Sad Statistics - The Naked Truth

A couple weeks ago my daughter, Stephanie, adopted a chocolate Lab (she named her Lola)  from a kill shelter in Jasper County, Georgia. This sweet, 1-year-old girl, slated to be euthanized, had been found wandering up the interstate highway with six puppies trailing behind. Three of the pups were stuck by a car and killed. One was badly injured and not expected to live. We do not know the fate of the remaining two pups.

Here is Lola the night Stephanie adopted her.  Vastly undernourished, but still sweet tempered and beautiful:

It was on that night that I learned this chilling statistic: 10,000+ dogs and cats are euthanized in the state of Georgia every month, 120,000+ per year.

10,000+. Every. Month.

120,000+. Every. Year.

Just in the state of Georgia alone.

These numbers broke my heart. I hoped the statistic was wrong so I checked it out. What I learned is that the number is likely much higher. The 10,000+ was derived by a survey of shelters in Georgia counties; however, many of the counties declined to report. 

Here are the numbers for the U.S. in total, taken from the Humane Society's web page:

Estimated number of cats and dogs entering shelters each year:

6-8 million (HSUS estimate)

Estimated number of cats and dogs euthanized by shelters each year:

3-4 million (HSUS estimate)

Estimated number of cats and dogs adopted from shelters each year:

3-4 million (HSUS estimate)

Estimated number of cats and dogs reclaimed by owners from shelters each year:

30 percent of dogs and 2-5 percent of cats entering shelters (HSUS estimate)

Estimated number of animal shelters in the United States:

3,500 (HSUS estimate)

Estimated percent of dogs in shelters who are purebred:

25 percent (HSUS estimate)

Unless otherwise indicated, statistics provided by The National Council on Pet Population, Study and Policy.

The good news is that many animals are adopted and spared; but the number of dogs and cats euthanized is still unconscionably high at 3-4 million.

One huge reason for these numbers is the refusal of so many pet owners to spay and neuter their dogs and cats. Please---if you have a dog or a cat and you do not intend to deliberately and responsibly breed them, choose to spay/neuter. Please. Don't contribute to the 3-4 million.

So how is Lola doing? See for yourself.  Here she is sacked out on the couch with Chutsky (those white splotches are the bald spots from her malnutrition and time in the shelter):

And here is Lola playing in Stephanie's backyard with McGee:

Lola will be spayed before the end of the month, and she now has an implanted microchip for identification purposes. Her coat, which was dirty with patches of missing fur, is now sleek and shiny with the bald spots beginning to fill in. She has already chewed holes in the TV remote, much to her own delight, and developed a special fondness for racquetballs. She is gaining weight and learning to play with her pack-mates in accordance with their diminutive size. Lola had a rough journey, but she finally found her forever home.

To love and be loved is really all our furry companions desire. I don't think that's asking too much, do you?

Love your pets? Please, spay/neuter. It's the right thing to do.

See you next for Book Blurb Friday -
Lisa


P.S.  When my daughter told me Lola's name the feminist in me became disgruntled. After all, Stephanie's two other dogs (miniature Dachshunds) have criminal justice names:  Special Agent McGee and Federal Agent Chutsky, What happened to Lola's title? What is she, their secretary? And then it hit me. Of course! Lola is the canine equivalent of James Bond's Miss Moneypenny. She doesn't chase down the bad guys, but she knows where all the bones are buried. Ha!

Bailey's Story - The Naked Truth About IVDD

Every so often I allow one of my pets to take over my blog. For today, I’m handing the reins to Rigby, our wise and happy Lab who you might remember from last April’s A to Z Challenge.  Rigby—you’re on!

Hi! I’m Rigby, a yellow Lab mix and member of the Claro family pack. This means I’m loved and spoiled which really rocks, especially at snack time . . . although lately Mom’s handing out carrots instead of Beggin’ Strips. What’s up with that? Anyway, I was rescued a few years ago, and as it turns out, in addition to being a great squirrel chaser, I’m also a pretty good blogger.

Last Wednesday Mom promised you an inside look at the life of Bailey. He’s a sweet Dachshund who suffers from IVDD (inter-vertebral disc disease), and Mom met him at the Howl-O-Weenie festival. If you missed that post, click HERE.  I’ll let Bailey tell his own story (shhh, don’t tell Mom . . . she didn’t okay an amateur writing on her blog), but first, here’s a little general information.

Hansen I (ruptured disc) IVDD is most often found in the little guys with short legs, like Dachshunds, Beagles, and Pekingese. Hansen II (bulging disc) is more often associated with big guys like me---Labs, Golden Retrievers, and Rottweilers. Hansen II sets in over time and can usually be treated conservatively with rest and anti-inflammatory medications.  But the onset of Hansen I can be scary. It comes on suddenly, can be quite severe, and commonly causes wobbly gait or paraplegia.  Surgery is often required to relieve the spinal cord pressure.

What causes IVDD? Well, when the cushioning discs between the vertebrae of the spine rupture, material from the disc breaks through, causing compression or damage to the spinal cord. This leads to swelling of the spinal cord which inhibits the operation of normal neurological signals. The result is pain and possible damage to nerve function; paralysis may also occur, leading to incontinence of bowel and bladder.

What do you do if you suspect your dog is suffering from IVDD? If you share your life with a big guy like me, you’ve probably noted development of the condition, so a treatment plan has evolved accordingly. I’m only four, so I don’t have any problems right now. But if you live with a furry old guy and suspect a spine problem, take him to the vet. (Um . . . your dog, not your husband. I'm guessing your husband will need a different kind of doctor.)

Now, if your furry kid is afflicted with sudden onset, the first thing you should do is crate him so he’ll be safe and quiet, and contact your vet immediately. In severe cases where he is unable to move, take him without delay to a veterinary surgeon, especially one with the ability to do a myelogram (an x-ray that allows the disc material to be visualized).  

All of this sounds really scary, but it doesn’t have to be. Mom says learning about stuff is a good way stop being afraid, so I visited these websites. You should too:

Dodgers List

DREAM (Dachshund Rescue, Education, Awareness and Mentoring)

Clark's Fast Facts: IVDD (inter-vertebral disc disease)

 Pet Wave

Dachshund Club of America, Inc.

Go Pets America

One of the most important things I learned is that dogs with IVDD can live happy, healthy lives. Even “down dogs” (paralyzed) can have wonderful lives. This requires a willingness on the part of you, the human, to make special allowances. What kind, you wonder? Well, I’ll let Bailey tell you all about it.  He’s an expert.

Thanks for visiting with me. Now, here’s Bailey!

Hi there! My name is Bailey, and I’m a 9-year-old Dachshund who got really lucky back in July of 2007. Well, first I got really unlucky. Here’s what happened.

I was only 5 back then, but IVDD left me immediately paralyzed. It was like, one minute I was fine and romping around, and then—boom!—an acute disc extrusion paralyzed me. I was hurt so bad that I couldn’t move my rear legs or even feel them. That was really scary. The lady who loved me was disabled and couldn’t care for me with my injury, so she brought me to the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine in Blacksburg, VA. The neurologist at VMRCVM performed emergency surgery, but my initial spinal cord injury was so severe that my rear legs never got better. I was left paralyzed.

Now here’s the lucky part! My rescue Mom, Renee Barber, was a 4th year vet student there! She fell in love with my sweet disposition and handsome furry self.  She brought me home and worked with me, doing physical therapy with me in the hope that my legs would get better.  It didn’t work. I’m still paralyzed, but I get around just fine and—hey! Do you want to see my wheels? I love these things! You should see me go---zoom, zoom! Like the wind, baby!

I use the wheelcair mostly when we go for walks and to play outdoors. I don’t use it much in the house. It's kind of bulky and gets caught on furniture sometimes, so it’s easier for me to ditch the cart and pull myself around without it when we’re inside. It’s all cool. My chest and front legs are very strong, and I’m able to get around just fine. I have developed calluses on my legs and feet that keep my skin protected when I pull myself around the house.Yeah, I know. I'm a macho kind of guy.

 
My life is awesome! I’m part of a loving pack. Here I am with my furry brothers and sisters.

The first month or so that I was home with my new pack was tough on all of us. See, being paralyzed doesn’t bother me, but I need special care and it took time and patience to establish a routine, especially since I can’t control my bladder or bowels.

This problem is true for a lot of us with IVDD, and our humans must learn to manually express our bladder. That sounds icky, but it only takes a couple minutes a few times a day, and once learned, it’s no big deal at all! I do get urinary tract infections sometimes, because I can't potty by myself. That means Mom has to check my urine for infection periodically to keep me healthy. She’s great at it, and I’m a very happy, healthy boy!

Because I’m so happy, I get excited sometimes. That means I have to wear a couple diapers so I don’t accidentally mess up the place. I wear a baby onesie to keep the diapers in place, and baby wipes, baby powder and baths all keep my skin healthy and my fur sweet-smelling. In fact, sometimes I wish I didn't smell quite so nice. It cuts into my macho image, you know?

The diapers get changed whenever Mom and Dad empty my bladder. Dad loves me so much that he built me a special stand out of PVC to help with the process and keep me comfy. Look at this crazy contraption! Isn’t it cool?

All of this sounds like it would take a long time, right? But it doesn’t! It only takes a couple extra minutes a few times a day to keep me healthy.    

And just look at me! Aren’t I adorable?

I hope my story has shown you that you don’t have to be afraid to keep and care for a dog like me with IVDD.  You'll only spend a few extra minutes each day, but your IVDD pet will give you love and devotion and licky-kisses and snuggly-cuddles all the time.  It’s true. Just ask my Mom!

My rear legs may be paralyzed, but my heart? It beats perfectly, and it's overflowing with love.

Thanks for visiting Writing in the Buff. And special thanks to Bailey and his rescue Mom, the amazing Renee Barber, for being so generous with photos, information and inspiration. Bailey is proof that IVDD does not mean a death sentence for your pooch. There are choices and options. Learn and love.

See you next for Book Blurb Friday -
Lisa

Please note:  Photos courtesy of Anne Yarborough Photography are so noted on the photos.

Howl-O-Weenie 2011

Warning! In keeping with the subject matter, today’s post is looong, but you’ll be rewarded with some cute dog photos, like these of my grand-dogs Special Agent McGee and Federal Agent Chutsky:

Special Agent McGee and Federal Agent Chutsky -- on a stakeout.

Catching some Z's after an exhausting day of fighting crime.

Today Writing in the Buff offers the naked truth about wieners---those long, strong, lovable Dachshunds. Here are a few fun facts:

• Dachshund means “badger dog” in German, which is fitting since they were originally bred to hunt badgers and exterminate vermin in general.
• Dachshunds are one of the most popular small dog breeds in America.
• Dachshunds are bred in three different coat varieties: smooth, wire-haired, and long-haired. They can be miniature, up to 11 pounds, or standard, 16-32 pounds.
• Dachshunds are playful and energetic.
• Dachshunds require only moderate exercise and adapt well to most living environments.
• Because of their instinct to burrow, Dachshunds will tunnel beneath your blankets and pillows, and sometimes under your shirt.
• Dachshunds love to cuddle and are extremely affectionate.
• Dachshunds adore the company of other Dachshunds.

The following quote on Dachshund temperament is direct from the American Kennel Club, and is so true of my daughter's two mini Dachshunds that I laughed out loud when I read it. Please note that the words in parenthesis are not part of the actual quote, but are those of my grand-dogs, thrown in for good measure:

Temperament
The Dachshund is clever, lively and courageous (“Why, yes, I am!”) to the point of rashness (“I must protect my human mom from that 100 lb. Rottweiler!”), persevering in above- and below-ground work (“I’m not hiding under the blanket to avoid a bath; I’m badger hunting!”), with all the senses well-developed (“Did you hear that? Three blocks from here someone just flipped the cap off a can of Easy Cheez!”).  Any display of shyness (“Is that even a real word?”) is a serious fault (“Fault? You must be talking about the neighbor’s Chihuahua.”).

That quote explains why the Howl-O-Weenie Festival is possible. Picture a field full of Dachshunds costumed for Halloween, all ready, willing and able to participate in contests such as Dunking for Wieners, Tail Wagging, Face Licking, and Best Costume. Oh yeah, and there are Weenie Races, too.

One of my posts in October of 2010 detailed last year’s Howl-O-Weenie Festival. If you missed it, you may want to check out the photos. Here’s the link:  Click HERE.

Howl-O-Weenie is sponsored by DREAM (Dachshund Rescue, Education, Awareness and Mentoring). This organization does an amazing job of rescuing, fostering, and finding forever homes for Dachshunds in need. My grand-dog, Federal Agent Chutsky, is a DREAM rescue, just one of the hundreds of furry companions saved and protected by the loving volunteers who keep this non-profit organization humming. For more information on DREAM, click HERE.

This Festival is such fun, and the dogs, along with their human companions, are a joyous bunch with whom to spend a fall afternoon. It’s hard to beat Dachshunds when it comes to good, goofy fun. These little furries are game for just about anything. Without further ado, here are some photos we took at the 2011 Howl-O-Weenie Festival.

 

Captain Jack Sparrow

Why, that little doxie -- she's a barmaid!

 
  

The Red Baron

This good-natured Great Dane enjoyed himself.

Ahoy!

Las Vegas showgirls.

Clever take on that mysterious airline hijacker.

The littlest soldier.

Thinking inside the bun.

Thinking outside the bun.

Thinking about the bun.

"I could've sworn my Harley was over here somewhere!"

Livin' the label, baby. Livin' the label.

"Maybe Mom will dress me up next year, after I grow into my nose."

 

So now you know the naked truth about wieners. Well, the fun stuff, anyway.  I didn't mention that 1 in 5 Dachshunds has the potential to develop back problems, some severe enough to require a wheelchair. The dogs don’t know they’re disabled and continue to live joyful, loving lives, but of course special treatment by their human companions is required.  For more information, visit Dodger’s List by clicking HERE.

Please check back next Wednesday for the true story of Bailey, an endearing  Dachshund who suffers from IVDD (intervertebral disc disease). He doesn't recognize his disability, but knows a lot about love. Here's a pic of Bailey, enjoying Howl-O-Weenie:

Thanks for visiting! I hope you had fun.

Lisa

P.S.  There are many organizations available to pair you with a pooch if you're looking to bring an animal companion into your home. DREAM is one of these, if a lovable Dachshund is your choice, but consider also Collie Rescue, Golden Retriever Rescue, Labrador Retriever Rescue, and many others.  And please don't overlook mixed breeds.  All furry kids need a good home!

Pawsitive Pondering: Z is for Zest, Zeal and Zen

Today marks the official end of the 2011 A to Z Challenge, and I'd like to thank the hosts of this fun blogfest one more time:


Arlee Bird's Tossing It Out
Jeffrey Beesler's World of the Scribe
Alex J. Cavanaugh Alex J. Cavanaugh
Jen Daiker's Unedited
Candace Ganger's The Misadventures in Candyland
Karen J Gowen at Coming Down the Mountain
Talli Roland
Stephen Tremp's Breakthrough Blogs


I've met some wonderful writers and bloggers, and I'm looking forward to getting to know you better as time progresses. Thanks to everyone for sticking with me and the Pawsitive Pondering posts. I appreciate your comments and support!

Pawsitive Pondering

 Z is for:

 

Zest + Zeal = Zen

Live every day with a 

Zest for Life and a Zeal for Love 

so you may achieve your 

Zen of Being.

 

Peace out.

 

Courtesy of wpclipart.com

Do you like blog contest give-aways? They are easy to enter and, let's face it, winning free stuff rocks.  It always puts a little bounce in my step, especially when it is a book I already know I want to read---like "Gone With a Handsomer Man" by Michael Lee West.  

 

The delightful Becky Povich is hosting a contest to win "Gone With a Handsomer Man."  Pop over to Becky's blog by clicking HERE and enter the contest. Easy breezy, buttercup! And you just might win.

 

Thanks again for your support of Pawsitive Pondering through the A to Z Challenge, and good luck with Becky's blog contest. See you for Monday's microfiction stories!

 

Here's hoping you find your Zen -

Lisa

Book Blurb Friday #9! AND Pawsitive Pondering: Y is for Yodeling

TGIBBF!  If you are here for Book Blurb Friday, please scroll down. Along the way, I hope you'll enjoy today's A to Z Challenge with Pawsitive Pondering for the letter Y.

Pawsitive Pondering

Y is for Yodeling:

Yodeling is a lot like barking---a special skill not everyone can perform. 

Lucky for you humans, we dogs excel at barking. 

Can you imagine if we yodeled instead? 

We can't. . .but it would be kinda cool if we could, 

wouldn't it?

See you tomorrow for the last day of the A to Z Challenge and the letter Z!

Yodel-ay-ee-oo!

Welcome to Book Blurb Friday! If you're new to this meme, please click on the Book Blurb tab just under the blog header for details. In a nutshell, The goal of this meme is to:

Write a book jacket blurb (150 words or less) so enticing that potential readers would feel compelled to buy the book.

The photo below is our pretend book cover for this week, courtesy of my young 'un, Christina. Below the photo is my book blurb, written to match the photo. I'm looking forward to linking and reading your blurbs!

Highfalutin

Talia, Bree and Andi are best friends with big dreams. After college, Talia becomes a New York chef, Bree sells mansions in Miami, and Andi lands her dream job as a photographer for LA's premier gossip mag, Highfalutin.

When Andi goes missing, Talia and Bree head for LA to begin a no-holds-barred search for their friend. On Andi's laptop they find a file containing fifty photos of the filthy rich and famous misbehaving in ways not meant for public scrutiny. Which one is responsible for Andi's disappearance?

To narrow the search, Talia and Bree create the fictional Sunglass Menagerie Ltd. and pass themselves off as heiresses. While Andi remains missing, her gal pals scheme and schmooze their way into boardrooms, bedrooms, and movie sets, a con that lands them on Hollywood's A-list in search of clues. But designer shade rip-offs won't catch a villainous celebrity. Sometimes, it takes murder.  (149 words)

If you are participating in Book Blurb Friday, please put your blog link into the Mr. Linky widget below so others will be able to find you and read your blurb.  Then scroll down for a look at next week's "book cover" provided by the lovely and talented Becky Povich.








Here is the "book cover" for next week's Book Blurb Friday, courtesy of Becky Povich.

Don't forget to come back tomorrow for the final day of the A to Z Challenge to see what the Furry Wonders have cooked up for the letter Z.

See you tomorrow, buttercup!
Lisa

Clip art courtesy of Webweaver.com.

Pawsitive Pondering: W is for Working Together

After watching local, national, and international news over the last few weeks The Furry Wonders decided "Working Together" is important and something at which humans need a little more practice.

Pawsitive Pondering

W is for Working Together:

Working together to reach a common goal is smart, and here are three reasons why:

1.  It lightens the load.

  2.  Two wagging tails are better than one.

 3.  Everything is more fun if you tackle it with a friend!

Not bad advice from a pair of rescue pups, eh?

See you tomorrow for more Pawsitive Pondering and the letter X. 

See you then-

Lisa

Pawsitive Pondering: Q is for Quick

Only nine days left of the A to Z Challenge. I've discovered many great blogs and look forward to continuing the virtual meet & greet.

Here is today's offering for the letter "Q."

Pawsitive Pondering

Q is for Quick:

We dogs use the word "quick" all the time. You may not understand what we're saying because it sounds a lot like "woof!"  Here are examples of times when we think the word "quick" is in order.

Special Agent McGee:

"Quick! Swim this way so I can save you!
How can I protect you if you won't stay on the boat!"

Penny:

"I better sniff quick before the little stinker runs off!"

Rigby:

"Quick! Take the picture! I want to lick Dad's face before he stands up!

And sometimes we say the word "quick" when we're trying to urge our humans to do something.  Like this:

"It's Luna! Quick, Mom, quick! You better start writing and using that keyboard before-------!"

*sigh* 

"Not quick enough!"

Tomorrow's Pawsitive Pondering is "R" for Remembrance.  See you then!

Lisa

Pawsitive Pondering: K is for Kicking Back!

The A to Z Challenge continues to roll. This is fun! Just ask Rigby and Penny.

PAWSITIVE PONDERING

K is for Kicking Back:

Take time to kick back. 

Enjoy the breeze in your ears, 

the sun on your fur, 

and the company of someone you love.  

Play hard and then rest easy!

Good advice from a pair of happy dogs! 

See you tomorrow for more Pawsitive Pondering and the letter L!

Lisa

Pawsitive Pondering: J is for Jelly Bean!

My goodness, has it been ten days of the A to Z Challenge already? April is zooming by and on the 22nd that holiday for which we all clamor will arrive: National Jelly Bean Day! Link over to the Jelly Belly Press Room for more information.

PAWSITIVE PONDERING

J is for Jelly Bean:  

I'm smiling because I love jelly beans!
Wanna know why?
'Cause no one with a mouthful of jelly beans
ever said anything bad about someone else. 

Jelly beans for everyone!

I think Rigby may be onto something! He's a smart one. Maybe we need to pass jelly beans around come election time.

See you tomorrow for A to Z and Pawsitive Pondering for the letter K!

My wonderful blogger buddy Sioux over at Sioux's Page has bestowed upon me the Sisters of the Quill award, created by Donna at Donna's Book Pub.  Sioux received the award from Donna whose proclamation was: "Spread the Sisterhood! Give the award to deserving writers, to women whose talent needs to be recognized."  Thanks, Sioux! I'll display the award with pride.

For those who don't know Sioux, she's a talented writer, teacher and dog lover whose only problem is that she is occasionally delusional. She insists that I lie about my age, and that I rent children to call my own in order to maintain the fallacy that I'm an old bagger. I don't know what she's putting in her coffee, but I want some! Sioux makes me laugh and I love her teasing. Thanks, Sioux, for making this old bagger feel pretty good about reaching, er, old baggerhood. You're a peach!

I am awarding the Sisters of the Quill to six ladies, none of whom have received an award from me previously. I thought now was the perfect time to let them know I appreciate their work and their talent.


* Laraine at Larainy Days, whose posts are so funny I have to be careful not to wet my pants. She is a hoot, and I appreciate the laughter she provides with what appears to be so little effort. Thanks, Laraine!

* Ellie Garratt is a prolific writer whose blog is a wealth of encouragement, inspiration, humor and good writing advice. Thanks, Ellie, for providing a great place to visit and sit a spell.

* Karen Lange at Write Now who interviews interesting authors, reviews terrific books I might otherwise miss, and provides insights on writing that inspire and encourage. Thank you, Karen!

* Sylvia Ney at Writing in Wonderland, who is a new blogging buddy discovered through the A to Z Challenge. Sylvia's blog is full of writing facts, advice, and plain old know-how. Thanks, Sylvia!

* Raquel Byrnes is an author of inspirational romance whose first book, Purple Knot, will soon be released by White Rose Publishing.com.  The A to Z Challenge led me to Raquel whose blog is an enjoyable mix of writing related posts. Congratulations on your upcoming publication, Raquel!

* Margaret Bednar is a multi-talented artist whose creativity includes painting, sketching, and photography as well as poetry and creative writing.  Stop by Margaret's blog (and link to her others) to see what she's been up to. Thanks for sharing your muses, Margaret!

Thanks again, Sioux, for presenting me with this awesome award. I appreciate your support!

See y'all tomorrow for the A to Z challenge and the letter K.

Lisa