Things we can learn from our dogs

Things We Can Learn from a Dog

Chicken Soup for the Soul: Loving Our Dogs

BY: Joy Nordquist

1. Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joy ride.
2. Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure ecstasy.
3. When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.
4. When it's in your best interest, always practice obedience.
5. Let others know when they've invaded your territory.
6. Take naps and always stretch before rising.
7. Run, romp and play daily.
8. Eat with gusto and enthusiasm.
9. Be loyal.
10. Never pretend to be something you're not.
11. If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.
12. When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by and nuzzle them gently.
13. Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.
14. Thrive on attention and let people touch you.
15. Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.
16. On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.
17. When you are happy, dance around and wag your entire body.
18. No matter how often you are criticized, don't buy into the guilt thing and pout.
Run right back and make friends.

Reprinted by permission of Joy Nordquist (c) 1997.

Support Animal Rescue...and Look Good Doing It!

Here's a cool new way to help the animal rescue efforts in Transylvania County...and look good doing it! Not everyone can foster dogs or help transport them to various places, but who doesn't wear T-Shirts? Now, you can purchase an official Charlies Angels Animal Rescue T-shirt online and when you do, all the proceeds go directly to the Charlies Angels rescue efforts.

Go online today and get and order one for every member of the family

http://www.cafepress.com/BalloonJuice

A Day in the Life of Animal Rescue

The need for animal rescue never ends, but sometimes it is a nearly overwhelming task.  Below is our own version of 24....all of this happened over a 2 day period:

• We pulled 5 dogs total on Thursday and Friday.Two went to local foster care. Three were taken to Hideaway Hills Kennel for boarding. One dog was adopted directly from shelter on Friday (Smaller female husky) by local lady.
• We had 6 dogs s/n neutered on Tuesday in Brevard and then taken to two different kennels. I had to make two trips from s/n clinic to Horseshoe Kennel with 4 of the dogs on Tuesday pick up at 3:30 pm due to pick up being changed from Wed. am to Tues at 3:30 pm.Other volunteer took two dogs to Hideaway HIlls Kennel
• Two dogs were taken to Humane Alliance in Asheville for s/n. One of which was pregnant.
• We had 5 dogs picked up by rescue transport on Wed.and had to help load.
• 3 dogs taken to banfield today to get health certificates. These 3 going on transport this coming Wednesday.
• Took two dogs to vet for extra medical care.
• Taking 2 other dogs to vet for extra medical care on Sat.
• Transported one little dog to Healing Hearts in Old Fort. This was not a shelter dog. Found by good samaritan on Hwy. 276 last Friday night and they called me on Monday.
• Two different volunteers went to shelter to get pictures of new arrivals.
  
  
  If you would like to help make a difference and become a volunteer with Charlie's Angels Animal Rescue, please contact us! 
• Evelyn Bridges:  ebridges@citcom.net
• Connie McNab:  conniemcnab@yahoo.com

Charlie's Angels Qtr 1 Report

Unless you are involved with animal rescue on a day to day basis, it's hard to imagine how much need there is in this community. Charlie's Angels Animal Rescue is a small group of volunteers making a big difference in the lives on animals who have been abandoned, lost, neglected, and abused.

In an excerpt from the 1st Quarter Report for 2010, Evelyn Bridges, Founder of Charlie's Angels Animal Rescue reports that a total of 125 animals were rescued in the first three months of this year alone. All were dogs except for 7 cats and 3 rabbits. The majority came from the Transylvania County Animal Shelter, except for several cases when volunteers were able to intervene before the animals were taken to the shelter.

Financial donations made it possible Charlies Angels to provide a range of medical care and treatment:

• Vaccinations for all the animals brought to the shelter - A cost of $15-$20 per dog
• Spay or neuter (if the animals are old enough) - a cost of $60 per dog
• Heartworm testing and treatment if necessary
• Treatment for intestinal worms
  
• Dental surgery
• Treatment for Demodectic Mange, Parvo, respiratory infections, ear mites, and more. 

The primary focus of Charlies Angels is to rescue dogs from the shelter and place them with qualified rescue organizations who then find adoptive homes. But there are many steps along the way and as an organization Charlie's Angels faces an ongoing need for volunteers who can foster dogs while rescue is being arranged,  transport dogs to and from the local spay/neuter clinic, to kennels, and to the various rescue groups.

What began with one person trying to make a difference, has grown into to a group of dedicated volunteers with a network of rescue groups, vets, kennels, and other animal friendly businesses in the area, who are making a difference....but it is an endless tide of need.

If you would like to help be a part of the animal rescue effort in Transylvania County, either by volunteering your time or with a financial donation, contact Evelyn Bridges at ebridges@comporium.net

Help feed shelter animals for FREE

There are so many things you can do to help shelter animals! Now with the click of your mouse, you can help feed sheltered animals for free.  

Go to theanimalrescuesite.com  Look down the left hand column and select "Go to the animal rescue site. "  It takes you to a page where you click on a purple button and it is the equalivant of providing 6 bowls of food a day for rescued animals  I bookmark the page and click on it every day. 

The other is   bringpetshome.com   If you access this site first before buying from Amazon, Walmart, Home Depot, etc, these stores will give a percent of the purchase price to animal shelters.  It doesn't cost any more to do this but you must access the stores through this site for the animals to get the benefit.


Try it today!

Is it "winter itch" or something more?

Winter weather can be hard on skin.  We like to keep our homes warm, of course, but that leads to dry air...which leads to dry skin. If you suffer from dry, winter skin, there's a good chance your pet does too. But when can you tell if your pet's winter itch is something more?

Three months ago, we rescued Ace from the county animal shelter. Despite being underweight, his coat was shiny and healthy. But over the past month we noticed a dramatic increase in his scratching. We added olive oil to his premium dog food to see if that would relieve what we thought was just "winter itch". When that didn't help, and Ace's belly looked "moth eaten" we knew it was time for a trip to the vet.

The first test was a skin scraping to determine if the source of his itch was mange. Thankfully it was not. After a series of questions about his diet and life style, the vet surmised that Ace may have allergies and based on where Ace was itching he believes it is environmental, something Ace has come in contact with. So we are now calming his skin with some antibiotics and antihistimines and once that has taken affect, we will begin the process of determining the source of his allergy.

The first place we're going to start is with our laundry soap. I've had more than my share of experience with allergies in dogs, but I've never known dogs to be allergic to laundry soap. But, as my vet explained, the fragrances and softeners that keep our clothes soft and smelling good can trigger allergic reactions in dogs, just like they can in humans.

We'll know more in a week or two after his skin has calmed down and we've experimented with washing his bedding in just hot water. In the meantime, our next trip to the grocery store will include purchasing some fragrance free, softener free, laundry soap. I've got my own issues with allergies so who knows! If it's good for Ace, it's probably good for us too.

Brevard NC Rescues Looking for Good Homes - 2/25/2010

Oliver 
 

Cattle Dog, Pit Bull TerrierStatus: Adoptable

Size: M Age: Adult Gender: M About 35 pounds.
This pet is: up to date with routine shots
Oliver is a sweetheart! Chose loving over treats. Owners left behind when they moved.  He is up to date on immunizations and will be neutered upon adoption or rescue. Temp tested VERY well. Report available upon request. Great with everybody.

http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/NC650.html 

Phoenix

Black Labrador Retriever
Size: L Age: Adult Gender: M

Up to date on immunizations.

Young male,maybe 1 or 2 years old, about 40 pounds. Phoenix is Friendly, but a little shy.  Does not like a collar, so may need a harness instead.  Good with children.  Good dog.  Deserves a great home.

Website: http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/NC650.html 

Pickles 
 
Dobie/Collie Mix?

Size: M Age: Adult Gender: M
Adult male about a year old, maybe 40 pounds. So wiggly we could not get a good photo. Very loving. VERY sweet, VERY underweight.  In person, can see every rib and hip bones are just skin and bone.

He's been chained to a dog house and is starved for affection and looks like food too.

http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/NC650.html

Piper and Pal
 
Piper - Beagle
Size: S Age: Adult Gender: M

About 25 pounds
This pet is: up to date with routine shots

Pal - Spaniel/Beagle Mix? (Brown one in the back)
Size: S Age: Adult Gender: M About 25 pounds

This pet is: up to date with routine shots

Piper and Pal were turned in to the shelter when their owner had to enter a nursing home. They are adults, maybe 3 or 4 years old. Very sweet, very friendly. Appear to be very healthy. May be ok with cats, as owner had cats, and dogs were allowed inside with them. 

http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/NC650.html