Who Saves Our Little Darlings And How?

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.

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.

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.