataracts.<br /><br />I wonder if her owner thinks about her. I know Mrs. Puff has thought hard about her person. I know the first day I met Mrs. Puff, she was looking for her person. We were at an Off-Site at the local cinema-complex, a place I'm sure Mrs. Puff had never been. But she had a purpose--she was, like the Blues Brothers, on a mission from God.<br /><br />All day, in spite of the heat, she padded forward, first one direction, then the next, walking as far as the leash would permit, her gaze direct and unflinching, her bat-wing ears perked forward, listening. Her confidence was palpable. Her person would come.<br /><br />I took her home. I've fed her, gotten her on a potty schedule, fixed a bed by the dresser in my bedroom since she complains if she's crated. I've given her meds for kennel cough, cleaned out her ears, and dosed her with benadryl when her itchies become too bothersome. I've placed an ad extolling her virtues, but no one has responded. I am not her person. I am her foster.<br /><br />Two days ago, I sensed a shift in Mrs. Puff. A flicker of depression. An awareness that her person is not coming. Now she is focused fully on me, on my daughter, and my son. She wants her bed in a certain spot. She wants help onto the couch. She wants her food. She has surrendered her heart to me. And it makes my heart ache to know this.Calsidyrosehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12556720235543035084noreply@blogger.com2