Dalmatian Rescue of Puget Sound
After months of thinking about it, and writing the occasional blog post, I’m moving to the next level. This week, I started working on the Dalmatian Rescue of Puget Sound (http://DalmatianRescueofPugetSound.org) web site. Now I just need to find some Dalmatian lovers who are willing to give a temporary or permanent home to a Dalmatian in need. If you love Dalmatians, or know someone who does, please have them visit http://DalmatianRescueofPugetSound.org.
Since losing Jasmine, I’ve been making efforts to help dogs in need. The sad tale of Buckwheat and Fearless inspired me to want to do more, but time and the work involved with caring for 4 dogs held me back. Last weekend, I learned about Opie, Spooky and Lucy. Their owner was recently killed in a motorcycle accident. The dogs are still in their home, being cared for by friends and family, but they are very stressed. They spend their days licking each other and waiting for their owner to return. Because we don’t have a local rescue group, we’ve had to ask for help from groups in Colorado and Florida. It is wonderful that they are able and willing to help, but we still need a local group. Right now it is a group of one, but I have faith that there are more like minded people here in Puget Sound. My job is to find them.
It’s not the dog, it’s the owner
I love shows like “It’s Me or the Dog” because the problems they are dealing with always make my dog problems look small. Typically, the owner’s behavior influences the dog’s behavior. My favorite episode was about a lady who served her dogs tea in the afternoon, and bought them treats from the ice cream truck. The dogs were full of sugar and caffeine, instead of nutritious, dog appropriate foods, and they weren’t getting any exercise or discipline. It was obvious the owner was the problem. Once Victoria Stilwell straightened the lady out, getting the dogs under control was easy.
http://animal.discovery.com/videos/its-me-or-the-dog-strangest-cases/
We recently sent Friday to “A Canine Experience” for “boarding school” while we were in Florida. He was with them for 2 weeks, learning obedience. I’d taken him for an evaluation a couple weeks earlier, because I was concerned about the growing tension between Friday and Harley. Before he came home, they had us come in and work with him for a couple hours. Then they brought him to the house and worked with him while he transitioned back to life at home. They even showed me how to get him to use the treadmill. I’m really glad that we did it, because it showed that Friday is a good dog. He listens to people he believes are in authority, and he gets along well with other dogs.
Twenty minutes after the trainer left, Friday was settling back into his old habits. He started trouble with Harley, he annoyed Baby and chased the cat. I calmly corrected him, and he soon settled down. That lasted until 7pm, when our son brought his Beagle, Mario, to spend the weekend. I realize this was not the best time to add the excitement of a fifth dog, but Mario needed a place to go, and human family takes priority over canine family. We had a few mishaps over the weekend, but it wasn’t too bad.
In general, Friday is more obedient than he was before. He is very good about sitting and waiting at the door, and he is much more patient. He will even respond while we are out on a walk, as long as there isn’t anything exciting going on. Once he is excited, I cease to exist, unless of course he needs something to jump on. He still doesn’t respect me at all, and I seem to lack the communication skills to earn his respect. I’ve tried using the pinch collar, like the trainer recommended, but my heart just isn’t in it. I feel like a bully when I use it. I wish Patricia McConnell were here to tell me what to do.
Calling all dog lovers
Times are getting tough, and when things are bad for people, they are worse for our animal friends who depend on us. Local shelters and rescue organizations need our help. In addition to helping local dogs, Ginger’s Pet Rescue of Seattle is helping 80 dogs that were rescued from the California wild fires. I got this e-mail from them yesterday:
Hi Animal Lovers,
This past month we have been so busy working very hard to help save many many lucky dogs that have survived the fires in California San Bernadino area.
Over 7,500 acres and 1200 Firefighters are working on this dangerous fire.
Over 80 dogs with no ID or microchip were found lost, starved and injured and they were bought to the shelter. The shelters were all full so they were on their way to be euthanized. We were notified if we could save them and take them under our wings and how could we say no? I knew it was going to become a huge task but with our network and team I also knew that this could be done.
In order to save them we had to pay $ 10.00 a day to board them, vet them, spay and neuter, all shots, rabies, microchip, flea treat and do a heart worm test on
everyone one of these dogs.50 of them arrived last Sunday and many were happy but many were sick.
This Sunday we will be getting the other 30 and I really need your help in two ways.First: We need Fosters! I need help for more dedicated fosters who can open their hearts and foster a dog. If you can not foster then please email everyone you know, Twitter everyone, Facebook this on your wall to everyone and help me get the word out. We will be getting more dogs after these 80 are adopted out as our missions never end. These dogs have been loving and so wonderful !!!
Second: We need donations.
Also this has been a VERY expensive rescue. Boarding them alone at
$ 10.00 a day and vetting and transporting has been a tremendous task.Some of the dogs were burned, some have severe kennel cough and respiratory problems. We desperately need donations if you can help.
————————————————-
Even a $ 5.00 donation would help pay the vet for one of our sick dogs.
You can PayPal on our website www.gingerspetrescue.org or you can mail your donation to:
Ginger’s Pet Rescue 322 North 105th, Seattle, Wash 98133.
We are happy to provide a receipt as we are a non profit organization.
We can also use donated dog food, crates, leashes, collars, dog beds, pee pads
and anything to help these fire dogs out.You can drop these items off 322 North 105th, Seattle, Wash 98133 in North Seattle.
You can get more information or make a PayPal donation by visiting their web site, http://www.gingerspetrescue.org.
Another organization that could use your help is Old Dog Haven. They are currently providing hospice care for 149 senior dogs in “Final Refuge” homes, in addition to 27 adoptable senior dogs in foster homes. There are another 18 dogs in shelters, hoping to be rescued by Old Dog Haven.
If you have room in your home to foster a dog for a while, or a few dollars to help provide food, shelter or medical care, please contact Ginger’s Pet Rescue or Old Dog Haven right away.
Dal Mix in Urgent Need!
Hambone has been scheduled for euthanization because the shelter is full. He needs a home immediately. Please see his listing on Petfinder for more details.
http://www.petfinder.com/petnote/displaypet.cgi?petid=14786584