Thursday, December 20, 2007
Monday Morning: on Missing Belle
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
"the Pigeon Man of Lincoln Square"
Related links
2004 story: Pigeon Man of Lincoln Square
The van was "exiting a parking lot, made a right turn, did not see him and struck him," said Sgt. Antonio Baio of the Chicago police major accident investigation unit.He said a laminated copy of the Tribune article was found with Zeman, and a witness recognized him.Zeman used to sit for hours on a fire hydrant near Lawrence and Western Avenues with dozens of pigeons perched on his head, shoulders and legs."Soon as I take a seat, they want to be loved and kissed like a mama's baby," Zeman was quoted in the Tribune article. "Like I'm their father, and they're my child."
Monday, November 12, 2007
Andrew's Tail...er...Tale
My friend Rob and I were taking the children out shopping and on the list was to take a swing by PetSmart to buy some new sponges for the hermit crab's. We had gotten to PetSmart and saw that pet adoptions were being held. Of course, my children wanted to see the dogs up for adoption and who was I to say no. I love dogs!
We went to the back of the store where Paul and the others sit with the dogs in hopes to catch someone's eye. We made our way down the line of dogs, fawning over every four paw'd cutie we could. We got to the end of the line... and there was Andrew. A young girl had him on a leash and he came right up to us and laid across our shoes, looking up at us with his big, sad brown eyes. The girl was doing her best to talk to us but in reality, she didn't have to say much because Andrew's beautiful hound dog face was saying everything we needed to hear. I don't know why he chose us that day, but it is safe to say that he did.
We talked to Paul a little and were told that he came to them after being found in the woods. He had open wounds and was filthy. They explained he was a young dog, maybe a little over one year, and that many people thought he was adorable but refused to adopt a dog with a bark as loud as his... or should I say the "hound dog bay." I explained I was raised with coon hounds and loved their bark. It is truly melodic. I think a sharp, short bark is annoying so having a dog that would bay was much more to my liking.
We walked him around the store a little and I was trying to contact my roommate about bringing a dog home, but the phone just rang and rang. I made an executive decision that Andrew would come home with us at least on a trial basis. The reasoning here was somewhat because the roomie would have to approve but also because I had three cats, one of which was a special needs cat. Carbon, who has since passed away, was an elderly cat who was mentally retarded, suffered from a nervous disorder, and was blind. I had to take her into consideration if I were going to bring a dog home because honestly, I had her since she was born and I refused to allow anything into the house that would torment her. A hound dog that had not been around cats could very well be that animal to torment my sweet Carbon.
We were told that we could keep a week or two and make a decision at the end of that time. Paul and Lynn understood that if the moment I got home it didn't work out with Carbon I was going to call them on their cell phone and bring him back immediately. I would not tolerate my cat being chased especially in her condition. Honestly, something that traumatic could kill her.
After purchasing a few dog supplies and forgetting the crab sponges, we were in the van and on our way home. I was a little nervous but I pushed those thoughts out of my mind and focused on how great it would be to have a dog in the house. I walked into the back door and Andrew seemed to take it as his own immediately. He gave each cat a good wiff and received a welcome hiss from Carbon. That hiss seemed to establish who was really the boss in the house and he walked away from Carbon, never to bother her again. He respected her and her area and moved on to claim the recliner rather quickly.
A month later, Andrew was settled in and the papers were signed. Now my house is covered in toys that the children drag out and big chew bones. I look over now at my Drew-dog sleeping comfortably on his dog bed, snoring. He enjoys his weekly trips to the dog park and loves going to PetSmart and going "shopping" which is him sniffing out the newest toy or chew bone he will be adding to his collection. He enjoys pizza night as much as the rest of us and spends his night stretched out next to my daughter in her bed. I do not think his tail stops wagging except when it comes time to snooze or when he issues some very serious begging.
For the life of me I do not know why anyone would dump a dog as good as Andrew and I really am not sure why anyone who saw him at adoption days before we did could pass up such a sweet-faced boy. After officially adopting him, we took him to the vet to find out that not only had he endured all of the neglect before, but his wounds were inflicted because he was shot. He has beads of shot embedded in his ear. But, to my luck, all of that did happen and now Andrew is in a safe and comfortable home and will never need to worry about being taken care of again.
I'm glad he chose us because we very well may not have chose him.
Crystal - proud mother to Andrew, an American Foxhound.
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Thursday, November 01, 2007
The Pitbull's Poem
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Update on Shorty AKA Aunt Bea
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
He is your friend
Monday, October 22, 2007
Thank you, thank you, thank you
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Ellen DeGeneres, a dog and a lot of tears
The most compelling bit of television Tuesday — maybe for the whole week — involved a dog named Iggy and daytime talkshow host Ellen DeGeneres.
For those who missed it, Ellen — a big animal lover — adopted Iggy from a private animal rescue agency but the Brussels Griffon mix terrier didn’t get along with her cats. (She spent $3,000 trying to get Iggy and the cats to get along.) So, Ellen gave Iggy to her hairstylist’s family and he immediately bonded with the hairdresser’s daughters, ages 11 and 12.
All’s well that ends well, right? Nope.
It seems that when Ellen and her partner — actress Portia de Rossi — adopted Iggy, they signed an agreement with the agency — Mutts and Moms of Pasadena — that they would not give the dog to another family without informing the agency. So the owners grabbed the dog back.That led Ellen making a tearful plea on Tuesday’s show for Mutts and Moms to return Iggy to his new family.
“I’m a human being and I have bad days and I have sad days,'’ Ellen told her audience. “But when I walk out here and you all cheer and when you’re here to dance, you’re here to laugh, and I know I make people happy it changes my mood. I come out here and I can do anything because of the energy I get. But today is a hard day for me. Today is bad. I am not capable of coming out and pretending to be funny and ‘on’ when things are going so terribly wrong right now. I’m so sorry - I’m just not able to pretend.
“Just please give the dog back to those little girls. I’m sorry I didn’t call you. I’m sorry I did the wrong thing. Just give it back to the family. Please, please, please.”
End result: A furious online debate (most sided with Ellen but not all), segments on the network and local TV newscasts and, according to their attorney, death threats made against Mutts and Moms owners Marina Batkis and Vanessa Chekroun. The owners are digging in their heels and are flatly refusing to return Iggy — saying they won’t be bullied by DeGeneres.
So, today, Ellen is making another plea for Iggy’s return. Iggy ”just needs to be in a good home,'’ she says, according to a transcript of today’s show. ”All that you’re supposed to do is put a dog in a loving home.'’
So far, Iggy has not been available for comment.
This is not the first time, nor will it be the last, that an adopter will pass off the little, or big pooch to another person. Please allow the new prospective adopter an opportunity to adopt. Chances are, and you'll have a hard time accepting this, that the new family is a better suitor than the one you previously approved. Concerning Ellen, I doubt that she would find a family that wouldn't have put the pooch's interest first. We, Pound Dog Rescue, would probably adopt to this family, as most rescues would. In the press they were made to be villians that wouldn't be able to provide a loving home. Maybe their the ones that should have retained a lawyer.
And second, if rescues forbid to allow children from having pets, then we are producing a whole generation that will grow up not having pets. Research has shown, though you don't need much research to guess the answer, that people who had pets as children are best experienced to show their children how to love and care for a pet.
We hope Iggy is returned to your hairsylists and his two daughters. Perhaps Iggy will need a companion upon his return? Check out http://www.pounddogrescue.org/ . And if by chance you know of anyone looking to adopt, we'll trust your "word" that it'll be a loving home.
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Baby Acree 2002-October 15th 2007
Baby was a friend of Pound Dog Rescue. Her love instantly pierced your heart and her stamina wore your arm tried playing fetch. When she stayed with Pound Dog Rescue, she was bothered by another dog, so they would be seperate when it was time to be in the yard. I would take Baby into the bathroom to calm her, telling her how much I loved her, often singing little songs to her in my big off-key voice. I wished I could do that for her now...
Monday, October 15, 2007
I'm involved in Dog Rescue
I am involved in dog rescue: my wallet and gas tank are always running on empty, my house is never quiet and free of dog hair, nor is my car, my inbox is full of ongoing despair and misery, but my heart and soul are replenished with unconditional love, loyalty, and joy that can only come from a rescued dog!" ~ Author Unknown
Sunday, October 07, 2007
Castro Leads Independence Parade
Wednesday, October 03, 2007
Aunt Bea Has Been Adopted!
Shorty's grandma,
Cheryl
Tuesday, October 02, 2007
Love Me Don't Fight Me
As outlined in the motion, the ASPCA-led team’s report ensuing from the evaluations, which were conducted between September 4 and 6, 2007, show that the experts evaluated 48 of the 49 dogs as having potential for some form of placement. Recommended placement options include possible re-homing into appropriate foster homes, rehabilitation as law enforcement dogs, or placement in sanctuaries (which will need to meet U.S.D.A. facility standards). Only one of the 49 dogs was deemed unfit for rehabilitation and recommended for euthanasia, which order was entered yesterday by Judge Henry E. Hudson.
“The ASPCA—which was founded to fight cruelty 141 years ago—has been honored to assist federal investigators in this groundbreaking case, from participating in the investigation itself, to leading the behavior evaluations, and we greatly appreciate the trust placed in us,” said ASPCA President & CEO Ed Sayres. “More than anything, I am extremely proud of the dedication and collaboration demonstrated by the behaviorists who evaluated the dogs—that almost all these dogs can expect to live long and happy lives is an incredibly uplifting and inspiring outcome to this case.”
Dr. Stephen Zawistowski, C.A.A.B., executive vice president, National Programs, and science advisor for the ASPCA, led the team of several Certified Applied Animal Behaviorists (trained animal behavior experts who have been certified by the Animal Behavior Society) in conducting the evaluations—the team comprised C.A.A.B.s both from inside the ASPCA as well as independent C.A.A.B.s from around the country. In addition, BAD RAP (Bay Area Doglovers Responsible About Pit Bulls), a San Francisco-based non profit organization that is an educational resource for pit bull owners and the shelters that house them, also worked with the ASPCA-led team to help identify dogs that can be absorbed into experienced foster programs for further observation and possible re-homing into appropriate homes.
For more information on the ASPCA, or to learn more about staying alert to animal cruelty, please visit www.aspca.org/cruelty.
Saturday, September 29, 2007
Dolly Boggs
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Harry Shivers
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Dog Retrieves Unwanted Girl
Want to see more dogs waiting to perform miracles? Check out http://www.pounddogrescue.org/ to choose your miracle dog.
Bow Wowwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww!
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Augie Has Decided To Live
Saturday, September 22, 2007
Lucy has found her love
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
Lady Baby
Tracy Caccavella
Thursday, April 12, 2007
End Horse Slaughter in Illinois!
Pound Dog Rescue wants to pass along this important message from the Humane Society. If you will be anywhere near Springfield on either of the dates listed below, we urge you to attend... | ||||
Lobby to Shut Down Horse Slaughter in Illinois Last week, a court ruling temporarily closed down the last operational horse slaughter plant in the country, located in DeKalb, Illinois. The horse slaughter industry is on its last legs, and now is the time to knock out this grim and ugly business once and for all. Animal Protection Lobby Days at the State Capitol in Springfield. Contact your state representative. Whether or not you can attend these events, please be sure to call and then email your state representative, to urge a vote in support of H.B. 1711 and ending horse slaughter permanently in Illinois. Making a call is easy. A staff member will take your call and pass your message to your legislator. All you have to say is:
After you make your call, click here to send a follow-up email supporting a ban on horse slaughter in Illinois. Each year, more than 100,000 horses are slaughtered in the United States for diners in Europe and Japan. You can stop this cruelty. Please tell your friends and family in Illinois how they can help bring an end to this gruesome practice once and for all. Sincerely, | ||||
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
Cheeta Celebrates 75th Birthday!
Uma and Bean
A Blog Reborn!
If you think you would like to be added to our author list, please contact us at our blog email:
pounddogrescue@gmail.com and let us know a little about what you want to do...
You may also check out the original Pound Dog Rescue website at http://www.pounddogrescue.org and get a better idea of what we are about.