Friday, July 4, 2014

From Buddy's Mom

My Buddy in now waiting for me at Rainbow Bridge.

Running free and healthy

He left this world behind on July 2, 2014 at the age of 12.

Buddy loved to swim.

He loved Green Key

And he loved the beach.

The day he was adopted April 26, 2006 
Buddy was adopted from Pasco County Humane Society
http://www.humanesocietyofpasco.org/adoptions/

Buddy after a good Grooming

Remembering my Buddy,

Saturday, July 13, 2013

Rain, Rain, Go Away!

Aripeka, Florida
Saturday July 13, 2013
6PM
The rain is never going to end... this is a bad situation when you are a dog and your bathroom is outside!
 
 
Got to go, I see the SUN, it won't last long!
 

Monday, July 8, 2013

So I am back...

It has been a really, really long time since I have posted a blog, what in the world have I been doing for the last three years, you ask?  Well, it is like this, M & D have been very busy!  Mom always seems to have time to post on her blogs, just not mine!  So this past weekend, we had a little talk and I just put my PAW down, I must have a post two times per week, with pictures!  She just got a new camera, point and shoot model CoolPics, it even goes underwater.  So I tell her, she must learn how to use this new camera, did I mention it is point & shoot, why is there such a big learning curve for her, I thought point & shoot was much like plug & play, oh gosh I forgot, Mom has trouble with the DVD Player too.  She is definitely technically challenged!  She has promised to have new pictures of me by the next post, but until then, here is one taken by Dad a while back!  I am reading my card!

Monday, June 28, 2010

Saturday, November 7, 2009

Abuse, Starvation & Neglect at City of Memphis Animal Shelter



It is sad that any being should be in this condition, especially those that can not help themselves. Let's make sure that Ernest Alexander and the others involved are prosecuted to the full extent of the law. Most importantly that Ernest Alexander never be in a position to to deal with animals again. It is hard for me to believe that Ernest Alexander had the "proper credentials" to mananage an Animal Shelter. Hope they will make his resume public, this was a position that paid over $92,000/year.
This is from Myron Lowery, Memphis City Councilman in reply to my Email. This is what I said:

The City of Memphis, which I called home for over 20 years, before leaving 5 years ago, should be ashamed of their Animal Shelter and the treatment of those innocent souls. Please tell me there is a plan in place to make the necessary changes so the well-being of these unfortunate animals will be foremost on the minds of your shelter workers.

~A society will be judged on how it looks after it's most vulnerable members“. - William Dean ~

I pray that this will NEVER happen again, in Memphis or anywhere else.


This was the reply from Mr. Lowery:

Mayor A C Wharton said he fired Memphis Animal Services director Ernest Alexander because animal shelter employees appeared unable to complete basic tasks, such as following procedures for euthanasia animals and completing paperwork.

Wharton’s decision to fire Alexander Thursday night, nine days after law enforcement authorities raided the shelter and shut it down, came after shelter employees improperly euthanized a dog this week and preliminary results of an investigation showed poor management by Alexander at the city-owned shelter.

“You’ve got a mayor now who, perhaps to a fault, likes to be hands on,” said Wharton during a morning press conference at the shelter. “I am not an expert on (animal shelters), but I can walk in there and tell you if there is enough food or water in the bowl, or if they followed our own procedures.”

Despite allegations of mistreatment of the animals he oversaw at a shelter in Albuquerque, N.M., Alexander arrived in Memphis in the spring of 2008 after former mayor Willie Herenton launched a nationwide search for an administrator who could improve conditions at the shelter, long a source of controversy for local animal rights activists.

In addition to Alexander’s termination, three other shelter employees remain suspended with pay until the city investigation is complete.

Wharton said Darrell Eldred, the former deputy director of the General Services Division, who returned to City Hall to work for Chief Administrative Officer Jack Sammons, will serve on a temporary basis as the operations manager at the shelter until a full-time replacement can be found.

Saying animals deserve treatment that is as caring and professional as that for humans, Wharton also hired Lucy Shaw, who once ran the Regional Medical Center at Memphis, as a consultant to assess standards at the shelter and how they measure up to other shelters around the country.

“The bottom line is, where are we now and where do we want to go?” said Shaw.

Public pressure for Wharton to take dramatic action on the shelter has been building since Shelby County Sheriff’s deputies raided the facility on Wharton’s first full day as mayor, culminating in a candlelight vigil outside the shelter last night where many attendees said they wanted Alexander and other shelter staff members fired. Authorities have said at least three animals starved to death while in the shelter’s care.

“I believe in doing things right instead of doing them fast,” said Wharton. “I see (the public reaction) as a strong sign that the city cares, that we have a conscience.”

Wharton said he was stunned to learn that a dog had been euthanized this week before its owners could be contacted and surprised to see how sloppy the record keeping at the shelter was, including important documents on the drugs used to kill animals.

“If you’re lax on these records that can send you to jail, heaven forbid, what are you doing with records on how much food or water they have?” said Wharton. “That’s why it disgusted me so much that a pet was put down under questionable circumstances.”

A search warrant delivered during last week’s raid stated that authorities believed Alexander and shelter employees had violated laws. District Atty. Gen. Bill Gibbons has said criminal charges are likely.

 

Saturday, October 31, 2009

Some Dog Facts...


1. If your notice your dog scratching its ears, it doesn't necessarily have fleas. It could have any number of issues including ear mites, yeast, etc and should be seen by your vet.

2. Many dogs are mildly allergic to perfume scented shampoos. Consider using a mild oatmeal based shampoo when bathing your dog or you may end up with an itchy pup!

3. If you notice your dog having an unusually foul odor, don’t assume he or she is not clean. She may have an ear or skin infection. The smell of infection is somewhat comparable to vomit and mildew.

4. Dogs naturally like to play keep-away better than fetch. You'll need to train your dog to play fetch, but not keep-away.

5. Most dogs really don't like to play dress up. Sorry. (Though there are exceptions to this rule)

6. Some dogs need their anal glands expressed or else you will witness a “scooting” behavior where they rub their behinds on the ground. This is a simple procedure that can be done by most groomers or at your veterinarians.

7. Dogs with deep wrinkles need to be washed daily. Dirt can build up leading to odor or infection.

8. Dogs don't understand pointing. They focus on the tip of your finger, not the item you are pointing at.

9. Just like people, dogs have phobias too. Some examples of phobias we've encountered include thunder, stairs, hair dryers, water, lawn mowers, vacuums, balloons, and buses.

10. Dogs aren't really racist. When dogs bark at unknown people, it is often because they are unfamiliar with their body type or skin color.

11. Not all dogs are born swimmers. Some dogs need to be encouraged to swim. Some breeds are more natural swimmers than others.

12. Body harnesses actually encourage pulling. While they may seem like they give you more control, the pressure points on a harness make your dog respond by pulling forward.

13. Dogs dislike being bored and easily get into trouble when left to their own devices. Think of creative ways to keep your dog's mind active.

14. Dogs need mental stimulation as much as physical stimulation.

15. Dogs often react differently to human males and females.

16. Dogs can know you as much by scent as by eyesight (if not more!), and you can help them feel secure when you leave by providing a soft object that has your scent on it. (A sweatshirt or blanket you sleep with)

17. Social status is very important to dogs and many canine behaviors are determined by their attempts to establish their roles (belly up submission, standing tall/over another dog, jumping on, standing ground and not flinching)

18. Dogs can get jealous. They may try and interrupt a hugging couple or bark for attention when you are on the telephone!

19. Dogs can be trained not to beg at the table. Never feed your dog off of your plate as it only encourages begging behavior.

20. Dogs are creatures of habit. They like familiarity and form expectations and schedules.

21. Dogs like to playfully taunt to encourage play (especially keep away). The classic play stance is the “bow”. A dog puts its front paws down on the ground and its tail end up in the air.

22. Many dogs love car rides. Be sure to keep your dog secured with a seat belt or other safety device.

23. Some dogs lick their paws and then rub their paws on their head to clean themselves, much like a cat!

24. Many breeds are escape artists - if you're not careful, your dog might decide to take a swim in the neighbor's kiddie pool, or bring home a new toy. Basenjis are especially known for their ability to escape from yards.

25. An unsupervised dog will get bored in a back yard very quickly. It is never safe to leave your dog unattended in the yard.

26. Dogs bark for a large number of reasons, but often do so to get attention from other people or other dogs. Some other reasons that dogs bark include: to protect their territory, express a need or to initiate play.

27. Dogs communicate with their tail. A wag can mean many things - an aggressive dog may wag their tail, but it will be held high and moving rapidly. A playful dog will also hold his tail high, but it will be wagging in big arches from side to side. Meanwhile a dog that is afraid will hold his tail low and may wag it stiffly back and forth.

28. Most dogs don't like their own poop and will intentionally avoid it.