FidoCARES Tour Sked

What a little love and patience can do!

Well…I had one Yorkie. I didn’t want any more dogs. Our life was planned, organized and peaceful. Then I got an email from Okanagan Small Dog Rescue – a Yorkie needed transport and possible foster care. “It will only be a couple weeks” An abandoned Yorkie lived in a drug house with backyard breeders, exposed to drugs, smoke, and then left in a Trailer Park in the middle of winter. I picked up a skinny, very smelly, shrieking little dog – and wondered what in the world am I doing? I made a committment that day and I would never turn back. We have had our Rowdy boy for 2 years now and we love him to bits! Not to say we haven’t had our ‘moments’ and we have been tested, but nothing more than we can handle. We are proud of that, and proud of our little guy! We need to stop ‘Backyard Breeding’!

This situation in New Brunswick has spurred public outrage, with petitions circulating and Facebook pages sprouting up calling on the government to back off on this anti-pet policy. In other provinces across Canada, no-pet policies are rampant and it is very difficult to find rental housing for pet owners. It is time to recognize the role that pets play in our society and in our lives.

It’s shocking that in 2012, pets are still considered disposable. For responsible pet owners, their animals are cherished family members that enrich their lives in many different ways. The benefits of the human-animal bond have been well documented for years.

Anyway – she decided she wanted a Papillon – because they don’t require a lot of exercise and she has a big, safe backyard. She told me she could get one for $1500. Now, she’s on a pension and doesn’t have that much money so I thought this was ridiculous. I encouraged her to ask around and see if there might be one that needed rescuing. She did inquire around and found a breeder who had a one year old Papillon that did not sell – he’s kind of unfriendly and skittish. She let my mother have him. Now he’s in a good home and seems to be pretty happy. I figure it was a good thing to encourage. She loves the dog and the companionship.

Well back to my story.It seemed that Bostons could be found at pet stores and I saw a sweet ‘lil one in Ontario while vacationing but I opted not to buy because of what I had heard about the puppy mill business. It is hard to resist the temptationto save the little guys!  But if we buy into that these mills will continue to exist! So be strong - in fact, don’t even go there looking for one!

I finally found an unexpected add in the newspaper about a litter of Bostons. Now, I know this can also be a front for puppy mills so do the homework!  When I called she said all 5 pups were gone. She had 2 dogs that she would breed from time to time and she said she’d put me on a list for the next time she had a litter.

A year later, she called and told me to come and pick one out from the litter!  Make sure you see where the puppies are from. She showed me the mom, dad and litter. We spent time talking to her, asking questions about health problems, etc. We picked out a male pup from the litter and 8 weeks later we brought Kermit home!  He was such a wonderful addition to our family and, except for the occasional ear allergy (which was soon fixed by switching his food), he was in very good health.

Two years later we called the breeder again and a year after that, we added Daisy Darling to our family!  They have been such a source of joy in our family. Unfortunately this past Dec our beloved Kermit passed away and we miss him so much, but Daisy is still with us and hopefully has a few more years to go! Dogs are such wonderful animals and all I can say is please “do the homework before buying!”  We need to end abuse and stop puppy mills!

Ear cropping and/or tail docking began many years ago when they were written into some breed standards, such as Dobermans, Boxers, Great Danes, Schnauzers and some terriers. Both procedures are already banned in Australia, New Zealand, Scandinavia and many European countries. The Canadian and the American Veterinary Medical Associations also oppose cosmetic surgery on any animal. 

These procedures are done purely for cosmetic reasons to create a certain look and provide no health or medical benefits for the animals. Ear cropping involves cutting off a significant portion of the dog’s ear and taping the remaining portion for a period of time to make the ears stand up. There can be no justification for such a barbaric practice.

Supporters of tail docking argue that tails are docked to prevent injuries in the field. However, this doesn’t hold up when spaniels and some pointers are docked and retrievers and some other pointing breeds are not.

The CFHS calls on breed clubs and kennel clubs to take the lead by changing breed standards to accept only natural ears and tails. We also urge the remaining provincial veterinary medical associations to take a stand against these unnecessary procedures. The CFHS will continue to educate the public about the pain and suffering caused by these completely unnecessary alterations, done purely for cosmetic reasons.

He is doing well although he had to have back surgery a year ago for IVDD (common in the breed). Last summer as I ended up working full-time he had a difficult time, so we tried doggy daycare until we could find a companion for Leo.

In came Scrappy who is a sweetheart. He is a 5 yr old Wire Haired Dachshund Fox Terrier cross (Foxie Doxie). The two boys are inseparable and play together very well.

My husband and I definitely believe in the saying “Please Adopt….Don’t Shop.”

The new laws require all puppies to be microchipped and breeders must be registered. Veterinarians will inspect breeders and can shut down substandard facilities. Read more here: http://www.irishcentral.com/news/Long-awaited-legislation-outlaws-puppy-farming-in-Ireland-136523433.html

Remember, puppy mills thrive because people keep buying their ‘products’.  Don’t be one of these people!  Adopt from a reputable shelter or rescue or do your homework to find a reputable breeder.  Check out the Finding Your Fido section to learn how.

Kita

I adopted my best friend back in 1999. she is a belgian malinois cross and was approximately 1.5- 2 yrs old, weighed about 30lbs, was a runner and had been badly beaten by some thug. Everyone without experience knows that they aren’t worth the effort. I took the chance on this beautiful dog and have never regretted it, except for all the stuff she chewed in the first year   It’s now 12 years later, she has had a very happy life and is still raring and ready to go for a nice long walk every day. May we have many more adventures until the day she finally decides that she is old