I recently read an article in the Frederick News Post “Home and Family” section about a woman and her dogs. The Real Pet Detective was an article about a woman whose job is finding other people’s lost animals. She and her dogs help people who have had their pets taken or are missing. She had some amazing rescue stories and some cool techniques for finding these animals. I can tell she has a real compassion for what she does. She also has a dog training business (www.ljttraining.com).
After reading this story it made me wonder just what makes people get into this line of work and how? They need a passion for animals and a love of helping out, granted, but what else? I would guess that one would have to be good at interacting with and controlling animals. Also, a person would have to be good at approaching animals and keeping them calm since in many cases a lost or hurt animal can become very frightened or may strike out with a fit of violence. I imagine that she needs medical care and temperament knowledge and a set of quick reflexes.
After seeing Jim Carey’s movie, Pet Detective, you might think a pet detective just wants your money and is a total fake but in truth she has admitted she would rather she didn’t have to have this job. She wished there was no reason for her to be one. She cares very deeply for those she takes care for and those she is looking for in all cases. She asks clients to pay what they can afford.
I image this could be quite hard as many animals are lost because they were chasing something (a piece of string, a car, a butterfly). The animal could easily become injured and more then likely very scared. One must go about getting them back very cleverly and cautiously.
On a personal note I know this first hand. I LOVE my cats and am obsessive about them so about three months after we got them in the summer I was calling my baby boy and looking everywhere for him but had no luck. He was nowhere to be found. My brother said I was being stupid to be freaking but I didn’t care. I informed my mom (who also could not find him). I went outside (he’s an indoor cat) and started calling him. I began to hear a crying mew, very unusual for my cat. I started following his crying and saw him in my neighbors’ woods.. He always comes running to me when he sees and hears me, but this time he ran away. We walked through rocks, thorns and bushes. He had decided that he felt safer in a groundhog hole. He was acting very weird and refused to come out so as my mom tried to coax him out I ran home got shoes for us, cat food and toys trying to get him to come to me. When I returned we tried everything and finally he began to climb out a little and we grabbed him. We had been outside in the woods for about an hour and were covered in dirt, bugs, plant, fur and sweat.
W e found that my dad had left the door open for him to get out, and we also found out that our neighbor was having her yard redone. The cat had never been out before so, when the gardener people came and turned on mowers and blowers and everything else big, loud and scary to a little fluff like him, that scared the living daylights out of him. He was weird for few days and still become skittish around noise, but he’s better now. Actually he pleads to go out these days.
I was lucky that I didn’t have to call on someone like this woman, but many people are not so lucky and sometimes never do find their pets. This woman does a lot of good and keeps families happy with her rescues.
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
What animal are you and tips on the kind you should get.
What type of animal are you?
When at home you are
a) Calm, quiet and shy and keep to yourself though liking attention.
b) Always with others, hyper and always moving.
c) Talkative and like being seen but not bothered.
d) The one everyone likes to be near, but you’re cautious of everything.
e) Not really interactive and not the most-people person.
You would describe yourself as
a) Loving to be pampered.
b) Just like to be natural and free.
c) Must be perfect always but not controlled.
d) Cute and sweet but everyone takes care of you.
e) The Lone Ranger and not the most appealing.
You are at home
a) Anywhere clean, soft, warm and comfortable.
b) Anywhere your family is.
c) In the wilderness.
d) In a small warm place I can just curl up and burrow in.
e) The heat and sun.
You would describe your most cherished item as
a) Unique and something you came across that you love.
b) Something you can take anywhere with you.
c) A set item that keeps things uncluttered.
d) Something you can hide away with and feel safe.
e) An ordinary object that is all you need to be happy.
Your nickname would be
a) Something that represents my personality.
b) Something that represents my appearance.
c) Something that is short and common.
d) Something that is cute.
e) Don’t really have one.
You couldn’t live your life without
a) Your possessions and a bed.
b) Other people.
c) Nature.
d) Snacks and security.
e) Solitude.
How do you exercise?
a) By lying around and occasionally lifting a thing or two.
b) Running and playing games all the time.
c) Swimming and swinging through the air.
d) I play in a small area with others usually.
e) I do rock climbing and extreme sports.
Select a description about yourself
a) Laid back and friendly.
b) Loyal and sweet.
c) Carefree and imaginative.
d) Cute and cautious.
e) Down to earth and unafraid to get dirty.
Favorite food is
a) Seafood
b) Red meat
c) Nuts and seeds
d) Vegetables
e) Exotic foods
My philosophy
a) The world revolves around me.
b) Others come first.
c) I believe I can fly.
d) Cute and cuddly always beats hard and strong.
e) Life is hard, but I’ll do fine.
What type of animal are you answers.
Mostly A’s means you are a cat,
Mostly B’s means you are a dog
Mostly C’s means you are a bird
Mostly D’s means you are a small critter
Mostly E’s means you are a reptile
What animal would be best for you and which should you try to avoid?
Do you mind noise or are you real picky about interruptions?
Is your backyard large or non-existent?
Do you have really energetic children?
Are there very young or old people in the house?
Do you have severe allergies?
Where you live are you comfortable being outside?
Is there room for a large pet?
Do you have time to care for an animal?
Do you have energy to play?
Can you afford to buy food, grooming and toys regularly for a pet?
Will an animal fit well with your family?
Are you away a lot?
Do you have a lot of patience?
Are you good with animals?
If you answered many of these questions in the negative then you do not want a larger animal such as a dog, cat or bird. If you answered some negatively but many positively then a small animal such as a mouse, hamster, gerbil, chinchilla, bunny or other would be better. If you answered most of these negatively then you want to most likely rethink getting an animal.
Most of these questions are based on what your life is like, and if your heart is set on getting a new addition then some changes may be needed. Factors include age of the pet (young or old) children, elderly, small home, big home, locations, allergies, time, safety, and costs.
Friday, May 2, 2008
PETA: Actions Justified?
Recently in my Pre-Vet class we debated on animal cruelty and animal rights. Half the class was assigned to the point of view of PETA. The other half (my side) was given the point of view of researchers and scientists. This was very hard for me because of how against animal cruelty and for animal rights I am, but I managed, and my side actually won the debate. In the process the debate gave me an idea. I compared my opinion of what is right on the topic of abuse with PETA’s opinion to see how alike I am to their way of thinking.
Like myself, PETA believes in an abuse-free life for animals, big and small and works to make it happen. PETA is against every type of abuse and most infractions fall into that category as it seems. Along with abuse by owner or neglect PETA considers everything from animal testing, to wearing animals and research to be abuse.
I have worked with an animal rescue and at shelters, so I have seen many cases of abuse and neglect that end happily. Not all have a happy ending, especially when they aren’t saved in time though. I have seen animals come in that are so afraid they can starve themselves or cringe at the sight of a hand reaching out to touch them. It is heart wrenching to witness this because I know it is not common practice for them but because of their living conditions they have learned to fear humans instead of befriend them. I have seen others who come in so emaciated I could wrap my hands around their waists and touch my fingers together still. Others come in so matted or filthy with blood, dirt, ticks and their own filth that they must be shaved to even get brushed or cleaned properly. I have had to teach dogs that their food will not be withheld or show others to share because there is plenty for them. And sadly I have had more dogs then I would like (though I never like it) come to me with a ring around their neck where fur is meant to be but due to being tied up so much it has been ripped away and replaced with open wounds never able to heal and raw skin always being chaffed. Most dogs can’t wear a collar for some time because of the pain it causes them due to being tied up and trying to get away.
Though I think PETA may take it a bit far sometimes, I believe in their mission. Animals should not be worn for fashion or tested for make-up or shampoo. Just as we have rights that we are all to live by so must the animals we all take for granted. If we must not harm one another and we get in trouble for doing any harm then why is it acceptable to test a potentially harmful substance on an animal? If we were covered in beautiful fur or tasted great we still wouldn’t be killed, skinned, or eaten, so why can we justify doing so to an animal? We don’t kill others to test or dissect so why animals?
PETA breaks into labs, sets free animals, petitions animal rights and stands outside protesting everything from testing to the wearing of fur or court cases of abusers. Though I wouldn’t go as far as they do I do believe in some of what they preach. Animals have allowed us to discover beneficial cures that have allowed us to save thousands of humans and animals, especially if the animal is already deceased many times just the body can help science. Because of the few we sacrifice in those cases, it may be justified. To have an animal live its life being prodded and in a 2x2’cage is not.
Too many people do not treat animals as they should be treated and because of this we lose way too many animals each year and more and more animals are added to the endangered list each year. A pet is a privilege not a right but animal rights are a right not a privilege. They have a right to live free of harm and free of the fear that we instill in them.
PETA believes in an animal’s right to live and I do as well. Without being abused because some woman wants a mink coat or a name brand needs to see that the new eye shadow won’t cause blindness. The care of animals in these facilities is not what it could be in the wild or a loving home. Therefore I must agree with PETA that we need to stand up and do something to stop this injustice.
Like myself, PETA believes in an abuse-free life for animals, big and small and works to make it happen. PETA is against every type of abuse and most infractions fall into that category as it seems. Along with abuse by owner or neglect PETA considers everything from animal testing, to wearing animals and research to be abuse.
I have worked with an animal rescue and at shelters, so I have seen many cases of abuse and neglect that end happily. Not all have a happy ending, especially when they aren’t saved in time though. I have seen animals come in that are so afraid they can starve themselves or cringe at the sight of a hand reaching out to touch them. It is heart wrenching to witness this because I know it is not common practice for them but because of their living conditions they have learned to fear humans instead of befriend them. I have seen others who come in so emaciated I could wrap my hands around their waists and touch my fingers together still. Others come in so matted or filthy with blood, dirt, ticks and their own filth that they must be shaved to even get brushed or cleaned properly. I have had to teach dogs that their food will not be withheld or show others to share because there is plenty for them. And sadly I have had more dogs then I would like (though I never like it) come to me with a ring around their neck where fur is meant to be but due to being tied up so much it has been ripped away and replaced with open wounds never able to heal and raw skin always being chaffed. Most dogs can’t wear a collar for some time because of the pain it causes them due to being tied up and trying to get away.
Though I think PETA may take it a bit far sometimes, I believe in their mission. Animals should not be worn for fashion or tested for make-up or shampoo. Just as we have rights that we are all to live by so must the animals we all take for granted. If we must not harm one another and we get in trouble for doing any harm then why is it acceptable to test a potentially harmful substance on an animal? If we were covered in beautiful fur or tasted great we still wouldn’t be killed, skinned, or eaten, so why can we justify doing so to an animal? We don’t kill others to test or dissect so why animals?
PETA breaks into labs, sets free animals, petitions animal rights and stands outside protesting everything from testing to the wearing of fur or court cases of abusers. Though I wouldn’t go as far as they do I do believe in some of what they preach. Animals have allowed us to discover beneficial cures that have allowed us to save thousands of humans and animals, especially if the animal is already deceased many times just the body can help science. Because of the few we sacrifice in those cases, it may be justified. To have an animal live its life being prodded and in a 2x2’cage is not.
Too many people do not treat animals as they should be treated and because of this we lose way too many animals each year and more and more animals are added to the endangered list each year. A pet is a privilege not a right but animal rights are a right not a privilege. They have a right to live free of harm and free of the fear that we instill in them.
PETA believes in an animal’s right to live and I do as well. Without being abused because some woman wants a mink coat or a name brand needs to see that the new eye shadow won’t cause blindness. The care of animals in these facilities is not what it could be in the wild or a loving home. Therefore I must agree with PETA that we need to stand up and do something to stop this injustice.
Monday, April 28, 2008
Animal Lives
Caring for a pet isn’t as easy as one would think, but three women I know have made it their life’s work to learn about, help and take care of the animals people love: Debbie Klein, Heather Sloan, and Peggy Kelly.
CRITTER SITTER: Debbie Klein runs Critter Sitter, which is an organization for the care and welfare of pets. She watches, walks, feeds and takes care of pets. Critter Sitter offers to water plants, and bring in the mail as well. The cost differs based on services, location and frequency. She works from her home in Lake Linganore where she runs the Critter Sitter along with a team of men and women who are part time or full time. She does not take on teens; though I have often helped anyway. She almost always has a full staff and a fuller schedule. Critter Sitter watches animals from fish to dogs and cats and more. We always have very satisfied customers when they return home being away.
FAMILY PACK RESCUE: Another organization is Family Pack Rescue. Its goal is to save those who would otherwise be euthanized. This organization drives to kill shelters and saves all the animals it can fit in the vehicles and get permits for. Then the animals are sent to foster homes and trained, washed up, fed since many are emaciated, then taken to the vet and made to be the best they can be.
Heather Sloan started up FPR (Family Pack Rescue) in March 2007 and has already saved more then 200 dogs and some cats. She has not saved as many cats due to the fact Ms. Heather is allergic. It also keeps the number of animals I kidnap from her to care for to a minimum.
Friends or people with a deep love of animals help to drive or foster while Heather saves dogs and some cats, takes care of them then sets up adoption days at Superpetz. She keeps as many animals as she can in her home in Walkersville where she sets up rescues and plans out her options for getting animals and where she will put them once saved. The bills pile up fast but with donations and support with others she’s able to keep it under control plus the money she receives from the adoptions goes to getting supplies and getting more animals as well.
Though there are hard aspects as well. One of the hardest things with dealing with the animals is saving the animals and seeing their surroundings and how they live, then taking them all broken and without a spirit is heart-breaking. But seeing the faces of those she can’t save, the ones she leaves behind that is the most difficult thing in the world. And when I get them home it’s hard to keep control and try to care for them. But when the animals must go to the vet and there’s bad news or they must be put to sleep that is such a horrible time for everyone. Heather loves help as I know by the fact I hardly ever had a free weekend after helping her. But she still needs more if she is to succeed. She takes everything from food to bowls to supplies and help. And of course donation are always welcome.
FERAL CAT RESCUE: This work includes going out and collecting feral cats from barns, allies, fields and more and gets them neutered/spayed, stitched up and worked on if hurt and if need be, relocated. Some people don’t mind the cats so they are just brought back, others are put into shelters, foster care, or homes. Peggy Kelly is the brains and muscle behind the Feral Cat Rescue. She started the rescue a little over four years ago and has saved over 900 cats in that time.
“The rescue record at one location would be 50 cats that captured to be spayed or neutered,” she told me once when I was working with her.
When cats are not able to go back to their location because the owners don’t want them or it’s not safe, Kelly brings them home with her or gets them a home.
“I have four cats that I brought home that are now part of my animal family. I have others that are here until I find the perfect home. I have realized that if I keep too many, then I cannot help others.” She admitted.
All three of these women work with animals as their professions and dedicate a lot of time to doing so. Over all over 900 cats, and 200 dogs are saved a year and even more are taken care of by these three women. I know how seriously these women take their jobs because I have worked with each separately and in groups and I’ve seen the passion that they hold when it comes to these poor animals. Two of those cats Mrs. Peggy had at her home I actually adopted so that there would be more room for others and many of those dogs I sat up with for hours caring for and more then I can count sits I have assisted on so I know the hardships of the job but also the rewards.
CRITTER SITTER: Debbie Klein runs Critter Sitter, which is an organization for the care and welfare of pets. She watches, walks, feeds and takes care of pets. Critter Sitter offers to water plants, and bring in the mail as well. The cost differs based on services, location and frequency. She works from her home in Lake Linganore where she runs the Critter Sitter along with a team of men and women who are part time or full time. She does not take on teens; though I have often helped anyway. She almost always has a full staff and a fuller schedule. Critter Sitter watches animals from fish to dogs and cats and more. We always have very satisfied customers when they return home being away.
FAMILY PACK RESCUE: Another organization is Family Pack Rescue. Its goal is to save those who would otherwise be euthanized. This organization drives to kill shelters and saves all the animals it can fit in the vehicles and get permits for. Then the animals are sent to foster homes and trained, washed up, fed since many are emaciated, then taken to the vet and made to be the best they can be.
Heather Sloan started up FPR (Family Pack Rescue) in March 2007 and has already saved more then 200 dogs and some cats. She has not saved as many cats due to the fact Ms. Heather is allergic. It also keeps the number of animals I kidnap from her to care for to a minimum.
Friends or people with a deep love of animals help to drive or foster while Heather saves dogs and some cats, takes care of them then sets up adoption days at Superpetz. She keeps as many animals as she can in her home in Walkersville where she sets up rescues and plans out her options for getting animals and where she will put them once saved. The bills pile up fast but with donations and support with others she’s able to keep it under control plus the money she receives from the adoptions goes to getting supplies and getting more animals as well.
Though there are hard aspects as well. One of the hardest things with dealing with the animals is saving the animals and seeing their surroundings and how they live, then taking them all broken and without a spirit is heart-breaking. But seeing the faces of those she can’t save, the ones she leaves behind that is the most difficult thing in the world. And when I get them home it’s hard to keep control and try to care for them. But when the animals must go to the vet and there’s bad news or they must be put to sleep that is such a horrible time for everyone. Heather loves help as I know by the fact I hardly ever had a free weekend after helping her. But she still needs more if she is to succeed. She takes everything from food to bowls to supplies and help. And of course donation are always welcome.
FERAL CAT RESCUE: This work includes going out and collecting feral cats from barns, allies, fields and more and gets them neutered/spayed, stitched up and worked on if hurt and if need be, relocated. Some people don’t mind the cats so they are just brought back, others are put into shelters, foster care, or homes. Peggy Kelly is the brains and muscle behind the Feral Cat Rescue. She started the rescue a little over four years ago and has saved over 900 cats in that time.
“The rescue record at one location would be 50 cats that captured to be spayed or neutered,” she told me once when I was working with her.
When cats are not able to go back to their location because the owners don’t want them or it’s not safe, Kelly brings them home with her or gets them a home.
“I have four cats that I brought home that are now part of my animal family. I have others that are here until I find the perfect home. I have realized that if I keep too many, then I cannot help others.” She admitted.
All three of these women work with animals as their professions and dedicate a lot of time to doing so. Over all over 900 cats, and 200 dogs are saved a year and even more are taken care of by these three women. I know how seriously these women take their jobs because I have worked with each separately and in groups and I’ve seen the passion that they hold when it comes to these poor animals. Two of those cats Mrs. Peggy had at her home I actually adopted so that there would be more room for others and many of those dogs I sat up with for hours caring for and more then I can count sits I have assisted on so I know the hardships of the job but also the rewards.
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Forever Yours
In our lives we lose many things we love. To some an animal dying could be even harder than the death of a grandparent. Children or adults who live alone seem to make more special bonds with their animals and take it really hard when they must leave them or if their beloved pet dies because that pet is seen as more than just a pet to them. I know this from experience because I have experienced this loss and have been more influenced than when either of my grandpas died.
From the time I can remember I have always had two cats, and one grew up with me from the very beginning. At my age thirteen my little boy cat was just turning 12. He always was a "trouble maker" and he was always getting hit by other cats by being so. So when he started pawing his mouth and he had a swollen lip, we thought nothing of it. After a while the problem didn’t go away so I bugged and bugged my mom to take him to the vet. She made an appointment more to get me to leave her alone then anything else and she took him in while I was at school. As it happens that day, the power went out during his appointment so they rescheduled him for the next day.
While I was in first period the next day I got called down to the office to go home. Everyone looked at me and asked me questions about why I was leaving and where I was going. Everyone thought I was so lucky, but I wasn’t so sure.
The only things that came to mind about why I could be leaving were that my mom had forgotten about some appointment or that something had happened to my girl cat who, being in her twenties, wasn’t doing too well. It never occurred to me it could be my little baby boy.
I went down to the office and waited for my mom to arrive. After ten minutes she arrived and I felt a cold shiver go down my back as I saw her. Something had happened. I went out to the car and saw my brother inside, and knew I didn’t want to know. My mom got in and told me my little boy had severe cancer and there was nothing they could do. My brother and I were being picked up to go to the vet and say goodbye before he was to be put to sleep.
As you could guess I fell completely apart and couldn’t catch my breath with all the crying I did. After burying him and skipping school for two days, I finally got to a place of complete shutdown. I watched TV and movies just so I wouldn’t have to think and shut myself in my room a lot more. I went on a summer trip not long after, and when I returned, I had a month with my girl before she too passed on from old age and my grieving started all over again. I was crushed with no one left. They were my best friends, and now my home was empty and kittyless. It felt wrong, as if something was missing from my life and I couldn’t understand why.
Now, a little over a year later I have gotten two new babies. They are another boy and girl but actual siblings and though I miss my first two very much I have found a place for these two in my heart as well. I don’t know how I would react if anything ever happened to them now.
In contrast when I lost both my granddads I cried a little but was fine after a day or two but when my babies passed I was a wreck for weeks and still can’t let go of what once was.
Though they were my grandparents, I wasn’t as close to them as I was with my kittens and didn’t feel the same way when they passed as I did when I lost my kittens mainly because it was a regular part of my life to see them daily.
From the time I can remember I have always had two cats, and one grew up with me from the very beginning. At my age thirteen my little boy cat was just turning 12. He always was a "trouble maker" and he was always getting hit by other cats by being so. So when he started pawing his mouth and he had a swollen lip, we thought nothing of it. After a while the problem didn’t go away so I bugged and bugged my mom to take him to the vet. She made an appointment more to get me to leave her alone then anything else and she took him in while I was at school. As it happens that day, the power went out during his appointment so they rescheduled him for the next day.
While I was in first period the next day I got called down to the office to go home. Everyone looked at me and asked me questions about why I was leaving and where I was going. Everyone thought I was so lucky, but I wasn’t so sure.
The only things that came to mind about why I could be leaving were that my mom had forgotten about some appointment or that something had happened to my girl cat who, being in her twenties, wasn’t doing too well. It never occurred to me it could be my little baby boy.
I went down to the office and waited for my mom to arrive. After ten minutes she arrived and I felt a cold shiver go down my back as I saw her. Something had happened. I went out to the car and saw my brother inside, and knew I didn’t want to know. My mom got in and told me my little boy had severe cancer and there was nothing they could do. My brother and I were being picked up to go to the vet and say goodbye before he was to be put to sleep.
As you could guess I fell completely apart and couldn’t catch my breath with all the crying I did. After burying him and skipping school for two days, I finally got to a place of complete shutdown. I watched TV and movies just so I wouldn’t have to think and shut myself in my room a lot more. I went on a summer trip not long after, and when I returned, I had a month with my girl before she too passed on from old age and my grieving started all over again. I was crushed with no one left. They were my best friends, and now my home was empty and kittyless. It felt wrong, as if something was missing from my life and I couldn’t understand why.
Now, a little over a year later I have gotten two new babies. They are another boy and girl but actual siblings and though I miss my first two very much I have found a place for these two in my heart as well. I don’t know how I would react if anything ever happened to them now.
In contrast when I lost both my granddads I cried a little but was fine after a day or two but when my babies passed I was a wreck for weeks and still can’t let go of what once was.
Though they were my grandparents, I wasn’t as close to them as I was with my kittens and didn’t feel the same way when they passed as I did when I lost my kittens mainly because it was a regular part of my life to see them daily.
Friday, April 11, 2008
Homeless, Helpless and Asking for Help
In schools, homes and communities, volunteers are helping needy animals. All around you there are people helping that you didn’t even know were interested in animals. Kids as young as three help as well. Many give their time and their help to support the small and big on your streets and in your county shelters. You can help as well. For example, it's as easy as feeding or making a bed out of a towel for a stray cat that hangs around the neighborhood.
What you can do to help!
Collect blankets and towels. Pick up a little extra food or treats next time you go shopping. Make a flyer about collecting toys, food, and other supplies and give it out to your neighbors. There is plenty you could do if you get creative. You could even adopt, help out with the shelter animals or just give a donation if you have no time to be hands-on.
I myself have done all the above so I know how hard some of it can be, but I also know how rewarding it can be to help out a little kitten by giving it a home or a dog because it needs someone to play with. The money the animal charity receives goes to purchasing food and supplies and medical care in addition to other administrative needs. The more help the animals receive, the better their chances become of living long, healthy lives.
Linganore High School April Initiative
Two teachers are trying to get help for the animals of Frederick. Mrs. Horstkamp is asking anyone to donate any old blankets and towels that they would like to get rid of for the animal shelter. Animals love the comfort of soft blankets and towels. Stains and small holes are acceptable, but being clean is a must. The items will be collected throughout the month and she will be delivering them at the end on April. Any items not making the deadline can be dropped off at the shelter during usual working hours as well.
Mrs. Beachy's third period pre-vet class is doing a fundraising project for the Frederick County Animal Control. They are going to each third period class and handing out envelopes for money collection. They will come back twice a week to collect the money donated by the class. They are asking for pocket change or larger donations. No pressure is put on the classes. After a month of earning, the class that has collected the most will be awarded a pizza “Celebration” on a day suitable to the teacher's schedule. I encourage everyone to take part in this worthy cause.
Last semester the pre-vet class earned $800.00 and put it on a PetSmart card for the Animal Control Shelter, but the goal this semester is to collect over a $1,000.00. Thank you for helping to make this goal a reality.
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Saving Paws
This year the Easter break reminded me of an adventure I had last year this time when I went with a woman I barely knew to two different kill shelters in West Virginia, over six hours away. In the van was her younger daughter Kayla and a collection of leashes, treats, towels and as many cages as we could fit.
The first shelter we arrived at was small and covered in a fine snow which had begun to fall half way through our trip. We entered the small front office armed with collars and leashes and a small cat carrier. Kayla and I sat out front while Heather, the woman, went in the back to collect the dogs. I desperately wanted to save some cats, too, but she is allergic. As we waited the workers asked if we wanted to take two extras they had.
A woman came out carrying a little Rottweiler puppy, Kayla and I were hooked. His name was Pete but we changed that right away. I got my way and he was renamed Dakota. Next was the most adorable Cocker Spaniel which we named Sunny after his golden coat and great personality. His name was Ginger but we soon found that would not work when we discovered she was actually a “he.” A dog we had been informed was blind in one eye was then brought. This dog walked with a tilt to his head. He was deaf we believed, he was half blind and he was filthy with dirt and his own filth. Heather wasn’t too pleased with this shelter after seeing the living quarters and this dog in particular. It nearly killed me to leave all the ones we couldn’t save behind because of lack of room.
We loaded about 15dogs into the van. A good group of those were lab puppies that were covered in urine. We drove about an hour down the road to another shelter, this one much cleaner but with fewer cages so more animals would be put to sleep faster. We saved five dogs there and let the others out to walk a little since it would be a long ride for all of us. Dakota was not used to leashes so he was a handful, but I had already decided to make him my project so I took him over completely, along with Sunny a.k.a. Fabio.
The ride home started with us almost hitting three emaciated dogs walking down the middle of the road. We tried to call them to us, but they kept walking. We started off again and this time it was for the long haul. The car began to smell right away and even though it was freezing, we were forced to open the windows. All of a sudden the one dog started howling for no reason. He had been silent when all the other dogs were loud and talking, but now everyone was tired and asleep he started going crazy.
We finally got them home late at night. I spent the night. We brought all the dogs in after stopping at the store to pick up shampoo and baby gates and washed them in either the shower, outside or in a bathtub, as we did with all the puppies. We were caring for 25 dogs by the end of the night.
A few days later I got a call from Heather telling me about the animals after checkups and adoptions going on. This is what I was told….
The weird dog we got not only was hit by a car, blind in one eye and filthy but to top that off he was shot in the head with buckshot. After major surgery, the vet informed Heather there wasn’t much they could do and he was put to sleep.
The puppies had worms, but some also were found to have Parvo, a very deadly disease. This disease is especially dangerous for Rotties so Dakota had to be separated from every other dog.
Kennel cough was the other big virus the dogs were all found to have. Some dogs were covered in ticks. The ticks went deep into the dogs ear canals and were on the dogs so long that they were full of blood and the size of an eraser cap.
The dogs started training right away to make them ready for fostering and adoptions. Since that day, over a hundred dogs have been saved and Family Pack Rescue (the organization Heather started to save the dogs) has spread.
It has expanded to the point that even cats are being saved. Not all the beginning dogs had happy endings, but all came out of a harsh death in a cold cement cage. Many have happy families and others are now in a more peaceful place. We keep trying and we keep saving every day but we still need help to do more.
The first shelter we arrived at was small and covered in a fine snow which had begun to fall half way through our trip. We entered the small front office armed with collars and leashes and a small cat carrier. Kayla and I sat out front while Heather, the woman, went in the back to collect the dogs. I desperately wanted to save some cats, too, but she is allergic. As we waited the workers asked if we wanted to take two extras they had.
A woman came out carrying a little Rottweiler puppy, Kayla and I were hooked. His name was Pete but we changed that right away. I got my way and he was renamed Dakota. Next was the most adorable Cocker Spaniel which we named Sunny after his golden coat and great personality. His name was Ginger but we soon found that would not work when we discovered she was actually a “he.” A dog we had been informed was blind in one eye was then brought. This dog walked with a tilt to his head. He was deaf we believed, he was half blind and he was filthy with dirt and his own filth. Heather wasn’t too pleased with this shelter after seeing the living quarters and this dog in particular. It nearly killed me to leave all the ones we couldn’t save behind because of lack of room.
We loaded about 15dogs into the van. A good group of those were lab puppies that were covered in urine. We drove about an hour down the road to another shelter, this one much cleaner but with fewer cages so more animals would be put to sleep faster. We saved five dogs there and let the others out to walk a little since it would be a long ride for all of us. Dakota was not used to leashes so he was a handful, but I had already decided to make him my project so I took him over completely, along with Sunny a.k.a. Fabio.
The ride home started with us almost hitting three emaciated dogs walking down the middle of the road. We tried to call them to us, but they kept walking. We started off again and this time it was for the long haul. The car began to smell right away and even though it was freezing, we were forced to open the windows. All of a sudden the one dog started howling for no reason. He had been silent when all the other dogs were loud and talking, but now everyone was tired and asleep he started going crazy.
We finally got them home late at night. I spent the night. We brought all the dogs in after stopping at the store to pick up shampoo and baby gates and washed them in either the shower, outside or in a bathtub, as we did with all the puppies. We were caring for 25 dogs by the end of the night.
A few days later I got a call from Heather telling me about the animals after checkups and adoptions going on. This is what I was told….
The weird dog we got not only was hit by a car, blind in one eye and filthy but to top that off he was shot in the head with buckshot. After major surgery, the vet informed Heather there wasn’t much they could do and he was put to sleep.
The puppies had worms, but some also were found to have Parvo, a very deadly disease. This disease is especially dangerous for Rotties so Dakota had to be separated from every other dog.
Kennel cough was the other big virus the dogs were all found to have. Some dogs were covered in ticks. The ticks went deep into the dogs ear canals and were on the dogs so long that they were full of blood and the size of an eraser cap.
The dogs started training right away to make them ready for fostering and adoptions. Since that day, over a hundred dogs have been saved and Family Pack Rescue (the organization Heather started to save the dogs) has spread.
It has expanded to the point that even cats are being saved. Not all the beginning dogs had happy endings, but all came out of a harsh death in a cold cement cage. Many have happy families and others are now in a more peaceful place. We keep trying and we keep saving every day but we still need help to do more.
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