Bill Arnold's Daily Straydog Log
SUNDAY MAY 23 2004
NOON UPDATE
Erin's Adoption Day Report ...
First Baby Girl was adopted
My husband, Dana, and I (Erin) met Tina and the van full of dogs at PetsMart at 10:30, and Dana and I took Baby Girl and Kerry to a scheduled home visit in Denison (Texas) to find out which of these two beautiful dogs would fit in better with the potential new family.
Baby Girl was just a little timid about entering her potential new home. She and Mack (the family's original dog) had sniffed each other in the large front lawn and were fine together (just as they had been at Petsmart last week). After going in the house Baby Girl was curious and went from room to room. The potential new mom showed Baby Girl a basket of toys, and Baby Girl sniffed and looked at each toy, pawing at the squeaky toy and watching the tennis balls bounce. (I wish I had remembered the camera for this!)
While we were inside with Baby Girl, my husband brought Kerry (our Shepherd/Husky mix) out of the van, and Mack and Kerry got to meet each other again as they had last week at PetsMart. But Kerry was too playful, too rambunctious. The first three years of his life Mack had been a neglected dog, Randy told us. Most all of those first three years Mack had been in a crate, so he does not know how to play. (He is a Golden Retriever and doesn't know how to retrieve either.) Dogs who want to play with Mack annoy him, Randy said. It looked like Kerry wouldn't work out.
So, Dana took Kerry for a walk, and Mack's guardian, Randy, brought Mack inside to be with Baby Girl. Again, all was very fine. Mack is not territorial or protective of his toys or food. Baby Girl ate treats from Randy's wife, and then kept sitting in front of me as if asking, "Is this for real?" Baby Girl kept licking my face too. I think she was really happy to be here.
There was a little complication: The neighbor's Lab mix, Maggie, comes over often to visit Mack. Every time she somehow gets out of her yard, she comes over and whines at Randy and his wife's front door . They let Maggie come into their fenced yard and keep her safe until they can get ahold of their neighbors. Today Maggie was there already in Mack's yard, so we introduced Baby Girl and Maggie. At first there was only tail-wagging, but then the two female Labs started to get snippy with each other.
I told Randy and his wife that they'd just have to watch these two. Keep Baby Girl inside if they want to let Maggie visit with Mack, and give Baby Girl and Maggie some time to get to know each other and hopefully become friends.
The couple had had a black lab named Bucky, who'd died last June of bone cancer. Many photographs of Bucky were on the mantle. The very nice couple decided to give lots of love to Baby Girl, and Baby Girl seemed to be very, very happy with this!
Second adoption of the day: Puppy Thelma
While we were on our way back from Denison, Tina called us and said we had another potential adoption in the works. The potential new guardian lives in McKinney and has been wanting a dog for quite some time, Tina said.
Dana and I were only five minutes from McKinney, so we decided to meet Tina there for the home visit.
We saw another large black dog being walked in the apartment complex, so we could assume from that that all would be fine with Thelma possibly living there. The fellow had already told Tina that the apartment complex allowed pets. "I could have a pony and it would be okay," he said.
The potential new guardian said he is interested in the puppy training at Petsmart, he will get Thelma spayed within a month, and he will check out vets in the area.
Thelma's new guardian has three children who visit him often, and he was excited about bringing his kids to his place to meet Thelma.
The only thing that was bothering me was that Thelma's new guardian's front door didn't close properly. He will have to have everyone always deadbolt the lock, because if not, the door can blow open with just the wind, and it would be dangerous for Thelma to get outside on her own because there is a highway pretty close to the apartment complex.
While we talked, Thelma lounged on the cool tile floor in the kitchen, tired out from all the excitement at PetsMart followed by this home visit.
I have a feeling Thelma will be fine. The fellow also has a roommate who loves dogs and who works out of the home.
Have fun, Baby Thelma, whom they are thinking of renaming Dutchess.
We'll check back on Thelma (or Dutchess) soon to see how things are going.
Puppy Holly was adopted by one of our volunteers
Erica, the college student who was considering adopting Rover several weeks ago but then decided that she wasn't quite ready for Rover, now thinks she's ready for a dog, and she's chosen Puppy Holly. We'd already made the home visit for Rover, so Holly simply went home with Erica after our Adoption Day session. We're hoping everything works out okay and that Erica is indeed ready for this rambunctious young puppy dog.
Two of Angie's Lab pups were also adopted
These two pups are going to very good homes. We'll see if we can further help Angie with adoptions in the future!
Tiger, Angie's rescue from within her neighborhood, is now kenneling at Straydog
You'll remember that Tiger's "guardian" is scheduled to get out of prison soon, and Angie talked the convict's father into surrendering the dog to Angie before the convict would get home. Angie and the father were sure that the son had intentions of entering Tiger into dog fights (for which the son could, of course, go back to prison). At PetsMart yesterday while waiting for us to take her to Straydog, Tiger behaved very well, and one family is very interested in adopting her and said they'll be back next Saturday to make a final decision and proceed with the home visit, etc. Meanwhile Tiger, a very sweet and docile Pit Bull, came home to Straydog Saturday evening and is residing now in Baby Girl and Jordan's original kennel, where Tiger seems very happy to be.
Email from a woman whose son will build some dog houses for Angie
Date: Sat, 22 May 2004 19:03:05 -0500
From: Greta F.
To: Bill/Erin <straydog@straydog.org>
Subject: Angie's dog houses
Hello Bill:
Just talked with my son, who can build wooden dog houses for Angie and would be happy to do so. Is it possible for you to either give me a contact for Angie or in the alternative give Angie my phone number and email address so I may make direct contact as to the size and style of dog houses she needs.
I have sent a check to Sherrill Vet for Patch's first operation and will send a further check for his subsequent operation. God bless Patch. When my Dane had her amputation, the greatest gift I gave her was a folded up large down quilt. She put her rear on it and sighed. Might consider something like this for Patch. He will be sore.
If you will arrange contact between Angie and me, Steve (my son) will do whatever he can to accommodate the dog houses Angie needs.
Thank you, Bill.
Greta F.
Thank you, Greta!
Angie will thank you very much for the dog houses and many thanks to you and the others who have made contributions toward the surgeries Patch will undergo starting Monday. Any extra donated funds will be used to help Angie with other veterinary medical expenses she may (or surely will) have in the future.
An email from Renate containing the "Rescuer's Creed" by Susan M. Pearson
Date: Sat, 22 May 2004 14:41:04 -0700 (PDT)
From: Renate B.
Subject: "Rescuer's Creed"
To: Straydog <straydog@straydog.org>
Rescuer's Creed
I shall
be a believer of all that is good in man
and of all that is deserving in animals.
I shall plead for their lives, campaign for their safety
and uphold their right to a natural death.
I shall seek out the injured and the maimed, the unloved,
and the abandoned and tend to them in their last days.
I shall not forget their place in the hierarchy of life,
nor that we walk in each other's paths.
I shall bear witness to the wonder they bring into our lives and
to the
beauty they bestow upon our souls.
I shall renew their spirits when they are waning,
bind their wounds when they bleed, cradle them when they whimper,
and
comfort them when they mourn.
I shall be near them in their hour of greatest need -
a companion and friend when the time has come.
I shall watch over them and console them and
ask that the angels gather them in their arms.
From the creatures of the earth I shall learn
the fruits of compassion and undying love,
and I shall be called the beloved of God.
In their company I shall indeed be blessed.
by Susan M. Pearson
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
* No new updates on Rocky yet;
* Erin hasn't been able to get Straydog emails for three days;
* One potential adoption yesterday at Adoption Day;
* EVENING UPDATE: Rocky should be ready to come home tomorrow or the next day.
* Skipper, Erin's latest rescue, has developed a big swelling after his neuter surgery [PHOTOS];
* Jason, on overnight duty last evening, rescues a stray on the way to work [PHOTOS];
* Emails from Straydog supporters who are trying to help Angie and Jessie;
* Katie's still doing okay and will go to Dr. Reeves for acupuncture today [PHOTO];
* Bill Wheeless memorial note;
* Erin's report on our vet visit to Dr. Reeves' clinic (with lots of PHOTOS to come);
* Update on Blackie and Skipper, who went to see Dr. Morton Monday evening;
* Rocky's eating well, but he tires so quickly;
* An email to (and response from) Erin regarding contributions toward Patch's surgery;
* Another email regarding donations to Angie;
* Wishing for a foster home for Lydia;
* Rocky continues to do well [PHOTO];
* Patch's first surgeries are scheduled for Monday [PHOTO];
* Original proposed foster home for Patch is not going to work;
* Angie needs metal buckets, bungee cords, 12- and 15-foot cables and wooden dog houses;
* We received an email from Henry's family: Henry's doing fine!
* Adoption Day today, where Tiger will join us;
* Adoption Day home visit for both Baby Girl and Kerry;
* Update on Lydia, Angie's rescue who is picked on by Angie's other dogs;
* An email to Erin about carts for dogs with hind leg disabilities [SEVERAL LINKS].
WEEK BEFORE LAST
* Erin's report on Saturday's Adoption Day:
* Macy was adopted into a wonderful home!
* Thelma and Louise are returned after a week at their new home;
* The tiny kitten with the bad eye has found a foster home!
* Jackie moves in with Russell, and Jasmine and her returned pups move into Jackie's kennel.
* Joe visited Rocky late yesterday afternoon, and Rocky ate for Joe;
* Rocky ate even better this morning, but he's still not a "happy camper";
* Rocky ate this morning (Wednesday) and seems perkier per phone call from Dr. Reeves;
* The 73-year-old rescuer needs help with spay/neuter transportation and with adoptions;
* Erin rescued another dog last night on the highway. (Story with photos to come tomorrow.)
* Erin rescues stray from highway [PHOTO];
* An email regarding spay/neuter help for the 73-year-old rescuer we've been writing about.
* On this date in 1957 Pat and I became parents for the first time [PHOTOS];
* Report on Rocky, who had a good day yesterday and is doing super today!
* Rocky is scheduled to come home today!
* A lot of extra medical care and tender, loving care bring Rocky back;
* Late morning call from Dr. Reeves: Rocky's sick again this morning and won't be coming home today;
* Dallas Morning News piece about pairing senior citizens with mature pets.
Mandy is one of our long-haired dogs who would rather be in Canada or Alaska than here in Texas! She would love a home where she could be inside the air-conditioning and on a loving guardian's bed! Mandy is very sweet and playful. She's is approximately seven years old and gets stressed out going to Adoption Days, so we don't take her often. Occasionally (but not often enough) we feature Mandy here on our update to give her another chance at someone seeing her who might want to adopt her. Some folks have written in about her, and contacted us, but no potential adoptions have worked out so far. Sometimes Mandy is picky about being friends with other dogs! Right now Mandy has a loving kennel-mate named Bear, so she isn't too lonely here at Straydog. But it's just not the same as being an inside member of a family that would be able to spend a lot of quality time with Mandy. Does anyone know of a nice home for Mandy? You can read more about Mandy via "Our Dogs for Adoption" link above, which takes you to our Straydog pages on Petfinder.org.
Spanna, Degenerative Myelopathy
help and information: Spanna
(has good cart links)
Doggon' Wheels - Wheelchairs for pets, dog carts: Doggon'
Wheels
Dog Mobility - boots, harnesses, equiwrap: Dog
Mobility
WHEELCHAIRS FOR DOGS: providing mobility for dogs with hind leg
disabilities: Wheelchairs
for Dogs
Ty-Lift Enterprises® - Specializing in Patented Animal Transport
Units On Wheels: Ty-Lift
Dog Cat and Handicapped Pet Care Products Services Support and
Classifieds: Handicapped
Pet Care
Thanks very much to those who have printed out even just one copy of the above three pieces of our newsletter and have passed the newsletter on to (or mailed it to) a potential Straydog supporter. If you can, please print out two or three copies (or five or 10 copies) and distribute them to potential supporters. If all 300 of our daily readers printed out and distributed just one copy, Straydog would be exposed to 300 new people. If all 300 of you printed out and distributed 10 copies, we would reach 3,000 new people!
First email from a reader who printed out and mailed out copies of our newsletter
Thanks a lot to longtime supporters Deana and Jim Hanson, who followed my suggestion to make copies of and mail out to friends the PDF files of our newsletter--with color photos too!
It probably won't happen anytime soon, but the technology is here to do away with mass printing and mass mailing altogether. It's already possible to read and print out entire books on the Internet.
We encourage others to do what Deana and Jim have done:
Bill,
We printed newsletters, and Jim put them in the mail today. Good luck! Please let us hear from you if your shelter runs short on anything. We'll try and help.
Happy Easter,
Deana and Jim
If you have a big enough list of people to pass out (or mail out) our newsletter to, you can simply call your local copy center (a Kinko's, for example) and tell them to go to this website (www.Straydog.org) and print out as many copies as you want of the three PDF files via the above three links. Then you can have the copy shop deliver the copies to you or you can go pick them up and do your own mailing of our three-piece newsletter. (And please never worry about the copyrights to our website materials. We want as many people as possible to make copies and distribute them!)
Expanding (or growing) our list of contributors will be our salvation
If a mailing list of 2,500 people can sustain our operation as it has, just think what a mailing list of 3,000 or 3,500 contributors could do.
Before the first article about Straydog was published in The Dallas Morning News (on March 13, 1997) we didn't know there was anyone else in the world who felt the way Pat and I felt about homeless dogs, and we had never asked anyone to help us. We believed that most people thought we were crazy. (And indeed many humans did and still do.) During 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996 and the first quarter of 1997, we (with no donations from anyone) paid all the expenses of taking care of all our rescues--a total population of eight rescued dogs in 1992 which had increased to 24 dogs at the time of the publication of The Dallas Morning News article in 1997. Pat and I always felt tremendous appreciation for the financial and moral support we began receiving from our supporters after that first article appeared in the newspaper. Six hundred people contributed more than $40,000 to Straydog (or the original "Arnold Stray Dog Fund") in March 1997, and from that point we continued to grow and grow and grow until we finally (two years ago) put a limit on ourselves of 65 dogs, which population has since swelled to 80+ dogs.
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