Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Captain the GSD beaten to death

 I recently read an article where a woman thought that some rescues were too thorough in their vetting of homes for the dogs in their care.   She went on to make some jokes about it.   I didn't think it was funny then, and I want her to know about Captain.   I wonder how she would feel if she had looked into Captain's eyes and promised him a good, safe, loving home, and then had to look into his eyes as he suffered in the trash bin after being beaten by the person she turned him over to?   What would she say as he laid on the table dying?  


Captain the dog’s death leads to thousands in donations to B.C. SPCA

Captain, you did not die in vain.   You were important.  

If you agree, please sign this petition.  


 

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Itchy dog?

                                                              
6 Common Reasons Why Pets Itch

Just last week I got a call from one of our Pet Detectives located in Ohio. He called to report that one of the Search Dogs, a Bloodhound named Luscious, was itching. Here is the short list of the 6 most common causes to itching in pets. See if you can guess which one Luscious was suffering from!

Fleas - It can only take a few bites for a pet to start itching like crazy. When a pet itches, it can make the skin become more irritated, which can then become susceptible to infection.

Food Allergies - Many pets have food allergies. Keep in mind that an allergy can develop as a pet ages, even if it wasn't there before. Food allergies can spontaneously occur without any change in what the pet is eating.

Environmental Allergies - Pets can be allergic to things like pollen, mold, and house dust!

Mites - Mites are another parasite that can cause a pet to itch. To find if your pet has mites, a veterinarian can test your pet based on the symptoms.

Ringworm - Ringworm isn't a worm! It is a fungal infection. If you have worked in rescue, you have probably had to deal with a pet with ringworm. Ringworm usually causes hair loss in a round, or ring shaped pattern. A veterinarian can diagnose this in a pet.


Other - The other five reasons why pets itch here are really the  most common, but there are some other, less-likely possibilities. If your pet isn't itching because of one of the other reasons listed here, you will have to talk to your veterinarian and get to the bottom of the scratching! Other possibilities include fungal infections other than ringworm, bacterial skin infections and immune issues.

Now that you know the six most common reasons why pets itch, what do you think our lost pet recovery Search Dog was suffering from? If you guessed the common flea, you are right! After a few baths with special natural flea shampoo, Luscious is back to sniffing out lost pets!

Annalisa Berns, Pet Detective - Pet Search and Rescue

Annalisa is the author of the Lost Dog Recovery Guide and Lost Cat Recovery Guide and has been assisting with the recovery of lost pets for over 7 years. For more information go to www.PetSearchAndRescue.com or call Pet Search and Rescue at 800-925-2410.


Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Dog Days of Summer





Ever wonder where the term “Dog Days of Summer” came from?  This came from the ancient Roman & Greek belief that Sirius aka “The Dogs Star” was the cause of hot weather.    Sirius is the brightest star in the sky and is part of the constellation Canis Major.  It was thought that because it was so bright that it must give off heat like the sun.   In Ancient Rome during the “Dog Days of Summer”, Sirius rose and set in the sky with the sun so that assumption was that it was adding to the heat of the day.  This of course was is not the case and in fact no longer coincides with the sun rising and setting.
A couple quick simple things to remember on those hot days to keep your dog safe:

1.       Do NOT leave your dog in a hot car.  Temperatures rise quickly and are dangerous to your pup, if not deadly.  On an 85 degree day it only takes 10 minutes for the temperature in your car to reach 102 degrees.

2.       Keep your dog hydrated – make sure that there is fresh water available to your dog at all times and watch for signs of dehydration.

3.       Watch for signs of dehydration

4.       Walk your dogs in the early morning or evening after the sun has gone down.  The hot asphalt can burn the pads on their paws.  If it is too hot for you to walk barefoot – it is too hot for them!

5.       If your dog is outside – make sure that there is plenty of shade or shelter so that they can escape the sun.

6.       The heat is a great opportunity for your dog to going swimming.  Always be sure to provide supervision to prevent injury.





Credit: 


http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/pet-care-tips/hot-weather-tips.aspx

Sunday, July 15, 2012

Puppies abandoned in desert!


July 2012

toph

PATRIOT & HIS SIBLINGS WERE ABANDONED IN THE DESERT!


The situations that so many of our dogs come from are enough to break any heart, but when we learned what had happened to Patriot and his brothers and sisters, we felt sad to know that this kind of cruelty exists in the world.  Patriot and four other 3-month-old puppies were found in a remote area of the high desert, struggling for shade under a spiny bush.  A hiker came upon them, and peering at them under the bush, she gasped:  The puppies were completely bald.  Their skin was raw and angry with oozing sores. 

patriot 1

Thankfully, this wonderful animal lover did not turn away, or decide that it was too much trouble to rescue the puppies.  She was able to secure all six orphans and with no other options available, she contacted Animal Control.  GSROC quickly learned of the situation and we responded immediately.  We scooped all 5 of the sad babies up and took them to a vet.  We honestly didn't know if they were German Shepherds or not because they had no fur at all.  What we could see, however, was 6 innocent creatures that deserved comfort and love.  We just can't imagine who would do something like this to such helpless babies.



The little family was diagnosed with contagious mange (contracted from mites) on top of secondary skin infections and assorted other parasites inside and out.  What is remarkable about these puppies is that despite their frightening beginning and unkind treatment, they are gentle and very easy-going.  They enjoy being held and stroked, and they have perfected the fine art of snuggling.  The puppies are receiving medical treatment every week, as well as medicated baths, de-worming, vaccines and when they are strong enough, they will be altered.  We expect them each to make a full recovery in spite of their awful experience.

Patriot 2

GSROC took the puppy family in without any pledges or sponsors---we just knew that they needed to be saved.  Now, we are asking our fellow animal lovers and our devoted sponsors to agree that we did the right thing by helping us to offset the overwhelming cost of their care.  Each of the puppies has incurred medical costs in excess of $800, so now we are desperate to raise these funds to repay our veterinarians.  Please take a look at little Patriot and imagine what he's endured.  If you are in a position to help him, his family, and so many other dogs that have no one to turn to, please pledge your tax-deductible gift in any amount.  He is counting on us, and we are counting on you, our fellow animal lovers
 


Donations may be sent via Paypal or by Check to: 
GSROC, 177F Riverside Avenue, Newport Beach, CA 92663
Your donation is tax deductible by law. (EIN 20-3455479)  
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Please Help Homeless German Shepherds!  

gsdgsd



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UPCOMING EVENTS 
 

8/19/2012
10:00AM to 3:00PM
Anesthesia-Free Pet Dental Cleaning
@Tustana Hospital
1142 El Camino Real  
Tustin, CA 92780   
 
7/14/2012
8AM to 2:00PM
MULTI-FAMILY YARD SALE to benefit GSROC!!
305 Flower Street,
Costa Mesa, CA 92627 

7/14/2012
11:30AM to 3:30PM
PETSMART Adoption Bring your old cell phone to benefit the DOGS!!   
2237 Park Ave
(The District),
Tustin, CA 92782
 

7/21/2012
11:30AM to 3:30PM
PETSMART Adoption BIG BAKE SALE
Bring your old cell phone to benefit the DOGS!! 
23602 El Toro Road, Lake Forest,
CA 92782

7/28/2012
11:30AM to 3:30PM
PETSMART Adoption
Bring your old cell phone to benefit the DOGS!!
5521 Mirage Street, Yorba Linda, CA 92886

7/29/2012
11:30AM to 3:30PM
PETSMART Adoption Bring your old cell phone to benefit the dogs!!
5521 Mirage Street,
Yorba Linda, CA 92886 
    



Can you donate any of these items?

Frontline Plus or Advantix for large dogs
Books of postage stamps
Gas Cards for transports
Used cell phones for recycling
Used toner cartridges
Low mileage cargo van



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Please help us to save more dogs by making a tax deductible donation today. We have several ways for you to help, and ALL donations are very much appreciated. No donation is too small. Any size donation is appreciated and will allow us to help the dogs. Your support really makes a difference.

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Friday, July 13, 2012

Magi and Papi




The thing about being a true animal rescuer is that it doesn't just happen when you schedule it.   Sometimes, actually, it happens at the most inopportune times.   A few summers ago, I was walking through the parking lot at The Wild Animal Park in San Diego, and a loose German Shepherd ran up to me.   What are the odds? 

So, because GSROC has true rescuers, sometimes we have dogs looking for homes that you wouldn't expect to see at a German Shepherd Rescue... like Chihuahuas! 

Check out these two ADORABLE dogs.  Good with big dogs, little dogs, cats, kids... what more could you want?    Everyone should love a LITTLE... it is magical.  


German Shepherd Rescue of Orange County Adoption detail

Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Lennox


I realize that we are late to this conversation...too late, really.   Lennox is gone.   It never occurred to me that he would actually die.   I truly believed they would do the right thing.  

When I first saw the emails going around, I thought it was just another pit bull type dog who needed help.  There are so many.   However, when I read more-that he was taken away from his family just because of the way he looked, it only made sense to me that the people in charge would come to their senses.   His family desperately wanted him back, and Lennox was a good dog. 

It was distressing to see the pictures of him, healthy and happy in his home and the obvious decline of his health in the pictures from his days in captivity.   I think many of us were saddened but knew that once people came to the obvious decision and returned him home, he would be ok.  

So, he isn't ok.   They didn't come to their senses.  It is horrible, and now I think it is time that a lot of us come to the table on the Breed Specific Laws before it is too late again. 
 

Pit bulls may not be your breed.   You may feel like you have your hands full, as a rescuer just getting through each day...but this case makes it clear that some of the people making decisions do not make the same decisions that dog people would make,so you have to ask yourself-WHAT BREED IS NEXT?   Will they come knocking on your door and take away your baby?

Wednesday, July 4, 2012

4th of July

There is always a lot of talk about the dogs that end up in the shelters on the 5th of July and how important it is to keep your dogs safe during this holiday.   What you don't hear so much about is the "clearing and culling" of dogs in the shelters to make room for the dogs who will come in.  The rate at which they kill the shelters dogs is high after the 4th of July, but it  is worse the day before.   It is heartbreaking. 
I know someone who has on her email, "For every dog euthanized there is a person responsible".   If you let your dog out on the 4th, and he dies in the shelter... are you also responsible for another life who died so your dog could go to the shelter in the first place?