Sunday, February 28, 2010

Another Reason Why It's Important To Adopt From Your Local Shelter or Rescue

According to the
American Humane Organization, nearly 10 million animals are euthanized annually in the United States. ( I think it's more than that personally since not all shelters report their stats and most are not required to report them either)

To break it down, that's:

  • 10,000,000 every year
  • 833,333 every month
  • 191,780 every week
  • 27,397 each day
  • 1141 every hour of the day 7 days a week
  • or think of it as 19 animals put to sleep every second of every hour of every day each year
I think that speaks volumes. When I hear about people buying dogs, I usually tell them that they have just killed a dog in a shelter that is waiting for a home. I know it's harsh to say-I'm sorry.
But by doing that, you just took away another dogs chance at hope. In addition, when you buy a dog from a pet store, you are supporting the puppymill industry. A disgusting industry that puts profit before welfare. I've only mentioned puppy mills about a million times-they breed misery. More on that later....
I think the statistics above are startling. Hopefully someone will read that and change their mind about buying and adopt instead. A girl can hope right?...



Old souls make the best companions....

My friend Debb who runs S.T.I.C.K.S. (I've mentioned them in prior posts -SUPPLYING TECHNOLOGY IN COUNTY KILL SHELTERS ORG.) http://www.sticksorg.com/urgent.html is in need of help with a lot of dogs coming out of the GA area. All are worthy, all in need of rescue. It's hard NOT to help. All rescues are short on help, resources, volunteers, and money right now. We all do what we can, but we need to do more. She sent me this please yesterday for the senior dogs below. Senior dogs make wonderful additions to any family. To mention a few reasons why people should adopt senior dogs....


*Older dogs are house trained. You won't have to go through the difficult stage(s) of teaching a puppy house manners and mopping/cleaning up after accidents

*Older dogs are not teething puppies, and won't chew your shoes and furniture while growing up.

*Older dogs can focus well because they've mellowed. Therefore, they learn quickly

*Older dogs settle in easily, because they've learned what it takes to get along with others and become part of a pack.

*Older dogs are good at giving love, once they get into their new, loving home. They are grateful for the second chance they've been given.

*Older dogs leave you time for yourself, because they don't make the kinds of demands on your time and attention that puppies and young dogs do.


PLEASE FOLLOW THE LINK ABOVE OR BELOW TO HELP WITH THE SENORS DOGS!



The story of these three goes back a few months. They were all three picked up as strays and placed in a rural Georgia shelter. As typical with most older strays, they were in deplorable condition. They all had issues - mange, under weight, parasites, tumors, old injuries - eyes, ears, and even open sores all had to be dealt with. Sadly they were very uncertain of just what a bunch of 'humans' were up to. Evidently they had been living, no not living - more like surviving, on their own for quite some time. Then once they got 'picked up' and 'thrown in jail' their lives were destined to change forever. Thankfully, this time, it would be for the better.

They had a long road to travel, multiple trips to the vets for various conditions and most importantly learning that humans aren't such a bad creature to associate with. Finn quickly learned that living 'indoors' was the life for him and we really think it was his attitude that helped the other two adapt. Granted Marshal and Rusty weren't as eager and it took several attempts before we gained their trust.

Now these three are doing so much better, they have adapted very well, their medical conditions are much better, the old injuries are healed. Our next step is for the three of them to be neutered, and then hopefully they will find that one thing they deserve,a real honest to goodness home - one where they can live the remainder of their lives living in the fantastic indoor.



http://www.sticksorg.com/

For more info, you can email Debb at : STICKS.ORG@GMAIL.COM

Thank you for caring!!


Saturday, February 27, 2010

Visiting old friends

Last week I was able to visit with Leche (formerly Bogart) and his sister Winfrey and mommy Mickey. The best part of doing rescue is seeing a dog succeed in a new home, and to be loved and cherished by their new family. Clearly this is the case here.Leche has not been an easy case, so I have to give props to Mickey for all the time and energy she has put into training him. Because he is deaf, training is much more challenging. I was very impressed when I went to visit to see how well he has learned so many commands. Sit, turn, lay, and even hand me your left paw and right. He knows the difference! Those are just a few of the hand commands he has learned. Right now she is working on his training outside of the house. It seems Leche is over stimulated with all the stuff going on around him-especially when he can see it and not hear it. But in time, this will be resolved. I took some great pics during my visit. I had a great time visiting with all of them. Thank you Mickey for giving Leche such an amazing home!
Leche is smiling~


Running in the tennis courts
I think this is when Mickey gestured up and he laid on top of her. Look how cute he is!!
Winfrey and Leche on mom

This is Winfrey-Leche's sister

Look at that face? Hard to believe that the shelter in GA was hours away from euthanizing him b/c he is deaf. Mickey called me later that day to tell me that when I left, Leche stood up at the window and cried. I guess he must remember me. I believe that rescued dogs never forget the person who saved their life. But they save us right back in so many other ways......

Friday, February 26, 2010

For the Love of the Dog and No justice for Sire. The puppy punched and killed by Bobby Loggins.

One of my favorite sites is called http://fortheloveofthedogblog.com/ . It covers topics about animal abuse, laws, current legislation, has tons of resources, and so much more. One of my favorite things about the site is that it follows the cases and gives you a follow up on what the punishment was for that particular crime. They do something called the "Justice Round Up". I had to republish this story because it is mind blowing. When you read the story below you will wonder how this judge handed out such a light sentence to this piece of garbage who beat his 5 week old dog to death because the "dog was his own" for peeing on the rug. So it's okay to beat an animal to death in your own home, just not outside of the home? Did I mention again that this dog was 5 weeks old?? Not that a dog of any age deserves this ever. This dog was just starting his poor life-which I think what makes it even harder to stomach. People that commit these kinds of crimes are proven to go on to commit more violent crimes, and I think this guy is clearly a sociopath. I have ZERO tolerance or sympathy for this man and personally I hope he rots in hell. This kind of stuff absolutely sets me into a tailspin of anger. One of the biggest issues that continue to go on in our society, is that even when these criminals are caught in the act they get a slap on the wrist. How can we send a message that animal cruelty will not be tolerated if we don't punish the abusers? If someone did this to a child, do you think they would only get 30 days in jail? Hell no! I would like to tell you that this kind of case is unusual and rarely happens, but unfortunately it isn't. Here is a link that shows you where your state ranks in terms animal cruelty laws and protection, and what is and isn't considered a crime in you state. The Animal Legal Defense Fund puts this out every year, and they provide a ton of valuable information.

http://www.aldf.org/article.php?id=1142


Here is the story from FTLTD:

Bobby Loggins, who last summer, punched his five-month-old American Bulldog 30 times in the facekilling it, has been convicted of Animal Torture. In Iowa, Animal Torture is an aggravated misdemeanor that carries a sentence of up to two years in prison. Just this past Friday, Judge Gary E. Wenell sentenced Bobby Loggins to 365 days in jail but suspended 335 days of that sentence and credited Loggins for time already served. He only spends 30 days in jail.



The sentence this judge handed down to this knuckledragger, Bobby Loggins, is a complete joke. Get this. Here is the Judge’s reasoning for giving the light sentence:“The dog was his own. It was not some valuable fancy show dog belonging to another. It was not a neighbor boy’s dog, it was not an elderly person’s companion…We do not have a statewide problem with this kind of crime.”Whoa…whoa…wait a minute…because he owned the animal it it’s OK to give him a light sentence? Because Sire was not some valuable fancy show dog and because it was not the neighbor boy’s or an elderly person’s companion he shouldn’t have to face much jail time?And he thinks there is no statewide problem with this kind of crime? Well golly gee Your Honor, you sure as hell will have a statewide problem now!And of course, Loggins’ wife, Rochelle, boohooed it to the court. She described her husband as a “very good” father and said he did not have a history of domestic violence or abuse in the home. The loss of her husband’s income, if he were incarcerated, would create a hardship for her and the couple’s two children, ages 5 and 10.No abuse in the home? He beat a puppy to death. Hate to see what she considers real abuse. At the trial, Loggins’ friend Chad Peterson testified


……that on June 9 he drank beer and smoked marijuana with Loggins while fishing on the Missouri River. Later that day at Loggins’ home, Peterson said, he saw Loggins feed the puppy, Sire, “bowl after bowl of beer.” When the puppy urinated on the dining room carpet, Peterson said, he saw Loggins straddle it, put his arm around it and punch it more than 10 times in the head. Loggins then picked the puppy up by its tail and ears and took it outside through a back door. Peterson testified that when Loggins brought the puppy back inside the house and set it on the kitchen floor, it couldn’t walk and was bleeding. “To me it looked like the dog was paralyzed,” he said. “He was shaking. It looked like convulsions. He was coughing up blood.”

While Peterson knelt down next to the puppy and tried to comfort it, he said, Loggins stood there and showed no remorse for what had happened. Peterson said he confronted Loggins about his reaction and that Loggins shoved him into a chair and told him to leave.



Let’s see, this good father was also charged with false reporting after he told police the dog had just been hit by a car. Then he changed his story to the police – he accidentally slammed the dog’s head in the door.Oh, and according to court records in Woodbury County, Bobby Loggins has 25 cases for driving violations or drugs. The latest case for animal torture brings the total to date to 26 cases. Most of these are driving violations but what’s troubling is that Bobby Loggins has been labeled a “habitual offender” by consistently driving while his license was suspended/revoked. Keywords here: Habitual Offender. Bobby Loggins is a ticking time bomb. And Rochelle Loggins is obviously a few fries short of a Happy Meal. In addition to jail time, Loggins must pay a $625 fine and $300 to the Iowa Department of Corrections. He will also reimburse the Woodbury County Jail $50 for each day he is incarcerated. Loggins is required to undergo substance abuse counseling and a psychological evaluation. Loggins will be on probation for 18 months upon his release. Should anyone wish to let the Judge know their thoughts, your firm but respectful letters can be sent to:


Leesa McNeil

District Court Administrator

Woodbury County Courthouse

7th and Douglas,

Room 210

Sioux City, IA 51101


Iowa…you have a problem. In fact, it looks like you have several problems.



Thank you FTLD for the reprint. Deanna you rock!! Andrea-thank you for the justice round up!!



Thursday, February 25, 2010

If you're thinking of adopting..

Sometimes it gets very frustrating in rescue to hear the constant "reasons" why people want to get rid of their animals. I have heard a lot of things through the years-everything from "she/he is too old", to "She/he is just too hyper. We didn't think puppies had this much energy".
It makes me angry because people take on a living creature, and when things get tough they immediately want to give up and turn their animal into a shelter or rescue. They just don't want the responsibility when things get hard. I will never understand how people can discard their valuables that way. This life that depends on you day after day and just wants to be by your side, giving you unconditional love everyday. They ask for nothing in return. If a child gets to be too much, you don't turn them into a shelter to be put to sleep? So why should an animals life be any less important? Sometimes I have to explain this concept to people to make them understand. Every life counts. You can't just give up because it's not convenient. Kids aren't convenient, but yet we don't chain them up outside when we don't want them in the house? But you get the point...

This is a wonderful video from lab rescue about things to think about before you make that commitment. Adopting an animal is a LIFETIME commitment. I want people to get that concept b/c it seems all too often it is forgotten.


An another note, yesterday was a successful day. Linda at PVPC got an email from a woman in Winchester, VA who had to turn in her 14 month old peke. I picked Juju (the peke from Winchester who is now called Juliette) up and took her to a wonderful couple in Alexandria, VA who already had a peke named Owen. They are an amazing home, and it seems the two pekes have already become fast friends. Those are the happy ending we live for!
Here are some pics of them.

This is Juju (who is now called Juliette) before heading to her new home.

This is Owen and Juliette as they are getting to know each other. I am told they have become fast friends over night.

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Linda and PVPC rescue

As you all know, I have worked with PVPC now for a while. I really have a thing for the pekes.
We have sooo many dogs up for adoption right now that it is overwhelming. I hope people will start to go to our site and start adopting out these dogs or intake will have to stop. I still have Lilly Faith, which means I cannot foster more until she is adopted. I think 3 dogs in our home is the max for now. My hubby has put me on "lock down". God love his patience.
Linda Maxwell, one of the board members of PVPC, told me there are about 21 dogs in rescue. That is tremendous. She has done an amazing job placing, vetting, and loving all these dogs. The group wouldn't run the way it does without her guidance, help, and positive energy.
Not only is she a wonderful asset to PVPC, but she is someone I am proud to call my friend.
She has worked in rescue for a long time, and has owned pekes for over 40 years. She is a wonderful person with a gentle heart. Here is a picture of her and I at last year's PVPC picnic. I am very thankful for her love and friendship. Thank you Linda for all the wonderful things you do for the animals!!


I hope if you're reading this that you will "spread the rescue" message and opt to adopt.
You can see more dogs for adoption on the website: www.potomacpekes. org

I just got an email about the world's tallest dog. He looks more like a horse to me..ha!
Check out this video:

Sunday, February 21, 2010

Dog Dies After Being Chained Outside With No Food, Water, Shelter

I see this all too often, and I have to wonder why these losers even bother having an animal? They just don't get that having a companion is a privilege. May she rot in hell where she belongs. At least the poor dog won't suffer at the hands of his abuser anymore. Death was probably the kindest thing this poor dog could have had.


I'd like to introduce you to this piece of human garbage.....

Omaha, NE - "Tramp" the German Shepherd died from the cold and from starvation.

That's what the Nebraska Humane Society determined after finding him frozen to the floor of his dog house, a plastic kennel. "Why own a dog if you're not going to feed it provide water for it proper shelter for it, there's no excuse for this situation," says Mark Langan with the Humane Society.

An animal autopsy showed he died of starvation and hypothermia. Investigators say he'd been chained in the backyard for up to two weeks with no food or water. His organs shut down and he may have been suffering for several days.

Tramp's owner, Yolonda Glover, was arrested for felony animal cruelty. She was arrested at 4040 Curtis Friday morning.

Glover has another dog, a terrier. Back in November she was cited when the dog was running loose. She was also ticketed for not having Tramp licensed at that time.

Today, her bond was set at $10,000. She'll be back in court next month.

Reported by Kathy Sarantos Niver, kathy@action3news.com & Molli


Friday, February 19, 2010

Just A Dog....



Just a Dog

From time to time, people tell me, "lighten up, it's just a dog," or,
"that's a lot of money for just a dog." They don't understand the distance traveled, the time spent, or the costs involved for "just a dog."

Some of my proudest moments have come about with "just a dog." Many hours
have passed and my only company was "just a dog," but I did not once feel slighted.

Some of my saddest moments have been brought about by "just a dog," and in
those days of darkness, the gentle touch of "just a dog" gave me comfort and reason to overcome the day.

If you, too, think it's "just a dog," then you will probably understand
phrases like "just a friend," "just a sunrise," or "just a promise." "Just
a dog" brings into my life the very essence of friendship, trust, and pure
unbridled joy. "Just a dog" brings out the compassion and patience that make me a better person.


Because of "just a dog" I will rise early, take long walks and look
longingly to the future. So for me and folks like me, it's not "just a dog"
but an embodiment of all the hopes and dreams of the future, the fond memories of the past, and the pure joy of the moment.

"Just a dog" brings out what's good in me and diverts my thoughts away from myself and the worries of the day.
I hope that someday they can understand that it's not "just a dog" but the
thing that gives me humanity and keeps me from being "just a human."
So the next time you hear the phrase "just a dog," just smile, because they
"just don't understand."

Author unknown

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Foster Home Needed in MD for stray found running the streets in Baltimore City

This handsome boy, (yet to be named) was found running on the streets in Baltimore City. He was in bad shape, and even had an icicle hanging from him nose. He had such a bad matting of hair, that believe it or not that may have been the only thing that saved his life. Luckily, my friend who runs MuttsNeedLoveToo, saw him and took him in. The photo below is what he looks like now. A foster home is really needed for this guy. They think he is part Brussels Griffon, and maybe a terrier of some kind. You can read more about his story here:


This photo is what he looked like right after he was shaved-just to give you an idea of how much matting he had.

No-this is not the dog, it is the actual hair after they cut it. It was so matted that it was stuck together like a shell.

If you can help contribute to his care, please go to the link below and click on donate now:


For most dogs at shelters, they only get that one chance to prove they have a right to live. Rescue organizations give them a second chance – a voice where they have none. One of the biggest reasons that most rescues cannot rescue all the needy pets out there is a lack of foster parents. So please, help us help them. This boy needs a temporary home.


You can email muttsneedlove@aol.com, or me at mlsamet@gmail.com for more details.




Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Beauty's where you find it

Well it was another day of snow here... again. We are just getting overwhelmed here trying to keep up with all of it. Everything is shut down here-even the highways. Today we got another 10 plus inches. This is the worst winter in Virginia history. I doubt we will see our driveway or guest spot until May. The crews can't keep up with the plowing. It is fun to get snowed it at first, but we are starting to get a little stir crazy now. I have definitely caught up on Law and Order and Oprah at this point. Come on Spring!!

Shoveling again....Don't I look thrilled to be having my photo taken by my neighbors? I can barely see in front of me. Maybe they were just surprised to see me out shoveling?
My awesome neighbors Pat and Helen. They are sitting on the mound of snow that once was our guest spot. The look very pleased with themselves and what they accomplished.


More shoveling
Pat and I are happy that we completed our driveways finally! (at least for now)

But it is beautiful and peaceful. There is something calming about the snow and the purity of it all. I think because it puts everything at a halt and it forces you to just stop, look, and listen.

These photos were shot right after it stopped snowing the other day. It was absolutely breathtaking to see the sun setting when the snow stopped.

You can find beauty everywhere. You just have to know where to look.

Monday, February 8, 2010

Ferbie, Barney, and the beautiful snow....

We got about 32" of snow here in DC. This is a photo of our house from yesterday when the sun finally came out. I just thought it was so beautiful.

Our backyard view from our deck. It's so beautiful.
The lovely trees

Ferbs and Barney were laying by the fire on the faux fur blanket enjoying the super bowl.
They are kissing here. I just love how close they are.


Brothers from another mother

Ferbie is watching Barney roll around-he seems to be looking at him like, "What the heck are you doing?"

They are saying we are supposed to get another 5-10"of snow tomorrow...Only 4 more weeks until Spring right?

Sunday, February 7, 2010

I'm grateful to be safe and warm....

We got 32 " of snow here over the weekend. I love to watch it fall. It really is soo beautiful. (until the cleanup has to happen...ha!) My dogs on the other hand, aren't fans of the snow when it gets this high. The snow is above their heads and they struggle trying to find a place to go potty. It has been a really cold winter-one of the coldest that I can remember.


When it snows this much, although I am very grateful to have all the wonderful blessings that I do, I still can't help but wonder about all the animals that aren't so lucky. So many animals are kept outside and aren't treated like members of the family. Keeping an animal outside in these conditions is just pure cruelty.

How to recognize cruelty against animals:
  • When a collar is so tight that it has caused a wound or become embedded.
  • Seeing open wounds or visible scars or cuts
  • Untreated skin conditions
  • Extreme thinness or emaciation
  • Fur infested with flees or ticks
  • An owner striking or physically abusing an animal (the obvious one)
  • When an animal is tied up alone with no food, shelter, or water for long periods of time
  • When animals are kept outside in extreme weather without access to shelter
  • Animals are kepts in cages that are overcrowed, too small, and they cannot turn around or stand.
These are just a few signs. But if you do see anything that resembles cruelty in any way, you can report it. That phone call could save a life. If you go to http://www.aspca.org/fight-animal-cruelty/report-animal-cruelty.html you can find out how to report cruelty in your area. Or you can call 911 and ask to report animal cruelty. This can be done anonymously too if you're uncomfortable being linked to the complaint. Without phone calls, most cases are unlikely to be discovered. We all need to do our part and go out of our way to help those in need. People and animals!!