Beagle Explosion

I dont know whats going on out there in the real world but ,as a rescuer , I am being swamped with Beagles of all ages. I would think that since a handsome Beagle won at Westminister this year ,that it would be the other way around and that there would be a shortage of beagles. This breed is the most loving of dogs . They make good all round family members and love to be loved almost as much as they love food which makes them trainable. Nearly every hound that I have been asked to take isn`t housebroken. Why is that? Doesn`t anyone have any patience anymore? Do people expect dogs to train themselves? I don`t know. But I do know that Sam does a heck of a job getting the older beagles to go out for their business . Around here, the pups follow my older dogs out and learn from them. The babies that were sick , are already wanting outside. I have to keep them away from dirt and the like for a few more days until we are sure they are %100 but as soon as there`s a sunny day, I`ll be taking them out to the grassy part of the yard. I have no more time than anyone else and Sam is busy with work as well as her own dogs and fosters, but we manage to potty train. I would suggest that anyone adopting a beagle be calm,patient and have a sense of humour. This breed is the most fun to be around of any other. The one thing that maybe stops folks from taking them home, is that hounds dont re-call well or at all in some cases, so have to be on leash at all times when out of the house and yard. But it only makes sense. Hounds follow their noses. They were originally bred for hunting. It isnt their fault. I would rather have a little beagle child than one of the designer, foo-foo interbred, purse dogs that are all the rage these days. Beagles walk themselves and dont expect to be carried. They like to walk and wander so they can smell all the smells . I haven`t had one beagle come in that was even remotely aggressive when meeting the other dogs and there`s only been one that mouthed off when he saw the cats for the first time. Beagles need a break. Keep watching our site .
You`ll see what I mean. Oh, and p.s., Beagles dont make that much noise and are as quiet as any other breed when they are happy ,content and have something to do. If you call my house, you wont hear a beagle. My GSD`s do most of the yapping off.
Got an extra five bucks?? Anybody? Our Paypal is working . Give us a hand getting all these hounds vetted will ya`?
later

The same but always different

As I think back to when Sam and I decided to try this rescuing task on our own, I remember being a bit apprehensive. How much more can I take on without loosing my mind? Its been a few months now and nothing has changed from when I was 'just a foster'
I`m still making decisions for the animals in my care and still doing the adoptions my self for the most part. I`ve added a few more chores, like answering the phone a few dozen times a day and answering a few more e-mails. But nothing overwhelming . I even have some time to think up ways to raise some funds, even when I`m sure that Cayley will do a marvelous job down the road.
The May 24 parade in Woodstock is a big deal . I sent for info and found that this years theme is No Place Like Home. What an opportunity to introduce CARO to the world. Every home needs a companion animal or two or three.
We cant ask for donations along the route and we have to be nice but I think we could pull off a really awesome dog walk and show off our rescues at the same time.
That brings me to Ozzie, my Samoyed. A friend asked me to bail him out of the pound about 5 years ago. I did and took him to work with me at Wellington . The owner was to pick him up in a day or two and pay me. Never did that so I had Oz neutered because Donna found a lump in his one testicle and got him his shots. When the owner finally contacted me he was fuming because I had ruined his dog for breeding purposes. Dr . Donna escorted him out of the office and the Humane Society officially said that Oz was mine. Lots of laws and the fact that the owner had been lax as an owner anyway , helped me out there. Oz is now my official Husky Watchdog. I babysit some retired racing huskys and because they are registered their owner is afraid they`ll be stolen .
I hardly think so at 13-17 years but cant be too careful so as long as they live, Oz will make sure no one gets to them.
He, himself is getting as fat as me so I think I`ll start training both of us for the hike from the fairgrounds to Southside Park . I`m hoping to round up more walkers with pledge sheets and maybe have a Bar-B- Que afterwards. I`d take Kira but she`s a You -Know- What and people would be frightened because of all the bull they read in the papers and see on Tv.
So, now with the addition of Oz, that would make 4 dogs and 2 cats . But that was then.
Its 3:27 on Saturday. I have a lot to do around here. But I have been waiting by the phone because Sophie`s new family was supposed to be here an hour and a half ago.
Before that , it was last Saturday but there was a death in the family.
I`m learning patience at last.
later

Spring has Sprung

And in a blessed way. Our Pound Momma had her babies this morning . She let me be with her to watch her kids as they were born and after 3 hours and 5 wiggly wee ones later , she was ready for a drink and a rest. I can relate for sure as most women can.
Its been rough lately , with so many abandoned dogs and cats incoming . But this miracle came just in time to remind be why I do this rescue stuff. I am certainly angry with Momma`s ex-owner for throwing her away right when she needed that owner the most .
And I continue to wish that people would have the good sense to have their companions sterilized . There will always be plenty of kittens and puppies for those who want them. So there is no worry about running out . It would be grand if vets could lower their rates so the average family could afford vetting for Spot and Puff, which would help the cause to some extent but there will always be those weirdos that want their animals to have "just one litter" and then they sell them for profit instead of putting the money into vet care for that fur family member.
Today was a good one in that all five babies seem healthy and Mom didnt get into trouble when birthing, as some first time Moms do .
One more good thing. Nemo went to his new forever family and he has two little dogs for company.
The sun shone. I saw a robin in the snow. It was warm. Wendy`s tulips are peaking up out of the dirt. And every animal in this house is shedding.
Yup, its spring alright.
Wendy? She`s the lady that runs Cranberry Kennels. I was over there today picking up another female kitty. And I dont think she is pregnant. Cute though.
So, the house is full to bursting with cats and kittens .
My puppies are coming home tomorrow and I thank God and our vet for that.
Things are moving along with the group and we have Paypal up and running if there is anyone that has a few bucks to spare.
Its been a good day.

Rescue is more than saving a life

There are times when that life has to be saved twice or three times before a dog or cat can be adopted to the right family.
I brought in two baby beagles last week that were slated for death.
They were here two days when they stopped playing. And then they couldnt hold down food . They are now attached to I. V.`s at my vets fighting for their lives again. They dont know whats happening but we do. Someone didnt give their mom her shots and now they have Parvo. I am in the process of bleaching my home , clothing and yard. Although all the other 'kids' in my house have their shots, this deadly virus can hide out for a year and attack . I wont have it. And I am fighting back , but not as hard as the two beagle babies . I`m trying to find a foster that will take them when they are ready to come home because , the book says, they will stay contagious for 2 months and that would mean no more intake for the group. I wont have that either. Too many animals are dying around me and there just arent enough of us to go around.
And if that wasnt enough, I have no hot water .
The Gas Guy finally came and discovered that the water tank was leaking and wouldnt turn the gas back on. Yes, I called the tank supplier and was put on a list. Even though they say 24hr service, that only means that someone will answer the phone anytime in 24 hr, not that they will rush out and fix the problem. I refuse to accept this kind of treatment when the water heater is 15 years old and has been paid for 15 times over since everyone has to rent these days. I won`t have it.
I am going, with my brother in law, to Canadian Tire and buying a new electric water heater for 300 bucks and telling the gas people to come and get their tank out of my basement asap or it`ll go into spring cleanup.
So, I am boiling alot of water on the stove until Tuesday and bleaching everything in sight.
I have choices . I choose to save the puppies no matter what it takes .
I choose not to be treated as a number .
And I refuse to give up on my beliefs that Jesus died for me and that he rose on the third day. The government and their political correctness can go !!
happy Easter.

Sydney`s Day

Finally, we have an appointment for little Sydney. Fostermom Sam suspected she had a bladder infection so we took her in for a check. Since Syd has lost so much weight ( and needed to) a lump appeared on her hip. Vet Kathi says its a hernia and today our girl is having it fixed.
Sam`s mom got Sydney there by 8:30 where I met her and took her in for her pre surgery and to do all the paper signing. While Dr Brian was doing the pre- check, he made Syd wince while he was checking for stones and so an exploratory is going to be done first on her uterus area.
So now I`m worried and haven`t been until now. I asked when surgery was and they couldn't give me an exact time but I know its soon. I was going to go watch but it will be over before I get my chores done around here . They are going to call me when they are finished and I`ll go back then to stay with her while she wakes up. There are only so many hands over there and I feel that if someone Syd knows is around when she comes to, she wont be as frightened . Thankfully the staff is grateful for any help they get as long as I stay out of the way. No prob. There s a chair there with my name on it .
I`ll be back later

feels good

Although I doubt there`s anyone actually reading this jumbled mess of mine, it still makes me feel connected to my universe.
I had my Gas Guy rant on Thursday and I`m still waiting.
So back to my life .
I do this so you will see why I am an animal rescuer as my mental state has been questioned on several occasions . My life revolves around my own furfamily and several additions along the way that come in and go out to forever homes.
So far you have seen me deal with cancer and a genetic ailment with my dogs.
Now its Jacks turn. I was reading the local shopper one Saturday about 8 years ago and someone had a ' 9 month old male german shepherd, free to a good home' Now , as you get to know me , you will see that this kind of animal trading is in a class along with abuse to me.
I was on the phone and over there in a half hour, carrying a frightened GSD to my truck.
Jack is special. He still has separation anxiety every time I leave the house but he stopped chewing up all my belongings after a few tense months. No one had ever told me about this behaviour or crate training so we survived it the hard way. I still have to kiss him goodbye and tell him I`m going to work to get out of the house quietly.
So, now I have the 3 dogs ( Maggie was still with me then ).
I had added a cat along the way, Pekoe, so his owner wouldnt flush him down the toilet because she hated orange cats. He was less than 5 weeks then. But I was still uneducated about animals.
Pekoe was neutered and tatooed so I felt he was safe to go outside.
Just last year , I found him in the ditch beside my house, cut to ribbons and barely alive. He stayed alive long enough for me to get him to Doctor Donna and say goodbye. Then he went to the bridge to be with Maggie.
My life is a journey of learning and mostly its been the hard way. So now I rescue cats as well as dogs and bitch at any new owners about keeping their new family member safe inside the house , no matter how much the kitties cry and beg to go out.
Around this same time frame, I`d been working for my vet as a kennel attendant, another name for cleaning person.
I finally had opportunity to see what happens to pets at the vets.
I was allowed to watch surgeries and even got to assist sometimes when an extra hand was needed. This particular vet was also the one used by the local pound for any injured animal that was still alive after pickup. I was usually the person that cared for the injured so the tech`s could be there for the paying clients. I have many stories about that experience but not now. Its too depressing for such a nice day.
And then came Bob. Someone put this little guy in our entrance way at the vet office and left him for us to find. He was battered and broken but Dr. Donna has a soft spot for kitties and fixed him up for adoption. He went out twice and came back twice and no one would tell the truth why.
Donna gave him to me , completely vetted and he is still here with me. I quickly found out why he kept coming back. He had stinky breath. His face had been injured, likely kicked, and his little teeth were broken and rotting and his gums were damaged. He is fine now. No teeth. Eats whatevers in his dish. And sticks his tongue out when he`s sitting and thinking whatever it is that cats think.
By now you can see where my blog is going . I`m a sucker for any animal in need . And I am learning as I go.
Today , I`m spending out in the dog yard cleaning up winter doo. Anyone want to help. LOL
Later

hurry up and wait

So I`m sitting here waiting for the Gas Man and thought too much.
Thats what its like living a country life. Get ready for something and then sit and wait for it. Like Spring. Oh, I am so ready for Spring. Last week, Wendy from Cranberry called me and asked if I had room for a mom and two of her kittens. Being the never say no person that I am, I said yes.
When I went to pick her up, I saw she was preggers and her two kittens were , like, a year old and man, did I have fun trying to crate these babies . They are ferral , of course , and hate humans. So now I have holes in my hands but oh, well.
The point is, there`s this beauty of a cat , sitting in a huge crate with a birthing box in it, in my kitchen. I must check her 10 times a day to see if there are any babies yet and to make sure her dish is full. She has belonged to someone sometime and that makes me angry . That someone would toss this good kitty to fend for herself. She is used to the dogs and talks to me now . I pick her up and brush her and she purrs her face off.
One of her two kids escaped on me and is running around the house having a party with my other cats. I have no idea if its a male or female as no one could get to the point of checking without being battered and scratched to shreds. The other one is getting to a point where I can touch it and soon I`ll have it out , cuddled and sexed. Then off to the vet for either spay or neuter.
And , I`m still here waiting for the Gas Man. In the country thats a way of life.

later !

the beginning

I`ve always loved animals. Rabbits, cats , dogs and fish were always part of my life growing up.
And as I continued to age, I found other things more exciting and worthy of my time.
How silly of me.
Fourteen years ago, my husband bought me a little Cocker Spaniel girl , Maggie. Her life became a time of education . I learned very early on that love isnt enough. Vet visits, hair trims,good food, tons of exercise and patient training were always part of life for us. When we found that she was dying of lymphoma, and had perhaps a few good months of life left, it was a hard pill to swallow.
Maggie`s faith in me and my love for her was the only thing I could think of and all I hung onto after she went to the bridge to wait for me.
It was then that I realized how much I didnt know about animals and my home felt so empty without my Maggiedog, that I brought home Tobey, a wee shepherd pup. More learning. A checkup and an exray showed he had double hip displaysia..and if he had`ve been born to a breeder, he would be euthanized. But , he lucked out. He had me and my vet on his side. He`s still going strong after 8 years .
But that is only the beginning .
I will continue when I have more time to be here with you.