They say desperation is mother of invention (not sure who "they" are, or if that quote is quite right - but it fits me tonight!) I had planned to do a lot of homework on how to start my non-profit, completely think through everything and anything I need to know, etc. etc. etc. but then I saw a desperate post tonight from my favorite shelter and I decided I can't wait to try to start this. All 3 of our dogs came from Darlington Humane Society in Darlington, South Carolina. I have never been to the shelter, but I have been told they are way underfunded but the people who run the shelter - staff and volunteers, move heaven and earth to save every dog that comes in. And to their credit, the dogs that come from Darlington are the best - rarely a bad apple in the bunch. I know this first hand - we have adopted 3 Darlington dogs and have fostered about a dozen of their dogs in the past year with All 4 Paws Rescue.
Our dog Pepper was the first adoptee that came from Darlington. Pepper was brought in as a stray in September 2009. They spayed her, treated her for heart worm and hookworms, and kept her there as long as they possibly could. Right around Christmas they called a rescue and begged them to take her - she had made the dreaded put to sleep list - she had been there too long. Lucky for us, the rescue took her and she was fostered by a great foster family. We found her on petfinder after she had been in foster for 2 months.
Shadow was our 2nd dog from Darlington. He was dumped at the shelter by a woman who said he wasn't hers. The shelter knew she was lying. I saw Shadow's picture on the shelter web site and something about him just told me to adopt him. He was fostered by the same great family and has been a great dog for us ever since.
About a year later, I saw Bear on the shelter web site. He grabbed my heart and I enquired about him. And then I asked Di if I could have my 40th birthday present early, and being the loving person she is, she said yes. Bear had to be treated for heart worm and came to us shortly after treatment. He was skittish and hand shy, we're pretty sure he was abused by whoever had him. He was brought in to the shelter as a stray, and I think he ran away from whoever had him. He is now a more confident and loving dog - can't imagine our family without him.
Darlington has truly changed our family. Di and I felt we had a giant hole in our life after two of my parents and one of her parents died. We spent so much time taking care of our parents and their associated needs that when they were gone, we felt lost. So we adopted Pepper, and then Shadow, then we started fostering, and then we adopted Bear, and our lives are forever changed. Darlington was a huge part of that, and they will forever be special to us.
And right now Darlington is in crisis. At last post, they took in 64 animals in 4 days and the unwanted and stray animals are still coming. They need fosters, they need money for vetting, and they need rescues to take dogs and find them homes. If Darlington isn't able to get this help, dogs will die. There is no easy way to say this. Adoptable, loving, deserving dogs will die. I feel compelled to do whatever I can to help. The non-profit I am planning to start will help support shelters like Darlington, and I need help to do this. The one thing shelters always need is money and foster families. Since my non-profit is not set up yet, I am happy to receive checks made out to "DCHS" and I will send the checks to them as one package - or you can send them directly to Darlington (please put Pepper's Paws in the memo :). You can also go to www.darlingtonrescue.com and click on the RESCUE Information link - there is a paypal donation link on this page. If you are willing to foster Darlington dogs, click on the Safe link and click on the green text at the top of the page - it will take you to a list of rescue that pull Darlington dogs. You can also share this blog and share posts from DarlingtonCountyHSRescue on facebook. Any of these things can help this deserving shelter and wonderful dogs in need.
My goal is to raise $1,000 for Darlington in the next week - and to help find homes for as many dogs as possible. They need to move about 40 dogs out to get back to "full" (as opposed to bursting at the seams, which is where they are now). Will you help?
Monday, October 24, 2011
Thursday, October 20, 2011
I'm thinking of trying something new...
Everyday I read about homeless dogs, dogs that have been abused, and the shelters these dogs are in being desperate for help. I find myself feeling powerless to get my head around the size of the problem of unwanted and homeless animals, let alone how to help solve the problem. But now I have an idea.
One thing these organizations have in common is that they need resources. They need money for medicines and vet services, they need money for food, and they kennel supplies - food bowls, cleaning products, leashes, and collars. And they need voices to speak with them and for them. And volunteers to help at adoption events and to walk kenneled dogs. And they need people to adopt the animals. I have toyed with the idea of starting a rescue, but I don't that would really play to my strengths. I have an idea....
I am thinking of starting a charitable organization that provides resources to shelters and rescues in need. An organization that provides funding, spay/neuter assistance, dog supplies, volunteers, and is an advocate for the shelters and their needs. Underfunded shelters and overworked rescues need arms and legs to help with the work, and voices to help them be heard. I think this is something I would thoroughly enjoy doing. Is there is a need for this? I think so, but if those in the know know differently I love to hear from them. Am I crazy? (let's leave that a rhetorical question :) Can it be done? Where do I start? Would people actually be willing to donate money, supplies, and time to such an organization? I hope so. Thoughts? Ideas?
How do I get started? What is the most important first step? Time to start my research! Ideas, thoughts, warnings, and suggestions welcome!
One thing these organizations have in common is that they need resources. They need money for medicines and vet services, they need money for food, and they kennel supplies - food bowls, cleaning products, leashes, and collars. And they need voices to speak with them and for them. And volunteers to help at adoption events and to walk kenneled dogs. And they need people to adopt the animals. I have toyed with the idea of starting a rescue, but I don't that would really play to my strengths. I have an idea....
I am thinking of starting a charitable organization that provides resources to shelters and rescues in need. An organization that provides funding, spay/neuter assistance, dog supplies, volunteers, and is an advocate for the shelters and their needs. Underfunded shelters and overworked rescues need arms and legs to help with the work, and voices to help them be heard. I think this is something I would thoroughly enjoy doing. Is there is a need for this? I think so, but if those in the know know differently I love to hear from them. Am I crazy? (let's leave that a rhetorical question :) Can it be done? Where do I start? Would people actually be willing to donate money, supplies, and time to such an organization? I hope so. Thoughts? Ideas?
How do I get started? What is the most important first step? Time to start my research! Ideas, thoughts, warnings, and suggestions welcome!
Sunday, October 9, 2011
One year later....
Di and I started fostering a year ago this month. We just picked up foster number 23. Not bad for our first year! What will the next 12 months hold - who knows for sure, but I'm glad it will filled with dogs, dog food, treats, Nature's Miracle, and hopefully lots of adoptions!
Our newest foster is Clarissa, a 7 month old Shepherd mix. She came from a high kill shelter in South Carolina, and is quite a nice dog. She is doing great with our gang - and loves people (in a gentle, friendly way not a I'm-going-to-jump-all-over-you kind of way). So far miss thing has enjoyed a good meal and so yummy snacks (her words on this one :), had a bath (she did great!), and played quite a bit with our dogs. She is now sleepy next to our dogs like she has been here her whole life. Very nice to see. Will she adopted quickly? I think so. She is one of those dogs that people gravitate to - she'll go fast to a great home.
I spent quite a bit of time this weekend at cancer benefit events - a kids cancer walk and a Bark for Life event. Two very different groups of people, but both left me with a profound feeling of the possibilities in life, and an appreciation for my life and the people in it. I have been fortunate so far to experience cancer in terms of others' lives. My mom, my dad, several relatives, and a few friends (who are way too young to have cancer). I have shared many heartbreaking moments with patients and caregivers, and I know I have also been that friend that needed someone to listen to what I was going through when I felt helpless as a care giver or family member on the sidelines. So after this weekend, I have to ask myself what am I going to do to make the world a little bit better? Right now I have no one directly in my life who needs my help with dealing with cancer (I am there for someone who has someone who has someone who has cancer, but it's not quite the same thing) - so what I am doing to make the best use of health and time? I volunteer with foster dogs, and I am also a Big Sister volunteer, but after spending time with folks who really don't have time to do anything because they are going to chemo appointments, and doctor visits, and battling the day to day affects of this horrible disease, then I know I actually do have more time. I am working on my 5 year career plan, and I think I need to work on my 5 year give back plan. More on that later....
To everyone I talked to this weekend, I thank you for sharing your story with me, shedding a tear or 2 with me, and for having the courage to continue to live and fight and keep on keeping on. You inspire me, and I thank you for that.
Our newest foster is Clarissa, a 7 month old Shepherd mix. She came from a high kill shelter in South Carolina, and is quite a nice dog. She is doing great with our gang - and loves people (in a gentle, friendly way not a I'm-going-to-jump-all-over-you kind of way). So far miss thing has enjoyed a good meal and so yummy snacks (her words on this one :), had a bath (she did great!), and played quite a bit with our dogs. She is now sleepy next to our dogs like she has been here her whole life. Very nice to see. Will she adopted quickly? I think so. She is one of those dogs that people gravitate to - she'll go fast to a great home.
I spent quite a bit of time this weekend at cancer benefit events - a kids cancer walk and a Bark for Life event. Two very different groups of people, but both left me with a profound feeling of the possibilities in life, and an appreciation for my life and the people in it. I have been fortunate so far to experience cancer in terms of others' lives. My mom, my dad, several relatives, and a few friends (who are way too young to have cancer). I have shared many heartbreaking moments with patients and caregivers, and I know I have also been that friend that needed someone to listen to what I was going through when I felt helpless as a care giver or family member on the sidelines. So after this weekend, I have to ask myself what am I going to do to make the world a little bit better? Right now I have no one directly in my life who needs my help with dealing with cancer (I am there for someone who has someone who has someone who has cancer, but it's not quite the same thing) - so what I am doing to make the best use of health and time? I volunteer with foster dogs, and I am also a Big Sister volunteer, but after spending time with folks who really don't have time to do anything because they are going to chemo appointments, and doctor visits, and battling the day to day affects of this horrible disease, then I know I actually do have more time. I am working on my 5 year career plan, and I think I need to work on my 5 year give back plan. More on that later....
To everyone I talked to this weekend, I thank you for sharing your story with me, shedding a tear or 2 with me, and for having the courage to continue to live and fight and keep on keeping on. You inspire me, and I thank you for that.
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
What our foster dogs have taught me
Di and I began fostering in October 2010. Since then we have provided a temporary home to 16 foster dogs. Each dog has been his or her own unique experience for us. Some have tested our patience, some have made us laugh uncontrollably, and some have made us exceedingly proud and happy to have met them. All have been a learning experience for me - sometimes I learned what to do, sometimes I learned what not to do.
Bonz
Our first foster was Bonz. Bonz was a year or so old shepherd/lab mix. Bonz was very scared when we picked him up and he sat like a statue in the back of the car. The transport bringing Bonz up was very late so we didn't get home with him until 1 in the morning. We snuck Bonz into the house without Pepper and Shadow noticing and just prayed that he didn't bark. He didn't bark. I took it as a sign that all would go well, and it certainly did. Bonz taught me that I had a love for animals beyond what I expected. His first night with us I snuggled him, kept him warm, and showed him that he was safe. Bonz also taught me that male dogs, like guys, bond. Bonz became Shadow's buddy and the 2 of them spent countless hours laying side by side in the yard.
Buddy
Our next foster was Buddy. Buddy was a sick, unloved, raggedy papillion mix. His owners literally did nothing to care for him. We only had Buddy for a week, but in that short time we turned his health around, showed him love and affection, and bathed him to soothe his skin more times than I care to count. We showed him it would be OK. Buddy taught me about trust. Even though Buddy had been mistreated by his former owners, he still trusted us.
Stacey
Our next foster was Stacey. Stacey was an extremely playful and down right nutty young border collie mix. She had a boundless supply of energy and would run with Shadow all day if we let her. We had Stacey for about 3 1/2 weeks and as she got more comfortable, she began to enjoy things like leaping onto the bed with us - from across the room. Stacy taught me to enjoy life, just like she did.
Zoey
Next came Zoey. Zoey was a shy little lab mix. It took her a while to warm up to us, but she took to our dogs right away. Zoe was immediately picked by a young family who really needed some joy. We had Zoe for 2 weeks, and during that time her new mom would come over to see her - she couldn't wait for the day she could take her home. Little by little Zoe, warmed up to her new family. The shy, timid little pup turned into a sociable, happy girl. Zoe taught that good things are worth waiting for, and change can happen.
Shiloh
Our next foster was Shiloh. Shiloh was a border collie/lab mix who was quite the character. The first few days we had Shiloh she liked to put all of the dogs' toys and food bowls in her crate. A few days after that, she started piling all the toys on the dog bed she had claimed (Pepper was gracious enough to let Shiloh take over her bed). Shiloh was feisty. She liked Shadow, but she had no problem telling Pepper the alpha to back off. The fosters always liked Pepper, but Shiloh did not. Shiloh taught me an important lesson: not all people who say they are experts have any idea what they are doing. She taught me to trust my gut and challenge when I don't agree.
Red
While we had Shiloh, we also had Red. Red was a 2 year old red golden retriever with boundless energy, and a recent history of heart worm. Red wasn't allowed to run and play, which Red really didn't agree with that plan. Red was a wily, playful nut who was more than we could handle - thankfully Red got adopted right away. Red taught me that sometimes it's OK not to do what you are told.
Bear
Bear (formally known as Opus) came after Shiloh. Bear was a beautiful shib ino (or something) mix. In the beginning, Bear was very interested in playing with us and our dogs, so much so that we considered keeping him. And then he discovered our cats. He really, really liked our cats. He would sit and stare at them all day, if we let him (I think "stalk" may be a better word to describe his behavior, actually). So adopting Bear became a fleeting thought and off he went to his new home. Bear taught me that all important decisions require careful consideration.
Duchess
Next up was Duchess, a husky/corgi mix. Duchess was a sweetheart. She was easy, calm, and all around a good dog. My cousin adopted Duchess, which made us very happy. Duchess taught me that some things are just meant to be and that there is someone for everyone.
Evan
Evan, a spaniel mix, came right after Duchess. Evan was a big, floppy Muppet-like dog who would jump up in front of me and hand me his paws. Evan was goof, in the nicest. The one thing about Evan that was challenging was that he didn't like his crate. He didn't like his crate so much he would bark and whine when I put him in it. All night he would bark and whine. Even when I slept on the couch next to his crate to he knew I was close by, he would still whine. Even taught me patience and compromise. His last night with us we compromised, he slept in his crate, which was in our bedroom instead of the downstairs hallway.
Gurdy
Gurdy was spaniel mix (I think). Gurdy was a pistol, small but mighty. Gurdy thought she was 100lbs. She is also one of the few dogs that escaped our fenced yard. She pulled her jail break so that she could chase a big husky. Gurdy taught me I can find faster than I think I can.
Harris
Ah, Harris. Harris was a shepherd/hound mix who arrived with a bad case of mange, among other ailments. Harris also had no concept of manners or how to be a good dog. Harris was a hot mess. We had Harris for 7 weeks, long weeks. Sometimes fun filled, mostly challenging weeks. Harris taught me compassion and to ask for help when I need it.
Tara and Sara
Tara and Sara, terrier mix mother and daughter, were a trip. Sara loved to run and play, Tara liked to be the mom to all 3 of the other dogs. Little by little Tara relaxed and joined in on the playing too. Tara and Sara were sweet, cute, and fun to watch. Tara and Sara taught me that little dogs are hard to walk with big dogs, and 4 dogs is too many to walk at once.
Liam
We took a break from fostering after Tara and Sara. We adopted our 3rd dog and wanted to give him time to settle in. When we returned to fostering, we could not have asked for a better foster than Liam. Liam was a golden retriever mix who absolutely tugged at our hearts. He was housebroken, happy-go-lucky playful dog who was totally enamored with us and our dogs. He especially loved Bear. We considered keeping Liam, but decided we need to work on Bear and our dogs, and he was also a bit too interested in our cats. Liam taught me that to appreciate what I have.
Bethany
Bethany came after Liam. Bethany, a 6 month lab mix, was the life of the party. She loved to play with Bear and run with Shadow. Bethany was very trainable too. She loved to learn new things. Bethany taught me not to leave my iPhone where foster dogs can get to it.
Lady
Our current foster is Lady. Lady is happily little papillian mix. Lady was surrendered by her owner because she was too sick to take care of her (and couldn't afford to) - either way, Lady went from what I expect was a comfortable home life to a scary shelter. And then to us. Lady is a people dog. She likes to be with us all the time. Bear likes Lady too - she looks like a smaller version of him, actually. Lady taught me that dogs get sad too (we think she misses her family) and she also taught me that you can start again. Lady is still waiting for her furever home.
Fostering dogs has been one of the most rewarding and challenging things I have ever done. I have learned so much from these homeless pups, and I hope I have taught them a few things too. I have no doubt that one of our future fosters will join us forever, and hopefully when that happens I can convince Di to keep fostering (c'mon - 5 dogs in one house isn't too many :)!
Bonz
Our first foster was Bonz. Bonz was a year or so old shepherd/lab mix. Bonz was very scared when we picked him up and he sat like a statue in the back of the car. The transport bringing Bonz up was very late so we didn't get home with him until 1 in the morning. We snuck Bonz into the house without Pepper and Shadow noticing and just prayed that he didn't bark. He didn't bark. I took it as a sign that all would go well, and it certainly did. Bonz taught me that I had a love for animals beyond what I expected. His first night with us I snuggled him, kept him warm, and showed him that he was safe. Bonz also taught me that male dogs, like guys, bond. Bonz became Shadow's buddy and the 2 of them spent countless hours laying side by side in the yard.
Buddy
Our next foster was Buddy. Buddy was a sick, unloved, raggedy papillion mix. His owners literally did nothing to care for him. We only had Buddy for a week, but in that short time we turned his health around, showed him love and affection, and bathed him to soothe his skin more times than I care to count. We showed him it would be OK. Buddy taught me about trust. Even though Buddy had been mistreated by his former owners, he still trusted us.
Stacey
Our next foster was Stacey. Stacey was an extremely playful and down right nutty young border collie mix. She had a boundless supply of energy and would run with Shadow all day if we let her. We had Stacey for about 3 1/2 weeks and as she got more comfortable, she began to enjoy things like leaping onto the bed with us - from across the room. Stacy taught me to enjoy life, just like she did.
Zoey
Next came Zoey. Zoey was a shy little lab mix. It took her a while to warm up to us, but she took to our dogs right away. Zoe was immediately picked by a young family who really needed some joy. We had Zoe for 2 weeks, and during that time her new mom would come over to see her - she couldn't wait for the day she could take her home. Little by little Zoe, warmed up to her new family. The shy, timid little pup turned into a sociable, happy girl. Zoe taught that good things are worth waiting for, and change can happen.
Shiloh
Our next foster was Shiloh. Shiloh was a border collie/lab mix who was quite the character. The first few days we had Shiloh she liked to put all of the dogs' toys and food bowls in her crate. A few days after that, she started piling all the toys on the dog bed she had claimed (Pepper was gracious enough to let Shiloh take over her bed). Shiloh was feisty. She liked Shadow, but she had no problem telling Pepper the alpha to back off. The fosters always liked Pepper, but Shiloh did not. Shiloh taught me an important lesson: not all people who say they are experts have any idea what they are doing. She taught me to trust my gut and challenge when I don't agree.
Red
While we had Shiloh, we also had Red. Red was a 2 year old red golden retriever with boundless energy, and a recent history of heart worm. Red wasn't allowed to run and play, which Red really didn't agree with that plan. Red was a wily, playful nut who was more than we could handle - thankfully Red got adopted right away. Red taught me that sometimes it's OK not to do what you are told.
Bear
Bear (formally known as Opus) came after Shiloh. Bear was a beautiful shib ino (or something) mix. In the beginning, Bear was very interested in playing with us and our dogs, so much so that we considered keeping him. And then he discovered our cats. He really, really liked our cats. He would sit and stare at them all day, if we let him (I think "stalk" may be a better word to describe his behavior, actually). So adopting Bear became a fleeting thought and off he went to his new home. Bear taught me that all important decisions require careful consideration.
Duchess
Next up was Duchess, a husky/corgi mix. Duchess was a sweetheart. She was easy, calm, and all around a good dog. My cousin adopted Duchess, which made us very happy. Duchess taught me that some things are just meant to be and that there is someone for everyone.
Evan
Evan, a spaniel mix, came right after Duchess. Evan was a big, floppy Muppet-like dog who would jump up in front of me and hand me his paws. Evan was goof, in the nicest. The one thing about Evan that was challenging was that he didn't like his crate. He didn't like his crate so much he would bark and whine when I put him in it. All night he would bark and whine. Even when I slept on the couch next to his crate to he knew I was close by, he would still whine. Even taught me patience and compromise. His last night with us we compromised, he slept in his crate, which was in our bedroom instead of the downstairs hallway.
Gurdy
Gurdy was spaniel mix (I think). Gurdy was a pistol, small but mighty. Gurdy thought she was 100lbs. She is also one of the few dogs that escaped our fenced yard. She pulled her jail break so that she could chase a big husky. Gurdy taught me I can find faster than I think I can.
Harris
Ah, Harris. Harris was a shepherd/hound mix who arrived with a bad case of mange, among other ailments. Harris also had no concept of manners or how to be a good dog. Harris was a hot mess. We had Harris for 7 weeks, long weeks. Sometimes fun filled, mostly challenging weeks. Harris taught me compassion and to ask for help when I need it.
Tara and Sara
Tara and Sara, terrier mix mother and daughter, were a trip. Sara loved to run and play, Tara liked to be the mom to all 3 of the other dogs. Little by little Tara relaxed and joined in on the playing too. Tara and Sara were sweet, cute, and fun to watch. Tara and Sara taught me that little dogs are hard to walk with big dogs, and 4 dogs is too many to walk at once.
Liam
We took a break from fostering after Tara and Sara. We adopted our 3rd dog and wanted to give him time to settle in. When we returned to fostering, we could not have asked for a better foster than Liam. Liam was a golden retriever mix who absolutely tugged at our hearts. He was housebroken, happy-go-lucky playful dog who was totally enamored with us and our dogs. He especially loved Bear. We considered keeping Liam, but decided we need to work on Bear and our dogs, and he was also a bit too interested in our cats. Liam taught me that to appreciate what I have.
Bethany
Bethany came after Liam. Bethany, a 6 month lab mix, was the life of the party. She loved to play with Bear and run with Shadow. Bethany was very trainable too. She loved to learn new things. Bethany taught me not to leave my iPhone where foster dogs can get to it.
Lady
Our current foster is Lady. Lady is happily little papillian mix. Lady was surrendered by her owner because she was too sick to take care of her (and couldn't afford to) - either way, Lady went from what I expect was a comfortable home life to a scary shelter. And then to us. Lady is a people dog. She likes to be with us all the time. Bear likes Lady too - she looks like a smaller version of him, actually. Lady taught me that dogs get sad too (we think she misses her family) and she also taught me that you can start again. Lady is still waiting for her furever home.
Fostering dogs has been one of the most rewarding and challenging things I have ever done. I have learned so much from these homeless pups, and I hope I have taught them a few things too. I have no doubt that one of our future fosters will join us forever, and hopefully when that happens I can convince Di to keep fostering (c'mon - 5 dogs in one house isn't too many :)!
Monday, June 20, 2011
Dogs coming and going, and some staying...
Our world has moved on a bit since my last blog. A few foster dogs have come and gone - Tara and Sara and most recently Liam (the foster that almost didn't get away - he was a sweetie - almost kept him!) And we added to our pack in that frame as well. Our newest pup is Bear, a border collie / "some kind of herding dog" mix (direct quote from our vet), and he has been something else. Bear was a stray who had to be trapped by animal control to get him off the streets. Then he endured heart worm treatment (under the care of a great foster mom at her kennel - lucky him!) and managed to make it through with flying colors. Bear came to us a bit scared and unsure, and it took him about 2 months to learn "sit". Bear seems to have endured some not very nice things prior to being picked up, but he is bouncing back really well and now trusts us more each day.
Bear gets along great with our guys and our cats - which is a huge relief. We said we wanted to adopt Bear sight unseen. Something about his picture just spoke to me. His name at the shelter was Asia, and I just couldn't resist him. He and Shadow had the usual dust ups in establishing which male was tougher, Shadow won, but I'm pretty sure Bear threw the round because he doesn't care to be tough or dominant. Works for me. Pepper really likes Bear too, to the point that she lets him snuggle on her. And no one ever, in all the 15 or so that have come through our house, has ever "snuggled" on Pepper. I get a real kick out of watching the two of them snuggle, and play, and then the three of them play and at the end there is black fur everywhere to the point where our tan carpet looks gray/black. Furry carpet is a cheap price of admission to watch these three knuckle heads wrestle - I love it!
Bear, like every other dog we have had in our home, has a few issues. When we leave the house, he gets destructive if we don't crate him. Now, that may sound horrendous - you leave home and return to destruction. But really, it has been kind of funny. The first time we left he ripped apart a book that I had been putting off reading to "develop my career" (yawn, won't miss that one!) and a few magazines that I had no real intention of reading anyway. He also chewed on a chair in our living room, the same chair that Shadow had his way with a year ago. So all in all, he's destroying things we don't really want, or should throw away anyway. No big whoop in my book. So far. Given that we purchased new leather furniture for the den not too long ago, we now crate him when we go out and are working with him on very short time away (like when I go to the mailbox, the one at the end of the driveway, and sometimes I even jog there - and don't crate him).
Why does any of this matter? Because problems more mundane than this get dogs in trouble with their owners, and that trouble sometimes lands them on death row. Right now shelters are bursting at the seams with dogs are no longer wanted, or their owners can't afford to care for them, or their owners just can't be bothered. These dogs aren't perfect. Some need obedience training, some need to learn in home behaviors, some just need to expend lots of energy to be happy (gee - this sounds like some kids and adults I know - and love :) Some just need love, like the aforementioned kids and adults (I'd do another smiley face at the end here but I'm afraid I will get virtual rotten fruit thrown at me for being too cutesy :+9)
Anyway....given that June is National Gay Pride Month, what can you do to help shelter dogs? (Yes, I know the two aren't actually related, just wanted to throw it in here and to see if you were still paying attention :) What can you do to help these death row dogs? Volunteer with a rescue - foster a dog or help at meet and greet events. Volunteer at a shelter - or donate to a shelter or rescue group. Or adopt a shelter dog. Or tell your friends about these rescues that need fosters and adopters. Anything like this is a huge help, it doesn't take a lot of your time, and - bonus - it makes you feel good. And who doesn't want to feel good? So, what are you going to do?
PS - Friday is National Take Your Dog to Work Day. I am trying to get Di to take Shadow to work with her - I think he would love it, don't you?
Bear gets along great with our guys and our cats - which is a huge relief. We said we wanted to adopt Bear sight unseen. Something about his picture just spoke to me. His name at the shelter was Asia, and I just couldn't resist him. He and Shadow had the usual dust ups in establishing which male was tougher, Shadow won, but I'm pretty sure Bear threw the round because he doesn't care to be tough or dominant. Works for me. Pepper really likes Bear too, to the point that she lets him snuggle on her. And no one ever, in all the 15 or so that have come through our house, has ever "snuggled" on Pepper. I get a real kick out of watching the two of them snuggle, and play, and then the three of them play and at the end there is black fur everywhere to the point where our tan carpet looks gray/black. Furry carpet is a cheap price of admission to watch these three knuckle heads wrestle - I love it!
Bear, like every other dog we have had in our home, has a few issues. When we leave the house, he gets destructive if we don't crate him. Now, that may sound horrendous - you leave home and return to destruction. But really, it has been kind of funny. The first time we left he ripped apart a book that I had been putting off reading to "develop my career" (yawn, won't miss that one!) and a few magazines that I had no real intention of reading anyway. He also chewed on a chair in our living room, the same chair that Shadow had his way with a year ago. So all in all, he's destroying things we don't really want, or should throw away anyway. No big whoop in my book. So far. Given that we purchased new leather furniture for the den not too long ago, we now crate him when we go out and are working with him on very short time away (like when I go to the mailbox, the one at the end of the driveway, and sometimes I even jog there - and don't crate him).
Why does any of this matter? Because problems more mundane than this get dogs in trouble with their owners, and that trouble sometimes lands them on death row. Right now shelters are bursting at the seams with dogs are no longer wanted, or their owners can't afford to care for them, or their owners just can't be bothered. These dogs aren't perfect. Some need obedience training, some need to learn in home behaviors, some just need to expend lots of energy to be happy (gee - this sounds like some kids and adults I know - and love :) Some just need love, like the aforementioned kids and adults (I'd do another smiley face at the end here but I'm afraid I will get virtual rotten fruit thrown at me for being too cutesy :+9)
Anyway....given that June is National Gay Pride Month, what can you do to help shelter dogs? (Yes, I know the two aren't actually related, just wanted to throw it in here and to see if you were still paying attention :) What can you do to help these death row dogs? Volunteer with a rescue - foster a dog or help at meet and greet events. Volunteer at a shelter - or donate to a shelter or rescue group. Or adopt a shelter dog. Or tell your friends about these rescues that need fosters and adopters. Anything like this is a huge help, it doesn't take a lot of your time, and - bonus - it makes you feel good. And who doesn't want to feel good? So, what are you going to do?
PS - Friday is National Take Your Dog to Work Day. I am trying to get Di to take Shadow to work with her - I think he would love it, don't you?
Monday, April 11, 2011
Another one finds a home!
Harris, our longest foster dog ever, went to his furever home tonight. Poor Harris came to us 6 weeks ago with mange, an injured paw, and no idea of how to be a good dog. He left us tonight on the mend from he mange, paw healed, teeth clean, and a bit of obedience training under his furry belt. Harris has a ways to go yet, but he is well on his way to being a great dog and I think he will do just fine with his new family. His new mom seems very much up to the challenge of taking care of him and giving him the love and attention he desperately needs.
While Harris was a bit challenging for us at times, he is an example of why we started fostering dogs. Too many dogs don't know how good it feels to be loved and cared for and way too many dogs have known much worse. I will never understand how someone let Harris get in the condition he was in. I'm just glad the rescue agreed to take him in, because if they had not I have no doubt that he would not be alive today. It takes a special kind of person to run a rescue like the one we are volunteering with now. No dog is too needy or challenging, and there always seems to be a way. I do still stand behind my belief that you have to be crazy to run an animal rescue, and I am very glad there are those special kind of crazy people out there :)
And now, who's next? Maybe that will be tomorrow's blog :+)
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
The Most Important Lesson I Have Ever Learned, and of Course Dogs
At some point in my life I learned a very important lesson from someone probably old and wise: be nice. Be nice even when you don't want to, and especially when you don't have to. Killing people with kindness is the best thing to do - more people should try it. Aside from the altruistic and self-stress lowering benefits of being nice, another really important reason to be nice is because you never know when you will need a favor, some understanding, or even just a friend. So many people in the world spend their time focused on themselves and their agenda, they don't care who they step on along the way, or who they tick off, or whose enemy list they get on. A myopic view like this is nothing but trouble - if you don't believe me I can give you name of a few acquaintances who are experts at this. But enough about this - just be nice, it pays dividends and it makes you feel good.
Back to the dogs....
Our current foster, Harris, is still in need of a home. He has really become a great dog. He does have some energy to burn every day, and sometimes he is a pain in the butt, but he's no different than the rest of our pack. He loves to snuggle and get pets, and he has figured out that to get what he wants he has to sit quietly - and he seems to enjoy doing it. Really sweet to watch. Harris is a good boy who needs a home. Got one?
Behind Harris is a never ending line of dogs that need homes. Dozens at the rescue we work with alone - and there are probably hundreds of rescues just like it. As much as we have enjoyed having Harris, we can't wait to get our next foster. The fun never ends :)
Back to the dogs....
Our current foster, Harris, is still in need of a home. He has really become a great dog. He does have some energy to burn every day, and sometimes he is a pain in the butt, but he's no different than the rest of our pack. He loves to snuggle and get pets, and he has figured out that to get what he wants he has to sit quietly - and he seems to enjoy doing it. Really sweet to watch. Harris is a good boy who needs a home. Got one?
Behind Harris is a never ending line of dogs that need homes. Dozens at the rescue we work with alone - and there are probably hundreds of rescues just like it. As much as we have enjoyed having Harris, we can't wait to get our next foster. The fun never ends :)
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