All posts in category human-animal bond

Willa: A Sort of Warning/Endorsement

So long story short (which I am terrible at but I thought hey maybe start there and see if it helps), I spent 2018 in a state of depression and by the end of it had the idea that getting a lap dog would help me to help myself.  I looked in area shelters and at various online listings but all the lap dogs were way out of my price range (or at the time I visited the shelters, non-existent – by a large margin).  In mid-January 2019, on a Sunday afternoon whim, I responded to a Craigslist ad for a litter of Dachshund mix puppies.  I had been hoping to find an adult dog but that had not panned out so what the heck.  I received a response from the seller that the mother was an 8 pound black Dachshund and the father was a Maltese.  This sounded kind of perfect.  I got three pictures of three puppies.  One was scruffy.  I was in love.

I drove in the dark for 3 hours (the only time my phone driving directions app has failed me) and finally got to the Wal-Mart parking lot where we had arranged to meet.  I gave her my cash, she gave me my puppy.  A relative in a second vehicle had followed the seller “because you know, it’s Craigslist” so I decided not to execute my sinister plan (sinister plan TBD).  Anyway my 5 and 1/2 week old puppy was the most precious two pound scruffball ever and I named her Willa.

willa20190120

First photo, in the car after pickup.

She slept in bed with me that night and the next morning we were playing and I felt joy.  It was like a light, faint but steady, had turned back on inside me.

willa20190121

Feisty whippersnapper.

willa20190125

Lap dog.

Willa and I bonded right away and over the next few months, we both grew – mine was more spiritual in nature but hers was literal.  And she kept growing.  Of course puppies do that but I guess I was anticipating growth something along the lines of Dachshund, not giraffe.

So long story short (d’oh!), here is Willa today.

04272019willa2

She’s about 4 and 1/2 months old and A•P•P•A•R•E•N•T•L•Y, she is not a Dachshund/Maltese mix.  She is taller than Newt.

04272019willanewt

Had the seller represented the puppies for what they actually were (which is I don’t know what, guesses welcome), I would have never answered the ad, let alone bought the puppy.  And what a damn tragedy that would have been.  I never would have met Willa and I can’t imagine my life without her now.

04272019willaball

Sometimes I call her Monkeyface, obviously.

04272019willanewt2

Markings like a bird dog, coat like a terrier – whatever she is, she is loved.

♥

Save

29 Comments
by YesBiscuit on April 27, 2019  •  Permalink
Posted in human-animal bond, my pets

Posted by YesBiscuit on April 27, 2019

https://yesbiscuit.com/2019/04/27/willa-a-sort-of-warning-endorsement/

Anyone Have an Opinion on a Thing?

It’s been a year of milestones including (in chronological order) – losing my job, losing my Dad, getting married, losing a dog, changing my career, turning 50 and a family member experiencing a sudden medical emergency with an initially grave prognosis (she’s much better now, thankfully).  Naturally, I’ve been thinking a lot of thinks – about what I’ve achieved, what I haven’t, what I need to let go of, what I can still reasonably hope for, etc.  So I’ve decided to get a sportscar and a mistress.

Or:

I’ve always hoped to have a small beagle sanctuary (small as in number of dogs and small as in size of beagle).  My idea is to get the word out locally that, assuming I have space and resources, I could provide an alternative for beagle owners considering taking their dog to the pound.  I am not looking to buy dogs or adopt dogs who have other people willing to provide them homes.  Rather, I’d like to be a last resort safety net for beagles whose owners can no longer care for them for whatever reason and haven’t found a home for them for whatever reason.  Due to the popularity of the breed here, there are dogs who, for example, have been hunted and/or bred but received little vet care over the course of their lives.  When they become too old, lame, what have you, the owner might consider taking the dog to a pound.  Another example – dogs who are gun shy, won’t hunt, won’t stay with the pack, etc.  Basically if you have no home for your small beagle and are planning to take him to the pound, I’d like to provide my home as an alternative.

I have the heart and the mind to do the work and, having owned several beagles over the years, no illusions about what would be involved.  (Baying? It’s music to my ears!)  And our house is in a semi-rural setting with sufficient space to readily accommodate a group of beagles.  I’ve accumulated a fair amount of supplies over the years (plenty of bowls, buckets and basic dog stuff-n-things).  So what’s stopping me?

Well, not to put too fine a point on it but DOLLARS.  Money can’t buy me love but it can buy vet care and meds, food (which I still make 100% from scratch), Kuranda beds and replacement supplies for items which wear out (blankies, collars, toys) etc.  I’ve never been in a position to properly fund a beagle sanctuary and so for years, it’s been back-burnered, waiting on my ship to come in.  This is the year I have come to realize and accept: there is no ship.

I know many readers are rescuers, some official with a name and a designation from the IRS as a charitable organization, others simply taking in an animal in need now and then, whenever they are able.  And I know we all appreciate that most rescues and sanctuaries are in constant need of donations.  Only scam organizations like the Humane Society of the United States are paying people six figure salaries.  Most of the grunt work in the rescue world is done by – well, us grunts.

I have always valued the input I’ve received from the YesBiscuit community so I’d like to ask for your guidance now.  Should I go with my heart and try to manage a small beagle sanctuary, even if I start with just one dog and never have the means to progress or would it be sensible to let go of this dream and move on?

(Sidenote:  For those interested, I do not know when, if ever, I will return to blogging about animals being killed in shelters.  I do not feel able to do that at this time.  I have maintained the blog because I appreciate the community here and because I would like to write more consistently one day.  Possibly, if I do go with the beagle sanctuary, I may blog about that.  You know, as an inspiration/horrible warning to others.)

26 Comments
by YesBiscuit on November 15, 2018  •  Permalink
Posted in a little help from my friends, human-animal bond, I love you guyses, sanctuary

Posted by YesBiscuit on November 15, 2018

https://yesbiscuit.com/2018/11/15/anyone-have-an-opinion-on-a-thing/

Podcast You Will Like

lapierre

Sharon Greenleaf La Pierre and Esplendor, as shown on the BBC website,

If you’ve ever listened to the BBC’s Outlook program, you already know about the fascinating stories featured in the first-person.  But even if you are new to the program, I encourage you to listen to this absolutely riveting tale involving a woman and two horses.  It is a heart-wrenching and brutally honest examination of the human-animal bond.  I happened to catch it on the radio this morning and when I heard it come on again this afternoon, I meant to change the channel but ended up being just as taken by the story the second time.  I don’t think you will be disappointed if you invest the 10 minutes in the podcast.

2 Comments
by YesBiscuit on September 12, 2017  •  Permalink
Posted in horses, human-animal bond

Posted by YesBiscuit on September 12, 2017

https://yesbiscuit.com/2017/09/12/podcast-you-will-like/

Animal Welfare in the Age of Trump

What we know about the Trump administration’s regard for animals so far is troubling.  In the early weeks of his presidency, Trump had many government websites scrubbed of information – a clear indication that transparency is not in the game plan.  Among them was the USDA website which for many years had posted inspection reports on roughly 8000 facilities (such as puppy mills, research labs, zoos and circuses) required to treat their animals humanely under the Animal Welfare Act and the Horse Protection Act.  The searchable database allowed the public to see things like which research labs were letting monkeys die of thirst and lose body parts in fights due to negligence.  It also provided an opportunity to see which puppy mills passed USDA inspection – a low, very low, how can I say this? L O W bar – and which were repeat violators.  Several states have passed laws requiring pet stores to buy puppies only from breeders not cited for violations by the USDA.  With the inspection reports now gone, it is unclear how these pet stores, or anyone else, would find out the federal inspection history of any breeding facility.

Due to public outcry (thing I never tire of typing), the feds relented and put a “small fraction of the cache back online.”  But the most credible effort to date at holding the USDA accountable is coming from a private citizen by the name of Russ Kick.  He has set up a blog to repost the deleted documents, provide links to other sites doing the same, and ask for help from anyone who has saved any of the disappeared reports.  (Anyone wanting to support his one man effort can do so here.)

Then there is the Trump budget proposal.  While it is up to Congress to work out and decide upon the details, the proposal does give us insight into Trump’s vision for American families (and by family, I mean anyone who loves and shares their home with another being).  In a nutshell: bombs IN, poor people OUT.  Of the numerous proposed cuts within the budget, many will directly impact families if passed by Congress.  These include cuts to housing for low income people as well as:

And incidentally, the farmers who grow the food used in these anti-hunger programs will be negatively impacted as well.

It is estimated that approximately 65% of U.S. households have pets.  These include low income families.  If Americans who were previously relying on government assistance to help with things like baby formula, school lunches, and meals for homebound relatives are cut off from that assistance, pets will be impacted.  When families suffer, pets suffer.

Pets who provide enormous benefits to senior citizens and veterans, may end up being fed from the reduced food available to the owner (resulting in even less food for these already at-risk people), be surrendered to shelters or perhaps not even adopted in the first place.  When families suffer, pets suffer.

As the public learns about the proposed cuts to these essential family programs, they will rush to open their wallets and offer support.  Because that’s what we do.  At the same time, with so many valuable services being cut from the federal budget, competition for donation dollars will increase.  And compassion fatigue will set in.  Indeed, an insurance company recently debuted a television ad depicting a man feeling overwhelmed by so many worthy causes and issues in his community – the first of which is represented by a shelter dog.  Rescue groups can expect to work harder for every donated dollar and volunteer hour as compassionate people spread their resources far and wide.

What you can do:

  1.  Check to see if your Congressman signed this letter to Trump asking that the USDA documents be restored to the website.  If he/she did, call his/her office to say thank you and ask that the issue not be dropped.  If he/she did not sign, call and request that he/she support this effort.  Senator Cory Booker (D – NJ) has set up a petition.  (Note:  petitions are ok but phone calls are the thing.  Start making calls.  Plan to keep making them.  Every voice is needed – even quiet ones.)
  2. Call your elected representatives and tell them to reject the cruel Trump vision for American families outlined in his budget proposal. Demand that they stand up and fight for our shared values and rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness for all.
10 Comments
by YesBiscuit on March 20, 2017  •  Permalink
Posted in human-animal bond, keeping pets with their people, politics, public servants behaving badly, puppy mills, shame, USDA licensed breeders

Posted by YesBiscuit on March 20, 2017

https://yesbiscuit.com/2017/03/20/animal-welfare-in-the-age-of-trump/

Weekend Jade

“Though I know I’ll never lose affection
For people and things that went before
I know I’ll often stop and think about them
In my life I love you more”

080816 jade

6 Comments
by YesBiscuit on August 7, 2016  •  Permalink
Posted in human-animal bond, my pets

Posted by YesBiscuit on August 7, 2016

https://yesbiscuit.com/2016/08/07/weekend-jade-113/

A Lesson in Empathy

mrchops ktnv

Mr. Chops, as pictured on the KTNV website.

What sucks:

A Good Samaritan picked up a lost dog in Henderson, Nevada last month and brought him to a local vet.  The vet scanned him for a chip and determined he had an owner.  The vet then called AC to pick up the dog.  Right then and there, either the vet or the ACO (or both) should have contacted the owner.  But that did not happen.  Instead, the ACO loaded the dog onto his truck then went on several other calls.

Meanwhile the dog’s family, Jim Whipple and his 17 year old son Brandon, were actively searching for him.  Mr. Chops had been rescued by the Whipples many years ago and was well-loved:

The Whipples say Mr. Chops loved to play with socks and was full of energy.
[…]
“If something was going on, he was always there to comfort you.”

At 4:30 pm, the ACO returned to the shelter, parked the truck and left for the day.  It was 113 degrees Fahrenheit.

Mr. Chops suffered in the heat, trying to claw his way out of the cage, until he finally died.  His remains were discovered the next day when the ACO returned to work.  The police department, which runs AC in Henderson, is investigating itself in the matter and won’t comment on the investigation.  They will say however that in future, the policy will be to brings dogs back to the shelter in a more timely manner and to check the truck to verify there are no animals on it before leaving for the day.  Ya think?

Although I said it at the beginning, it’s worth repeating:  all that sucks.  Mr. Chops’ agonizing death was entirely preventable.  The dog never should have been loaded onto the truck in the first place.  A microchip, as we are so often scolded by various AC outfits, is supposed to protect your pet.  But as has been reported way too frequently on this blog, microchips only work when AC does their job.  Government investigating itself is unacceptable.  The fact that there was no existing policy which required ACOs to check the trucks before leaving them for the day is inexcusable.

What doesn’t suck:

When the Henderson police realized that Mr. Chops was dead, they wanted to notify the owners:

The family was notified in person by a Henderson Police deputy chief, people from Animal Control and a grief counselor.

By sending these particular people to the Whipples’ home to deliver the tragic news, the Henderson PD not only demonstrated empathy for the family but also respect for the fact that to most owners, pets are family. They recognized that in all likelihood, the news would be heartbreaking for the Whipples.

And while many of us might be tempted to issue a call for someone’s head as a result of the needless suffering and death of our beloved family member, Mr. Chops’ people responded differently:

The Whipples say while they hope to see policy changes, they do not want to see the officer who left Mr. Chops in the back of the truck to lose his job.
[…]
The Whipple family was obviously devastated, but says they realize it was a tragic mistake.

“Honestly, I understand people make mistakes they can forget things. I often forget things, but it is a life. He is gone,” Brandon Whipple said.

“We as a family are concerned about the poor individual that made the mistake and left him in because they have the grief to live with,” Jim Whipple said.

Both father and son saying they hope that everyone can learn from Mr. Chops’ death.

Yes, I believe we all just did.  Thank you.

(Thanks Clarice for the links.)

5 Comments
by YesBiscuit on August 4, 2016  •  Permalink
Posted in animal shelter, human-animal bond, lost pets, microchips, oops-killing

Posted by YesBiscuit on August 4, 2016

https://yesbiscuit.com/2016/08/04/a-lesson-in-empathy/

The War on Cats: Hawaii Edition

You don’t have to be nationally recognized as a feline behavior expert to know that if you box up a cat, take him to a pet killing facility and leave him surrounded by the smells and sounds of despair and death, the cat is not going to be in the mood to play tea party.  Any cat owner could tell you this.  So one would think that people working in an animal shelter would know this fo shizzle.  And yet DOT DOT DOT.

A good Samaritan named Alexis Boyett took in a stray cat, named her Pesh, fed, tamed, played with and loved her for six months and had her spayed.  When Ms. Boyett felt Pesh was ready for a permanent home, she called the Hawaii Island Humane Society in Keaau to inquire about surrendering a cat for adoption. She felt reassured after speaking with shelter staff and made the very difficult decision to take Pesh to the shelter so she could get the permanent home she deserved.

Ms. Boyett says she made it “very clear” to shelter staff that there was no way she wanted Pesh to be killed. If killing became a consideration, she told them to call her and she would pick Pesh up. She tearfully said goodbye, leaving Pesh’s favorite toys with her, believing Pesh would be sheltered.

Shortly after Ms. Boyett left, staff at the Hawaii Island Humane Society killed Pesh. No one bothered to call Ms. Boyett. In fact, it was she who called the shelter the next day to find out how Pesh was doing only to find out the cat was dead. She was given no reason for the killing. Then the local paper got involved:

In a statement to the Tribune-Herald, HIHS Executive Director Donna Whitaker said Pesh’s “behavior did not meet socialization standards.”

HIHS evaluates and tests arriving animals “as soon as possible,” Whitaker said in the statement, and feral cats and “cats that are not socialized” are euthanized “as soon as practicable,” contingent on staff availability.

So basically, despite all standards of care and common sense, the Hawaii Island Humane Society forces newly impounded, scared cats out of their cages as soon as a cat death sentencer becomes available, requires the cats to play tea party and when they don’t, kills them as soon as a cat killer becomes available.  And going by the stats, a cat killer seems to be available pretty regularly:

Statistics show HIHS, an open-admission shelter that accepts all animals regardless of breed, age or other factors, euthanized about 80 percent of its 6,568 cats in 2015.

But(t):

[A]t least 75 percent were feral or “unhealthy,” the society reports[.]

Like Pesh, I guess.

The Hawaii Island Humane Society holds a nearly $2 million AC contract with the county.  That contract reportedly does not specify any holding period.  So it’s a pretty sweet get cat/deem feral/kill/collect $2 million scam they got going there.  I wonder how the local taxpayers enjoy being defrauded by this “humane society”.

Speaking of which, the newspaper reached out to Inga Gibson, Hawaii state director of the Humane Society of the United States, one of the major players trying to reduce/eliminate holding periods for shelter cats nationwide:

She thinks Boyett’s incident could be a learning opportunity and a chance to make changes.

“We need public trust and confidence in the local shelters,” Gibson said. “So we encourage shelters to always be evaluating and reevaluating their policy or protocols. Regardless of the details, should something have been done different to prevent this?

Just to be clear, the “details” of this case, which Gibson so readily dismisses, involve the needless killing of a loved cat who had a safe place to go. But yeah, let’s have a beer summit and discuss whether something should have been done differently. Because I mean, the place is killing 80% of its cats as quickly as they can get them from the front door to the kill room so you know, it’s a head-scratcher.

And while yammering rhetorical, Gibson takes time to spank the good Samaritan:

And Boyett relinquished her legal rights to Pesh when she surrendered her, Gibson said.

“It’s standard practice. When someone surrenders, they won’t be contacted,” she said. “That’s why (surrendering) is a pretty serious decision.”

Yeah I hate the way that lady took in a stray cat even though she couldn’t keep her long term, got her spayed, took care of her and taught her that human beings are nice then flippantly made a call to the shelter to verify the cat would be put up for adoption, packed up her toys and brought her to a place she thought was a safe haven so she could find a permanent home. Only a terribly insincere person would do all those things.  Thanks for pointing that out, HSUS.

(Thanks Anne for posting this link in the Open Thread.)

14 Comments
by YesBiscuit on June 3, 2016  •  Permalink
Posted in HSUS, human-animal bond, needless animal shelter killing, war on cats

Posted by YesBiscuit on June 3, 2016

https://yesbiscuit.com/2016/06/03/the-war-on-cats-hawaii-edition/

Nobody Wants These Animals: NYC Edition

What would you be willing to do in order to avoid killing a shelter pet?  And let me be clear – in this hypothetical, you are getting paid to do whatever it is your answer is going to be.  So set aside all those obstacles that sometimes hinder us in life when we are trying to save animals.  This is your job.  What would you be willing to do?

I’ll go first:  I would be willing to do just about anything to avoid killing a shelter pet.  The first thing I’d probably do is check the pet’s records to see if any interested adopters or rescuers had placed their names on the animal.  If someone had in fact applied to adopt the pet, I’d call that person.  If he left two numbers, or six or sixteen, I’d call all of them.  If he left an email address, I’d get typing, in addition to the phone calls.  If his mailing address was available, I’d drop a note in the mail if I didn’t receive a prompt response to the calls/emails.  If he put down his place of employment on the application and I hadn’t had any luck reaching him, I might go there, depending on the type of business.  Carrier pigeon, smoke signals, skywriting – I’m not ruling anything out.  And while I wouldn’t quickly give up on the adopter, I’d be trying all sorts of other things in the meantime:  posting an online plea for a temporary foster to buy an extra day, reaching out to rescuers/animal advocates/person I sat next to on the bus once/lady who made eye contact with me at the grocery store/etc.  Like I said, just about anything.

I’m guessing most readers here might give similar type answers.  But if your answer is:  I wouldn’t be willing to do one damn thing even though it’s my job and if I get called out on it later I’d just lie, you might like to apply at NYC ACC.  You know, to be around your own kind.

promise

Promise, as shown in a video posted on Facebook.

This gentleman posted on social media that he had applied to adopt a dog named Promise from NYC ACC.  He was told he’d be contacted upon approval of his application.  While waiting, he tried to check back with the facility several times but couldn’t get anyone on the phone.  Finally he emailed and received a response:  NYC ACC had killed Promise because she had a cough.  They said someone had left him a voicemail but he says that just isn’t true:

I left both of my cell numbers, my girlfriend’s number, my mom’s number, 2 references complete with contact information. I have no missed calls, no voicemails on either of my phones… No email to ensure your transmission was received. No effort whatsoever. Shame on you Animal Care Centers of NYC. You killed my dog for fucking Kennel cough. She deserved better than that. You had a pending application and an eager recipient, yet you took her life anyway.

Her bed arrived last week, she’ll never get to sleep in it. Her new collar with her name on it was on the way, she’ll never get to wear it.

[…]

RIP Promise. We loved you already.

Well done NYC ACC.  You must be proud.  Same shit, different day.

NYC ACC says there is no such thing as no kill.  (There is, of course.)  I heard there was no such thing as monsters but apparently that ain’t true either.

(Thanks Nathan.)

13 Comments
by YesBiscuit on May 10, 2016  •  Permalink
Posted in animal shelter, human-animal bond, lame totally lame, needless animal shelter killing, shame

Posted by YesBiscuit on May 10, 2016

https://yesbiscuit.com/2016/05/10/nobody-wants-these-animals-nyc-edition/

Discussion: Lost CA Sheltie Adopted by New Owners

An elderly couple whose lost Sheltie got picked up by Stockton Animal Services in December was pulled by a rescue group then adopted while the owners were still searching for her.  The new owners, who had Tipsy for around 2 weeks by the time Mr. and Mrs. Robinson found out what had happened to their pet of 8 years, are refusing to give her back.

[Sharon] Robinson was 10 days too late, and the new family was already in love with Tipsy.
“I just want… I want her back,” she said.
She’s heartbroken and has even offered the new adoptive family a refund for Tipsy’s adoption fee. They have declined.
“They’ve loved her for a little over two weeks. I’ve loved her for eight and a half years.”

Mrs. Robinson still has the pedigree that came with Tipsy when she was a puppy. She searched for her to the best of her knowledge and ability, even when she was sick. She is heartbroken and can not talk about Tipsy without crying. Although it’s impossible to know how Tipsy is feeling, it would be hard to imagine she is not missing the only family she ever knew.

Setting all this aside for the moment, I found this troubling:

We also reached out to the city of Stockton’s Animal Services. They declined an on-camera interview. The animal services department is now investigating Tipsy’s case to see if the proper protocol was followed.

The pound doesn’t know if proper procedures were followed? And they won’t discuss the case? Not good.

Back to Tipsy’s ownership:  On the one hand, Mrs. Robinson certainly presents a reasonable case that Tipsy was well cared for and loved by her family.  I don’t think the new owners would have any worries about her quality of life if Tipsy was returned.  On the other hand, the new owners had a Sheltie who died recently and found Tipsy, whom they were told was a stray and that no owner had claimed her.  They adopted her in good faith and instantly fell in love with her, something I think we all can relate to.  Getting a new pet helps some owners in the grieving process and perhaps Tipsy has been providing much needed comfort to the new owners.

What would you do if you had adopted Tipsy under these circumstances?  Mrs. Robinson says she may hire an attorney.  That might not be a bad idea, especially considering that the pound doesn’t know if proper procedures were followed (which opens up the possibility that Tipsy was not held for the legally mandated holding period and therefore not eligible for release to the rescue group in the first place).  I would hate to see a lengthy court battle in this situation, or any pet custody situation really.  What other options might exist for the Robinsons?

(Thanks Anne for the link.)

45 Comments
by YesBiscuit on January 27, 2016  •  Permalink
Posted in animal shelter, human-animal bond, lost pets, rescue

Posted by YesBiscuit on January 27, 2016

https://yesbiscuit.com/2016/01/27/discussion-lost-sheltie-adopted-by-new-owners/

Lost Pets in Michigan Lose State Protection

The distressingly bad and wealthy Michigan InHumane has been trying for years to get legislation changed to reduce and eliminate mandatory holding periods for lost pets in shelters.  (And when MHS hasn’t gotten its way, it just blatantly ignores the law.)  Its current proposed bill is terrible.

mi hb4915

Portion of terrible HB 4915 in Michigan.

Unfortunately, the state department of agriculture recently caved on the issue and announced it will no longer enforce the law regarding mandatory holding periods in shelters.

Meanwhile, Michigan rescue groups continue to import shelter pets from the south, citing “no pressing need” to help locally.

If you are a Michigan resident, please take action to protect lost pets from being abandoned or killed by your local shelter before their owners have a chance to find them.

(Thanks Clarice.)

4 Comments
by YesBiscuit on January 26, 2016  •  Permalink
Posted in animal advocacy, animal shelter, human-animal bond, legislation, lost pets, strays, war on cats

Posted by YesBiscuit on January 26, 2016

https://yesbiscuit.com/2016/01/26/lost-pets-in-michigan-lose-state-protection/

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