Its the Howlidays

Jake and I really enjoy giving back to the community, and one of the ways we like to do it is by helping out our area's homeless animals. A few months ago we did a fundraiser with Razzle Dazzle Doggie Bowtique to benefit the local Animal Control.

The event was a great hit, and they asked us to come back for a holiday, or HOWLiday - if you will - photo fundraiser! This time we decided to give a portion of the proceeds to theCrossroads Shih-Tzu Rescue

We had a great time, and every single available session was quickly booked. Here are a few of the awesome dogs we worked with today:

Thank you everyone for helping us make this event a SMASH hit!

As a reminder, your packages can be picked up from Razzle Dazzle on December 19th. At that time, additional print orders can be made from our website!

Friends

This weekend I took the dogs to my parents house.  They love being able to run around in the field next to their house.
These are some happy dogs:

Hank

Marla

My Mom's dog, Nora.

Faces Like These...

at your local Animal Control:

Some of these dogs lost their homes due to the economy, some were abandoned, some were victims of neglect and abuse.  All need new, loving, forever families

Ooooh, Fundraiser idea...

My friend, Mary came over this evening to do some crafting.
We made these:

Next time I have to come up with a Fundraiser idea, I am totally going to do this.  It was easy and fun and pretty inexpensive.  I think people would buy them - of course, I'd have to come up with another design:)

I am hesitant to yell "Success!" but...

I have not noticed any leakage since Marla's chiropractic adjustment on the 25th.
This could be purely coincidental, because her leaking is not consistent...BUT
I am hopeful that this did help :)

Now if we can only get her kidneys to cooperate...

Top 10

Found this to go along with my thought from yesterday:

Thought of the moment:

Whoever decides it's a good idea to breed their cat or dog should be obligated to go to their local Animal Control and hold however many dogs or cats for euthanasia as were born in the litter.

Maybe people would think twice before letting their animal procreate.

The game plan

So to continue Marla's saga, we have decided to treat her for Glomerulonephritis for 2 months in hopes that it stops the degradation of her kidneys. We are also treating her for the crystals in her urine.

Right now we are not actively addressing the incontinence, but I have an appointment set up with a Canine Chiropractor in 3 weeks - with the thought that an adjustment may correct or at least alleviate some of the pressure on her bladder.

I'm glad that she doesn't act sick. But it may only be a matter of time before I begin noticing effects of the damage.

More on Marla...

I posted earlier about Marla's Kidney issues and raised Microalbumin levels. Monday she went in for a BP reading which came back normal. Dr. Becker believes that she may have Glomerulonethritis which, from what I gathered, is an inflammation of the kidneys.

Dr.Becker would like to either treat her for this condition with meds for 2 months and then recheck her MA levels OR have me go to a kidney specialist who will give me a definitive answer of what is wrong.

I called the Specialists and it costs $1200 for them to run the diagnostics, BUT they will give me a definitive answer//whereas my vet has given me her best guess.

At this time we just cannot afford the $1200 consult and testing, but I hate the idea of the medication not working and having her kidneys damaged further.

I hope my doctor is right and its the condition I can't even pronounce!! I really hate that money is keeping me from being able to give my dog the medical care she deserves :(

A little Background on Ms.Marla Mae

This is a little background on my dog, Marla. I wrote this out for a Petition/Fundraiser our rescue was doing. Her story won, by the way:

In Mid-October 2007, a female brindle Boxer, was dropped off at an Indiana high-kill animal control. The man who dropped her off claimed that he found her as a stray and suggested that she be euthanized.

The little dog was completely emaciated and weighed a mere 14lbs. She was nearly naked from mange, and completely covered in sores from sitting in her own excrement.

Urine burns/pustules on her belly.
Makes me sick!

Her crippled spine was bowed from being forced into a sitting position in a small crate, and she had large calouses along her back from rubbing the top of her confinement. Her front legs were completely bowed out, into the shape of an "L" because of malnutrition and a tight living space. When she walked, her legs bent so that she walked on her carpal pads.

This dog was a total wreck.

The ACO called our rescue immediately telling them that a 4 month old Boxer had been dropped off, and was in pretty rough shape. Upon further inspection, it was determined that this tiny little Boxer was not 4 months old but, in fact, 1-2 years old. Because of her immensely small quarters, combined with improper nutrition the Boxer was unable to grow to her correct size.

The dog was promptly taken to a Veterinarian that works with us.

Here she is at the vet for likely the FIRST time in her entire life.

Look at how far out her paws are! They're completely bowed out!! And her spine is so crooked!!

She was given round the clock treatment, and although it was touch and go for a while, we refused to give up on her and the little Boxer pulled through. As much as she was poked and prodded, this little baby remained sweet and hopeful. She went to live with her foster Mom until she could regain her strength.

Marla at her foster home BEFORE coming to live with me.
Check out the scab on her head!!

Her progress was remarkable. She was adopted, by myself, the third week of November, 2007.

Picking up Marla at her foster Mom's house. Hank is already smitten.

She weighed 21lbs. Hair regrowth was slow, but steady. Her legs straightened almost immediately as well as her back. She simply needed to be able to move, and be given the appropriate nutrition. She made herself at home with a new name, Marla Mae, and a new Boxer brother named, Hank.

Hank and Marla were immediately inseperable.

Today Ms.Marla Mae is weighing in at 47lbs. She is still quite small for a Boxer, but her tiny stature doesn't slow her down at all! She loves every second of her life, and grasps any opportunity to make her Mom smile!

Her love and enthusiasm for life is incomprehensible. No matter how badly she was treated for so long, Marla doesn't hold a grudge against anyone. She loves everybody she meets, and never hesitates to cover you with kisses.

Marla is the joy in my life, and without her our little family would not be complete. We are so lucky to have found her, and are forever blessed that they saved her life. I hope that this rescue is able to continue its mission of placing amazing dogs in loving homes.

Our kids:)

Family Photo (Dec.2007)

Marla last summer at the beach. Living life and loving every minute of it:)

Worried about MY mutt...

My dog, Marla, has incontinence issues and has kidney damage, ie her micro-albumin levels are 5.6 when it should be around 2.something.

Anyways, she was just laying at my feet and I noticed she started to lurch/spasm and this bloodyish brown fluid spattered all over the carpet (gross, I know) . I immediately took her outside and brought a sample cup to catch the urine. The urine looked normal, dark, but not bloody.

Ughh, I am freaking out.

I don't think this is an emergency to go to the e-vet but I will be calling my dr in the morning and bringing in the sample.

I hope its nothing too awful - I am terrified about her going into full on kidney failure.

She is the love of my life.

Adopt says "Mutts"

Faces like these...

available at your local kill-shelter.

I just got back from my weekly 'photo shoot' at the animal control.  

Sometimes it is hard to walk out of there with dry eyes.

Its so devastating to know that because of the outrageous animal overpopulation problem, a lot of these dogs aren't going to find forever families. 

Please find time to give some love at your local kill-shelter.

Maybe you'll fall in love with one of the poor souls looking for a family.

Remember to adopt and not shop!

"I said Speuter that dog!"

The time is upon us.  The time to talk about Spaying and Neutering your pet(s).

Speutering - as I am going to refer to it as - is a common subject that people generally think either applies to them or does not.  The people that generally agree they should Speuter their dog is the owner of a mixed breed.  While, yes, the mutts should be fixed - it doesn't stop there.  Every last dog and cat in this country (and beyond - but lets stay focused here) should be sterilized and not allowed to breed.  

Why?

Well, because every day in the United States, thousands upon thousands of puppies and kittens are born because of the uncontrolled breeding of pets. Add to that number the offspring of stray and abandoned companion animals, and the total becomes even more staggering. Every year, between six and eight million dogs and cats enter U.S. shelters; some three to four million of these animals are euthanized because there are simply not enough homes for them.

If I tell you to Speuter your dog you may ask: 

-Even if my dog is a purebred with a beautiful glowing AKC Pedigree?  

Yes.  Those AKC Papers mean diddly - and I will fight you on that point.  Besides purebreds make up at least one out of every four pets brought to animal shelters around the country. There are just too many dogs —mixed breed and purebred.  Period.  

-Even if he's so handsome and well behaved and I know he would make wonderful puppies?  

Yes. Doesn't mean the puppies will be. Even those who follow generations of bloodlines can't guarantee they will get just what they want out of a particular litter. In fact, an entire litter of puppies may just receive all of a pet's (and her mate's) worst characteristics.

-Even if she is very nurturing and I feel like she wants to be a Mamma?

Yes.  Your dog is a dog, get her a squeaky toy.

-Even if my child needs to experience the miracle and beauty of the Circle of Life?

Yes.  Let her watch A Baby Story on TLC - for the love!  Besides, what if your pet dies 1/2 way through the delivery?  Wouldn't that be a beautiful lesson about the Circle of Life?  In any event, the chances of your child actually witnessing the birth is unlikely, since it generally occurs at night and in seclusion—the lesson they will really learn is that animals can be created and discarded as it suits adults. Instead, it should be explained to children that the real miracle is life and that by preventing the birth of some pets you can save the lives of others!!

-Even if I don't want my dog to get fat?

Yes.  Dogs get fat because they have lazy owners who don't exercise them enough and feed them too much (and generally poor quality foods)!  

-Even though I heard that its best to let them have one litter?

Yes.  In fact, the opposite is true.  Females that are sterilized before their first heat are typically healthier. Many veterinarians now sterilize dogs as young as eight weeks of age.

-Even if I KNOW I can find homes for all the puppies?

Yes.  What about those puppies' puppies?  And the puppies' puppies' puppies?  You may find homes for all of your pet's litter. But, as I've said before, each home you find means one less home for the dogs in shelters who need good homes. The problem of pet overpopulation is created and perpetuated one.litter.at.a.time.

-Even if my dog is a great guard dog, and I don't want that to change?

Yes.  Speutering will not affect a dog's natural instinct to protect home and family. A dog's personality is formed more by genetics and environment than by sex hormones.

- Even though I don't think I couldn't take his balls from him?  That ain't right!  

Yes.  Pets have zero concept of sexual identity or ego. Neutering will not change a pet's basic personality. He doesn't suffer any kind of emotional reaction or identity crisis when neutered.  Lets stay away from anthropomorphizing our dogs, boys!  

-Even though I know I could charge $1000+ for each puppy?

Yes. Yes, YES!  I can't believe people can still think they can make money off of puppies!! The cost of breeding will completely  overshadow any profits you think to make. Among other things, the puppies need their first shots before going to their new homes, the mother needs frequent check-ups, and heaven forbid if something goes wrong. 

Which it inevitably WILL!  You will NOT make money off of your puppies.

By Speutering your dog, you will ensure that it will be healthier, happier, and less likely to roam in search of a mate.  Additionally, by making sure that your dog can't produce puppies you'll have peace of mind that his or her offspring won't be euthanized in an animal shelter.

Do the right thing... "Don't be a Dick."

My new favorite t-shirt

This t-shirt is spawning my next blog entry on the subject of spaying and neutering your pets.  Which is SUCH a huge and important issue - I have to start digging in and researching...as soon as I find some time ;)

Hank and Marla Take a Vacation

This past week Jake and I took the dogs to Arkansas for a visit to MawMaw and PawPaw's.  I have to say that the entire week was filled with 'Proud Mommy Moments'.  I was so nervous that the dogs were going to spaz out and be entirely out of control, but instead they were so well behaved and wonderful.  My grandparents just kept commenting on how well they minded. 

Here are a few (ok a ton) of photos of the dogs from the week.  

Hanging out in the yard.

Hank relaxing on the Balcony.

Watching deer:)

Snuggling with their Mamma after a long afternoon.

Going out on the Pontoon is my favorite thing to do in Arkansas.  We bought the dogs life vests, because we own the only two dogs on Earth that cannot swim.

Marla found that the best place to hang out in the water was on the raft.

Swimming out to Jake.

Hank did more splashing than swimming, but he made it around the boat!

Hank mostly enjoyed hanging out on the boat ride, but could have done without being forced to swim:)

They liked going down to the Cove behind the house, because they could wade in the water without having to actually swim.

I think his paws actually left the ground and he swam for a brief moment to get the stick.

But he grabbed it quickly and hauled himself back to safety!

Safely watching the festivities from her towel on the shore.

Marla is a Safety Girl in her life jacket far away from the water:)

Ok, I know there were a lot of photos, but they're just so cute.  I can't help myself. 

 

We almost didn't bring Hank, because he can't be kenneled due to extreme Separation Anxiety and is sometimes unpredictable when unattended [in new situations].  But, fortunately, we were able to take him almost everywhere with us, and he was a perfect gentleman when we left him.  

I am so glad that we didn't leave him behind, because he had a BLAST (except when we forced him to try and swim in the lake). 

I can't wait to go back again.  Arkansas is my happy place.