Dog Rescuer: “I can’t help myself!”

March 12, 2012 by · Leave a Comment

Those were the first words Sheila Duncan said to me when I asked her why she became a dog rescuer.

How did you become a dog rescuer?

I help the SPCA of TN rescue dogs and bring them here to the Northeast.  In TN they don’t spay/neuter their dogs and unfortunately there are abandoned dogs and puppies everywhere you look.  Often people will move and simply leave their dogs chained in the backyard … it is mind numbing how many dogs wind up in high kill shelters every day.
I became involved with Celina Weissenborn, the President of the SPCA of TN through my Trouble journey and together we do the best we can to save as many dogs as possible; she is naturally doing it every possible minute she can.  She is right in the middle of this awful situation.

 

What has been your most rewarding rescue?
To date, I’ve rescued over 50 dogs … and each story is so rewarding it encourages me to continue this work.  Maybe one of the most heartwarming was the first puppy I became involved with … we named him Blue!  He was 7 weeks old and rescued from the middle of a busy highway with literally no hope of survival.  Thanks to Celina’s efforts and my networking he is — according to his grateful owner — the best thing that ever happened to him … and he weighs a healthy, happy 102 pounds!
The most recent rescue is also heartwarming.  We saved a little abandoned Aussie mix pup and named her Pearl.  A business contact of mine had recently lost her elderly Golden; and was just devastated.  I told her when her new “best friend” came along she’d know it.  Within a few weeks, she fell in love with Pearl … who has not only discovered Trouble … but insists on having him by her side most of the time…as you can see.

What is Trouble's mission?

Trouble The Dog's mission is to help children and dogs in need.  He is designed to not only be of comfort during tough times; but also to help "pick yourself up and dust yourself off" ... he represents hope and resilience.  Dogs and kids can feel that Trouble has an energy of his own going on ... and are drawn to him like a magnet ... it's amazing ...even to me!  He is Divinely Inspired ... that's for sure!

We are really proud of what Trouble has been able to accomplish so far.

Where is Trouble's next appearance?

This spring we are organizing community events, starting in Portsmouth, NH, where our Trouble film will be shown. We first showed the film at the New Hampshire Film Festival.   Our goal is to raise awareness ... kids today are more stressed than any generation before them so we want to get people talking.

How does your dog, Skye handle this influx of rescue dogs?

Skye always helps our rescue pups feel safe.  I don't foster as much as I did previously, but Skye has always been a "gracious host" whenever I do!  He usually winds up sleeping next to the rescue pups and all is well.

Skye, "dog foster host"

Sheila and Trouble
This is the first in a series of "For Paws Profiles".


		

		
Filed Under: Animal Rescue, Animal Shelter, Dogs, Pet Adoption, Pet News  · Tagged With: , ,  

	

		


				
Frantic Holidays….WOOF!

		
		
December 2, 2010  by  · 2 Comments 
		

			


I don’t usually do humor with my posts (perhaps I should) but the Holidays can be crazy for most if not all of us. And I just dragged myself to the gym after a long absence. While trying to burn off calories from that Thanksgiving dinner I saw the following commercial. No endorsement but think we all need a “HA, HA” (comic relief) during this time of year. Hope you enjoy, I know I did! CHEERS!




		

		
Filed Under: Animals, Dogs, Featured, Video  · Tagged With: , , , , ,  

	

		


				
Betty White: Santa’s “Naughty Girl” Winner

		
		
November 29, 2010  by  · Leave a Comment 
		

			




Not sure if anyone is tired of Betty White receiving accolades and awards. I know I’m not! It was just announced that Miss White, the tireless animal rights advocate among other things has just been named winner of Santa’s List of Naughty Girls for 2010. In honor of her being THE “Naughty Girl” for 2010, Santa’s Naughty Girls will donate 10% of monies from sale of merchandise from their website to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Congrats, Betty White and ho, ho, ho…..!


		

		
Filed Under: Animals, ASPCA, Pet News  · Tagged With: , , ,  

	

		


				
Online Pet Med Purchase Warnings

		
		
November 3, 2010  by  · 8 Comments 
		

			


The FDA recently released the following video as a reminder for what people need to be aware of when ordering medications for their pets online. There are many reputable online pet pharmacies, but the internet can be a vast wasteland and as a result there are sites which present false claims as well. So please be vigilant and educate yourself for the health and welfare of your pet(s).


Suspicious Sites


    

  • discounts without a prescription
    • 

  • no prescription required
    • 

  • selling expired drugs
    • 



Two pet medications that have a very high risk without veterinary approval:


    

  1. NSAID (Non Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug)
    2. 

  2. Heartworm Prevention
    3. 



If and when you do order a prescription online do make sure that the site is a Vet-VIPPS program (Veterinary-Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Sites). Look for the Vet-VIPPS logo before ordering.




		

		
Filed Under: Featured, Pet Health, Pet News  · Tagged With: , , , , , ,  

	

		


				
Pet Adoptions Assisted by Technology

		
		
October 26, 2010  by  · 2 Comments 
		

			


I met with a friend this past Friday night for dinner. During our conversation she mentioned that our local shelter, Marblehead Animal Shelter is over run with kitties. Her daughter volunteers there cleaning the cages and petting the kitties. This seems to be an issue with most if not all animal shelters across the country.  Having said that there might be a technological solution that assists kittens, cats, dogs, and puppies in finding forever homes.




Photo: Idaho Humane Society


iPet Companion, a new technology created by Apriori Control in Boise, ID enables people to interact via the internet with kittens at Humane Shelters via robotic control. The first site was launched live at the Idaho Humane Society and most recently at the Oregon Humane Society.  People from as far away as Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, England, New Zealand and Switzerland have interacted with kittens at these shelters.


The primary goal of iPet Companion is to entice people living near a local shelter to visit and adopt a kitten after having played with the kittens online. The Idaho and Oregon Humane Societies have realized increased traffic to their websites, as well as increased sponsorships, donations and adoptions. Real time interaction from users in the immediate community and worldwide have developed an emotional connection; including those who are allergic to animals. Apriori has received requests from Humane Societies in PA, WA, AZ, IL, OR, Canada and the City of Long Beach to name a few.


To play with kitties, click your way over to the Idaho Humane Society iPet Companion page or the Oregon Humane Society iPet Companion page and click the “Let’s Play” paw button. The page will prompt you for a download, and then you will be placed in a queue. Each person gets two minutes of kitty playtime. You can control various toys by clicking the “control” buttons or by hitting the corresponding number keys. You can also move the camera around.


My friend’s daughter wanted her to adopt another kitten, but they already have three. And my friend would not fancy being known as the “cat lady” of Marblehead. I am hoping the shelter might be able to install the iPet Companion. Perhaps your local shelter could benefit from it as well.


Contact: Scott Harris sharris@aprioricontrol.com


 




		

		
Filed Under: Animal Rescue, Animal Shelter, Cats, Dogs, Kittens  · Tagged With: , , , , , ,  

	

		


				
Payback by Sylvester the Cat

		
		
August 27, 2010  by  · 2 Comments 
		

			


By now most if not all animal lovers know about the infamous Mary Bale, dubbed the “Cat Woman”.  She tossed a sweet tabby cat named Lola into a trash bin. Apparently she has now lost her job at a bank where she has worked for many years. The video below has gone viral on the internet over the incident. Leave it up to the Brits to inject some humor. There even is a fake Twitter account, @CatBinLady which has been created. And yes there is a Facebook page as well, Cat Lady should do time in a bin.


The most important message in all of this is that animal cruelty of any form is wrong and inappropriate behavior. So please be vigilant in observing such acts and immediately report it to your local rescue or shelter. PLEASE NOTE that the @CatBinLady Twitter account’s web address is the RSPCA. They along with the SPCA do incredible work to support and protect animals…..MANY THANKS!








		

		
Filed Under: Animal Rescue, Animal Safety, Cats, Dogs, Pet News, Petfinder, Rescue Groups  · Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,  

	

		


				
Snoopy Promotes Pet Microchipping

		
		
August 25, 2010  by  · Leave a Comment 
		

			








Snoopy as 


Image via Wikipedia








There is a new iPhone app in town and Snoopy the well known character from Peanuts is the leader of the pack. Snoopy has teamed up with HomeAgain® Pet Recovery Service to help bring pet parents back together with their missing pets. The new free app on the Apple® iPhone and other devices like the iPad is a nationwide “HomeAgain PetRescuer” network.


According to Gary MacPhee, director and general manager of HomeAgain “if anyone sees a dog or cat on the loose in the streets and is concerned the HomeAgain PetRescuers app will make it easy for pet lovers to play an active role in helping lost pets get home quickly.”


The HomeAgain PetRescuers app is available at Apple’s App Store for use on the iPod touch, the iPad and the iPhone.


    

  • 1 in 3 pets go missing in their lifetime and 90% never find their original homes.
    • 



Identifying Lost Pets With Microchips


		

		
Filed Under: Animal Safety, Animals, Cats, Dogs, pets  · Tagged With: , , , , , , ,  

	

		


				
Purging & Packing

		
		
August 23, 2010  by  · 2 Comments 
		

			




My life is in such disarray now as I am preparing to move. “Purging and packing” is my motto. And it is a great feeling to great rid of “stuff” that has been collecting in places I had forgotten. I feel like Simon in this video with his cat. Fortunately my “Princess”, Miss Mia is staying at a friend’s house so she won’t wreak havoc on any boxes I need for packing.


		

		
Filed Under: Cats, Video  · Tagged With: , , ,  

	

		


				
The Princess & The Vet

		
		
August 18, 2010  by  · 3 Comments 
		

			





No this is not a budding romance. It is quite the opposite for my Princess, Miss Mia and her trips to the vet. Every year during her annual visit I have to trudge out her crate a few days in advance. She will circle around it through the course of that time, peaking in for a moment then scurrying away. She is very much aware when it is time for that visit….sigh. Out comes the towel for my protection while some very exorcist like sounds start emitting from that adorable mouth.


When we do arrive at the vet the examining room is in lock down mode, while the vet and her assistant prepare to remove Mia from her crate.  I sometimes think she would much prefer a bath rather than a vet visit.


Being that this is “Take your cat to the vet week” there are some important tips that Romeo the Cat shared with me to help spread the word.


Tips for Cat Carrier Battle:


    

  • Bring out cat carrier several days before the before the appointment.
    • 

  • Place treats or catnip in the carrier to make it more enticing.
    • 

  • Don’t force or push your cat into the carrier if you can help it.
    • 

  • Stand carrier on its end and gently ease the cat in, hind legs first.
    • 

  • For very stressed cats, a house call practitioner may be the best option.
    • 



Benefits of regular cat visits:


    

  • preventative
    • 

  • cats age faster
    • 

  • cats 10 years and older should visit vet every 6 months
    • 

  • regular dental care is critical to overall well being of your cat
    • 

  • cost effective
    • 



So please remember to take your cat to the vet for the overall health and well being of your cat. And for your peace of mind as well.


Win a 6 Month Supply of Feline Pine


		

		
Filed Under: Animals, Cats, Pet Health, Pet News  · Tagged With: , , , , ,  

	

		


				
Pitbull & Kitten at Play

		
		
August 11, 2010  by  · 9 Comments 
		

			




How endearing is this seeing an adorable kitten pouncing on a pitbull? Cheers to the owner who is a pitbull advocate and animal rescuer! Only proves that yes, pitbulls are just as loving, gentle, sweet and caring as other dogs. It’s the owners who need discipline and training.


		

		
Filed Under: Animals, Dogs, kitten, Video  · Tagged With: , , , ,  

	

	
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