This dog was born on Christmas Eve in the year 2002. He was born with 2 legs. He of course could not walk when he was born. Even his mother did not want him.

His first owner also did not think that he could survive and he was thinking of ‘putting him to sleep’.  But then, his present owner, Jude Stringfellow, met him and wanted to take care of him. She became determined to teach and train this little dog to walk by himself.  She named him ‘Faith’.

In the beginning, she put Faith on a surfboard to let him feel the movement. Later she used peanut butter on a spoon as a lure and reward for him for standing up and jumping around.

Even the other dog at home encouraged him to walk. Amazingly, only after 6 months, like a miracle, Faith learned to balance on his hind legs and to jump to move forward.
After further training in the snow, he could now walk like a human being.  

Faith loves to walk around now. No matter where he goes, he attracts people to him.
He is fast becoming famous on the international scene and has appeared on various newspapers and TV shows. There is now a book entitled ‘With a Little Faith’ being published about him. He was even considered to appear in one of Harry Potter movies.

His present owner Jude Stringfellew has given up her teaching post and plans to take him around the world to preach that even without a perfect body, one can have a perfect soul’.

In life there are always undesirable things, so in order to feel better you just need to look at life from another direction. I hope this message will bring fresh new ways of thinking to everyone and that everyone will appreciate and be thankful for each beautiful day. Above all it shows us not to dismiss that which seems imperfect because sometimes it can be the most perfect thing in the world on the inside!

When you are considering adoption, don’t dismiss the special needs animal. On the outside they might appear imperfect, but they still have so much to give! The depth of a soul has nothing to do with the package it comes wrapped in!

Until Tomorrow Remember

BE THE CHANGE YOU SEEK!

Janette

Puffy has been an Ottawa neighborhood cat for about a year now. Neighbors have been feeding him and keeping an eye out for him. However, he was an unneutered male, so, though handsome to the eye, a “baby-maker” nonetheless. And a bit of a rabble-rouser who got into fights with other cats in the neighborhood.

Recently, a concerned neighbor stepped up and befriended Puffy.

“…he let me pat him and cut some matts out of his fur. He had a huge tick on him, a big healing abcess and lots of smaller scabs and scratches.”

After talking to his neighborhood “watch group,” it was decided that Puffy needed to be caught and neutered. Then he could possibly be released back into his neighborhood.

So this week, Puffy got a full checkup, de-worming, vaccinations, FeLV/FIV tests, and a neuter. All went well except for the FIV test. He has tested positive for the FIV virus.

If you are unfamiliar with FIV, feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) is a lentivirus (or “slow virus”) which is characterized by a long incubation period. An infected cat’s health may deteriorate progressively or be characterized by recurrent illness interspersed with periods of relative health. Sometimes not appearing for years after infection, signs of immunodeficiency can appear anywhere throughout the body — poor coat, gingivitis, stomatitis, various cancers and blood diseases; much like any other cat might experience. [source]

What does FIV do to a cat? Infected cats may appear normal for years. However, infection eventually leads to a state of immune deficiency that hinders the cat’s ability to protect itself against other infections. The same bacteria, viruses, protozoa, and fungi that may be found in the everyday environment — where they usually do not affect healthy animals — can cause severe illness in those with weakened immune systems. These secondary infections are responsible for many of the diseases associated with FIV. [source]

In other words, FIV won’t kill him, but rather a secondary infection could. Therefore, to lessen the possibility of acquiring a secondary infection and for keeping his immune system as strong as possible, it is best for Puffy to live indoors now.

So we are looking for a home that can take Puffy in. He currently lives in Ottawa. Taking him to the Ottawa Humane Society would likely be a death sentence (read some of the reasons an animal is destroyed in a shelter) and rescue groups called are full at this time.

Per Judy who took him to the vet:

“The vet says he is young and seems to be in good health other than being a bit thin. He seems gentle and friendly. When he was at my house for a little while he was comforted when I rubbed his cheeks and ears.”

“I have a foster home for him only until Sunday, and then maybe another foster for a few days after that.”

If you are interested in fostering or adopting Puffy, please email me and I will connect you with Judy.

If you want to learn more about FIV — what it means, how it is transmitted, what you might expect — the College of Veterinary Medicine at Cornell University has created this great page to explain. It needn’t be a death sentence. Puffy can live a long and happy life. Even in a home with other cats.

And please… SHARE Puffy’s story by clicking on one of the icons below so we can find him a new home.

Ciao,
Holly

Last Thursday and Friday we discussed summer safety for your dog. In both posts I made sure to tell you never to leave your dog in your vehicle on a hot summer day. You know the standard cars become ovens speech. Seems I would have done better to have given that lecture to police officers in Sterling Virginia. On May 31 they arrested Stu Grimes. Grimes had been out at a party the night before and in the small hours of the morning stopped at a diner to have breakfast. But Grimes partying caught up with him and he reportedly fell asleep at the table. Diner staff called the police and Grimes was arrested for being drunk in public.

Stu Grimes dog Rex died when police refused to return to the scene of Grimes arrest and let the dog out of his parked car.

Grimes however was not traveling alone at the time of his arrest. His dog was waiting in the car for his master to return. Only Grimes did not return because he had been arrested. Grimes claims that he begged and pleaded with arresting officers to go and get his dog out of his car. His pleas were ignored, and when he was finally released from custody his worst fears were realized. His dog Rex, who had been locked all day in his car, was dead on the floor in the back seat. The temperature outside had reached 100 degrees that day, the conditions in the car were unsurvivable.

Grimes is understandably heartbroken, his beloved pet is gone. My biggest question is this, who should be held responsible for Rex’s death? According to Grimes he told police many time there was a dog in his car. The panic alarm was reportedly set off during Grimes arrest, yet arresting officers claim they did not know Grimes had a vehicle. Grimes claims he begged so vehemently for officers to save his dog that they teased him and laughed at him but no one bothered to check out his story. Did these officers let an innocent dog die for spite?

Now it could be easily said that Grimes should not of taken his dog with him when he went partying, but there is no law against visiting friends with your dog, and last time I checked it wasn’t illegal to take your dog with you wherever you went. What disturbs me most about this story is simply the fact that grown men allowed an animal to die a slow and horrible death because they did not do their job. They saw a human being whom they felt was drunk in public and decided to dismiss anything he said as unimportant. What if Grimes had left his human baby in the car? Would police have taken action then?

If what Grimes is claiming is the truth then Sterling Virginia police knowingly allowed an animal to suffer a slow lingering death, I am pretty sure that isn’t protocol. Will these officers be called to account for their actions? That remains to be seen, one thing however, seems abundantly clear to me, police in Sterling Virginia seriously need some sensitivity training, they also need to learn to take action when an animal’s life is at stake. Rex may have been “just a dog” to these officers, but he was a living breathing being until they locked up his best friend and left him to die alone not understanding why no one came for him.

The officers involved should be charged with animal cruelty, and Grimes should sue the city for everything they are worth! Unfortunately for Rex, any action taken against the arresting officers in the case will have come too late to save him.

Until Tomorrow Remember

BE THE CHANGE YOU SEEK!

Janette

Yesterday we talked about dogs and summer back yard safety. So today all of your backyards should be dog safe! But what about when we hit the road for that camping vacation or to head to Grandma’s house in Florida? If you are driving this summer to get to your vacation destination, and Fido is traveling with you, there are a few things you need to know before hitting the road! Watch the following short video, it will tell you what you need to know for a happy and memory filled trip with your pooch this summer!

Remember these tips when traveling with Fido:

1.) Be sure to get veterinary phone numbers for clinics in the area you are traveling to. That way if there is an emergency involving your pet, you know who to call.

2.) Be sure to get a tag made up with your cell phone number as well as the number of a relative not traveling with you. That way if your pet becomes separated from you, you can be contacted by anyone finding him.

3.) Be sure to use a pet seat belt. That way in the event of an accident your pet will not be thrown around the inside of your vehicle or escape through an open window.

4.) Pack a cooler for meal times, or use a drive through window. NEVER leave your dog in the car while you have a leisurely lunch at a roadside diner. Remember your car acts like an oven even with the windows cracked open.

Have a safe and happy summer everyone! I want to see LOTS of fun happy summer memory pics!

Until Tomorrow Remember

BE THE CHANGE YOU SEEK!

Janette

Avoid hot dogs this summer, take precautions and keep your pet cool!

Well folks, summer seems to have arrived! Not a moment too soon either, I am sure you are all as anxious to get out and enjoy the summer weather as I am, but before you grab that leash and head out remember, there are certain dangers the summer season brings for Fido. To keep your dog safe, check out these tips to help prevent summer hazards.

Keep cool. When the heat and humidity are making you uncomfortable, chances are that your dog is suffering too and is becoming overheated. You can prevent overheating by making sure that your dog always has access to cool shade and water. If you see that Fido is slowing down in the heat, you can spray him with a hose to cool him off.

Dogs get sunburn, too. Dogs that have hairless areas or have white fur on their noses or ears can get sunburn. Repeated sunburn on dogs can predispose them to skin cancer, just like humans . Make sure to put sun block on Fido if he’s going to be outside on a sunny day.

Paws on pavement. Sidewalks and streets can get very hot, and since your dog doesn’t wear shoes his paws can end up getting burned from the scorching pavement. Keep your dog on the grass in extreme heat to keep his paws intact. Also remember that sand can burn, too.

We all like to get out in our yards and beautify our surroundings with our gardening efforts. When gardening it is important to remember that the chemicals we use on our lawns and flower beds can be hazardous to our pets health. You share your outdoor space with Fido, and he in turn is exposed to the effects of every gardening chemical you use. Therefore it is important to remember when purchasing weed killers and fertilizers, to ensure that these products are not harmful to your pets. These days there are many eco-friendly, and pet friendly products on the market. Do your research to ensure you are not endangering your pet with the products you choose.

If you tie Fido outside for any length of time be sure that there is access to shade, ample water supply, and that you place your dog’s tie out far away from fences and objects he could get hung up on. Every year in North America dogs die because they are tied too close to the fenceline and jumping the fence is irresistible. They end up hanging themselves with the very thing you are using to keep them safe, so watch where you place your dog’s tie down.

Of course by now you have visited with your vet to obtain flea and heartworm prevention. (If you have not done so pick up the phone and make an appointment with your vet today.) This is an important step for all pet owners. Flea infestation is not an easy thing to get rid of and it can play havoc with your pets health. Mosquitos can carry heartworm, so medication to prevent it is essential to keeping your pet healthy throughout the summer months.

Now that the snow is gone, take a walk around your yard. Be sure to remove any hazardous objects such as forgotten snow shovels or that rake you lost last summer. Remember if it looks like a potential hazard it probably is. How about the fences? Do they need repair, are there any holes or openings that your dog could slip through? If there are be sure to do some fence repair before leaving Fido out in the yard unattended for any length of time. Trust me, if there is a way out of your yard your dog will find it.

Speaking of leaving Fido outside, have you made sure he has ample water and shade? Dogs can heat up fast in this weather, and they are just as prone to sun stroke as people. Keep Fido cool and you will have a safe and happy summer!

Last, but probably one of the most important things to remember is this, leave Fido at home on hot summer days when you are running to the grocery store or off shopping for shoes. I’m really not sure how many dogs die every summer in North America because they are left in cars with no water and the windows barely cracked open. Come on people use your heads, your car becomes an oven when the temperature outside is over 30 degrees Celsius. I don’t think that’s the kind of hot dog you’re looking for. Leave Fido safe and cool at home.Enjoy the summer season my friends, it will be over all too soon and we will once again be complaining about the cold and the snow shoveling. Remember, ensuring that your pet is safe and cool makes for happy summer memories.

Tomorrow we will discuss safety while vacationing with your dog. Yes I know cat lovers, I hear you, we will get to summer safety for cats next!

Until Tomorrow Remember

BE THE CHANGE YOU SEEK!

Janette

I am aware that many of you who are members of Let’s Adopt Canada are also members of Let’s Adopt Global. You would be aware then, that Let’s Adopt Turkey is wrestling with a very difficult decision, to suspend operations in Turkey or continue on? Viktor Larkhil and a few key members of Let’s Adopt Turkey have managed against all odds to do great work there, they have saved many lives. However, they have fought long and hard and still can not gain the support of the Turkish community. Everyone wants them to make a difference, but no one wants to help them do so. Thus they are considering suspending Turkish rescue operations.

Some of you may be asking yourselves why they would give up, but those of us that run other Let’s Adopt countries know. Lack of members willing to step up and provide them with foster homes, and an absence of members willing to be hands on rescuers will eventually end rescue efforts no matter how passionate and dedicated the core group of people is. You can not save the world by yourself no matter how dedicated you are. You NEED others willing to step forward and be a part of the process. When no one steps forward progress grinds to a halt. Once that happens you feel like you are merely spinning your wheels and getting nowhere. You feel like it is time to pack it in and concentrate your efforts elsewhere.

It is this very crossroads at which Let’s Adopt Turkey now finds itself. They want to move on, keep saving lives, but without help the task is insurmountable. Without you Let’s Adopt Turkey will cease to exist. Without YOU, my Turkish friends, no lives can be saved no change can be made. Are YOU ready to let that happen? Are you all ready to give up? I seriously hope not, for the fate of Let’s Adopt Turkey lies with YOU! As does the fate of countless Turkish animals.

Let Viktor know you are with him! Step forward, become a part of the solution. Those who are not a part of the solution are a part of the problem. Do you really wish to be a part of the problem? Is this what you want to say to the world about animal “lovers” in Turkey? That they do not care, that they are not willing to work for change? Perhaps you have been ready to step forward, but told yourself many others would so your help was not needed.  Step forward anyway, there will always be work for those willing. Perhaps you do not understand that YOU are the one standing between rescue and peril. Learn it, know it, your help would make a difference.

Are you going to stand by and watch the death of Let’s Adopt Turkey? Or will this be the day you realize, we must ALL be willing to step up and BE THE CHANGE WE SEEK? Don’t let the rescue end! Show the world you do care, step forward and save Let’s Adopt Turkey, for the sake of the animals.

Until Tomorrow Remember

BE THE CHANGE YOU SEEK!

Janette