What MilShelb Mom Has Learned

Lesson Learned

2012-02-11T16:15:00.000-08:00

Today I learned a hard lesson. I learned that people REALLY do still dump animals in boxes on the side of the road.

WHY?!

These puppies were found on the side of the road in this box and brought in to (I think they were brought in to) Darlington County Rescue in Darlington SC. I cannot explain the outrage I feel. Why would someone think this is ok? Why? Why would this be ok? It is going to be below freezing tonight. These poor pups would have DIED.

Where is my faith in humanity, you ask? It is lost right now. Lost.

Cool Website

2012-01-22T08:25:00.000-08:00

I found a cool website today with very interesting information about Dachshunds.
According to the site Dachshunds hear and smell much better than humans and can see movement at a much farther distance, but do not see as well up close. I thought that was very interesting. I know there have been many times that I have been sitting in what I believe to be a dead quiet house and Milly and Shelby will go crazy barking at something they heard. Until now, I thought they were hearing things, but now I see that maybe that is not the case.
The site also talks about the importance of using harnesses as opposed to collars because collars pull on their necks and backs. I have heard that before and Milly and Shelby have harnesses for that reason.
Apparently the Dachshund is a member of the hound group because of it's ability to track scents. I have seen Milly and Shelby in action. They run out into our back yard and will track a scent all over the yard. It is very neat to watch them.
This site talks about how Dachshunds are good as protectors because they are loyal to their family and their home. I would say that Milly and Shelby are very good at this job. They take it to the extreme at times, but I always know when someone they feel does not belong is near.
This site also talks about how Dachshunds are social animals and need to be around their families. They really are not meant to be outside dogs. They bark like crazy and can really dig. When left to their own devices, that is exactly what they do.

From my experience, Dachshunds are cuddly, loving, sweet dogs that want to be near their "person" at all times. They have tons of energy, but also enjoy lazy Saturdays and sleeping in under the covers. They are barkers. They are loud. They are opinionated, stubborn, and head-strong. That is part of their charm. They do not do well left alone for long periods of time and mine really enjoy each other's company. They are smart. They are brave. They are bold. You know exactly where you stand with them as soon as you walk in the door. I admire that. I think people could learn a thing or two from Dachshunds.

Here is a picture of my family on Christmas 2011.

A Dog's Will

2012-01-22T06:26:00.001-08:00

More Vaccination Info

2012-01-16T09:04:00.000-08:00

In my last post I said that reactions to vaccinations are common in Dachshunds. I have found that Dachshunds are "predisposed" to vaccine reactions. There are also a number of other dogs who are considered to be predisposed to vaccine reactions. Interestingly enough, long haired Dachshunds have even more of a predisposition than other varieties, but all Dachshunds are predisposed. (Found here.) Where we live we are required by law to vaccinate our animals. We are required to register them or risk paying a large fee or having them removed from our home if they are not registered and the pet hurts another animal or a person. This is something that weighs heavy on my heart. I understand that there are people who do not take (what most would consider) "good care" of their animals. I also understand that I am a little over the top on this and most people aren't crazy like me. However, I want to be able to care for my pets in the way that I believe to be the "best" way for them. With Shelby's allergies her very life is in danger each time she has the vaccinations.
I know that I have heard of other countries who do not vaccinate yearly. That would be fabulous! I also know there are other countries who have the choice to vaccinate. These things may even be available in the United States and I am just not aware of it yet.
I'm turning over rocks. Let's see what I can dig up.

Ugh. Vaccinations.

2012-01-15T15:56:00.000-08:00

Milly and Shelby (my awesome Dachshunds) have allergic reactions to vaccinations. They are horrible. Milly, it seems, has outgrown these reactions and they, for the most part, are controlled easily by medication before the vaccinations. Shelby, however, has horrible reactions which have become increasingly worse. The last time Shelby received a vaccination she had a horrible reaction- one that caused her heart to race and she was clearly panicking. I felt awful. I felt helpless. I am pretty sure that if we had been any farther away from the vet's office she would not have made it. I would have died if something had happened to her that day. She is my heart. Seeing her like that broke my heart.
Don't get me wrong. I believe immunizations are important. They keep people and animals safe. They are important. However, when the very life of the animal is being threatened, the importance of the vaccination is lost on me... especially when Shelby is never boarded and, really, stays at our home or those of friends or family at all times. Pet vaccination is something that is near and dear to my heart. Something I feel the need to educate myself about and bring awareness to the general public.
So, along with learning about shelters and ways to help them, I also want to learn about and share my knowledge about vaccinations.
Here's what I (think) I know so far:
1. Different countries handle pet vaccinations differently.
2. It is not common for animals to have reactions to vaccinations, however it is not uncommon for Dachshunds.
3. Splitting up the vaccinations is an option. (But, in Shelby's case did not help.)
4. Pets must be vaccinated to be boarded.
5. People do not really know the long-term effects on pet vaccinations (mostly because of the life span of pets).
6. Pet vaccinations protect against rabies and other diseases.
7. Vaccinations that protect against rabies don't really make a difference for many animals who are not in contact with wild animals.
If I learn any of these things are false I will post to correct myself. I will also be posting what I learn as I learn it.

Fix Your Pet

2012-01-02T10:08:00.000-08:00

According to Petfinder.com there are 192 shelters and rescue groups in South Carolina. Of course, you have to keep in mind that those are just the ones that use Petfinder. I’m sure there are some that don’t or some that don’t even use the internet. Wow! 192. I didn’t even think South Carolina was that big of a state. Think about it.

On another note- the Humane Society of the United States has an awesome website to bring awareness to the issues of overpopulation in America. They point out on their site that four million dogs and cats are put down in animal shelters in the United States each year. They say that that is about one every eight seconds. Holy cow! That is a ton of animals being put down and there is really no excuse.

There are so many animals who are born every single day who have nowhere to go. People blame the animals. People blame other people. People just plain ol’ place blame. The fact of the matter is that we need to fix our animals. We need to not have dogs and cats having puppies and kittens all over the place. There’s no excuse for that. If you cannot afford to keep puppies/kittens if they are born in your home or you cannot afford to find them homes, you should have your animal fixed. Really. You should.

I realize it can be expensive to have your pet fixed. I understand that paying for spay/neuters is not cheap… even if you have a low cost surgery available to you it may still be out of your budget. There are ways around this. If you speak to shelters, rescue groups, or even some vets you can find ways to pay for this. Many rescue groups have money allotted to community education. They also have money allotted for things like spaying and neutering animals that are not in their care. If they do not do this, many times they know someone who can help you. Just ask. It’s that simple. If you’re trying to do the right thing people will happily help!

Found Here: http://www.catsnap.org/spay.htm

Found Here: http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2007/05/08/18412961.php?show_comments=1

New Beginnings in a New Year

2012-01-01T07:50:00.001-08:00

Every year people make New Years Resolutions. They make resolutions to eat healthier, exercise more, drink less, keep in touch with loved ones more, etc, etc, etc. While these are all well and good (and I could certainly benefit from the first 2) they don't really make a difference and most of the time only last a week or two. I won't lie. I do this, too. I think last year it might have been to be more positive. (Which, if we're being honest here, and I am, is a silly thing for me to do because I really am a pretty positive person. I do truly try to see the bright side of things and I try to do good for others when possible.)

In the Bible (Luke 6:31) it says "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." I really try to keep that in mind. I try to help others just like I would want help and, sometimes, end up being much nicer than others are to me. Whatever. I want people to be nice to me, treat me kindly and with respect, and so that's what I give them. Am I perfect? No. Do I fail sometimes? Yep. (More than I care to admit.) Sometimes I find myself in the middle of a sentence and realize it should have never started to come out of my mouth and, unfortunately, many times it is at Jake when I am upset about something completely unrelated to him that he has nothing at all to do with.

The point of this entire post is that there is a big problem in America. A problem that breaks my heart. One that hurts me deeply. One that I want to do something about. That problem is the large number of homeless animals. I know I have written on here before that I want to do something to help. I do cross-post things and try to help places network for their animals. People think I am crazy because Milly and Shelby have a better life than a lot of people I know. They have an awesome life. Why? Because I believe in doing unto others as I would have them do unto me. I believe that my parents raised me to love others regardless of their social status, race, religion, or (in this case) breed. Milly and Shelby were not pound pups. They were given to Jake and me by his parents. If we didn't take them they would still have had loving homes and would still be happy and healthy. However, there are many animals out there who don't get that chance. I have come to the conclusion that I cannot have another dog right now. That is not fair to Milly and Shelby. I have accepted that and am trying to be a "big girl" and put them first. And, being perfectly honest, that wouldn't even put a dent in the problem I'm talking about.

Of course, you could argue the story of the starfish which I believe fits teachers and animal rescuers alike. You can make a difference for one animal at a time and that makes a difference. I am a teacher. I spend my day working that way. I try my best to make a difference for the 18 people in my room every single day. It is tough, but I truly believe in what I do and I put my heart and soul into it. There are many things I would change about teaching if ever given the chance, but there is nothing I would change in my room, because I am able to do the most good in my room with my kids every day. I love my job.

I know to truly make a difference for these animals, though, you have to start at the top. There are so many people "in the trenches" so to speak working (much like I do) every single day to make a difference for one. To get that one a home. To work for that one to get out of the shelter and into foster, rescue, or a home. They work hard. They give their heart and soul to that job. I am amazed by people like that. To say that I don't have the stomach for it is an understatement. It would kill me (and I mean that) to know that if I didn't find that one a home it would be put to sleep. Goodness. I think I would turn into a cold hearted person. Not them. They just keep going. They just keep doing. Because they know they have to. They know if they don't no one will. They know if they don't then none of those animals will have a chance. Here's the thing. There needs to be someone who has the time (and they certainly don't because they have to keep working to find the animals a way out) to make a change. There has to be a change. I am not saying the entire country is going to make a change. I know that is a silly, unrealistic thought. What I am saying is that I want to find a way to change the laws in South Carolina. We still have gas chambers for these animals, for goodness sakes! That is ridiculous! We need to find a way to better educate people about having their animals spayed and neutered. We need to find a way to have more no kill shelters and less homeless animals. I know there is way to do this. Many countries do not have this problem. If they don’t have it, we shouldn’t either.

I know that this all sounds like what we need to do, should do… you know, shoula-coulda-woulda stuff. But, it is important and something has to be done. I don’t know what yet. I don’t know how. I don’t know when. But, I do know that my resolution (along with keeping my house clean) is to work on this. I am going to research and become better educated myself… and then I am going to form some ideas… and then I am going to figure out the next step. I tend to bite off more than I can chew in my day to day life, but I am taking this seriously and in small steps. We shall see. So, for now I am starting a new blog to tell people about things I’ve learned and am finding in my research.