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Please e-mail us: A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast; but the tender mercies of
the wicked are cruel." ( The godly are concerned for the welfare of their
animals.) "Even the animals...know their owner and appreciate
his care." - Isaiah 1:3 www.mytrippost.com NEW
BILL BAKER Listen to works by Pujol
____________________ ______________ For your free booklet: Dog or cat driving you crazy? Go to www.PetsforLife.org
and check out their many information sheets with solutions on common dog and cat
behavior issues. Click on our RESOURCES page for more information. Start a Neighborhood Order the booklet "Searching for Your Lost Dog" by contacting the WI Border Collie Rescue. Go to our RESOURCES PAGE and see Sandy Faut's story from her column "The Buddy Beat" (Daily Herald) on losing a dog. _________________ There are many deplorable and shockingly cruel things happening to dogs every day. Yet, countless volunteers are doing everything they can to rescue and find homes for dogs. They are indeed ascribing to the following: "Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good." -Romans 12:21 Whatever way you can make a contribution to the effort to save more
un-
wanted pets will also be helping to over come evil -Proverbs 16:3 "God is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to hope or ask." -Ephesians 3:20 "Look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others." -Philippians 2:4 __________________ Music on this site
courtesy of www.
BillBakerontheGuitar.com Go to our RESOURCES DID YOU KNOW that _____________ SAVE-A-VET ______________ |
www.Adopting a Dog.org Dedicated to: Decreasing the number of
homeless dogs and reducing the number of dogs killed each year because they are
homeless. 4-5 MILLION DOGS ARE KILLED EVERY YEAR SIMPLY BECAUSE NOBODY WANTS THEM. There are 50 million dogs in
America; 1 for every 5 people and 1 in every 3 homes. Make YOUR dog one
that you've ADOPTED!
This home page contains the following topics: - Did you know? Facts about the problem of homeless dogs. -Stop! Why buying a dog from a pet store
is the -The Humane Society "Call to Action" Alert -Don't dump your pet. -Do you have what it takes to own a dog? -Where do I adopt? -How to prepare for your new arrival. -The Humane Society's 7 Steps to a Happier Pet -Your dog's medication could kill him. -Katrina dogs still need your help. -Seasonal alerts
*Shelter/Rescue Groups, *Related Sites, *From the Heart, *Resources, and *Puppy Mills Click on the yellow bubble icons at the
top. VISIT our From the Heart page and read these
*LOVE OF ANIMALS TURNS TO MISSION TO SAVE THEM
THE PROBLEM: MORE AND MORE DOGS BECOME HOMELESS EVERYDAY.
OTIS says: "Too many of my friends are sad because they have no family of their own. They were given up, thrown away, like a useless "thing" instead of a living, feeling creature created by God. They have no one to walk and play with them, to love and care for them forever and ever. It scares me. There are so many. Please save one of my friends! You'll never regret it. They willl love you back more than you'll ever know."
DID YOU KNOW...???
STOP! WHY BUYING A DOG FROM A PET STORE IS THE WRONG DECISION.
**This does NOT include PETSMART, which features "adoption days," sponsored by various shelters/rescue groups. Some Petsmart stores also let cat rescue groups keep adoptable kitties at the store. The cat rescue group is responsible for maintaining the cages and making the adoptions. Petsmart is VERY PRO-ADOPTION and helps to promote rescues.
Think we're exaggerating? Then visit the other sites
we have listed on our "Puppy Mills"
page. You CAN help. First,
adopt a dog from one of the many groups listed on this site. Never buy
from any pet store. Second, tell others about AdoptingaDog.org
and its many links. Help pass the word. Third, support the shelter
or rescue group of your choice with your donations of money, time and
talent. You will be helping to save a dog's life.
"Studies confirm that there is a strong link between people who commit cruelty to animals and human violence." "In an effort to build more humane communities across this country, please take action whenever you see any case of animal abuse or abandonment. Report such acts to your local police department, local shelter, or animal control agency." "Your leadership role
within your own community can help save the lives of countless dogs and cats,
puppies and kittens." DON'T DUMP YOUR PET If you have a dog that you can no longer keep, please go to our shelter/rescue group page and call until you find a safe, no-kill shelter for your dog. DO NOT just leave your dog or turn him out. UNDER NO
CIRCUMSTANCES, OFFER YOUR DOG "FREE TO GOOD HOME!" _______________________________ DO YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES TO OWN A DOG??? Take a REALISTIC look at your lifestyle, income, and level of current responsibilities BEFORE you consider getting a dog. Don't buy a dog on a whim, pure emotion, as a surprise gift for someone. THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE WHO SHOULD NOT OWN A DOG. If you're plenty busy
with work, house, kids, school, workout schedule, hobbies, social gatherings and
more, then DON'T GET A DOG! DOGS REQUIRE TIME -- LOTS OF IT -- and money. THEY REQUIRE CARE AND ATTENTION EVERYDAY FOR THEIR ENTIRE LIVES...NOT JUST WHEN YOU FEEL LIKE IT. SHELTERS
are overflowing with animals who have been abandoned, neglected and often abused
by their owners. People give up animals NEIGHBORHOODS around the country are filled with dogs still in a home, but are nonetheless neglected. These dogs are simply "warehoused" -- given barely the basics. Little if any time is spent training them, walking them, playing with them, giving them the attention and love, proper and regular grooming they deserve. Instead, they are left alone in homes all day or put out in back yards for long periods of time, often without water, toys, or proper shelter. They are ignored as busy families go about their daily routines once the novelty of having a dog wears off. The dog is simply "there" -- another responsibility lumped into the rest of the "chores" that the kids argue over and parents complain about. If you think this might happen to your family, don't get a dog.
UNLESS YOU CAN ANSWER "YES" TO THE ENTIRE
LIST BELOW, DON'T GET A DOG BECAUSE THIS IS WHAT OWNING ONE TAKES: 1. I will have my dog spayed or neutered. 1. I DO have the time to feed, train, love and exercise
my dog.
Insure that your dog lives on and is well cared for after your death -- see "Proposed Law Would Mean Trust Fund for Pets" on our RESOURCES page (scroll down to #11).
____________________________ Just What Is A Dog to You??? There are too many dogs and too many people who continue to abuse and abandon them in the most cruel and heartless ways. Many people do not want to take the time, effort, emotional and financial commitment to train and care for a dog for its entire life. As noted dog trainer Brian Kilcommons, who studied with the famous Barbara Woodhouse, said on "A Pet Story" (3/11/02 Animal Planet TV): "We're
a consumer society. People don't have A dog is not "just a dog." It's not chattel, property, an unfeeling animal there to pay attention to only when you feel like it. Dogs depend upon your love and affection on a daily basis. Dogs are social animals. They're not meant to be ignored and left alone for long periods of time. Especially a rescue dog, who's been through so much already. Are you willing to make a full-time commitment to a dog? Ask yourself the following: "If I get a dog, will I spend time with it daily -- playing, exercising, training, loving and hugging it? Will I truly make it part of my family? Will I be committed to its welfare and take responsibility for it for the rest of its life?" OR... "Will I lose
interest in the dog for whatever reason and just 'warehouse' it? Will it
just become another 'thing,' an added responsibility I resent and don't have time
for?" Seriously ask yourself these questions. Answer honestly. A dog's life is at stake. ___________________________
WHY ADOPT? 1. You will not be supporting puppy mills, and you will be helping to decrease the abandoned dog population. Why shouldn't you go to your local pet store and buy a dog? Puppy mills are the wholesale suppliers to the pet store industry. Puppy mills are basically factories where dogs in the most deplorable conditions imaginable are bred until they die. Puppy mill puppies are not bred to AKC standards much less humane standards of cleanliness and health or in a caring, nurturing environment -- all essential to a dog's upbringing. Puppy mills also contribute significantly to the
dog overpopulation By buying a puppy from a pet store, you are supporting puppy mills and their cruel treatment of dogs. To learn just how cruel, click on www.StopPuppyMills.com. Buying from a pet store also supports their exorbitant prices. One Petland in the NW suburbs wants $1,200 for a Yorkshire Terrier that weighs a mere 1.5 lbs. What's more, by patronizing a pet store, you're taking away the chance of a shelter/rescue dog being adopted. Read more about puppy mills and what you can do to help change the laws which make these horrible places legal. On our puppy mills page, you can link to Companion Animal Protection Society (CAPS) and read in detail "Why You Shouldn't Buy That Puppy in the Window." On our puppy mills page, you'll also find other websites listed where you can get more information on these dog "factories." Be sure you get the full story on puppy mills by reading our page and going to other websites. The average person simply does not have this information. Media such as "Hard Copy," "Extra" and "Reader's Digest" have all done stories on puppy mills. Read about some of the reports from undercover agents investigating puppy mills. It'll shock you and change forever how you view pet stores. Read about what was uncovered in puppy mills supplying Petland. You'll learn about the national boycott of PETLAND. 2. You will save a dog's life, and he will reward you with unconditional love for the rest of his days. Your dog loves you everyday no matter what kind of day you've had, how you look, etc. An adopted dog knows you've come to his rescue, and many people will tell you he loves you all the more. 3. You can adopt a mixed or pure breed. While the majority of dogs in shelters are mixed breeds, there are an estimated 25-40% pure breeds. Some shelters will work with you to notify you if you're looking for a pure breed. (Example, Big Hearts Little Packages, www.bigheartslittlepackages.org). There are also many fine pure breed rescue organizations. See our list of all types of rescue groups by clicking on SHELTERS / RESCUE ORG at the top of this page. 4. You can adopt a puppy or an older dog. The majority of
dogs in shelters are not puppies. But puppies Karen Okura, behavior and training manager at the Chicago Anti-Cruelty Society, had this to say in shelter's summer magazine, Animal Crackers: "Potential adopters understand that not only do older animals make wonderful pets, but also that in many cases they are much more suitable than the younger ones." "Older animals are generally housebroken, beyond their destructive stages of development, have better social manners, are full-grown, look like what they're going to look like, and have some prior training under their belts. These qualities help them to successfully fit into busy lifestyles." "But most importantly, these older pets are so much more appreciative of finding a new home than their younger, sassier counterparts might be. Cry anthropomorphizing if you must, but I believe this to be true. You can see it in their faces -- 'Thank you for choosing me.' " Karen goes on to tell several stories illustrating her point, including her adoption of an elderly Chihuahua named Vito; a groomer's adoption of an "ancient" poodle that lived years beyond what was expected; and 13-year-old cats Duck and Pudge who went to a loving new home. Take Karen's advice. Adopt an older dog -- 5, 8, even 10 years old. You won't regret it.
5. Older dogs offer many advantages over a puppy: -No housebreaking needed in most cases -No puppy pranks to
worry about -No demanding round-the-clock puppy care & exuberance -Many older dogs have some basic training. -What you see is what
you get 6. Shelters/rescue groups are good
matchmakers. Be prepared to fill out forms and
answer questions about your You can get more information on each
shelter/group's policies 7. The cost of shelter/rescue group dogs is MUCH lower. Besides supporting puppy mills by buying from a pet store, you'll also be paying exorbitant prices. On the other hand, adopting a dog can cost from $50 to $250; most are in the $100 - $150 range. Check with each group about what services are provided in the adoption fee. Dogs are vet checked and vaccinations brought up to date before pets are adopted. Other services usually include spaying and neutering, ID tags or microchip ID implants, heartworm and parasite checks and treatment etc. 8. You'll be a role model. By adopting a dog,
you'll be a walking advertisement for the 9. You will get even more love and enjoyment than you expect. Do you see
that sad, lonely face and forlorn heart of a dog in
SO WHY ADOPT? Because there are too many perfectly wonderful, family-friendly dogs killed everyday simply because they don't have a home. Pet stores encourage the over- population of dogs, and ALL pet stores use puppy mills -- a practice you must understand for all its cruelty and how it affects the temperament and health of any dog you buy at a pet store. AdoptingaDog.org provides information on puppy mills and how you can fight the problem of dog abuse/puppy mills. Click on our page PUPPY MILLS and note the many related sites that will help educate you about this pervasive, cruel practice. Please take time to change this "industry." We offer many ways you can help -- take time to write a letter, make a call, tell a friend about this web site. You can make a difference! SANDY FAUT WRITES "THE BUDDY BEAT" SUNDAY
FEATURE FOR THE
DAILY HERALD. HERE'S WHAT SHE SAYS ABOUT PUPPY MILLS. DO EVERYONE A FAVOR: DON'T BUY FROM PUPPY MILLS By Sandy Faut In this season of giving when our spirits are high and the spirit of giving even higher, sometimes we make mistakes. Our emotions carry us away and lead us to do things we wouldn't ordinarily do. Here's the scene. You have a soft heart and feel there are few things in life as wonderful as puppies. You've walked past the pet store before, but now your child is with you and he sees the cages of puppies inside. He begs and you hold off but finally give in. It's Christmas after all. Besides, you're just going to look. Nothing else. You walk in and down the aisle and see cages of beautiful, soft puppies and their begging eyes. There's nothing as tempting as a puppy in a pet store pawing at the cage, wanting attention. Your child begs to hold the puppy. Of course the store salespeople are thrilled to help you. Your heart fills up. The puppy needs a home. You'll rescue him from that awful cage and love him the rest of his life. You shell out hundreds, maybe even thousands of dollars. Your child is overjoyed. Your soft-hearted, inability to walk away may have just added to the pain and suffering of hundreds of thousands of dogs. "But how can that be?" you ask. "I'm saving a dog." That's true. But you also help make a market for puppy mill dogs -- dogs that are kept in small cages or penned areas under the poorest conditions. Dogs that are used solely for breeding, with no socialization, minimal healthcare and are quickly disposed of when they can no longer "produce." Though you think you are helping, you actually are contributing to the vicious cycle of puppy mills. If you keep buying from pet stores, they will keep buying from puppy mills, and the dogs will keep suffering in small cages. Their puppies, unsocialized, and many sickly, will keep getting shipped in trucks to pet stores for you to rescue. You might say: "But the salesperson said, they don't get their puppies from puppy mills." Despite what salespeople say, many pet store puppies doing indeed come from puppy mills. The one absolute truth is that no reputable breeder would ever sell his or her puppies through a pet store. Good breeders want to know with whom their puppies are going home. Keep in mind that pet stores are businesses. They are not shelters. They are not trustworthy breeders. They are businesses. And the bottom line is money, not good will or compassion for animals. Most of us know about puppy mills. They are called mills because they run like machines, churning out puppy after puppy in the least expensive way. Cages stacked on top of cages packed in a small space. Food and cleanliness at a minimum. No thought for comfort. Just volume. There are federal laws for minimum standards for these operations, but there are too few people to enforce the laws. There are thousands of these mass-breeding operations. If you need proof, go to www.stoppuppymills.org and click on "watch video" and "video and photos." This web site is run by the Humane Society of the United States and has excellent information on the problem of puppy mills. It also has very valuable information available by clicking on "How to Buy a Puppy" and "Five Easy Steps to Avoid Puppy Mills." The Buddy Foundation is a shelter and, of course, we want you to adopt our animals. But we also care deeply about all our animals and want to do our part to help those who have no ability to help themselves. So we ask, if you had done your homework and known the responsibility of taking on a companion animal for life, that you go first to a shelter or reputable breeder or breed rescue group before making any decision to add a buddy to your family. Be aware that puppy mill operators are
also selling on-line and putting ads in local papers. Investigate before
you invest your heart.
WHERE DO I ADOPT A DOG? Click on our page SHELTERS / RESCUE ORG. and look at all the wonderful groups to choose from!!! Check out their websites. Learn more about each shelter. View dogs for adoption on line. Go to the shelter. Ask questions. Interact with some of the dogs. There is a perfect dog for you and your family at one of these shelters. It's just a matter of finding him or her. A reputable shelter will
be clean and the animals well fed and cared for. A reputable shelter will ask questions and screen potential owners. Obviously, they can't make everyone take a lie-detector test. It's up to you to tell the truth and be realistic about the responsibilities of owning a dog. Rescue groups often require a home visit and new owners to attend training classes. The group will follow up with the new owner to make sure everything is going well. At the least, volunteers will be available for questions and concerns. A group will NOT simply dump the dog off at your home or have you pick it up and then disappear. The dedicated volunteers at these shelters and rescue groups give countless hours and tireless effort to help find homes for unwanted dogs. Volunteers and trained staff will work closely with you to find the dog that fits well into your home. Please remember to thank the people who work at these places for their caring service and kind hearts. After you adopt, do you want to do more? Get on the mailing
list You can meet friendly people from dozens and dozens of rescue groups and shelters at the annual PET SHOW at Arlington Race Track (held the second Fri. - Sun. in March). Look for more info in the Daily Herald in late Feb., early March. The Pet Show is a great place to ask questions! Every shelter/rescue group depends upon financial assistance. Please consider making a donation to at least one. Even a small donation is helpful and very much appreciated. Keep a collection jar for all that loose change. You'd be surprised how it adds up monthly. There's a regular donation. _________________________
How to Prepare for Your New Arrival You'll want to make the homecoming of your newly adopted dog a warm, welcoming one and as calm as possible. In advance be sure to shop for the following: 1. A bed or crate with a cushiony pad and a blanket. Vets recommend washing the blanket once a week. 2. Dog food (dry and meat) and vitamins Be choosey about what you feed your
dog. Buy the new 3. New toys and chew sticks Make sure these are new and don't
belong to your other family 4. Unbreakable bowls for food and water Do leave water where your dog can help
himself anytime. But 5. A leash and collar Make sure the size is correct, and
they're comfortable for the 6. Brush and comb Make sure the brush will be gentle on the dog's skin. 7. Dog shampoo You may want to take your newly adopted
dog to a professional Pick your groomer carefully and make
sure you go to someone Regular grooming is an essential part
of caring for a dog. 8. Doggie teeth cleaning kit 80 - 90% of all dogs and cats 2
years and older have Periodontal disease leads to other
often fatal diseases. In addition to a variety of teeth
cleaning products on the market, 9. Dog training/obedience books (read them in advance.) 10. Dog tags As soon as possible, get a
good, easy-to-read tag with your Make sure your dog has the
appropriate rabies tag and any 11. Choose a Veterinarian 12. Do some pre-planning -Do you need a fenced yard for
the dog? If you already -Figure out in advance where your
new dog will go to the -What are the house rules
regarding the dog? Is he allowed -Who is going to be responsible
for his daily care? Feeding, -Who is going to be your dog's
veterinarian? Get referrals -Remember to have a groomer
picked out. Make sure that -Check out availability, cost,
etc. of training/obedience classes. If you can't afford classes, buy
books or borrow from the Most of all, enjoy the whole experience of adopting a dog. From the first moment you begin your search till the time that dog first sets foot in your home should be an exciting, happy one. After all, you don't get to save a life and gain a life-long friend everyday. ____________________________
The
Humane Society's Recommended 1. Make sure your dog wears an easily readable ID tag
with your name, address and phone number/cell phone (incl. area
code). 3. Animal behavior problems can be health related. Make sure your dog has a complete medical exam by a vet at least once a year. 4. Make sure your dog is spayed or neutered. 5. Prepare for disasters. Make sure you have a
plan for your pet 6. Plan for your pet's future in case something happens to you. 7. Learn how to avoid dog bites and how to prevent your dog from biting (check out www.nodogbites.org and www.preventthebite.com) _________________________ YOUR DOG'S MEDICATION COULD KILL HIM. Go to our RESOURCES page and read Daily Herald columnist Sandy Faut's important article: "Be Sure to Do Your Research Before Giving New Medicine." Her dog died, and she suspects it was his prescribed medication. ________________________ KATRINA DOGS STILL NEED YOUR HELP! CNN reports that 200,000 dogs and cats are
still without homes as a result of the hurricane. 1. PAWS CHICAGO: The LARGEST No-Kill Shelter in Chicago. *24,092 dogs and cats were enuthanized in Chicago ALONE in 2004, according to PAWS. To foster one of these rescued pets, go to www.pawschicago.org
and fill out a foster application. Fax it to Dave Barta at PAWS Chicago at
773-521-1142. E-mail Dave Barta at dbarta@pawschicago.org
2. CHICAGO CANINE RESCUE FOUNDATION:
This group also needs assistance fostering some of the rescued pets.
Contact Jennifer Saddoris at CCRF to help. Fill out the foster application
from their web site, www.chicagocaninerescue.com,
and fax it to Jennifer at 312-803-2030 or e-mail her at Jennifer@chicagocaninerescue.com 3. NOAH'S WISH: This
group is exclusively dedicated to rescuing pets following disasters. www.noahswish.org
Send donations to: Noah's Wish, P.O. Box 997, Placerville, CA 95667, Fax
number 530-622-9317, __________________________
SEASONAL ALERTS 1. Make sure your dog always has access to a bowl or two of cool water. Check regularly that the water is clean and the bowls have not tipped over. 2. Make sure there is a shady spot for your dog to rest. Remember that the position of the sun changes. 3. Don't shave your dog thinking it will keep him cool. In many cases, his coat provides insulation from the hot sun. 4. Muzzling a dog while he is under a hair dryer can cause overheating. Check with your groomer on this issue. 5. Don't job with your dog on a hot day. If you must, exercise him during the cool morning or evening hours. 6.
NEVER
leave your dog in a car on a hot day! REMEMBER TO PROTECT YOUR DOG AGAINST FLEAS & TICKS! FLEAS could be anywhere on your dog's body. Note any excessive scratching, especially around the base of the tail. Fleas can be found anywhere you find animals. So don't think that just because your dog goes in your back yard or neighborhood walks that he doesn't need flea preventative. TICKS, found in wooded or very grassy areas, will attach themselves to parts of your dog where there's little or no hair. Check your dog's head, neck, ears, and feet. Ticks are about the size of a pin head. They can cause Lyme Disease in dogs and humans. Talk to your vet and treat your dog with the correct medication to prevent either a tick or flea problem.
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