Miracle Dog

All too often it’s stories of abuse, neglect, sadness and frustration that we hear about when it comes to man’s best friend, so whenever I find a story with a happy ending, I do my best to pass it on.

Meet Humphrey

Seen here as he is reunited with Normand Decano (left) and Jessica Steinkey, two of the animal care technicians responsible for his recovery.

Humphrey, a three month old Havanese-cross puppy, was found in north Edmonton, lying on the side of the road after being hit by a car on Sept. 23. A Good Samaritan took the puppy to the Edmonton Humane Society where the initial outlook was grim.

Jessica Steinkey, one of the animal health technicians who along with three other vets performed two surgeries on Humphry to repair a fractured pelvis and severe internal injuries, was thrilled to see the miraculous mutt make his energetic return.

“He’s quite a bit of a miracle dog,” she said. “We weren’t quite sure we were even going to be able to help with him — it’s great to see he’s found the right home for him.”

On Oct. 17, after just three weeks of treatment, Humphrey was put up for adoption and mere hours later found himself on his way home with new owner, Salem Bryant of Edmonton.

“We both just saw this face and that was it — it was just total love at first sight,” she said.

“Whoever lost this little guy, they lost out on a lot and we gained even more.”

Amazed by Humphrey’s quick recovery, and grateful for all that the Edmonton Humane Society staff did for her puppy, Bryant returned yesterday for a visit.

“When we were told the medical history we were honestly shocked,” she said, noting Humphry routinely bounds up stairs but can’t quite summit the couch on his own yet.

“You’d never think that anything ever happened to him.”

Adoptable Dog Of The Week

Atlas

Is he not the most gorgeous dog you’ve ever seen?

This incredibly handsome boy is available for adoption through Good Dog Rescue.

Atlas’ Profile:  JUST ARRIVED! Meet Altas, this handsome boy came to us from the Montreal SPCA due to overcrowding. He is a sweet boy, and we are just getting to know him. Atlas would benefit from obedience training to help bond with his new family. He requires an experienced owner who can help him learn new things and provide a consistent routine.

To request an adoption application in order to start the process so you can find out more info on this GoodDog, please E-mail gooddogrescueadoption@live.com or call 819-827-4507.

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Adopting a dog through your local animal shelter or rescue organization is the best way to combat the greedy puppy mill industry. Please don’t succumb to a pet store puppy when there are so many rescue dogs available, all of them deserving, loving and in desperate need of a forever home.

Make adoption your first option!

National Pit Bull Awareness Day

National Pit Bull

Awareness Day is a

day to showcase our

affectionate bully

breeds.

Our goal for the day

will be to promote

responsible ownership, educate, and

increase awareness with in the public of

our bullys.

If you are not in the state of Michigan but

would like to participate in National

Pitbull Awareness day please visit

http://www.blessthebullys.com/ to find out

about events in your area.

It’s no secret that I love a bully :) The bully breed anyway. I think Pit Bulls are incredibly beautiful and loyal and gentle, and sadly, they are also the most misunderstood “breed” of dog around.

I put the word breed in quotations because the Pit Bull is not an actual recognized breed. There are too many variations as explained here: Pit Bull Awareness Day

Every Pit Bull, like every dog, deserves to be loved everyday.

Kudos To Jennifer Pryor

Pryor widow slams Rock’s dog joke

By WENN.COM

The animal-loving widow of Richard Pryor banned Chris Rock from portraying the late comedy icon on the big screen after he made a joke about dog fighting, according to reports.

The Head of State star was among the frontrunners to land the main role in a new Pryor biopic, but he allegedly lost the part after jokingly defending shamed American football star Michael Vick, who recently served time for running an illegal dog-fighting ring.

During a recent appearance on U.S. TV’s The Jay Leno Show, Rock said, “What the hell did Michael Vick do? Pitbulls ain’t (sic) even real dogs! Dogs have never been good to black people!”

The quip offended Pryor’s wife Jennifer, who serves as the director of animal rescue group Pryor’s Planet, and she made sure Rock’s throwaway comments cost him the movie job.

In an open letter to the star, Jennifer fumes, “For your information, Chris, what Michael Vick did was to torture, drown, electrocute and murder dogs all for fun and for profit! He went to prison for felony animal cruelty! That’s what he did!

“These types of comments only encourage abuse and misunderstanding of this breed, as well as actual dog-fighting. Clearly this part of your latest stand-up routine would not make Richard laugh!”

Fellow funnyman Marlon Wayans is reported to have landed the coveted role in Richard Pryor: Is It Something I Said?, which is expected to hit cinemas in 2011.

Pryor, who founded Pryor’s Planet before his death, passed away in 2005 from a cardiac arrest, aged 65.

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I happened to catch a clip of that Rock/Leno piece, and while I am all for freedom of speech and keeping to the lighter side of life, there is a line that needs to be respected, and never crossed. Chris Rock disrespected and crossed right over it, in my opinion — just to get a cheap laugh? — and I was disgusted by both he and Jay Leno.

There are just some things that can never be funny or made light of, and the extreme mistreatment of animals is one of them. There is no more misunderstood breed than the beautiful and loving Pit Bull, and I am very glad to see Jennifer Lee Pryor take a stand on their behalf.

Adoptable Dog Of The Week

Maggie – ADOPTED!

Today’s Waggery choice for Adoptable Dog Of The Week was no contest. The moment I laid eyes on this lovely little girl, I knew she was the one.

Maggie is available for adoption through Arbed Rescue (who were the ones responsible for the rescue of my beautiful Kaylee).

Maggie’s Profile:  Maggie is five years old, very sweet, an adorable girl and excellent family pet. She enjoys the company of her four legged friends. Her family, who love her very much, can no longer care for her due to a illness within the family.

For further info e-mail nickyys@sympatico.ca or call 613-528-1764

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Adopting a dog through your local animal shelter or rescue organization is the best way to combat the greedy puppy mill industry. Please don’t succumb to a pet store puppy when there are so many rescue dogs available, all of them deserving, loving and in desperate need of a forever home.

Make adoption your first option!

One Small Victory In The Fight Against Puppy Mills

But every victory counts, no matter how small.  Now Canada’s legal system needs to make sure that it does its part, and that its part is done right. A half-hearted slap on the wrist simply won’t do. That won’t send the message that is so drastically needed to be sent to those who neglect and abuse helpless animals in the name of profit.

Charges laid in Edmonton puppy-mill bust

City woman accused of failing to provide adequate food, water and shelter for 42 animals

By RICHARD LIEBRECHT, SUN MEDIA

The Edmonton Sun

A woman has been charged for allegedly keeping 42 animals in their own filth — in connection with Edmonton’s first puppy-mill bust six months ago.

And officials at the Edmonton Humane Society fear it’s only the tip of the iceberg.

“This was a sign there were people out there breeding without the welfare of the animals in mind,” said Shawna Randolph, spokeswoman for the humane society.

Charges against May Poon, of Edmonton, include failing to provide food and water, keeping animals in distress, failing to provide adequate care when the animal is wounded or ill and failing to provide adequate shelter, ventilation and space.

The charges have been levelled by the Edmonton Humane Society under Alberta’s Animal Protection Act.

Rows of tiny cages were uncovered in a home at 17215 60 Ave. on April 1, according to the humane society. There were 32 dogs and 10 cats found, some with bleeding cuts, others too weak to walk. They were allegedly lying in their own feces and urine.

Many were left with uterine tract infections and severe dental problems, says the humane society.

The puppies have all been adopted, but some face ongoing dental and house-training issues, said Randolph.

Poon will appear in court Oct. 28.

“We just really hope that the court system will have a situation where (the person responsible) will not be allowed to care for animals in the future. That’s what we’re hoping for — prohibition,” said Randolph.

The problem is much bigger than one operation, said Randolph.

“The (humane society) is confident there are other puppy mills in Edmonton yet to be uncovered,” she said.

There are still “designer” breed dogs being dropped off occasionally at the humane society shelter.

It raised red flags before the current case, said Randolph, but the trend hasn’t waned since the operation was busted.

“These are breeds that reputable breeders would not make,” she said.

She said a large portion of labradoodles and poo-poms — inter-species breeds — are raised in puppy mills.

That sort of cross breeding has taken hold in Eastern Canada and the U.S., she said. Now the operations are spreading west.

“We knew it was a matter of time before one showed up here,” said Randolph.

The humane society is asking neighbours to sniff out suspicious signs and report possible puppy mill houses in the city.

“If they suspect that their neighbour could be running a puppy mill, that call would not make them a bad neighbour. It could potentially save an animal’s life,” she said.

RICHARD.LIEBRECHT@SUNMEDIA.CA

Adoptable Dog Of The Week

Tina

Tina is a Shih-Tzu (mix) and is available for adoption through Navan Animal Rescue Corporation (NARC). Contact Michelle Mayer at 613.834.7005 (michelle.mayer@narc-charity.ca) or email information@narc-charity.ca for more information.

Tina’s Profile:  Tina has adapted well to our environment, she is very pretty and now likes the attention she is given although it took her a day to make sure we were nice people.  She will walk on her hind legs to be picked up and cradled – actually swims in the air when you pick her up – pretty funny!  She does grunt (“talks”) when you pet her but that is her telling us she is liking every minute of it!  She is 7 years old.  Good with her bath, a few snarls while grooming but as soon as you say “No” she stops and puts her paws on your chest to come kiss you!

Upcoming GSD Litter

I get asked by people all of the time where I got my German Shepherd. She does have the loveliest markings and an impressive pedigree and conformation.

Most impressive of all, I think, is her laid-back personality. She still exhibits the strong, protective, powerhouse qualities of all GSDs, but she is also very patient and easy-going inside the home, and with family and friends. She is a smart, wonderful dog, and has spoiled me for those that will follow.

Tempe (aka Radisson’s Savannah) came to us through Hinesonhaus Kennels (you can read a bit about her on their “Our Dogs” page, down near the bottom) and now her daughter, Hinesonhaus’ Dreamy Indigo, will be bred for the very first time, making Tempe a grandmother again. No wonder she has some gray creeping into her muzzle. :)

For anyone interested in adding a GSD to their family, I highly recommend Hinesonhaus Quality GSDs. Debbie and Chris live and breathe their dogs, and that’s what you want from a breeder.

Random …

I always like to check in on what type of searches and which referral sites brings people to this blog. Yesterday there was a Twitter referral to The Waggery’s Good Dog Blog.  I’m not even on Twitter. Hmm . . . interesting.

I had an email from one reader pointing out that besides my recent Kaylee post, I haven’t posted any pictures of my other dogs in awhile. So I thought I’d remedy that and spent some time this morning going through my folder of pics to see what ones would be fun to share . . .

My beauty

Here’s Temperance — my pride and joy — at the dog park. About 15 seconds after this picture was taken, we had a rambunctious young viszla come bounding over for some play time.

A really bad pic, I know. I thought I had a better one of him (he was so handsome) but maybe it turned out too blurry and I deleted it.

Tempe didn’t take kindly to this fellow the first time we met along one of the pathways because he ran past her and charged at me. So she went after him with quite the warning growl, hackles raised like a Mohawk from the base of her head to her tail. He was only playing, of course, and fortunately Tempe listens very well to my commands and immediately backed off into a sit and stay. An absolute must when you take your dog to an off-leash park!

Ottawa really has the loveliest dog parks

A few hours spent there and the dogs sleep contentedly the rest of the day

A Feel Good Dog Story

Well, except for the $450.00 fine given to the dogs’ owners, this one can definitely be classified as a feel good story.

Constable Doug Powell and Constable Steve Gambrel of the Winnipeg Police Department got a bit more than they bargained for after picking up two dogs at the corner of Mountain Avenue and McPhillips Street.

It was 2:30 am Friday morning when the two officers spotted Missy, a pregnant Shepherd-collie cross, and Bear Bear, her cocker spaniel companion, wandering in traffic. Concerned that the dogs would be hit by a car, they purchased pepperoni sticks from a local convenience store and lured the pair off the streets.

“We care about dogs as much as people,” Powell said.

While on their way to the animal shelter, they received a call that took them to the 800 block of Redwood Avenue where a man with a gun had entered one of the units, and shots had been fired. Missy and Bear remained in the police cruiser until Powell and Gambrel returned four hours later, and during that time Missy began giving birth to her rather large brood. There were four by the time the officers returned, they helped her give birth to three more before getting her to the animal shelter where she birthed an additional two.

“It was one of the strangest things — if not the strangest thing — I think we’ve had happen,” Gambrel said.

Missy and Bear Bear’s owner Boris Smith was notified around 8:00 am, and went to claim his dogs. On the way home Missy gave birth to more puppies and is now the proud mom of twelve in all.

“It surprised me,” Smith said, standing in his Mountain Avenue basement near where Missy nursed the wee litter of pups. “I want to say thank you to (the officers) because they did something very special for me. If this had happened anywhere else, I don’t know what would’ve happened.”

The Smith family received a $450.00 fine for allowing their dogs to run loose, but I’m sure that’s a small price to pay for the safe return of Bear Bear, Missy and her puppies.

Here’s a picture of the happy family