Urgent .... Emma needs our help!

A few years ago, when I turned fifty, I found out first hand how difficult losing a mother could be.   Even though I had already lost one parent and was at an age where it was a more common peer experience .... it was still a rough row to hoe.

There is always a small silver lining for every cloud.   There was never a question of what would happen to Mom's elderly little cat ... of course she came here.   Mocha was as tiny and fragile as her owner had become, but at least she was able to live out her last days in peace and comfort.  

Chris Clattenburg was lucky to have Emma to help him cope with the loss of his mother from cancer.  Noone expects to lose their mother at the age of fifty nine and throughout that dark time, Emma kept him connected.  

Emma is only eight, but she is now facing a life threatening medical problem that happily CAN be fixed.  For some folks, a two to three thousand dollar vet bill would take a bite out of the budget.  For Chris, who works as a painter, it is well out of the realm of achievable objective.

When the animal loving community first saw Chris' ad on Kjijii begging for help, their initial scepticism led to some investigation.   In a world full of internet scams .. who could be faulted for that, eh?

Upon investigation, it was discovered that this IS a legitimate set of circumstances ... and as a result, a facebook group has been set up to help spread the word.

If you are able provide financial support to Chris and Emma, a trust account has been set up through Scotiabank. The transit number is 70193 and the account number is 0051217. No amount is too small.

If you would like more proof of Emma's treatment or the validity of the account, you can contact the Eastern Shore Veterinary Hospital in Porters Lake (902-827-4257) or Bryant Clarke at Scotiabank (902-420-2089).
What time is it?  In a world where so many would simply abandon a sick pet, it is time to pull out all the stops and share this so that the power of social networking can help save this dog's life. 
Being a man or a woman is a matter of birth.   Being a man or a woman who makes a difference is a matter of choice.  Byron Garrett

Sometimes a stich in nine ......

From The Planet Paws Essentials Facebook Group
Pawsians, our friends at Fetch Inc. and Paws4Health are hosting their annual Thyroid Profile Blood Clinic. The results are sent & tested by highly respected health Vet guru Dr. Jean Dodds, author of The Canine Thyroid Epidemic.

Dr. Jean D...odds started Hemopet's non-profit animal blood bank and greyhound rescue/adoption program in 1986. Today, Hemopet offers the most advanced canine thyroid testing in the world. The quality, patented technology, service and consultation is used worldwide to benefit dogs with canine thyroid disease.
Hypothyroidism causes a wide variety of symptoms, but is often suspected in dogs that have trouble with weight gain or obesity and suffer from hair loss and skin problems.
It is common for pets with hypothyroidism to gain weight while only eating moderately. These dogs have been described as “easy keepers” because they gain weight so easily.
That does not mean that most overweight dogs have thyroid disease – they are just eating too much, eating too rich a diet and get too little exercise. Many owners are oblivious to weight gain in their pets. But when an animal’s backs become flattened instead of curved and they huff and puff with every exertion some owners bring them in for a check up.
Other symptoms include -

• Mental dullness
• Lethargy; listlessness
• Exercise intolerance
• Reluctance to engage in normal activities
• Intolerance to cold (“heat-seeking” behavior)
• Weight gain, without increased appetite or food consumption
• Symmetrical hair loss (alopecia), without itchiness (bilaterally symmetric, nonpruitic truncal alopecia; the head and legs are often spared)
• Excessive shedding
• Greasy skin; flaky skin (seborrhea)
• Dandruff
• Pimples or other pustules on the skin (pyoderma)
• Chronic ear infections (otitis)
•  
• Skin thickening, especially on the face and forehead (myxedema), giving a puffy appearance referred to as a “tragic facial expression”

The dog’s neuromuscular, reproductive, cardiovascular and/or gastrointestinal systems may be affected as well, causing one or more of the following symptoms:

• Slow heart rate (bradycardia)
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Incoordination (ataxia)
• Seizures
• Heart arrhythmias (irregular heart rhythms)
• Anemia
• Infertility
• Decreased libido (reduced sex drive)
• Abortion
• Testicular atrophy

Only 20 samples can be sent and tested each year, so this is first registered first served basis! There are around 12 more spots available.

To put this into perspective, seven years ago, when I first had my little mini schnauzer tested for thyroid, the test had to be sent away to PEI.  At the time, the tally for the initial test came to eighty-five dollars plus tax.  Admittedly, that included the courier cost  ... but at the end of the day it was still a sum out of reach of some of their clients.

After the initial tests there were two more to ensure that the right balance had been reached with her meds.

In a world where costs continue to go up , not down, this clinic is a very good buy!

What did balancing Chloe's thyroid do?   It was better than any beauty makeover the what not to wear people could ever produce!  There was more spring in her step!   At her next grooming session, Chloe's groomer could already tell the difference in her skin and her coat!

In short, because dogs are hardwired NOT to complain, we had no idea of how much the thyroid was affecting her until it was back in balance!

What time is it?  If anyone is concerned about this issue ... this is a splendid time to take advantage of this incredible opportunity!

Painting by numbers ....

It has been a couple of years since I started following the Athenspets.net  website.   What is so miraculous about this one site?   After all, it isn't the official Athens County Animal Control website where anyone can adopt!
What makes the the site so extraordinary?   Is the committed volunteers who faithfully post appealing listings of the impounded animals?   The wonderful pictures of each pet?   How the site encourages volunteers to improve the quality of life for the animals at the shelter?   Or is that kind hearts can donate towards life saving veterinary care through the site?
All of these are of course Good Things ... but the truly impressive bit about this site is the impact it has made for the animals impounded by AC. 
When I first started following the site, it was heartbreaking to see how many lovely pets were killed every week.  Nothing was sugarcoated... right on the side bar it listed the number of animals in care and the outcome for all the ones who were no longer there.   Site visitors could see at a glance how many were adopted, rescued or killed!
Why do I think this is important?   Nothing inspires people to act like having the naked unvarnished truth right in front of their face.   Rescues in New England were motivated to save southern lives from this shelter!   Even here in Nova Scotia, kind hearts in the rescue community were moved to rescue those who were knocking on heavens' door. 
Like begets like ... and has resulted in a rescue ripple effect that has benefited impounded animals in AC's in other areas and states as well.  This site is not the only reason that the collective rescue consciousness has been raised to the plight of southern AC's ... but there is no denying it has played a big part.
Why do I believe this is important?  In the space of time that I have been following this site, there has been a noticeable shift in the weekly numbers.   In realspeak, there are now more animals being adopted and rescued than being killed.
Here in Nova Scotia, animal advocates are in hot pursuit of the No Kill Holy Grail.   Four years ago, when I first started the homeless pet site, quite a few of the private rescues were already referring to themselves as No Kill.   Once an adoptable made it into their care, he or she was safe for however long it took to find a second chance at love.
But .... no rescue can really be an island when it comes to No Kill.  On their own, many of the little groups were akin to stand alone computers ... doing wonderful work by providing safe sanctuary for a precious few but unable to really impact the big picture.
A couple of years ago, the society developed a Strategic Plan to bring the organization to No Kill. ( Click here for the original document ... and HERE for the updated and current one )
Does this mean we are there yet?  Not even close!  As critical as society support is for No Kill, the missing link is still Animal Control.
If there is one common thread in Animal Control in Nova Scotia, it is that there is no constant.  Every county and municipality has its own arrangements.  Nor, in these days of unprecedented fiscal restraint, are we likely to see any great sums invested in Animal Control anywhere.
So here is today's What If .... just imagine the possibilities if all counties and municipalities were obliged to use the free petfinder listings they are actually entitled to have.   If volunteers were encouraged to set up facebook pages.   I get positively dizzy thinking about what might happen if volunteers were allowed access in a timely manner to all animals impounded by Animal Control ... instead of being refused entry with flimsy excuses of liability risks!
No question about it .... social networking saves lives.   Rescues that are listing adoptables on their face book pages are often finding that they do not even get a chance to list the adoptables on Petfinder!
The short version of all this is that we need a law in Nova Scotia to allow volunteers ready access to all impounded animals in Animal Control ... along with legislation to make it mandatory for all impounds to be advertised for adoption and rescue.  
In real speak, that is often called a Red Flag Network ... and saves lives by NOT sugar coating anything.   
To be perfectly honest ... without a Red Flag network for the animals impounded by Animal Controls around the province,  No Kill is only ever going to be a great idea that cannot get out of the gate.
What time is it?  One of the best bits about living in a democracy is that strong voter feedback is always the best way to help paint the big picture for our elected politicians   In these days of fiscal restraint, it is time to encourage our provincial MLA's to provide the legislative tools that would permit the power of volunteer love to provide the services they are unwilling or unable to pay for.

Media Celebreties in need of good homes .....

I have loved Oscar from the first moment we met!   Even though he was clearly bewildered at the hand life had dealt him, from the first moment we met, Oscar pulled out all the stops to secure a place in my heart!
Oscar really is like a poster boy for all the best bits about adopting a cat that was abandoned.     He is a loyal and devoted friend who runs to the door to meet me and is seldom far from my side when I am indoors.   
It just breaks my heart to think that at one point someone loved him enough to have him neutered ... only to toss him aside like rubbish when he was seven or so.  
We live in a world where we are well accustomed to slick sixty minutes solutions on the not so small screen.   Oscar did not pack his bags and hitchhike out here!   Somebody put him in their car ... drove out here ... tossed him out of a window and sped away.  If they were able to do that, odds are they don't care how stiff his shoulder still gets when it is damp, eh?
Not to be mean ... but there is no excuse for that!  Did they have a baby?  Was there a new boyfriend?   Did somebody move?   Those are all normal life events that should not be grounds for dismissal!  Even if it took more than sixty minutes to sort out, it would be time well spent, eh?
The worst part of course is that at some point in time .. whoever did this will be at liberty to repeat history again and again!   Each and every time convincing themselves that it is actually a kindness to expect a family pet to fend for themselves!
Stray cats are actually like mice.  For every Oscar who finds safe harbour ... there are at least a dozen more who suffer much harsher fates.
Last month, PET Projects in Shelburne had quite the surprise when the few abandoned cats they thought they were rescuing turned out to be thirty cats!  Happily there was such a tremendous outpouring of support that all these cats are safe and vetted and altered.
So is this the happy ending?   Not yet!  Only five of the thirty have been adopted .... with twenty five more still waiting for their own lucky day! 
What time is it?  These cats may have been 'media celebreties' ... but now it is time for everyone to share their listings so that they can settle into a more everyday life!
A home without a cat is just a house .... source unknown.

In praise of a really great resource

I love going to the woods on a beautiful morning like this!   My good dogs are like a well oiled team .... stopping to sniff all the bits that have been buried under the snow!   To see them together, the casual observer would never imagine they had not spent their whole lives together, eh?
How did I do that?   I cheated!   I adopted them from reputable rescues!  We might have had a bit of work to do at the beginning, but from the very first time their paws hit the floor it was clear that these kindred spirits were well suited to the life that I lead!
It is beyond my understanding how anyone can even be comfortable shopping for their new best friend on the free online ad sites!   A pet becomes part of the family ... they live in our homes ... share space with our children ... and most importantly ... hold a place in our heart that no "thing" ever could.
I have found all sorts of useful bits online .. from fridges to fence posts ... with the clear understanding that these things came with a curbside guarantee.  If the shoe did not fit ... so to speak ... it was just part and parcel of the wild west atmosphere, eh?
That is all very fine and well for things, but singularly NOT suited to the pet selection process!   As we speak, every reputable rescue in this province is absolutely swamped with requests for surrenders!
To be fair ... not all of these pets were purchased online.    Long before Stats Canada came painting the gloomy numbers for Nova Scotia, anyone who read a newspaper knew that we have already lost more jobs than the well touted ship building contract will ever replace.
What does all this mean in realspeak?  Why of course that there is a whole new round robin of free to a good homes!  Why is this a problem?  Isn't it a good thing for these pets to get a second chance?
Actually it is simpler than that!  Reputable rescues know that the secret to finding Furever Homes is to find the right fit.  In the absence of any screening process,   kind hearts with the best intentions can find themselves with an adorable pet that is utterly unsuited to their lifestyle or experience. 
Even worse, unlike reputable rescues, where known health issues are never hidden ... those 'online bargains' can wind up with heartbreakingly high vet bills!
Lets face it ... the really good homes do not go looking for a pet often enough to become experts!   In a world where well cared for pets can live fifteen to twenty years, many households can count on one hand the number of pets they will own in their lifetime!
The good news is that there is a great resource available to help people decide how to choose their best friend.   The Canadian Federation of Humane Society set up an information site last summer called Finding Fido.    ( and before the keyboards catch on fire it is not limited simply to dogs :)
What a great idea!  There are all sorts of goodies and it is just chock full of info!  
What time is it?   The next time someone you know or love is thinking of getting a pet .. it will be a very good time to share this resource with them!

Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot ....

I love my sweet O Henry!    Underneath that handsome exterior is the sweetest and gentlest soul I have ever shared space with.   If the cats are having a spat he is first in line to referee.   When I drop his leash, he is immediately back at my side to make sure all is well.  Best of all, Henry is always the quickest to respond to any request!

Did Henry come here that way?   Of course not!   His history was a mystery before he came to the Annapolis County Pound .... so we will never know for sure how long he had to manage on his own.    Judging by the knots we had to work through, at some point in his life, Henry had good reason to be afraid of men ... particularly if they were holding a shovel or a gun.   It took him a long, long time to stop worrying when anyone would pick up another pet or even a human.   Saddest of all was his initial fear when anyone stood over him in the dark :(

How did we get through all that?   Am I some kind of professional dog trainer?  Of course not!   Sharing space with a few dogs over the years doesn't give me any kind of professional experience, eh?

One of the upsides of being loved by a pittie is that they are real approval junkies.  Henry may have come here with an entire luggage set of baggage, but from the very first day he was eager to please!   

When I first saw Dominic's picture while doing site updates I was struck by how very much like Henry he is.    I was sure that this lovely boy would be headed for his own Happy Tail in no time at all.

Sometimes it is just a puzzle why the nicest dogs get overlooked in a shelter.  Dominic has been at the Yarmouth SPCA for five months now ... and it is way past time to get this good dog out of there.

Luckily for Dominic, Atlantic Small Dog Rescue has agreed to bring him under their loving umbrella.   He will be loved and nurtured and most importantly .. he will be safe.

What is the hold up?   Why of course the same thing that always comes into play!  Before ASDR can transfer Dominic into their care, they need someone to step up to foster this Good Boy in Training!

This beautiful boy will blossom, once he has a chance to get out of the shelter.  Now it has been suggested that Dominic will do best in a home without cats ... so he would be singularly well suited to someone who was strictly a dog person :)

What time is it?  It is time for everyone to put on their thinking caps and try to find a great home to foster this great dog ... so that he can have a chance to really shine!

Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot,  nothing is going to get better.   It's not.   Dr. Seuss 

Sometimes, it is more than a matter of opinion ...

I love driving down my road on a morning like this ... when the snow is so heavy and wet it sculpts all the shrubbery along the way.    Even with all this winter wonderland, one of the true signs of spring is starting to spring up along the way too!  I am of course referring to the real estate signs that crop up around here once the posting messages come in!
No question about it - this is a great neighbourhood!  Unless there is something structurally wrong with the house or it has been over optimistically priced, most places on this road sell lickedty split!
We are close enough to the village for those concerned with commuting costs.   Even better, there is still a strong country feel instead of that strung out along the road subdivision look that so many back roads have acquired.
Best of all,  it is long on friendliness and short on the sort of things that bring the RC's rolling in with their sirens.
Further down the way, the folks trying to sell the house across the road from the new gravel pit are having a much harder time of it.  Why would that be ... when the price is quite reasonable and the home itself so lovely?
Buying a house is not like browsing for the latest tech toys or going for groceries.   At the end of the day, a house is always more than the sum of its purchase price.
Why?  Because a house is more than a building ... and if those walls could talk they could tell the tales of our lives!   To quote the lovely banner on my wall ... to be at home is to find yourself with those who put your heart at ease.
Picking out a pet is much the same, eh?   The purchase price cannot possibly guarantee the right fit.   If care is not taken, the kindest of hearts can easily find themselves in over their head.
When kids are in school, they learn how to budget and to bake and even to tend babies.    Sadly, nowhere, in this province are children schooled in picking out pets.
Just imagine the possibilities!   Children could discover how much it costs to feed pets and provide responsible vet care.    It could help raise awareness that pets are not like an interactive toy that can be tucked on the shelf.   
Would every child learn that cats need to be spayed and dogs are not yard ornaments?  Of course not!   Sex education has never prevented all the unwanted pregnancies and social diseases, eh?
Still, it is such an important life skill to leave out of the curriculum, eh?   Just imagine the impact this ounce of prevention could have!  It wouldn't keep every future adult from making inappropriate choices, but it could and would have a meaningful impact on the pound of rescue cure needed in the future to pick up the pieces.
In other words, it would be money well spent!   After all, noone needs to reinvent the wheel with this one.   Lesson plans have already been written by reputable professionals for all age levels.
What is the hold up?   Why it is the same bit as with everything else.   Our MLA's in general and the Dept of Education in specific respond best to strong voter feedback.    If none of their constituents consider this to be a priority... there is no inspiration whatsoever for them to act.
What time is it?  It is time to understand that investing in our future is the very best way to create the sort of communities we want our children to live in.
Every reform was once private opinion.   Ralph Waldo Emerson