yellow tennis ball…

this is difficult for my skeptic mind to process, but i can’t really think of another explanation…

as i write this, i am simply dumbfounded.  i had been reading a lot about dog reincarnation, the various ways they might try and communicate to their people and reading if there is any merit  to dog reincarnation at all.  i kept reading that there would be a sign, a gut instinct, some kind of ‘pull’ you get, but most people also had some definitive sign, something that made them sure.  while, as i wrote before in my story of baloo and jude, there are so many signs that make me think jude is baloo.  i think one of the biggest for me was when i said baloo’s name in that funny and distinct way that he knew and would always respond to while all the puppies were sleeping and jude jumped up and then fell right back asleep while the others slept the whole time.  being that puppies at that age (4 days) cannot see or hear, i thought that was my most obvious sign and maybe the most obvious one i would get. but, i also knew that all the signs that made me feel as if jude and baloo were connected somehow (if not one in the same) were made by my interpretations.  some of the stories i read from others who believed in dog reincarnation and, in fact, had experienced this spoke of very distinctive signs.  but… baloo was never one for grand gestures.  still, all day yesterday after my research on dog reincarnation, i started wondering if i was wishing and hoping so much that i might be making more of it than it really was.  i also wished and wished for a sign.  a real sign.  something that would tell me that jude is THE ONE.  but…i was happy enough with my thinking this whole adventure had baloo’s hand (paw) in it and that if i believed it to be, no matter what, this experience was starting to heal a bit of my heart by just feeling him again.  i was just so grateful to have another chance, be it baloo or not, but another chance to ‘do it over’ and give jude all the love i gave baloo, but the beauty to be able to ‘know him’ from day one and have him never leave my side.

well, as i said, i am completely gobsmacked right now.  i came downstairs as i do every morning to bring martha her extra special breakfast (along with her extra special lunch and dinner and a bowl that is always full.  she needs to put on weight and i am sure trying to help her!), jude was lying on the spot i sit on whenever i am with the pups.  it’s a bunch of pillows right next to the baby pool.  “okay,” i thought, “that is interesting that she had him with her on the pillows, but maybe he needed some extra food or something.”  it was an odd coincidence to me, but since there have been so many of those, i didn’t make a huge deal out of it.  i kind of took it as a sign that maybe she was saying, “here’s YOUR baby” or just that it was what it was, jude was waiting for his other mama  so, i put him back, checked on everyone, gave martha her breakfast, and started to change the blankets in the pool.  i was just sitting down in my spot to get on the computer to post some “day 10” photos and there was a lump in the middle of the baby pool.  maybe i didn’t spread some of the blankets flat down.  i pressed on it and it was hard.  i had to pick the pool up to get to it.  not an easy thing to do when there are nine puppies sleeping in it!  as i write this part, i really don’t believe it myself, truly.  there are things i believe, but this was too much.  especially for me, the self-proclaimed skeptic who finds much to agree with in the writings of descartes and hume and their philosophical theory of skepticism.  although, none of us should live a life of radical skepticism…we’d go crazy.  check out pragmatism and dewey.  but, I digress.

under the pool, right in the middle, was a yellow tennis ball.  first, let me say that when baloo passed i got rid of all his balls.  no one else liked to fetch or even play with them and they reminded me of him.  funny thing is, he LOVED the ‘real’ tennis balls.  he would play with whatever ball was around (or any round object that could be a ball), but given the choice, he liked the ‘real’ ones and would choose those over the others.  about 4 months ago, i had been given some toys as a donation and there were a ton of balls.  these balls were made for dogs and came in all sorts of colors.  they were not the ‘real’ tennis balls, the bright yellow ones.  they are the only ones i had in my house.  trust me, i looked all over after baloo passed.  so, all i can say is that, to me, THIS is the sign i needed.  jude being right on ‘my’ spot this morning coupled with the bright yellow tennis ball hiding in the middle of the pool…i can’t find a reason to deny that baloo is here either in spirit or soul.

i do live behind some tennis courts, but they are so far away that, much to baloo’s dislike as he would hear all those balls being hit over and over and unable to get even one, they never make it over the fence.  i’m not going to completely deny that could happen but i was never lucky enough to find any in the yard for my baloo.  okay, so if that did happen for the first time in the ten years  i have lived in this house, then maybe martha brought it in to play with.  but…while i tend to be very pragmatic in my thinking, i can’t see any way she would have been able to lift the pool (with all her babies in there) and place the ball in the middle of the pool.  trust me, when i try to move the pool, it’s heavy to me, so that would surely be a feat for her to accomplish!  so, i am done looking for signs.  done trying to feel or see something that would convince me even more than the signs i was possibly interpreting to give support to the strong feelings i have about this whole situation.

in my mind, there is just no way this could be pure coincidence.  why would martha have moved only jude to ‘my’ spot so that he would be there this morning when i came in?  i am sure there could be a reason for that, but i do find it odd that she picked jude.  but…the ‘real’ tennis ball?!?!?!  there is just no way she could have done that.  it was in the middle of the pool with the babies in it.  not to mention the fact that i have tried to throw the ‘dog balls’ to her and she, like all my others, has no interest.  she won’t even bring it back to me.  i have NO idea how that ball even got there.  there are many of the brightly colored dog balls outside in my attempts to get her to fetch, but no yellow ones.  and, as i said, i got rid of all baloo’s balls.  not to mention the ball is brand new.  it still has that new smell.  and, even if the ball was from the courts, how it got to be under the baby pool that must weigh over 20 pounds with all the babies in it is an absolute mystery.  well, maybe not a mystery.  maybe it’s just baloo.

i am done looking for confirmation.  i would have still been convinced jude and baloo are joined, but as i said, some of the stories and articles i’ve read about dog reincarnation say there will be a moment when something happens that is a sign from the pet that passed.  something undeniable. i knew all the things that made me ‘think’ baloo’s spirit or soul was in jude, but the usually very pragmatic, rational, and always looking for ‘proof’ person in me admits to wondering if i was making more out of all these ‘signs’ and they might merely be conicidences.  as i said, had that been the case, i was fine with it as i do look at it as a second chance to be able to do it all over again and just let myself believe.

i sit here completely and utterly dumbfounded.  i belived, but the skeptic in me had a bit of doubt.  i have no more skepticism.  i will no longer look for ‘signs’ in jude or his behavior to support what i believe; i will no longer doubt.  whether baloo’s soul chose to enter jude or this is the one that baloo wants to be my special boy, i have no doubts.  this, coupled with everything else, tells me my baloo is with me.  either in spirit or in jude, but he is here.  i cannot express my thoughts clearly enough.  i am shocked, grateful, amazed, comforted, and have so many emotions right now.  and I also have my sign.  my heart is full and i look forward to watching jude grow and become the dog that he is becoming.  and, in true baloo fashion, knowing his mom as well as he does, on an almost visceral level, he has given me my sign that he knew i needed.  as if to tell me to stop with even that tiny shred of doubt and just accept it.  he knows how difficult that is for me to blindly believe, so i think he was telling me to just shut up and let it be.  accept what i believe.  and love this little guy with all my heart.

once again, baloo, i am amazed by you.

10 june 2013

for more about martha and the pups please go to:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/512790242114895/

it is an open group and anyone can join.

my summer project…

i work in the schools, so i am off for the summer and, as all of you who work in the schools know, we probably get even more excited about this time than the kids do!  my plan was to have a nice quiet summer, but someone else had other plans for me.  first, i want to share the following article:

Do Animals Reincarnate?

I Kuthumi greet you once more. I come in request to answer the question “Do animals have multiple lives as humans do?”

This is an interesting question and will be of interest to many. First I must tell you that all animals contain a consciousness.
Some species contain a more developed consciousness than others. Yet all behavior patterns stem from DNA and consciousness. Man has often thought of the elemental, plant, mineral and animal kingdoms as lower than himself. Yet all are part of creation and all contain consciousness.

All forms of life in God’s eyes are precious.

The answer to the question asked is yes, they do. The most familiar example I can give you is the dog, often known as your faithful companion. The soul of a dog evolves with each life time of experience. As the dog evolves in each lifetime, it usually forms a close bond with a human being, often more than one. As the dog cannot speak your language, it will communicate through energy and facial expressions.

Please remember I use the dog as a example. You often feel a dogs energy. One who is evolved will provide a peaceful energy as you rub your hand through it’s fur. Older people often receive great healing on an energetic level from an animal, they feel calm, peaceful in an evolved animal’s presence. Those who are unwell will often heal more quickly with the intermittent presence of a dog.

The dog has a very faithful nature to those whom it considers it’s family. Many times the dog will energetically take negative energy from your energy field. Of course if there is a lot of negative energy the dog can and will become ill, and sometimes even cross due to the great amount of negative energy it has “taken” from you. Many animals work on an energetic level, particularly the domestic dog and cat.

Those animals who remain in their native state, what you would term wild animals, do evolve, yet at a slower rate. Their consciousness is not as developed, so their focus is on survival and caring for their young.

Now the subject of incarnation. Let me continue with the example of the dog.

The more evolved the consciousness of the animal, the more they are able to communicate their feelings.

By this I mean of course the feelings of the emotional body. Feelings of love, grief, happiness, questioning – “why, why are you going away,” for example. Also feelings of great sadness. All of this the dog is able to communicate to you through your physical eyes and your own intuitive field of energy. So when a close relationship between a dog and a human is close, a bond is formed. This is similar to what you would experience with another human. You refer to these as “soul mates.” So you can have a dog, cat or horse as a soul mate also. Remember please that this occurs only in a close relationship with an animal of evolved consciousness.

Further, just as humans decide prior to incarnation to play a part in each others lives in the coming incarnation, so can animals with a human. The animal may not look the same as in it’s previous life. The fur may be a different color for example. It may be a different breed of dog. Yet they meet and the bond between dog and human is strengthened. Both are aware of a strong feeling of “knowing” the other. This is on the soul level, which is consciously felt as a “knowing.” Both have chosen this.

This is a higher level of consciousness for the dog. The dog incarnates through choice. At this level the life path is also known before incarnating. Life situations and circumstances will place the dog and human together at the correct time in both lives. The soul growth and purpose will flow as it is meant to.

Any karma owed is also experienced and we would hope, healed. So you see there are similar soul growth experiences for both human and dog.

Often an animal will reincarnate in one humans lifetime. You may recognize previous behavior patterns of a dog you thought had left you (died).

Yet the dog remembers on all planes, just as humans remember when they cross over. Just as you carry a soul imprint, including certain character traits, so does a dog. A cat is also capable of this. I tell you as I watch this one, Lynette, conducting a reading, I see pet animals coming forward to acknowledge the person along with loved ones crossed over. When they cross they all reside on the same plane you see.

Perhaps this is a timely reminder for mankind to respect all life forms. All play a part in the consciousness evolution of man and the planet. As you prepare to enter a year of Unity, of stepping forward in respect of one another, I ask you remember the many kingdoms who also share the planet- the elemental, plant, mineral and animal. I ask you develop a new awareness for these. It is not all about you – the human. No it is not. You must now begin to awaken your consciousness to sharing – with all. For all is part of God’s great creation.

Kuthumi

Retrieved from: http://www.kuthumischool.com/en/teachings/volume8/animals.php

and now this:

THE STORY OF BALOO AND JUDE…

 just in case you didn’t know ‘the story’ and why i KNOW i am keeping jude so soon, here it is (my apologies now, because i have a feeling this is going to be a long post).  baloo was my soul dog.  i have never felt a connection like i had with baloo.  i was doing rescue one day and all of a sudden i looked up and saw this little, all black, fuzzy puppy being brought through the parking lot to adoptions.  i cannot explain the exact feeling except to say part of my heart literally jumped out and landed in this baby.  he had not even gotten out of the parking lot (he was in his foster daddy’s arms).  i immediately went to see him and there was absolutely NO question he was coming home with me.  i have never felt a ‘pull’ like that…we were already connected.  i had always adopted adults because they can be more difficult to place, but i can’t explain it, i HAD TO have this pup. i already had my maggie and sadie, so i didn’t ‘need’ another dog.  the girls were bonded to each other so closely (in fact, maggie passed from brain cancer at 18 and sadie passed 3 weeks later…i always knew that would happen…sadie was 17 but in perfect health, she missed her sister.  i was comforted knowing they were together and they had lived wonderful lives).  for two 50-ish pound dogs, 17 and 18 is a very long life.  and it was a great one.

 anyway, i took home this puppy and it was love at first sight.  he was my rock and helped me through so many things.  some ‘quirks’ about baloo: he had this incredibly long tongue and it was usually out of his mouth; it was spotted, but only on one side; he was kind of a ‘loner’ and preferred me over other dogs; he loved chasing balls and would do so until he was literally lying on the ground so tired but still wanted to chase the ball.  when we went to the dog park, while maggie and sadie happily played with their friends, baloo would either chase the ball or be by my side; he became my running partner and we eventually worked up to 7 miles (it happened very slowly adding on a bit of distance at a time); as i said, he was my rock and always there to ‘lend an ear’ and knew exactly when i needed him. describing all his wonderful characteristics and amazing personality and abject outpouring of love that emanated from him  would take forever, but suffice to say, he was my heart and soul.   he could speak to me through his eyes and i always knew what he was saying.

 we spent 13 amazing years together.  when he lost use of his left side and was starting to refuse food or water, i knew it was near.  he had taken to sleeping downstairs because of his arthritis, but once i saw he was unable to use his side, i brought him up to the bedroom.  he kept trying to roll over on his ‘good’ side and try to go downstairs.  so, i placed him in the blue baby pool the puppies are now in so he would be safe.  baloo hated going to the vet when he got older and would shake and shake (this is a dog who was never scared of anything), so i promised him i would not take him if he was at all conscious because i could not make those his last moments.  i took off from work to be able to spend however long with him.  i also have to say that baloo was incredibly stubborn.  so, i knew when he absolutely refused food and i was giving him iv’s and water through a syringe i knew that he was telling me something.  i spent the next 72+ hours by his side at all times.  we talked, i held him, we sang songs.  this all started on a thursday evening.  by Sunday morning, he was even refusing to let me use the syringe.  i put my head to his head and asked him to please, somehow let me know.  this whole time he had been completely conscious, reacting to noises, my voice, etc., and i could not take him to the vet like that.  he would know. i told him that he had been the very best dog in the world and if he was ready, please let me know what to do as i could not and would not take him to the vet when he knew where he was.  as we were lying there on sunday, i looked into his eyes and told him i loved him but that mommy would be fine and he shouldn’t worry.  i swear that he had been looking directly in my eyes until i told him that.  all of a sudden, his eyes became glazed over and he would not respond to me or to any neural stimulation.  i placed the pool into the back of the car (suv) and held him on the trip, trying to get even a pupil reaction to tell me he was still conscious.  he did not respond and i could tell from his breathing that it was his time.  my vet came to the truck and he was already pretty much gone.  this is a dog that needed a baby needle to get at his veins and, even then, it took many, many tries and the vet got it on the first try (even more difficult to do when they are dehydrated…it was as if baloo was ‘letting’ this happen).

 during his last day, i promised him that, if he ever wanted to come back to me, i would somehow, somewhere find a black, flat coat, chow mix who was pregnant and the next thing to happen in that pool would be life and not death.  i told him to wait and come back then if he wanted.  at the time, i had NO IDEA where i would find a black, flattie/chow mama (or have the time off to be able to take care of a new mom and pups).  they are not exactly the most common mix.  then, the morning of my FIRST day off work for the summer, i saw a photo of martha.  seeing her on my very first morning off, i believe, was baloo’s doing.  i HAD TO have her!!!  i have fostered over 100 dogs and never had ‘that’ feeling, I do it because they need me, not that I need them.   i am pretty stoic and not prone to crying, but i immediately felt this fervor that she was going to be with me by hell or high water and i was crying the whole time in a panic that I would not be able to get her.  i knew aau was beyond full but i was willing to take her and however many puppies on as my own and figure it all out later.  a wonderful lady called dinema  can attest to the fact that i was a bit ‘insane’ about getting martha asap, as she was her contact at the shelter and i was in such a frenzy to get her i called dinema (likely waking her up) and was amazed she could tell what i was saying through my tears.  i also sent Martha through aau approvals BEGGING them to consider her, but also knowing that, no matter what, she would be with me and i would work out the details later.  next thing i know, i got an email almost immediately from Lisa (co-founder of angels among us pet rescue (aau) and unabashed golden and flattie lover).  all it said was “yes, we will take her.  meant to be.”  so, lisa got the next crying call thanking her for this knowing we were full and low on money.

 i truly believe (and, while some might think i am just putting coincidences together, i CHOOSE to believe-as a buddhist and as my soul dog’s mom) baloo made this happen.  i wasn’t prepared when i picked martha up from the vet.  i knew she looked like baloo and even had the spots on the same side of her tongue, but i was not prepared for the fact that she looked EXACTLY like baloo, even down to this ‘crease’ he had under his eyes that i haven’t seen in any dog but him.  she is baloo’s EXACT lookalike.   martha had her puppies and this one little guy would always inch his way over when i was around. not to mention, his tongue was always out like it was too big to fit in his mouth!  i felt a pull towards this tiny little man.  as the days have gone by, i have noticed certain things which make me sure it is either baloo or the new soul dog baloo has chosen for me so that i may start to heal.  jude is a loner, always preferring to sleep away from everyone else (unless he’s eating), just as baloo was. yesterday, they were all fast asleep after having just been fed.  i’m talking puppy snores, fat asleep.  anyway, i very quietly called baloo’s name in a way that i only did with him (i can’t even begin to explain it, but he always knew it and would come running…it’s pretty distinct).  i did that same thing and jude literally jumped up!  none of the other puppies even moved and i made sure to do it quietly so they woudn’t. i didn’t expect jude to react.  so, whether i am looking for things or this is truly from baloo, jude is my man.  he may end up looking like baloo and he may not, but i feel baloo’s spirit and know jude is special.  and that heart jump the day i saw baloo…i lost another piece when i first saw jude.  he was the first one i picked up to check when martha gave birth and he always wakes up when i enter the room. 

 sorry for the VERY LENGTHY post, but i wanted to tell baloo’s story as well as how i knew jude was going to be mine.  so, while i am so happy to have given martha and nine other lives safety, love, and a warm bed, i am not the one to thank.  the thanks goes to baloo. 

 i can only hope jude is even half the dog baloo was, but i love him unconditionally already.  my heart has never healed from losing him (nor do i think that part of my heart will ever heal…the part that leaped onto him when i saw him that first day), but i believe jude will help me to fill it a little bit.  i feel baloo’s touch all over this.  and baloo, i must say, your timing was PERFECT!

 martha and her puppes were rescued because of baloo and ten lives were saved because of him.  i miss him each and every day and hope i honor him with this family and in raising jude, as well as finding loving homes for them all.

 thanks for reading this far…if you did!  sorry, so long.  truthfully, i could go on about baloo and tell baloo stories for days. 

 ❤  I LOVE YOU, MY SOUL MATE AND LOVE OF MY LIFE, BALOO. ❤

***if you would like to follow the story of martha and her pups, please join ‘martha’s’ facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/512790242114895/

awesome reading suggestions for a rainy, dark saturday…

biblio-learning…

a story of rescue…

a story of rescue…

humane education and issues in animal rescue-new blog

http://humaneedblog.wordpress.com/

a girl and her puppy…

animal rescue is important for so many reasons.  not only are you changing the life of the animal, but the life or lives of the  lucky ones to adopt that animal.  a great deal of research has been done on the multitude of benefits of companion animals (physiological, psychological, academic, etc…) and those who live with companion animals will forever be better for it.  the hours and hours spent taking care of a foster (or fosters), the money spent, the many baths, walks, lessons…all the things rescuers do with pleasure are even more worth it when you see something like the video below.

the story behind the video…riley came to volunteer with angels among us pet rescue (www.angelsrescue.org) and her mom is a good friend of the foster mom (me) to a litter of beagle/basset puppies, so she has known them since they were saved (there were six). riley’s mom fell in love with the one we called gretl. when riley came to volunteer, she IMMEDIATELY fell in love with gretl as well (like mother, like daughter). riley spent the adoption day with gretl and when she had to leave, cried and cried knowing that she would likely get adopted and riley would not see her again. in riley’s mind, she was the “best one” and riley could not imagine she would not be snatched up immediately! when she left, she got to the car and started to cry. riley said she was crying because she was sad about leaving her, but was happy for gretl because she would certainly find a home. little did riley know, plans were being made at that very moment that involved her and gretl. riley went home to her mom’s house that night and, unbeknownst to riley, her dad came to meet gretl and pick her up for a “sleepover” to make sure all was well with gretl and their dog without riley knowing in case it did not work out. it actually worked out better than could have been imagined and gretl and her “big brother” love each other. THIS is a video of riley getting to her dad’s house with NO IDEA what, or actually, who, would be there to greet her. what you see is pure joy and love and the reason i devote my life to animal rescue. rescue ONE until there are NONE.

videos edited by jimmy burrito with a little help from his mom…

here are some wonderful videos of recent angels among us pet rescue animals.  the videos were made by a wonderful aau volunteer, janet, and recent foster failure, jimmy burrito.  when we say “foster failure” it is really the ultimate foster success as the foster parent ends up realizing that their foster animal is already right where they belong, with their foster parent!  foster becomes adopter and all us “failures” get the ultimate gift.  saving a life, then seeing that life lived out free from abuse, uncertain death, neglect.  so, in reality, everyone wins!!!

jimmy burrito, janet’s recent foster failure and editing partner.

i am proud to have my own foster failures, maddie and callie.  maddie was saved 30 minutes before she and her brother were going to be taken “back” to be killed.  they were shelter favorites, having stayed many months as part of a cruelty case. like so many black dogs (maddie has some white markings, her brother was all black), they are the first killed in shelters and the most overlooked.  they are killed more than many others because they are black.  maybe none of the interesting markings some people like?  i think black dogs are fabulous.  i have always had multiple black dogs and will continue.  

my other foster failure is callie.  callie was at the shelter with horrific acid burns down her back,  it has been reported that dog fighters do this to “bait” dogs.  at any rate, callie’s burns have healed and she has what looks like a white lightening streak where her hair is growing back.  despite whatever she has been through, she is one of the sweetest, most playful, loving dogs ever.

if you would like to help out by becoming a foster home, please look up your local rescue or, if you are in or around the atlanta area, please go to http://www.angelsrescue.org and, if you are looking to add a pet to your family, please adopt, don’t shop.

rescue ONE until there are NONE! 

http://www.youtube.com/user/JimmyAAUpup?feature=watch

maddie my foster failure…saved with her brother one hour before they were scheduled to be killed after being part of a cruelty case. maddie has a condition called “cerebellar hypoplasty” similar to cerebral palsy. i hope to one day take her to classes with children who have cp, so they can meet her.

callie in her pajamas. all 16 pounds of her!!!

puppy cam…

colleges now have “puppy rooms” during final so that students (and staff) can go in and spend time with puppies during what is a stressful time with finals and late nights studying.

http://www.cnn.com/2012/12/07/tech/social-media/apparently-this-matter-puppy-room/index.html  

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/sideshow/college-offering-puppy-room-stressed-students-225038015.html

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/12/colleges-turn-to-dogs-to-help-finals-stress_n_1512156.html

http://www.npr.org/2012/12/04/166470837/puppies-may-help-students-ace-finals

just spending time with animals has been shown to lower blood pressure, heart rate, anxiety, heighten feelings of well-being…the research consistently supports the use of “animal assisted therapy” time and time again.  i can also speak from my own experiences with my very own pet therapist, linus, who has been working in the schools with me since he was a baby (this is his 11th year!).

linus, my pet therapist…

while it would be great if all places of business, schools, colleges, etc. could have a puppy room (or a pet therapist/professional pet cuddler), two of my wonderful rescue friends have created “puppy cam.”  so far, there was puppy cam I, featuring liza and her puppies who all got adopted…then puppy cam II, with the two feist puppies, and now, puppy cam III where mia has JUST HAD PUPPIES starting at about 0100 this morning!!!  so, now we have new puppies to watch!  

so, in the same vein, i am posting the link to the angels among us puppycam so that, hopefully, you can watch when you are feeling stressed or just in need of watching the unconditional and instinctual love of a mom for her pups and watch the pups as they grow and develop. 

PUPPY CAM LINK: http://www.badferret.net/puppycam/

i hope you enjoy watching mia and her babies as much as we all do!  for more information, please visit http://www.angelsrescue.org or like our facebook page https://www.facebook.com/angelsrescue?fref=ts

for information regarding some of the many benefits of pet ownership, please see : http://wp.me/p2IpfL-2q

Watch “Just One Chance: A Story of Angels” on YouTube

meet my foster babies!

these sweet babies were rescued by angels among us pet rescue in alpharetta, ga.  they are some sort of “low rider” mix.  maybe doxie or bassett.  they are about 8 weeks old.  please share if you know anyone looking to adopt.  sharing and networking makes such a difference in getting animals adopted!  and please…if you are looking for a pet, adopt, don’t shop.  

RESCUE ONE UNTIL THERE ARE NONE!

for information on these, or any of our highly adoptable cats and dogs, please visit http://www.angelsrescue.org and like our facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/angelsrescue?fref=ts

adopt, don’t shop.

http://www.wimp.com/babysaved/

THIS will make you smile…

i wish most people were this kind and patient.  animals are so unconditional!

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/11/puppy-stairs-video_n_2458561.html?ncid=edlinkusaolp00000003

2013…a healthy pup and a healthy you!

Exercising With Your Dog in 2013 Is exercise on your list of New Year’s Resolutions for 2013? Man’s best friend can be your best exercise partner.   With your dog as your workout companion, you’ll get a loyal and eager exercise partner in return. Research has shown that you’re more likely to stick to your fitness program if you exercise with your furry friend. Here are a few tips for exercising with your dog: Walk or jog your way to fitness  Ready to turn your dog walks into short exercise routines? It’s the easiest way to start and a brisk walk can be great exercise for both you and your doggie. Start slowly (10 to 15 minutes) and work your way up to longer walks or jogs. Up to 20 or 30 minutes should be OK for most dogs, depending on their breed and health. Beyond the walk While walking and jogging can be great activities, why stop there? Add more variety with dog-friendly activities like… Swimming – Water dogs like Labradors, Retrievers and Poodles enjoy swimming, especially during hot weather. Keep it short, fun and safe. Obstacle course – Set up a homemade obstacle course in your backyard or visit a dog park with a course. While your dog runs the course, sprint with him to get your own exercise.

Fetch or tag – Take the average game of fetch or tag even further. Throw a ball or toy and race him to it or play tag where you’re “it.” Canine dancing – Choreographed dancing with your dog is a sport called musical freestyle. Create a dance routine to upbeat music and burn some calories! Here’s an example on video. Dog frisbee – This fun outdoor game can turn into a competitive sport for you and your pet. Keep it casual or join a“Disc Dog” club for more motivation. Doggie soccer – Can your pooch kick it like a canine Beckham? Find out if he can push a large dog ball with his nose or paws for a game of soccer. It’s OK to use a soccer ball too, just avoid kicking it at his nose or body. Check with the vet (and your doctor) first  Make a vet visit your first priority. During the vet check, learn of any breed-specific limitations that could affect Fido’s workout. You should get checked by your own doctor as well, before any new exercise routine is started. Make the workout work for your dog You may push your own limits in a workout, but don’t do the same with your dog. A Chihuahua, for example, can’t do a mile-long run, but he may be up for a brisk 20- to 30-minute walk. Be careful with smaller breeds in general and be extra careful with short-nosed breeds (pugs, boxers, chow chows, mastiffs, etc.). They can have problems breathing and cooling down effectively. Mind the signs of health and safety In his eagerness to keep up, your dog may overdo it, so it’s up to you to watch for signs of exhaustion or overheating. Heavy panting, pale gums, walking unevenly or lagging behind you are all signs that it’s time to stop. To stay safe, exercise in the mornings or evenings when there’s less heat and take a water bottle for you and him on long sessions. Retrieved from: http://blog.petsupermarket.com/

help a wonderful cause and maybe win an ipad!

http://angelsrescue.org/blog/event/ipad-mini-for-paws/

Angels Among Us Pet Rescue, Inc. is a 501(c)3 non-profit volunteer-based organization dedicated to rescuing dogs and cats from high-kill shelters in north Georgia. We operate through a network of foster homes in the north metro Atlanta area. Our efforts are funded by tax-deductible contributions from compassionate people and organizations who care and want to help make a difference… one pet at a time.

RESCUE ONE UNTIL THERE ARE NONE!

Pet overpopulation…an Illustration.

It really adds up!

please spay/neuter

 

for my fellow animal rescuers…

animal rescue is one of the most rewarding things i do, but also one of the most gut-wrenching, heart-breaking, and difficult.  but…the rewards are immeasurable.  still, some advice for my fellow rescuers:

“Rescuers Need Rescue, too.”

 By Chandra Moira Beal

 Animal rescue is deeply rewarding yet extremely difficult work.  To survive in this realm, one must find healthy ways to cope with the emotional challenges.

Here are 10 points to ponder:

1. You can’t save them all.  Even if you spent every hour of every day working to save animals, you still wouldn’t be able to save them all.  Take comfort in knowing that you are not alone in your efforts.

2. Work smarter, not harder.  Manage your rescue efforts like a business.  Organize tasks to make the best use of time.  For example, time spent recruiting more volunteers may make more sense in the long run than trying to do more yourself.  If you find yourself pulled in many directions, you might be more effective if you focus on one rescue facility, one geographic locale, or one species or breed.

3. Just say no.  Many people feel guilty when they can’t take care of everything that comes up.  Be realistic about how much you can handle!  If you’re feeling overwhelmed, it’s okay to say, “I can’t right now.”  Delegate to others when possible, and ask for help when you need it.

4. You are making a difference.  Whenever you question whether you’re  helping very much, remember the old parable about the man walking on the  beach, picking up starfish who have washed ashore and tossing them gently,  one by one, back into the ocean.  Another man approaches, notices that there are starfish on the beach for as far as the eye can see, and asks, “What difference can you possibly make when there are so many?”  Looking at the creature in his hand, the first man replies, “I can make all the difference in the world to THIS starfish.”

5. Celebrate victories.  There are happy endings to many rescue stories.  Rejoice in what is working.  Of course, seeing an animal go home with a loving family is the greatest reward of all.

6. Small kindnesses do count.  It’s common to think that small efforts don’t mean as much as large victories, but stopping to pet an animal, even for just one minute is worth doing.  Your touch may be the only friendly attention he or she receives that day.  Grooming, holding and comforting, or intoning softly that you care, are activities that many shelters don’t have time for.

7. Find outlets for emotional release.  Rescue work can be physically exhausting, emotionally draining and spiritually challenging.  Don’t dismiss your feelings or think you’re a wimp for being affected by it all.  Talk to someone you trust about what you’re experiencing. Cry when you need to.  Write your feelings in a journal.  Channel your emotions into action by writing to the editor of your newspaper or your local representatives about the need for animal protection legislation.

8. Take care of yourself.  Make time to do whatever makes you feel good.  Take a relaxing bath, or go out to dinner and let someone else do the cooking.  You need to recharge your batteries in order to maintain mental and physical health.

9. Don’t downplay your compassion.  When people ask me why I rescue animals,  often I’m tempted to say, “Oh, it’s not big deal” or “Somebody’s got to do  it,” when in reality I rescue animals because I care so deeply about them.  Compassion is healthy, normal and necessary for this work.  Let people know how important this cause is to you.  You just might inspire others to become involved.

10. Never give up.  When you get discouraged, it is tempting to throw in the towel.  Despite all your hard work, you may not see real change in your lifetime.  Still, giving up won’t make it any better.  Take a break, and come back fighting.  And remember the man and the starfish.

***

and for those who may not be able to actively rescue but want to help:

What Can One Person Do?

Plenty!

Here are some suggestions about items to donate and ways to volunteer. The suggestions are based on what many local animal organizations and animal control officers typically need.

Please note: It’s always a good idea to start by checking with your local rescue group or shelter to see what kind of help they really need, Some groups may be desperately in need of materials, like dogs beds, that you’d be willing to provide. Another group may benefit more by getting help with publicity. Checking with the staff first ensures that your donation or service will genuinely be of help to the organization.

These suggestions are based on what many local animal organizations and animal control officers need. Be sure to check with your local groups to see if they can use the type of help you would most like to provide. For example; if you’d like to help get publicity, you’ll want to ask in advance if the organization would like your assistance – after all, you want to be sure that your donation or service is genuinely of help.

Things you may be able to give:

Basic things many shelters can use:

•               Bedding; towels, sheets, blankets, a cat or dog bed, carpet squares

•               Cleaning supplies

•               Cat and dog food, cat litter, toys, collars, leashes

•               Scratching posts, metal bowls, dog crates, grooming supplies

You don’t have to spend a lot of money: Perhaps you are no longer using some of these items around the house, or you may spot them at a yard sale or thrift store.

Doghouses: If you have an old doghouse that isn’t being used, you can clean it up and pass it along for a dog in your neighborhood who could use it. Or give it to your local animal control agency and ask that it be given to a needy dog. Sometimes feral cat groups can refurbish and use doghouses.

Office stuff: office supplies, computers, office furniture, or equipment. The next time your office is upgrading equipment ask about donating it to the local shelter.

Coupons: Some shelters can use free or discount coupons for animal food or cat litter.

Medical supplies: Many spay/neuter clinics and some shelters can use medical supplies.

Humane traps.

Use of a photocopier: Many groups cannot afford a copy machine and would appreciate an opportunity to duplicate flyers and forms.

Prizes for fundraising auctions or raffles.

Things you may want to do:

Be a foster home. Open your home to an animal that needs a place to live and learn until he/she can find a home.

Set up a donation coin can or food program. Create donation cans and place them in area businesses OR pet food donation collection bins at local super markets.

Fix an animal. Help a friend or acquaintance fix their pet. To find a local low-cost spay neuter program call 1-800-248 PETS OR 1-888-PETS911 OR visit: http://www.1888pets911.org

Donate your special skills and talents:

•               Computer skills: Create or manage a website for a local group, or help create a mailing list database.

•               Desktop publishing skills: Create a brochure, newsletters, or posters.

•               Sewing, knitting, or crocheting talent: Offer to make pet beds or catnip mice.

•               Building/Construction skills: Make repairs around the shelter, or build doghouses or feral cat shelters

and feeding stations.

•               Writing talent: Offer to write their newsletter or an article for the local paper.

•               Organizational skills: Help out with administrative tasks or event planning.

•               Gardening skills: Ask if you can help beautify the landscaping around the shelter.

Provide care for shelter animals. Volunteer to clean cages, feed, groom, or walk the animals in a local shelter.

Feed a feral, or two, or three. . . Many organizations practice trap/neuter/return and can use help with feeding cats. Offering to help with feeding once or twice a week can provide a nice break for a busy caregiver.

Promote animal adoptions:

•               List homeless animals on an adoption website (contact us for a list of sites).

•               Photograph shelter animals.

•               Create adoption posters and hang them around the community.

Tell your friends and neighbors. Don’t underestimate the value of word of mouth. Tell others what you are doing and why. Invite them to help out too.

Larger projects you could help to organize:

Plan a fundraising event. This could be as simple as holding a yard sale and donating the proceeds to a shelter, or as involved as planning a benefit auction or walk-a-thon. We have helpful information on planning some types of events.

Organize an adoption event. We have a manual on planning Super Adoption events and off-site adoption programs.

Coordinate a local feral cat spay/neuter program or one-day event.  We can offer advice on how to do this.

Start a local organization or program. Create a community animal welfare group or volunteer Brigade to help other local groups. We can send you information on starting a local program to help the animals.

Start a community e-group to help unite like-minded people, spread the word about animals in need of homes, promote local events, and volunteer opportunities. An excellent model is the Austin Pets Alive No-Kill Handbill. You can see a sample at: http://www.io.com/~mvb/ARCHIVE/ or subscribe at: http://www.austinpetsalive.org

Create a local event: You could plan a local observance of: National Homeless Animals’ Day (www.isaronline.org), National Feral Cat Day (www.alleycat.org), or Spay Day USA (www.ddaf.org).

Start a Week for the Animals. We have a manual to help you create a Week for the Animals in your town, city or state.

Retrieved from: http://www.bestfriends.org/nomorehomelesspets/pdf/WhatOnePerson.pdf

100 Ways To Help A Rescue Without Adopting or Fostering:

Can you:1. Transport a cat/dog? 2. Donate a dog/cat bed or towels or other *bedding* type items? 3. Donate MONEY? 4. Donate a Kong? A Nylabone? A hercules? cat toys? 5. Donate a crate? 6. Donate an x-pen or baby gates? 7. Donate a food dish or a stainless bucket for a crate? 8. Donate a leash? 9. Donate a collar? 10 .Donate some treats or a bag of food? 11 .Donate a halti or promise collar or a gentle leader? 12. Walk a dog? 13. Groom a dog? 14 .Donate some grooming supplies (shampoos, combs, brushes, etc.)? 15 .Go to the local shelter and see if that dog is the breed the shelter says it is or go with rescue to be a second opinion on the dog? 16. Make a few phone calls? 17. Mail out applications to people who’ve requested them? 18. Provide local vet clinics with contact information for educational materials on responsible pet ownership? 19. Drive a dog to and from vet appointments? 20. Donate long distance calling cards? 21. Donate the use of your scanner or digital camera? 22. Donate the use of a photocopier? 23. Attend public education days and try to educate people on responsible pet ownership? 24. Donate a gift certificate to a pet store? 25. Donate a raffle item if your club is holding a fund raiser? 26. Donate flea stuff(Advantage, etc.)? 27. Donate Heartworn pills? 28. Donate a canine/feline first aid kit? 29. Provide a shoulder to cry on when the rescue person is overwhelmed? 30. Pay the boarding fees to board a dog for a week? Two weeks? 31. Be a Santi-paws foster to give the foster a break for a few hours or days? 32. Clip coupons for dog/cat food or treats? 33. Bake some homemade doggie biscuits? 34 .Make book purchases through Amazon via a web site that contributes commissions earned to a rescue group? 35. Host rescue photos with an infornation link on your website. ? 36. Donate time to take good photos of foster dogs for adoption flyers, etc.? 37. Conduct a home visit or accompany a rescue person on the home visit? 38. Go with rescue person to the vet to help if there is more than one dog? 39. Have a yard sale and donate the money to rescue? 40. Be volunteer to do rescue in your area? 41. Take advantage of a promotion on the web or store offering a free ID tag and instead of getting it for your own dog, have the tag inscribed with your Club’s name and phone # to contact? 42. Talk to all your friends about adopting and fostering rescue dogs? 43. Donate vet services or can you help by donating a spay or neuter each year or some vaccinations? 44. Interview vets to encourage them to offer discounts to rescues? 45. Write a column for your local newspaper or club newsletter on dogs on dogs currently looking for homes or ways to help rescue? 46. Take photos of dogs available for adoption for use by the Club? 47. Maintain web sites listing/showing dogs available? 48. Help organize and run fundraising events? 49. Help maintain the paperwork files associated with each dog or enter the infonnation into a database? 50. Tattoo a rescued dog? 51. Microchip a rescued dog? 52. Loan your carpet steam cleaner to someone who has fostered a dog that was sick or marked in the house? 53. Donate a bottle of bleach or other cleaning products? 54. Donate or loan a portable dog run to someone who doesn’t have a quarantine area for quarantining a dog that has an unknown vaccination history and has been in a shelter? 55. Drive the fosters’ children to an activity so that the foster can take the dog to obedience class? 56. Use your video camera to film a rescue dog in action? 57. Pay the cost of taking a dog to obedience class? 58. Be the one to take the dog to its obedience class? 59. Go to the foster home once a week with your children and dogs to help socialize the dog? 60. Help the foster clean up the yard (yes, we also have to scoop what those foster dogs poop) 61. Offer to test the foster dog with cats? 62. Pay for the dog to be groomed or take the dog to a *Do It Yourself* Grooming Place? 63. Bring the foster take out so the foster doesn’t have to cook dinner? 64. Pay a house-cleaning service to do the spring cleaning for someone who fosters dogs all the time? 65. Lend your artistic talents to your club’s newsletter, fundraising ideas, t-shirt designs? 66. Donate printer paper, envelopes and stamps to your club? 67. Go with a rescue person to the vet if a foster dog needs to be euthanized ? 68. Go to local shelters and meet with shelter staff about how to identify your breed or provide photos and breed infonnation showing the different types of that breed may come in and the different colour combinations? 69. Go to local businesses and solicit donations for a club’s fundraising event? 70. Offer to try and help owners be better pet owners by holding a grooming seminar? 71. Help pet owners be better pet owners by being available to answer training questions? 72. Loan a crate if a dog needs to travel by air? 73. Put together an *Owner’s Manual* for those who adopt rescued dogs of your breed? 74. Provide post-adoption follow up or support? 75 .Donate a coupon for a free car wash or gas or inside cleaning of a vehicle? 76. Pay for an ad in your local/metropolitan paper to help place rescue dogs? 77. Volunteer to screen calls for that ad? 78. Get some friends together to build/repair pens for a foster home? 79. Microchip your own pups if you are a breeder, and register the chips, so if your dogs ever come into rescue, you can be contacted to take responsibility for your pup? 80. Donate a small percentage of the sale of each pup to rescue if you are a breeder? 81. Buy two of those really neat dog-items you “have to have” and donate one to Rescue? 82. Make financial arrangements in your will to cover the cost of caring for your dogs after you are gone -so Rescue won’t have to? 83. Make a bequest in your will to your local or national Rescue? 84. Donate your professional services as an accountant or lawyer? 85. Donate other services if you run your own business? 86. Donate the use of a vehicle if you own a car dealership? 87. Loan your cell phone (and cover costs for any calls) to s/one driving a rescued dog? 88. Donate your *used* dog dryer when you get a new one? 89. Let rescue know when you’ll be flying and that you’d be willing to be a rescued dog’s escort? 90. Do something not listed above to help rescue? 91. Donate a doggy seatbelt? 92. Donate a grid for a van or other vehicle? 93. Organize a rescued dog picnic or other event to reunite the rescued dogs that have been placed? 94. Donate other types of doggy/kitty toys that might be safe for rescued animals? 95. Donate a roll-a-treat or Buster cube? 96. Donate clickers or a video on clicker training? 97. Donate materials for a quarantine area at a foster’s home? 98. Donate sheets of linoleum or other flooring materials to put under crates to protect the foster’s floor? 99. Donate an engraving tool to make ID tags for each of the rescued dogs? lOO. Remember that rescuing a dog involves the effort and time of many people and make yourself available on an emergency basis to do *whatever* is needed?

 

An Important part of the Anti-Social Triad…Animal Abuse

Animal Abuse and Human Abuse

Violent acts toward animals have long been recognized as indicators of a dangerous psychopathy that does not confine itself to animals. “Anyone who has accustomed himself to regard the life of any living creature as worthless is in danger of arriving also at the idea of worthless human lives,” wrote humanitarian Dr. Albert Schweitzer. “Murderers … very often start out by killing and torturing animals as kids,” according to Robert K. Ressler, who developed profiles of serial killers for the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Studies have now convinced sociologists, lawmakers, and the courts that acts of cruelty toward animals deserve our attention. They can be the first sign of a violent pathology that includes human victims.

A Long Road of Violence

Animal abuse is not just the result of a minor personality flaw in the abuser, but a symptom of a deep mental disturbance. Research in psychology and criminology shows that people who commit acts of cruelty against animals don’t stop there; many of them move on to their fellow humans.

The FBI has found that a history of cruelty to animals is one of the traits that regularly appear in its computer records of serial rapists and murderers, and the standard diagnostic and treatment manual for psychiatric and emotional disorders lists cruelty to animals as a diagnostic criterion for conduct disorders. (1)

Studies have shown that violent and aggressive criminals are more likely to have abused animals as children than criminals considered non-aggressive. (2) A survey of psychiatric patients who had repeatedly tortured dogs and cats found that all of them had high levels of aggression toward people as well, including one patient who had murdered a boy. (3) To researchers, a fascination with cruelty to animals is a red flag in the lives of serial rapists and killers. (4)

Says Robert Ressler, founder of the FBI’s behavioral sciences unit, “These are the kids who never learned it’s wrong to poke out a puppy’s eyes.” (5)

Notorious Killers

History is replete with notorious examples: Patrick Sherrill, who killed 14 coworkers at a post office and then shot himself, had a history of stealing local pets and allowing his own dog to attack and mutilate them.(6) Earl Kenneth Shriner, who raped, stabbed, and mutilated a 7-year-old boy, had been widely known in his neighborhood as the man who put firecrackers in dogs’ rectums and strung up cats.(7) Brenda Spencer, who opened fire at a San Diego school, killing two children and injuring nine others, had repeatedly abused cats and dogs, often by setting their tails on fire.(8) Albert DeSalvo, the “Boston Strangler” who killed 13 women, trapped dogs and cats in orange crates and shot arrows through the boxes in his youth.(9) Carroll Edward Cole, executed for five of the 35 murders of which he was accused, said his first act of violence as a child was to strangle a puppy.(10) In 1987, three Missouri high school students were charged with the beating death of a classmate. They had histories of repeated acts of animal mutilation starting several years earlier. One confessed that he had killed so many cats he’d lost count. (11) Two brothers who murdered their parents had previously told classmates that they had decapitated a cat.(12) Serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer had impaled dogs’ heads, frogs, and cats on sticks.(13)

More recently, high school killers such as 15-year-old Kip Kinkel in Springfield, Ore., and Luke Woodham, 16, in Pearl, Miss., tortured animals before embarking on shooting sprees.(14) Columbine High School students Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold, who shot and killed 12 classmates before turning their guns on themselves, bragged about mutilating animals to their friends.(15)

“There is a common theme to all of the shootings of recent years,” says Dr. Harold S. Koplewicz, director of the Child Study Center at New York University. “You have a child who has symptoms of aggression toward his peers, an interest in fire, cruelty to animals, social isolation, and many warning signs that the school has ignored.”(16)

Sadly, many of these criminals’ childhood violence went unexamined—until it was directed toward humans. As anthropologist Margaret Mead noted, “One of the most dangerous things that can happen to a child is to kill or torture an animal and get away with it.”(17)

Animal Cruelty and Family Violence

Because domestic abuse is directed toward the
powerless, animal abuse and child abuse often go hand in hand. Parents who neglect an animal’s need for proper care or abuse animals may also abuse or neglect their own children. Some abusive adults who know better than to abuse a child in public have no such qualms about abusing an animal publicly.

In 88 percent of 57 New Jersey families being treated for child abuse, animals in the home had been abused.(18) Of 23 British families with a history of animal neglect, 83 percent had been identified by experts as having children at risk of abuse or neglect.(19) In one study of battered women, 57 percent of those with pets said their partners had harmed or killed the animals. One in four said that she stayed with the batterer because she feared leaving the pet behind.(20)

While animal abuse is an important sign of child abuse, the parent isn’t always the one harming the animal. Children who abuse animals may be repeating a lesson learned at home; like their parents, they are reacting to anger or frustration with violence. Their violence is directed at the only individual in the family more vulnerable than themselves: an animal. One expert says, “Children in violent homes are characterized by … frequently participating in pecking-order battering,” in which they may maim or kill an animal. Indeed, domestic violence is the most common background for childhood cruelty to animals.(21)

Stopping the Cycle of Abuse

There is “a consensus of belief among psychologists … that cruelty to animals is one of the best examples of the continuity of psychological disturbances from childhood to adulthood. In short, a case for the prognostic value of childhood animal cruelty has been well documented,” according to the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine.(22)

Schools, parents, communities, and courts who shrug off animal abuse as a “minor” crime are ignoring a time bomb. Instead, communities should be aggressively penalizing animal abusers, examining families for other signs of violence, and requiring intensive counseling for perpetrators. Communities must recognize that abuse to ANY living individual is unacceptable and endangers everyone.

In 1993, California became the first state to pass a law requiring animal control officers to report child abuse. Voluntary abuse-reporting measures are also on the books in Ohio, Connecticut, and Washington, D.C. Similar legislation has been introduced in Florida. “Pet abuse is a warning sign of abuse to the two-legged members of the family,” says the bill’s sponsor, Representative Steve Effman. “We can’t afford to ignore the connection any longer.”(23)

Additionally, children should be taught to care for and respect animals in their own right. After extensive study of the links between animal abuse and human abuse, two experts concluded, “The evolution of a more gentle and benign relationship in human society might, thus, be enhanced by our promotion of a more positive and nurturing ethic between children and animals.”(24)

What You Can Do

• Urge your local school and judicial systems to take cruelty to animals seriously. Laws must send a strong message that violence against any feeling creature—human or other-than-human—is unacceptable.

• Be aware of signs of neglect or abuse in children and animals. Take children seriously if they report animals’ being neglected or mistreated. Some children won’t talk about their own suffering but will talk about an animal’s.

• Don’t ignore even minor acts of cruelty to animals by children. Talk to the child and the child’s parents. If necessary, call a social worker.

References

1. Daniel Goleman, “Child’s Love of Cruelty May Hint at the Future Killer,” The New York Times, 7 Aug. 1991.
2. “Animal Abuse Forecast of Violence,” New Orleans Times-Picayune, 1 Jan. 1987.
3. Alan R. Felthous, “Aggression Against Cats, Dogs, and People,” Child Psychiatry and Human Development, 10 (1980), 169-177.
4. Goleman.
5. Robert Ressler, quoted in “Animal Cruelty May Be a Warning,” Washington Times, 23 June 1998.
6. International Association of Chiefs of Police, The Training Key, No. 392, 1989.
7. The Animals’ Voice, Fall 1990.
8. The Humane Society News, Summer 1986.
9. International Association of Chiefs of Police.
10. Ibid.
11. Ibid.
12. Lorraine Adams, “Too Close for Comfort,” The Washington Post, 4 Apr. 1995.
13. Goleman.
14. Deborah Sharp, “Animal Abuse Will Often Cross Species Lines,” USA Today, 28 Apr. 2000.
15. Mitchell Zuckoff, “Loners Drew Little Notice,” Boston Globe, 22 Apr. 1999.
16. Ethan Bronner, “Experts Urge Swift Action to Fight Depression and Aggression,” The New York Times, p. A21.
17. Margaret Mead, Ph.D, “Cultural Factors in the Cause and Prevention of Pathological Homicide,” Bulletin in the Menninger Clinic, No. 28 (1964),
pp. 11-22.
18. Elizabeth DeViney, Jeffrey Dickert, and Randall Lockwood, “The Care of Pets Within Child-Abusing Families,” International Journal for the Study of
Animal Problems, 4 (1983) 321-329.
19. “Child Abuse and Cruelty to Animals,” Washington Humane Society.
20. Sharp.
21. Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Health Newsletter, Nov. 1994.
22. Ibid.
23. Sharp.
24. Stephen R. Kellert, Ph.D., and Alan R. Felthous, M.D., “Childhood Cruelty Toward Animals Among Criminals and Noncriminals,” Archives of General Psychiatry, Nov. 1983.

Retrieved from: http://www.wilbargerhumanesociety.org/abuse.php

I am a dog rescuer…

so very true…

The story of Mike Arms

Mike Arms has done so much for animal welfare.  I find the story as to how he came to the profession inspiring and touching.  I hope you enjoy!

***

Our president-Mike Arms

http://www.animalcenter.org/about_hwac/our_president.aspx

Helen Woodward Animal Center President Michael Arms is a pioneer in the animal welfare industry. He is recognized worldwide as the creator of both the International Pet Adoptathon and “Iams Home 4 the Holidays”.

Mike is credited with saving the lives of more orphaned animals than anyone else in the history of the planet.

Since his arrival in 1999, Helen Woodward Animal Center has grown dramatically. Pet adoptions have leaped to record levels. Our Education program has multiplied as we teach children about the unconditional love that only comes from animals. And our therapy programs touch the lives of tens of thousands of people each year.

Mike Arms. Just one more reason why Helen Woodward Animal Center is known around the globe as, “The Animal Shelter of the Future!”

The Story of Mike Arms

Mike Arms came to animal welfare in a most unusual way. He arrived in New York in the 1960’s ready to take on the world with an accounting degree and the desire to make it big. An employment agency suggested that he might take a position at the ASPCA because it would look good on his resume. Mike didn’t even know what an ASPCA was at that time, but thought it would be a good experience to manage the finances of such a large organization. The stress of seeing the horrors that mankind perpetrated against the animals of New York quickly became too much for Mike, as the ASPCA was killing over 140,000 innocent animals a year at that time. He gave his resignation and was running away from animal welfare.

With just six days to go until his last day, Mike got a call that there was a dog hit by a car on Davidson Avenue in the Bronx. There were no ambulance drivers available, so he took off his suit jacket and put on an ambulance driver jacket and drove out to the accident scene. Upon his arrival he saw a black and tan shepherd/terrier mix lying in the street. The dog had been hit with such force that his back was broken – he was literally bent in half. As Mike approached the injured dog two men came out of a nearby doorway and asked him what he was doing. Arms calmly explained that the little dog was dying and he was taking him to the hospital. The men told him that he wasn’t taking the dog anywhere. Mike inquired as to if it was their dog and they said, “No, but we are taking bets on how long it is going to live.” Arms told them they were sick and turned to lift the dog into the ambulance. As he bent to lift the injured puppy, the men attacked him with a bottle to the head followed by the smack of a baseball bat and the sharp pain of a knife thrust into his hip and shoulder. Mike was knocked unconscious and as he lay in the street bleeding the little dog, who should not have been able to move, crawled to Mike’s side to lick him awake.

It was a true epiphany for Arms as he spoke to God and said “Let me live, and I promise you, I will do everything in my lifetime to protect them.” Mike has remained true to his word as the man who has saved more animals than any other person, living or dead, in animal welfare history.