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WISHES FOR MY BEAUTIFUL LITTLE VALENTINE

February 14, 2019 | 40 Comments

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, REESE.  I WILL CELEBRATE YOU, ALWAYS

Today (February 12th), we should be celebrating my little Valentine’s twelfth birthday.  Instead, I’m grieving the loss of her.

Birthday Girl

Yes, Reese was getting older, she had slowed down considerably, and we had made certain adjustments to accommodate and comfort her.  For example, we carried her upstairs to bed and limited the amount of fetch she played; although, she was reluctant to oblige these ‘time outs’ and would bark in protest.

Reese was slower than usual, last Wednesday evening but still wanted to play fetch. Her spirit was willing; her little body was struggling to keep up. She drank water and ate her dinner.  Reese was resting more than usual, that evening; although, restless through the night.

Reese was displaying symptoms of (what we hoped was just) an upset stomach. She wasn’t interested in breakfast, on Thursday morning. She has declined on previous occasions, and whatever was ailing her usually passed before the following meal. Reese did go outside to do her business, had a drink of water, and rested on her bed.  I went to work.  As soon as our vet clinic opened, I called and booked an appointment for the next day. Our dog walker messaged later that day, to say there were accidents on the rug.  I received a phone call from our vet clinic at 1:30 pm asking if we were on our way. Due to miscommunication, the clinic thought we were coming that same day.

I’m now wondering: what if I had just left work that morning and driven the forty-five minutes home, put Reese in the car, and drove the one and a half hours to our vet clinic. Would she still be here?

My husband insisted on picking up a cooked chicken for Reese for supper.  His effort was futile; she wasn’t interested.

The next morning, Reese struggled to jump up onto the porch after doing her business. She ‘chested’ the wooden porch, and dragged her little body up the step. After recovering from the mishap, she walked back into the kitchen. Could this mishap have escalated her decline?

I wrapped Reese in a blanket and placed her in the passenger seat of my car, and we headed for the clinic.

Unfortunately, Reese’s vet was away. We saw another Doctor, and blood-work was done — no definitive answers were provided. I was told the emergency clinic would likely put her on saline i.v. and keep her overnight for 24-48 hours to rehydrate. Due to Reese’s heart murmur, I was advised to take her to an emergency clinic with a Cardiologist. That meant a two-hour drive to Mississauga, or, a three-hour drive to Guelph. After waiting for another hour, I was advised that neither clinic had a Cardiologist working, that day. Eventually, I was told we would be accepted at an emergency clinic just over an hour away. At this stage, Reese was still somewhat alert, although definitely, very poorly. Reese looked at me as the vet tech carried her away. This was the last time she would look at me and fully recognize her mama.

My husband met me at the emergency clinic, and we waited for an update. After what seemed like forever, the vet tech returned and told us they were running more tests and had put Reese on oxygen as she was having difficulty breathing. The emergency clinic vet came to speak with us in that room they put you in when you’re about to receive bad news. And, it was. Reese was in cardiac failure. We wanted to bring her home and have the mobile vet come to the house so we could all say our goodbyes, together. The vet suggested that it wasn’t an option as Reese was struggling to breathe without the oxygen. We didn’t want her to suffer. When we saw Reese again, we knew it was the right thing to do – for her. I held her in my arms, and we said goodbye to our beautiful, sweet girl. I am heartbroken.

Goodbye, my sweet little Valentine. I’m sending these birthday wishes across the bridge:

  • A limitless supply of squeaky toys for you to enjoy. I will miss the constant ‘squeak, squeak, squeak.’ That was never annoying to me; it always made me smile.
  • Never-ending games of fetch
  • Tacos, beef jerky, steak, and salmon, with peanut butter, Ice-cream, and pupcake treats for afters (or starters)
  • A vast selection of the comfiest, cushiest beds and blankets to curl up in for naps (between games of fetch, of course)
  • A collection of pretty accessories to wear, after each, of many, pampering sessions you will enjoy
  • Newfound energy, allowing you to run and play with all the new friends you make
  • Spring, and fall weather, all year long – your preferred temperature(s)
  • Bedtime treats, each, and every night (know that I’m hugging you close to my heart as I fall to sleep)

My dear sweet Reese. I will celebrate you, always xoxo

Proudly,
Your mama

Categories: OUR PACK Tagged: Grief, Love, Pet-Loss, Reese, Rescue, Valentine

PUPPY MILL AWARENESS – PART I

May 4, 2015 | 30 Comments

WHERE DO PUPPIES COME FROM?  WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO DO YOUR RESEARCH PRIOR TO PURCHASING OR ADOPTING A DOG?

Puppy Mill Dog Reese

Puppy Mill Dog Reese – photo courtesy of Gillian Woods

Of course I knew puppies came from mommy dogs.  I was quite ignorant to breeders, breeding facilities, and the OVERWHELMING number of pets that were waiting in shelters and with rescue organizations, for loving, forever homes.  I grew up on a farm.  My first dog Punchie came to stay with us when my Godparents moved to Japan.  Punchie, the dog and Tiger the cat were sisters and became part of our family – no questions asked.  Other dogs that had been left behind by hunters found their way to our door and seemingly found their way back to their homes the next day while I was at school.

By the time I had convinced my husband that we should get a dog, I had done a fair bit of research and was confused by the different options for obtaining dogs;  breeding facilities (several types), brokers, pet stores and shelters or rescue organizations.

A red flag for me, was the headline on a number of sites that read WE ARE NOT A PUPPY MILL!

Long story short, we found Henry and learned so much about Puppy Mills from the founder of the wonderful rescue organization from whom we adopted him.  Thank you Kimberly of Kismutt Small Dog Rescue.

Henry was fairly young when we adopted him.  Henry had been surrendered by the owner of the mill due to medical conditions.  Sadly, another pup, suffering a similar condition was surrendered too late, and her eye had to be removed.  Other than physical illness, Henry was a happy dog – unaffected mentally, by his time at the mill.

Fast forward a year.

We decided Henry needed a brother or sister.  Although not a pro by any means, a year with Henry had taught me how to be a dog parent.  We learned of Reese, another mill dog in need of a home.  The rescue organization felt this little girl needed another ‘normal’ dog for reassurance and to teach her how to be a dog herself.  It still brings tears to my eyes when I recall how much Reese needed Henry, and how her big, younger brother brought her out of her shell and did indeed teach her to enjoy life.  I credit Henry with ninety percent of Reese’s rehabilitation.

To follow is Reese’s adoption profile, including a video of a terrified, former breeding, Puppy Mill dog.  Also, an update from her foster parents (thank you Matt and Erin), and a few words from the founder of the rescue organization that ‘pulled’ my dog and saved her from a bullet.

Please visit us next week for part II – what the law says.

Petfinder Adoption Profile – Joyful Rescues

Breeze Kent (now Reese)

  • Breed: Shih Tzu [Mix]
  • Sex: Female
  • Age: Young
  • Size: Small

About Me

Breeze was born about February 12, 2008 and weighs about 15 lbs. She is more frightened than some of the dogs she came in with, maybe she was beat for not getting pregnant and that is why the “miller” gave her up so young. She is learning her way around the new world she has to live in. Breeze was released from her duties; expected to produce puppies to line the pet store shelves.
It was one of the worst mills; the dogs lived on wire bottomed cages, never touching their feet to a solid surface year after year. Breeze is just now experiencing fresh air, sunshine, and most importantly – grass. All the simple pleasures we take so for granted.
We do feel she is too timid to go to a home with little, noisey, kids. A note from Breeze’s Foster Mom: “I just wanted to give you an update on Breeze. First of all, she is the sweetest little thing and I am in love with this little cutie after only 2 days!! She is VERY frightened of everything as you know. We have found that she likes to be in a corner of any room that she is in (she is comforted by this). She has a few corners that she has been going to often so we put a blanket down for when she is laying there.
We have been taking it slow with the picking up and handling of her… she is pretty fast when she wants to get away from you.
I stayed home with her all day yesterday and let her have pretty much the run of the house. she was sniffing everything and even picked up a fast trot to chase after Bentley foster parents dog) which made me happy. She has showed some interest in our dogs and even got up on her back legs to sniff at Bella when Belly was sitting on the couch. She sat on my lap for several hours all curled up and had a nice long nap wrapped up in a blanket.
She even came over to me at the end of the day yesterday when I put my hand out for her to sniff and she let me pick her up without running away..needless to say I was ver y happy about that!! We’ve been offering her treats whenever our crew gets theirs but has yet to take any from us.
I’m looking forward to the day when she realizes how good the treats taste. Last night she slept up next to me in bed and stayed curled up with me all night. I think she’s enjoying the comfy couch and bed as opposed to the hard floor or wire bottom. It took her a little while to figure out that she could walk on the blankets and lay on them. She figured out where the water and food bowls are and goes all on her own to get water although she is not eating very much. Im not sure if its because she is just not used to having good plentiful meals or if she is just too frightened to eat when we are around, but I have been offering her food often and I think with a little time this will change.. If we leave her alone with the food she will eat. She has had a few accidents but nothing major and has been going outside. We will continue to work on this while the little angel is with us. Our major focus now is just getting her used to good human touch. We have been sitting on the floor next to her and just talk to her while we pet her.
She is extremely sensitive about us touching her front feet. Her whole body shakes pretty bad when both Matt and I touch her feet. We will continue to work on this as well.

This morning she was sitting in the kitchen with two of our dogs and I was petting her head before I left for work and she closed her eyes and laid down for a rest…it was nice to see that she was comfortable enough to do this. we are looking forward to the day when her little tail will wag and not be constantly between her legs. other than that she is just getting used to all the new sounds and smells and we even caught her staring at the TV when she was laying on the couch yesterday. We feel very lucky that we will hopefully be able to make a difference in her life!!! Matt and I will keep you posted on her progress but we wanted to let you know how the first few days have been.

Founder and Director of Joyful Rescues, Joye Turock has the following to say about Puppy Mills and Mill Dogs:

There are still humans that don’t know what a puppy mill is.  They don’t know how it works, they don’t know how badly the dogs are mistreated and what happens to the dogs once they are no longer capable of producing inventory for pet store shelves.

We recently had someone adopt a puppy mill dog from us.  The dog was maybe half as frightened as others we have rescued.  Even though we took the time to prepare her and provide helpful advice for adjusting the dog, she returned him the next morning saying she had no idea how damaged he was, and that she was unprepared.

Humans can help by not buying from pet stores, no matter how vehemently store owner deny the fact, the dogs being sold as a product in pet shops are from Puppy Mills.  No credible, caring, breeder places their dogs in pet stores.

There are many Puppy Mills that sell online – they show everything the consumer wants to believe is true.

Consumer.  Isn’t that an awful word when you are talking about the purchase of a living being?

Behind closed barn doors, there is pain, suffering, death, and tragedy.  Adult dogs are left behind, in the cages, their babies ripped away from them.  The baby pups are barely old enough (by law) to be sold.  Hence so many health conditions.

Humans that are outraged by this treatment of our domestic animals need to get involved by contacting their government representatives and work to help change the laws that currently protect the owners of such facilities.  Right now, these operations (this treatment) is completely legal in the USA, shame on us!

Please visit us next week.  We will review the KENNEL LICENCING BY-LAW provided by THE CORPORATION OF THE TOWN OF GEORGINA.

Thank you Joye and the team at Joyful Rescues for all you do for the animals. Eternally grateful for Reese

http://joyfulrescues.com/index.html

http://www.kismutt.com/home.html

Post Photo of Reese courtesy of Gillian Woods

https://www.flickr.com/photos/gillyface/

I was invited to participate in a ‘Puppy Mill Blog Hop’  for Puppy Mill Action Week.  I’m thrilled to be involved in this wonderful project.  Thank you, Dolly theDoxie.  Please visit the other blogs to learn more about this cause and how together we can make a difference.

PMP_Preliminary Ideas

 

 

 

www.ThePuppyMillProject.org

www.Facebook.com/ThePuppyMillProject

www.Twitter.com/PuppyMillProj

www.Pinterest.com/TPMP

www.YouTube.com/ThePuppyMillProject

 

PuppyMillActionWeek

Categories: EDUCATION Tagged: Faith, Family, Henry, Hope, Love, Puppy Mill Dogs, Reese, Safe, Trust

‘TIS THE SEASON

December 21, 2014 | Leave a Comment

HOLIDAY STYLE FEATURING APPAREL FROM KIPEKEE COUTURE

Festive Front Door

Romantic

OR,

Formal Setting

We’re decked out, ready for any occasion.  Thank you Kipekee Couture.

Describing themselves as “true­-to-­the-­core animal lovers,”  Kipekee Couture says:

Each of our pets has a unique personality, a style of their own. It is because of their individuality that we created Kipekee. Made entirely of unusual, unique and stylish recycled fabrics, each of Kipekee’s exquisite lines is carefully handcrafted with impeccable attention to detail.

Ricky

This bandana was a great choice for Ricky, and he LOVES wearing it.  A collar might not show beneath his mane!

Henry

Henry looks so handsome in this ‘dressed up denim’ collar.

Reese

Pretty in Pink!  Reese was more than happy to pose for photos in her beautiful floral print collar.  In fact, she did not want me to take it off at bedtime (sweet dreams of sugar plum fairies).

Visit their website to see all the stunning designs available http://kipekee.ca/

Henry, Reese and Ricky love this holiday theme!

Henry, Reese and Ricky love this holiday theme!

Thanks also to Georgina Garden Centre for allowing us to share their gorgeous festive displays and gift items.

http://www.ggconline.ca/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Categories: WORKS OF ART Tagged: Beautiful, Canine Couture, Cats, Dogs, Feline Couture, Feline Friends, Goodwill, Henry, Play, Reese

it’s the lil’ things

September 23, 2013 | 2 Comments

My Favorite Things – Rodgers & Hammerstein, RCA Records 1965

Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens,
bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens,
brown paper packages tied up with strings,
these are a few of my favorite things.

Cream colored ponies and crisp apple strudels,
door bells and sleigh bells and schnitzel with noodles.
Wild geese that fly with the moon on their wings;
these are a few of my favorite things.

Girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes,
snowflakes that stay on my nose and eyelashes,
silver white winters that melt into springs,
these are a few of my favorite things.

When the dog bites, when the bee stings,
when I’m feeling sad,
I simply remember my favorite things,
and then I don’t feel so bad.

This was one of my favourite songs, from one of my favourite movies, when I was growing up.  I admit, I still set the PVR (Tivo) to ‘record’, if I see The Sound of Music, scheduled for broadcast.  I doubt there is anyone reading this, that does not recognize the lyrics from ‘The Sound of Music.’  Most of you are reading along to the tune, playing in your mind.

Have you ever made a list of your favourite things, do you take stock of the little things in life, that make you happy?  If not, take a few moments and jot them down somewhere.  Now, imagine this list, transformed into a work of art.

Provincetown 2013 087

This summer, I attended the Purple Turtle Art Festival; an amazing display of original paintings, photographs, jewelry, sculptures, pottery, woodcraft, native art, and more.

Set in a lush meadow, and catered by chefs from The Briars – Ontario Destination Resort, Spa and Conference Centre; The festival, includes works by more than 30 artisans from Toronto to Tory Hill, Ontario, as well as local artists.  This, is where I first learned of Nadya.

It was a very hot and humid Ontario day, as we entered the festival.  My husband was growing impatient, at being dragged from one booth, to the next.  Eventually, I made my way, to the far corner of the exhibition, from which, the colours from Nadya’s display beckoned me to visit.  The use of vibrant colours, still managed to evoke calm.  The serene imagery, and philosophical quotes were thought-provoking; each piece, an affirming meditation on canvas.

Nadya had stepped away from her booth during the time I perused her work.  Helping myself to one of her business cards, I knew I would be contacting her very soon;  I wanted one of her creations, displayed in my home, so that each time I walked past it, I would be reminded of the lil’ things.  Reminded, that it’s important to take time to appreciate these things.

Describing herself as a girl from the North Country, Nadya says; “I live in the forest with my very tolerant family and a plethora of animals. Mr. CFO is my husband of eons, my children Miss Know-It-All (self-proclaimed) and my son ‘The Juicer’, are ever-present to guide me through this wild, strange thing we call life. I am a person who could easily withstand being under house arrest, I love to be in my home studio creating. I find beauty in my everyday life and transform what inspires me into jewellery & art. I love taking pictures, loud music, red wine and cute babies. I enjoy hats and wear many of them. I am a work in-progress and passionate about what I like & love. I enjoy letting my freak flag fly and observing how true honesty makes people uncomfortable. I try to be fearless.”

Nadya collage_2

I corresponded with Nadya, initially via email. I described myself as an advocate for animals, and mom to pups Henry, and Reese.  I wondered if she would do a piece, reflective of this, and was invited to visit Nadya at her home. When I arrived, it was like visiting an old friend; we visited for ages.  I met Nadyas family, their protector, Lacey the cat, and hens; Thelma and Louise.  My husband accompanied me on today’s visit.  We toured ‘the farm’, met additional hens, quails, and new arrival, Sofie – the baby hedgehog.  On this day, I was also very excited, to collect my charming, whimsical, ‘li’l things by Nadya’ artwork. 

I am very pleased to introduce you to Nadya; a wonderful person, a lover of animals, with a positive outlook on life; this, I believe, is translated through her beautiful works of art.

http://www.purpleturtlearts.ca/

http://www.briars.ca/

http://lilthingsbynadya.com/

Categories: PRODUCT & SERVICE REVIEWS Tagged: Affirmation, Appreciation, Art, Calm, Enjoy Life, Fearless, Free, Henry, honesty, Inspiration, Love, Meditation, Passion, Philosophy, Reese, Serene, Thought-provoking, Vibrant

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