A week ago Sunday, Wendy and I drove up to Camden, SC to rescue two Golden Retriever brothers, a young Shepherd puppy, and a female Chihuahua mix. We had gotten an email the week before telling us they were on death row. Knowing that we usually have success with adopting these breeds, we committed to the six-hour trip, also adding on a "hitchhiker" senior Eskie to his new home in Jacksonville on the way back. We departed around 7 am on our journey.
While I love Wendy dearly, I will be the first to tell you she is not a morning person. She is also not someone who will help keep you awake on an early morning drive. She woke up about 20 minutes from our destination when I stopped at a McDonald's in Columbia for a potty break.
I had no idea how rural this shelter was we were going to. I have been to lots of shelters around Georgia, Florida, South Carolina and even the ASPCA in New York. But when we drove up, all I could think was "wow, this really makes Chatham County look good." But what met us on the outside was complete deception.
Normally, the shelter is closed on the weekends, but staff and volunteers come in to take care of the pets and arrange for out-of-area rescues to give reprieves for death row puppies. We were amazed at the friendliness and interaction the folks made with us and the animals. One person took to getting our paperwork ready while Wendy and I went to meet other pets. We were so heartbroken; so many good looking dogs and cats and we only came for three. We watched puppies run together and play in their pool; adult dogs grouped together for play as well. Kittens shared two dog runs where they could climb and be kittens; adult cats napped on top of the runs. With so little given to them, this staff has really done so much.
After thirty minutes, it was apparent we were not headed back to Savannah with just three pups. We contemplated the exact arrangement of crates in the SUV and how we could get everyone back safely and comfortably.
Wendy and I both fell for this beautiful white retriever girl. Wendy said it; I told her we needed to wait and see what else was available, knowing full well we'd be taking her back with us. But Wendy wouldn't let up; she really wanted the retriever. I saw a couple of puppies that caught my eye; they were all so cute, how could you just pick out a couple, but two really struck me. One was a pug/bulldog puppy. It wasn't just her face that struck me, but her fearlessness with the pack. I couldn't resist her. And then there was a carbon-copy of Wendy's beloved Blue, which we later named Bluebelle. And then there was this quiet little puppy in the back of another pen. She caught both our eyes. I picked her up and noticed a little bit of clear discharge from her nose. We figured it was just the start of kennel cough, so decided to keep her separate from the others.
We thought we were done, until a staff member pointed us to two Chihuahuas. They had been seized from a local dog fighting ring. It made me sick to see them, covered in fleas and cowering in the back of the crate. The brindle one was closest to us. He had his head bent down, almost as if he was ashamed for the way he looked. I asked the staff person if she had held him. She said he did fine though he shivered a lot. Behind him was a white pint-sized Chihuahua (the brindle was larger than standard breed size). I asked for a towel to keep my hands from being bit as I reached in to grab the brindle Chi. He did just as the staff member said; I placed him in Wendy's arms and went to get the other one. Just as I entered my hand into the cage, he snapped, an obvious reaction to the life he had been living. I shook my head, knowing we didn't have a place to work with one that had been taken that far away from a loving companion. I told the staff I was sorry, but we would take the brindle one, which we named Jose Cuervo.
So while the staff went to finding all the additional paperwork for the the additional five canines we decided to rescue, I took to getting all the crates rearranged and ready for our long journey home. We left nearly an hour later than I had planned, but Wendy and I both felt great about what we had just done. She even offered to take the retriever (we named Magnolia) home with her. I joked that her husband was going to divorce her, but I knew he'd be just as big a sucker for her as we were.
We drove an hour to Manning, SC, picking up our canine hitchhiker and made good time to get back to the ranch. Wendy took to bathing puppies while I prepped kennels and crates. All puppies settled in after a good meal, and I began uploading photos and descriptions to start adoption promotion.
Throughout the night, I kept an eye on Carrie, the only puppy that seemed a little under the weather. I started her on Clavamox we had left over from other puppies, resolving to get her to the vet the next afternoon. But by the time I had returned from the radio show at 9:30, she had already vomited. I couldn't believe it. This shelter had not had any parvo cases this year, part of the reason we agreed to take so many puppies back with us. But we had her now, so we set about the usual protocol. But by the time we arrived to the vet, she had progressed downhill so quickly, we had to let her go. It was so incredibly hard. Carrie was the sixth puppy we had lost this year to parvo, something we had never experienced more than once in a year.
But the bad news ended there. A week later, Magnolia has really come out of her shell. I'm puppysitting her and her foster siblings for the weekend. She is so obedient and smart, and eager to have her head scratched and be told she's a good girl. Our little Jose has even come a long way, too. On Wednesday, he started interacting with the smaller dogs without bribery, and today, he even let the bigger dogs sniff him without soiling himself. Rita (the other Chihuahua we took) is doing awesome. I even took her on the radio show with me on Monday where everyone said she is not the typical Chi. She still doesn't like to be with the big dogs, but she does fine with Jose. The Golden pups are still taking some extra care; Tigger is more confident and comes to me at feeding time while Pooh still runs to hide behind the Dogloo. Both have joined in the pack play time in the dog yard and enjoy romps in the puppy pool. Charlotte (pug puppy) and Bluebelle (border collie mix puppy) love getting attention at feeding time, particularly biting at my ankles until I take a moment to hold each of them. And little Samantha (the Shepherd pup) really showed me just how smart and determined a pup she is by finding ways out of her kennel and the dog yard, earning her a spot inside until her relocation to another foster home.
While these all feel like great rescues for us, I'm more amazed by the wildlife rescue I got to do on Monday. I don't remember the last time I was involved in one, but this sure wasn't a phone call I was expecting.
My nutritionist and chiropractor called me while I was on the radio. I called him back when we were finished. He wanted to know what to do about a momma opossum and her babies that had been hit by a car. I told him some people to look up, including animal control. He called me back that he had found a woman on Wilmington Island who said she would take them for rehabilitation if he could get them to a specific vet. I gave him some tips on what to do and how, and proceeded to run my morning in-town errands before heading back to the ranch. He called back about ten minutes later and said he was too nervous to do it. So I drove over and met him. You could hear the gasps of the babies that had gotten separated from their mom. I have never seen opossum babies before, but they were so tiny, I thought they were newborns. We picked up the scattered babies first and put them in the box. Then I threw two towels over mom, picked her up gently from both sides and placed her in the box. We did another walk through to check for babies before he headed to the vet with them. I immediately called mom to tell her... her first question: "You aren't taking them home with you, are you?" Yes, there are some critters I know I can't help, but it's nice to know there are others that can.
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Thursday, May 29, 2008
From Making Waves to Making Mom and Dad Proud
My dad always did say I never knew when to keep my mouth shut. For the most part, he's right. But what I've come to find out is that too many people keep their mouths shut when they shouldn't. So, I guess that's where I come in.
For the last week, I've been working to help a family through the process of shutting down a breeder. It's taken a lot of phone calls, press releases, blog postings, and just general email writings to get stuff done. But now the Department of Agriculture is investigating, the CKC is reviewing and possibly issuing a license suspension, and the Tell-N-Sell finally called me today to say they would consider removing the breeder's ads and banning him from their paper. So maybe my big mouth can be productive.
So where does this come in with making Mom and Dad proud? Two nights ago, FOX 28 had me on as a guest to talk about the problems with purchasing puppies from classified ads or at the flea market. I had been out to see my parents earlier in the evening to do adoptions for four of their foster kittens. I told them to tune in if they wanted, that I would be on at 10. My parents usually don't see my TV appearances because they are normally from 5 to 9 am, when my parents are sleeping. But as I arrived home from the studio a little after 11, my phone rang, showing "Mom" on the caller id. She called to tell me that they were proud of me, that I composed myself very well, even with an uncooperative puppy in my lap, and that I looked very nice in my suit. Wow. I'm 29 years old and I can count on less than two hands how many times my parents have actually told me they are proud of me. It's something I strive very hard to achieve, and really makes my day (or night) when I hear those words.
For the last week, I've been working to help a family through the process of shutting down a breeder. It's taken a lot of phone calls, press releases, blog postings, and just general email writings to get stuff done. But now the Department of Agriculture is investigating, the CKC is reviewing and possibly issuing a license suspension, and the Tell-N-Sell finally called me today to say they would consider removing the breeder's ads and banning him from their paper. So maybe my big mouth can be productive.
So where does this come in with making Mom and Dad proud? Two nights ago, FOX 28 had me on as a guest to talk about the problems with purchasing puppies from classified ads or at the flea market. I had been out to see my parents earlier in the evening to do adoptions for four of their foster kittens. I told them to tune in if they wanted, that I would be on at 10. My parents usually don't see my TV appearances because they are normally from 5 to 9 am, when my parents are sleeping. But as I arrived home from the studio a little after 11, my phone rang, showing "Mom" on the caller id. She called to tell me that they were proud of me, that I composed myself very well, even with an uncooperative puppy in my lap, and that I looked very nice in my suit. Wow. I'm 29 years old and I can count on less than two hands how many times my parents have actually told me they are proud of me. It's something I strive very hard to achieve, and really makes my day (or night) when I hear those words.
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Coping with Parvovirus in Rescue
It has been a very rough year for us with dealing with parvo puppies. Five litters so far have come in having picked up the virus from on the streets or at their animal control shelters. We don't usually see so many litters with parvo cases in just a few short months. But this morning, we lost our fourth pup of the year to the virus. Davidson had been at the ER vet overnight along with his littermate, Phoebe. We sent them and Marley to our regular vet for continued treatment, hoping for the best, knowing the worst may come. No matter how many littermates suvive the virus with each treatment, it still tears me up each time I lose one.
Why does this keep happening? Why do we keep getting sick puppies? Well, let's start off with the number one reason: people are not spaying and neutering their animals. It's not a difficult concept to grasp, and low-cost spay options are available, espcially through our local SNAC clinic. But why aren't people doing this? Profits from puppy sales, long-held beliefs that spaying is cruel, and men who are insecure about their manhood refusing to allow their male pets to be neutered.
Past the obvious reason, what else is there? Moms that are not properly vaccinated have no immunities to pass on to their babies. We saw a case just a week ago of a purebred puppy bought from a CKC registered breeder that died from parvovirus. If mom was properly immunized and the puppies properly vaccinated as the family had been promised, then there should have been no issue. Even after having been notified about the parvo puppy, the breeder sold the remaining eight puppies (an independent third party called over the weekend to check).
So we have the problems with reproduction and negligent care. What's left? The external environment in which the pups are raised. All our puppies come from local animal control shelters. These shelters are several decades old in most cases and completely run down. Only routine maintenance is done, and most cleaning methods are ineffective as the buildings harbour viruses so well. Add to that a climate that never experiences a hard freeze to kill parasites.
Our job as rescuers is to save as many lives as possible. We know the risks with accepting puppies, but our choice is to either accept that risk or stop taking them at all. At this point, we have over $1,000 in vet bills for the three puppies that started aggressive treatments last night. So while we are diligently trying to give them a second chance at life, the costs to do so mean we can't accept other pets that will also need care.
So we push on, praying for the survival of our pups and hoping people will stop purchasing pets that fuel these profit-seeking breeders and instead look.
*Donations are very much in need right now. Every little bit makes a difference. Please consider making a donation towards our puppies today.*
Monday, May 26, 2008
Newspaper and Online Puppy Sale Ads Bring Heartbreak
Every child should be blessed to know the joys of raising a puppy, the fun of learning to play, the warmth and softness of puppy fur, and the pleasing aroma of puppy breath.
But for those buying puppies from ads in newspapers, classified papers, and online sites such as Craigslist.com, that happiness is either a long-time taking or never experienced.
This past Thursday, Coastal Pet Rescue released information to local media to warn consumers of a breeder selling puppies with Parvovirus. The breeder, Roy Newsome, is also a local businessman.
The owner of Newsome Enterprises normally makes his living selling trailers and signs from his store and website, UncleRoys.com. A local family saw Mr. Newsome's ad in the local Tell-N-Sell for CKC registered Rottweiler puppies.
The Lanes went to get their puppy, Bubba, from Mr. Newsome. They were told the puppies, five males and four females, had seen the vet twice and had two dewormings. After paying $400 and receiving the CKC registration papers, the Lanes left to enjoy their new life with Bubba.
But Bubba didn't feel well. He wouldn't play, and became very lethargic. The Lanes thought he was depressed, having been separated from his mom and littermates. But on the morning of May 21st, Bubba began to vomit, and the Lanes immediately rushed him to the vet, where he was diagnosed with hookworms and parvovirus, which is often fatal to puppies.
The Lanes never received any actual paperwork to prove veterinary care, nor were they ever shown a Georgia Department of Agriculture license which regulates pet breeders.
The Lanes notified Mr. Newsome and went back to get a refund. When the family returned to the point of sale, Mr. Newsome refused to come meet with the family members, instead sending his daughter out the front door with the refund.
The Lanes were hopeful that Bubba would pull through, but sadly, his body gave in and he passed on Sunday morning, May 25th.
The Lanes have notified the Georgia Department of Agriculture, the CKC, and the Savannah Business Bureau in the hopes of getting Mr. Newsome shut down. They are still in mourning for little Bubba and hope no other families will fall prey to puppy sale ads.
Stories like these are not unheard of in our work. Mostly, we hear about them from people purchasing puppies at the local flea market. As long as people are dead-set on having a "purebred" puppy, these breeders will keep selling. There are plenty of puppies available through local animal shelters and rescues. An estimated 40% of animals in rescues and shelters are purebred. But it isn't a specific breed that makes a good dog; it's the unconditional love and excitement a puppy (or even adult and senior dog) brings to its new family. All it takes is for a person to stop being superficial and give a pup a second chance.
But for those buying puppies from ads in newspapers, classified papers, and online sites such as Craigslist.com, that happiness is either a long-time taking or never experienced.
This past Thursday, Coastal Pet Rescue released information to local media to warn consumers of a breeder selling puppies with Parvovirus. The breeder, Roy Newsome, is also a local businessman.
The owner of Newsome Enterprises normally makes his living selling trailers and signs from his store and website, UncleRoys.com. A local family saw Mr. Newsome's ad in the local Tell-N-Sell for CKC registered Rottweiler puppies. The Lanes went to get their puppy, Bubba, from Mr. Newsome. They were told the puppies, five males and four females, had seen the vet twice and had two dewormings. After paying $400 and receiving the CKC registration papers, the Lanes left to enjoy their new life with Bubba.
But Bubba didn't feel well. He wouldn't play, and became very lethargic. The Lanes thought he was depressed, having been separated from his mom and littermates. But on the morning of May 21st, Bubba began to vomit, and the Lanes immediately rushed him to the vet, where he was diagnosed with hookworms and parvovirus, which is often fatal to puppies.
The Lanes never received any actual paperwork to prove veterinary care, nor were they ever shown a Georgia Department of Agriculture license which regulates pet breeders.
The Lanes notified Mr. Newsome and went back to get a refund. When the family returned to the point of sale, Mr. Newsome refused to come meet with the family members, instead sending his daughter out the front door with the refund.
The Lanes were hopeful that Bubba would pull through, but sadly, his body gave in and he passed on Sunday morning, May 25th.
The Lanes have notified the Georgia Department of Agriculture, the CKC, and the Savannah Business Bureau in the hopes of getting Mr. Newsome shut down. They are still in mourning for little Bubba and hope no other families will fall prey to puppy sale ads.
Stories like these are not unheard of in our work. Mostly, we hear about them from people purchasing puppies at the local flea market. As long as people are dead-set on having a "purebred" puppy, these breeders will keep selling. There are plenty of puppies available through local animal shelters and rescues. An estimated 40% of animals in rescues and shelters are purebred. But it isn't a specific breed that makes a good dog; it's the unconditional love and excitement a puppy (or even adult and senior dog) brings to its new family. All it takes is for a person to stop being superficial and give a pup a second chance.
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Savannah Chief of Police Believes Animal Welfare "is Not a Priority"
I just left a Buy Local Savannah lunch where Chief Berkow was the speaker. I asked him in front of everyone what changes were in store to increase animal control's ability to respond to animal cruelty, neglect and dog fighting cases. His exact words in front of the entire audience were, "it's not a priority to this community." So basically, we're fighting a losing battle. He also doesn't believe they should have a shelter or be dealing with adoptions. He specifically said he attempted to work with the Humane Society here but they would not cooperate. I'm sick of this. No matter how much media, how many times we go before city council or county commission, the people who have the power to make change don't care to.
Needless to say, my blood has been boiling. A group of concerned citizens met with Chief Berkow late last year about their concerns and promises were made about changes to come. I haven't noticed any changes. Three years ago, the county allocated funds to build a new animal control shelter that would accommodate for the increasing intakes as well as reduce the spread of disease. I was working at animal control last spring when the architects came by and had been to see shelters in other areas of Georgia. But I still don't see even a hint of construction.
Chief Berkow was very proud to talk about the three new trucks they bought for the officers. Wouldn't that money have been better spent to increase training for the current officers and hire more to handle the number of calls? He claims he doesn't know anything about any dog fighting calls that haven't been responded to. Funny, because I helped someone late last year compile lots of documentation of the number of times the police department and animal control were called about pit puppies and suspected fighting. No one ever came, so we went to the GBI and Georgia Sheriff's Association, and the other person documenting made calls to the ABC national news outlet. The next day, two members of city council, animal control officers, and a few police officers finally showed up. The dogs were impounded. The owner had just gotten out of jail for murder. The house was actually abandoned and had been condemned. Weapons were found inside the house along with other items. So what happened? The guy was issued community service through animal control, and was told he could have his dogs back. On the last day of the community service, he was arrested for manslaughter. The puppies were not allowed to be released until the owner signed them over, so they sat for several months growing up in the small cages in the puppy side of animal control. By the time they were released, the rescues that offered to take them initially no longer had the room available for them. So yes, I could see how dogfighting is not a concern of our community. We're more than happy to have murderers live among us without them being bothered by police.
I'm absolutely frustrated with animal control in Savannah right now. I will be more than happy to give kudos to Lt. Bouleware for hiring an excellent shelter director who has made so many positive changes with the very little he was given, and I'll extend the kudos to the ladies at the shelter who give their all to try and keep the animals comfortable and as healthy as best they can. But when will there be more officers on the street? How many times does a person have to call about illegal tethering or neglectful conditions before anything is ever done? When will someone be able to call on the weekends and not be told there is nothing that can be done until Monday? What about an actual animal cruelty investigator as other counties in Georgia have? Or even an actual prosecution team that can get jail time for violators instead of just community service hours at the animal control shelter?
Just what is it going to take to get our city's leadership to give a damn about animal welfare in our community???
Needless to say, my blood has been boiling. A group of concerned citizens met with Chief Berkow late last year about their concerns and promises were made about changes to come. I haven't noticed any changes. Three years ago, the county allocated funds to build a new animal control shelter that would accommodate for the increasing intakes as well as reduce the spread of disease. I was working at animal control last spring when the architects came by and had been to see shelters in other areas of Georgia. But I still don't see even a hint of construction.
Chief Berkow was very proud to talk about the three new trucks they bought for the officers. Wouldn't that money have been better spent to increase training for the current officers and hire more to handle the number of calls? He claims he doesn't know anything about any dog fighting calls that haven't been responded to. Funny, because I helped someone late last year compile lots of documentation of the number of times the police department and animal control were called about pit puppies and suspected fighting. No one ever came, so we went to the GBI and Georgia Sheriff's Association, and the other person documenting made calls to the ABC national news outlet. The next day, two members of city council, animal control officers, and a few police officers finally showed up. The dogs were impounded. The owner had just gotten out of jail for murder. The house was actually abandoned and had been condemned. Weapons were found inside the house along with other items. So what happened? The guy was issued community service through animal control, and was told he could have his dogs back. On the last day of the community service, he was arrested for manslaughter. The puppies were not allowed to be released until the owner signed them over, so they sat for several months growing up in the small cages in the puppy side of animal control. By the time they were released, the rescues that offered to take them initially no longer had the room available for them. So yes, I could see how dogfighting is not a concern of our community. We're more than happy to have murderers live among us without them being bothered by police.
I'm absolutely frustrated with animal control in Savannah right now. I will be more than happy to give kudos to Lt. Bouleware for hiring an excellent shelter director who has made so many positive changes with the very little he was given, and I'll extend the kudos to the ladies at the shelter who give their all to try and keep the animals comfortable and as healthy as best they can. But when will there be more officers on the street? How many times does a person have to call about illegal tethering or neglectful conditions before anything is ever done? When will someone be able to call on the weekends and not be told there is nothing that can be done until Monday? What about an actual animal cruelty investigator as other counties in Georgia have? Or even an actual prosecution team that can get jail time for violators instead of just community service hours at the animal control shelter?
Just what is it going to take to get our city's leadership to give a damn about animal welfare in our community???
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Recovering from a Working Vacation
Last week, Coastal Pet Rescue had the grand opportunity to send six leadership team members to the HSUS Animal Care Expo in Orlando. (A big THANK YOU to Matt Cohen of The New South Cafe for sponsoring our registration costs.)
First let me say that while this was a big educational opportunity, it was also a small part vacation for me. Two days were planned for visiting the Disney parks before and after the workshops. It gave me a chance to get to know members of my leadership team better.
Before I go into a recount of our week, let me just say that please, for your own sanity, don't ever stay at the Coronado Springs Resort. HSUS has already booked it again in three years, and we're already looking for alternative places to stay. Our room and service was so bad, we got a big gift basket delivered to our room on the third day. I could write a novel of all the things that went wrong, but no need to bother. Just know that what you see and read on the website are not what we experienced during our stay. I also discovered that all the things I loved about Magic Kingdom as a kid and even in my early 20s were no longer the same... no characters walking about the park at random, you can only see Mickey at one spot if you wait in an hour plus line, and the more mature rides were all now G-rated. Even Epcot seemed less fantastic to me this go round... maybe it's because I'm older or just don't like so much change from happy childhood memories. I did, however LOVE Animal Kingdom. I could have stayed there longer and done more, but I wanted the chance to explore other parks.
So back to the conference... we spent the week attending various workshops on animal care, volunteer issues, fundraising, and long-term planning. I taught one workshop on website considerations for adopters, donors and volunteers. I was thrilled at the turnout; more than 200 people and folks were even sitting on the floor due to lack of seats. My Q&A session ran over and I'm still getting emails from people that attended. What a boost it is to see others benefit from my experience.
What I love most about the HSUS conferences is the opportunity to meet with other groups and exchange ideas. I'm hopeful that the rest of our team took away as much as I did so we become a stronger and more dedicated animal welfare organization.
But taking off for a week means coming back to quite a bit of work. Despite our having left auto responders on our email and an outgoing message on our voicemail that we were out of town until the 18th and messages would be returned on the 19th, people still yelled in their messages that we were not responsive to them. Just seems we can't make folks happy enough these days. It's not bad enough they want to dump their problem pets on us, now we have to take their problem attitudes as well. But so it goes in the world of animal rescue.
First let me say that while this was a big educational opportunity, it was also a small part vacation for me. Two days were planned for visiting the Disney parks before and after the workshops. It gave me a chance to get to know members of my leadership team better.
Before I go into a recount of our week, let me just say that please, for your own sanity, don't ever stay at the Coronado Springs Resort. HSUS has already booked it again in three years, and we're already looking for alternative places to stay. Our room and service was so bad, we got a big gift basket delivered to our room on the third day. I could write a novel of all the things that went wrong, but no need to bother. Just know that what you see and read on the website are not what we experienced during our stay. I also discovered that all the things I loved about Magic Kingdom as a kid and even in my early 20s were no longer the same... no characters walking about the park at random, you can only see Mickey at one spot if you wait in an hour plus line, and the more mature rides were all now G-rated. Even Epcot seemed less fantastic to me this go round... maybe it's because I'm older or just don't like so much change from happy childhood memories. I did, however LOVE Animal Kingdom. I could have stayed there longer and done more, but I wanted the chance to explore other parks.
So back to the conference... we spent the week attending various workshops on animal care, volunteer issues, fundraising, and long-term planning. I taught one workshop on website considerations for adopters, donors and volunteers. I was thrilled at the turnout; more than 200 people and folks were even sitting on the floor due to lack of seats. My Q&A session ran over and I'm still getting emails from people that attended. What a boost it is to see others benefit from my experience.
What I love most about the HSUS conferences is the opportunity to meet with other groups and exchange ideas. I'm hopeful that the rest of our team took away as much as I did so we become a stronger and more dedicated animal welfare organization.
But taking off for a week means coming back to quite a bit of work. Despite our having left auto responders on our email and an outgoing message on our voicemail that we were out of town until the 18th and messages would be returned on the 19th, people still yelled in their messages that we were not responsive to them. Just seems we can't make folks happy enough these days. It's not bad enough they want to dump their problem pets on us, now we have to take their problem attitudes as well. But so it goes in the world of animal rescue.
Thursday, May 8, 2008
How NOT to Win Friends and Influence People
I thought I could let this go, but that just wouldn't be me.
Ever since I was a kid, my mom has made me listen to her motivational business/self development tapes. I dreaded them. In fact, I finally learned how to tune them out. Now, all these years later, I spent over 40 minutes listening to a self-proclaimed "success story" who obviously never had a mom like mine.
From the moment this speaker took to the stage, I was turned off. He yelled... a lot. He spoke so fast, we could hardly understand his words. We were told he had a 30 minute limit... pretty much our entire table was turned off by him, so one member actually set a timer on his cell phone. Others at the table took to playing tic tac toe on their programs; others made jokes about his presentation. When the guy would make a joke, we noticed that no one on our side of the room was laughing; it seemed the only people who were doing it were the ones in front that probably did it out of respect. Honestly, had I not cared so much for the award nominees, I would have left. The guy kept on with his screaming; it reminded me so much of Sister Arlene back at St. Vincent's screaming at us in trig class. It seemed this guy was never going to stop, and when he began making his way towards our table, one of the guys grabbed a knife as if trying to protect himself. Several members at our table complained of elevated blood pressure, I myself felt like I had a constant ringing in my ears. But eventually, it stopped, way past the end of our cell phone countdown.
The night ended, and as everyone was filing out, I noticed not a single person stopped at this guy's booth to talk to him. I guess most everyone had had enough. I heard lots of comments in the parking lot... "that was nothing new," "of course you have to put people first, who does he think we are?", "I can't believe the Chamber paid for THAT," and my favorite, "why would anyone bring a 7 am speaker to a 7 pm function?"
Overall, it seems this speaker should stick to writing books. He claims a lot of success for motivating his team to the top sales position in the country for a network affiliate. I honestly have no idea how that is, other than they just don't want him yelling at them.
Ever since I was a kid, my mom has made me listen to her motivational business/self development tapes. I dreaded them. In fact, I finally learned how to tune them out. Now, all these years later, I spent over 40 minutes listening to a self-proclaimed "success story" who obviously never had a mom like mine.
From the moment this speaker took to the stage, I was turned off. He yelled... a lot. He spoke so fast, we could hardly understand his words. We were told he had a 30 minute limit... pretty much our entire table was turned off by him, so one member actually set a timer on his cell phone. Others at the table took to playing tic tac toe on their programs; others made jokes about his presentation. When the guy would make a joke, we noticed that no one on our side of the room was laughing; it seemed the only people who were doing it were the ones in front that probably did it out of respect. Honestly, had I not cared so much for the award nominees, I would have left. The guy kept on with his screaming; it reminded me so much of Sister Arlene back at St. Vincent's screaming at us in trig class. It seemed this guy was never going to stop, and when he began making his way towards our table, one of the guys grabbed a knife as if trying to protect himself. Several members at our table complained of elevated blood pressure, I myself felt like I had a constant ringing in my ears. But eventually, it stopped, way past the end of our cell phone countdown.
The night ended, and as everyone was filing out, I noticed not a single person stopped at this guy's booth to talk to him. I guess most everyone had had enough. I heard lots of comments in the parking lot... "that was nothing new," "of course you have to put people first, who does he think we are?", "I can't believe the Chamber paid for THAT," and my favorite, "why would anyone bring a 7 am speaker to a 7 pm function?"
Overall, it seems this speaker should stick to writing books. He claims a lot of success for motivating his team to the top sales position in the country for a network affiliate. I honestly have no idea how that is, other than they just don't want him yelling at them.
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Off The Leash
April was an incredibly busy month for me. Then again, most always are. But primarily, there were so many emotional ups and downs, which finally culminated in my first vacation in nearly seven years.
On April 15, I officially adopted Hemingway. I knew I was hooked the first day he arrived at the ranch. In fact, Tim made sure that was the last puppy handed to me out of the crate. It was like looking at a darker baby of DaVinci. We named all the other puppies after Harry Potter characters, and I reserved the right to name my new little husky bear. I swore I wasn't going to adopt him, but everyone around me knew better. I have been in love with DaVinci since I first saw his photo, and Hemingway was no different. As he's gotten older, his coat has changed color a bit, and people who don't know better think he belongs to Vinnie. However, if you watch, Hemingway really thinks he belongs to Hannah, following her everywhere and even snuggling with her in the crate. He's still a wild puppy, never wanting to come inside because playtime ends. But with those eyes and his spirit, he'll be an excellent addition to our pack.
So that was the fun puppy stuff this month. Since the last of Hemingway's litter was adopted by mid-month, I ventured to take a few more puppies from animal control. I went in to get two and left with eight - that seems to keep happening to me. Within just a few days, we realized we were contending with Parvo again. Knowing we couldn't make the entire litter through hospital stays, we got the first puppy to the ER and had her put on IVs through the night. Then I had the tending vet give us a prescription for the other seven to start on Tamiflu. I had read where other rescues were having great success at saving parvo puppies by using it. I was willing to try anything to save these puppies. It was 8 pm on Sunday and I worried about losing puppies while I slept through the night. By 9:30 (and after an excruciating wait at Walgreen's) I was home and medicating the other puppies. The next morning, the puppy at the ER was moved to our regular vet, and I arrived for two other appointments that morning. Sadly, halfway through our second appointment, we lost the puppy. I hadn't had her very long but it still hurt so much. A few days later, two more puppies died over night. I still haven't gotten over them. The other puppies are still pulling through, though we found out last week they also have coccidia and still had hookworms after their first deworming. Two puppies also have kennel cough, so we're really just having loads of fun at the ranch.
I don't think anyone can ever really fully understand the emotional roller coaster I live from one day to the next with these dogs. They never come to us in perfect health, and lots come with baggage. I honestly don't even know what attracts me to those special needs pups, but something always does. Which is how I ended up with Millie, Vienna, Maddie, Cisco, Summer and Candy as well within the last two weeksm not to mention eight kittens from animal control. (For those of you keeping count, that is 14 canines at once - the kittens, aka "snacks" according to the pups, are at two other foster homes.) Needless to say, my patience had been wearing thin, as had my appetite and sleep routine. So last weekend, I took my first vacation in a long, LONG, time.
It's hard to remember a time I didn't have a cell phone or email, but for four days, I shed my electronic leashes and just enjoyed life. I went to an aquarium and took a behind-the-scenes tour, enjoyed a beautiful dinner on the levee, and even spent an entire day at a roller coaster park. Granted, the weather was well below temperatures I like to endure, but being able to sleep in, go to bed early, or just rest on the couch for a few hours and read a book was amazing. But back to the grindstone I am again, prepping for a big morning tomorrow, a volunteer social on Saturday night, and a week-long animal welfare conference in just two weeks. I'm quite sure my next vacation won't come soon enough.
On April 15, I officially adopted Hemingway. I knew I was hooked the first day he arrived at the ranch. In fact, Tim made sure that was the last puppy handed to me out of the crate. It was like looking at a darker baby of DaVinci. We named all the other puppies after Harry Potter characters, and I reserved the right to name my new little husky bear. I swore I wasn't going to adopt him, but everyone around me knew better. I have been in love with DaVinci since I first saw his photo, and Hemingway was no different. As he's gotten older, his coat has changed color a bit, and people who don't know better think he belongs to Vinnie. However, if you watch, Hemingway really thinks he belongs to Hannah, following her everywhere and even snuggling with her in the crate. He's still a wild puppy, never wanting to come inside because playtime ends. But with those eyes and his spirit, he'll be an excellent addition to our pack.
So that was the fun puppy stuff this month. Since the last of Hemingway's litter was adopted by mid-month, I ventured to take a few more puppies from animal control. I went in to get two and left with eight - that seems to keep happening to me. Within just a few days, we realized we were contending with Parvo again. Knowing we couldn't make the entire litter through hospital stays, we got the first puppy to the ER and had her put on IVs through the night. Then I had the tending vet give us a prescription for the other seven to start on Tamiflu. I had read where other rescues were having great success at saving parvo puppies by using it. I was willing to try anything to save these puppies. It was 8 pm on Sunday and I worried about losing puppies while I slept through the night. By 9:30 (and after an excruciating wait at Walgreen's) I was home and medicating the other puppies. The next morning, the puppy at the ER was moved to our regular vet, and I arrived for two other appointments that morning. Sadly, halfway through our second appointment, we lost the puppy. I hadn't had her very long but it still hurt so much. A few days later, two more puppies died over night. I still haven't gotten over them. The other puppies are still pulling through, though we found out last week they also have coccidia and still had hookworms after their first deworming. Two puppies also have kennel cough, so we're really just having loads of fun at the ranch.
I don't think anyone can ever really fully understand the emotional roller coaster I live from one day to the next with these dogs. They never come to us in perfect health, and lots come with baggage. I honestly don't even know what attracts me to those special needs pups, but something always does. Which is how I ended up with Millie, Vienna, Maddie, Cisco, Summer and Candy as well within the last two weeksm not to mention eight kittens from animal control. (For those of you keeping count, that is 14 canines at once - the kittens, aka "snacks" according to the pups, are at two other foster homes.) Needless to say, my patience had been wearing thin, as had my appetite and sleep routine. So last weekend, I took my first vacation in a long, LONG, time.
It's hard to remember a time I didn't have a cell phone or email, but for four days, I shed my electronic leashes and just enjoyed life. I went to an aquarium and took a behind-the-scenes tour, enjoyed a beautiful dinner on the levee, and even spent an entire day at a roller coaster park. Granted, the weather was well below temperatures I like to endure, but being able to sleep in, go to bed early, or just rest on the couch for a few hours and read a book was amazing. But back to the grindstone I am again, prepping for a big morning tomorrow, a volunteer social on Saturday night, and a week-long animal welfare conference in just two weeks. I'm quite sure my next vacation won't come soon enough.
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
We Don't Have a Crime Problem in Savannah
I can't say how many times I have heard that. Growing up on Tybee, we never locked our doors until the night some drunk crawled in and fell asleep on our living room couch. But to me, I never felt unsafe or worried about my personal safety. Until last night.
I stopped watching the news for years because I was tired of nothing but shootings being shown. I didn't want to feel like I had to become a recluse; I enjoy life and I enjoy living life not confined to my house. But around 9:50 pm last night, my world of security faded.
I've been to enough redneck parties to know the sound of gunshots, and sitting at my computer last night, paying bills and making pet sitting arrangements, I completely froze with what I heard: rapid fire and tires squealing. I hit the arm mode on my alarm remote and sat back. It wasn't long before the cops showed up, so apparently, I wasn't the only neighbor who heard the noise. I turned off the lights and peered out my window, trying to figure out what happened and where. I walked to the back to peer out to the kennels; all the puppies were quiet, perhaps frozen in fear as I had been. Right around 11 a WTOC van showed up. I walked out to ask what he knew. What I found out was that this wasn't the first time cops had been to this house.
I never thought I'd live somewhere that I didn't want to know my neighbors, but since moving to the ranch last year, that's how I've become. I've heard the yelling, screaming, cursing so many times that I no longer think anything of it. I pretty much mind my own business and hope they mind theres. I have enough to contend with just keeping my puppies alive and safe.
So a few weeks ago, my parents decided to have an alarm system installed on my house. I thought it was a ridiculous thing; I had dogs, and I really didn't think anything could happen to me. Not that I am invincible, but I don't believe I provide a threat to anyone and I certainly have nothing valuable in the house (unless you count Beneful for Puppies which is expensive when buying 100 pounds at a time). But I called my mom and told her thank you for knowing what was best for me even when I thought I knew it all. There was comfort in being able to activate my alarm system from the exact spot I was sitting. I just hate that I now have to have an alarm system to feel safe in my home.
I stopped watching the news for years because I was tired of nothing but shootings being shown. I didn't want to feel like I had to become a recluse; I enjoy life and I enjoy living life not confined to my house. But around 9:50 pm last night, my world of security faded.
I've been to enough redneck parties to know the sound of gunshots, and sitting at my computer last night, paying bills and making pet sitting arrangements, I completely froze with what I heard: rapid fire and tires squealing. I hit the arm mode on my alarm remote and sat back. It wasn't long before the cops showed up, so apparently, I wasn't the only neighbor who heard the noise. I turned off the lights and peered out my window, trying to figure out what happened and where. I walked to the back to peer out to the kennels; all the puppies were quiet, perhaps frozen in fear as I had been. Right around 11 a WTOC van showed up. I walked out to ask what he knew. What I found out was that this wasn't the first time cops had been to this house.
I never thought I'd live somewhere that I didn't want to know my neighbors, but since moving to the ranch last year, that's how I've become. I've heard the yelling, screaming, cursing so many times that I no longer think anything of it. I pretty much mind my own business and hope they mind theres. I have enough to contend with just keeping my puppies alive and safe.
So a few weeks ago, my parents decided to have an alarm system installed on my house. I thought it was a ridiculous thing; I had dogs, and I really didn't think anything could happen to me. Not that I am invincible, but I don't believe I provide a threat to anyone and I certainly have nothing valuable in the house (unless you count Beneful for Puppies which is expensive when buying 100 pounds at a time). But I called my mom and told her thank you for knowing what was best for me even when I thought I knew it all. There was comfort in being able to activate my alarm system from the exact spot I was sitting. I just hate that I now have to have an alarm system to feel safe in my home.
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Angels When You Least Expect Them
A year ago, I got a funny idea to build an actual shelter for Coastal Pet Rescue. Well, turns out, those are pretty expensive to build, so I settled for buying an acre of land and putting up temporary kennels. The kennels allow us to save litters at a time from euthanasia at animal control when we don't have foster homes available. So far, they have helped us save 30 pets since December 31.
While this is a great idea, I underestimated the amount of time and care it would require of me, since I live alone and don't always have help available. I learned a routine that takes about an hour and a half in the morning, an hour in the mid to late afternoon, and another hour and a half before I go to bed. Some days it goes slower, others faster, but always reminds me that I am where I am supposed to be.
Lately, I've been getting a little worn down. I had a minor MCL tear which put me on crutches, however, I couldn't get around the property as well as I needed to or get things done in a timely fashion, not to mention Hannah thought they were a big chew toy and tried to take them from me... while I was using them! So after a week and a half, I had to put them down and just bear through the pain. I feel it every night but I'm sure there are worse things in life.
It was getting to be time to do some major repairs and cleanup work on the kennels. So, I decided I would tackle one of the four kennels each weekend in April so I would be finished by May. I knew it was going to be a lot of work, and I made a punch list for myself so as not to be overwhelmed or surprised. I had made a request for help on the volunteer message board, but the interest was not there. I shrugged it off and started to go forward, setting up my schedule of what tasks would be completed and when. I was already pricing delivery options from Lowe's when I got a message from our secretary from someone in Maryland that wanted to volunteer. I called the young lady and was astonished - she had ten volunteers arriving to Savannah the second weekend in April and they wanted to know if I had anything they could do to help. You can never begin to imagine my joy at their offer.
I started my day yesterday just a little before seven, rising to let the house dogs out to go potty, then throwing on shoes to go let out four dogs I'm pup sitting for another foster home. I returned back and began the routine of feeding everyone and picking up poo, always a fun way to kick off the weekend. By 8:30, I was wide awake, and with my Jimmy Buffett music blaring from the speakers I had just put up on Friday, I decided to get a head start on the kennels, filling holes and patching chainlink with chicken wire sections and aluminum ties.
The group arrived right on time, in a big white van, but it may as well have been on white horses to me. They were eager, wanting to know where to start and if it was ok to play with the dogs, too. I had set up task sheets on each kennel listing all the items that needed to be done: scooping up all the old mulch, filling holes, putting down new mulch bleach cleaning and scrubbing each dog house then placing it on a platform, and scrubbing all the dishes. Two of the volunteers took on yard duty, picking up poo and dead toys and removing brush from the fence line. I took on dog house duty in one kennel, scrubbing away and answering questions from the various volunteers about CPR and how we started, what we do, the dogs, etc. Right about noon, all the kennels were finished. It was amazing; it all looked so beautiful, I wanted to cry.
Another CPR volunteer, Betty, drove from Wilimington Island to bring lunch for the group. They were so incredibly thankful. Betty always takes such good care of me, coming out to the ranch every other week to help out, so I was not surprised at her generosity for these volunteers. As they sat eating, they asked about what else they could do while they were here. I was stunned. I thought for sure they would be "thanks for the grub, we're out," but it was just the opposite. One of the guys asked if I had a lawnmower so he could cut the yard for me. It hasn't been cut since I started growing grass, and it really needed it, but I felt bad that these young folks were doing so much for me. But by the time we walked back with the lawnmower, the other volunteers had already cleaned up all the stuff from lunch, put it back in the house, and were out in the yard playing with all the puppies. They looked so happy, and it felt wonderful for me. But they still wanted to do more. So, we went to the back of the property and loaded a trailer full of junk that I had been pulling out of the woods and dirt for the last eight months. It went so quickly having so many people to help, I actually teared up. But still, they wanted to do more...
Three of the young ladies came up to me in the house and asked if they could please bathe the puppies. I asked them if they were sure about that as they would probably get a good bit wet and dirty. I told them if they really wanted to, then sure. They were so thrilled about it, just big grins across their face. Then they said, "don't tell the others; we want to do this ourselves," but one of the guys had walked by and heard and he wanted to bathe the puppies, too. I couldn't believe all these young adults were fighting over who was going to bathe the puppies. Knowing everything was under control, I got a glass of water and retreated to my lounge chair that I hadn't had time to sit in since I built my "Isla de Lisa" retreat. When I went in to get a refill a short while later, I found six volunteers crowded into my bathroom bathing, drying, rotating puppies. I just shook my head and laughed, knowing that is how excited I get every time I go to animal control to bring someone home.
The AmeriCorps angels left around 4:30, and told me they would call me tomorrow (today) to see if I need any help with the six new puppies I'm bringing home from animal control. I told them to enjoy their day on the boat (I made arrangements for my parents to take them out on a dolphin tour as a thank you) and if they got really bored, that they were welcome to come back and play with puppies.
It just goes to show that we are never faced in life with challenges we can't overcome... and when we really need help, it, too, will find us.
Oh, and let me know forget to mention my other blessed angel, Gary from Daniel Kitchen and Bath who came and did the front lawn and driveway.
While this is a great idea, I underestimated the amount of time and care it would require of me, since I live alone and don't always have help available. I learned a routine that takes about an hour and a half in the morning, an hour in the mid to late afternoon, and another hour and a half before I go to bed. Some days it goes slower, others faster, but always reminds me that I am where I am supposed to be.
Lately, I've been getting a little worn down. I had a minor MCL tear which put me on crutches, however, I couldn't get around the property as well as I needed to or get things done in a timely fashion, not to mention Hannah thought they were a big chew toy and tried to take them from me... while I was using them! So after a week and a half, I had to put them down and just bear through the pain. I feel it every night but I'm sure there are worse things in life.
It was getting to be time to do some major repairs and cleanup work on the kennels. So, I decided I would tackle one of the four kennels each weekend in April so I would be finished by May. I knew it was going to be a lot of work, and I made a punch list for myself so as not to be overwhelmed or surprised. I had made a request for help on the volunteer message board, but the interest was not there. I shrugged it off and started to go forward, setting up my schedule of what tasks would be completed and when. I was already pricing delivery options from Lowe's when I got a message from our secretary from someone in Maryland that wanted to volunteer. I called the young lady and was astonished - she had ten volunteers arriving to Savannah the second weekend in April and they wanted to know if I had anything they could do to help. You can never begin to imagine my joy at their offer.
I started my day yesterday just a little before seven, rising to let the house dogs out to go potty, then throwing on shoes to go let out four dogs I'm pup sitting for another foster home. I returned back and began the routine of feeding everyone and picking up poo, always a fun way to kick off the weekend. By 8:30, I was wide awake, and with my Jimmy Buffett music blaring from the speakers I had just put up on Friday, I decided to get a head start on the kennels, filling holes and patching chainlink with chicken wire sections and aluminum ties.
The group arrived right on time, in a big white van, but it may as well have been on white horses to me. They were eager, wanting to know where to start and if it was ok to play with the dogs, too. I had set up task sheets on each kennel listing all the items that needed to be done: scooping up all the old mulch, filling holes, putting down new mulch bleach cleaning and scrubbing each dog house then placing it on a platform, and scrubbing all the dishes. Two of the volunteers took on yard duty, picking up poo and dead toys and removing brush from the fence line. I took on dog house duty in one kennel, scrubbing away and answering questions from the various volunteers about CPR and how we started, what we do, the dogs, etc. Right about noon, all the kennels were finished. It was amazing; it all looked so beautiful, I wanted to cry.
Another CPR volunteer, Betty, drove from Wilimington Island to bring lunch for the group. They were so incredibly thankful. Betty always takes such good care of me, coming out to the ranch every other week to help out, so I was not surprised at her generosity for these volunteers. As they sat eating, they asked about what else they could do while they were here. I was stunned. I thought for sure they would be "thanks for the grub, we're out," but it was just the opposite. One of the guys asked if I had a lawnmower so he could cut the yard for me. It hasn't been cut since I started growing grass, and it really needed it, but I felt bad that these young folks were doing so much for me. But by the time we walked back with the lawnmower, the other volunteers had already cleaned up all the stuff from lunch, put it back in the house, and were out in the yard playing with all the puppies. They looked so happy, and it felt wonderful for me. But they still wanted to do more. So, we went to the back of the property and loaded a trailer full of junk that I had been pulling out of the woods and dirt for the last eight months. It went so quickly having so many people to help, I actually teared up. But still, they wanted to do more...
Three of the young ladies came up to me in the house and asked if they could please bathe the puppies. I asked them if they were sure about that as they would probably get a good bit wet and dirty. I told them if they really wanted to, then sure. They were so thrilled about it, just big grins across their face. Then they said, "don't tell the others; we want to do this ourselves," but one of the guys had walked by and heard and he wanted to bathe the puppies, too. I couldn't believe all these young adults were fighting over who was going to bathe the puppies. Knowing everything was under control, I got a glass of water and retreated to my lounge chair that I hadn't had time to sit in since I built my "Isla de Lisa" retreat. When I went in to get a refill a short while later, I found six volunteers crowded into my bathroom bathing, drying, rotating puppies. I just shook my head and laughed, knowing that is how excited I get every time I go to animal control to bring someone home.
The AmeriCorps angels left around 4:30, and told me they would call me tomorrow (today) to see if I need any help with the six new puppies I'm bringing home from animal control. I told them to enjoy their day on the boat (I made arrangements for my parents to take them out on a dolphin tour as a thank you) and if they got really bored, that they were welcome to come back and play with puppies.
It just goes to show that we are never faced in life with challenges we can't overcome... and when we really need help, it, too, will find us.
Oh, and let me know forget to mention my other blessed angel, Gary from Daniel Kitchen and Bath who came and did the front lawn and driveway.
Saturday, April 5, 2008
Oprah Shows Truth About Puppymills
For the last week, my inbox has been flooded with emails from rescuers around the country, advising me to watch the Oprah show on April 4 as she exposes puppymills. I've been in rescue a number of years now and just completed my humane leadership bachelor degree. There's not much more I can learn about puppymills, but I was interested to see a national talk show finally take on the dirty and often heartbreaking topic. And I was pleased.
The video footage shown was not much different than that I had to watch for classes, or those that I watched from other rescues that I helped coordinate puppymill busts transports. While it is not something I have had to be involved in locally, I am aware that these places exist very nearby to me and have worked with a couple of other rescuers to go through the proper authorities to see them shut down. Sadly, it still hasn't happened yet. I continue to see these puppies sold at our local flea market, noticeably younger than the breeder says and shouldn't be away from their mom yet, and often lacking any sort of social skills. I've been by on cold days when I was wrapped in my warmest jacket (ok, windbreaker as we are in the South), and saw these babies completely exposed to the elements while their breeders sat wrapped in warm jackets or even blankets. I've been on incredibly hot days where I was sure I would pass out from the heat and excessive thirst and not even seen water available to these pets. There is little value given to their wellbeing; they are a commodity, and these breeders prey on the compassion of those that walk by.
Even after the puppymill footage was shown on Oprah, I was more amazed that they took it further to show the reality of animal shelters and the euthanasia process. I had to admit, what they shown was almost sugar-coated. All the animals walked willingly with their handler and sat well on the euthanasia table. I know that's not how it always is because I've been involved in the euthanasia process before.
Last year, I worked for a couple months at our local animal control, back when the gas chamber was still the primary method for euthanasia. I had always only been in the shelter as an animal rescuer; I had the good job because I was there to save the pets. So I felt it was important for me to fully understand my mission and the importance of our work and to do so, I needed to participate in the euthanasia process. The guys asked me if I was sure I could handle it, knowing that animal rescuers are incredibly compassionate people who do shed tears often. I've prided myself at only crying in private due to the nature of a lot of the cases we take, so I told them I'd be fine.
I can still remember every little detail of that first day. We did the dogs first. What you don't see on the Oprah footage are the dogs who know something is going on and use all their strength to stay put or try to fight you at the cage to stay away from them. Even after being given a tranquilizer, some still fought to have control, wobbling, trying to stand up and get away. They don't understand that this is your job, to take up for other people's irresponsibility. And it's a hard job. All I wanted to do was hold each pet before we did anything, but there's no time for that. We had a time frame by which we were to be done before members of the public came through the shelter so they would not see the truth that takes place. The worst for me was the kittens. There were so many of them, and the mound was so big by the time I was finished placing them all in the chamber cage. Once the door was closed, I left the room. It was then my job to take all the cage cards and fill out the euthanasia log. I wrote down 47 animal ids that morning. They didn't have names, just numbers, and most were never given much of a description past DSH (domestic short hair for cats) or Mix for dogs, where the majority had the word "Pit" in front.
And that was part of my job four days a week for two months. Some days there were less, others more. But it never got easier. I still cried when I got home, thinking about the ones that should have had a chance but never will.
So thank you, Oprah, for showing the rest of the world what too many people try to ignore.
The video footage shown was not much different than that I had to watch for classes, or those that I watched from other rescues that I helped coordinate puppymill busts transports. While it is not something I have had to be involved in locally, I am aware that these places exist very nearby to me and have worked with a couple of other rescuers to go through the proper authorities to see them shut down. Sadly, it still hasn't happened yet. I continue to see these puppies sold at our local flea market, noticeably younger than the breeder says and shouldn't be away from their mom yet, and often lacking any sort of social skills. I've been by on cold days when I was wrapped in my warmest jacket (ok, windbreaker as we are in the South), and saw these babies completely exposed to the elements while their breeders sat wrapped in warm jackets or even blankets. I've been on incredibly hot days where I was sure I would pass out from the heat and excessive thirst and not even seen water available to these pets. There is little value given to their wellbeing; they are a commodity, and these breeders prey on the compassion of those that walk by.
Even after the puppymill footage was shown on Oprah, I was more amazed that they took it further to show the reality of animal shelters and the euthanasia process. I had to admit, what they shown was almost sugar-coated. All the animals walked willingly with their handler and sat well on the euthanasia table. I know that's not how it always is because I've been involved in the euthanasia process before.
Last year, I worked for a couple months at our local animal control, back when the gas chamber was still the primary method for euthanasia. I had always only been in the shelter as an animal rescuer; I had the good job because I was there to save the pets. So I felt it was important for me to fully understand my mission and the importance of our work and to do so, I needed to participate in the euthanasia process. The guys asked me if I was sure I could handle it, knowing that animal rescuers are incredibly compassionate people who do shed tears often. I've prided myself at only crying in private due to the nature of a lot of the cases we take, so I told them I'd be fine.
I can still remember every little detail of that first day. We did the dogs first. What you don't see on the Oprah footage are the dogs who know something is going on and use all their strength to stay put or try to fight you at the cage to stay away from them. Even after being given a tranquilizer, some still fought to have control, wobbling, trying to stand up and get away. They don't understand that this is your job, to take up for other people's irresponsibility. And it's a hard job. All I wanted to do was hold each pet before we did anything, but there's no time for that. We had a time frame by which we were to be done before members of the public came through the shelter so they would not see the truth that takes place. The worst for me was the kittens. There were so many of them, and the mound was so big by the time I was finished placing them all in the chamber cage. Once the door was closed, I left the room. It was then my job to take all the cage cards and fill out the euthanasia log. I wrote down 47 animal ids that morning. They didn't have names, just numbers, and most were never given much of a description past DSH (domestic short hair for cats) or Mix for dogs, where the majority had the word "Pit" in front.
And that was part of my job four days a week for two months. Some days there were less, others more. But it never got easier. I still cried when I got home, thinking about the ones that should have had a chance but never will.
So thank you, Oprah, for showing the rest of the world what too many people try to ignore.
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Easter Blessings: a Big Donation and a New Friend
Well, it's no secret that we've been struggling financially. We've had excessive veterinary bills for our pets with little in donations coming in. We actually had to stop all intakes for about a month to figure out what to do next. Then on March 12, one of our volunteers got a phone call that she won $5,000 from S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc. for Coastal Pet Rescue. I was stunned; she was shaking as she was talking on the phone to me, and I was crying that our prayers had been answered. We were initially told it would be 60 days before we would see the check, but instead, the check arrived on Good Friday, and was it ever!
Well, that was until Hannah and Portia knocked me over... and sent me on a trip to urgent care where I found out I had a minor MCL tear (my buddy Kevin says MCL = Must Care a Lot about dogs). So here I am, Easter weekend, beautiful outside, and I'm on crutches. Ugh. But good news is that all the grass I planted two weeks ago is coming in, so I am slowly recovering all the landscaping from the dogs.
We made a new friend at WJCL last week as well. Anchor Jessica Kiss came out to Rancho Perro (Mutt Ranch) to visit with us on Saturday and see all our puppies. She's the first media person to take the time to find out what goes on behind the scenes at CPR. She wasn't scared when the dogs jumped on her, and even took time to interact with the pups in each kennel. She's a very genuine person, something you may not always believe to be possible with media personalities these days. So big hearted is she that on Monday, she called and asked me to be on the FOX News at 10 show and even offered me a ride there and back so I wouldn't stress my knee further. Talk about Southern hospitality, and even the gentlemen in the studio were so accommodating, pulling a chair down from the morning set to make it easier for me to get up, and offering me their arms to get up and down from the anchor desk. In a world that I'm so used to people showing me so little respect, it really touched my heart the little gestures to help make me comfortable.
Well, that was until Hannah and Portia knocked me over... and sent me on a trip to urgent care where I found out I had a minor MCL tear (my buddy Kevin says MCL = Must Care a Lot about dogs). So here I am, Easter weekend, beautiful outside, and I'm on crutches. Ugh. But good news is that all the grass I planted two weeks ago is coming in, so I am slowly recovering all the landscaping from the dogs.
We made a new friend at WJCL last week as well. Anchor Jessica Kiss came out to Rancho Perro (Mutt Ranch) to visit with us on Saturday and see all our puppies. She's the first media person to take the time to find out what goes on behind the scenes at CPR. She wasn't scared when the dogs jumped on her, and even took time to interact with the pups in each kennel. She's a very genuine person, something you may not always believe to be possible with media personalities these days. So big hearted is she that on Monday, she called and asked me to be on the FOX News at 10 show and even offered me a ride there and back so I wouldn't stress my knee further. Talk about Southern hospitality, and even the gentlemen in the studio were so accommodating, pulling a chair down from the morning set to make it easier for me to get up, and offering me their arms to get up and down from the anchor desk. In a world that I'm so used to people showing me so little respect, it really touched my heart the little gestures to help make me comfortable.
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Oprah's Big Give Message Board: Beware of Censorship
This afternoon, I logged on to the Oprah's Big Give message board to see what other viewers were saying. I've been reading lots of negative reviews through various blogs on the Internet, and thought I'd check it out. While the majority were posts by outraged viewers believing that the show was sending the wrong message about giving, I saw a couple postings asking for advice on getting help, primarily fundraising. So I made a post about the challenge we had issued to local businesses for help and the response we had gotten so far. Within 30 minutes, it had been deleted. Wow. My post was probably one of only 3 throughout that message board that was not negative towards the show but actually showing how the show was inspiring us and others to take action. Color me surprised. Never thought there would be censorship over positivity and trying to encourage others. Maybe it's true that controversy sells. Well, good luck to them; I know I won't be back.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
What You Don't See on TV
This morning, Trinity and I ventured to join the WJCL crew for their morning show. IT was Trin's first time out like this, and needless to say, it has been an adventure.
Our morning show appearances mean I start my day just before 4 am to be sure everyone is fed and ready for the day as I won't return home until the afternoon. I deliberately withheld food from Trin so she would not get carsick as her two sisters have done for every vet visit. I also discovered that the little sweetheart has no interest whatsoever for a leash, so I had to scrounge to find a harness her size, which makes it much easier to carry her when she refuses to walk.
The ride to the station was pretty uneventful. She sat in the back very quiet, pretty much unsure of what in the world was going on. I stopped at the convenience store for a Starbucks pick me up, and we were at the station by about 5:30. Normally, we wait in the lobby or newsroom, but we were ushered into the studio right at our arrival. Trin held on to the floor for dear life as I walked to the guest set. I was starting to worry that it wasn't going to be a good show for us.
Trinity is very much a lover and doled out kisses to anyone who would accept them this morning. Our time came for the first live shot, and as I expected, Trinity was very curious with everything going on and would not sit still. It always makes for fun live TV. We ended and I sat down on the floor with Trin. About 20 minutes later, during a live moment, she began hacking... I knew what was coming but couldn't move fast enough. Luckily, I had not fed her this morning so there was just liquid on the newsroom floor. I didn't want to cause a scene as Jessica was giving the headlines, but then Trin started again. I scooped her up and tried not to trip over all the wires as we rushed to the bathroom. I made it just in time... but this time, it was from Trin's other end... and man, did it smell! In the middle of trying to clean up, a knock on the door said "You'e on now," so I rushed to throw down paper towels until I could get back. I scooped her up and got back to the set, where Trinity decided she was finally comfortable enough to chill out for her TV shot. Two minutes later we were done, and I was back to the bathroom to finish cleaning. Trinity just watched, having obviously forgotten that this was a mess she had created. We returned to the set where she napped until our next shot.
So now we have an hour for us to rest before our next interview. I can only hope that the real fun for the day is over. But as I keep learning, there is just no telling what a puppy will do with live TV.
Our morning show appearances mean I start my day just before 4 am to be sure everyone is fed and ready for the day as I won't return home until the afternoon. I deliberately withheld food from Trin so she would not get carsick as her two sisters have done for every vet visit. I also discovered that the little sweetheart has no interest whatsoever for a leash, so I had to scrounge to find a harness her size, which makes it much easier to carry her when she refuses to walk.
The ride to the station was pretty uneventful. She sat in the back very quiet, pretty much unsure of what in the world was going on. I stopped at the convenience store for a Starbucks pick me up, and we were at the station by about 5:30. Normally, we wait in the lobby or newsroom, but we were ushered into the studio right at our arrival. Trin held on to the floor for dear life as I walked to the guest set. I was starting to worry that it wasn't going to be a good show for us.
Trinity is very much a lover and doled out kisses to anyone who would accept them this morning. Our time came for the first live shot, and as I expected, Trinity was very curious with everything going on and would not sit still. It always makes for fun live TV. We ended and I sat down on the floor with Trin. About 20 minutes later, during a live moment, she began hacking... I knew what was coming but couldn't move fast enough. Luckily, I had not fed her this morning so there was just liquid on the newsroom floor. I didn't want to cause a scene as Jessica was giving the headlines, but then Trin started again. I scooped her up and tried not to trip over all the wires as we rushed to the bathroom. I made it just in time... but this time, it was from Trin's other end... and man, did it smell! In the middle of trying to clean up, a knock on the door said "You'e on now," so I rushed to throw down paper towels until I could get back. I scooped her up and got back to the set, where Trinity decided she was finally comfortable enough to chill out for her TV shot. Two minutes later we were done, and I was back to the bathroom to finish cleaning. Trinity just watched, having obviously forgotten that this was a mess she had created. We returned to the set where she napped until our next shot.
So now we have an hour for us to rest before our next interview. I can only hope that the real fun for the day is over. But as I keep learning, there is just no telling what a puppy will do with live TV.
Monday, March 17, 2008
7am Husky Chorus
It's one of those days... very late night, very early morning. I had spent all weekend doing landscape work to repair or rectify the previous landscaping by the dogs. Needless to say it was a lot of long hours and sore muscles salvaged only by three volunteers who gave up a few hours on Sunday to bathe 12 puppies.
This morning, I was to have the Harry Potter puppies at their spay appointments by 7:30 am. The alarm went off at 6, I hit snooze, then again, and then again. Next thing I know, it is 7:08 am. Not a good thing for me as I had to identify each puppy, load them in a carrier, then play Tetris to fit all 7 in the rescue mobile for a 30 minute ride.
By 7:28 we were all in the car and on our way with a beautiful sunrise to guide us. By nature, Huskies are talkers, but all I could do was smile and laugh as the chorus began. I turned the radio up to hear "You Raise Me Up" and on cue, the pups howled along. I had Minerva in the crate next to me, and I smiled as she stood perfectly, tilting her head all the way back to make sure the good Lord could hear her passion. All I could do was smile, remembering that just a few short weeks ago she was hooked up to an IV fighting an infection that threatened to end her life.
The chorus continued for the duration of the ride, almost always on key with whatever song played on the radio. For me, it was an affirmation for why I spend my life the way I do. What better thanks could I get than a 7 am puppy serenade.
This morning, I was to have the Harry Potter puppies at their spay appointments by 7:30 am. The alarm went off at 6, I hit snooze, then again, and then again. Next thing I know, it is 7:08 am. Not a good thing for me as I had to identify each puppy, load them in a carrier, then play Tetris to fit all 7 in the rescue mobile for a 30 minute ride.
By 7:28 we were all in the car and on our way with a beautiful sunrise to guide us. By nature, Huskies are talkers, but all I could do was smile and laugh as the chorus began. I turned the radio up to hear "You Raise Me Up" and on cue, the pups howled along. I had Minerva in the crate next to me, and I smiled as she stood perfectly, tilting her head all the way back to make sure the good Lord could hear her passion. All I could do was smile, remembering that just a few short weeks ago she was hooked up to an IV fighting an infection that threatened to end her life.
The chorus continued for the duration of the ride, almost always on key with whatever song played on the radio. For me, it was an affirmation for why I spend my life the way I do. What better thanks could I get than a 7 am puppy serenade.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Parting is Such Sweet Sorrow
This morning, I hugged my best friend goodbye as he set out on a 12-hour drive to start a new life in Cincinnati. For the last year and a half, he has been my shelter in the storm, holding me after bad days, cooking dinner for me when I needed a break, and always making me smile when I least felt I could. The greatest thing about him was I never had to ask for anything; he just knew and did it. He wasn't bothered by the dogs, in fact, he enjoyed coming over for "puppy love" after he learned "the process."
As I watched him drive off this morning, my heart completely sank. I've had just over a month to adjust to him leaving as he left February 1st but was back every two weeks. I had become accustomed to keeping a few dollar bills in the ashtray of the puppy mobile for picking him up at the airport. I don't have to do that anymore, and it saddens me. Not only do I now have to cook for myself, but who is going to play me at Rummy nights I don't want to talk or just want to forget about my day? What about the random text messages during the day to make me laugh when I probably shouldn't? I even miss my favorite blanket I snuggled in while we watched UFC (he watched, I napped).
We've made promises to see each other once a month, which is a bigger deal for me since I despise cold weather and that's all it's been since he left. But perhaps this will help me grow as a person, too. I have more time for working on my house and landscaping, though I believe I invented projects in the last month just to keep me busy. What I wouldn't give to have the transporter from Star Trek right now.
As I watched him drive off this morning, my heart completely sank. I've had just over a month to adjust to him leaving as he left February 1st but was back every two weeks. I had become accustomed to keeping a few dollar bills in the ashtray of the puppy mobile for picking him up at the airport. I don't have to do that anymore, and it saddens me. Not only do I now have to cook for myself, but who is going to play me at Rummy nights I don't want to talk or just want to forget about my day? What about the random text messages during the day to make me laugh when I probably shouldn't? I even miss my favorite blanket I snuggled in while we watched UFC (he watched, I napped).
We've made promises to see each other once a month, which is a bigger deal for me since I despise cold weather and that's all it's been since he left. But perhaps this will help me grow as a person, too. I have more time for working on my house and landscaping, though I believe I invented projects in the last month just to keep me busy. What I wouldn't give to have the transporter from Star Trek right now.
Zero Tolerance in Schools: Violence vs Skittles
It's no secret that Savannah Chatham County Public Schools have a problem with violence. It's not new, nor specific to Savannah/Chatham County public schools, and it's the reason my parents put me through 12 years of Catholic schools. I was happy to see that a zero tolerance policy was going to be started, but whether or not it makes a big difference we'll have to wait and see.
But this afternoon, I was stunned as I read of a school in Connecticut that had suspended an eighth grade honors student because he bought a bag of Skittles from a classmate. Apparently, "the New Haven school system banned candy sales in 2003 as part of a districtwide (sic) school wellness policy." Wow. I for one am an avid chocoholic, so I know I would probably be the first to be suspended for sneaking a bag of M&Ms. I guess it must be nice that the schools have such less to worry about than kids getting a sweet fix every so often.
But this afternoon, I was stunned as I read of a school in Connecticut that had suspended an eighth grade honors student because he bought a bag of Skittles from a classmate. Apparently, "the New Haven school system banned candy sales in 2003 as part of a districtwide (sic) school wellness policy." Wow. I for one am an avid chocoholic, so I know I would probably be the first to be suspended for sneaking a bag of M&Ms. I guess it must be nice that the schools have such less to worry about than kids getting a sweet fix every so often.
Friday, March 7, 2008
Coastal Pet Rescue Issues Big Give Challenge to Savannah
Last night, Coastal Pet Rescue issued a Big Give challenge to Savannah area businesses. As of this morning, eight businesses have offered help or services to Coastal Pet Rescue and its volunteers, with two businesses offering benefits to cash donors. What a great start to a new idea.
I'll be the first to admit I'm afraid of failure. As I worked on the new webpage and press release last night, I wondered if it would really take, and how we could pull off all that we need. (Still saying a prayer for the college tuition to come through...) But I was really uplifted at the four respondents I got last night before I even sent the request for help out around the net.
I'd like to think we've made a difference these last five years, but we just need help to make it another five. Our requests for funds haven't gone well of late, so here's hoping asking for services and time to be donated does a bit more. We don't have Oprah's resources, but maybe we'll get lucky get attention of Jeff Foxworthy or other Georgia celebrities who could really help us to make an impact.
I'll be the first to admit I'm afraid of failure. As I worked on the new webpage and press release last night, I wondered if it would really take, and how we could pull off all that we need. (Still saying a prayer for the college tuition to come through...) But I was really uplifted at the four respondents I got last night before I even sent the request for help out around the net.
I'd like to think we've made a difference these last five years, but we just need help to make it another five. Our requests for funds haven't gone well of late, so here's hoping asking for services and time to be donated does a bit more. We don't have Oprah's resources, but maybe we'll get lucky get attention of Jeff Foxworthy or other Georgia celebrities who could really help us to make an impact.
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Oprah's Big Give, Community Service & Student Loans
I was flipping through some sites today and ran across another plug for Oprah's Big Give. What an incredible concept. What really hit me was the team working to help a young man at UCLA with his student loans to fulfill his dream of working with children with physical deformities free of charge. It is amazing to me the number of people who are going to school not to just better themselves, but better their communities.
In September 2005, I enrolled in Duquesne University's Bachelor of Science Humane Leadership program. I applied left and right for scholarships, but the truth is, they are so competitive, and the few I received barely covered one term. I graduated in December 2008 and had to get another loan for the balance remaining, so in six months, I get to start repaying $41,000 in student loans. You can believe I've been saying my prayers about this. I'm one of those people that live paycheck to paycheck, and I used to think I was the only one, but I'm realizing that I'm not. With the gas prices now, I can even barely afford to make it to work and home each week.
So basically what it comes down to is how can you justify doing something good with your life if you are going to be forced to struggle not only with emotional tolls but financial ones? Even presidential candidate Obama wants more youth to turn their lives to servicing their community as opposed to corporate America. The candidate even proposes tuition assistance for those willing to put in 100 community service hours a year. Finally, someone who gets what I'm trying to do with my life.
I grew up as the child of corporate America parents: my dad owned his own architect firm in Atlanta, my mom was in management with BellSouth. My siblings all went corporate, my brother even following Mom's footsteps with BellSouth Mobility (Cingular, AT&T, whoever they are this month). But I never saw my parents happy with their work; my dad was always gone away from home, and Mom always brought her work home with her and had little time to do much else. Weekends on Tybee or out on the boat were ours, and I treasured them. But I learned early on that wasn't what I wanted for my life. So here I am, the "black sheep" of the family, struggling little sister who would rather bag dog poop at 6 am seven days a week than deal with corporate BS 40 hours a week. Now, if I could just get Oprah's people to spread the love a little this direction...
PS - edited to note that a report says the 5th episode of Oprah's Big Give was filmed in Atlanta, with contestants crisscrossing Georgia. Darn, always a day late.
In September 2005, I enrolled in Duquesne University's Bachelor of Science Humane Leadership program. I applied left and right for scholarships, but the truth is, they are so competitive, and the few I received barely covered one term. I graduated in December 2008 and had to get another loan for the balance remaining, so in six months, I get to start repaying $41,000 in student loans. You can believe I've been saying my prayers about this. I'm one of those people that live paycheck to paycheck, and I used to think I was the only one, but I'm realizing that I'm not. With the gas prices now, I can even barely afford to make it to work and home each week.
So basically what it comes down to is how can you justify doing something good with your life if you are going to be forced to struggle not only with emotional tolls but financial ones? Even presidential candidate Obama wants more youth to turn their lives to servicing their community as opposed to corporate America. The candidate even proposes tuition assistance for those willing to put in 100 community service hours a year. Finally, someone who gets what I'm trying to do with my life.
I grew up as the child of corporate America parents: my dad owned his own architect firm in Atlanta, my mom was in management with BellSouth. My siblings all went corporate, my brother even following Mom's footsteps with BellSouth Mobility (Cingular, AT&T, whoever they are this month). But I never saw my parents happy with their work; my dad was always gone away from home, and Mom always brought her work home with her and had little time to do much else. Weekends on Tybee or out on the boat were ours, and I treasured them. But I learned early on that wasn't what I wanted for my life. So here I am, the "black sheep" of the family, struggling little sister who would rather bag dog poop at 6 am seven days a week than deal with corporate BS 40 hours a week. Now, if I could just get Oprah's people to spread the love a little this direction...
PS - edited to note that a report says the 5th episode of Oprah's Big Give was filmed in Atlanta, with contestants crisscrossing Georgia. Darn, always a day late.
Monday, March 3, 2008
Compassion Fatigue
One of the first things you learn in rescue is that the work can be emotionally taxing. This weekend was no different. On Saturday afternoon, I headed out to the kennels to clean, feed and medicate everyone. I noticed one of the seven Husky pups did not run to greet me as they all normally do. A quick check of capillary refill time told me he needed fluids. I quickly finished feeding everyone and ran inside to change clothes and get on the road. I was supposed to be at a sock hop to benefit the feral cat program in just two hours, but figured there was no way that would happen. We arrived, got checked in, and was told he needed to stay for at least a few hours. I drove back home and made arrangements to have my date meet me at the house as I rushed to get ready. We were only an hour late, and of course, people were understanding of my tardiness. During the middle of the dance, the ER vet called to let me know it was a viral infection and he needed to stay overnight. We left the dance and rushed home to check the other puppies, where I found one pup that seemed a bit less active than earlier. I separated her and kept an eye on her, but felt better since she was walking around and drinking water on her own. But the next morning, I found us on the road to the ER vet again. I got back to the house and went back into my routine, graced to have a volunteer join me for the afternoon bathing duties. Within a couple hours, I had a call from another foster home that one of her puppies was not doing well, so I authorized for him to go in and get put on fluids. An hour later, I was sending another puppy from my litter down there as well.
A beautiful Sunday afternoon had been filled with the stench of bleach from disinfecting crates and kennels and a heavy weight as the concern grew for our puppies. But my stress increased as I worried on how we would pay the ER bill, guessing it would be around $1,000 when we only had about $1200 in available funds. Sure enough, our bill was right at around $900 this morning, but we were lucky... the vet did not charge us the hospitalization or office visit fees, which really would have put us in trouble.
So my early morning (which started today at 4 am) was not one anyone would want... being up early to go to the ER vet, pick up our sick puppies and transfer them to our regular vet for more fluids and care, and just wonder all day long how they were doing and how we are going to pay the mounting vet bills. By 2 pm, I was wiped out and crashed for about an hour, but I'm not sure I rested. The vet called me at 6 with an update, which is about 50/50 for the pups... one is in really bad shape, one is doing great, and two are the same as they were this morning. All I can do right now is pray that things work out and some angels come to our aid, but nights like this, it's not always easy to have faith.
A beautiful Sunday afternoon had been filled with the stench of bleach from disinfecting crates and kennels and a heavy weight as the concern grew for our puppies. But my stress increased as I worried on how we would pay the ER bill, guessing it would be around $1,000 when we only had about $1200 in available funds. Sure enough, our bill was right at around $900 this morning, but we were lucky... the vet did not charge us the hospitalization or office visit fees, which really would have put us in trouble.
So my early morning (which started today at 4 am) was not one anyone would want... being up early to go to the ER vet, pick up our sick puppies and transfer them to our regular vet for more fluids and care, and just wonder all day long how they were doing and how we are going to pay the mounting vet bills. By 2 pm, I was wiped out and crashed for about an hour, but I'm not sure I rested. The vet called me at 6 with an update, which is about 50/50 for the pups... one is in really bad shape, one is doing great, and two are the same as they were this morning. All I can do right now is pray that things work out and some angels come to our aid, but nights like this, it's not always easy to have faith.
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