Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Humane society rescues 100 dogs in eastern Oregon

 This kind of "hoarding" has got to stop.  As a psychiatric nurse, I understand the compulsion these people may have felt and the obsession they had with collecting more dogs, but these are living, breathing, feeling beings--not things.  Animal abuse is animal abuse, period.  Please help stop such terrible abuse.  If you know of any animal that is being abused, please report it.  An investigation may or may not support your claim, but at least you will have tried to help.  Dogs, cats, other animals cannot speak for themselves and depend on us to provide safe and secure living conditions.  Don't we owe them the respect we would want given to our own loved pets?


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December 08, 2009, 8:14PM


A suspected case of dog hoarding has turned into one of the largest cases of animal neglect in state history, the Oregon Humane Society said Tuesday.

The case involves about 100 dogs on a sprawling, desolate piece of property about 20 miles south of Burns.

David Lytle, spokesman for the Oregon Human Society, said the dogs were living without shelter in icy conditions, surrounded by cattle bones gnawed clean.

The dog owners, who live in trailers on the property, fed them carcasses from a local meat processing plant.

"The whole property was scattered with the carcasses," Lytle said. "I've never seen anything like it."

A couple and another woman living on the property were arrested by Harney County Sheriff Dave Glerup on suspicion of animal neglect.

Glerup said the couple -- 43-year-old Ronald Steven Anderson and Anita Darlene Anderson, 55 -- and 34-year-old Kathlean Fuchs-Goyogana,  34, agreed to give up the dogs and were released on their own recognizance.

Glerup said the couple has lived on the property on Frenchglen highway for more than a decade and are currently unemployed. The property is owned by a woman who used to live in the area but moved near Joseph after her husband died. Glerup said the Andersons sublet to Fuchs-Goyogana, who has a 9-year-old boy and an 11-year-old girl.

A friend of the girl's sparked the investigation, telling her mother about conditions on the property. The mother called the Department of Human Services, which in turn called the Harney County Sheriff's Office.

Glerup said Fuchs-Goyogana agreed to take her kids off the property. She is currently under investigation for child neglect, he said.

As for the dogs, most of them are border collie, Shiba Inu and Australian shepherd mixes. Lytle did not see any obvious injuries, though he said some had nails so long they were curled over and growing into their paws. But he said the dogs did not appear to be malnourished.

"I would call this a hoarding case," he said. "The woman was very attached to a lot of the dogs."

This is the second large animal rescue from Harney County this year. In March, sheriff's officials and the humane society rescued 131 dogs from breeder Ted Tellefson, who had dogs chained, in house trailers and roaming on his property in Burns.

This latest rescue also involved dogs stuck outside without shelter. With temperatures plunging to 11 degrees below zero Monday night, officials found dogs tied to posts and farm equipment or trapped in a wire pen. Several small dogs had sought shelter by digging a hole below a few wooden planks.

"When we came by, they popped their heads up out of the ground like prairie dogs," Lytle said.

He spotted the carcass of one dead dog on an oil drum.

On Monday, Lytle and two other people from the humane society rescued 14 dogs, including a mother and four 1-week-old pups, and brought them back to the agency's headquarters in Portland.

A second humane society crew left Tuesday in three vans to bring back as many dogs as possible.

The first group should arrive at the humane society on Wednesday to very full shelter. On Tuesday, the agency was rescuing at least 70 rat terriers from an overwhelmed breeder in Tillamook.

Lytle said the agency's investigators had been talking to the woman for a long time, trying to persuade her to give up the terriers.

Dogs from the two rescues will take up half of the agency's kennels at its headquarters in Portland.

"Fortunately, a lot of the dogs are small dogs so we can put several in the same kennel," Lytle said.

But the humane society said it needs donations of puppy food, large crates, shredded paper and cash as officials scramble to care for the dogs.

The dogs will be examined, given medication and neutered to prepare for adoption.

"Our medical staff is going to be very busy over the next few days," Lytle said.

To read the original article>>click here

-- Lynne Terry
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Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Look at Austen now!

Who would have thought that underneath all that curly hair was such a cute dog?  I know I would never have guessed. 

I guess I should back up and start at the beginning.  Today, we took Austen to the "pretty parlor" to get him all "gussied" up for the holidays.  My sister was determined that he would get his nails painted red and get a haircut, so she made the appointment.  I simply wanted him neatened up and clean.

Anyway, we took him in this afternoon and left him there.  He was really quite happy to be there which surprised me and he happily went away with the little lady in the front.

Two and a half hours later, we picked up another dog!  He was beautiful and smelled so good.  He did not get his nails painted (no one told my sister she had to bring her own polish with him to get that done) but he did get a snappy bandana tied around his neck.

He came in and started playing with my Satchmo.  Satch, on the other hand, was not quite sure about the changes in Austen.  Satch had to sniff and sniff and sniff him before he was sure he could relax and play with this funny looking sissy dog!

Here are the pictures I took when we got home.  All in all, this has been a pretty good day.





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Sunday, December 6, 2009

How to Pet Proof Your Home for the Holidays

IMG_0010Image by jessie.whittle via Flickr
With Christmas fast approaching, I would like to present an article I found on the Petco website about your pets and the holidays.  Most of this information is simply common sense, but for new pet owners knowing this may mean the difference between a happy or a sad holiday.

Some people believe that giving or getting a pet for Christmas is a good idea.  Maybe or maybe not.  It could be a good idea if the purchase of the pet has been well thought out and planned.  Getting a pet is a commitment of 15 or more years and should not happen on a whim.

All the holiday decorations and activity can be fun, but for your pets this time of year may be confusing and frightening.  Pets are exposed to new people in their home and lots of noise and movement.  Please think about your pet's welfare during this holiday season and let's all have a Merry Christmas!


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The bright colors and intoxicating scents of the holiday season are enough to transform any moping mutt or cranky cat from melancholy to downright jolly. Unfortunately, many of the delights and decorations of the holidays pose significant risks to companion animals.

PETCO offers the following safety tips on keeping pets safe and healthy for many holidays to come.

Christmas Trees. Pine needles can lodge in an animal's esophagus, making it difficult or impossible for your pet to swallow. Even drinking water from the Christmas tree base is enough to cause diarrhea, mouth sores, vomiting and loss of appetite. Cover your tree stand tightly with skirting and distract your companion animal from temptations with holiday toys and treats.

Deck the Halls. A bunch of fresh mistletoe may be a symbol of love, but to your curious cat or canine, tempting red berries look more like a sweet treat. Eating the leaves and berries could cause a drop in blood pressure. Ivy can cause diarrhea, convulsions and in some cases even death when eaten in large quantities. Holly, poinsettias and other plants are best kept away from inquisitive companion animals.

Tinsel and Lights. A flickering flame and shiny decorations intrigue companion animals. When lighting and once lit, the Menorah, Advent wreath or decorative candles, keep pets in another room where paws and claws can't reach them. With electrical lights, remember to tape exposed electrical cords to walls or the floor to ensure no chewing or tripping. Also use bitter training aids that impart a bitter taste to an object to discourage your pet from chewing on dangerous cords. Tinsel and gift-wrap may look like fun toys but they can cause choking, upset stomach or even more serious problems.

Visions of Sugar Plums. Dogs may love to sniff your holiday goodies but theobromine, an ingredient found in chocolate, is toxic. Don't ever offer dogs chocolate as a treat. If your dog develops a sweet tooth and discovers an improperly stored stash, it could lead to tragedy. Keep dogs' jaws busy with holiday rawhide candy canes and oversized bones. If he or she shows signs of illness such as vomiting, loss of appetite, or excessive water intake, contact your veterinarian immediately. Proper nutrition and plenty of fresh water are essential to your companion animal's winter health.

Let it Snow. Pets, especially very young and older animals, can suffer stress, frostbite and hypothermia when their body temperature drops just a few degrees below normal. The tips of the ears, feet and tail are commonly affected areas. Watch for the formation of ice balls between your companion animal's toes and regularly trim the long hair between the footpads to avoid frostbitten feet. If you suspect frostbite, do not rub the area but simply apply warm moist cloth packs and contact your veterinarian.

Antifreeze Alert. Automotive antifreeze contains ethylene glycol, which causes rapid and permanent kidney damage to your companion animal if it ingests even a very small amount. It takes only 6 milliliters or less than 1/4 ounce of antifreeze to kill an average-sized cat. A cat can walk through an antifreeze puddle and ingest it while cleaning its paws. For a dog, it takes only 60 milliliters or about 2 ounces of antifreeze to kill a 30-pound pup. A dog could ingest this much with a few laps out of an open container or from a puddle on the garage floor.

Home for the Holidays. If your pet cannot be in the house with you, a proper shelter can be a lifesaver for a chilly dog or feline. When selecting a doghouse or shelter for your cat, the space should be only as large as necessary for the animal to maneuver comfortably, since the animal's own body heat will serve as a heater. You will have one chilled Chihuahua if he or she is hanging out of a Doberman-sized doghouse. Nitrogen plastic insulated pet house work well to keep the heat inside the house with the animal. Some houses even have an offset door that provides additional protection of your companion animals from winter drafts.

Remember, the best present you can give your pets this holiday season is good health and some extra love and attention.

You can read this article and others about pet care here
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Friday, December 4, 2009

Brody needs some help! Will you give it?

Here's and article about a little rattie named Brody.  Brody was thrown out of the window of a moving car and ended up with two broken front legs (see the xray below).  He was rescued from his shelter and placed in a foster home by Ratbone Rescues.  Unfortunately, the first attempt to repair his legs is unsuccessful and he will now need another surgery.  The cost for the surgery is around $2000.00, but after completed Brody should be just like new!





Here's where you and your help come in.
Brody after he was picked up by a Ratbone volunteer. At this point his legs were not set correctly so he was in pain.

This was his legs UNDER the casts. No wonder he was grumpy and didn't want to be touched.

Now he has cleaned up skin and padding under the casts. He is now friendly and smells good. If that little change made him happy, imagine how happy he will be after the surgery!


This is from the original posting I found online at "two humans, three dogs, and a cat":




Brody's surgery will cost $2,000 and will be worth every penny to make this little fellow healthy and whole again. Of course, that's a lot of money for a little homeless dog, so here's where we need more of those kind souls; those who might be willing to make a small donation towards his surgery. After hearing Brody's story, several of us are taking him on as our Christmas project. (Note: We are not associated with Ratbone Rescues, other than to be supporters of and contributors to their cause to save Rat Terriers who are in danger. Also, we are not fundraisers. We are just people who care and want to help.)

What better way to show the Love of the Season than to help a little dog like Brody. Let's prove to Brody that the human race is full of kind and caring people! Let's show those awful people who mistreated this little guy that they will not win, but that Love wins each and every time! Will you help?



If you wish to make a donation to help Cody Brody with his surgery, there are two ways to do so. You may make a donation through the Ratbone Rescues website:
http://www.ratbonerescues.com/ or by “snail mail” to Ratbone Rescues, P.O. Box 3237, Seminole, Florida 33775-3237. Please note that the contribution is for Cody Brody's surgery.

Thank you all and God bless us everyone!
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Thursday, December 3, 2009

Okay, here are the final results of the Vet hunt!



Yesterday I got to looking at the "growth" on Satch's leg and decided I really had to do something about it.  I spoke to my neighbors with the Corgi and got the name of their vet.  I called and they gave me a same day appointment.

Somewhat reservedly, I went to see this vet.  First, let me say, the place is a long way from my home, but first impressions were great.  It is located in a lovely two-story house type structure and had lovely gardens and statuaries all around.  They also had a stand with baggies and a trash receptacle in the yard.  That was good because Satch's first impulse when faced with a vet's office is to poop!

Anyway, after cleaning up after him, we went into the foyer.  Satch immediately eyed the Doggie Butler standing by the door with a tray of homemade dog treats and begged for one.  So I gave him a treat and he proceeded to carry it around in his mouth the entire time we were there.

The staff and the vet were wonderful, I felt that they actually heard my concerns and wanted to address them in a way that would be beneficial for my Satch.  The vet did a needle biopsy to see if the growth needed to be removed immediately or if it could wait until after the holidays.  She came back with the good news that this was the human equivalent of a mole and she saw no reason I could not wait until next month to have it removed.

I did get an estimate for cleaning his teeth, but I had to ask for it.  All the vet said was, "Yes, he does seem to have some tooth and mouth issues that you will need to think about addressing soon."  Her estimate included not only the cleaning but also the surgical removal of this nasty growth and the total was only $453.00.  You can bet I will make that appointment after Christmas.

So, finally we have a vet we seem to both like and my little man will get the care he deserves!
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Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Okay, this is really too much!




Yesterday, I took the little man to the vet.  Seems that he has a small tumor/growth on his right forearms that he has been chewing on and it is inflammed and has been bleeding.  So, like any concerned pet owner, I took him in to see the vet.  This was a problem, as I don't much care for my previous vet so I had to try out a new one.  Anyway, after finding another vet and getting an appointment, I took him in.

Granted, this is the first time I saw the vet, but really.  She looked at his leg and then looked at his teeth.  She said that his teeth were really in need of cleaning (no surprise there) and I should schedule that and while he was out she would remove the "growth".  She had her aid come back in with an "estimate" of over $600.00 just for the teeth cleaning.  My God!  Do you know people who spend that type of money on getting their dog's teeth cleaned?  I work for my money, so I told them I would get back to them.  I paid my $42.00 office fee for nothing and took my little man home again with no change in his condition and no prospect of change either.

Then I got to thinking about my old vet and I knew that I had a coupon for 50% off dental cleaning with him.  So I called his office for an estimate.  He also had the most recent labs on Satch that were done this summer, so I figured I would save that amount of money at least.  The vet called and we talked and he gave me an "estimate" of over $600.00.  I asked about the 50% off coupon and was told that this figure was with the discount!  Who do you know spends over $1200.00 to have their dog's teeth cleaned?

So, now I am really perplexed.  I need to get my dog's leg looked at and fixed before it turns into something more involved, but I don't have any vet I like that will even talk to me about treating my dog unless I want to pay large sums of money to have his teeth cleaned.  What a racket!  I am not really sure where to go from here.

Satchmo has insurance that I pay monthly for.  It is supposed to cover routine wellness, accident and illness.  However, after calling the company, I now find out that my policy only pays $100.00 for dental care and only pays $60.00/year for labs.  For this policy, I pay $50.00 a month.  Hmmmmm...............
Maybe I should just put the $50 a month in a savings for Satchmo to pay towards getting his teeth cleaned?

I am not a happy camper and my Satch is not either.  Today he started limping on that leg, so I know that he is in pain and I want to get that taken care of.  I'm not sure how, though.  Any suggestions?
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Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Here's a post called "Adopt a Senior Pet Month"

 I just found this wonderful blog and wanted to share it with you.  Below is a delightful story about her experiences in adopting a senior pit bull.  I found this to be both sad and uplifting.  Such a character!
Anyway, I love when I find someone else who is crazy about dogs and I love when I find such great posts.  I hope you enjoy this as much as I did.
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ASPCA’s Top 10 Reasons to Adopt an Older Dog
Olive was my first senior adoption. She was already an older adult when she was rescued from a horrid situation with forty other neglected animals (check out my friend Michelle’s wonderful Ode to Maggie - a fellow quirky dog from the same cruelty case).pc190061.JPG
Olive was a strange dog. Sometimes she’d stare into space, or leap up from a deep sleep barking for no apparent reason. She had doggy OCD that manifested itself in the habit of curling into a tight ball to suck on her hip. She stamped her feet when she barked, which mostly happened at dinner time as if she was cheering me on as I prepared her food. She was flat-footed due to neglect, so she had a funny, uneven trot as she raced across the yard in the winter to come back inside the second she’d finished her business. She actually liked wearing sweaters in the winter - she’d prance around as soon as you dressed her up. In the summer, pc250079.JPGshe could lay in the sun for hours.
She never quite got the hang of training. One obedience class instructor tried to use Olive to show tricks that would get a difficult dog to lie down. It never worked, no matter how many different types of cheese or hot dog or liver we tried to lure her with; no matter how long the class stared at me sitting on the floor with Olive standing over my legs licking my face instead of lying down to root out the treat I was holding beneath my knees. Right until the end, she would kill a stuffed animal with gusto, but she was never destructive around the house. On walks, Olive would march straight ahead with a sense of purpose, not bothering to sniff the ground like the other dogs. Any unexpected turns (especially a turn-around to go home) would cause her to freeze and the walk would degenerate into a negotiation of coaxing her a few steps at a time…until I gave up and carried her as far as I could.img_1915.JPG
Olive was one of the sweetest dogs I’ve ever known. Everyone of every species was greeted with a wagging tail. She was always gentle, even with packs of children crowded around her to say hello. And, despite everything she’d been through, she was a happy dog. If she heard you talk about her when she was napping, her tail would thump against the couch. This little 40 pound pittie LOVED to be carried. As soon as she was picked up, she’d lay her head on your shoulder and fall asleep with the corners of her mouth turned up in a peaceful smile. If you put her down, she’d blink at you, like she wasn’t sure what she did to deserve it.
By the time I adopted her, she was already a senior dog. I didn’t know how she’d adjust to being in a home after the cruelty case and then two years with a rescue group. I didn’t know if she’d ever get housetrained or bond with the other animals and me. But she did. It was an immediately rewarding adoption, with none of the training frustration that can come from getting a younger dog, or the uncertainty about what sort of dog you really got. Olive already was who she was - in all her weird and wonderful ways.
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I only got six years with her - she was estimated somewhere between sixteen and a hundred and sixteen by the time mammary cancer took her. It was a tough loss, definitely not enough time together. When is it ever enough time? That’s the hard part with a senior dog, but it’s worth it.

Please visit her blog and read all her wonderful posts!
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Losing a Pet: What to do to deal with the grief

Losing a pet is an experience that cuts deep. These furry, feathered, or even scaled companions become part of our families, our daily routi...