News Reel ~ Hot Dogs

Alright ... we see this EVERY year in Ontario ... Hot Dogs in Cars ... SERIOUSLY People?! Stop leaving your dog in the car!!! Just leave them at home! It's not that hard. The following quote was taken from an article called Protect your pets which was posted today.





'there have been approximately 10 instances of dogs being left in cars over the last two weeks. Within the span of one day, there were three cases, she says, including one dog that had been left in a car for roughly an-hour-and- a-half, and was spiraling into "serious distress."'




Why do people insist on taking their dogs with them for a car ride if they aren't going to a dog appropriate destination?? If you take your dog with you, then go somewhere that you can take your dog OUT of the car!!
 
 
 
If it's hot enough to use your A/C then it's too hot to have your dog in the car. Peroid. It's very selfish of you to leave your dog in the car when you are putting your dog in jeopardy.
 
 
 
It takes only a few minutes for a dog's temperature to rise to unsafe levels. If they over heat for too long, neurological damage or even death could occur. Every year, dogs die in cars because their asshat owners didn't want to leave their poopsie poo at home ... "she might be lonely" ... well, that's crap. In the instance of those who don't ever make it out of the cars, she won't ever be lonely again.

PSA ~ HeLP - check it out and spread the word!

While we all make a concerted effort to provide the best care possible to our pets, sometimes they get lost. There are many resources you can use to help you reconnect with your loved ones. Please read on for one of these resources!




I received a link to the Helping Lost Pets (HeLP) website this week and I would love to share it with all of you. This is a site which provides a database of all the lost/found pets in your area. You can join, opt in/out of email alerts for animals in your area or you could even help pair up dogs/cats! This seems to be a great resource and it would be good to see it fly. Read below for the HeLP PSA.




Helping Lost Pets (HeLP) is not just a website to help you find your pet, it's a pet help network. A community of pet lovers with a common purpose, to help pets and their guardians to enjoy a long, happy and healthy life together.








This new central database will solve two major obstacles in finding a lost pet. The time required to notify others that may be able to help the pet home. Our solution to these two key problems are:






1) With a large membership base, this system will get the message out quickly and to a large number of people in the area. It will allow a poster to instantly printed and distributed. The faster a message can be put out, the better the chance of finding the pet. People with a missing pet are spending hours and hours posting on many different sites. They could be spending this time searching for their pet. If someone finds their pet, they may not make the connection because they are not looking in the same location.






2) This system has the ability to target lost pet information to specific areas so that people are not receiving lost pet information for pets that are no where near them. This will save people time.






Many similar services in use today charge a listing fee. The usage of HeLP is absolutely free. The development and on going costs are fully supported by advertising and sponsors.






So if you have lost or found a pet, or want to know if a pet is lost near you. If you want to find an emergency vet clinic, vet clinic, pet store, pet groomer, dog trainer, doggie day care, pet shelter, pet rescue or any other pet service provider, then join our community. It's map based, so you can pinpoint where a pet was lost or where pet services near you are.






Key Features


* It's map based, so it's visual


* Centralized database of lost/found pets and pet service providers


* Search for lost or found pets


* Set up your profile to receive email notifications of lost or found pets in your area


* Search for pet services


* Find pets available for adoption



There are posters you can use at this site here that will help you to spread the word. Who knows, maybe you can help out your community by using this site??
 
 
 

Sometimes making a difference doesn't cost a thing.

A Tired Dog - Hide and Seek

I've said before that A Tired Dog is a Good Dog. It is my mantra. I've also stated that mental stimulation is more exhausting than physical. In fact, some of the saddest dogs I've known have had all sorts of physical stimulation and no mental.

I met a Border Collie recently who was so depressed. He moped around everywhere. So sad to see. The owner didn't know there was anything wrong. She was a jogger and took her dog out every day for a jog along the same route. Although the dog was physically tired, his needs were not being met mentally. The owner had no idea. She just thought he was a laid back BC and that she was meeting his exercise requirements. When she started introducing mental stimulation on a daily basis, the change in her dog was phenomenal. She told me that he was wagging his tail (something he did very rarely before), that his eyes seemed to light up when it was game time and that he seemed more happy overall. If a dog could smile, he would have been grinning.

Now she is constantly asking me if I have any more suggestions for mental stimulation. This, of course gave me the idea to write a post about it. There are many ways to mentally exercise your dog. While training is important mental stimulation and toys are great fun, I love to play games with my dogs because it is light hearted. Everyone will have their preference. After a long day at work going outside to play a short game of hide and seek with my dogs makes me feel infinitely better.

Everyone plays Hide and Seek differently and the game will change depending on the dog, the environment, the bond between handler and dog and the situation. My dogs all return to me when called and have learned the rules of this game through play.

When we are outside: I wait till they are running in one direction, then I turn and run the opposite way. I hide (somewhere where I can see them but they can't see me) and call them. Once. Sometimes I simply run to the side in the tall grass and squat down. Sometimes I hide under a tree. Then they have to find me.

When we are inside: The dogs go into a sit. Then I go hide in a closet or behind a door. I call them once and they come searching through the house, room by room. It is best to play Hide and Seek indoors with only one dog "Seeking" at a time. Otherwise it becomes a crazy race in a multi-dog household!

The key is to call them only once. If they come directly to you, than you are either too loud or called too much. (Or your hiding skills are somewhat lacking and you gave away your location.) They should be using their senses to find you; there are more senses than sight. If your dog gives up, call again quietly. When the dog finds you, make a big deal out of it. Add a few "WooHoo"s and some "Yippee"s.

No matter what game you play, it is important that you are in control. Remember this and have fun! Believe it or not, by playing games with your dog, you are actually training him or her! It is a GREAT way to build up that bond between handler and dog.

DDF Mail Bag ~ Something to think about

I received this in my email and want to know what you think. It was written about deaf dogs but you could say the same about specific breeds, amputees, those with physical disabilities/disorders/diseases, or any other characteristic you want. Please take some time to read this and think about it. Post in the comment section what you think.



A number of times I have seen people post with comments about how at the 11th hour they saved this or that deaf dog from being PTS. Their intent is to show that these dogs went on to make good pets, and that it was wrong that they were so close to being PTS just because they were deaf.



But I think for many people outside the deaf dog community, especially those who aren't supportive of deaf dogs, these sorts of comments send a very different message, and one that is not helpful. A number of times I have heard responses to such comments that were along the lines of, "see, if it weren't for that one special person, who saved the dog just because they are a deaf dog fancier, that dog had no chance."



Their interpretation is that deaf dogs are unadoptable except for a small number of "special" adopters, and unfortunately that proves to them that deaf dogs ought to be PTS because they are not really adoptable. They see the situation as a deaf dog fancier coming in and saving the dog at the last minute because no one wanted the dog and it had no chance of survival if the fancier didn't save it. People's perceptions of things are always highly influenced by their preconceptions, and their biases.




We see it in politics all the time. Republicans and Democrats see the same problem completely differently, and each sees it as proof the other side is wrong. Same thing here.




It might be better to just talk about what great pets they make, and leave the issue of how they came to be a family pet, out of the discussion entirely. Just something to think about.



Should we tell people that the dog was saved from euthanasia or should we leave that part of the description out? How can this be applied in other ways?? Should we tell potential adopters the amount of behaviour modification the animal has undergone prior to adoption or will this scare them away?


 
 
 
Personally, I always tell my potential adopters everything there is to know about the animal - forewarned is forearmed in my opinion. I have no qualms about telling people about my own dogs or the dogs I am/have fostered. My thoughts are that people will always form their own opinion no matter what you say so you might as well be truthful.

Training Rant ~ Housesoiling

Funny thing that I want to share ... about a year ago, I started offering dog training to people and the most common thing I get called in about is HouseSoiling (followed closely by Aggression and then Separation Anxiety). If they are bringing me in for housesoiling, it almost always turns out that the dog has other issues as well that they would like to work on (but didn't bother to tell me about).



The number one complaint from dog owners is housesoiling. However, housesoiling is NOT the most common complaint. The most common is aggression. (Campbell WE: 1986 - The prevalence of behavioural problems in American Dogs: Modern Vet Pract 67:28-31)



That means that although aggression is more common than housesoiling, people complain more about the housesoiling. People would rather have an aggression problem than a housesoiling problem in their house! Seems odd to me, but I suppose if you couldn't figure out how to resolve the housesoiling problem and you can manage the aggression problem (for example, by isolating your dog) then the aggression would be the lesser of two evils.



Interesting, no? For those of us involved in rescue, this is probably not a big surprise. How many of the foster dogs we bring into our homes are housetrained?? And yet ... in the majority of cases, how easy is it to do?

So there you have it. That's your tid-bit of useless information for today. So here's my question ... if aggression is more common than housesoiling, then why is housesoiling the number one complaint?

Dogs In Strollers - Part 2

I love the response I received from my dogs in strollers post yesterday! Great responses! I love it. Keep it coming. I won't retract my statement because it is what I believe, however, I will clarify a little. I will agree that some people buy these strollers for their dogs who have physical disabilities. Most people who buy them, however, do not have dogs with disabilities and most are not old.



On Sunday of this weekend I was at PIJAC which is a Pet Trade Show in Mississauga, ON. While there, I saw four people with dogs in strollers ...



The first was a dog who was barking and lunging at people as they walked by. When asked, the lady replied that her dog was 3 y/o.



The second was a lady with three Chi's in the stroller and one on a leash outside the stroller. All of these dogs were dressed up in clothing. I did not stop to speak with her. They were crawling all over each other trying to get out but they were strapped in so they couldn't.



The third had two Shih Tzus (or Shih-mixes). These dogs were nice and quiet until a dog on a leash walked by ... then all hell broke loose!! The stroller dogs were leaping at the dog on the leash without regard for the plastic cover, which was the only barrier between the dogs. I shudder to think what would have happened to that poor, goofy St. Bernard if those Shih Tzus had broken through the plastic.



This comment stuck out for me from yesterday's post ... the only people that think using a dog stroller is silly, are those that have not had an older dog or a disabled dog in their lives



Well, I think a stroller is silly and I have had older dogs who have age related disabilities (unable to walk/move around, etc). I stated in my reply that there are many other ways to assist an older dog with arthritis that does not affect the ability of the dog to interact with the rest of the world, nor do they affect the ability of the dog to be a dog.



Do you realize that all of my dogs get old too?? My last dog lived until she was 15; the one before that was 18 when she died. Neither of them spent any time in a stroller but each of them had medical problems. One couldn't walk well (would lose her balance and fall over - often required our assistance to get up and move around) and was on heart medications for years. One had tumors that affected her walking (though we weren't able to remove them) so walking and running was difficult and painful for her - that didn't stop her.



Instead, I changed the way I cared for my older dogs - I did not expect them to take super-long walks with me; instead they were taken for multiple short walks. They spent time with the family but we brought dog beds wherever we took our older gals just in case they needed a rest. When our dogs get old, we need to change the way we care for them. They need special food and special treatment. They soak up the extra love. Sometimes they get scared when their hearing goes or when their vision is impaired by cataracts.

Perhaps I will write a post about care of older dogs in the near future. I think people don't realize that caring for an older dog is different than caring for a younger one. Just buy them the senior dog food, right? Well ... that's a good place to start but definitely not where it ends.



DDF ~ Dogs In Strollers

I can not believe how many people are jumping on the doggie-band-wagon and buying a stroller for their dogs! How rediculous is that? It makes me so sad to see people so lonely that they overcompensate with their dogs. I understand why they do it, but it is very sad to see because they could put so much of that energy into something more healthy.




Anyway, I heard this on the radio last week and now it's being passed around via email so I thought I'd publish it. The humour is rather cynical but I wonder if that's the mind-space I'm at right now ... I really enjoyed listening to this read on the radio and then enjoyed it just as much re-reading it on charlesadler.com. If you have a few minutes, I would recommend taking the time to check it out.




Dog Gone! by The Menzoid.

Babies, Dogs and Full Time Work ... Oh My

I ran into an unfortunate situation yesterday. It's one that happens so often and it really bothers me. I would like to spread the word about something that is very important to many people ...

You Do Not Have To Give Up Your Dog If You Or Someone In Your House Has A Baby

Believe it or not, people have been having babies for centuries! And guess what?! They didn't get rid of their dogs just because of the new baby. There are many different ways you can manage to have both! *gasp*



Yesterday, a lady told me about her wonderfully trained, 4 y/o GSD who suddenly needs a new home ... why? Because her daughter just had a baby. It's a "preemie" (4 weeks early) and she's concerned about the dog hair and the baby's under-developed lungs. The dog is great with kids and has never shown any issues but she tells me that she doesn't think the baby can breathe in the dog hair.



I wanted to scream at her. I wanted to shout. I wanted to jump up and down. I wanted her to come to the shelter and watch as they PTS so many unwanted dogs and cats who'se owners decided that it was "unfair" to keep them when they couldn't make time for them. It's ok, MY dog will be adopted because he is such a great dog. Uh huh. Right. News FLASH! They are all "great dogs" but that doesn't hold off the needle/gas/bullet. ASSHAT




Instead of saying all that, in my wonderfully tactful way, I said that are ways you can manage the hair if you actually want to. So I ask why she doesn't contact a groomer and have him groomed every 3 or 4 weeks for the duration of the time that the baby is "at risk"? (And how long would the baby be "at risk"? 4 weeks? 6 months? Big deal - we're talking about a dog's life here, not some stuffed animal - and I can tell that she's attached to the dog at least a little) She tells me that the dog doesn't like the groomer she took him to a while ago, so I respond with "why don't you find a different groomer then? There are at least 3 in this town and there are usually others in different towns if you want to go farther out". I also tell her that sometimes the dogs take a bit of time to get used to grooming (after all, it's the groomers job to clean parts of a dog that many dog owners never bother to even touch - of course he may be a little leery about some stranger bathing him! That's what training is for dumbass).




She also tells me that it "wouldn't be fair" to the dog to keep him since they won't have much time for him when the baby comes home. If I hear that phrase one more time I'm going to go postal.




Right .... because giving away your dog is MUCH MORE FAIR than spending a little less time with him for a few months. There are at least 3 adults living in the house ... I'm sure ONE of those three people can spend an hour or two with the dog a day. That's not THAT much to ask. Yep. Instead, it's better to uproot your dog, abandon him, let him think that his family doesn't love him anymore and dump him off to the first person who shows an interest. Let's hope they don't euthanize him when he becomes too much for them, or is too big, or is too hairy. Right. That's much more fair than spending a bit less time with him while the preemie baby is "at risk".




Yep. I might have pissed her off but by the end of the conversation, she was starting to make plans about how she can manage to keep the dog. I hope she does because it's not that easy to find a home for a 4 y/o GSD in our town.

Maybe there IS some hope for the Asshats of this town ... maybe.

PSA ~ Help Me ... Take Me To The Clinic!

Roberta @ Silverwalk posted a comment and a link in one of my blog entries so, naturally I went and visited it (as I do with every link people send me). The link I went to was the blog for a newspaper called Southeast Missourian. When I went there, I found the video below and thought I really should post it. Crossposting helps get the information out there and in my opinion ... anything that will help should be done.



Some people I've met have troubles learning certain concepts but they have told me (and I strongly believe) that if you put that same information to a song, you will learn it FAR quicker with less pain. So ... here goes nothing! (I hope it works).



Enjoy.

News Reel - Delta police first in Canada to hire therapy dog

Further to my previous post about Therapy dogs, I found this great article about a therapy dog who just started working for the police department in Delta, BC.



If you wish to read the entire article, the link is Delta police first in Canada to hire therapy dog



Quite frankly, I'm surprised that this is only the first dog to be employed by the PD in such a fashion and I hope he is not the last. I had actually thought that therapy dogs were already working with the PD in their victims department.



What better way to help the victims? I have heard that children will sometimes tell their teddy bears (or other stuffed fuzzy) things that they won't tell anyone else ... will it work with dogs too?? Would they be more likely to talk to a dog?



And now that we're on this topic ... why wouldn't we use therapy dogs in places where they might be helpful? Hospitals, children's wards, orphanages, child services, halfway houses, rehab facilities ... the list of places where therapy dogs could be useful and help people is endless!



What do you think? Is there a possibility that we could extend this sort of service? Does anyone out there work with therapy dogs? Or anyone who would like to? Opinions? Thoughts?



Below is a book that is on my reading list ... that is to say ... the list of books that I wish to read when I have time (to read it) and money (to buy it) one day. I only ever have time to read one book at a time now-a-days.

DDF PSA - Camping with your Pets

Hey, I could have PSA's on my blog too, no? I got this in my email with permission to crosspost and thought I should share. Part of the reason for this blog is to educate owners. Ultimately this is meant to allow them to train their pets to a degree where they can afford them freedom. In the case of today's PSA, that 'freedom' is the ability to take your dog camping with you and to have no worries about doing so; ensuring the safety of both the dog and you. There are some things you must remember to do when you decide to take your pets camping with you.

9 Tips for Camping with your Pets



(I will add one ... Make sure they have a Microchip. Collars can slip off taking ID tags along for the ride. Take a few minutes and read through ... did they forget any others?)

15 Amazing Facts About Therapy Dogs

Thought I'd share this with everyone. I have always been fascinated with Therapy Dogs and one day I would really like to set my Flat-Coated Retriever to do some Therapy Dog work. Most Therapy Dog programs require only a few hours of your time every month (for St. John's Ambulance, the requirement is 2 hours of community service time and one meeting per month of 2 hours = 4 hours per month ... not including training).

15 Amazing Facts About Therapy Dogs

Therapy dogs perform the exact same function as their name implies. These gentle, altruistic animals interact with humans suffering from chronic mental or physical conditions - usually at hospitals, elder care centers, and rehabilitation clinics - and provide the patients with a conduit for lowering blood pressure and quelling anxieties. Both these canine friends and their owners deserve as many accolades as they can get for the wonderful services they perform for the suffering masses.

How Much WAS that Doggie in the Window?

How Much Was That Doggie In The Window

By Luan Egan June 2010

How much is that doggie in the window, the one with the waggedy tail

How much is that doggie in the window I do hope that doggie's for sale



But where did that doggie really come from, before the shop had it for sale?

Was it shipped from a Mill, are the parents there still, worn out breeding pups, till they're killed.



And what if that doggie isn't healthy, the parents defective or sick?

Does the shop really care about the dogs they sell there, or is their "health guarantee" just slick shtick?



How much was that doggie in the window, after you named it and carried it home?

When the Vet lets you know that his bad teeth or elbows are genetics he got from his Mom



How much was that doggie in the window, that cute pup you impulsively bought

When you factor in shoes and other things that he's chewed, and now he's too strong to be walked.



How much was that doggie in the window, the one you just left at the Pound

Cause trainers aren't cheap, and you could not sleep, while your dog howled outside all night long



How much was that doggie in the window, the pup that you loved for a while

He's now just a Mutt, who didn't make the cut, who'll die when the shelter gets full



How many such doggies can we Rescue, we try but boy it is tough

The money, the time, the adopters to find, it seems that it's never enough



How much is that doggie in the window, would you buy it if you really knew?

Would you still get that pup, if you took time to smarten up, on what it ALL costs when you do?

News Reel - The Animal-Cruelty Syndrome

I know, two news reels in a row ... well, almost. Sorry about that but I can't help when things are published. While this is not new news and studies have been ongoing for years about this topic, I am glad that newspapers are still printing it. The more people who know about the link between Animal Cruelty and "other criminal behaviours" (usually you find articles that point this link to domestic violence). EDUCATION could save millions!



The Animal-Cruelty Syndrome is an article published on June 7, 2010 in the NY Times by CHARLES SIEBERT. In this article, Siebert summarizes the horrible act of animal cruelty "last year in southwest Baltimore, [where] a 2 year old female pit bull terrier" was doused in gasoline and set alight". Siebert also mentions that "Before 1990, only six states had felony provisions in their animal-­cruelty laws; now 46 do" which is a significant increase.



This is a good article (do I ever post any articles that aren't??) that examines studies where they found links between animal abuse and violent crimes. Many names are mentioned to have links between animal cruelty and violent crimes including Jeffrey Dahmer, Theodore Bundy, and David Berkowitz.



As an update to this story, 17-year-old twin brothers named Tremayne and Travers Johnson were charged June 8, 2009 with animal abuse and cruelty in the May 27 burning of the dog. The brothers were indicted by a Baltimore grand jury in November on aggravated animal abuse charges. The two pleaded not guilty in December to burning the dog, named Phoenix by rescuers. Their next day in court is Wednesday, Jun 30, 2010: Trial



Here's to hoping they are tried as adults and go to jail for a very long time. I always hope for some jail-house justice ... Come on court systems ... don't fail us now!

Friday Feature - Fads, Social Contagion and Dog Breed Popularity

Do you remember when I wrote a post about how when dogs are in the media, people rush out to buy them? Then within a year or two the shelters/rescues are generally overwhelmed with that breed?? That was last June. One year ago. My blog entry was a Featured Rescue post in response to the Disney movie, Beverly Hills Chihuahua.



Since I started actively monitoring the numbers of dogs/breeds in rescue/shelters the numbers have been pretty consistent. Last year, the number of Chihuahua's listed on Petfinder was 7,842 -- pretty well the same from the previous year. This year the number has drastically increased to a staggering 11,430!



Is this enough proof to confirm the theory that when animals are in the media, the number of those animals in rescue increases? If you look at this as well as the recent fad for Dalmatians and other media-sparked breeds, then for me it is. For some it may not be.



It isn't enough for Harold Herzog who wrote a paper on the topic in 2006. His report, called Forty-Two Thousand and One Dalmatians: Fads, Social Contagion and Dog Breed Popularity, looks at possible reasons for breed booms, the causes and factors that influence breed choices.

Stop talking and listen to what your dog isn't saying

Many people I know talk a lot to their dog. Most of these have full conversations with their dog without even realizing it. They ask questions and opinions of the dog. They tell them what they are going to do, they discuss crossword puzzles, what tv show to watch.










I have found that when they are so busy talking to their dog, they miss many opportunities to communicate. Sometimes we just have to stop talking and listen. Watch. Learn. Your dog will teach you so much if you would just listen to them.











Maybe people don't really want to know what their dog is thinking. Maybe they do. If you do, here's a challenge for you ... I bet you find it more difficult than you think. Let me know your results.

Can you stop talking to your dog for a week?

Study: Dogs Also Suffer From Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

Here's a really interesting article. Study: Dogs Also Suffer From Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. If you want to read all the crazy science mumbojumbo, click here to see the study which was published in Molecular Psychiatry. Below are some interesting highlights:



"Scientists have identified a gene in Dobermans that makes the dog suseptible to obsessive compulsive disorder." While this may not be big news for some (many of us have been aware for some time about our dogs' Obsessive Compulsive Disorder - aka "OCD"), it is interesting to note that they are finding this to be a physiological disorder.



"Scientists found that dogs with the OCD gene maniacally chase their tails, lick different body parts or blankets." These are the most common things you would see, but you could also list fly-catching, biting at the air, digging, flank-sucking and barking in that list (among many other behaviours). The list could go on and on if you really went searching.



"Dr. Nicholas Dodman ... said the gene is the same in humans as it is in dogs." Here's the next link ... now they will begin to look at how this affects humans and treatment. That bothers me a bit, but I do understand that dogs aren't as important to everyone in the world as much as they are to me. "But even if this particular finding is not directly revelent, it still gives us clues as to the pathways and processes that may be going on in humans as well as some possible targets for intervention and treatment". Let's hope that in the process of doing their research they may find ways to help dogs suffering from OCDs.

Pets as Gifts ... After the Dust Settles

You will find time and time again that rescues and SPCA's are always publishing the same message about not giving pets out as gifts. Sometimes you even find blog entries like this one about it (or this one, or this one). This message is published time and time again but the unfortunate reality is that the people who give pets as presents aren't necessarily the ones reading it. I have heard of shelters and rescues that make people wait until after Christmas to bring their new pet home however this sometimes deters potential adopters.



The time has come for the Christmas puppies/kittens to start hitting the notice boards, Craigslist, Kijiji, shelter listings and advertisements. Good examples are here, and here, and here. All 9 week old puppies that were given for Christmas to people who can't keep them. If you take a wander into your local shelter you will see all the new arrivals; a fair number will be unwanted Christmas puppies (and kittens). There will also be a number of adoption returns; those people who thought it a good idea to adopt from the shelter to give a pet as a present, only to find out the recipient couldn't (or wouldn't) keep it.



This is a rough time of year for people actively involved in rescue because of the high amount of surrenders coming in that are so very young. It takes a toll.



For those of you involved with your local rescue / shelter ... keep your chin up. Keep fighting the good fight. It's hard but it's worth it.



For those of you not involved with your local rescue / shelter, I encourage you to consider spending a few hours volunteering. Even 2 hours per month is an enormous help.



For those of you looking for a new pet, go check out your local shelter / rescue! In the next 6 weeks they will be receiving puppies and kittens at an alarming rate.

Puppy Mill Information - Mill Dog Manifesto

We all know that Puppy Mills are bad for a multitude of reasons (which I'm not getting into today) ... but what happens to those dogs when a Mill is shut down? Where do all those dogs go? I always shudder when I see a Newspaper article that says something along the lines of "100 starving sled dogs have been seized" or "800 small dogs seized from filthy Arizona home". Who is going to take that many dogs?? Rationally. Realistically.



As the situations change, the outcomes do too. Sometimes rescues step up and take some. Sometimes they end up at shelters (again - in cages/crates/runs). Sometimes the dogs are euthanized. Some lucky few are taken in by caring people who open their homes and their hearts to foster these unfortunate dogs.



Kyla Duffy is one of those people. Kyla "often fosters ex-puppy mill breeders ... [but] has found that there aren't many resources available for people who have adopted them, as they sometimes have unique needs."



"To help the cause, [Kyla] just published a free eBook to support people who have adopted puppy mill dogs and to enlighten people about the realities of puppy mills. Please check it out and feel free to pass it along. The Mill Dog Manifesto is available for download at http://happytailsbooks.com/milldog.htm. Feedback is welcome - it's a work in progress!"

CL ~ A Letter from an Animal Control Officer

Below is a Letter from an Animal Control Officer. A good read.

It is the other side of the Kill Shelter / Control Officer topic.

I am your animal control officer. I am not the dreaded "dogcatcher” or the “murderer” I’ve been called.



It is not I who allows your pet to roam the streets, to contact diseases from other free-roaming animals, to be hit by passing motorist or poisoned by rotting garbage. I am the one who must look into those sick, pain-glazed eyes, try to remove the animal without causing it further pain, and then humanely “put it to sleep” to end its suffering.



It is not I who allows your pet to breed, then dumps the unwanted puppies and kittens on the roadsides and in animal shelters. I’m the one who must find the tiny animals before they die of starvation, exposure or disease, and as a act of mercy, exterminate them.



It hurts me to be forced to kill hundreds of thousands of animals each year, but because of irresponsible people, I have no choice.



It is not I who abandons unwanted animals on farm roads, telling myself some friendly farmer will surely take them in and give them a good home. But I am the one who must pick up the frightened animal who waits in vain for its beloved master, wondering why it has been abandoned. I am the one who must help that friendly farmer trap, tranquilize or kill that animal because it has begun to roam in packs with other abandoned hungry animals, killing livestock, fowl and game.



I am not the one who breeds and fights dogs in the name of “sport.” But I’m the one fights the breeders and participants, and must pick up the dead and dying animals that have been left behind.



It is not I who keeps a pet confined in an area too small—without food, water, shelter or exercise. But I must deal with the irresponsible owner who does.



It is not I who refuses to spend time and money to keep up regular inoculations that pets require. But I am the one who must pick up the sick animal that is dying of a preventable disease.



So remember, the next time your child is bitten by a stray dog, your trash is dumped or scattered, your pet is lost or stolen, poisoned or hit by a car, it is the animal control officer you call—not the “dogcatcher.”



The next time your pet is picked up, or you are cited for neglecting or abusing it, remember, I am only trying to get you to fulfill your responsibility to your pet, your neighbor and yourself. Do not scorn me. Respect me, for I am the product of dog owners irresponsibility.

I Love Animals, and I care.