Adopt a shelter dog

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What is it About a Camera?

As I’m gearing my creaky knees and aching back up for Day 2 of the Northern Indiana Pet Expo, I’m reflecting on what it is about a camera that makes a person more …hmmm…sociable?  Approachable?  I’m not quite sure what I’m searching for, but here is what I found. 

I’m very reserved by nature.  I’m generally shy and often am more able to talk to people if there is a dog involved.  When I’m handling a dog, people tend to ask questions about him/her and I’m able to answer without being too tongue tied or fumbling to make other conversation.  Yesterday, however while taking photos for the Expo, I found that I was at the same time invisible and approachable. 

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Being a mother, a grandmother yaya and a private individual, I found it interesting that a stranger with a camera was able to snap photos of people (even children!) without anyone batting an eyelash.  Perhaps because I was viewed as a non-threatening individual or because I felt shielded by my lens, I was much more able to engage in conversation as well.

Well, we’re off for Day 2 and hope to see all of the local folks in attendance!

Don’t Judge a Book

About a month ago I was travelling between two offices and decided that this was the day I would stop in the shelter in the rural town that I was headed to. From the outside it was a disaster and upon leaving my car, I could hear the heartwrenching sounds of many, many dogs within. As I was standing there debating on whether or not to enter, a man pulled up in the municipal vehicle that designated him as a shelter employee and asked to help me. I explained that I volunteer at my local shelter and wondered if there was a need for volunteers here. A question eagerly answered that gave me the impression that volunteers were few and far between.

Since they were closing soon, I didn’t have the opportunity to enter, but as luck and scheduling turned out, I was able to visit today. I was greeted at the door by the Animal Warden, who had been apprised that I might show up one of these days, pit bull type puppy, a mastiff and a jack russell who were all wandering in the office area along with a few cats. The Warden and I chatted about my experience and their philosophy, their struggles and challenges. I asked if they ever allow or wanted other shelters to pull and was told that they are quite willing.

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I was given a tour of the facility and headed out to walk a couple of dogs before needing to return to the office.

Naturally, I chose this fellow with a heart on his neck, but truth be told, I was actually quite pleased to see only three Pit Bull type dogs at this shelter. The mix of available dogs was varied which also was contrary to what I had imagined I would find.

I left with the Warden’s card and cell number and promised I’d give her a head’s up before my next visit, in case the stars align that we could pull some dogs!

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Which Craft?

As happens every so often, I get the urge to be all crafty and such and so this weekend I decided to make some jewelry and some bandanas. If you don’t really know me, you don’t realize that those two simple things can take on a life of their own and simple projects always become bigger than intended.

I had ordered some charms a while back and felt that with only the four-legged boys and myself at home, I would be able to procrastinate doing my housework get a lot of crafting done. The intent was to pick up just a couple of things I needed from the craft store (ha!) and return home to finish. Naturally, I came away with the things I needed, plus items for another project and an idea for a new type of project I want to learn to do.

Bad Droid pic

The first new project was pretty simple. I grabbed some brightly colored bandanas and for the lettering, there were these great iron-on embroidered letters and nearby were some sparkly paw prints to add. The project was so simple, but here’s where Iget lost in the rabbit hole. After realizing I had enough left over letters to do a “Ray” and a “Julius” bandana, I went back to a different craft store the next day and bought them each one. But of course I couldn’t stop there. Having made a pink and a blue “Adopt Me” bandana the first day, I decided to make some gender neutral ones, so I picked up two more. Plus more letters.

What we ended up with was a pink and a blue with black embroidered letters, a purple with gold puffy letters and an orange with blue puffy letters. The plan is to use these when taking some photographs and also when we go to Pet Expo in May, we usually don’t have enough “Adopt Me” vests available for all the dogs, so this should help supplement.

Julius got one in what is becoming his signature color, lime green, or Juli-bean green as we like to call it. And although Ray’s signature color (in my mind) is turquoise, he got one in yellow, to signify he sometimes needs space when we are out and about.

So naturally, after the projects were done, we had to do a photo shoot. It’s kind of a given, right? With a handful of treats and my camera and we headed to the living room where Julius was bounding and leaping in the air trying to grab the treats until I got them safely tucked away in my pocket. I turn to look for Ray and I see him sitting on the mat in front of the fireplace because naturally, that is where we usually do the pictures! I moved another mat to our shoot location and of course Ray knew the drill. Juli finally settled in and here are the results.

Strike a  pose!



Double profile!

We’re really looking forward to getting some adoptable pics soon, too.

How was your weekend?  Any crafty projects in your house? 

PS. If you follow us on Facebook, you know Asia met some pretty special someones, so stay tuned for the scoop!

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Adoption Weekend

This past weekend we got to participate in the PetSmart Charities National Adoption Weekend and I got to handle and bid farewell to the uber-cute Candy Girl.

A Kitty-Pittie

She was an 8 month old pup who didn’t know a stranger and was certain that everyone in the entire universe was pretty much set there to love on her. Her tail never stopped wagging and she stole many, many hearts. She ended up going home with an active family looking for young, medium sized dog who would be able to hike, jog, canoe and swim with them. I think she made herself a good match.

An observation I came away with is that Pit Bull mixes/types are becoming so mainstream and beloved in our area. Sure, there are the detractors, but as people brought their dogs in shopping, I saw one Yorkie, two Samoyeds, a Great Dane and four different families with Pit Bull/mixes. I’d say America’s dog is holding strong in the Fort. One thing that I amused myself with was as I kept referring to Candy Girl as a Pit Bull Mix, every one kept asking what she is mixed with and my response, each time, was, “Sugar and spice.”

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Meet Ruthie

Ruthie is a one year old Am Staff mix with a huuuuge block head and an even bigger heart.  I got a cryptic Facebook message about a new resident at the shelter whom I was sure to love and the bonus was that she loves to kiss.  Powerless to resist, I high-tailed it to the shelter and saw Ruthie.  She was still “red” meaning I couldn’t touch her yet, but as I sat drooling on the window and obeying the rules, the staff took pitty on me and said she had in fact been processed and I could take her out. 

Oh, the kisses she gave and the joie de vivre she exhibited!  This gal loves life and will take you on an adventure with her.  She covered me (and my new coat) with slobber evidence of her happiness and just all out seemed to be happy.  She pulled a bit on the leash but stopped and checked in at the appropriate times, so with a little bit of work she will be a great leash walker in not time at all.  With luck, she will be adopted before I really get to know her, but otherwise, stay tuned for more updates.

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Shared Success

Have you ever wished you had gotten in on the ground floor of something?  Maybe like Forrest Gump and his orchard investment?  Well, the Allen County SPCA has been around for a very long time.  They’ve been around for over 60 years and if you’re counting or being catty, that’s longer than I’ve been around.  (smile) 

The thing about this shelter, though, is that I do feel like I got in on the ground floor of something awesome and life-changing.  One day I drove down there on my lunch hour but that isn’t even the beginning.  I clicked on their website nearly every day for several months, just checking on their adoptable animals and then I finally wandered in.  I remember grilling the kind woman at the front desk about their stance on Pit bulls and was this a kill-shelter, etc.  Satisfied with the answers, I decided to fill out a volunteer application and after orientation began my journey of falling in love with the various temporary residents.

Orientation was actually on two different days, one for cats and one for dogs and on dog day, I actually met the new Director of the SPCA who was also just starting.  Little did I know at the time that although the initial answers were what I wanted to hear, the practice was slighly different.  Still a no-kill shelter but with a limited intake system, though Pit Bulls weren’t banned they didn’t appear very often on the kennel floor.  There were several lab mixes and several boxer mixes, all with blocky heads, but not until King was there truly a Pit Bull.

Ground floor, people.  The new Director not only has expanded the intake program to allow Pit Bulls, but now elder dogs are eligible to enter the SPCA’s program.  Little blind Boo entered the program and was adopted.  No longer was the application a tome that asked for the blood of your first-born, but a real application for real people.  In 2012, 819 animals found their forever home with the help of the SPCA.  This past year, 2013, the number shot up to 1274.  The average stay for a healthy dog is about 7 days now which allows for so many more deserving animals to find their forever homes, but less time for us volunteers to fall in love. 

King was at the shelter for over a month.  During that time, not only did I fall in love with him but Kevin did as well and we were that close to committing to him, although at the time, Ray was kind of a wild card. 

Seven days.  In less than seven days, I met, fell in love with and bade farewell to Poppy and this post was meant to be about her,  but there is always another waiting in the wings to fill that little space in my heart.  It’s time to look forward and not backward so with that in mind, I’d like to introduce you to Herschel. 

Every time I pass him by, I remind him that he has  a funny face and in return he wags his tail at me.  Herschel is 8 years young and ready to share his funny little face with you.

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Poppy

I once read an article or something where in the course of filming A League of their Own, Rosie O’Donnell wondered what’s so great about Geena Davis; she doesn’t do anything.  Then  when viewing the scenes later she said, “Oh, I get it.”  (This is all from memory, so forgive me if it is somewhat inaccurate.)  Geena Davis in her stillness is regal and commands attention. 

That is Poppy.

While it is quite well known that I am dog-selective and prefer the block-heads to the pointy-snout crew, the moment I saw her gliding through the kennel area my jaw dropped to the floor. 

Throughout our moving and settling in process, we’ve had so many people in and out of our home and we heard quite frequently that our dogs look intimidating.  That is invariably followed by a comment of how sweet and well behaved they actually are.  I guess to those who aren’t familiar with these types of clowns they can look like large oafs ready to bum rush you. 

Terrifying!

When I entered Poppy’s kennel, she stood stock still and didn’t react.  Her stance and posture did not make me feel that she was on high alert, but rather more like an aware/alert.  Like she was taking in everything.  I stroked her neck and her back, rubbed her ears and when I dropped my hand to my side, she asked for more attention by sliding her head under my hand.  I leashed her up.  She was absolutely a dream as we trotted out to the back yard.  The yard is sectioned in three areas and I took her to one of the back and E took Cindy, a young, exuberant boxer mix to the front area where we could chat through the fence and see if the dogs would play. 

Poppy wandered around and was finally not immune to Cindy’s charms and they trotted back and forth along the fence a bit so I picked up a tennis ball and Poppy chased it down and trotted around with it in her mouth a bit.  Glimpses of the ability and desire to have some fun, which was a welcomed sign.  She’s bony-skinny though not emaciated as if she was once well loved and tended to but maybe had fallen on hard times. 

The second day I spent with her, I was greeted with a nub wiggle!  True to her Geena Davis channeling self, it was a controlled wag but oh-so-rewarding to me.  I took her out quickly for a potty break but since she was shivering so much, we went inside and played, petted and cuddled in her kennel.  When it was her turn to get a bath, I helped and then dried her off extra well in her kennel, wrapped her in some warm blankets and stroked her head till her shivering subsided and she fell asleep. 

I sat with her for well over an hour and when I finally moved, she stayed wrapped in her warm cocoon, as I hoped she would. 

This girl is about four years old and just the most regal and loving dog.  I had brief visions of her in our home and somehow see something like Snow White and the two dwarfs or a queen and her two court jesters. 

I know there are some Dobie lovers out there and she will be adopted soon, so I’m just going to network her and enjoy any brief time we might share. 

If you know someone who will cherish this regal beauty, send them to the Allen County SPCA.

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Adopt a Senior

As we close out November, which was Adopt a Senior month, I’d like to highlight these two sweet treats who are currently at the Allen County SPCA. They are a bonded pair, which I can certainly attest to. I walked each of them the other day and was told by other volunteers that they each were quite upset when the other was gone. The other thing I can attest to? They are puppies in senior clothing. They were both eager are ready to chase squirrels, leaves, air, etc. and had a wonderful time on their walk.

Because they are an older bonded pair, the shelter staff hope they can stay together and have listed them with a single adoption fee.

Please share.


Chocolate and Vanilla, seniors in age, pups in spirit.



I leave you with this poem that is making it’s way around Blogville:

One by One, they pass by my cage. Too old, too worn, too broken, no way.
Way past his time, he can’t run and play.
Then they shake their heads slowly and go on their way.

A little old man, arthritic and sore, It seems I am not wanted anymore.
I once had a home, I once had a bed, A place that was warm, and where I was fed.
Now my muzzle is grey, and my eyes slowly fail. Who wants a dog so old and so frail? My family decided I didn’t belong, I got in their way, my attitude was wrong.
Whatever excuse they made in their head, Can’t justify how they left me for dead. Now I sit in this cage, where day after day, The younger dogs get adopted and driven away.
When I had almost come to the end of my rope, You saw my face, and I finally had hope. You saw thru the grey, and the legs bent with age, And felt I still had life beyond this cage.
You took me home, gave me food and a bed, And shared your own pillow with my poor tired head. We snuggle and play, and you talk to me low, You love me so dearly, you want me to know.
I may have lived most of my life with another, But you outshine them with a love so much stronger. And I promise to return all the love I can give, To you, my dear person, as long as I live.
I may be with you for a week, or for years, We will share many smiles, you will no doubt shed tears. And when the time comes that God deems I must leave, I know you will cry and your heart, it will grieve.
And when I arrive at the Bridge, all brand new, My thoughts and my heart will still be with you. And I will brag to all who will hear, Of the person who made my last days so dear.
– Author Unknown

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Connections

As we continue nesting, we had a big adjustment to make in regards to heating. Our former home had radiant ceiling heat and therefore, no vents and ductwork. Since we now have a furnace and our new home had been vacant then redone, we decided it would be prudent to have the furnace and all of the ductwork cleaned.

One of the challenges when having work done in the home is making sure workers are not intimidated or fearful of my boys. Maybe I’m naïve, biased, or just a loving dog mommy, but how could anyone be intimidated or fearful of these faces? Ray’s nutmeg eyes are always so open and earnest while Juli’s onyx orbs are open and eager for love.

Anyhow, the worker showed up recently to clean the ducts and as is Kevin’s nature, he began finding out all there is to know about this person, namely not only was he a dog lover, he adopts and his wife wants to foster. As a result, Kevin called me to say his new friend adopted a Pit bull type from the shelter a couple of months ago. I said I would have to have met her, because I knew all of the pit bulls that came through there in the last year. Haley, he said her name was, a brindle girl. The only pit bull that was there around August was Rapunzel, who I was walking when I met Julius. “Are you sure they didn’t adopt from ACC,” I asked Kevin?

No, he said she was transferred from ACC to SPCA and that’s where they adopted her from. This sent me back to my photos in my phone. What Pit bulls would I have been walking around that time? Why couldn’t I remember Haley?

I sent Kevin a picture of Rapunzel and got a message back. “That’s her. She was called Rapunzel in the shelter, they call her Haley now.”