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.
Monday, November 21, 2011
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
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!!!!!!
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!!!!!!
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
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 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!
Sunday, August 21, 2011
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.
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.
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
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/.
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/.
Friday, July 8, 2011
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/!!!
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/!!!
Thursday, June 16, 2011
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!
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!
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