A no-kill Shelter dedicated to loving and nurturing the animals in our care until they find new homes - no matter how long it takes.

By: Renee Robins

WE WANT YOUR EMPTIES ... BRING YOUR BEER AND WINE BOTTLES INTO THE SHELTER for fundraising.

Need to Share; 
Ten Tiny Pups; 
Roy Update; 
1st Annual Women's Spirit Weekend;
Bisquit Update;
Worn Thin;
Dozer;
Spring is in the Air!;
Valentine's Day;
A Happy Family Day!;
Oh-No Uno;
Oh-No Uno Update;
2nd Annual Mutt Strutt;
Lemon Beagle;
Bell Update;
Tomorrow is Happy's Day;
Pup Being Sold on Kijiji;

Archives
-------------------
Jan '09 Blog;
Dec '08 Blog
Nov '08 Blog;
Oct '08 Blog;
Sep '08 Blog;
Aug '08 Blog;
Jul '08 Blog;
Jun '08 Blog;
May '08 Blog;
Apr '08 Blog;
Mar '08 Blog;
Feb '08 Blog;
Jan '08 Blog;
Dec '07 Blog;
Nov '07 Blog;
Oct '07 Blog
Sep '07 Blog;
Aug '07 Blog;
Jul '07 Blog;
Jun '07 Blog;
May '07 Blog;
Apr '07 Blog;
Mar '07 Blog;
Feb '07 Blog;
Jan '07 Blog;
Dec '06 Blog;
Nov '06 Blog;
Oct '06 Blog;
Sep '06 Blog;
Aug '06 Blog; 
Jul '06 Blog
Jun '06 Blog;
May '06 Blog;
Apr '06 Blog;
Mar '06 Blog;
Feb '06 Blog

email your comments to:
osas@bmts.com

Success Story:
- They made it... read Renee's blog;
- Read Todd's Interview;
- Little dog pulled
from icy water;

We depend on donations from private funding to support our Spay and Neuter Fund.

Pup Being Sold on Kijiji
If you are the proud owner of "Jessie's puppy", that is now listed on the internet, for sale - please call me. 

I stumbled across your ad, and I recognized the pup's face. I watched her take her first steps, eat her first meal, and when she opened her eyes she was looking at me. 

When I happened upon the listing, my heart broke to see she was looking for a home again. Six months old now, and moving again, she is barely getting settled with you! 

We adopted to you as we trusted you. We trusted you would love her forever. I recognize that situations change, and I am offering you the benefit of the doubt, and that you're doing what is best for her. I hope the fee you are seeking is to ensure a good home is found, as it is not to cover her medical expenses, as I noticed that no vaccines were mentioned. 

If you're reading this, please bring her back to me, so I can help her find forever.

Tomorrow is HAPPY'S DAY!
Let's all get up with a smile in our face knowing officially it is Happy Day - a day to celebrate. It will be a day to rejoice in the survival of my friend Happy, his recovery, and tomorrow his adoption into his forever loving home.

Emaciated, frostbitten, buggy, and approaching certain death this poor boy came to me. He came to me in such horrible condition, it was hard to tell how old he was, or where to start with treatment. We did not have any history, but it was easy to tell this poor boy had come from bad places, life had been hard on him, and it was a struggle to make it to my door. 

Fortunately Happy's personality shown through, his desire to be loved and helped us help him, which made it easier to treat him - a pleasure. 

Now, without ear tips and all his alterations done, a fat belly, and a bath, he is so ready to go home! His momma contacted me upon his arrival, and had her own struggle to get him to her. However, they have both succeeded. 

I will be having the best of day, as it's Happy's Day, and I will be so happy to see him in his new home.

Bell Update
Bell is back up for adoption! A young hound picked up just before Christmas, named for the dashing through the snow [jingle bells] way she made her debut. 

She was removed from the site a few weeks ago, in the anticipation of the arrival of some unexpected pups, as she gained some oddly placed weight, and milked up. However, recently as we did some calculations we discovered they should have already arrived. 

I whispered in her ear shortly before we sedated her, with a message, "well Jingle Bell, we are about to have a c-section, or a spay, only you know the case, and I will be with you either way". I was a little uneasy as the first incision was made, unsure of what we may find, hoping it was not another case of mummy puppies, or weird growths, or pups I had put at risk. I repeated over and over in my head, if there are pups they are ready to come out, all will be OK. However, I did not have myself entirely convinced.

As surgery days tend to bring surprises, my breath was held a very long time. The 'all clear' was given, and her spay was uneventful, thank goodness! And I am still puzzled about how come she milked up. 

I will be pleased to be seeing her go home soon, and not kept with me another eight weeks while the puppies grew. Things are looking up for her. A patient, quiet and gentle girl - it is her time to go. Please tell everyone, Bell is ready to go home!

Lemon Beagle
I learned something today! A dog surrendered from another rescue, came to me early today. A neutered male beagle, fair in colour. Unlike most typical beagles, this boy, known as Roy Boy was a light tan, with blonde. Handsome and of great temperament, he was not with me very long. 

What I did not realize, is his fair colour made him a rarity. They called him a Lemon Beagle. This, of course, made me smile as I assumed the term lemon referred to sour, or a mistake, like a car can be a 'lemon'. 

I imagined that breeder, shrugging his shoulders when the colour appeared, calling this pup a lemon. However, I googled it, and discovered a Lemon Beagle actually exists. Not certain if this represents breed or colour, I have not yet learned it all, but am thrilled with the new term I have to share. 

It seems this lemon is admired, and sought out by some. Roy Boy, however, is enjoyed for being whatever he may be and in all sense he is all Beagle. 

Had I known he was truly a lemon perhaps I would have suggested a name change, something more like Lemon, perhaps Twist? or Splash? This fella regardless, was a lemon to someone, and is now a treasure to another.

"Momo [Merlin] came in for a visit"

2nd Annual Mutt Strutt
The date has been set for the 2nd Annual Mutt Strutt. For those who did not attend our fantastic event, it went a little like this... people gathered pledges, people donated prizes, we met, we walked, we ate treats, dogs were treated, and prizes were given out. Our day was fun, filled with all sorts of puppy love, there were smiles on everyone's faces, and tail wags all around. 

It was also a great fundraising opportunity as we raised enough to fully equip the surgical room, which has already been used to help over 120 pets and counting!!

We are doing it again on June 14th. The Strutt will be held again at the Grey Sauble Conservation Authority. Mark it on your calendars! More details to follow. 

We are presently seeking sponsors. We need prizes to offer, as an added incentive for great pledges to be raised. The bar was set pretty high last year, but hope to surpass the prizes and give-aways this year. 

If anyone has a business who would like to sponsor the event, or offer a prize, please pass on the information. Sponsors will be given tax receipts, given advertisement, and all the praise I can offer. 

We can only do what we do with the support from people like you.

Oh-No Uno Update
I love this blog. I have said it so many times, offering a cleanse for my my soul and a place to get things off my chest; it also offers comfort, support, and empathy for all we do. It has helped me find homes, and it has helped me save lives. I think ... fingers crossed, it has done it again!

When the Uno blog went out yesterday, I had no idea I would get an alternate option! One person emailed offering to foster, one offered to volunteer daily to feed her, and a few emailed with lactating bitches. THANK YOU EVERYONE!

Some of these moms were nearly dry, and one with two moms, with new babies!! My concerns clearly with the moms was putting those pups at risk, however, after consulting with the vet, we got the go ahead!

Uno was delivered this evening (in a snowstorm I might add, how appropriate for a Husky?) to her new surrogate mom, and met her new family. Although soon to be bigger than her Min Pin mom, she will eat, and be well until she can start on solids! She is not out of the woods yet, so please keep those positive vibes coming her way. BUT, this update came tonight!

Email from Dawn:

All is good so far!! About 3 minutes after you left, Uno nursed from Destiny, then she played with her new sisters, and they all curled up and went to sleep! So far, so good!! Pics are ...[attached]!
 

Take care ~ Dawn

With tears in my eyes, and a whole heart filled with hope - I thank you. Go Destiny, you mother that babe! I will feed you cookies forever !! 

UNO UPDATE:

Hi Renee,
 
I did read the blog...thank you for the praise...but I would do it if it was one of my own pups too.  I'm just really glad that it happened when I have a mommy that can help out although we are pros at tube feeding too...so either way I would have been more than happy to help!!!
 
She is doing fabulous!!  I picked her up and touched her head and she started screaming...and Destiny got quite upset as she does when it is her own pups!! She is nursing well, and even got her head into the mushy puppy kibble this morning and chowed down!!  She is socializing well with her min pin sisters and has been handled by the kids too!  She is getting used to having her head touched...this is a really common thing...it happens just after they get their hearing....I think that it's just sensitivity with the new hearing!  I always continue to touch the head...and all parts as often as I can whether they like it or not, because the last thing I need is for one of my pups to be touched on the head by a child and for the dog to turn around and bite the kid!  So by the time they leave me...they have been well handled and are used to all of it...loud noises, vacuums, different kinds of flooring....whatever I can expose them to!!  
 
Oh yeah....she is using pee pads too!!  Smart little girl!!
 
 
I hope this puts your mind at ease...she is going to be just fine and will be a well-rounded little pup!!  We'll take excellent care of her while she is with us!!

Dawn

Oh-No Uno
I am oh-noing for Uno. The little husky pup, daughter of Holly, born at the Shelter 3 weeks ago who has been rejected by her momma. 

I don't know why, or what Holly may be thinking, but I sure know I don't like it. Uno has always been a whiny puppy, and we blamed it on the Husky in her. However, when her whines became screams of pain, it became clear there was something going on. We watched them together and realized mom was not touching her with love but rather with intent to harm her. Leaving them together put Uno at great risk, as mom likely would kill her. 

The dilemma is now that Uno is only 3 weeks old, and we don't know what mom might know, nature sometimes wants only the strongest to survive. We don't know why Uno is the one and only, and the potential for something not to be right with her is there. With that against her, and her young age, she is sure battling an uphill battle. 

Mom won't let us in with her, so supervised feedings are out. There is no other mom for her, and assuming there was one, and Uno is ill, she could place others at risk. It's the battle of what is the better of two evils; to take her from certain death only to perhaps prolong death. 

However, I am not one to give in to nature, and last night Uno was home with me. She is feeding well from the bottle, and has gone to the bathroom. Tonight she is with the vet tech (thanks Nikki!!) so I may sleep, and tomorrow is another day. 

Please keep your fingers crossed, and keep this little one in your prayers.

A Happy Family Day!
I took the opportunity to spend some time with my family on Monday. Thanks to the girls for doing such a great job, and giving me time away. 

Where do we go when we are away from work? To see animals of course! Without disclosing my entire day off, I can say that I was very very pleased with an update I did receive. 

Remember Blossom? A tiny little black kitten who had been perhaps buried alive. She at less than two weeks of age did not stand a chance without a momma. She was taking her last breathes when she was handed to me, pulled through to an uncertain future. There were angels around her, as the next day she made a road trip. A long distance road trip to KW, where a mom was waiting for her. Yesturday, for Family Day, I had a visit with her! 

She looked fabulous! Her coat is wonderful, and she is sooo well groomed. She is a great size, and the perfect weight.

She rubbed me, and rolled for me, all full of her proud self, purring the entire time. 

My heart is happy - what an awesome girl and what a great Family Day!

1st Annual Women's Spirit Weekend in Tobermory on February 14th 2009. Check it out ...> [.pdf]

Valentine's Day
Happy Valentine's day to all! Thank you, all of you, who have donated to a pet in need as a gift to a loved one. If you have not yet done so, and want to, there is still time.

Each and every one of them were told of your thoughts and told they are loved. Although they are behind cage doors, they have all been given warm care and reminded they are loved. 

Many cats found new homes today, Chilli, Millie, Roxy and Tia and they will be celebrating, I am sure, in there own special way. Chilli, a found in the snow - white cat, who was also deaf, who nearly met his demise outside as the cars and snowplow could not see him and he not hear them! He is off to an indoor only home, and I am especially pleased to see him go. 

Everyone left with valentines, and there is still some left for your pets. Still available at the shelter tomorrow and will be available at the Woman's Spirit Festival tomorrow, hope to see you there!

Spring is in the Air!
Although it was a little colder today, I know it is coming, and no I do not talk groundhog [don't even get me started on that one]. 

In two days, I have had two stray dogs and also had an expecting cat surrendered [yup spring does that] and more importantly I can smell it. Yes, I can smell the dog run which is defrosting, however, my nose knows. I can smell skunk!

Today, we had our first road kill pick up for the year. How is that for a reason to know spring is coming? The wildlife is on the move, and unfortunately is now at risk. That poor skunk did not make the road crossing. Please keep them in mind as you are traveling. They don't know if it is day or night, or what season it is, they only have one thing on their mind, and it is not the road - it is reproduction. 

Todd picked up that skunk, and well, the whole place is smelling rather skunky ... try explaining that one to the visitors as they come - "it is merely the smell of spring" - they just don't get it. I enjoy the laugh and have to make light of it, however, my thoughts are with that poor skunk too. Please drive with caution.

Dozer
He came as a surrender with the name Dozer, which immediately was misleading, as Dozer makes me think sleepy. However, after a few minutes with that jumpy wiggle pup, I noticed that Dozer was entirely appropriate, if you called him Bull Dozer for full. His desire to have butt rubs, sent me flying with his body launching into my knees with the butt hitting me rather abruptly. 

We took a journey to TV on Monday, and well, he circled and leapt, he spun and did the launch. I nearly burst out laughing live when he attempted to "dance" [family show] with Dave, and it became quite clear he was not selling himself very well. 

It also became clear that this pup should have never been in an apartment, with way too much steam to burn, and likely his surrender was a good idea. Why they acquired this high energy puppy in an apartment, I don't know? Many people asked about him, with his floppy ear so cute, after a few minutes with him however, they were quick to change their minds. 

I am pleased however, that finally this boy found someone who celebrated his wiggles, and was committed to his training, and tonight he went home (I guess this means no wiggles and dancing on radio?).

Fingers crossed they are going for a run tonight, as that will sure help him in his transition and that they have good balance as well? All the best Bulldozer!

Worn Thin
In trying to keep spirits up, I will keep this blog positive. Instead of mentioning the lack of fees that was given to me, or the lies that were told, and the shape the poor kitty was in, I will ask for prayers for the tiny fella who's ears are frostbitten and will likely fall off, who is emaciated to the point we are not sure how old he really is. His teeth say adult, but his condition says young kitten. He is so undeveloped. 

I will instead be thankful he has turned up at my door and now given a chance at life. He has a rough road ahead, as the outdoors have been clearly hard on him. He is malnourished, dehydrated, and so very hungry, he is wormy, and his eyes protrude with his condition. Left outside to survive on his own I am certain he was on his last days. 

His belly now full, and his thirst decreased, he is also on medication anticipating infection. Please keep him in your thoughts while we try to mend all that ails him and his heart is happy. 

I may perhaps call him happy? Happy to be inside, and happy to be given some hope. Clearly someone owned him at some point, as he is certainly not wild, such a shame they let him go. I will be happy to see him in a loving home. Keep your fingers crossed.

Good Morning everyone at OSAS:> short up-date on Bisquit... She as you know is a "gentle soul" ... absolutely  NO AGGRESSION which is so amazing to us just speculating how she survived these first couple of yrs. of her life, Bisquit has a comfy bed in each room of our house so she can be with us at all times ... and always a little food in her dish so she can eat food when she's hungry, and not when its thrown at her. From her habits it looks to us as if she was hand feed (maybe human leftover food????) and so likely was first introduced to dog food: dog dish first in your shelter. She has real doggie toys and chew bones in her own dog toy box. 

We'll have Bisguit all ready to go camping with us this summer, as we are camping somewhere every wk end ... and have a place waiting for her in our camper!!!! 

Education is the key to getting people to see "shelter dogs" are just as loyal: loving: trusting as PURE BREEDS if not more so ... and I got to say, Bisquit is a perfect example of this. I know many people who own pure breeds, and they are not people/animal friendly. I would be interested in an education program if there is such a thing ... just let me know.

Thanx again for this gem, and I suppose a thank you to the person who surrendered her instead of another alternative to her life.

Gary, Patti, and Bisquit

1st Annual Women's Spirit Weekend
Need another reason to mark February 14th on your calendar besides Valentines Day? How about a chance to celebrate woman, the spirit of being a woman, enjoy meeting community groups, and honourable people and me? For more information, check it out ...> [.pdf]

It is "A coming together of talented, informative and entertaining individuals, all in one area, with the general focus being "woman" - spiritual, mental, emotional and physical. Please come to the Tobermory Community Centre, between 11 am and 3 pm, a lunch will be available, and lots of great gifts too. I will bring with me calendars, my book, pet valentines and treats, and information on the Shelter and what we do. 

I am excited to announce Wisdom Words will be unveiling a Special Edition Artist Print for the Owen Sound Animal Shelter. Portion of proceeds for print goes towards the OSAS Spay/Neuter, Medical Fund. Print will retail for $29.95. Sizing of print is 9.75 x 14". With the purchase of this print receive a FREE 3.5 x 5" Inspirational Greeting Card. This is a limited edition, so you might need to come to get one? or you can email me at osas@bmts.com and I will connect you. Check this out...> [.pdf]  Check out the website [www.wisdomwords.ca] of my friend a Shelter supporter, who reminds me that there is good to be found! She reminds me to aim high, and to seek out the important things in life. We all can use some of that! If you would like more information, you can email Dianne at djadams106@sympatico.ca

The Woman's Spirit Festival is being held to raise money for Breast Cancer, a great cause. Hope to see you there.

Roy Update
Here's a happy thought for all of us. Roy is well, enjoying life and butt rubs. He continues to mend, and heal, and feel fabulous. 

Still braced, his outcome is still unknown, but our care for him  will continue. Until then, life is good.

Ten Tiny Pups
This is going to be a happy blog. First though, a thank you to all of you for your words of support through these difficult times. We are focusing on the positive, and with that comes this blog. 

She came to me months ago at 2½ years old with her third litter of pups. An outside dog not spayed and left to wander she was an easy baby factory. This poor girl gave her all to motherhood, and had really no life. This last litter she had 10 pups. Ten tiny pups outside in the snow. 

When he called me, he announced there were ten of them, however, upon his arrival with her only nine were present. We were heartbroken to hear already in one day one had frozen. Biscuit was horribly thin giving her all to those pups, and clearly what he fed her was not enough. She was a great momma, who cared for her babes at all costs. 

When I walked her, she gobbled up the snow, a sure indication she was use to this method of hydration. She walked with a wiggle, pleased to be getting attention. Always full of love to give, and always willing to please, we all fell madly in love with her and promised her a great forever. This great forever meant no more pups. 

There was a delay in her spay, as a young pup came in as a stray a short while ago. The crying upset her and her milk came back, so we had to wait. They waited for her, sure she was the dog for them, and when I arrived this morning they were waiting before 9 am to ensure they would be the ones to take her. 

Months ago they came searching for a "lab mix around 2 years of age" and she fit the bill. They came to visit often, and were certain she was what they were searching for. With her spay done on Monday, (and eleven other surgeries actually ... Yah!) and the all clear to go today, I teared when I saw them waiting in the cold to take her home. 

She rushed to the car with him, and I watched with pride as they drove away. She is now at her forever home that I promised her. Fat, happy, and to never worry about trying to stay alive again!

Happy Birthday to George and Gloria Warden 
from Amanda and Chris
A donation has been made in your honour.

Happy Birthday to Julia Latham 
who donated to the Shelter for her birthday!

Need to Share
I have never before lost a pet that did not die from old age. My Siamese is 25, Llyle is 21, we lost our dog Piglet at 14, our Setter is 10, and our Hamster is 5! Yesterday, sadly there was an accident that I need to share on the off chance that it may save another from this anguish.

Our family had three dogs, a JRT, a Weimeriner, and a Puggle. The Puggle, a busy pup, easily popped open her collar, so I fitted her with a non-breaking leather one. As any dog catcher would have been proud, the Puggle's was not going to lose it. She wore her tags and she jingled when she ran.

Yesterday, the Weim wore her sweater while out to play, and the two were off and running as always. In only moments our lives changed forever, as her life ended. The Puggle got her 's' hook from her collar hooked into the other dog's sweater. Her 's' hook which secured her id, secured her to the loops in the knitting, and just like that, she was gone. Why the sweater did not give, or why she could not just reach the ground, we will never know. 

So, please do me a favour, in honor of my daughter's best friend, please check your pet's collar and ensure it will not get caught up on anything.

The views expressed in these blogs are the personal views and daily events as told by Renee Robins, and the views expressed don't necessarily reflect those of the City of Owen Sound, unless relating to City By-Laws and Ordinances.

2000-2009 © Owen Sound Animal Shelter. All rights reserved.
Web site and blog created, updated and maintained by Elaine Watson