Dazed and Confused

So I was sitting in the living room watching the newest member of our pack, Brandy, try to get the other dogs to play with her.  Brandy is a pup who has not had much interaction with other dogs.  She belonged to a senior citizen who took her for walks, but they were pretty much home bodies.  Sitting here watching her I wish I could understand what she was thinking.

 

 

She obviously misses her owner.  After being with us a week now she is finally starting to lose that dazed look on her face.  Fellow rescuers will know the face I mean.  Dogs who are not very social or aren’t used to change get this clouded dazed look on their face.  You can just tell they are not adjusting well to the change taking place in their lives. 

Brandy had been removed from her home, taken to the Chicago Animal Control, then saved by a fellow rescuer and taken to a vet’s office.  She stayed at the vet’s office for about 8 days before going to 3 different foster homes.  All this in the three weeks it took for us to be able to drive to DeKalb to pick her up. 

She is a super sweet dog and was gentle and friendly with anyone she met, but she was in a state of shock and was not connecting to anyone or anything.  As if she was thinking ‘Hello, nice to meet you, now where’s my dad?’  You could see she was trying to determine what was coming next.  The whole time we were driving home with her she was looking out the back window as if to say ‘Hey…my house is that way’. 

 

 

Brandy has been with us a little over a week now.  The first day my husband was able to take her on a tour of the yard, all she did was look for a way out of the yard.  She was friendly, but really didn’t want to get attached.  As a foster child who bounced around from home to home and from school to school, I can relate to what she is feeling.  It’s like she is just waiting for the next blow.  Once she gets settled in here and starts to feel at home, will she be yanked away and taken somewhere else?

The last couple days I have seen the dazed look leaving her face and her attempting to get us and the other dogs to play with her.  She isn’t quite sure how to instigate play time, so she will sit in front of her ball or in front of one of the other dogs and start barking.  Just one bark…a pause…then another bark.  The first few times she did this I didn’t know what she wanted.  I thought maybe she had to go potty, so I would take her outside.  Then when we came in she would sit and bark again. 

 

 

Finally I noticed this little green ball that none of the other dogs have played with sitting in front of her and she was looking at it barking.  I picked it up and asked her if this is what she wanted.  She actually got a smile on her face and barked again.  When I tossed it up in the air she chased it and brought it back, laying it at my feet, and barked again.  Then yesterday she was sitting in front of my husband’s recliner barking at Winter.  I think she was trying to get Winter to play with her.  Then again later in the afternoon, she did the same with Elke.  Elke laid there having a discussion about it with her.

 

 

To me, this is a good sign.  It means that Brandy is starting to settle in.  Still can’t trust her in the yard off leash.  Won’t do that till she comes back when we call her, but at least she is starting to feel like our home is her home.  I’ll keep you updated on her progress.

Be Well & Be Happy,

Pet~Pourri

World Spay Day

Today (February 25^th) is World Spay Day.  This is an international day of awareness to urge folks to have their pets spayed or neutered.

Now most of us have heard the story that one female cat and her offspring can produce over 420,000 cats in seven years.  HUGE number right?  Let’s get realistic.  This number is estimating that all the cats born survive and that at least 50% of them are female.  Realistically, looking at mortality rates and what not, that number is more like 400 cats in seven years.  That is still a big number considering the number of pets that are killed in shelters every year from being unwanted. 

 

No matter what the actual number is, with all the unwanted pets dying every day in shelters across the world, you need to have you pet spayed or neutered.  Now don’t give me this crock where you want your child to experience the wonder of live birth.  Nowadays you can find YouTube videos that will give you graphic detail.  You can also take your children to the shelter so they can see first-hand what happens to those cute little kittens and puppies that no one wants once their own kids did experience that wonder.

 

If you can’t afford to have your pet spayed or neutered there are plenty of programs out there that will assist you.  Low-cost or even free in some cases.  Here is a link to Animal Rescue League of Iowa’s spay/neuter programs.  Heck, just do a Google search for Low Cost Spay Clinic.  I had 344,000 results come up.  There is no excuse for not being a responsible pet owner.

 

Why should you have your pet spayed/neutered?  It’s not just because of all the unwanted pets that die every day…that’s just one reason.  There are also health reasons, behavioral issues, and reduced costs in the long run.  Spayed and neutered pets are cheaper to care for in the long run.  The Humane Society of the United States gives some excellent reasons.

 

Remember that if you are looking for a new pet to add to your family, Adopt, don’t Shop.  Go to your local animal shelter or rescue and save a life in need.

Be Well & Be Happy,

Pet~Pourri

Iowa Lobby Day for Dogs

WARNING, some of the photos in this blog are graphic, but I think they are necessary to understand why this topic is important.

 

So today I would like to talk about some legislative issues that will affect rescues, shelters, commercial breeders, and kennels in the state of Iowa.  One of my interests is lobbying at the Iowa State Capital for animal rights.  This past Tuesday, February 18^th was Lobby Day for the Dogs.  One of the bills of interest to me is this one.  SF 2166 - Care of Animals in Commercial Facilities.  It is a bill that was introduced by Senator Matt McCoy.  This bill will help give all animals in Iowa humane care and treatment and will strengthen the penalties for animal abuse.  Specifically, it would revise the laws regarding licensure, fees, standards of care and enforcement of shelters, pounds, kennels, breeders, dealers, etc. caring for companion animals, including establishing a remediation fund to be funded by animal shelters and commercial breeders and dealers.

 

On Tuesday this bill passed a subcommittee and the full Commerce Committee.  This is an amazing step forward to get this bill passed.  What I like about this bill is that my rescue will then be licensed as a Shelter.  Right now we are licensed as a Dealer.   Our rescue was the first breed specific rescue to seek licensing in the state of Iowa and they really didn’t know what to do with us.  Because we were breed specific, we didn’t fit the requirements for a shelter.  With the passing of this bill that will change.

 

I’m going to be blunt…the purpose of this bill is to tighten regulations for Commercial Breeders (Puppy Mills).  There are too many animals that die in shelters every day.  Commercial Breeders are not breeding for the betterment of the breed, but for money. Period.  Every time a movie comes out with a dog as the star, commercial breeders start breeding puppies of that breed to send to pet stores because people want that dog.  Then when the love affair is over the dog winds up abandoned on the street or in a shelter.  Animal rescuers cringe every time a movie starring a dog comes out.

 

Then there are the ‘designer breeds’ or Mutts.  Cockapoo, Goldendoodle, and Puggles, to name a few…all of them are mutts, yet commercial breeders make thousands for every puppy.  And the dogs in their facilities are used for as long as they can breed. Once they are done they are auctioned off or dumped in shelters or even killed.

 

Now I have nothing against these dogs.  I love all animals.  My problem is the people who breed them and the conditions these pets are kept in to breed puppies to make money for the owners.  Most true breeders, who breed for the betterment of the breed, will only breed their dogs once a year or once every two years.  Dogs in commercial breeders are expected to produce puppies every time they go into heat or they are discarded.  Most dogs go into heat 4 times a year.  Now imagine you or your spouse having a baby every 9 months for as long as you can breed.  Commercial breeders don’t care about genetic or hereditary problems a specific breed carries.  Often times the dogs are inbred which makes these problems worse.

 

My own beloved Mirage was a product of a puppy mill.  We rescued her from a pet store that was about to send her back to the breeder because she had been there for almost 8 months.  She had severe hip deformity, yet was going to be sent back to the breeder to breed more puppies.  She lived a very long happy life with us and was the matriarch of our rescue until she passed away on 1/11/12.

 

Ok…I’ll get off my soap box now. 

One of my reasons for writing this blog is, hopefully to educate my readers and teach you that you can make a difference, but also to ask my Iowa readers to contact your legislators and ask them to pass this bill…without any significant changes.  The main goal of this bill is for commercial breeders to start treating their animals humanely.  IF they must breed, treat the animals like the sentient beings they are.

 

You really do make a difference.  When I first started lobbying for animal rights there were over 450 commercial breeders (puppy mills) in Iowa.  Now there are fewer than 250.  The photos throughout this blog are the conditions we are trying to stop.  No sentient being deserves to live like this.  So please take the time to contact your legislators to stop this abuse.

Be Well & Be Happy,

Pet~Pourri
 

All photos in this blog (except the one of Mirage & the Iowa State Capital) came from Iowa Voters for Companion Animals.

Crying Kitty

Photo from cats.lovetoknow.com

 

One of my favorite sayings is “You learn something new every day”.  Well…maybe not every day…but I did learn something new today, and this surprises me because I used to be a ‘crazy cat lady’.  J  I came across this article from andmycat.com about cats crying throughout the night for attention.  None of my cats ever did this.  According to this article, cats cry throughout the night for various reasons.  Usually as kittens or seniors.  Kittens especially when in a new home because they are missing momma and siblings.  Seniors because they don’t’ want to go looking for you and want you to come to them.

 

Photo from www.sevacall.com

Getting up and giving them attention reinforces the behavior so it is recommended that you do not check on them.  I never had this problem but I think it was because I always brought my cats to bed with me.  They give some tips for dealing with the issue like having a play session before bed or feeding the main meal before bed.  You could also find ways to keep your cat awake during the day so they will sleep through the night.

 

Photo from www.222animals.com

Of course you know your cat better than anyone else, so if this is a new behavior, take your cat to the vet to make sure there is no medical reason for this behavior.  This is how I first noticed my Merlin had some medical issues.  The ASPCA site also gives some suggestions for cats that keep you awake.

 

Photo from CatChat.org

In researching this issue I guess it is more common that I thought.  I must have been lucky with my babies.  CatChat.org agrees that this behavior is usually a cat wanting attention.  Their last bit of advice is don’t give in.  Cats need to learn that the nocturnal crying is not going to get them the attention they want.  Even yelling at your cat is giving it attention, so if you are sure it is not a medical concern, ignore kitty.  They will get the message…eventually.  J

 

Photo from theshepherd-mcgee.blogspot.com

Be Well & Be Happy,

Pet~Pourri

To Kiss...or...Not to Kiss

Do you kiss your dog or cat or other pets?  Now be honest…admit it…you do don’t you?  How can you resist those fuzzy noses?  I’ve read a couple articles however that make me wonder if it is ‘safe’ to do so.  Knowing me…I will probably never stop kissing my puppies, but there is a concern about diseases being spread between pets & humans and humans & pets. 

Dr. Marty Becker, of Dr. Oz and Good Morning America fame, wrote this article this past Sunday, Jan 12^th.  To Kiss or Not to Kiss…that is the questions.  There are articles in favor of kissing and articles against kissing.  The concern is that you could catch something from your pet or your pet can catch something from you.

Now don’t get me wrong, if I see my pet eating something disgusting or cleaning himself, I most definitely am Not going to kiss them.  J  However when I get home from a long day at the office my favorite thing to do is give Elke, Sangha, Sophie, Yoda, Misty, and Winter kisses.  The other pups in the rescue are not much into kissing so we settle for a pat on the head.  J 

Here are some of the concerns I have read about in this article from Cesar’s Way.  Believe it or not, kissing your dog can lead to gum disease.  Yes…really…click the link if you don’t believe me.  It goes on to say that “The bottom line is this: as adorable as those doggie kisses may be, they may give us more than we asked for in the form of gum disease”.

Speaking of gum disease…did you know February is National Pet Dental Health Month?  If you haven’t done so already, get your pets in for a dental checkup.  Bad teeth can lead to heart disease, kidney disease, and sometimes even diabetes.

Back to the kissing issue.  I like Dr. Becker’s assessment better.  He says “Kiss away…with caution”.  When asked what his thoughts were is says “When's the last time you ever heard or read of a veterinarian dying of a zoonotic disease or having no teeth from dental disease?”  I say kiss away…and brush your teeth often.  J

I conducted a non-scientific poll on my Facebook page.  I asked a simple question.  Do you kiss your pets?  The overwhelming response was Yes.  Although many said not on the mouth or no tongue.  That made me chuckle because one of my dogs, no matter how tightly I seal my lips will inevitably get his tongue in my mouth.  I do draw the line at french kisses.  LOL

Be Well & Be Happy,

Pet~Pourri

Super Bowl...Smoper Bowl

Ok…be honest…how many of you are going to watch the Super Bowl for more than the halftime show?  Or the commercials?  I remember when my husband and I first started cohabitating.  His condition was that I had to get a color TV so that he could watch football.  At the time I only had a small 12” black & white TV…do they even still make those? 

 

Anywho…fast forward to Michael Vick.  The day the NFL decided to let this @$#%$# continue playing in the NFL is the day we stopped watching football. 

 

 

We found an even better alternative.  Animal Planet’s Puppy Bowl. 

 

 

This year is the 10^th year for the Puppy Bowl.  If you’ve never heard of it, you have to watch it this year.  Here is a link to this year’s starting lineup.  The Kitty Halftime show is even better than the Super Bowl’s halftime show. 

 

 

 

Some things to look for include the water bowl cam, hedgehog cheerleaders, hamster commentators, Meep, the tweeting bird, and the ref’s ref-trospectives.  And best of all…these year one of the players is an American Eskimo Puppy.  Meet Brody from Green Dogs Unleashed Rescue.

 

 

So on Super Bowl Sunday, if you want to see something that will make you smile, tune in to Animal Planet’s Puppy Bowl X.  Sunday, February 2^nd at 3pm E/P.  It’s so stinking cute!!!

 

 

Be Well & Be Happy,

Pet~Pourri

Why Do I Put Myself Through This?

There are some days as a rescuer when I ask myself why do I put myself through this. I have witnessed such cruelty.  Such horrible cruelty.  Today someone posted this on my Facebook page and I just sat here saying Yes...Yes...this explains so perfectly why I put myself through this and I just had to share it with you.

"For animal lovers like me, animal rescue is the most incredible, rewarding job... in the history of ever. ...

At the same time... it's also the most heartbreaking...
The truth is...
You see a lot of things... you never thought you'd see.
You witness a level of cruelty... you didn't think was possible.
You feel a degree of helplessness... you never thought you'd know.

You stare at painful images... soon burned into your memory... that will haunt your thoughts forever.
You try to pick up the pieces... so many pieces... of the damage you didn't do.
You do everything in your power... but even still... you'll never reach them all.

You'll try to stay strong... but you'll mostly feel weak.
You'll build walls to protect your heart... but they'll never keep you safe.
You'll place barriers around your soul... but the pain will always reach you.

And no matter how hard you try to fight it... over time... here's the truth about what happens in animal rescue...
The neglect changes you.
The abuse hardens you.
The suffering breaks you.

The ignorance angers you.
The indifference disturbs you.
The injustice destroys you.

On a daily basis... your faith will be tested.
Your heart will be wounded.
Your soul will be altered.

On a weekly basis... you'll question yourself.
You'll question your strength.
You'll question the world.
On a monthly basis... you'll fall down.
You'll get up.
You'll go on...

On a yearly basis... you'll look back...
You'll see faces...
You couldn't save them.

You'll learn to mourn.
To grieve.
To sob.

You'll learn to trust a little less.
To do a little more.
To fight a little harder.

You'll learn to try.
To hope.
To pray.

You'll learn to fail.
To succeed.
To accept.

You'll learn when to hold on.
When to give up.
When to let go.

You'll learn who you are.
What you stand for.
Why that matters.

Then... at times... you'll forget why you matter.
You'll question what you're doing.
You'll wonder if it's worth it.

But... here's the good news...

When you forget...
When you question...
When you wonder...

All you have to do...
Is take a look around...
And you'll see them.
You'll see their faces.
You'll see their smiles.
You'll feel their love.

In their eyes, you'll see their journeys...
You'll remember their beginnings...
You'll know how far they've come...

You'll remember when they didn't know you...
When they didn't trust you...
When they'd given up.

You'll remember how you healed them...
How you loved them...
How they loved you, too.

And as you look back...
You'll want to move forward...
For them... and because of them.

In your darkest hours, you'll look around...
To find the differences made... the hope given... and the lives saved...
Because you existed.

In those moments, when you look into their eyes... every doubt will be erased.
Every question will be answered.
Every worry will subside.

Because in that instant... in each of your hearts...
You both share the very same thought:
"Every bit of pain was worth it... for this moment here with you."
And honestly... no matter what else happens...
Those moments hold all the strength you need...
To keep going.

Rescue is pain.
Rescue is joy.
Rescue is worth it... because they are worth it.

And that's the honest truth."

~Author Unknown

Here are some of the reasons why Rescue is Worth it.

 

Be Well & Be Happy,
Pet~Pourri