IS ANYBODY LISTENING? HELLO??

A few weeks ago , I mentioned that companion animals were being auctioned off in our area. We have seen tons of pleas across the board to help stop this practice in the States but , no one is doing anything about the goings on right under our noses. It is time for rescues to clean up their own back yards and then help their Canadian neighbours , instead of bringing in more dogs from the States. And I mean now. Not next week. If you feel like being a do gooder, then expose the garbage that goes on in local shelters and pounds. Save the animals here. And don`t give me that old " rescue has no borders" crap. You are letting our own animals go to the needle or gas and blowing your own horns by being such good' stewards of animal welfare" Give me a bloody break.
I told you and every one that would listen, including every rescue group in Ontario, that dogs were being auctioned at Trails End in the London area. Did any of you go and check it out? I doubt it.
So, guess what?? One of our girls went there yesterday and at my request , grabbed every dog she could. Four pups, about 8 weeks old were sitting there , frightened and unwanted except for the money they could bring in. They are now in foster care with us.
This is just the tip of the ice-burg and no one is listening to me. Whats wrong? Am I not important enough? Smart enough? Not associated with the right political party?
AUCTIONING OF UNWANTED PETS IS UNACCEPTABLE.
Get off your thumbs and check out the underground animal trade in your own area. It sure doesn`t take long. I dug around for one day and got extremely upset.
Just because the pound/shelter in your town is empty doesn`t mean that there aren`t hundreds of Ontario dogs and cats that need help. And will die because your group fosters are full of Yankee dogs.
Wouldn`t it be better to see zero kills at all Ontario shelters and pounds? Or at least get it down to 1 or 2 % to account for the poor babies that get hit by cars or are so ill that they aren`t fixable.
I am so sick of seeing mutts being sold in every paper and website for ridiculous prices .
Do something about that if you need a local cause. Write letters to the editors or webmasters. E-mail the sellers and explain nicely what they are doing wrong.
Put it on your own websites. Do SOMETHING for the animals in Ontario.
The mere fact that the Humane Society is bringing in animals from the states, makes me shake in fear for the dogs in their back rooms that they feel are 'un-adoptable'
Get a grip, people. The Yankee rescues have just as many resources available as we do here in Ontario, or they wouldn`t be offering all vetting for any dogs that Ontario rescues take. And I`m a little amazed that you think transporting an animal for two days is actually a good thing. Tell that to the little Yankee pup I have buried in my garden. Too long a trip, too young , too many mysterious germs along the way.
They have Best Friends and many other really good small town rescues and really do not need our help. And please don`t even mention PETA and the H$U$. They talk a good story, grab your money and then kill as many animals they can. They both believe in annihilating any dog that resembles an American Pitbull Terrier or any of the breeds that are mentioned in our so called 'pitbull ban' which is the stupidest piece of legislation that our government has every tabled.
I feel that the only reason that some of the groups wish to continue importing these babies , is that the vetting is already done at a cheaper rate, so their adoption fees will stay in the bank instead of going on shots and altering and Heartworm tests for local dogs and cats. Someone once told me that Rescue is a Business and should be handled like one. I am guilty of helping with American dogs but now I know about these frigging auctions, that little experiment has come to a complete halt. My conscience won`t let me ignore the animals in my Ontario.
What happened to the pure ideal of rescue? Helping to re-home the unwanted animals in our own areas. Taking in the un-adoptable and turning them around.

I had a report of a pregnant Potbellied Pig being auctioned off at this same place recently.
I wonder who`s table she`s feeding.
later

Kira

Last night I went for a short drive to clear my head. And I took Kira with me . My Am PB Terrier loves car rides and slobbers all over the side windows while she talks to every person she sees. We stopped to drop off my sisters cooler that I had borrowed for the walk and had Kira stay in the car. My sisters dog doesn`t care for any dogs and I didn`t want an incident. Well, that lasted about a minute and a half. My nephew spotted her and just had to see her up close . My brother in law headed for her too and before I could object they had Kira out running in the yard, their poor dog forgotten in the house crying to come out and fight . My sister was having a panic attack because she can`t hold their dog so I went in to talk to her and shut the door.
When I came out both boys had huge smiles on their faces and said they wanted Kira for themselves. NOT. My sister would have a stroke. Point being , that the fear mongers aren`t doing their job any more. My Kira is the ambassador for kissing "pitbulls'
She loved every minute with the guys and her eyes were as big as saucers because she was having fun with humans that weren`t afraid of her. Each time one of them bent down to pet her, she`d lick their face off. Tough dog, my Kira. She`s legal and tagged thank goodness but she had a hard start in this big cruel world. She has learned to love humans again and I am thankful to have her in my life.
Love really does conquer all.
I thought I was loosing her on January first of this year. She started having seizures, one after the other and I couldn't`t dial my vet fast enough. I didn't know what was happening and I was crying on the phone while I tried to keep her from hurting herself.
After some testing , my vet determined that she is epileptic and has been forever but has now matured to the point where it was damaging her. She has always been a slobber girl .Was when she came to me . But I was told by another vet that it was just stress. I have learned differently .
Any dog , starting from puppy hood that drools and slobbers excessively, should be tested for epilepsy. It isn't costly and it could save a dogs life. What if Kira had been alone during her seizing.? What if I hadn't been here for her.?
Now she is on simple , inexpensive meds and will be for the rest of her life. And , I`m assured that she will live a long, happy one.
My bad day turned into one of being thankful for my girl, Kira. She managed to make me smile and see that things could be worse. For both of us. We have each other and that's what counts.
later

One of those days

O.K. I`m just about ready to call my shrink. It has been one heck of a day.
While I was driving Murphy to the vet this morning , a wee fluff ball of a dog ran out in front of me , while he was trying to grab a bird. Thank God I missed him . I was so very upset with the owner, I wanted to go back there and throttle him/her. But , after I calmed down, I felt that this little dog is well loved and wasn`t on the road by the owner`s choice. He had a little bandana on and was well groomed so he`s looked after . He must`ve slipped out the door when Mom or Dad wasn`t looking . It happens and this time the little guy was being watched over for sure.
Then , while reading my e-mails , there was such a disturbing forward on there , it`s haunted me all day. The horrendous things that humans do to animals frightens me . I wonder how they`d treat a human.
I did pick up a pretty little girl that has been sitting for two months , waiting for her family that never came , and she is an absolute delight. Her name is Muffin and she`ll be on the site really soon.
Phone rings. Hydro One. Shutting off my hydro in the morning if I don`t pay right now by credit card. Small problem. I don`t have any credit cards and never have. I asked for an extension of one week. My pension comes in next Thursday and I could give them the full amount then.
No. No . No. I spoke with as many people there that I could and got no where. I`ve asked my family and they have maxed their cards with reno`s and winter vacations( I`m not sure what a vacation is but I bet its expensive). I`ve asked the few friends I have. Can`t do it right now. Maybe later.
As I sit here writing , I`m watching the clock because tomorrow I wont know what time it is. It`ll be daytime and night time. I have no idea how much it is to reconnect the hydro after they shut it off but I`m sure its a bundle and I`ll be in the hole again. Such is life when one tries to live alone with animals. I don`t know what will happen and I`m not supposed to. I`ve done what I can , including paying this company a ton of money every month for many years. The winter knocked me out and it`ll be hard to recoup but I`ll manage somehow.
I know no one reads this but its a good way to vent just a little. If you are reading it, I hope your day was better than mine.
I`ll have lots of time to hang out with all my furkids for the next week.
I`m sure glad that God is on my side. I`d hate to think what my life would be like without him.
later

Neither rain , nor sleet......

Our big walk has come a gone. Although it was freezing cold and threatening to rain any second, I didnt feel it at all.
My heart was full because of the people and dogs that showed up to walk for us, all bundled up and ready to go. Rescue is difficult at the best of times. No amount of planning can guarantee a perfect outcome. To me , it was perfect. And fun. There is little in my life that gives me more joy than being surrounded by animals. I am renewed and now need to focus on other ways to get our furkids noticed and adopted. We have cats everywhere and I need the time to get their pics up for the world to see.
The kittens are finally old enough to leave Mom , so they are first on my 'to do list' for this week.
They say it takes a village to raise a child. Well, it takes a whole county to raise a dog or cat. Thats what we need. Community involvement . And baby steps so we dont get too far over our heads.
I am proud of what we have accomplished in these first few months. And I am meeting wonderful people every day. I had given up on humanity as a whole but now I see where the line is drawn between animal lovers and animal haters.
Mary Ann, I know you are reading this, and I know you expected more . I`m off to pick up two more kittys that were turfed and then back to pick up Chance from the vets .
He`ll be on the site very soon.
I have tons to do today(and everyday)so I`ll just say thanks Mary Ann and Paul for telling the world who we are and I`ll see you ...............
later

How Could You

I was cleaning files today and ran across something I had saved awhile back.
The power of the message is overwhelming and unless you have no heart at all, you will be affected by it. If you know someone that has done this very thing to their companion, perhaps you can print it off and give it to them for me. This is one reason we at C.A.R.O. take in so many surrenders. We want to stop this saddness from happening.
I am copying in entirety and I hope the author forgives me . Its something that needs sharing .
____________
HOW COULD YOU?
By Jim Willis, 2001

When I was a puppy, I entertained you with my antics and made you laugh. You called me your child, and despite a number of chewed shoes and a couple of murdered throw pillows, I became your best friend. ...

Whenever I was "bad," you'd shake your finger at me and ask "How could you?"
-- but then you'd relent and roll me over for a belly rub.

My housebreaking took a little longer than expected, because you were terribly busy, but we worked on that together. I remember those nights of nuzzling you in bed and listening to your confidences and secret dreams, and I believed that life could not be any more perfect.

We went for long walks and runs in the park, car rides, stops for ice cream (I only got the cone because "ice cream is bad for dogs" you said), and I took long naps in the sun waiting for you to come home at the end of the day.

Gradually, you began spending more time at work and on your career, and more time searching for a human mate. I waited for you patiently, comforted you through heartbreaks and disappointments, never chided you about bad decisions, and romped with glee at your homecomings, and when you fell in love.

She, now your wife, is not a "dog person" -- still I welcomed her into our home, tried to show her affection, and obeyed her. I was happy because you were happy.

Then the human babies came along and I shared your excitement. I was fascinated by their pinkness, how they smelled, and I wanted to mother them, too. Only she and you worried that I might hurt them, and I spent most of my time banished to another room, or to a dog crate. Oh, how I wanted to love them, but I became a prisoner of love."

As they began to grow, I became their friend. They clung to my fur and pulled themselves up on wobbly legs, poked fingers in my eyes, investigated my ears, and gave me kisses on my nose. I loved everything about them and their touch -- because your touch was now so infrequent -- and I would defended them with my life if need be. I would sneak into their beds and listen to their worries and secret dreams, and together we waited for the sound of your car in the driveway.

There had been a time, when others asked you if you had a dog, that you produced a photo of me from your wallet and told them stories about me. These past few years, you just answered "yes" and changed the subject. I had gone from being "your dog" to "just a dog," and you resented every expenditure on my behalf.

Now, you have a new career opportunity in another city, and you and they will be moving to an apartment that does not allow pets. You've made the right decision for your "family," but there was a time when I was your only family.

I was excited about the car ride until we arrived at the animal shelter. It smelled of dogs and cats, of fear, of hopelessness. You filled out the paperwork and said "I know you will find a good home for her." They shrugged and gave you a pained look. They understand the realities facing a
middle-aged dog, even one with "papers."

You had to pry your son's fingers loose from my collar as he screamed, "No, Daddy! Please don't let them take my dog!" And I worried for him, and what lessons you had just taught him about friendship and loyalty, about love and responsibility, and about respect for all life.

You gave me a good-bye pat on the head, avoided my eyes, and politely refused to take my collar and leash with you. You had a deadline to meet and now I have one, too. After you left, the two nice ladies said you probably knew about your upcoming move months ago and made no attempt to find me another good home. They shook their heads and asked "How could you?"

They are as attentive to us here in the shelter as their busy schedules allow. They feed us, of course, but I lost my appetite days ago.

At first, whenever anyone passed my pen, I rushed to the front, hoping it was you that you had changed your mind -- that this was all a bad dream... or I hoped it would at least be someone who cared, anyone who might save me.

When I realized I could not compete with the frolicking for attention of happy puppies, oblivious to their own fate, I retreated to a far corner and waited. I heard her footsteps as she came for me at the end of the day, and I padded along the aisle after her to a separate room. A blissfully quiet room.

She placed me on the table and rubbed my ears, and told me not to worry. My heart pounded in anticipation of what was to come, but there was also a sense of relief. The prisoner of love had run out of days.

As is my nature, I was more concerned about her. The burden which she bears weighs heavily on her, and I know that, the same way I knew your every mood.

She gently placed a tourniquet around my foreleg as a tear ran down her cheek. I licked her hand in the same way I used to comfort you so many years ago.

She expertly slid the hypodermic needle into my vein. As I felt the sting and the cool liquid coursing through my body, I lay down sleepily, looked into her kind eyes and murmured "How could you?"

Perhaps because she understood my dogspeak, she said "I'm so sorry." She hugged me, and hurriedly explained it was her job to make sure I went to a better place, where I wouldn't be ignored or abused or abandoned, or have to fend for myself --a place of love and light so very different from this earthly place.

And with my last bit of energy, I tried to convey to her with a thump of my tail that my "How could you?" was not directed at her. It was directed at you, My Beloved Master, I was thinking of you. I will think of you and wait for you forever. May everyone in your life continue to show you so much loyalty.
___________

So to all of you that have chosen the above path for your most trusted friend, Have a nice Day.
later

Are there any answers?

While browsing the KIJIJI ads the other day, I come across one where a person was asking why ??? so many people have little mutt dogs for sale at such high prices. You know the ones, pugles, shitzus mixed with JRT`s, and so on. They are asking between 500 and a grand for these little mutts.
It upsets me too . These back yard breeders flood the market with mini breeds because thats what the people want. "People want small breed PUPPIES." It blows my mind . Why?? And how do these people get away with it???? They seem to make breeds up as they go, mindless to the stress they are putting their so called pet under to squeeze out pups every six months. I say "Shame on you "
I can tell you that honest breeders will charge just as much for a purebred and will also guarantee the health of the animals. But reputable breeders also check into anyone applying and many people don`t qualify to adopt for very good and various reasons. They say no to families that cant really afford to care for their babies properly or have no intention of sterilization.
Thats where the money mongers come in. They adopt to everyone and anyone as long as they get their money. Then another backyard breeder springs up as soon as the new pup is ready to breed at 6 or 7 months and the cycle begins again. Money, money, money. No one cares about the dog. What has happened to the human race that they no longer care about God`s creatures??
And then, when that dog is of no further use, these idiots call rescue because of allergies or moving or their aunt Eunice died and we take them in. Or they throw the dog out for the pound to pick up and kill, so they dont have to spend any of their "hard earned money " on vet care for a badly used dog. Yes it makes me sick. Very sick. And very worried.
Several rescues in Ontario are now importing pups from the States to meet the demand for puppies. Along with that comes new viruses . Just ask me. I`ve helped bring in 3 different litters . Of the first litter, one died and of the 3rd , two of them spent days on IV to survive. We have spent alot of money to get and keep these yankee dogs alive. And yet, I get pleas every week from the States to take more dogs and pups . I`m no longer accepting imported dogs for our rescue. And it has nothing to do with the money spent. We need to concentrate on our own backyard and help all the animals , young and old who have no voice.
Dont even ask me about PETA and H$U$.
These two groups combined have killed more animals than the total of all pound kills in Ontario.
And they have more money than the government . Your money. They dont spend dime one on rehab or rehome of any dogs. They kill them. Check it out yourself. Why arent people catching on to these scammers??
So that leaves our Ontario rescues , shelters and pounds full of older, larger dogs. I bet that 99% of these older dogs were much loved family pets once. As proof , I offer Chase, a 5 yr old intact male shep/collie that I brought in yesterday. This boy is awesome. He has manners, house and crate training , loves kids and all other animals..but....he`s too big now and the kids have allergies and they have to move and...say what??..the kids are school age..the dog is 5 ..they`ve moved before and kept the dog...something smells and it ain`t the dog..
You know what? They have a new , small dog...I guess the kid is only allergic to big sweet dogs.
Why do I bother?? These are the dogs that need help the most.
Next year at this time, those puppies from the backyard breeders will be older, untrained, unaltered and turned out. Rescue is there then for the dogs (and Cats)
Cute only lasts so long.
I have my own questions.
Can you think of anything I can do to help these older dogs even more? Do you have room in your heart and home for a dog that may only live a few more years?

Can you see yourself walking past an older dog, lying quietly in a shelter to get to the bouncy puppies?
Why???

later