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| Blog
by: Renee Robins, ACO, Owen Sound Animal Shelter |
October 2011 |
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------------------- Recent Posts ------------------- |
Oct
28, 2011 _____________________________________________________________________________ |
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| Circles And the Winners Are Thanksgiving Weekend Thank You The Dog Followed... Rehoming Dogs Rabies Clinic Tomorrow Clinic Update Tasha Running of the Dogs Jam Jam Jelly Cat Disappearances Hop In Dressing Up for Halloween Charlie |
Charlie - It is with great pleasure that I posted my friend Charlie to the adoption page. She came to me with a litter of pups (her second litter at only 2 yrs of age) starving, emaciated and very weak. She fed puppies while homeless and has been with us while she recovered and has been altered (her days of babies now done 'phew') and became available.
Charlie is a loyal and giving dog with a kind heart who was surrendered with those babes, after becoming "one of many", who deserves to be a cherished pet. It has become a regular occurrence to have bundles released, after breedings got out of hand. People are unaware of the expense of having a pet and unaltered pets then producing a litter make for more costs - thereby creating frustrations to the owner who then surrenders them all. I hope for her a forever home, that will keep her forever.
I also hope situations like hers end forever. Oct 26,
2011 Dressing Up for Halloween - I was asked an interesting question today, and as Halloween is fast approaching I think I had better share. A woman inquired as to whether her newly adopted dog might like to be dressed up for Halloween. It seems as though, in the past, her prior pooch would sport a costume on Halloween night, and entertain trick or treaters. She questioned whether this was humane. I considered our dog Sunshine who, since a pup, has been subject to dress up days, and who sports a bigger wardrobe than I do. She loves the attention, is comfortable in clothes, and wears them with ease. Then I considered other dogs who perhaps have not had been dressed up and thought of their discomfort and reactions to this. I considered the new pup's potential fear of such, and then added strangers to the equation. As always, I aired on the side of caution, and told her to consider a dog jacket or perhaps a sweater for practice. I told her to watch carefully and practice - always remembering to consider the dog's feelings and if the dog displayed any signs of not wanting to be dressed up - hoping to avoid a bad situation. I also recommended she prepare a Plan B - a place to put her dog in the event newcomers cause stress with or without costume. As we spoke, she agreed that above all her
dog's comfort was her priority. A compromise was reached and she opted to
be dressed up herself, and carry the dog as an accessory. This pleased us
both and I suspect her pooch too! Oct 25,
2011 Hop In - Another day, another stray. It seems it continues to be a never ending story. Stray dogs, it seems, are falling from the sky - as it's raining cats and dogs - dogs for sure! I'm beginning to feel like the dogs want to come to the Shelter, and are intentionally running away. Today's dog has convinced me. He bolted out of the ditch, chased the vehicle, waited for me to open the door and jumped right in. He ran over my lap to get into the seat, headed to the back and placed his head on the ledge.
This dog was thrilled to have caught a
ride and wagged his tail the whole way to town. Yup, thrilled to be headed to doggy jail. I'm thrilled he was such a willing
traveler and an easy catch. I was even more thrilled that it was my ride that
took him off the road and not somebody else who may have 'taken him out'
on that very same road. Oct 24,
2011 Cat Disappearances - It has come to my attention that there have been a lot of cats disappearing in the Sauble Beach area. This is not an area we cover for animal control and we don't hear as much as we should perhaps. But, my source knows of over 13 cat disappearances. There have been reports of increased coyote sightings, and perhaps this is the reason? Coyotes do select cats for food as they would any other small creature. Saugeen Shores, and Saugeen First Nations have reported cat disappearances, in what feels like forever, also with coyotes taking the blame. They are the neighbours of Sauble Beach and make the assumptions quite probable. This is a heads-up to cat and small dog owners - keep your small friends safe. Supervise, control and keep them in your sight. For more information,
from the MNR, on living with coyotes, please
click here ...» or here for living
with wildlife ...» Oct 21,
2011 Jam Jam Jelly - I was on the Mix with an added smile today, as Jam Jam entertained as my guest. He a young boy found sick and emaciated, dying on the road was found by Barb Jelly, today's host. Ya, I planned it that way. I had named him Jam Jam after her last name, and the predicament he placed her in. Unfortunately, or fortunately
it had her laughing as I announced it. I made sure I made the announcement even more
humorous as I added, "yes if you adopted him, he would become Jam Jam Jelly".
It was despite this, a happy reunion as he now well, altered, and bigger and fatter.
She was thrilled with the outcome. The best part for me was yet to follow
... Jam Jam is now, purrrfectly Jam Jam Jelly, as she has adopted
him! Oct 20,
2011 Running of the Dogs - For the last four days I have been soaked all day, smelling of wet dog and I suspect in no time I will be sick as a dog. As I gathered yet another dog today, I reminded myself that it is not only rainy days. It seems to me that I had caught a lot of dogs lately. In fact, last week I blamed it on the nice weather. The week before I blamed it on people moving and then I realized most days I had gathered a dog or two, or at least it sure felt like it and then I totaled them up. In 20 days, 16 dogs were gathered running. No wonder I have been so busy! Interestingly, 15 were intact males - I might add. Make your own assumptions with that, or take my word for it,
it's mating season perhaps? Contain your pets! If you are the owner of a male dog,
and it is not altered, be aware that he may be thinking he's in the mood for an
adventure with a lady! Oct 18,
2011 Tasha - Many many years ago (12 actually) she came to me a scared and nervous pup. A belly crawler after weeks of perusing her to leave the corner, Tango (sister of Little Bear) was a difficult dog to place initially stole weeks, months of my time and with that stole my heart. I remember the day she was adopted, I remember the days that followed that I held my breath, and the weeks, months I really wanted an update, but did not call to get one - afraid it was bad news. Tango, afraid of men, noises, change, had many obstacles to overcome. My only solace was knowing she was a kind dog. I recognized her the second I saw her, impressing her owner, and me too, but her impression it seems has stayed with me. Although she has become an old lady, and gone is her youth, her eyes still say the same, and I did not miss catching it despite the clouds they now are sporting.
What a fantastic update and visit it was. A terrific
hooray for knowing 12 years later, she is still loved in the same family. They who love her as family are quite pleased too.
Congrats my Tasha, you deserved all the happiness you received! Big kisses to my "sweet
Tasha treat". Oct 17,
2011 Clinic Update - There are the thoughts 'is it necessary'? Is there still a need? Does the community really still need the rabies clinic? Will they come. Although what I had seen over the last year and heard had me pretty certain there was a demand for it, but as with all things there was still a little doubt, as there really is no way of knowing. It was a stormy day, and as I drove through the wind and the rain I did wonder if they would come. By 9 am the line began with pet owners waiting to have their pets vaccinated and I was feeling much better. However, it was sad that they were standing in the rain. Thank goodness we had that trailer!
By 2pm 180 pets had been protected! Kudos to my fantastic helpers, and of course the doc.
A job well done! The attendees thrilled that we offered the service, and the pets
OK about it too :)
Oct 14,
2011 Rabies Clinic Tomorrow - It is time again, the trailer is here and the biggest thank you to Steve of Springmount RV, once again. The certificates stamped, the wavers printed, the clipboards, pens gathered. The leashes muzzles are ready and waiting ... cause you know us animal control really like that part, and we are prepped and psyched to do it again. As rabies continues to be a threat in our area, and a threat that has grown, I hope that our numbers of attendance grow too.
Please take a moment and email a reminder to your friends?? It really is a fatal disease, and a real risk in our area. It really is preventable with an injection. It takes a few short minutes to save lives. AND, it really is the law. As we continue to our part to keep people and their pets safe, please support the cause by spreading the word. and, if your pet is not up to date, this may provide you an opportunity to do so. The clinic will be from 10-2
tomorrow, at the Owen Sound Animal Shelter, at 2125 18th Ave E your pet may be vaccinated against rabies.
This will be at a cost of $25.00 per pet or for three or more pets (in
your family) for $20.00 each. This is to be cash only (nope no debit sorry).
This will not be in replacement of a veterinary exam. Pets must be over 16 weeks and in good health.
Those deemed in poor health will be turned away.
Oct 12,
2011 Rehoming Dogs - This is a very serious situation that I need to make you aware of. If you are considering a dog or know someone looking for a dog, or know someone who has acquired a dog, this information is for you. In more than a few instances, lately, potentially dangerous dogs have been rehomed by persons trying to do the right thing without knowledge of dog behaviour or smarts about avoiding a dangerous situation. On more than one instance these dogs have been placed in inexperienced homes, and the result has been disastrous. Sadly, we hear about it after the damage is done, and we are left to try to mend the pieces, and the damage done is not fixable. Persons have been scarred, literally and emotionally as they trusted those rehoming. They trusted they knew what they were doing, and trusted they were honest. Although I would never guarantee the temperament of any dog, and recognize the risk with each adoption we do temperament testing on each of the dogs from the shelter. Please please do me a favour and adopt from someone reputable, knowledgeable, or at the very least someone entirely truthful about the temperament of the dog. And, if you are a person looking to rehome a dog with
behaviour troubles of any sort, please please do everyone a favour and be honest. Better yet, leave it up to the professionals.
Oct 11,
2011 The Dog Followed Them Home - This one takes the cake. I just had to share, as by far, this one wins an award. Each day, I am lied to [or most it seems], often these lies are initially quite believable, and to someone perhaps unfamiliar with these thousands of lies it may go unnoticed. However, sadly, after years of dealing with the least honest members of society I have heard it all. Mostly, I hear the same sort of things, randomly something new comes up, but generally it's same old same old. I do believe the person who speaks the untruths often thinks they are the first to come up with such things. This is completely untrue. Today, I heard a new twist on the old lie. It was not the first time I had been told the dog followed the kids home from school. It was not the first time I was told the kids thought they should keep it. Not the first time I was told they just happened to find a leash to tie it to the tree, nor that they borrowed the food from the neighbours. But, it was a first for
'the dog was found two days ago ... the dog followed the kids home from
school'. Wait, today is Tuesday! So, I even asked the question again as I
couldn't believe my ears. And again, the answer was 'yes, two days ago'. This
is the first time somebody ever said that a dog followed their kids home from
school ... on a Sunday. Good grief, what will they think of next?
Oct 7,
2011 Thank You - As the time is near to give thanks, it seems proper I take a moment to give thanks for all I am thankful for. I am thankful that the Owen Sound Animal Shelter is operating at its best picking up the lost, broken and damaged and has been successful in mending, fixing, and placing hundreds once again this year. For this I am entirely thankful. I am thankful for my team who work above and beyond the call of duty and makes this possible, Jen and Heather, Harley and Kerry, the Doc and, of course, Todd! For them I thank the stars. And, I thank my Web Goddess who works countless hours to promote, update, connect and link my website; which I am forever grateful. I am thankful to the countless volunteers, dog walkers, and contributors who make my job, and the animals lives easier - I owe you! I am thankful for those who fought to get well, and moved on to find loving homes I give thanks that they made it and have found a better life. I also give thanks to you
who offer support and encouragement - I give my whole hearted
thanks. It is only with you that we can do what we do, and in an often thankless job, I
can't thank you enough. I would like to wish you and your family a Happy
Thanksgiving and your furkids too!
Oct 6,
2011 Thanksgiving Weekend - With thanksgiving preparations in the planning stages, it is my job to remind everyone that there are potentially four-legged loved ones to remember and consider in your preparations. Remember that they are less understanding of our traditions, and our festivities and things we enjoy with our gatherings. Pets enjoy being involved, but remember often when festivities are keeping us busy we can easily forget things that keep them and us safe. People will be coming and going, the door held open while auntie carries in the pie? Remember your pal may see this as a chance to go exploring. Check now your pet's ID in case. Have a plan in place to keep this from happening. Remember that our delicious thanksgiving feast is also appealing to our pets, keep it and or
them contained. Decorations must be kept out of pet reach too. Remember your pet,
as auntie may not be a stranger to you, your pet may see auntie and other
people as a threat and may not always be welcomed. (I want the only bite,
this Thanksgiving, to be with food!) Please consider these things as you plan
your Thanksgiving weekend.
Oct 4,
2011 And the Winners Are - I want to thank everyone who entered the 6th Annual OSAS Calendar Contest as well as those of you who voted. I just loved all the pictures and I know everyone had fun voting for their favs. Here are the winners
[everyone included] from highest votes to lowest. And you know that
everyone is a winner to me and will make the OSAS 2012 calendar:
You all did a fabulous job!!!! I may be contacting you if the picture
you sent is not large enough for the calendar or if the printer has a
problem. Thanks so much for
everything you do for the animals. I will let you know when the calendar is ready for purchase. Oct 3,
2011 Circles - I am undecided right this moment as to whether she was a dumped dog or a lost dog. She was found lost in the rain, fearing me as I approached her, off and running in a circle, right back to where she started. Normally, this indicates a dumped dog (no sense of where else to go). The empty bowl which had contained food indicated further she perhaps had been left to fend for herself but there is a chance someone spotted her and perhaps left food for her.
I'd rather consider it an act of compassion for a lost dog rather than an act of clearing
conscious for a horrible deed, I'm hoping she's missing. After an afternoon of many failed attempts, basically running in circles, a
live trap baited, and waiting, a good samaritan walking another dog managed to scoop
her. PHEW. As it is unknown how long she circled there, or how she met such troubles, I do know she is now warm and dry, fed and for that I am happy.
Female, brindle and white, five months of age, we are now seeking her owner.
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2000-2011 © Owen Sound Animal Shelter. All rights reserved. |
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