"Here is something I did for animals today, or another day"

[flvegan]

Let's get to something positive here.

I want to hear about your great/greatest public or personal victory for animals. Bear in mind that there will be NO judgement nor ranking based on the species nor number of animals affected by your actions.

It could be going veg* or signing a petition. It could be changing a mind or cutting a chain. I really, really want to hear about what my beloved Tofu Ghetto residents have done for the animals we seek to help. I also would love to hear about it as often as it happens.

That said, please, don't just post once or twice. Let's load this thread up. Talk, brag, give praise. What you think might be a minor thing, someone else might be influenced by. What you think might be no big deal, might change how someone thinks.

To be honest, I'd love to see this become a sticky that we can all add to every time we perform an action based in conscience.

I'll chime in later, because I think that my other friends here have more to offer than I do.

flvegan

[LeftyMom]

1. You know this story but since I don't remember if I posted it

My five year old and I went over to my school on my day off to visit somebody I know who was leafleting for Vegan Outreach. LK decided he wanted to help, staked out his own corner, and, being adorable and very persistent, put a flyer in the hands of just about anybody on campus that day. He spent about two hours handing out stack after stack of flyers, not because anybody asked him, but because he wanted to. I was very proud of him.

The next day, when I was at school again, a lady came up to me, and asked if I was the woman who was here with the little boy handing out pamphlets. She'd decided to go veg and she wanted some links and advice on how to go about it.

My five year old inspired somebody to change their life. And he is who he is because of how I raised him. He's the best thing I'll ever do for animals, for AR or for humankind.

[Dervill Crow]

3. Awesome!

:yourock:

[LeftyMom]

8. Thanks.

He's a great kid and I couldn't be more proud of him.

[flvegan]

6. Especially since

he'll be bigger than me by the time he's 12.

[LeftyMom]

7. It'll take him a few more years than that, boys grow slower.

He's over 4' now though. And getting bigger through the shoulder again- he's going to be a wide one, I'm already having a hell of a time keeping him in shirts. :eyes:

[Dervill Crow]

2. This is indirect, but I like to think that we had some influence.

My beautiful Daizie is such a great ambassador for pit bulls that friends of my son's have fallen in love with the breed. They have now stolen two (count 'em, two!) abused pit bulls from "tweakers," and they are now living happily and peacefully.

As for me, I'm now veg*n x2 or 3 weeks. I didn't make note of the exact day, just one day decided it was time. It is amazingly simple even living in the middle of this carnivorous family.

Wish there was something more dramatic to report.

[LeftyMom]

4. Awwww.

Okay, that just made somebody's night. Well, two somebodys, but rumor has it the OP really likes stories about grand theft pibble.

[Dervill Crow]

12. Grand theft pibble. I like that term. (eom)

[LeftyMom]

13. Adapted from one of my favorite threads. I'll go dig up the link.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=231&topic_id=3292

[Dervill Crow]

14. I remember that thread.

I sobbed then and I did now, too, with heartbreak and joy that those wonderful critters are happy now.

[LeftyMom]

15. And quite a few since.

I got introductions the other day.

"Stolen. Stolen, stole that one too. That one was on a chain, this one eating out of a dumpster..."

They love him for it, too. He says it's because he feeds them, but I think there's more to it than that.

[flvegan]

23. Sometimes

I have to laugh. I see this post and it makes me smile.

I'm a bad, bad, bad man. I lie, cheat and steal.

Oh, well.

[LeftyMom]

27. I like making you smile.

I don't get to do it nearly often enough, though this week I'm certainly enjoying the opportunity.

[blondie58]

55. no- you're not!!!! why you're practically a Robin Hood

well, not exactly spreading the wealth (hey, where's my share?), but looking out for the innocents- those who can't protect themselves.

[flvegan]

5. Stop the presses...

"Stolen" pitbulls from abusive situations? Auntie A sends her regards, I assure you! Welcome to the Club.

Went veg*n? Wow.

I don't think that there's anything more dramatic.

Very nice. Very, very nice!

[Dervill Crow]

11. Thank you! (eom)

[RebelOne]

9. A few years ago, I would volunteer for the Cherokee County, Georgia

Humane Society pet adoptions on weekends. But I moved back to Florida for a while and haven't gotten back into it since I returned to Georgia. I also recently fostered a dog for a rescue group in Kennesaw, GA and ended up adopting the dog.

[yewberry]

16. That's a really hard volunteer gig.

Pet adoption. Whoo. That's brave of you.

The ones that don't get adopted (especially over and over) just destroy me.

And, yay, fostering! Yay, RebelOne!

[flvegan]

17. Very good!

As a rescuer, I can tell you this...donations are very nice, but volunteers are priceless. Adopters are even more so. Secretly, we all hope that all our foster homes become "foster failures" a/k/a adopting families.

Cheers!

[Coventina]

10. Well, mine is fairly indirect....but my current project

is finishing my thesis (should be graduating this May, thank you Jesus!).

My thesis is about dogs (even though I'm an art historian). Inspired by my beloved dog Sarah. DH found her as a stray about 5 years ago. I'd never had a dog before, but I was completely fascinated by her. I read up on dogs all I could.

When it came time to write my thesis, my topic was right there in front of me. So even though it is "art historical", I managed to make points about the importance of companion animals, anti-cruelty, animal rights, etc. My hope is that it will reach out and touch people who wouldn't normally read about such topics.

[flvegan]

18. That's a thesis I'd like to read

and I hope others will as well.

Seems if you can get a thesis topiced as "art historical" yet still work in the AR angle, that's pretty damn good!

BTW, since you've got teh "good ed" is "topiced" a word? Doesn't look nor sound right, to me.

[yewberry]

19. I might have received stolen property

in the form of a young rottie mix.

There is a possibility that there was a rottie pup who was being staked outside, beaten, and underfed. The daughter of the "person" who abused this dog and the fellow I later married *may* have liberated this girl and brought her into my life.

I might have spent the better part of a decade trying to be the person she thought I already was. Maybe I spent ten years knowing where she was every second of the day and monitoring each interaction she had with the world--undersocialized and traumatized rottweilers take some extra effort. Maybe she never completely got over her early life, but she was a happy girl. She was loved, and she reveled in all she had. Given everything, she was amazingly well-adjusted.

My girl. My girl.

There's a chance I cried when I fed her the only thing she could muster up the energy to eat when she was so sick: lamb baby food. Can you fucking believe that? Lamb baby food.

Maybe I even slept out on the couch so that I could be ten steps closer to the back door when she was so sick and crying and needing to go out and vomit and bleed from deep inside herself. And then, when the surgeon called and asked if we wanted him to keep her alive long enough for us to say goodbye, maybe we just told him no, let her go without any more pain.

Gracie meant the world to me and to us. We miss her every day. Even after--is it really five years?--she's still part of us. God, I miss her. I hope she loved her life as much as we loved her.

My girl.

[peacebuzzard]

20. What a lucky life your girl had to have you as a person.

I understand your intense love for your girl.

:grouphug:

[yewberry]

32. Thank you.

It's really a little hard to talk about, even now and even with people who understand.

I'm sorry for the very late response...I guess I just didn't know what to say. But thanks.

[Dervill Crow]

21. I'm sure Gracie loved her life and knows how much you love her and miss her.

I do not accept that our girls and boys are "gone" when they move on from this life. Unlike chains, ties of love like that cannot be broken.

[yewberry]

33. I hope so.

I think you're right--she did love her life and she loved us fiercely.

I'll admit that I sometimes feel a little lost without her, like I'm still tied to her somehow.

Thanks for your kindness.

[flvegan]

22. I have one question, tofunut

and you can take the 5th, of course...

At what point did you think/realize/suspect that this dog MIGHT have been stolen property? When you first heard of her...when she came into your life/home...after she passed?

Seriously...I'm very curious.

Regardless of your answer, big big big respect.

[yewberry]

24. Honestly?

From the beginning. It wasn't a secret.

The young woman whose dad abused Grace took her, hoping to find her a home, and it was ours.

And...respect? :rofl:

I scored the deal of the century with that one.

(But thanks.)

[flvegan]

25. Deal of the century or not...

if it hasn't been done already, Auntie A, I'm sure sends her regards.

Welcome to the club.

Grace, it seems, got the best part of this deal.

Even more respect...

flv

[yewberry]

26. Thanks.

Cripes. I guess I'm all old school. Emphasis on "old."

Would you like me to tell you about the WTO marches next?

[melnjones]

28. Ooh I have something to post!

For awhile now I've tried to keep a spare leash and some treats in my car in case I ran across a stray dog somewhere. When I hear about missing dogs, I put the contact number in my cell phone in case I perchance see it while I'm out and about...or when I make an extra trip or two just to look. So far, I hadn't had any luck even catching a stray while I'm out. They always ran away.

Today, however, I had to stop on campus with my dog to pick up some books, and I saw this big husky running with a leash trailing behind her, and about thirty feet back was a woman chasing after her. So I got back in my car, drove around, couldn't find the dog but found the woman and picked her up and we drove around together looking for the dog. I didn't think we were going to find her, but at the last minute when we were about to give up we spotted her! So I pulled up beside her and let my dog give her kisses through the window just long enough to grab her leash. I finally won playing puppy rescue!

[yewberry]

29. Well, that's neat.

My husband (a dog trainer) always has supplies (and our dog, usually) on him in case of loose dogs. It helps!

It seems strange, but it really is best to call a dog to you ("Hi, buddy buddy buddy!") rather than trying to chase. Chasing just contimues the "game."

Good for you for helping find that husky! It is *so* scary to face that 'dog vs. traffic' problem.

Way to go, melnjones!

[flvegan]

35. What a great story!

I'm sure both husky and husky's mom were elated to be reunited.

[peacebuzzard]

30. A friend of mine, Stacy, shares a story of a dog she helped after Katrina:

She had nicknamed him "Jesus", and as karma goes....his real name is "Budda"

My name is Buddha and I survived Hurricane katrina. I was living in New Orleans. My family had to leave the city and like all the other animals, I was left alone to fend for myself. Some of us were locked in bathrooms, some were tied to trees or fences, and some of us were put outside to survive as best as we could. No one meant to harm us. Many wanted to take us with them, but couldn't. Everyone believed they would be back in a few hours or days. They would come back and get us. This is what everyone believed. Even me. This is my story.

After the Hurricane, I became lost. I couldn't find food, all the water was dirty, and there was no one left in the city. I lived under any shelter I could find and wandered the streets looking for something to eat. When people came, I hid. After 6 weeks I began to die. I was too sick to run anymore. I let someone lift me from the dirt and take me away, For weeks I was placed in a kennel a few feet from the volunteer veterinarians at the Humane Society of the United States Lamar/Dixon rescue center. They needed to be able to see me at all times. I was scared, but too weak to care. I could barely lift my head. One afternoon a volunteer came and scratched my ears. She talked to me for a long time. She kept coming back in between my rests. After a few weeks, the shelter closed and all the animals were moved to other cities and towns all over the U.S. The goal was to find homes until our families were resettled and could find us. But there wasn't much hope. Our humans had nowhere to live. My new friend took me with her to the Best Friends, Tyler Town rescue in Mississippi. When we arrived she set up a tent and I stayed there with her for three days. On the third day, the people at Best Friends took my picture, gave me a number, and used my new name Jesus, because if you said HSUS out loud, that's what it sounded like. On the day she said good-by, she cried. I followed her along the fence line as she left Best Friends for Montana. I hoped that one day I would see her again.


My name is Stacey Russell. I was the volunteer that became friends with Jesus. He was a beautiful Shepard cross. Cream colored with anxious, but soft brown eyes. He was very affectionate, but uncertain of people. While in Mississippi, he bit me several times and I was very concerned about his chances for adoption. I knew he was in the best possible place, but it was still devastating to leave him. I returned to Montana and followed his progress. After several months he was placed at the New Jersey 11th Hour Rescue. It was luck that I found him as his number and name had been changed. I called the shelter and spoke to their veterinarian, Dr. Dashfield who told me they had not yet found a foster home for him. I asked if it was possible to fly him to Montana to be with me, but the answer was a firm, 'we do not fly animals.' I spent the next few months worrying and wondering about his future. After I started working at AniMeals in Jan. 2007 I contacted the rescue again about the possibility of bringing him to Missoula, this time armed with better resources. When Dr. Dashfield returned my call she had heart stopping news; after 1 year and 6 months, Jesus family had located him. They were living in Maryland and were coming to bring him home. A few hours later I received photos of their reunion. Jesus, after all this time, had changed so much I hardly recognized him. He had gained weight, his hair had grown out and the fear and worry in his eyes had been replaced by pure joy. He was beautiful. And he was home.

Less than 25% of the survivors rescued after Hurricane Katrina and Rita were reunited with their families. Most have been adopted, fostered, or are living at rescues such as Best Friends. The enormous, heart breaking losses will never be forgotten, yet the few happy tails remind us of why we all do what we do to keep the creatures of this earth safe from harm. We can only hope that one day, we will all be out of a job.



photos are of Jesus at intake camp and 1.6 yrs later, Budda with his human

[Dervill Crow]

31. What a beautiful story about a beautiful dog and a wonderful person.

Kudos to all the people who have volunteered their time and hearts to the pets who faced the horror of Katrina. What an amazing happy ending.

[peacebuzzard]

34. thanks, Blue. I will let my friend know.

I have a "tail" of my own I will share in a few days.
Since the OP likes "kidnapping" stories, I have one to share shortly about a dog named Jake......

Coming up, soon.

[flvegan]

36. Wow! What are the odds?

After all that time...

Fantastic story with a great ending.

[peacebuzzard]

37. I finally exchanged names and small talk with Stacy on the last day

at the big camp....Lamar Dixon. I had worked in silence alongside so many volunteers amid the despair and devastation. The last day at Lamar was very stressful trying to insure the last dogs....and especially the ones in ICU where I mainly hung out were dispatched to safe destinations, and other camps further north. That is when I introduced myself to Stacy, in the last few minutes. She claimed responsibility for Jesus as we were all trying to hitch rides for ourselves and the dogs we were trying to care for to the next group of helping hands. Since those days, I have spoken to Stacy a couple of times and she was so very concerned about Jesus aka today....Budda.

And yes, the best part was the ending.

[peacebuzzard]

38. On the streets of Queens is a sad little lady and an old dog in a buggy

I will resurrect this thread to tell you of my meeting with the lady and her dog.

Yesterday, I left my rental pad where I stay while I work out of NYC to buy food. After carousing the small corner supermarket I crossed the boulevard to look for other items at the fruit and vegetable store. I immediately saw the slight lady with her tense hands on the modified and older baby stroller. Inside the stroller was a small but ancient dog that was obviously hammered with deprived vitality. I heard her defensive retorts to the perturbed Asian owner on the other side of the counter. She was blurting out her present state, half apologizing; and half rationalizing her situation: shopping with her disabled dog. I really did not catch the constant litanies she was going through as she paid for her groceries. The shop owner furtively glanced at all the incoming customers hoping no one would object. I slowly offered my hand to the little graying dog in the buggy and cooed some soft language. (I myself have lost several old four legged friends in an advanced stage--) The slight lady immediately directed her attention to me. She asked if I had any experience with dogs. when I replied with a very affirmative "oh yes!", she responded that she needed help. And I listened. She first directed me out of the way of a very loaded dolley driven by one of the shop workers who had stopped because of our commanding presence in the narrow aisle. Me, the slight tense lady and the dog in the buggy named Zoey. The Asian man was looking at us with a "Don't slow my business down" look but seem satisfied we were in the outside portion of his shop and out of the way.
The nervous slight lady spilled her story: did I know anything about seizures or fits in dogs? Zoey was 16 years old, blind, unable to walk without stumbling and recently she was worried about seizures. Her tears streamed down her face, and little Zoey kept his blank stare right on her. His little face was matted, with several small growths, but his demeanor was full of love for this little nervous lady. The lady, Linda, told me about the other little dog which was their companion and how the dog died recently.
I assured her everything she was doing for her disabled dog was wonderful. Zoey was comfortable, and I gave her my experience and vet's recommendations on the advanced age in dogs: "Just let them be". I inquired about the diet. She was doing everything right. As we walked to the corner, Zoey had one of his "seizures" when a child dropped his toy right along the buggy. Zoey just jerked up, Linda immediately put a reassuring hand on her blind companion. It worked. "Did you see that! That is what I mean!" I just talked with her, and calmed her, I told her I thought it was just a panic reaction because of his failing vision. ( I have a little dog at home with the same condition). She confessed to me she was tired of all the advice the area residents were giving her. ( I can only imagine!) She knew they all thought she was crazy. We laughed together and bonded over our love of companion animals. As I left to go resume my preparations to catch my flight home, I gave Linda a big hug and told her we were guardian sisters. She smiled, and wished me a pleasant trip home.

[blondie58]

56. what a lovely story, peacebuzzard.

and one of the biggest reasons that some people don't go to shelters for protection and warmth- they can't leave their animal family.

[peacebuzzard]

39. duplicate....ooops

[yewberry]

40. Have I mentioned that we have a bird now?

Yup.

I'm not a "bird person," but we've got a cockatiel living here with us.

A couple of months ago, Mr. tofunut found a cockatiel walking down the street. Let me say that again: he came across a cockatiel walking down the street, all by his lonesome, just north of Seattle. Now, being a particularly astute and kind man, Mr. tofunut stopped the truck and invited the bird for a ride. Little bird accepted the offer and climbed on board with the husband and Moby, our doggie friend.

Mr. tofunut canvassed the neighborhood, looking for the bird's family, but had no luck. A nice lady gave him a box to transport Little Bird safely, and a water dish for him. (The same nice lady also put up signs in the neighborhood and at local vets' offices letting people know about this vagrant cockatiel. Thanks, nice lady!)

So, Little Bird came home to us. He was injured--one of his eyes was punctured, and he was really stressed out. He was so hungry and lonely! Little Bird climbed all over us, found his way into my hair and went to sleep, and ate for about 10 hours straight. Poor guy. Clearly, he was hand-trained and loved by someone. We took him to the vet right away, but he lost the use of one eye. (Not so good for depth perception and flying.)

Since then, he's become MUCH more shy of us--he really didn't like getting the eyedrops we had to give him. He is still uncomfortable being touched at all. We're working on it, though.

So, we kept him and medicated him. He couldn't be around other birds for at least 6 weeks. I posted about him on craigslist and parrot911. We tried local vets and shelters. I did have three people ask after him, but we didn't find his family.

So, yeah, we've had Little Bird for about 3 months now. We're not going to find his family--I know that now. I guess we'll have to see what happens from here.

Honestly, I never really wanted to live with a bird. They are smart and demanding and long-lived. But I sort of love the little guy.

Argh.

[MadAsHellNewYorker]

41. I remember you posting this story a while ago. Thanks for the follow up

Im living with a bird now too. I never thought I would be a bird person either, but I feel under their spell...

Its really great that you and your family haven't given up on the poor guy. It hard to break through sometimes, but you will. It just takes time and routine. One day, when you least expect it, you'll have a cockatiel sleeping in your hair again :D

This is a great story :hug:

[flamingyouth]

42. I think I remember you posting about this.

We have a rescue cockatiel too. His name is Buster and he's about 10 years old. When I first got him he had this weird fungal infection and I had to medicate him too - for about four months. Yeah, it's not fun. He's still pretty neurotic but he has a huge cage (giant sized) and he loves sitting on my fiance's shoulder. Mostly he lives in the sun room; that's his favorite place because he can keep an eye on everything. :D

He's funny. He wolf-whistles and all the cats are afraid of him. :D

Thanks for taking care of Little Bird. :pals:

[LeftyMom]

43. Today I gave a guest lecture on veganism to a sociology class.

Many of the students were very interested and enthused about getting animal foods out of their diets.

[flvegan]

44. Groovy. What was your audience demographic?

[LeftyMom]

45. More older returning students, a few teen-early 20 first timers

Mixed group in most other respects.

[stuntcat]

46. got certified

This was when I first got the sign, now it's on the front of house-

When people see it it might make some think of the wild animals who live around them

[Ellen Forradalom]

47. Every day I give my dog the best life possible

It ain't much, and some days are better than others, but on whole I'd say I have one happy dog.

That's Corbu on the left, with his buddy Chloe.

[Treclo]

48. Ironically, I re-told this story at work today...The Great Cat Caper...

and then I found this thread tonight. I am happy to say I have had many opportunities to help my fellow animal travelers, but this is one of the wrong-side-of-the-law stories that just make you feel good for doing the right thing, and stickin' it to the man at the same time.:evilgrin:

I was living in Denver with my boyfriend at the time, and we decided we wanted a kitten. Then it was two kittens- why get only one kitten when you can get two? We were perplexed when all the shelters we went to told us that it wasn't "kitten season" yet- we never knew there was a season for kittens! So my boyfriend and I kept looking. We walked into one of the larger shelters in the city located at -not kidding here folks- 666 Jason. We were happy to have finally found some kittens. They were so cute, pouncing on each other cartoonishly like kittens do, and we were happy to note they were obviously weaned. Although they looked little, they were eating dried food, and just being so stinkin' cute we couldn't help but grin. We went home to think about it one more night, and then I went back to complete the adoption.

I went to the desk, ready to adopt my new friends. I was then told the kittens had to be a certain age and a certain weight before they were adoptable. OK, that made sense, I guess- they had to be fixed. I said I'd put down a deposit. I was informed that wasn't possible; the kittens needed to be fostered for awhile while waiting to reach the right weight and size and couldn't be promised to me. Hmmm. I think it had something to do with how crowded the shelter was. So I inquired about fostering, but since I wasn't already approved, I wasn't eligible. I was apparently getting on the woman's nerves who I was talking to, because she started getting snippy with me.

I was informed that there weren't enough foster folks, or room at the inn, and this litter was considered feral since it had been picked up off the street, (as opposed to being brought in by a pet owner). Therefore- and here's the bomb- the cats would be euthanized before they were old enough for us to adopt.

I was in shock. I was confused. And then I was fucking pissed.

These healthy kittens, THAT I WANTED TO ADOPT, who were weaned from their mother, would be euthanized because of some stupid law. I left feeling helpless and distraught. And then I hatched a plan.

We had lookouts; we had a getaway car. We had gotten half my apartment building involved in the Great Cat Caper. It turned out to be much easier than we anticipated- we tucked two of the kittens, (I now wish we would've tried for them all), into a cushy six pack cooler with wet cat food in it, and that cooler went inside of my backpack. The lookouts gave a signal, so we put the kittens back just as 3 dog catchers marched by the cat room. We tried again. Miraculously, they didn't mew. We headed back out toward the loong, loong front office and endlessly long desk, praying the kittens wouldn't make noise. The getaway car was waiting if they did- our back plate removed so we wouldn't be pulled over if they called in our plates.

But all the theatrics weren't necessary. Henry and Persephone, (stolen up from 666 Jason- a sure sign of hell if ever there was one), came to live with me over 12 years ago and are happily with me today. The boyfriend is long gone and replaced by a husband, and the cats have sadly said goodbye to 3 beloved canine companions over the years, but the three of us are still together.

And that's my Great Cat Caper.

(Consequently, Denver is where I went vegetarian. I worked at a mostly veggie restaurant in Lodo called City Spirit Cafe' that is no longer around.)

[Ellen Forradalom]

49. Great tail

Thanks for the retellling!

[flvegan]

50. The pending euthanasia story is pretty common.

Factual, too. If there's not enough room, and no fosters, off they go, sadly.

Nice work!

[blondie58]

57. that is a wonderful story, Treclo and yeah, the Denver Municipal Animal Shelter

was not known for their compassion. Good for you on the Great Cat Caper! A life is a life and surely worth something- at least to God. Shelters don't trust people to get them fixed, so they don't let them go before they are old enough to have had it done.

My own shelter, that I volunteer at just did something that I really found shocking. A pregnant mom had been brought in and was waiting to have her kids. I inquired about her, as to whether she had given birth yet and the vet tech told me "oh, she has been spayed." to which I realized that it had really been an abortion for the kittens. Seems mom was incredibly feral and they didn't think that she would let them even approach the kids, once born. I have heard that is standard practice with many shelters and a pregnant mom. There is just such a glut of animals that need homes. One mother cat and her offspring, in the period of seven years can reproduce over 500,000 more.

I am still so bothered by this and I don't understand it. I believe in abortion, for humans. I don't think that it is a good thing, but I think that it should always be a choice. So why is this story of the kittens bothering me? My boyfriend said that perhaps it is because I like animals more than people.

edited- twice!- due to lack of morning caffeine!

[bicentennial_baby]

51. I signed all of the HSUS Vick petitions

I saved my kitteh from my Mom's house, where it was destined to become an unvaccinated, nasty outdoor cat, and he's a happy, healthy indoor boy now.

About 5 years ago, I rescued my boy Buddy from a pound, a couple days before execution. He's an amazing and loving dog. :)

Oh, and my family rescued an abused show dog about 4 years ago...Fancy. We got her back to being a pretty 'normal" dog...Her debarking reversed itself, and she barks very loudly now. We spent well over 3,000 dollars to get her mouth fixed up and to save her life during a closed pyometra episode. I love that gross and old dog. :P

[peacebuzzard]

52. nice jobs there, bicentennial baby.

it is amazing people want to have the vocal chords of a dog severed. I saw a lady buying a shock collar the other day to keep a dog from barking. I also found that highly questionable behavior.

Today for the first time in 10 days, I was fortunate enough to wake up to a chorus of howls. My lead howlers were down for days with osteoarthritis (rottie mix) and rear leg paralysis (beagle mix). They were both ill with pain and became very sad. I am happy to say today they have recuperated thanks to high tech meds like Metacam and Rimadyl. I am not in favor of risking the side effects of allopathy, but it got both of them up and happy. Today is a good day.

[yewberry]

53. I'm going to resurrect this thread with Spooky's story.

A few years back, I had a friend--we'll call her "Jess"--that I worked with. We worked together at a small local restaurant (the lamented Jitterbug/Beeliner Diner in Wallingford, for the locals) and got to be pretty close. Jess is a kick in the pants--a degree in Biology, a keen wit, allergies so severe that I had to learn to use an epi-pen on the fly, and a deep and abiding love of football. She was engaged to "Doug," who I thought was kind of a jerk, but what can you do, right?

Jess and Doug decided to adopt a dog, and they found Spooky, a young black lab. You know those black labs with heads the size of a shoebox and legs like a pony? Yup, that's the one. Spooky had had some kind of accident at some point, though, and was missing his left front leg. He certainly wasn't troubled by it and he romped like a champ, but he had to expend a lot of energy getting around, so he was always kind of scrawny-looking no matter how much he ate. Very funny dog--he loved to run, but his missing leg often led him into ever-tightening circles that would inevitably end with a glorious, sod-busting faceplant. He absolutely lived to plop his ungainly ten-pound head on any lap that he reach, and Jess adored him. Doug, not so much--Spooky always preferred Jess.

About a month after Jess and Doug got married, I got a hysterical phone call from Jess. She was at work and couldn't leave, but had just gotten a phone call from Doug telling her that Spooks had bitten him and he'd called animal control to take the dog away. Doug said that he was feeding Spooky and that he'd bitten him. Now, that didn't make any sense. Spooky was rambunctious, sure, but he was altered, nonaggressive, and had no history of biting or guarding. (Is your Spidey-sense tingling? Mine was.)

So, I called animal control immediately but without a lot of hope. Biters are treated pretty harshly, and I was told that a biting dog couldn't be released to anyone living in our county. I somehow managed to find a supervisor and, incredibly, the man who'd seized the Spookster was actually in the room with the supervisor when I called. I heard his voice in the background of our discussion, and he referred to Doug as "a shit" who'd said that he was hitting the dog for jumping when he was bitten.

Ta dah. There it was. Jerk-o was hitting Spooky, and thank goodness someone could verify that.

I convinced the supervisor (bless her) to release Spooks to me. My husband is a dog trainer who has a history of working with special cases, and as long as we weren't in King county (*wink, nudge*) we could take him. I went and rounded him up (much to my girl Grace's displeasure) and Spooky lived with us for about 5 weeks. Jess divorced Doug quickly, found a new place, and then brought our lab friend home for good. Jess and her new partner live happily these days with Spooky and their new son.

Spooky hasn't ever had another run-in with the law.

[stuntcat]

54. I do the same thing every day

Put lots of nuts and seeds and water out to feed all the wildlife. In the daytime it's the birds and squirrels and at night the possums, and sometimes rats and bunnies, finish what they left. And I've planted special things for them to eat too and soon I'll put out sugar-water for the hummingbirds and the bats. And I've put up two bat houses and seven birdhouses.
And I'm finishing digging my pond, which hopefully we'll get filled up pretty soon. Since we're on a hill and the nearest moving water is a half mile away the pond will help my birds and squirrels and hopefully bring salamanders and frogs to my yard :)

Maybe I seem like kind of a passive-aggressive animal helper but I've been doing it so long I know I've helped lots of good critters out there, especially my squirrels :loveya:
And I haven't eaten meat in years. And I won't squirt out another consumer since our overpopulation is what's endangering the whole frigging Earth.


(WHOA I typed a lot :O every day I'm scared to post in here or in the energy group, people have jumped out at me for nothing a few times and convinced me to just stay in the lounge.
I've really been let down since I came to DU, by the Hate people seem to be filled with. I'm still a Democrat though!)

[stuntcat]

58. (oops oh well..)

I just noticed this thread's a year old and will be ignored.
I just have disappointment I want to let out about how rough some young men have treated me for absolutely no reason in the two groups I care about the most.
I'm just not tough enough for the fighting, especially when it's been completely pointless, it just wasn't what I expected with fellow Democrats.
My let-down has also been with a few bullies in the energy/environment room so if this seems out of nowhere then I'm sorry, I just need to vent about being scared out of the rooms I wanted to Belong in :hi:

[yewberry]

62. No--it's not going to be ignored!

I kicked it up to get more people to post their stories and incredibly, it worked!

I'm sorry you feel uncomfortable posting here, and I hope you won't let that stop you. You were bullied in the e/e forum?! Geez, that sucks. Truthfully, I prefer the Science forum--it tends to be pretty newsy and there's always something new being talked about.

I'm glad you posted!

[stuntcat]

65. hey thank you!

thank you tofunut, I totally have to keep in mind that 99% of people here aren't here to fight. I need to be tougher but I wish I could just forget some silly stuff altogether x(

[blondie58]

59. I hear you, stuntcat

this is my first election year at DU, so I don't know if it is typical, but it is toxic and very disturbing. I don't like hate or negativity- I thrive on peace- that is why I am a Democrat!

[stuntcat]

61. There's so many good people here, for sure

I should just keep people like you in mind, and the really sweet people in the lounge. A few unpleasant people have said stuff to me I can't let go.. and I know exactly how silly that is of me.
Thank you for the Good words, there really are some peaceful folks around here, I need to forget the mean ones :pals: ty!

[yewberry]

63. It's definitely silly season.

2004 was pretty bad, too, but this primary fight feels awful and protracted. I'm ready for the infighting to end.

There is a Peacemaking and Community group here, but it's really underused--maybe you should give that board a nudge? We could all use a little more of that!


:hi:

[stuntcat]

66. I didn't even know of that group :o

It sounds groovy though! I always wished there was a peace symbol on the smilie lookup table, there really ought to be one.
TY for listening to me whine, letting it out makes me feel better whether certain people ever realize how offensive they've been.

[blondie58]

60. great thread, fivegan! This exemplifies why we are Democrats!

I have always been bringing animals home, from a young age, and I was blessed with parents who felt the same way. They never ever yelled and always tried to help the critter, also.

I can't top some of the great stories already told here- I have never 'stolen' or 'liberated' an animal.

I have done a lot of foster care, though, specifically for a local no-kill cat shelter www.angelswithpaws.net

One time I went in to get a little pet therapy (like I don't have any at home, lol!), but I came into this room of older cats and this incredibly skinny old brown tabby caught my eye. I asked the vet tech and he said "oh, yeah, that is the geriatric ward and that is Tigger. We're going to have a meeting about him tomorrow." implying possibly putting him down. I had to pick him up and he immediately started to purr.

Seems Tigger had belonged to an older lady who passed away, leaving behind five cats and two dogs. There was no cat shelter in Burlington, where she lived, so we wound up with them.

I could not stop thinking about that scrawny boy and I called them the next day, telling them that I couldn't adopt him, but that I could foster him, which they eagerly accepted my offer. I came to find out that Tigger had a voracious appetite, due to a thryoid problem, which had also blinded him, but he had such a wonderful spirit. He would walk into the wall at my house, and just brush himself off when he hit the wall and just go the other way. My cats would bat at him, no bother, he would just bat back and go around. None of my other kids ever really attacked him, I think that they knew he was old and special. I knew that this was basically hospice care, for a cat, but there was something about this skinny old man that called to me. We had him for almost a year and I feel really good giving him love towards the end of his life, when he passed away on his own terms.

My youngest daughter caught me crying over Tigger's death and she came and gave me a hug. THen she adds "do you know where Tigger is, Mom? He is in heaven- and he has a girlfriend. And they had BABIES!" When I reminded her that he had been fixed, she replied- "this is Heaven, Mom- where anything is possible" Ah, out of the mouths of babes!

[yewberry]

64. Whaddya mean you can't top the stories here?

Working with shelters and fostering is some of the hardest, least-appreciated, and necessary work to be done.

You made the difference between life and death for Tigger, and you gave him a year of love and a home that he wouldn't have had without you.

Brava!

[yewberry]

67. It's 2009, so it's time to kick this thread again.

For the new folks--add your stories!

[flvegan]

68. Agreed, and thanks for the kick tofunut.

Maybe we should have one of these threads every year, you know. So many of us do so much, and we have so many folks that are thinking about doing something that deserve accolades.

[stuntcat]

69. I'm working on T-N-R'ing two wild cats living in the hill behind our house!

Trap-Neuter-Release.. THREE big steps.. It's tricky for me since I can't drive or even think too clearly sometimes. But I've found a couple of people closeby who can help me and know exactly what to do for them.

Anyone who reads this, PLEASE wish us some luck.

[flvegan]

70. Good luck!!

And thanks for taking care of those kitties!

[stuntcat]

71. TY! I'll need it..

for real.. whether or not vibes really work I'll need some seriously positive thoughts to trap these wild little things.
I'm gonna write to my family and tell them to make wishes or say prayers or whatever!

TY! :hi: :hug:

[flvegan]

72. Well you know,

the Lounge vibes are so potent, some say they're illegal in the original 13 colonies.