Home Zookeeper

I just read an article today about the unrest in Thailand potentially increasing. Some people are worried about the stability of the country. If something goes awry I worry about the dogs. People can take care of themselves (for the most part) but the dogs who are in need rely on humans to help.

That’s where you can come in and help! Kindred Souls Foundation is teaming up with Animal Rescue Team TAIWAN again to bring some dogs over to the states to save their lives. The deadline for saving these dogs, before they are put down at the government run shelter, is Thursday, April 23.

Please help spread the word about these adorable dogs. They’re mostly small, though the shelter can’t guarantee that the puppies won’t get larger. Most dogs from Taiwan are a mix of Formosan Mountain dog and therefore don’t compete with the kind of dogs found in U.S. shelters. That is why Kindred Souls works with the Taiwan rescue to save those they can. Every dog deserves to live!

But they can only do it with new fosters - regular fosters are reserved for local dogs - so the only chance these dogs have is if a new foster parent steps up and volunteers.

“As a foster parent you are agreeing to love and care for the dog until we can find a permanent adoptive home. KSF and ART pay for all medical costs while you foster- you supply the food, transportation to vet appointments (at our vet Chambers Creek in Lakewood), exercise, socialization, play, chin scratches, belly rubs and kisses!”

Please blog and post about these lovely little dogs.

If we had only three dogs right now I might be willing to take Otis home with me. He is adorable and sensitive. And he’s a lap dog. I love lap dogs.

(By lap dog…don’t assume he’s small *grin*)

This sweet boy’s name is Otis. He is a non-aggressive Pit Bull and has graduated from “Manners 1″ at a local canine training center. His trainer describes him as “smart” and “full of love and willingness”. He has had his behavior assessed by a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist and three other trainers who all agree that he is non-aggressive.

He does have special needs as he is super sensitive and does not deal with stress well. Boarding for two weeks at a local vet was very difficult for him. He’s currently in a temporary foster home, but that home will become unavailable soon.

He needs a little push to drink enough water, but we are told that if you sprinkle some kibble in his water he’ll drink it up. When he does get stressed he might spin in circles and sometimes grabs people’s clothing or inanimate objects with his mouth. But his trainers say that he is very eager to learn and trusts humans.

The person who adopts Otis must have a knowledge of dog behavior, be skilled in handling dogs, and have a willingness to use a holistic approach to his care (physical, medical, and emotional needs).

He’s great with other dogs and takes cues from them - he submits to alpha males and females.

If you know someone who will love Otis forever please contact the Kindred Souls Foundation at info@kindredsoulsfoundation.org. It’s time for Otis to find his forever home.

Saving Shelter Pets needs our help.

They have several sets of puppies in need of rescue for their Puppy Program. And these are some of the cutest pups!!! (Okay, really is there such thing as an ugly puppy?)

I WANT this guy!!! It’s a St Bernard mix Puppy. Break my heart!

All the pups in this group are adorable and they all need help. I wish I could give but my Paypal account is dry and hubby and I are on one salary for the moment. So I will do all I can to spread the word. Will you help?

I hopped on Twitter … I’ve grown kind of fond of the program … and noticed that Saving Shelter Pets had to, for the first time, leave a dog behind. My stomach just dropped. It breaks my heart that they couldn’t rescue Stanley and Baloo both.

In these economic tough times it is truly the innocent who fall victim most often. But there are bright spots - one of the SSP supporters offered to help save Stanely if the rest of us can come up with just $250.

Will you help? We have until Saturday at 5 p.m. and I can’t imagine not being able to round up $250! If just 25 people donated just $10 we’d be done!!!

Please help spread the word by cross posting SSP’s request for funds.

I’ll chip in $25, even as I worry about losing my job. Might as well take advantage of the company’s matching fund policy while I still can!

There, now we just need 20 more people to donate $10 and we’re done! =)

Click Here to Donate to SSP

No, not about Trooper. I wish.

But just as good to me … four doggies lives have been saved and they are on their way to the United States as I type. Woohoo!!!

I wrote about these four cuties just the other day and received confirmation today that they all have foster homes. Woohoo!!!!! *Happy Wiggle Butt Dance*

I know there are so many more out there, but it’s wonderful to know that four dogs have another chance at a happy life.

It seems overwhelming how many dogs there are out there that need to be rescued. I could never actually work at a shelter (as evidenced by my short volunteer time at one … I ended up with three cats and a dog) and those who do are very special people.

I love working with Saving Shelter Pets here in the states. I’m blessed to (still) have a job that matches my donations so that my gifts are multiplied.

Another rescue agency that I’ve recently learned about, from a person at my work, is called Kindred Souls Foundation. Working together with Animal Rescue Team TAIWAN, they are working to rescue four dogs who will be put down unless they have funding and help by this Wednesday, February 25th. The photos of these dogs makes me want to add to my pack, although we all know that I can’t.

Can you foster one of these dogs or adopt one of them? They must have a home to go to (temporary or permanent) by the 25th in order to ensure their flight which will arrive on the 27th. I SO badly wish I could foster, but we know how that turned out last time. Plus, these four looked smaller (I think they were all under 20 pounds) and I’m not ready to introduce a small dog to our pack, for obvious reasons.

Dogs in foreign countries are often not seen as the wonderful creatures that we in the U.S. often view them as (though, I understand not everyone feels the way I do about dogs). Many times dogs are left to roam wild, hunted as a nuisance, and if they make it to pounds they are killed. The same is true in Taiwan.

This program has rescued many other dogs from Taiwan and you can see some of the previous rescues here. My eyes well up with tears (okay, that could be the hormones…but we all know I’m a total sap for dogs) when I look at the photos of these precious rescued lives.

Please pass this on … post on your blog, mail it to friends and family. Donate if you can. If you know ANYONE who could foster or adopt, please pass this on to them.

I know that I can’t save them all, though I would if I could. But at least we can try.

Bad Sandy! Her post made me cry. At work no less.

*sniff*

Get ready and spread the word.

This coming January 24 is “Change a Pet’s Life Day” around the country. Three hundred shelters hope to adopt out at least 3,000 pets and are waiving their standard fees for the day - but only for the first ten adoptions at each shelter. Fees will be paid by Hill’s Pet Nutrition. The company will also provide free pet food and a training CD to new ‘parents’.

I think this sounds like a really great opportunity to spread the word about adopting a shelter pet, but I am a little concerned. Waiving the fees sound like a great thing, but if you can’t afford the fee to adopt a dog or cat how can you afford to keep an animal safe and healthy?

Raising an animal is not a cheap venture. I just spent a crazy amount of money on dog food, we had a $200+ vet bill, and since we are blessed we also paid for a new daycare package. At the very minimum animals need food, water, shelter, and veterinary care…in addition to love and attention. If someone is so stretched financially that they can’t afford a shelter adoption fee why is it okay to add an animal to their family?

…there’s worry that people who cannot afford to take on more expense will be moved by the notion of saving an animal if it doesn’t require any money upfront, and they will not be able to keep the pet long-term or pay for medical care.

On the other hand, if we were in a position to adopt another dog, the fee waiver would just be an added bonus, not something that would make our decision.

So if you’ve been thinking about adopting a dog or cat (or whatever else they have at the shelters around the country…I’ve seen chickens, ferrets, rats, and more!) this is a great time. You’ll save a few dollars (if you’re one of the first ten for the day), save an animal, and have a new best friend.

To find out if a shelter near you is participating visit the Change a Pet’s Life Day website.

[UPDATE] Oops…I forgot to give a hat tip to Jennifer of In Jennifer’s Head for sending me the article. Thanks!!! =)

*** UPDATE ***
Rachel is found a home … a very good home … for her two babies. YAY!!!

One of my very favorite blogs in the whole wide web world is Rachel Lucas. She cracks me up and is a sensible non-crazy woman who also loves dogs. What’s not to love? (warning….she does curse so her site isn’t exactly kid friendly.)

Well, she is entering a wonderful and exciting new stage in life - she’s moving to Europe. Which I would hate but she’s going to love.

The problem comes with her two spoiled rotten dogs who are as loved as my babies. Sunny is 8 and the airplane ride alone would either kill her or traumatize her forever. It’s not a good option. And Maggie would die of boredom. What is wrong with London? No dogs in flats? WTH?

And Rachel and “Rupert” (not his real name) will be traveling and acting like tourists for the next couple of years, which would be even more hard on the dogs.

So what to do? Force the dogs to travel to a foreign land to satisfy her own need for their companionship - and in so doing make them miserable? Or be miserable herself and leave the doggies with a good home in the states?

My heart breaks for her. I don’t know how I could read her blog without seeing funny pictures of Sunny being dressed up and humiliated for pork treats and green beans.

So if you know anyone within less than an hour (Sunny gets throw-up-y sick after an hour of car travel) of the DFW area please let Rachel know. And please read her requirements and the description of the dogs. No small animals or cats should be in danger at this new home. =)

I cannot imagine being so ill that I would not recover and my dogs would lose their home. It’s just too sad to contemplate. But unfortunately it does happen and it is happening to three sweet dogs who are going to need a new home.

They are Brussels Griffons (I’ve never even heard of this breed but they sure are cute!

Meet Pixie and Molly, ages 9 and 8 (mother and daughter), two rough coat Griffons.

And this is Ticket, a 4 year old male who is apparently a hoot.

I think they are adorable dogs. Apparently these three are total love bugs. They do NOT bark and are very cuddly.

They are currently in the Oregon/Washington area. Please forward this post (permission to repost and link as well) to anyone who you think may be able to help. It’d be great if they could stay together. They look like fairly small dogs. Again, I know nothing about this breed but apparently they are supposed to be very smart and sensitive.

Feel free to leave a comment if you can help and I will contact you.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. I had all last week off and really tried to tune out and do things around the house. So not much posting here or my other blogs. We had a wonderful week, took the dogs on a couple of walks, spent time together as a family.

I got to see my brother’s dog, Echo. I swear he is the sweetest and friendliest dog ever.

My brother suffers from extreme anxiety and depression. A year or so ago (has it been that long already?) my mom and I decided that he needed a dog. Partly for therapy and partly for companionship. Plus we were hoping a dog and the responsibilities of having a pet would get him out of bed on days when anxiety kept him asleep for 18+ hours.

Anxiety can prevent people from doing even the most basic of tasks. Something as simple as filling up the gas tank of his car can create such panic that he will throw up. So you can imagine the fear of choosing a dog to bring home from the pound.

That is where pushy, bossy, big sister comes in. Whether he will agree with me or not, I generally know what is best for him. Even when we were younger I knew when to push him and when to back off. This was a push moment. He knew we were coming but the dog we’d originally planned to adopt had gotten adopted.

If we had told him this he would have backed out so we just headed down without telling him. When we got there and told him the other dog was adopted the look of sheer panic on his face would have been funny if it weren’t so sad. We didn’t give him enough time to stress over it … just pushed him into the car and started to drive to the Humane Society.

That place was huge. I was impressed. We met one dog but it was just so jumpy and fearful. It would come to me but not to brother.

The next dog was Echo. We figure he was part Rottweiler (although he’s very small…maybe 40 pounds) due to his coloring and eyes but mostly some sort of collie. In other words, a mutt.

I actually tried to ignore him because I wanted brother to get the attention. At one point I told my brother “You know, we don’t choose the dog. The dog chooses you.” And at that EXACT moment Echo put his paw on my brother’s leg as if to say “I choose you” and that was it.

My mom and I paid the rescue fee and Echo was on his way to a new home (after getting neutered of course).

This sweet boy sleeps with my brother and listens to his every word. Brother said that he just has to whisper “Echo” softly and the dog comes right to him. I think that his companionship has increased the quality of my brother’s life…without question.

It was a blessing to see him again last week. I hope brother brings him to our Christmas gathering too. I want Echo to play with our pack.

I have an e-mail distribution list at work for animal folks willing to get sporadic e-mail announcements of doggy’s in need. It’s not a huge thing but if my e-mails get forwarded on to others then maybe doggies will find new homes.

The latest rescue is from my coworker Jason. He blames me for his two new family members. I sent out an e-mail last week about an adoption event at a local Pet store with a rescue organization. And he brought home Juno and Dex.

Do you think his daughter looks happy? He says that she is doing better with them than he expected. Juno and Dex are testing and learning their boundaries. We had a chat yesterday about night time crying and howling. It’s important to ignore it. The dogs are both old enough to go a full night without needing to go outside. Catering to their every whim puts them in charge and it needs to be the other way around.

I’m thrilled that he got two dogs together. One is two years old and the other is 11 months. The two year old is apparently more mellow, which is to be expected. The 11 month old is a puppy and acting like a puppy with a lot of energy.

So now my e-mail list has resulted in three adoptions and I’m beyond thrilled. If I could adopt more dogs I would. My dream would be a whole house full of dogs. Both adopted and pure bred from our favorite Malamute breeder. But mostly adopted.

I have good news and bad news.

The good news is that the current owner of Nikki has changed his mind about putting the dog down if he can’t find a new home. Which is of course good news. The bad news is that he had this idea at all and thought it would be a feasible option.

I spoke with his sister who is trying to find this poor dog a new home. Her brother will be moving very soon and did decide that if he can’t find a new home he will take the dog with him. Unfortunately this still leaves Nikki in a sad situation. His owner will be working 12 hour shifts and Nikki will be left alone for that time. He’s also going to be moving to a much warmer climate than he is accustomed to here in Washington State. Not a huge deal if his owner would have AC but that is unknown (and doubtful).

I’m working with his sister and will be contacting various rescue groups who may be willing to help place Nikki.

He will need a firm Alpha owner to teach him that he is not in charge. After speaking with the sister it sounds like Nikki may have been able to make a lot of his own rules, which is not okay. But with love and a firm gentle hand he’ll learn to follow (well, maybe not follow but at least respect) the authority of his pack leader. He is a Husky after all. =)

If you know of a home that is familiar with Huskies and may have room to take Nikki in as part of their pack please leave a comment here. I’m going to start e-mailing rescues today. While I’m thankful that it is no longer a life and death situation I’m still concerned for Nikki’s well being and would like to see him adopted to a family that can dedicate the time and attention he needs and deserves.

Oh this breaks my heart. Do you think we could swing having five dogs???

Reality must set in though … I just can’t save them all.

My hair dresser sent me photos and the store of this sweet sweet boy. His name is Nikki and he is a 7 year old pure bred Siberian Husky. His owner is moving to Nevada and is going to put Nikki down if another home can’t be found! It makes me sick to my stomach. It’s not Nikki’s fault that his owner is moving.

Anyway…here is the scoop.

Nikki is neutered and weighs 90 pounds. He is a gorgeous red and white Husky, one of the most beautiful combinations (in my biased opinion).

He will need a secure yard with a fence - Huskies like to roam. Nikki has a love for adventure, enthusiasm, and loyalty that will be returned ten fold. He just wants a home and a family who will spend quality time with him. He needs lots of exercise as Huskies are super active, even at the age of seven.

Nikki cannot go to a home with cats or small animals but he will get along with other dogs as long as they are not aggressive in any way. Please do research on Siberian Huskies if you’ve never owned one before.

Nikki may also need some special health care - he has had a couple of seizures in the last couple of years, but seizures should not end a dog’s life and should be able to be controlled easily with medication or other means.

And please forward Nikki’s case on. I’m sure that we can arrange transportation somehow if you are out of state (we are in Washington State).

The photo scans here don’t show his lovely color. And I’m guessing that with some good grooming his coat will be stunning.

Please help give this handsome young man a second chance. It’s not his fault that his owner isn’t doing the right thing.

Holy cow! Remind me why I wanted to have FOUR dogs? *grin*

Just kidding. All things considered the new puppy has joined his pack *fairly* smoothly…though there are some bumps that we need to work through.

First of all, he has not eaten since he got here. We’ve figured out (we think) that he doesn’t know what dog food is and was probably fed table scraps. I tested this theory by seeing if he’d take a *SMALL* piece of Dorito and sure enough he gobbled it up. Then we tested him last night with a piece of hotdog (we were trying to get him in his crate…another issue) and he ate that too. So I think our theory is right.

However this morning as the other dogs were gobbling down their food I had tried a little bit of Kodiak’s food in a bowl (Kodiak and Quinn get Solid Gold Holistique for lower activity dogs) and he ate some of it. It was funny though - he’d take a few pieces in his mouth and spit them out. And then try again. And spit them out. hahaha I was cracking up and Trooper was loving the scraps. Finally he ate about 1/4 of a cup or less. *sigh* I won’t get worried yet. I know that he’s gone through a lot and is still getting his bearings.

Another issue is his absolute total OBSESSION with poor Kodiak. He will NOT leave him alone. He’s been trying to establish his dominance since he arrived and found quickly that he could not do so with Quinn or Trooper. So Kodiak has been trying to show his dominance but he has a very hard time with his poor back legs. There have been several scuffles and some crying but no blood so far. Honestly we don’t break them up unless they are pretty serious and so far so good. There was ONE serious fight over a toy with Trooper but I broke that one up.

So do I let the new dog try to dominate Kodiak? And let Kodiak deal with it himself? Or do I try to stop him from establishing that dominance? I’m not sure which is the best option. Because right now we are trying to keep him from humping but it’s CONSTANT. It would be funny if Kodiak weren’t in such a delicate state.

Third issue is the name…for over 24 hours we just made kissy noises and said ‘new doggy’. LOL

*** drumroll please ***

His new name is … TIMBER.

Hubby, mother in law, and I were sitting around throwing out names and all of a sudden hubby said “what about Timber?” And we all just knew. That was it! We went through SO many names but none of them felt right until Timber. With his coloring and his long legs and his personality it just felt perfect.

We have a lot of work to do with our new boy. He can’t walk on a leash to save his life and that’s one of those areas that I’m really bad at training. Trooper now seems a little more cuddly so I think it’s a little bit of jealousy. He never likes to snuggle on the bed but he was doing that last night. LOL

I think that Timber will calm down eventually. Right now he seems like a crazy out of control animal. =) But we know that this is all so foreign to him…the freedom, the kindness, the doggy companions. It’s all new.

Oh…and the panting. Boy he has a bigger tongue than Trooper does!!! And he has been panting like a fiend. I’m not sure if it’s partly stress or from all his excitement but I hope it’s a temporary thing because the super heavy breathing kind of worries me.

Right now he’s laying at my feet and earlier he finally took an interest in a bone. =) Normal doggy here we come!