Featured Rescue - Maximus the Beauceron

Today's Featured Rescue is Maximus the Beauceron. Maximus ... what a great name. I love it! Unfortunately, he's 6 years old and looking for a new home. He's black and big. I wish him all the luck in the world because he's going to need it.

I didn't know if this guy really was a Beauceron or not but after checking the pictures of this guy, you can see the double dewclaw on his back feet. He looks like a nice guy. Notice that they have a flat collar on him and that the picture they took is of him without a leash? Looks like he's looking up at a person rather than down at another dog or at the ground. There are two other pictures on Petfinder and in one he is in a sit, outside with no leash. Again ... suggests this guy is going to be AWESOME if he isn't already!! Poor old guy - a senior to boot.



Maximus is at the Adams County SPCA in Gettysburg, PA. If anyone is willing to go get him out of the pound, he would probably be ever so grateful.

Guess The Breed #17

Check out this one! What do you think she is? First prize, as always, is a little link love ...

Ready? Set? GO!

Remember the rules for these posts ...



1. No bashing other peoples' opinions.




2. Post your opinion. Don't be shy.



3. Have fun!

Phew, it's HOT!

Today the weather is supposed to break. It has been a balmy 33 degrees celcius (91 degrees farenheit) for most of this week. It's supposed to be a high of 25 degrees today (77 degrees farenheit). Since it's been so hot, herding classes were cancelled and our ACD is GOING CRAZY! She doesn't do well in the heat - was vomiting on Monday from heat exhaustion and we didn't even do anything physical. Unfortunately, even though her body is telling us she can't do anything, her brain is working in overdrive.

You talkin' 'bout me? YOU TALKIN' BOUT ME? Ok ... was just checking.

Did you turn on the airconditioning outside yet? Is too hot.

She is cranky (from the heat) and bored. A nasty combination for our ACD. We've worked through all the food puzzles we have, the cookie balls, took her swimming in the pond, walked a bit through the fields, together we put the ducks away (they fly out of their pen so we often have to herd them back in), tossed the ball for her three times yesterday but she can't run much with the heat or it will make her sick, I even went and bought her a kiddie wading pool (which she is in constantly right now and insists on the water being clean and fresh)! We started a new game of Hide and Seek but she gets bored of this too - she doesn't really want to do anything but doesn't want to do nothing either.

I can't wait until we can "go to sheep" again next week ... I'm sure she's thinking the same thing.

Enjoy the wonderful weather! I'm working on putting a Guess The Breed post together for tomorrow :) "Stay Tuned"

Featured Rescue - Teddy the Australian Shepherd mix

Teddy is a cute little guy. He's listed as an Australian Shepherd mix. He's had some rotten luck ... I'm not sure how he arrived in rescue but he's been in for a good couple of months (since January).

Unfortunately, the worst case scenario happened for poor Teddy! He was hit by a truck while out for a walk with his foster home. The truck broke his pelvis. If you would like to contribute to the next set of x-rays, they will be taken on June 11. I've attached the widget to the bottom of this post if you're interested in contributing. I'm going to put it in the sidebar of my blog for anyone who is interested in contributing a dollar or two.

If everyone who visits this blog contributes $1, we could fundraise the money for Teddy's x-rays in A WEEK!

For those of you who are wondering ... No, I have not had any dealings with this rescue but have heard of it through the grape-vine. They sound legit and I haven't heard any negative feedback.

DogsDeserveFreedom - A Dogs Purpose

I read this and loved it. I thought you might like it too! I don't know who the author is ... if anyone knows, let me know and I will add their names for credit sake.

A Dog's Purpose (from a 6-year-old)

Being a veterinarian, I had been called to examine a ten-year-old Irish Wolfhound named Belker. The dog's owners, Ron, his wife Lisa, and their little boy Shane, were all very attached to Belker, and they were hoping for a miracle.
I examined Belker and found he was dying of cancer. I told the family we couldn't do anything for Belker, and offered to perform the euthanasia procedure for the old dog in their home. As we made arrangements, Ron and Lisa told me they thought it would be good for six-year-old Shane to observe the procedure. They felt as though Shane might learn something from the experience.
The next day, I felt the familiar catch in my throat as Belker's family surrounded him. Shane seemed so calm, petting the old dog for the last time, that I wondered if he understood what was going on. Within a few minutes, Belker slipped peacefully away.
The little boy seemed to accept Belker's transition without any difficulty or confusion. We sat together for a while after Belker's Death, wondering aloud about the sad fact that animal lives are shorter than human lives. Shane, who had been listening quietly, piped up, 'I know why.' Startled, we all turned to him. What came out of his mouth next stunned me. I'd never heard a more comforting explanation.
He said, "People are born so that they can learn how to live a good Life -- like loving everybody all the time and being nice, right?" The Six-year-old continued, "Well, dogs already know how to do that , so they don't have to stay as long"

Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly.

Author unknown

News Reel - Rambo's Update

Here's another twist in the Rambo and Brittany saga. For those of you who don't know the story behind this, check out my earlier posts (part 1, part 2, part 3 and part 4) that explain the details.



The latest news article is from May 20, 2010 (sorry - I didn't see it until today). Reading the headline I'm sure you will see why I have decided to blog about it:

Dog’s ribs broken in shelter: owner

My first thought was ... WTF?! So here are some key points to make note of ...



Rambo, a dog wrongfully impounded by the City of Brampton for more than three months, was returned home with two broken ribs.



An expert has determined the injury is healing, and happened at least two to four weeks before the dog was released by the city. Rambo was impounded for 14 weeks.



Rambo was in a cage alone, away from all other animals, and did not get out for exercise as much as his sister, Brittany, the entire time he was in the city animal shelter, according to reports from the city. There was no physical activity between him and any other dogs, and, kept in a cage all night and much of the day, his movement was limited, according to the family.



The Gaspars are speculating that someone at the shelter hit or poked Rambo, possibly with a stick, because Rambo now, inexplicably, seems frightened of the family’s broom.

Platform Beds vs. Fold Away Beds

I've always wanted one of those beds that fold away into the wall. You know, like the one from the 5th Element movie (where Korban hides Vito Corniellious, the priest). The contemporary platform beds remind me of them. Granted - they look much more comfortable than the one from the movie and I don't think they actually fold into the wall but that's the first thought I had when I looked at the pictures. Do you see the similarities?



Anyway, that site has all sorts of bedroom furniture available but after searching through the pages, I still couldn't find my fold away platform bed. I looked at some of the different styles though and they really are quite nice.



Wow it's been a while since I've written one of these ... how did we do? Have you ever thought about owning one of these types of beds? Would you ever buy one for your home?

Low Cost Spay / Neuter Clinics - Alaska

I have decided to post a list of Low Cost Spay / Neuter Clinics that I have run across in my internet travels. I've never tried these clinics out but if you have, PLEASE post your experience about them!! I'm going to post them by state/province and have a contents page Here

ALASKA

Anchorage Animal Hospital
Anchorage, AK
907-563-2395




Alaska SPCA Spay/Neuter Clinic
549 West International Airport Road #B-2
Anchorage, AK 99518
907-562-2999
Web: http://www.alaskaspca.org/
Open six days a week, but call for information first. Also has a mobile spay/neuter clinic visiting other Alaskan communities.

Low Cost Spay / Neuter Clinics - Alabama

I have decided to post a list of Low Cost Spay / Neuter Clinics that I have run across in my internet travels. I've never tried these clinics out but if you have, PLEASE post your experience about them!! I'm going to post them by state/province. For a complete list of the states/provinces, see the contents page here.

ALABAMA

Feral Cat Coalition
Fairhope AL
251-510-8585
For feral and stray cats.



Baldwin County Humane Society
Baldwin County AL
251-928-4585
For pets.



SNAP
Huntsville AL
256-539-8163



Humane Society of Etowah County
1700 Chestnut Street
Gadsden, AL
256-547-4846



Humane Society of Shelby County
Columbiana, AL
205-669-3916

Low Cost Spay / Neuter Clinics

I have decided to post a list of Low Cost Spay / Neuter Clinics that I have run across in my internet travels. I've never tried these clinics out but if you have, PLEASE post your experience about them!! I'm going to post them by state/province and am going to have this as the contents page. As I create posts, I will come back and Update this page.


Alabama

Alaska

Arizona

Arkansas

California

Colorado

Connecticut

Delaware

Florida

Georgia

Hawaii

Idaho

Illinois

Indiana

Iowa

Kansas

Kentucky

Louisiana

Maine

Maryland

Massachusetts

Michigan

Minnesota

Roped into it ...

I think I must be crazy

I have one heck of a soft spot and people seem to know just how to use it. I get a call yesterday morning asking if I do petsitting. My first answer SHOULD have been a resounding NO but I didn't even get that far because the person who asked me wouldn't stop talking.




She was calling from a local Vet Clinic and said the reason she is asking is because one of their clients is having an emergency ... the dog was diagnosed with Bordetella (Kennel Cough). He has completed a two week period of meds already but the clinic insisted he do another round due to some congestion that remains. He started his second round of meds two days ago and the clinic won't give him his annual vaccinations until he has finished his antibiotics. He is not contagious any more (yes, that was my first question!).




The boarding facility who was supposed to take the dog refused to take him since he is not up to date on his annual vaccinations. He is two days late for his vacc's. The owners left on a plane first thing this morning. They had 24 hours to find an alternative for their dog or they had to cancel their trip.



I get the first call at 9 am about this (note that I am NOT a morning person ... the best time to talk me into doing something is BEFORE I have had my morning coffee), detailing all the info about it. I tell the clinic that I could do it, but that they really should call a specific person who runs a petsitting business to see if she could do it first. I tell them where in the clinic to find her phone number. I don't know if they called or not.




At 11 am I received a panicked phone call from the dog's owner asking if I would please pet-sit their dog. The owner gave me the run down again about this situation they are in. I told them my price and arranged to go over for a meet and greet that afternoon. We sign all the paperwork (because you TOTALLY know I have a million Liability waivers for them to sign!) and I agree to petsit for them this weekend.

I had less than 24 hours notice.

Why the heck did I agree to this?? This happens to be the first weekend in a fitness course that I'm taking with my dog. It's a 2+ hour drive each way to get to the course ... I have to leave at 5 am each morning and won't be home until 7 pm. This class is going to KILL me (I'm not the most fit person but I really would like to be an instructor for this and you KNOW I'll get more fit the more I do the class - that's what learning is all about, no?).




Now I have to leave 30 minutes earlier than planned so I can go over and feed/run their dog before I start the long drive to class.

I think I must be CRAZY

Featured Rescue - Katy the Brussels Griffon

I had a conversation with a lady today who said she has a Brussels Griffon that reminds her of Oscar the Grouch. Thanks to this conversation, I decided to Feature a BG for today's Featured Rescue!

This is Katy. I don't think she looks much like Oscar the Grouch, but maybe if you turn your head to the left ...

Anyway, Katy is around 4 years old and is currently cared for by the American Brussels Griffon Rescue Alliance. Katy is located in the Madison, WI area.

If you read the last clause in the adoption listing, it makes you stop and wonder if there is a distance requirement ... If someone from outside the local area is approved for adoption, they must be willing to fly in to get Katy and that can only happen if she is stable enough to travel in the cabin with the passenger ... however if you read it through and think about it, really they are just saying that they won't drug Katy for transport.

Here's another picture of Katy (to the right). This one looks a lot more like Oscar! I suppose it WAS all a matter of perspective.

News Reel - Ringworm Outbreak at Newmarket OSPCA

This was some really disappointing news when it hit last week but let me start from the beginning. Of course, I have an opinion on this -- how couldn't I?




Last week on Monday, the OSPCA announced that they would be euthanizing 350 animals at their Newmarket, Ontario shelter due to an outbreak of ringworm. Reports stated that approximately 60 of the animals were dogs, the rest were cats, rabbits and "other animals". See Shelter will euthanize pets to end ringworm outbreak for details.




On Tuesday the mass euthanasia began. Euthanization has begun at OSPCA and Dead dog walking. In the "Dead dog walking" article, it states that 6 staff members have been infected.




There were rallies on Tuesday and Wednesday at the shelter. OSPCA Cruelty Agents and OPP officers were brought in for "crowd control". Some officers reported to receive physical threats from protesters.




On Thursday, representatives from the OSPCA announced that they were calling a halt to the euthanasia. OSPCA ‘heard the outcry,’ suspends mass euthanasia. The PR department at this point started backtracking, stating "the organization had misstated the actual number of animals — originally reported as nearly 350 — that would need to be put down".




99 animals were euthanized
15 animals were stolen
96 animals have been placed in foster homes
140 animals remain at the shelter; 23 dogs, 91 cats, and 26 "other animals"




So here's my statement for the record.




OSPCA was wrong in its decision to announce that it will euthanize 350 animals due to a ringworm outbreak without looking for, and eliminating, other options first. Ringworm is treatable HOWEVER it's not easy when it is in a shelter situation with hundreds of animals. The building itself has to be decontaminated. This will not only cost a LOT of money, but will likely result in the building being closed for a certain amount of time. Who would do it? The understaffed shelter? Volunteers (yeah right)? OSPCA should have had all its bases covered BEFORE making the announcement that they were euthanizing all the animals at their Newmarket (York Region) Branch.




If the shelter is closed for cleaning/decontamination, then what happens to the intake of animals?? Where do they go? Don't give me some BS line about them going to "other shelters" because I have a NEWSFLASH for you ... the other shelters are full. Don't believe me? Pick up the phone and call every shelter in your area ... ask them if they will take your cat/dog who you can't care for any more.




So in the meantime, while they have the shelter closed and the intake of animals is halted ... how many animals will be euthanized due to lack of space?? Now that this branch of OSPCA is NOT adopting out animals ... what will happen to the others?

The picture is WAY bigger than 350.

How many animals do you think an organization like this euthanizes on a daily basis?? Weekly?? I can tell you some accurate off the record numbers because I did an off the record questionnaire with shelters and canine control ... For ONE Shelter in this area (Ontario) ... Average of 57 animals are euthanized daily. Average of 399 animals are euthanized weekly. On average, over 1500 animals are euthanized monthly.

So how does that 350 look now?

SOBCR needs foster homes

Getting back from a much-needed-hiatus, I have hundreds of emails in my inbox and tons of things I would like to say!! I just got back from a trip to BC and am ready to take on the world again. So ... here we go! One post at a time ...

I got this email in my inbox last week and thought I'd put it out there to see if anyone can help out this organization. I took the liberty of finding pictures of the dogs listed on Petfinder to give people a visual. Please note that the descriptions of the dogs were written by SOBCR and are not necessarily a reflection of my opinion of them.

I am having to close my rescue temporarily in a few weeks todo some much-needed renovations, and I have had NO inquiries about these dear dogs. Please feel free to cross-post within Ontario. All dogs are here with me in York Region (Georgina) Thanks so much, Luan Egan, SOBCR

SOUTHERN ONTARIO BORDER COLLIE RESCUE

LIST OF AVAILABLE DOGS as of May 6, 2010

Please note that it is a requirement that adopters have a securely fenced yard and that the dogs live in the home with their people. Adoption fee is $300. includes spay/neuter, vet check and shots as needed.

GUINNESS – 2.5 yr old n/male smooth (short)-coat Border Collie. Guinness is a sweet lovable goof. He is housebroken, crate-trained, and well behaved, but needs some ongoing work on his enthusiastic greetings. He knows that a good greet is a sit, but needs reminding! Guinness needs a home with people who will keep him busy. Has been started on sheep and was showing aptitude for it. May knock over small children.

KESWICK - Guinness's brother. Slightly smaller than Guinness. All the same attributes. Has had some very beginner Flyball/Agility training (recalls over jumps, ball retrieve), would make someone a fun Agility and Flyball Dog.

KUMA – 6 yr old n/male smooth-coat Border Collie. Affectionate and very well-behaved, he loves Frisbee and can jump like nothing you've ever seen to get the disc. Needs an active home. Afraid of Thunder and gun-fire – hunters in the bush behind my place have spooked him.

WOLFIE – Shaggy 55lb senior mixed-breed dog estimated about 10 years old, that someone heartlessly abandoned. Wolfie is a sweetie, who loves long walks and quiet companionship. Housebroken, neutered, current on his shots, recently groomed and very handsome!

BUDDY – 9 month old tri-colour male Border Collie/Heeler mix. He has a very happy and sweet nature, and loves other dogs but is timid around people as though he expects to be punished. He will submissively pee and is a flight risk, so definitely needs a securely fenced yard and to be on leash when off property until he builds solid trust in his adopters. He is said to love kids, but alsoloves to chew up stuffed toys, so should be crated when not supervised to protect the furniture. He needs an active home with someone who has the time to keep him company and appropriately stimulated. He is a bright and responsive boy, and could be a fun Agility Dog prospect.

HOLLY – 5 yr old s/female Border Collie. Holly is truly a sad story. A pretty, petite dog, she has obviously been used for breeding. She developed diabetes that went untreated, probably for quite a while. As a result she developed rapid-onset cataracts. She was then abandoned in the middle of winter, weighing only 23 lbs, her body wasted by the diabetes. She came into Rescue on Boxing Day, and has been improving steadily since then now that she ison insulin. Holly needs a home with people who have knowledge of Diabetes and are comfortable with the routines and schedules of insulin shots. She is currently on Insulin Isophane, administered with a Novolin pen, 4 units twice daily. The monthly cost of the insulin is quite low and easily obtained. Holly adores people and at some point in her life someone took the time to train her very well and she is very responsive. But she does not like to be around other dogs. She is not vicious but quite unfriendly and anxious, and needs a home without other pets.

For more information visit our website at www.bcrescue.infoor call Luan at 905 473-6116