He Only Had 9 Days

Look at the face in this picture, look really close.  A sweet, young dog full of love and life who ended up in the wrong place at the wrong time.  Truman entered the shelter and never left.  He is the face of millions of dogs that are killed each and every year.  Truman lived in the shelter for 9 days.  9 days..  9 days of looking through steel linked fencing at the outside world.  Not touched by human hands.  9 days of not touching grass or lifting his little leg against a tree.  No running, no romping.  No one knows what he thought or what he wanted to say.  

Was he hoping that someone would come get him?  Someone would give him a loving home?  Did he yearn for that rub on the belly or did he give up once the steel door closed behind him?  Where do dogs like Truman end up?  The end up piled into a garbage truck and carted off to disposal facilities that dispose of their carcasses in ways you could never imagine.  Piles and piles of cold, stiff dead bodies processed into everything from lipstick to dog food to fertilizer.  Remember, these are healthy, young adoptable animals that are just like the dogs sold at pet stores across America and around the world.

A friend of mine commented to me the other day, "Why should I adopt a dog at a shelter?  Why should I make it my problem, the fact that someone else didn't want the dog."  The answer is simple, the dog is not at fault and its not a problem.  Its a life.  Shelter dogs come in all sizes and colors, all breeds and personalities.  There are purebreds and mutts..  Its the biggest pet store in the world.  There is no problem with them, there are just not enough people who are compassionate enough to go and get them out.  

I have a purebred dog that I rescued before it went into the shelter, and it would have.  I rescued another dog from the shelter who died after living with me a very short while.  I can tell you that my heart was shattered on that day and has never healed fully since.  I don't think I could have loved him more or less because he came from a shelter.  He was full of life and spirit, full of love and made my life.  I think of him every day.  His name was Boots.  And, because of Boots I have dedicated so much more of my life to rescue.

Everyone can adopt a shelter dog.  If you can't, you can find someone who can and get one out.  Adopting a shelter dog is cool.  Much cooler than getting one from a pet store.  Shelter dogs have a better personality, have more spunk, have a little bit more of an edge....  and can do anything pet store dogs can do better.  They will love you more than a dog from a pet store, because believe it or not, they know YOU rescued them.  

I deal with behavioral issues on dogs and I see over and over again the dogs that were rescued have an amazing bond with their owners.  I've seen dogs that I've pulled out of shelters look at me in a way no other dog ever looked at me when I visit their house.  

Look at the face of Truman and realize that I came a day to late to get him, and so did a few others.  He never stood a chance in the shelter system of today.  He was an innocent victim.

BOUND ANGELS is looking for volunteers, warriors for the rights of the innocent victims.  Send us an email at boundangels@gmail.com and get involved.  Together we can change the system.

Breed Specific RESCUES - The Good The Bad & The Ugly

I'd like to start out by saying that everyone in rescue is trying their hardest to do what they can do to save as many lives as possible.  The shelters are filling up more quickly than rescues can get dogs out, into foster and into forever homes.   The funds are low, the demands are high and stress is the crucial factor.  I understand the situation, but there are some issues to address.

First the good:

Breed specific rescues serve and important place in rescue because they understand the needs of specific breeds of animals and are familiar with their medical issues, temperaments, quirks and usually have a good handle on those people who are looking for that specific breed to adopt.  They are very passionate about the breed and will work very hard because of their passion.  They will screen potential adopters, work with the shelters and do a great job.  Breed specific rescues comb shelters for the most part and make sure that none of their own are at risk.  This is not selfish by any means in my opinion, it is "taking care of your own."  I support the work that these groups do and Bound Angels has worked hand in hand with many of these rescues to save countless lives.

The bad:

Because breed specific rescues deal with only their specific breed, they are not open to dealing with other breeds.  A husky group will not take in a Weimaraners, and a Chow group doesn't usually take in Chihuahua's.  That being said we have to look at the bad and the ugly of this.  Recently I was trying to rescue a Malinois.  A somewhat rare breed of dog from Belgium.  He was at the shelter for more than 5 months and was on the short list to be killed because no one had come to get him.  Other groups are not familiar with the specific needs of the Malinois, yet the Malinois rescue I spoke to claimed he wasn't a "pure bred' Malinois.  The sad part about this is that this dog falls through the cracks.  

Its kind of like the race laws of the Nazi's, how much of a mix do you have to be to "not be" pure?  If a dog is 51% shepherd and 49% sharpei, which group should step up.  If there was a battle about which one would step up, that would be great.  However, more often than not, neither group will want this dog.  And believe me, I've rescued Sharpei / Shepherd mixes and they are great dogs.  

I understand rescues are stressed and strapped for cash, but using the purity of the breed may not be the right answer to solve this problem.  I only write about it because I was confronted by someone else today who also went through the same thing recently.  Breed specific rescues serve an integral part in our rescue community and I am proud to be affiliated with many of them, however, they need to focus on not becoming snobs about the mixed breeds that also contain strong characteristics and traces of their specific breeds.

"How Could You?".... You Gotta Read This!

A man in Grand Rapids, Michigan incredibly took out a $7000 full page

ad in the paper to present the following essay to the people of his

community.

By Jim Willis, 2001

When I was a puppy, I entertained you with my antics and made you laugh. You called me your child, an despite a number of chewed shoes and a couple of murdered throw pillows, I became your best friend. Whenever I was "bad,"you'd shake your finger at me and ask "How could you?" – but then you'd relent and roll me over for a belly rub.

My housebreaking took a little longer than expected, because you were terribly busy, but we worked on that together. I remember those nights of nuzzling you in bed and listening to your confidences and secret dreams, and I believed that life could not be any more perfect. We went for long walks and runs in the park, car rides, stops for ice cream (I only got the cone because "ice cream is bad for dogs" you said), and I took long naps in the sun waiting for you to come home at the end of the day.

Gradually, you began spending more time at work and on your career, and more time searching for a human mate. I waited for you patiently, comforted you through heartbreaks and disappointments, never chided you about bad decisions, and romped with glee at your homecomings, and when you fell in love. She, now your wife, is not a "dog person" -- still I welcomed her into our home, tried to show her affection, and obeyed her. I was happy because you were happy. Then the human babies came along and I shared your excitement. I wa fascinated by their pinkness, how they smelled, and I wanted to mother them, too. Only she and you worried that I might hurt them, and I spent most of my time banished to another room, or to a dog crate.

Oh, how I wanted to love them, but I became a "prisoner of love." As they began to grow, I became their friend. They clung to my fur and pulled themselves up on wobbly legs, poked fingers in my eyes, investigated my ears, and gave me kisses on my nose. I loved everything about them and their touch -- because your touch was now so infrequent -- and I would've defended them with my life if need be. I would sneak into their beds and listen to their worries and secret dreams, and together we waited for the sound of your car in the driveway. There had been a time, when others asked you if you had a dog, that you produced a photo of me from your wallet and told them stories about me.

These past few years, you just answered "yes" and changed the subject. I had gone from being "your dog" to "just a dog ," and you resented every expenditure on my behalf. Now, you have a new career opportunity in another city, and you and they will be moving to an apartment that does not allow pets. You've made the right decision for your "family," but there was a time when I was your only family.

I was excited about the car ride until we arrived at the animal shelter. It smelled of dogs and cats, of fear, of hopelessness. You filled out the paperwork and said "I know you will find a good home for her." They shrugged and gave you a pained look. They understand  the realities facing a middle-aged dog, even one with "papers." You had to pry your son's fingers loose from my collar as he screamed "No, Daddy! Please don't let them take my dog!" And I worried for him, and what lessons you had just taught him about friendship and loyalty, about love and responsibility, and about respect for all life. You gave me a good-bye pat on the head, avoided my eyes, and politely refused to take my collar and leash with you. You had a deadline to meet and now I have one, too. After you left, the two nice ladies said you probably knew about your upcoming move months ago and made no attempt to find me another good home. They shook their heads and asked "How could you?"

They are as attentive to us here in the shelter as their busy schedules allow. They feed us, of course, but I lost my appetite days ago. At first, whenever anyone passed my pen, I rushed to the front, hoping it was you that you had changed your mind -- that this was all a bad dream... or I hoped it would at least be someone who cared, anyone who might save me.

When I realized I could not compete with the frolicking for attention of happy puppies, oblivious to their own fate, I retreated to a far corner and waited. I heard her footsteps as she came for me at the end of the day, and I padded along the aisle after her to a separate room. A blissfully quiet room. She placed me on the table and rubbed my ears, and told me not to worry. My heart pounded in anticipation of what was to come, but there was also a sense of relief. The prisoner of love had run out of days.

As is my nature, I was more concerned about her. The burden which she bears weighs heavily on her, and I know that, the same way I knew your every mood. She gently placed a tourniquet around my foreleg as a tear

ran down her cheek. I licked her hand in the same way I used to comfort you so many years ago. She expertly slid the hypodermic needle into my vein. As I felt the sting and the cool liquid coursing through my body, I lay down sleepily, looked into her kind eyes and murmured "How could you?"

Perhaps because she understood my dog speak, she said "I'm so sorry." She hugged me, and hurriedly explained it was her job to make sure I went to a better place, where I wouldn't be ignored or abused or

abandoned, or have to fend for myself -- a place of love and light so very different from this earthly place. And with my last bit of energy, I tried to convey to her with a thump of my tail that my "How could you?" was not directed at her. It was directed at you, My Beloved Master, I was thinking of you. I will think of you and wait for you forever. May everyone in your life continue to show you so much loyalty.

A Note from the Author: If "How Could You?" brought tears to your eyes as you read it, as it did to mine as I wrote it, it is because it is the composite story of the millions of formerly "owned" pets who die each year in American & Canadian animal shelters. Please use this to help educate, on your websites, in newsletters, on animal shelter and vet office bulletin boards. Tell the public that the decision to add a pet to the family is an important one for life, that animals deserve our love and sensible care, that finding another appropriate home for your animal is your responsibility and any local humane society or animal welfare league can offer you good advice, and that all life is precious. Please do your part to stop the killing, and encourage all spay & neuter campaigns in order to prevent unwanted animals.

Please pass this on to everyone, not to hurt them or make them sad, but it could save maybe, even one, unwanted pet.

Remember...They love UNCONDITIONALLY

Beverly Hills Chihuahua - The Dilemna

In the next few weeks Walt Disney will be releasing their movie BEVERLY HILLS CHIHUAHUA.  Undoubtedly this will be a huge movie despite the concerns of those people in rescue.  With the popularity of such a film the lives of hundreds of thousands, possibly millions of dogs will be effected.  Children and adults will be caught up in the hype of “getting a new puppy.”  A puppy that is an impulse purchase often ends up in the shelter system and many of those that end up in the shelters are murdered... to a tune of 5 MILLION shelter animals each year.  The cute puppy trained and computer enhanced dances, sings, and more.  This will not be the dog that you bring home.  The newness of the dog will wear off rather quickly.  Chihuahua’s can have temperament problems and like all other dogs, require training, and attention.  They are not stuffed animals.  You are not getting a Beverly Hills Chihuahua, you are getting a new member of your family that will be with you for many years.  The memory of the movie will be long gone and your four legged friend will still be around.

We urge you to consider several things with the release of BEVERLY HILLS CHIHUAHUA.

1. 1.There are many beautiful pure bred Chihuahua’s and Chihuahua mixes at your local shelter.
   

2. 2.Do NOT buy a chihuahua puppy (or any other puppy) at your local pet store.  These puppies (90% of the time and more) come from puppy mills.  If you’d like to know more about puppy mills, click here.
   

3. 3.Send a message to Walt Disney that movies about pure bred dogs lead to impulse purchases and send a mixed message to children.  There are no disclaimers that dogs are a serious commitment and should not be purchased on a whim.  How about a movie about a shelter dog?
   

4. 4.A dog is a long term commitment for the life of the dog, not until you or your child get tired of it.
   

5. 5.Spread the words to your family and friends to adopt rather than shop.  You can get a chihuahua from a shelter for far less money than from a breeder or pet store.  You can adopt one from a local rescue.  Check Dogs In Danger or Petfinder, or PetHarbor.
   

If you’re gonna get a Chihuahua, get it from a rescue or a shelter..  Give a shelter dog a second chance.

The City of Beverly Hills has no animal control shelter.  That means if a Chihuahua gets lost or dumped in Beverly Hills, this chihuahua will end up in the Shelter in the city of Carson.  If you’d like to see the parallels between a Beverly Hills Chihuahua and a shelter that houses the lost Beverly Hills Chihuahua, please watch our new video - Beverly Hills Chihuahua, by clicking here. 

Remember, you can’t save all the animals in the world....

But you can save one!  

Start a revolution....  You Can Save One.