Archive for the ‘Dogs’ Category

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Pet Rescue Groups, Humane Societies, and Shelters in Georgia, Counties F-N

September 2nd, 2010 | Author: Valerie

Pet Rescue and Adoption Groups, Humane Societies, Animal Controls, and Shelters in Georgia By County, F-N

Fannin County

Fayette County

Floyd County

Forsyth County

Franklin County

Fulton County

Gilmer County

Glynn County

Gordon County

Grady County

Greene County

Gwinnett County

Habersham County

Hall County

Haralson County

Harris County

Hart County

Heard County

Henry County

Houston County

Jackson County

Jasper County

Jeff Davis County

Jenkins County

  • City Of Millen Animal Control- 912-982-4211

Jones County

Lamar County

Laurens County

Lee County

Liberty County

Lincoln County

Lowndes County

Lumpkin County

Macon County

Madison County

Marion County

McDuffie County

McIntosh County

Meriwether County

Miller County

Mitchell County

Monroe County

Montgomery County

Morgan County

Murray County

Muscogee County

Newton County

If we cut up beasts simply because they cannot prevent us and because we are backing our own side in the struggle for existence, it is only logical to cut up imbeciles, criminals, enemies, or capitalists for the same reasons.  ~C.S. Lewis

Posted in Bird Rescue, Cats, Dogs, Feral Cat, Ferrets, Georgia Humane, Gwinnett County, Gwinnett County Animal Welfare Services, Horses, Kittens, Lost and Found Pets, Paws, Pet Rescue, Puppies, Puppy Mills, Rabbits, Reptiles, Spay and Neuter, cat rescue, dog adoption, dog rescue, pet adoption, pet care, snakes | Tags: , , , , , , | No Comments »

Pet Rescue and Adoption Groups, Humane Societies and Shelters in Georgia, Counties A-E

August 26th, 2010 | Author: Valerie

Pet Rescue and Adoption Groups, Humane Societies, Animal Controls, and Shelters in Georgia By County, A-E

Athens-Clarke County

Augusta-Richmond County

Barrow County

Bartow County

Berrien County

Bibb County

Bleckley County

  • City of Cochran Animal Control- (478) 934-1306

Brantley County

Brooks County

  • City of Quitman Animal Shelter-(229) 605-9810

Bryan County

Bulloch County

Burke County

Butts County

Camden County

Candler County

Carroll County

Catoosa County

Chatham County

Chattooga County

Cherokee County

Clayton County

Cobb County

Coffee County

Columbia County

Columbus-Muscogee County

  • Paws Humane
  • Muscogee County Humane Society- 706-563-4929

Coweta County

Crisp County

  • Cordele Animal Shelter- (229) 276-2547

Dawson County

Decatur County

Dekalb County

Douglas County

Early County

  • City of Blakely Animal Shelter- (229) 724-7474

Effingham County

Elbert County

Emanuel County

  • City of Swainsboro Animal Shelter- (478) 237-4040

Evans County

Adopt me through Georgia Humane Society!

Think occasionally of the suffering of which you spare yourself the sight.  ~Albert Schweitzer

Posted in Cats, Dogs, Feral Cat, Ferrets, Georgia Humane, Kids and Pets, Kitten Care, Kittens, Lost and Found Pets, Pet Rescue, Rabbits, Reptiles, Spay and Neuter, cat rescue, dog adoption, dog rescue, pet adoption, snakes | Tags: , , , , , | 1 Comment »

Adopt A Dog- Memphis, the Catahoula Leopard Dog

August 17th, 2010 | Author: Valerie

My husband, Denny and I decided to volunteer with Georgia Humane Society after having an awesome adoption experience with them. We adopted our dog, Josie, through them and they are the nicest rescue group that I’ve ever come across. My sister, Laura Fields, was already a foster home with them and she lives near the Paulding County Animal Control and had her eye on Memphis. Denny named him Memphis because he went to college there.

Memphis is any where from 6 months to a year old and weighs about 50 pounds. He still acts like a puppy, kinda clumsy and loves to chew on things. We keep deer antlers and Nylabones around for him and that keeps him out of trouble. We’ve only had one accident in the house, pee, and it was right by the back door. We must not have been paying enough attention. He is a very good boy, loves the other dogs, is fine with the cats and adores kids. My sister has 2 little girls, aged 4 and 6, and they cuddled and cuddled with him and he loved it.

Memphis is neutered and up to date on vaccinations. He needs a home willing to work with him on some training, particularly leash training and listening to his name when you call him. Besides that, this fur baby is absolutely perfect. He is crate trained, but we let him sleep with us.  If you’re interested in adopting or meeting Memphis, you can fill out an application on the Georgia Humane Society’s website, www.georgiahumane.com and you can come meet him on Saturdays at PetsMart on Howell Mill Road in Atlanta. Call me first to make sure he’ll be there- 770-363-0827. Below are some pictures of him.

Don't you just love this face?

I like walking with a harness much better than a regular collar

Memphis give Grace a big hug

Memphis and Maddie= LOVE!

Loves the fenced backyard!

“Better to light a candle for one lost dog than to curse the darkness of man’s indifference. Saving just one dog won’t change the world, but it surely will change the world for that one dog.” – Richard C. Call

Posted in Dogs, Georgia Humane, Kids and Pets, Pet Rescue, dog adoption, dog rescue, pet adoption | Tags: , , , , | 2 Comments »

Indoor Exercise With Your Dog

August 8th, 2010 | Author: Valerie

Here in Georgia, it gets way too hot to take our dogs on long walks for exercise, or even to throw the ball outside for more than a few minutes. We have a shih tzu, Gizmo, and dogs with short snouts over-heat even more easily than dogs with longer snouts. We are extra careful to avoid heatstroke in our pups, and in the pups that we pet sit. I’ve listed a  few fun activities to get your dog’s blood moving that you can do in the comfort of the air conditioning below.

Here are a few fun things to try with your dogs when the weather prevents you from taking your fur kids to the park or out for a walk:

  • Laser Pointer- some dogs chase it, some don’t. A lot of cats do, too! Make sure you don’t put it near your pet’s eyes.
  • Obedience Training-it can be fun! Make sure you use positive reinforcement, like Victoria Stilwell and Patricia McConnell. Only train in intervals of 15 minutes or less a few times per day, or it will stop being fun.
  • Fetch- down a long hallway
  • Hide And Seek- One person holds the dog, another person (treats in hand) runs and hides and calls the dog. When the dog finds you, reward them with a treat!
  • Hide your pet’s favorite toy or treat and guide them to help them find them, but don’t give it away! It’s good exercise, both physically and mentally for your dog!
  • Toys that dispense treats are a good mental exercise for your dog
  • Rope Toys- for a good old fashioned game of Tug-O-War (not recommended for aggressive dogs)
  • Got a basement? How about some soccer or fetch down there?
  • For good time killers, try Nylabones or Kongs

Just remember to keep it light, fun and positive!

Jake and Gizmo will never turn down a good game of fetch, in or outside.

The great pleasure of a dog is that you may make a fool of yourself with him and not only will he not scold you, but he will make a fool of himself too.  ~Samuel Butler, Notebooks, 1912

Posted in Dog Health, Dog Toys, Dogs | Tags: , , | No Comments »

The Essential Puppy Supplies List from Petside

June 2nd, 2010 | Author: Valerie

I found this list and think it will be very useful for people who have just adopted a new puppy. The only thing that I see that I would change would be the Mealtime section. It says to feed your new puppy whatever they were eating at the breeder’s. If you adopt your puppy or find a stray, obviously you’ll need to pick out a good food. I suggest a raw diet or a grain free, high grade dog food.

If you have anything to add, please do! You can add whatever you want to the Comments section.

The Essential Puppy Supplies List
By Caroline Coile |

Half the fun of getting a new puppy is going on a “puppy welcome wagon” shopping spree. So get out the checkbook, and check out our checklist!

Bedtime:

- Crate: Choose between wire, which fold flat and have better ventilation; plastic, which are cozy and are approved for airline shipping; and cloth, which are lightweight but can be shredded by dogs that want to get out.
- Bed: It doesn’t have to be fancy, just soft.

Mealtime:

- Food: Start with what they’re eating at the breeder’s. You can gradually switch them later.
- Bowls: Stainless bowls are best because they are easy to clean and durable.

House time:

- Baby gates: Baby gates allow your dog more freedom while still blocking off restricted areas.
- Exercise pen: An exercise pen (X-pen) is a 4-foot by 4-foot pen that you can set up as an optional indoor playpen. You can also take the X-pen on trips so you have a portable yard.
- Anti-chew spray: These sprays taste so bitter most puppies won’t chew anything they’re on.
- Cleaning supplies: For rug accidents, use an enzymatic carpet cleaner, which destroys the odor causing molecules.
- Potty Training pads: Scented pads that entice a puppy to urinate on them rather than your rug. Optional.
- Indoor potty system: An option for apartment dogs.

Yard time:

- Fence: The fence should keep your dog in and other dogs out.
- Kennel: A covered kennel run is another option, but only if it’s next to the house and has shelter from the elements.
- Pooper scooper: Two-part scoops are easier to use than hinged versions. Scoops with a rake on one side are better for grass, and the flat-edge pusher varieties are better for cement surfaces.

Walk time:

- Collar: For now, get a nylon buckle collar with room for adjustment. The collar should be loose enough for you to get a couple of fingers between it and your puppy’s neck, but not so loose that it could slide off his head when walking on leash. Don’t leave any collar on a puppy unattended because pups have a talent for getting their lower jaw stuck in it.
- Leash: Start with a sturdy lightweight leash, four to six feet long, of leather or nylon — never chain links!
- Retractable leash: Only for use away from roads, other people and dogs.
- Harness: If your puppy has a habit to slipping out of a collar, consider a harness as an option.
- Poop bags: Cheap sandwich bags or stylish doggy poop disposal bags both work.
- Identification: Get both tags and a microchip.
- Coat or Sweater: Little puppies don’t have much fur or fat, and may need some extra warmth in cold weather. Optional.

Grooming time:

- Brush: A soft-bristle brush is ideal for getting your puppy used to grooming.
- Rinseless Shampoo: A quick fix for dirty puppies! Optional.
- Toothbrush: For now, you just need a soft baby toothbrush and some doggy toothpaste.
- Toenail clippers: The guillotine and scissors-type cutters are equally good.

Fun time:

- Plush toys: Soft-mouthed puppies love soft fuzzy toys. Make sure no parts can come off, and that your puppy can’t gut it and swallow any noisemakers or bean stuffing.
- Throw toys: Balls and other toys, such as tug toys, that encourage playing with people are especially good for social development.
- Interactive toys: Toys that challenge your puppy to dislodge food treats can occupy them while you’re away.

Love time:

- You: A person who will stop what they’re doing and pay attention to the new puppy!

When you feel lousy, puppy therapy is indicated. -Sara Paretsky

Posted in Dog Toys, Dogs, Puppies, dog training | Tags: , , | No Comments »

Ten Things Every Dog Owner Should Know

May 18th, 2010 | Author: Valerie

I “Stumbled Upon” this blog post on Wag Reflex and thought it was a nice reminder that our dogs are not human and do not deliberately misbehave:

Ten Things Every Dog Owner Should Know

by Bark Busters on September 23, 2008

1. A dog is a dog.
Some people assume their dogs communicate the same way that humans do and, therefore, they try to communicate with dogs the way they would with another person. This is the greatest misconception of many dog owners. Although domesticated for thousands of years, dogs in the wild have always lived in packs. Today, dogs live by the same rules and exhibit many of the same behavioral patterns as their wild ancestors. Therefore, as dog owners, you need to realize dogs have different needs; to effectively train your dog, you must first understand its instinctual pack behavior.

2. All dogs think in terms of the pack.
In the wild, dogs have always lived in packs. They instinctively know that living with others, under the leadership of a dominant member of the pack, enhances their chances for survival. Therefore, pack animals not only want to live with others, but they also are content having leaders who are strong, consistent and fair. As a dog owner, one of your responsibilities is to learn and model these characteristics so that you will be accepted as the pack leader. Thus, your dog will learn to respect and obey you.

3. Dogs don’t understand English.
To believe your dog fully understands human-based communications is as unreasonable as thinking you know everything your dog is trying to say when it barks. A dog’s communication is limited primarily to barking, growling and other guttural sounds, and they also rely heavily on body language. By understanding how dogs communicate, you will avoid the mistake of telling your dog one thing while your body language and voice sound tells it something completely different.

4. Dogs are not spiteful.
Dog owners often say, “My dog chewed the furniture because I left him home alone.” There are a number of reasons why dogs misbehave, but spite is not one of them. Although many people want to believe that dogs think like humans, dogs do not. They have only two sections to their brain and, therefore, have limited ability to reason. Thus, they cannot disobey out of spite. Knowing the real reasons why dogs misbehave requires understanding how they think and learn. Dogs react in a way that makes sense in their environment. When a dog disobeys, it is usually for one of three reasons: 1) it does not understand what you want, 2) it does not consider you its leader, or 3) it is suffering from some kind of stress or fear. By understanding the true nature of dogs, you will be better prepared to diagnose problems or behaviors of your dog.

5. What makes some dogs aggressive?
One of our favorite sayings is, “You can take the dog out of the wild, but you cannot take the wild out of the dog.” This means simply that the dog’s natural instincts are never far below the surface. Sometimes this behavior manifests itself as aggression because a dog will do only what its natural instincts tell it to do unless trained otherwise. The most common cause of aggression is fear of the unknown, that is, whatever the dog cannot understand or does not recognize as normal. A dog’s response to fear is instinctual. When a dog becomes frightened, it will do one of two things: fight or take flight. One breed of dog is not necessarily more aggressive than any other. The diminutive Chihuahua can be just as aggressive as the larger German shepherd. The only real difference is the amount of fear we perceive based on a dog’s size and its ability to cause harm. As dog owners, one of our responsibilities is to condition our dog daily to reinforce dominance (leadership) over the dog. Leadership increases our ability to control and teach our dogs what is and is not acceptable.

6. Body language is the dog’s primary mode of communication.
Dogs rely heavily on body language to communicate, and a person’s body language can easily be misinterpreted. If a dog jumps on you and you respond by pushing it down with both hands, the dog may think you want to play, in much the same way it would play with other dogs. When people greet a dog, they often do not consider whether or not the dog actually wants to meet the person.

7. You can teach an old dog new tricks.
Although we cannot teach dogs to reason, we can teach them to “think.” Dogs are continuous learners and have good memories. The three things that primarily influence a dog’s behavior are association, instinct and experience. Dogs recall information with associative stimuli, such as similar situations. People cannot explain to a dog—as they would to a child—not to eat food off the floor. The only way for a dog to learn that lesson is for the owner to correct it immediately using voice sounds and body language as soon as the dogs tries to eat the food. By conditioning your dog and effectively showing it what you consider good and bad behavior, you can help any dog change its behavior.

8. Bad behaviors may be natural, but they do not have to be normal.
Most people consider digging, chewing and jumping as unacceptable dog behavior. To dogs, however, these are natural actions. Dogs will do what their instinct tells them unless otherwise trained. To teach a dog what behaviors are and are not acceptable, a dog owner must leverage a dog’s association and experience to directly impact how it behaves. A dog owner needs to associate a dog’s bad behavior with a bad experience, such as a harsh voice tone, and good behavior with a good experience, such as high-pitched praise. In this way, a dog will learn what is acceptable behavior.

9. What is the right way to discipline a dog?
Since dogs cannot reason like humans, they are not deliberately naughty, despite what many people might think. Instead, their behavior is always determined by either instinct or experience. A dog will do only what comes naturally or what it has learned through association; therefore, it is not productive (or even logical) for humans to get angry with a dog. Moreover, physical force is both inappropriate and counterproductive. This includes using your hands for correcting. Since dogs do not have hands, they find that form of discipline to be provocative and threatening. For this reason, dog owners should use their hands as little as possible when training, and when you do, dogs must always associate your hands with gentleness and pleasure. Because dogs learn from association, they will comprehend your message only if it is delivered in a timely manner. A correction must be issued at the precise moment the dog is either contemplating or actually doing something wrong. Sometimes it may be difficult to catch your dog in the act, but you can create situations that will cause a dog to misbehave and then correct it on the spot.

10. Do dogs sense the world differently than humans?
Dogs experience the world nose first. Smell is the most dramatic sensory difference between humans and dogs. Dogs have about 25 times more olfactory (smell) receptors than humans do and can sense odors at concentrations nearly 100 million times lower than humans can. A dog’s sense of smell is also closely linked to taste. A dog is so scent sensitive, it is usually the smell not the taste that will cause a dog to reject food before it even enters its mouth. In contrast, humans have 5 times more tastes as dogs and tend to taste something before deciding if they like it. Also, a dog’s eye lacks certain components found in a human eye. As such, dogs see the world in shades of black, white and gray and have better night vision. Visual acuity also varies by breed. Due to the positioning of their eyes, short-nosed dogs can see things in the distance with more depth perception than longer-nosed breeds. Hearing is also acutely developed in dogs. The distance from which it can hear things is 4 times farther than a human. Dogs’ hearing is also selective: they can sleep beside a blaring TV but wake up as soon as they hear something not related to the TV sound. Dogs process only what they want to hear.

–Connie DuBois, Bark Busters



———————
Connie DuBois is a dog behavioral therapist and trainer for Bark Busters Home Dog Training and a regular contributor to Wag Reflex.

“In dog training, jerk is a noun, not a verb.” ~Dr. Dennis Fetko


Posted in Dog Behavior, Dogs, dog training | Tags: , , | 2 Comments »

Getting Your Dog’s Pulling On the Leash Under Control

May 6th, 2010 | Author: Valerie

As a professional pet sitter and dog walker, I run across quite a lot of dogs who pull as hard as they can when we go for walks. I don’t enjoy walks when being pulled (even when it’s a small dog), and I honestly think the dogs get a lot more out of a controlled walk than just going dog wild (haha). A walk should be enjoyable for all parties involved, and it’s possible with the right tools and understanding of the dog or dogs that are being walked.

What will work for one dog doesn’t  necessarily work for another. You should never put any sort of tightening collar on dogs like shih tzus, as you can cause a lot of permanent and painful damage to their trachea. In fact, any tightening collars (martingales, chain choke collars, pinch collars, etc), need to stay off of the mid-throat area, and stay under the chin and close to the ears. This gives the walker more control over the head of the dog, and keeps the excited dog from choking himself on the collar and causing throat damage.

There are so many choices of harnesses, collars and other tools that you can choose from, the list goes on and on. Listed below are some of the tools that I have used or have seen being used. If you have any experiences, good or bad, with any of these or have something to add, please leave a comment.

Cesar Millan’s (The Dog Whisperer) Illusion Collar- This collar just arrived at our home yesterday and we tried it out on Josie, our golden retriever/shepherd mix who is “in training.” She does pretty well on walks for a lot of the time, but when we first set out to walk, she likes to pull. If she sees another dog, or sometimes a kid, she jumps around and goes nuts! This collar seems to be working very well. I’m in total control while walking her (along my other two dogs on their leashes), she walks right beside me, and there is no worry that the collar is hurting her neck. Below is a picture of her wearing the collar.

The Illusion collar isn’t for everyone. Here is the warning on Cesar’s website:

WARNING: If your dog’s neck measures less than 13 inches at the base, or your dog weighs less than 18 lbs, you should NOT use the collar. The Illusion collar is not intended for puppies under one year of age. Dogs with any breathing problems, such as “pushed-in faces” that restrict breathing; dogs with trachea or throat problems, such as Pomeranians; and dogs with elongated, overly slender necks, such as Greyhounds, should NOT use the collar. Consult your local professional for further advice.

The Gentle Leader- When we fostered a very rambunctious wire haired terrier mix named Dixon, we knew immediately that he had issues on the leash. He was out of control, jumping every where, biting at the leash and our legs, trying to get anything that moved….we needed some help! We tried a regular harness and a slip lead, but neither really helped. The only way we got him even halfway under control was the Gentle Leader. This is a collar that goes around the actual head of the dog and loops around their mouths, and the leash attaches under the chin on a loop. Sounds uncomfortable, and it does take some dogs longer than others to get used to it, but it helped us teach Dixon what we wanted him to do. I don’t have a picture of Dixon on his Gentle Leader, but I found a random picture to share.

Here is what the Gentle Leader website says about the head collar:

Millions of dog owners today enjoy the benefits of stress-free walks thanks to the Gentle Leader Headcollar. Designed so that owners can communicate with their pet in a way they instinctively understand, the Gentle Leader painlessly and effectively removes the dog’s natural tendency to pull by placing gentle pressure on calming points and eliminating uncomfortable pressure on the throat. In addition to reducing a dog’s desire to pull away, the Gentle Leader is also a very effective tool in combating lunging, jumping, excessive barking and helping to calm an aggressive and/or anxious animal.

Easy Walk Harness- I don’t have much experience with these harnesses, but I’ve seen them work with other people walking their dogs. When the dog tries to pull, this harness makes them feel like they’re turning back around, so they stop pulling to stop themselves from turning. Here’s what the Easy Walk Harness says about their harnesses:

Traditional harnesses can actually encourage dogs to pull harder because of the “opposition reflex.”  That’s the reflex that makes sled dogs do what they do. The Easy Walk Harness’ unique front-chest leash attachment stops pulling by tightening slightly across your dog’s chest and shoulder blades. The gentle pressure steers your dog to the side and redirecting his attention back towards you. The Easy Walk Harness never causes coughing, gagging, or choking because the chest strap rests low across the breastbone, not on the delicate tracheal area.

These are just three of the many tools to choose from. I don’t choose to talk about pinch or prong collars or choke chain collars, but they are an option out there for the right dog, if and only if they are used in the correct way. Never yank or pull your dog by the neck, or really at all. There are always positive things that you can do to train your dog. Remember that food is the way to a lot of dogs’ hearts. Feed them a little less at meals if you use treats for training (so they don’t get overweight), and while training give them a delicious treat that they only get at training times. Cooked chicken or little bits of hot dog always work well for me.

Your dog wants to please you, his master, but we need to try to understand that the dog is a DOG trying to live in the human world. With patience and understanding, the sky is the limit for your dog. It’s in you to help your dog understand what you want. You just have to find your groove.

Always be a little kinder than necessary.  ~James M. Barrie

Posted in Dog Behavior, Dogs, Products for Dogs | Tags: , , , | 1 Comment »

Low Cost Spay/Neuter, Vaccinations and Veterinarians in Georgia

April 26th, 2010 | Author: Valerie

From SPOT Society:

The reasons for spaying are compelling and well-known:

  • Overpopulation and the resulting mass euthanasia and neglect. There can never be enough good homes for all the puppies and kittens born, including purebreds.
  • It avoids heat cycles, unwelcome visitors fighting on the lawn, accidental pregnancies, unwanted puppies and kittens, inconvenience and expense.
  • Better-behaved pets – Spayed pets are less likely to spray or mark or roam. They are less aggressive toward humans and other animals. 85% of dog bites involve intact pets.
  • Healthier pets
    • Females spayed before their first heat cycle have 96.4% less risk of breast cancer. Spaying after the first heat but before a litter still reduces the risk by 84%. Breast cancer is four times more common in dogs than in humans.
    • Spayed females have no risk of uterine infection, or uterine, ovarian, or cervical cancer.
    • Dogs and cats have their own sexually-transmitted diseases, many fatal, and some potentially contagious to humans. Spayed and neutered pets are rarely exposed to these diseases.
    • There are many complications associated with pregnancy, having babies, and raising a litter – infections, emergency c-sections (very expensive), seizures due to calcium deficiency, etc. The risk of pregnancy and rearing a litter is far greater than the risk of anesthesia and spaying.
The reasons for neutering are compelling and well-known:

  • Overpopulation and the resulting mass euthanasia and neglect. There can never be enough good homes for all the puppies and kittens born, including purebreds.
  • It avoids fighting over females, trying to escape looking for females, and the resulting inconvenience and expense that results. Males can smell a female up to 3 miles away, and will often get in trouble out looking for girls. Most of the animals hit-by-cars and lost are intact males. Smaller dogs are often killed by larger ones.
  • Neutered pets are less likely to spray or mark or roam. They are less aggressive toward humans and other animals. Eighty-five percent of dog bites involve intact pets. And who can stand the aroma of Tom Cat urine?
  • Dogs and cats have their own sexually transmitted diseases, many fatal, and some potentially contagious to humans. Feline Leukemia, for example, is the leading disease killer of cats in our area, and is spread through fighting and sexual contact. Spayed and neutered pets are rarely exposed to these diseases.
  • Neutered males have no risk of testicular cancer. Prostate cancers, and other prostate problems, are very common in older un-neutered males.

LOW COST SPAY/NEUTER, VETERINARIANS and VACCINATIONS:

If you want others to be happy, practice compassion.  If you want to be happy, practice compassion.  ~Dalai Lama

Posted in Dogs, Gwinnett County, Pet Health, Pet Rescue, Spay and Neuter, pet adoption | Tags: , | 1 Comment »

Found Little Dog in Lawrenceville, GA (Very Cute Pictures)

April 22nd, 2010 | Author: Valerie

I found this little guy wondering around a neighborhood off of Sugarloaf Parkway on April 21, 2010. He’s very sweet, very much a lap dog and great with our other 3 dogs and our 4 cats. I’m sure someone is looking for him. He’s not neutered and was very dirty, but he’s nice and clean now. If I don’t find his people, I’ll be looking to find him a great furever home, after we have him vaccinated and neutered. I took him to Lawrenceville Suwanee Animal Hospital to be scanned for a micro-chip and he doesn’t have one.  I’m giving it a week before I have him neutered, but after that, chop chop! Ouch, poor guy. We’re calling him Chi Chi for now, just because for some reason it fits. He looks a lot like a Westie, but also has Maltese or possibly Chihuahua features- he only weighs about 4 pounds. Below are some pictures:

“To be followed home by a stray dog is a sign of impending wealth.”-Chinese Proverb-

Posted in Dogs, Gwinnett County, Lost and Found Pets | Tags: , , , | 4 Comments »

Happy Endings for 3 Dogs Yesterday!

April 16th, 2010 | Author: Valerie

If you’re like me, you get email after email of dogs and other pets in need of rescue…some are in high kill county shelters and only have hours to live. My Facebook wall fills up with pets in need every day. It’s great to hear a happy ending, but yesterday I was blessed to hear TWO happy endings for three different dogs. No picture available of the second dog.

The first story, I got from Facebook and was passed from this person to that and I ended up with it and shared it on my wall. The second story was emailed to me. I will paste the original story of the dogs, and then an update. I hope you enjoy them!

Pedro and Otto, abandoned best friends in Athens GA: A story of devotion:

These two amazing dogs are available for adoption or rescue at Athens-Clarke County Animal Control in Athens, GA. Call 706-613-3540 between 10 am and 4 pm (open every day except Wednesday). Detailed contact info and links to read more, and to download adoption/rescue apps, are at the bottom of this Note.

Pedro #30127 and his best friend Otto #31028 were found at a truck stop in Clarke County, northeast Georgia, abandoned. Poor Otto was penned inside a rusty cage. Though running loose and free to go find food and shelter, Pedro would not leave his best friend. He stuck by Otto’s side and made sure he was safe until Animal Control officers picked them up. See their individual details following comments. Though abandoned, they will be given the mandatory 5-day hold period.
***“Safe” time will be up at closing time on Friday, 4/16***—Please put in your adoption or rescue app now, before they become URGENT. Also please note that these guys are not rescue-only—they are adoptable, good-natured, social dogs. Sadly they are the two types most adopters pass by in a shelter: a “Pit Bull” and a senior, large-breed “Black Dog.” They need our help.
•—•—•—•—•—•—•—•
On Sunday April 11, I got to spend a bit of time petting, treating, and watching interactions between Otto and Pedro, who are sharing a run since they came in together.

Pedro, #30127Otto, #30128These two have the most amazing bond. After observing them together, it appears that Pedro the Lab believes he is Otto the Pibble’s “mom.” Pedro would’ve already been an older guy when his humans brought Otto home as a puppy. It looks like Pedro “raised” Otto. Otto may be the only friend Pedro has ever had, and Pedro is fully dedicated to his buddy. Otto is a great, mellow, affectionate boy who still has some pup in his behavior because Pedro has mothered him so much. Otto is a naturally outgoing guy, and Pedro is naturally submissive, gentle and amiable. There is absolutely no friction between the two, but it looks like Pedro has always protected and deferred to Otto—including making sure Otto had the lion’s share of their food. Otto is in good body weight, but Pedro is very thin. When I fed the two treats, Otto was more eager to take them. Pedro would take a treat, but then would literally drop it in front of Otto, though it’s evident that he’s very hungry himself. I managed to get the two at opposite ends of their run, so I could encourage Pedro to eat some treats himself. Pedro seems afraid to eat in case Otto doesn’t have enough. There is NO food-aggression between the two. It’s just like a parent sacrificing for the sake of a child.

When visitors came by walking other dogs, both these boys were friendly and interested in meeting both dogs and humans. Otto was again more forthcoming, but Pedro would step in and insert his nose next to Otto’s at the fence, just in case he needed to “protect” him. No aggression or even defensiveness, just, “Otto, I’m here if you need me”—the behavior of a gentle parent with a pup.

I’ve never seen a relationship like this between two intact male dogs. Otto has really benefited from Pedro’s care, and has learned good social skills and a degree of mellowness you don’t always see in Pits. Pedro has been so self-effacing and sacrificing that his own health and well-being have suffered. Otto, being a dog, can’t realize that Pedro’s given everything he has to protect and nurture him. Otto doesn’t bully his submissive guardian at all, just accepts that this is the way their relationship is. Though Otto’s now perfectly capable of looking after himself, Pedro can’t realize this, and still views Otto as his baby.

When I first wrote this Note, I speculated that it might be a good thing to get these two dogs adopted or rescued separately, thinking their codependent relationship might be impeding each from reaching his full potential. This morning, a volunteer who takes many of the terrific photos of our AC’s dogs wrote that even the brief time apart needed for her to take each dog’s picture caused Pedro great anxiety. Mia’s comment is below. Separation anxiety is terribly hard on a senior dog. Pedro doesn’t have too many years left to enjoy his life, and doesn’t deserve to lose his canine “security blanket.” So my plea is that an extraordinary family, individual, or rescue group step up and make sure these friends stay together. That said, Pedro needs to get enough food, care and love to be healthy. Otto needs a little bit of time one-on-one with humans so he can play and learn basic obedience skills—the intelligent, athletic bully dogs need such structure to thrive. An empathetic family could manage gradually separating them for feeding time, and teach them slowly to spend a little time apart each day, just so each could be an individual for a while.
Both are real loves, and deserve better than life has given them thus far. If you have a big heart and an understanding of the bond and sacrifice these two boys share, won’t you please be their angel and give them a safe and loving home?

This from Mia, who took Pedro and Otto’s photos: “When I separated them for their photo shoots Pedro was whimpering and crying as soon as Otto left his run. I felt so bad for him … When I took him out, he missed is brother again, but I agree that they need to spend some time apart so Pedro will eat more! The pound [Athens-Clarke AC] is full right now, so I don’t see this happening any time soon. Hopefully once all the [adopted dogs] leave to go to the vet and to their new homes, there will be more runs available.
•—•—•—•—•—•—•—•

Pedro is very thin and could use some good groceries, a fish oil supplement, and a cozy bed…close to his buddy Otto, of course.PEDRO #30127 (please refer to this number when calling about Pedro)
* Age: 10 years
* Breed: Lab/hound mix
* Gender: Male
* Weight: 51 pounds
* Impound Date: 04/9/10 [mandatory hold is up 4/16]
* Ledger #: 30127

Shelter bio: “Pedro is a dog of incredible devotion. Though he could have gone off in search of food and shelter when his people dumped the two dogs, he never left Otto’s side. He made sure to keep his caged best friend company during the scary times. Pedro is underweight and needs to pack on the pounds again. His coat is sparse and dry, indicating lack of proper nutrition. Don’t let his gray muzzle and spectacles keep you from recognizing just how awesome this dog is! He is so sweet and has the most adoring eyes. Though he’s quiet, he still has energy and stamina to take walks and keep you good company. Pedro shouldn’t spend his last days stuck in the pound full of scary noises. Please consider noble Pedro as your new best friend soon.”

Otto is in good body weight but has chunks of hair missing, as if he’s been trough some sort of hard times. His sunny nature hasn’t suffered, though.OTTO, #30128 (please refer to this number when calling about Otto)
* Age: 3 Years
* Breed: Pitbull Terrier
* Gender: Male
* Weight: 51 pounds
* Impound Date: 04/9/10 [mandatory hold is up 4/16]
* Ledger #: 30128

Shelter bio: “Otto has an amazing disposition…he is really calm once outside of his run and just loves hugs and kisses. He was a very gentle and sweet dog…I scared him a little with my big scary camera, but he always came back for more treats. Otto has little pocks of fur missing all over his body…it’s not big patches of fur missing, but just little spots. Just like any dog, Otto needs a proper diet and regular vetting to make sure you have a happy healthy pup. He would make a great therapy dog or loving friend for any home. Come meet Otto soon!”

UPDATE:

Otto and Pedro have been rescued by a Michigan pet rescue group and are going into foster care together!

Found lab mix – Gates Mill Subdivision at Sugarloaf and Hwy 20

This is a very sweet older dog that we found in my subdivision last week (Gates Mill Subdivision at Sugarloaf and Hwy 20 in Gwinnett).  He did not have any collar or tags, but he is very well trained and immaculately groomed, so we know he must have a home somewhere nearby.  We have posted over 200 flyers in my subdivision and our neighboring subdivision, with no luck.

Can you please take 1-2 minutes and forward and cross post this email to any/all of your friends and family who live in Gwinnett County and may be able to help us locate his owner?

If we take him to Gwinnett Animal control, they will euthanize him within 24 hrs, because he is a slightly older dog (estimated to be about 10-11 yrs old).  This breaks my heart, because he has so much love to give and many more yrs left.  He is in excellent health.

He is a mixed breed, but looks like he has a lot of golden lab in him.  He is great with children and other animals (he played with my 2 yr old grand daughter for 3 days!)  He is very sweet and gentle and has a great personality.  He understands and obeys all basic commands.  He really is a very sweet and a well behaved dog.  He is about 3 ft tall and mostly golden brown color, with white on his face and paws.

If we cannot find the owner, do you know of anyone who may adopt or foster him?

Thanks so much for taking a minute or 2 to forward this info to help this guy!!

Update:

This dog’s owner was found yesterday. They had been looking for him since April 5th!

Don’t you just love a happy ending? Do you have any happy rescue stories that you can share?

The wild, cruel animal is not
behind the bars of a cage.
He is in front of it.
-Axel Munthe


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