Ryder's got the big blocky head of a Lab but the rest of him looks about 20 pounds too thin. Now that he's getting fed properly, he's going to be putting on some weight and he'll be even more handsome soon enough with a personality to match.
These guys were rescued via Kismutt Small Dog Rescue. Click on the link and check out their facilities. Pretty upscale if you ask me.
The miller told the rescuer that these are Schnauzer/Pug mixes. Hmm. I guess we'll see in about six months.
Happy Thanksgiving/Can't Believe It's Still This Warm in October Day you all.
I'm sure many of you have heard about Patrick the Pit Bull who was rescued and brought to an Associated Humane Society shelter after being thrown down the garbage chute by his owner. He was starved, near death, not much more than literally skin and bones. The story of his rescue and subsequent recovery at the Garden State Veterinary Specialists clinic has garnered international attention and over 100,000 fans on Facebook.
Patrick, more recently:
It's no surprise his story resonates with so many people. It's got a classic theme of the little guy who survives against all odds, of kindness triumphing over cruelty, of good over evil.
Here's a more recent story involving a dog named Harper who was also going to be disposed in the trash but was rescued at the last moment.
The thought that anyone would want to do harm to an innocent creature like Harper is appalling to most people with an iota of compassion for animals and so when such an animal is saved from a terrible death, it is always welcome news.
There was also, recently, the incredible story of Faith, posted online a couple of months ago by Kalena Mallon.
Saturday July 23 around 11pm I was crossing the street on my way home from Tim Hortons I have a rare heart condition which branches off other medical issues. I was three houses away from my home when according to bystanders who watched in amazment but never helped me) I passed out on the road. This street is very busy. Bystanders say a dog appeared almost out of no where and stood over me barking at cars as they honked there horns and drove around this dog. My husband wondering what the commontion outside was all about came outside to see a Pitbull cross standing over me risking her own life to save me. He lifted me into the house giving me my medication and I was fine. The pup followed she stayed by my side for 3 hours getting alone fine with my other two dogs and when she went to walk past my 7 pound cat he swapped at her she ran in the cornor with her tail betweem her legs the pitbull cross was horrified of my cat. I named her Faith my husband knocked on doors but no-one knew who she belonged to. Facing a min $5000.00 fine and a min of 30 days in jail because pitbull cross's are illegal in Brantford and Ontario unless they were born before 2007 my husband called the emergencey line to the SPCA who told him they don't deal with strays at night to cal the police. I wanted to keep her so bad as she cuddled with me on our couch. I named her Faith.A really nice Brantford police officer came out at first her was leary of her but the she jumped up on him and licked his face he was so gentle with her and talking to her as he put her in the car. I cried as he left with my Hero who saved my life and risked her own. I called the SPCA two days later to find out the vet estimated Faith is between 10 months to a year old and no one claimed her. Because of her age the Brantford SPCA is suspecting someone of illegally breeding them and the dumping her. I am doing everything I can because I want my baby back she saved my life and is my Hero It was Love at first sight. If not for her the cars would have not see me at night and I would not be typing this(in tears). The SPCA changed her name to Casidy and she is only allowed to be adopted out of Ontario if not she will be..... I can't even type it. Al'ls I know is Faith I still call her, is a Hero and to her I owe my life. I am trying to get the brantford government to make a exception for her because she saved my life. If anyone you know lives outside Ontario and can temporaily take her unil I have gone through all this red tape please contact me through here or at our new email at Saving-Faith@hotmail.com PLEASE HELP ME SAVE FAITH I will pay anycost involed wth traveling and getting her out of the SPCA as well as her expenses for food ect. I just need about a month PLEASE HELP US
The Brantford SPCA says there was never any chance they would have euthanized Faith but it would be impossible for the dog to stay in Ontario because of the DOLA. Eventually, a foster home in Calgary was found for the dog.
The obvious connection between these three stories is they all involve Pit Bulls and the people who cared for them and loved them. The other connection is that if these three dogs were in Ontario (or remained in Ontario in the case of Faith), they'd all be locked up and then killed as required by our anti-Pit Bull legislation, otherwise known as the Dog Owner's Liability Act.
In Ontario, Patrick would not be a happy, well fed pup playing fetch. He would be dead.
In Ontario, Harper would not be a puppy swimming and learning to walk with a big goofy smile on his face. He would be dead.
In Ontario, Faith, despite having helped save the life of a sick woman, would still not be welcome in this province and if Faith had been kept here, the law would have taken her life.
The supporters of anti-Pit Bull legislation would be more than happy to see dogs like Patrick, Harper and Faith eradicated and it's unfortunate we find these types of people in our provincial government creating ineffective, unjust laws which victimize innocent dogs and polarize communities.
Most of you have already voted or have already decided who you will be voting for in this provincial election today, so that die is already cast, but tomorrow, regardless of who is in power, the DOLA will still be there, a constant and ugly reminder of the uniquely human skill of punishing those who cannot defend themselves for one's own political gain.
Michael Bryant, architect of the DOLA of 2005:
In Moscow, stray dogs have learned proper begging etiquette, traffic signals, and how to navigate the subway system.
Anyone know the etymology behind the name Redbone Coonhound? For some reason, this name always struck me as peculiar in that it's descriptive but what's it describing?
This Coonhound, in particular, is not peculiar at all and, like many hounds, is an expert at sticking his nose to the ground and following whatever scent it picks up. His other hobbies include eating sticks and getting ear rubs.
TAS South seems to be getting lots of dogs with big floppy ears recently. Here's another: Rusty, a Beagle mix. Rusty is Beagle sized with a mild personality. I'm not sure if the Beagle bark gene was passed on in the mix but on his walk, he was very quiet. Lovely fellow.
Bill Bruce, director of the highly successful and much lauded Calgary Animal Services, was in town on Friday night, as a guest of local animal rescue, ORA, to give a presentation on what makes CAS work.
Afterwards I asked him about his experience with Pit Bulls. According to my fading memory, this is how the conversation went:
Me: When you first took over Calgary Animal Services, did Calgary have a Pit Bull problem?
Bruce: Yes.
Me: Does Calgary have a Pit Bull problem now?
Bruce: No.
Me: So there are fewer Pit Bulls in Calgary now than when you first started?
Bruce: No, there are more.
Me: What's your opinion of Pit Bulls? Do they have any breed traits which stand out?
Bruce: Pit Bulls are very focused dogs. If you give them a job to do, they go all the way with it. If you teach them to fetch a frisbee, they'll fetch a frisbee with everything they've got. They're very people focused. They love being around people, pleasing people.
Me: Do Pit Bulls like other dogs?
Bruce: Not always but a lot of dogs aren't dog dogs. Pitties are people dogs. And lots of other breeds are similar.
Me: Like?
Bruce: Huskies, for example. Huskies can sometimes have a very high prey drive.
Here I'm mashing up a bunch of things Bruce touched upon throughout the formal presentation and, later, during our conversation:
Bruce: Education, education, education. That's key. We must educate the public on what is proper and acceptable levels of care for dogs and what is acceptable behaviour for dogs in the community. It doesn't matter what the breed is. Alberta has got no breed specific legislation and yet Calgary's dog bite rates are the lowest in the country. We need to dispel myths, like the locking jaws of Pit Bulls. You compare the skulls of Pit Bulls with other dogs and they're no more locking than any other dog. It's all about responsible ownership. Pit Bulls are wonderful dogs. They used to be called the nanny dog.
It's only behaviour which can and should be regulated and not breed. CAS has quite successfully implemented and continue to enforce by-laws which correct and, if necessary, penalize bad behaviour on the part of irresponsible dog owners. Our enforcement does not focus on breed.
When you create laws that discriminate against a breed of dog, you polarize the community and create enemies. Anyone who has a good Pit Bull and all the people who know that dog and know it's a good dog are now your enemies. This doesn't lead to any solutions. On the other hand, if you create laws which target bad behaviour, then you get the support of the whole community. No one wants uncontrolled, aggressive dogs out in the community.
Cruddy day for dogs at TAS-S today. Last night I learned that Cloud had been returned. His new owner, who lived in a condo building, couldn't get Cloud to go pee outside. Cloud would hold it until he was back inside and then go on the carpet in the condo. I think who ever ends up with Cloud will need a backyard to make the training easier. Cloud will be much more comfortable in an enclosed outside space where he won't have to run away from noises and other scary things.
At least two of the dogs at TAS-S had parvo (brought it into the facility) and at least one of them had to be euthanized already. They were in Room 2 so all the dogs in that room, and there are quite a few of them, are quarantined until there is an all clear which might be days away. The cleaning is constant and the smell of bleach is everywhere.
Another dog was brought in this morning, left abandoned at a veterinary clinic and it's been throwing up non-stop. This dog is in Room 1 so hopefully it doesn't have anything contagious. It would really suck to have the dogs in Room 1 quarantined as well. This dog, a doe eyed yellow Lab, will need to see a vet immediately.
Perhaps the worst news is that the Jack Russell Terrier who came in all covered in bite punctures tried to bite two people today. This is the first time it's done anything like that so I think something is triggering it - maybe too much accumulated pent-up energy, maybe staring at the big dog across the corridor for too long. Plus the JRT has started coughing. So, with the biting and coughing, it's been moved to quarantine room (not the parvo room) to be checked out by the vet and further assessed.
Katie is a happy-go-lucky young girl who looks like an all black Beagle. I think she would make an excellent family dog with her personality.
