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: , ,  

	

		


				
Pug & Pals homage on World Ocean Day

		
		
June 8, 2010  by  · 1 Comment 
		

			


Today, June 8th World Ocean Day is annual date to pay homage to the world’s ocean. In 1992 Canada proposed World Ocean Day at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The United Nations made it official just last year in 2009.  The Ocean Project along with World Ocean Network have worked together promoting World Ocean Day since 2003.


The ocean is a vital and integral part of all our lives regardless of where you live:


    

  • Ocean plants produce half of the world’s oxygen & absorb nearly one-third of human-caused carbon dioxide emissions.
    • 

  • Ocean ingredients, like algae and kelp, are used in making peanut butter  beer, soymilk and frozen foods.
    • 

  • Ingredients from the ocean are used to make shampoos and cosmetics, and medicines that help fight cancer, arthritis,  Alzheimer’s, heart disease, viruses and other diseases.
    • 

  • One in six jobs in the United States is marine-related and more than  $128 billion in GDP annually results from ocean tourism, recreation and  living resources.
    • 



Source: The Nature Conservancy


Think most of you remember Puglet the recycling pug from previous post. Well now he and his pals have gathered again to bring added recognition to the world’s ocean not only this day, but every day.  It is important for us humans to respect the ocean and it’s inhabitants by helping keep it healthy and clean. Cheers once again to Puglet and his pals!




		

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

	

		


				
Pets and Beating the Heat

		
		
May 25, 2010  by  · 3 Comments 
		

			


I went for a walk and it is very warm outside.  There were a few folks walking with their dogs. One in particular I was a bit concerned for. He didn’t have his summer cut yet and his tongue was practically hanging to the ground. Not sure how long the dog and its owners had been walking. But it was a stark reminder that one cannot be too careful when it comes to protecting your pet (cat or dog) from extreme temperatures.


The unofficial start to Summer, Memorial day is this coming weekend.  And I have already read news report of a dog dying from heat stroke after being left inside a car.


Hot Weather Tip Reminders:


    

  • The temperature inside a car can reach 40 degrees higher than the temperature outside.
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  • When temperatures reach 70 degrees it is dangerous to leave an animal unattended inside a vehicle.
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  • Hydration: having clean fresh water always available.
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  • Make sure there is access to shady areas while outside.
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So remember, take it easy with your pets during those warm and balmy days. I think Hopey has the right idea hitching a ride from this tortoise…




Resource:


ASPCA




		

		
Filed Under: Animal Safety, Cats, Dogs, Pet Health, Video  · Tagged With: , , , , , , ,  

	

		


				
Pups and a Girl collecting Pennies

		
		
May 21, 2010  by  · 1 Comment 
		

			




Not sure that I was as mature as Ciara at 12 years old. She is certainly a role model for other kids her age and for us adults too. As with anyone who has a pet, Ciara had the good fortune to grow up with a Golden Retriever, named Dakota. When Dakota passed there was an incredible void in her life. Instead of withdrawing after losing Dakota she volunteered at a local golden retriever rescue, Rescue a Golden, of Arizona.


But Ciara’s passion for animals did not stop there. She started a non-profit charity called Pennies For Pups.




“Pennies For Pups was founded to help raise awareness, money, medication and food for sick, injured and abandoned dogs in local animal shelters and foster care.”




Through Pennies for Pups she has established:


    

  1. Annual weekly fundraiser at her school, Desert Arroyo Middle School.
    2. 

  2. Annual Book Sale and Dog show
    3. 

  3. Annual Four-Legged Food Drive
    4. 



Yikes…..all at the ripe young age of 12! She most certainly is “a voice for the “bark” less”.  Think she has a lot of MOXIE too…..”energy, nerve, courage & spirit!”







		

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

	

		


				
“Octomom” touts pet spay & neutering

		
		
May 19, 2010  by  · 5 Comments 
		

			




PeTA has enlisted the help of “Octomom”, Nadya Suleman to help promote spay & neutering of pets to pet owners. For $5,000 and a month’s supply of veggie dogs and veggie burgers she will place the above noted ad on her front lawn in La Habra, California, at 11 a.m today.


Already the ad has garnered attention from major media outlets for free; CNN, NBC, AOL News,  E! Online, USA Today, and the New York Post. With “kitten season” now underway it seems that this current focus on “Octomom” is well deserved.


Animal Birth Control


    

  1. Up to 8 million dogs and cats inhabit shelters annually. At least half of these animals are euthanized.
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  2. 25% of animals at shelters are purebreds.
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  3. Female dogs and cats in heat have to fend off male animals without much success.
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  4. Spaying and neutering is a life saver for overall health and well being of your dog or cat.
    5. 

  5. Spaying and neutering puppies and kittens is cost effective.
    6. 

  6. With so many animals in need of good homes adoption is a life saver.
    7. 



Following is video of above noted PeTA ad being unveiled.  Must say listening to paparazzi is very annoying.







Source: PETA






		

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

	

	
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