Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Swamped..

.. You know I could have never imagined how this rescuing bassets would play out.. I had waited so long to get a friend for my Percy.. Then Hoover FINALLY came along.. I was so thrilled however Percy was also older and wasn't ready to entertain the likes of a five month old puppy.. So I did and again HOPED for another rescue to show up.. months again passed till Micky..

.. Now that I stepped up to do basset rescue I get calls almost daily.. Even a couple of weekends ago for four bassets in three different areas.. It gets overwhelming at times to see so much need for my beloved bassets.. I don't have enough fosters to accommodate the needs..

Here is a rescue from a BYB last night Her name is Channel..

Photobucket

She was way over bred and her figure shows at least 4 years of abuse as far as thats concerned.. So sad.. But I have hope someone can over look her pregnancy figure and see the sweet dog that lies beneath ..

Saturday, October 18, 2008

The Boys Victor & Columbo .. HOME At Last

.. When I got the call about a set of brothers dropped of at the SPA. Trois Rivieres.. I thought "Oh Boy" a new challenge.. You see I usually get them one at a time.. of late I can get 4 in a day.. and thats what happened.. these two.. came with two other separate rescue cases in different areas of Quebec.. However this I thought was going to take time.. Two six year old boys.. together.. they went into foster in Trois Rivieres until I could bring them to Montreal.. They are very cute together I saw when I got this picture from the foster..
Photobucket

They were settling in well considering what had just transpired in their lives.. We try to be as loving as we can to rescues as you see here.. They look pretty comfortable..

Photobucket

I had an inquiry about them almost immediately by a family that was taken with their plight and charm.. and the Universe does bless this rescue because a wonderful couple stepped up for these boys.. Not caring they were a tad older a little grey.. but realizing that middle aged dogs meant.. no puppy antics.. and that in itself is a bonus sometimes.. These two boys are laid back.. easy going.. well it just shows..

Photobucket

So this afternoon I met up with the Dad and son.. Mom stayed home with their other dog.. and it always surprises folks that the dogs look so much better in person.. The little boy was quite taken with them.. as was the NEW Dad Dave.. I think they will make a great family together.. Just what every basset deserves.. a HAPPY ENDING.. and Forever Home..

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Results of A Pet Shop Purchase

.. Yes most pet shops sell dogs bred by BACK YARD BREEDERS that have no clue what they are doing they just know they make money.. You the public or us the rescue have to absorb the costs as well these poor animals.. Here is Patatoo.. a relinquished basset bought at the tender age of 6 weeks in Thetford Mines Quebec.. by an unsuspecting family..
Photobucket That was August when she was turned in to us.. in heat with eyes that showed pain constantly.. Yes she suffered from Entropia her lower eye lids turned in hence her lashes constantly scratching her eyes.. Surgery was a must to correct this .. however due to her being in heat we had to wait for her to be ready.. sadly.. Today was her surgery day..
Photobucket
She is home here with me.. crying .. shaking.. wondering what happen from this morning to now.. I can't explain to her no more than a Mom can explain to a child.. The vet informed me while doing her surgery they noticed she will be needing patella surgery on her knees.. or she will have severe arthritic joints.. This made me see red.. This little girl has been through enough.. but I will schedule her surgery for November.. letting her recover from this ordeal.. I am thankful she came here for her life will drastically improve from where she came.. through the Grace of This Universe..
This next surgery is quite expensive.. So if anyone reading this can help.. Please do.. Our Address is BHRQ Box 2021 Rigaud, Quebec J0P-1P0

Monday, October 13, 2008

Jazz.. A Sad Basset..

When I went to get Jazz at the pound he was in lousy shape.. was filthy with dirt and poop on him.. goodness knows how long the sad guy was abandoned in the streets.. he was sick needed Clavamox for 10 days.. just was a sorry looking basset.. with a very sad look in his eyes.. Which are quite special I must say.. they are like that of some Husky's.. one blue one brown.. people ask me.. "Is he blind" I say no he has a Paul Newman eye.. haha.. Photobucket ..
but alas he keeps getting over looked.. He is such a character though.. folks are missing out on.. my Micky likes him allot.. but he is shy..
Photobucket " Its only about his blue eye he thinks.. haha.. rolling around in the sun with a toy in his mouth.. thats his kind of fun..
Photobucket .. He has lots of expressive looks like this one.. Photobucket
He can get my attention when he wants too with his Photobucket ..
Then I see that look.. Photobucket Do ya love me? .. All poor Jazz wants is that.. Someone to love him.. I truly hope someone see's past his blue eye and gives this boy a chance.. He really deserves it with the crappy life I think he must have experienced in his beginning.

Saturday, October 11, 2008

Bang Bang Bang

.. Yes thats what I wake to every morning around 5:00 - 5:30 .. The hunters are out shooting the migrating ducks.. its an awful sound the dogs heads pop-up like its fireworks but I know what it is.. This time of year is so pretty up here.. the leaves are changing color.. there is a crispness in the air.. but also the sounds of death..

Yes having an early coffee out on the deck watching the sun come up to start a new day just isn't the same right now.. its sad.. I thank goodness for my dogs non-hunters.. well except the occasional house fly..

Friday, October 10, 2008

Two Brothers

.. Well it never ceases to amaze me.. These two 6 year old brothers were given up to the SPA Trois Rivieres.. PhotobucketPhotobucket..

Yes how are they to understand.. Come on lets go for a drive boys.. Here you go Madam.. au revoir.. SPA.. they are yours now to do with what you want.. People make me crazy.. but luckily the SPA Trois Rivieres knows to call us.. and we will answer .. So now these two boys are in our care still sticking together as they are not sure what happened or why.. but are adjusting ..Photobucket .. They have been to the groomer and veterinarian.. in Trois Rivieres.. Soon to be transported to Montreal to their Foster here before being neutered and ready for their Adoptive Family..
These brothers must be adopted together after all 6 years together is nothing to separate.. they need that at the very least.. So I am hoping someone out there will step up to adopt out these boys and give them the kind of family and security they deserve.. They are quiet and very easy going.. and will be a joy to all that come in contact with them.. Yes this will be a better life for them if I can get the Universe to co-operate finding the best home possible for them.

Thursday, October 9, 2008

Quebec & Puppy Mills .. NAILED

Animal rights activists target Quebec puppy mills
October 09, 2008
Sidhartha Banerjee
THE CANADIAN PRESS

MONTREAL– Animal rights activists say two recent puppy
mill busts in Quebec illustrate a far greater problem than
previously imagined and highlight the need for more
government action.

With that in mind, the Canadian Society for the Prevention
of Cruelty to Animals is heading to Quebec City on Friday
hoping to secure more powers from the agriculture minister
as well as funding to help tackle what some are calling a
burgeoning, unchecked problem.

In the span of a week earlier this month, animal welfare
officials raided two mills operating in rural areas north of
Montreal, saving some 275 animals.

"The fact that we performed two major puppy mill raids in
less than a week certainly signifies the severity of the
problem in Quebec," said Rebecca Aldworth, director of
animal programs at Humane Society International Canada.

"Quebec is considered by many animal rights activists to be
the puppy mill capital of North America and this situation
exists because we have fairly weak provincial laws and they
cannot be enforced by the SPCA."

There's a hope that some of the horrific images broadcast in
recent weeks will prompt people to push the Quebec
government for change.

Welfare workers say the clandestine facilities housed dogs
living in close quarters, in some cases next to the rotting
carcasses of other dogs that had died. Some dogs were having
trouble walking while others had matted fur and open sores
all over their bodies.

"The animals were living in this, covered in feces and fleas
and there was very little food and water available to the
dogs," Aldworth said. "Many of the dogs were skin and bones
– over 90 per cent of the dogs were emaciated."

Unlike in much of the rest of the country, animal welfare
enforcement in Quebec does not exclusively lie with the
SPCA. The chief complaint among some activists is that the
non-profit organization set up to do the job is more
interested in helping mill owners set up shop legally.

But the group mandated by the provincial government to
oversee animal welfare in Quebec says the situation isn't as
bad as portrayed and the numbers being spouted by animal
activists don't add up.

"When they say there are 2,000 puppy mills but they are all
clandestine you have to wonder how they can say there are
that many, how do they know?" said Veronique Langlois,
executive-director of Anima-Quebec.

"Are we the capital in Quebec? No, it's false."

Langlois says calling Quebec the "puppy mill capital" may
have been appropriate a decade ago when activists were
attempting to rally public support, but the situation has
since changed.

"For certain people, they say if there are 50 or 60 or 100
animals in cages, that's a puppy mill," Langlois said. "Or
if the owner is making money, it's a puppy mill.

"But breeding is not illegal. But certainly there are
certain criteria for keeping animals. We prefer to use the
term ethical or unethical breeding."

That's why the SPCA's Alanna Devine says her organization' s
two inspectors need the same powers as Anima-Quebec
inspectors. The two groups have divergent views on the
issue.

"In my opinion anyone who is breeding a large number of dogs
of all different breeds and profiting from it as their main
source of income is not properly treating the animals," says
Devine, acting director the SPCA.

"Being a dog owner and having spoken to breeders, it is
actually impossible to turn a profit from breeding dogs
because if you're doing it properly the cost of caring from
them and caring for the puppies is so astronomical. "

Aldworth said the groups on Anima-Quebec' s board include the
Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council, which represents pet
stores and large-scale breeders.

"It's like putting the fox in charge of the henhouse when it
comes to puppy mills," Aldworth said.

Aldworth says Quebecers need to pressure their local
politicians to do more and that the proper authority should
be the SPCA because it is a non-profit organization that
does not represent the pet trade.

Pet stores are where the majority of puppy mill dogs end up,
activists argue.

The Canadian Federation of Humane Societies says not having
a provincial society with the authority to act has caused a
lot of cruelty cases to fall through the cracks.

"They (Anima-Quebec) have done some good things, but they
have five inspectors and Ontario has close to 300," said
Shelagh MacDonald, program director with the organization.

"So as you can see, it's not even on the same page."

Langlois says Anima-Quebec is doing its job and wants to
work with anyone interested in promoting the well-being of
animals.

She says the organization has doubled its budget to $400,000
and acknowledges that fundraising is necessary. In the past
year, the group has finally started to see some cases being
prosecuted also.

"I don't know of any non-profit organization that'll tell
you `No, I don't need any more people'," says Langlois.

"But I'm looking at what has been done since the creation of
Anima and what we've done since 2005 and that's how you have
to look at it."

Crystal Goes Home.. With WATSON YAY

My Crystal's turn was today to go to her " Forever Home " with a lucky boy named Watson .. a tri-color basset.. We met her new Mom in Burlington Vermont.. which is half way to where she will be living in New Hampshire.. They look good together.. Photobucket and meeting was really calm and I knew Crystal would be going to a GREAT HOME.. That is my mission for those that Grace my home.. That I can find with the help of the Universe a good home for them.. However leaving them is always bitter sweet for me.. I miss her already.. Photobucket She is a lovely Girl My Crystal..

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Folks That Sponsor My Dogs Are Blessed

.. You know some days I find it totally amazing when I go to my mail box to find that complete strangers send me money for the dogs well being.. Most of the expenses have fallen on my pocket.. so when a $40.00 or a $70.00 cheque comes in it is most welcome.. and I don't feel so alone in my quest to make a difference in their lives.. I cannot candy coat the expenses .. they are high at times.. between food.. treats.. vets.. gas.. plus plus.. Its incredible.. but then a dog gets adopted and I recoup a bit only to reuse it on another.. When I am often juggling 7 to 12 dogs at a time.. every little bit helps..

So to those out there that read this daily and have sent in some Canadian Tire Money.. Stamps.. Toys for the dogs.. Sponsorship cheques.. I hope and pray that Your kindness is rewarded with a deposit in Your Personal Grace Bank Account.. I feel the Universe rewards such Generosity of Spirit..

Thank You from ALL of us four legs and two legs .. here at my rescue..

Tuesday, October 7, 2008

Wow What Day 4 Rescues

.. Yes I needed to get 4 dogs out of shelters.. The day was like a whirl wind.. My contact in Trois Rivieres had to get two for me while I was to go to Saint Sauveur and Saint Hippolyte for two others.. One had been tied to a tree and left Photobucket he is about 5 and has an eye infections and allot of tartar on his teeth..but a GREAT character..

.. The other a surrender.. no longer wanted by its owner.. The family did not have the time for this boy they said Photobucket

.. Its such a misconception that these dogs are couch potatoes that should tolerate being left alone hours on end.. That is NOT one of there traits.. They are pack animals.. wanting nothing better than to be with their family.. Its what makes them such a good loyal dog.. They LOVE their family without condition.. with the exception of wanting to be with them as much as possible..

.. The other of the rescues are 6 year old brothers.. that were dumped.. I will hopefully get a family for them together.. because separating them now this late in the game would probably devastate them .. abandonment will do enough damage to these poor souls.. Photobucket

Yes some days are just allot to handle.. but My Mom used to say.. " Helen.. God never gives you more than You can handle " Well these days I certainly am being put to the test I feel.. I am fortunate that Rigaud and my neighbors are tolerant..

Sunday, October 5, 2008

Ah The Pet Fair..

.. Well it was a VERY cold day at the Pet Fair.. the location was just off the water so the winds were quite nippy.. The bassets were a huge attention getter as usual.. the news folks came by for photos.. then the TV guys came by.. It was great publicity tell you.. I was thrilled.. The Cosmos/Universe was shining on my rescue yesterday and I could not ask for more.. There was a Blessing of the pets ceremony.. so I took the 4 rescues for that.. We can never have enough blessings..
.. Luckily my buddy Rona and Colleen showed up to help with handling the gang.. folks seemed generally surprised that " BASSETS " needed rescue.. when I told them I had placed 20+ in a few months they were shocked..
.. A lovely family from Ottawa came all the way to meet Morgan.. she had filled the application as soon as she saw him on site.. I said well if your willing to drive down from Ottawa I'll be there Saturday at a pet fair in beaconsfield.. She came with kids and hubby in tow.. Then it was truly love.. I mean look at this guy.. Photobucket Many showed interest in this girl too.. Mandy.. Photobucket
.. So we will see what happens with the fall out from the Fair.. I hope more of my rescues find their " Forever Homes " for that is my plea to the Universe.. Safe Happy Homes.. for all that Grace my rescue..

Friday, October 3, 2008

Pet Fair.. Sat. Oct 4th. 11-3 Beaconsfield Centennial Hall

.. I'll be at the Pet Fair in Beaconsfield 288 blvd. Beaconsfield.. just off Saint Charles.. with a few bassets to try to bring awareness to the rescue.. So many don't know about us.. so I'll be there handing out cards and brochures .. The bassets are real attraction getters so I'm hoping for a successful day.. Add us to your prayer list.. As more are waiting in the wings to come in..

Thursday, October 2, 2008

Second Puppy Mill Raid Here in a Week

Montreal Gazette
Published: Wednesday, October 01

MONTREAL - Animal health inspectors have raided a second puppy mill in less than a week, seizing 157 dogs and one cat Wednesday from a facility in the Lanaudière.

"There were animals everywhere," said Alanna Devine, head of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in Montreal. "They were in cages, in (dog) runs, in the house. These places are all the same."

She would not say exactly where the puppy mill was located, but the animals have been taken to the SPCA Montreal, where an emergency shelter has been set up in what is normally a dog training school.

It's sad for the rescuers and Us .. But we the Rescues are stepping Up to Help.. From here & Ontario..