What a busy year. In addition to boarding 6 dogs this summer, running the dog rescue, tending the gardens & the farm, riding and training the horses and mini donkeys, plus the care and attention to my parrots and iguana, I have found time to successfully place 6 dogs into homes so far this year.
Douglas, a light brown deer headed gangsta looking taco bell type Chihuahua, who was surrendered to me this spring, found a new home and a new name, Mr. Pink! It's perfect, he IS the dog version of Steve Buscemi. His new home is amazing, and there is nothing better than seeing him thrive. I honestly thought Douglas wouldn't find a home, as he just wasn't as cute as most chi's, but I had forgotten that there are people out there like me where cute comes in all shapes and sizes, and Doug, aka Mr. Pink has found his place of love in this world.
Hobbs, a tiny male white and beige coloured apple headed Chihuahua, now more appropriately named Rico by his new owner, also found a great new home. He came from some pretty dodgy circumstances, he was rescued by a woman who had noticed his owner kept him crated 24/7, and made him use his crate as a litter box. She convinced his owner to surrender him, and the next day I took him in. We worked out his house training issues due to the neglect he suffered and I was going to keep him, but he was just too darn cute to keep. In fact, it was hard picking the right home for him, but the one I did is a complete winner. He is currently thriving in obedience and going to Mighty Mutts, he is happy, loved immensely, and in a well adjusted home and is still cute as a button.
Smurfy, a Lhasa Apso I took in last year, was surrendered to the McDonald Family Rescue and he had a lot of issues, and due to the health of one of the owners of the rescue, we took him in. I like giving dogs that most people would euthanize due to behaviour problems and teach them how to be a social dog, my pack is invaluable in helping rehabilitate these types of dogs. Smurfy had a lot of fear aggression, and a couple of health issues that needed sorting out, but after a year here at the farm, he was ready for his new home. He is with a lovely couple who adore him, he has only gotten better and better, no regression into his old behaviours at all.
Mikey, a red Miniature Pinscher cross, hit the jackpot this year when a friend of mine took him for a couple of days this spring to work on some training, and it turned into forever. He was abandoned by a trucker from Ontario to a woman who worked with my husband. This trucker was supposed to come back in a month to get him, but instead he quit answering her phone calls. This woman was not allowed to even own a dog under her lease so we took him in. Mikey is one of the most perfectly behaved dogs I have ever rescued. He was already house trained, no anxiety, social, friendly, great with kids, not overly yappy, just a snuggly little dude. Needless to say, when my friend asked if she could keep him, I was thrilled. He has learned a myriad of new tricks and I don't think I could have found a better home for him anywhere.
Wally, a huge, sweet male St. Bernard got his dream home with a lovely family on a farm. Wally was surrendered to us a couple of years ago, when he was 8 months old, he was the "boyfriend gets girlfriend a cute puppy for a Christmas surprise" without any research into the breed at all. He had zero vet care or training when he was surrendered to us, but he took to his training easy peasy, and was adoptable soon after. With bigger dogs that need a lot of care - grooming, training, etc... finding the "right" home for him was not easy. We were patient and it paid off tenfold. After just a week with his new family, his new "dad" was taking him to work everyday, and they are thrilled to have such a huge and sweet dog to take care of, and to have him take care of them too.
Maggie, a female St. Bernard that was surrendered to us by a puppy broker I have developed a somewhat "cordial" relationship with, at least cordial enough where I get a call if there is a dog where it will be euthanized after not selling at a pet store. She was just under 5 months old when she came to the farm, and we found her a forever home this year after her being here for just over 2 years. Maggie is not a huge St. Bernard, but her heart sure is. There was nothing more that she loved than belly rubs and giving kisses. She would run up to me full tilt then flop on her back, ready for love! She had a few issues getting along with one other female dog here, and once that issue was worked out we eventually found her a great home, a farm that is a lot like ours, sans the dog rescue... lots of room to roam and run, plus their property is sheep fenced and far away from any busy roads. She is happy and healthy with her new family, living the good life she should have had to begin with as a puppy instead of living in a pet store for 2 months, not ever even seeing grass in her life until I was thankfully able to save her from being euthanized or sent to a puppy mill and living in horrid conditions producing unwanted puppies.
I have only had one placement of two dogs to one home that I had to take back. This person misrepresented herself, and thankfully the dogs are now back in my care. In all the dogs I have placed over the years, thankfully that is only the second time ever it has happened, from over 30 adoptions.
Sidenote: all of the above dogs were NOT spayed or neutered when they came here, but they were before they left for their new homes. Sadly that is the norm regardless of the age of the dog. If there is one thing in this world I wish everyone would do, is to have their pets fixed as soon as their vet recommends it. Not only does it curtail certain unwanted behaviours, it stops the endless cycle of unwanted puppies born each year that keep people like me working day and night in order to "right" the wrongs perpetrated on these animals by others in the name of the almighty dollar.
My Farm
this is a picture of the view I wake up to every morning.
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Guzoo Speaks!
I spent over two hours speaking with the owners of Guzoo, and while we have a long way to go to find a middle ground, I sincerely hope that it can be found somewhere.
As the rhetoric has died down, and Guzoo being given their licence back, this means that the campaign must evolve. How that evolution is to happen, I don't know. What I want truly is to see the animals kept in much better conditions for their well being. Zoo's need to strive to exceed the standard, not just try to make the bare minimum. When you take on such an endeavor as Guzoo has, there can be no cutting of corners.
On another subject entirely, this year has been the most successful for my personal rescue efforts, as we have rehomed over 12 dogs this past year, and today Wally the St. Bernard is finally getting his chance! He is meeting with his two, hopefully, soon to be buddies, and if all goes well, Wally will be in his forever home tonight! Fingers crossed!!!
As the rhetoric has died down, and Guzoo being given their licence back, this means that the campaign must evolve. How that evolution is to happen, I don't know. What I want truly is to see the animals kept in much better conditions for their well being. Zoo's need to strive to exceed the standard, not just try to make the bare minimum. When you take on such an endeavor as Guzoo has, there can be no cutting of corners.
On another subject entirely, this year has been the most successful for my personal rescue efforts, as we have rehomed over 12 dogs this past year, and today Wally the St. Bernard is finally getting his chance! He is meeting with his two, hopefully, soon to be buddies, and if all goes well, Wally will be in his forever home tonight! Fingers crossed!!!
Monday, November 28, 2011
One rude comment, but my blog has become a beehive of activity!
Boy has my lame little blog become busy! Went from 30 views to over 65 in one week! I'll add a picture of my stats, they are VERY interesting!!!
I just got my FIRST comment on my little blog. I noticed my profile views have gone up significantly, and I am so happy to see people interested in me, PTSD, childhood molestation, my rescue, as well as CCAAWPS - Council of Concerned Albertans for Animal Welfare and Public Safety- and our work. It is inspiring to say the least, although I am a little confused as to why only one person has commented, and it is on my Guzoo is Closed! post. Well, maybe not THAT confused!
These past months have been beyond challenging, but my fellow CCAAWPS admins, who have done more work than ever behind the scenes, have made it all worthwhile. Despite the judicial review, I am sure that the time and money we, the admins, put forth for the website and other expenses will be well worth it in the end. As well, it has catapulted us into a little spotlight here in Alberta, and we have raised a lot of awareness, I am so proud of our accomplishments while doing this entire campaign by funding it ourselves. I am very happy to announce that while we became a non profit a while ago, CCAAWPS will soon be able to offer memberships to those who want to help more and donate to our cause.
We are a family, diverse yet strong. We all have different views, yet we support each other regardless of tiny disagreements, I am so proud to say that the same people who started CCAAWPS are all still working and donating what money and time we can, while we see the supporters of the Guzoo slowly crumbling apart. And I am extremely proud to say we did it all without having to ask any CCAAWPS supporters for a dime.
Guzoo is, has, and until it is finally shutdown, will be the worst "zoo" I have ever seen. That is why so many people support us. Anyway, although I only got one rude comment, lol, and I have a pretty good idea who did it, thank you to all who have visited, don't be afraid to let yourself be known and leave a comment ;)
I just got my FIRST comment on my little blog. I noticed my profile views have gone up significantly, and I am so happy to see people interested in me, PTSD, childhood molestation, my rescue, as well as CCAAWPS - Council of Concerned Albertans for Animal Welfare and Public Safety- and our work. It is inspiring to say the least, although I am a little confused as to why only one person has commented, and it is on my Guzoo is Closed! post. Well, maybe not THAT confused!
These past months have been beyond challenging, but my fellow CCAAWPS admins, who have done more work than ever behind the scenes, have made it all worthwhile. Despite the judicial review, I am sure that the time and money we, the admins, put forth for the website and other expenses will be well worth it in the end. As well, it has catapulted us into a little spotlight here in Alberta, and we have raised a lot of awareness, I am so proud of our accomplishments while doing this entire campaign by funding it ourselves. I am very happy to announce that while we became a non profit a while ago, CCAAWPS will soon be able to offer memberships to those who want to help more and donate to our cause.
We are a family, diverse yet strong. We all have different views, yet we support each other regardless of tiny disagreements, I am so proud to say that the same people who started CCAAWPS are all still working and donating what money and time we can, while we see the supporters of the Guzoo slowly crumbling apart. And I am extremely proud to say we did it all without having to ask any CCAAWPS supporters for a dime.
Guzoo is, has, and until it is finally shutdown, will be the worst "zoo" I have ever seen. That is why so many people support us. Anyway, although I only got one rude comment, lol, and I have a pretty good idea who did it, thank you to all who have visited, don't be afraid to let yourself be known and leave a comment ;)
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Wednesday was a perfect day. In fact, all my days have been perfect lately. Maybe there really IS karma! I woke up, went to town, came home, had a riding lesson on Khemo, who was a big sweet dream horse, met up with the hubby, drove to the Edmonton Airport and picked up my new Galah aka Rose Breasted Cockatoo!!
She is SO beautiful, cuddly, outgoing, and very loving. She was another lucky break. I got a $2500 bird for the cost to ship her here, $99.00. She was hand raised, just couldn't be sold, and luckily word of mouth that I have been looking for a rescued or surrendered parrot got out there! Now Sage, my Timneh African Grey parrot has a new friend, I named her Holly Golightly. She LOVES chin scratches, and to have her crest preened. It is hard to believe that these parrots in Australia are akin to pigeons here in North America. They have the most amazing coloring, pink and grey! ANd not to say that I have anything against pigeons, I adore them, but that is what people compare them to.
So Guzoo is closed, I bought a TON of new rare trees and plants, I got my new baby bird, I guess the only crappy thing is the rain is back for until tomorrow, but I can roll with that!
So Guzoo is closed, I bought a TON of new rare trees and plants, I got my new baby bird, I guess the only crappy thing is the rain is back for until tomorrow, but I can roll with that!
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Guzoo is finally CLOSED!
It has been a LONG time since I last wrote, I am not too concerned, because I don't have or try to get any followers, this a just a diary of sorts. A journal of my personal milestones, wisdom, and the betterment of myself in such areas as controlling my PTSD, in my animal rescue, in my advocacy of animal welfare, and other important issues in my life.
As of late I have been working as a member of Concerned Albertans for Animal Welfare and Public Safety (caawps.com) to shut down Guzoo for 4 years now. I knew that problems have existed at Guzoo for YEARS, but have recently been donating my time and money to help fund and work on the CAAWPS campaign to get Guzoo investigated, as well as many other members too.
Well, we DID IT! The Ministry of Alberta Sustainable Resource Development did a 60 day investigation of Guzoo, contracted a third party (CAZA- Canadian Association of Zoos and Aquariums) to interpret the AZS and investigate Guzoo using these standards and not their own.
Unsurprisingly, they issued their finding, saying it would be IMPOSSIBLE for Guzoo to become compliant to Alberta Zoo Standards due to the ENTIRE facility, the operation, enclosures and the inability to stop the spread of diseases. To say that MY pictures, observations, interpretations of the Alberta Zoo Standards and opinion have been vindicated seems to soft to me. We were proven to be 100% right, Guzoo is beyond repair, close the doors and stop this inhumane treatment of animals.
Every February, since 2007, I have made 2 trips per year, a month apart, to take photos and document the Alberta Zoo Violations and Animal Protection Act or, to photograph any improvements the zoo has made. I have NEVER witnessed any upgrades before the media published Nic Burgess's, mine, and other CAAWPS members photographs also prove the conditions. As for Nic Burgess's photographs being manipulated is just a complete lie. Lynn Gustafson admitted the photographs by Nic Burgess of the bleeding goat were authentic, he just tried to justify giving no vet treatment to his animals.
Many animal rights groups have tried getting the government to listen, but to no avail. CAAWPS was able to attract everyday people due to our varied membership and simple agenda. This is about animal welfare and public safety, and due to our 14,000 FB members and over 33,000 people signing our petition, we made sure the government could not ignore this issue anymore.
As of late I have been working as a member of Concerned Albertans for Animal Welfare and Public Safety (caawps.com) to shut down Guzoo for 4 years now. I knew that problems have existed at Guzoo for YEARS, but have recently been donating my time and money to help fund and work on the CAAWPS campaign to get Guzoo investigated, as well as many other members too.
Well, we DID IT! The Ministry of Alberta Sustainable Resource Development did a 60 day investigation of Guzoo, contracted a third party (CAZA- Canadian Association of Zoos and Aquariums) to interpret the AZS and investigate Guzoo using these standards and not their own.
Unsurprisingly, they issued their finding, saying it would be IMPOSSIBLE for Guzoo to become compliant to Alberta Zoo Standards due to the ENTIRE facility, the operation, enclosures and the inability to stop the spread of diseases. To say that MY pictures, observations, interpretations of the Alberta Zoo Standards and opinion have been vindicated seems to soft to me. We were proven to be 100% right, Guzoo is beyond repair, close the doors and stop this inhumane treatment of animals.
Every February, since 2007, I have made 2 trips per year, a month apart, to take photos and document the Alberta Zoo Violations and Animal Protection Act or, to photograph any improvements the zoo has made. I have NEVER witnessed any upgrades before the media published Nic Burgess's, mine, and other CAAWPS members photographs also prove the conditions. As for Nic Burgess's photographs being manipulated is just a complete lie. Lynn Gustafson admitted the photographs by Nic Burgess of the bleeding goat were authentic, he just tried to justify giving no vet treatment to his animals.
Many animal rights groups have tried getting the government to listen, but to no avail. CAAWPS was able to attract everyday people due to our varied membership and simple agenda. This is about animal welfare and public safety, and due to our 14,000 FB members and over 33,000 people signing our petition, we made sure the government could not ignore this issue anymore.
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Too busy...too sick...kinda sad.
It's Wednesday, and it's been a decent week! I am getting my gall bladder out, which has had me on Morphine for the past 6 weeks...never thought I'd ever take that drug again, other than in a hospital, but apparently my gall bladder is filled with "innumerable stones". This constant stabbing pain started about 8 weeks ago, and was diagnosed 4 weeks ago, and Monday, it GONE! That useless little organ has been the bane of my existence for quite some time, and other than being a little scared about going under then knife, I'm relieved it will be done!
I had the best riding lesson of my life yesterday, two weeks in a row now with no frustration, just pure fun riding. It's all I have right now when my mind can be free, and all I think about is getting my body in sync with Abu, the beautiful arabian stallion I've been riding this year.
My babies have kept me busy, and unfortunately a Lhasa Apso we rescued is sick, might have to be euthanized. He's in pain, and the vets can't diagnose him. His medicines haven't helped, and we have decided one last trip to see if we can relieve or stop the pain, if not,then Smurfy's time has come. :)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)