This past week will go down as one of my very worst weeks’ ever, and there is nothing I or anyone else can do to change things. I am normally a very positive person and consistently find good where there is none to be found, but this situation goes beyond my ability to see any glimmer of light at the end of this dark tunnel. We had to return Vinson to the Randolph County Humane Society shelter, and my heart is broken beyond words to describe. For those of you that have been reading Tail Talk you know that my sweet Puppy (better known as Action Jackson) has epilepsy and suffers from grand mal seizures that happen with no warning and come on suddenly for no apparent reason. It is well known that in the animal world epileptic animals are killed by their pack mates for reasons that are not fully understood except the sight of a seizure brings out an extreme prey instinct. It goes back to the most basic part of their brain and the instinct to survive when the epileptic pack mate put the entire packs’ survival in peril. I had read about this before adopting Vinson and that was the reasoning behind why I would not bring an alpha dog into our pack. I didn’t think we would have any issues with Jack’s epilepsy from sweet, unassuming Vinson, a dog as far removed from an alpha personality as one can be, but I was wrong. Since Jack and Vinson have been together they’ve spent hour upon hour outside, rolling around in the yard in a nonstop embrace of fun and play. I don’t know if it was the increased activity level or what but I heard a commotion from the yard and when I got outside Vinson had Jack on the ground by the throat. I was able to get them apart and scolded them both for letting their playfulness get out of hand like that. However, I remember thinking at the time that Jack wasn’t fighting back and something wasn’t right with what I had witnessed. Another day passed with no problems, then it happened again, and we knew we had to protect our Puppy. Since there will never be a time that Puppy won’t be in danger of having a seizure we had no other choice but to return Vinson to the shelter, even though he was so good with all three of our bubs every other moment of every other day. Sweet, unassuming Vinson, the dog that walked into our life as a perfect fit in every way except this one, went from running and romping freely in his own yard, giving kisses to everyone he met, back to spending his days in a kennel, and my heart aches for him. I’m sure some of you wonder why I didn’t try to find a new home for Vinson as I have suggested you do before you call the shelter to surrender your animal. When you adopt from a shelter you sign a contract that if for any reason you are unable to fulfill your obligation to give them their forever home you will surrender them back to the shelter (remember when Ellen DeGeneres gave her adopted dog away and the fiasco that followed because she didn’t read the contract). The humane society is correct in requiring you to surrender the animal to them because they have a better chance than you do of getting that animal into a home that will meet all of their needs. If the animal has issues they will work with them until their issues are resolved, allowing them to be adopted into a different family that has had their background checked to insure a good fit thereby lessening the chances that they will be returned exponentially. I guess the bottom line is Vinson is no worse off than he was before but is fortunate enough to have had a three week vacation in between stints at the shelter. Except I know. I meant every word I said when I promised him he’d be safe with us in his forever home, just as I promised Jack I would take care of him. I was raised that my word is my bond, and it hurts when I can’t follow through, even when it is my word to the shelter dog that had the gunshot wound to his leg., the throw away animal that no one wanted except me. My prayer is that someone out there reading this knows of a person that is looking for a loyal and loving companion to spend their days with, someone that needs the kind of friendship that only a love monkey like Vinson can give them. If you do I know of a dog I can highly recommend. He is loyal, loving and forgiving to the point that he doesn’t hold the actions of the people that hurt him against all others. He’ll be your friend and ally until he breathes his last breath, and you’ll be rewarded with a love so pure you’ll never feel alone or lonely again. He’s waiting for you at the Randolph County Humane Society as we speak. And never forget, it is only through you that the RCHS continues to save lives, one by one.
The best laid plans of dogs and (wo)men
April 29, 2009
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Animal Lover, pets, shelter dogs | Tagged: Animal Lover, animal shelters, Dog Time, dogs, no-kill shelter, pet adoption, Randolph County IL Humane Society, shelter dogs | 
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Posted by tailtalk
The children truly are our future
April 22, 2009I read all the time about how children are our future, and until I began writing Tail Talk that phrase really didn’t mean much to me except in the most literal sense of the word. But since I started volunteering for the Randolph County Humane Society I hear story after story about the children in our midst and the love they have in their hearts for the least of them among us, the animals that have no homes. Today I want to tell you about one of these children. Her Name is Whitney Liefer, the 10 yr. old daughter of Curt and Shawn Liefer. Whitney wrote a beautiful, heartfelt story for a contest that she ultimately won and I believe her words will touch your heart as they have touched mine. Her story is: A Puppy Mill Dog (Based on a True Story of a Rescued Puppy) Zoey (happy and healthy as the “Pack Princess”) When you think of a little seven pound female Shih Tzu, where do you think she is? You probably think she is at a home with a family who loves her. I’m not. My name is Penny, I don’t know where I am. None of the dogs here know where we are. All of the dogs describe this place as the “torture chamber”. At the “torture chamber” there is this man. We all hate him. The man barely feeds us, never takes us outside to go to the bathroom, and hits us if he sees our waste in the cage. I have had two litters of puppies and I’m only two years old. My last litter has just been taken away from me, and I miss them terribly. All the dogs here have the same fantasy. We all believe that someday we might get to be loved by a family. Then again, a dream is a dream, and they usually never come true. One day, just after all of my puppies were taken away from me, the man violently grabbed me out of my cage. I thought I was going to die. That is what he does with all of the dogs he no longer wants. I started shaking. I couldn’t help it. He fiercely hit me. I knew not to yelp because he would just hit me again. The man threw me in the car. I was still shaking. He started zooming down the country roads. I was sure he was speeding. If only a cop would catch him, then I could jump out of the car and run back to the “torture chamber”. Hopefully the cop would chase me, and find the “torture chamber”. Then again it’s only a fantasy. Right after I stopped day dreaming he made a sharp “U” turn. I got car sick. I was sure he was going to hit me, but he didn’t. Then the car stopped. I was sure he was just going to dump me, but he didn’t. Instead he got out of the car and then got me out of the car. He carried me inside a building. I could hear dogs barking. Now I was sure there would never be a family for me or any other dogs at the “torture chamber” to love. The man handed me over to a lady, and she held me gently. That made me stop shaking. After that the man left. That made me happy. The nice lady carried me into an office like area that had two crates, on top of each other. The bottom one had a beagle in it, and the top one was empty. The lady put me in the top one. Again, I started shaking. The lady sat down behind a desk and made a phone call. I glared at her. She could make a phone call, but not hold me? After she finished her phone call she gave me food and water. I gobbled it up even though I was still mad at her. The nice lady also gave me a hair-cut. My hair was long and matted and I looked horrible. Finally I fell asleep and stopped shaking. The next day at 10:00am a family walked in. First they talked to the lady, then they came over to my crate. I started shaking again. I wondered if they were mean. A girl, who looked about 9 years old, gently got me out of the crate. She cradled me and handed me to a man. The man held me for a little while. I started shaking a little bit harder. He reminded me of the man at the “torture chamber”. The man then handed me to a boy. I really didn’t like him. After that he handed me to a woman. I liked the woman the best. Then they left with me. We drove for a long time. We went to Pet’s Mart, and the family bought me a new collar, leash, bed, toy, and even a dress. They took me to a new place where a little baby boy Shih Tzu, named Toby, welcomed me home. He was about the age that my last litter would be, and we got along excellent. I mothered him, and he looked to me for guidance. The first month I was really scared. Every time the door bell rang I would run and hide under the bed. I was scared of the man and the boy, but I really liked the woman and the girl. It took time for me to learn to trust them. In the beginning I wouldn’t take treats from them either. After awhile I realized this was now my forever home and this was my family to love. I now love and trust everyone in the family and I know I will never be hurt again. I was at the Randolph County Humane Society in Sparta, IL less than 24 hours. The nice lady that works there, Heidi, found me a wonderful home. The family took me to the vet for a complete check-up and to be spayed. It has been almost two years, and I am home. I have put on a couple of pounds, my hair has grown out and it is beautiful. I had a rough start to my life, but it has all changed thanks to the wonderful people at the Randolph County Humane Society in Sparta, IL who found me a loving family. Along with Toby, I also have three big dog brothers, two of which were also adopted from the Randolph County Humane Society. I have decided I am the “Pack Princess” since I am the only girl in the pack. Life is wonderful for me now. The family changed my name from Penny to Zoey, and I like that much better. The family is proud that they adopted a dog that needed a home so badly. At first they thought they were giving me a new life, and they did, but I have given something wonderful to the family too, unconditional love. My new family and I will be best friends forever. Epilogue Zoey came from a puppy mill in the Chester, IL area. We will never know why they decided to get rid of her, but we are so thankful that they chose to surrender her to The Randolph County Humane Society. She has become one of the best dogs we have ever owned. Please spay or neuter your pets, because there are so many dogs in shelters that are looking for their forever home. If, or when, you decide to add a furry family friend into your family think about adopting from a shelter. Something else people don’t realize is that there are a lot of pure breed dogs in shelters too, just like Zoey. I have faith in the life that will be if it is inhabited by folks that have the heart and soul of the Whitney’s of the world. Who knows, with them in charge we may outlive our need for shelters. We can only dream. And never forget, it is only through you that the Randolph County Humane Society continues to save lives, one by one.
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Posted by tailtalk
The Rescuer’s Creed
April 15, 2009Vinson has been with us for two weeks now, and I have to say adding a fourth to our bevy of bubs was the best decision we ever made. Action Jackson and Vinson spend hours upon hours outside, tumbling around the yard like six year olds used to do in the days before computers and video games. We are surrounded by the funniest personalities I’ve ever known in my lengthy lifetime and I can’t believe my good fortune to be living this life. If you’d like to see pictures of the Tail Talk bevy of bubs that I write about every week you can see them in a collage of photos I put on www.TailTalk.org. If you have never adopted a shelter dog I can’t stress enough that you will be blessed beyond your ability to imagine when you open yourself up to the love they bring into your life. I came across the following creed that spells out where you need to be in your heart before you adopt an animal into your life: “A Rescuers Creed by Susan M.Pearson I shall be a believer of all that is good in man and of all that is deserving in animals. I shall plead for their lives, campaign for their safety and uphold their right to a natural death. I shall seek out the injured and the maimed, the unloved, and the abandoned and tend to them in their last days. I shall not forget their place in the hierarchy of life, nor that we walk in each other’s paths. I shall bear witness to the wonder they bring into our lives and to the beauty they bestow upon our souls. I shall renew their spirits when they are waning, bind their wounds when they bleed, cradle them when they whimper, and comfort them when they mourn. I shall be near them in their hour of greatest need – a companion and friend when the time has come. I shall watch over them and console them and ask that the angels gather them in their arms. From the creatures of the earth I shall learn the fruits of compassion and undying love, and I shall be called the beloved of God. In their company I shall indeed be blessed.” If you think you are there then quit procrastinating and call the shelter today. And never forget, it is only through you that the Randolph County Humane Society continues to save lives, one by one.
2 Comments | Animal Lover, pets, shelter dogs | Tagged: abandoned animals, Animal Lover, cats, Dog Time, dogs, kittens, no-kill shelter, pet adoption, puppies, shelter dogs, strays | Permalink
Posted by tailtalk
Looking at problems in new ways brings new joy
April 8, 2009The economy has hit home, and it hit hard. My husband was laid off from his job as an industrial electrician on Friday the thirteenth. We’ve known it was coming but that doesn’t make it any less dramatic when it happens. While most people fret and worry when they get a blow like this, we did the opposite and celebrated all the extra time we would have together as a family, and what better way to do that than to adopt a new love monkey into our family. I am a firm believer in the law of attraction, the law of the universe that whatever we think we become. If we think about all the bad things in life we attract more of them into our midst because that is where our thoughts lead us. It is difficult at first to make the jump to concentrating on the goodness in our lives rather than allowing the fear to overwhelm us, but it is certainly worth the effort because we now have a full bevy of bubs in our midst. We adopted Vinson from the Randolph County Humane Society, the half husky half shepherd with one blue eye and one brown eye that had been shot in the hind leg. This is not a willy-nilly selection because without being educated about the breeds and their requirements in addition to alpha and beta personalities you stand no chance of having a successful relationship. First and foremost I am familiar with both the husky and shepherd breeds, so it’s not a shock to me that we generate enough dog hair in one day to fill a large vacuum cleaner bag. He’s approximately one year old, and I am familiar with one year old shepherd terrorists so I know you need to get the meat off the kitchen counter as soon as you’re finished cutting it if you are intent on eating it. Otherwise you’ll turn around to find a very satisfied bub lying on the floor, licking his paws to get any remaining meat juice that may still be clinging to his fur while the rest of your family is in the other room hollering that they’re hungry. Budward, our twelve year old husky-shepherd mix can barely walk now with a disease attacking the nerves in his spine, so I knew we could not bring an alpha dog into the mix. Any bub that wanted to have a home with us would have to bow to Budward and Girlie Sue, and Action Jackson since he was third in the mix. So when I heard about unassuming Vinson, the shepherd-husky mix that had been shot, I knew he was the dog for us. I didn’t try to adopt him immediately in order to give all of you the opportunity to have a shepherd-husky mix in your lives, but when no one stepped forward I knew it was time or he would be transported to another no-kill shelter to see if there was a family there that would take him to his forever home. I’ve never known an easier home coming than we had with Vinson. Girlie Sue, Jack and Vinson played outside for three hours straight upon his arrival while Budward and I visited inside. Girlie Sue finally got tuckered out and came inside with us old folks while the youngsters continued to play, rolling around in the fenced dog’s yard for hours on end. Their yard is approximately 1 acre, and the two puppies ran and chased each other, enjoying the freedom they now have as only shelter dogs that lived in cages can understand. Ever since Jack first came to us last August he has walked with me to the back room to get chowder, always looking in the chowder bin to make sure there was enough food for everyone. When the bin would get low Jack would look at me while I assured him that he will never be hungry again, even if the bin gets low I will make sure he is taken care of. I expected there to be problems at dinner time because of his recent memories of starvation but there were no problems. They ate their meals while respecting the rights of their housemates and the food in their bowls. When night time came, the dogs all went with us to our bedroom, each one getting up on the bed for individual attention before lights out. Then Jack and Vinson fell asleep next to each other on the floor with their paws and legs entwined as if they’d been together their whole lives. I know I’m supposed to be the one that is doing a good deed by adopting the shelter dog but somehow I feel like I’m the one that is getting all the benefits. It just doesn’t get any better than to be adored and cherished by four cold noses, each one loving you more than you thought possible.
If you’re ready to make the transition from worry and fret to laughter and joy, take stock of your situation and make an informed choice as to what breed would be a good friend to have by your side, then adopt one. It’s your four legged friends that will bring you out of your funk and into the world of laughter and delight, allowing you to attract love and light into your life during this very dark time. It’s all there waiting for you, just a shelter visit away. And never forget, it is only through you that the Randolph County Humane Society continues to save lives, one by one.
Leave a Comment » | Animal Lover, pets, shelter dogs | Tagged: animal shelters, Dog Time, no-kill shelter, pet adoption, Randolph County Humane Society IL, shelter dogs, Tail talk | Permalink
Posted by tailtalk
How to read your pet’s communications
April 1, 2009I was searching for information on how our animals communicate and I found some really interesting information that I would like to share with you from the Proctor and Gamble Everyday Solutions website. This and other articles can be found at www.pgeverydaysolutions.com: Do you have a dog or a cat you struggle to understand? Animal communication with humans can be so subtle and complex that humans can sometimes miss it entirely. “We humans are always expressing ourselves to our pets by simply being ourselves. They learn to read the subtleties of our body language to know when we’re annoyed, happy or sad,” explains Francine Crocker, a certified canine obedience instructor and animal behaviorist. Both dogs and cats use body language to change the reaction of another individual OR to avoid conflict. “In both dogs and cats, the tail plays a big role in communication,” Crocker explains. “In cats, broad swishing indicates annoyance. A severely agitated cat will move its tail rapidly.” In both dogs and cats, a lowered tail indicates submission. A tail that is wagging loosely below the horizon indicates friendliness. Harrison Forbes, an animal behaviorist and host of “Pet Talk,” believes that pets have universal body language. However, he says, “each dog usually has its own more subtle versions of body language cues. As owners, we need to learn these cues in order to bridge the gap between owner and pet. Does your dog go to the door to be let out to go to the bathroom, or does he sniff and circle nervously? Does he whimper and pace and come to you when he’s nervous or does he hide?” While some body language is specific to each pet, many cues are common to all pets. Learn how to better “talk with your animal.” How Is Your Dog Feeling? If he’s feeling stressed … His ears will be back and down, pinned flat against his neck. His mouth will be wide open with his lips drawn back. He may be breathing heavily. His shoulders will be lowered and he may be hunched forward. His tail will be tucked and he may be trembling. Tip: If you are greeting this dog, stand sideways. By yawning and sighing, you will help him relax and feel safer. If he’s feeling happy … His body will be curved in a C-shape. His head will be lowered and turned away with his nose down, his ears lowered but relaxed, and his eyes soft. His lips will also be soft, and he may lick his nose and lips. Tip: When approaching this dog, get lower, turn sideways, and use a quiet voice. Don’t loom, hover or stare. If he’s feeling aggressive … His head will be lifted and he may have a frozen stare, watching with his peripheral vision. His ears will be back and lowered with his tail low. His whiskers may be erect and his mouth will be tense. Tip: If this dog is approached suddenly, he will react in self-defense with a rapid series of fast bites. If he’s feeling relaxed … His head will be erect and his ears will be up. His mouth will be slightly open. His tail will be wagging and his weight evenly distributed over all four feet. If he’s feeling excited … His eyes will be large and staring ahead. His ears will be up and forward, his lips will be lifted to display his teeth, and his tail will be up with a bristled, stiff wag. How Is Your Cat Feeling? If she’s feeling stressed … She will groom or lick herself obsessively. She also may be aggressive toward other cats or people. Also, if her meows increase, she may be stressed and trying to vocalize it. Tip: Most stressed cats simply want to spend time with their owners. Others want more attention, such as a massage or a play session. If she’s feeling aggressive … She will sweep her tail in a wide motion trying to get someone’s attention. Tip: You should establish dominance over your cat. Get a squirt bottle full of water and keep it close at hand. Every time the cat is aggressive, warn her and immediately squirt her. The cat will learn quickly to cease at the warning. Eventually the behavior will cease altogether. If she’s feeling happy … She will knead with her paws on a person or a place surrounding her. She will demonstrate this for up to 10 minutes to show happiness. If she’s feeling relaxed … She will sprawl on her side or back, possibly rolling around. If she’s feeling excited … She will press her face or the top of her head against a person’s body. Perhaps if we spend more time learning to communicate with our animals we’ll spend less time being frustrated by behaviors we don’t understand and fewer animals will end up in shelters. Our relationship will only be as good as we are willing to make it so the next time you are mad at your love monkey for some exasperating behavior take a time out and learn what you can do to help them through it. Chances are you’ll find you are as complicit in the bad behavior as they are and with simple changes to how you approach your animals they’re behavior will change to everything you want them to be. By making changes to our behavior we’re helping the Randolph County Humane Society save lives, one by one, by keeping more animals out of the shelter.
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Posted by tailtalk
