When Is It Time?

A few days ago, I brought my Dalmation, Brandy, to the vet as her mouth was bothering her. I figured it was an impacted or broken tooth. To my shock and dismay, the vet diagnosed Brandy with an inoperable tumor located on the roof of her mouth and back of her throat.

We could try Chemo - but it will not eliminate the tumor - only shrink it if we are lucky. The side effects of Chemo sound worse than the tumor itself - and with Brandy already being an elder dog, I opted not to put her through it.

Brandy was sent home with anti-biotics and some very strong anti-inflammatories to see if the tumor would shrink and perhaps, Brandy could remain with us for awhile longer.

Unfortunately - Her mouth is the same - if not worse. She is gagging constantly from the pressure of the tumor against her throat..and now we are faced with the decision that no dog owner ever wants to make.

I have never had to make this decision before - and eventhough I know it is the humane course of action, am finding it impossible to pick up the phone to make an appointment for the death of my beloved Brandy. Our only other dog to pass was Bailey, another Elder Animal Refuge League resident. Bailey died in his sleep at age 16-17 - which was a shock at the time, but easier than the decision I am faced with now.

We have only had Brandy for about 4 years.

She had been turned over by her former owner who had lost her home and was living with her mother - Brandy was not welcomed into the new living situation.

I monitored the shelter's website for over a month - and watched Brandy sit and wait to be adopted. One day - I could not stand to see her shelter picture another moment - so I drove over to adopt her.

She was fairly old when we took her home from the Animal Refuge League...somewhere around 8 - 9. She was incredibly overweight - poor thing could barely walk when she came home with us. It took some time before she was limber enough to walk up the stairs to our bedroom.

Within a year she had lost about 30 lbs. She has skin rolls where her fat once was...

Brandy has been a wonderful dog. Even being older - she played with the other dogs in our home and always greeted with a wag of the tail.

Brandy is a barker - she will always let you know when she deserves a treat or wants to go out. She also speaks to us through a language of grunts and groans (groans of pleasure when her belly is rubbed)

She has always been good about staying near the home - unless it happens to be garbage day...One of our neighbors was throwing leftover meals into his garden for awhile (don't ask me why) and Brandy would disappear every day to have a garden feast. We would find her in the garden chowing down - butt in the air...tail wagging...LOL

In four years we have been through much with her medically. She had neck surgery when her vertabrea became so calcified that two were pinching her spinal chord - making her unable to walk. She almost died from the operation as she was unable to wake from the anesthesia. When the vet called to tell me Brandy may not wake up - I told her to stick a chicken breast under her nose:) Brandy did wake up and she was able to walk 100% better than she ever had.

And then there was the bloat incident last year - another huge scare. I thought for sure this was it. On the way to the Emergency Clinic I considered not doing the surgery and letting Brandy go. She had aged significantly, had been having bladder control issues, and I almost convinced myself that it was her time. Much to my surprise -- when the ER Vet asked me if I wanted to approve the surgery for Brandy - "Yes" popped out of my mouth. He looked at me as if I had two heads...Warning me that the anesthesia alone might kill her.

What do you know - Brandy pulled through again...and has not had a single accident in the house since the surgery. Her bloodwork is 100% normal - better than it has ever been...

Brandy is my second dog. She has a special place in my heart. She sleeps with me every night. We have been all over the country together. She thinks she is a lap dog and crawls into my lap, especially when she is not feeling well. She cannot get close enough to me - I often wake up with one foot on the floor and Brandy pushing to get even closer.

She sleeps with the cats - unless someone is looking - then she barks at them to get out of her space.

Here we are...Brandy is out of options...she is in pain and I have to call the vet...I have to decide to end the life of my loyal friend. Logically - I know it needs to be done ASAP. My emotional side as not caught up with my logical side.

I will miss you Brandy. I probably will not be able to sleep without you taking up the bed and protecting my back.

CDL

Home for the Holidays?

For most, this time of year is full of joy and family. Everyone is scurring around preparing for guests, travel and celebrations.

In the land of rescue -- the holidays are a time of stress and sadness. Local adoptions drop way off as most people are focused on family events and planning and are not focusing on bringing a new companion home.

Unfortunately - this leaves the kill shelters full. Euthanasia rates skyrocket because dogs are not moving out of rescue or out of the shelters and as a result, no new dogs can come in...oir shelters have to "make room" for incoming dogs.

The pleas for help from shelters in the South and other over-populated areas fill my "Inbox" so quickly that emails are bouncing back. I feel helpless, as I would love to bring a whole bunch of forgotten dogs home for the holidays. ...but where to put them? My fosters are all full with dogs waiting to go to their forever homes. The inquiries from prospective adopters have screeched to a halt as attention moves to shopping, cooking, holiday festivities.

On top of it all -- the backyard breeders are advertising "Christmas Puppies" which will end up under someone's tree, while thousands of one-time puppies sit in shelters waiting for their lives to end.

The shelter in Memphis, TN euthanizes 10,000 unwanted pets a year. This is down from 16,000 showing that progress is being made...10,000! and that is just one shelter...

I guess the message is...

• please please please spay/neuter your pets. Tell everyone you meet to spay/neuter their pets.
  
• Take your dog to obedience training to ensure that he/she becomes a well-adjusted, well-mannered member of society and remains a welcome member of your household.
  
• Consider adopting a rescue dog over buying a puppy. Puppies may be cute -- and rescued dogs may require some effort...but the reward is a forever grateful and loyal companion.

Sorry to be such a downer...I should not have opened my e-mail this morning.

CDL

Island Adventure

Feeling burnt out from the pressures of dogs and family -- I decided to take a weekend off and go to our falling down shack on Vinalhaven. Of course, in order to get my "vacation" I have to take at leats three dogs with me, so that David does not have a melt down caring for all seven on his own.

On Saturday morning, I get up at 3:00 a.m. to make the 7:00 a.m. ferry leaving Rockland. As usual, I did not make reservations in time, so I am forced to show-up early and wait in the stand-by line. Gouda, Shasta, Jezabelle hop in the van and off we go.

David warned me that I should not make the trip as the forecast called for 60 mile/hour winds and rain storms - but being desperate for a break, I ignore his warnings and the weather report... Amazingly, the 7:00a ferry was full - so I had to wait for the 8:45a. By 8:00a the winds were blowing, the rain was pouring...but still - I refused to give up.

I gave everbody (including myself) a good dose of Dramamine. At 8:30a, I was waived onto the boat.

My van was in the very front position on the Bow - with nothing in front of us except for one chain across the entry way.

Needless to say - That the longest 1.5 hours of my life. 20 foot waves crashed over the top of van. The boat was flying up into the air and back down as it hit the waves. The dogs were panting and all trying to climb into my lap. I was green - the dramamine did not work for me - I spent the time reaching for the nearest bowl, as the seasoned ferry passengers sent looks of pity my way.

We made it - It was the last ferry of the day. The remaining ferries were canceled due to weather...LOL In fact, all of the returning Ferries on Sunday (mine included) were canceled as well - not that I was in any big rush to head back out into the open sea.

I stood out in the storm on a hill (the only place to find cell phone coverage on the island) and called David to let him know if my delayed return - who gave me the obligatory "I told you so." Very helpful...

Trapped on an island with three dogs during horendous storms. We lost electricity of course. But it was an exercise in forced relaxation - which was good for me. I could not clean, cook or work on the house....nor could I work in the yard...so we all just hung out and watched the storm and waited for the day that the ferries would start running again. It was nice curling up with the pups, by the wood stove, reading a book.

I needed the break - but now I am 3 days behind on my rescue emails. My inbox is full and rejecting new emails. Adopters inquiries have gone unanswered. Urgent pleas from shelters have been answered too late...

I can't wait to go back to the Island:)

CDL

Where have I been?

Recently my mother suffered from a massive stroke. She lives in the woods of CT by herself with her two very large dogs. I share this to uncover yet another challenge of being in the dog rescue "business." The call comes in and being the closest relative, I need to hop in the car and go to my mother's aid. However - what is to be done about the dogs?

With the number of dogs in my home and within our rescue as a whole, it is difficult to leave the house for a few hours...leaving the state for an extended amount of time is near impossible. When a family crisis occurs, it reveals the round-the-clock nature of this job.

The dogs need to be walked, fed, interacted with. Trips to the vet are ongoing. Communication with adopters, vet checks, home visits need to be done in a short timeline so that the prospective home does not find a dog elsewhere.

Rescuers themselves have a tendency to keep the behaviorally and physically dogs themselves - dogs that cannot be boarded or tended to by pet sitters or good-hearted volunteers.

So off I went - Three out of "my" dogs with me in tow - to bring the total at my mother's house up to five...meetings with doctors, social workers, physical therapists, home health aids, and pet sitters for my mother's dogs are non-stop.

I have no Internet access and no cell phone coverage in the woods of CT which makes me feel completely helpless should a dog-related emergency occur.

David, my "significant other" promises to try not to work his usual 14 hour shifts, so that our dogs are not left home alone with their legs crossed. During absence, two dogs escaped our fenced in yard, schedule medications were forgotten, prospective adopters became irrtated and opportunities for forever homes were missed.

My father calls to ask if I should perhaps reconsider my lifestyle - but those who are in rescue, know that it is not a profession of choice.

However - We made it through the first round - but my mother needs ongoing care and a live-in companion. Being a woman who will barely let the house keeper come into her home once a week - the challenge continues and more trips to CT are in my future.

Pleas for help from shelters and concerned dog lovers keep coming in -- the dogs keep coming in.

The thought enters my mind -- "Should I stop rescuing dogs and resume a 'normal' lifestyle?"

Then I receive a call concerning a German Shepherd that is currently living chained inside someone's basement that needs a place to go...

No - I am not going to stop...but I need to figure out a better plan...

Fourth of July...Ugh

For most, the Fourth of July is filled with picnics, family gatherings, fire works and a spirit of celebration.

For dog rescuers...it is a different sort of day.

We started our Fourth by getting up extra early to let the dogs out for their run. We knew that within a few hours, the friends and family of our next door neighbor would descend for their annual Independence Day celebration. This meant children running around screaming and playing, a cookout, outdoor games...frequent arrivals and departures by visitors...basically, total chaos when it comes to a house filled with rescued dogs.

We knew, once the guests and helpers started to arrive, our ability to let the dogs outside would be very limited. We spent most of the day inside the house, trying to keep the dogs from barking...which occurs everytime there is any activity at the end of our driveway.

David and I spent the day watching the weather report, praying for rain. One station predicted hail, which thrilled us to death! In the end - the nice weather held out - and the planned events moved forward.

The worst part of the day was knowing that once the neighbor's celebration concluded, somewhere around 8:00 p.m. - It signalled the beginning of a new problem...FIREWORKS. We live right down the road from Martin's Point - a popular viewing spot for Fireworks.

Rescue dogs are often terrified of anything loud sounds...Thunderstorms send even our Bully Australian Shepherd under the couch. Fireworks bring a reaction 10 times worse than a thunderstorm...6 dogs barking, whining, attempting to squeeze on our laps, under the futon, run into the basement.

Oddly enough, the only dog who did not seem to be bothered was Louie...Our rescue that is scared of everything!

Otis, our fat Black Lab/Shepherd mix somehow managed to get under the Futon, but of course, could not find his way out. We had to lift the Futon up and coax him out when all was quiet.

When the Fireworks were over, the local amateurs started their homemade shows which lasted way past Midnight.

At that point, the dogs were so frazzled that they refused to go out. I don't know how they held their bladders for so long - We all breathed a big sigh of relief when 5:00 a.m July 5th rolled around - and life in our quiet, suburban neighborhood went back to normal again.

Erin's One-Woman Chain Off

As you may of read in the previous post, Erin Blais of Lewiston, Maine, in contingency with Dogs Deserve Better's Annual "Chain Off" Chained herself to a tree in her yard for 24 hours. This effort was to bring attention to the dreary, isolated life that dogs living chained 24/7 suffer. Erin caught the attention of two local new stations (Channel 6 and Channel 8) and was featured in a local newspaper's blog "Its a Dog's Life." Through sponsorships, Erin raised $200 for Dogs Deserve Better. Nice Work Erin!

2006 Chain Off

Every year Dogs Deserve Better holds a "Chain Off" in PA (our National Headquarters) to raise awareness to the plight of dogs who live their lives tethered outside and alone.

This year's event is being held in Mundys Corner, PA beginning July 1, 2006 and continuing as long as two weeks. In today’s world of reality TV, our idea will spark great interest locally and nationally, because real people are competing to win the real prize of a New Chevy Aveo! As many as 15 people—from Pennyslvania, New York, Illinois, Florida, Michigan, and South Carolina—will live chained to a doghouse for as long as possible, up to approximately 2 weeks. The player staying chained the longest will win. (Meet the contestants.)

Tammy S. Grimes, founder of Dogs Deserve Better, will live chained at the contest location for 72 hours to raise awareness for chained dogs. She will live chained from 3 p.m., July 1 through 3 p.m., July 4th. She will gain her freedom on the 4th of July, symbolic of her quest to gain freedom for America’s chained dogs.

This year Grimes chains herself in memory of Ebb, a dog from Mahaffey Pennsylvania. She worked with concerned citizens Jill and Aric Sherwood for four years to try to free him from his chains, but they were never successful. Ebb suffered the loss of his eyesight, his hearing, and ultimately the last vestiges of hope before his death, having spent his entire life chained outside, sad and alone.

One of our local supporter's and mother to Kelsey, a former DDB Rescue, is holding a one-woman chain off event. Erin Blais will chain herself to a doghouse in front of her home in Lewiston Sunday, July 2 - through Monday, July 3. The event will be covered by Channel 8 News.

Please support Erin in her efforts.

Lewiston, Maine,
July 2-3, 2006
Erin Blais
24 Hours Chained to Doghouse
25 Louise Ave
Lewiston ME 04240
207-777-1410
7/2 @12 pm until 7/3 @ 12pm

Life has been pretty crazy in the land of the dogs

I am not sure if I have been too busy to journal...or just too frustrated.

Adoptions are really slow. Vet bills are huge. We are broke. And it is puppy season. Pleas from shelters and dog owners are coming in daily begging for help to find homes for adult and senior dogs.

Summer is here, which is usually busy - but everyone is looking for puppies - and I specifically try to steer clear of any dog under 6 months of age.

Puppies are cute - nobody can deny that! But not many people have the skills or patience to handle a puppy once it starts to grow and becomes a teenager...jumping, chewing shoes and hands, demanding continuous exercise.

The teenage phase is when many dogs end up in shelters, or back in rescue - and by that time, if the necessary training has not been done by the adoptive family, you are starting from scratch with a rebelious teenager.

I am always amazed when I receive an application from an adopter looking for a "young" dog - but when asked what kind of temperment he/she wants in a dog the adopter answers "calm, mellow, low energy." Young dogs are a lot of work, they need lots of excercise and training. If these needs are not met - then the pup tends to act out by jumping, barking and chewing.

Personally - I am a big fan of the mature dog. I make an extra effort to rescue them when I can. They may not be small and fluffy - but they are always loyal and thankful that you saved them.

They are generally calmer, housebroken and easier to manage.

People are often wary of older dogs because they think that they will lose them sooner. But if fed a healthy diet and given regular exercise, an elder dog can live a many years without issue.

Here are some great articles about the benefits of adopting a older dog

Questions about adopting an "older" dog - Senior Dog Project

The Benefits of Adopting an Older Dog - BestFriendsPetCare.com

Enough of my rampage:) Below are a few awesome "older" dogs that are looking for loving homes:

• Gentle Johnny
• Samantha
• Bailey
• Jorie & Sean
• Lady
• Gouda

CDL

Dead Groundhog

They did it...Lucky and Louis found that Groundhog and killed it right in front of my eyes.

It was horrible. I tried to stop it - I threw my coffee at them and yelled and screamed - but they thought it was just a big game.

It was over in seconds. I feel horrible.

The dogs do not even realize that they did anything wrong. They are very proud of themselves and have spent the last 24 hours looking for new prey.

Okay - enough on that...I am feeling sick to my stomach.

Good news...

after months and months of trying - we finally were able to get a slip lead on Louis. It took hours of holding treats inside the loopof the slip lead. He is a smart boy...he was not falling for it at first...but cooked chicken breast eventually did the trick.

This poor dog must have been tied up and beaten or dragged behind a car or something because he is terrified of anything resembling a collar or leash. He runs into a corner and growls everytime he sees a leash.

We were able to get one on him a few months back. Once on - Louis collasped to the ground and did not move for 6 hours. Then he chewed it right off. Since then - He has not let us near him to try again.

He lets us pet him and rub his belly - but as soon as a leash comes out....zoom...he is gone.

This has posed quite a problem because without a leash - we cannot take him to the vet or anywhere - He has essentially been living his life in the house and in the fenced in yard. Not to mention - David and I are unable to go anywhere overnight together as one of us has to stay home to take care of Louis.

He originally came to us from a kill shelter in Arkansas with two other dogs named Tyler and Tess. Tyler and Tess were found by Animal Control tied to a tree with belts and so starved that they could not even get up. There was another dog tied with them that was dead. Louis was found in the same area - but he was not tied (my guess is that he chewed himself free).

It took Animal Control a month to catch him because he is so skiddish. When they brought him to the shelter, he recognized Tyler and Tess - went running over to them wagging his tail - big reunion!

Of course we took all three. These dogs would have never had a chance if we did not. They are boxer mixes which makes them unadoptable in the South - I think Louis might have some Ridgeback in him - because of the way his hair stands up on his back. He also has quite an odd bark.

Tyler and Tess gained 30 lbs each while with us and were treated for heartworm, demodex and god knows what else...Louis is still with us because of his scared nature. Having a leash on him will allow us to walk him, train him and to help himto regain his confidence...who knows - maybe someday he will be able to be adopted!

We took him for his first walk last night- which was very funny. He was so curious - but terrified at the same time. He smelled everything intensely - and then collapse to the ground...then his curiosity would get the better of him and he would walk and smell a little more...At one point he caught his leash on a sign post and had a total meltdown.

We finally got him and walking again and a fire engine, lights ans sirens blaring came cruising around the corner. I thought we were going to lose him. He was trying like crazy to back out of the collar.

Slow progress. Next week he goes to the vet...fingers crossed.

CDL

Groundhog Day

OMG - Today was a dog day.

I let the dogs out for a romp in the yard and they immediately surrounded my van.

Louis and Lucky were under - with Otis, Jez and Shasta circling and barking. I looked under the van to see what the commotion was about and saw nothing...but the barking, circling frenzy continued -- so I knew something was up...

I could not get the dogs back in the house ...soI ended up physically carrying each one up the stairs to the kitchen.

Once secure...I stuck my head under the rear bumber...and something that sounded like a bird screamed from my spare tire- told me to go away. I thought "Oh God - Did I run over a sparrow in the road?"...remembering that I had driven through a few earlier that day.

I am late for a foster home visit - but I do not want to drive until the animal in my spare is saved. I really don'twant to call Animal Control as they had been out last week when Lucky slipped under the fence to chase a passing Husky out for a walk.

At that moment, David comes home from work...Hooray! He gets under the van and losens the spare...Out runs a very angry Woodchuck. Well - the Woodchuck is long gone (I hope) - but he is still living under my van as far as Lucky and Louis are concerned. I cennot get either of them to even go pee...all they want to do is crawl under the van and find that furry critter....I hope he is gone...please let him be gone... CDL

Good News for Samantha!

We finally were able to get ahold of Samantha's owner. Patty, one of our supporters in MA picked Sam up on Saturday and transported her to Maine to go to her foster home on Sunday.

Sam is just a wonderful dog. She sure does not act like a 10 year old dog...I think she is younger. Great with kids, full of kisses. She loves to run and play catch - we think she might have some Aussie in her.

Unfortunately, Sam is terrified of other dogs. The two dogs in her foster home tried to play with her and she went running, screaming as if she had been seriously injured. This is one of the side effects of living a life of isolation - out on a chain. She probably has never met another dog or was attached by one while she was chained.

At any rate -- Sam is safe, and the meories of her former life are fading fast. Now we just need to find her forever home!

Another one saved:)

CDL

Challenging Day!

This day has been frustrating...I have working with another Dogs Deserve Better Rep to rescue an elder Husky mix named Samantha, chained outside her whole life in Mass.

It has taken months but we have finally found a foster home for her and someone willing to transport her to Maine.

All of the pieces are in place, but now her owner refuses to return our calls. He has given permission for us to take Samantha, but the was months ago. We need him to be home to sign a release when we go to pick Sam up, otherwise we cannot save her.

The worst part is...He is selling his home. He threatened to euthanize Sam if we could not find a place for her to go before he moved.

I am trying to convince the Animal Control Officer in the town to go to his home to remove Samantha personally - but so far, she has not responded to that idea.

On another note...Another rescuer sent the below poem to me and I think it is great!
You Know You Are a Rescuer

It is raining AGAIN today. The house is full of muddy footprints. Lucky has been out pulling drowning earthworms from the ground. Yuck.

CDL

A Typical Day

It is about 5:30a when Lucky and Louis start pacing and whining - telling us that they need to go out to smell what the day brings...they want to check for the Paper delivery guy...They love to greet him with bark and squeels - much to our neighbor's dismay.

It's hard to be a rescuer in suburbia... We spend much of our time learning the schedules of neighborhood deliveries, such as the paper, mail, oil and garbage pick-up in an effort to keep the noise level down.

David makes coffee -- puts Louis and Shasta in their crates...then it is off for the first walk of the day with Lucky and Otis.

This is my opening to bring Brandy, our elder Dalmation, downstairs and out for her morning outing. Brandy cannot handlethe stairs anymore, and the other dogs want to take piece out of her because they sense that she is weak, so we have to make sure that the coast is clear when we carry her down the stairs from our bedroom.

While Brandy prances around the yard -- I fix breakfast for the dogs - in an effort to distract them when I bring Brandy back inside and up the stairs. I have about 10 minutes to complete the morning frenzy before David, Lucky and Otis return from their walk.

Once the feeding and walking is done - David leaves for work and it is back to bed for the dogs until the rest of the neighborhood heads off to work. I have to keep them quiet until the neighbors are gone and it is once again safe to enter the yard. Boy do I need the Home Makeover crew to build me a sanctuary in the middle of nowhere...

I check my email - I usually receive between 15 - 20 pleas for help during the night for rescuers across the United States, begging for the lives of the dogs on the euthanasia list the next day. Sometimes I read them and try to help a dog or two - sometimes I cannot even look.

The rest of the day is filled with rotated dog walks and outings, trips to the vet, to the dog park...responding to adopter inquiries, home visits for prospective adopters, scooping poop, cleaning crates, emails to past adopters checking up on their new family members, and sending out a pleas of my own for funds, foster homes and help dogs that are in danger.

Brandy has to go out every 3-4 hours because of her age - which means crating the rest of the crew each time she is due for her romp.

I am fortunate to have such a loyal group of supporters. My past adopters and their friends and family come through time and time again for my "urgent" need of the moment.

Our day usually ends around 11:00p...at which point I look around and realize, once again that the laundry has not been done, the clean laundry from weeks ago is piled up on the table, the bills have not been paid, and I have not spoken to my family and friends in months...I promise to do better tomorrow, but in the land of the dogs, the dogs come first and everything else falls to the wayside.