Alexi Has a New Home

Alexi's New Family

You know how you always want to do “the right thing”? Well, I have never had a puppy before. And there were sleepless nights and tribulations. And through “angel Lindsay” we found a perfect home for the puppy. Last night the most wonderful family came over and took Alexi to their home. It is a perfect match. And I cried all evening. It is harder to let go than I expected.

Today I saw Alexi in her new home and she is happy and well-loved. What more could I ask for? So I am over the tears, well mostly.

Thank you Tracey, Ron and Ella for being the forever family that Alexi deserves!

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BestFriendsForever.org

Thank you, Paula! Sure hope this works: http://www.petfinder.com/petnote/displaypet.cgi?petid=15653904

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Why does Gracie needs a forever home?

If looks could kill.

A picture is worth a thousand words… we’re still looking for that perfect, loving home. Hopefully with kids and/or other dogs for this playful, lovely dog.

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Dumping Dogs Should Be a Felony

The only thing that comes close to being as bad as dumping dogs is the people that call Animal Control to come get them, but don’t keep the dogs safe in their yard or garage.

Two dogs were dumped at my subdivision entrance yesterday. The closest homeowners called Animal Control several times. By the time I drove down to pick up mail it was after dark. One dog was cowering but approachable. I put her in my car.  Then as I headed home this same neighbor waved me down to point out the sibling that had been hit by a car.

I can’t believe these neighbors didn’t put these dogs in their backyard to keep them safe. The dogs were begging for attention.

I wrapped the injured dog in a towel and headed to Angels of Mercy pet hospital. After an exam we determined the injuries to this poor dog were too great. She was put to sleep. Her sister checked out with no microchip. Both dogs without collars or tags and with terribly bad teeth.

Gracie is the name I have settled on for the remaining sister. She went to the vet today and she doesn’t have heartworms. She now is current on her shots. Tomorrow the blood test results will come in. And I will call the Humane Society to see if they have room for her.

I have learned that they are the professionals at getting animals adopted. Gracie is a quiet, demure, very sweet dog. She should have no troubles finding a forever home.

I just don’t understand anyone that thinks dumping a dog is a good idea. Leaving a dog to a “crushed and dying in a ditch” fate is better than taking an animal to a no-kill shelter???

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The Birdfeeder Maurader is Dead

My Wounded Warrior

It was a rough morning. The moment I opened the door for Petey to go out and he shot through the first crack like a bullet I thought uh-oh — might have not been a good idea. On the other hand he does need to go out before I go to work. Then the howling and the chasing began. My heart sank.  It was one of those oh crud moments. I turned on the hose full force (in my work clothes and with a flashlight — yes, dark outside) and went searching for the combatants. The hose didn’t slow down the fight one bit.  The leash around the neck didn’t work. By the time I pried my wounded warrior from the object of his attention the raccoon was dead. I don’t know why it was dead, there wasn’t a bit of blood on it. However, my precious was spurting blood from all kinds of places. What wasn’t covered in blood was covered in mud.

I trotted Petey into the bathroom to rinse him off and assess the damage. Uh, it was pretty bad. No gaping holes, but lots of blood. I toweled him up, canceled my commute ride and we went to the vet. Petey spent the day there. He has stitches in two places. His ear was cut through and through for about 3/4 inch. And the various holes and punctures wounds now display shaved squares.

And the wounded warrior’s reward? Five days with an e-collar and a return visit to the vet in 10 days. Poor little, limping rascal.

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Warning: Never Leave Your Child Alone with a Dangerous Breed

Dangerous breed?

If you are an owner of a dog that belongs to a “dangerous breed” category and you also have a small child please take this as a warning. Don’t leave your dog with the child unattended under any circumstances. Only a little moment was enough for this to happen.

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Feed your dogs!

The Second of Three Neglected Dogs

The thinnest of thin

Oh my gosh. I can’t believe that people with a brand new Mini Cooper can’t feed their dogs! My beloved teenage neighbor called me with news that one of our “mobile-home neighbors” has abandoned their house and their three dogs.

We went by the house this morning and in deed the dogs are extremely thin. I called the SPCA — we are in the county so I had to call the sheriff’s office. They did come today. And they documented that there are three dogs in distress and obvious victims of animal cruelty. It might be several days before Animal Control comes to take the dogs away. And there is a high probability that they will be euthanized. But, oh my god, isn’t that better than starving the poor creatures to death? I only wish I had a dog that is not dog aggressive! I would have grabbed them all.

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Greatest Earth on Show

I arrived in Las Vegas just in time to take the tram from The Mirage to Treasure Island and see the Cirque de Soliel Mystere. It was my first time seeing a Cirque show and it was awesome! I loved every moment of it.

Met Regan the next morning for the breakfast buffet in The Mirage. We picked up our rental car and headed for Kenab, Utah. The road winds back and forth in and out of Arizona. It took 3-1/2 hours to get to the Best Friends Welcome Center.

We picked up our cabin keys, saw the orientation movie and took a tour. At the Welcome Center there are several hummingbird feeders and dozens of the little flying miracles buzzing around everywhere. It was a peaceful, quiet, gentle place.

On Wednesday I reported to the Horse Sanctuary and watched the safety video. After the video I traveled with Donna and Carrie in the feed truck to deliver feed to the horses, mules, goats and the horses pastured out in the canyon. We saw a mountain lion of the way to the last pasture on the far side of the canyon — it was gorgeous! There were lots of jack rabbits, cotton tails and wild turkeys freely roaming the property. The property consists of 2,800 acres owned by Best Friends and 38,000 acres leased from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM).

Wednesday afternoon I reported to DogTown to walk dogs. The octagon design for the dog “homes” is ingenius. The dogs are very well cared for and happy. There is a lot of care given to introducing a new dog into a run. And the compatibility of the dogs is a primary concern for the caregivers. You can check out a dog for a day trip or an over night stay. Even the pot bellied pigs can be checked out for overnight.

I repeated the horse volunteering Thursday morning and had the pleasure of watching one of the trainers using Parelli techniques on a very adoptable, beautiful mustang named Chewy. Thursday afternoon I went up to the Fairways in DogTown. There was a new dog introduced in the “Dotty” octagon so things were pretty much shut down there while the dogs all had a chance to adapt. So I walked next door to the “Petey” octagon and scrubbed run floors and walls. All of the facilities are very, very clean.

Best vacation ever! Must go back for a longer period of time.

Regan’s pictures

Pam’s pictures

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