Guardian Furry Tales

This is my Christmas.......

2011-12-08T03:01:00.000-08:00

Christmas dates back as early as 98AD when Rome declared the birth of Christ be celebrated as a time of feast. While no one knew the exact date in which Christ was born, there were several pagan festivals that occurred around December 25th and this date was chosen.

In Colonial America there were very few Christmas celebrations. In fact, as recent as 100 years ago Christmas was declared illegal in parts of the United States, including New England, as devout Christians still considered the celebration of the Christmas holiday as a pagan ritual and in reproach to Christ. In fact, it wasn't until after the American Civil War that Christmas truly became popular nationally. The country used to be as divided about Christmas as it was about slavery. Christmas being very popular in the south and not as popular in the north. I guess that's why I've had a romantic love for the south.....

The first American States to declare Christmas a legal holiday were Alabama in 1836 and Louisiana and Arkansas in 1838...relatively recent historically. It wasn't declared a federal holiday until 1870.

Christmas became "commercialized" with the emergence of Women's Magazines...believe it or not. In fact, it was America that "reinvented" Christmas because prior to this the holiday was a raucous drunken holiday, whereas women' magazines turned it into a celebration of family, love, peace and "making childhood memories". So we have Women's Day and such to thank for that, ironically.

I have been very fortunate. I had a wonderful childhood with loving parents, good friends, a big family---who gathered on holidays. I remember my Mom Mom Pearl's huge tree in her living room that glowed with tinsel and lights. Each package was carefully wrapped and exquisitely decorated---and the presents were always piled high. Goodies abounded on the counters---fudge, cookies, cakes, and punch.

Even in the hardest financial times I always tried to make Christmas very special for my children in honor of the memories I had from my own childhood. It is very difficult for me, in this time of financial woe to not be able to load the car down with gifts for everyone I love. I am having to go back to basics...and find joy in the little things in life.

Everyone in all walks of life is feeling the strain right now. Nationally and even globally we are facing uncertain times like we haven't seen in recent history. A lot of this is our own doing---as greed and taking our eye off Christ has brought us here.

So while I won't have a pile of presents under the tree this year---I am thankful that I have my mother who is also my best friend. I traumatize her daily because she worries about me---and I am grateful for her worry because without her---I would be lost. I am thankful for my three daughters who have grown in to beautiful young women who make me proud every day of my life. I am thankful for my grandsons who keep me in touch with my "child within"--and help me reconnect with my own wonderful childhood memories. I am thankful for lifelong friendship from several people in my life who have stood by me for fifty years--even when I was not worthy of that friendship---as I am human--and in my humanity--I am flawed.

I am thankful for my very special new-found love, Danny who makes me smile--laugh--and fills each day with a joy for the future.

And most of all I am thankful for Christ---who came and walked among us so that we could see, by example, how we should treat one another. I am thankful for a loving, forgiving, and compassionate God who has loved me unconditionally---who has taken me back into his loving embrace even after I ignored him for years.

So on this Christmas Day....presents will still be abundant...they just might not be in shiny packages with bows and tinsel....they will be in the loving hearts that gather around me...they will be in the glistening eyes of my grandchildren as they laugh and play raucously about the room...they will be in seeing my mother smile when I know her heart is broken in missing my father.....they will be in the soft touch of the love of my life.....

And I bow in such esteemed gratitude to my Lord and Savior for these gifts........

Merry Christmas to all of you.....

Debby

I Want To Be Thankful For Love, Acceptance & Tolerance

2011-11-24T02:52:00.001-08:00

I have always been fascinated with the real story behind Thanksgiving. In school they lead you to believe that the Pilgrims and the Indians sat down to share a meal together and were great friends forever and ever Amen----

It simply didn't happen that way. If so...where are all the Indians? I mean, I occasionally see them but for the most part the majority are on reservations or they keep to themselves.

I go to church and love my church family. However, I also have some very dear friends that practice non-standard religions or---esoteric religions. I always look more at the soul than what denomination someone belongs to....and while I have a LOT of flaws personally---I hope to never change this about myself. I still believe I will go to heaven and be with my Jesus when the time comes. I had a couple of people in my life growing up that showed me this "tolerance"--leading by example----My earthly father (Bob Lyons) and my Aunt Patsy (Kenton). They were cousins and they both had a great sense of humor and loved everyone. Both went to heaven this year.

The irony is that as human beings, children of God, we tend to let history repeat itself--especially when it comes to making the same mistakes--over and over again. The Puritans arrived around 1620, fleeing persecution in England because they had religious beliefs that were different from the majority. They wanted the "freedom" to practice their religion without persecution. Sounded like a good idea---in theory. Right?

When they arrived their diets were based largely on wheat products which didn't grow very well in the rocky soil here in America where they had set up their homes. England had told the Pilgrims that they were to live in a communal territory--a community owned by all. They didn't really own land, the land was parceled out and equally shared among the settlers. Of course, being human, that was not enough. Greed quickly played a part and the settlers wanted more land...they had to have more than the guy next door because it is human nature to want to "have a bigger house---a faster car".

They would have starved to death if not for one Indian in particular named Squanto who helped the Pilgrims by teaching them how to grow local crops like corn, squash, and pumpkin---the difference between the local poisonous plants and the plants that were good for food or medicine---and how to hunt. By the time fall arrived things were looking much better for the Pilgrims--thanks to good ole' Squanto, so they decided to hold a feast and invite Squanto's family (which turned out to be more than 90 people---boy were they surprised).

That's the "nice" part of the story---the part we celebrate today.

However, there's a dark side because in our "human" sin filled nature we can never be satisfied. The Pilgrims wanted more land and coveted the land the Indians possessed. The Pilgrims (who if you remember ironically fled England because they wanted religious "freedom) started to look down on the Indians because they would not accept the Puritan religious beliefs. The Indians had their own way of worship and the Puritans were intolerant. In no time war ensued in the name of religion and greed. Sound familiar?

As an American today we see on Yahoo that "Terrorists may be inspired by the holidays". The terrorists hate us because we do not believe in their religion. You cannot turn on CNN without seeing someone killing in the name of God. This tragedy has been going on for all time. How do you think God feels about this behavior?

I love my God--he is my salvation, my sanity, my friend, and my counsel. However, I pray that he keeps my heart open to accept people who are not like me. Let Him fill my heart with Thanksgiving for what I "DO" have and not be greedy for what other's have. Let me love all people, of all races, all religions, and all walks of life---

I miss my earthly Father today. He was a quiet man most of the time. A quick wit---but ever tolerant of all people---all walks of life. That man loved to eat and Thanksgiving was one of his favorite holidays.

Hey Dad---hope you and Aunt Patsy are having a great Thanksgiving today in heaven! I miss you both dearly----

And tell Squanto that I said "Hi".....thanks to him I'll be having Pumpkin Pie today.

:-)

Doodles

2011-08-21T13:04:00.000-07:00

The Impact of the Recession on Pets

Pets have always been an “American” tradition. There has been a lot of attention in the news on the human suffering aspect of this recession. No one has gone into depth thinking about or exposing the impact on the many abandoned pets. More people today are abandoning pets because of foreclosures, evictions and unemployment. There are die-hard pet parents that refuse to give up their pets even when facing these situations and they then become the “mobile homeless” population that are living in their cars...or with friends or family because they cannot find housing that is pet friendly—if they are lucky. Some are not so lucky and end up on the street.

There are even horror stories where people are evicted or foreclosed upon and their pets were trapped inside of a home where the pet parent cannot get to them because they are evicted while at work and the locks were changed with their animals left inside. It can take days to get through the legal tape to get access to them and in the meantime they suffer without food or water—scared because they don't know where their pet parents went.

Homeless people stand on street corners asking motorists for money. At night, their homeless dogs sleep with them under bridges or on park benches. These homeless pets suffer parasites, skin disease, malnutrition, heat stroke and exhaustion. When I worked in downtown Philadelphia the homeless people made sure their pets were fed first. However, even when the pet is the homeless person's priority they still do not have a good diet. Some people argue the homeless would be better pet parents if they gave up their pets instead of making them suffer the “life of the homeless”. They say, “Pet ownership comes with far more responsibility than someone with limited means can provide”. However, the same could be said for parenting. Few would suggest ditching your children just because times get tight. Instead of questioning how the homeless or poor can allocate their meager resources in a way that you would not...ask what love means to you. Could you love a pet...or a child until it was financially inconvenient to do so?

I am not judging. I am very sympathetic to everyone in today's harsh economic climate. I totally understand surrendering a pet because you feel they would have a better life with someone else. But I do suggest that maybe we need to do more to help one another so people do not have to make these choices. Landlords need to be more lenient and understand that pets are part of the American way of life. You can have as much damage done to a home from small children as you can have done by a pet. I had three children...I KNOW what they are capable of.

There's a lot of very scary things happening in our country right now. Stock market is like a bouncing ball. One in four homes is currently in foreclosure in the state of Maryland. Jobs are hard to find. We need to put AMERICA BACK TO WORK.

If I were a politician I would suggest the following:

Eliminate sales tax to encourage people to shop in the stores
Lower income tax rates
Prohibit landlords from being able to turn away tenants based on color, religion, family size, or pets. Landlords can request pet deposits, of course.
Pass legislation to allow veterinary care and medication as a tax deduction.
Give tax incentives to all businesses that source product, services, and employees from AMERICA. Tax penalties if these things are purchased outside the US.

We feel deeply about these problems. Going forward, I propose we only buy and sell products that are exclusively made in the United States...supporting the American work force.

When Andy and I buy new inventory...we are going to ask the questions about where the product was made and “sourced”. It will be more work...but we need to be part of the solution...not the problem.

We need to save ourselves....the good ole' USA...

We need to save our pets...

God Bless America!

Do Your Friends Think You Spoil Your Dog?

2011-05-27T19:11:00.000-07:00

In a good and healthy relationship you will have the following basic needs met:

The need for emotional support.
The need to be heard and to be responded to with respect and acceptance
The need to have your own view, even if others have a different view.
The need to have your feelings and experience acknowledged as real.
The need to live free from criticism and judgment.
The need to have your work and your interests respected.
The need for encouragement even when your situation seems grim--in fact more so when it's grim.
The need for freedom from from angry outburst and rage.
The need to feel that you have value

I believe that if you observe how a person treats their animals--it will define how they treat other human beings. Will Rogers says that "If there are no dogs in heaven then I want to go where they went".

Dog companions respect all of the basic human needs in a relationship that I mentioned above. Yet, there are some pet owners that do not offer their dog the same respect. There are still some dog owners that treat their dogs like livestock. Fortunately, they are more the exception, than the rule.

I want my purpose in life to not be based on monetary gain---or even my own happiness. But let me be useful, honorable, compassionate, and to make a difference in people's lives. In other words...."let me be a dog".

In the current economy I may appear a failure to many---but in my heart I have made a lot of friends. I also truly and honestly can speak the language of the people I come in contact with at my store because I totally understand that life with a dog means the following:

a. You should spend more on your dog's food than you do on a week's groceries

b. Your dog not only should sleep with you, but you should hover on the edge of the bed so as not to disturb his/her slumber.

c. You should go out for a drive just so your dog can get to ride in the car and go "by-by"

d. There's more pictures of your dog in your photo album or facebook than your family members

e. Your furniture is arranged so your dog is comfortable

The dogs in our family growing up have always been family members. Our collies got pancakes every Sunday morning. My father and mother planned their life around the comfort of their dog(s). And that's okay...

When it was all said and done, as my father lay in his hospice bed those final days, his little dog was with him every moment.

Because that's what dogs do.......

Love unconditionally--something as a human being we all desperately need that kind of love

Until next time, Toodles!

2011-04-13T12:39:00.000-07:00

Wash my eyes with my tears.........

I've often wondered why God made it so we "cry tears". I understand basic tears are needed for lubrication. But I don't understand the physiology of why we cry. So I did a little research...

Besides humans, the only living creatures that cry are gorillas and crockodiles. (Now there's an interesting combination...God surely has a sense of humor).

I know my dog understands tears. I know my dog understands sorrow. Yet she cannot produce tears. I try not to question God's logic in how he created things...but why didn't he give tears to dogs? Our best friends? I do know when I'm sad and crying, she is right by my side. Just petting her and nuzzling her fur brings me comfort.

When we feel sadness it is registered by our cerebrum. The cerebrum is also the part of the brain that controls speech...so it makes sense that crying is a form of communication. And even though dogs can't cry themselves, they understand our communication to them of our sadness when we cry.

We need to communicate our sorrow as part of the healing process. The cerebrum tells the endocrine system to produce hormones...like leucine-enkephalin which is known to reduce pain and improve mood...it's a natural "drug" that God gave us. We don't need the artificial drugs for this...God gave us our own drug...we just have to listen and let the tears flow.

Crying is a good thing...

I don't look forward to crying. Who does? It ruins make-up and make-up is not cheap in this economy. It makes your face swollen, red, blotchy...and your nose run like a faucet.

But it's healthy. Much healthier than alcohol, cigarettes, or street drugs.

I've done a lot of crying lately. I am losing my daddy to cancer. He is fighting a valiant fight and I am so proud of him. He is the bravest...smartest...and most handsome man in the whole world.

I cry watching my mother stand by his side as she makes every precious day as good as it can be for him and for his children who want to spend as much time with him as possible. She cooks for us. She never thinks of herself...always of others.

Watching a parent suffer that you love, more than life itself, is so very hard. It also makes you face your own mortality with stark reality. It's amazing how 18 years seems like a very long time when you're 20 years old. But by the time you're 50 years old...18 years between you and your parents is but a blink of the eye. In my lifetime I've somehow managed to almost catch up to my parents in age...funny how that works.

The good thing that's coming out of all of these tears is that I'm learning to cherish my children, my friends, my family, my work, my pets...every tiny little thing about my life.............

Perhaps our eyes need to be washed with tears so that we may see life with a clearer view.....

May God Bless All Of You Today.

Go home and hug your pets....hug your family...and let the tears flow.

You'll feel better for it.

Suffer the little children to come unto me...

2010-09-21T05:11:00.000-07:00

I am not telling this story for any other reason than to hope to demonstrate to anyone who will listen....

that God may allow us to experience good and bad for a reason. And also to praise a little girl who was very courageous and responsible.

It’s been a very rough year for everyone. You hear it on the news every day. Independent retail is extremely difficult in these times of big box domination and the worst recession we've seen in many years. A lot of businesses in the area have closed and it’s a tragedy to this community.

It has been a difficult year.

My father is fighting the fight of his life---a battle against cancer. I worship this man and the worry weighs on me like a heavy blanket day and night. I would trade any mortal possession I have for him to be well.

Within the past month my business computers crashed and had to be repaired, the store’s air conditioner crashed and had to be repaired, my personal home residence air conditioner crashed, the electric bills tripled because of the record breaking heat of July and August ....and that’s just the tip of the iceberg. I was expecting a $500-$600 electric bill this month and it was $1300!

Life is hard. There’s no doubt about it.

Unexpected expenses on a tight budget can be the straw that breaks the camel’s back. It was impossible for me to come up with that amount and the bill was due in 7 days or they would disconnect my electric. This is something I am not proud of.

I called the electric company and they referred me to Social Services….who referred me to United Way…who referred me to the Energy Assistance Fund…who referred me to the Neighborhood Service Center…who just laughed at me because I am a professional woman who owns a business and makes a good salary at an outside job in Philadelphia. And all of this red tape…ticked..ticked....ticked away at the 7 days I had to find a solution.

It took a lot of courage to ask for help….and everywhere I turned I hit a brick wall.

I had never been this “down and out” emotionally in my whole life…feeling like a failure. Feeling the weight of the world crashing down on me from every angle. Personally...professionally.

I prayed to God, asking him for guidance. “Why is this happening? I have tried to live right. I have always tried to be responsible and take care of my family. Why is life so hard all the time?”

I prayed…

And prayed…

And prayed…

And heard dead silence.

Normally when I pray, a calm reassurance—almost like the arm of God comes around my shoulders and I know in my heart it will work out…giving me the strength to go on.

One foot in front of the other...like my best friend always tells me. And she should know...as she lost her beloved husband this year.

This time…silence and a feeling of despair unlike anything I’ve ever known overwhelmed me.

On Saturday at the Pet Store, I was cleaning fish tanks when I noticed a little girl walking around the store with a shoe box with wholes punched in the top. I asked one of our employees about the little girl and the employee said, “She arrived on a DART bus by herself and said she needed to see the vet”.

The little girl continued to walk around for a while. Curiosity got the best of me and I asked her, “What do you have in your shoe box?”

“A hamster” she says quietly—tears pooling in her eyes. “He has something wrong with him. His eye fell out and there’s stuff coming out”.

Dr. Andrews, our veterinarian, came into the store and I took the little girl and her shoe box into the vet clinic. Dr. Andrews examined the pet and determined he had a terrible virus and needed medicine. However, we cannot dispense prescription medicine to a little girl.

I went back to cleaning fish tanks.

The little girl got back on the bus.

I just kept getting flash backs of that little blonde haired girl--that shoe box—and that little girl’s crocodile tears. And I thought of the bravery it took for her to get on a bus by herself and bring her beloved pet in for help.

The next day---Andy, my boyfriend and I, took the medicine and went on a mission in search for the little girl’s house. We rode around the neighborhood where we knew the bus had picked her up. I saw the little girl playing with a group of children. We stopped and rolled down the window. “Hey! Are you the girl that brought in the sick hamster to Pet Depot yesterday?” Andy asked.

The little girl took off running…as fast as she could go. We followed her in our truck and saw her run into her house and shut the door.

Andy and I walked to the door and rang the bell.

No answer.

We knocked.

No answer.

We were almost ready to give up when the little girl’s mother answered the door. It was apparent she was very ill. She said she couldn’t accept the medicine because she had no way to pay for it. Her daughter was hiding in the house because she was afraid she had done something wrong in bringing the pet to the pet store without any money to pay the veterinarian and thought she was in big trouble. Her mother apologized for any inconvenience.

Andy explained that we were not here to collect the money for the vet visit. We gave the medicine to the little girl and asked her in exchange for payment if she’d come by the store and help with the animals. She could help feed them and play with them so they can be socialized.

The little girl smiled and took the medicine.

“Do you remember how to administer the medicine like Dr. Andrews showed you?” I asked?

“Yes.” Said the little girl.

And I drove home with that calm…reassuring arm of God around my shoulder…...

And I prayed….

“Thank you God…for allowing me to experience hardship in my own life so that I may be able to walk with an attitude of empathy…and I can be humble”

And God showed me a way to get my electric bill paid on time…..

And all I have to say is…………

Amen to that…….

Are Humans Just Another Animal?

2010-09-19T01:26:00.000-07:00

What differentiates humans and animals?

Both have the same respiratory, digestive, nervous, and reproductive systems. Some say only man was blessed with wisdom, emotion, morality, personality….

I once attended a theology group with my church and the instructor said that animals do not appear to feel shame because they cannot see themselves as ‘being seen by another’.

Tell that to my miniature dachshund who hides under the kitchen table whenever she has had a potty accident.

Most philosophers and scientists have thought collaboratively that man and man alone is a rational animal. Man—the only creature able to do “forward” thinking. The only creature able to demonstrate compassion.

Forward thinking is the act of reasoning, which by definition means “motive”, “decision”, and “commitment” to do something versus instinct which is an “inborn pattern of behavior”.

They say every animal behavior is based on an instinct to survive and nothing more.

Animals harm each other only for the reasons of self defense, or they are protecting their territory which is a means of survival. Humans, supposedly the more intelligent “reasonable” higher beings, will kill each other over religion—or designer tennis shoes.

What about compassion? A classic study in 1964 found that hungry monkeys would not take food that had been offered if doing so meant that another monkey received an electric shock. A similar study demonstrated rats to behave the same—demonstrating compassion.

In this new world where divorced parents will emotionally, physically, and financially destroy each other out of jealousy and greed…. Or doctors and other people with specialized skills will deny services to the poor because they may not get their almighty dollar timely....

Who are the animals?

Who are the higher beings?

What Will Your Job In Heaven Be?

2010-07-09T09:17:00.000-07:00

When I get to heaven I want to be the person who helps animals cross over.

Yes...that means I believe animals have a soul.

They say that faith is believing in things when common sense tells you not to. In my lifetime I've had my faith challenged many times. In order to survive, I've leaned on faith as an anchor and a lifeline. Would God give me a desire he cannot or will not fill?.....possibly----as our desires can be self-serving, egotistical, or selfish. Sometimes we desire something that is just not meant to be.

I am fortunate that in my career I meet a lot of "good" people. People who dedicate their lives to helping the less fortunate. I work with several rescue organizations and see a lot of miracles that enforce my faith in mankind every day. I see millions of dollars being spent on saving and rehabilitating animals in the gulf oil spoil tragedy. I believe God finds favor in these acts of human kindness to the animals that inhabit this Earth with us.

Then there is the other end of the spectrum...where animals suffer by our hand. There are moments in which I see cruelty toward an animal that I simply cannot comprehend. This week a little boy brought in a kitten that he had found that was near death. The kitten had aspirated and swallowed large amounts of fuel oil. In fact, we originally thought the kitten was grey and black---but it turns out he is white and black after several bathings in Dawn detergent. We believe "someone" dunked the kitten in fuel oil on purpose. He simply couldn't have aspirated that much fuel by crawling inside an automobile.

Labored breathing, nausea, malnutrition, dehydration, and exremely weak. Dr. Andrews worked very hard to save his life and it worked. He's now eating on his own and shares a kennel with Bubba, the bottle fed devil cat. :-)

You see stories about animal cruelty on the news every day. Burning animals alive, beating them with sticks, dragging them behind cars, leaving them outside in the scorching heat without water or cool shelter. I can't get my mind around it. I can't understand it...at all.

Do you think animals have rights? Do you think animals have souls?

Animal abuse is a human problem. When animals are at risk...people are at risk. It's a sign that there are serious problems in our community. Statistics show that 18% of animal cruelty cases are the result of domestic violence. An abuser will often use animal cruelty as a means to control a victim. Battered women have been known to live in their cars for months or even years---waiting for a pet friendly shelter. Disturbed children and young adults torture animals as a means of "immulating their parents behavior". That is a tragic statement.

What can we do?

If you know of someone whom you suspect might be in a domestic situation where they are at risk and they have pets....offer to temporarily keep their pets while they get their lives back in order. Advise them to have their pets micro-chipped and to keep veterinary records that help prove ownership in the event they get separated from their pet. Establish community coalitions against family violence that include humane societies, SPCAs, animal control agencies, and veterinarians. Be aware of how animal abuse cases are investigated and prosecuted.

Do NOT be afraid to get involved.

Have faith....................

And God Bless

Debby

What's The Right Thing To Do?

2010-05-22T05:39:00.000-07:00

I need the advice of all of my friends today as I'm struggling with knowing what is the "right thing to do". There are many sides to being right. There's my responsibility as a business person, my responsibility as an advocate for rescue, and my responsibility to my soul.

Last week we had two pre-teen young girls come into the store carrying a 1 week old kitten. They asked our advice on what to do as they'd found the kitten in their shed in the backyard. We explained that the mother cat was probably around and they should return the kitten to the shed because his best chance is with his mother. Two days later, the same girls came back into the store carrying the kitten. He was lethargic, his belly was very distended and he didn't cry with handling him. The girls told me the mother had never returned. They had attempted to feed him formula with a bottle and he wasn't interested. I asked if he had been to the bathroom in the three days they had him and they indicated he had not. Three days without eating, urinating, or defecating meant he didn't have much time left.

I took the kitten in the vet clinic and warmed formula. He didn't want to nurse as he was too weak. I ended up force feeding him (gently) and then stroking his genitals with a warm cloth to get him to pass urine and deficate. I was successful in getting some urine from him. I explained to the little girls that they needed to do this every three hours around the clock if he were to have any chance of survival. The girls were very young and hesitant. Being a surrogate kitten mom is a dirty job and I could tell they were digusted at the thought of having to assist the kitten in going to the bathroom every time.

One started to cry and said she was afraid they'd do it wrong and kill him. The older girl said she'd do it. The younger one said, "What about school...we're gone for 8 hours at school!" The older girl said, "He'll be fine while we're at school...we'll just give him more milk when we get home". I explained that kittens cannot pass urine or bowel without assistance. If he goes long hours without being attended to he could go septic. If he goes long hours without eating he will continue to grow weaker. I asked if they had a friend or family member that would be able to tend him. They said no. So I asked them to surrender the kitten for rescue. I explained it was the humane thing to do for the kitten. The older girl became very upset and called her mother on her cell saying I was trying to take their kitten from them.

They left with the kitten.

Under Maryland law pets are personal property. A person cannot knowingly neglect or torture an animal, but this was a different situation and I had no legal rights to keep them from taking it home.

A few hours later the smallest of the little girls came back into the store...crying very hard and handing me the kitten. She said, "my sister doesn't want me to let you care for him because she said you'd just give him to the humane society or sell him at your store and we'll never see him again...but I'm so afraid he's going to die...please help me". I had to promise her that I would not give the kitten to anyone else after he was old enough without talking to her or giving her the option to adopt him back. She was very sincere and she had gone against her family to bring the kitten back to me in hopes of saving his life.

So I took the kitten in and I've been fostering it back to health for a week. He is eating regularly every three hours and passing bowels. He is improving each day.

Here lies my delimma....co-workers, family members, and rescue personnel all tell me that I cannot foster this kitten for 6 weeks to save it's life to just give it back to this young girl. Yet, there's a part of me that feels like I've given my word to the girl that I won't sell or adopt out their kitten. I realize it is a big expense for me to care for this kitten for six weeks, including the veterinary expenses of shots and deworming and testing for feline luekemia. I also know that I know nothing about their household and as a rescue advocate you don't give a pet to a household you haven't verified is prepared to be a good caregiver. But they brought the kitten to me...and since they found it on their property by law it is their property so I have no right to deny them the kitten.

So everyone is advising me to give the kitten back to them right now even though he's only two weeks old. I've extended his life for one week. I could turn the kitten back over to them with detailed instructions on how to continue his care until he's old enough to start solid foods, but I so fear that they won't be able to keep to the damanding schedule and responsibility.

I have to made a decision on what to do today.....

Was I wrong to try to save his life when I knew they were refusing to truly surrender him?

My word...my honesty...and my integrity are so very important to me. So I don't want to go back on my word and legally I have no right to keep him. But I also know I'm violating all of the rules of rescue if I save him and then just give him back not knowing what kind of home he's going to....and the Guardian Furry Tale advocate in me doesn't want to hand him back over at two weeks old to starve or die from not being able to go to the bathroom.

I welcome your comments or advice....

What would you do?

Flea Product Safety

2010-05-14T08:30:00.000-07:00

My grown daughters probably are not happy with me exposing all of the humiliating details of their childhood via my blog. However, I feel it is my parental duty to ensure they remain humble....

Today I want to discuss parasite prevention in pets. There's a lot of talk about the safety of these products today. I've had several customers come into the store looking to purchase flea shampoo because their house is over-run by these evil mutants from....well..."you know where".

It is my "modus operandi" to ask if they have tried Frontline, Advantage, or any of the other "spot on" products available as it is my belief they are the most reliable. Often times the pet owner is hesitant to try the product for fear that it will cause harm to their pet. This hesitency has been exaggerated lately because of bad press around spot on products in the news.

It's true that the FDA and Canada are looking at the "safe use" of these products. Because pets and children go hand-in-hand...and children love to hug and slobber all over Fido...it is important that there's no danger to our children. It's important that the products are safe for Fido, as well.

If you read the detailed FDA report however...you will notice the problem does not lie so much in the product. The problem lies in the fact that people are just plain simple minded sometimes...(sorry, but it's true).

The danger lies in the fact that the products can be sold online and distributed without counsel to the end user. If you buy the product from your veterinarian or a trustworthy source, they will provide you the necessary instructions. When administered appropriately, the products have shown great value and are safe for most healthy pets. Key factors are:

- Do not bathe the animal 72 hours before application or up to 72 hours following the application. The product is distributed through oils in the pet's skin. If the dog is too clean, the product will just rub off and be ineffective.

- Properly administer according to the weight of the pet. This is a common problem. The owner has three dogs (a chihuahua, a corgi, and a labrador retriever). They don't want to buy three different Frontline boxes so they buy the one for dogs 50 to 85 lbs and figure they'll just give the "other dogs a little less". GOOD WAY TO MAKE YOUR DOG SICK.

- Give products made for dogs--to DOGS. Give products made for cats---to CATS. Now you'd think that was logical...but I've seen it happen and it isn't pretty.

- Do not administer to weak, aged, sick, medicated, pregnant, or nursing animals

- Do not administer on kittens or puppies unless the label clearly specifies it's use in these conditions

- Monitor your pet for adverse reactions up to 48 hours following administration. If you see any adverse behavior, including excessive drooling or loss of appetite bathe the animal with mild soapy water and contact your veterinarian immediately.

- Do not combine the use of these products with flea shampoos, dusts, sprays, or flea collars as toxicity could result

I realize you don't want the fleas in your house anymore, but piling multiple flea prevention products on your dog or cat to rid your house of fleas will only end badly. You are creating a pet that can only be approached wearing full hazardous waste disposal gear.

Now for the humbling, embarassing childhood story...when my girls were little we had all kinds of pets. We lived on a farm and they were tom boys. I learned to not be surprised by anything that happened. One morning my daughter came to breakfast and announced that she had something "crawling" out of her "nether regions"...(hope none of you are eating...sorry). Turns out she had worms. She slept with the family dog and cats in her bed at night. The reason I'm telling you this horror story is because some parasites can be transferred between the pet and the human host.

So...although you may watch Dateline NBC and think "I'm going to stop using flea prevention on my pet"...or perhaps you don't want to purchase it because of the cost factor...the stuff isn't cheap....

Just ask yourself..."Do you want things crawling out of your...."

I'll end here for now....

Bye bye

Debby

2010-04-29T11:00:00.000-07:00

This story may offend some reptile enthusiasts and for that I will appologize in advance. I too...love most reptiles. However, I am not a real cheerleader for snakes. I carry them in my store because they are popular. But I can't bond with an animal that doesn't have the ability to bond back...and will be inclined to snatch my hand on occassion just because I moved in a way that reminded him of food.

When my daughter, Candice (who is now Dr. Candice Andrews DVM) brought home a King snake as a pet...let's just say I was not enthused. Nor was I amused...in any way. She was in college beginning her arduous struggle to become a vet so I tried to understand that this was part of being the mother of a blossoming veterinarian. I'm sure Steve Irwin's mother probably had an interesting time raising him as a child, as well. My girls also turned a kiddy pool from Walmart into a turtle sanctuary---IN THEIR BEDROOM when they were growing up.

Candice has always loved cats and at the time we had a cat named "Idget" that was of abysynnian descent. Her name didn't start out as "Idget" but that was the name she ended up with because my husband was always screaming, "Someone get that idiot cat!"...idgiot..cat...became her name. She talked incessantly. She was extremely destructive and very cocky about it. She "allowed" us to live with her. I had never been close to Idget because I'm a dog person. However, Idget and I had a common understanding...we neither one trusted the King snake. I'd catch Idget's eye occassionally as she looked into the critter cage...she was formulating a plan.

We had the snake for over a year. The snake ate ravenously and was growing by leaps and bounds. I really worried about what we'd do when the snake was 5 feet long. I really didn't know if I would be able to sleep at night.

Then it happened...Candice came home from college and the snake was gone. Gone as in....to heaven gone. It was torn to shreds in it's cage. Idget was stretched out on the sofa, one leg extended high in the air as she groomed herself...very non-chalant. She wasn't owning up to anything...

I think she realized that eventually ole' snake would be looking at her like she was food....she saw what the snake did to the rats we were bringing it and she decided to take him down before he got too big to make it difficult.

Can't say I blamed her....

But I did try to be a little sympathetic to Candice as she mourned the loss of her pet snake....I was trying for an academy award for best actress.

Later that evening...Idget and I cuddled on the sofa together for the first time.

I've been a cat person ever since.........

There's a lot going on in that cat's brain....very interesting stuff---I've found. Don't ever under estimate them.

Talk to you all soon! Come see me at the store!

Debby

Depression & Self Mutilation

2010-04-03T04:28:00.001-07:00

Birds are the most common pet known for depression and self-mutilation. It is normal behavior for a bird to preen themselves to remove dirt or feather distortions. However some birds have an obsessive compulsive disorder where they preen themselves to the point of having very little, if any, feathers left. Some go as far as to pick the skin once the feathers are gone and can cause life threatening infections. I have such a bird....

Self mutilation can be the result of either:

1. hypothyroidism (a pretty rare occurrence)
2. inadequate nutritional care
3. depression

Seeing a veterinarian to rule out thyroid problems is important. Increase the birds cage size. Make sure the bird is located in a room that is where the family socializes, making it feel a central member of the family. Provide the bird with a variety of foods. A good pellet food should be the main course, but activity foods such as treats, fruits, corn on the cob, carrot sticks, and nuts in a shell can offer new texture and taste to prevent the bird from being "bored". Have a selection of toys on hand that can alternate in the cage. Birds like variety. Try different genre' of music and see if the bird responds positively.

I rescued a bird that had previously been owned by a woman who was murdered by her husband. He is a senegal parrot named "Baby". When I took him in he had a severe case of self mutilation and screamed constantly. He also would make the sound of a police or ambulance siren whenever he got upset. It was obvious he was suffering from post traumatic stress syndrome.

Over time, he has improved. His feathers are growing back, although he has days where he gets upset if I'm gone too long and he'll backslide. I was late coming home from work last week and when I walked into the living room it looked like someone had destroyed a feather pillow...feathers everywhere.

The screaming is still a problem, but I have found one radio station that he loves which calms him down. It's on sattelite radio..of course..he has high standards.

It continues to amaze me how animals and humans share many of the same emotions and problems. Animals form attachments with their human families. Grief, despair, and depression are real things that they feel when a tragedy occurs in their lives. This is why the work of animal rescue is so important. Many of these animals have suffered from neglect or abandonment. Some of them lost their homes and loved ones to tragedy, such as Baby's story.

It is very hard for these beautiful creatures to tell their story to us since they don't speak our language. That's why it's important that we "listen"....listen with our hearts.

God Bless....and Happy Easter Everyone.

When The Weather Outside Is Frightful

2010-02-05T05:28:00.000-08:00

It grieves me to know how negligant we were in caring for our dogs when I was young. It wasn't until recent history that veterinary science taught us how domesticated dogs and cats are really at risk when living outside in inclement weather conditions. Back in the 70s I thought good pet care consisted of taking my dog to the vet once a year for shots. Our dogs largely lived outside in pens, were fed table scraps, and came in on Sunday morning to share in our pancake breakfast. Back in those days...that was considered "spoiling" a dog.

Today I have two miniature daschunds, one pembroke welsh corgi, and a large monster dog that is a rescue...and we have no clue as to his heritage although he gallops about 40 miles an hour, loves to jump in the pond and terrorize my koi, and he has a big square head that can be intimidating to the UPS guy.

I love them all like they are my children. They only go outside for playtime and to use the bathroom. They eat holistic, natural foods. Thanks to my involvement with the humane society and my daughter's veterinary practice...I have learned how to be a responsible pet owner.

I don't even believe the word "owner" is appropriate. No...I am not a member of PETA. I do, however, believe in education for pet "parents". I wish I had been educated sooner. I lived on a farm a great deal of my life and understand that animals are an important part of the divine universe. They serve as companions, spiritual guides, partners, confidants, and let's face it...some are a food source. Even I like a tenderloin with baked potato...I will not lie. But I am also that crazy lady that will slam on her breaks---causing a three car pile up---to keep from hitting a bunny rabbit crossing the road.

Do animals have souls? People have debated that question for centuries. Though they are not human---they mourn, they dance, they play, they love....and yes....they suffer.

Let's remember they look to us to be their guardians.

As the weather turns foul this weekend....remember these tips:

Short-haired or elderly dogs benefit from wearing a coat or sweater. Sick or older dogs are more sensitive to cold weather.
Clip fur between toe pads to reduce the amount of snow that collects and can cause frostbite.
To protect dogs pads when walking on snow and ice, coat them with a bit of cooking spray before venturing out to potty.
Shovel a spot for your dog when the snow is deep.
Wipe off your dogs after going for walks in the snow and ice. Salt, antifreeze and other harmful chemicals can be ingested when licking their paws. When possible use safe salt available in most independent pet stores that focus on good animal health.
Do not let dogs off lead in the snow. Dogs cannot scent in the snow and can easily get lost. They can panic in a snow storm and run away. More dogs are reported lost during the winter than any other season.
Tiled or cement floors can be very cold. Dog beds help keep the dog warm and reduce the risk of early arthritis and joint pain.
Most towns have a law that requires if dogs are kept outdoors the owner must supply the dog with shelter that includes a dog house big enough to stand up in and stretch out, while being small enough to retain body heat. Dog houses must contain a wind flap or door, nonpourous bedding and a constant supply of fresh, unfrozen water. (it is easier just to find them a fenced in room or a crate inside your home....)

If you see an animal in need over this treacherous weather weekend---become the animal's guardian angel. Speak with the owner, if possible. If that fails to improve the situation, contact the humane society in your service area.

God Bless...and stay warm......

When Angels Get Their Wings

2010-01-22T07:31:00.000-08:00

The loss of a pet can be as devastating as losing a human family member. Our pets are such an important part of our lives. They love us unconditionally. They often see us through difficult times when we feel forsaken by others. The human-animal bond is only something that can be understood by someone who has experienced it.

My daughter has a veterinary practice within our family pet store. As with most veterinary medicine we are faced with being a resource for customers who have a beloved pet that is terminally ill. The decision to euthanize a pet is one of the most difficult decisions a person ever has to make. When is it truly time to assist the pet in crossing over?

Last week a customer came in for an appointment for a pet that was hiding under furniture. The customer wanted a physical to rule out health problems, but she felt it was probably behavioral. It turned out the animal had a terminal illness and was in the last stages of the disease.

Animals often withdraw to die in privacy. Hiding from their human parents is common. Our family had a black lab named Casey and she often played with a neighbor's dog. One day she did not come when called. We found her curled up the neighbor's dog house where she had died. I remember feeling guilt and pain thinking she died alone.

We explained the options to the customer. She could either take her pet home and let nature run it's course, or offer the pet relief through euthanasia. It is a very personal decision. She could even take her home and notify us, day or night, if she felt it was to the point that she needed our assistance. She elected to have her pet euthanized. We explained the entire procedure and what to expect during each step. We gave her as much time as she needed with her beloved prior to beginning the process.

I held her and cried with her as my heart was so heavy for her loss. The entire experience was spiritual, heartfelt, and emotionally draining.

After it was over as I returned to work in the pet store part of our business, I still had tears streaming down my face. I continued to have moments when I could not stop the tears as I waited on customers at the counter. I had someone say to me, "You are going to have to toughen up if you are going to work in this field. If you are going to get so upset everytime you have to help a customer through this---it may not be the right thing for you to do."

But I disagree....

I feel that's the very reason it IS the right thing for me....

When we lose a human being through death we receive sympathy cards, flowers, food, and all manner of support from our community of loved ones. When we lose a pet, often we suffer alone. I want to be that person who is there for you....who offers open arms...an open heart. Someone who will cry with you and hopefully help you as we--together--offer your pet...

their Angels Wings.

DJ