Intruder in the House

Crazy Dog Lady. Husky Lover. Mutts R Us. I'm always associated as a dog rescuer. Well, normally, that's what will be found in my house. But few people know that when I started in rescue seven years ago, I was really a, gasp, cat rescuer. Yep, I always had a cat or litter of kittens (or two) at home, and only one dog once I got out of college. So imagine the shock to my pack when the cries they heard from the carrier coming through the door this afternoon was not the typical howl of a Husky puppy, but the cries of an annoyed Siamese kitten. Yes, the cries of a ticked off kitty. This is a sound I have not heard in many years. Sia, as I am calling her, is a little confused by her new surrounding, though I would call it a considerable upgrade from her cage at animal control. I think she is going for some sort of kitty meowing record, as her mouth hasn't shut since she got home. Guess I know how my dad must have felt when I was a child.

How YOU Can Change a Life in 10 Minutes or Less

In response to a question posted on our volunteer forum, I've come up with a short list of things you can do to help Coastal Pet Rescue without giving up too much time:

1. Pick up an extra bag of pet food or a toy when you do your monthly shopping for your own pets. (Copy paper, paper towels, cleaning supplies are also welcome.)

2. Visit CoastalPetRescue.org once a week to see our pets for adoption and forward info to your email list.

3. Send us a donation through PayPal (donations@coastalpetrescue.org). We know how to stretch our funds, and even $10 can help us buy food for a foster pet for a few weeks.

4. Purchase a gift card at WalMart, Pet Supermarket, or Pet Smart and drop it in the mail to us.

5. Post a link to our adoptable pets page on your website or blog.

6. Add our website address to your email signatures to show you support Coastal Pet Rescue.

7. Use GoodSearch.com for all your search engine queries.

8. Ask businesses you use if they support animal welfare. Suggest that they make a contribution to Coastal Pet Rescue to continue to receive your business.

9. Cut out and mail us coupons for free or low-cost pet products (PO Box 30462, Savannah, GA 31410).

10. Stop by any of our events and let our volunteers know you appreciate the work they are doing.

Question from the Sidelines

A question was posted about a week ago by a new CPR volunteer:

Is it difficult when the pet you fostered actually gets adopted out?

As the president of this organization, I'm charged to balance emotion with logic in our operations. However, there are times that I do get emotionally invested in our pets, and have been known to shed a tear or two when they go to their new homes. Since I take in so many special needs pets (heartworms, parvo, abuse, neglect, etc), I go through a rollercoaster with some of them, trying to get them healthy, get them socialized, overcome obstacles. It's not easy to go from holding a pet on an IV, wondering if they will make it through the night, to sending it to its new home, knowing it may be a very long time before you see it again.

I try to keep the mentality that for each one that is adopted, the space is opened to bring another into rescue. Which is probably why my house is always so full. But it makes it easier when the adoptive families send us photos and updates. It's reaffirming that we are doing good and indeed changing lives, one at a time.

People are Just Sick: An Update

According to CNN.com, a suspect has been arrested in the case involving a beloved pet's head being delivered gift wrapped to a young girl in Minnesota. CNN reports that a 24-year-old male was arrested, and it is suspected he had a romantic interest in the girl. Call me old fashioned, but flowers and candy always worked fine for me, though brownies and ice cream work even better. I just still cannot fathom how someone who had a romantic interest would see this as a part of courtship. I know that boys in their younger days were known to torment girls they liked through pinching, pulling hair, etc. At age 24, shouldn't you have a grasp on how to express your feelings to another person?

Vaccinate Your Pets, Please

It doesn't seem like a lot to ask, but it is killing me the number of puppies I am finding out have Parvo. Tyler got to come home from the hospital on Monday, and is finally running around the yard like a puppy should today. But Chipper, a border collie puppy we got from animal control on Sunday, turned up sick on Tuesday morning. Yep, another Parvo puppy. Today at animal control, a puppy was brought in that, to four of us, looked like it had been hit by a car. We sent it over to the vet's office. When we called to follow up, we were told it was the late stages of Parvo. I've never seen anything like it. It was so devasting. These two contractors had found this poor thing on the side of the road, picked it up and brought it to us. One guy was on his knees, looked me in the eye and said he was going to adopt that pup if it would make it. To me and the others, we were guessing she might have only a matter of hours. I'll find out in the morning.

And this brings me to my other gripe. Why can't people remember to give their pets monthly heartworm preventative? Cheyenne went in yesterday morning for her second round of treatments, and two other huskies still have to go in for their first. And have you tried explaining to them that the reason they have to be confined to a crate for four to six weeks is because someone wouldn't spend a few bucks to give them one pill a month? Let me tell you, they don't understand. Heck, I don't even know what to do with Mickey; he figured out how to open his crate two days ago and help himself to whatever activity suits him. I can see how much fun it is going to be when he starts his heartworm treatment in two weeks.

A Foster Mom's Heartache

I don't have children. I hope to some day, but for now, all I have are my foster babies. I can't imagine what a mom must feel for her flesh and blood, but all I know right now is the devastation from watching a puppy suffer for the last few days. I thought even though I recognized the signs and rushed him to the vet early enough, that maybe Tyler would be ok the next day. It hasn't happened yet. My vet told me today, "just when we think we know everything about Parvo, it changes." My heart hurts. I was so happy when I walked into the kennel this morning and he sat up on his haunches and flapped his tail, but I could see it was a struggle for him. The drool was still hanging from his mouth from his latest episode, the IV wire limiting his moving radius. He closed his eyes as I scratched behind his ears, telling him that everything was going to be fine, he had good doctors looking after him. He didn't respond much, just sat there. Thursday he had been out running with my older dogs, and today, it seemed a struggle for him to sit up. No matter how much I smiled at him this morning, how much I told him it would all be ok, I could feel anything but when I left. I remember the two puppies we had a year ago, littermates... one made it through, the other didn't. There's no reason why. I feel helpless as I sit here, praying, hoping that my little boy will come through. I won't get to see him again until Monday. A lot can happen in that time. Why, why can't people properly care for their pets?

Judge Blocks Use of Gas Chambers

According to the Atlanta Journal and Constitution,

Fulton County Superior Court Judge Cynthia Wright Friday granted a pet owner and a state lawmaker's request for a preliminary injunction requiring the agency and state Agriculture Commissioner Tommy Irvin to uphold the 1990 Humane Euthanasia Act.

The article makes mention that there will be some exceptions to allowing the use of gas chambers. While they weren't mentioned in the AJC article, Commissioner Irwin had them posted on the GA Dept. of Ag website:

The law pertaining to the euthanasia of animals provides for several exemptions from the requirement of the use of sodium pentobarbital injection, including exempting the application of the law to counties whose populations are 25,000 or under. Over half the counties in Georgia fall within that exemption alone. If a shelter falls within one of the exemptions in the law, then it is a local matter as to whether that shelter decides to act under it. People who are unhappy about the law and the exemptions it provides should contact their legislators.

It should also be noted that, contrary to what has been reported in the media and by the persons bringing this lawsuit, there is no section of the Georgia Code that has been designated by the Georgia legislature as the “Humane Euthanasia Act.” This is a label that the persons bringing this lawsuit have apparently come up with.

I wait to see what happens next.

A Record Year... and It's Only March!

In doing our records tonight, I noticed that we broke 50 rescued pets since January 1, 2007. Wow, what an accomplishment. I entered numbers 50 and 51 for our dog list, and I'm not sure where we are on cats; still working on that one. Considering that we were only able to rescue 72 dogs/puppies in 2006, I'm feeling great about our prospective rescue numbers for this year.

So what do we need to keep the momentum going? Well, in the last week, we took in several dogs and puppies with high medical needs. So, we need more funds, and we'll need more foster homes. The pets can all be treated and we even have a few homes waiting for them when they are healthy, which is always helpful.

What are you waiting for? This is your chance to make a change in a pet's life. You know you want to, and we need you to. So take a moment, meet some of our pets, and give what you can. You'll be giving more not only to them, but to the wonderful families that will adopt them thanks to your help.

Menu Foods Pet Food Recall

By now, everyone has heard about the Menu Foods Pet Food Recall. I'm slammed with messages everyday through our rescue newslists. I saw one today that their testing showed 1 in 6 deaths. My question is how does 1 in 6 get FDA approval? That seems to be way too small odds for me. I also noticed the number of high dollar brand names that are involved in the recall. I was thankful that the Purina products I buy were not listed, but not everyone else was so lucky. MSNBC.com is reporting that 16 pet deaths so far have been linked to the tainted products, but I would guess that number will rise in the coming days as vets may re-examine recent cases that they may have deemed the cause to be undetermined. Other articles are mentioning pets being extensively tested after having eaten the products. I can only assume that the number of lawsuits (which I've read to be three currently) against Menu Foods to increase, maybe even a class action.

People Are Just Sick

I got this story sent to me about a girl who's missing dog was returned to her... but only part of him. There is enough heartache when a pet goes missing, but to have such cruelty extended to the ones in grief... I just cannot even fathom.

Two weeks ago, a gift-wrapped box was left at the house Crystal shares with her grandmother. The box had batteries on top, and a note that said "Congratulations Crystal. This side up. Batteries included."

Crystal opened the box and found her dog's head inside. The box also contained Valentine's Day candy.

Who in the world thinks of this as a joke? What would drive someone to do something like this? I've been studying animal cruelty and interpersonal violence for the last eight weeks in school. I could not even begin to think what a psych evaluation for a person like this would look. This poor 17 year old spent her time posting flyers, going door to door, and even riding the bus to other shelters trying desparately to find her "best friend."

I know that teenage years are full of angst and that people can be cruel to one another (four years in an all-girls Catholic high school showed me that), but I could not possibly imagine this young girl inflicting any injury upon someone to deserve such actions in retaliation.

The story says homicide investigators were looking into the case because of the "implied" terroristic threat. May Lord have mercy on the person that gets caught; I don't think anyone else will.

Commissioner Tommy Irwin Sued for Gas Chambers

According to an article on WSB's website, "A lawsuit filed [March 12] in Superior Court in Atlanta accuses Agriculture Commissioner Tommy Irvin of illegally allowing the euthanasia of dogs and cats in carbon monoxide gas chambers more than a decade after the practice was outlawed in Georgia."

"The Humane Euthanasia Act sponsored by Chesley Morton of DeKalb County was passed in 1990 and declared sodium pentobarbital as the exclusive method for killing stray, neglected, abandoned or unwanted animals. The law also said animals can not be left alone during the euthanization process."

Wow. I was not aware of this. It seems that after the case involving Amazing Grace last year, we would have all known about this. Although the article names only a few areas as still using gas chambers, Cobb County, Clayton County and the city of Macon, we all know too well that there are lots more areas still using it. It is not that they want to use that method, but that so often with the number of animals that have to be euthanized each day due to lack of space, not to mention those that are vicious or feral, it is a necessity.

Before you go jumping on me for my perspective, let me explain that I started working part time at our local animal control two weeks ago and have been present for the acts, though not a direct witness. We are fortunate that our animal control is trying to be as humane as possible and allows the pets to be tranquillized before the gassing. No, it's still not a perfect method, but when they are taxed with picking up after other people's constant irresponsibility, you really can't go throwing stones at them. Every day I have been there, at least one litter if not more of puppies or kittens has been either picked up by animal control officers or dropped off by people who found them as strays.

I have never been a fan of Tommy Irwin as I have never believed he considered animal protection a priority for his office (lots of stories I have on that, but no need to push it all here). I'm convinced that as long as he is in office, we are going to continue to have problems (we all know the stories about the pets at Kellers, yet they still sell them every weekend). I can't really blame the inspectors; they are taxed to have so few of them to cover such large areas. I was blown away at how nice my last inspection went as the inspectors previously were in such bad moods from having to travel so far to see me. But back to the topic at hand.

What will this lawsuit accomplish? Laws can be passed, but if my understanding is correct, it costs much more for the lethal injection than the gassing. If our euthanasia rates are going up instead of down each year (from what I have been reading on stats in different areas of Georgia), who's going to cover the costs? Look at our shelter here. Nevermind the gassing, they don't even have the room for all the intakes to be kept for five days. What about that? How about a more pro-active solution, such as a free spay clinic or more microchipping clinics so pets can be reunited with families rather than counted among the homeless and subject to euthanasia (side note: CPR does regular low-cost microchipping clinics for $10 per pet - visit our website for next date).


"The plaintiffs are a former state lawmaker who sponsored the Humane Euthanasia Act and a former Humane Society employee. They allege that Irvin and his department 'are aware of multiple, serious, ongoing violations' and have inspected and renewed licenses for animal shelters still using gas chambers." You know, it is always easier to point fingers when you are on the outside looking in. Yes, I agree that if a law was passed, compliance should have been mandated. However, as with so many things in Georgia, it fell through the cracks. In a perfect world, there would be no need for gas chambers because we wouldn't have overcrowded animal shelters. So let's do something more positive than just filing a lawsuit. Why does everyone think that is the easy solution to anything anymore?

The More People I Meet, the More I Love My Dog

Animal lovers have said this for years, but today, it pounded in my head. Today was to be a good day: get work done, do an adoption, pull in another dog to foster care, go home. All of that happened, but with one glitch.

Several weeks ago, we adopted out a dog through placement assistance for a friend of one of our volunteers. On paper and at the meet and greet, everything seemed fine. So the volunteer left the dog with the new owner, and was going to return with the paperwork. After a week of having phone calls unanswered, the volunteer went to the home on Monday, only to get no answer. She returned again on Tuesday, still no answer. On Wednesday, she left a note under the doormat, and noticed that mail was piling up. Today she called me, saying she was concerned and that she could hear the dog barking inside. So, we called SPD. Sure enough, the dog had been left alone for at least three days, and there was no power to the place. He seemed ok, and we put him back into foster care immediately. But I'm still fuming. How do people do this?

It just reminds me the reason we put all these safeguards on doing adoptions. We can't predict everything, but know that we certainly try our best.

Microchips: Use as Directed

A few weeks ago, Savannah Toyota hosted a microchip clinic for us, whereby we chipped 73 pets. I've been an avid supporter of chipping for recovery, but also to eliminate needless deaths in animal shelters.

This week at the shelter, I was given the task of contacting the owner of a Rottweiler that had a HomeAgain microchip. I was given seven numbers to call; four were disconnected, two never returned the calls, and the other claimed he didn't own a "damn dog" and slammed the phone down. But at least we got to know his name. Thor is a big sweet baby boy. He loves women; he's a sucker for a belly rub and a good scratch behind his ears. The shelter supervisor and I have been plugging away to find a good home for him. He deserves as much.

It's just amazing that people would pay for permanent identification, but not understand that it only works as long as they keep their information current. Since Thor had ID, the shelter is giving him ten days instead of five, so that's good news for him. And, essentially, good news for me since I have a buddy to play with when the tough stuff hits.

The Numbers on the Other Side

For the last seven years, my focus has been only on the numbers we've saved. I'm always pushing to try for one more. Yesterday, I started an internship with animal control to get more experience and a better understanding of my role and pursuit in animal welfare. Yesterday was awesome; I played with puppies and put their photos on Petfinder. Today, someone came to meet one that I was already pulling from there for our rescue, and by the time I got home, there was an application waiting. But that's just one.

For my duties today, I was enlisted to do paperwork... the kind that shows the numbers of those that don't make it to rescue. After the fourth stack, I had to go outside and get some puppy therapy from a big Rottweiler doofus that was more than eager to oblige. The sad thing was that I only did numbers for four days. I won't say what they were, but it was more than we pulled into rescue in all 2006. It turned my stomach.

I've always known when I come in to Animal Control from one day to the next what the empty pens meant, but I never really grasped the overall picture. It hit me today as I walked in and headed to check on Delilah, the puppy I would be taking home with me, and walked past all the other pens, noticing that the faces and wagging tails I had seen yesterday were no longer there. I can't put enough into words just how little I felt, and how sad I was that there just are not enough people who want to help. And as I put my puppy back, I stood up to face three of nine puppies that came in just a few hours earlier, wondering if anyone was going to be giving them a chance. I went back into the office to do more papers, finished another stack, then headed back to the puppy cages, grabbed the one new white one and buried my head in his fur, muffling his little cries of confusion. I put him back, grabbed my pen and marked his card. It's only one, but it's one less that someone else will have to put down on those papers.

K-9 Advantix Causing Serious Harm to Dogs and Cats

Like most people, I get way too much email in my inbox everyday. Most of the time, it is a plea for help... I got pregnant and you can't raise a baby and a dog, I'm moving and there is no place there that will take my 11 year old cat, we got a new kitten and our old dog doesn't like it, etc. But I also subscribe to about 16 rescue-related groups through Yahoo, which I get 1 email for 25 messages. One list has had a flurry of messages centering around K-9 Advantix for the last two days, and it aroused my curiousity.

I, myself, have never used K-9 Advantix, but I well remember their cute commercials with the little yellow lab puppy writing home from camp. I had always used Advantage until my vet turned me on to Frontline Plus. Since the fleas are so horrible here every year, we often have to rotate the products to help kill the fleas, and add in a round of Capstar. But like any good "mom," I was horrified as I read the experiences of this other rescuer. I don't know if anyone else is using the product, but I thought it would be important to share the information that she relayed. (As a side note, I also never use Banfield anymore as I have yet to have a good feeling when I've been in there with an animal as a last resort when my regular vet was not available. It wasn't just the vet alone, but the service all the way around, not to mention the outrageous pricing.)

This is a cross-post, with permission:
From: Debbie Stayer Kelly

I want to relay my personal experience with a topical flea product, as
well as share info that I discovered after researching this all.
Hopefully my experience as well as the info below may prevent this
tragedy from happening to you & your pets, as well as anyone you know
who has pets that you want to share this with.

In early Oct after bathing all 3 of my dogs, I realized I only had 2
tubes of Advantage.

It was late Saturday p.m., so I ran over to Petsmart's Banfield vet
clinic, to get another tube. They said they no longer carried Advantage
or Frontline, products that I've safely used for years. They said they
only sold a product called K-9 Advantix, and said it was the same thing
only better (has an ingredient in it to repel mosquitos). I didn't buy
it at first, I raced home & searched the net, found that it is made by
Bayer, who also makes Advantage, so I went back & got it. They only had
1 tube left, so they put it in a prescription bottle (without including
the little info flyer).

Later that evening I put this on my 11 yr old Sheep dog mix, & right
away he started running around reaching at his rear, & scratching like
crazy. I'm thinking he must have had more fleas than I realized. I do
not have a flea problem at my house, as I treat my yard, and I have no
carpet. I blow him dry & had only found a couple of fleas. Late on
Saturday evening, he finally stopped scratching & going berserk & went
to sleep. I thought he was just exhausted, but the next morning I
realized that he was almost comatose. I had to call his name loudly, &
he could just barely raised his head in response. I immediately put in a
call to the vet, & in the meantime scoured the web for a way to handle
this. I was horrified when I found a public forum addressing this
product (see link below). Instead of finding a remedy for side effects
on the Bayer site it was on this forum that I found it. I even read (on
this forum) that Bayer admitted to one petowner that they had not
done extensive testing on this product as was done on other products.
Later the vet called & said to get it off of him immediately, (scrub
with Dawn dishwashing liquid & rinse, rinse, rinse). He was so lethargic
he couldn't even stand up in the tub, I had to prop his head up to get
this washed off of him.

He was much better within just hours of getting it off, but it still
took 7+ days for him to get back to normal. About 4-5 days (still a bit
unstable but much better) I took him for a walk. Well, he fell really
hard coming up the concrete steps & then slid backwards down them. I got
him to the vet to find there was an incredible amount of damage done to
the cartilege in his throat & a hole the size of a nickel. They cleaned
it really good, but left the opening so it could drain. Of course it
healed & closed within a day. After running to the vet daily for almost
a week to have them drain the fluid she put in a drain tube. After a
month, the vet finally said that had to come out. He is also on
antibotics for well over a month. When it continued to worsen the vet
ran some blood tests & told me they had found cancer cells (melanoma) in
his throat, & that it was spreading, & there was nothing more they could
do for him, to take him home & give him anything he wanted to
make him happy & comfortable. She said she gave him maybe 3 weeks
(12/18/06). I am in shock!

I immediately made an appointment for the next day, with a vet that
specializes in canine cancer & disease. This vet looked at his wound &
agreed with the diagnosis. She told me that she had also used this K-9
Advantix on her own dog who had a really bad reaction to it as well (
rolling her eyes she said... "but we still sell it") I asked her if she
felt that this product could be responsible for this cancerous invasion
or if maybe he just was predisposed genetically to have cancer or just
what since he was otherwise healthy prior to my using K-9 Advantix? She
hestitated a minute & very carefully said, "Well (a very long well), I
can't say that the K-9 Advantix actually caused the cancer... and No, he
was not just predisposed to have cancer... cancer cells just seem to
come from nowhere when/where there is a weakened part of the body." The
vet said that while he may not be in any pain right now (melanoma
cancers aren't painful like bone or internal cancer) that since
this was a rapid moving cancer it could
spread to other parts of his body & at some point he could have lots of
pain. She said that since the mass is in his throat that the day would
probably come that he would not be able to swallow. The first thing I do
every morning is offer him a little piece of cheese to make sure he can
still swallow & am soooo relieved when he eats. She says that everything
could change to bad as quickly as overnight.

This cancer is growing massive on his throat (02/01/07) but he seems to
not be in much distress - he sleeps a lot more but perks up fast if you
ask him if he wants to go for a walk or ride. When I call his name, even
if he is too tired to raise his head, he always wags that tail. Some
days are good (Thank God for Rymadil)... & some days are not as good.

I am dreading the day he takes a real turn for the worse, & am just
thankful that today he is seems to not be in pain. He wags his tail
(along with his entire body) ever so humbly when I call his name, & then
stares directly into my heart & my soul when he looks at me - he knows
that he is loved & he trust me with his entire being. I feel such guilt
when I look back into those eyes, knowing what I've done to him by using
this poison. I am happy and so grateful for the time that I will have
left with him, but just tormented knowing it will end very soon. He has
been the best friend in the world.

IMPORTANT INFO & ADVICE THAT EVERYONE NEEDS TO KNOW....

There are 2 main pesticides used in both Advantage & also K-9 Advantix.
I did not research the one pesticide that is common in both since I have
used Advantage for years with no problem. The other pesticide found in
K-9 Advantix, but not in Advantage is permethrin (the mosquito repellent
- also used to kill termites). I am shocked at what I have found.

**Also searched for info on this product & it's relation/link to cancer,
and found the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has classified
permethrin as a suspected carcenogen.
http://www.scorecar/d.org/health-effects/chemicals-2.tcl?shorthazard_nam
e=cancer&allp=t9
(compliled of records and reports from the EPA) also
listed here as a definite carcenogen (don't know which is more current)
http://www.safe2use.com/poisons-pesticides/pesticides/permethrin/cox-rep
ort/cox.htm

**Read the comments in this public forum re: K-9 Advantix - it's not
just me with this problem. http://www.dogsonly.org Click on message
board on right side side then find the topic K-9 Avdantix. Most recent
comments are at the end.

Still another public forum that also warns about BIO SPOT...
http://www.elverson/puzzle.com/biospotlettersv13.html.

Read this article written by a Florida Veterinarian.
Topical Flea Control Products: What's the difference?
http://floridapetpa/ges.com/articles/TopicalFleaControlProducts.html


Even more Horrible facts......
K-9 Advantix can be/ is toxic to dogs if it is applied where they could
possibly lick it or if a puppy playmate were to get it in their mouths
playing & wrestling around with a dog that has this on. Unlike Advantage
that is applied between the shoulder blades, K-9 Advantix is to be
applied in several spots down the dogs back.

No adult dog topical flea products should ever be used on a toy or
miniature breed - ONLY applications for puppies should ever be used on
these breeds - even if they are adult dogs.

The product, K-9 Advantix is highly toxic to cats, even if it is on your
dog & the cat gets it on itself.

I am amazed that this is the only topical flea application that
Petsmart's Banfield clinic sells, knowing how many of their petowner
clients have both dogs & cats. Petsmarts Banfield clinic never even me
asked if I had cats - I have 6. I spoke to a mgr. at Petsmart who got
the number for Banfield corporate office for me told me that Petsmart
doesn't own Banfield. He rescues cats (has like 16 or so) & told me he
wouldn't use Banfield for anything ever - what does that tell you?? What
do you think he knows & we don't!

The Vet told me that right now the best & safest topical flea
application is Advantage - she even said that Frontline isn't working
anymore. She told me there is a new product that will be introduced
early 2007 but said she was going to keep a watchful eye on that product
even before she would use it on her own dog. I think many vets won't
speak against these products - don't know why! Guess they don't want to
ruin their relationship with Bayer or maybe they are under some sort of
contract.

Please if you love your babies, please don't use K-9 Advantix on
them! Even if you are using it, & it seems to be OK, they do not
know enough about it and by Bayers own admission, it was not thoroughly
tested. I don't think anyone knows about the long term effects. Please
please please protect your babies & never use this poison on them!
Pat in Atlanta

Dogster: MySpace for Pups

As if I weren't enough of a MySpace junkie, I had to go and bring the pups into it as well. But it just wasn't enough for them to have their photos littered all over my picture pages, so I had them join Dogster. Now, everyone can drop in and meet DaVinci the Renaissance Pup and the Princess Cocoa-nut. There really should be better ways for me to procrastinate writing my weekly paper, especially when I've been up for two days.

Atlanta Falcons and Animal Cruelty

For my animal cruelty and interpersonal violence class last week, we were assigned to find an on-line news account of a recent case (within the last three months) of cruelty to animals and draft a hypothetical letter to the District Attorney in the jurisdiction where the event occurred, giving detailed information about why you feel that it is important that this case be prosecuted to the full extent of the law, citing specifics from the week's readings.

I can't tell you just how proud I am to live in a state that continues to increase its number of animal cruelty cases.

In researching my case for this assignment, I looked specifically for Georgia cases, knowing of several currently in court that other rescue friends are watching in their areas. Instead, I found at the top of every search one involving an Atlanta Falcons football player. Since this is a case that will have constant media focus, this is the case I chose.

Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle Jonathan Babineaux is out of jail on a $2,300 bond after being charged with animal cruelty on a dog. A necropsy completed Tuesday [2/20] determined the dog died of blunt force injuries to the head sustained on Sunday [2/18]. Babineaux maintains he had nothing to do with the incident, but police say his account of what happened is inconsistent with the information about the dog's injuries provided by the animal hospital.

Since the details have not all been released, I cannot say what his motives might, though reports on Pet-Abuse.com state it was in retaliation to a fight with his live-in girlfriend. According to Lockwood's checklist of dangerousness, Babineax's actions are strong indicators of someone who could progress to interpersonal violence: high victim vulnerability, the injury resulted in death, the intimacy of the infliction of injury, and the absence of economic motive.

My hope is that this case will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. I am so sick and tired of seeing "celebrities" get off with such minimal penalties. I was so happy that the last two cases in our state resulted in the maximum sentences for the offenders, but worry that a strong enough message still isn't being sent that animal cruelty will not be tolerated in Georgia.

Doing Good is Actually "Hot"

Last year, I was named to the "REAL Hot 100" list, a list that served to show that women who work to make themselves and the world around them better are just as hot, if not more, than those selected on superficial values. I was flattered, but no where near as much as when I discovered, many months later, that a gentleman had posted about me on someone else's blog.

Apparently, one "journalist" believed that the list was skewed, as most of those select to the list were also found as physically "hot" as their actions.

... it seems like either:

a) pretty much only cute, conventionally attractive women become activists, journalists, poetry slam coordinators, etc., and the Real Hot 100 nominators are just working with what exists, or

b) there are plenty of non-cute non-conventionally attractive women out there who meet the criteria, but the leftysphere isn't nominating them.

I was even more astounded at one observation posted in a comment (#10):

As to the Hot 100 list, I must say that I barely made it through the first page so far, but my babe-o-meter only dinged 5 times, even including the blurbs attached to the photos. However, it went absolutely off the scale when I got down to Lisa Scarbrough.

The rest of them seem to be more about the progressive scene and awareness raising. Yet Lisa Scarbrough put her assets where her mouth is. And not for the standard causes, but for abused and neglected animals.

Now that’s REALLY hot! I wonder if she likes guys that can cook… I finally figured out the Insta-Chicken recipe, you know.

It wasn't that he called me hot, but that my work was validated. In the three years I've been divorced, it has been heartbreaking at how many times I would attempt to get to know someone, only to find that my passion was "intimidating" and not of interest to most. I was so happy, I printed it out and saved it for those rainy days that I needed a little lift.

But the entire blog post brought me to some serious thinking: is there anything really wrong with having a strong passion? I know that I am often asked why I do this with my life, why don't I work with children instead, why don't I just go start a family, who will ever be satisfied with being second in my life, and so on. I don't have one real good answer. All I know is that running this rescue has given meaning to my life. It makes me a whole person. I spent a couple of years lost, trying to find my place, figure what I wanted to do with the rest of my life. In that time, many strays found their way to my house, but it was really them who were showing me the way home.

CoastalPetRescue.org V.4.0

A week ago yesterday, I launched CoastalPetRescue.org V.4.0. For those of you who don't know, I'm a geek by trade, and that's the main reason you see me online all the time. I pride myself at building great websites, which is why our rescue site was so extensive.

After four years on the web, I decided it was time for a new look. I took a lot of feedback from visitors, volunteers, adopters and donors, and tried to make the site more user-friendly, and, hopefully, more fun. You'll see photos on every page now featuring our volunteers and pets, with the goal of personalizing the experience more. I want visitors to see what we are doing, why it is important to the community, and how successful we can be in our mission with enough help.

So, if you haven't visited recently, take a break from your normal online routine, stop over, and bookmark us. The site changes each week, and we need you to help us to continue to change the lives of needy pets.

www.coastalpetrescue.org - Changing Lives, One at a Time

I've got a Full House

I didn't win any money, but I hit the puppy lotto this week. There's nothing better than puppy therapy, and this week, I got it times five.

The big goofy one on the left has been with me for over a year, as I adopted him when he was six weeks old. Out of the others, you can play the Sesame Street game "which one of these is different from the others" and you'll see Madison. She's a pretty little cocker spaniel/chow mix. I fell in love with her at animal control over a week ago, and couldn't wait to bring her home. She was so timid and so afraid. She'd rather run to the back of the cage than get a reprieve. I didn't let her get her way, and brought her home. The day I went to get her, was the day I met the other kids.

I try to visit animal control at least once if not more a week. There are so many great animals that end up there, and no one ever knows. People have always told me they just couldn't do it, they would be heartbroken to have to go in and see all the sad faces. How easy do you think it is for those who work there? Even for me, on a day that I know I only have one space for one particular size or breed of dog, to spend over an hour, temperament testing, debating, pacing, determining to pick just one. It's not easy. But when Mark called out to me as I opened the Montero door that day, I knew I was snowballed. He kept at me the entire time I was trying to get a big box of dog chews unloaded from my vehicle that I had brought for the canines to bide their five days in captivity. All he could do was grin when he unlocked the gate and locked me in. He didn't even have to show me where they were; I just knew.

And that is how Catalina, Carleigh, Cassie and Maverick came to stay with me as well. I didn't really have the room, but I knew I could find them the homes. So I just gave them more of mine.

Last week, Aaron came over to help me measure out the space in my home that is used for the rescue. We found the only part that isn't is my bedroom, and that's the smallest room in the house. But I've always believed that love grows best in smaller spaces. I remember hearing that song in high school, when I lived with my parents on a boat so they could achieve their dream (it may sound like a lot of fun, but let me tell you, this was not a yacht by any means). I can't sit anywhere without adding dog fur to my wardrobe, and I can't walk without four other feet tripping mine, but I couldn't imagine a more fulfilling life for myself.

Continued Disrepect for Lives of Pets

Posted originally Feb. 13, 2007

This past week, two Georgia teens were sentenced to five years each for animal cruelty. They were found guilty for "taking the puppy and smearing paint on it, trying to set it on fire, hog tying its feet with duct tape and binding its snout before stuffing it into a searing hot gas oven." The incident took place last August in Roswell. Sadly, this isn't the first case like this in Georgia.

Many in the Savannah community were shocked when a similar incident happened here in August 2005. One-year-old rat terrier Zoe fell victim to the whims of a burglar that decided to throw her in the oven on 400 degrees after robbing a local home. Zoe had been adopted from an area rescue, something that usually results in a lifetime of happiness and better outcomes than life before rescue. Sadly, Zoe did not get to know much of that life.

In both of these cases, the maximum penalties allowed by Georgia law were given for felony animal cruelty: five years in prison. We can see the malice that differed in the most recent case. So why then as such acts increase in their horrors do we have a cap set for punishment? If anything, there should be only a minimum.

We are a society that seems to value life less and less as time passes. Just look at the news. When was the last time you were able to watch TV, read the paper, browse the Internet, or listen to news on the radio without seeing something about a human killing another human? It's rare that I even watch the news anymore. I hate to say it, but I believe I have become desensitized, but primarily, disheartened. When such disrespect exists for human life, how could we ever anticipate respect for those even less defenseless?

One of my instructors testified in the sentencing phase of this case (for those that don't know, I'm in my second year of study for a bachelor of science degree in humane leadership through Duquesne University). He said it was one of the worst cases in which he has ever had to testify. Much of his testimony came from documents written in the late 1800s/early 1900s. It was interesting to me that it seemed a greater emphasis was given for care to animals specifically because cruelty to such was believed to lead to an escalation of such acts against humans.

In "Cruelty (Some Thoughts on Education)," John Locke mentions that violence is rewarded through conquests throughout history. "All the entertainment of talk and history is of nothing almost but fighting and killing; and the honour and renown that is bestowed on conquerors..." This is reverberated through the violent video games that so many children are playing today. I have been shocked to see the crimes that are done in these games. At some point, they have to be taught that these are wrong. But whose responsibility is it? An obvious choice would be the parents, but in the schools I visit, I find that many of those aren't around. In one class I visited a couple weeks ago, three students admitted that their parents or older siblings breed pit bulls, one student admits that they sell the puppies regularly, and another admits that his father and older brother take turns beating the dog to "teach" it. How then do we overcome these situations? If they aren't being taught at home, how can they be taught compassion elsewhere and not be punished when they counter their parents/caretakers?

I'm in the third week of an eight-week term studying the links between animal cruelty and interpersonal violence. What I have been able to gather is that instead of getting better, cases are getting worse. Some areas of the country are trying new approaches such as community service, forcing the violators to face what they have done and the impact it has. But will it be enough? Can new actions make good for the past? At what point will enough be enough?

Rescue Mobile Nearing End

When I started this rescue endeavor of mine, I was driving a little Mazda Protege with sunroof. After the third time transporting a Great Dane, his head and paws in my lap while the rest of his body tried to fit in the back seat, it was apparent I needed a larger vehicle. The process was humiliating; at two different dealers I was asked what my husband thought of my making a purchase (this mattered little as I got divorced soon after the final purchase). A salesman at the dealer where I bought my current car turned his nose up when I explained the need for the larger vehicle, telling me I would need $10,000 down in order to get decent payments. I was so flustered. By the good graces of a good friend, I got a meeting directly with a dealer/owner in Beaufort, and drove home with a used but usable Mitsubishi Montero Sport.

Affectionately called my puppy mobile, the Montero Sport has been a great vehicle. It has in floor and sidewall storage to keep all my rescue tools out of the way of curious pups, and allows me to be prepared for most any situation. (The pullouts for the in-floor storage can be used as stabilizing boards for an injured pet.) I've put over 50,000 miles on the vehicle in the name of pet rescue. It's been great, but now, it's starting to come undone.

In an attempt to make the transition to a full-time rescuer, I came up with a great idea to get the vehicle paid off, out of my name, and in full ownership of the rescue. However, in reviewing it with a business friend, we figured that the lifetime of the vehicle may only be two more years given all the wear and tear. Not to mention I now find myself having to restrict my traveling because of bad tires that I can't afford to have replaced at the moment. Needless to say, this put a huge crimp in my "great idea."

So, where to go from here? I'm terrified at the options. If something happens to this vehicle, I have no way to get to and from animal control with new rescues, attend vet appointments, deliver animals to their foster homes, and place animals for adoption. Not to mention that I can't fit our 10x10 tent, tables, equipment, and crates in my dad's little '90 Suzuki Samarai that he lets me borrow every time my vehicle has to go into the shop. It's not a bad little ride though; it will crank about every 8th to 10th time you turn the key, and the rust really ads a lot of character (my dad's car, not mine). And I've always wanted a convertible, so at least having Daddy's beach buggy let's me feel the fresh air I love so much (yes, I consider Savannah air "fresh" having spent too many years in Atlanta). And let's not forget I still have at least a year to pay off this essential rescue asset.

Ok, enough of the diatribe. I'm interested in solutions. Anyone got any?

Pet Rescue Barbie

Yes, go ahead and have your laughs. One of my nicknames in high school was Barbie, and a few years ago, someone sent an email around titled "Pet Rescue Barbie." It was scary to see just how accurate the depiction of my life it was. Thus the title of the new blog. This will deal only with pet-related issues, and not my usual tirades about the state of my personal life. I may pick up some past topics for new reflection, but hope that this will spark conversations and generate interest in the awareness of pet rescue overall.

This Christmas season, give the latest, hottest new Barbie -- K-9 Rescue Barbie or Cat Rescue Barbie.

She comes with her own Ford Aerostar van, and various size dog crates inside.

She has a cell phone that's barely working due to over use and underpayment.

Barbie herself is decked out in jeans, grungy athletic shoes, and a t-shirt that says "Dogs are Better Than Any Other Living Thing on Earth".

She comes with a road atlas of every town and state in all of North America, and a compass on the dashboard of the van.

Optional is the special Rescue Dog Barbie laptop computer with the names and addresses of every other dog rescue person on earth, in case she gets somewhere and a contact fails to show up.

Running buddy, "Lucky", the three-legged, blind Shih Tzu doll is available for an additional $49.95.

For $89.95, you can complete the set with "Pissed off husband at home, Ken," and the various foster dogs at $20 each.

Prices for other accessories are:
Fake snow falling on Barbie's van: $12.95
Flat tire for Barbie's van: (see Barbie's Road Service")
Barbie's First Aid Kit: (human):$11.75, (canine):$69.50
Barbie's Speeding Ticket: $95 (Mississippi--$195)
Barbie's coat-that-she-had-to-buy-in-Minnesota: $85
Barbie's Vet Bill for Lucky in Vaughn, New Mexico: $63.45
Barbie's contact, Rhonda, who she had to give gas money to in Mesa Verde, Texas: $20.
Barbie's bill to get her contact, Luis, out of jail in Bakersfield, California: $500.
Barbie's bill to get Luis's dogs out of the pound in Bakersfield, California: $265.
Barbie's hotel/kennel bill in Laughlin, Nevada, while she waits for her contact:$532.
Barbie's overalls that she has to buy while in Minden, Nebraska, hunting down lost coonhounds: $49.95
Pizza for Barbie's suspicious looking hitch-hiker with sick puppy: $15
Vet bill for hitch-hikers sick puppy in Des Moines, Iowa: $143.29
Barbie's doggie wheelchair for "Klause" the rescue dachshund in Leavenworth, Kansas: $143.
Barbie's van detailing/fumigation from hauling parvo/ kennel cough puppies: $187.
Barbie's resume to get new job when she gets home from run: $29.95

And her sister doll - Cat Rescue Barbie, who comes with the same equipment, (substitute "cat" for "dog"), also:

Folding ladder in vehicle: $129.95
Have-a-heart trap: $29.95
Cans of tuna for baiting trap: $11.95
Long handled fishing net: $39.95
Case of Simple Solution: $259.95
Black light (to detect cat urine): $29.95
Tee shirt that says "The More I Know About Men, The More I Love My Cat" $19.95
Running buddy "Jeep" - 3-legged tailless cat named after vehicle that claimed her missing appendages: $89.95
Vet bill for Jeep $397.95
Friend Edith, 87-year-old feral colony feeder, who calls begging favors when her arthritis acts up and she can't get out. $59.95
Food for Edith's colony cats (after all, Edith is on Social Security) $139.95
Friend Margie, do-gooder with pristine home and one spoiled cat, whose idea of being a rescuer is to pick up strays and take them to Barbie for rehab, vetting, fostering, and placement. $89.95
Vet bills for Margie's rescues $892.95
Mother Sadie, who calls weekly to ask Barbie when she is getting rid of those smelly cats and giving her some grandchildren $89.95(telephone extra)
Shrink who talks Barbie out of killing above-mentioned persons each week $500
Vet who makes house calls, refuses to perform declaw surgeries and doesn't blink at unannounced visits or odd-hour consultations: *priceless*