Your Dog Is Not Your Date

“…the girlfriend is a good cook so the dog has to go.”

Yep! You’ve probably guessed it. Somebum (as opposed to someone) is getting rid of his hound in favor of a new girlfriend. Testosterone and culinary ability take precedence over “…a good well trained dog (that) is house trained, kennel trained, and very smart…..loves children, loves to run and play….is truly the smartest dog I have ever owned.” (The bum’s own words).

This was part of yet another Craigslist ad that caught my attention, the gist of it being that the girlfriend had moved in with her dogs, including a rottweiler that didn’t get along with Patches. So instead of doing the right thing and taking a little time and effort to train the pooches to live in harmony, poor Patches had to go after three years of love, loyalty, no complaints, ready kisses, obedience and companionship. Wonder if the bum will get all that from the girlfriend? In fact, what do you want to bet that she’ll even be around three years from now?

If you’re looking to re-home a pet or are thinking about adopting one, take a look at these other articles on Purrs ‘n Gurrs:

How Not to Foreclose On Your Pet

Kids Want A Pet? Take A Test Drive First

Is Pet Adoption Right For You?

And take a look at Don’t Get A Dog for things to think about before you bring a pup home.

“A dog is not considered a good dog because he is a good barker. A man is not considered a good man because he is a good talker.” ~ Buddha

Did You Know? Only 1% of Your HSUS Donation Goes To Animal Shelters

We’ve all seen them. Those pitiable pictures of dirty, skeletal dogs and cats. Or TV ads, usually with a celebrity spokesperson, pleading for funds to help starving, homeless and brutalized pets.

Here’s the thing, just how much of your hard-earned cash actually helps those animals?

There’s a site, humanewatch.org, that devotes itself to tracking the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS). David Martosko is its creator and operator who writes frequent, straightforward and often times pithy exposes of HSUS.

Of note is a recent article that discusses a poll wherein 7 out of 10 Americans stated they believe HSUS is affiliated with thousands of humane societies around the country. Not so! Even more startling is Mr. Martosko’s accounting of just how very, very little of your generosity actually benefits the animals to whose welfare you doubtless believe you are contributing.

While I don’t endorse this site (I simply don’t know enough about it at this time), I have no reason to doubt Mr. Martosko’s apparently thorough research and I do suggest that you take a look for yourselves. More to the point, if you plan to give some of your hard-earned cash to any charitable organization, do your due diligence first. Make use of Charity Navigator and Charity Watch to find your charity’s rating and be sure you understand how the companies are rated.

Better yet, why not stick with local organizations where you can actually walk in the door and ask for information? And best of all, give a little of your time as well. You’re far more likely to learn where the money goes when you take a hands-on approach.

“Many years ago when an adored dog died, a great friend, a bishop, said to me, “You must always remember that, as far as the Bible is concerned, God only threw the humans out of Paradise” ~ Unknown

Happy New Year From Our Family Of Rescues

Those of you who are regular followers will see a change today. We’ve switched our name to Purrs ‘n Gurrs! You can still get to the blog at http://saveapetblog.com but now you can also use http://www.purrsngurrs.com.

And there’s another thing….. the little guy on our header. He’s Muttley, who holds a very special place in my heart. Muttley died a couple of years ago but his story will be told, right here, very soon.

Meanwhile, here’s a short video from my pets to yours to wish happy purrs ‘n gurrs to all.

From Boots, Vinny, Coco, Timi D, Ollie, Taz, Amber, Cappy, Ditto, Lief, Angel, Trouble.

Cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right. ~Oprah Winfrey

This Christmas, Don’t Be Responsible For Another Eve

The puppy looked like a carcass when she was found locked beneath the house on the night before Christmas. Her rescuers called her Eve.

Eve’s owner left her for nearly five weeks without food and water. The owner later told the court in Auckland, New Zealand (after she had dodged the system for six months) that she had left the puppy in care of a relative while she went on holiday. While the owner was enjoying her vacation, Eve survived by eating flies and her own faeces.

This happened two years ago. I don’t know what punishment was meted out to the owner (a month locked under the house seems reasonable to me) but, reportedly, Eve is doing well in her new home.

This story touched me particularly. Eve is a Rhodesian Ridgeback / Staffordshire Bull Terrier cross breed. My own Angel, found in similar condition to Eve, is a ridgeback / pitt bull mix. When found, Eve weighed 22 lbs; she should have been double that! When found, Angel was nothing more than a carcass herself. Eve was found in December, 2007; she was 11 months old. Angel came to us in December, 2007; she was 11 months old.

Today, I suspect Angel and Eve could look like twins.

Anyway, here’s the thing. In bringing any pet home, you are taking on a commitment for the life of that pet. It is your responsibility to nurture your pet and, in doing so, I hope you will come to cherish him. Don’t let your pet become another Angel or Eve.

“The kind man feeds his beast before sitting down to dinner.”  ~Hebrew Proverb

Resources: petabuse.com

Pets in Perspective

If you’re reading this article, odds are you’re a besotted pet lover. Probably, Fido, Fifi and Porky have monogrammed food dishes, a chest full of toys and even designer clothes. Here’s the thing, though. While your beloved pet is living like royalty, six to eight million dogs and cats enter shelters every year with 50% to 75% of them being euthanized. Millions more erstwhile pets are living (or should I say barely surviving) on the streets.

photo courtesy ©2004 Alex Ringer, Israel

So let’s put things in perspective. Kitty is fed premium cat food with regular handouts of steak and tuna from your plate. She has dozens of catnip toys, plush pet beds in every room (even though she’s purrfectly content on the sheepskin rug in front of the fire or reclining on your down-filled comforter) and soft brushes for grooming. When you’re away from home you play special CDs (for which you paid $100) that are designed to keep Kitty mellow and happy. You even installed a 70-gallon fish tank in the living room wall with a viewing platform so that Kitty could have her own “kitty-TV” to watch. And now you’re thinking about getting a custom $300 kitty condo to replace the comparatively mediocre one that your feline is presently ignoring.

Now, take a look at the picture above. It really says it all! While Kitty has it all, this little cat is grateful for the comfort of an old towel and the relief of not having to forage for a few scraps of food or dodge the kicks and objects hurled at her every day. The awful truth, however, is that she’s one of the lucky ones – she’s found a safe haven in a shelter. There are millions more cats and dogs in desperate need of the basics of life, so here’s a suggestion…

How about taking the money for the new kitty condo and making a donation to your local animal rescue group? Seriously, Kitty will not feel deprived and you can feel really good about doing good for some desperately needy creatures.

Even better, perhaps Kitty would enjoy a companion. Consider saving a life and making another friend for life by adopting another pet. With a friend to play with Kitty wouldn’t need all those expensive playthings and the money you’d save would pay for the care of your new family member.

“Why should man expect his prayer for mercy to be heard by What is above him when he shows no mercy to what is under him?”  ~Pierre Troubetzkoy

Things To Consider When Adopting A Pet

Guest Article

If you’re considering getting a new pet, adoption is an excellent option. By adopting a pet, you’re helping to reduce the number of unwanted animals that end up destroyed in shelters each and every day, and making a difference in the life of an innocent.

JB and Mimi are looking for a together forever home. JB’s alcoholic owner left him in a basement but JB was happy when he went into his second home and met Mimi. Then the rabbits’ teenage owner lost interest and both bunnies suffered neglect. Now they are on Petfinder.com hoping to find someone who will love the two of them.

It’s important to remember, however, that adopted pets come with a host of issues due to their often rough and rocky past relationships with humans. Animals who were removed from a home due to animal hoarding, or who were left to their own devices with little to no human interaction, may be very skittish and afraid. Animals who have been abused will also be frightened, and may present signs of aggression as well. These behaviors are not an indicator that your animal is mean or unfriendly. Health issues can also be a concern, so careful observation is required to pick up on any illnesses.

Even if you’re one of the lucky ones who gets a pet that has been fairly treated in the past, your newly adopted pet will still go through a period of adjustment. Understanding that it takes time to get used to these changes, and being patient and kind to your new pet is imperative in order to make the animal feel safe and build a lasting, trusting relationship.

The most common reason that adopted animals are returned to shelters is because of a lack of understanding on the part of the new owner. When they see their animal constantly running away from them, or displaying aggressive behaviors such as snarling and snapping, they tend to become afraid or react in a negative way that causes further distress to the animal. There’s no reason to be scared of your pet! He’s not mean, he’s not unfriendly, and he’s not “beyond hope”.

All of the issues that come along with a newly adopted pet can be taken care of, it just takes time and proper training. Contrary to popular belief, no animal is too old to be trained. Every pet is capable of learning which behaviors are undesirable, and which get a positive reaction from you, the owner. Using positive reinforcement, keeping a low and soothing tone of voice, and being gentle and patient are key in the training process.

Another important thing to consider when adopting a new pet is the type of care that pet requires, and the type of lifestyle that you lead. If you’re a busy executive working overtime every week, for example, don’t choose a pet that requires constant attention and interaction. A more suitable pet for you might be a snake or reptile. If you have other pets, be sure to take their feelings into consideration as well. Will this new pet get along with your other pets? Remember that this new living arrangement will not only be stressful to your new pet, but to your current pets as well.

Unrealistic expectations only cause added stress for both you an the animal. Choose a compatible pet, and make sure that you are willing and able to do everything necessary to provide your pet with a happy home. Be responsible when adopting a pet, and enrich your life in the process.

“Animals are such agreeable friends – they ask no questions, they pass no criticisms.” ~ George Eliot

Rescue Ink – Tough Guys Do Cry

In case you missed it, there’s a new force out there for animal abuse advocacy. They’re not the kind of people you’d expect to go all fuzzy and sentimental over a homeless kitten or neglected hamster. On the other hand, they’re not the kind you’d want on your bad side. These guys are tough, rough and gruff and they call themselves Rescue Ink.

The nine burly tattooed biker-types will go where no others dare to save an animal in distress. The lone feminine representative of the group, Mary, handles calls and emails and keeps the pack in order.

National Geographic Channel is running a new series, Rescue Ink Unleashed, that features the guys in rescue mode. Everything from chicken-chasing to confronting a guy shooting BBs at stray cats and helping a U.S. veteran, a victim of a brutal mugging, with his pit bulls and cats. Sure, some of the situations are probably hyped but, hey, I’m all for anything that publicizes the plight of so many abused and neglected animals.

Rescue Ink has a no tolerance policy, which by the look of them, I suspect they can readily enforce. So, go get ‘em you big-hearted softies.

Acclimating Your Rescued Pet To Its New Home

Guest article.

So, you’ve rescued a pet. Congratulations! Not only have you gained a new family member, you’ve also saved the life of an animal, giving it a fresh start and a new chance at a happy life. No doubt you’ve chosen the perfect pet for you and your family, and are looking forward to bringing it home. At this point,  you may be nervous and excited. You’ll want to give your new friend a warm welcome into its new home.

Before you bring your pet home, make sure that your house has been “pet-proofed”. This will vary depending on the type of pet you have, but some basic principles apply to a variety of species. First of all, if you have houseplants, do some research. Many common plants are toxic to animals, so take care to place these where they are not accessible to your new pet. Exposed wires should be covered and tucked away; many pets love to chew on or play with exposed wires, which is dangerous to their health and the safety of your home. Make sure that any cleaning products, chemical substances, and medications are out of reach.

It’s okay to be exuberant at the arrival of your pet, but try not to overwhelm them. Using happy tones and being playful are okay, but you should try to avoid being loud and making quick or jerky movements. Even for the friendliest pet, this is a big and scary change. There are a lot of new things to get used to! Different smells, different objects, different people… a lot for your new friend to process all at once. Try to remain calm, but friendly.

It’s important that you allow your pet to get used to its new environment at its own pace. If your pet wants to hide out in its cage or under the furniture for a little while, that’s okay. He will come out when he is ready. Allow your pet to explore its new environment. Keep a close eye out, but don’t yell or startle them. They’re emotionally fragile at this point, especially if they were abused by their previous owner.

Above all, be patient. You may have to prove to your new pet that people can be trusted. Adopted pets often have a deep mistrust of humans. They can’t be blamed… it’s all they’ve ever known. Discouraging unwanted behavior is okay, of course, as long as you go about it in the right way. Using a loud, angry tone of voice or hitting your animal will only serve to confirm that distrust, and may lead to aggressive behavior that is difficult to correct. Discipline techniques will vary depending on the species of your new pet, but offering alternatives to the negative behaviors is an excellent way to get started. When your pet does this new activity, rather than the old, “bad” behavior, reward them with praise or a special treat. This kind of positive reinforcement is very effective.

If your pet does begin to show aggressive behavior, don’t write them off as a bad pet. Don’t give up on them. The emotional scars that these animals carry can take quite a while to heal. Stay dedicated. Remember that their life has been a hard one, and be understanding. Rehabilitating an emotionally or physically scarred animal is a very rewarding experience.

“A house is not a home without a pet.” ~ Anonymous

The Rescuers Creed

Help may have come too late for this little pup. She was found recently in a park with severe second and third-degree burns to her head, back, stomach, tail and legs. Her ears were burned off and she had a broken jaw and teeth. Based on the development of maggots (*see below) that covered her body, it’s estimated that the 10-week old pit-mix was abandoned about two weeks before her rescue. Her case is still open and the suspects unknown.

I promise I will take your unwanted animals.
I will heal their wounds, their diseases, their broken bones.
I will give them the medical attention they need and deserve.
I will nurture their starvation and give them a warm place to sleep.
I will spay and neuter them, vaccinate them against the diseases that can harm them.
I will treat them and honor them.
I will buy them toys, blankets, balls, and teach them to play.
I will speak softly to them.
I will try to teach them not to fear, not to cry, and not to hate.
I will whisper sweet, kind, gentle words into their ears, while gently trying to stroke their fear, their pain, and their scars away.
I will face their emotional scars and give them time to overcome them.
I will socialize them, potty train them, teach them to be obedient, show them dignity, and hold their paws, and stroke their ears if they have endured too much and walk them over the Rainbow Bridge, BUT most of all I will teach them LOVE.

Author unknown

“Love the animals: God has given them the rudiments of thought and joy untroubled” ~ Fyodor Dostoyevsky

As weird as this may seem, it’s possible the maggots helped this little girl survive. Throughout history maggots have been used for medicinal purposes and, today, are known to liquefy dead tissue, kill harmful bacteria and stimulate healing.

Speaking For Those Who Cannot

What to Do If You Witness Abuse or Neglect

A parakeet set on fire, the object of a cruel teen prank, caught on videotape.

A hamster put in the microwave by two teenage girls who just wanted to see what would happen. He would later chew three of his feet off, unable to take the pain of his burns.

A rabbit, no longer wanted, left to fend for herself in a city park.

Every day pets across the United States are neglected, abused, and abandoned by those who are supposed to care for them. Small animals like hamsters, rabbits, and guinea pigs are particularly vulnerable. They cannot cry out for help themselves. They cannot save themselves from those who hurt them. It is up to those who witness the abuse and the neglect firsthand to stand up and save them: We are the only voices of the abused and the neglected.

Photo courtesy of Sue R B

But, how do you know when an animal is being neglected or abused? It’s not always as obvious as the hamster put in a microwave and the parakeet set on fire. There are, however, telltale signs that an animal is likely being neglected or abused:

1.    Have you seen the pet being abused or hit?
2.    Does the pet have fresh food and water? If she does not have one, either or both, it’s time to step in and take action.
3.    Are there cuts, sores, or bruises on the pet? For example, does the rabbit or ferret have sores on the bottom of her foot?
4.    Is the pet housed in a cage that is much too small for her?
5.    Is the pet too skinny? Can you see her ribs?
6.    Is the pet visibly injured?
7.    Does the pet have patches of fur missing?

Write down everything you can about the abuse that you’ve witnessed, including:

•    How the pet has been abused or neglected (i.e. a rabbit stuck in an outdoor hutch that is so small she can’t turn around)
•    The names (if you know them) of those who are responsible for the abuse or neglect
•    When (the date or dates) you witnessed the abuse or neglect
•    The address or location where you witnessed the abuse or neglect

If you have witnessed or suspect a pet is being abused or neglected, it’s important to take action. All you have to do is call your local animal shelter, the local SPCA (Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals), or the Humane Society. Jotting down the above information will make it easier when you call for help.

However, if the situation is so severe that there is no time to jot the notes down, just call the SPCA, Humane Society, or your local animal shelter as quickly as possible. No one will ever have to know you reported the abuse or neglect: You can remain anonymous if you choose, but you may want to ask that your name remain confidential. That way, the investigating organization can contact you to let you know what action has been taken and to update you on the case.

“The basis of all animal rights should be the Golden Rule: we should treat them as we would wish them to treat us, were any other species in our dominant position.”
Christine Stevens

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