National Dogfighting Awareness Day

So today is National Dogfighting Awareness Day. What do you know about the people and dogs involved in dogfighting? Most people know about Michael Vick and his time in dogfighting. Or you’ve heard other news stories. What about the dogs? What happens to the dogs involved in dogfighting? I am lucky to have spent time with several dogs from around the country and Canada that were rescued from a life of dogfighting while volunteering with a great rescue group called Pit Sisters. 

I will tell you about a dog that was rescued from Putnam County in Florida. This dog was one of many rescued. He was living on a chain in a wood box. He is a black and white dog with scars on his face and ears that have been cut with scissors. His teeth have also been filed down. It appears he was a fighter by the scars and then used for breeding since the teeth are filed down to prevent biting of the female during breeding. This dog was taken to Putnam County Animal Services and evaluated with the other dogs for temperament. Once evaluated, it was suggested he be euthanized. So, this was a aggressive fighting dog that could not be trusted to live a normal life. Wrong! Just the opposite! This was a dog so terrified of humans that he would cower and shake when humans came near him. He was so traumatized the evaluator didn’t think he would come out of it. However, there were a couple of people that saw something else. They saw that this fighting dog still had some fight left in him and contacted Pit Sisters to ask if they would rescue him. They said YES!

The dog, now named Crosby, was brought to a new place being built to house dogs for the rescue. Crosby was the first tenant. That was where I first met him as a volunteer. I’ve always had a soft spot for the scared ones. When I first saw him, he was laying in his kennel too afraid to move. I had no idea what his story was at this time. His head was pressed to the side of the kennel and he was watching my every move. I sat down in front of him facing sideways and did not look at him. I put my hand in front of him so he could smell it then I slowly put my fingers through the bars and started scratching his ear. Then magic happened. He leaned into my fingers for more. This scared dog was so starved for human touch that he forgot to run away from me. I also like to think that he picked me that day. 

Crosby became my new boyfriend that day, but I knew I needed to take it slow. He had to learn that he could trust me not to hurt him and I wouldn’t push him to do anything he wasn’t ready for. When I visited I would sit outside his kennel with the door open and slowly move closer. I found out that he wouldn’t take treats, so I just moved reeeeeal slow until I was close enough to touch. With all scared dogs it is best to stoop to their level and not stand over them because that is very intimidating and even scarier. As I get closer to Crosby cowering at the back of his kennel I lie down on the floor. Now I am lower than him and less intimidating. I reach out my hand to touch his feet and slowly work my way up to scratching his chin. He enjoys his chin scratched as much as he enjoyed the ear scratches the first day and he raises his head a little. That was an aha moment for me. A dog can’t cower when he raises his head for a chin scratch.  So we start building confidence and trust through those chin scratches. 

After a few months I am able to take him to my house as a foster. I am bringing a former fighting dog into a house with five other dogs. Again we go very slow and keep a gate between them. Crosby quickly picks his best friend and they are soon running around the backyard together. Through this dog, named Gordon, Crosby learns to trust me more. Even though Crosby was forced to fight other dogs, he really loves other dogs and just wants to play. Of course I become a foster failure and he becomes an official member of the family. He has become braver every day and that is all because of the other dogs. 

So when you hear about fighting dogs don’t expect that mean aggressive dog with the ferocious growl. You’re more likely to see a dog wagging it’s tail happy to be rescued and loving people or a scared traumatized dog that needs to learn to trust again. Either way, give them a chance. They deserve it after the life they were forced to live. 

Circle of Life

This past week I had two friends experience what it means to bring an animal into our lives.  One friend had to put her cat to sleep and the other adopted a new dog. 

First the cat.  Daisy had disappeared for over a month.  When she walked back in the pet door, she was skin and bones and looked sick.  She was taken to the Vet and tests were run. The difficult decision was made that it was best for Daisy to be euthanized.  Whatever happened to her while she was gone, she knew that if she could get home, her mom would do whatever was needed to make her feel better again. She has crossed over the Rainbow Bridge and is happily playing in the sun.  She will be waiting when her owner comes to see her again.

Another friend became a "foster failure".  She was fostering  a dog named Lucy, a very sweet  and friendly dog. The resident dog, Jake, is very picky and usually doesn't get along with other dogs.  Jake has been mentioned in a previous post, Roscoe,  if you want to read more about him and his previous buddy.  Well, Jake seemed to fall in love with Lucy.  As did the whole family.  Did Roscoe send Lucy Jill's way? I think so. The dog was not in "adoptions" when Jill first saw her. It was odd how Lucy and Jill met.  Lucy also has some of the same traits as Roscoe.  Roscoe knew it was time for Jill and Jake to have a new friend and sent Lucy into their lives.

Have you had to euthanize a pet, and then have one show up in your life in an odd way?  Do you feel your previous pet sent them?  Does the new pet share some of the same traits or personality?  I feel that pets will come and go in our lives.  But some love us so much, they keep taking care of us after they are gone.  When we are ready,  whether we know it or not, our beloved pets will send another one to fill the void left behind, but never to replace them.

Jean, who is always helping the shelter by fostering dogs and cats, will continue to foster.  She will have that one dog or cat that will show up that Daisy sent her way.  She'll be reminded of Daisy and know that this new animal will be part of her life like Daisy was.  Daisy will always be watching over her as all of our previous pets do.

This is my beloved Duncan.  I know that he sent my beautiful Vinnie my way.

Shy Leana

I first met Leana on July 16th.  I was spending the day in the Intake department at a local shelter.  I was there to find out what would be affected by the budget cuts that were coming to the city run shelter.  Of all the animals that were brought in that day, I felt something special for Leana.  She wasn’t known as Leana then.  She was brought in as a stray by someone that found her.  She was a beautiful black dog that was extremely thin and scared.  She didn’t want to move or walk on the leash.  She just collapsed on the floor.  I sat down on the floor right next to her.  I talked to her and pet her to calm her down and make her comfortable.  Soon she trusted me enough to guide her in to the back where she would receive treatment before being taken to a kennel.  I wanted to bring her home as a foster to gain weight and confidence.  However, I already had four dogs at home and couldn’t bring another one home.  I watched as she was led away to a kennel hoping a foster would step forward to give her a chance.

The next time I saw Leana was July 28 at a big adoption event.  There were many rescue groups and shelters trying to get their dogs and cats adopted.  I was volunteering to walk the dogs.  I was going from cage to cage walking the dogs.  Then I saw Leana.  She was cowering in her cage looking up at me.  I felt so bad for her.  She needed to be taken to the event to find someone special to adopt her, but the noise and commotion were scaring her.  I took her out of the cage to go for a walk and get her outside to have some fresh air and quiet time.  Between walking other dogs I spent time with Leana.  I sat on the floor with her outside her cage to try to get her comfortable and calmer.  She was too scared.  She was soon loaded into the truck to be taken back to the shelter.  No adoption for Leana.

I couldn’t get her out of my mind.  I know she needed help but my house is full.  She does not “show well”  because she is so scared.  She will probably not get adopted in this condition,  I soon realize that I have no choice.  I was brought in to her life twice.  She seemed to trust me.  If I didn’t help her, who would?  How would I work it out with my other dogs?  I would find a way.  I feel that she is a special dog that I am supposed to help in any way I can.  I contact the shelter to tell them that if she is not adopted or fostered by Saturday, I will come by and pick her up for foster.

I pick Leana up from the shelter on Saturday and bring her home.  I bring her in the house for the meet and greet.  She does well, although she is overwhelmed with four dogs checking her out.  She attaches herself to me, but I have to let the dogs work it out.  She growls at the other dogs to keep them away.  She is so unsure of other dogs.  Looking at her, I wonder what happened to her before she came to the shelter.  She has scars that look like bite marks.  Since she is a bully breed,  I wonder if she was a “bait dog” for fighting.  She also looks like she had several litters of puppies. Either of these could be the reason she is afraid of other dogs.  Ultimately, it doesn’t matter.  I will do my best to build her confidence, socialize her with other dogs and teach her to trust dogs and humans again.

Update August 6: Unfortunately, I had to return Leana to the shelter today. Her fear of dogs was stronger than I thought. Instead of helping her, my four dogs were making it worse. She had a few episodes of fear aggression. It is hard to admit that best intentions are not always the best for the dog. I was hoping to help but I was not the right foster for Leana. She is an amazing dog that needs to be the only dog in the house. She is smart, listens well, and loves to cuddle on the couch. Leana has suffered a lot in her short life and deserves to cuddle with a favorite human on the couch. She'll roll over for a belly rub or just rest her head in your lap. Leana just wants to love and be loved by a human she can trust.

Roscoe

It is a sad time for a friend in the animal community.  Her best friend Roscoe walked over the Rainbow Bridge yesterday.  Jill met Roscoe 11 years ago when he swam across a creek behind her house.  He lived in the woods for 6 months while Jill and her husband patiently coaxed this very scared dog with cookies and hot dogs.  He finally came close enough for them to pat him on the head.  Roscoe found someone that he could trust.  Jill saw that he had a collar on that was so tight that it was almost embedded.  It took another three months to remove it in stages, so Roscoe wouldn't freak out and run away.  Roscoe was abused before he came to Jill.  There were cigarette burns and cuts on his ears.  No wonder he didn't trust people. 

Roscoe never became completely comfortable with people.  He only allowed 3 people and one dog to come close: Jill, her husband, a neighbour and Jill's other dog, Jake.

I firmly believe that there are some dogs and cats that are brought into our lives for something other than companionship.  Some come into our lives to urge us to do something and change our lives forever.  I believe Roscoe was this dog for Jill.

Since Roscoe showed up in Jill's life she has always had a soft spot for "dogs with issues".  She has helped many of these dogs through her volunteer work as President of Friends of Jacksonville Animals.  Roscoe's legacy will live on for years through all the dogs that Jill has helped and will continue to help because a special dog found the right person to do something.

Roscoe, you showed up at the right house.  But you know that.  That's why you trusted Jill.  Thank you for all that you have done for dogs everywhere.

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge. When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind. They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster. You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart. Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together.... Author unknown...

Black is Beautiful

Black Dog Syndrome or Big Black Dog Syndrome is the extreme under-adoption of large black dogs based not on temperament or health, but based on a number of physical and environmental factors in conjunction with the Western symbolism of the color black. In Western society, the color black is typically representative of evil and other negative connotations. The physical and environmental factors of size, color, the kennel environment, and the “genericness” of black dogs, when combined with the negative associations of the color black in western culture create what can be defined as “unconscious background checking”. Unconscious background checking is a phenomenon caused by the belief that shelter dogs have questionable backgrounds and are somehow “damaged”.

For a large black dog in an animal shelter in the United States, the difficulty with adoption does not stem from their health, breed, sociability or temperament- it is the color of their coat. Two undeniable facts of Big Black Dog Syndrome are that large dark coated dogs are adopted less frequently and euthanized more frequently than dogs of other sizes and colors. It does not vary by breed, either. If you were to check out your shelter, you would see Labrador Retrievers, Chow Chows, Rottweilers, Pit Bull Terriers, German Shepherds, Newfoundlands and mixes of all of the them. Labrador Retrievers have been the number one breed for years, but not the black ones.

Black dogs can appear more menacing than they actually are because black absorbs light , making it hard to read their facial expressions. In today’s internet-based society, a photo is what some people see first. Potential adopters no longer have to go to a shelter to get a look at the animals. All they have to do is check out the shelter’s website or petfinder.

In addition to color, the other major factor is size. In many urban areas, most people are interested in adopting smaller dogs (under 50 pounds), but especially those dogs under 20 pounds. Apartment dwellers often have breed and size restrictions and not everyone has a big enough home to accommodate a large dog.

This syndrome can also be associated with black cats. People often associate black cats with bad luck, witches and the black cat that always seems to jump out of nowhere in horror movies.

Several years ago, I went to a shelter to adopt a black kitten. I had already picked out a name, Lucky. I did not see a black cat as unlucky. It turned out that the kitten I chose that day was very lucky. I didn’t know it at the time, but the man that was at the cage, who helped me pick the kitten, was there to take them to be euthanized. My kitten was only 5 weeks old at the time and barely eating solid food. She lived a long happy life to the age of 17 .

I went to another shelter a few years ago looking for a big black dog. It was nice to see the look on the shelter employees faces when I told them what I was looking for. They brought out one at a time to me outside where I would walk them and get to know them. I kept asking for bigger dogs. Now, I’m the type of person who always wants to help the “underdog” and I am partial to big dogs. I brought my 85 pound chocolate lab back to the shelter to make the final decision. When he made the decision, the shelter started processing the new member of the family, Soon, two employees came out of the office where they were processing my new boy. They had sad looks on their faces. I asked what was wrong. They said the dog had heartworms. They expected me to change my mind. They didn’t know me. Heartworms are treatable. Some shelters are able to treat the dogs before they are put up for adoption, others have a working agreement with a veterinarian to cover the cost or reduce the cost for animals that are adopted.

                                                       Logan. Big, Black and Beautiful

Next time you look at pictures on a website or visit your shelter, take an extra look at the black dogs and cats. Look into their eyes, take them for a walk, spend some time with one and you might take home a dog or cat you weren’t expecting too. But it will be the dog or cat that you are supposed to take home. Remember, too, that if the dog or cat sheds, black hair doesn’t show as much, black goes with everything and black is always “IN”

Check out Blackpearldogs.com for more information

An Evening With Cesar Millan

 

Before he even steps on the stage, we learn a little about his history through video clips of where he came from and interviews with his parents. Cesar Millan was born in rural Mexico and grew up in a house with no running water or electricity. He spent most of his time on his grandfather’s farm where he observed the many dogs that lived there. When he was a teenager, the family purchased their first TV set. After watching “Lassie” and “The Adventures of Rin Tin Tin “, he dreamed about one day moving to California to become the world’s best dog trainer.

In December 1990 at the age of 21, Millan, who spoke no English, crossed the border into California and began living on the streets of San Diego. After a month, he landed a job grooming dogs, soon gaining a reputation for his calming effect on even the most difficult dogs. With a few dollars in his pocket, he moved north to Los Angeles and took a job washing cars.

During this time, Millan was surprised by how disconnected Americans seemed to be from nature and the world around them and the troubled dogs that we owned. It was at this time that he began to redirect his dream to becoming a “rehabilitator of dogs” and a “trainer of humans”. With the money he had saved, he started a freelance dog rehabilitation service, primarily offering his expertise with extreme cases. His client list quickly expanded as he was recommended around town. He came to the attention of Will and Jada Pinkett Smith in 1994 who referred him out to other celebrities. Millan was then inspired to upgrade his business and broaden his exposure in the community, which then led to the first Dog Psychology Center, a two-acre facility in South Los Angeles, designed to rehabilitate troubled, aggressive, and condemned dogs. The center, which housed a pack of thirty to forty “un-adoptable” and abandoned dogs, was moved to Santa Clarita Valley to allow for expansion and modernization. The new facility now includes a sheep herding area, swimming pool, obstacle course, and hiking trails on over 43 acres.

An empire was formed in 2002, when MPH Entertainment and Emery/Sumner Production contacted Millan after seeing a profile of him in the Los Angeles Times. Soon a TV series is born.

Cesar Millan steps onto the stage to applause and is soon followed by his famous Pit Bull, Junior. It is said that people should not work with kids or animals. Cesar may be a master, but he was still upstaged by Junior. Junior comes out, finds a spot on the stage, rolls over on his back and starts wiggling his butt. I, like many, wanted to go give him a belly rub. I know he would have been very happy if we all did that. He continued to insinuate himself onto center stage several times.

The show and laughter begins when Cesar starts impersonating all the ways we send mixed messages to our dogs. Whether greeting strange dogs with over-excitement, bringing on separation anxiety when we leave the house, or causing our dogs to be hyper and over-excited, we laughed but I think we saw a lot of ourselves in the way he acted.

He soon brings out a few dogs that have issues and the humans that may be causing them. Earlier in the day he spent time with them to assess their problems or issues. First out is Jaime with her dog Magnum. Magnum has a problem walking on a leash. Like a lot of dogs he is constantly pulling. Jaime has tried everything, including a double leash that is supposed to be designed specifically for this problem. Nothing works until Cesar gets ahold of the dog. Jaime is shown how to hold the collar higher up on the neck to get Magnum’s attention and to prevent the dog from choking. She is also shown how to walk with shoulders back confidently and not pay attention to the dog. Soon she masters the walk with Magnum.

Next out is Becky with Tina. Tina was confiscated in a cruelty case. She was living on the end of a chain. There were other dogs there, as well, all living in muddy conditions with no food, water or shelter. They could see each other, but could not reach each other to play. Because of this Tina does not know how to act around other dogs or people. Becky is shown how to introduce Tina to other dogs and how to make her more comfortable with them. Junior is used in this demonstration. Junior noticed the nervousness in Tina and reacted to that nervousness but was quickly corrected by Cesar. Soon they were both greeting each other and interacting like dogs should.

The evening was a huge success and I think those of us that were there learned a lot from “The Dog Whisperer” Please visit Animal Care and Protective Services for more information on Tina. She is a great dog that needs a loving second chance at life. How many people can say they have a dog that had a training session with Cesar Millan? If you adopt Tina, YOU can.

June 8- Tina has been adopted

Give Pit Bulls a Chance

Why You Need To Give Pit Bulls A Chance

As Cesar Millan says:    In the 70's they blamed the Dobermans

               In the 80's they blamed the German Shepherds

   In the 90's they blamed the Rottweilers

Now they blame the Pit Bulls

In a study evaluating canine temperament, 82% of dogs receive a passing score.  Pit Bulls consistently score above average.

There are a number of risk factors correlated with dog bites, however evidence suggests that breed is not among them.

97% of dogs involved in fatal dog attacks in 2006 were not spayed/neutered.

More than 70% of dog bites in 2006 were from unneutered male dogs.

An unneutered male dog is 2.6X more likely to bite than a neutered dog.

Chained dogs are 2.8X more likely to bite.

The media tends to be biased against Pit Bulls.  In a 2007 four day study two mixed breed dogs and one Labrador mix sent people to the hospital in critical condition in two cases and fatal in one case.  They were reported in the local paper only.  A 59 year old woman was hospitalized with severe injuries following an attack by two Pit Bulls. Mentioned in more than 230 newspaper articles worldwide and televised on CNN, MSNBC, and FOX

Breed Specific Legislation does not work.

The National Canine Research Council studied 20 years of dog fatality research to conclude that “No breed of dog has a particular method of attack or inflicts an exclusive type of injury.”

BSL restrictions are enforced by appearance. However, misidentification of breeds by the

general public and other untrained people renders this method unreliable.

When it comes to animal abuse there is no blaming the animal.  Pit Bull types are targets of human abuse more than any other breed.

As of July 2012, there were 10,728 total canine abuse cases

77.5% were cases involving Pit Bulls

Problems are not always attributed to how they are raised.  Many of the dogs rescued from Michael Vick’s dogfighting ring have been rehabilitated as therapy dogs. They go to schools, libraries, hospitals and nursing homes.  Dogs from cruelty cases can be changed by a little love, food and socialization.  There are some dogs that you can’t make mean even if you try.

Now to tell you about my Pit Bull.  He was taken in a cruelty case.  He was living on the end of a thick chain, weighing less than 34 pounds(half of what he should weigh) and covered in his own filth.  There was no food or water on the small porch he was living on. Even though he was living in these conditions, he chose to give up what little food he got so a non-Pit Bull puppy with him would have a better chance at life.  He showed no aggression and only wanted attention from everyone he met.  He shares a home with three other dogs and gets along with all of them.  He is a big lap dog that only wants to love and be loved.  He’ll trade kisses for belly rubs everyday.

Pit Bulls are dogs.  They are individuals and should be treated as such.  They are very focused and always aim to please.  Due to this, bad owners will train them to fight or attack.  And they will, to make their owners happy.  Responsible dog owners will spay/neuter their dogs, socialize them with dogs and people, teach them manners, keep them on a leash and provide them whatever healthcare they need.

I gave one a chance.  Will you give one a chance, too.

http://www.1800petmeds.com/education/pit-bull-facts-and-myths.html