co-operation

I wondered how long it would take for them to get here. The SPCA came by yesterday. Apparently they had a complaint about there being too many animals at my house.
The funny thing was, she didn`t know my name ,only our group name. I answered all her questions as truthfully as possible and we chatted for quite some time , even shed some tears together. The poor woman has two counties to cover alone and handles every complaint. We talked about 'No Kill" and she understood that there are ways to handle most situations ( her reference point was aggressive dogs) without putting animals to death 'humanely'. I even offered to foster for their organization and she seemed shocked and amazed. But she is also upset that Woodstock has no facility for dogs and all have to go to Brantford or Stratford to face their fate.
This nice lady gets paid for what she does. SPCA is a business first and a charity second. Their cat adoption fee is around $140 while ours is $95. But thats not the point here. I totally understand her interest in something as new as a real rescue in Oxford and I can see why she would think that all the animals would be in one place because thats what their organization practices. I told her about all of our fabulous foster homes all over Oxford and about our friendships with petstores, Vets and Cranberry Kennels.
Without our friends, we couldn`t and wouldn`t do what we do. This isn`t a one person show. A rescue effort takes many ,many people . The SPCA relies on a building with cages to store their cats where they can be managed effectively. They also spread their funds around so that all their places of business have money for the necessities.
CARO is made up of volunteers. We have no money. We have no facility. We only have us and our determination to protect and rehome as many unwanted animals as we can .
It would be nice to have a building for our extra companions but for now, we have our foster homes in place and I thank God for that.
I told her that down the road a few years, we`d like to have a spay/neuter clinic with kennels for boarding and housing our intakes for their quarantine periods. It would make it easier for us for sure. We`ll take it slow, only take emergency intakes and surrenders and build our communities trust.
I`m hoping that she and I can come up with a plan to educate the general public about vaccinating and sterilizing their companions so there wont be so many going through their last days at the pound. And sadly, the SPCA. Maybe I can work on that with her too. There are alternatives to every issue in life. God gives us choices.
I`ve made mine.
later

Rescue is more than dogs and cats

I read alot when I`m waiting for a phone call or taking a break from laundry. This morning , I ran across this little piece of inhumanity and would like to share it with you.
http://www.torontosun.com/News/Canada/2008/06/19/5920186-sun.html

I have to wonder, are we feeding our companions horse meat in disguise?
I don`t know one human that eats horse meat nor would they.
I know horses die just like cows but I never knew there was such a disgraceful act involved in getting horses to slaughter. I realize that sometimes a horse needs to be put down and maybe I`m naive in some ways but this is just plain nasty.
I`ll be looking into it further. When Clayton Ruby gets involved in an issue, you can be sure its important.
What to do ? What to do?
later

Putting Out Fires

A while back, when I volunteered for a different rescue group, the director used to tell me she would handle all the back and forth doings and any nasty stuff that came up. She used to call it 'putting out fires'. I`ve been doing that all day today. I had plans of doing yard work. Well, how silly can I get? Planning is just a waste of time anymore.
There`s this older person that just gets on my last nerve and I`ve tried so hard to be nice to her for the sake of the dogs. Doesn`t do any good but I`ve tried.
My phone isn`t working well today either..wet basement means wet wires which means no calls incoming..or messages getting in either ..so I`ve been e-mailing all day.
A nice man , in his 80`s wants a dog. I may take Tina over to meet him and see if he is all there .
Had an emergency call to bring in a dog yesterday. He`s in care and fine.
The bank put a whack of money on hold and now someone is very angry with me because a cheque was returned. I did call the bank and asked why. They said the money isn`t on hold now. I get so confused. Why did they do it in the first place.??
I called the vet about Murphy and haven`t been able to talk to her yet. I`ll call back because she cant call me.It looks like we`re in for more rain. Like we really don`t need it . Murphy hates storms and I`m glad I mentioned that to the vet so she can sedate him before thunder and lightening starts up or he`ll be in a mess . He has to stay still and quiet for a few weeks.
I worry so much about the animals , its a wonder I have any hair left ..
and I`m out of ice-cream!!!
later

Spring Fever

Well, that`s my story and I`m stickin` to it.
I have a billion things to do today and its just too nice outside to do anything but enjoy the weather.
I got Murphy to the vet first thing this morning to begin his Heartworm treatments. We were scheduled for last week but had to cancel because the meds took too long to get there . I am so thankful that animal medicine is advancing and we can save dogs that are infected with Heartworm more often than in the old ways. I didn`t know until yesterday that vets sometimes have to operate on a dogs heart to rid them of the worms. But that`s in extreme cases , stage 4. Murphy is stage 1-2, so will be on the mend in a day or so, with total bed rest for a few weeks until the worms have been expelled from the heart. It`s an expensive treatment process but well worth it, in my opinion. Any donation would be welcome right about now. Murphy is a love and a joy to have around . The best part is that he has a great new family waiting for him,when he`s back on his feet.
I had a busy day yesterday. First , an appointment with the vet to have three kittens vaccinated and then off to Ruffins with them and Oprah, our young Siamese mix girl . Dave , the owner /operator of Ruffins in Tillsonburg has graciously agreed to sponsor our kitties and help us find them good homes. Adoption fees still apply and the contract is clear so there is still a safety net for the kitties to ensure they will be cherished forever . People need to learn that cats and dogs are not disposable and are family members to be treated with love and respect.
Oprah will love it there . Lots of people petting and cuddling her or maybe she`ll have a home fast because she`s such a purring machine.
Then it was over to Cranberry Kennels to help Wendy lighten her load . She is right full of stray cats and kittens and expecting more every day. I brought home 3 boys , all friendly , all clean and healthy looking . We`ll get them vetted when we can get them in. Then its their turn at Ruffins. If you want a cat, she`s got quite a variety over there and she`s around every day to let you see and touch the animals that are for adoption.
So, once again, I`m up to my arm pits in kitty litter but thats alright. The boys are safe . And thats what this is all about.
A friend of CARO has been caring for a stray mom and her kittens in her garage and its seems they`re ready to leave. I`ll go get them tonight and set them up in the living room ,out of the way of my dogs until they get used to the barking. Then off to the vets.
`Tis the season for sure.
I see the Mennonites have started their annual puppy sell off . The first sign is up today. Pug Puppies For Sale. I wonder if they could get busted for running puppy mills out there or if they are exempt. They don`t vet their cats and dogs . If you know anyone looking for a pup and that really wants to do a favour for the animals, buy the mom instead.
If I had a million dollars.....
later

Thngs

There`s so much going on in the world these days, important things, that sometimes its hard to concentrate on the job at hand.
Another Canadian killed in a war Canada didnt start. It frightens me. My granddaughters fiance is over there and he tells her that he`s there to keep the peace. She knows better . So do I.
Canada has become much more than peacekeepers in this world of insanity. I pray he comes home in one piece as I look forward to the wedding next year at this time.
People shooting people . We have plenty of that here at home. Where the hell did all these horrible people come from. I see that T.O. has another new gang. And the Mayor wants to be King
PETA has settled with KFC so the chickens wont suffer during their journey to the bucket. But they killed almost every animal they supposedly rescued last year.
CBC wants to stop using the Hockey Night In Canada theme song. But thats the only time anyone tunes in to CBC because most of the other programs suck.
Everyone has their own agenda I guess. Me, included.
The dogs are wandering around my chair ,pushing and shoving each other as usual and slobbering on me on their way by.
I like my life. I live alone with my furkids and a few retired racing huskys that belong to friends who could`nt take the dogs with them when they ended their marriage.
I live like a hermit. No one comes out here except my Brother in law when I need something fixed. Its quiet and peaceful out here.
I dont have to wear a bra or make up to please anyone.
There are no bombs out here or gangs. The occasional mailbox gets dinged by a beer bottle and I scrape the squirrels off the road that get flattened by the huge trucks that drive too fast on their way to where ever.
I don`t have to worry if the knick knacks are all dusted or if theres spots on my glasses.
No one comes here. People think I`m insane because I live alone with my animals and am happy.
I`m poor as a church mouse but for the most part , I`m very happy. I think because I don`t have much to loose, I don`t worry about material junk.
I do worry about the animals and their health and safety. I worry about the animals that are out there unwanted and hungry. I worry that I won`t be able to help them . I worry that no one is listening to me when I ask for help for those animals.
And then , when I lay down at night, and I count heads, I feel blessed . I have very little room anymore. Jack and Tobey,my shepherds, have always started off the night on the bed in their own spots until they get too hot and get down. When Tina came, she was so frightened , I let her have the other pillow so she could cuddle if she needed to. Then theres little Dennis , who`s supposed to be my moms dog but is here most of the time, squashed against my right leg. Bob , my orange , toothless cat sleeps on my chest or head which ever he chooses. Jessica , my little tabby girl climbs up to touching distance with Bob. Now added to the mass, is a wee poodle boy who was so nasty when he got here, I thought he`d never get over his fear. He sticks himself into any space available as long as its close to my neck.
I have no more room but I know that all these kids are safe . So I stop worrying for another day.
I`ll do what I can for the others in the morning. And I pray for the rest of the world thats so full of hate and turmoil.
Rest ,Peace
later

No Kill and sunshine

You know how much I care about all the animals in this world . I`ve been doing some extensive reading on how to make this a reality in our area. We are fortunate to have support with this from some local kennel operators and a few respected people in the business community . We all feel that there is no need to kill any dog or cat unless it`s far too injured to repair or is too sick to nurse back to health. We have terrific vets involved in this idea as well and they seem to have some secret ways of re-homing even the most seemingly un-adoptable( not my words, but heard often from other rescue agencys and pound situations) of animals. This is not a dream but totally doable.
I am looking at different ways to advertise our older animals or ones with a disability. And so you know what I know..there is no overpopulation of dogs or cats.
There is no need to kill an animal "to make room for another"
Animals are killed needlessly for the money. Dog catchers get paid according to the numbers they present to councils. In Woodstock alone, Hillside Kennels is being paid $90.000 a year to pick up strays. Thats just Woodstock. I believe I read that last year they killed off over 300 cats and around 126 dogs. Does that include the ones that went to research after that 3rd day? They have contracts with several townships and municipalitys in this area .After 3 days , that animal belongs to them. They can do what they want with it. Options are: adopt it out at an outrageous price , unvetted, Sell it for research for a good buck, or kill it and dispose of it by incineration where it then becomes landfill. So , in your opinion, what are the most lucrative business options for Hillside.?
How can we talk them into being open for visits on a daily basis and at times when folks can get way out there? How can we convince them to allow rescue groups to help when they are full, instead of going for the needle or shipping off for research.
How can we convince this business that perhaps they`d sleep better at night if they found homes for more animals at a reasonable rate ?
Any ideas??
This is the first day that I have an opportunity to get outside and do some much needed yard work. While I`m out there, I`m going to check around for any standing water and get rid of any weed patches . I dont want any of my animals coming down with Heartworm or Lyme disease . No breeding mosquitoes around here please?
And I think I`ll haul out the Musk Oil to protect myself too. I`ve noticed a ton of bees this year and I`ll be on the look out for Yellow Jackets coming out of the ground to chew me up. My animals only have me to protect them . Hope you do some checking around outside yourself today. With all the rain we`ve had and this humidity, we have good conditions for bad bug breeding.
later

uphill all the way

My friend and I are really finding out how hard Rescue can be. We are trying to make a difference in the lives of animals and families in our Oxford County. We understand that money is tight for many people . We know that vet fees are out of reach for some families. What we don`t understand is why would anyone allow their pets to reproduce if they can`t afford to get that pet they have, looked after. They could keep their pets indoors, in yards and on leash during those certain times that dogs/cats really want to get together. And those pets should be kept indoors, in yards and on leash anyway.
And my friend and I respect ways of life and religions other than our own. But, if dogs are livestock , and cows, horses and pigs are seen by a vet, why wouldn`t these same people allow their dogs to be vetted and kept healthy. Sure would prevent alot of parvo, lepto,rabies and so on.
When a family finds out that their pet is ill, why don`t they follow through . If they don`t have money to pay for medications and hospital stays, they could make arrangements with their vet and pay a bit at a time. Or if they are coldhearted, they could have the animal killed right then if they want to pay for it. BUT NOOOOOOOOOOO
They`d rather throw the sick animal out and let someone else take on their responsibility.
Right now, I am ready to scream.
We took in a handsome boy a while back and waited to see if his family would come for him. Nope.
So, we had him vetted. And Heartworm tested. Guess What? The test was positive.
I am thankful that vet medicine has come so far that we can find things like this out and cure the animals. Hopefully. It depends how badly infected the dog is.
Murphy is a love and I sure hope he pulls through. He starts his treatment this Wednesday. I have let the prospective family know and gave them an out . Their response was that they weren`t going to abandon Murphy the way his first family did and are in it for the long haul. These are the kind of people that all rescues are looking for. Compassion, understanding and dedication are values that are rare these days.
But back to my bitch. I bet you dimes to donuts , that Murphy was thrown away because he had Heartworm. And I know the old owners won`t be reading this blog. They would be too busy with their new un-vetted puppy.
Last week we picked up some pups from Trails End. They had their shots on Friday. Today , two of them are dead. Why? No idea. Of course it was blamed on Parvo. I don`t think so. I think that too many vets look at rescue dogs and suggest killing them instead of saving them. One of those pups new family has decided to do the adoption thing all over again with another one of our dogs. They feel that the vet was wrong too. But ,even when it is parvo in pups, that can be prevented . Shots for Mom is all it takes. A few dollars to save Mom and her pups . But people who would take their dogs to an auction to be classed as livestock aren`t too concerned about shots . Money is their motive. Dogs are a means to get that money. The dogs suffer. And die.
Yes, its all uphill . But, damn it, some of us honestly think that dogs and cats deserve better with a chance to be healthy and happy.
My friend and I are going to be very busy looking after the animals in Oxford . We will struggle until there are no more to fix. We will work until we have a shelter and clinic that everyone can afford. We will try to educate the ignorant and soften the stubborn .

We have to do something. It takes work and determination. My friend and I aren`t afraid of work and we are about as determined as it gets. Why not join us? Sure makes the time go by fast and you get to hug animals whenever you want to.
later