Dramatic rescue of pitbull mix in river

Here's a video that shows the rescue of a dog from the flood swollen river in Michigan.  It is hard to watch, but the dog does get saved and sent to the vet.  She was hypothermic and about at the end of her rope when they pulled her out.

Antioch Police Dogs Receive Four Donated Bulletproof Vests

Here's an article I found on Facebook that talks about bullet-proof vests for dogs!  I love this idea.  Our dogs will go to great lengths to protect us or to have us tell them how good they are.  Frequently, you read about police dogs that jumped in front of their person to protect them and ended up dead. 

The organization that provided these life-saving vests are to be commended.  This article is from Life with Dogs.  Please check the site out for great articles about dogs and living life with them!
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The Antioch Police Department in California received four bulletproof vests that will be used to outfit their police dogs, including one for a dog that was shot in the shoulder last August.

According to cbs8.com, the vests were provided by the Police and Working K-9 Foundation, a group that also helps pay for emergency medical care for police dogs.

The new $1,200 custom-made body armor weighs about 5 pounds and is both bullet and knife resistant.

The Belgian Malinois that was shot survived his injuries and was back on the job in just two short weeks, but police officials told the Contra Costa Times that the injury might have been avoided if the dog had been wearing one of the vests.

Recently in the news, there have been several stories about police dogs that often put themselves in harm’s way to protect their handlers. According to the K-9 Foundation, “Since 2000, over 500 U.S. police dogs have lost their lives in the line of duty.”

The New York-based company has donated 56 vests so far to police stations across the U.S.

Related articles

• Clark County police dog fatally stabbed (seattletimes.nwsource.com)
• Parolee, IE police dog killed in shooting (abclocal.go.com)
• Police Dog Find Missing Kamloops Toddler (wenswritings.wordpress.com)
• Police: Ohio Man Charged With Teasing Police Dog (foxnews.com)

Pet's need consideration during Easter Holiday--What to watch out for!

Here's a message from my veterinarian that I took from my email. Seems like a good time to review the necessary precautions associated with Easter and all of the holiday happenings.  When enjoying all the holiday hoopla, don't forget to monitor your pets.  Chocolate is deadly.

Happy Good Friday, to you .  I hope everyone has a blessed and special Easter Holiday this weekend.

Easter Tips

 

Easter is almost here and we all love chocolate bunnies or Easter eggs! Chocolate is as appealing to pets as it is to us but it is very toxic to dogs. Theobromine and theophylline are a xanthine compound that affects the nervous and cardiovascular systems. Symptoms of intoxication are vomiting, diarrhea, increased heart rate and urination, muscle tremors and restlessness.

The Easter Lily is a beautiful holiday flower but if you own a cat it is recommended that you don't keep it in your house. Just one leaf can cause kidney failure in your pet and it is potentially lethal.

One more item that could be harmful to your cat is Easter grass. Cats love to play with it, just like they love tinsel or string. Easter grass if ingested can easily tangle around your cat's intestines causing major problems that will require emergency surgery.

Help End the Torture and Slaughter of Korean Dogs

Here is a disturbing article I found today on Petside.com.  I was so upset after reading it that I just had to repost it here for you to see.  I have no words to describe my feelings and thoughts on this topic right now.  I, for once, am simply speechless.

Please read this excerpt below and click on over to the site to read the entire article.  Be aware, however that you will probably leave with a sick feeling in your heart and stomach!

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I was shocked this morning when I read an announcement made by In Defense of Animals, that in Korea, almost two million dogs are slated for slaughter after they are caged and tortured. They are then killed, butchered and sold as a delicacy meat for human consumption.

These miserable and unfortunate dogs are kept on display in crates in the marketplace, so customers are able to select one of their choice for purchase and butchering. What is even more horrific is that these dogs are "intentionally abused" according to In Defense of Animals, prior to slaughter and sale.

The Korean Government and Han Duk-soo, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea is being targeted by Defense of Animals to immediately begin enforcing the existing law under the Korean Animal Protection Act and to also strengthen the law by adding an amendment to prohibit dogs and cats from being slaughtered for meat for human consumption.

In fact, most Koreans abhor this practice and consider these acts of torture and killing to be extremely disturbing. Additionally it is actually an "urban legend" that...[read more]

Vicktory dog Lucas update

I love reading anything about the fate of the Vick fighting dogs, so here is a follow-up of one of them for you to see that these dogs were worth saving. Please read this article from Best Friends and visit their site.  Maybe you could even consider a monetary donation to help these dogs?  I know I did and I feel quite good about doing my part to help them. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

April 12, 2011 : 9:35 AM ET By Cathy Scott The adage “you can’t judge a book by its cover” could not be truer when describing Lucas, one of the 22 former Michael Vick dogs who arrived at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary more than three years ago. A pit-bull terrier with telltale battle scars and one of the toughest backgrounds imaginable, Lucas is one of the most popular of the Vicktory dogs (as they are now called). Lucas The life of neglect the Vicktory dogs led before coming to the Sanctuary has caused some of them to have chronic medical issues. While their emotional and physical scars continue to heal, some of their more serious medical issues are not apparent to the naked eye. Ten-year-old Lucas arrived at the Sanctuary with a condition called babesia, a blood parasite that can be passed between dogs through deep puncture wounds, like those inflicted during fighting. The condition can be managed with medication, but one of the side effects of babesia is anemia. When Lucas’s anemia worsened, he was given a full checkup. Tests showed that he was having other complications in addition to anemia. After exhausting other methods of testing and to take a closer look at possible masses seen on ultrasound, he was scheduled for exploratory surgery. Late last week, several masses were removed from his enlarged spleen, which are being biopsied. While undergoing surgery, the veterinary team also took a biopsy of his liver which looked abnormal. “Surgery went pretty smoothly,” says Dr. Patti Iampietro, who performed the procedure. “Lucas is doing well.” But, she adds, he’s still in recovery and “not out of the woods yet.” Lucas is improving with some help from his friends. Now in the midst of recovery, he is improving with the help of our medical staff and everyone who loves him. He has many friends across the Sanctuary and fans who have followed his story. Life for sweet Lucas truly began the day he and the other 21 dogs landed in Angel Canyon, a world away from the horrific lives they once knew. Lucas, who was court-ordered to spend the rest of his days at Best Friends, is proof positive that dogs who have known only neglect and abuse can begin anew and be the loving companion animals they were born to be. John Garcia, a trainer and manager at Dogtown, where canines live at the Sanctuary, first met Lucas when John traveled to the facility where the Michael Vick dogs were kept before moving on to rescue groups, i ncluding Best Friends. “I was helping one of the employees there mix food one morning,” John says. “[The employee] had mentioned that he had always been afraid of pitties from a fighting background, so he was terrified to hear he’d have to work with the Vick dogs.” But the caregiver’s face lit up when he spoke about Lucas. “He told me it only takes one to change your views,” John says. “This was an amazing thing to hear, that someone who was afraid of a certain breed had the courage to still work with [the] dogs. And to put it so simply — it brought tears to my eyes. This truly shows how dogs like Lucas have influenced people all over the world and how much animals in general can teach us.” Lucas, the consummate optimist Once at the Sanctuary, with patience, one-on-one training and ‘round-the-clock care, the dogs, many of them frightened, gradually acclimated. Lucas, the consummate optimist, hit the ground running. He’s done so well, in fact, that he spends part of his time in the offices hanging out with executive assistant Brenda Escher and chief executive officer Gregory Castle. At the end of the workday visits, he returns to Dogtown. A few weeks after arriving in January 2008, the Vicktory dogs were introduced to the world at a news conference held on the Sanctuary grounds. Many of the dogs were shut down and scared because of their past. Not Lucas. He welcomed visitors with kisses, surprising national media with his resilience. As caregiver Carissa Hendrick said at the time, “He knows he’s safe.” “I think Carissa was right that Lucas did feel safe here,” says Dogtown manager Michelle Besmehn, “but I also think that Lucas is just a confident dog. It is part of his nature.” Lucas, simply put, is happy, and that is what Brenda says stands out the most for her. Lucas helps out at the office. “When some visitors come into the office and sit down, he welcomes them by  jumping onto their laps and lavishing kisses on them,” Brenda says. “That tells me that he’s not the menacing, dangerous dog that far too many people feel his breed might be. He only wants to be loved. We all are better people for having had the experience of having him in our lives.” For Dr. Patti, his easy nature is also what has touched her: “The thing that stands out most to me about Lucas is his overflowing love of people. He is so kind and gentle despite what humans in the past have put him through. It really teaches a lesson in forgiveness and understanding that we humans should strive to equal.” Michelle agrees: “We can learn a lot from him. He has been a very happy dog despite his background and despite all of the ups and downs he has had medically.” Dr. Patti says, “It is always a rewarding feeling to help any animal, but helping those animals at Best Friends who have no one else, especially a dog like Lucas who came from such a horrific background, is especially fulfilling to be able to play a positive role in his health and happiness.” The clinic team continues to monitor his progress while waiting for the biopsy results. Updates on his condition will be shared as we know more. Brenda visited Lucas after his surgery and spent time just sitting with him. “He recognized me immediately, and I think he’s the trooper we all know him to be,” she says. The gentle side of Lucas, despite his past, continues to inspire those who know and love him. “His joy for life and a can-do attitude are something we can all strive for,” says John. “Lucas really does symbolize the American dog Despite a very difficult past, he is affectionate and forgiving. We are all pulling for him to get better.” Photographs by Best Friends photographers

Related articles

• VIDEO: Checking in on the Vicktory Dogs (dogs.icanhascheezburger.com)
• Vick pit bulls on the slow road to recovery (seattletimes.nwsource.com)
• Luca, finally new photos..... (staffyrescue.wordpress.com)

DOG FALLS FOR CAT♥

This is the cutest video I have seen in quite some time. I think this baby is a rattie, but the owner is not sure. What do you think about it?

The dogs of Kayenta, AZ -- the saga of one person's drive to help abandoned dogs

This isn't the post I was going to make today.  I was going to talk about taking Satchmo to the vet this morning for his check-up and the exam of a small lump under his front leg.  However, I will post that later.  Instead, I'd like to post about a blog called Sharkey Pup.  On this blog, there are several posts that are about abandoned dogs in Kayenta, Arizona and one person who decided to do something to try to help them out. 

Please read this article below, then click over to read all the rest about the plight of these poor dogs.  There are several other posts, and I suggest you read them all and in order.  This woman is amazing and deserves our appreciation for going out of her way to help innocent animals.
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Burger King To The Rescue

As I drove through Kayenta, Arizona this past week I noticed something odd.  I passed the McDonalds and clustered around the front was a group of about five or six dogs. Same with Burger King and the gas station. Each location had its own group of dogs hovering in the sunshine. With three of my own in the car I didn’t have the opportunity to do anything but get gas and keep traveling. On the way back through, however, I made some inquiries.

 

As I pulled up to the window of Burger King’s drive-thru to get my Whopper Jr. I asked the gal at the window the story about all the dogs.

 

“They get dropped here from all over,” she said. “They’re all strays with no place to go.”

 

“Don’t you have a local shelter or rescue?” I asked. 

 

“Nope, they are on their own here.” She pointed to a larger brown dog just across the drive by the gas station. “That one over there was hit by a car about two months ago. Nobody took it to a vet, that’s why it drags its back leg around.”

 

I looked at the dog she indicated and at the others sitting or walking about. There was an Aussie that was obviously nursing pups she had hidden someplace. The other six or so looked cold and rightly so. It was below freezing at 2:00 in the afternoon.

 

“Where do they go when the temperatures get cold?”

“Wherever they can find to get out of the wind. They are lucky if the kids use them for target practice. At least they’re put out of their misery,” she replied.

 

I was shocked not only by the plight of all these dogs, but by the casual way she talked about them being used for target practice. I pulled into the lot, got out and counted the dogs then went back into Burger King and bought a hamburger for each – the largest I could buy. 

 

I walked out with the bag and all wary eyes were on me. There was snow on the ground but I imagined a good drink of water was also hard to come by. I got out the water bowls I always keep in my vehicle and filled them from the gallon I also haul with me. The dogs all looked at me, the injured one and the mother of pups kept to the back of the group. If they were going to get any food they’d need to be fed separately from the rest.

 

Unwrapping the burgers brought them all in closer, but still they were wary. I quickly threw all but two burgers further across the lot and approached the other two dogs. Setting the food in front of them I stepped back and they ate. My presence kept the rest of the pack away. When they finished I looked around. The others were drinking as if they hadn’t had a drink in weeks. I took one bowl over to the other two and let them drink also. The one that was struck by a car got up and wagged its tail and came close enough to let me stroke his head. He was dragging one leg behind him. The tears came as I sat there a minute giving this poor soul a bit of kindness. I’d have taken them all home with me if I could have but that was impossible. I wished I had a truck and trailer so that I could go back for them. I’d make it my mission to find some no-kill shelters for them, but those are hard to come by as more and more pets are abandoned. 

 

I made some calls today to the state of Arizona. There was no shelter within 100 miles that was willing to go rescue these animals. I felt helpless and hopeless thinking of them out in the sub-freezing weather.  My three were safe in Sandy's care.  They are among the lucky ones.

To read the rest of the story go here:
 http://www.sharkeypup.com/blog/blog/140111024523/The-Dogs-at-Kayenta---The-Story-Continues-by-Susan-R.-Stoltz.htm