IT'S STILL DARK OUTSIDE

It’s still dark outside!  Do I really have to get out of bed? I can hold it a little longer, I promise! 

I know Beasley has had an extremely rough puppy-hood and still has a long way to go.  And she doesn’t know yet that she hit the jackpot!  But I see improvements all the time.  It’s a back and forth process. In saying that……

Sending extra prayers for those affected by Hurricane Sandy.  More than two-thirds of families have pets and when families are misplaced or homeless, the pets end up in shelters, which are already over-crowed.  The lucky ones make it back with the ones who love them. 

REMEMBERING SHORTY

It was one year ago today that I brought Shorty home for the last time from the Crematory.  The day that I found out he had cancer; I bought a little chrysanthemum for $2.50.  It was about 6”. I grabbed it as I was walking out of Lowes.  After he died, I know it’s stupid, but I was mad at it so I didn’t water it.  Just left it on my deck through the winter.

When Spring came, I noticed there was just a little bit of green after I cut off all the dead stuff so I stuck it in the ground in the front yard.  It started growing right away and bloomed shortly thereafter.  Now it’s 4 feet around and it’s blooming again.  I can’t help but think it’s a sign to let me know he is okay.  Miss the little guy.  Beasley reminds me of him when he first came here.  I hope that she will one day have the security and trust that he came to know.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MELINDA

She is 8 years old today!  I adopted her October 22, 2005 when she was a year old.

And Happy Birthday to Melinda in Heaven too. We miss her! 

BARKTOBERFEST

What a blast!  Dogs in costumes, more dogs in costumes, people in costumes, vendors, doggie cookies, food trucks, a live band and more dogs in costumes.

I worked the Agape Rescue booth.  The theme was Carnival even though a lot of booths were decorated for Halloween.  I took a bunch of beads, sequins and some boa feathers that we were going to wear around our neck but since we didn’t get the memo that we were supposed to decorate our booth, our “costumes” became our decorations.

One little kid was admiring all of the other booths, walked by ours and said “this one is weird”.  It was a bust-out-loud laughing moment.

Nashville Paw Magazine organized and presented the event.  Quite a few of the vendors were donating their proceeds to Agape, including Pampered Chef, which was very generous of them.

We had Jackson, Junior, Sophie and Daisy up for adoption. Hopefully, someone will have fallen in love with one of them and take them to their forever home.

NEW DISCOVERIES

   Beasley has had a week filled with all kinds of new fun.  She's discovered that there is a downstairs in the house.  She will only go to the bottom step but she loves going up and down them. She'll sit or stand on the bottom step, sniff the floor, come back up and repeat. 

She has discovered her voice and is barking more. Well... I'm not sure if I would call it a bark just yet, but she is definitely talking.  She even did it while looking out the window once.  And this morning, she joined in the choir with the other dogs while I was making them breakfast. 

She found out there is a new dog in the mirror.  She jumps at the mirror (and looks like a frog doing it), jumps back, runs around the house,  jumps at the mirror, jumps back again.... repeat.

She is now eating her vitamins and I bought some mini biscuits and she can chew them. I still give her soft treats but I think the crunch is good for their teeth so I'm happy that she can do that.  She also found the cat box.  I'm not so thrilled about that new discovery.  Stinky and Arthur already think it's a cookie jar so I have to keep the gate up but they sneak in sometimes. 

She really loves her toys, the plush ones.  It's very adorable.  But she is still afraid to go outside.  It's a little better at times and yesterday, I took her out with the leash, unhooked it while we were on the deck and she went down to the yard and went potty on her own and ran right back. I was thrilled, especially after walking her for about 20 minutes around the fence in the rain the other morning.  I tried it again later and no such luck. 

I think her favorite thing is snuggling in the bed. She looks at me every morning as if to say "Please mommy, I don't want to get up yet". 

LEARNING TO SHARE

Ms. Beasley is sharing the dog beds now.  Not even a little grumble.  There’s still a little training when we’re in the big bed, but it’s getting better. We were watching TV last night and Jelly Bean came up to sit on my lap and I could see Beasley getting a little jealous. I held my hand on her head and firmly said no a few times while petting Jelly Bean and she just went right back to sleep. 

She’s doing pretty good in the house but had an accident this morning, even though I took her out twice before breakfast.  Thank Heavens for Krud Kutter, rugs and vinegar. She’s so funny in the yard; she has to walk counter-clockwise right at the edge of the fence. I tried to go the opposite way yesterday and it threw her off, she pulled me back to counter-clockwise. This morning, she went potty right away so I unhooked the leash and she had to finish walking around the perimeter of the fence before coming up on the deck to come back in the house.

She is looking a little more relaxed in the yard. Her tail isn’t completely up, but it’s not continually tucked either.  

A JEALOUS BONE

Beasley has decided she wants me all to herself. If we are in bed and she’s lying next to me, she growls if anyone tries to come close.  Another noise!  So I hold her really close so that she knows she’s important and then let the other dog(s) up too.  She was still a little grumpy this morning but it was better than yesterday. But trying to get her out of bed is almost impossible.

Her new favorite day bed is under my desk and she also doesn’t want any other dog/cat under there with her.  So we are working on that too.  Jelly Bean was sitting on my lap and she actually got up and growled.  Scared the poor kitty.  It was the first time I scolded her and she went right back down real fast.  She looked like she understood.  It was very cute.

She has now joined all of my other Krazy Kritters in the wild welcome I get when I walk in the door.

BABY STEPS

No accidents in the house all day yesterday or so far today.  I think she might be “getting it” that we go potty outside. 

Yesterday, I was out trimming some low branches and growth along the fence and took all the dogs out with me.  Normally she just stays on the deck, but she ventured into the yard and went potty all on her own.  Then darted right back on the deck, poor little thing.

But this morning, she did not want to walk.  I’m not sure why, it was early and there wasn’t any traffic.  Didn’t see a soul.  She was more terrified than I’ve ever seen her so I brought her home. She couldn’t wait to get up that driveway and into the garage.  I don’t want to scare her so much that she won’t want to try again.  I’m going to give it a break for a while. It took me over 2 years to walk Shorty.

It was a picture-perfect morning so I took all of them out with me while I read the paper.  She didn’t leave the deck without the leash but did lie down and relax.  I think after time, she’ll trust that it’s safe to be outside and it will make it easier to try walking her again.

And… when I got a home this afternoon, we went potty the first time on the leash and after I fed them, I opened the door and out she came on her own. She didn’t leave the deck but all in good time. Little moments like these are like watching your baby take it’s first steps. Very rewarding.

BEASLEY BARKED

Maybe it was more like she talked.  Her and Jazz were playing, chasing each other and as a lot of you know, Jazz is very vocal.  Beasley barked once. Wow! I had a few friends tell me Jazz should probably not be the one teaching her. They are right but I'll take it.  We’re still working on everything else.  But at least she is consistent and goes on the same rug every time so I have protective lining under it.

Guess it’s a good rug. The cat puked on it last night.

I waited a week to vacuum because I was sure the noise would scare her. She walked right up to it!  I was very happily surprised since it sometimes need a daily dose. 

BEASLEY - WHAT ELSE!

Lil’ Beasley has discovered toys! In fact, she is amputating a Crazy Legs Cow as I write this.  I think she just might be getting a lot of dollar store toys from here on out. 

As much as she has progressed in the house, she has taken a step back in going outside, mostly inside the fenced area. Even though I walk her out on the leash, she just wants to bolt straight for the door to come back in.  She’s skittish, tucks her tail and it’s easy to tell she’s terrified.  They said she could have damaged her teeth by chewing on the chain fence trying to break out or even trying to eat rocks because she was so hungry.  I’m wondering if the fence brings back horrible memories.

Yesterday was really difficult for her. I repeatedly took the other dogs out so she could watch through the doors, and even though she showed curiosity, she really did not want to go outside.  Today was a little better with cheese as the great motivator. A mommy's girl already - I'd do about anything for cheese too.   

She is now eating in the kitchen and gets very excited when it’s time to eat, like the other “kritters”.  All in all, she really has made remarkable strides and I think Melinda has a new best bud. They are hilarious together. And… I need new carpet. 

BEASLEY

 

Sweet little Beasley has taken to me like a fish in water. My new furry shadow knows I’m her mommy; she loves scratches and even offered me her belly yesterday. This… from a scared little pooch who wouldn’t let anyone close except her foster mom.  She’s a really good little sleeper, loves to cuddle and would probably sleep through the night without any problem.  But since I usually have to get up with Melinda, I walk her out too. 

She doesn’t want to be out in the yard except to go potty and I have to walk her out on the leash.  I can’t say I blame her after her experience with the great outdoors.  She does seem to like her walks.  She is wide-eyed, checking out all the smells and is a good match to walk with Arthur. Except when the racer-looking motorcycle turned the corner this morning and revved up his engine 4 times.  She wanted to bolt. She was terrified the rest of the way home. Her tail came back up as soon as we walked in the door. I hope this doesn’t scar her for tomorrow’s walk.

I’m pretty sure she was playing yesterday. It started when I was doing an exercise tape. She peeked into the room, ran around like crazy and then came back and peeked in the room again over and over.  Then she started again when I was in the kitchen making dinner.  It was very cute.

It didn’t take long to discover the dog beds, the water bowls and sniff out the toy box. I still have to coax her to eat (under the desk), but she will finish the bowl.  I think it hurts her to eat crunchy food because of the teeth she’s had taken out. Luckily, since I cook, it makes gravy and softens the dry food. She’s not interested in biscuits so I’ve been giving her small chunks of string cheese, which she likes. I’ll pick-up some soft treats for her this week.

I really couldn’t ask for it to go any smoother.  Even the kitties aren’t afraid of her. 

IT'S A GIRL!

Meet Beasley Camille.  She was rescued from a Lebanon, TN hoarding situation on July 3^rd along with over 100 other dogs in what they dubbed Operation Freedom.  They had no access to food, water or shelter and were in deplorable conditions.  It was way over 100 degrees. Some were blind, had broken legs, just a heartbreaking situation.

First they took them to the fairgrounds and then after about a week, baths and a lot of medical care, they went to rescue groups all over the country.  Beasley has been with a foster mom and that was the first human contact she had ever had.  They didn’t think she would let me touch her today, the main goal was introducing her to her new pack and making sure they all got along.  I knew she’d come around eventually and trust me.  But I am petting her and she’s following me around a little.

She’s hiding under the desk right now and I know it’s going to be a long process but it’s something I’ve done before and have the patience for. She finally went to sleep so I think she’s feeling more comfortable. They thought she would come out of her shell quicker with other dogs because that’s what she’s used to being around.

She didn’t go potty for 3 days after they rescued her (no food) and then threw-up for a few days after that. They had to extract 7 of her teeth and she’s had multiple litters of puppies, none of which survived. 

First we walked her with Mac and Melinda. Brought them home and walked her with Jazz and Stinky.  Then walked her with Arthur.  We put her and Arthur in the back yard when we got home and let Jazz out. Then we let Mac and Melinda in the yard and then Stinky. After a few minutes, they just ignored her.  So we brought them all in the house together.

It took a few minutes and Stinky and Arthur tried to do the naughty with her even though they don’t have the equipment.  She actually growled at Stinky once, the first noise she’s made since they rescued her.  When they all started barking, the look on her face was priceless.  But she didn’t make a peep. 

I walked her all around the house on a leash so she could smell everything and she thoroughly checked it all out except the kitty room. It helped having her foster mom and two adoption coordinators come to help maneuver the meet and greets.  Or maybe I should say smells and tails. 

Updates coming soon.

Here’s the youtube video and I think it’s Beasley in one of the first crates at about 1:24 minutes.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NQr0W3_wXpw  (I think Beasley is in one of the first crates - around 1:24)

Here’s a link to the rescue from Animal Rescue Corps. They really are ARC Angels.

http://animalrescuecorps.org/2012/07/animal-rescue-corps-and-wilson-county-animal-control-rescue-more-than-100-dogs-from-a-hoarding-situation/

                                               Welcome to your new family Beasley!

MAJOR BREAK-THROUGH

I think it was the very first part of December 2011, when I finally caught Charley (Charcoal) and had her fixed.  She does lay in the road sometimes and across the street trying to chase squirrels but for the most part, she comes to me when called but DEFINITELY shows up every day at 3pm for the canned food feeding (actually more like 2 or at least 2:30). She is a really good kitty. Fortunately, her mommy, Midnight, stays much closer to home and is also right there for the wet food. 

Tonight, she let me scratch her and while she got scared, she gave in and let me scratch her again for a while.  I've been trying since I first started feeding them and sometimes have gotten close, but only while she's eating and has been distracted.  Like I said, major breakthrough!  Happy Days!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BROLIO

 

As I sadly remember those who were lost on 9/11, I also remember the happy day I adopted my sweet little kitty, Brolio, and his mommy, Bella, four years ago.  He’s a big boy now (okay, that’s an understatement) but a happy boy who snuggles up to the dogs on the bed and likes to jump on me in the middle of the night, all 23 lbs. of him….

Also missing my Bella, who died 2 years ago from liver failure.  I’m grateful she got to experience love, trust, and a warm house with lots great food before she went to Heaven.

 

LADY SUES PET RESORT

I thought this was an interesting article.  This lady is suing a doggy daycare because a Pit attacked her dog while she left him there during the day.  I’m not jumping on the Pit Bull bandwagon, Sundance was part Pit, and it could have been any breed. 

The kennel owner is saying her dog was the aggressor. It doesn’t matter who the aggressor was, they shouldn’t have put them in the same pen. If the kennel owner thought her dog was aggressive, then he should have kept him separate or not taken him at all.

 I agree with her, her dog lost his eye and they should have been more responsible.

http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120907/NEWS/309070102/Woman-sues-Belmont-kennel-after-pit-bull-attack?odyssey=nav|head&nclick_check=1

LIQUID BENEDRYL FOR GEORGIE

For those of you who follow, I wrote a blog a few months ago about Georgie’s Dermatitis caused by her allergies.  I tried the children’s liquid Benedryl with a syringe down her throat, all she did was hiss, spit it up (all over the house) foam at the mouth and hide.  Then I tried shoving a Benedryl pill down her throat, that didn’t work either. I tried putting it in her food, both crushed and liquid, she wouldn’t touch it. 

I ended taking her to the vet for a steroid shot, which worked.  But that usually only lasts a month and it’s not good to give them too often.  So I had a thought, because cat’s groom themselves so often, I would put the liquid Benedryl on her coat.  I don’t know if it’s a coincidence and her allergies just aren’t as severe, but I think it’s working.  She probably takes her paw, licks it, wipes her fur, licks it again and so on… like cat’s do. She still has a few bumps but it is so much better.

TOP 10 SIGNS OF CANCER IN DOGS & CATS

Great article on signs of cancer in pets even though the numbers are listed in reverse.


http://www.care2.com/greenliving/10-signs-of-cancer-in-dogs-and-cat.html#ixzz20pGJA7aE

OPERATION FREEDOM

This U-Tube video says it all.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LuqevWn3mwo&feature=youtu.be

ANOTHER RESCUE OPERATION IN TENNESSEE

After writing my blog yesterday about the 100+ dogs rescued last week from Wilson County, sure enough…. here we go again.  Yesterday, 70 animals were rescued from White County, Tennessee, which is about 75 miles SE of Nashville.

This time, it wasn’t only dogs, but a donkey, cats, chickens and rabbits. And this was supposed to be an animal rescue facility. None of the animals had access to food or water.  According to ARC, the conditions were deplorable.  Most of the animals were underweight and suffered from parasites and untreated wounds. Some of them were even chained in the woods. 

Once again, Animal Rescue Corps saved the day by loading them all up and taking them to the fairgrounds in Nashville. On top of the 100 dogs rescued last week, this has now become a $60,000 operation from start to finish.  It’s so expensive to take care of all of these critters and make sure they are rehabilitated and adopted out to new homes. 

What the heck is wrong in Tennessee? This is the 5^th time in the last 18 months that ARC and our local rescue groups have joined to swoop in and rescue critters from a major hoarding, puppy mill or abuse situation.  I think there should be stiffer cruelty laws.  If anyone wants to donate, here’s the link to ARC. I don’t know if the site is updated (they have been busy) but it would sure help them out.  And they do travel wherever there is need.  In the last year, they have been to Canada, Kentucky, Arizona and many other states performing similar operations. 

http://www.animalrescuecorps.org.

DOGGY FASHION SHOW

I went to a fundraiser last night at Loews Vanderbilt Hotel for Agape Animal Rescue. It was such a great time for everyone involved, including patrons, vendors and volunteers.  First, there was a silent auction with a lot of really nice donated items including signed memorabilia from Dolly Parton, a football signed by the Tennessee Titans (which my friend won), visits for a doggy day care, massages for both people and their pets, carriers, dishes, the list goes on….. There were probably around 50 pet-related vendors and an open wine bar with hors d’oeuvres.

Once cocktail hour was over, a live auction was held where they must have raised at least $10,000 based on my brief calculation during the show.  And then the party started. It was hosted by up-and-coming country artist, Jana Kramer. Manuel, who is Nashville’s legendary rhinestone cowboy designer and resident flirt (formerly with Nudies in No. Hollywood), brought plenty of “glitter” with his couture for the grown-ups. I’m not sure who designed the doggy duds but they stole the show. 

Most of the models were Titans and Predators cheerleaders along with the President of Animal Rescue Corps (he was cute), a member of Diamond Rio and a few local celebs. The pooch models were a combination of volunteer's pups and fosters looking for a forever home.

I hope they raked in the dough.  Just last week (July 3^rd) both rescue groups participated in a 100+ dog rescue not too far from where I live in Wilson County. Temps that day reached 109 and they were out all day without stopping.  All the pooches were taken to the fairgrounds where they will be housed until they can get vetted, socialized and adopted out.  It takes so much money to pull off an operation like this even with all the wonderful volunteers. And it happens so often. 

After the show, they had this fun photo booth where you could take crazy pictures.  Here is one of moi and 2 of my friends.