“Saving just one dog won’t change the world, but it will surely change the world of that one dog.”

      If you don't read anything else from this post read this-“Saving just one dog won’t change the world, but it will surely change the world of that one dog.”

       Ok if you read my post, Adopt a Friend. No Matter the Species., then you read my mini rant about how much I HATE it when people have their dogs chained up all day, every day, their whole lives. My friends have heard me rant about my frustration with ignorant people and about how I wish I could chain all those people and do the exact same thing to them!!

     They would beg to be set free while they bake in the hot sun, tangled up on debris in the yard unable to reach the green stagnant bowl of water, laying in their own waste, they would pull and pull choking themselves unable to get off the chain around their necks..... I realize I sound like I'm being dramatic, but I'm not.

The difference between chaining dogs and chaining humans is that dogs do not hate the ones who chained them up. They do not sit out there hating their owners ,they sit out there wondering what they did wrong. Humans would sit out there thinking about how they would get back at the one who did this to them, how they hate them, and how they would seek revenge. Dogs..well as man's best friend they wait for you to return and shower you with love....

I took these pictures April 2010..

      

Yes, animals do get sunburns. No, they do not like to lay in their waste. Yes, animals like fresh water. Yes, they will continue to love you no matter you do to them. No, that does not mean you can do whatever you want to them.

NO, DOGS DO NOT LIKE TO BE CHAINED!

NO, THEY DO NOT DESERVE IT!

This is the same dog(JJ) from those ^^ pictures, only this time he's with me:)




Enjoying my casa.










Swimming:D

Exploring the park!!

His owner said he was a " cat killer".
Ha ha yea right. He would nap w/ my kittens.




 Not only did he do all this but he was at almost every tennis practice my senior year and was in the team picture:)


           Anyway back to chaining up dogs, if you do not have time for a dog do not adopt one. If you see a dog that is neglected get involved. That is what I did with JJ, I would bring him to my house for days at a time during the summer, take him to tennis practice everyday, and when I dropped him off I changed and cleaned water/ food dishes. Since his owner was gone 3 days at a time he did not always have food so I would bring him some and put sunscreen on his nose. Multiple times I took him to the vet for check ups and once for stitches (its unknown if he got hurt with me or over there). Here is a website with tips--->Unchain Your Dog. Honestly, I am not very good at confronting people nicely. I'm passionate, get frustrated, and I am not really a people person haha. The thing you need to remember when trying to help an animal in this kind of situation is, the government sees pets as property not beings. I had to learn this the hard way:( Since I spent so much time with JJ I felt like he was really mine. FALSE I had no legal right over him therefore I could not protect him. My heart broke everytime I picked him up or dropped him off, no boy had ever hurt me like this... how could it be that the first time I get my heart broken is because of a dog?
           I told my dad that people thought I was weird because I loved a dog that was not even mine. His response was "why is that weird? I have met way more dogs I liked than people" haha I love my daddy, he gets me:) Despite my many efforts to adopt JJ I failed. I admit I went about it the wrong way, I was critical, threatening, and angry. I became even worse once I realized I would never be able to help him. "HOW COULD I CHANGE THE WORLD IF I CAN'T EVEN HELP A DOG?" and other negative thoughts ran through my mind. 3 years later the story has a sorta happy ending,  JJ and his owner moved to another house with a better fence(so is no longer chained), a big dog house, and I think his owner cleans out the yard once in awhile. Another thing is he is aloud inside more!! yay:) Thanks for reading about my K9 friend, now go out there and change the world for at least one dog.
Want to read some cute dog quotes? Click HERE
Also please vote in the poll in the margin:) Do you think its ok to chain dogs?

Adopt a Friend. No Matter the Species.

 A couple of days ago, I started volunteering at my local animal shelter and the first dog I walked was a sweetheart that looked like mop. He was adorable, got along well with other dogs, and did well on a leash. The next day I went back to spend time with my newfound friend, however, the kennel was empty. Therefore, I asked a man if he had been adopted and the response I got was “sure”…WHAT THE HECK..WHAT DO YOU MEAN “SURE”? I suppose the woman next to him saw my puzzled look and explained that the animals sometimes are at the vet overnight, are adopted, or are put to sleep. I am sure I could feel my heart crumbling to a million pieces in my chest. She explained that whenever they notice a dog is gone they just tell themselves that they I have found a new home and move on to the next kennel. The man elaborated, explaining how he use to run an animal shelter, and that sometimes it is just better for them to be put to sleep opposed to never finding a home. He also explained what a luxury it is to be a no kill shelter….yea at that point tears were building up in my eyes..

 I was too scared to ask an employee what happened to him.. I guess I’ll pray that he is there tomorrow or found the loving home he deserves.

This past week I have had a poll asking what your favorite animal companion is, and after the votes were cast these are the results:
18 for K9s
12 for Cats
2 for Reptiles/Amphibians
2 for Horses 
4 for Exotic Animals
2 for Birds

    I realize that this is an elementary question but where I am going with this is no matter what species of friend you are looking for there is one in need of a home. There is no need to buy from a breeder when there is already the perfect companion waiting for you in a shelter. Petfinder.com is a helpful resource to help you find the friend you want. Word of advice, I would never recommend that you base choosing the new member of your family off a preferred breed, color, gender, ect. Base it off what personality is right for your home, obviously this can be swayed by their  breed but when you contact a shelter tell them your preferred personality qualities and they can help you determined which cutie would be right for your family. Consider..

·       If you have adequate amount of space in your home.

·       If you can provide exercise.

·       If you can financially support them.

·        Children.

·       Your other companion animals.

·       Most importantly, if you really have time to dedicate to another being and if your intentions are sincere.

    (Mini Rant- It infuriates me to no end when I see dogs tied up in a nasty yard!! "Friends Don't Chain Friends" is a campaign put on by PETA <3 Think about it, this nonhuman companion depends on you for everything- water, food, and love. Is leaving him or her outside chained up at all what they deserve. Here is how you can help --> http://www.unchainyourdog.org/WaystoHelp.htm)

    Anyway back to adopting instead of buying, not only does it help an animal it helps you!! They are current on their shots, spayed or nurtured, if you ask the employee’s opinion you are more likely to find the critter that is right for you, the dog is more likely to be house trained, its cheaper, plus it makes you a cooler personJ  

    Not really into the traditional pets? You can still save animals!! Like I said, petfinder.com has it all!! Rodents, birds, snakes, lizards, farm animals, and anything else you can think of!! So question, why would you go to petsmart or somewhere to buy a pet and support breeding when you can go get one that needs you!! That’s how I got my baby boy Rafiki <3 A sweetheart of an Kenyan Sand Boa. Actually, I got him from craigslist but same situation; I took him out a situation where he was not wanted. However, make sure you do NOT buy from a breeder on there!!

Now go out there and add a new addition to your family, if you can provide them with all they need. They are not toys, they are beings.J

Friend of the Week!!

This week it should be friends of the week because I wanted to bring attention to all of my new friends at the Alpine Humane Society!! Each and everyone of the residents there is amazing!! To read about some of them go to ----> http://www.petfinder.com/pet-search?shelterid=TX1202, I have met most of them and wanted to bring them all home!! However this week I want to focus on the kittens:D

These two guys are a hoot!! Oh my they keep me laughing the whole time I'm in there!

Sisi, this little girl is so sweet and would make a great addition to any family <3

<---talk about a handful!! these cuties will keep life interesting, especially if you have enough room to take all three of them:)

Stop by and see these little guys:)

Friend of the Week!!

http://www.petfinder.com/petdetail/12432177

Kiko was transferred to us from Town Lake Animal Center and has a very swollen vulva.  We believe she is adrenal but she does not yet have any hair loss.  She is approximately 3 years old and is a light silver ferret with a black nose.

Kiko is a sweet girl who loves to be held.  She is a bit fearful of other ferrets at first, but is accepting of them as long as they are not too rough.  She has been seen by our vet for an exam and vaccinations, as well as a melatonin implant and lurpon for the adrenal.  

The adoption fee for Kiko is $40.  Anyone who applies to adopt Kiko must be knowledgeable about adrenal disease in ferrets. 

Friend of the Week!!

http://www.petfinder.com/petdetail/19458663

Dali is a sweet Alexandrine Parakeet. He is a talker and loves to play in the water. Dali is an excellent companion bird.