Expected Strangers

There are a lot of situations where a dog has bitten a repairperson, a landlord, or anyone else who could unexpected come into an apartment or home. You might be expecting them, but your dog isn't. Remember, to your dog this is like a "break in." Sometimes, even if you are are present, the dog reacts very differently than if you were receiving a "guest". Part of it may be your body language. Usually, even though you don't feel threatened in any way, you are not 100% "at ease." One also doesn't go through the same ritual as when greeting someone known to you, so your dog might not get the "all safe" signal. Thirdly, the repair person, technician, or inspector might be walking into and touching areas of the house a regular guest wouldn't...crawling on the floor, ducking behind a desk, etc.

What is often NOT talked about is not the danger that your dog can be to a person coming into your home, but also vice versa. Some dogs are less dominant and would kiss a burglar rather than defend your home, but they are still at risk. Some repair folks carry a can of dog spray, and do not let their hand stray from it. I am not saying ALL folks do but enough. If your dog went toward them quickly, even if it was in a friendly way, they could potentially squirt them and ask questions later. We had a repair person come recently, and even though I was holding a dog in my arms, he still had his finger on it. Sprays can cause great discomfort to a dogs eyes and nose and can potentially burn or blind in some cases.

There are several ways to avoid a potential situation, from preventing a normally well behaved dog from having to spend time at the pound on bite hold, to preventing a dog from harm from a spray can or a foot.

The first is, arrange for you or someone who knows the dog(s) well to be present during repairs.

If you have an apartment, a landlord does NOT have the right to come in at any time without proper notice. Even if they are selling the building and bringing someone through to see it, they must tell you ahead of time. The exceptions are in the case of fire, roof leak, or other major safety situations. Being as it may, when you are not home it is best to get a baby gate and keep your pet restricted to a particular area of the apartment or home when you are not home.

Whether you own a home or rent, crate training is also an excellent idea. This way, when you are home with the dog, he/she feels "safe" when put inside his/her carrier or crate when an expected stranger comes to your home. Or when you are not home for a little while, your dog is protected from a potential situation.

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Pet of the Day

Donner is a Corgi mix puppy.
According to the rescue. RoomForOneMore:

"My foster parents found me, my mom, and 8 littermates hidden under a shed. Mom was very skinny and they could not find her owner. These wonderful people were kind enough to take us into their home and care for ALL of us. Since there are nine of us puppies and we were born just before Christmas we have been named after Santa’s reindeer. Our mom is Corgi mix. Some of us have short legs like her and some of us must look more like dad (although we do not know who he is)."

If you are interested in adopting Donner or one of his littermates, please visit http://www.roomforonemore.net

If you would like to help Donner and his brothers and sisters find families, please consider linking to this page.

In Praise of 5 year old Dachshunds!

When I was almost six years old, my parents bought their first house. The owner had two dachshunds. She was moving to the big city and she could not take the dogs to the apartment that she selected. A home was found for the younger of the two dogs, but she did not have a home for the "older" one. She considered that if she could not find a home in the time that she had, that she may put her "to sleep."

Some people negotiate to get the washing machine or the fancy chandelier with the house. My parents negotiated the dog who deserved better. I had never had a dog before, but from my first meeting with that five year old long haired dachshund, which was a month before I entered the first grade, I was imprinted for life. Yes, she was only five years old, but for some reason it was considered past desirable age, which I of course didn't understand being almost six years old myself.

The "old dog" passed away inevitably, but not until I was a senior in high school and she was 18 years old. We had almost 13 wonderful years together. When I thought back on it, I couldn't believe that the world (not to mention myself!) was almost cheated out by not having my precious Heidi alive for all that time in it and that I almost didn't get to "grow up" with her.

I cannot guarantee that any other dog is going to live until the age of 18. Nor can I say that it is impossible to live even longer than that. But please consider adopting a dog that has a little but of experience. Unlike a puppy, many are already housebroken or crate trained, and are ready to join in on the family routine.

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Pets of the Day

Ruby and Picasso are both 5 year old Dachshunds with a lot of life left to share with you!

Ruby is a beauty queen of a red mini smooth haired girl who would like a home with adults or adults with older children. She is good with other dogs, but she is untried with cats

According to her foster mom, " She is very sweet and gentle. She likes people and gets along with other dogs. We do not know how she would do with cats." Ruby is AKC registered, is crate trained and was recently spayed." Would you consider adding this sweet girl to your family?



Picasso is a darling dappled miniauture dachshund

According to his profile, he says:

"I...was lucky enough to be sent to rescue from my breeder/owner so I can finally have a chance to get a forever home where I can be loved and pampered like I deserve to be. I am happy, well adjusted, and love nice long walks. My four short legs can really keep up the pace. I also like to ride in the car. I get along with other dogs but would love to have a home where I don’t have to compete so much for the love and attention I enjoy so much. I love evening laptime while my foster mom watches television. She has kind of spoiled me and allows me to sleep in bed with her. I sure do enjoy snuggling in under the covers."

If you are interested in learning more about these great dachsies, please fill out an application at Room For One More.Net

If you want to help find a home for them, please link to this page from your blog or website, or bulletin board. The direct link name to this page is: http://floridapetrescue.blogspot.com/2006/03/in-praise-of-5-year-old-dachshunds.html


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No "Free Dogs"

If you are considering rehoming your pet, please do not offer them "Free to Good Home".
This article says it better than anything I have ever read, and I encourage you to read it.

http://www.animalaidsw.org/free.html

If you absolutely must give up your dog, please consider finding out if someone close to you (grown child, sibling, petsitter, etc) who truly and sincerely loves the dog, and is already involved in his/her life and considers the dog "family" would be interested.

Also do some research and surrender them to a rescue who will find them an apropriate home.

At the very least, charge an adoption fee and carefully screen a potential home. Be bold. Ask for the name of the vet they have used for previous or current pets and check to see if they kept up with their vaccinations. Drive by their home to make sure they have the fenced in yard they said they had (if the dog requires one). Do not let the dog go home with the person on first meeting no matter how nice they seem. If they "have to have the dog" that night only there is something wrong.

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Pet of the Day

LEVI is waiting for a loving home.
He is a 2 to 3 year old black Cocker Spaniel.
According to his rescue, Room For One More and foster mom:
"He would make a wonderful companion for nearly any family."
"He would love going on long walks."
He is neutered, housebroken, and up to date on shots.




If you would like to learn more about Levi, and/or think you might be the perfect match for this wonderful guy, visit RoomForOneMore.Net
He is on the "Homes Wanted" page.

~ Would you like to help Levi find a home but are not in a position to adopt?
Link to this post from your website, blog, or bulleting board. The address to this post is
http://floridapetrescue.blogspot.com/2006/03/no-free-dogs.html

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Animal Control Milestones?

The following information is listed on the Citrus County Animal Control site under "Milestones and Achievements"

Milestones:

• Served over 17,000 visitors to the shelter
• Handled 1,121 animal adoptions, a 13% increase over last year's number
• Investigated over 9,000 complaints with the majority of the calls dedicated to barking dogs, animals at large and animal cruelty
• Impounded 6,885 animals with 4,845 being euthanized

This is something to be PROUD of??

It is understandable why local Animal Control offices cannot be "no kill". They do not turn away any animal, so therefore from time to time come into possession of a rabid dog, or a dog that no matter how miraculous some procedures can be might be, suffers injuries that nothing can cure. But that is the case with 2/3 of the pets!

The purpose of this blog is to connect people and to promote ways how we may overcome this in Citrus County through changed behavior and perspective as pet owners, animal lovers, and concerned citizens. Also, to inspire those that don't care to have a change of heart. The way we treat the animals around us has a direct impact on our community and families.

Secondly, it is to raise awareness of all the dogs and other pets that are available for adoption in this area. There are many wonderful companions out there, many of whom we will be featuring in this resource with links to the rescue site. If you are looking for a specific type of pet, we would be happy to recommend a rescue in your locale that can help.

Thirdly, it is to raise awareness with breed rescues elsewhere in the state and nationally. This way, if one of them connects with a person in Florida who is looking for a pet and they don't prefer to adopt long distance, they can be made aware of the wonderful rescues and pets in Citrus County to direct them towards. And the same goes both ways.

Please consider linking with this blog and spreading the word.

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Pet of the Day

BOO is waiting for a loving home.

He is an 8 year old Long Haired Chihuahua.
Chihuahuas, like other tiny breeds live a Looong time,
so he has many, many years to come with you!
According to his rescue, Room For One More and foster mom:
"He is so wonderful to cuddle up with on the sofa and watch television or read a good book with. He is a real LOVE.... Boo was abused when he was a very young dog, yet amazing at it is to me, he is able to move on with his life. He wants very much to be loved and to give love again." He is neutered, housebroken, and up to date on shots and looking for a home with adults.

If you would like to learn more about Boo, and/or think you might be the perfect match for this wonderful guy, visit RoomForOneMore.Net He is on the "Homes Wanted" page.