Last Post

I have a new blog and will no longer be posting here. If you care to follow the new blog it's linked to my website.

Thanks!
Marilyn

Pit Bull Viciously Attacks Baby

Watch this youtube video with caution.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vL1trl1FMUw

Can you identify the pitbull out of this group of 26 dogs?

http://www.understand-a-bull.com/Findthebull/findpitbull_v3.html

National Canine Research Council on dog bites

http://nationalcanineresearchcouncil.com/dog-bites/

Lab Rescue

This article was in Fetch, the Lab Rescue newsletter (MD, VA & DC). Take a few moments to read it.

The Rewards of Fostering
by Melissa Gilman

I started out as one of those people who just wandered up to a Petsmart, saw all the Labs and said, "Hey, what's going on here with all the Labs?" I spent most of the two-hour adoption day with a loving, lanky chocolate Lab named Kodie. I filled out a form to be a foster and brought my first foster home shortly after that. That was a little over two years ago, and I now have my 18th foster.

The most common response I get when I tell people that I foster dogs is, "I could never do that. I'd get too attached. Isn't it hard when they leave?" The answer is...Yes, it is hard when they leave, but the time they share with me outweighs any tears I shed when they are gone. It is an amazing experience to have a dog that has never met you, hop into your car, walk into your home and settle on the couch as if they've visited you a thousand times. Those are the dogs that will easily fit into any home. I've had lots of those dogs...Savvy, Brett, and Twix to name a few. It's a bittersweet day when they leave for their forever home because they would make a great "keeper."

On the other hand, there are the dogs that are fearful of the leash, need coaxing into the car, refuse treats, pace in the home and stand guard at the door awaiting their chance at an escape. Fostering a dog like this, although stressful for dog and human at times, brings an entirely different type of reward. Ivy, my current foster, arrived as a bundle of nervous energy. She had a sense of urgency about her as if she knew she was late for a very important appointment, but couldn't remember where to go. She was my constant shadow ... literally on my heels. It took almost three weeks, but there was a definite moment where she let out a sigh of relief. She had finally learned the routine, gained confidence and felt safe. She will now stay curled up napping and only open an eye if I leave the room. She reminds that the little steps in life are important, too.

It's natural to become attached even if the foster stays only for a short time. I feel like I could have adopted all of my fosters. Each time one leaves, I think about how much I'll miss their quirky ways and how no other dog will be just like them. However, I take great comfort in knowing the happiness they brought me during their short stay will bring a lifetime of happiness to another family.

Marmaduke, a handsome black Lab, spent much of his young life wearing a too tight collar that was attached to a chain that was attached to a tree. Once rescued, he had his embedded collar removed by the vet and seemed forever thankful for his literal freedom. He was adopted by a family that has a huge piece of property and another dog. I think of him often and picture him running free on his property, swimming in the pond and visiting the horses.

For me, fostering is not entirely altruistic - that's only half the story. The other half is for every dog that I provide comfort for I am repaid in love, loyalty, Lab licks and tail wags. They can't speak words to say thank you for the food, thank you for cleaning their ears, thank you for the new toys, the comfy place to sleep and the security of your home. They speak to you with their eyes, the tilt of their head, the Lab lean. They say thank you by putting their heads in your lap, lying at your feet, greeting you at the door or playing with a toy for the first time. It is that type of thank you that makes me look forward to the next foster that comes through the door.

To Foster Families Everywhere
Your home may have been
The first one that I'd ever seen;
Your voice the first to teach, to praise,
To guide me through confusing days.
You're the one who taught to me
What the We of a good dog ought to be.
Your patient persistence all the while
May have won my very first doggie smile.
And now that I am off to roam
With the family of my "forever" home,
Yours is the home I will always dream of
Your gentle hands, your smiling love,
The way you coaxed tangles out of my coat,
The sound of your voice, yes, every note.
If they learn to love me the way that you do
I will know that I owe my acceptance to you.
Though my paws may wander far away,
Yours is the home where I learned to stay.
--Kam Ellery, 2000
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The God of Animals

"From an award-winning and talented young novelist comes one of the most exciting fiction debuts in years: a breathtaking and beautiful novel set on a horse ranch in small-town Colorado.

When her older sister runs away to marry a rodeo cowboy, Alice Winston is left to bear the brunt of her family's troubles — a depressed, bedridden mother; a reticent, overworked father; and a run-down horse ranch. As the hottest summer in fifteen years unfolds and bills pile up, Alice is torn between dreams of escaping the loneliness of her duty-filled life and a longing to help her father mend their family and the ranch.

To make ends meet, the Winstons board the pampered horses of rich neighbors, and for the first time Alice confronts the power and security that class and wealth provide. As her family and their well-being become intertwined with the lives of their clients, Alice is drawn into an adult world of secrets and hard truths, and soon discovers that people — including herself — can be cruel, can lie and cheat, and every once in a while, can do something heartbreaking and selfless. Ultimately, Alice and her family must weather a devastating betrayal and a shocking, violent series of events that will test their love and prove the power of forgiveness. "

(From Powell's Books)

The ending is gut-wrenchingly sad but the novel is wonderful.

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Another Digger Milestone

I adopted a puppy when we moved to Florida. I missed my grandson so badly it was a physical pain. I adopted a puppy to give me something to tend to. He was indulged and adored, as was my grandson. One of the things he would do is wake up very early and want to get up and play. We negotiated a time when I would get up and start my day. It had to be daylight. If he woke up before daylight & needed to go out, we went and then he was back to bed. No playing, no food, no talk, no toys. Period. Then we got another dog. She was held to the same rule. Daylight. Period.

Over time dogs have come and gone. My day starts at daylight. Not before. Period. Up until a few months ago I was getting to sleep in until almost 8am. For me, it was luxury. I was able to wake up by myself without a dog in my face trying to convince me it was time. Then one morning I heard this one big WOOF at not quite 6:30. Digger had decided it was time to get up. He woke us all up. But it was daylight. Since the sun was up, the girls knew it was okay to start talking and playing. So now we all get up as soon as Digger wakes up. One WOOF does it. Another sign of confidence from the big guy.

This morning Molly and Candy were playing after breakfast. I called Digger over to me to try and keep him from barking at them because Burt was still asleep. I wasn't as interesting as they were and he wanted to play. I picked up a toy he's played with and started shaking it just below his nose. He took it. I kept shaking it and he held on. We were playing tug for the first time. His pupils were highly dilated like he wasn't sure if I was going to hit him for pulling.

Then Molly grabbed it and I let go. She and Digger were tugging it. Several minutes later all four of us repeated the process. Then all 3 dogs were playing tug with it. The third time he and I played tug his pupils were normal and he was really into it, bracing and pulling hard. Another milestone for Digger.

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Our trip to the Vet

Last week I took all 3 of our dogs to the vet for their annual exams. They range in weight from 45# to 75#. The girls are friendly and like interact with people. Digger needs time to warm up to people and rarely approaches anyone unfamiliar.

Everyone was easy to weigh because they're all familiar with going to the scale and sitting. After weighing in we were escorted to the biggest exam room. I let them all wander around and drag their leashes. Digger investigated until other people started coming into the room. Then he decided it was safer to lie under the bench behind my legs. Candy, as always, was nervously panting the entire time.

They were all vaccinated, received a physical exam, and a blood draw. Candy allowed me to hold her mouth closed each time the veterinarian listened with the stethoscope on each dog. Digger came out from under the bench to allow an exam. All exams were uneventful.

As we were ready to leave we received a comliment from the vet. He said, "You have very well-mannered dogs. I think this is the first time I've ever had 3 big dogs in here and actually been able to do 3 exams."

Way to go guys!

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A PET'S TEN COMMANDMENTS: Remember that they can't do a lot of things for themselves and that they depend on you...

1. My life is likely to last 10-15 years. Any separation from you is likely to be painful.

2. Give me time to understand what you want of me.

3. Place your trust in me. It is crucial for my well-being.

4. Don 't be angry with me for long and don't lock me up as punishment. You have your work, your friends, your entertainment, but I have only you.

5. Talk to me. Even if I don't understand your words, I do understand your voice when speaking to me.

6. Be aware that however you treat me, I will never forget it.

7. Before you hit me, before you strike me, remember that I could hurt you, and yet, I choose not to bite you.

8. Before you scold me for being lazy or uncooperative, ask yourself if something might be bothering me. Perhaps I'm not getting the right food, I have been in the sun too long, or my heart might be getting old or weak.

9. Please take care of me when I grow old. You too, will grow old.

10. On the ultimate difficult journey, go with me please. Never say you can't bear to watch. Don 't make me face this alone. Everything is easier for me if you are there, because I love you so.

~Take a moment today to thank God for your pets. Enjoy and take good care of them. Life would be a much duller, less joyful experience without God's critters.

~Now please pass this on to other pet owners. We do not have to wait for Heaven, to be surrounded by hope, love, and joyfulness. It is here on earth and has four legs!

     by Eric Bellows