A group that works to unchain dogs

When Companions for Life worked with other animal advocates in the metroplex to champion the new city ordinances adopted in Dallas last year, one of those laws specified (among other things) that a dog cannot be tethered unless it is in the immediate possession and control of its owner – or it can only be tethered for no longer than is necessary (less than 3 hours) for the owner to complete a temporary task.

If a dog has to be confined outdoors, it must be in a fenced yard or other pen or structure that:  (i) is capable of preventing the escape of the dog;  (ii) has at least 150 sq. ft. of space per adult dog; and (iii) provides the dog access to the inside of a building, a dog house or other type of shelter.

In North Carolina, a positive, upbeat group of people called Coalition to Unchain Dogs is doing awesome work proactively reaching out to dog owners in that state and helping them comply with laws like this by building fenced areas in which a dog can live unchained.

Check out this video of one of their recent projects – it’s a joy to see how happy and grateful that dog is when his heavy chain is removed and he can run free! You can see more happy stories on their website - http://unchaindogs.net/tails.html.

These groups are doing great work – not only do they ensure spay/neuter services are provided to dogs they help, but their positive stance is more likely to change minds and open hearts of people who think it’s OK to chain their dog than just about anything else.

OTHER GROUPS WORKING TO UNCHAIN DOGS:

Fences for Fido

Dogs Deserve Better

Helping Animals

Mothers Against Dog Chaining

Chained dogs are unhappy, unsafe and dangerous – please don’t leave your dog tethered all day – find a group who can help you build a fence, and your dog’s gratitude and happiness will reduce your liability immediately!

Feral Friends Annual Fundraiser this Saturday

Feral Friends Community Cat Alliance annual fundraiser is this Saturday, October 3rd, from 6:30 - 9:30 at Artfest International. 

The lineup for the silent auction includes gift certificates for great restaurants including III Forks and Cantina Laredo, a makeup party at Elizabeth Arden, 4 tickets to Disneyland, a private wine tasting, symphony tickets, pet portraits, gift baskets and much more!  The evening's menu includes veggie hors de oeuvres, pasta and bread sticks plus two free drinks! 

Tickets are only $22 per person and are available on line.  Come on out and enjoy a night of fun in support of Feral Friends' mission to help control the overpopulation of cats in your community and help provide medical care and foster homes to adoptable cats and kittens.

For more info: Feral Friends Community Cat Alliance.

(Content courtesy of Rebecca Poling, our Dallas Animal Rescue Examiner – more of her articles here. Image courtesy of Urbancritter.)

“Hooray For The Underdog” Artists Reception This Friday, benefitting Animal Rescue of Texas

Friday, September 25th, Healey Grisham Studios and Hooray For The Underdog are hosting a reception showcasing new works of Beverly Ann Moore and benefitting Animal Rescue of Texas. 

The event runs from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. and wine & hors d'oeuvres will be served.  Plus one lucky dog will win a featured art piece!

Healey Grisham Studios are located at 2036 Commerce Street in Dallas – c’mon down and join us!

Dog Poetry : "THE LIFE OF A PUPPY

Someone sent us this sweet, anonymous poem and we had to share it - enjoy!

This morning, I woke up & kissed my dad's head.
I peed on the carpet, then went back to bed.
"The life of a puppy, oh my, this is great."
Then I thought about breakfast," I hope it's not late."

Mom took me outside, we walked for a while.
This never fails to make Mama smile.
I sniffed of everything, that we did pass,
I ate something weird - it gave me gas.

I'm sure God loves me, I know that is true.
He gave me so many great things to chew.
Rugs, plants or rocks, I really don't care.
What I truly like best, is Dad's underwear.

That obedience book was sort of yummy.
Though it didn't sit well on my poor puppy tummy.
I threw up a bit, but that was all right,
When Mom found it later, I was well out of sight.

I made streamers of T. P., while running at full speed.
Mom is pretty quick -- but I was still in the lead.
I flew under the bed, and Mom flew past,
She stopped-shook her head, and breathed,
"You're too fast."

Mama later phoned Daddy, and said, "It was frightening!"
That afternoon, she was sure I'd pooped lightning.
She'd sat at the computer, while I chewed the cord,
She thought I was mad, but I was just bored.

When Mama had enough, couldn't take anymore,
That's when my tushy got shoved out the door.
I love it inside, but outside is best.
Lay in the cool grass, and had a good rest.

That didn't last long, there was too much to do--
Can't quite remember where I hid Daddy's shoe.
I found an old bone, and scratched at a flea,
I watched the dumb squirrels as they jumped in a tree.

I barked at the kids, when they got off the bus.
I can't figure out why this makes Mama fuss.
I barked at the neighbor, I barked at the wind.
I barked and barked, till Mom yelled, "COME IN."

The sun dipped in the west-soon Daddy would come!
I sure love my daddy: we always have fun.
I barked at my daddy, then turned on my charms,
I woo-wooed, "Hello," then jumped in his arms.

Sitting under the table -- it's sooo hard to wait.
Daddy slipped me a goodie right off his plate.
I raced through the house, and scattered my toys,
Ricocheted off the furniture, and made lots of noise.

Mom found her purse - the one I abused.
Daddy let loose a chuckle. Mom asked "Amused??"
I cowered down low, I must be in trouble.
Dad said, "Wasn't MY boy, it must be his double!"

Mom turned off the TV, and said,"Time for bed."
Dad said "Let's go boy," and patted my head.
I got in my spot, between Mom and Dad,
I thought 'bout my day and what fun I had.

Mama kicked out my bone from the covers below,
Then let loose a sigh -- a sigh deep and low.
She gave me a kiss, and snuggled me tight,
And whispered so softly, 'My darling goodnight'.

Author Unknown

Garland’s troubles keep multiplying

**JUST IN**

Garland’s euthanasia practices may be ethically questionable, but new evidence shows that the shelter may also have been violating State law in their choices of animals to put down.

The Dallas Morning News claims to have obtained records showing that the Garland animal shelter “has been gassing young, sick or elderly cats and dogs in violation of state law, probably causing them a slower, more stressful death.”

The shelter may also have been putting down animals immediately upon intake, in violation of city rules stating how long animals must be kept before being euthanized.

Read the full article here.

Garland Still Uses Gas to Euthanize Unwanted Pets

It’s highly controversial, widely held to be archaic and inhumane, but it’s still legal in Texas and the Garland animal shelter continues to use it as a preferred method of putting down unwanted animals. It’s carbon monoxide gas – the same poisonous gas your car’s exhaust puts out – only highly concentrated and about 80% of Garland’s euthanized animals die by carbon monoxide gassing.

Texas state legislators maintain that this method is necessary to enable shelters with only one or two people (generally a town Sheriff and deputy) to be able to euthanize an animal without requiring the skills necessary to effectively use the more acceptable sodium pentobarbital injection.

Garland has almost 20 people on staff, however, including animal control officers already trained in both methods of euthanasia and a full time vet, so there’s no reason for them to maintain an arguably less effective, less humane way to end an animal’s life. But they continue to insist on using the gas option, and now that they’re aware of the practice, and the controversy surrounding it, Garland residents are appalled.  Petitions have been signed, comments abound on blogs and news sites, and citizens are speaking out at the Garland City Council meetings. In vain, it would appear – the Garland shelter is standing by it's questionable decision, ostensibly for the good of its employees, claiming it’s less stressful to gas an animal than it is to administer a lethal injection.

When is it NOT stressful to kill a perfectly healthy and viable companion animal? Garland’s efforts to protect their employees are likely well intentioned but misguided. Sure, gassing an animal in another room is less personal than holding it in your arms and watching the life fade from its eyes, but it can be no less traumatic to know that the animal in the gas chamber died terrified and alone, instead of in the arms of someone who truly cared and shuffled them off this mortal coil as gently and lovingly as possible.

Garland City Council needs to listen to their constituents, evaluate the merits of each solution and – above all – keep the animals’ best interests in mind when making decisions about the operations of their animal shelter.

More information:

• Rebecca Poling’s Examiner article
• Dallas Morning News article 

Have your say:

Comment on the Garland blog and help shape the conversation

Fancy a round of golf on Saturday?

Uncle, available for adoption from Richardson Humane Society

Richardson Humane Society's 8th Annual Canine Classic golf tournament will be held Saturday, October 3rd at Oakridge Country Club in Garland with a shotgun start at 1pm. 

The two person Scramble costs only $ 90.00 per person which includes green fees, golf cart, range balls, dinner, and a goody bag.  Mulligans and raffle tickets can be purchased for $5 each.

As a nonprofit organization, Richardson Humane Society relies solely on donations to rescue, treat, and place deserving animals into for-ever homes. To date they have rescued and placed over 1,600 dogs and cats into loving homes.

Hurry - you can sign up online and get a free subscription to Golf Digest, but you must do so by tomorrow, Thursday, September 18th!

(Content courtesy of Rebecca Poling, our Dallas Animal Rescue Examiner – more of her articles here.)

Remembering lost friends on National Pet Memorial Day.

The International Association of Pet Cemeteries designated the second Sunday of September (that’s today) as National Pet Memorial Day.

Today, let’s all take the opportunity to remember lost loved pets, and to celebrate the joy and unconditional love they brought into our lives as our devoted companions.

For those who may have lost a pet recently, no words can salve the raw pain of your bereavement, but perhaps sharing this day of remembrance with others who have grieved might provide some small solace.

Some words of advice when dealing with the loss of a furry family member (yours or someone else’s) include:

• Grief and loss, like love, is a very personal thing and not everyone experiences it the same way. Know that whatever you’re feeling is OK, and that you have the right to process this loss in whatever way works best for you.
• Acknowledge that, for many people, pets are not just animals we own – they are family members and loved just as deeply as a child or sibling. That is a valid love, and the loss is every bit as valid and painful as if we lost any other of our family members. So cut yourself (or your grieving friend) some slack, and be kind.
• Trite as it may be, time WILL take away some of the pain. Let it. And hold on to the special memories.

Some suggestions for marking National Pet Memorial Day

• Write a poem, story, or song about and/or dedicated to your pet, or create a tribute video
• Write a letter to your pet expressing feelings you may be struggling with, tell them how much you miss them, or thank them for the wonderful memories you have
• Share photographs and stories with family or friends; remembering the special times, the love and joy they brought us
• Visit their burial site, hold a remembrance ceremony with family and friends
• Create a living memorial by planting a tree, bush, or flower garden
• Create an online memorial, whether it be on a pet memorial website, blog or other site
• Explore the Internet for pet memorial sites with inspiring stories of love and devotion between people and their companions
• Make a personalized magazine cover for your pet, a great way to catalog the fond memories of the times shared using pictures, and great headlines to share with everyone
• Use this day to volunteer at your local animal shelter or a rescue group
• Use this day to make a donation in memory of your companion to a local animal charity, shelter or rescue group

We at Companions For Life are remembering our own precious pets who have travelled to the Rainbow Bridge as well as the millions of pets across the country who have died at the hands of irresponsible owners, or in shelters for want of a loving home. May those bright souls find comfort at the Bridge and a respite from a harsh world. RIP beloved pets and all those lost, abandoned or abused.

(post by Urbancritter)

Save money on your pet's prescription medicines!

Anyone who’s had a sick pet knows that it can get expensive fast – particularly if your furry friend needs ongoing medication. So what great news to know that there’s an opportunity for Dallas County residents to save up to 65% on prescription drugs – for you and your pet!

The new Dallas County Coast2Coast RX Card offers substantial savings on prescription drugs, including prescriptions for your pet.  There are no health restrictions, no income or age requirements, and the program covers both brand-name and generic drugs.

Participating pharmacies include Wal-Mart, Walgreens, CVS, Sam's Club, Tom Thumb, Target, Kroger, Minyard, Costco and many more.

A complete list of participating pharmacies is available online and you can even print your new drug card right from the website.  So if you've got a diabetic cat, an arthritic dog - or any pet on prescription medicines - and you live in Dallas County, this little card could mean big savings!

For more info: Dallas County Coast2Coast RX Card.

Photo courtesy UrbanCritter. Exciting news courtesy of our President, Rebecca Poling, our Dallas Animal Rescue Examiner – more of her articles here.