Melvin's Story

Goliath had been with us for over three years. We knew he had a bad heart, and even with the surgery and repair, his life span was compromised. He was nearly totally blind but loved to play with our border collie, also an "unadoptable" dog.  About a month ago Goliath had a massive stroke and passed away.  Melvin would have been about two weeks old at that time - and his future was in question.  Melvin is a purebred Australian shepherd with a problem back leg and a grade III heart murmur.  His owners were torn between euthanasia and giving him away. Another family had spoken up and said they wanted him, but Melvin's owners weren't sure it would work out.  When they brought the litter into the clinic for their puppy shots, I happened to be in the waiting area and heard Melvin's story. I felt that feeling in my gut that said I should speak up and offer to give him a home.

We exchanged email addresses, gave references, told them to check out the blog so they would have an idea of my experiences.  I told them that Melvin would be allowed to be the herding dog he was born and bred to be. Ms. Ellie, our border collie, would teach him to herd alpacas, and if he got tired, he could rest.  His heart condition will be a determining factor, as was Goliath's.   I knew if we were meant to have Melvin, it would happen - - - and it did.  Melvin is now a part of our home, learning to follow, learning his name, learning to sit on command, and also not to pick on the cats or chew up shoes and gloves.  He's a very good boy and the exercise he is getting seems to be helping his hind leg.  The swelling that was present when we got him is beginning to subside. 

So, my hubby got an old used manure spreader for Christmas, and I got Melvin!

Scruffy's Story

The policeman walked her through the front door, and Scruffy was growling at him.  His comment was that she didn't like him much.  He had to snare her to catch her, but it's part of his job to get strays off the streets.  We don't know how she ended up being a stray, or why no one came to claim her.  She was very scared and growled and barked at anyone who came near her.  She was elusive when it came time to put a leash on her to go in and out, and a couple of the employees at the office decided she had no chance at adoption and would probably have to be euthanized when her stray hold was up.  I hadn't been at the job very long and had been observing Scruffy's behavior.  I had seen many many frightened dogs that needed a little help getting past the bad experiences in their lives, so I started working with her over lunch when things were quiet and there was no one else around.   It took all of two days before she would allow me to pet her, put a leash on her, come when I called her, and then pick her up. She weighs about 20 pounds and if someone adopted her, they would definitely want to hold her in their arms. 

Scruffy made her debut as an adoptable dog right after that when I picked her up and walked her through he office.  Other employees asked if they could pet her, and she loved all the attention.  Attitudes changed and we kept waiting for someone to claim her.  It didn't happen.  Someone did express an interest in her, but said it would be at least three weeks before they could be sure. It fell through, and in that time two more strays were brought to the office as we are the local unofficial pound.  Space became a problem, as there were folks who wanted their dogs boarded over the Thanksgiving holiday. After almost six weeks at the pound,  Scruffy came home with me.

Scruffy is housebroken, crate trained, very friendly, loves attention, gets along well with other dogs, will chase a cat if it runs from her but will stop when told to quit.  She appears to be a shihtzu or llasa mix and could use a grooming.  When I brought her home, she curled up next to me in the car, put her head on my leg, and slept the whole way home.  She has obviously been loved and taken for rides in her past.  She appears to be around 3 years old.  She is current on vaccinations and will be spayed before adoption. She loves people and attention. 

Scruffy is being listed with Waverly Pet Rescue, Waverly, Iowa for adoption.  Please help me find a home for this wonderful little lady before Christmas!

Teenie - Left Behind

The elderly lady that owned Teenie and her friend, Princess, obviously loved them both dearly and took excellent care of them. However, the woman passed away and didn't make any arrangements for family members or friends to take the dogs, so they either had to find a rescue that would take them or go to a shelter.  Both dogs are considered seniors.  Waverly Pet Rescue was contacted and because they have only foster homes available and they were all full, the two dogs went to a veterinary clinic where they were boarded for over a month.  Someone met Teenie with the idea of adoption, but decided against her because she was "too fat". 

Waverly Pet Rescue has helped me find homes for dogs that I have taken in, so I offered to foster Teenie --- and boy, am I glad I did!  Teenie is a 7 year old beagle/terrier (probably Jack Russell) mix. She is a bit overweight at 21 pounds, but since I have a big shady back yard and believe in exercise, that is coming under control.  She knows what "sit" means, comes when she is called, is good on a leash, and is learning to go up and down stairs and not to jump up on people.  She's quiet, crate and house trained, and gets along with the other dogs.  I have had her for only two days, and already I can see that this little lady could end up being a "failed foster" - if no one steps up to adopt her fairly soon, she may just end up as part of our pack permanently!

One thing that I have noticed is that Teenie has been a "house dog" so long that she didn't really know how to relax and enjoy herself while off leash in the yard - but that is also changing and for the better. She gets more exercise now and is giving her beagle nose a good work out.

Somewhere out there is a forever home for Teenie.  Please, make arrangements for your pets to be cared for in the event that something happens to you - don't leave them behind with an uncertain future.

Okie, A Horse's Story

Okie is a grade (no registrations papers) gelding, 5 years old.  He was living in Oklahoma which was going through a major drought and suffering from a pasture and hay shortage, which may help to account for the fact that Okie was terribly thin.  A friend knew that we were looking for a well broke horse for someone who hadn't ridden in many years.  He was told that Okie was well broke, had been ridden many many miles, so he brought him home.  The other horses rapidly pushed him to the bottom of the feed line, so Okie wasn't able to get his share, and there was no way to separate him and feed Okie separately to guarantee he got his groceries.  We told our friend to bring him to us. 

Okie had ribs showing, had gotten kicked in the mouth and was having trouble eating when he arrived.  We wormed him with Strongid C and followed it up 10 days later with Ivermectin. He started to shed the long guard hairs of a wormy horse.  We made sure he had pasture and plenty to eat.

Personality wise, Okie is kind, doesn't want to hurt anyone.  He is at the bottom of the pecking order here as well.  However, he told us that he didn't like his previous job.  He didn't want to be caught, would guard his right side, and you could see the fear in his eyes when we approached.  So, I grabbed my trusty curry comb as he was shedding and started rubbing and brushing, no halter, to let him know that I meant no harm.  We had to start somewhere.  I took a little while, but he finally relaxed and his eyes became soft, liquid pools - relaxed and trusting. 

We then had friends ask us if we wanted to turn a couple of horses out to clean up an overgrown pasture - so we accepted and turned him out with another horse to graze and fatten up. 

We are going to go get both horses tomorrow, and then we will see how well broke Okie is now that he has gained over 200 pounds and is worm free.  He may not be the horse we are looking for and it may be necessary to find him a new home, but he now has a chance at a long and happy life.

Where There's a Will ---

Where there's a will, a male Jack Russell terrier/chihuahua mix male will breed a lab/hound mix female. The result is shown in the photo.

The owners of the parents never thought the small male would be able to accomplish his deed, so they never had the female spayed, nor the male neutered. They had never had puppies before and did not realize the female was pregnant. They thought she was just getting fat and lazy till December 10, 2011 when their son called and told them the female had had a puppy on the day bed. Shocked, they got home to find 7 live puppies, one proud momma, and one dad with a grin. Where there's a will - - -

Earlier this week I was checking Craigslist as I often do, because sometimes there are highly adoptable dogs that are being given away "free to good homes" or they will be taken to a kill shelter. If I can help by rescuing the dogs and putting them with a responsible rescue to rehome, I offer. I always tell the owners what my intentions are right up front, and sometimes they are okay with it and sometimes they are offended, and sometimes just plain angry. Oh well, can't win them all.

This particular family is leaving the state for a week this evening and contacted me to say that they had at least 8 emails from people who wanted the pups. There were only three left, one male and the two girls pictured. I told the family to let me know if they needed me. This morning I got an email stating that the people never showed up and offering to bring me the puppies. Olivia and Minnie arrived around 10 this morning. They have been well cared for, have been to the vet for their first series of vaccinations and a worming, and have obviously been loved. They won't go to a kill shelter, but will be here with me till I can make arrangements with a local rescue to help me find them homes.

The owner said she has a new respect for rescues as she found out how many people say things they don't mean, leave you high and dry, and are no shows. I told her that I would never rehome a dog with anyone who didn't show up for a scheduled appointment and didn't call to explain why - it shows that they are irresponsible and would put something else ahead of the welfare of the animal. Granted, there are emergency situations that arise, but those are usually rare.

So, the male JR/chihuahua mix has been neutered, and mom is scheduled to be spayed. Olivia and Minnie are on their way to a new home. Yep, where there's a will, there's a way!

Mother Nature's Role in Rescue

Callie, a one year old lab/greyhound mix, was found as a stray by a family. She was extremely thin and had some skin issues so they took her to the vet and found that she had a chip. The family and the vet's office made several attempts to call the owners, but the phone had been disconnected. Callie had been taught basic commands and was housebroken, got along with the two dogs already present, and she started creeping into their hearts right off. The vet's office suggested that they send a letter to the address and give the original owners 10 days to claim her. While this was transpiring, one of their employees got hold of me and asked if I would take her in if the original owners didn't claim her. The new family had two dogs and had decided that three was just too many.

I immediately started making arrangements to work with a local rescue that has been absolutely wonderful about helping out. Since Callie was now 2 hours away, transporting her would have to wait for the ten days to go by, and then till the weekend to make the trip. Meanwhile, I asked her new family to find out as much about her and her veterinary records as possible. We found that she was spayed, vaccinated but due for rabies and distemper shots. The new family had their vet treat her skin issues, test her for heartworms, got her flea preventive, and put her on heartworm preventive. When the 10 days were up, no one had responded, and I got an email stating that they needed to bring her to me as the longer they had her, the harder it was going to be to part with her. I suggested that they find a rescue closer to them and ask to have them post her on Petfinder, so that they could participate in her adoption. After all, they obviously loved her and were taking excellent care of her. They could foster her for the rescue till she was adopted. The family said they needed to move her on as they were getting extremely attached to her and arrangements were made to transport her to me over the weekend. Silently I prayed that they would change their minds and decide to keep her, as they were obviously a great match.

Good old Mother Nature helped with some divine intervention --- we had our first big snowstorm of the winter with snow, subzero temperatures, blowing snow. Main highways were reported as snow and ice packed and driving was discouraged. We told them to wait, and we would make other arrangements.

This morning I got an email stating that the new family had had the weekend to talk things over, and since they love Callie so much and she has been with them for three weeks and it's been working out just fine --- they are going to keep her!

The Chow's Story

She brought me a red chow with the explanation that she had to move out of the house and couldn't find a place that would allow the dog. It's an often given reason to surrender a dog. However, she loved him, called him "angel baby doll", and wanted him back. My boss told me to take the dog but she had to come out to the kennel every day to exercise and clean and feed him. It was obvious the dog had some aggression issues, but nothing was said or offered. The owner had been sobbing, was obviously depressed.

As time went on, the dog did well for me when she wasn't there, but when she was, he would be wary. I would walk along with her, pieces of hot dog in my pocket, working on socializing him. I have had many chows of my own in the past and I like the breed and wanted to do what I could to help him in case she couldn't take him back. In the process she told me she had had an excellent job, good pay, good benefits, but when the auto industry fell apart, she got laid off and couldn't find anything that paid as well. She had lost her home, was in danger of losing her vehicle, and was so depressed. Her eyes were always puffy and her hair was always a mess - very unkept. I would walk along and one day told her about how my husband, kids, and I had lived around race tracks without a decent income, and many times we were down to our last few dollars. I told her that she had to have faith, but she also needed to get up and find something that would give her a pay check, even if it wasn't what she was used to, until something better came along.

About six weeks after "angel baby doll" came to me, we were exercising him and sat down on a step to talk. She had gotten a call from someone who wanted her to work at a convenience store. Not a great wage, but a job. She was worried that she wouldn't be able to come take care of "ABD" if she was working days. "ABD" was improving, still better when she wasn't there, and as if he knew, came over to me and wanted a back rub. He did this twice. However, the second time, the owner was overcome with emotion because the dog was accepting me, and reached over me to pet him. He immediately tore into me in nothing short of a vicious attack. When she reached to grab him, he started to turn on her, and when I blocked it, he got my other arm. Fortunately, he didn't try to grab my face or throat. She told me she didn't know what to do, and I told her to grab his collar and pull him away, then put him away, and come to the house to help me dress my arms and talk.

While she helped me with a sanitary pad pressure dressing (I have since learned to keep first aid supplies on hand at all times), she told me that she had lived with at least two men who were abusive, and "ABD" had protected her. As a matter of fact, the last one had been attacked the day before she came to me, and that's why she had to move out. I wish she had told me up front about that! She said she was taking the job, would be working days, and she wanted the dog euthanized so he wouldn't hurt anyone else.

I saw her again at the convenience store, and she was doing better, and understood that the lesser job was the right thing to do. A year later I met her in Walmart. She looked radiant, hair shiny and beautiful, no puffy eyes, smile on her face, makeup, dressed nicely. She told me that she had stayed at the convenience store till "something better came along". She had her own apartment, a good job, managed to keep her vehicle, and was very happy. She apologized for what had happened, but said she was grateful that we met when we did.

So. "Angel Baby Doll" in his own way saved a human.

Cody and Bear

Cody, a purebred chocolate lab female, and Bear, a purebred black lab male, were found by a neighbor over the long holiday weekend. Since the neighbor is known for rescuing dumped dogs and cats, she automatically assumed that they were dumped. She called several rescues which were closed for the holiday weekend, and as soon as she could took both dogs to the local veterinarian to see if they were microchipped. Since it's a small town, there is always the possibility that the staff at the vet's office would recognize the dogs and be able to contact the owners. They weren't chipped. The neighbor couldn't keep them at her house as she is getting ready to leave town for several days, so she asked if the vet's office could take them in as they are the unofficial pound for the area. No room at the inn. The vet's staff called me to see if I had room to keep them and find the owners, a rescue, or rehome them.

Cody and Bear were brought to me, and I immediately started contacting a rescue that has helped us out before. A couple of hours later, thanks to the sheriff's department, the owners made contact and said they would pick them up. It seems they have "electronic fencing" and in the bad weather over the long weekend, the fencing failed and the dogs took off on a hunt.

I made sure that the owners knew how close they came to losing these two great dogs forever. If the rescues that were contacted in the larger cities had taken them in, they would have been considered "owner surrenders" and might have been euthanized for space. If the vet's office hadn't known that I have extra kennel space available, they might have been forced to do the same. Not to mention the fact that if some of the other rescues had had space or been open, Cody and Bear might have ended up so far from home that they wouldn't have been found. I strongly encouraged the owners to microchip their wonderful dogs. I had two people that I already know interested in Cody - she would have had a new home within 48 hours.

In the process, we might have found a home for one of my rescues that was once considered "very difficult to adopt". Ms. Ellie, the border collie, would flat foot a 6 ft. fence, get bored and chew stuff up, and has a fear of thunder and gunshots. She no longer jumps the fence, doesn't chew stuff up, and her fear of thunder is much less. She helps us herd the alpacas, but it isn't the perfect situation, as the llamas and alpacas aren't real fond of dogs. The neighbor's father has a farm and a herd of cattle, not to mention a six year old border collie male. He's looking for a younger dog to help him herd cattle and learn from the older dog. We are going to give her a chance at a life that will fulfill her better than we can. Bottom line is that if it doesn't work, they bring her back to us. Thanks Cody and Bear for helping us find what just might be the perfect home for our sweet Ellie!

Evie's Story

The animal control officer found her wandering the streets of a city. On a body score index of one to five, five being fat and sassy - she is a 1. Whether she got loose and got lost or whether the family that owned her couldn't afford to feed her, we will never know. Whatever the case, Evie, named for being rescued on the eve of Christmas Eve, needed help. The staff at the shelter called to see if PAWS Hancock would take her in. The shelter was full to the brim and that means that any animal that comes in with a health issue is at risk of euthanasia.

Evie was rescued and went to the vet immediately. She is about two years old and looks like a chihuahua and toy fox terrier mix. She weighed only 6.4 founds. She has a wonderful sweet personality, and her tail wags non stop in spite of the fact that she is starving. Her ribs and hip bones stick out for all to see, and she has no muscle mass in the front half of her body. She does have some muscle mass in her thighs. She is heartworm negative and is on a deworming program. She is also on a special feeding schedule for a week till she gets used to eating again without gulping down her whole meal and to give her internal organs time to readjust themselves to proper nutrition.

Right now Evie needs some time to get healthy again, but soon she will be looking for a new home. If anyone would like to help with her expenses or wants to adopt this sweetheart, please go to the PAWS Hancock website at http://www.pawshancock.org/ or email pawshancock@aol.com.

Clint's Cosmetic Surgery

Yes, it's true --- Clint, a six year old chocolate lab, has had cosmetic surgery!!!

Now, as the saying goes, here's "the rest of the story". Clint was a stray for at least two weeks. He wandered into a small town and hovered between two homes which were across the road from each other. His guardian angels kept him from getting hit on the road. One of the families finally called H.E.A.R.T. rescue in Eldora, Iowa and asked for help for this gentle, kind, well mannered dog. He was sick, and the rescue got him to the vet and on antibiotics, and he is healthy now.

Clint knows sit, not to jump on people, takes treats gently, loves to play ball, and the vet said he is only about six years old, in spite of the white muzzle. Clint has degenerative retinal disease that cannot be fixed, so he can see shadows, dark and light. He needs a home and family with a fenced yard to keep him safe. Unfortunately, because of his size (80 pounds) and his disability, only one person has come forward to meet him. Even more unfortunately, the person who asked for the meeting wanted a registered chocolate lab to replace her "lost" dog. Her lost dog had wandered off never to be seen again - her comment was that he probably went off to die and he "was just a farm dog". Needless to day, Clint would not have been adopted out to her.

Clint is very friendly and would really like to be a lap dog. He seems fine with other dogs, and is not interested in cats. He hasn't been around small children since he has been in rescue, but his good nature and gentleness makes one think that a family with children would be a definite possibility.

Clint is microchipped, current on vaccinations, heartworm tested negative and on heartworm preventive, and neutered.

The cosmetic surgery??? - when Clint was neutered, he had lots of extra scrotal skin, so the vet did a scrotal tuck!!!

Please pass this along and help me find a forever home for this wonderful dog. For more information about adopting Clint, go to www.petfinder.com and search for H.E.A.R.T. Rescue in Eldora, Iowa. Let's give this guy a home for Christmas!!!

If You Can't Adopt - - -

This holiday seasons takes a toll on animal shelters and rescues. Shelters, because of budget restrictions, often have to euthanize animals right before the holidays to keep from paying overtime. Rescues find that there are some folks who really want to adopt a dog or cat, but for the most part, everyone is caught up in shopping and preparing for the holidays while the shelters and rescues are full to the brim and stretching to make ends meet.

If you can't adopt, then please consider fostering even if it's just for a short time. Let's get as many of the adoptable animals into homes for the holidays. Never know, you might decide to keep the dog or cat! Also, if you do decide to adopt or foster this time of year, first of all for the first week or two, please don't invite everyone you know and their own pet to meet your new arrival. Give them time to settle in to your routine. With the excitement and stress levels of the holiday season, it's best to give them a crate in a room where they can smell, hear and see what's going on before they have to dive into the middle of a room full of excited children or stressed out adults.

If you can't foster, then maybe you could volunteer for an hour or two. The dogs, cats, and staff really appreciate it. They have lots of work to do and often don't have nearly as much time as they would like to walk, pet, socialize, groom, etc.

If you can't volunteer, then maybe you could donate. Bleach, dry dog food, dry cat food, litter, canned food, treats, tennis balls, toys, blankets, towels, even cheap collars and leads are all very welcome any time.

If you don't have time to do any of the above, maybe just sponsor an animal. Send a donation, however large or small, to help support a rescued dog or cat, horse, goat, chicken - it all helps out!!!

On behalf of the rescues and shelters that I have worked with and currently work with, we thank you for any help you can give us.

Taxi Needs a Ride

Taxi is a senior maltese at the Animal Protection League in Anderson, Indiana. He has bad teeth and even a couple of snaggle teeth in the front, a hernia, a fatty tumor, and with his age and health issues, he has yet to be adopted or even fostered. Ever since I first saw his face and read his story, my gut instinct has refused to let him out of my mind.

If I were still in Indiana, I would contact my rescue coordinator, aka "partner in crime", and ask to make a road trip to get him, with a stop at our favorite Taco Bell on the way. We used to do that every chance we had --- and always took extra crates so we could pull a few more adoptable dogs and even cats while we were there.

I can't explain the attraction. I look at pictures on Petfinder every day, but this little guy has gotten into my head and heart.

The Animal Protection League, formerly Anderson Animal Care and Control, has one of the most caring and dedicated staff ever. They try their level best to find homes for dogs, cats, and occasionally a chicken, goat, or some other animal.

Taxi - my prayer is for you to have a new home for Christmas.

Roxy Gets Another Chance

Roxy is an 18 month old German shorthair mix that was adopted from a local humane society at eight weeks old. She has a certificate of completion in obedience school, knows sit, down, high five, shake, is spayed, and very well house trained and crate trained and isn't a barker. She's currently at the end of her "teenage years". She weighs around 40 pounds and is a beautiful chocolate with classic shorthair white markings on her legs and belly.

My son called me one day and said her owners had decided that they could no longer keep her because of their 12 hour shift work and her "hyper" behavior. He asked if I would consider taking her in and doing some rehab as she also didn't come when called, and after that go on and find her a new home. They didn't want to take her to a local shelter as they were concerned about the possibility of euthanasia.

Roxy came to me with the main problem of not paying attention. I worked with her on her leash skills and recall, and in a matter of a couple of days she was walking like a champion on a leash and starting to come when called. My husband actually asked me just why they were giving her up as she has been so very well behaved here.

She improved so rapidly and behaved so well that I contacted the owner, as was the agreement, and told her that I really felt she could make this work if she was willing to take some advice, instruction and coaching along the way.

Yesterday I got an email saying that they felt their long shifts at work would make it just too difficult to take her back and to find her a new home. I was disappointed, but went on to email a local rescue that was willing to post her on Petfinder for me.

However, today I got another call asking if I really thought it could work. The owners just can't stand the thought of giving her up for good. Of course I do!!! So Roxy is going to get to go home, and I am going to do my level best to help them make this work for the whole family! So, in our prayers at Thanksgiving, we will be sure to include a prayer for this family and their success.

Cat Problems

This is about someone who is trying to save a bunch of cats --- barn cats to be specific --- that were dumped by people who didn't want them. These kind hearted folks live on a gravel road in the middle of acres and acres of farms, and they have provided shelter, food, and gentled these cats. They started out getting them spayed and neutered, but soon there were so many more that their fixed income would not allow them to continue the practice. As word spread that you could dump your cats on that piece of road and they would be fed and cared for, more were dumped. Just last week a tiny gray long hair about 8 weeks old was dropped off. You know it didn't stray out there!!!

Now, with winter coming and so many to feed, these folks need to find homes or barns or something for these animals. They have contacted rescue groups and shelters. The shelters will take them and admit that there are so many cats that euthanasia is almost guaranteed. The rescues want to charge these kind folks from $20 to $50 per cat to take them in. There are about 20 cats. In all cases, the rescues were somewhat accusatory - asking why they didn't have them all altered. I guarantee you that if that many animals, dog or cat, were dumped around here, we could not personally afford to alter all of them and neither can these folks. The fact that they have provided the care that they have and are concerned for their continued welfare speaks for itself.

I know the cats were dumped. I know they have been taken in and fed and given shelter and affection and attention. I don't know what the solution to her problem is going to be. I have found homes for a few of them with people who will make sure they do not reproduce.

I guess my biggest problem with this whole thing is that these good folks are going to have to pay lots of money they really can't afford to spend to attempt to be sure that these animals have homes and care ----- and they weren't the ones who just dumped them on a gravel road to get rid of them!!!!!!

FYI - Answering Questions

Since we moved, I have been asked by many people what my status is with PAWS Hancock, so here's the skinny.

The private rescue that my husband and I cared for could no longer afford to pay us. This had nothing to do with PAWS Hancock, as the work that I did for them was all volunteer. We were asked by a veterinarian to come back to Iowa and take care of his alpaca farm, so we accepted.

Am I doing rescue and rehab? Because we live on the farm in the home provided, we were allowed to bring the animals that we currently owned - horses, dogs, and cats. However, it is still not our home or our farm, and we are at the limit. Consequently, I am unable to foster any other animals at this time.

However, I am able to help out the local veterinary clinic which serves as an unofficial pound for the area by contacting rescue groups when their kennels are overflowing and adoptable dogs will have to be euthanized for space. I am able to post and crosspost for the shelters and rescues that I am acquainted with in an effort to draw attention and possible adopters to their animals whether it be canine, feline, or equine.

I still write the blog for PAWS Hancock and keep in touch with the staff there. We talk often about behavior problems, health problems, and anything else rescue related just as we did for five years prior.

Will I do rescue again? If possible, yes, definitely. We don't have a lot of income and I refuse to be someone who takes a lot of animals in and then can't take care of them properly. I'm picky. I want them to have clean, spacious surroundings, plenty of room to play and time to enjoy the outdoors and be dogs, good food, comfortable beds and time to spend with each and every one of them. I do not want to become someone who collects dogs and cats and takes in so many that there is no time to spend enjoying life. I certainly don't want to become someone who hoards animals - who takes them in and then convinces themselves that no one can care for them as well and won't let them go on to a new home, meanwhile collecting so many that often the quality of care seriously suffers. As a rescuer, I have seen this happen first hand, and it's not pretty.

I miss my work as a rescuer. I miss the rehab of the dogs. I miss going to the kill shelters and picking out as many of the adoptable as possible. I miss stopping at Taco Bell for lunch on those days. I miss the people at the kill shelters who called us and begged us to come save some of the dogs - as many as we could - because those folks really tried hard to find homes or rescues for the animals they took in. I miss the veterinarian and his staff that we worked with. They were always there for us. They taught me a lot, and they were good about giving straight answers when it was down to the hard decisions.

Would I do it again? You betcha! Of all the jobs I have had, and there have been quite a few, this has been by far the most rewarding - not the best paying job monetarily speaking - but the most rewarding in so many other ways.

Don't shop --- ADOPT!

The Saddest Happiest Day

Orlando, the puppy that aspirated something while with his first adoptive family, got bilateral bronchial pneumonia, nearly went over the Rainbow Bridge, and has been recuperating for the last five months --- has found his forever home!

With the help of Dr. Doug and his foster mom, Gina, Orlando was able to be weaned off the antibiotics and got well enough to be neutered. While all of this was going on, a young man named Elijah, who suffers from asthma and knows the limits to his activity, not to mention the medication and the nebulization, was looking at Petfinder to find a dog. He spotted Orlando, read about his problems, and told his parents that this was a dog who had the same problems he did. They decided to look into adopting Orlando.

Orlando and Elijah love to play, but they have to sit and catch their breath every once in awhile. Sometimes they have to be nebulized, particularly when the weather is hot and humid. The great part is that Elijah understands Orlando's needs and vice versa.

So, after five months of treatment and some $10,000 in veterinary expenses, Orlando was adopted yesterday by Elijah and his family. For Nancy, Gina, and myself, it was the saddest happiest day - tears of joy and many thanks for the blessings and things that we learned from this event in our lives.

Hoarded Situation

Danny [see photo], Doogie, and Daisy were part of some 28 animals confiscated by a local animal control when an 87 year old woman was evicted from her home. The neighbors reported a terrible smell coming from the property. Investigators took 19 dogs and 9 cats from the property and had to do it in 15 minute spurts as the stench was so bad!

PAWS Hancock took Daisy, a 3-4 yr. old Parson Russell/chihuahua mix who is very nice but very timid and scared. Daisy needs a home with someone who will make her brave rather than reward her timid behavior. Doogie is also a 3-4 month old PR/chi mix, cute as they come, and already has a foster home while waiting for his forever home. Then there's Danny. Danny's ears were raw from fly bites, and he is heartworm positive and will start treatment next week. Danny has a wonderful personality, and if you would like to donate to help pay for his treatment or help sponsor any of these dogs, please go to http://www.pawshancock.org/.

Orlando is Ready to Adopt

In previous blogs dated 3/20/11 and 5/10/11, I've told you the story of Orlando, one of Olive's pups that got adopted, apparently aspirated something, got very sick with bilateral bronchial pneumonia, was returned to PAWS Hancock very sick, and thanks to the doctors and staff at IVEC (emergency clinic) made it back from the edge of the rainbow.

He has been under the care of Dr. Doug and his staff for the last couple of months and had a repeat chest x ray this week to see how his lungs were doing and give us a prognosis, as well as the potential for adoption.

It's all good news. Yes, part of his left lung is dead but won't pose any problem in the future. However, his right lung is clear and has compensated for the damage to the left lung.

Orlando is ready to find a family to adopt him. He will need medication, bronchodilators, and when the weather is very damp or very hot and humid, he may even need a breathing treatment with a nebulizer. He has been nebulized several times a day for so long he knows how to behave and when the timer goes off!!! Orlando has other dogs to play with at his current foster home, and it has been good for him. He knows when he needs to sit down and rest and catch his breath before continuing. He loves to eat, is house broken, and knows what "no" means.

Our hope is that someone will apply to adopt him that will be willing to give him the chance to function like a normal healthy dog. He needs someone who will, of course, keep an eye on his health, but not over protect him. He loves life, and he needs to be allowed to live it. It would be great if there were another dog for him to play with.

My thanks to IVEC, Dr. Doug and his staff, Nancy, and especially Gina, who took over his care when we moved. All have done a wonderful job in keeping his little boy alive.

Now, send in those applications or fill them out online at http://www.pawshancock.org/!!!

When a Door Closes

Rounder (blogs dated 3/19/09 thru 3/21/09) and Abby both had strikes against them when they were rescued. Rounder had been an escape artist, nearly been shot by police, nearly been euthanized by the local vet whose office also served as the pound, and finally, after a lot of rehabilitation, found his home with a great family. Abby was also a stray, an escape artist, scheduled for euthanasia by animal control and was rescued by the same great family. The dogs both had hound in them and liked to hunt, and on the farm there were plenty of critters that didn't belong. Rounder and Abby had a family that loved them, took excellent care of them, and when they found that Abby wasn't good about staying home, they went took the time and expense of putting up a fence to contain her. She managed to find a way out so she could go hunting, and they added more fencing and an electric fence component to keep her on the farm and out of trouble.

The family moved out of state and the dogs went with them. When they traveled back to the farm, they drove some 1800 miles so the dogs could be with them and have a vacation as well.

However, a few weeks ago, I got an email that the dogs had been killed the night of a monster storm. The family had to run to town, the skies were clear, and they didn't expect to be gone very long. The dogs were happy and lying one on the porch in the shade and the other under a tree in the grass. There was plenty of fresh water available, as well as shelter just in case.

While the family was away, a band of thunderstorm activity popped up and blew through with tremendous rain and wind. The electric fence was useless, and the wind and rain knocked limbs down - Abby could see a way to go hunting! Rounder and Abby died doing what they loved - hunting a critter, or maybe more than one.

The family was devastated, felt so guilty, and so empty. They got on Petfinder and found an older pup with injuries from an accident that they felt drawn to. It was at an animal control, a kill shelter, in their area. They contacted animal control and were told they would not be allowed to adopt. Heartbroken, they contacted me. I understand how this could happen - I have a dog that I rescued that would disappear under certain circumstances. I am working on her fear of thunder and loud noises, but it will take time. I contacted the rescue coordinator that I worked with while the kennel manager for the rescue, told her the story, and asked her if she would consider letting the family adopt. She also has had a few close calls with her own dogs and understands that sometimes stuff happens. She told me she would be willing to adopt to them as we both know they are an excellent family that deserves to adopt. Unfortunately, there wasn't a dog in the rescue that would fit. I told the family not to get in a hurry but to take their time and find the right dog, especially since they have three very well behaved youngsters.

Two days ago, they saw a brown face peeking through their front porch window. They couldn't believe their eyes when they realized it was a chocolate lab, probably purebred, very thin, but wanting to be saved. They immediately took him in, fixed him up a nice comfy bed, scheduled a visit to the vet, and took some pictures. He's obviously a young dog and thin from being on his own for awhile. They call him Rusty, and he has five people that love him dearly. From experience, I know that Rusty will be well taken care of and loved.

So, when one door closed, another opened. Rusty was out there somewhere needing a home. Whether he was neglected, dumped, ran off during a storm, we will never know - but we do know that he found his family. Yep, Rusty won the lottery!

Wiggles, Waddles, and a Wookie

Two trips to animal control in a week, but what a wonderful group of adoptable dogs we found!

There's the "N" pups - stands for nuthin' cuter! They are a cocker spaniel mix, friendly, learning about life, and ready for a new home. There's Zeke, a toy fox terrier mix that is not at all aggressive, likes people and will play as well as cuddle. There's Skippy, a dachshund/Jack Russell mix - they don't come any cuter. Bandit is a border collie, rough coat, puppy that wants a family and a job for the rest of his life.

Need something a bit older and more settled? We got him. His name is Scooby, a short legged, somewhat unusual looking mix of corgi and pug. He is an older dog, but he's well behaved, friendly, and looking for a home.

Then there's Wookie - a shih tzu puppy. He's a ball of energy, fluff, and fun

All of the above wiggle when they see people, some waddle while they grow and learn, and then there's Wookie!