Bowser Beer » rescue shelter dogs

The Other Gulf Coast Victims

admin — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 22:24:55 +0000

Jake grew up beside the warm waters of the Gulf coast. He loved nothing more than a good run on the beach in the morning to start his day. When the oil spill occurred he was happy to donate his shorn locks to help the clean up – it didn’t seem to be that big of a deal. Until one day he found himself sitting in a strange, scary place that was a far cry from his warm, cozy home. Jake had been abandoned by the only family he had ever known. Jake is not a Brown Heron or a sea turtle, but another innocent victim of the oil spill.

Hundreds of dogs like Jake are being dropped off at Gulf Coast shelters because their owners can no longer afford to care for them. To give up a beloved family pet at a time when that very pet can provide comfort and be a buffer to despair, is truly heartbreaking. Dogs live for their families – how devastating is it to them to lose everything they know and love?

The Louisiana SPCA and other organizations have been actively trying to provide assistance through programs such as The Gulf Coast Companion Relief Program to Louisiana pet owners in the fishing industry. It’s a start, but where is BP in all of this? Have any payouts been earmarked for pet related issues? Perhaps pets should be allowed to file claims for assistance. After all, there are a lot of working dogs who are now out of a job because their owners aren’t fishing. One day you are getting 3 squares and chasing birds and the next the whole family is crying in your fur as they leave you at the shelter. Ken Feinberg – are you listening?

After Katrina struck, many pets were put in shelters. Later, when the owners had relocated or found a stable housing solution, they could not reclaim their pets because they had been adopted out. It’s like losing a child and knowing he’s out there somewhere. Will the same thing occur again? At the bleakest of times no one should have to make the Sophie’s Choice of giving up their pets. Hopefully more organizations can provide interim relief so that no dog goes hungry or has to be relinquished.

Right now, organizations are dependent on private donations . . . so check them and please give.

When dogs are not gay

jbrown — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 06:04:19 +0000

When I first heard of this program, I thought it was named after a woman benefactor. I mean, who names their dog ‘Agnes’? Then I saw her face and it just seemed to fit.

According to the poster seen here to the left:

Agnes was the beloved companion of a client at the Southwest Center for HIV/AIDS. She symbolized the friendship and love that animals can provide for their owners. The Agnes Fund was created in order for others to experience the same joys of the human-to-animal bond. Southwest Center has teamed together with the Arizona Humane Society to help cover cost of pet health care that is not affordable for their clients.

Questions or Donations call Thomas at 602-307-5330 x 2224

According to Thomas, Client and Community Resources Coordinator for the Southeast Center for HIV/AIDS, the fund is very low and many dogs are going without care and proper nutrition because their owners are unable to provide for them due to circumstances in their own life. The Humane Society generously steps in to provide shelter, medical care, and food for these animals, but they cannot do it without adequate funding.

With Pride Fests going on all over the country, hopefully people will remember those who are not able to celebrate as easily, and the pets they live with. Dogs provide immeasurable comfort and companionship, so imagine how cruel it would be to have to be separated from the ones you give comfort to, just when they need it the most. If you have a program in your community like this, check it out or else consider contributing to Agnes’ fund.

Agnes! What a great name for a dog.

Rescue Dogs Could Learn from American Idol

jbrown — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 06:00:27 +0000

As we idle away the evening in front of the TV, watching our beloved American Idol, we got to thinking. In the Idol auditions, the contestants have about 30 seconds to make a good impression – not just with their singing, but with their confidence, personality, and overall appeal to the judges. Some resort to outrageous costumes, crazy stunts, or flirtatious behavior to appeal to the judges. Tough to keep your nerves under control in that situation.

We’re all rescue dogs, but Muggsy was the only one picked out of a shelter. He was listed on Petfinder and his background would have made Oprah cry. Many rescues come from abusive situations and may be confused and frightened sitting in an adoption facility. They wait in kennels and crates with strangers peering at them, wishing they were somewhere else. . . Like a home, but their promotional skills may be lacking and their 30 seconds to impress fails to get them a golden ticket. Some dogs have that ‘Ellen’ personality – bubbly and warm – makes you just want to scoop them up and take them home. But what about the others that are more reserved and unsure?

Muggsy is the happiest dog in the world, but he didn’t arrive that way. When myMom brought him home, he did not exude ‘pet’ karma. But we welcomed him into our home(sort of – myMom made us be nice), sent him to puppy school and now I have a confident, happy, mischievous little brother who ALWAYS wants me to play with him. It’s exhausting how happy he is.

The point is …shelter puppies should all see at least one episode of American Idol and learn from those brave contestants who screw up their courage and try to impress the judges (some more desperately than others). “You’re going to a home!” is the doggie equivalent of “You’re going to Hollywood, baby!”.

That’s just my opinion… do you agree?

Yours drooly,

Dax