It is really hard

It is so hard right now, I am watching a friend and fellow rescue person struggle with the number of dogs that need her and it is breaking my heart. I am absolutely no help to her at all and I feel horrible. Mostly b/c it should be me struggling, me getting the emails, me trying to figure out which JRT's to save and which can wait.

It is nice not getting all the emails, I will be honest. The guilt is much less not actually seeing the faces of all the JRT's in need but at the same time some of the guilt is still there b/c I know there are A LOT that need help.

Every foster home for MBR is full, one foster home has 3 dogs right now. UGH! I know I need to get out and do adoption events but I am still not up for being around a lot of people. Legal crap and harassment is still going on and well it just takes a toll on you, ya know?

I still haven't heard from the judge on the photo album and still dealing with the misplaced foster dog. The good news is the sick dogs I had are doing better. Frosty had a teething cleaning and is loosing weight. Now we just need to find him a home and or a foster home. Zoe is doing great. I think we have the rash on her belly cleared up and her poo is good!! YAY!! Henry is doing good too, he is starting to get more hair back and his hair is shinny. Chai isn't doing so well, he is still scared to death but I have seen a little improvement.. I stress A LITTLE!

I have Greta's 9 puppies which she is refusing to feed and that is VERY time consuming and stressful.

I think other then that everyone is pretty health and good to go....now if we can get them adopted. LOL!

I desperately need more foster homes. Mostly b/c there are so many that I want to help.... there are some REALLY nice dogs in kill shelters right now. It is just so sad. It is bad right now with the number of homeless dogs, really really bad.

Greta and the puppies

Well poor Greta, she is a good mom when it comes to protecting her kids but feeding them NOT SO MUCH :-( Friday she started acting strange, like she didn't really want to be with the puppies but I didn't think much of it. Saturday I moved the puppies from the puppy nursery to there 10 X 10 dog stall in the barn. I thought Saturday she wasn't that interesting in feeding them because I had just moved them. Then on Sunday I think she feed them but not enough. I did worm them on Sunday too. BUT unfortunately on Monday I had to get milk replacement and now 3 - 4 times a day depending on my work schedule I have to make mush for the puppies. Then I have to help them eat. They don't really understand the idea of NOT walking through the food dish.. LOL Tonight was so funny... I have 2 food dishes and in each food dish was a puppy with its legs all spread out and face first in the food. LOL! Puppies are so cute when they eat or actually try to eat. Hopefully I will be able to get pictures and put some up soon. Work has been so crazy busy I haven't really had time :-( Tonight would have been a good night to take pictures but it was my dad's 80th birthday party.

Oh and I thought of a theme for the puppies... PLACES :-)

Paris
Brooklyn
London

If you have any good ideas for please share.

There are 9 total puppies. 6 are girls and 3 are boys.

Watching Eddie

There are nights when I can't sleep that I look over at the floor next to my bed and look at Petey and Eddie and for the last week Cola sleeping on their dog beds. Petey is usually upside down or curled up like a cat if he is cold. Eddie is almost always laid out flat in his dog bed. And Cola is usually laying flat out as well but on the floor, she doesn't seem to like dog beds.

I watch them sleep and twitch and sometimes for a moment they open their eyes and look at me before quickly closing them again. It is almost like they know I am watching them sleep.

My mind begins to wander.... who owned you before? what did you look like as a puppy? why didn't they have you fixed? did you run away or did they leave you behind? did you live in a cage? were you part of a family? where did the people who left you, where did they get you from?

I look at Eddie and think if only... if only they would have given you a heart worm prevention pill once a month you wouldn't be dieing. If only you could talk to me and tell me what you have been through because it is very clear you were not treated nicely.

I look at him and I think how long will you live? Another week? Another month? Another year? I am not sure it is better to know they are dieing or to have it happen out of the blue like it has happened with several of my other dogs.

Some times the look on his face is so sad, so confused, like he knows something is wrong with him. I wish I could fix him, it makes me sad that I can't. I just want to fix them all and find them good homes where they are loved and wanted.

I wish people who treated them badly karma will return the favor. Although with all the bad stuff that has been happening to me I am not sure I believe in karma any more. It is a nice concept though.

Poor little Eddie, I have had him a year now. How much longer will I have him?

2 more puppies

Today 2 more puppies went to their forever homes today. It is so nice to have the puppies going to their forever homes. I LOVE them so much but man oh man, I have like ZERO things to do in the mornings and when I get home from work. LOL! I don't have to take care of 13 crazy pooping eating puppies. LOL

Easter Sunday one more puppy goes home which leaves just Misty who is going home on the 30th. But she is in a foster home so that is nice.

Poor little Frosty I picked him up today at the vet office, he had 10 teeth pulled. Poor guy. But in the long run he will feel better and he lost an entire pound in a week so we are headed in the right direction with him.

Jean, my sweet Toy Fox Terrier went for a trail this weekend. PAWS CROSSED for her!!


And FINALLY I took a few pictures of Greta's puppies... still NO idea what they are mixed with :-)

Today's adventure

Everyday you learn something new or experience something new. Well today was interesting. I had to take the day off from work to go to small claims court. A women who I WAS friends with had left a photo album at a mutual friends house 3 years ago. The mutual friend gave me the book to give back to her and I lost it. I offered the women money to reprint her negatives but instead of taking me up on my offer she sues me, along with 3 other people for money to re print her pictures. Anyone else confused?? I offer to pay to re print her pictures and she sues me to re print her pictures... Um?? Maybe it is just me but don't you usually sue someone if they refuse to to pay you money they owe you or in this case if I would have NOT offered to re print her pictures? I AM SO CONFUSED.

I think the judge was confused to. The entire thing was so strange. He said he is going to review everything and send his judgment in the mail. SO, now I wait to find out what his decision will be.

Oh and what is super funny is IN COURT under oath she admitted that she considers herself a professional photographer and has/does get paid to take pictures but she has NEVER claimed the income on her taxes... um isn't that tax fraud? Just saying!

I will be honest I feel bad for the lady, she is an absolute laughing stalk among everyone in the rescue community. This whole thing was so ridiculous. Someone offers you money to replace something that was SO IMPORTANT to you that you left it at someone's house for 3 almost 4 years and you sue them for the money they already offered you...

Well since I had to take the day off from work for this non sense, I had Henry the dog hoarder dog to the vet. We changed his medication around a bit. He is doing pretty good. He has so come into his personality and just so darn cute. His hair is coming in and he is so happy and so good. Every time I look at him and think about how the APL wanted to put him to sleep I just shake my head, he is such a great dog! I really hope things have changed there....

I also took Zoe to the vet. Zoe is this really sweet JRT that a nice lady took from Richland County pound 6 months ago. Poor Zoe was having bloody poo issues and the women and her vet couldn't figure out what was going on and the women couldn't afford any more tests. Poor lady, poor Zoe. Well my vet was able to figure out that she had MAJOR worms and we treated her and now she is doing so much better. Unfortunately she has worms for so long that her little stomach got a bit upset so we are getting her better and she will be just fine with some time, love and medication. YAY Zoe. She is so freaking cute. I just love that little dog.

AND I took Frosty the American Eskimo to the vet. I am having a dental done on him tomorrow. HE NEEDS IT! That dog has some seriously bad breath. Like can clear a room... can't wait to see nice teeth tomorrow when I pick him up :-)

I went to the tax account today and signed all the paper work for the Federal Government and STATE taxes for the rescue. Geez! Hard to believe the paper work that goes into this stuff... ugh, I have this HUGE binder full of paper work stuff so crazy.

Then this evening Cherry, the final puppy got adopted and Pepper another one of the puppies went home. Tomorrow 2 more puppies go home, Sunday a puppy goes home and the last puppy goes to her home on April 30th. 13 - puppies in their happy homes YAY!!!!

I had a busy day, somewhat productive b/c I was able to get some dog stuff taken care of but ugh the anxiety of being in court ALL morning took a toll on me. The anxiety of dealing with all these irrational people that seem to have entered my life is just too much. I am so tired.

Housebreaking A New Puppy or Adult Dog

by Cherie Marquez

Repost from http://smartstartdogtraining.com/blog/

housebreaking a puppy

If you are planning on getting a puppy, you should learn how to housebreak him or her before you bring them home. You will save yourself so much added stress in your life. There are some important points to successful training and a strategic approach must be taken if you want to have a successful house training experience.

We learn from being on a schedule and having some structure in our lives. Well, dogs need to be on a schedule as well because they learn from repetition and consistency. They need to be fed, given water, and taken out at the same time, so eventually they let you know when they have to go out and you learn to read their body language. Also, you should confine your dog in a crate, playpen, or a small room during the house training schedule.

The crate is a safe place for your dog. It is the dog’s well protected home. The crate is comfortable to your dog because it is like his or her wild ancestors, the wolf, he or she instinctively seeks the safety and security of a “DEN.” The security of the crate is better than the confusing and sometimes frightening outside world.

You, as the owner, will eliminate many messes from the dog urinating or defecating all over the house. You will save plenty of money because the dog will not have the opportunity to bite and destroy furniture. I have seen some horrible destruction of the home caused by one dog.

By using a dog crate, the owner creates positive behavioral patterns, which enables the relationship between the pet and his or her owner to develop and grow. Most crates come with an extra metal piece that allows you to block off a portion of the crate. This is done because usually most dogs are clean animals and they don’t create a mess where they sleep or rest, so if they do have an accident then they have to lay in their mess. The dog has to have enough room to turn around and lay down.

If you are going to be gone for more than three hours in the beginning, you can get a doggie playpen or keep the dog in a small room because you cannot expect a puppy to hold his urine for a long period of time. Separate the playpen or room with his or her toys, chew toys (no rawhides because they are not safe), and a blanket or small bed on one side and newspaper or pee pads on the other side. Once the puppy goes to the bathroom in the morning outside, blot the pee with the newspaper or pee pad, so their scent is on it already and put it in the playpen or room. You can also leave some music on for them to feel more comfortable.

Think of your puppy as a baby. You would not leave a baby unattended for a certain amount of time, right? Well, that is why you should never leave a puppy alone either. The most important benefit to the pet owner, who utilizes crate training, is the control of the puppy or adult dog when it is alone at home. When dogs are left alone and allowed to roam too large of an area, they can become anxious, lonely, or bored.

When you are home, you should always have the dog on a watch or confine. When you can watch them, you should put the loop of the leash through a belt and put the belt on, so the dog is with you at all times. You can also put the loop of the leash under a heavy chair or table. You are able to read their body language to see when they need to go to the bathroom by sniffing around or turning in circles.

If the puppy or dog is not used to being on the leash, then put the leash on them and let them walk around with the leash dragging behind them. Please get a 6 ft. or 4 ft. nylon or chain link leash and not a retractable. Your leash is your tool and you have no control with the retractable. After about 2 days the dog should be used to the leash.

When you CAN NOT watch the dog, even if it is for a quick minute, put the dog in the crate. This is when the dog takes advantage and has an accident because he knows you are not watching. Also, it is peace of mind to you because you know that you are not walking out to find and have to clean an accident.

If you catch the dog in the act of having an accident, make as much noise as possible to stop them. If you do, then pick up the leash and take them out, so they can finish outside. Give them plenty of praise when they finish outside, so they realize that they did the right thing. If you do not catch them in the act and they had an accident already, as long as it is about 30 seconds afterwards, you can reprimand the dog. Walk the dog over to the accident, point to the nose then to the accident, and say “No, bad girl or boy,” then take the dog outside in the grass to show them where they need to go.

You can not yell at the dog after a minute of having an accident because their attention span is like a one year old. They live in the moment. Dogs react and cower after the minute because of your tone of voice and your body posture. DO NOT HIT THE DOG OR RUB THEIR NOSE IN IT!

Try and take the dog to the same spot every time to go to the bathroom, so they have their scent there. Every time the dog goes to the bathroom outside, give them plenty of praise. If the dog doesn’t go to the bathroom after 10 minutes, bring the dog back in and put them in the crate for 1 – 3 minutes then back outside, so you do not get frustrated waiting for 30 minutes or more.

dog training

HOUSEBREAKING SCHEDULES:

During feeding time, feed your dog in the crate. This is done so that we start creating a pattern of going to the bathroom for the dog, as well as letting the dog know that when it’s feeding time, it’s feeding time and not play time. You’re making your dog concentrate without any distractions on EATING.

We’re basically giving the dog a no distraction environment, so that the dog realizes that there’s nothing else to do but eat. You should always feed a puppy two times a day and give them water three times a day. Remember to keep them on the same dog training schedule, so there is consistency. You cannot keep the water down at all times because their bladder is small and any kind of excitement and stimulation will make the puppy pee. If the puppy is running and playing outside, you can give them a small amount of water, so they do not get dehydrated.

Just remember:

• For every 10 pounds a dog should have 1 cup of water.
• Take your puppy out approximately 30 minutes after eating and drinking.
• Every single time the puppy wakes up they always have to pee!
• At first, when you are home, take your puppy out every 2 hours, then progress to 3 hours after you are for sure the dog can hold it for 2 – 21/2 hours.
• Keep a log of when your puppy is peeing and defecating to see the pattern on a daily basis. The same way you potty train a child is the same for a puppy.

The most important thing to remember is that dogs are creatures of habit and they learn from repetition and consistency. You must take the time to get your puppy on a schedule and PLEASE DO NOT GIVE UP ON YOUR DOG! It is trial and error, so give your puppy a chance and expect some accidents. PATIENCE IS KEY!

Click hear to get a free Dog Training Video

Puppies fixed and ready to go

I woke up this morning at 5am, ugh! I had to load 13 puppies who have NEVER been in a crate (well small one by themselves) and who have NEVER been on a car ride. Seriously the drive to the clinic which is by my work was the LONGEST drive ever. LOL! Screaming puppies, they sounded like they were being torched. I guess to them they were being torched.

I got to the clinic right at 8am. I unloaded each puppy and took them inside to be placed in yet another crate. These were much large but they had to be in a crate by themselves something they have NEVER been.. by themselves. Oh the screaming.. LOL

Puppies are so funny, life is so dramatic when you are puppy.

Took me about 1/2 hour to get everyone unloaded, paper work signed and pay the bill... boy was that a lot of cash. YIKES. LOL!!

In a few hours I go back to the clinic to pick up all the puppies. 1 is getting adopted at 3:30 from work, 2 are leaving for foster homes from work (their families can't pick them up for a week).

A few more get picked up tonight and 2 puppies leave fora foster home, just till Wednesday where their family comes to them and um... that leaves 1 puppy without a home :-(

I am honestly a little mad about it. I had an application all approved and looked great, I was really excited about it. I called him and it took him 2 days to get back to me. When he did I already had appointments set for the remaining puppies. That means assuming (which is what happened) that the 2 people who scheduled appointments already picked a puppy there would be only one left.
The guy was all annoyed that he couldn't pick. Well should have called me back sooner.

So, then he comes out Friday night and looks at the remaining puppy. As he was leaving he said I will call you in a few days. I said no I need you to call me tomorrow before noon. I have 2 other people waiting to hear what you decide.

Well Saturday noon came and went and I never heard from the guy. So, I called him around 3:30pm. Phone went to voice mail so I left a message that said if he could please call me back before 6pm and just let me know either way.

NEVER CALLED!!!!

So, that evening I get an email from the one person who was waiting to hear that they went to the shelter at got a puppy. Good I am glad they went to the shelter but darn! The puppy missed out on a home because the guy didn't call me back like he was supposed to... so I email the other lady and told her I would call her Sunday around 11am. She emailed back and said she too went to the shelter on Saturday and adopted an older dog. UGH! So that means the puppy missed out on ANOTHER home because the guy didn't call me back.

Really guy, really! Your a jerk. I mean you couldn't have just said you weren't interested? Now the poor puppy doesn't have a home.

I am happy the other 2 people went to the shelter and they adopted but I feel bad for the puppy.

Seriously, people are rude!

I am hoping that today when I bring the puppies into work that someone will fall in love :-) If not I do have one more option but we will see.. LOL

Thoughts...

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.

3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch.

5. Pay off your credit cards every month.

6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.

8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.

9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.

10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.

11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.

12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.

13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.

15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.

16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.

17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.

18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.

19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.

20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.

21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie, Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.

22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.

23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.

24. The most important sex organ is the brain.

25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.

26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words "In five years, will this matter?"

27. Always choose life.

28. Forgive everyone of everything.

29. What other people think of you is none of your business.

30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.

31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

33. Believe in miracles.

34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.

35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.

36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.

37. Your children get only one childhood.

38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.

39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.

40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.

41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

42. The best is yet to come...

43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

44. Yield.

45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift.

Friends are the family that we choose.

The last weekend

This is the last weekend for Cola's puppies. All the soda pops will be fixed on Monday and most will be in their new homes by end of the day Tuesday. I will miss them but man I can't wait for them to go. They EAT SO MUCH! I swear I am totally broken just trying to keep up with the amount of food 13 puppies eat. LOL!

I have 2 puppies left and have 2 appointments set for tonight so I hope that the people coming to meet them will like them and want to adopt them.

I am looking for 3 foster homes / baby sitters for about a week for the 3 of the puppies though.... I have one family who can't pick up until Easter Sunday, one family who can't pick up until Saturday and one family who can't pick up until the 30th.

I need to get the puppies moved so I can get their stall cleaned, bleached and move Greta's kids in. LOL!

THEN I start all over with 9 more puppies needing homes. THE good thing is I have left over applications... so if all goes as planned (yea right.. LOL) then I have all the soda pops spoken for as of tonight and I can process and call the other applications about the GSD puppies.

Oh man, juggling act never ends in dog rescue now does it.

Well I am hoping my slump is over... we all go through rough patches right? I have no hard feelings against anyone.... Ok maybe one person, seriously why couldn't they just be civil and sign a contract??!! BUT WHATEVER. Karma everyone tells me will always get them in the end.. too bad I will never know. Oopse was that mean?

Looks like we are going to be putting up the security cameras soon, I can't wait. 24 hour live feed through internet and night vision on the camera so they record in color 24/7. It will be nice to be able to keep an eye on who comes and goes from my farm and keep an eye on Mr. Crazy. That way next time he calls the police I have proof he is CRAZY! Granted everyone already knows. LOL

Updates on Dog Hoarder Dogs

4 have been placed in homes and are doing wonderfully. They are so happy to be out of the hell they were living in, lucky for them they were given a second chance.

A way to look at things...

God's cake....
This is about the best thing
I've ever read as an explanation.


Sometimes we wonder,
'What did I do to deserve this?' or
'Why did God have to do this to me?'
Here is a wonderful explanation!
A daughter is telling her Mother how everything
Is going wrong, she's failing algebra, her boyfriend
Broke up with her and her best friend is moving away.
Meanwhile, her Mother is baking a cake and
Asks her daughter if she would like a snack, and the
Daughter says, 'Absolutely Mom, I love your cake.'
'Here, have some cooking oil,' her Mother offers.
'Yuck' says her daughter.
'How about a couple raw eggs?' 'Gross, Mom!'
'Would you like some flour then?
Or maybe baking soda?'
'Mom, those are all yucky!'
To which the mother replies :
'Yes, all those things seem bad all by themselves.
But when they are put together in the
Right way, they make a wonderfully delicious cake! '
God works the same way. Many times we wonder why
He would let us go through such bad and difficult
Times. But God knows that when He puts these things
All in His order, they always work for good! We just
Have to trust Him and, eventually, they will all
Make something wonderful!
God is crazy about you.
He sends you flowers every spring and
A sunrise every morning.
Whenever you want to talk, He'll listen.
He can live anywhere in the universe,
And He chose your heart.
If you like this, send this on
To the people you really care about.
Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we are
Here we might as well dance!

Looking for homes!!!!

This was emailed to me today..

NICE TO SEE SOME THINGS HAVE BEEN PUT INTO PLACE.

Portage Animal Protective League

Board Review

April 4, 2011

The Portage APL recently took part in a criminal investigation that resulted in the seizure of 20 dogs and 10 cats from an animal hoarder. These animals were seriously neglected and living in unsanitary, horrific conditions. The Portage APL board has received complaints criticizing the APL’s care of some of those animals. The APL takes every complaint about its care of animals very seriously, and has conducted a thorough internal investigation. This review included meetings with those associated with the seizure of the animals, transport of animals, shelter staff and management and individuals who, in their outside professional capacities, were either engaged in, or consulted with, during the time span involved.

After extensive review, the board concluded that:

1) The euthanasia of one seized dog was justified due to its aggression as exhibited by its biting a rescue worker. At the recommendation of that same rescue worker who was bitten and who is knowledgeable of the breed, and with the concurrence of the veterinarian, the animal was humanely euthanized. The shelter policy and consultative protocols were followed prior to a humane euthanasia.

2) The reason why two of the seized dogs attacked and killed a third dog during the overnight hours may never fully be understood. The speculation that a dog in the same room, but separated by more than one kennel, was alleged to be in heat may have been a trigger. While each dog did not have its own kennel, due to limited space in the isolation section of the building, those dogs had been getting along well for days. The introduction of a third dog in the kennel with the two that had previously gotten along may have also contributed, but it was not the one attacked. The dog that was attacked was one of the two that had co-existed peacefully for several days.

3. The euthanizing of the two dogs that attacked and killed the third dog was justified due to their aggression. The policy and consultative protocols including consultation with our veterinarian were followed prior to euthanasia and the animals were humanely euthanized. (Note: Prior to the attack, the release of the dogs to a breed-specific rescue group had been planned. This release would have occurred save for the fact that the rescue group did not retrieve the dogs as originally scheduled. After failing to take the dogs, a communications lapse occurred among shelter staff. One employee failed to notify shelter management that the rescue group intended to pick up the animals a couple of days later. This staff member no longer works for the Portage APL.)

4. There has been an allegation that an APL staff member told a third party that an animal would be euthanized if it was not picked up within a short period of time. We have not yet been able to confirm precisely what was said, and our investigation is ongoing. Staff has been reminded that every communication with the public is vital to maintaining our reputation and credibility in the community and members of the public can reach the wrong conclusion unless we are very careful about what we say. The APL does not euthanize healthy, adoptable animals. It does make the hard decision to euthanize when an animal is suffering unnecessarily and there is no reasonable relief, or when an animal is not reasonably adoptable due to temperament or behavior. We need to make it clear to the public that euthanasia decisions are never made lightly, and are avoided as much as possible.

5. An allegation has been made that the APL did not provide adequate care to an animal suffering from acute mange. After careful review of shelter records, veterinary records, and interviews with persons involved it was determined that this allegation was false. It was also determined that an APL employee relayed inaccurate and misleading information to a third party which started the rumor. This employee no longer works for the APL.

6. The APL is the county humane society that serves Portage County, Ohio. It is unique among all other non-profit animal welfare organizations because it has the statutory power to appoint humane agents, and to enforce laws relating to animal cruelty and neglect. However, while the APL has authority to engage in law enforcement, it remains a non-profit organization that receives no tax revenue. Its ability to perform is therefore strictly limited by its very limited resources. In other words, we rely on the generosity of people in the community who, through their donations, provide the resources associated with humane investigation, enforcement and animal care.

7. The APL makes every effort to rescue, rehabilitate and find permanent, loving homes for every reasonably adoptable animal in its care. However, the APL is not a “no-kill” shelter. While there is room in the animal welfare community for both types of organizations, the calling card of the typical “no-kill” shelter is a sign that says “We are full.” Other adoptable animals must be turned away. The APL will not turn its back on adoptable animals when space is available. The APL cannot accommodate many requests to take animals due to the same lack of space that besets most shelters across America.

As a result of this investigation, the Board has decided to precede with the following action items:

A. The APL will take steps to educate its staff, volunteers and general public about its mission and standards.

Animals at the APL are humanely euthanized only when they are seriously injured or ill, and there is no reasonable likelihood of changing that status with current resources, or if they show evidence of serious aggression which might result in future harm to people or other animals.

Employees and volunteers shall all be educated about this philosophy of animal care, and will be required to sign a form accepting these principles before serving the APL.

B. The APL has an established team of staff and volunteers who make all euthanasia decisions. Now, a licensed veterinarian will be part of that team, except under emergency circumstances when an animal is severely injured and it is clear that the animal must be immediately euthanized to prevent further unnecessary suffering.

C. The APL has taken action to compare its euthanasia rate with other shelters. It has been determined that the APL’S euthanasia rate, per capita, is consistent with, or lower than rates of euthanasia in other communities in Northeast Ohio.

D. The Board conducts reviews and updates all APL policies and procedures on a regular basis.

The Board Review is now complete.

Any person wishing to comment may do so in writing.

Address letters to

Board President

Portage APL

8122 Infirmary Rd.

Ravenna, OH 44266

Henry - dog hoarder dog

After lots of love and 1.5 months of medication Henry is doing wonderfully. Amazing what proper care and time can do for a dog. I don't understand how someone can have so many dogs living in their house and see a dog in as bad of shape and CLEARLY in pain as he was and not do anything about it. Poor little thing. Lucky for him and the others (well most of them anyway) they have gotten a second chance at life and are DOING GREAT!!!

Greta the GSD

This lady I know contacted me about a month or more ago asking if I could help her find a pure breed GSD female or a black female toy poodle. Her poodle just passed away and her GSD was getting older.

She did find a female pure breed GSD at Wayne County. Not sure if it was the pound or Humane Society. Poor Greta was picked up as a stray and was emaciated. Not the shelter fault at all, that is just how she came in.

So, her new mommy took her home, took her to the groomer, the vet, etc. Anything to help her new girl to gain weight and be a happy healthy girl. Greta was finally gaining some weight. Her new mom took her to the vet for a check up and to get her ready to be spayed. At the appointment SURPRISE Greta was pregnant and due within a week.

Her poor mom didn't know what to do. ENTER ME! Even though I have a lot going on and the stress of more puppies is well adding to my basic nervous break down, I can't let a friend potentially lose the dog she has fallen in love with just because of a strange circumstance.

Greta was brought to my house Sunday evening and at Monday 6:30pm she started giving birth. By Tuesday morning we had 9 puppies.

Mom and puppies are doing well. Greta will go back to the women who adopted her once the puppies are weaned and adopted out. And she will be fixed and trust me have the best home EVER.

Not me

It isn't me to not be able to handle pressure. It isn't me that can't handle the stress... well at least make it visible to others that I can't handle it. I know I take on a lot, I want to stop taking on so much and I was working towards that. If the people who are acting like such jerks would just back the freak off I would be fine.

Work is starting to get stressful, my project load has doubled in the last few weeks and I was informed today it is going to double again. GREAT! On top of everything else, I can't really handle that right now.

Something has got to give. I broke today, completely totally broke. I just need to pull it together.

I can stand up for myself and I can call people out on things they are doing wrong but what is hard for me is when someone goes after my character, saying they don't trust me or calling me a liar. Nothing hurts me more then those two things. You can call me a bitch, you can say I am a horrible dog rescuer, you can say I am not good at (fill in the blank) but when someone goes after my character that breaks me every time.

I hope that this hell I am going through will pass quickly, not eating and not sleeping isn't doing me much good.

I really wish I could call Kate and say you know what if Mindi would have just signed the freaking contract NONE OF THIS WOULD BE HAPPENING. BUT OH NO she had to be a total bitch. Then like a spoiled brat say "if you don't like it come get the dog" Ok, can I have the dog then.. oh wait you didn't mean it. THEN YOU SHOULDN'T HAVE SAID IT. Jesus people be rational and civil. I wasn't asking for your first born, I was asking for you to sign a piece of paper. big deal! Get over yourself.

Ok, sorry venting... I am just so angry. Why do people have to be such jerks? I just want this to all be over. please God, please!

Dear God,
I feel a bit like a failure. I know you made me strong and I can handle a lot but honestly, this is way too much. Can you please please help? I don't want you or anyone to think I am weak but I am breaking. Maybe this is you allowing this stuff to happen to tell me to slow down. If that is the case, I get it. I really do. I promise I will slow down, please just make this all stop. Ok, well work can stay busy I like my job and busy is good but everything else. Can you please make it all go away?

Need Support

was hoping that a lot of the crap would be over but appears some people can't let it go. So, now here I am hoping that I have the support of those who truly know me.

I feel broken

I don't understand why people have to be nasty. Why do you think that is going to get you somewhere in life? The entire situation with Athena has made me not want to trust people. I trusted the foster home and yet her story kept changing... Athena got a long with her parents dog so well, then she didn't get along with him; Mindi worked long hours and she didn't know where she lived, then it was Mindi is a home health aid nurse in Kate's parents house and Kate visited her home at Christmas..... nothing ever made sense. Mindi said I could have Athena back but when I said OK she got a lawyer. The entire thing is just fishy.

Then I have the president tell me do what you need to and if you need anything let us know and then she says STOP. Then the VP says something different. I am so confused.

Then the PAPL kills dogs, I ask why and their response is a lawyer. You know what I don't care that much, go away I told the lawyer. His responce was take down your blog postings. WHAT. Um NO! I pretty sure that is infringing on my civil rights.

THEN I have a women who I helped over and over again sue me for loosing her photo album. I told her I would pay to have her negatives reprinted but she sues me instead.

WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON????

Then I have two family member who I care about going through some hard times too and I just feel broken.

I keep reflecting on what has transpired, what could I have done differently, what I need to do to move on. But at the same time as I try to move on and I was feeling really good on Sunday I get slapped in the face on Monday. Why? Just move on. Go on with your life and I will go on with my life. OK?

In order to get some of the people to stop STALKING me and driving me crazy. I have shut down my facebook page and I have made it so this blog is hard to read. May 1st I will put everything back up. But until then, I will blog in private and I am sorry everyone will have to catch up when it goes public again.

I am really not that important

Trust me on this.

I have learned in the last 3 months how mean people can be. How with a cover up anything can be made to LOOK different then the actual reality. That even if you support, back up, work your butt off, etc for someone they will NOT return the favor. I have learned that I can bring things to the attention of those who are "in charge" but I am at the bottom of the ladder in importance and if they don't see the need to do something about the "issue" there is a whole lot of nothing I can do about it.

I will be honest, it does hurt a little to support someone and have them "turn" on you.

Going forward things will be a little different...situations will be handled different... reaction to things will be handled differently.. why? Because it isn't worth the stress.

Making MBR Stronger

Now that I can focus on Multiple Breed Rescue, instead of always putting it 2nd because I felt an obligation to the national Russell Rescue. I am going to start making it stronger.

Looking for:
*Fund Raising Coordinator
*Adoption Application processor
*Adoption Follow up Coordinator
* VP - which I have someone in mind for, lets see if they accept
*Website administrator for Petfinder and Adopt A Pet - both of these have been filled.
*Adoption Event Coordinator
Foster Home Coordinator

I think that is a pretty good start!

Let's make this a great organization that HELPS where we can, either help other rescues fund expensive surgeries, help dogs on death row or people that need help with their dogs.

Anyone interested in volunteering who knows me, feel free to email me!