Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Note to potential adopters

So often when I tell people I do rescue, one of the first things they say is, “Oh-do you have any pure breed dogs?” Or they may ask for a specific type of dog. Then they go on to mention specifics of what they are looking for. Now that is all well and good intentioned I'm sure, but I don't know if they understand what goes into getting that dog into rescue in the first place. The blood, the sweat, and the tears we feel everyday having to say no even once to a dog that we know we can't save. It tears at our hearts. It eats us up inside. It keeps us up at night. It haunts our dreams. People don't understand that they could easily walk into any shelter in any county in the US right now and find a beautiful pure breed dog. Probably one that someone else discarded like trash. What I don't think people get, is that people that do rescue don't care if it's a pure breed. We look at the face of an animal and see the plea in it's eyes for help. For love. For a kind hand or word. We see the sadness, the darkness, the loneliness and fear. And we step in to make it all okay. To TRY and make the world a better place for that animal. We live to see that look of hope reappearing in a dogs eyes.

So no, I'm sorry but I dont' know what kind of breed I have in rescue. I just know that it needs someone. Anyone...to care. And it may not be a pure breed dog, but you can bet it's heart is pure. And isn't that what matters?



The above photos are of Madison. She is now happy in her new foster home where she is being spoiled. She had 4 BB's shot in her and a cracked pelvis when she came into rescue. That is just the beginning. And that is just the scars on the outside. But what about the one's on the inside? Right now, she seems pretty good. (Thank you Mike and Steph for fostering this sweet girl). She is definitely smiling in these pictures and enjoying having a big fenced in backyard.


So here is a reprint of one of my favorites things written to adopters from the side of a rescuer.


Note to adopters:


Lassie and Cleo and Rin Tin Tin and Toto don't show up in rescue. We don't get the elegantly coiffed, classically beautiful, completely trained, perfectly behaved dog. We get the leftovers. Dogs that other people have incompetently bred, inadequately socialized, ineffectively "trained," and badly treated. Most Rescue dogs have had it. They've been pushed from one lousy situation to another. They've never had proper veterinary care, kind and consistent training, or sufficient company. They've lived outside, in a crate, or in the basement. They're scared, depressed and anxious. Some are angry. Some are sick. Some have given up But we are Rescue and we don't give up. We never give up on a dog. We know that a dog is a living being, with a spirit and a heart and feelings. Our dogs are not commodities, things, or garbage. They are part of sacred creation and they deserve as much love and care and respect as the next Westminster champion. So please, please don't come to rescue in the hopes of getting a "bargain," or indeed of "getting" anything. Come to Rescue to give, to love, to save a life -- and to mend your own spirit. For Rescue will reward you in ways you never thought possible. I can promise you this -- a rescue dog will make you a better person.

by Diane Morgan


Words to live by.....Amen


Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Hoarder? Or good intentions gone bad? You decide...

Where do I even start? Here is the headline, "WEST UNION --Authorities Seize Dogs From Adams County Home-Warden: 64 Dogs Found Living In Filth


This photos on the video show dogs living in garbage-dead dogs in bathtubs. And yet this woman cries out that there is nothing wrong and she is innocent. This is clearly someone who is mentally ill. But how did this go on for so long without a single person noticing? (I would think the stench alone would travel and become unbearable) Some of these dogs had been in the home, lying there dead since 2008! The woman claimed she was waiting to cremate them. Really?? FOR TWO YEARS! Is this a case of good intentions gone awry? Mental Illness? Or just plain abuse? Either way, I am disgusted and saddened for these poor dogs. They deserve so much better than what they have had thus far in life. I hope rescue will step in to foster them and show them "how to live like dogs". As far as the one's that didn't make it-well death was probably a welcomed peace. RIP sweet babies. In heaven you will be young and free again.


http://www.wlwt.com/news/22989339/detail.html


Here's the story and video:

Animal control authorities continued the task of removing dozens of dogs from two Adams County homes that are the subject of an animal abuse investigation.


County dog warden Paul Hughes said that as many as 64 dogs were found living in filthy conditions at the two homes -- one in West Union and the other in rural Adams County.


Hughes said authorities were called to the homes after a report of dogs running loose. Hughes told WLWT's Brian Hamrick that when officials arrived at the home, they noticed a smell that led them to investigate further.


The owners of the homes voluntarily allowed Hughes to enter the homes, where Hughes said he discovered up to a foot of excrement and other squalor. He said investigators also found two plastic tubs and a wagon full of dead dogs and puppies, some dating to 2008.


Graphic Photos From Animal Abuse Investigation. View At Your Own Discretion.


Hughes said that the owners of the animals told him they were trying to save money to cremate the pets.


Joyce Nixon, the owner of the dogs, spoke with WLWT Monday evening as the authorities began taking away her dogs. Nixon said she lost her job and was diagnosed with cancer. She said the conditions inside the home went down from there.


"I love the dogs. I want people to leave me alone about the dogs," she said.


Images From Dog Seizure


Nixon cried as some of the dogs were taken away. "They're my life," she said. "I ain't dirty."


Dogs Taken From Adams County Home


Nixon said that she hoped to start a nonprofit to take in and shelter other dogs from around Adams County. No charges have been filed against Nixon.


Hughes said the dogs weren't necessarily being abused and that none of them appear to be malnourished.


Hughes said agents will return to the homes Tuesday to remove more dogs. The rescued animals were taken to a shelter in Peebles. They will be examined for possible health problems.


The Adams County Animal Response Team is looking for veterinarians to volunteer their time to help give those health exams. Vets who want to volunteer can call 513-702-8373.

Copyright 2010 by WLWT.com. All rights reserved.

Saturday, March 27, 2010

More new dogs headed to DC....


I know I have preached about this before, but it's really starting to wear me out. We have a problem in the south. A BIG problem. Why do people have this idea that after a puppy becomes an adult dog, that they can dump it at a shelter? So once they aren't cute anymore, it's okay to throw them away like trash? Here are a few dogs that are headed to us in DC because of one of the following reasons:
-The owner dumped them at the shelter because they didn't want to take care of them anymore
-The owner didn't spay or neuter their pet and they had babies-and they had no space or money to care for the puppies. So they dumped them all.
-They were too old or had a medical issue that they couldn't or didn't want to pay for.
-The dog was deaf and it was too much trouble to have to deal with it.
Do people have ANY idea of how traumatizing it is for an animal to be in a shelter?
You can't throw in the towel when things get hard. People-Step up and do what is right!!!
These living, feeling creatures can feel pain. They feel sadness. They feel loneliness.
They don't ask for much. Just some kindness. Isn't that the least we can do for God's creatures?









Thursday, March 25, 2010

The Story of Spike

I am trying to keep things balanced on my blog and not focus on the negative. It's hard though sometimes. There is so much sadness and cruelty in the animal rescue world. And it's everywhere all the time. Makes me question humanity sometimes. Truly..I try to focus on the good too, but sometimes I just have to pause. I have to wonder. When I read the story about Spike, I was brought to tears. This story is about Spike the bulldog. I actually felt physical pain in my heart when I read this. I have a special place in my heart for bulldogs. Well all dogs-but bulldogs have that look. You know the look I'm talking about? Helpless, fragile, needs help breathing. They remind me of bigger pekes-okay that's a stretch. But they are part of the brachycephalic grouping of dogs. Anyway, they would never hurt a fly. So when I read this story, anger and sadness came from a place from within me that I haven't felt in a long time. Not since the story about the trash that set the pitbull in Baltimore on fire. I read a lot of stuff and think I have gotten much thicker skin over the last year. But then there are times when I have to shake my head in disbelief. Times like this, I have to pause. I ask myself, “Where is God?” And how did he allow this to happen? And more importantly-Why?


“Spike is an 11 month old bulldog that has been abused repeatedly over the past few months.” ASPCA investigators were called to Maria Aguilar’s house on February 24 after witnesses reported hearing a dog crying. Aguilar originally denied beating the pup, but she allowed ASPCA officials to take the dog to their hospital." There is a video that shows Maria Aguilar tossing Spike across a patio and against an iron fence. He cowers down, Aguilar picks up an orange snow shovel and smacks the pup over the head. Then she throws him to the other side of the patio. You can hear the dog shrieking in the video.

I am not going to show you that video. It's too hard to watch.



The ASPC then discovered that her husband had taken the dog to veterinarians 12 times in the past seven months for treatment.Okay-isn't there a fiduciary responsibility that the vet has to report this? This is insane to me. TWELVE TIMES! The cops would should have been called after the first few trips. I would think all of this would look suspicious.


From for the love of the dog:

Twelve times in seven months? If this was the same veterinarian, we have a real issue with that practice. If I was to take my dog to the vet 12 times in seven months and they observed anything close to those types of injuries, I would be escorted out of the practice by the police – in handcuffs. But Maria Aguilar’s husband offered a different story. Victor Estudillo, Aguilar’s husband, say Spike was fine when agents took custody of him. He says he’s spent about $7,000 in vet bills because Spike was a sickly dog, not a victim of abuse. And then her son states, on camera, “We don’t want her to go to jail – its just a dog.”


Just a dog. There you have it. I am not surprised to hear something like that coming out of this kids mouth after I see what his mother is capable of. That remark should tell you all you need to know about that family. This kid has just learned the basics from his mother.”


Now here's the kicker. Wait for it...."Maria Aguilar denied beating Spike, but when she was confronted with the video, the jig was up. Maria Aguilar was arrested for aggravated animal cruelty and criminal possession of a weapon. She faces two felonies and four years in jail.I don’t want to hear excuses. I don’t want to hear the dog was at the vet 12 times because he was “sickly”. I don’t want to hear you spent $7,000 on medical bills for poor Spike. I don’t want to hear she’s a good mother and shouldn’t go to jail. I don’t want to hear it’s “just a dog”.I only want to hear what prison she goes to so I can mail her cellmate a shovel!”

The dog's injuries have been severe. She blinded poor Spike in one eye. That's just for starters. He had broken bones and could have potential brain damage from what i'm told. What a disgrace this woman is.


So here is the good that came out of this story. There is light at the end of the tunnel for poor Spike. They weren't worthy of having this wonderful creature to begin with. So catching this piece of garbage on video actually took this poor angel out of harms way and into the arms of safety. Just imagine what this dog's life would have been like if she hadn't been caught? A lifetime of misery and abuse. THANK GOD someone caught her and stepped up to do the right thing.


Over 100 people have applied to adopt Spike. So he WILL go to a good home and get the love, care, and kindness he deserves. As far as Maria Aguilar goes-well I hope she burns in hell where she belongs. Just get me in a room with this woman for an hour. She will see what abuse is really like. And I won't let her forget it. She is a waste of air.


If you can, please write to the DA's office to make sure she is given the maximum sentence. Believe it or not, this woman can walk away from this crime with a slap on the wrist and a fine. Where are the laws protecting the innocent here? Please, if you can, contact the DA of Queens and tell them to give the max and let them know how you feel. You can contact them at the number and address below. I know Spike would appreciate it, as well as all the other “Spikes” out there in the world just waiting for a law to pass to protect them. C'mon-we can do better than this people!


Thank you for taking the time to write to the Queens District Attorney’s Office.

Kevin R. Ryan
Director of Communications
Queens County District Attorney’s Office
Ryan@queensda.org
718-286-6315


Tuesday, March 23, 2010

More About Dogs on Chains-Tamira tells her story

Someone whom I greatly respect, Tamira Thayne of Dogs Deserve Better, could have been arrested again. Why you ask? For going onto someone's property to help save a dog from death. All she tried to do was give some poor dogs water, food, and some straw to lie on when the wind chill was below zero. She tried to help a starving dog that lives on the end of a chain. This isnt' the first time she has gone above and beyond to save a dog's life. Some people think she's crazy. I think she deserves a crown. Wish we had more people out there that would take a stand. It's crazy to me that in the year 2010 our society sees nothing wrong with this kind of torture. Their ENTIRE lives on the end of chain. It's barbaric. It's cruel. It's legal.

This was posted last month, but I felt it deserved to be reposted. Tamira is a fantastic writer and very inspiring. Her passion is one of the things that keeps me in rescue. Knowing there are others out there fighting for these animals lives. Believing in the cause. Never backing down....



FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2010

Can you Feel the Wind Changing for Chained Dogs? By: Tamira Ci Thayne

Can you feel the momentum building, soon to explode, showering everything with sparks of light which spell out “DOG CHAINERS BEWARE—THE ABUSE ENDS NOW!”?

The movement is growing.

In its infancy there were steps so minuscule as to remain unnoticed, and the discouraged folded their play tents and went home to drink wine by the fire and pretend they didn’t remember the suffering.

But for those of us who camped out in the mud, putting one tiny foot in front of the other, even when no one believed in our efforts and advised us—for our own good—to run along home, the miles soon began to rack up.

At first it was small victories—a local law here, a rescued dog there—for me a chance to speak at the national level, a chance to spread our message in person and en masse.

Then state laws began surfacing, and citizens gathering together lobbied for bills to protect dogs without knowing how to do it but committing to learn along the way.

Despite the agony they endured in convincing others to acknowledge these Forgotten Dogs, they knew. They knew the fire in their stomach would not die until it consumed those standing in the way of truth and justice.

Where we used to raise still, small voices with smaller objections to scary citizens who abused their dogs—turning to run when they raised a threatening hand in our direction—we now stand firm and proud and together, speaking in confident tones about the rights of dogs to live with their pack according to their needs and the nature of the breed.

We cultivate the power of strength in numbers, we harness the power of the internet.

If you’re thinking, “But haven’t you been arrested and convicted for the second time of a CRIME for helping chained dogs. How can you possibly say their confinement is coming to an end when it appears yours is just beginning?”

Because I feel it. I feel it in my gut with the magnificence of 1000 suns.

“First they ignore you, then they ridicule you, then they fight you, then you win.”
—Mahatma Gandhi

Dog advocates in America who work for chained dogs have gone unrewarded, been made fun of, been themselves abused, and yet I am confident that in the end we WILL be victorious.

You may wonder at the optimism of a woman who has sunk all the way to the bottom for her chosen cause.

My first arrest was for helping a dog who’d been chained for 13 years, and had come to that time in his life where he needed medical help in order to go on. The cowards who chained him left him lying on the ground, unable to stand, for three days while they waited for him to die and save them the $100 vet fee.

So I, a former Air Force Staff Sergeant, mother of two, business owner, and founder of non-profit Dogs Deserve Better, became the bearer of my first criminal conviction because I took him to the vet and refused to turn him back over to his abusers. For that I was awarded theft and receiving stolen property.

On Tuesday, February 16, 2010, I was again convicted of a crime for helping chained dogs. This time I added trespassing to the list, for daring to stuff two doghouses with straw and giving underweight chained dogs bones, food, and water to help them survive on a day with wind chills at -11 degrees.

A friend of mine looked up the rap sheet for the dog chainer, and it was considerably less impressive than my own.

In the courtroom I watched Krystal Cann and her neighbor perjure themselves before a district magistrate, and was almost embarrassed for them. Everyone in the courtroom knew in doing so they’d committed a crime far worse than my own.

When I felt we’d proven beyond a shadow of a doubt that Krystal lied about telling me to leave the property, I saw the magistrate flounder for a reason to keep the blame firmly on my shoulders. His claim? I could have fabricated the photos and video, could have doctored them to suit my purposes.

Then he convicted me, mumbling something about ‘reasonable expectations,’ with not a word about the crime of perjury that had just taken place in his courtroom.

My partner asked the policeman how it felt to be lied to.

In the District Magistrate, I saw an elected official who sought to please his own constituents in order to remain in office, to continue to receive his weekly paycheck all the way up and through retirement.

I saw a man who compared me providing dogs with straw, food, and water to someone who goes to a neighbor’s garage and borrows a tool without their permission.

I saw a man who, upon being shown a photo of a skeletal boxer, claimed that boxers are just skinny dogs, and that water freezes outside in zero degree weather. Surely they couldn’t be expected to keep them in potable water at such temperatures?

I saw a man who never considered it cruel to keep an underweight boxer outside in negative temps with a doghouse far too big to maintain his body heat and body fur far too short to offer any help from the cold and wind.

And yet I somehow feel optimistic. I feel optimistic because I don’t think Magistrate Galen Decort knows what kind of shitstorm is about to hit him, all those who abuse animals in America, and all those who protect abusers in America.

I feel optimistic because Pennsylvania lawmakers can see the coalition growing, the demand for a state law to stop the abuse reaching an all-time high.

I feel optimistic because if lawmakers deny us in this, our third try, they know we will be back even more forcefully the next time. Success WILL be ours.

I guarantee it.

I am committed to unchaining Pennsylvania’s dogs, America’s dogs. I will not quit until I see Americans treat our companions with the respect and care they deserve.

I have come to accept I may end up with a rap sheet longer than my arm for helping chained dogs. It’s a sacrifice I’m willing to make—in fact, I consider it an honor. They deserve that kind of dedication.

It’s time America grows up. Time America follows the Europeans, who know how to make dogs part of the family and would never allow their neighbors to chain their dogs in today’s society.

I remain optimistic because I know that time is short on the side of the abusers. We are simply not willing to tolerate the abuse any longer.

Chaining your dog for life IS abuse.

Be intolerant with me.

Tamira Ci Thayne, February 18, 2010


Want to educate District Magistrate Galen Decort?
Write him at 125 Main St., Portage, PA 15946

Live in Pennsylvania? Please join our coalition to change the law athttp://www.unchainpadogs.com.

Monday, March 22, 2010

Fun at the Pet Expo in Chantilly

Had an amazing time at the Pet Expo this weekend. I could have stayed there ALL day. I never get tired of seeing all the different animals. There were tons of great dogs, people, and vendors to see and meet. I also liked visiting the other rescues to see what they have going on. I especialy loved seeing MAGDR (great dane rescue) and the Equine Rescue. Here are just a few shots I took at the show.

This dog below is named Robby. He is a massive 140 lb Mastiff mix of some kind. What a sweetheart he was. I was hugging all over him. I tried to walk out of the show with him. I was quite taken with him and his wonderful demeanor.


I got to meet the Rescue Inc. gang. They were all so nice-not to mention HUGE.
There was a wild bird rehabilitation rescue there. Here is one of the birds they saved. I have no fear of birds-or really any animal for that matter. I love them all-big or small.
Okay-so I am a little obsessed with English Bulldogs. They are just the cutest dogs-they look like piglets. I love their faces. I want one. I just wish I could convince the hubby for just one more....
More of Rescue Inc-It's Joe Panz on the left, and Big Ant on the right.
Of course I had to spot one of the few pekes at the show. This one was quite pampered and being pushed around in her stroller. Gotta love it!!!
Eric of Rescue Inc.
Hilarious little bully girl. Love the outfit. (and the underbite)

I think they were brother and sister. Adorableness...At one point I laid on the floor with them right in the middle of the Expo just to be near them.
Here I am with one of the Great Danes. Isn't he huge. And a big sweetie pie. He is the size of a small horse!!

Happy Monday everyone!!

Saturday, March 20, 2010

The Gangs all here...minus one

I got up at 6:30am this morning to meet our transport that was arriving with our dogs from GA and SC. They were all tired and scared (as I would expect them to be) from the long trip and from so many changes. Coming out of these harsh shelters can really take a toll. The 4 week old puppies didn't seem to mind as they were just happy to have their mom, and to be able to nurse in a nice clean and quite place. I will get some great shots and medical updates this week on all of them. Sadly, one of our dogs didn't make the transport. The shelter "missed" putting him on the list. Very upsetting, but I was able to reach the shelter before they euthananized him to let them know that someone would be back for him-US! So he is safe until he is picked up by our wonderful contact in SC, Debb Cohen of S.T.I.C.K.S.
Below is a picture of him. His name is Justin. He is a Newfoundland lab mix. Approx 10 weeks old. He will be hopefully arrive this coming weekend. I'm just sad he's still in that awful place.

I have to say that none of this would have been possible if it wasn't for the wonderful people atMontgomery Animal Hospital and their fantastic staff. I can't begin to tell you how much they have opened up their hearts to help us care for these dogs. Without them, we wouldn't have anywhere for these poor babies to go and to get such wonderful vet care. Without them, this would not have been possible. So from the bottom of our hearts, a big THANK YOU to all of them!!!

Here are some pictures of some of the other dogs that arrived.

This is Leah. She is a 7mnth old lab.
This is Manley. He is a a couple of months old and a beagle hound mix. SUPER SWEET
This is the mother to the puppies. Her name is Sadie. She was nursing her pups here and she was looking at me like, "hey-can I get a break here?"


This is Bubba. He is a gorgeous 8 week old lab golden mix. Super sweet.

This is a WONDERFUL shot. This is Cindy. She works for the animal hospital. She is holding Sugar, one of the dogs that came up. Sugar is a 6 month old Sharpei mix. Cindy had been anxiously waiting for her arrival, and you can just see the looks in both of their eyes. Both Cindy and Sharon who work at the vets were crying tears of joy when they arrived. Cindy has adopted Sugar :-)


This is Valentine. She is a whippet mix. She was pulled at the last minute-literally. Her time was up. She is an owner turn in. She's 2 1/2 years old and super sweet. Very calm. Wonderful disposition. Already potty trained. She just needs a family now.

There are 8 four week old lab puppies. I just took this one shot of one of the pups. It was so chaotic with all of them arriving. I couldn't get good shots. But more pics soon. Stay tuned. You can email me at mlsamet@aol.com if you want more info on these wonderful dogs.

Thursday, March 18, 2010

New Arrivals

Not much time to blog lately. I have had my hands full with new dogs coming in from Georgia and South Carolina. The south has a HUGE overpopulation problem, and spay/neuter is not part of their vocabulary. It really is sad. So my partner in crime Julie and I have pulled about 14 dogs that are headed to DC this Saturday. Our focus is saving dogs in rural and impoverished areas. The one's with little or no chance of getting saved. The one's with no voice, and the one's with no choice...
Right now their are issues in the south with black dogs. No one wants to adopt black dogs. Why you ask? No reason other than a stupid stigma that they are bad dogs. ALL of the dogs coming to us (and the two black ones we have now-Madison and Marshall) are sweet, wonderful dogs. They are just dying for attention and love. That's what all dogs want. I don't think it's much to ask.

When they arrive, they will go directly to our vet for evaluations, vetting, etc..and then to fosters or forever homes. Here are some of the photos of the new arrivals. Details and bios coming soon.

Please spread the word about these dogs and email me at mlsamet@aol.com if you are interested. I will post bios and better photos later in the week.










Monday, March 15, 2010

Madison and Marshall

Last week, Thanks to Debb at S.T.I.C.K.S, I pulled 2 wonderful lab mixes out of the Dekalb, GA shelter. There adoption success rate is extremely low. Both these dogs were scheduled for euthanasia. Their time was up. And so I decided once again that I just couldn't let them go. Both had injuries and were over looked for adoption over and over again.
Madison has an injured leg. Marshall had an embedded collar. Both very treatable issues. Both worthy of families and being saved...
And so began the journey for Madison and Marshall as they made there way to me from GA.
A transport was set up, and they arrived here last Thursday evening.
Both have incredible dispositions, which is so mind blowing to me. You see, both have been treated horribly by human beings. Both were neglected. Both were abused in some way. And yet, they are still loving and trusting of humans. Amazing how forgiving animals are. Sometimes I just think we aren't worthy of them.

When I took them to the vet on Friday, here is what they found:
Madison has a cracked pelvis, along with several BB's (yes BB's!) in her. Her pelvis has since healed, but not correctly. As you will see below, on the left is what a normal dog should look like, and on the right are Madison's Xrays. She is going to need a lot of care. She has been vetted and will be spayed this week and will up for adoption after that.

Here is a picture of sweet Madison.


I visited with Madison and Marshall today. Here is me trying to hug her. She is a wiggle worm.
On to Marshall. Oh poor Marshall.... He had an embedded collar. He was kept outside on a chain for sooo long, that his collar became one with his neck. It had to be cut out and then stitched up. He is healing quite nicely now. He is going to be neutered this week too, and will then be up for adoption.

This is the picture I received BEFORE he came to me. He looks so sad here. Almost like he had given up. Look at those sad eyes...

This is what his neck looked like. As I said, it's healing now :-)

Now look at the photo I took today. Doesn't he look like he's smiling? He is very happy to be safe. I can feel it when he looks at me.

If you can help with any of the costs for Marshall or Madison, please click on this link now and donate.
OR

You can email me if you are interested in fostering or adopting either of these wonderful dogs at muttsmatterrescue@gmail.com
Thank you~

Spring and the Beautiful Bambi

Spring is coming! This morning I started to see the tulip buds pop their heads out from under the grass. They are always the first sign to me that Spring is around the corner. This is my favorite time of year. Even though the snow is pretty, I have to say that I am very ready for Spring to arrive this year. We had a brutal winter. My friend Karen emailed me this picture that she took this morning.

My first reaction (being the pessimist that I am sometimes) was sadness that the deer was starving so badly that it had to go out and risk it's life to find food in brood daylight on someone's yard. They are so over populated and have no where to go. People always complain about the deer and how they eat their gardens, etc, but I think people forget-WE took their land. WE build on their homes. WE took away the places where they once lived.

My friend assured me that this little Bambi is fine. Here is what she said.

"That Bambi was having a hey day eating up all that neighbor's pansies that she must have just planted. The deer was daintily eating off just the pretty leaves off all the flowers and quite happy to eat and let me take pictures of it. I thought it was very cute. There's a good bit of tree save area around our subdivision and those deer looked pretty well fed-definitely not starving like I've seen others at least."

As strange as that may sound, I felt better. You gotta love the animal kingdom.As I always say, beauty is where you find it.

Have a good Monday :)

Saturday, March 13, 2010

A day in the life of an animal control officer...

I received this story from a friend who lives in North Carolina. It tells the story of what life is like to work in a shelter and have to put innocent animals to sleep. We can stop this madness by spaying and neutering. Over population is one of the biggest issues that shelters face; Not to mention over crowding. Maybe someone that reads this will think twice before dumping their animal at their local shelter.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Yes, I Gas Dogs and Cats for a Living. I'm an Animal Control officer in a very small town in central North Carolina. I'm in my mid thirties, and have been working for the town in different positions since high school.There is not much work here, and working for the county provides good pay and benefits for a person like me without a higher education. I'm the person you all write about how horrible I am.

I'm the one that gasses the dogs and cats and makes them suffer. I'm the one that pulls their dead corpses out smelling of Carbon Monoxide and throws them into green plastic bags. But I'm also the one that hates my job and hates what I have to do.

First off, all you people out there that judge me, don't. God is judging me, and I know I'm going to Hell. Yes, I'm going to hell. I wont lie, it's despicable, cold, cruel and I feel like a serial killer. I'm not all to blame, if the law would mandate spay and neuter, lots of these dogs and cats wouldn't be here for me to gas. I'm the devil, I know it, but I want you people to see that there is another side to me the devil Gas Chamber man.

The shelter usually gasses on Friday morning.

Friday's are the day that most people look forward to, this is the day that I hate, and wish that time will stand still on Thursday night. Thursday night, late, after nobody's around, my friend and I go through a fast food line, and buy 50 dollars worth of cheeseburgers and fries, and chicken. I'm not allowed to feed the dogs on Thursday, for I'm told that they will make a mess in the gas chamber, and why waste the food.

So, Thursday night, with the lights still closed, I go into the saddest room that anyone can every imagine, and let all the doomed dogs out out their cages.

I have never been bit, and in all my years doing this, the dogs have never fought over the food. My buddy and I, open each wrapper of cheeseburger and chicken sandwich, and feed them to the skinny, starving dogs.They swallow the food so fast, that I don't believe they even taste it. There tails are wagging, and some don't even go for the food, they roll on their backs wanting a scratch on their bellys. They start running, jumping and kissing me and my buddy. They go back to their food, and come back to us. All their eyes are on us with such trust and hope, and their tails wag so fast, that I have come out with black and blues on my thighs.. They devour the food, then it's time for them to devour some love and peace. My buddy and I sit down on the dirty, pee stained concrete floor, and we let the dogs jump on us. They lick us, they put their butts in the air to play, and they play with each other. Some lick each other, but most are glued on me and my buddy. I look into the eyes of each dog. I give each dog a name.

They will not die without a name. I give each dog 5 minutes of unconditional love and touch. I talk to them, and tell them that I'm so sorry that tomorrow they will die a gruesome, long, torturous death at the hands of me in the gas chamber. Some tilt their heads to try to understand. I tell them, that they will be in a better place, and I beg them not to hate me. I tell them that I know I'm going to hell, but they will all be playing with all the dogs and cats in heaven.

After about 30 minutes, I take each dog individually, into their feces filled concrete jail cell, and pet them and scratch them under their chins. Some give me their paw, and I just want to die. I just want to die. I close the jail cell on each dog, and ask them to forgive me. As my buddy and I are walking out, we watch as every dog is smiling at us and them don't even move their heads. They will sleep, with a full belly, and a false sense of security.

As we walk out of the doomed dog room, my buddy and I go to the cat room.

We take our box, and put the very friendly kittens and pregnant cats in our box. The shelter doesn't keep tabs on the cats, like they do the dogs. As I hand pick which cats are going to make it out, I feel like I'm playing God, deciding whose going to live and die. We take the cats into my truck, and put them on blankets in the back. Usually, as soon as we start to drive away, there are purring cats sitting on our necks or rubbing against us.

My buddy and I take our one way two hour trip to a county that is very wealthy and they use injection to kill animals. We go to exclusive neighborhoods, and let one or two cats out at a time.

They don't want to run, they want to stay with us. We shoo them away, which makes me feel sad. I tell them that these rich people will adopt them, and if worse comes to worse and they do get put down, they will be put down with a painless needle being cradled by a loving veterinarian. After the last cat is free, we drive back to our town.

It's about 5 in the morning now, about two hours until I have to gas my best friends. I go home, take a shower, take my 4 anti-anxiety pills and drive to work.. I don't eat, I can't eat. It's now time, to put these animals in the gas chamber. I put my ear plugs in, and when I go to the collect the dogs, the dogs are so excited to see me, that they jump up to kiss me and think they are going to play.

I put them in the rolling cage and take them to the gas chamber. They know. They just know. They can smell the death.. They can smell the fear. They start whimpering, the second I put them in the box. The boss tells me to squeeze in as many as I can to save on gas. He watches. He knows I hate him, he knows I hate my job. I do as I'm told. He watches until all the dogs, and cats (thrown in together) are fighting and screaming. The sounds is very muffled to me because of my ear plugs. He walks out, I turn the gas on, and walk out.

I walk out as fast as I can. I walk into the bathroom, and I take a pin and draw blood from my hand. Why? The pain and blood takes my brain off of what I just did.

In 40 minutes, I have to go back and unload the dead animals. I pray that none survived, which happens when I overstuff the chamber. I pull them out with thick gloves, and the smell of carbon monoxide makes me sick. So does the vomit and blood, and all the bowel movements. I pull them out, put them in plastic bags.

They are in heaven now, I tell myself. I then start cleaning up the mess, the mess, that YOU PEOPLE are creating by not spay or neutering your animals. The mess that YOU PEOPLE are creating by not demanding that a vet come in and do this humanely. You ARE THE TAXPAYERS, DEMAND that this practice STOP!

So, don't call me the monster, the devil, the gasser, call the politicians, the shelter directors, and the county people the devil. Heck, call the governor, tell him to make it stop.

As usual, I will take sleeping pills tonight to drown out the screams I heard in the past, before I discovered the ear plugs. I will jump and twitch in my sleep, and I believe I'm starting to hallucinate.

This is my life. Don't judge me. Believe me, I judge myself enough.


------ End of Forwarded Message


Monday, March 8, 2010

PLEASE-Take your dog off of their chain and bring them into your home

I see so many posts about animals left outside in the elements on the end of a chain. What kind of life is that for an animal? It's no life at all. I will never understand how people can do this to animals. Shouldn't they be part of your "pack"? Lord knows they want to be.

I've seen photos of dogs that were left outside on the end of a chain in the snow storm we had recently. And sadly, I recieved news that some have died on the end of that chain. Snow, sleet, blazing sun..it doesn't matter-that dog is out there tethered up. People will leave their dogs outside on the end of a chain to suffer. People that do this do not consider dogs to be members of their family. That dog's life consists of a very small area of which to move, and usually with no protection from other animals, that may come onto the property-such as wild animals-not to mention the elements of course. Dogs deserve better than life on a chain!
This is a link to a list of dogs in my area (VA) that are still waiting for a law to be passed to protect them. They wait, and they suffer. We can do better, so why aren't we?
Check out these walls of shame in VA.


The stuff you will see in this video is not unusual. This is in PA where the laws are week when it comes to animal protection. We need to do better than this. We need to protect those that can't protect themselves.

Words to live by...

Today's post isn't about dogs, it's about life and words to make us think. Being unemployed gives you LOTS of time to think about life and what's most important. I try to remind myself (my dad's words of wisdom), that's it's the journey, not the destination. Enjoy the ride~

1.-The path is not straight

2.-Mistakes need not be fatal

3.-People and animals are more important than achievements or possessions

4.-Be gentle with your parents

5.-NEVER stop doing what you care most about

6.-Learn to use a semicolon

7.-You will find love

-Marion Winik

Me and my beloved....I am so lucky. I have the BEST husband. He is also my best friend!

Thursday, March 4, 2010

Which Do You Choose?

My hubby sent this to me yesterday. (thank you hubby) I thought it would be a nice change to post something light and cute. Lord knows I have read and seen enough cruelty photos and cases now to last me a lifetime. Facebook has been a real lifesaver for rescue. It has helped expand the rescue network and community, as well as to help recruit volunteers and create awareness. On the flips side, because I have so many "friends" in my network on Facebook, a lot of them post things that are really hard to read and see. That is why the successes are so important, and why we try not to get weighed down with the sadness of it all. Sooo...every now and then it's nice to just put something up that gives us all a good laugh!

Life really boils down to 2 questions.....??





1. Should I get a dog..





OR...


2. Should I have children?





Which would YOU choose???....

TGIF!!