At night still frames of Pat's 1998 video (without sound) can be viewed by clicking on our webcam link below. Our son, Joe, has already ordered the $15-per-month Internet "radio station," and he'll have the streaming audio of Pat's tape "on the air" soon.

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 who'd picked up an injured dog in the middle of the highway, which email was published in our Wednesday, March 17th update) 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!

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.

My dad and older brother enjoyed their visit to Adoption Day yesterday

     They got to meet some of the crew and visit a little with some of the dogs. I took several photos of their visit and hope to get to them soon.

Email sent in 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 animal 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 that have found homes because of you, 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 rescuing 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!

Previous Daily Updates

Bill Arnold's Daily Straydog Log

CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE OF CONTENTS OF PREVIOUS UPDATES

(Click on any day below to see the update of that day)

LAST WEEK

SUNDAY March 14 2004:

* An emailed response to my comments on Steve Blow's column in Friday's Dallas Morning News;

* Dog Training Event lasted till almost 4:00 p.m., food prep time for the dogs' second and last meal of the day [PHOTO OF TRAINERS].

MONDAY March 15 2004:

* No time to do anything more than pick up dog poop--two employees out sick;

* Erin's report on Sunday's dog training session:

* Four professional dog trainers and several volunteers spent Sunday at Straydog [PHOTOS; MORE PHOTOS TO COME].

TUESDAY March 16 2004:

* Becky's torn ear is healed, and she's goes back to her outside kennel with Little Bear [PHOTOS];

* Parvo pups, Holly and Grace, have been fine for over a week [PHOTOS];

* Jordan and Baby Girl were finally out of quarantine for mange yesterday [PHOTO];

* A sore spot (or "hot spot") is discovered at the base of Big Bear's tail [PHOTO];

* A most hideous woman just called at a quarter till noon;

* Erin and Tina left Straydog at 2:00 p.m. with five dogs on their way to visit Dr. Reeves in Tyler. Vet report to come Wednesday.

WEDNESDAY March 17 2004:

* Big storm last night that lasted only a short while [PHOTO];

* Yesterday's vet visit to Dr. Reeves in Tyler [PHOTOS];

* At almost 11:00 a.m. Erin's report (or part of it) finally arrives;

* Several recent emails;

* Our first "hot" day for the dogs.

THURSDAY March 18 2004:

* Another plea to rescue a stray dog;

* I held my hands over my face for a while and thought about Pat;

* I'll be at Straydog for the duration;

* Controlling conception of new puppies and kittens is the only answer;

* Puppies Holly and Grace have fun with water [PHOTOS];

* Teddy Bear gets his meds with an eye dropper [PHOTO].

FRIDAY March 19 2004:

* Lots of emails in reference to yesterday's Straydog Update;

* Update on Benny, emailed to us from his new dad;

* Starting Sunday night still frames from Pat Arnold's 1998 video will be shown every night from dusk till dawn via our webcam link (without the sound unfortunately).

SATURDAY March 20 2004:

NOON UPDATE:

* Saturday Adoption Day has been underway for an hour (as of the NOON posting); no reports yet;

* An email from a long-time friend and supporter of Straydog, Ron Gilbert;

* Thelma and Louise [PHOTOS] have a long queue of potential adopters; Bill rants on how people could want T & L instead of our other dogs and pups;

SEVEN P.M. UPDATE:

* This morning's home visit went well, and Puppy William was officially adopted!

* Now we have to find a place for two more dogs!

* Later back at Straydog (reported by Bill);

* Caregiver John comes to the rescue!

 

PREVIOUS WEEKS (TABLE OF CONTENTS of Previous Updates)

     Thanks so much to all of our contributors! We couldn't keep this operation going without you. Pat always said you all would continue to support us, and you have. And we at Straydog continue to rescue, care for and adopt out homeless dogs exactly the way Pat would have wanted. Thank you so much for your continuing support! ... Bill Arnold