Thanks for your patience as we transitioned to our new website. Please find our new site at http://www.DesertPawsNM.org There is also a blog page there if you wish to post. We look forward to your participation :-)
Happy Holidays!
Krystyn & Raymond
.
Read more!
Friday, November 20, 2009
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
The Animali Farm Non-profit Horse Rescue Dedicated to Finding Loving Homes for Horses at Risk of Slaughter
PMU is short for Preganant Mares Urine. It is processed into a drug called Premarin. The drug is prescribed to women to counteract the effects of menopause. Production has dropped dramatically in the last 18 months and baby horses and moms need homes very quickly or they will be sent to slaughter. TheAnimaliFarm.com is dedicated to helping these animals. These animals have spent their lives doing good for humans, now the call is for humans to step up to the plate and help.
{End}
. Read more!
- Please consider contacting Jennifer Johns and Cheryl Forbes and adopting: 805-938-0174 anamali@aol.com
- If you can't adopt, please consider donating money to help them adopt these wonderful horses
- Please tell others about this so others can donate or adopt!
{End}
. Read more!
Friday, September 18, 2009
October 4: St. Francis of Assisi Feast Day - Nambe Pueblo
Mark your calendars - October 4th is the St. Francis of Assisi Feast Day at the Nambe Pueblo. Located north of Santa Fe, Nambe will hold its annual St. Francis of Assisi Feast Day on the saint's traditional day of celebration, October 4. The day honors St. Francis' love of all creatures and is a traditional community festival including food and dancing. Nambe Pueblo, 505-455-2036.
{End}
.
Read more!
{End}
.
Read more!
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Barkfeast Great Success!
Cochiti Lake's Desert Paws held their first annual Barkfast a few days ago - and it was a great success. People and pets were happily fed, connections made, awareness raised, demonstrations, and most of all a lot of fun.
Their next event is a fundraiser called, Celebrity Pet Calendar Contest -- all Cochiti Lake pet owners are invited to submit their pets best 'kodak moment' to be judged and possibly featured in the calendar. The deadline is Oct. 15th - so hurry and submit your photo!
Please submit your picture to DesertPawsNM@Live.com
{End}
.
Read more!
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Disaster Tips: For Cats
Are you prepared to take care of your cat when a disaster strikes? If not, NOW is the time to stock up on the items that you will need so you will not be unprepared. Listed below is a handy shopping list for you to use. The next time you buy food or supplies for your cat, take this list with you. Don't put off doing what you should do now - it may just make the difference between being able to keep your cat alive when a disaster strikes.
Here are the supplies that you should have in a disaster kit for cats. Adjust the amounts, depending on the number of cats that you have.
FOOD
Have at least a (2) week supply at all times. Use the brand that your cat is used to eating. Buy pop top cans of food small enough to be used at one feeding since you may not have a way to properly refrigerate a partially used can of food - do not feed food that has been left out. Store dry food in an airtight, water proof container. Rotate food at least once every (3) months. Include in your supplies a feeding dish, a spoon to scoop and mix the food, and a hand crank can opener in case you do not have pop top cans.
WATER
Have at least a (2) week supply at all times. Store water in plastic containers and keep in a cool, dark place. Rotate water at least once every (2) months.
SANITATION
Have a small litter box and litter scoop in your supplies. Have a supply of cat litter to last at least (2) weeks. Have some plastic bags in your supplies for disposing of your cat's waste.
CLEANING SUPPLIES
Have a small container of dish soap for cleaning purposes. Have paper towels for drying dishes and for other cleanup.
COLLAR AND TAG
Have a proper fitting break away collar and tag on your cat at all times, and keep an extra collar in your supplies in case the permanent one gets lost. Have a spare temporary tag in your supplies that you can write on - if you are going to be living somewhere else temporarily, you should put that address and phone number on the tag. You may want to consider microchipping or tattooing your cat as a more permanent form of identification.
HARNESS AND LEASH
You should have a proper fitting harness and leash in your supplies so that if you have to keep your cat confined in a cage for an extended period of time, you have a secure way to take the cat out of the cage to get some exercise.
CONFINING YOUR CAT
Have a collapsible wire cage to transport your cat or to house him or her in following the disaster (if exterior walls fall down or windows are broken, you'll need to keep your cat safely confined). The cage should be large enough to accommodate food and water dishes and a litter box. If your cat plays with toys, include in your supplies some toys to keep your cat entertained.EvacSaks are convenient for transporting cats during an emergency because they are foldable and easy to store. You can order one from www.evacsak.net.
FIRST AID KIT AND FIRST AID BOOK
You should have in your supplies a basic first aid kit, along with a first aid book for cats. Here are some basic items to include in that kit:
conforming bandage (3"x5")
absorbent gauze pads (4"x4")
absorbent gauze pad (3"x 1 yard)
Q-tips (1 box)
antiseptic wipes
emollient cream
tweezers and scissors
instant cold pack
latex disposable gloves (several pairs)Order a complete pet first aid kit at the UAN Store.
MEDICATIONS
If your cat is on long term medication, always have on hand at least a (2) week supply, since your vet may not be able to open right away to fill a prescription. Check with your veterinarian to see if he/she has a disaster plan - if not find a veterinarian in your area who does have a plan so that you can get medical care for your cat should it get injured during the disaster. Keep your cat's medical records, including records of vaccinations with your disaster supplies.
PICTURES
You should have in your supplies some current pictures of your cat to use in case your cat gets lost during the disaster - be sure to include yourself in some of the pictures in case you have to show proof of guardianship.
Original source: United Animal Nations
{End}
. Read more!
Here are the supplies that you should have in a disaster kit for cats. Adjust the amounts, depending on the number of cats that you have.
FOOD
Have at least a (2) week supply at all times. Use the brand that your cat is used to eating. Buy pop top cans of food small enough to be used at one feeding since you may not have a way to properly refrigerate a partially used can of food - do not feed food that has been left out. Store dry food in an airtight, water proof container. Rotate food at least once every (3) months. Include in your supplies a feeding dish, a spoon to scoop and mix the food, and a hand crank can opener in case you do not have pop top cans.
WATER
Have at least a (2) week supply at all times. Store water in plastic containers and keep in a cool, dark place. Rotate water at least once every (2) months.
SANITATION
Have a small litter box and litter scoop in your supplies. Have a supply of cat litter to last at least (2) weeks. Have some plastic bags in your supplies for disposing of your cat's waste.
CLEANING SUPPLIES
Have a small container of dish soap for cleaning purposes. Have paper towels for drying dishes and for other cleanup.
COLLAR AND TAG
Have a proper fitting break away collar and tag on your cat at all times, and keep an extra collar in your supplies in case the permanent one gets lost. Have a spare temporary tag in your supplies that you can write on - if you are going to be living somewhere else temporarily, you should put that address and phone number on the tag. You may want to consider microchipping or tattooing your cat as a more permanent form of identification.
HARNESS AND LEASH
You should have a proper fitting harness and leash in your supplies so that if you have to keep your cat confined in a cage for an extended period of time, you have a secure way to take the cat out of the cage to get some exercise.
CONFINING YOUR CAT
Have a collapsible wire cage to transport your cat or to house him or her in following the disaster (if exterior walls fall down or windows are broken, you'll need to keep your cat safely confined). The cage should be large enough to accommodate food and water dishes and a litter box. If your cat plays with toys, include in your supplies some toys to keep your cat entertained.EvacSaks are convenient for transporting cats during an emergency because they are foldable and easy to store. You can order one from www.evacsak.net.
FIRST AID KIT AND FIRST AID BOOK
You should have in your supplies a basic first aid kit, along with a first aid book for cats. Here are some basic items to include in that kit:
conforming bandage (3"x5")
absorbent gauze pads (4"x4")
absorbent gauze pad (3"x 1 yard)
Q-tips (1 box)
antiseptic wipes
emollient cream
tweezers and scissors
instant cold pack
latex disposable gloves (several pairs)Order a complete pet first aid kit at the UAN Store.
MEDICATIONS
If your cat is on long term medication, always have on hand at least a (2) week supply, since your vet may not be able to open right away to fill a prescription. Check with your veterinarian to see if he/she has a disaster plan - if not find a veterinarian in your area who does have a plan so that you can get medical care for your cat should it get injured during the disaster. Keep your cat's medical records, including records of vaccinations with your disaster supplies.
PICTURES
You should have in your supplies some current pictures of your cat to use in case your cat gets lost during the disaster - be sure to include yourself in some of the pictures in case you have to show proof of guardianship.
Original source: United Animal Nations
{End}
. Read more!
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Test your Animal Disaster Preparedness IQ
Are you prepared to protect your pets from the possibly devastating effects of a natural disaster? Take this quiz to determine your Animal Disaster Preparedness IQ.
1) What should you do with your pets if you must evacuate your home because of a natural disaster?
Answers:
1) D: The safest place for your pets during a disaster is with you. Search in advance for out-of-area pet-friendly hotels or boarding facilities, or make a housing exchange agreement with an out-of-area friend or relative. Never leave your pet behind if disaster strikes.
2) E: All of the items listed are important and should be part of your disaster kit. Create one kit for each pet in your household, and store it in an easy-to-grab container. Get more detailed disaster tips at www.uan.org/disastertips
3) C: A tag is important, but it can fall off or become hard to read. A microchip is back-up insurance in case that happens. Be sure to keep your microchip registration up to date, and include at least one emergency number of a friend or relative who resides out of your immediate area.
4) A: These records will come in handy if you have to board your pet at a kennel or other temporary shelter, or if your pet has a medical emergency.
{End}
.
Read more!
1) What should you do with your pets if you must evacuate your home because of a natural disaster?
- A) Leave them at home with a big bowl of food and the TV tuned to Animal Planet.
- B) Bring them to my neighbor's house.
- C) Ignore the evacuation order and stay home with my pets.
- D) Take them with me when I evacuate.
- A) A one-week supply of food.
- B) A one-week supply of drinking water.
- C) Medications he or she is taking.
- D) A pet first-aid kit.
- E) All of the above.
- A) Identify each pet with an ID tag.
- B) Identify each pet with a permanent microchip.
- C) Identify each pet with an ID tag and permanent microchip.
- A) True
- B) False
Answers:
1) D: The safest place for your pets during a disaster is with you. Search in advance for out-of-area pet-friendly hotels or boarding facilities, or make a housing exchange agreement with an out-of-area friend or relative. Never leave your pet behind if disaster strikes.
2) E: All of the items listed are important and should be part of your disaster kit. Create one kit for each pet in your household, and store it in an easy-to-grab container. Get more detailed disaster tips at www.uan.org/disastertips
3) C: A tag is important, but it can fall off or become hard to read. A microchip is back-up insurance in case that happens. Be sure to keep your microchip registration up to date, and include at least one emergency number of a friend or relative who resides out of your immediate area.
4) A: These records will come in handy if you have to board your pet at a kennel or other temporary shelter, or if your pet has a medical emergency.
{End}
.
Read more!
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Desert Paws hosts Breakfast
September 13, 2009 from 8am-11am, Cochiti Lake's Desert Paws will host their first annual "Barkfast" - a meet & greet for Cochiti Lake pet owners.
Many great events are planned -
Rescue Canines demonstrate their skills - Kathy Sylvia
Wildlife and Pet Portrait artists - Annette Schreiner
Discounted micro-chipping for dogs and cats with Barbara Merickel DVM
Dog Training Classes with Carol Tharnish
Veterinary Technicians representing Smith Animal Hospital & Santa Fe Emergency Clinic
Local non-profit Pathways of Healing, Inc
A great breakfast, raffle, lot's of info and demonstrations - it will be a wonderful event and a fun launch for Desert Paws.
{End}
.
Read more!
Many great events are planned -
Rescue Canines demonstrate their skills - Kathy Sylvia
Wildlife and Pet Portrait artists - Annette Schreiner
Discounted micro-chipping for dogs and cats with Barbara Merickel DVM
Dog Training Classes with Carol Tharnish
Veterinary Technicians representing Smith Animal Hospital & Santa Fe Emergency Clinic
Local non-profit Pathways of Healing, Inc
A great breakfast, raffle, lot's of info and demonstrations - it will be a wonderful event and a fun launch for Desert Paws.
{End}
.
Read more!
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Owner Died - Sweet Dog Needs Home
I am posting on behalf of a friend. Their son passed away recently and they are having to find a home for his 6/7 year old female blue heeler cross. SHe is very sweet I met her today in our lobby at work and she was sitting very happily next to the dad. If you know of anyone who can offer this sweet dog a home please email me. ThanksCarol
You can email this blog and we will put you in touch with Carol: CLIPETS@Live.com
{End}
. Read more!
You can email this blog and we will put you in touch with Carol: CLIPETS@Live.com
{End}
. Read more!
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Help the Humane Society w/o Stretching Your Wallet
The Humane Society of the United States has teamed up with Microsoft to be a part of i'm™, a new initiative from Windows Live Messenger and now, Windows Live Hotmail!
How It Works
Each time you send a message using Windows Live Messenger or Windows Live Hotmail, Microsoft shares a portion of the program's advertising revenue with some of the world's most effective organizations dedicated to social causes, including The Humane Society of the United States. All you have to do is sign up! http://www.hsus.org/shop/microsoft_im_initiative.html
{end}
. Read more!
How It Works
Each time you send a message using Windows Live Messenger or Windows Live Hotmail, Microsoft shares a portion of the program's advertising revenue with some of the world's most effective organizations dedicated to social causes, including The Humane Society of the United States. All you have to do is sign up! http://www.hsus.org/shop/microsoft_im_initiative.html
{end}
. Read more!
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Animals Abused by China's Fur Industry Need Your Help
I'm going to post exactly what was emailed to me. It's from PETA. You may like what PETA does or disagree with them, but read this. Read it and think about it. Use this info to really think about the items you purchase and what industry and country and value system you support when you make a purchase. Just think about it.
{start quote}
With the fall fashion season just around the corner, we need to do everything we can to make sure designers, retailers, and consumers know the horrific extent of the animal suffering that takes place on fur farms in China and around the world.
Every year, millions of individual animals, including more than 2 million cats and hundreds of thousands of dogs, are killed for their fur in China. Some are strays, and countless others are companions who once shared homes with people who loved and cared for them before the animals were rounded up—often with metal tongs around their necks—and tossed, screaming, into a crate.
China is one of the world's largest fur suppliers, and more than 95 percent of the country's finished garments are exported—with many ending up in North America. And as we now know, Chinese companies have been known to deliberately mislabel cat and dog fur as "Asian jackal," "rabbit," or "raccoon" to fool consumers. Every fur-trimmed collar or other fur item from China, regardless of the kind of animal slaughtered to manufacture it, is the product of cruelty on a truly massive scale.
The suffering on Chinese fur farms involves all sorts of animals, all of whom are deeply frightened. Powerful video footage taken during a PETA Asia-Pacific undercover investigation documents the misery of rabbits condemned to a short, miserable life and painful death at the hands of grubby fur-farm operators. The investigator saw rabbits who were crammed into filthy cages covered with urine and feces, where they could only wait, petrified, as workers made their way along the tiers of cages.
The rabbits were yanked out of their cages by their ears or legs. The workers aimed at their heads with handheld electrical devices—often multiple times—as the animals kicked and screamed. The rabbits were then hung upside down and were crudely decapitated. The farm that the investigator visited has 11,000 cages and will be responsible for the slaughter of more than 600,000 animals this year alone in the quest to satisfy the demand for their skins.
Through difficult investigations similar to this one and through decades of relentless campaigning, PETA has saved many thousands of rabbits, dogs, cats, and other animals by convincing consumers and corporations to reject all fur. We've successfully persuaded some of the world's leading designers and retailers—including Ann Taylor, Calvin Klein, Polo Ralph Lauren, and Tommy Hilfiger—to adopt permanent no-fur policies, and we've made fur so synonymous with suffering that furs are no longer considered "luxury goods," and fur prices have seen record lows. While we've accomplished much, the wholesale slaughter of so many animals for their fur in China is an urgent matter. To help these animals, we must educate consumers, corporations, and even governments about the pain that goes into every piece of fur trim and every fur cat toy produced in China. That is only part of the work, but it is a vital part.
{End quote}
. Read more!
{start quote}
With the fall fashion season just around the corner, we need to do everything we can to make sure designers, retailers, and consumers know the horrific extent of the animal suffering that takes place on fur farms in China and around the world.
Every year, millions of individual animals, including more than 2 million cats and hundreds of thousands of dogs, are killed for their fur in China. Some are strays, and countless others are companions who once shared homes with people who loved and cared for them before the animals were rounded up—often with metal tongs around their necks—and tossed, screaming, into a crate.
China is one of the world's largest fur suppliers, and more than 95 percent of the country's finished garments are exported—with many ending up in North America. And as we now know, Chinese companies have been known to deliberately mislabel cat and dog fur as "Asian jackal," "rabbit," or "raccoon" to fool consumers. Every fur-trimmed collar or other fur item from China, regardless of the kind of animal slaughtered to manufacture it, is the product of cruelty on a truly massive scale.
The suffering on Chinese fur farms involves all sorts of animals, all of whom are deeply frightened. Powerful video footage taken during a PETA Asia-Pacific undercover investigation documents the misery of rabbits condemned to a short, miserable life and painful death at the hands of grubby fur-farm operators. The investigator saw rabbits who were crammed into filthy cages covered with urine and feces, where they could only wait, petrified, as workers made their way along the tiers of cages.
The rabbits were yanked out of their cages by their ears or legs. The workers aimed at their heads with handheld electrical devices—often multiple times—as the animals kicked and screamed. The rabbits were then hung upside down and were crudely decapitated. The farm that the investigator visited has 11,000 cages and will be responsible for the slaughter of more than 600,000 animals this year alone in the quest to satisfy the demand for their skins.
Through difficult investigations similar to this one and through decades of relentless campaigning, PETA has saved many thousands of rabbits, dogs, cats, and other animals by convincing consumers and corporations to reject all fur. We've successfully persuaded some of the world's leading designers and retailers—including Ann Taylor, Calvin Klein, Polo Ralph Lauren, and Tommy Hilfiger—to adopt permanent no-fur policies, and we've made fur so synonymous with suffering that furs are no longer considered "luxury goods," and fur prices have seen record lows. While we've accomplished much, the wholesale slaughter of so many animals for their fur in China is an urgent matter. To help these animals, we must educate consumers, corporations, and even governments about the pain that goes into every piece of fur trim and every fur cat toy produced in China. That is only part of the work, but it is a vital part.
{End quote}
. Read more!
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Lost Pet List
- contact all neighbors, check around area (arroyos, sheds, etc) - don't be shy.
- contact Town Hall (Cochiti Lake)
- contact animal control - if pet was taken, find out where taken. In Cochiti Lake, it's Watermelon Ranch.
- make flyers with picture, info, contact info, state 'contact anytime', offer reward
- Email CLIPETS@live.com to post info - pet & wildlife info.
- Post at http://santafescoop.ning.com/ A place for everything animal in the Santa Fe and surrounding area.
- Fax, call, email and physically GO TO shelters (Santa Fe, Espanola, Watermelon, Animal Humane in ABQ, all other shelters in ABQ.
- Watermelon Mountain Ranch (no kill shelter - many lost pets are transported here) - Email: wmranchnm@aol.com Call: (505) 771-0140 Fax: (866) 664-5967 Web: http://www.wmranch.org/
- www.petfinder.com
- ABQ Journal - free lost pet ads (do this at least one month) 505-823-4444
- SFNM newspaper - free lost pet ads (do this at least one month)
- Contact (fax/email flyer) and call rescue groups
- ALBcat.com - lost cats & dogs
- Locanto.com - lost pets
- Oodle.com - posts free to classifieds
- Craigslist.com
- LostMyDoggie.com - 65% success rate, you pay a fee and they will call all houses in surrounding area with info about your lost pet.
Animal Communicators that Work with Lost or Missing Animals (Updated August 2008, Based on the list created by Morgine Jurdan.)
Canada
Keri Davis (403) 609-5510 www.sacredkinship.com
California
Karen Berke Novato (415) 897-4011 karen@wans.com
Suzi Dalling Ventura (805) 512-1720 www.connectinharmony.com
Dexter del Monte Los Angeles (323) 953-5923 www.whispersandtails.com
Carol Gurney Agoura (818) 597-1154 www.animalcommunicator.net
Carol Robinson Corte Madera (415) 924-9094 www.lostpetlink.com
Colorado
Sue Hopple Monument (719) 481-3917 hop_house@msn.com
Carol Vaughan (303) 338-1975 vaughancar@aol.com
Connecticut
Nedda Wittels Simsbury (860) 651-5771 www.raysofhealinglight.com
Georgia
Tim Link Cummings (404) 422-6355 www.wagging-tales.com
Illinois
Karla McCoy Washington (309) 444-1514 www.AnimalTell.com
Carol Schultz Plainfield (815) 531-2850 www.carolschultz.com
New York
Gayle Nastasi Middleburgh www.gazehound.com
North Carolina
Diane Samsel Tryon (843) 884-7443 www.powerpaws.com
Ohio
Jacquelin Smith Columbus (614) 436-8831 www.jacquelinsmith.com
Pennsylvania
Whitney Taylor Mercersburgh (717) 372 -0441 www.doolittlecommunications.com
(under construction)
South Carolina
Judi Byers North Augusta (803) 278-1002 www.animalechoes.com
Texas
Myra Logan Houston (713) 805-7963 www.myralogan.com
Washington State
Annette Betcher Port Orchard (360) 871-4774 www.annettebetcher.com
Hilary Renaissance Seattle (206) 782-7815 www.calmpet.com
Wisconsin
Rebecca Moravec (815) 675-2813 www.KindredSpiritsAnimalCommunication.com
Wyoming
Heidi Grengg Jackson (307) 733-8499 www.heidigrengg.com
Please feel free to add to this list by clicking "COMMENT" below.
{End}
.
Read more!
Saturday, August 15, 2009
ALERT: Lost Dog -- New to Area, "Pup" Needs Your Help to be Reunited
Madrid area:"PUP" is missing -- lost in Madrid while visiting. He is unfamiliar with life here in NM - he needs your help. His family has not given up and there have been sightings the past two months. He may possibly be trying to go in the direction of Cerrillos, Santa Fe, or Albuquerque. He could have traveled quite a distance. Last seen since July 1st, 2008.
"We haven't given up hope of finding him yet. We have had some sightings within the past two months. He is a black, medium sized Australian Cattle Dog/ Blue Heeler mix with a white patch on his chest. He ran off while we were visiting in Madrid and is not familiar with the local area; He is probably scared, tired, and hungry. HIS NAME IS PUP. If you think you have seen him PLEASE contact me ANYTIME. My name is William Gruenwald 267-221-5934 ".
Please note: dogs are known to find there way home days, months, even years later. But PUP is from out-of-town so he needs to be found so he can be reunited with his family. A famous finding lately is Gracie dog who was also lost near Madrid but was found all the way over here in the Pueblo de Cochiti. So please, if you have any sightings of Pup please call William 267-221-5934 or contact this blog CLIPETS@live.com
{End}
.
Read more!
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Less Adoptable Pet Day - Pets with Needs
Wednesday August 12
http://petfinder.com/images/admin/lessadoptable/less-adoptable-widget.gif
There are WONDERFUL pets here. Please click the link to PetFinder and give from your heart - you may find your best friend !
{End}
. Read more!
http://petfinder.com/images/admin/lessadoptable/less-adoptable-widget.gif
There are WONDERFUL pets here. Please click the link to PetFinder and give from your heart - you may find your best friend !
{End}
. Read more!
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Tips For A Happy Dog - Carol Tharnish (Prof. Dog Trainer)
- Please DO NOT walk dogs in the heat of the day as their pads can be burned also they also they get dehydrated quickly.
- DO shorten nails frequently as growth will cause them pain by putting pressure on the nail bed and walking may help a little on rough surfaces, but remember dew claws never hit the ground.
- BRUSHING at least 3 times a week will keep the dog's fur clean and release all the dead undercoat. Then, bathing need only to be done periodically.
- Teaching the basics of SIT, DOWN, and COME makes for a good pet.
{End}
.
Read more!
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Are you an Active Person Who'd Consider Having a Furry Companion?
She is a sweet lab/border collie/pointer mix who LOVES to go on hikes and run with her human companion. Her name is Gracie. She is good in the house and does well with other dogs. She needs her energy to be put to good use by keeping you company while running, hiking, walking, and playing!!
Please let us know if you would like to meet Gracie. She is being kenneled at the moment and this sweet loving dog deserves better than that!
Gracie needs of a foster home or better yet, a forever home!
Call Wendy at 505-463-5885 or email secondchancenm@yahoo.com for more info! Please forward this to all your dog-loving friends too! Thank you for your help in finding a happy ending for Gracie!
{End}
. Read more!
Thursday, August 6, 2009
ALERT: Lost Cat - Same Family Needs Your Help for Another Cat Lost
Cochiti Lake area:
This family REALLY needs your help. This is the 2nd cat they've lost in 1 month. The cats are brother (Neelix) and sister (Casper). Both went missing in the daytime - Neelix the beginning of July (see July posting)
and now Casper on August 2. They simply disappeared !
Give Lee Anne and Bill a call - see how you can help them - pass out some flyers for them, take a walk around the neighborhood for them to look for their cats. If you live around the arroyo by them - check around, down in the arroyo, around the junipers etc. Ask your neighbors to keep a look out !
{End}
.
Read more!
This family REALLY needs your help. This is the 2nd cat they've lost in 1 month. The cats are brother (Neelix) and sister (Casper). Both went missing in the daytime - Neelix the beginning of July (see July posting)
and now Casper on August 2. They simply disappeared !Give Lee Anne and Bill a call - see how you can help them - pass out some flyers for them, take a walk around the neighborhood for them to look for their cats. If you live around the arroyo by them - check around, down in the arroyo, around the junipers etc. Ask your neighbors to keep a look out !
{End}
.
Read more!
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Gracie Update: Gracie Has Been Found at the Pueblo de Cochiti !
Lost: Santa Fe, Hwy 14 area. Found: Pueblo de Cochiti.
July 18 we posted an alert about Gracie dog being lost around the Lone Butte general store area. We've heard from Bill, Gracie's human companion and Cindy who headed the many who stepped up to volunteer in the search - she is happily home! A momentous occassion - Ben Swan from the SFNM wrote a great article about this wonderful story. Not only is it a celebration for Gracie's return, but this is a celebration in human spirit and community to see all come together to help. We should all do this more often.
.
Read more!
July 18 we posted an alert about Gracie dog being lost around the Lone Butte general store area. We've heard from Bill, Gracie's human companion and Cindy who headed the many who stepped up to volunteer in the search - she is happily home! A momentous occassion - Ben Swan from the SFNM wrote a great article about this wonderful story. Not only is it a celebration for Gracie's return, but this is a celebration in human spirit and community to see all come together to help. We should all do this more often.
Direct: http://www.graciecomehome.com/
SFNM: http://www.santafenewmexican.com/mobile/Blue-heeler-returns-home-after-major-dog-hunt
{End}
.
Read more!
Friday, July 31, 2009
Cat Lovers - You'll LOVE this short video
Cats are SMART and need to be well entertained inside when you're not at home. If you don't believe it - read this little story and watch the short video. (Yes, many of us in town now have DSL - we can watch videos easily and quickly, yeah!:-)
True Story:
Jennifer and Jim kept getting huge water bills. They knew beyond a doubt that the bills weren't representative of their actual usage and no matter how they tried to conserve, the high bills continued. Although they could see nothing wrong, they had everything checked for leaks or problems; first the water meter, then outdoor pipes, indoor pipes, underground pipes, faucets, toilets, washer, ice maker, etc, all to no avail.
One day Jim was sick and stayed home in bed, but kept hearing water running downstairs. He finally tore himself from his sick bed & went to investigate, and stumbled onto the cause of such high water bills. Apparently this was happening all day long when they were not at home. Knowing that few would believe him, he taped a segment of the 'problem' for posterity! Now watch the video!
{End}
. Read more!
True Story:
Jennifer and Jim kept getting huge water bills. They knew beyond a doubt that the bills weren't representative of their actual usage and no matter how they tried to conserve, the high bills continued. Although they could see nothing wrong, they had everything checked for leaks or problems; first the water meter, then outdoor pipes, indoor pipes, underground pipes, faucets, toilets, washer, ice maker, etc, all to no avail.
One day Jim was sick and stayed home in bed, but kept hearing water running downstairs. He finally tore himself from his sick bed & went to investigate, and stumbled onto the cause of such high water bills. Apparently this was happening all day long when they were not at home. Knowing that few would believe him, he taped a segment of the 'problem' for posterity! Now watch the video!
{End}
. Read more!
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Horizon Organics, Whole Foods .... and Puppy Mills?
A recent story that ran in NEWSWEEK entitled A (Designer) Dog’s Life, highlighted the efforts of Bill Smith, of Main Line Animal Rescue. Smith has dedicated his life to fighting puppy mills. You can read the whole story here, but the gist of it is that John Stoltzfus, farmer and owner of B&R Puppies had a puppy mill yet was also a supplier of milk to Horizon. Horizon fired him when they learned about the puppy mill, Stoltzfus then dismantled his mill, and now Horizon has taken him back.
Horizon has a large presence in Whole Foods stores—which maintains a stringent stance on animal welfare. With all the publicity from Newsweek, Whole Foods has come out with a statement: vendors should not 'supply any products to our stores that have been sourced from farmers…who breed or raise dogs inhumanely'.
Encourage Whole Foods to enforce their standards and hold vendors responsible for the humane treatment of animals.
Source: BestFriends.org
{End}
. Read more!
Horizon has a large presence in Whole Foods stores—which maintains a stringent stance on animal welfare. With all the publicity from Newsweek, Whole Foods has come out with a statement: vendors should not 'supply any products to our stores that have been sourced from farmers…who breed or raise dogs inhumanely'.
Encourage Whole Foods to enforce their standards and hold vendors responsible for the humane treatment of animals.
- Click here to read the original NEWSWEEK article, A Designer Dog’s Life.
- Click here to read the follow up NEWSWEEK article, Animal Instinct.
Source: BestFriends.org
{End}
. Read more!
Thursday, July 23, 2009
VOLUNTEERS WANTED FOR 2 APNM OUTREACH BOOTHS
“WILDFEST,” July 25, 10-4 p.m.Roosevelt Middle School, Tijeras
“DOG DAYS OF SUMMER” ADOPTATHONAug. 1, 9-1 p.m.Belen Public Library, Belen
WILDFEST is a community education day organized annually by Talking Talons Youth Leadership. At WILDFEST (www.wildfest2009.com), youth of all ages can learn about the environment, wildlife and personal health in an atmosphere of fun and discovery.
Last year over 1500 people attended WILDFEST where they had the opportunity to develop new interests and hobbies, find volunteer opportunities, see amazing wildlife up close, learn about reducing energy consumption, scale the climbing wall and much more. WILDFEST participants include animal rescuers, environmental educators, youth development groups, health service providers, musicians (including the popular folk group ‘Holy Water and Whiskey’), magicians, food vendors and more.
If you are interested in helping to staff this outreach table on July 25,10 a.m. to 4 p.m., please contact Arlene at 265-2322 ext. 21, or arlene@apnm.org.
DOG DAYS OF SUMMER ANIMAL ADOPTATHON will be held at the Belen Public Library on August 1, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Events will include:* Adoption Clinic by Valencia County Animal Control* Reading to Dogs — Tail Waggin’ Tutors* Learn about Poisonous Plants from Master Gardeners of Valencia County* Building Blueprints for Dog Houses* Learn about Dog Training and Fencing Alternatives* Movies: Feature Films and Short Subjects* Safety for Kids
If you are interested in helping to staff this outreach table, please contact Arlene at 265-2322 ext. 21, or arlene@apnm.org.
Make a difference !
{End}
.
Read more!
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
3 Cheers for New Mexico Attorney General Gary King and Other Law Enforcement Agencies
The New Mexico Gamefowl Association and a group of business owners asked the State Supreme Court to review the recent ban on cock fighting, stating it violated the constitution. State law makes participation in cockfights a crime. (We waited so long for this ban - now it's only Louisiana that's left in the nation to make a law banning it.)
But Attorney General Gary King's office announced last week that the justices decided not to consider the appeal. (Yipee! Gary King has really been a staunch protecter of animal rights and getting NM's laws into shape for a civilized 21st century state. Go send him an email to thank him.)
{End}
.
Read more!
But Attorney General Gary King's office announced last week that the justices decided not to consider the appeal. (Yipee! Gary King has really been a staunch protecter of animal rights and getting NM's laws into shape for a civilized 21st century state. Go send him an email to thank him.)
{End}
.
Read more!
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Alert: Lost Dog -- Horse Riders Needed for Search Party
Santa Fe, Hwy 14 area:
The back story: A dog named Gracie has been missing in the Lone Butte General Store (3815 State Highway 14. Santa Fe NM 87505) area for 2 weeks now. She is the beloved companion of Bill. Bill has done everything in his power to find Gracie in the past two weeks. His sense is that she is close, but on the wrong side of the highway and hunkering down somewhere since she might be injured.
The back story: A dog named Gracie has been missing in the Lone Butte General Store (3815 State Highway 14. Santa Fe NM 87505) area for 2 weeks now. She is the beloved companion of Bill. Bill has done everything in his power to find Gracie in the past two weeks. His sense is that she is close, but on the wrong side of the highway and hunkering down somewhere since she might be injured.The current situation: Bill had to leave the state today for 2 weeks pre-scheduled work. He is tormented that he has to give up the search for his girl while he is working out-of-state. Some friends are hoping to take up the search in Bill’s absence.
The PLEA: (HORSE RIDERS PLEASE SEE BELOW!) If you, your friends or relatives can donate an hour or two of time this weekend, I’d like to schedule some heavy duty search parties for the areas where Bill feels she might be. If you have any time to spare either Saturday late afternoon or Sunday, please call or email to coordinate efforts. If you have horses in the area (east of Hwy 14, directly south of the Lone Butte General Store area), or can trailer horses in, the area most searched will be a section of undeveloped land that would be perfect to cover on horse-back.
If you are available to ride the area, PLEASE email us at clipets@live.com and we will put you in touch with the woman coordinating this.
{End}
.
Read more!
Thursday, July 16, 2009
On Losing a Beloved Pet by Christine Kane
“Relationships are forever. They are eternal. Not just permanent in this lifetime. Once you establish a relationship, it is an eternal relationship.” – Abraham-Hicks
Years ago I was at a workshop, sitting in a circle of women. One of them was grieving a death in her family, expressing anger and isolation. She said, “…and you know what? If one more of my idiot girlfriends acts like she knows what I’m going through and shares some dumb-ass story about when her stupid dog or cat died, I’m going to explode.”
Of course, that anger wasn’t the truth of who she is. Anyone who has experienced grief knows that she was probably just trying to mask her intense sadness. Anger pretends it can do that.
For some reason, though, I thought of that woman at 1am this past Tuesday.
For some reason, though, I thought of that woman at 1am this past Tuesday.
Atticus, who had been my special pal for 13 years, finally passed away after a long hard final week of a five-month illness. Silently, I assured that woman – wherever she is now – that my heart was shattered enough to satisfy even her needs.
Even though Mr. Patticus weighed in at only 4 pounds at his passing, I felt the grief of a hundred tons of spirit. After all, the sadness of letting go has so little to do with these earthly issues — like weight and form, or human and pet. It’s a matter of the heart. And thank goodness, our hearts don’t know such limitations.
I’ve been so touched by the number of people who have stopped their busy lives to share their stories when they found out about my beloved kitty. I love how common we all are – even the most stoic or the most mental among us can share with stunning detail an instance when they lost a dog, or a cat, horse or bird.
When a treasured pet dies, you may find yourself going through a kind of mental gymnastics – most of which is just a feeble attempt at distracting you from what you’re desperately trying to avoid: the heavy and unbearable sadness of letting go of something so sweet, so precious, and so connected to you.
Most thoughts can be noticed, accepted, or released – yet when you are in the thick of your grief, sometimes it’s hard to remember to do any of those things. So, the following items are random. I’m posting them for someday. I’m posting them because you might need a friend-in-writing at some 1am of your own. Print this out and save it for that time.
These are pieces of my experience, and pieces of stories from other people. This is my attempt to remind you of the truth, so that you can get back to doing what you are meant to do when you lose a pet – which is to purely experience the release of this being you treasure. In that alone will you find healing.
Guilt
Guilt will sneak in at unexpected moments, telling you that you did it wrong, that you didn’t do enough, that you caused this to happen, or that it’s all your fault. Guilt is tricky. It seems like situations cause it to rise up out of nowhere. But really, guilt just hangs around, waiting in the wings – and it waits to find the perfect situation to make an entrance. In the highly charged situation of a sick pet who doesn’t have a voice, guilt is always available to fill the silent spaces. And it serves no purpose. You find your pet, you love your pet, and you do the best you can. That’s all you can do. That’s what you did.
Blame
Blame is guilt going in the opposite direction. You’ll want to blame the vet, or the driver of the car, or your boyfriend for taking you out that night when your dog ran off, which wouldn’t have happened had you been there. Blame serves one purpose: to distract you. It’s not that you aren’t allowed to have moments of blame and anger – but remember that no matter how much of it you experience, eventually the sadness will be what’s waiting for you at the end of that long line of stuff. And you’ll have nowhere else to turn but in its direction. Blame might postpone the sadness – but not forever.
Blame is guilt going in the opposite direction. You’ll want to blame the vet, or the driver of the car, or your boyfriend for taking you out that night when your dog ran off, which wouldn’t have happened had you been there. Blame serves one purpose: to distract you. It’s not that you aren’t allowed to have moments of blame and anger – but remember that no matter how much of it you experience, eventually the sadness will be what’s waiting for you at the end of that long line of stuff. And you’ll have nowhere else to turn but in its direction. Blame might postpone the sadness – but not forever.
Second-Guessing
A friend of mine told me that one of the worst things about putting her cat to sleep was the second-guessing that happened afterward. Second-guessing is just guilt on Halloween. It puts on a mask called “Rational Thoughts” that offer you all the reasons why you did the exact opposite of what you should’ve done.
Atticus died as I held him on my kitchen floor. During this last hour, I was overtaken by fear. The second-guessing began. Had I made the wrong choices? Should I have had him put to sleep? I didn’t do any of this right, did I?
I was able to catch myself and remind myself that all I needed to do was be fully present to this moment, and we would both get through it. That’s all you need to do, too. Your presence is more powerful and more healing than your untrue thoughts.
Knowing
When you’re contemplating putting your pet to sleep, and you ask people how you’ll know whether or not to do it, and when it’s time, they will all tell you one thing, “Oh. You’ll know. You’ll just know.”
The truth is that you might know. And that’s great. But you also might not. I kept waiting to hear a “knowing.” But it never came. My homeopathic vet told me that it might never come, and that you just have to do the best you can do.
Life
It’s imperative that you experience life during this time. When Atticus was dying, Spring was in a “Hey it’s been raining for six straight days!” cheerleader-like exuberance, so I made myself go out into the woods with my dog.
I witnessed Pink Ladyslipper in bloom. I smelled the wet ground. I watched some Pileated Woodpeckers going to town on a fallen tree. I met a month-old puppy and reveled in his puppy breath.
It was as if the earth was shouting at me, “It’s all life!” I didn’t believe it. But it helped me remember that it was all there for me to return to when I’m ready.
Give yourself time for life and remember that, as Eckhart Tolle reminds us, the opposite of death is birth. Not life. Life doesn’t die.
Time
No matter if your dog was only three when she got hit by a car, or if your cat lives to be 29, you’ll want more time. You’ll bargain for it. You’ll pray for just one more year. You’ll swear that you’ll be grateful 365 days straight.
No matter if your dog was only three when she got hit by a car, or if your cat lives to be 29, you’ll want more time. You’ll bargain for it. You’ll pray for just one more year. You’ll swear that you’ll be grateful 365 days straight.
Atticus had a lifetime of me bargaining for more time. Homeopathy pulled him from the jaws of death on several occasions. I was (and am) grateful for all of it. But it didn’t make it easy to let go when the time came. I still held tight. I even made a few feeble bargaining attempts. But eventually, I had to surrender and focus on gratitude for the years he lived.
Of course, surrender doesn’t make the sadness go away. It’s just that you no longer are clinging quite so tightly. The truth about time is that it is only ever now. And all those nows that you had with your beloved animal were perfect. But this now is different from those nows.
Protection
My mom had two dogs when she was little, and both of them died unexpectedly. One day her dad announced that he refused to allow any more pets in their home because he couldn’t stand to go through any more broken hearts. He managed to hold fast to his rule, and my mom never had another pet in her life. I never said this to my mom, but I find it interesting that her dad died of a massive heart attack at a young age.
My mom had two dogs when she was little, and both of them died unexpectedly. One day her dad announced that he refused to allow any more pets in their home because he couldn’t stand to go through any more broken hearts. He managed to hold fast to his rule, and my mom never had another pet in her life. I never said this to my mom, but I find it interesting that her dad died of a massive heart attack at a young age.
You might want to swear off animals forever. You might tell yourself that you can’t possibly go through this ever again. While it may take some time to allow another pet into your life, the idea that you can protect your heart from pain by sealing it off from love is ludicrous. As one of my Platinum Coaching clients wrote on her coaching form last week: “I’ve spent so many years, pretty much all of my life, working so hard to avoid feeling pain that I never let myself see beauty either.”
As long as we’re on this planet, we might as well experience it, revel in it, take it all in, live big, cry hard, laugh a lot, and love every being that will have us. What’s to protect yourself from?
It’s an honor to love something so much that your heart breaks when it moves to another plane. It’s an honor to be loved back, too. There’s joy to be found – even in your sadness.
Judgment
Some people will find you ridiculous. You will cancel engagements and get rolled eyes. Your family might whisper about you. “It’s just a cat.” “Why all the fuss over a dog?”
Don’t waste your energy being mad. Whether it’s the joy of a pet, or having your own business, or getting fired, or losing a parent – if someone hasn’t experienced it, then they just don’t understand. They will someday. In the meantime, be willing to be judged. You’ve got more important places to put your attention.
Some people will find you ridiculous. You will cancel engagements and get rolled eyes. Your family might whisper about you. “It’s just a cat.” “Why all the fuss over a dog?”
Don’t waste your energy being mad. Whether it’s the joy of a pet, or having your own business, or getting fired, or losing a parent – if someone hasn’t experienced it, then they just don’t understand. They will someday. In the meantime, be willing to be judged. You’ve got more important places to put your attention.
Surrender
Lastly, let’s talk about the moments of sheer peace, surrender, and enlightenment. You will have these, too. You will have minutes, maybe hours or even days where you feel a deep surrender to the process of life. You will marvel at your clarity, at how you are able to release with love this being that you cherish with all your heart. You’ll wonder if Pema Chodron will be phoning soon to ask you how you do it.
Lastly, let’s talk about the moments of sheer peace, surrender, and enlightenment. You will have these, too. You will have minutes, maybe hours or even days where you feel a deep surrender to the process of life. You will marvel at your clarity, at how you are able to release with love this being that you cherish with all your heart. You’ll wonder if Pema Chodron will be phoning soon to ask you how you do it.
Love these moments. They are truth. But don’t berate yourself if you burst into tears the very next hour, and beg your pet not to leave, and bargain with God to make sure you never hurt again in your life. It’s a part of the roundabout cycle of loss.
The peace will descend again too. It’s who you truly are. And it will return. And it will last longer each time. And your heart will slowly take it in and heal itself into the full joy of being once again.
Source: Christine Kane's Blog (with permission) May 22, 2009
Did you like this article? Let us know! Visit Christine Kane's Blog here:
I read her articles weekly - they're great, real and inspirational.
{End}
.
Read more!
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Foxtails Can Be Hazardous to Your Pet's Health
Foxtail seeds have microscopic barbules along their surface. If they get caught in an animal's coat, they are passively propelled forward. If not noticed and removed, foxtails can enter a pet's skin and enter it. The most common places are between the toes, the ear canal, and nose. It causes extreme discomfort. Often an infection ensues. It can cause the ear drum to rupture, get pulled into the pharynx, stomach, small intestine, trachea, situate behind the eyelid, and even into the brain. The foxtail plant is a pest that affects pets, livestock, and wildlife.
Eliminate the foxtail plants from your yard. Check your pets daily - look for moist seeping wounds between the toes, under the ear flaps, excessive sneezing (often but not always with blood), or acute eye squinting and redness. Veterinarian advice should be sought as soon as possible in any of these cases.
{End}
.
Friday, July 10, 2009
Post Delay
It's come to our attention that some of the articles are taking longer to post. We're in the process of fixing that - thank you for your patience!
{End}
.
Read more!
{End}
.
Read more!
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Lost: Alert! Missing Cat in Cochiti Lake - please look
Urgent matter for Lee Anne - please look in your garage and sheds for her long-haired gray cat NEELIX. He didn't come home July 2nd which is not characteristic for him. There's a good chance he's stuck somewhere so please look!
If you have ANY information at all you can email us here (clipets@live.com) or call her directly. No questions asked! They just want Neelix home.
Thank you for your community effort!
{End}
.
Read more!
If you have ANY information at all you can email us here (clipets@live.com) or call her directly. No questions asked! They just want Neelix home.
Thank you for your community effort!
{End}
.
Friday, July 3, 2009
Snopes confirms - Sago Palm a Serious Danger to Pets
"Sago Palm" or "Cycad"Poisoning Alert-
It has come to our attention that many home improvement stores are selling a houseplant that can cause serious poisoning in pets and children. The plant is called the “Sago Palm” or “Cycad”. It is also referred to as “The Oldest Known Plant”.
It is used in outdoor landscaping in Southern States, but can only survive as a houseplant in the North. All of this plant, including the seeds and root ball are toxic.
- Signs of illness first appear about 12 hours after ingestion and include gastrointestinal sign such as vomiting, diarrhea and lethargy.
- The toxins in the plant lead to severe liver failure with progressive weakness, jaundice, bruising and bleeding and other signs of liver failure that lead to death.
- It is estimated that 75-80% of animals ingesting this plant will die in spite of aggressive medical treatment.
If you have one of these plants in your home you will want to be sure to keep it away from pets and children, preferably by disposing of it safely in a covered trash can or “rehome” it with someone who does not have pets or young children in the household.
{End}Source: http://www.snopes.com/critters/crusader/sagopalm.asp
.
Read more!
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Every Healthy Animal has the Right to Live
More than 70 percent of cats who enter our nation's animal pounds and shelters are killed each year. That's 7 in 10 cats!
It's going on all across America. And it's got to stop. Pledge to be part of the solution! >>
Sign the petition: http://www.care2.com/go/z/e/AFnLP/zJDO/AvwdH
We cannot be silent as countless cats are killed every day. It is time for the nation's cat lovers and advocates to stand and be counted. Just a few ways you can help are to:
- Promote feline-friendly practices at your local shelter.
- Write a letter to the editor of your local paper.
- Distribute literature about stray and feral cats and animal pound and shelter policies in your community.
Time and again, representatives of the shelter system say things like: "We kill them to alleviate future suffering; to save them from fates worse than death; because we don't have any room for them and where will they go instead?" This reasoning is wrong at the most basic - and moral - level.
Sign the petition today at Care2.org: http://www.care2.com/go/z/e/AFnLP/zJDO/AvwdH
Thank you for making a difference today!
{End}.
Read more!
Friday, June 26, 2009
TNR - Unsocialized Cats Need Help Too - Sign Petition
If you're like many others, you've probably stumbled upon an outdoor cat and wondered what to do to help.
What is Trap-Neuter-Return? What is the most enticing bait to use when trapping feral cats? If there is a cat in a colony who is friendly to humans, what is the best thing to do?
Think you know the answers? Take the short quiz to find out >> at Care2.com
http://www.care2.com/go/z/e/AFMvU/zJca/AvwdH
A feral cat is any outside cat that is not socialized to humans. Born outdoors, they will never be comfortable living in human homes. They could happily live out their natural lives in both urban and rural areas. But sadly, virtually every feral cat that enters a shelter or animal control facility is killed.
Don't let this happen - sign the petition. If you need help with a feral, please call a rescue group (see below) - they will help. (DON'T call animal control)
* Sign the petition: http://www.care2.com/go/z/e/AFMvU/zJca/AvwdH
* Albuquerque's first Trap Neuter Release program:
http://www.petroglyphsnm.org/groups/NMAF_SCC_CatsOnAHotTinRoof.html
* How to train feral kittens to be loving home pets:
http://www.catchannel.com/adoption/article0003.aspx
* Albuquerque, New Mexico Cat Adoption. Adopt a Cat in Albuquerque, New Mexico ... by engaging in the trap-neuter-return (TNR) of feral cats in our community:
http://www.adoptapet.com/adoption_rescue/76989.html
Let us know your experiences and your resources - we'd like to know!
{End}
.
Read more!Tuesday, June 23, 2009
PETA's undercover investigation reveals what the horse-racing industry won't show you.
While millions of viewers watched this year's Belmont Stakes, former champions like Charismatic and War Emblem are half a world away in Japan. Thousands of other less famous U.S.-bred thoroughbreds have also been exported overseas for breeding and racing. When they are no longer useful, most of these horses will be slaughtered. Slaughterhouses such as the Kumamoto Shokuniku Center, are often the last stop in a system that routinely produces tens of thousands of "surplus" thoroughbreds each year because there is no plan for what to do with them after their racing or breeding days are over.
Ten years ago Charismatic won the 125th Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes. He nearly went on to win horse racing's Triple Crown before he tragically broke his leg near the finish line at the Belmont Stakes. Unlike Barbaro, Eight Belles, and the more than 1,000 U.S. racehorses who suffer fatal breakdowns on the track every year, Charismatic survived and was sold soon after like a commodity and exported to Japan for breeding purposes.
While millions of viewers watch this year's Belmont Stakes, Charismatic—half a world away and with his value as a stallion plummeting—could be facing the same fate as fellow Kentucky Derby winner Ferdinand, who was slaughtered for dog food at the end of an unsuccessful stud career in Japan.
In 2008, more than 100,000 American-bred horses were exported to Canada, Mexico, and Japan and slaughtered for meat—many of these were thoroughbreds. While racing fans are glued to media coverage surrounding the Belmont Stakes and other horse races, please get the facts at PETA's website about the real truth behind the horse racing industry.
{End}
.
Go to: www.PETA.org Read more!
Ten years ago Charismatic won the 125th Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes. He nearly went on to win horse racing's Triple Crown before he tragically broke his leg near the finish line at the Belmont Stakes. Unlike Barbaro, Eight Belles, and the more than 1,000 U.S. racehorses who suffer fatal breakdowns on the track every year, Charismatic survived and was sold soon after like a commodity and exported to Japan for breeding purposes.
While millions of viewers watch this year's Belmont Stakes, Charismatic—half a world away and with his value as a stallion plummeting—could be facing the same fate as fellow Kentucky Derby winner Ferdinand, who was slaughtered for dog food at the end of an unsuccessful stud career in Japan.
In 2008, more than 100,000 American-bred horses were exported to Canada, Mexico, and Japan and slaughtered for meat—many of these were thoroughbreds. While racing fans are glued to media coverage surrounding the Belmont Stakes and other horse races, please get the facts at PETA's website about the real truth behind the horse racing industry.
{End}
.
Go to: www.PETA.org Read more!
Friday, June 19, 2009
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Warm Weather Cautions - Tularemia, Plague & Salmonella
Love the wildlife, but keep a safe distance for now. As is common for the warm months, tularemia and plague are on the rise. It happens naturally during springtime and summer as the population rises and there's more interaction among the species. Then, once again, later in the year, nature sorts things out and everything's back to normal again. Francisella tularensis is transmitted by flies and ticks. The DOH says there have been reported cases in Edgewood, Lamy, west of Santa Fe, and as close as La Cienega. Symptoms include sudden fever, chills, headaches, diarrhea, muscle aches and joint pain. Humans can be diagnosed, but more commonly, cats are diagnosed ... and dogs as well. Not to worry though - antibiotics do the trick.
Salmonella has been rampant on the east coast this spring. They believe it's from the bird food that people put in the feeders during the winter which then drop to the ground, get covered with snow, thaws in the spring and creates an ideal environment for salmonella breeding.
The plague is transmitted by fleas that live on wildlife (coyotes, rabbits, squirrels, mice, etc) which can then hop to your pets and you. Being here in rural New Mexico fleas can be anywhere - walking out on the trails, hiking, and in your house. In the six years we've been here, El Dorado has had a case of plague almost every year. If you go up to Ghost Ranch in Abiquiu the hiking trail states the following: "Hike at your own risk. The rodents in this natural area have fleas carrying plague". And now Cochiti Lake has it's own case of plague. This is the 4th case of plague in the state this year. Dr Paul Ettestad, public health veterinarian at the department of health, states "Everyone needs to be aware of the situation and take precautions and avoid rodents and their fleas. We are seeing plague activity in many different locations of north-central New Mexico".
In the three previous human plague cases this year (and as is suspected in the 4th case, here in Cochiti) roaming and hunting pets have come in contact with rodents or other wildlife, brought the fleas back into the home and bedroom where they often sleep. So Dr. Ettestad advises the following:
- keep your pets indoors or away from hunting and roaming
- get a cheap flea comb and flea spray from any pet store
- and if you are letting your pets out then check them for fleas when they come in for the night and try to have them sleep someplace other than your bed.
Be aware that hiking will often put you and your pet in contact with fleas! So check yourself and your pet at the end of the hike.
There are two types of human bubonic plague - pneumonic (affects the lungs) and septicemic (gets into the blood stream). Symptoms -- ill within 2-7 days, fever, chills, painful swollen lymph nodes in the groin area, armpit and neck areas. Sometimes there is headache, vomiting and diahrrea. If it's septicemic there could also be abdominal pain. If it's pneumonic there could be a severe cough, difficulty breathing and bloody sputum. Symptoms in cats and dogs are similar to humans - fever, lethargy, not eating, and swollen lymph glands around the neck. The plague can be fatal - this year an 8 yr old boy in Santa Fe county died from the plague. The good news is all fleas do not carry the plague and with prompt diagnosis and proper antibiotic treatment the plague can be treated for both human and animal and things can pretty much go back to normal.
If you or your dog or your cat have any of the stated symptoms please seek medical attention immediately - don't think it will just go away.Other sources: NM Department of Health
{End}
Read more!
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Summer + rainy season = Ticks -- What you should know about tick disease in dogs
What a summer! We're having East Coast weather - humidity, rain, hot, muggy. Besides the swamp cooler being useless, what else do we need to think about? We've already had the plague here - now we need to think out tick diseases. The wildlife is carrying it - but we all moved here to be around wildlife. So here's the scoop - humans and pets can get tick diseases and here's what you should watch for:
There are 4 major tick diseases which affects dogs in the US: Lyme disease, Rocky mountain spotted fewer, ehrlichiosis and babesiosis.
Lyme disease: Lyme disease, named after the town of Lyme, CT, is carried by the black-legged deer tick (Ixodes scapularis) in the East and in the West by Ixodes pacificus or Ixodes neotomae. Larvae of the deer tick feed on mice, nymphs on mice and small mammals and the adult prefers to feed on deer, so those are the primary hosts at each stage of the tick's life. Lyme is endemic in the Northeast and steadily growing in the Midwest and in California. The South and Southwest has a very low (1%) infestation rate.
Symptoms in dogs are generally present with signs of arthritis in the joints closest to the tick bites. Two to five months after being bitten, the lameness that is the primary indicator of possible Lyme disease can come on suddenly and severely; other times it comes on more gradually. You may see shifting lameness where the dog favors one leg, then another. Lameness may come and go, sometimes for weeks at a time. The dog may go off his food. Neurological damage is possible, seizures and changes in temperament, from dullness to extreme of aggression, have been reported in dogs with Lyme. There is no rash as it occurs in humans. Normally, Lyme is crippling but it doesn't kill and the most common signs of the disease are almost always hidden. Lately, veterinarians reported signs of kidney and neurological problems with dogs infected with lyme disease.
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fewer: Despite its name, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever is found mainly in the Eastern US and usually makes itself known in spring and summer (March to October) but cases of human RMSF have been reported in almost every state, Canada, South America and Mexico.
Dogs most at risk are young, generally large breeds(german shepards and dobermans especially) that spend a lot of time outdoors. Dogs over 3 or 4 years old aren't as likely to get RMSF, possibly having acquired an immunity.
The onset of the disease is rapid. Four or five days after being bitten, the dog will become feverish (up to 105 degrees). Symptoms may include depression, loss of appetite, swollen lymph nodes, bruising on the skin or gums, tiny hemorrhages under the skin, muscle pain, retinal hemorrage, swollen or painful joints. A staggering gait, difficulty keeping his balance, is the dog's most common neurological sign. Seizures are possible. A decrease in the platelets responsible for clotting (thrombocytopenia), is the most consistent finding in blood tests.
If left untreated, RMSF either kills quickly (the disease runs its course in approximately two weeks) or the dog gets over it and is then immune. Symptoms may range from slight through severe to fatal.
It takes two to three weeks for antibodies to be detectable but then their numbers rise sharply for several weeks before they level off and begin a long, slow, gradual decline over many months. Obviously the timeline is very tight here, so, since research indicates that death from untreated RMSF is more common than previously thought, a dog that appears to have it should be treated immediately without waiting for test results to come back.
Dogs most at risk are young, generally large breeds(german shepards and dobermans especially) that spend a lot of time outdoors. Dogs over 3 or 4 years old aren't as likely to get RMSF, possibly having acquired an immunity.
The onset of the disease is rapid. Four or five days after being bitten, the dog will become feverish (up to 105 degrees). Symptoms may include depression, loss of appetite, swollen lymph nodes, bruising on the skin or gums, tiny hemorrhages under the skin, muscle pain, retinal hemorrage, swollen or painful joints. A staggering gait, difficulty keeping his balance, is the dog's most common neurological sign. Seizures are possible. A decrease in the platelets responsible for clotting (thrombocytopenia), is the most consistent finding in blood tests.
If left untreated, RMSF either kills quickly (the disease runs its course in approximately two weeks) or the dog gets over it and is then immune. Symptoms may range from slight through severe to fatal.
It takes two to three weeks for antibodies to be detectable but then their numbers rise sharply for several weeks before they level off and begin a long, slow, gradual decline over many months. Obviously the timeline is very tight here, so, since research indicates that death from untreated RMSF is more common than previously thought, a dog that appears to have it should be treated immediately without waiting for test results to come back.
Ehrlichiosis -- Ehrlichiosis (E. Canis) has three stages. The acute stage is brief and the symptoms are easily missed; it may appear as if the dog has a mild and passing viral infection: snotty nose, diarrhea, fever, a general lack of his usual oomph. In a stoic dog especially, a change in behavior may be the only alert he gives you to get him to the vet.
It's in this stage that the outlook for a cure is best. Very early on, however, testing is probably useless; until ten days to two weeks after infection, the immune system will not have had time to make sufficient antibodies for the tests to detect.
The acute stage over, the disease passes into the subclinical stage. This simply means a stage in which no symptoms are present. Cure, or at the very least, containment of the disease so that it cannot progress, is still a good possibility in this stage, which may last for years.
If the disease progresses to chronic, the outlook is grave, particularly in E. risticii and E. canis. Symptoms show up with a vengeance at this point. There are a lot of symptoms and they are easily mistaken for other diseases: intermittent fever or loss of appetite lethargy, total loss of appetite, gradual loss of body condition (esp. along the spine and around the eyes), viral tumors on the face/mouth/muzzle, hemorrhaging even when the blood count looks normal, clotting problems, low or high calcium levels, seizures, muscle wasting, skin infections, neurological signs, diarrhea, low platelet count, urine too alkaline, vomiting, hyper-reflective eyes, low white blood cell count, bleeding from nose or eyes, signs of arthritis, pneumonia, cough, kidney failure, increased thirst and urination, incoordination, neck or back pain, bleeding under the skin or a rash, swelling of the legs or joints, enlarged lymph nodes, irreversible bone marrow suppression.
It's in this stage that the outlook for a cure is best. Very early on, however, testing is probably useless; until ten days to two weeks after infection, the immune system will not have had time to make sufficient antibodies for the tests to detect.
The acute stage over, the disease passes into the subclinical stage. This simply means a stage in which no symptoms are present. Cure, or at the very least, containment of the disease so that it cannot progress, is still a good possibility in this stage, which may last for years.
If the disease progresses to chronic, the outlook is grave, particularly in E. risticii and E. canis. Symptoms show up with a vengeance at this point. There are a lot of symptoms and they are easily mistaken for other diseases: intermittent fever or loss of appetite lethargy, total loss of appetite, gradual loss of body condition (esp. along the spine and around the eyes), viral tumors on the face/mouth/muzzle, hemorrhaging even when the blood count looks normal, clotting problems, low or high calcium levels, seizures, muscle wasting, skin infections, neurological signs, diarrhea, low platelet count, urine too alkaline, vomiting, hyper-reflective eyes, low white blood cell count, bleeding from nose or eyes, signs of arthritis, pneumonia, cough, kidney failure, increased thirst and urination, incoordination, neck or back pain, bleeding under the skin or a rash, swelling of the legs or joints, enlarged lymph nodes, irreversible bone marrow suppression.
Babesiosis -- Babesiosis is a disease of the red blood cells and results in varying degrees of hemolytic anemia (essentially destruction of the RBCs that carry oxygen to the blood). It seems to hit greyhounds extremely hard but any dog that contracts it may become severely ill. It can come on sharply (acute) or violently (peracute) though neither of these stages is common in the US...or perhaps the disease simply isn't often recognized for what it is in either of these stages. It's generally found in the subclinical stage, where there are no apparent symptoms, or the chronic stage in which the disease is well-entrenched and symptoms are obvious .
The brown dog tick, is the usual culprit in the transmission of babesiosis; however, transmission has also occurred by direct, blood to blood transfer in fighting dogs, and by the transfusion of infected blood. Infected bitches have been known to pass the disease to pups in the womb.
In the United States, Babesiosis canis shows up mostly in the South but it does occur in other areas.. Babesiosis gibsoni is found all over the country but most often appears in pit bull terriers.
The dogs most at risk are those brought into an endemic area. These dogs are prone to severe infection. Evidently, those that are born in an area where babesiosis is prevalent get the infection while they're still protected by the colostrum in the mother's milk and, as a result, become immune carriers.
Clinical signs include fever that comes and goes, red or orange-colored urine, loss of appetite and the dog becomes too thin, his bones are more prominent, his coat is dull and there is at least some loss of muscle mass.
Because there is a foreign invader in the red blood cells, the dog's immune system will start to destroy them, adding to the destruction the babesia are causing. A drop in the platelets which aid in blood clotting can make things even worse; this is especially a problem in B. gibsoni. As if that weren't enough, the immune system may begin destroying uninfected RBCs as well. Half of all dogs with babesiosis will need transfusion. Severe inflammation is common and localized inflammation of the central nervous system can occur.
The brown dog tick, is the usual culprit in the transmission of babesiosis; however, transmission has also occurred by direct, blood to blood transfer in fighting dogs, and by the transfusion of infected blood. Infected bitches have been known to pass the disease to pups in the womb.
In the United States, Babesiosis canis shows up mostly in the South but it does occur in other areas.. Babesiosis gibsoni is found all over the country but most often appears in pit bull terriers.
The dogs most at risk are those brought into an endemic area. These dogs are prone to severe infection. Evidently, those that are born in an area where babesiosis is prevalent get the infection while they're still protected by the colostrum in the mother's milk and, as a result, become immune carriers.
Clinical signs include fever that comes and goes, red or orange-colored urine, loss of appetite and the dog becomes too thin, his bones are more prominent, his coat is dull and there is at least some loss of muscle mass.
Because there is a foreign invader in the red blood cells, the dog's immune system will start to destroy them, adding to the destruction the babesia are causing. A drop in the platelets which aid in blood clotting can make things even worse; this is especially a problem in B. gibsoni. As if that weren't enough, the immune system may begin destroying uninfected RBCs as well. Half of all dogs with babesiosis will need transfusion. Severe inflammation is common and localized inflammation of the central nervous system can occur.
Testing: In order to make a diagnosis, one of the first things a vet will do is run a Complete Blood Count. A CBC can be very helpful, showing up things like reduced platelets or an increase or decrease in white blood cells. However, it's important to remember that a normal CBC does not mean that a dog is free of a tick-borne disease. The CBC alone is not enough to rule them out. In fact, a negative titer on an IFA or ELISA test is not enough. Tests are only part of a diagnosis.
Treatments: A semisynthetic tetracycline, doxycycline is the drug of choice for Ehrlichiosis, Lyme Disease and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. It is an antibiotic. All antibiotics destroy or inhibit bacteria and don't differentiate "good" from "bad"; they wipe out beneficial bacteria in the dog's gut right along with the disease-causing organisms. It's a wise idea, then, to give the dog probiotics as long as he's taking doxycycline and for several weeks afterward to avoid the gastrointestinal problems that can develop if he's left without this help for eight weeks or more.
Tick Removal: The Right Way to Remove a Tick
Use a tool specifically made for removing ticks, a pair of sharp tweezers (not blunt ones) or a small pair of curved forceps.
Grab the tick right behind the head, i.e., as close to the skin as you can get, and PULL SLOWLY - STRAIGHT OUT. Don't twist the tick, it isn't made to unscrew. The tick's hypostome, the part that penetrates the dog, has barbs like fishhooks, so slow, easy and straight out is the way you want to go. Do not pull out ticks with your bare hands, you are putting yourself in risk to contract the disease!
Use a tool specifically made for removing ticks, a pair of sharp tweezers (not blunt ones) or a small pair of curved forceps.
Grab the tick right behind the head, i.e., as close to the skin as you can get, and PULL SLOWLY - STRAIGHT OUT. Don't twist the tick, it isn't made to unscrew. The tick's hypostome, the part that penetrates the dog, has barbs like fishhooks, so slow, easy and straight out is the way you want to go. Do not pull out ticks with your bare hands, you are putting yourself in risk to contract the disease!
Prevention: There are no natural prevention which helps 100% against ticks. In mildly infested areas, you can try natural tick collars or sprays available in your local health food store. In heavily infested areas you need chemical based tick prevention, such as tick collars, sprays or spot-on preventatives such as Frontline. please always consult with your veterinarian about the safest and most affective prevention in your area.
Keep watchful, get things checked out if you have any concerns. These things are treatable if you tend to it early.
Read more!
Saturday, June 13, 2009
NM Cares About Cougars
Download a print-ready pdf brochure
Also see: Precautions for Coexisting with Cougars
Consider making a donation in their honor:
{End}
.
Read more!
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Puppies & Local Fostering Needs
In a previous post we talked about 3 puppies that were left at the gas station. As was mentioned, one (black puppy) disappeared and we hope the best for him/her. But we are happy to announce that the remaining two puppies found a home together ! Here's to a happy home :-)
If you would like to help in our efforts to help the pets that come into our town needing a family - please talk with us or email us (clipets@live.com). We have a wish list: foster families (approximately 2 weeks at a time), "chip-in" funds for spaying/neutering and vaccines, also dog/cat food..... toys/leashes/beds. If you or someone you know can offer small medical help on a monthly basis, please le us know. We can use your help in any way.
{End}
. Read more!
If you would like to help in our efforts to help the pets that come into our town needing a family - please talk with us or email us (clipets@live.com). We have a wish list: foster families (approximately 2 weeks at a time), "chip-in" funds for spaying/neutering and vaccines, also dog/cat food..... toys/leashes/beds. If you or someone you know can offer small medical help on a monthly basis, please le us know. We can use your help in any way.
{End}
. Read more!
Report Cruelty to 1-877-5-HUMANE - Billboard & Leadership Scorecard
Have you seen the Attorney General’s new Cruelty Hotline Number? It premiered on I-40 Billboard in East Mountains on May 6. What a fantastic step forward!
This is a statewide hotline for reporting extreme cruelty to animals - and calls are coming in from several counties already. At least one animal has already been saved since the 14’ x 48’ billboard’s installation. Four callers to the new hotline number reported the same horse in poor condition, resulting in lifesaving help from the NM Livestock Board.
Animal Protection of New Mexico (APNM) staff take the cruelty calls and notify the appropriate authorities about animals in trouble, or people treating animals cruelly, across the state. Fortunately for the animals, many parties have contributed services, fees and space to make messaging against animal cruelty possible in this case- Clear Channel and Esparza to name a few.
Often they offer a reward for the arrest and conviction of a perpetrator - but most people have turned down the reward because they're happy that people are working together to change the way abusers treat animals.
It's now evident that New Mexico is serious about creating a humane state for animals.
{End}
.
Source: apnm.org
Read more!
Friday, June 5, 2009
We're Out There!
A wonderful milestone to mention - the Cochiti Lake Pet & Wildlife Community blog has now reached international status! Kattadora from England was so inspired by Sunny Thornton's article on cat declawing, that she commented via the blog about the post. I encourage you to sign her petition in banning declawing
(http://www.petitionthem.com/default.asp?sect=detail&pet=4312) here in the US and read her comments on our
(http://clipets.blogspot.com/2009/05/to-claw-or-not-to-claw-that-is-question.html#comments).
blog and hers.
We are getting lot's of exposure outside of Cochiti -- people are reading in Santa Fe, Albuquerque, Chimayo, Las Cruces, Taos, etc -- and that's just the people who have voiced an opinion :-) Things are moving along nicely - thanks to the people who get involved. So a big 'THANK YOU' to everyone who's is actively involved (and would like to get involved)!
The latest word is that Qwest DSL internet access for Cochiti Lake will be available mid-July 2009 so local online readership will have a jump and everyone who wasn't able to access will soon be able to enjoy!
In community spirit - write a small article :-) Your neighbors will get to know you better in a wonderful pet-related way!
{End}
. Read more!
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Why do Cats?????? - by Sunny Thornton
Our cats give us so much companionship, love, amusement and sometimes,
"paws" for thought. Why do they do some of the funny, wierd, or simply
cat-like things that they do? Some of the most common questions are......
"paws" for thought. Why do they do some of the funny, wierd, or simply
cat-like things that they do? Some of the most common questions are......
WHY DOES MY CAT INTERRUPT MY PHONE CALLS?
Unlike small children, cats are not interrupting out of jealousy, or the need
to be the center of your attention. Your cat actually has no idea that you
are talking to someone else, on the other end of "that thing" - he hears your
voice and assumes that you are talking to him, so he jumps into your lap,
rubs on you, meows, etc. in response!
WHY ARE CATS SO CURIOUS?
By definition, a cat is a hunter/explorer. He needs to satisfy his quest for
the unknown.
WHY DO CATS SWISH OR LASH THEIR TAILS?
One reason for swishing is to gain balance before leaping. Another, is to
"hypnotize" his prey. If the prey becomes perfectly still, the cat cannot
see it......by swishing his tail, the cat can cause even a slight movement
in his target, which he can then spot, and descend on.
If his tail waves gently from side to side, this usually means your cat is
showing contentment. If he sits quietly with his tail flickly in a regular
rythm, he is most likely concentrating on something of interest. True lashing
is a sign of anger. It signals irritation to let you know that the cat is
upset.
WHY DO CATS SUDDENLY GO OFF AT TOP SPEED?
Just as with humans, pent up energy sometimes overflows. Cats however, are
noctunal creatures with a natural need to hunt. Even in a home situation
where there is nothing to hunt, or no need to hunt, you cat will feel the
impulse anyway. At full tilt, a cat clocks an amazing 35 mph and covers 3
times the length of his own body in one leap!
WHY DO CATS RUB AGAINST YOUR BODY?
When you cat rubs his head, or side of his chin against you (or the
furniture) he is leaving his scent on you - marking you as part of his
territory. He uses the glands in his forehead and around his chin & mouth
to deposit chemicals known as pheromones. Cats can tell how long ago a scent
was left, and how much they need to heed the warning.
WHY DO CATS KNEAD?
Your cat's purr, followed by his "kneading" on some soft part of your body
is called "milk-treading". When you are relaxed, and sit quietly, you are
giving your cat the same signal that he got from his mother as a kitten -
that it was OK for him to suckle. A nursing kitten instinctively uses his
paws to draw out the milk - gently pushing his mother's stomach to increase
the milk flow. When older cats behave this way it is a good sign that they
feel content, secure with you, and probably are reliving their kittenhood.
WHY DO CATS HISS & SPIT WHEN THREATENED?
As odd as it sounds.....they are imitating a snake! The sound of a cat's hiss
is almost identical to that of a snake's hiss - and they snake is one of the
most feared creatures in the animal kingdom. Hissing is actually quite
common in most land animals. When your cat hisses, he opens his mouth about
1/2 way, draws back his upper lip and wrinkles his face. As he does this,
he expels breath so hard that you can feel the gust of air if you are close
enough. The moisture released at this time is called spitting. This,
combined with his unnatural facial expression is usually enough to scare
off any enemy.
Of course, there are many other behaviors that we all notice, so we can
revisit this topic at another time. If you have any questions regarding
your cat's behavior let me know. If I can't answer you myself, I will
check with a vet or other expert to help you.
Till next time.............Sunshine
{End}
.
Read more!
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Snake Season: Part 3 BUDDY AND THE RATTLESNAKE ENCOUNTER by Eunice Brooks
Buddy is our very large (115 lb) Chocolate Lab. Last September he rushed out our back door (with our other dogs) to greet a dog who had come to the outside of our 5 ft. chain link fence. Unknowing to us there was a very large Diamond Back Rattler (estimated about 6 ft) coiled in the corner of our yard, looking for mice. Buddy ran right into the snake who struck him 3 times – twice on the face and once on the neck.
At first we did not know the snake was there – Buddy just looked stunned and got very quiet. However, our other dogs were barking very loudly and lunging toward the tree by where the snake was concealed. I grew up in an area where rattlesnakes were very common so I recognized the sound of the snake when I went over to see what the dogs were so excited about. I called my husband and told him, “There is a very big rattlesnake out here; I can hear him but I can’t see him.” He came over to where I was standing and we finally saw the snake – he was the same color as the tree bark of our Mahogany Tree and the old mulch underneath it.
We got the dogs in the house and immediately tried calling the Ranger who lives in Cochiti Lake. He was unavailable but we left a phone message for him concerning what had happened to Buddy. We immediately checked the dogs – the ones who had been lunging at the snake first because we were afraid they had gotten bitten. We could not find any bites on them. We then saw Buddy lying down and blood on the floor in front of him and we knew then that he was the one who had been bitten. It was already about 5 PM and we were trying desperately to get in touch with our Vet. I left phone messages on his cell phone, office phone and at his home. We grabbed Buddy and put him in the car and headed for Santa Fe.
Buddy was born without hip joints and ligaments in his hips and so he has a great deal of difficulty climbing over anything. We put him all the way in the back of the SUV on his bed so he would be more comfortable. The Vet called us on my cell phone in the car and said, “Get him to my office ASAP” . There was heavy railroad construction going on Rt. 25 and but we still somehow managed to maneuver through all of – well over the speed limit – and about the time we reached Santa Fe, Buddy’s pain was greatly accelerated and missing hips joints or not – he climbed over the back seat – into the front seat into my lap and tried to claw his way out of the car. Thank God we were only 4 blocks from the vet when that happened. When we arrived at the vet he was already going into shock. The Vet put him immediately on oxygen and worked to stabilize him. Because of Buddy’s size he survived the Diamond Back’s bites but just barely.
At first we did not know the snake was there – Buddy just looked stunned and got very quiet. However, our other dogs were barking very loudly and lunging toward the tree by where the snake was concealed. I grew up in an area where rattlesnakes were very common so I recognized the sound of the snake when I went over to see what the dogs were so excited about. I called my husband and told him, “There is a very big rattlesnake out here; I can hear him but I can’t see him.” He came over to where I was standing and we finally saw the snake – he was the same color as the tree bark of our Mahogany Tree and the old mulch underneath it.
We got the dogs in the house and immediately tried calling the Ranger who lives in Cochiti Lake. He was unavailable but we left a phone message for him concerning what had happened to Buddy. We immediately checked the dogs – the ones who had been lunging at the snake first because we were afraid they had gotten bitten. We could not find any bites on them. We then saw Buddy lying down and blood on the floor in front of him and we knew then that he was the one who had been bitten. It was already about 5 PM and we were trying desperately to get in touch with our Vet. I left phone messages on his cell phone, office phone and at his home. We grabbed Buddy and put him in the car and headed for Santa Fe.
Buddy was born without hip joints and ligaments in his hips and so he has a great deal of difficulty climbing over anything. We put him all the way in the back of the SUV on his bed so he would be more comfortable. The Vet called us on my cell phone in the car and said, “Get him to my office ASAP” . There was heavy railroad construction going on Rt. 25 and but we still somehow managed to maneuver through all of – well over the speed limit – and about the time we reached Santa Fe, Buddy’s pain was greatly accelerated and missing hips joints or not – he climbed over the back seat – into the front seat into my lap and tried to claw his way out of the car. Thank God we were only 4 blocks from the vet when that happened. When we arrived at the vet he was already going into shock. The Vet put him immediately on oxygen and worked to stabilize him. Because of Buddy’s size he survived the Diamond Back’s bites but just barely.
Here are some facts that will help you if you have an animal that gets bitten.
- The Diamond Back is the most lethal of the rattlesnakes.
- Anti-Snake venom does not work on dogs and it is extremely expensive.
- The new shots that are called preventative – will slow the process of the venom long enough so that your dog can have a better chance of surviving the ordeal. The smaller the animal – the quicker the venom works.
- If the bite is on a leg it is more lethal because there is not enough muscle to shield the animal from the fast transfer of the poison.
- The vet and the emergency animal hospital both gave Benadryl to Buddy. It helps to dilate the blood vessels so that the animal doesn’t hemorrhage as severely.
- The venom from a Diamond Back Rattler causes the blood to quit coagulating and the animal begins to bleed out through the wounds and the pores. It also starts to dissolve the tissue and muscle so that the rattler can eat his prey.
Buddy bled out for over 3 weeks. The side of his face went necrotic – turned black and begin to die – because he is so large, his size saved his life. His head swelled triple its size and he was in severe pain – we had to give him morphine shots every day for over a week for the pain. It was nightmare I pray we never have to experience again.
How do you help protect your animals from this snake? Here is the advice we received from the Ranger.
- Keep all bird feeders at least 100 yards away from your home. Mice are drawn to the feeders; the snakes are drawn to the mice and the birds.
- Place a snake fence around your yard if possible. It is an enclosure you attach to your present fence if it is a chain link; or you can simply build one. It should be 2 – 3 feet high and the bottom should be covered by soil so that the snake cannot go under it. Snakes don’t climb so it doesn’t have to be a high fence. We used 2 ft high galvanized wire for ours. The holes are very small and it is very hard and sturdy and can withstand the heavy winds we have here – it is relatively inexpensive and you can get it at Lowes and Home Depot. If the snake can get its nose into the hole of a chain link, horse fence or privacy fence, it can stretch itself small enough to get through and into your yard.
- If your animal does get bitten – give it Benadryl immediately and get your animal to the vet ASAP; you only have about 45 minutes before the animal goes into shock.
- If a child gets bitten call 911 or the Cochiti Lake medics ASAP – you have a very limited amount of time.
The Ranger said that there is most probably a nest of the snakes in the arroyo on the South Ridge of Cochiti Lake. We live right on that ridge and the week Buddy got bit there were multiple sightings of these big snakes on this same ridge.
Buddy is doing well now and he is happy. The part of his facial tissue that he lost is about 6 inches by 1 inch and is where his jowls were on the upper part of his mouth. You don’t see it if you are not looking for it. He could have lost the tissue on the whole side of his face where he was stuck. He is a walking Miracle!
I hope this article will help you keep your animals safe. Just quick notes for cat owners – cats very rarely get bitten by snakes.
{End}
Read more!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
