Monday Morning: on Missing Belle

Basking in the winter sun - behind the glass - Hannah. Me.

Everyone has some place to be - except we two.

It looks the best place to be we say!

Can't help but thinking: how Belle would like to be the one!

Lin

"the Pigeon Man of Lincoln Square"

A Chicago man widely known as "the Pigeon Man of Lincoln Square" was struck and killed by a van Tuesday afternoon on the Far North Side.Joseph Zeman, 77, whose love of and attentiveness toward pigeons was detailed in a 2004 Tribune article, was hit by a 1992 Chevrolet van at Devon Avenue and McCormick Road about 2:15 p.m., police said.Zeman of the 2100 block of West Arthur Avenue was pronounced dead at 3:21 p.m. in St. Francis Hospital in Evanston, according to the Cook County medical examiner's office.
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."

Andrew's Tail...er...Tale

You always hear people say things like "it comes when you least expect it" and after meeting Andrew, I would have to say that this addage is true for most. I had wanted a dog since I first moved to Illinois but my house size was never really condusive to getting a dog. I prefer larger dogs and understand much of the care and time a dog needs and the room to run. I could have gotten a smaller dog, but every one I saw never truly appealed to me. My two children would occassionally ask for a dog but I would remind them that we had three cats and hermit crabs and that was enough.

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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The Pitbull's Poem

You made me what I am today, courage at its best. You wanted me to know no fear, a cut above the rest. Not only have I mastered that, I've thrown in loyalty too. Look past my eyes into my soul, you know I'd die for you. I'll watch your kids, I'll watch your house,Your praise will be my crownAsk what you will, I'll do my best, I'll even be your clown. But some of you don't like me, I'm sure I don't know why. The only thing I'm guilty of is courage and love, so whydo they want to see me go, they want my breed to end. Will I see you sitting idly by? You, who I call friend. You made me what I am today, you never saw me waiver. I've done my best to keep you safe. Wont you please return the favor?

Update on Shorty AKA Aunt Bea

I also wanted to update you on Shorty and send some pictures. As you can see in the pictures Bruce is never far away and even waits for her to wake up. She makes a good excuse for being able to sit on the couch and do nothing. She loves to be held while she sleeps, and we all oblige her. She has a thing for my husband and nephew where she wants them to play with her and she won't take no for an answer. This is the only time she really barks. She follows them around everywhere, and I mean everywhere. They can't go to the bathroom without her waiting at the door for them. Another thing we have discovered is how much lights and shadows get her going. She will very intently chase lights and shadows. Of course the guys love to have her chase their flashlights. I have to hide the surge protector light on my computer because she will get under my desk and scratch at it till she gets it off. Now she's gotten so good she can get it with one hit. She and Bruce will go at it every once in awhile. It is usually over food. Even though I feed them seperately, Shorty will get aggressive towards Bruce. He recognizes it immediately and lays down in submission, but she continues until we put her in her crate. Just know that we love her so much and are taking good care of her.

Cheryl

He is your friend

He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your Dog! You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart! You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion."

Thank you, thank you, thank you

On Friday October the 12th, Tom Irwin & The Irwinites, http://www.tomirwin.org/ , played a benefit concert for Pound Dog Rescue. There are some happier doggies because of his generiosity. and, of course, a big THANK YOU to the The Curve Inn, http://www.thecurveinn.com/ , for hosting the event. Please check out Tom's website to order his new cd, Carry Me Home. Pound Dog Rescue gives it Four Paws up. Please patronize The Curve Inn, it's a nice way to relax with friends. Thank you Amy.

Photos courtesy of http://www.springfieldphotos.blogspot.com

Ellen DeGeneres, a dog and a lot of tears

By Charlie McCollum
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.

Baby Acree 2002-October 15th 2007

The cause of a fire Monday that extensively damaged the two-story Literberrry home of Brenda Acree has not been determined, but the blaze is not believed to be suspicious. Mrs. Acree, who was renting the house at 2291 West St., was not at home at the time. When she arrived at the house fire, she reportedly burst into tears and started feeling chest pains. She was transported by ambulance to Passavant Area Hospital, where she was treated and released. South Jacksonville Firefigher Mike Broaddus also was transported by ambulance to the hospital. “Apparently, he got a little over heated, and he started having some chest pains,” said South Jacksonville Fire Chief Dave Hickox, whose department handled the fire. “His vitals all checked out real well, but his heart rate, of course, was up a little bit. Just for precautionary reasons, they are taking him to Passavant.” Mr. Broaddus later was admitted to Passvant Area Hospital and listed in stable condition about 9 p.m. Monday, a hospital spokeswoman said. No one was at home at the time the fire was discovered, but two dogs reportedly died in the blaze. A third dog in the yard was not injured. Mrs. Acree’s husband, James, 46, died Sept. 28 while in Missouri where he worked. The house reportedly is owned by Mrs. Acree’s mother-in-law, Helen Acree. South Jacksonville firefighters, assisted by the Jacksonville Fire Department, brought the flames under control after battling the blaze for nearly two hours. “I believe (the house is) going to be a total loss,” Chief Hickox said. “The whole back side of the house is completely gone. There’s a lot of smoke and water damage throughout the structure. It looks like the floor where the fire initially started has burned through into the basement.” Because of the extent of the damage, the cause is not likely to be determined, but it possibly was electrical in nature, Chief Hickox said. A hot water heater was recently installed in the home, and it is unknown whether that was factor in the fire’s cause, he added. Chief Hickox said the fire apparently began in a utility room at the back southwest corner of the house. Flames spread to the kitchen before heading to an upstairs bedroom, attic and roof, he added. The fire was called in shortly after noon by an AmerenIP employee who saw smoke coming from the house when he was working on a nearby power pole, said Morgan County Sheriff’s Deputy Ed Mohan. Because the homeowner does not subscribe with the Jacksonville Fire Department for fire fighting protection, South Jacksonville Fire Department responded to the fire. While en route, the South Jacksonville Fire Department requested Jacksonville send a tanker truck with water, which arrived at the house a minute or so after the South Jacksonville fire trucks, said Jacksonville Capt. Beth Kershaw. The six on-duty Jacksonville firefighters responded later, after the South Jacksonville Fire Department requested aid. “You can see right now that we’re all beat and dead tired,” Chief Hickox said shortly after firefighters from both departments brought the blaze under control at about 2 p.m. “We’ve got more reinforcements coming in, thank God,” he added. “Jacksonville is coming in with more off-duty firemen.” Four off-duty Jacksonville firefighters responded to the scene to provide more air packs and to assist the firefighters already on the scene. No Jacksonville firefighters were hurt, Capt. Kershaw said. Deputy Mohan said he was on the scene for about 10 minutes when South Jacksonville fire trucks arrived, “But they responded quickly from where they had to come. “A bunch of smoke was coming from the back of the residence. Smoke was not coming from the upper part of the house at that point,” Deputy Mohan said. Only the dog in the back yard was barking. The deputy prevented a neighbor from trying to rescue the dogs inside after the deputy discovered the front door was hot and smoke was rolling out from under it. The first firefighters, Chief Hickox and Capt. Brian Glascock, arrived in a pickup truck ahead of the South Jacksonville fire trucks. Both firemen were on the west side of Jacksonville when the fire call came in, “So we just drove out here, and we had our guys put our equipment in the truck, and we met them over here,” Chief Hickox. A nearby propane tank was disconnected, and AmerenIP already had the electrical power disconnected, Chief Hickox said. “The toughest thing about the fire was, when we actually got into the house, it’s so cut up, and it’s like maze in there,” Chief Hickox said. The house is sided with asphalt shingles with wooden slats behind them, “so it went right, straight up the wall into the attic, because there was no barrier to stop it.” The firefighters remained on the scene until about 3:15 p.m. The home and its contents are covered by insurance, Chief Hickox said. Mrs. Acree’s neighbors helped move a large camper that was parked alongside of the burning house. Jacksonville Fire Chief Rick Kluge said under special circumstances his department will respond to a fire out of town at a non-subscriber’s residence. “If they say someone is still in the house and it’s life-threatening, we’ll roll for that,” Chief Kluge explained. In addition, the department will respond if a fire near a highway has the potential for a traffic hazard or if a fire threatens a nearby home that does have Jacksonville fire coverage.




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...

Belle

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

Castro Leads Independence Parade

A friend brought this newspaper clipping to us. The first thing I thought was that Castro had changed a bit...for the better. I always thought that Heads of States would be better as canines. But even stranger, after the clipping hung on the wall for a week or so, we saw a white dog in need left at an abandoned building. Well, of course, we brought the dog home. And she told us absolutey nothing about her life in Cuba, but we love her dearly. Since finding Pup(Castro), we have included in our acquistion process the idea of "signs".

Belle

Let your hook be always cast; in the pool where you least expect it, there will be a fish.

Ovid

Aunt Bea Has Been Adopted!

Aunt Bea has been adopted! Our little pittie girl who is deaf and has a slight hip displacia has found her forever loving home. She lives with her Staff-boy "Bruce". More later on how they met and their life together...

I have been meaning to update you. They are definitely a handful, all they want to do is play. The day I brought her home she did not sleep at all, they played up to the time we all went to bed. I think I should have restricted it and made them have down time. Leona changes her name all the time, she calls her Shorty now and most of us haven't caught up with the change. I did take some pictures, but at the moment I can't find my camera. I'm trying to develop a schedule for them. She definitely hates her crate. She's in there now, it's been about ten minutes and she is still going. We did just get in from playing outside. I've been letting them play in the hose everyday trying to wear them out. I've also been letting them play tug of war because it seems to keep them from nipping and biting each other and when Bruce gets it away he runs so she has to chase him. Should I be doing this or am I causing trouble for the future? Do you think they will ever want to stop playing and just hang out? They don't fight but their play is so aggressive. They do exchange the dominate role all the time, so I know they are still playing. Their necks show the signs of roughhousing, especially Bruce. When she is laying on the couch Bruce is right by her licking all over her face and mouth. Of course Leona thinks they are making out. Bruce rarely leaves her side. Everyone that has seen her can't believe how beautiful she is, and she does well with anyone that comes around the house. She sleeps with Leona all night. She is fascinated with Leona's fish, at first they scared her. She loves chasing shadows and she is very interested in little lights, computer lights and surge protector lights. It's more like she can't figure them out. We are definitely in love with her and so glad we have her. As soon as I find my camera I will get some of the pictures to you. She's still in her cage and still hating it. You two have a great day and I will update again soon.

Shorty's grandma,
Cheryl

Love Me Don't Fight Me

NEW YORK, October 2, 2007—Following a motion filed yesterday by the U. S. Attorney’s Office on the recommended disposition of 49 pit bulls seized in the Michael Vick case, the ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) today thanked the U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and U.S. Attorney’s Office for the opportunity to lead the behavior evaluations that resulted in these recommendations, as well as the behaviorists who contributed their expertise during this process.
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.

Dolly Boggs

Our park has a fenced in tennis court - perfect place to let Dolly off her leash and run. I think she is adjusting well to our family. We keep saying what a wonderful dog she is. She is so well behaved in the house and is getting better on the leash. Even Trent loves to hug and kiss her and will put her leash on her and walk her. A couple of years ago Trent was knocked down by a dog and has been scared ever since. Dolly is the perfect dog to help him get over that fear. We've discovered that she already knows sit, lay down, and shake hands. We are going on a week - long camping trip next week and are excited about taking Dolly with us. Thanks so much for recommending her - she is perfect for our family.

Kristy C. Boggs

Just wanted to let you know that Dolly is doing great. We just bought 50 acres of land - we have always wanted to buy some land a build a house. It will be a few years before we build our house, but it is only a few minutes from where we live so we go there a lot just to play and hike. There are 3 creeks, a pond, and lots of room to run. And boy does Dolly run. She runs and plays and gets in the creeks and pond. She has such a great time. Sometimes our friends come along and bring their dog and the 2 dogs literally play tag with each other. My son's kindergarten class recently had a study unit on pets so I took Dolly to visit. Since she was visiting Trent's class John wanted her to visit his class too so she got to visit the kindergarten and 2nd grades. All the kids got a turn to give her a treat - she had a great day. She had a check up at the vet today to get her shots. She weighed in at 76 pounds. She was 63 when we got her, so she is up to an ideal weight now. Vet said she is just right, not overweight. If you guys are ever in the Table Grove area you are welcome to stop by and see Dolly run at our new place.

Kristy

I've never had a tattoo, but I've had many dogs, and all of them have left their own indelible marks on me.

Ken Foster

Harry Shivers

Hi there! This is Harry. He already has a home. Harry is here to help his four-legged friends at Pound Dog Rescue find new homes today.

This is his story...

Last year, Matt was shooting pictures of the new middle/high school in Beardstown, his wife Sarah's hometown. His sister in-law, astudent there, found him in the hallway and asked if he could bring her(forgotten) gym clothes to her at lunch. Matt agreed, finished taking pictures, and went back to his in-law's house. He grabbed the gym clothes, walked to his car, and pulled away. Not ten feet from the house, Matt felt a "thump". He looked in the rear view mirror and saw this little puppy stand up in the middle of the street...and fall down. He wrapped him up and brought him inside. When Cass County Animal Control showed up, Matt thought that was the end of the story...but he was curious. The next day, he called Animal Control to ask about the puppy. Miraculously, not only was he alive...but doing well. At least as well as one can be after being hit BY A CAR. They put Matt in touch with Lin, from Pound Dog Rescue. She told him that all the little guy had was a briused lung and some mild shock. Thankfully, Pound Dog Rescue was there to take care of him until Matt brought him home. Neddless to say, he and his wife Sarah fell in love with Harry.

Thanks to Lin, Paul, and Pound Dog Rescue, Harry's story is one of the many happy "tails"

Matt Shivers

Matt and Sarah had, for sometime, been looking to adopt a dog. Countless hours were spent on Petfinder to find the perfect puppy. But there were none quite like Harry. They have been the only prospective adopters to have run over the dog. We hope it will be the last.

Pound Dog Rescue

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!

Augie Has Decided To Live

Augie has decided to live. After his owner died, Augie went to live with a relative who did nothing to care for him. After much suffering, a dog fight, worms, coccidia...Augie decided to "run at large". A brief stay with law emforcement, then a call to Pound Dog Rescue. Just looking at the fellow, one can see the suffering, and the longing too be loved. He moans, he groans, he yelps, and barks, for a pet, for a scratch, for a hug, and a kiss. Never wanting to be left alone. I tell him that he will never suffer again, but he only understands when I pet him. And so thankful to be with me!

Belle

Never to suffer would never to have been blessed

Edgar Allan Poe

Although the world is full of suffering, it is full also of the overcoming of it

Helen Keller

On Friday, October the 12th, just before the Tom Irwin Benefit Concert, Augie died. We ask Tom to decicate his song, "I Haven't Felt This Good in a Long, Long, Time" to Augie. The lyrics are as follows:

Leaves are falling in my hair, I could be going anywhere

Like upside down in a cowboy hat or watching tv sitting gettin fat

Sailing on the ocean with little boy blue or staying here home with you

I haven't felt this good in a long, long, time

I had an old freind but she went away

I'm pretty sure I'll see her again someday

Putting up her long gray hair in a bun or picking strawberries all day in the sun

Sitting on the front porch on Sunday afternoon or standing in the pasture staring at the moon

I haven't felt this way in a long, long, time

Inside of those canned goods that she placed upon her self

Were friuts and vegetables she raised herself

I can hear her say, "save for tommorrow what's left for today"

I forgot about this one thing that I had

I forgot I knew how to make myself not sad

So I take a long walk in the deep, dark woods and think of all the things that i thought I should

I feel your breath blowing in the breeze and see your smile in the trees

I haven't felt this good in a long, long, time

Lucy has found her love

Lucy has found her love . After a brief stay with Pound Dog Rescue, Lucy has found her forever home. She was in the pound, back in the corner, not wanting to come with me. Not knowing what I would do. Am I a bad guy? Am I a good guy? She was so confused by the whole Pound experience she didn't want to come with me, then after convincing her to follow me out of the pound, I couldn't convince her to ride in the van(looked like the Pound truck, I guess. Gotta sell that thing). So we walked. And by the time we reached the house, she was in love with me!

How could we let her go, she just pierced your heart! It would have to be just the right home. We'll she found one(look at picture again, and laugh). It was love at first sight. Cain. They couldn't take their eyes off each other. How could we say no. We didn't. Even putting them in the car was an experience. Cain was first, and Lucy wouldn't leave his sight. So off they drove, hearts fluttering and tears.

Belle

"I seem to have loved you in numberless forms, numberless times, in life after life, in age after age forever"

Rabindranath Tagor

Lady Baby

lady was diagnosed with Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia and Immune Mediated Trombocytopenia, basically in English...her body was attacking her patelelets that clot her blood and she was bleeding internally. i walked into the vets office & Dr. Whalen told me to come to the back. Lady's blood count had dropped since this morning. he took me to see her. she got up and came to me...butt wiggling . she gave me kisses on my face and arms as i hugged her and told her i was sorry and that i loved her. i told her everybody loves her even though they did not know her. i told her that she did good and was a good girl, that her puppies were safe and she could go knowing that. the doctor had me sign the consent form. he offered me her ashes, i said yes. he also offered me a little plaque that has her paw print on it, i told him yes. he led me to a room and put a blanket on the table for her. the vet tech brought her in and put her on the table. i gave her kiss after kiss and pet her and told her i am so sorry and how much i love her. dr. Whalen ask me if i was ready and i said yes. he injected it into her iv. she looked at me with loving eyes and laid down and fell asleep. i stayed with for about 15 minutes and told her she was "home" now and that she was all better. i kissed her goodbye and walked out of the office in tears. i am still shaking. i just wish this would not have happened to such a sweet girl. now she is at peace. i will miss her so much, i already do. i am so saddened, but so angery at her previous "owners". if only they would have cared for her. if only they would have loved her...just a little. it's over now and i loved her and i know she loved me. i just wish things could have been differnt for her. the vet said he would send me the bill. at this point i just don't care about the bill. i just wanted everyone to know. rest peacefully my sweet Lady Baby.

Tracy Caccavella

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. The Humane Society of the United States is hosting two free Animal Protection Lobby Days at the State Capitol in Springfield on April 18 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and April 19 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Click here for event details and to R.S.V.P. 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: "Hello, my name is [your name] and I am calling from [your city]. I strongly support H.B. 1711, legislation to ban horse slaughter in Illinois. Horses hold a special place in American history and should not be slaughtered for export to France and other countries for human consumption. It's time to end this grisly practice and I hope [legislator's name] will support a ban on horse slaughter. Thank you." 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. Thank you for taking action on this important legislation, and for all you do for animals. Sincerely, Wayne Pacelle President & CEO The Humane Society of the United States

Cheeta Celebrates 75th Birthday!

Cheeta, the chimpanzee who starred in his first Tarzan film with Johnny Weissmuller in 1934, celebrated his 75th birthday on Monday. He is thought to be the world's oldest chimp, and has spent the last 16 years in retirement in Palm Springs, California , at the primate sanctuary named in his honor, Creative Habitats and Enrichment for Endangered and Threatened Apes. He lives with his "owner and trainer", Dan Westfall. If you want more information on the sanctuary or are interested in obtaining one of Cheeta's works of "Ape-Stract Art", you can visit the C.H.E.E.T.A. Primate Sancturary website. More photos of the celebration can be found here.

Uma and Bean

we are Uma & Bean, and besides the many talents that are attributed to canines, we blog. so welcome all of our doggie friends, human & otherwise..... besides the usual sit, stay, fetch, we help with all aspects of Pound Dog Rescue, a small no-kill rescue for canines. yes, help is on the way, it's Uma & Bean........as you can tell from the the picture, I'm the pretty black dog longing for an afternoon nap. Bean, on the other hand is alert, as usual. most likely due to his breed, a french Pointer/American Bulldog cross. doesn't make for a balance, but who is......most the time I just allow him to believe he's just fine. we were both orphaned until and met about the same time & about the same age. picked up by Pound Dog Rescue & luckily escaped the Pet Adoption. YEAH! since then we have taken adminstrative duties with Pound Dog Rescue such as worrying, worrying, and of course, worrying. more about that later. but this usually manifest itself as eating disorders, i.e. eating everything off the floor, eating string that gets caught you know where, and finding mom's glasses, they don't fit right till we chew on them a bit....leads to alot of stomach problems. we need to put on the ole thinking caps cause somewhere out there is future adopters that need to meet the doggies that are looking for their big COMFY couch. you know, can't help but worry about the doggies that need homes. you'll have to have you meet some them soon! until then it's Bow Wowwwwwwwwwwww.

A Blog Reborn!

Pound Dog Rescue has been around for some time now, and this weblog was planned from the very beginning, but just didn't get off the ground...an idea whose time hadn't come (yet). Now interest has revived and it looks like there will be posts by others, as well as myself. Keep watching, and keep your fingers crossed!

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.