Hospice For Homeless Animals.. Not Fair, Not Kind...

Just when you think sheltering can't get more unrealistic..  a new moneymaker scheme pops up...  I try to keep up with animal news in our area and the only published source in Reno, is the "rabid dog blogger"  He considers himself a cut above the rest of the world in animal husbandry, and remains blissfully unaware of his ignorance.  I am finding out how much work Oreo has done over the years and some of the stupid ideas she has come across; the latest is animal hospice.  One enterprising lady ran a press release on the above mentioned blog requesting.....drumroll please....donations.  Her dream, a huge sanctuary where all the unwanted, unadoptable dogs will live out their days.  She describes at length a huge  building with individual yards for each of the many "communal" living areas where these dogs with "issues" will reside. In this fantasy all the dogs will cease "dog on dog aggression" and learn to live in peace and harmony.  That is the reasonable part of the plan, and it's bandied about on many blogs.  A person has a little luck with one rehab case and suddenly they are living in the solution....It was the second part of her plan that started the chill down my spine, hospice. 
There was, perhaps still is, a very nice place in Washington state called Old Dog Haven, that I've heard wonderful first hand accounts about.  So I am not saying it can't be done, only that based on the nature of the beast, perhaps it shouldn't be done. Animals do not understand treatment, they don't live with our expectations and understanding of "tomorrow"  they live in today.  When one considers their almost total dependance on human charity, that is a good thing.  Hospice tradionally implies dying naturally with available pain relief, in your own home with familar things.  It's not about going from a home to a shelter, to a foster ; and finally, somewhere over the rainbow, a " sanctuary" among strange environs, with unknown kennel mates.That is not hospice; that is taking dying dogs hostage to satisfy some unmet need of the rescue person.
Mr. Nathan wrote a blog a long time ago about an Uncle who died at home and a dog who was put to sleep..His opinion was the Uncle had a kinder death; I would concur that may be the case.  However they did not take the Uncle to a shelter, his Uncle did not die on a cot in a dorm at the Salvation Army, he died at home.  These sanctuaries are often little more than above ground graves.
 We are all still at a loss, literally, over Oreo, and running a blog without her is difficult at best, but her passing was peaceful and dignified. Old dogs without a home need a home, not another kennel situation.  Oreo fostered many puppies and was a friend to all, and yet we respected her space.  The thought of her in some foreign kennel with other old dogs and no family is saddening.  Old dogs need their rest, they need to be allowed to pick the times of interaction. They need love, respect , dignity and mostly, their own home.  Anything less is just dead wrong. Please don't think someone else can take better care of your aging dog than you can, it's a myth... What was the donation needed by this lady to start her "huge sanctury" ? The $850.00 to get her 501c.  This is the mentality behind to many of these people....they need to price some med's; more than compassion is needed.
Pictured is Oreo when I first moved here, she's checking on me.....

Here We Come Again

Computer issues forced a temporary closing.  My sincere apologies to anyone inconvenienced with our sudden departure.  Our beloved friend Oreo passed away and I wanted to do a tribute to her, but the time for that has come and gone. We took a drive over the hill to Reno to check out the huge adoption event put on by my (former) NHS comrades.  It was held in a casino parking lot comprised primarily of vendors . The animals were poorly presented, and the impression was, very few found homes.   My daughter's background is in merchandising, we made a holiday of the trip and she went along.  Her comment  "even a fire sale. without shoppers is useless"  was a sad but fair description.  The focus was on animals looking for homes and all the rescues turned out, but few adopters.  There were dogs tied out which is against the law there, but no enforcement.  In the past we volunteers were asked to walk the dogs through the crowd, now some are tied to posts etc. It presented a real threat to the small toddlers dragging behind  tired parents.  The dogs themselves were in danger because there was no escape  if approached by another dog'
Desperation is causing rescues to get very sloppy.  My grandaughter must have felt my disgust as I was mumbling a prayer to myself.  She asked if Baby Jesus loved Mr. Winograd too, I told her not if he knew the whole truth.  Good question for me to take to my knees tonight.
I have asked myself how can a person who considers himself a good Christian, who works with the most sordid of prisoners, carry such fury.  I don't believe an animal life has more value or innocence than a human, yet there is an overwhelming disgust at just the mention of the man's name.
Mr. Winograd was there, I am positive it was him.  He walked among the vendors and shook hands introducing himself . I had the feeling he was working the crowd.
There have been rumblings in Sac about the push for  statewide changes to more humane treatment of shelter pets.  I am keeping a steady eye to the northern section.  All things from SF are to be scrutinized.
After 3 weeks of saying " For the love of Christ ! " it's a relief to sign off with
In Christ's love Chap.

Time To Take Out The Garbage..

The latest word floating around Washoe is....the bad guys appear to be movin' on.  I wish Oreo were alive to see this, but it's happening and I bet she is on the bridge cheering us on.  The contract for the intake portion expires as far as reimbursement goes at the end of 2011.  Time for NHS to pay the piper, and start taking owner surrenders. NHS has been running them off ,and slamming them with shame, but at least there was a stipend.  No Kill has never paid it's pay, they run through reserves and endowments at most local humane societies ; No KIll takes them down pretty quick , Mr. Nathan has never had to deal with reality and he doesn't seem inclined to start now.  Shelters cost money, even the most dedicated volunteers cannot be the "staff" of a shelter...we require trained employees with a work ethic.  Mr. Nathan thinks dummies in a truck should do just fine, no point in wasting money on a union employee.  Most anyone who can work a stick shift can do the job.  I am praying that the winds of change have finally arrived, Mitch would give away the store and has not a clue that as soon as he is not connected to the County, Nathan will throw him under the bus. Other than messing up the road, that's where he belongs.
Pictured is Priss in her office with her laptop..

Time To Take Out The Garbage..

The latest word floating around Washoe is....the bad guys appear to be movin' on.  I wish Oreo were alive to see this, but it's happening and I bet she is on the bridge cheering us on.  The contract for the intake portion expires as far as reimbursement goes at the end of 2011.  Time for NHS to pay the piper, and start taking owner surrenders. NHS has been running them off ,and slamming them with shame, but at least there was a stipend.  No Kill has never paid it's pay, they run through reserves and endowments at most local humane societies ; No KIll takes them down pretty quick , Mr. Nathan has never had to deal with reality and he doesn't seem inclined to start now.  Shelters cost money, even the most dedicated volunteers cannot be the "staff" of a shelter...we require trained employees with a work ethic.  Mr. Nathan thinks dummies in a truck should do just fine, no point in wasting money on a union employee.  Most anyone who can work a stick shift can do the job.  I am praying that the winds of change have finally arrived, Mitch would give away the store and has not a clue that as soon as he is not connected to the County, Nathan will throw him under the bus. Other than messing up the road, that's where he belongs.
Pictured is Priss in her office with her laptop..