Saturday, May 31, 2008

From A Pauper To A Princess - The Journey of a Puppy Mill Dog (Entry 13)

Karen, one of CPCRN's foster mentors, has graciously allowed us access to her diary documenting the journey of Flopsy, also known as Rusty, from the puppy mill to her forever home. The diary will be broken up into short sections and posted. Check back for new entries in the series entitled "From A Pauper To A Princess - The Journey of a Puppy Mill Dog". (Previous Journal Entries: Entry One, Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, Seven, Eight, Nine, Ten, Eleven, Twelve)

9/19/07
Today is Rusty’s 5th birthday! I put a party hat and bandana on her for some pictures for the website. She wasn’t too thrilled, but of course she tolerated it.


9/20/07
Tony and I both went outside and laid on the blanket with Rusty. It took her a while before she laid down and relaxed, but she did. She even stayed on the blanket with Tony when I got up.

9/21/07
Tonight, Rusty began her puppy training classes at PetsMart. She is in the puppy training classes, so she won’t be intimidated by loud, big dogs. Starry is also going to attend the classes with us.


Rusty’s class went much better than we had anticipated. She actually laid down on the floor, next to my seat and relaxed. There were only 5 of us in the class, including Rusty and Starry Night, so I think that helped. Our assignment tonight was to say their name and as soon as they made the slightest eye contact, you give them a high value treat. I wasn’t sure how this was going to work, since Rusty is not treat motivated and will not look at us, but she did it!!! Even though it was just for a millisecond, she looked at me in the eyes! Our other assignment was to get them to sit. Rusty didn’t do it, but she did look at me when I said her name, so that was something. I was also very proud of her, because she finally took a treat from the trainer. I thought I was going to cry, right then and there. This was a HUGE accomplishment!! I am so happy that we signed her up and hopefully, she will be a more confident dog in 8 weeks.


9/22/07
I took Rusty to the vet’s office this morning for a follow-up on her yeast infection in her ears. The yeast is now gone.

Now, for the great news! The cauliflower in her left ear is almost non-existent now! Yeah! My vet is so excited about finding out about the Synotic, thanks to Lori R. She said there is still some cauliflower in her right ear, but not nearly as bad as it was. The vet let me look through the scope and showed me where it is. It’s in 3 different spots down the canal, with the last spot right before her eardrum, but you can see the eardrum! Her ears look super clean now, too! I am so excited about this! We will continue to use Synotic twice a week and Waxosol once a week. This is less than the original regimen, so we are getting there.


To Be Continued ...

Friday, May 30, 2008

Togetherness! - Written By Their Foster Mom

I walked into the puppy room and found Percy and Martha like this and had to get a picture. These kids have never been cuddly with each other; they all like their own space and have certain spots they seek out in the puppy box.

Yesterday, I noticed that Percy and Betsy's eyes are starting to open. Betsy also got up on all fours and took a wobbly step!

Thursday, May 29, 2008

Burke's Brigade - 3 Weeks Old

Never fear ... more puppy pictures are HERE!

Burke's adorable Brigade turned THREE WEEKS OLD yesterday. They are starting to play and stand up briefly before flopping back down. They have found their voices and their Foster Mom reports that she has even heard a BARK!

Tuesday, May 27, 2008

Did You Miss Oprah's Puppy Mill Episode?

Thanks to investigator Lisa Ling, who went undercover into a handful of Pennsylvania puppy mills, the April 4 episode of The Oprah Winfrey Show revealed to millions of viewers what goes on in these large-scale breeding facilities. This important episode will be re-aired Thursday, May 29, 4:00 P.M. EST. Raising awareness is one of the most important ways to effect change, so please don't miss your chance to see the realities of this industry.

Ways You Can Help Fight Puppy Mills (ASPCA):
  1. Do not buy your puppy from a Pet Store. That puppy who charmed you through the pet shop window has most likely come from a large-scale, substandard commercial breeding facility, commonly known as a puppy mill. In these facilities, parent dogs are caged and bred as often as possible, and give birth to puppies who could have costly medical problems you might not become aware of until after you bring your new pet home.

  2. Make adoption your first option. If you’re looking to make a puppy part of your family, check your local shelters or breed specific rescues. Not only will you be saving a life, but you will ensure that your money is not going to support a puppy mill.

  3. Know how to recognize a responsible breeder. If you choose to buy from a breeder, remember that responsible breeders have their dogs’ interests in mind. They are not simply interested in making a sale, but in placing their pups in good homes. A responsible breeder should screen you as thoroughly as you screen them!

  4. See where your puppy was born and bred. One sign that you are speaking to an unscrupulous breeder is that they will not let you see the facility in which your puppy was born. Always ask to see the breeding premises and to meet both parents (or at least the mother) of the puppy you want to take home.

  5. Internet buyers beware! Buying a puppy from the Internet is as risky as buying from a pet store. If you buy a puppy based on a picture and a phone call, you have no way of seeing the puppy’s breeding premises or meeting his parents.

We Have A New "Visitor"!

This sweet boy’s family was moving to FL and could not take him due to living arrangements. So on short notice Karen C. stepped in to meet and B&B (Bed & Biscuit) this boy until his foster family could get him on Sunday. Please welcome Bezoeker to the CP family! His name means "visitor" in Dutch and since he was visiting Karen and her family for a few days it seems an appropriate name for him. He is a big boy at 35 lbs., so he will be on a diet at his new foster home with Suzy and Mike H. They all say he's a very sweet boy, runs in the back yard and gets along with everyone. Thanks to everyone that helped Zoeker! This boy will be fit and trim in no time and ready for a forever home!

Welcome Gibbs!

Please give a big welcome to "Gibbs"! He's thought to be just a youngster at 2 years old. This was his lucky day thanks to the help of a gal that rescues Schnauzers. Once she laid eyes on him she knew he was a cairn terrier and not a schnauzer as they had him listed. She said he looked just like Toto on the “Wizard of Oz” and could have jumped right out of Dorothy’s basket. We were able to coordinate with them to pull him and get him to a boarding kennel. He will soon be on his way to his Foster Mom, Barbara B., who is very excited about his arrival. It is so nice to talk with foster homes that are so excited and willing to open their homes to help these kids, we couldn't do it without all of you! Thanks to everyone that is helping Gibbs!

Monday, May 26, 2008

Summer Safety

Memorial Day marks the unofficial start of summer, a time for both you and your pet to enjoy the sunshine and outdoors, but along with the fun, the season also offers up situations that can endanger your pet. By taking precautions, you can decrease the chance that disaster will happen.

  • In nice weather you may be tempted to take your pet with you in the car while you travel or do errands. But during warm weather, the inside of your car can reach 120° in a matter of minutes, even if you're parked in the shade. Pets left in hot cars even briefly can suffer from heat exhaustion, heat stroke, brain damage, and death. Don't think that just because you'll be gone "just a minute" that your pet will be safe while you're gone.
  • It is very dangerous, and in some states illegal, to drive with a dog in the back of a pick-up truck. Not only can flying debris cause serious injury, but a dog may be unintentionally thrown into traffic if the driver suddenly hits the brakes, swerves, or is hit by another car. Dogs should ride in the cab in a crate or wearing a seat belt harness designed for dogs. (Seat belt harnesses are available on the CPCRN website.)
  • Summer is often a time when people fertilize their lawns and work in their gardens. But beware: Plant food, fertilizer, and insecticides can be fatal if your pet ingests them. In addition, more than 700 plants can produce physiologically active or toxic substances in sufficient amounts to cause harmful effects in animals.
  • With people and dogs spending more time outside, dog bites are likely to increase in the summer months. Spaying or neutering your dog reduces the likelihood that he will bite and provides many other health benefits.
  • Make sure your pet is always wearing a collar and identification tag. If you are separated from your pet, an ID tag may very well be his or her ticket home. (Enroll your dog in the Col. Potter Tag Program.)
  • Pets and pools can equal disaster. Prevent free access to pools and always supervise a pet in a pool.
  • Provide plenty of water and shade for your pets while they're enjoying the great outdoors so they can stay cool.
  • Pets need exercise even when it is hot, but extra care needs to be taken with older dogs, short-nosed dogs, and those with thick coats. On very hot days, limit exercise to early morning or evening hours. Keep in mind that asphalt gets very hot and can burn your pet's paws.
  • Check with your veterinarian about heartworm prevention medication. Heartworm disease, which is transmitted by mosquitoes, can be fatal in both dogs and cats.
  • Another summertime threat is fleas and ticks. Use only flea and tick treatments recommended by your veterinarian. Some over-the-counter flea and tick products can be toxic, even when used according to instructions. (Frontline Plus is available on the CPCRN website.)
  • Don't take your pets to crowded summer events such as concerts or fairs. The loud noises and crowds, combined with the heat, can be stressful and dangerous for pets. For your pet's well being, leave her at home.
  • In summer heat your pet can suffer from heat exhaustion and heat stroke. These conditions are very serious and could cause death. You should be aware of the signs of heat stress, which could include heavy panting, glazed eyes, a rapid pulse, unsteadiness, a staggering gait, vomiting, or a deep red or purple tongue. If your pet does become overheated, you need to immediately lower his body temperature. Move your pet into the shade and apply cool (not cold) water over his body to gradually lower his core body temperature. Let your pet drink small amounts of water or lick ice cubes. Most importantly, get him to a veterinarian immediately.



Burke's Patriotic Brigade

Burke's Patriotic Pups in honor of Memorial Day.

From Left to Right: Burke, Saratoga May, Annabelle Faith, Brent

Sunday, May 25, 2008

Lexi's Patriotic Pups - Written By Their Foster Mom

I tried to get some patriotic pictures of the puppies in honor of Memorial Day. Let’s just say they were not impressed with this idea, except for Percy who took it all in stride and is seen as the single puppy in many of the pictures. He is such a good boy!

Lexington is a sweet girl. She has learned to trust me with herself and the puppies. The monster Foster Dad is another story! Lexi didn't mind one bit when I took the pups for pictures and was just as good when I set her up on the bed to take her picture, although she was curious about what was around her and kept moving to check things out. She did seem to enjoy the soft bed, so I think she would like this privilege in her forever home!! :)

Saturday, May 24, 2008

Burke's Babies - Here's Looking At You!

Burke's Babies opened their eyes today! Just think how much trouble they can get in now. Poor Foster Mom and Dad! ;)


From Left to Right - Saratoga May, Annabelle Faith and Brent

Dina - Saturday Update - Written By Her Foster Mom

To read previous blogs on Dina click here.


Miss Dina is doing great! She was unpleasantly surprised by mean ol’ Foster Mom picking her up Friday night and taking her to the big chair where everyone cuddles together. Whoa, this was not what Dina had in mind! She was quite scared, pretty much too scared to move. :( After a good 20 minutes or so of sitting on Foster Mom's leg and digging her front paws in she finally relaxed enough to lie down. I was able to stay in the chair with her for a good half hour longer before it was time to go outside to potty and off to bed.

This morning she came to me and put her feet up and was given some kibble for treats. She LIKES treats!!! :) Later she did the same with Foster Papa who picked her up and he, Janna, and Dina had a long nap. After another trip outside and dinner she came to me and put her paws up and seemed quite comfortable when I put my hands out and picked her up. She settled down to snooze right away so it's obvious she's a lot more relaxed! I am getting nothing done today except for wonderful progress with Miss Dina. Oh well, Foster Papa put some dinner in the oven. :) I hope you enjoy the photo of her in a different harness dress and Gilly in a matching harness vest.

From A Pauper To A Princess - The Journey of a Puppy Mill Dog (Entry 12)

Karen, one of CPCRN's foster mentors, has graciously allowed us access to her diary documenting the journey of Flopsy, also known as Rusty, from the puppy mill to her forever home. The diary will be broken up into short sections and posted. Check back for new entries in the series entitled "From A Pauper To A Princess - The Journey of a Puppy Mill Dog". (Previous Journal Entries: Entry One, Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, Seven, Eight, Nine, Ten, Eleven)

9/8/07
We took Rusty to the vet, along with Kallie (Frappe), to have her ears checked. It turns out she has a yeast infection in her ears. Poor kid wasn’t showing any symptoms. I think these mill babies develop such a high pain tolerance, because they know they aren’t going to get any help in the mill.

After the vet visit, we took both Rusty and Kallie to Petsmart. Rusty was extremely nervous without her foster brother and sisters. She balked at everything. Kallie was no comfort to Rusty, because I had to carry her through the store, since she isn’t leash trained, yet.

I started to give Rusty a new supplement I ordered online for stress, a couple of days ago. Tonight, I noticed when we were in the backyard, Rusty wasn’t pacing as much. I’m not sure if I am imagining this, but I am so hopeful that it’s helping her.

9/16/07
This is a weekly update on Rusty. I began giving her a new supplement last week, “Stress-Free Calmplex.” I have begun to notice some subtle changes. One of them is that she is playing with McDuffy and Holly every morning and night. She’s so cute, she play bows, rolls over, they jump on her, she jumps on them. They go at it for quite a while, mainly until Rusty notices me watching them.


Something else she has been doing is coming into the kitchen when I am making their meals, with the other dogs. She started making this little noise to tell me I am taking way too long, getting her meal ready. When it’s time to eat, she races around, jumping up and down.

Rusty is still pacing in the backyard and is very difficult to catch out there. Inside the house, it’s getting easier to catch her though. She usually races over to where the dog beds are and will jump in one of them. She’s been so good getting her ear meds, too.

This evening, when I was laying in bed reading, Rusty started whining in her crate. I thought maybe she just wanted out of the crate, but she didn’t stop. I then decided she must be alerting me she needs to go outside. I let her out of the crate and took her outside and she went potty immediately! What a great little girl she is for alerting me!!


9/17/07
This evening, the weather was cool, so I took a couple of blankets out to the grass and picked up Rusty and laid on the blanket with her. I just stroked her back, because she doesn’t like to be “rumpled,” she likes a smooth stroke. She was laying on the blanket next to me. After about 5 minutes, I stopped stroking her and moved my arm. She had every opportunity to run away, but she chose to just lay there! Every once in a while, I would start to stroke her again. When I would stop, she would sniff my hand and my arm. After about 20 mins., she got up and ran away. However, she would start to meander back over towards the blanket, but she made sure she didn’t get too close.

9/18/07
I took the blankets outside again tonight and did the same thing with Rusty. She didn’t try to run away when I’d stop petting her. She did get spooked when McDuffy started barking.

To Be Continued ...

Friday, May 23, 2008

A Day In The Life Of Burke's Foster Dad

Daddy Bill has been such a good Foster Dad. Letting Burke in and out when needed, carrying her down the steps because she is afraid of them, staying out with her while she goes potty. He makes sure Burke gets extra meals during the day and extra loving. He is often seen holding, taking to and loving on the babies, or just gazing at them, chuckling at their antics. He bounds out of bed in the middle of the night if one happens to SQUAWK, to ensure their safety.

So Daddy Bill takes Burke out and then comes in to gaze at the little ones, only to realize, OMG! THERE ARE ONLY TWO! OMG! DANIELLE IS GOING TO KILL ME. Frantic searching ensues! He takes all the covers out, no baby. He takes up all the paper surrounding the pen, NO BABY! HE IS FRANTICALLY SEARCHING NOW, BEMOANING THE HELL OF 500 WOMEN, if he fails to FIND THE WAYWARD LITTLE SNOT!

Burke keeps going to the plexiglass gate and staring, Bill looks, sees no baby, searches the floor of the room, HOW DO YOU LOSE A BABY IN ONE ROOM! ONE THAT STILL HAS ITS LITTLE EYES CLOSED!

Once again Burke goes to the plexiglass, for the third time. Daddy Bill gets on his hands and knees to see from her level, still sees nothing. Searches more, really in a panic now! Once again Burke goes to the same spot of plexiglass and BARKS. Bill again gets on his knees and looks and YES there is a slight movement! Saratoga May is between the crate and the plexiglass, asleep in a puppy heaven of freedom!

We will be NESTING the crate tonight and providing Burke with steps to get in and out. What a hoot that little girl is!

Foster Dad wishes he drank.

Burke And Her Babies (Yet MORE Puppy Pictures!)

Here at CPCRN we believe in equal time for ALL puppies! So without further ado, we present pictures of Burke and her babies! :)

Dina's Vet Appointment - Written By Her Foster Mom

To read previous blogs on Dina click here.


Miss Dina wanted to look good for her first outing. She wore a 100% cotton dress/harness for her visit to Dr. Pam where everyone OOoohhhhhed and Aaahhhhhed over her.

She did much better than I expected. I picked her up in the house and held her while my husband drove and continued to hold her until I put her on the table for the vet to examine. She was nervous but didn't try to do any jumping around. My vet looked at her and decided NOT to take out her stitches. She said that for sutures that are holding together skin that was pulled together to cover an open area 2 to 3 weeks would be fine for stitch removal. That made me happy as I prefer to be cautious. We'll be back next Friday to have her stitches removed.

Dina needed a rabies shot as the staff in Chicago forgot to do that before she left. When assured that the only other vaccination was done April 10th at the shelter my vet was willing to give her the rabies vaccination. She's very good about NOT giving vaccinations to a sick or stressed dog....which is stated on every vial of vaccines.

I have permission to bathe Dina with Malaseb and scrub her (other than her owies) with the Zoom Groom to get the crud off her skin. My fingers couldn't resist pulling stray hairs off the tips of her ears in the car and when the little clumps of hairs came off so easily with dark gunk at the roots it was obvious that the beautiful darkness of her ears is at least partially yeast. So she's to get Listerine gold wiped on her ears twice daily.

Dina is 19 lbs. and has bilateral luxating patellas so Dr. Pam told me to continue to feed her lightly so she doesn't gain weight. We both feel it would not hurt her to loose a pound or two. Maybe in the next week we'll try a short walk to the park to start exercising her body and getting her muscles and ligaments built up to give strength to her knees.

This is more than you probably wanted to know....but I'm glad for the way things went today. I think it's about time to start holding her every day for a few minutes. She's doing a great job of being part of the pack here, but with her skin problems she's going to have to get used to being touched and held.