Dog Friendly Weed Killer

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While removing all the weeds that exist on my property is something I would never dream of doing, I do have a few "manicured" areas that I maintain, keep the dogs off of (for the most part) and *try* to keep the chickens out of.  Even with fresh mulch, weeds come through.

There are few weeds hiding amongst the Bee Balm (I think?) and Hostas.

While I know Roundup is supposedly safe, especially after it has dried, I try to use as few chemicals as possible in and around my home.

My friend Geri gave me her "recipe" for weed killer, and I have been using it with great success.

The Ingredients

• 1 gallon white vinegar
• 2 cups Epsom salt
• 1/4 cup Dawn dish soap

Mix all together.  I simply poured all of them into a pump sprayer, and shook it like crazy, much to the bewilderment of my dogs.

It becomes a lovely blue color.

Vinegar is recognized as a standalone weedkiller.  Epsom salt is actually magnesium, but can act as a weaker standalone weed killer as well.  Mixed together, they work better, and the dish soap is a binder of sorts, and also allows the mixture to stick to the leaves/base of the weeds.

This is non selective, and works by dehydrating the plant.  Use care with plants you wish to keep.  Depending on the plant, this may or may not kill the actual root system.  In that case, digging it up is best.

How Well Does it Work?

It works well.  On larger, sturdier weeds, the best plan of action is to dig them up.  But for smaller weeds, or weeds whose roots cannot be accessed, it works well.

Weed before

Weed three hours after application.  As you can see, I accidentally sprayed some on the Hosta leaf as well...

Some were growing between the stones of our pond overlook, and it took care of them too.

This, along with manual removal, are the only methods of weed control employed in my household.  

A word to the wise:  As with all cleansers, keep out of reach of dogs and children.  While all the ingredients in this are "harmless", they can all cause gastrointestinal upset and diarrhea when consumed in large amounts.

Black & White Sunday

I love this girl.

Canine Body Language: It's Really All the Same

Have you ever paid attention to the body language of wolves, and compared it to your own dogs?  It's really all the same.  After all, wolves are dogs.  Wolves are Canis Lupus, and our domestic dogs are Canis Lupus Familiaris.

The following video was taken at Wolf Park, a captive wolf educational facility.  While it's incredibly cute, watching how excited the wolves are to see Monty Sloan (photographer and wolf expert), what I find interesting is watching the behavior amongst the wolves themselves, and how they react to the person, then comparing it to that of my own dogs, my sister's dogs, or my neighbor's dogs.


The behaviors are all the same, it is the intensity of them that is different.  A German Shepherd, Border Collie, or Akita is likely to have more intense behaviors than a Pug or a Golden Retriever, but they have the same behaviors and body language as their ancestors.

Another cute video recently made rounds on Facebook.  I do not know the back story of it, but it is a "reunion" of sorts between a lady and some wolves.  While it is sweet how excited they were to see her, I was again drawn to watching the behaviors and body language of the wolves, both amongst themselves, and interacting with the person.



Do you see any of these behaviors in your living room wolf?

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My Pet Peeves About Other Dog Owners

I actually have many of them, but some are fairly universal amongst dog enthusiasts.  I am sure not many people want to read yet another person's thoughts on backyard breeders, animal abusers, or BSL.

Inappropriate Use of Retractable Leashes
While I am not completely opposed to retractable leashes, I feel that they are used too frequently, and in many inappropriate locations.

They are nice to have around to let a dog swim, explore in the woods, or do their business when the weather is nasty out and the humans don't want to come off the porch.  Long training leads can also be used to accomplish these things.

My main beef with them is that it seems that most people who use them pay very little attention to what their dogs are doing, allowing the dog to approach everyone and every dog, or become entangled.

Photo courtesy of creative commons.

We attend the Mutt Strut every year, and in the paperwork they send out, it clearly states leashes must be six feet or shorter, and NO retractable leashes.  Each year, there are plenty of retractable leashes to be seen, and the humans holding them are typically paying little attention to their dogs.  I have seen more than one dog altercation that was started because one of the dogs was on a retractable leash and it's owner was not paying attention to it.

Then there are the injuries that can be associated with them.  I am not going to delve in to that, but there is plenty of info to be found.

Breed Specific Ownership Elitism
I am sure this occurs in most every dog breed, but I frequently observe it with wolfdogs and northern breeds.  The "I am the only one good enough to own one" attitude that some seem to have. 

All dog breeds have unique needs, and I feel that if an owner or potential owner is willing to research and provide for these needs, then there is no reason that they, too, cannot own that breed.  I know first hand that some dogs are more difficult to own/care for than others.  I will see a new Facebook group member state something along the lines of "I would like to own a Sibe" only to be met with replies such as "Why do you want one?", "What experience do you have?", "Do you live on at least two acres and have an eight-foot privacy fence?"  That last one might be a bit of an exaggeration, but you get the picture. 

Anti-Breeding.  Period.
"Adopt, don't shop."

"Why buy when shelter dogs die?"

These tag lines are starting to get on my nerves.  I am incredibly pro rescue.  But I love quality, responsible breeders, who produce sound, well-bred dogs.  These dogs rarely, if ever, end up in a shelter or in rescue.  These breeders breed for a sound temperament, carefully screen homes and educate buyers, and take back any dogs they produce if it doesn't work out for some reason.

Photo courtesy of creative commons.

 Most working dogs-SAR, police and military, seeing eye/guide dogs-are carefully and selectively bred.  While rescues can be and are trained to do some amazing things, some jobs require strong genetics and an early start.

The Raw (or Training or Natural Rearing) "Nazis"
I am obviously a HUGE fan of raw, and all things natural.  But I am not one of those raw feeders who thinks my way is the only way.  There are some raw feeders out there who will basically tell you that you are killing your dog, or that you don't deserve to have a dog, if you do not feed your dog their way.  There is nothing wrong with politely voicing one's opinion, but some of the stuff I see/hear these people say is quite shocking.  I  believe people should do what works best for them and there dogs.

Some people are like this with training.  Stating things along the lines that if you don't use anything except positive reinforcement than you are an animal abuser who doesn't deserve a dog.  I was told something along these lines once by a complete stranger while out in public with Neeko, who was wearing a Gentle Leader.  Unfortunately I was speechless, and couldn't think of anything witty to say back to them.  (I have done plently of research on Gentle Leaders, and realize that many dogs do not tolerate them, or have the neck strength to support them.  Neeko does both.)

Lawn Ornaments
We have all seen them.  The poor, attention starved dogs who live their lonely lives entirely behind a fence, or on a chain.

Photo courtesy of creative commons.

These dogs often seem to be hyper and neurotic, or depressed and sad.  My dogs spend a great deal of time outside, but they choose to do so.  I still take them on walks, take them swimming, and on adventures out and about.  I get that some dogs just do not like being inside.  That is still no excuse for owners to neglect their dogs, doing nothing but providing them with food, water, and if they are lucky, shelter. 

These dogs deserve better than that.  They want to be near their humans, to have some interaction with them.

I have many other pet peeves, but this is enough for one day.

What are some of your biggest pet peeves about other dog owners?

Merrick Lil' Brush Bones Review

There is something about dental treats that makes my dogs go nuts for them.  Dancing, working, drooling.  Bruce is probably the craziest about them.  

Unfortunately, most of these treats, even the "high quality" ones, contain yeast, which Bruce is allergic to.

Enter Merrick Lil' Brush Bones.

Not only are these grain-free and gluten-free, but they are yeast free as well, and they are made in the USA.

Bruce is a big dog, and these are indicated for small dogs, but the size was okay for him, meaning it took him a few good chomps to get one down.

He greatly enjoyed them, drooled for them, and was willing to work for them.

Bruce already has nice white teeth, and fresh breath, so I cannot testify to their tooth cleaning or breath freshening properties.

What I can say is that the big boy LOVED them, and it is nice to find a yeast free version of a product that he adores.

These are currently available for $13.99 on Chewy.com, check them out!

I received free product in exchange for an honest review.  All opinions are strictly my own.

Black & White Sunday

No Recall Part Two, and Another Lesson Learned

I openly admit that my dogs have no/poor recall.  It is a trait that seems to be common in most northern breeds.  While there are a few northern breed dogs who are reliable off leash, they are the exception, not the rule.

Last year, I wrote about the equipment failure that led to Faolan running free through a large park, blissfully ignoring my screams for him to come back.  Fortunately, it ended well, and the details of it can be read HERE.

I manage this by always having them contained by a fence or a leash when outside.  Aside from the incident last summer, it has worked well for us.

Until today.  

I take all responsibility and blame for what occurred today, and it was a learning experience.

I arrived home at about 1:45 this afternoon.  Gave the dogs treats, checked on the chickens, and changed my clothes.  The dogs were either outside in their kennel area, or in the house.  I got the mower out of the barn, and set about cutting grass.  Cutting grass at my house takes awhile, even with a high speed riding mower, and I wanted to get at least half of it done today.  We have a 60" gate leading into the play yard, to accommodate the width of the mower deck.  

I mowed the play yard, the front yard, by the barn, and the pasture.  While mowing the pasture, one of the little girls who lives nearby got my attention.  She asked if I could bring Faolan over to see her.  I happily said I would (there is a mutual love between Faolan and these kids), and took the mower back to the barn.  

I leashed up Faolan and walked over.  I stood talking to the girls and their mother for about 30 minutes before heading home.

I walked Faolan through the airlock into the kennel area, and Neeko and Bruce came out of the house to greet us.  I opened the gate that led from the kennel to the play yard, so that everyone could run around.  I walked out to get the hose to refill their pool, and I realized that I had left the big gate to the play yard (the one that leads to the outside world) wide open after cutting the grass.

My heart sank.  All three dogs trotted out.  Neeko went up on the porch, Bruce headed for the barn (and chickens) and I lost sight of Faolan.  I sprinted, in flip flops, towards Neeko, who kept loping just out of my reach.  She ran back towards the barn.  Bruce was trying to get to the chickens (fortunately I had not yet let them out to free range for the afternoon/evening) and I was able to grab him.  Neeko cornered herself in the bay with the big tractor, so I was able to grab her.  I had both hands full of dog collar, but saw Faolan at the far end of the barn.  I took Neeko and Bruce back to the play yard, and secured the gate, and went after Faolan.

I went back to the barn, and now saw him on the other side of our pond.  I went down the path, and he loped gracefully to the top of the hill on the other side.  I jogged up the hill, and he was now out of sight.

I started down the steep trail that leads to the creek, but turned around when I thought he might return to where the neighbor kids were.  I was right.  I saw him, on their back porch.  I sprinted over, thinking I had him trapped, but their back porch is open on either end.  

He crossed the road, and was heading toward a cornfield.  I was calling his name the entire time.  Something that smelled good got his attention, and I was able to tackle him.

Aren't my Paint skills awesome?

 The yellow marks my property, and it actually extends to the left of the photo.  The red shows some of my trek chasing down my dogs.  The driveway at the left edge is the trail that leads down to the creek, which I started down, but fortunately decided against.  

As one can see, there is a large amount of woods and fields around my home.  I count myself fortunate that this whole ordeal lasted less than 45 minutes, and I was able to safely recover my dogs.

This will NEVER happen again.  My thoughtlessness, combined with their lack of recall, nearly cost me my dogs today.  

I have never been so scared, yet so determined.  It is a feeling I do not wish on anyone.  

I will ALWAYS ensure that gate is closed, and will always close it immediately upon exiting now.

Recent Raw Meals

The prey model raw meals from the last two weeks for my three dogs. They weigh 96, 97, and 70 lbs, but all eat roughly the same amount/weight of food.

I feed twice daily. The smaller meals are breakfast, the larger meals are dinner.

Typically all breakfasts are boneless, and every other dinner contains bone.  I usually serve liver with the bone-in dinners, and "other" organs with the boneless dinners. 

I feed as many different proteins and cuts as I can source.  As with humans, variety in diet is important.

Disgusting pictures of raw food for dogs after the break.

Do Dogs Get Bored?

I think that they do.  I try to alleviate boredom in my dogs, by exercising both their bodies and minds.  Unfortunately, destruction as a result of boredom does occur on occasion.  My dogs also demonstrate boredom by being extra vocal (vocalizations are their way of expressing many emotions), and appearing "blah" for lack of a better description.

My friends are former neighbors were recently lamenting that their dogs seemed bored.  They have a big, beautiful, fenced yard, and also like to take their dogs other places.  They asked if they could bring their dogs to my house to play in the creek that runs through our property, and I happily obliged.

They brought their two Golden Retrievers over, and they had a grand time, swimming, running, splashing, and jumping.  They left my house utterly exhausted.

Handsome boy.

We had gotten a brief, yet heavy, downpour the morning that they came over, so the water was a little brown, and higher than normal, but they didn't care.

Pretty girl.

In my county, there is no leash law if a dog is on private property.  Unlike my dogs, these two have good recall and are trustworthy off leash.

Happy pups.

I feel that the change of scenery, water, and opportunity to run around off leash was a welcome change for them both, and my friends expressed the same thoughts.

As mentioned, my dogs can be destructive if they are bored.  I am always trying to come up with new ways to keep them entertained.

Preventing Boredom in Dogs

While we have a large, fenced play yard, I feel that walks, both on and off our property, are necessary.  The dogs enjoy the change of scenery and smells, and I do as well.

I frequently let them swim, on long leashes, in both our pond and creek.  Neeko and Faolan particularly enjoy this.

Toy rotation.  This is a big one.  We have a few tried and true toys that hold up to my dogs.  I will remove some toys for a week or two, then reintroduce them, while removing other toys.  It is like they have been presented with a brand new toy.

Car rides.  As often as I can, weather and errands permitting, I will take Neeko and Faolan places with me.  Neeko likes the ride, and they both enjoy going into dog-friendly establishments. 

Training.  If it is just too hot out, and none of us want to leave the comfort of AC for too long, we do training inside.  I always use treats, and sometimes just do repetitions of what they already know.  Sit, down, wait, watch me, bang, shake, touch, etc.  If I am feeling real froggy, I will work on new behaviors.  Neeko is currently the only one who knows "bang" so I am trying to teach it to both boys.

In my house, we like to say "A tired dog is a good dog" and "Tired dogs don't get in trouble."  I do my best to keep my dogs physically and mentally worked, for both their well-being, and to circumvent bad behaviors.

Any additional suggestions on preventing boredom in dogs?

Black & White Sunday

I just love Bruce's smile.

May 2014 PetBox Review

Last week we received our May PetBox.  It was a few days late, but PetBox was quick with their communication explaining why this is so.  I was happy with them emailing me to explain the situation.  This month, I did not choose to pick my own, I wanted to be surprised. The review for the April PetBox, in which I hand selected all items, can be read HERE.

The Goods

My Little Wolf Turkey Bliss Treats.  Approximate retail value $10.31  Grain free soft treats with decent ingredients.  We received some treats from this line in our April PetBox, which I selected because Faolan means "Little Wolf."  Unfortunately, my little wolf didn't care for those treats, but Neeko and Bruce gobble them right up.  I am still happy to have received these, and am hopeful that Faolan will be more receptive to them as they are turkey-based.

Slurp N Fresh Oral Hygiene Solution.  Approximate retail value $13.24.  While this actually has good ingredients, it is not something I would normally buy.  My dogs have pretty fresh breath and clean teeth, thanks to their raw diet.  I will be donating this, or gifting it to someone.

Sweet Pea Oh My Apple Pie dog treats.  Approximate retail value $6.99.  These are limited ingredient, biscuit type cookies with simple ingredients.  They are vegan, which means very little to me, as I am of the belief that dogs are carnivores.  I am still undecided as to whether or not to keep or give these away, as I am fairly certain Faolan will not like them.

Blue Dog Bakery Softies.  Approximate retail value $3.58.  Any peanut butter soft treat is a hit in my house, with all three dogs.  Unfortunately Bruce cannot have these, because they do contain brewers yeast, and he is allergic to yeast.  But I am pleased to have received these, and Faolan (treat snob) has already shown that he is a fan of these.  Win.

Slurpabowls, 6 pack.  Unknown retail value.  This is a clever concept.  Water resistant cardboard bowls that fold up small.  They can easily fit in a purse or a pocket.  They can be pitched, or reused.  Each bowl holds two cups of water.  I am sure these will come in handy this summer, if I am out with one of the dogs and don't feel like carrying the doggy backpack with our fabric water bowl, amongst other things.

Dura-Brite Ball.  Unknown retail value.  This is a ball within a ball.  It has a tennis ball core, that is covered with a rubber "open" ball.  The outer rubber would be easily chewed off by my crew, so we won't be keeping this one for ourselves.  Also, this toy is made in China, and I am kind of disappointed in PetBox for that.

The Honest Kitchen Quickies.  Approximate retail value $9.99.  I am a huge fan of THK, and am very pleased to have received these treats.  Only one ingredient (wild caught haddock) is present in these treats.  They are also a cute little heart shape, and the tube fits easily fits in my pocket or purse.  The smell is very enticing to dogs.  Whats great about these treats is they can also be given to cats, and I think my chickens would like them as well.

Overall, I like this month's PetBox.  We received seven products, which is more than I have ever received in a subscription box.  I think one might have been a bonus product because of the delay in getting the boxes out.  To try PetBox for yourself, click HERE.

I am a PetBox subscriber.  I am not affiliated with PetBox, nor am I asked to do these reviews.  All opinions are strictly my own.

June 2014 BarkBox Review

We received our June BarkBox today, which is always exciting.  Reviews of the current month and previous month's BarkBoxes can be read HERE.

The Goods

Romp! Silly Buns Monkey Toy.  Approximate retail value $9.29.  This toy is cute and hilarious, because I sometimes have the sense of humor of a 12 year old boy.  There is no head to it, just a butt and legs.  It is a plush that is crinkly.  While incredibly cute, this would not last five seconds with my dogs, and will probably go into the donation box.  Or I might just keep it because it is so cute.

Green Bark Gummies Hip and Joint Bites.  Approximate retail value $11.82.  We received these in our April PetBox, in which I picked the items.  These will go to good use with Neeko, although she requires 10 of them daily to get the suggested dose.  They are not a true supplement in that sense.  Faolan will not eat these, and Bruce cannot, as they have yeast in them.  They are cute, teddy bear-shaped gummy treats, which Neeko seems to enjoy.

Benebone.  Approximate retail value $11.95.  Durable nylon chews are always appreciated and well-received in my house, and this will probably be no exception.  Made in the USA, which of course I love. It is bacon flavored, but does not seem to have a noticeable odor to it.  It is decent sized, so I am comfortable that it is not a choking hazard.  The only question is which dog gets first go at it?

Benny Bully's Beef Liver and Banana Treats.  Unknown retail value.  Freeze dried treats containing two ingredients-banana and beef liver, both sourced from the USA.  Gotta love that.  These are incredibly light weight square shaped treats, which easily break into smaller pieces.  All three dogs love them, and it is kind of funny to watch them eat a bite, because it seems to dissolve immediately in their mouth.  There was minimal crumbling in the bag, which makes me happy.  I am pleased with these.  

Overall, this month's BarkBox is okay.  Four items, three of which I will use.  I am really pleased with the liver treats and the Benebone.  To try BarkBox for yourself and receive 10 percent off of your order, click HERE.

I am a BarkBox subscriber.  I am not affiliated with BarkBox, nor am I asked to do these reviews.  All opinions are strictly my own.

National Pet Preparedness Month

June is National Pet Preparedness Month.  I originally wrote and published this post in November, 2013.

I felt it was appropriate to repost it.

Disaster and Emergency Planning for Dogs

On Sunday, severe and "explosive" storms went through much of the Midwest.  Last I heard, the National Weather Service had confirmed 25 tornadoes touched down in Indiana alone.  It was scary stuff.

We were scheduled to attend a family gathering that day, minus the dogs.  When I called my mom that morning to confirm it was still on, she insisted everyone come.

Prior to leaving our house, we set up crates in the basement, and left the dogs there.  I also made arrangements with our awesome neighbors, so that they could use our basement with their dogs while we were gone if the need arose, as their house does not have a basement.

Getting the dogs down the stairs was a chore, as the basement stairs are open, and all three were fearful of falling through.  Fortunately, our immediate area had only thunderstorms and high winds (in November?!?!), and we were unscathed.  Once the "all-clear" was issued, we brought the dogs up from the basement, which was even more difficult than getting them down there. 

After the storms rolled through.

Ignore my scary basement.  It's an old house.

Bruce proved to be the most difficult, with it taking us an hour and a half to convince him to come up the stairs.  Bribes included cheese, meat, and squeaky toys.

About one year ago, a home exploded on the south side of Indianapolis, less than five miles from our current house.  I remember hearing the boom, and my house actually shook.

A few homes were completely destroyed, and several damaged beyond repair, as this occurred in a subdivision.  Hundreds of people and their pets were evacuated.

This event initially prompted me to come up with an emergency plan for my dogs, and this past weekend's storms only reinforced it.

The ASPCA and Redrover.org have some nice lists, and some of my ideas are the same as theirs.

Identification
At the very least, I believe all animals should have a well fitting collar or harness with clear ID tags that include a cell-phone number.  My dogs are all microchipped, but I know some feel microchipping is "dangerous" and unnecessary.  If the unthinkable occurs, and you are separated from your pets, these are the most successful ways that they are returned to their owners.

A Way to Let Rescuers Know You Have Pets
Window stickers are widely available that allow people to indicate how many of and what species of animals are present in the home.

Containment in the Event of Evacuation
After the home explosion last year, I thought long and hard on what would happen if we were to be evacuated from our homes.  Short (6 feet or less), non-retractable leashes must be immediately available for all dogs.  Neeko and Faolan, while stressed, would probably be ok with all the chaos.  Bruce would not be.  My dogs are all to large to put into a crate and carry.  Because of Bruce's issues, I purchased a basket muzzle for him, and desensitized him to it.  It is my job to protect my dogs, and if protecting them means preventing them from harming a person or another dog, that is what I will do.

If one has small dogs or cats, plastic sided or soft, portable kennels that are easily carried are widely found.

If a Tornado is Eminent
Go to your basement, or most interior, windowless room.  We set up ahead of time, and now know that this is probably not something we could do in seconds, given how much difficulty each dog gave us.  Involve your neighbors.  Have a plan, and contact your friends and family to ensure everyone and all pets are accounted for and safe.

A Place to Stay if Your Home is Uninhabitable
This could be with family or friends.  But keep in mind that friends and family who say you are welcome do not always necessarily mean your large or multiple pets are welcome as well.  So clarify.  Many hotels are pet friendly, but require dogs be crated, which is another good reason to invest in crates.  It is good to call around and see if there are limits on the number of pets, or size limits.

In the event one cannot afford a hotel, it is important to have worked out details with friends and family if you and/or your pets can stay with them.  I have several people who are willing to temporarily take on Neeko or Faolan in the event of an emergency, but not so much Bruce, which is understandable.  Bruce and myself could temporarily stay with my parents, and crates and gates would be used to keep him from harming their two much smaller dogs because of his stress and anxiety.

If Your Home is Safe, but You have No Power, No Water, No way to Get Out.
I'm not going to lie.  Watching American Blackout on Nat Geo scared the crap out of me. It also made me realize we are unprepared.  While I am not advocating or encouraging anyone to be an extreme/doomsday prepper, having a little backup of some basic supplies is a good idea.

I feed raw, and typically have at least three weeks worth of food on hand.  A power outage in the winter time wouldn't affect this, but in the summer, the meat would start to go bad after a few days.  While dogs can eat "off" meat, I would not feel comfortable feeding them something super funky.  For this reason, I have purchased a couple of large bags of high quality kibble.  When the expiration date approaches, I will donate these, and buy more.

Water is vital.  Having ample water for each living thing is crucial.  Keep a few cases, or gallons of water as backup.  I have actually purchased LifeStraws for the humans.

Does anyone have any other suggestions or ideas/hints for me or others on being prepared for our pets in the event of an emergency or disaster? 

Rescue Gone Wrong-When "Wanting to Help" isn't Enough.

Note from Rebekah-while I own/care for rescued animals, I am not a rescuer.  I have offered my time, property and donations to true rescuers, should the need ever arise.

The world of animal rescue is filled with drama, from all angles.  It has often been said that "You can't save them all" and unfortunately this is true.  Good intentions mean nothing if one doesn't have resources or heart to finish what they start.

Photo courtesy of dgoomany.

The following situations did take place.  Names have been changed. I was not personally involved, however, with one of the animals, I did assist in tracking down the lineage, offered my personal experience in dealing with an animal with behavioral issues, and made suggestions as far as vet care, which was never sought.

A Tale of Two Magnolias

Two young female dogs, of the same controversial breed, showed up in need of "rescue" at the same time, on a newly created Facebook rescue group.  The group was created by a person with zero experience in rescue of these animals, and with only a few months experience in owning one (a recently acquired pup).  Ironically, they shared the same name.  We will call them both Magnolia, or Maggie for short.

Maggie 1 showed up in the south.  A person with experience made the trip to evaluate her, and took her in, having plenty of room for her.  More often than not, dogs of this particular breed need a safe, secure place outdoors as well as indoors.  They took this girl in, and quarantined her from other dogs, because they did not know if she had any contagious diseases, or behavioral issues.

Maggie 2 appeared up north.  Her owner was desperately trying to find a new home for her, to avoid euthanasia.  This individual was actually Maggie 2's second owner, having came into possession of her while she was pregnant.  She sold these puppies for some cash.  The story goes that Maggie 2 bit someone, killed the landlord's cat, and was an escape artist; the landlord said she had to go.  Someone a few states away with a seemingly kind heart agreed to take her.  Neither individual had money to transport this animal, so donations were collected on the Facebook group to pay for gas. The person surrendering her drove her several hundred miles to meet the "rescuer".  Once home, Maggie 2 was not separated from other dogs, even though experienced rescuers had suggested this was not a good idea, but seemed to get along 'ok' with the dogs and cats belonging to the person that took her in.

Misappropriated Money

The person who created the Facebook "rescue group" decided that they were also going to be in charge of collecting donations to fund both of these situations.  None of the individuals involved in these scenarios are associated with a not for profit rescue or organization.  

The person who obtained Maggie 1 had a friend in another state who wanted to help with her care.  They sent a LARGE donation via paypal to the person collecting donations, and made it explicitly clear that this money was to go to Maggie 1.  The person who rescued Maggie 1 was not soliciting donations for her care, but was willing to accept money from a friend.

A large amount of that donation was suddenly "unaccounted for."  As it turns out, it went to fill the tank of the group's creator to transport Maggie 1 to a new "sanctuary" in yet another state, who also didn't have the funds to transport - a transport and placement that was arranged before Maggie 1 was even assessed by the person who picked her up.  Upon pickup and further ongoing evaluation, Maggie 1 was determined to be a pet quality animal.

The person who had Maggie 2 was in need of donations.  They made it clear that they had limited (no) funds.  People were criticizing them for jumping into this without having the physical or financial means to carry through.  They began stating that they were only fostering Maggie 2 temporarily.  This put some experienced, seasoned rescuers in an uproar.  They made comments stating that when one rescues a dog in a scenario such as described, they had better be prepared to care for the dog for the rest of it's life, in the event that a suitable adopter cannot be found.  The person with Maggie 2 (somewhat understandably) became defensive, and shut down, refusing to take advice from the seasoned rescuers.

Eventually, another friend of these people donated $100 to have Maggie 2 vetted and spayed.  The money was returned to that donator once Maggie 2's "rescuer" decided against vetting and spaying her.  The remainder of the large donation has yet to be sent to either the donator or the rescuer of Maggie 1.

True Colors 

Some say it can take a few weeks for a dog to become comfortable in new surroundings.  I believe this to be true.  Maggie 2 eventually killed a cat belonging to her "rescuer", and lunged/attacked the person and/or an acquaintance of theirs.  Unfortunately, it was discoverd that Maggie 2 came from a breeder whose animals are known to have some severe personality issues.

This person had been searching for a home for Maggie 2 (but had never gotten her spayed, let alone seen by a vet) and called the potential adopters to come get her.  Apparently she displayed some sort of aggression toward the potential adopters, and was returned.

I did not witness any of Maggie 2's behaviors, so I cannot comment on the true severity of them. 

Experienced folks offered advice, even before the "rescue" of Maggie 2 transpired.  Maggie 2 had NOT been checked out by a vet in the entire time she was living with this person, and illegally crossed state lines without a health certificate.  They suggested having a vet check her out.  Some suggested euthanasia.  Behavioral suggestions were offered.  All seemingly went unheeded.

Meanwhile, Maggie 1 had been checked by a vet, spayed, and was living the good life while the responsible person searched for her forever home. 

W. T. F.?

The person with Maggie 2 refused to listen to any advice, and became very cryptic about her whereabouts and situation.  Some people came to her defense, stating no one else stepped up to help, which was true. 

The truth came to light.  They had taken Maggie 2 to Animal Control, and turned her in as a stray who showed up and killed their cat.

Guess what?  Maggie 2 escaped from Animal Control, and appeared in a Craigslist ad by a person who said the animal "wandered up to her house and did anyone know whose dog this was?"  The lady several states away who initially surrendered her learned of this, and evidently showed up, claiming Maggie 2 was hers.  Animal Control was being bombarded by calls from enthusiasts of this particular breed.  People questioned the "rescuer" via breed specific Facebook groups, and the only answers anyone received where "You should have PM'd me."

In the end, Maggie 2 was euthanized by Animal Control.  She was probably pitiful, probably scared, and definitely alone.

What Should Have Been Done Differently?

So many things went wrong with this.  I was angry, speechless and sad when I learned of the outcomes. There were too many people involved in this. This is a classic case of rescue gone wrong, and, in all honesty, was never even really a rescue, in the case of Maggie 2.  Ego and heart trumped over logic and planning in this situation.

For starters, it is my personal opinion that those who do individual rescue (not affiliated with a shelter or group) should not solicit donations.  If someone wants to donate to them, that is great.  If one is going to do individual rescue, as in these situations, they need to have the financial resources necessary to provide all care to the animals they rescue.  They should also have the ability to keep the "rescued" animal separate from their personal animals.  In addition, they should have some experience in evaluating animals.

I feel that any individual or group solicits or receives donations should be transparent, and also be held accountable.

The person who made the large donation should have sent it directly to the person in possession of Maggie 1.

Maggie 2 should have been IMMEDIATELY vetted.  Having a "rescue" for over a month without having it assessed by a vet is not good animal husbandry, in my opinion.  Exposing one's personal animals to potential contagious diseases is dangerous.  Not only that, I would not take an animal from a "rescuer" that had not been vetted, nor would I ever adopt an animal out that was still intact.

A qualified behaviorist or vet should have seen Maggie 2, to determine if her issues could be worked with, or if there was an underlying medical cause for them.

Perhaps the kindest thing that could have been done is to have had Maggie 2 humanely euthanized by a vet, if her problems could not be fixed.  Lying and dumping her at Animal Control is not how you "rescue" an animal.

Unfortunately, I do not think this is an isolated event, or specific to one particular breed or group of people.

As a side note, Maggie 1 remains healthy, loved, and well-cared for, and a forever home has been found.

Big hearts alone do not save animals.  Experience, logic, and planning are needed when doing any rescue--be it an organization or an individual.  If a person or organization cannot commit themselves to take care of an animal for the life of that animal, they should not get involved.  A person with little or no experience in rescue should not be creating rescue groups on Facebook, nor should they be coordinating rescues or transports.

Sadly, one Magnolia is no longer blooming, but another will continue to blossom in her forever home.  

Kickoff Summer with a Gigantic Pet Blogger Giveaway!!

While my dogs and I all love Winter, we all look forward to Summer, warmer weather, and the activities and adventures that go along with them.

Swimming is one of our favorite activities, be it in a creek or a pond.  Neeko and Faolan get such delight from pouncing, swimming, and sticking their entire heads underwater.

My dogs love to play in and explore the creek that runs through our property.

We all enjoy grilling out, and although I don't regularly give my dogs hot dogs, we do cook one and split it three ways for them on occasion.  They go nuts for it.

Long days mean long walks when there is plenty of shade, hanging out in and by the water, and sometimes doing fun stuff indoors if it is just too hot out.

What better way to kick off summer than with a HUGE giveaway?  I am pleased to be participating in a Gigantic Pet Blogger Summer Giveaway with some other amazing bloggers.

While one only has to enter via my blog, I encourage all to check out, comment on, and follow these other amazing bloggers.

The Lazy Pit Bull - http://www.thelazypitbull.com

Carma Poodale - http://www.carmapoodale.com

Dogthusiast - http://www.dogthusiast.com

Pawsitively Pets - http://www.mypawsitivelypets.com

Cindy Lu's Muse - http://www.cindylusmuse.blogspot.com

You Did What With Your Wiener - http://www.youdidwhatwithyourweiner.com

Kol's Notes - http://www.kolchakpuggle.com

My Rotten Dogs - http://www.myrottendogs.com

Your Designer Dog Blog - http://www.yourdesignerdogblog.com

Pet Product Review - http://www.petproductreview.net

Heart Like A Dog - http://www.heartlikeadog.com

Byrd is the Wyrd - http://www.byrdwyrd.blogspot.com

Dolly the Doxie - http://www.dollythedoxie.com

Cascadian Nomads - http://www.cascadiannomads.com

That Dog Dancing Guy - http://www.thatdogdancingguy.com.au

Fidose of Reality - http://www.fidoseofreality.com

Heartprints Pets - http://www.heartprintspets.com

Oh My Shih Tzu - http://www.ohmyshihtzu.com

Beagles and Bargains - http://www.beaglesandbargains.com

​Enter via the Rafflecopter below.
 

What is your favorite summer activity to do with your pet?

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

No purchase necessary. Giveaway is open to US and Canada residents only (excluding Quebec). Giveaway will run from Monday, June 9, 2014 through Sunday, June 15, 2014 at 11:59pm ET.Three (3) winners will be randomly selected by Rafflecopter (powered by Random.org) and notified via email. Winners will have 48 hours to claim their prizes; failure to do so will result in forfeiture of the prize. Participants must read and agree to Rafflecopter’s Privacy Policy before entering and participating in this promotion. Facebook, Twitter, and Petsmart do not sponsor, administer, or endorse this promotion. Prize packages were donated by Stylish Canine and Karma Collars, and participating bloggers paid an entry fee to cover the cost of the Petsmart gift card.