Feb 19, 2017
A Day In The Life of A
Dog Trainer
On Sundays I travel out
into the country to work with 3 dogs...and some times with the daughter, doing
agility. I was 2/3 of the way through my work today, when a neighbor of theirs
showed up with a beautiful female GSD, probably 7 years old or so. She had
showed up in their yard 3 days ago...he thought maybe she belonged to them.
They took her (with my
help getting her collared and leashed before she came out). So sweet and a bit
scared. We put her in one of their runs to see if we could introduce her to
their dogs...bad idea. So I asked if I could take her home with me and get her
checked for a chip. She went into Gunny's crate without a problem and rode back
quietly with me. She was already leaning on me in the yard...hoping for my
protection.
I took her to Pet Care to
get her scanned...and they took her from me and would not give her back. They
said it is their protocol in working with the SC shelter. I said I didn't want
her killed! They have to keep her for 14 days before she can be made available
for adoption. I will be on the phone with them tomorrow.
In tears I said, " but
I didn't get her picture...I didn't get to tell her goodbye. So they let me get
my cell phone and grab a snap-shot and hug her and kiss her good-bye. I left in
tears, because I feel like I let her down. i hope her people are looking for
her! If not, I will be back in her life in a couple of weeks...at least to get
her into rescue.
Feb 21, 2017
Update on found GSD
I just spoke to the Animal Control services.
Pet Care never called them and they don't have the dog! I am on my way to Pet
Care right now. Also, Pet Care does not have the right to take the dog from me.
I am allowed to hold the dog as long as I let them know I have her etc. Pissed
does not come close to expressing how I feel!
Feb 21, 2017
Rescued GSD-Latest Update
So, I went down to Pet
Care...they do still have her. They told me the dog was not well (seemed fine
when I dropped her off...or they grabbed her). They claim they ran lab tests
and ultra-sounded her...she has a bladder infection and is on antibiotics. I
asked to see her and they brought her in for me. She was wiggly and cuddly, and
flopped on her back for a belly rub, then tried to jump in my lap.
They insist they were
following the protocol from Animal Care and Control. They notified SCACC on
Sunday after hours, and was told their was no vet on duty for the shelter this
week (God help any dogs who are in the shelter and get sick this week...), so
they were leaving her at Pet Care so they could treat her. I would therefore
not be allowed to take her home with me. Interestingly enough, Pet care only
gets paid for the dogs they take in that have to be treated...
She is being picked up
and taken to the shelter today. The hold period I was told was 14 days (in
writing on Pet Care's sheet) is wrong. If the dog has a chip or a collar with
tags, they will be held for 10 days. No chip or collar it is only 4 DAYS!!!!
She could be available for adoption on Saturday. Even though I brought her in,
they will not give me any preference for adopting...only ONE HOUR! And she
still has to pass a temperament test to decide IF she is adoptable!
Feb 23, 2017
Update on Rescued GSD
Yesterday I went out to
the county shelter to get an update. I much prefer to do this in person...it is
easy to brush someone off on the phone. I was able to confirm that Pet Care did
not have the right to take her from me...but that is now water under the
bridge...
I was not allowed to
visit her, but found out she will be held as a stray until Feb 28. I went out
into the run area to see the other dogs, and found out a friend/vet tech works
there. He said she is still peeing gross blood, so the bladder infection is
still there. But other than that she is doing fine.
This morning I talked to
the one vet clinic in the area she was found, and have emailed them photos and
a description. They gave me the name and phone number for the rescue .in the
area- Wine Country Animal Lovers. I called and talked to them, and sent them
info and photos. She will go up on their website. They also work closely with
Bay Area German Shepherd Rescue, and she has a friend that works at the animal
shelter, that she will reach out to, to make she sure is pulled before something
happens.
There are a lot of people
doing good work out there...and it is fun to connect with different rescue
groups. My hat is off to those who do this on a regular basis...it is very time
consuming, but rewarding!
March 1, 2017
Rescue Shepherd Update
Yesterday was the last
day of her "stray hold" was yesterday. i was told that it can take 2
weeks for them to do the temperament test...while the dog sits there in jail.
Today I got call-back from the man with Bay Area German Shepherd Rescue. They are
going there tomorrow and will look at her....and the other GSDs at the shelter.
In the meantime, I
received a call from one of the folks at the shelter. They did her temperament
test and feel she is dog aggressive. Anything is possible after 2 weeks in the
shelter...so I called rescue again and pleaded my case for her. I offered to go
and work with her for free, as well as well as publicize her...and ACTIVELY
work to find her a home. Tonight I am crossing my fingers, toes, etc.
I am sure some people
reading this can't figure out why I am so hung up on this dog. I can't stop all
the dog neglect or cruelty. I can't save all the homeless dogs. But...maybe I
can make difference for this one dog...and that will have to be enough...
March 2, 2017
Rescue Shepherd-A Bit
Discouraged...
Today I was hoping to
receive call that they had the shepherd, and I could get to work with training
and evaluation. When I hadn't heard anything by 3:00, I picked up the phone and
called my rescue contact. He said they had been there but were not allowed to
see her as she is now quaranteened for kennel cough??? I am sorry but...WTH???
She didn't have it when I brought her in...so she got it there??? I am
beginning to feel that this dog is being used as a pawn in some shelter political
chess game! The thought is making me sick!!!
He said they should know
something by Saturday...what will they come up with next???
I do know that if I ever
get into a situation like this again, with a rescue that I want to do something
with, I will NEVER take it to Pet Care to be scanned, nor register it with the
shelter...I will just start with rescue. All I am asking is for this dog to
have a chance...outside of a shelter environment...why is this so hard???
March 4, 2017
Rescue Shepherd - The
Saga Continues...
After talking to the
rescue contact on Thursday, who told me they didn't get to see the shepherd
when they were there because she was in quarantine for kennel cough...I called
the shelter. Yes, indeed she has kennel cough (or so they say). What is
next...parvo...then they put her to sleep? I no longer know who to believe,
including the man from rescue...
Today I made a
decision...on Tuesday I will call the shelter and tell them that I will take
her if rescue doesn't. I don't know what else to do. I just hope she is still
alive...there are no checks and balances here. These people operate
autonomously as secret society. She needs a chance...and if it can't work, i
will make that decision to put her to sleep...and hold her while they do it...
I still can't wrap my
head around this. Three weeks ago this dog was in her own home, well cared for
and loved. Who knows how she got out...someone left a door or gate open??? And
for the last three weeks she has been in isolation or quarantine...so that she
could be helped??? This is so wrong!!! I am so sad for the helpless dog, and so
frustrated at my inability to help her! Tomorrow I am driving to Calistoga, the
closest city to where she was found, in case anyone has posted a flyer..
March 7, 2017
Rescue Shepherd-Last
Sunday Activities
As promised, I drove into
Calistoga after teaching my lesson...and realized I had no idea how to approach
this. I stopped at a great local market "CAL Market" to get a
sandwich, and ended up talking to the girls behind the counter at the Deli.
Most of them were dog lovers, and one was a GSD person who had lost her dog
about a year ago, and still teared up telling me about it. After telling them
the story and showing her pictures, they started thinking of people they could
check with. i got a call from my "main contact" saying they found a
woman who had lost her dog. I am emailing her pictures.
I also stopped at the
Calistoga Police Dept, and spoke to a very nice lady officer, and showed her
the pictures. I just emailed to her, and she will post on their website, as
well as send to Petaluma Shelter, who is contracted to do the strays for
Calistoga.
If I do end up taking
this dog...if rescue won't, I think I will check with the Calistoga PD to see
if I can come up with the dog and a chair, sit on a street or place they
designate and either find her owner...or find her a new home. Still hoping for
rescue help, but trying to come up with plan B.
The wonderful folks at
the county shelter still have not been bothered to take a decent photo to post.
They sure are interested in finding her owners...right?
http://petharbor.com/pet.asp?uaid=SONO.A348587
This mug shot makes her
look like one of the "10 most wanted"!
March 16, 2017
Rescue Shepherd - Good
News!
I just spoke to my
contact at GSD Rescue. My girl was finally out of quarantine so he went out to
see her today. He retested her today and she was fine with other dogs...not
particularly interested in them. The shelter is now going to reconsider whether
they will offer her for adoption. If they won't, rescue will take her!
I am going to call the
shelter tomorrow to see if I can come out and take some pictures of her.
Several of you have offered to help me publicize this girl, so I will be
looking for that help. Either way she will need a new home. The rescue person
told the shelter I would come out and work with her...which I will be happy to
do!
The rescue person also
agreed with me that me representing her made sure that she would not be swept
under the carpet!
Please keep your positive thoughts coming!
March 21, 2017
Update on Rescue
Shepherd-Now Named "CANDY"
I received a call back
from my contact at the shelter. They re-evaluated her and decided she is very
sweet and not aggressive at all...so they are going to offer her for adoption!
And they have given her a "shelter name" of Candy.
Having already been
treated for a bladder infection and kennel cough, they started their
"veterinary protocol" and now found out she has heart worm...so she
is going to be treated for that. I am assuming that after that she will be
spayed. Of course she cannot have any "outside" visitors while under
treatment. So I have to be patient and wait!
At least now she will
have chance to find her forever family. My rescue contact said that since they
have invested the time and money in her, they will definitely put her up for
adoption. I will be going out to see her once she hits the adoption floor, and
provide pictures and a post to help her find her home. Thanks to all of you who
have encouraged me to not give up!
Candy says thanks, too!
March 21, 2017
(Note from Bev Dodds)
Candy might get a halfway
home at Lily's Legacy in Petaluma. I volunteer there and it is an astounding
venue for senior large dogs, where they can be adopted or just receive hospice
care. They may have an opening soon. Go on line to their site and try it. They
can care for her during her heartworm time. They take dogs from any humane
society, but can have only 12.
March 24, 2017
Send Your Good Thoughts
For Candy! (Rescue Shepherd)
Yesterday I called my
contact at the shelter to find out the schedule for Candy's heart worm
treatment. He called me back today to say they had already started; she has had
a shot and is on oral meds. She is due for another shot in 3 weeks. Right now
they are trying to find a foster or rescue group to take her for awhile, as she
has already been in the shelter for about 6 weeks and they are trying to get
her out.
So I contacted Bev Dodds, who is going to try
to get her into Lily's Legacy in Petaluma, as her halfway house. Crossing my
fingers that she is successful! Please send your good thoughts!
March 29, 2017
(Note from Bev Dodds)
Lily's is in touch with
Travis and will look at her Friday. Sounds as if it might work.
March 29, 2017
Please Cross Your
Fingers...
With help from my friend Bev Dodds, the folks
from Lily's Legacy (large dog/senior dog rescue in Petaluma) are going to see
Candy on Friday to see if they can take her...at least to foster while she has
heartworm treatment. Praying this works and she gets out of jail!
April 6, 2017
The Rescued Shepherd
"Candy"
I have been waiting for
confirmation on this so I could share. Candy, now named "Lady" is
going to Lily's Legacy Senior Dog Sanctuary in Petaluma. They will be picking her up at the County
shelter tomorrow. (www.lilyslegacy.org).
I am indebted to my
long-time friend Bev Dodds for her help on this. I had never heard of this
place. Bev volunteers there and suggested them as an interim home for Candy,
now Lady.
They visited her at the
shelter last week and decided to take her.
Tonight my heart is
light. i no longer have to wake up at 4:30 in the morning, trying to figure out
what else I can do to help this dog.
I would also like to
thank Travis MacDonald at the shelter, for his help in keeping track of this
dog...and answering all of my phone calls.
And thanks to my friends
who encouraged me to keep going...this one dog has been saved. I can't wait to
visit her!
Lissa Wall
