DO
I GO HOME TODAY?
By
Sandi Thompson
My
family brought me home cradled in their arms. They cuddled me and smiled at me
and said I was full of charm. They played with me and laughed with me and
showered me with toys. I sure do love my family, especially the girls and boys.
The children loved to feed me, they gave me special treats. They even let me
sleep with them - all snuggled in the sheets. I used to go for walks, often
several times a day. They even fought to hold the leash, I'm very proud to say.
These are the things I'll not forget - a cherished memory, because I now live
in the shelter - without my family. They used to laugh and praise me when I
played with that old shoe. But I didn't know the difference between the old
ones and the new. The kids and I would grab a rag, for hours we would tug. So I
thought I did the right thing when I chewed the bedroom rug. They said that I
was out of control, and would have to live outside. This I did not understand,
although I tried and tried. The walks stopped, one by one; they said they
hadn't time. I wish that I could change things, I wish I knew my crime. My life
became so lonely, in the back yard, on a chain. I barked and barked, all day
long, just to keep from going insane. So they brought me to the shelter, but
were embarrassed to say why. They said I caused an allergy, then they each
kissed me goodbye. If I'd only had some classes, when I was just a little pup,
then I would have been a better dog when I was all grown up. "You only
have one day left." I heard the worker say. Does that mean I have a second
chance? DO I GO HOME TODAY?
What to Consider Before Adopting a Pet
It can
happen to the best of us. You see a cute, tiger-striped kitten with white paws
and green eyes, just begging for attention. Or maybe it's a gorgeous Labrador
mix whose tails seems to be wagging just for you. You take one look, and the
next thing you know, you're walking down the pet food aisle at the supermarket.
If you're like most of us, falling in love with a pet is easy. And
no wonder! Sharing your home with a four-legged friend can be one of life's
greatest joys. Dogs, cats, and other pets give us unconditional loyalty and
acceptance, provide constant companionship, and even help relieve stress after
a hard day's work.
Adopting a pet, though, is a big decision. Dogs and cats require
lots of time, money, and commitment—over 15 years' worth in many cases. Pet
ownership can be rewarding, but only if you think through your decision before
you adopt a companion.
Things to Consider
The fact that you're thinking about adopting from an animal
shelter means you're a responsible and caring person. But before you
make that decision to bring a furry friend into your life, take a moment to
think over these questions:
Get an Animal for Life
Sure, it's a long list of
questions. But a quick stroll through an animal shelter will help you
understand why answering them before you adopt is so important.
Many of the shelter's
homeless animals are puppies and kittens, victims of irresponsible people who
allowed their pets to breed. But there are at least as many dogs and cats at
the shelter who are more than a year old—animals who were obtained by people
who didn't think through the responsibilities of pet ownership before they got
the animal.
Please, don't make the same mistake. Think before
you adopt. Sharing your life with a companion animal can bring incredible
rewards, but only if you're willing to make the necessary commitments of time,
money, responsibility, and love—for the life of the pet.
The Senior Dogs Project "Blessed is the person who has earned the love
of an old dog."
...........
"Looking Out for Older Dogs" ...........
- Sydney Jeanne
Seward
Questions about Adopting an "Older" Dog.....
Won't I be adopting someone else's problems? If the dog were so wonderful, why wouldn't they have kept him?
......Answer: Older dogs lose their homes for many different reasons....most of them having nothing to do with problems the dog has, but rather with those of the person surrendering the dog. Many folks think dogs who end up at shelters or in rescue are all genetically and behaviorally inferior. But, it is not uncommon for very expensive, well-bred dogs to outlive their usefulness or novelty with folks who bought them on impulse and no longer want to take responsibility for them.
Other reasons older dogs become homeless: death of a guardian....not enough time for the dog...... change in work schedule..... new baby.....need to move to a place where dogs are not allowed.... kids going off to college.... allergies.... change in "lifestyle".... prospective spouse doesn't like dogs. (All these reasons are taken from real case histories.)
The Senior Dogs Project: http://www.srdogs.com/Pages/adopt.html
Operation Kindness is a nonprofit animal-welfare organization that cares for homeless or
unwanted cats and dogs in a no-kill environment. We never euthanize an animal to make room
for another. We care for all the animals we take in until they are adopted.
NEVER GIVE YOUR PETS CHOCOLATE OR CAFFEINE!
DON'T USE COCOA MULCH IN YOUR GARDEN!
According to the ASPCA:
Cocoa beans contain the stimulants caffeine and theobromine. Dogs are highly sensitive to these chemicals, called methylxanthines. In dogs, low doses of methylxanthine can cause mild gastrointestinal upset (vomiting, diarrhea, and/or abdominal pain); higher doses can cause rapid heart rate, muscle tremors, seizures, and death.
Eaten by a 50-pound dog, about 2 ounces of cocoa bean mulch may cause gastrointestinal upset; about 4.5 ounces, increased heart rate; about 5.3 ounces, seizures; and over 9 ounces, death. (In contrast, a 50-pound dog can eat up to about 7.5 ounces of milk chocolate without gastrointestinal upset and up to about a pound of milk chocolate without increased heart rate.) According to tables we've examined, cocoa mulch contains
300-1200 mg. of theobromine per ounce, making cocoa mulch one of the strongest concentrations of theobromine your pet will encounter in any chocolate product. Yet the question of the gravity of the risk presented by this type of gardening mulch remains a matter of debate.
According to Hershey's, "It is true that studies have shown that 50% of the dogs that eat Cocoa Mulch can suffer physical harm to a variety of degrees
(depending on each individual dog). However, 98% of all dogs won't eat it." Rather than gamble their dogs won't be attracted to the mulch, responsible pet owners will probably prefer to choose another form of soil enhancement for their gardens.
Sources: Blum, Sanford. "Animal Doctor." Chicago Sun-Times. 16 June 1998 (p. 40).
|
Difference between a Reputable Breeder and Back Yard Breeder The $650.00 Puppy Vs The $300.00 Puppy. |
|---|
|
$650.00- Both the sire and dam of this puppy came from top Quality breeding stock which was
developed over years and years of selective and knowledgeable breeding. Both meet the requirement
of the written AKC/CKC standard for the breed in conformation as well as temperament. Each
has a pedigree which has been studied and thoroughly researched. These dogs have been selected to breed to each other because they can both contribute to the excellence of the breed as well as complement on another. $300.00-The dam of this litter was purchased from a local pet store and originally came from a Kansas puppy mill. She was sick off and on the first year of her life due to to many different types of intestinal parasites and malnutrition. The sire, an oversized male, lives down the street and was purchased from an ad in the newspaper. Neither owner has ever heard of the AKC/CKC written standard. Neither owner has seen a written pedigree. The female is skittish and snappy. Her owners hope that having a litter will calm her down. $650.00- Before this breeding ever took place, both male and female had test including hip x-rays, eye tests and heart tests to determine that there were no physical genetic problems that might be passed on to offspring. The breeder is well aware of the genetic problems to which the breed is predisposed and uses no animal for breeding unless it is certified clear
of defects by a qualified Veterinarian. The health of her pups is guaranteed. $300.00-The breeder is totally unaware of the genetic problems within the breed. Trips to the Veterinarian, except for dire emergencies or yearly shots, are considered too expensive. The breeders' hope is to make money off the sale of the puppies. If he keeps expenses down, he can by that new couch he's been wanting. Puppies are sold with no guarantee. $650.00- The breeder is a professional and he has a good reputation to maintain. His goal is to produce beautiful and sound specimens which anyone would be proud to own. Profit, if any is made, goes toward further breedings, always aimed toward the betterment of the breed, or for show entries, handler's fees, new equipment and important veterinary tests. Both the mother and pups are fed the highest quality diet. Many trips to the vet assure him that mother and pups are thriving under the very best care. The pups are raised in a busy part of the house where they are socialized, groomed and exposed to different kinds of stimulus. They are touched and talked to and even cuddled and sung to. They are never sold before they are seven weeks old. Every buyer is interviewed at length and pups are placed only in homes where they will receive the finest treatment. the breeder spends time with each new owner, educating and answering questions. Follow-up calls are made to make sure the pups are adjusting well. Each new owner receives a bill of sale and health guarantees, vaccination record, minimum three generation pedigree, guarantee of registration with the AKC/CKC and thorough puppy care and nutrition information. If the puppy is not considered to be of such quality as it will better the breed the puppy is sold with a limited registration or non-breeding agreements. The new owners are encouraged to continue a relationship with the breeder, and to call and ask questions at any time during the dogs life. $300.00- These puppies are born in a box, in the garage and receive little care other than what the mother gives. To cut costs they are weaned on generic dog food and allowed to nurse on the mother as long as possible to keep food bills down. The bitch's health declines rapidly due to poor health and some pups are weak and runty. They are sold as quickly as possible because advertising and vaccines are expensive. They are sold without having had their dewclaws removed, without shots, parasite checks, vet examinations, guarantees of information of any kind. They are sold to anyone who has the cash. If the new owner is lucky he may receive a AKC/CKC registration application. Although the puppy is of very poor quality, it is sold with full breeding rights. The new owner usually disappears with the pup, never to be seem again. If the market is not good, the breeder takes the leftover pups to the local pet shop. The comparison you have just read is hypothetical, but very typical of what we see all to often. Although not every breeder who charges higher prices is reputable and ethical, pet buyers should keep looking until they find one that is. When I am asked why my prices are so much higher than those in some newspaper ads, I mail a copy of this article. Those buyers who respect the quality and excellence are wonderful customers and become "partners" in this hobby that I love so much. Those that are seeking pets deserve nothing less than a nice quality, healthy and trusting animal. As well as a breeder they can count on. - Anonymous |
|
Welcome to Care2.com's Race for Pets in
Need! The Race for Pets in Need is a quick, easy way to help help our
needy pets with a simple point and click. The race is 100% free
to you! What you need to do: Click on the
"Click to Help" button located at http://pets.care2.com up to once per day. Each click generates a donation, paid by Care2,
to The Humane Society of the United States' (HSUS) Rural Area Veterinary
Services program. 100% of the money you generate will be donated to The HSUS
to help spay and neuter, vaccinate, and provide check-ups to pets in need. |
|
Over 10 million animals are
abused, neglected, or abandoned yearly.
Your click will provide the value of .6 bowls
of food and care for a rescued animal in a shelter or sanctuary. Please visit daily. |
http://ne_american_bulldogs.tripod.com/Fratus_American_Bulldogs/
Lisa Rego
Owner/Breeder
Fratus's American Bulldogs
The Best Bullies in New England
Melissa Kaplan's Herp Care Collection
Species:
Amphibians
Chelonians
Crocodilians
Green
Iguanas
Invertebrates
Lizards
Snakes
Frog-jumping contests, reptile give-aways, and turtle races are common summer fair events that pose a significant risk to both humans and animals. People who come into contact with reptiles and amphibians run a risk of contracting Salmonella infection (especially children).
In 1999, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) warned that 93,000 people contract salmonellosis from contact with reptiles or amphibians every year. Many are hospitalized, and still others die from their infection. Although the CDC has specific recommendations to prevent Salmonella infection (ie: washing with anti-bacterial soap immediately after handling reptiles), these guidelines are almost impossible to follow during fairs or other public events. There are also serious humane concerns for the reptiles and amphibians themselves, the vast majority of whom suffer and perish from neglect and improper care.
Conservationists are also concerned with the collection of wild amphibians and reptiles to stock these summer fairs events and contests.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
If you attend a fair that is
using reptiles and amphibians as part of its attraction, take time to educate
event sponsors, state and local health departments, and your state secretary of
agriculture (who approves reptile give-aways). Make them aware of the health
risks and cruelty issues involved in these events and ask that they discontinue
such events. You might also wish to let them know that sponsors may be held
legally liable for illnesses caused by these careless events.
Contact
HSUS at (301) 258-3143
“Contempt for animal life leads to contempt for human life.”
- Edward Abbey
 
|
|---|
