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Tag Archives: shelter dog

6.25.12 The Street Animals of Istanbul

25 Jun

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Istanbul, Turkey is a beautiful city. The city is actually where the European and Asia continents meet and is divided by the Bosphorus Strait.  A fishing town, you would expect to see cats.  But there were feral cats everywhere.  In all the outside spaces and many of the indoor also.  The street dogs, though I did not get to take many pictures because mostly I was being whizzed by in the Taxis that go way to fast, seemed to be of Shepard, working dog, type bodies, with brown and black short fur.  “One estimate is that in Istanbul, a city of 11.3 million people, there are at least 150,000 free-roaming dogs.  Rabies is endemic in Turkish dogs and every year there are a small number of people who die from the bites of rabid dogs. The Turkish federal government passed a law a few years ago requiring cities to control the roaming dogs.  But as in America, few cities have all the resources they need to effectively control the loose animals.”(Managing-street-dogs-cats-turkey)

I was really glad to see stray dogs with ear tags.  It made me realize that the city may have a “trap and release” program to spay/neuter/vaccinate strays.  I checked and it does and I think that is a  great step in the right direction, especially after reading about some of the shelter tragedies in Turkey. Unlike Americans, the Turkish people appear to tolerant the free-roaming animals. I assume that has a cultural basis due to religious heritage and current beliefs.  Until this trip, and I travel a lot, I never really thought about another countries challenges with animal control, this is a huge problem worldwide. In Istanbul there appeared to be a calm coexistence (I did not see even one cat/dog fight).  Lessons from the street animals of Istanbul.

Just another DogDaz morning at the zoo ❤ 

 
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Posted by on June 25, 2012 in Dogs

 

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3.18.12 Louise, The Shy

18 Mar

Louise's Adoption Photo
March 2010

We adopted Louise in April 2010, when she was about 6 months old.  I decided that her birthday would be Oct 31, 2009 so she could be my Halloween Dog.  Squash E Bear was starting to really slow down by then and he was totally blind. I thought that getting a companion might help him on our walks and keep him company. I went on http://www.PetFinder.com and other dog sites and started to look for my next love.  After several false starts (one being a shelter adoptee that bit me and Squash the first night she was here), I was ready to give up.  Late in March we stopped in PetCo to buy guinea pig food on a Saturday and happened upon an unexpected adoption fair.  I was immediately attracted to this medium size male dog with long hair (like Squash’s), but the rescue leader tried to talk us into this very fearful little black labby thing.  I never thought about a black dog before, or a lab, and I was not interested in a short haired dog (I like the furry kind).  We took Louise for a little walk and she was timid and fearful. I really was not interested. After a while her foster family came to pick her up and I saw a different dog emerge.  She jumped on the kids and was really happy to see them.  We talked to the foster and went home to think about it.

As you can see from the adoption picture above, Louise was not in the best of shape when rescued.  They were having trouble placing her because people were scared off by the condition of her skin and her shyness, When you rescue an animal, you don’t know a lot about their beginnings. I was told that she was rescued with her sister, Thelma, at about 4 months old. The rescuers (MJ’s Sanctuary) went down to pick up a bunch of dogs from a kill shelter in North or South Carolina (that is where Maryland gets a lot of dogs) when 2 men drove up with 2 puppies in the trunk.  The rescue team tried to talk the men into releasing the dogs to them but these guys did not want to, so the team kind of liberated the dogs somehow before they could be taken into the shelter.  Hence her name, “LOUISE” (from the great liberation movie, “Thelma & Louise“).   I figure Lulu’s Mom was maybe a hunting dog who got pregnant and gave birth in a barn. Somebody put flea collars on the pups and threw some food at them but I don’t think they interacted much with them because she appeared to not be socialized to people, and definitely not to males. The flea collar was embedded in her neck and her skin was covered with terrible dry mange when they rescued her and she shied away from everyone.

Lulu trying to cuddle with Squash
April 2010

I decided that I would spend some time with Louise and see how it work with Squash.  As you probably figured, it did not take long for me to fall in love.  Though it has taken 2 years of work (which continues) to help her over the anxiety of life, I could not have been chosen by a better dog.  Today she is a loving and special girl, with a shiny coat and adoring eyes.

image

Louise Today
March 2012

Just another DogDaz morning at our house ❤

 
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Posted by on March 18, 2012 in Dogs

 

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2.8.12 5:01: Louise is an Otter

08 Feb

Happiness

Louise loves to have her head scratched.  Actually, she loves to have under neither her neck scratched so much that she bends her head back so far she looks like a otter. I don’t have any picture of her like that because I am always busy scratching her neck and am not that good with the camera in my other hand.  Lulu can be a very serious dog.  I think because she is a fearful dog, she thinks a lot about things before she does them. But she has a funny and fun side too, I just need to remember sometimes to pull it out of her.  You really need to understand the personality of your dog, especially when they are the quiet type, to get them to laugh and do silly things with you. Louise likes to make me laugh.  She will bury her head against me and do a total body tumble – then she will start to just get overly crazy and roll on her back.

Lulu in the leaves (being serious)

Lulu sitting and staring

She also loves to sit on her hunches and stare at you. She doesn’t need to be leaning on anything, she just sits  She is a big hugger and likes to put her arms around you and give you a hug, She is just the right height to place her head under my mousing hand and make it jump.  Of course this is a queque that she thinks I have sat at the idiot box for long enough and it is now time to go play with her and Sofie (well, really just her – sometimes I think she wishes I would leave Sofie inside – or sell her to the Gypsies).  I try to spend quality time with each of my animals (but with 7 it is kind of hard).  Louise and I have a very close relationship and I make sure to give her personal tummy rubs and tumbles and ball tosses every day.  She is a Mama’s girl and really sticks to me like glue.  I never thought about owning a black dog or a short hair (I always had fluffy dogs) and we weren’t looking for one when we stumbled upon a rescue event at the pet store that day, 2 years ago.  The coordinator of the event pushed this very fearful, mangy (yes, she really had dry manage all over) our way.  Sometimes you just have to listen to the universe, because boy do I love this dog!  Just another DogDaz morning at the zoo! ❤

 
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Posted by on February 8, 2012 in Dogs

 

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1.29.12 5:40: In Memory

29 Jan

My teacher - Squash E Bear

You will see that I added a Memory page to the blog yesterday.  This page is to honor all the wonderful animals that have shared their time on earth with me.  I have been very lucky to be the human they chose.  I am a rescuer.  For some, they come in their early years and get a good start; for others, they come to live out their last days, months, and some years. Many have illnesses, physical or emotional; some mend, some need lifelong care. I am blessed.  They have all taught me so many lessons; unconditional love, patience, kindness, community, and caring.  I will always be eternally grateful for their gifts.  And, I continue to learn from the current residents of the zoo.

It’s just another DogDaz morning at my house. ❤

 
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Posted by on January 29, 2012 in Animals, Cats, Dogs

 

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1.24.12 6:18: 2 dogs + Petstore = Stupid Humans

24 Jan

So I took the dogs with me to PetSmart because it is really cold out and I figured it would be a good outing for all of us, also, I am trying to get them more used to people.  We live in a very very very, did I say very, quiet area.  If we pass more than one person or dog when taking our walks, it would be unusual.  So, what I realize is that the dogs are not very socialized.  I have taken Lulu to the pet store with me since she ‘rescued’ me (she was about 6 months old), but that is maybe only once every 6 weeks or so.

Lulu Graduation 2010

Louise is actually a graduate of the PetSmart academy, and though she remembers the nice man. ‘Larry the Trainer,’ with the pepperoni treats in his pocket, it is not a very comfortable place for her when we first enter.  I put Sofie in the shopping cart, so that she is not underfoot, and the three of us walk around the store.  Today we had to get dry cat food and exchange this 40% off ‘Martha Stewart’ sweater that I bought Louise last week that was ripped.  Now can someone explain to me why people, adult people, think it is OK to just walk up to any animal, without asking, and try to pet it.  People always seem to want to do that to Louise, even though she is standing behind me.  I work really hard at making Lulu feel safe though the world is full of non-thinking humans that come right out of nowhere and try to pat her on the head.  Not even open handed from underneath!  Really people!

She did good with the store people today so I really have  to do this more often.  I hand people dog treats so that they can have something to reward her with if she comes close, which she did a lot today.  I would never put her in danger, or other humans, so I hope you don’t think that this is an overly anxious situation for her.  We have been doing this now for a year and a half and I am very proud of her.  And she looked really good in her now sweater!  Just another DogDaz morning at our house ❤

 
4 Comments

Posted by on January 24, 2012 in Dogs

 

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The Shelter Pet Project

20 Jan

The Shelter Pet Project is a public service ad campaign focused on spreading the word that pets in shelters are wonderful and lovable, and encouraging potential adopters to consider the shelter as the first place to find a new best friend.

 
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Posted by on January 20, 2012 in Animals, Cats, Dogs

 

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People Products That Support Pet Rescue

14 Jan

I am reblogging a post from our blog friend For the Love of My Dogs.  If you are going to buy this stuff anyway, why not help save a life?

There are a few online stores where a portion of your purchase will go directly to support rescue and shelter dogs. Both the ASPCA Store and the Animal Rescue Site Store have products for both pets and people. Check out a recent review of pet products that support animal rescue by clicking here.

The following products for people cost the same amount as at any other store and products range from gifts for pet lovers and awareness products to clothing, jewelry and more. Browse the following suggestions or visit their websites to browse for yourself.

The ASPCA Store– A portion of every donation goes to help rescue pets and organizations around the country. Up to 40% of each purchase goes to rescue and adoption efforts!

ASPCA wristband $5.99- This orange wristband promotes animal awareness and is a great conversation starter. “Go Orange For Animals” with this Armstrong-like silicone bracelet.

Always in My Heart Pewter Memorial Necklace $19.99- This pewter colored memorial necklace comes with the inscription “Always in my heart” and features a black paw. A wonderful way to remember and honor your departed pet, as a portion of the proceeds go to save other pups who need help.

Dog Awareness Water Bottle $8.99- Fight animal cruelty with this dog awareness water bottle, great for hiking, the gym, office or everyday. The water bottle is white with a dog shadow and the words “Animals can’t dial 911 but you can” inscribed. A must-have for any animal activist—and it’s dishwasher safe!

Anti Puppy Mills T-Shirt $24.99-$26.99- This black shirt with white screen-printing has a cartoon image of a dog peeing on a puppy mill in the distance. It’s a cute shirt and a great way to be bold and start a meaningful conversation!
Men
Women

Animals Asleep Book for Kids $12.99- A cool book for kids ages 4-8, this book features a friendly, fact-filled story about how different animals sleep. An award-winning children’s book, this is a must-have for any young animal enthusiast!

The Animal Rescue Site Store– Every purchase directly supports rescue animals and pets in shelters. Each purchase directly purchases food and care for these pets in need.

All Over Paws Socks $4.95- These cute socks some in a variety of colors and have small paw prints all over. Each pair purchased funds 14 bowls of dog food!

Paws Galore Magnetic Notepad $6..95- Use this cute paw-print notepad on any magnetic surface, especially the refrigerator! The cute design features multi-colored paw prints and lots of room for writing notes and reminders.

Pillow Pals $19.95- A wonderful toy for kids, these Pillow Pals are soft, colorful and comfy. Choose from a butterfly, monkey, panda, puppy or shark. These cute animals are half pillow, half stuffed animal and are 100% fun for all kids!

Pup Upcycled Plastic Shopping Bag $19.95- These oversized bags are great for shopping. Completely washable and reusable, these Shopping Bags come from materials that would have otherwise gone in a landfill. Be green by using this bag for various shopping needs while displaying your love for dogs!

Wipe Your Paws Indoor Mat $16.95- A fun, colorful rug, this doggy rug is great to place inside your dog’s favorite door. Features words “Wipe Your Paws” in a funky font and is 20’’ x 30’’ in size.

 

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Posted by on January 14, 2012 in Uncategorized

 

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