Great shots! We have a chihuahua that has monstrous ears just like that guy at the shelter right now, he's a cream color though and very, very scared. He's also a standard chi - so bigger than what most people associate as chihuahua, which is sad for him, he's quite overlooked.
Paul was the name of the Blue Merle Cattle Dog, and he was adopted already. I believe he had heartworm though, so that could explain why he seemed so sad and well non-energetic for a Cattle Dog when I had him out.
New pictures, lots of them. There are ton of dogs lately, it's been a lot of work to get them all out. I hope it slows down a bit. The good news is that the vast majority of these dogs are either getting adopted, returning to their owners, or being transferred to rescues. The euthanasia rate has been really low lately. We might be under 10% for the year still.
I think this guy is a Boston Terrier and Pit mix. Goofy looking, snorts a ton:
This is Sherman, an owner surrender for some reason. He's a good little guy:
This guy has a bit of Cherry eye in both eyes. He also needs to be shaved as he is fairly matted. He likes me a lot though, and I give him belly rubs:
A German Shorthaired Pointer that came in as a stray with a wound that still had the DRAINS attached. How does that happen? He is still there. Poor dog has a big open wound and someone kicked him out the door:
And one of the saddest dogs I have ever seen come in. A really cold Cocker. Blind and almost completely deaf, he also has matts on his underside that are like dreadlocks. I'm sure they hurt like crazy. I think the dog also has mental issues, as he often paces in circles and twitches. I'm not sure what is best for him:
That second pictures is hilarious. That BT/Pit is, ummm, for lack of a better word, FUGLY!
I'm sorry to hear things have been so busy for you guys lately. That's frustrating, but I'm glad your kill rate is still so low. I hesitate to figure out what the kill rate here is. I wouldn't be surprised if its 3-5 times yours. :-(
Well we do have a special room for dogs that need to be euthanized, they put a nice blanket on the floor, it's decorated in a "homey" fashion, and has furniture too. It's setup that way so if people from the public bring in their animal to be euthanized, it's not such a "sterile" environment. I'm sure the staff was good to him, the staff cares a pretty good deal about the dogs.
well for every sad ending, there is a happy one - there was an older (maybe 6 or 7) black cocker at my shelter that was just horrible with kids and cats and other dogs, and I really didn't think he'd get his chance as he'd been there for quite a bit of time, but last week an older woman who just lost her husband came in and met him, then came back and adopted him, and named him Pabst b/c it was her late hubby's favorite.
I'm glad your shelter has that nice special room for the last day dogs...
Here is a happy one too. We had a chihuahua who was found running traffic (cataracts so bad she is almost completely blind). When we called her owners they said "We don't want her any more. Can you just put her down?" Obviously we didn't. Instead she was adopted yesterday. So this 14 year old blind chihuahua got a new and improved family!
This girl coming in is one of the saddest things ever. Not sad because she was horribly abused or injured but for a different reason. from this angle you can't tell why:
But the side view will explain it:
That's right. She JUST had a litter. She came in as a stray. Where are her puppies? Who is taking care of them? Are they even alive? They don't stand a chance without their mother. I find the whole thing really upsetting. She is as sweet as can be, I want to take her home so bad. Whoever did this makes me so angry.
Other dogs:
RIP 10-25-2008
RIP 10-21-2008
This is the Pointer that has a cone on in my last picture post. Healing up nicely and looking a lot happier:
Brandon, I know you know what I think about that precious girl. You probably could hear me screaming all the way in Wisconsin. Did you also hear me screaming "TAKE HER HOME BRANDON!!!!!"?
I really, really wish that I could take her home. Even if we weren't over our animal limit, and they allowed Pits where we live, we are going on vacation for 3 weeks next Wednesday.
Here's a thought that just popped into my head. What if tracking dogs were assigned to shelters so they could trace dog's back to where they were lost from? A couple hundred million from the government, a few years of training, and huge civilian core of workers and we could really crack into problems like this. If I ever run for president, that will be in my budget proposal. ;-)
Great shots as usual! What is that last dog? A Bermese?
Well, they killed her yesterday. Her being the Pit Momma that came in just after having her babies. I really don't know how she failed her behavior test, she was so sweet. This ones really upsetting me. Maybe it's because I was there when it happened, I saw them walk her away from her kennel and out through the kitchen. I thought maybe she was getting moved up to adoptable, or going to get some meds. Two hours later she wasn't back though, and they hadn't taken down her information sheet. Before I even checked the computer I knew. I wish I would have known, I would have gone in with her, I could have been there for her.
I'm not sure what to do about it. It really seems to me that the behavior staff fails more pit bulls than seems reasonable, I've spent time with so many of these dogs and they show no aggressive signs. Often I can pick out a dog that is going to fail, they show all the signs, you can see that they wont make a good pet. Some of them, I just can't imagine what goes wrong. Maybe the behavior staff isn't even aware of their bias. Maybe I'm just too emotional.
Today I don't really feel like ever going back, but I will.
There really isn't anything I could say except that last night I had a real hang up whether I was going back to my shelter or not. I'm having a tough time getting my head around the people that work with dogs, rescues, strays, pound dogs, etc. and they still don't give a damn. They just don't care. Maybe they've been there a lot longer than me and are numb, maybe they didn't get their coffee this morning, maybe they are protecting themselves and cry when I'm not looking, and maybe there just isn't a reason.
Every single living creature should be someone's priority. They should all have someone who gives a damn. And every time I look at Hanzo whom the shelter didn't want to afford to give soft food or an eye exam I just sink a little inside because he got pulled, he's now a priority to someone - even if that someone can't give him everything and even if she's already got her hands full, she's still got something to give him that no one else would, and I can show him compassion. But what about the rest of them....
I guess my point is never underestimate the power of compassion. I feel no shame in being driven by compassion and then inevitably being completely depressed and sunken every now and then because of the senseless loss of life of an innocent creature that was failed by the same humans who condemned it. Everything happens for a reason - I'm sure there is a reason for this too. Hang in there. I'm glad to know that in this world there is someone who genuinely cares, even if you are half way across the country, I'm glad to know you are there! It helps me keep the faith in this life.
I haven't been to my shelter in almost 2 weeks for similar reasons. They have killed more than a dozen dogs. And we are SO overcrowded that despite all the scrambling in the world I am running out of ways to save good dogs.
It guts you.
That said I will be there tomorrow pushing that rock up a hill...
We are so crowded too. Sometimes just going in and thinking about trying to get all the dogs a little bit of time outside is very overwhelming. Our kill rate has been high over the last 10 days too. It had been low maybe two per week or so for like the last 6 weeks, had me feeling too good.
There is always the good side. Yesterday Buddy a 13 year old Beagle went to his new home after about 6 weeks at the shelter. He was dumped because of a new baby, but was the sweetest dog ever. He now has an 11 year old girl friend that he lives with. If I had not been outside with 3 dogs when the announced it I might have run up front and given those people a huge hug. Extra good things should happen to those who take in senior dogs.
Comments
Is the top dog a weimaraner?
That Chi is a standard too. Most Chi's seem to have a rough time at shelters. Very overwhelmed and they shake a lot.
Love the flipped ear committee!
Sadness for the pups being there.
Happiness in the fact they may get adopted & get another chance at life.
& Envy at your amazing shots!
Paul was the name of the Blue Merle Cattle Dog, and he was adopted already. I believe he had heartworm though, so that could explain why he seemed so sad and well non-energetic for a Cattle Dog when I had him out.
Here is the set:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon_w/sets/72157608010815727/
I think this guy is a Boston Terrier and Pit mix. Goofy looking, snorts a ton:
This is Sherman, an owner surrender for some reason. He's a good little guy:
This guy has a bit of Cherry eye in both eyes. He also needs to be shaved as he is fairly matted. He likes me a lot though, and I give him belly rubs:
A German Shorthaired Pointer that came in as a stray with a wound that still had the DRAINS attached. How does that happen? He is still there. Poor dog has a big open wound and someone kicked him out the door:
And one of the saddest dogs I have ever seen come in. A really cold Cocker. Blind and almost completely deaf, he also has matts on his underside that are like dreadlocks. I'm sure they hurt like crazy. I think the dog also has mental issues, as he often paces in circles and twitches. I'm not sure what is best for him:
I'm sorry to hear things have been so busy for you guys lately. That's frustrating, but I'm glad your kill rate is still so low. I hesitate to figure out what the kill rate here is. I wouldn't be surprised if its 3-5 times yours. :-(
Poor pointer and cocker... humans are despicable.
I'm glad your shelter has that nice special room for the last day dogs...
We had a chihuahua who was found running traffic (cataracts so bad she is almost completely blind). When we called her owners they said "We don't want her any more. Can you just put her down?" Obviously we didn't. Instead she was adopted yesterday. So this 14 year old blind chihuahua got a new and improved family!
But the side view will explain it:
That's right. She JUST had a litter. She came in as a stray. Where are her puppies? Who is taking care of them? Are they even alive? They don't stand a chance without their mother. I find the whole thing really upsetting. She is as sweet as can be, I want to take her home so bad. Whoever did this makes me so angry.
Other dogs:
RIP 10-25-2008
RIP 10-21-2008
This is the Pointer that has a cone on in my last picture post. Healing up nicely and looking a lot happier:
More to see here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandon_w/sets/72157608460151908/
I know you know what I think about that precious girl. You probably could hear me screaming all the way in Wisconsin. Did you also hear me screaming "TAKE HER HOME BRANDON!!!!!"?
Here's a thought that just popped into my head. What if tracking dogs were assigned to shelters so they could trace dog's back to where they were lost from? A couple hundred million from the government, a few years of training, and huge civilian core of workers and we could really crack into problems like this. If I ever run for president, that will be in my budget proposal. ;-)
Great shots as usual! What is that last dog? A Bermese?
I'm not sure what to do about it. It really seems to me that the behavior staff fails more pit bulls than seems reasonable, I've spent time with so many of these dogs and they show no aggressive signs. Often I can pick out a dog that is going to fail, they show all the signs, you can see that they wont make a good pet. Some of them, I just can't imagine what goes wrong. Maybe the behavior staff isn't even aware of their bias. Maybe I'm just too emotional.
Today I don't really feel like ever going back, but I will.
There really isn't anything I could say except that last night I had a real hang up whether I was going back to my shelter or not. I'm having a tough time getting my head around the people that work with dogs, rescues, strays, pound dogs, etc. and they still don't give a damn. They just don't care. Maybe they've been there a lot longer than me and are numb, maybe they didn't get their coffee this morning, maybe they are protecting themselves and cry when I'm not looking, and maybe there just isn't a reason.
Every single living creature should be someone's priority. They should all have someone who gives a damn. And every time I look at Hanzo whom the shelter didn't want to afford to give soft food or an eye exam I just sink a little inside because he got pulled, he's now a priority to someone - even if that someone can't give him everything and even if she's already got her hands full, she's still got something to give him that no one else would, and I can show him compassion.
But what about the rest of them....
I guess my point is never underestimate the power of compassion. I feel no shame in being driven by compassion and then inevitably being completely depressed and sunken every now and then because of the senseless loss of life of an innocent creature that was failed by the same humans who condemned it.
Everything happens for a reason - I'm sure there is a reason for this too.
Hang in there. I'm glad to know that in this world there is someone who genuinely cares, even if you are half way across the country, I'm glad to know you are there! It helps me keep the faith in this life.
It guts you.
That said I will be there tomorrow pushing that rock up a hill...
There is always the good side. Yesterday Buddy a 13 year old Beagle went to his new home after about 6 weeks at the shelter. He was dumped because of a new baby, but was the sweetest dog ever. He now has an 11 year old girl friend that he lives with. If I had not been outside with 3 dogs when the announced it I might have run up front and given those people a huge hug. Extra good things should happen to those who take in senior dogs.
Buddy: