w w w . S t r a y d o g* . o r g U p d a t e
POSTED EVERY DAY AT NOON CENTRAL TIME U.S.A.
Straydog Inc., The Arnolds' Happy Home for Strays, a No-Kill Dog Shelter
P.O. Box 1465, Gun Barrel City, Texas 75147 * (903) 479-3497 * EMAIL: straydog@straydog.org

* When Straydog is in red, we're running out of funds to sustain our mission.

Bill Arnold's Daily Straydog Log

SUNDAY MARCH 21 2004

NOON UPDATE:

Baxter and Sam (Ann's dogs--see last night's update) have found a new foster home where they can be together until Ann's ready to take them back

     Volunteer Renate (whose email to us about a friend named Joyce who'd picked up an injured dog in the middle of the highway, which email was published in our Wednesday, March 17th update--see link below) called Erin yesterday evening (just after Erin had emailed the Adoption Day update to me) and told Erin that she (Renate) had a friend who was so touched by hearing about the situation with Ann, the homeless woman who had turned her dogs, Baxter and Sam, over to Straydog Saturday afternoon, that she (Joyce) wanted to help. Joyce (the rescuer referenced in Renate's March 17th email) has a very large outside kennel area that she can divide in two. Joyce's dog can be in one part, and she wanted to know if Ann would like for Joyce to foster both of Ann's dogs for a time, six months to a year if she needs that long, until Ann can get back on her feet again.

     Erin phoned Joyce and said we'd begin working on coordinating the transfer of the two dogs to her. Then Erin called Susan (our Adoption Day van driver) and found out that Sam, the red chow mix whom Susan had taken home last night, was very sad and only responded to Susan's eight-year-old daughter. Sam, who was very happy when we were with him at our Adoption Day at PetsMart, began to growl occasionally, even at Susan, and he would not do anything but sit, except with the eight-year-old daughter. Susan's other dogs were not pleased with the new visitor either. Luckily Joyce has come to the rescue!

     This morning Susan brought Sam along with her and picked up Baxter, the white dog with red ears, from Caregiver John's place, and later Susan and the dogs met up with Joyce and Renate somewhere in the middle of where everyone lives. Susan also gave Ann's name and number to Joyce.

     Ann will have a chance to visit with and later to be reunited with her babies because of the wonderful generosity of all the folks involved. Thanks to Susan and John for being willing to take the dogs home with them last night, and thanks to Joyce, who will foster Baxter and Sam together until Ann's ready to take them back.

     Thank you very much, Joyce! Best wishes, Ann!

Ann, sitting with Sam and Baxter, trying to adopt them out at PetsMart Saturday afternoon

Ann says goodbye to her beloved dogs.

Renate with Baxter, as Sam gets just his face in the photo

FIVE P.M. UPDATE:

Baxter and Sam are doing fine at Joyce's

     Renate called with an update shortly after noon--right after she had read our update above. She said that Baxter and Sam had already settled in nicely in their new kennel, which kennel is "carpeted" (at least for now) with thick green rye grass. The two dogs were very happy to be together again, and they were playing together, tussling and running around having a great time. Renate said that Joyce would send us some photos soon. And she did:

Baxter (the white dog) and Sam investigate their new kennel at Joyce's house.

My dad enjoyed his visit to Adoption Day yesterday

     They got to meet some of the crew and visit a little with some of the dogs.

My 95-year-old dad, Erin holding Big Bear, Volunteer Townsend and others at Saturday Adoption Day

My dad, his granddaughter, Erin, and Big Bear

An email received yesterday

Hi Bill,


I just read your update from Thursday and it really touched me. I can only imagine what you go through on a day-to-day basis. I, myself, never had a clue how horrible the overpopulation problem is and to what extent people have disregard for their companion animals until I volunteered for two and a half years at the SPCA. Before, I just chose to believe that all dogs lived like they did at my house. I firmly believe that we are in the minority, as sad as that is. It's overwhelming, certainly, and please know how much people like me appreciate what you do. You're work is certainly not in vain. I know adoptions are slow, but think of all the dogs who have found homes because of you, dogs who would not have had a chance otherwise. I wish I could forward my entire paycheck to you and Straydog. Being a firm believer in adopting rescued dogs instead of purchasing them from breeders or puppy mills has been challenging for me, since there still appear to be lots of folks out there who disagree with me! It's almost cost me a couple of friendships. Why someone would go to a breeder when there are TONS of deserving animals out there who need homes is totally beyond my comprehension, and it's hard for me to keep my big mouth shut. Anyway, please know that there are folks like me who are just as mystified by human behavior as you are. All we can do is what we can do, but it is hard not to be overwhelmed by it all. Thanks for everything you do, Bill. Pat would be so proud of you and Erin and the gang.

Kathi McGee

Thanks, Kathi!