Just touching base.

The flu bug has hit our keyboard operator, so we are trying to get back on track. Shelter searches haven't turned up a dog suitable for our friend, if you know of a 4 / 5 year old female Aussie please put up a post; she is checking the blog. It must be a girl since the visiting dogs are all male. Gathering around a picnic table with your adult child, grandkids and a pair of Aussies to romp is geriatric heaven. There are many changes at our local intake shelter, we have a new dog manager and his evaluations bring a new hope to our community. some of the dogs had been there so long we felt sorry for them. It is sad to know they are gone, but a relief to know many of them are out of the pain and lonliness. http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2008/02/17/18479756.php?show_comments=1#18479967

The link goes to a very informed blog, most of the posters are versed in sheltering and really think about long term animal welfare. Think about someone who needs a lift, give them a call and plot something helpful for your community. From Oreo to all of you, thanks.

To those of you ( only 2 ) who didn't get posted, I agree with your feelings, bad things have been done, but this is not a place for anger, we all know the problem and name calling will not solve it. I don't want to edit anyones post, but attack posts just can't be here. the person you speak of as a "pillar" of our community doesn't want to play in the slime. There will be a post when the issues are resolved, but please stay focused on the animals.

Looking for your new best friend

An old friend of mine, lost her best old friend about 6 months ago. I was relieved when she called and asked me to help her look for a new pal. She and her husband have decided a puppy would be to much, so the target age is about 5 years old and a girl dog. Oreo agrees....We went over questions to ask to make the match a lasting one. I always think adoption is the best if the shelter has an animal that will fit into your homelife. Elderly people offer an excellent environment for elderly dogs, of course temperament is everything, and if active grandchildren are going to be visiting often talk that over with shelter staff. Don't be timid about pressing questions, this is for the animals well being as well as your own.

Question number one, is the actual intake date of the animal, they do try to dodge that bullet, but if they won't tell you; find another shelter that will. There are a few happy stories about a dog that made it on the 15 th home, so thank Heaven they kept trying, is the motto of some shelters; I disagree. Repeat adoption on the same animal says someone is not forthcoming to the adopters, or not really listening to the potential new family. There should be full disclosure as to the reasons given for surrendering the animal, not personal to the home, but relevant to the animal being placed. Trying to put a better face on the animal to get it out the door, is dishonest and cruel since the animal runs the risk of being abused when the undisclosed behavior turns up; and it will turn up. Some shelters try to circumvent responsiblility with a dog meet dog session, which proves nothing except the stupidity of the person who thought it up. You do not want your dog being part of some shelter's temperament testing...

A good shelter will have copious notes about the animals in their care, and the notes will be posted on the website; avoid shelters that promote impulse adoptions. It is so unfair to the animals caught up in the maelstorm. People who are ready for a forever relationship will make some effort to find the right one; and they don't want to be coerced into the wrong one. Again, read my font, no blue light specials !!

If the truth about the animals condition will keep it from being adopted, that could still be the kinder path. Better to wait, than go to the wrong home.

One final word of caution; check the conditions. Is there overcrowding ?, don't let anyone explain to you why their case is different. If the shelter is overcrowed the medical and emotional needs of the animals suffer greatly, that is a stafffing / management issue, not for the general public to clean up. I like our local SPCA, it announces proudly, Locally Funded !!

Our other shelter is run from out of state and actually gets grants for adopting out dogs with medical or behavioral issues. Most people are looking for a pet, not a patient, and few in this economy can take on huge vet bills, and back the animal comes. I hope my friend finds her new girl soon, her vet is helping, and it will be a wonderful home.

This is your forum, Oreo & I just provided the blog......

This is Oreo, the mind behind the product. She wants to especially welcome posts from our friends in the sheltering field. Yours is a difficult task and one that most people find a little uncomfortable to talk about. I think today I will lose a little buddy , sometimes that happens, but it always hurts.

This little lovey was on a very busy highway, he came quickly when welcomed and was a joyful creature. He was thin, far to thin really, but his attitude was terrific, we stayed with him for about 45 minutes waiting for the kind people from Animal Control to come & take him to safety. It was a busy day for them, and the truck was loaded when they arrived. I have watched him every morning on Perharbor, waiting for the thoughtless owner to retrieve him; he had tags. Surely help was on the way.......... Well today the stray period is up, and in a world of pitbulls without homes, his chances are slim. His ears suffered at the hands of a home crop, his markings are not stellar, all he has going for him is that wonderful personality, and in a world full of wonderful doggie souls, can that carry him above the equally deserving pack ??

It is times like these when we want to second guess, should we have left him run, ( bringing him home wasn't an option, we have 3 huge guys ) did we do the right thing.... Back and forth like a gerbil on a wheel, the mind spins. Finally a peace comes with an answer, would any caring human leave a defenseless animal running in traffic ?? Of course not. Why act as if there were a choice when there wasn't. I don't know the story of his owner, I can't judge him, I know that day, there were three of us all loving on him and sure we could find him a home if he weren't collected. There was no room at the inn. All of our friends had resident dogs that wouldn't take kindly to a mature fella moving in, myself included. So if we three couldn't pool our resources and come up with a home, how can we expect an owner to do it ? I am aware the local intake facility is supposed to take all owner surrendered animals, I also know it is a real gauntlet to get through the system and leave the dog. When dogs are picked up in our area, the officer always tries first to return them directly to the owner, bypassing the shelter experience, if possible. Sometimes the licensed owners have moved, so the dog is held; hoping they come back for the dog. a notice is put on the door, and the little guy is advertised on the Petharbor site. I think I will go see him this morning, bring a bag of treats, I take some solace in knowing he has been safe during his wait, that he has been treated with kindness and love, and if we lose him; it will be with a gentle touch; not lying in some ditch with traffic roaring by. Maybe I can try to explain " No Kill" to him as he eats his treats, tell him why the shelters are filled with animals so troubled with health issues they will never find a permanent home, and some young healthy animals just never get the chance; and he and I can cry together......

You are what you think..

There is a story told by the American Indians that the Great Spirit decided to divide the worlds of animal and man; so he gathered all the living beings on a great plain and drew a line in the dirt. On one side of the line stood man; on the other side stood all of the animals. And that line began to open up into a great crevasse; and at the last moment, before it became unreachable, dog leaped over - and stood by man.
- Unknown author

I grew up on that story, my Grandfather would speak to me of

" honoring the spirit" of the animals around us. And, I suppose today some therapist would say the old ones " did it wrong" but they taught us, sometimes through a little pain; that animals had feelings too. Once in a fit of anger, I hauled off and gave ol' Myrt the boot, my Grandfather did not miss a beat; in under 30 seconds his palm connected with my fanny. As I whirled around, stunned, at this gentle man who had never raised his voice to me; he turned his back and walked to the dog. Once there he took her by the collar, and me by the hand; and we went into the garden. She didn't want to be close to me; and I sure had my eye on that old man, but we walked to the back of the lot and sat under the Sycamore tree. He told me of trust and betrayal, it wasn't so much that the slipper of a six year old would hurt the Alstatian, it was that I had wounded her spirit. I had thrown away her trust.

That which is created by the Spirit is not mine to harm, but to protect. The cycle of life and death that comes before us, we are charged to honor. Those we cannot save with comfort; we must release with dignity. Over these many years I have lost many animals, some in my selfishness I kept to long; and I learned from that. I have no right to hold any spirit to a sore body. I will leave you with a site that a friend of mine sent to me a few days ago, I found it binding in it's honesty, and the sharing of the readers comments told me it was cathartic for them as well. It is a journal from one who does for us, the most painful task. thus helping us do that which is most difficult..... http://whatikilledtoday.blogspot.com/ From the dogs gathered at my feet to the animals gathered in your heart, we send peace.

Serious thoughts

Give voice to animals in need, there is much we can do, if we each just help a little bit. I saw a sad doggie at the pound today, he had lumps and bumps , and staff was working to make him comfortable. The vets there had made a thorough check over and the old fella had come to them in dire straights. Clearly he had been loved and come on hard times.
I don't believe all these owners are bad, uncaring people, some may be, but I think many times; things beyond the control of the family just happen. Loss of a job, or loss of a home , these are real problems for many members of our community. Scary stuff, and nobody to point the finger of blame at. I read on a blog that there is a fund for medical treatment at many agencies, see if your favorite has such a fund. We are always pretty close at our house, but I keep an ear open if somebody mentions having to give up their pet, I listen to see what I can do to help. We had a real tough time with our girl, and the choices were her medicene or gas for the car. I rode my bike for a long time.... Then I got a call, someone had come in and put $200.00 on her " books" with that bit of help we got through; and today she is doing well. I pay forward every chance I get. That touched me deeply, and I try to give someone else the hope I got from that act of kindness. Sometimes people are choosing between feeding their kids, or keeping their dogs, a bag of kibble quietly placed could make a world of difference. Oreo says " Many paws make light work" I think of the pet as part of the family and if I can help keep that family together, the world is a happier place. After her long illness, Oreo started a website, she makes and sells doggie greeting cards. It helps with her vet bills ( still a staggering $ 175 a month average ) and she donates part of her sales to a rescue group in Las Vegas. You are never to poor to offer something, that is her motto.
Blessings to you and yours..
Ps. All doggie pictures are of our babies & belong to our family, thanks for respecting that.

The Girlydog speaks her mind..

I plan on covering a lot of issues, some serious and others downright funny. We are all stuck on this big blue ball, most of us trying to coexist, with some a little more self absorbed than I like. Not that I am against being slightly self centered; I do ride in the front seat, it's my place in this pack, but at the park I stay in tune with the needs and feelings of others. I share my toys and my human, but not my car. The other day a very attractive pitbull jumped right in the van with me , I thought that was a little pushy and hurried to get my " shotgun" seat first. Once there I stared straight ahead, trying to ignore it. Have you ever tried to ignore a strange Pitbull in your van? But it took the hint and retired to the back area, where the Newfies usually reside. My human went over to a group or women chatting away; and soon there was a "cookie waver" heading our direction. It took her quite a few treats to get him moving, finally my human gave the " Oreo to the rear" direction and I went back to lend a hand. Sometimes we have to do that to make sure the Newfies exit and stay till the leashes are sorted out. It was a good thing both dogs had some manners, and it ended well. I don't know what would have happened if the lady ran out of cookies.....

Thoughts on being a dog....

This is my first attempt at posting on a blog, I will be open to learning new things and sharing what I have learned . The first rule of advice I give anyone who is foolish enough to ask my opinion is " Play nice with your Little friends "
Now I will see how to upload, maybe.This is a collaborative effort of 3 dogs and one human support staff, so please be patient. We did it, we got this puppy up and running !!