Sabtu, 19 Januari 2008

New Foster Dogs - Ultimate Challenge

Dog gone it the outside is cold! Lucky us we don't have to spend a lot of time out in it. And, now that we have two new foster dogs, neither do they. A nearby county drew attention around here this week with the discovery of 20 dogs kept outside at a farm. There were plenty of outside cats and at least 2 horses suffering also. Our APL took a majority of the dogs. We have females who were picked up yesterday. They and the other two still at the shelter were the last to be rescued. One of ours is extremely frightened, just now willing to sit next to me without being held on to and not ready for a leash but wearing a collar. She did eat. All the dogs that came in yesterday have heartworm. Ours have fleas and perhaps some other worms. The second one we have has a more outgoing manner and clearly was in a home at one time. The story goes that people left animals at this farm knowing the woman would care for them. OK so far, for she did. But then she died. You can imagine. Only a part time caregiver who was in over her head. The result: Pregnant dogs. Dead puppies. Dogs chained together. Disease. Stress. To stay warm one dog clawed its way to a rotting tree and dug out enough to have a shelter. The good news is there will be more good news as these animals have employed all their survival instincts and are alive to be treated, trained, cared for, and placed in loving homes. Won't that be a great start to 2008?
People who dump animals - well, that's a topic unto itself. But, anyone who thinks having pets is easy or inexpensive needs to change their thinking. Months ago I stated to staff at APL that the economy's downturn was going to start showing in the adoption rate. It probably has but it sure has shown up in the number of abandoned pets. Be careful with your critters. Take care of yourself and them.

Tidak ada komentar:

Posting Komentar