I Want to "Help"

Today’s message goes out to all those who work in animal rescue. I read your blogs and hear the stories and continue to be surprised at how people act.  So…

 

Thank you. Not just for the animals. Honestly, thank you for dealing with all the crap that humans put on you. The ones who did things that made the pets end up in your care and those who say they care and want to help but only if you jump through their hoops.

 

I read an exchange recently that just left me going “Huh?” If you want to help, just help! Why do people have to put tags and conditions on things? Find an organization you trust, who has a similar vision you do, then let them do what they do best! Since I don’t work in rescue, it was just odd to be privy first hand to the conversation for once.

Backstory: A rescue was able to pull a sick dog from a kill shelter just in time (why is it always just in time these days?) The new foster mom was pretty excited and updating those who had interest in the story that the dog was indeed safe. Although I can’t remember the exact words it went something like this:

Rescue mom: Yay We were able to pull this sweet girl from the shelter! She has mange and unfortunately has heartworms. She is very underweight but safe.

Citizen: Oh! This is great news!  I would like to donate some food for her.

Rescue mom: Well, the easiest way to donate to the rescue is through our paypal link on the website.

Citizen: But I want to donate food.

Rescue mom: Well, we are a network of foster homes and she is several states away from you. She is going to have quite a few medical bills the rescue would appreciate you donating to her care.

Citizen: Oh, well, I do have my own 3 dogs. Money is tight (blah blah blah-excuses).

Now, At this point I could understand, perhaps the helpful citizen gets a huge discount on dog food. So for them, it might be super easy and affordable to donate when they felt close to this pup’s story BUT it continues…..

Citizen: So, is she going to start heartworm treatment? What kind? I might want to donate.

Rescue mom: Well, right now we are going to work on helping her gain some weight and treat her mange. She isn’t healthy enough to go through heartworm treatment at this time. But she is going to have a lot of vet bills with the ear infection the vet found, her mange and her spay.

Citizen: Well, can you do the slow kill treatment for the heartworms? I would like to donate towards that treatment, as long as it isn’t the harsher injections.

Rescue mom: We don’t know what method will be chosen right now, but perhaps you could check back in a month or two when she is healthier?

 

OK, really? It is just me or were their way to many terms and conditions for this “help” the citizen was offering? I mean, if you don’t agree with heartworm injection treatment and you have the money, say it’s for the mange, or the ear infection. Or better yet, just be happy one more dog was saved from a kill shelter and is getting healthy and ready for a forever home! You either have the money to donate, or you don’t. Which is it?

Weekend on Wednesday

Yeah, I’m behind!  I’ve been busy the last couple days!  We had a very busy weekend of dog stuff…let me help you catch up.

Saturday dawned with a quick dog park trip. Nothing exciting happened though-in fact, Daisy was less enthusiastic than normal. I think Grannie tipped her off about the fun she was going to have that night so Daisy was saving up her energy.

In front of the sea plane

Saturday night Grandpa, Daisy, and I drove to a nearby town for a Pups on the Patio event. It was the first one they have had, and it will be the first Saturday each month.  It was more than one patio though. There were several businesses and restaurants along a street on a lake that opened their patios to everyone’s well behaved pooches. It was set up as a fundraiser for the local Humane Society. For 10 bucks you could get 1 adult or 1 non adult beverage at 4 or 5 different places. Well worth it if you want to do a pub crawl with your dog!  LOL

So, Grandpa and I chose the Irish pub to eat at mostly because it is hot here and the patio was completely covered. The food was great and Daisy behaved like a lovely lady. No begging for food, and no pulling on the leash to meet other dogs. She even laid down for a bit and relaxed.

Although I’m living in a relatively rural area I was surprised at all the “rare” type dogs that were there. Chinese Crested, Wheaten Terriers, a Bull Terrier, an Akita, and although not a rare breed, it is rare to see 7 standard poodles all together!

Yes, you are seeing that right. Daisy got to take a horse and carriage ride Saturday!  It was another fund raiser for the Humane Society.  Really, it was just like riding in a car for her I think. I had been a tad worried- her only other previous experience with a horse was police horses and she did not want to be nice to them!  She didn’t even really notice the horse at all this time. The driver recognized her right away! All night I had been being asked about my “bloodhound” but this lady knew a Black and Tan Coonhound right away. She had one once upon a time and hadn’t seen one in years.  I am glad I could bring back some happy memories.

Driving to go hiking-yep it's a dirt road.

Sunday, I wanted to make sure to do something Bella would have fun doing. So hiking it was!! It is the first time we went hiking in this area and oh boy did we learn a lesson (Grannie and I). You see, in all the urban area hiking the girls and I have done we have yet to of encountered one type of prey. Deer. Well, I should say tracks of deer as there were no deer to be seen (thank goodness!).

Bella turned into a crazy hunting dog! I almost couldn’t believe she had it in her. There was no anxiety. Just a need to GO! She pulled so hard, without regard to her own safety. Her ears were turned off to us, or anything else. She even did this ‘whomp’ sound with her mouth on the trail. Grannie couldn’t keep a hold of her so we traded dogs. Its hard to believe Daisy was the better trail walker.

I loved seeing Bella so happy. Her tail did not stop wagging while we were out. It was funny when we turned around-Bella did NOT agree with our decision. For that matter, she didn’t like us staying on the trail instead of heading into the bush after the scent. I could really see her being a real hunting dog rather than some puppy mill cast off.  I am so glad I bought her an easy walk harness long ago (which, she never used or needed). I will need it the next time we go to at least save herself from the choking. And there will be a next time-very soon I hope!

Due to the mighty huntress behavior of the girls-I forgot to take pics on the hiking trail. I tried at the trail head when we were finished but of course while Daisy has no issue hamming it up for the camera, Bella assumes the sign is part of the coming apocalypse and will fall on her at any moment.  (and no, she isn’t looking toward anything in this picture-she is avoiding the sign-tail tucked) It’s like all that confidence she had while walking just washed away. *sigh*

We Have Company!

The girls had guests over this morning! OK, not exactly, and this morning I didn’t take the girls out to see them. Both girls have seen the manatees but they don’t really show any interest I them.  This morning here was a mama and baby, and one that was in between the baby/mama size. I thought perhaps the mom’s calf from last year?  They like the canal because it is calm and quiet. Lots of food, and little boat traffic.  They have even been seen giving birth at the end of the canal.

Manatees are just really interesting to watch. They are naturally curious and unafraid of humans. This is also their downfall, because they try to come up to boats, then get ran over and injured or killed. In fact, Sea World released one they rehabilitated here in our little town just this week! I saw the boat on its way through town with the rental truck. I would like to know why Sea World uses a Ryder rental rather than having their own truck.
Lil\’ Joe Release

These are the pictures from the dock this morning.

Baby eating algae off the dock post

Mom stroking her baby

"I don't know, what do you want to do?"

Mom and baby swimming

Bye! We'll be back again later!

Treein' Squirrels

Daisy loves being able to bay up a tree. I don’t know anything she likes more, except maybe dinner time.

In other news, the girls are settling into life here pretty well. Bella has a lot of anxiety outside the house. Which is weird because it is mostly nature sounds rather than cars and stuff in the city. I hope she gets better. She’s lost some weight because she is skipping meals frequently again.  Daisy think she’s owns the place. She likes being outside in the evening sniffing around. Fleas and ticks have hit us here for the first time ever. So, I went and ordered Preventic collars and started Comfortis.  Guess its a hazard of living in the woods with lots of wildlife.