Good Golly Ms. Molly

My husband and I were heart broken after our Dachshund Bart passed away. He was 16 and spent his last 1 1/2 years in a wheelchair. After his injury he was such a champ & developed quite a following in our area. We loved and cared for him best we could but it was such hard work. So after he passed, we decided to take a long break before getting a dog again. But I couldn't help looking on petfinder at every chance, and THERE SHE WAS !

Ms. Molly was a Wirehair Dachsund just like our Bart. She had the saddest eyes. She was 250 miles away in N.J. But we called anyway. The organization that had her usually didn't send dogs so far away, but they knew someone near us involved in rescue work. And that person remembered us and our Bart from the Vet office. We were so lucky. Everything magically fell in place and Ms Molly really needed us. She'd been a backyard breeder kept in an airline crate, in a shed with no windows, no heat & no air conditioning.

She is the sweetest girl in the world and now has the happiest eyes. We think she is our gift from heaven for all the hard work we did in caring for Bart.

Cindy McEvoy
Mifflinburg, PA

Let's help deny Michael Vick the Ed Block Courage Award

I received this email hours after publishing the preceding post which is a reprint of a column which appeared in the Philadelphia Inquirer protesting the bequething of the Ed Block Courage Award to Michael Vick by his Philadelphia Eagle teammates. Maria has given us the opportunity to perhaps reverse this injustice. Be sure to read the previous post to get your adrenalin flowing, and then visit the Web site referred to in Maria's email below and send your protest letter to Sam Lamantia, CEO of the Ed Block Courage Award. Many thanks to Maria for her efforts in helping to right this wrong.

Hey Bob,

My name is Maria and I am the Outreach & Communications Coordinator at Change.org. One of our community members recently started a great petition targeting Sam Lamantia, the CEO of the Ed Block Courage Award Foundation, asking him to deny Michael Vick the Ed Block Courage Award. In just a few days, the petition has already garnered nearly 1,000 signatures:

http://animalrights.change.org/actions/view/petition_against_awarding_michael_vick_the_ed_block_courage_award

I saw your recent post (see previous post below) on this topic, and I thought you might be interested in helping us spread the word by posting the petition along with your blog entry.

Thank you for your help and please let me know if you have any questions!

Thanks,
Maria

-- Maria Tchijov, Outreach & Communications Coordinator, Change.org
(415) 997-9319
maria@change.org

Reprinted from The Philadelphia Inquirer. December 24, 2009 edition

Vick's not right pick for award in courage

By Phil Sheridan
Inquirer Sports Columnist

Richard Collier was a 26-year-old left tackle for the Jacksonville Jaguars when he was the victim of a drive-by shooting last year. The 14 gunshot wounds left Collier paralyzed and cost him one of his legs. He went from prime-of-life athlete to wheelchair-bound crime victim in one awful moment.

His Jaguars teammates acknowledged Collier's will to survive by voting him winner of their Ed Block Courage Award.

The Chicago Bears elected defensive lineman Israel Idonije, whose foundation focuses on promoting education and staying in school for at-risk youths, and who traveled to Africa two years in a row to provide college scholarships.

Here's what Idonije said about the award: "It's an honor. I've been fortunate to receive it, but there are a lot of people that come together to make all the good stuff happen within the community."

The Cleveland Browns chose wide receiver Mike Furrey because of his extensive community work. Furrey, too, was humbled and gave credit to the many less-heralded people whose selflessness isn't recognized.

"I don't think it's something I deserve," Furrey said.

Yesterday, the Eagles announced that they had voted the annual team award to backup quarterback Michael Vick. Here's what Vick had to say: "I've had to overcome a lot, probably more than one single individual can handle or can bear. You take a look at what I've been through, you ask certain people to walk in my shoes, they probably couldn't do it. Probably 95 percent of the people in this world - because nobody had to endure what I've been through, situations I've been put in, situations I've placed myself in."

After serving under Gen. George S. Patton in World War II (and receiving a Purple Heart for being wounded), Ed Block became the athletic trainer for the old Baltimore Colts franchise. He advocated for education and certification among trainers, and he donated his knowledge and expertise to help disabled children.

The Courage awards have been given to a player from each NFL team for a quarter-century. They are often given to players who return from serious injuries - Correll Buckhalter was the Eagles' recipient a couple of years ago - or who have had to overcome personal tragedies or obstacles. Last year, Eagles players voted for long-snapper Jon Dorenbos, whose mother was murdered by his father when he was 12 years old. According to the Ed Block Foundation Web site (edblock.org), the awards are meant to recognize courage, commitment to sportsmanship, and community service.

Let's be clear here. The foundation doesn't choose the award winners. The NFL has nothing to do with it. The Eagles' front office and coaching staff does not nominate or choose the winner.

The trainers have no say.

It is the players who vote, and the Eagles players selected Michael Vick.

Not Jeremiah Trotter, who came out of retirement, accepted whatever role the coaches gave him and worked his way back into the starting lineup.

Not Todd Herremans, who has played remarkably at both guard and left tackle after being forced to use a little cart under his left leg after knee surgery in September.

Not Brian Westbrook, who had surgeries on his knee and ankle in the off-season and is trying to return after two concussions in one month.

Not Antonio Dixon, a long-shot undrafted free agent defensive lineman who was homeless as a child.

No. The Eagles chose to recognize Vick for "what he's been through," as head coach Andy Reid put it.

And, hey, Vick has been through a lot. He was identified early as a remarkably gifted athlete and treated special throughout his high school years. He was handed a full scholarship to Virginia Tech. After playing just two years there, he was taken with the very first pick in the 2000 NFL draft.

The Atlanta Falcons gave him a six-year, $62 million contract before he ever played a down for them. They tore that up four years later and gave him what was the biggest deal in NFL history at the time: $130 million, including $37 million in bonuses, over 10 years.

Vick overcame all of this privilege and good fortune, winding up bankrupt and incarcerated in federal prison after running an ongoing illegal dogfighting operation. He has since demonstrated the courage to accept a million dollars from the Eagles in an effort to rehab his image and resurrect his very lucrative career.

There are those who think Vick deserves this second chance and those who think his brutal actions should make him a pariah. It's hard to believe anyone thinks he deserves an award for courage or character.

"I don't expect everyone to understand," Reid said.

The shame of it is that Ed Block isn't around any more. It would be entertaining to watch Reid and Vick and Donovan McNabb and the rest of them explain this to him.

Contact columnist Phil Sheridan at 215-854-2844 or psheridan@phillynews.com. Read his recent work at http://go.philly.com/philsheridan.

If you would like to help get this award denied to Michael Vick, visit this post:

http://butdogsrpeople2.blogspot.com/2009/12/lets-help-deny-michael-vick-ed-block.html

The Story of "Abena": From the Streets to Spokes-Doggy

She came from a nightmare life on the streets of Taiwan. Abena spent her first few years not owned by anyone, surrounded by those who put no value on her life; often kicked and screamed at as a "pest," scrounging for what little food she could find. Finally, she was tricked into eating a firecracker, which resulted in injuries so severe that she would have died if a kind man hadn't alerted a Taiwanese rescue group to her whereabouts.

After three reconstructive surgeries, she looked like a different dog, and was ready to try to find a forever home that could understand about her unique medical needs and her shyness. She ended up in the United States at The Big Dog Project Rescue in Silverdale, Washington. Her soon-to-be adoptive mom saw her on petfinder.com and knew Abena was the one for her family!

Three months later, The Big Project received two more Taiwanese mouth-injury dogs, Amber and Mico, both missing parts of their jaws due to cruelty. Abena's new mom took them, too! Now these three once-desperate girls, along with their American sister Tika, go around to schools and give presentations to children about making positive differences in the world around them. They have become spokes-doggies for kindness, patience, and spreading love -- which is a long way from where they came from.

Abena's owner is a beacon of hope for all of us who aim to make a difference in the life of shelter animals. We applaud her, the work that she has done, and the continued spirit of kindness she spreads to our younger generations.

From: The Big Dog Project Rescue
Jennifer Morris Silverdale, WA

 

Iraq dogs saved by my son

Daisy and Roxie are now in the process of coming home to us from Basrah Iraq Our son is serving in Iraq and the SPCA will bring these two furr balls home for him. We are expecting them to be here some time this march and are very excited to get them into our family. Our Son says that we will really love them because they want to lick the face off of you. since they will be here before he is we will have to help these two adjust to three square meals a day and a roof over their head but that should not take very long. A real Big Hurray to the SPCA for doing this for our service men and women. They are rescuing at least 6 dogs from this group alone and this is only one group.

Bill Dixon

Central Square, NY

Holiday Etiquette for Dogs - What's Proper? What's Not?

You hear the word "etiquette" all the time. You know it means the proper way to do things socially. I had to look it up on Wikipedia.com just for the heck of it. Their definition reads: "Etiquette is the code that governs the expectations of social behavior, the conventional norm. Etiquette usually reflects formulas of conduct in which society and tradition have invested."

But what about DOG etiquette? What is proper or expected? What is considered "socially acceptable" for dogs? For example, is it better to leave your dog at home? How do you prepare for a visit? What are tips to deal with the ride? If you are taking a pet with you, what do you do when you arrive?

I have a great article that will help answer those questions and help you to prepare your dog for the holidays! For some great tips, go to: Dog Etiquette for the Holidays

Dr. Jon

The above was reprinted without permission but with the hope I don't get sued from Dr. Jon's Dog Crazy Newsletter.

The dog from Main St.

Her name is Ginger now. One month ago she was bouncing between lanes of a busy street in Springfield Or. Trucks honking at her and car's squealing brakes. This is what she did everyday for months. I can't believe she hadn't been hit. The day I saw her I almost hit her. Amidst angry motorists I made it off the street. I tried coaxing her to me but she ran off. I checked the local business and they didn't know where she came from. Animal Control and Police had given up.

She wasn't skinny as so many lonely dogs and cats are, she was a heavy weight. It seems that the local business's were leaving delightful food items out for her. A kind lady tried coaxing her into the building, but she was street wise, so to speak.

I got a live animal trap and set it out with a pile of burger and meatballs. The next day the call came, "She's in the trap!" I got her and the trap into my garage and covered it with a blanket. It took this scared lady 3 days to finally inch her way out to eat and urinate. I have had luck with dog whisper techniques so when she finally came out we kept on going...right on into the house and into our established pack. She became Ginger and from then on she has bonded to my other 2 rescues, Buddy, an unwanted lop eared Border Collie and a sweet Border Collie, Elle.

Thanks to them Ginger was able to learn basic commands. Ginger made it off of Main St. and into my heart. It's time for her to move on to her forever home. She is listed on Petfinder and she will be a wonderful addition to a lucky family.

Robyn Broadbent

Springfield, OR

ASCPA operates solely on individual contributors

Thanks to supporters to the ASCPA, 2009 was the best year on record for the tens of thousands of animals nationwide who were touched by your generosity. Each time a contribution is made to the ASPCA, the donator helps homeless, abused or neglected pets in every state. Here are some of the ways support from our kind contributors made a difference in 2009:

• Contributions were essential in helping us award nearly 550 grants to shelters, rescues and animal welfare organizations to fund large-scale seizures of animals, disaster recovery and preparedness, and general shelter outreach like spay/neuter programs, adoptions and staff training.
  
• Contributions allowed the ASPCA to be on the ground in communities nationwide, rescuing animals from both natural and man-made disasters—including puppy mill raids, animal hoarding situations, dog fighting operations and other animal cruelty emergencies.
  
• Contributions helped us tackle pet overpopulation and take a giant leap forward in our campaign to promote spay/neuter solutions and create a nation of humane communities, where no adoptable animal is euthanized simply because of a lack of resources.
  

Read our complete overview of how our contributors' dollars are hard at work every day, saving animals’ lives. Thank you for considering supporting the ASPCA and our nation’s animals in 2010!

Always remember to Make Pet Adoption Your First Option®!ASPCA 424 E. 92nd St New York, NY 10128

Rescue me, rescue you

This is Baby-Girl. She was a birthday present to me when she was 3 mos. old. Some dear friends who had too many pit bulls already needed this sweet girl gone because their dogs wouldn't take another female in the house. She had come from California, by way of an over the fence rescue: They swiped her from a yard where she was tethered to a big chain in the sun, with no water, food or shade. The alternative was a shelter.

She became road-buddy to me, as we made our way across the US by way of my thumb in the air. We've lived on ranches, (where she picked up the art of cattle dog), in tents, cars, and fancy homes. She is coyote killer, rabbit hunter, listener and friend. She is dancer with horses, momma with baby animals, and goofball with her friends. She is what Dog was meant to be.

She just turned 10 this year, and though her joints slow her down a bit, that pitty smile is always waiting for me when I get home. I settled down, got married, and am raising my daughter with this wonderful creature always wanting a space on the couch. I tear up just to think of all the adventures and miles this dog and I have shared. It's nice to know she can retire in comfort, like an old dog should.

Rose Coffman
Lakewood, CO

Cutest Dog Ever!

This is Pippin. Pippin comes from Louisiana and now lives with me in Southern Ontario Canada. His parents were Huricane Katrina survivors and he was born at the rescue centre. I do a lot of volunteer work for our local Humane Society and went out to help walk the dogs brought up from Louisiana. I had no intention of going home with one that day, and when my shift was over, I even got in my car and started to pull out of the parking lot.

I shut off my engine and went back to get him. How could I resist that adorable face and those huge ears. He's been a great addition to my family and I am forever grateful to all of the wonderful rescue organizations out there. If you're looking for a pet, please go check out some shelters. There are many great dogs looking for a great home!

Taya Welland
ON, Canada

Get active for animals in 2010 - A message from the ASCPA

The holidays are just around the corner, and we at the ASPCA would like to take a moment to express our heartfelt gratitude for your continued support. In 2009, the ASPCA was at the forefront of powerful efforts to rescue animals from abuse, pass humane legislation and share resources with shelters nationwide. As you know, it’s only with the strong commitment of compassionate supporters like you that we can achieve far-reaching and long-lasting progress in animal welfare. But our work is far from over—we still need your help. As the new year marches toward us, here are some more ways to lend a hand to animals in need.

Shop Your Favorite Stores Online This holiday, shop online at We-Care.com, and a portion of your gift purchases will be donated to the ASPCA. Or check out the ASPCA Online Store, where all your hard-earned cash will go directly to support our life-saving programs.

“Regift the Fruitcake!” Bake a virtual fruitcake and send it off to your friends and family for a creative way to help raise funds for your charity of choice—the ASPCA, of course! Surprise Loved Ones with an Honor Gift The ASPCA Holiday Honor Gift is a wonderful way to celebrate—and give the gift of life for animals in need!

It’s not just for December, either; you can give birthday or wedding honor gifts all year long. Volunteer for Animals in Your Community Bring some holiday cheer to homeless animals in your community by volunteering at a local shelter or educating the public on animal welfare issues. Visit ASPCA.org for a complete list of ways to support the ASPCA and our nation’s animals in 2010.

Always remember to Make Pet Adoption Your First Option®!ASPCA 424 E. 92nd St New York, NY 10128Visit our website: aspca.org unsubscribe or change your email preferences

Roscoe's Story

Roscoe, a large muscular pit bull, was brought to the Clatsop County Oregon Animal Shelter from the Oregon Humane Society in Portland. Although Roscoe was a favorite of the OHS staff, he was not getting adopted and they didn't want to euthanize him. OHS sent Roscoe to our shelter with all of his toys, which he kept in perfect condition -- not a chewed-up one in the bunch. He would sit in his kennel surrounded by his toys.

And sit he did -- for months on end. He arrived at the shelter in January 2009 and was finally adopted in May. Because he was much loved by the shelter staff and volunteers, the day he left the shelter was a very happy one for everybody and there were pictures and maybe a few tears. But the happiness was short-lived and he was returned a few months later because he played too hard with children and had some food issues with the other dog in the household.

So Roscoe again sat in his kennel surrounded by his toys and getting more depressed every day. Then, a young woman who had just moved to town and purchased a home decided she needed a critter to keep her company. She played with several of the dogs, but was drawn to Roscoe, who was in front with the office staff for the day. Two weeks later she took Roscoe home.

Roscoe now his has own bed, toys, and fenced yard plus a human friend who loves him very much. Good things come to those who wait. Roscoe is one of the lucky ones who, without the kindness and patience of staff and volunteers at two shelters, would have become an unhappy statistic.

Marcy Dunning
Astoria, OR

A Banner Year for the ASCPA!

In 2009, ASPCA supporters like you made a world of difference for animals throughout the country. Together, we shared our anti-cruelty message with countless pet-passionate people—and lawmakers noticed. With the help of our more than 1.4 million Advocacy Brigade members, the ASPCA fought for and celebrated major legislative victories for both companion and farm animals.Whether you wrote letters to your legislators to express concern about a federal or state bill, signed up for ASPCA Advocacy text messages to keep abreast of important legislative alerts or simply spread the word about our efforts to friends and family, the ASPCA appreciates your determination to make our world a better place for all living beings. Read on to learn more about some of 2009’s brand new laws—laws that you helped pass!

Sweet Girl would not leave her friend!

My son came home one day in 2008 talking about a couple of puppies that had been dumped between our house and his girlfriend's house. One of the puppies had been hit and killed by a car and the other one would not leave its friends side. We were supposed to have our first freeze of the year that night and he was worried the puppy would be cold. When he told us the story, we knew we had to give the puppy a home. Sandy (named because my son's girlfriend was playing Annie in her school play at the time) was happy to see my son and his girlfriend and did not hesitate to get into the truck with them. We wonder every day how someone could have dumped such as sweet little puppy. We are glad to have her as part of our family now.

Jennifer

Scurry, TX

Samlilah

I rescued Samson (on the right) and Delilah from a shelter as 9 week old puppies in Atlanta, Georgia. I initially was looking for one puppy, but as I was walking around with the female, this sweet-faced boy was just sitting in his crate looking very sad. I just couldn't leave him - especially after I found out they were litter mates. Now, over 10 years later, they are the sweetest, most well-behaved dogs in the world! Even non-dog lovers fall in love with them! You never see one without the other - in fun, we even call them by one name: Samlilah!!

Kathi Washington
St. Louis, MO