My husband Kent and I met Melissa and Tim in Fond du lac last evening to bring Pride home. Oh~ he is a wonderful boy! We couldn’t be happier. He is doing just great here; really adjusting quickly, and enjoying his new dog and cat brothers. When we forget and use the word ‘come’ to call him, he bounces towards us with a smile on his face! He’s a perfect fit and we feel like he’s been a part of us for a long time. We are so in love! He is everything we could have wished for and more. And yes~ he has great therapy dog potential!

We can’t thank you enough for your part in getting Pride to become part of our family. We promise you that he will have the absolute happiest, best life in the whole world!

THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!
That is great news! And, a standing ovation to Melissa and Tim for being great foster parents and for traveling to Fondulac with Pride to join his new family.  More great news….. Sambuka is going to her new home this weekend (the new family have been waiting for months for a young dog),  Rhea is going to her new home on Saturday,  she will have a brother (a hound mix named Hickory) he will be new to the home on Friday.  Keep your fingers crossed that this works out.

Jake has gone to his forever home.  And his new family took on a foster, Sabrina, that the owners were going to put down if they didn’t find a home for her….ugh, some people,  she is only 4 and a half years old!!!  More on Jakes new owners later.
Let us start with Saturday…It’s all about me, not really,.. I woke up with a runny nose and congestion..I got ‘it’…I don’t remember kissing Paul (he still has ‘it’), well only on the cheek,  anyway, Sandie and I took Rhea to her new home, at first her new brother (Hickory) didn’t care for her, whoa, then we took them for a walk together and they got along fine!  We then went into the house, let the 2 kids off leash, they were fine for a while and I don’t know what set it off, but they ‘got into a spat’, all we had to do was yell HEY and they broke it up and they were fine.  Cindy and Lance are trying the 2 together for a couple of days before they sign the contract.  I talked to Cindy this a.m. and the kids are getting along great.

When we left their house, we went to PetCo for our monthly ‘Meet n Greet’  til 2pm… While there, the bow on my glasses broke, can’t be replaced(not made anymore). Good thing for Scotch brand Magical tape and Sandie…they both saved the day!

After PetCo I went to the Vet Clinic to let Cassidy out, and to wait for Dakota (Cody) to come in at about 5 pm.  I had time, I didn’t want to run home and come back so I thought I could get a nap on the couch in the back.  I let Cassidy play with her ‘boomer ball’, and other toys. But she seemed to like to tear apart papertowel, and get a hold of other stuff that wasn’t hers.  So, I didn’t get much rest.  About 4:30 ish I thought that I would go out to my car and wait for Cody.  I was cold, so I turned on my car to warm up and the heater wasn’t heating, so I shut the car off.  Tim and Melissa got their shortly after (they are going to foster this 102 lb untrained dog — what brave souls they are!).  Cody arrived, the transporters left, and Melissa and Tim got Cody in their car and we parted our ways.

I came home, fed the in – house dogs, and went on the couch with 2 heavy blankets.  Paul got me soup, which warmed me up a little.  I slept most of the day today….I feel better now…a bit.

Now, that I had a whole day to think, yes while I was sleeping, I am having brochures made this week, 500 of them!  I would like to know if anyone works in an office that has a trifold machine, or anyone that needs hand/eye coordination exercise that would be willing to fold these wonderful bundles of rescue information.   Thank You…

I gotta go back to my couch now…everyone take care, hug your furbabies.

I bet that you have guessed  that I have been sort of busy, as I haven’t written in a while.  Well, the rescue got  in little ‘Sambuka’ a week ago, and she was spayed this past Tuesday.  Nothing holding her back, she is ready to play with Cassidy — I let them play a while every day.  Sammie doesn’t care to be out in the snow for very long, her dainty feet get cold.  But then Cassidy love the snow, running around and burying her snout in it. she has a great time.

Last Sunday we got in 2 females from Chicago, already spayed, rabies…we did the rest.  Flower and Jackie went to foster home with Jamie.  But the two dogs are soooo into each other, they don’t even know their own names, they are 18 months old.  They do have to be separated, but to a home that has another dog, so they are not totally lost.  I feel so bad for them two, they have had only had each other for 18 months and now they are going to be separated…I hope they adjust.

Jake, that is being fostered in Eau Clare by Beth, has had a urinary tract infection last week (poor guy), and now he has an upper respiratory infection.  Gee, I hope he gets better soon.  After an observation, Beth has determined that Jake has to go to a home that  has no other dogs.

Wrecks has gone to a foster home in Appleton (sad to see him go).  Tara is working on his socializing skills.  He can only go to a home that has GSD experience.  Poor guy, was never socialized as a puppy, so he is very nervous about anything new.
Pride will be going to his new home on Valentines Day, with Laurie who lives in Menominee Falls.  Tim, Melissa and Cameron are sure going to miss him.  BUT…there is a 2 year old male that is supposed to be coming in from the Twin Cities area.  He was turned in because he was chasing the neighbors cows.
Tomorrow, Sandie and I are taking Rhea to meet a couple in Pulaski.  Let us hope that she gets along with their chickens, rooster, horses and cats.  Pray for her…thanks.
My computer was junk for 3 days this week….I had to call my computer hero, Bill, to fix it.  It was filled with viruses!  He found them and got rid of them.  Bill gets a standing ovation!
While I have been making some dog treats to sell (and Wendy to frost), and making tug toys, and cutting bandannas for Teresa to sew,  Teresa has been sewing belly bands, dog beds and she is going to try making dog treat bags.
Cathy is working on the transport of Dakota (Kody) from the Twin Cities..Standing ovation.
Painting at the vet clinic has cone to a halt…….for now.   Paul put in a wall and he has  to plaster it before we paint.  Last Sunday, Sandie and John (my painting hero) were at the vet clinic helping to paint.  John is an artist…he drew on the wall, a fire hydrant, street lights and stop and go lights.  He also made a metal box on the wall look like a parking meter.

Speaking of Paul,  he has a nasty cold again, I really don’t think the last one left.  But this time, I ain’t gonna kiss him…oh ok on the cheek.  He says all the guys at work have the same thing.

We are going to be at Pet Co next Saturday from 11 til 2 for a meet n greet….Stop and say hi!

Speaking of the WBAY Pet EXPO in March…..does anyone want to volunteer to man the booth with me?  Friday is taken,  Saturday from 1 until? is taken…we have Sat morn open and Sunday open….Pick some hours….I will get you a pass

Well this is enough for tonight…everyone take care and give those fur babies a big hug.

CROSS-POSTING
FDA Warns Pets Being Poisoned by Treats: Manufacturers Refusing Recall

Ariel Wulff February 7, 2012

Bella in New York, Chansey, Ginger and Sampson in Ohio, Shelby in Pennsylvania, Sarge in Tennessee, Venus in Washington, Sherma, Tundra, Gracie Mae, Chester and Anna Claire; this is just a handful of victims of the latest deadly danger to pets.
Animal owners are once again at the mercy of pet food companies, as their pets are being poisoned by the very people that they trust to keep them healthy. Once again, claim pet owners, their beloved and innocent family members are dying from eating food items that US companies are importing from China.
Pet owners went through a similar scare in 2007, when the biggest dog food recall in U.S. history came in the wake of thousands of dead and dying pets. That year the FDA received reports of approximately 8500 animal deaths, including at least 1950 cats and 2200 dogs who died after eating contaminated food.
The 2007 recall effected brands ranging from budget labels like Ol’ Roy to top shelf brands like Royal Canin. Eventually it was determined that the contaminant was melamine, a product made in the production of plastics, and that the products had all been imported from China.
This time, there is no recall. The poisoned products are still stocked on store shelves across the country, with no indication that they will be removed any time soon. Dogs varying age from puppies to seniors have been falling ill and dying and the only thing the dogs have in common is that each of them ate dog treats imported from China.
The FDA is aware of the connection and is investigating, but so far they haven’t been able to pinpoint the contaminant.
“FDA, in addition to several animal health diagnostic laboratories in the U.S., is working to determine why these products are associated with illness in dogs. FDA’s Veterinary Laboratory Response Network (VLRN) is now available to support these animal health diagnostic laboratories. To date, scientists have not been able to determine a definitive cause for the reported illnesses. FDA continues extensive chemical and microbial testing but has not identified a contaminant.”
Because tests by the FDA are inconclusive, pet treat manufacturers are not required by law to recall their products, and none of them have volunteered to do so. But given that the tests have not pinpointed the contaminant does not mean it is not contaminated. The FDA issued a warning to pet owners in November, 2011 in regards to this issue.
The question many are asking is how many dogs will have to die before the products are recalled? It is already estimated that the dead and dying are numbered at more than 500. This number does not count all of the cases that have not made the connection yet between a pet’s illness and the treats. The treats are causing kidney failure and Fanconi syndrome, with some cases resulting in death; others, in chronic kidney disease.
Four months has passed since the FDA warning yet the treats are still being sold, and pets are still dying.
When Purina began to receive calls from customers whose pets had become ill after eating their Waggin Train jerky treats, they initially discussed financial settlements, but when the FDA’s tests came back with inconclusive results, Purina took all offers off the table.  Some consumers who have posted about pet’s illnesses on Purina’s and Dogswell’s websites have been banned from posting there any longer.
At a news conference today in Cleveland, Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown, and Ohio Congressman Dennis Kucinich both petitioned the FDA to step up their investigation. They both called for the Food and Drug Administration to take immediate action to put a stop to their policy that allows dangerous pet treats and pet foods to remain on the market and to put an immediate stop to its continued sale.
So far, the list of brands with treats made in China that are linked to pet illness and deaths are:
Waggin Train
Canyon Creek Ranch
Dogswell
Booda Bones – Aspen Pet – SOLD BY PET EDGE
Milo’s Kitchen
American Kennel Club
Hartz
Dingos
Beefeaters
Kirkland  – SOLD AT COSTCO
Cadet
Sargents
Ever Pet ($$ General)
Home Pet 360 – SOLD AT FOOD LION
Walgreen’s new brand – Simple
TheKingdomPets
If your pet has eaten tainted treats, symptoms may include:
Decreased appetite
Decreased activity
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Increased water consumption
Increased urination
If your pet is sick and you have been feeding it these treats please report it to the FDA.
For now, pet owners who find the current state of this situation unacceptable are urged by animal advocacy groups to take the following actions.
If you find the products in your store, remove them from the shelf, give them to store managers with a copy of the FDA warning, and ask that the store return the treats to the manufacturer.
About the author: Ariel Wulff is an author, artist and animal advocate. She has worked in animal rescue for more than 24 years, authoring the book Born Without a Tail, a memoir of her experiences with rescued animals. She writes a column as the Cleveland Pets Examiner, and is the National Animal Books Examiner. She also maintains a personal blog about dogs: Up on the Woof, and uses her yelodoggie art to spread the joy of living with dogs.

Before I forget, add to your list of events Saturday, March 31st .  The rescue has reserved a booth at the Bay Port Spring Craft Sale time is from 10 am til 2pm (?).

Because of unforeseen circumstances, the family that adopted Pride had to give him back.  But have no fear, there is a couple that are very interested in him as a therapy dog.  They are going to come and visit him next Tuesday.  Did I mention that Harry (now known as Raja) is at his forever home with Jeremy, congrats to the two of you!
On Tuesday we got in a beautiful black 5 month old female puppy and she is all puppy.  Her foster home has named her Sambuka, which is a name of a black Italian Liquor,  Sammie or Boo Boo for short.  She has a bit of kennel cough, so she won’t be spayed til Tuesday.  But until then, she and Cassidy are having the best play times.  Boo Boo weighs about 37 lbs, but she keeps up with Cassidy just fine.  She isn’t house broke (yish)…drinks a lot of water……………and it’s gotta come out!!
Back at the home front, Wrecks has gone to a wonderful foster home.  Tara is going to take hime to work with her and to obedience classes and maybe try agility.  Hope he is enjoying every minute of it.   but it is kind of quite around here with out him.
About  a month ago I got a couple of sweatshirts that my cousin didn’t want anymore, one I gave to Sandie, and the other one has an Iris on it, well as most of you know, I have a ‘token’ dog, a shih-tzu – poo named “Iris”.  I couldn’t give up that pretty shirt, so I asked Marlene to make a dog bed out of it.  She did a wonderful job!  and Iris loves it!
This Saturday at Parkside, Green Bay Animal Rescue, who have a shop there, is having a bake sale 10 til 2…and I am going to miss it. As Sandie, Dee, Patti, and I will be at a Pet Expo at the State Fair Park , not as an exhibitor, but as shoppers!!  It is 10 am til 5 or 6 pm. Interesting stuff!
Painting at the vet clinic is rolling right along.  Patching holes , sanding, .  Sandie and I have 2 walls painted….one coat.  I put on the second coat on the green wall, gee Cassidy looks ready for St Pats Day with a green tail. I can’t hardly wait til the painting part is done, then the wall decorating starts…that will be fun, I have so many ideas running thru my head.
My daughter,Amber, started on the donation letters, stuffed envelopes and mailing them out.  We already have a donation from Heritage Hill and a Motel Downtown.   I am working on getting together the letters and labels for the invitations to the vendors (other rescues and such)
I guess this is all for tonight,  give your furbabies that special hug or two.