tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-84461121926902752982024-03-13T07:50:52.706-07:00Trailed By20houndsDrats, the squirrels and nuts are taking overBy20houndshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01270646010444091362noreply@blogger.comBlogger56125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8446112192690275298.post-89040246582731841342013-07-13T12:48:00.000-07:002013-08-24T06:51:12.728-07:00Under Siege - No Kill Nation Targets Senior Sanctuary<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">No Kill Nation's president Debi Day has gotten increasingly desperate in trying to defend her actions seeking to jail me in order to silence my comments on her organization's radical behavior in animal advocacy. Casting aside the issues that lead to No Kill Nation filing a civil lawsuit that centered around the funding of NKN's Everglades Project is late 2011 the focus this blog will clarify is a number of false allegations coming from No Kill Nation's president and many of its rabid followers.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">No Kill Nation has lodged some serious allegations that my rescue sanctuary is not licensed, that the hounds in my care haven't received proper vet care and a more serious allegation that this lead to my being personally responsible for the deaths of fifteen of the hounds who have passed away over the last few years.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">A "Mary Palmer" writes "Seems to me more people should be asking why this man, with a criminal past is allowed to call himself rescue he is not licensed? I would also like to know how 15 of his rescue dogs have died under suspicious circumstances in a couple of years."</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">While I am not sure who Mary is or where she got her facts I will clarify her concerns. First off, I have NEVER been convicted of a criminal act. Suggesting that as fact without offering proof of a conviction is in itself highly libelous. The only conviction I have had in my sixty years is the 2008 "misdemeanor" conviction for dog barking in Gwinnett. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The law that I was cited on and convicted in Gwinnett's Recorders Court in August of 2008 has been changed no longer making a dog barking offense anything more than it should have been - a zoning violation under Gwinnett's animal ordinance code. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Over the last two years Debi Day has repeated alleged that I have been convicted of a felony. I have challenged her to prove that with a conviction and to date she has been unable to do so because there is no record of being convicted of a felony.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The second allegation that I am "not licensed" to do rescue is true. From the years 2002 to 2010 I was a foster home for a "licensed" rescue group under the Georgia Department of Agriculture. In the summer of 2010 I retired from rescue for health reasons and to spend more time with my own senior dogs.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">That hasn't prevented me from adopting several dogs as a private citizen from a number of Georgia's kill shelters. My criteria for adopting is very narrow. First the beagle has to be at least ten years of age and it has to have run out of all options with the many licensed beagle rescues and be in imminent danger of being euthanized. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The beagles and their shelters I have adopted since retiring from rescue include <strong><em>Malcolm</em></strong> a heartworm positive senior adopted in July 2011 from Barrow County, <strong><em>Cruiser</em></strong>, a senior female blind in one eye from Commerce Animal Control also in July of 2011, <strong><em>Oscar</em></strong>, a fifteen year old beagle who was a hospice from Gwinnett Animal Control in August 2011, <strong><em>Clarence</em></strong>, a male basset/beagle mix also adopted from Commerce in September 2011, <strong><em>Petey</em></strong>, a twelve year old plus beagle with a heart condition and his kennel mate <strong><em>Bella</em></strong> a ten year old beagle girl out of Cobb County Animal Control late November 2011, <strong><em>Bud Bud</em></strong> a ten year old beagle in may 2012 from Gwinnett Animal Control and more recently a few weeks ago a senior beagle named <strong><em>Spencer</em></strong> who was also out of Cobb County Animal Control.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Malcolm, Cruiser, Clarence, Oscar, Petey, Bella, Bud Bud and Spencer all share one common trait. They would all be dead now had I not decided to take them on as pets that I OWN.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">With those eight I currently own twenty seven dogs. In the twelve years I have had twenty something dogs sharing my house there has never been even a warning over care issues. That also can be verified through animal control. Gwinnett is one of the few counties in Georgia that does not have a pet limit law.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Having an array of seniors living here since specifically 2008 when some of my older personal hounds started to succumb old age it hardly "suspicious circumstances" at all that on the average we have lost three dogs a year from 2008 through 2013.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Those dogs include Toby a basset age 12 who was euthanized when diagnosed with cancer of the spleen, Jethro a beagle foster age 10 plus who passed away in his sleep while be treated for cancer of the stomach and Horatio a small senior beagle rescued from Murray County earlier in 2008 who died from bone cancer. Toby saw two vets who both recommended putting him to sleep, Jethro had been under the care of a local vet hospital for a few months when he suddenly passed and Horatio had been seen out at the University of Georgia when he lost the use of his hind legs. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In 2009 there were no dogs who passed away but in 2010 that trend changed dramatically. In February Maggie passed away suffering form kidney failure at the age of 12. Sally, a basset rescued from a puppy mill died at age 10 from a huge cancerous tumor on her chest also in February, in April our girl Zoe Monster passed away after suffering a massive stroke, in Ellie, who was twelve plus was helped to the bridge when she was diagnosed with bladder cancer, our senior basset Samantha also was sent to the bridge with cancer in April 2010 as well.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Maggie's bill for her last few days was several hundred dollars, Zoe's bill for her last 24 hours was over $1,000. Sally, Ellie and Samantha were all under the care of our family vet during their last days with us.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In 2011 we lost our basset Mulligan to mouth cancer, a foster named Gibbs to mouth cancer, and an over bred older beagle mix named Frannie to a heart attack. While both Gibbs and Mulligan were being seen by our family vet Frannie died of a massive heart attack here at home.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In the spring of 2012 our basset Sydney Barrett suffered a massive coronary and died at the age of twelve. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In 2013 Petey passed away in early April from bone cancer, our first beagle died suddenly from bone cancer on Memorial day weekend and our beloved Cleo was taken away after a three month battle with an aggressive cancer as well. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Cleo's vet bills alone during her last three years averaged $1,000 a year. In addition to the dogs who have passed our oldest basset Abbie has undergone three major surgeries in the last eighteen months with total vet bills in excess of $3,000 dealing with a stubborn tumor on her front leg. Our hospice Oscar has undergone successful removal of a tumor despite his advanced age. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This claim of not providing medical care as needed for any of the dogs living under my care is not only insulting but lacking in any credibility as well.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Exactly what with the self proclaimed expert from No Kill Nation like for "someone" too investigate? Anyone who has followed me on Face book or on this blog knows that each of the hounds passing are well documented. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It is simply ignorant for No Kill nation's president to suggest wrong doing where she has nothing more than an overly active imagination that is fueled by her own hatred.<br /><br />How ignorant is Debi Day - you judge.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Stupid enough to think that the bassets and beagles I rescued in 2001 period where part of a "litter". She is clueless.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">But being clueless did not stop Debi from having one of her No Kill nation thugs from trying to file false allegations of abuse with authorities.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">No Kill Nation's team member Idiot Whisperer goes on to suggest he will file a complaint with the Georgia Department of Agriculture with the "evidence" he has compiled about "dead corpses"?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Supported of course by the boss of No Kill nation cheering him on with her evidence of having a "dirty carpet". Certainly with Debi's expertise as a leader this clearly points to man abusive sanctuary where the dogs should be removed. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Yet, isn't Debi an apologist for true hoarding sanctuaries like Caboodle Ranch and Spindletop Refuge where actual evidence of dead corpses did exist?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">There is a clear break where one crosses over from simply being ignorant of the facts they claim leadership skills on to simply being hateful without any concern over what lives they hurt.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Debi Day has crossed over that line time and time again. She is so obsessed with bringing me down whether its with a bogus jail term or through truly hateful ignorant comments it is hard to imagine how she can do any advocating at all.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It is simply beyond the pale that a woman claiming to represent an national organization to reform our animals shelters would allow let alone direct comments like these. This simply shows what I have said all along - Debi Day is NOT QUALIFIED to lead a no kill movement reforming our nations animal shelters.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Disgusting? I'll leave it to people of sound minds to determine who is disgusting in this conversation.</span></div>
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By20houndshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01270646010444091362noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8446112192690275298.post-7735753058720155772013-06-14T18:04:00.001-07:002013-06-14T18:09:49.796-07:00Dreams of Future Past<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: small;">Tomorrow marks two months since Cleo had her surgery and I got the dreadful news that the operation didn’t go well at all. I had hoped for another lucky winning hand like we were dealt in Abbie’s case. Were despite the odds my girl that I loved so dearly would pull through. Only this time the cards were stacked against us.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong><em>Cleo, Maggie & Zoe Monster</em></strong></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: small;">I have to be honest Dr Wise hinted it would be best to put Cleo to sleep. She said that her care would be intensive and that Cleo was not going to get any better. In hindsight I am glad I got these two months to spend with Cleo and to say our good-byes.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: small;">Cleo did require almost constant care. I’ve done hospice type care on several fosters before so it wasn’t like this would be new. Besides Cleo was not a foster dog – she was my best long time friend. Over the last few months our bond grew even closer. That’s why I mentioned I thought I had come to terms with losing her. In the end each case of watching something dear to you slip away is unique – Cleo being no different.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong><em>Toby, Sydney & Scarlett from 2007 </em></strong></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: small;">Sadly over the past three years we have lost fifteen of our senior hounds. Eight have been from my original crew I put together over a decade ago – my bassets Maggie, Zoe, now Cleo, Toby, Sydney, and Samantha, and Beagle and Ban Bam. Each of those losses tore huge holes in my heart. Sometimes I sit at night and wonder how I can continue to suffer such tremendous feeling of loss with each passing. The answer is really simple – life grants you great memories that come with great burdens. I would never trade the memories simply to escape the pain that comes with not being able to build more memories.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;"><em>Not much changes through the years - - from 2002</em></span></strong></td></tr>
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</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: small;">I share many of those private moments the hounds and I have had through the years with our friends. I also remind people that despite the hardships I still consider myself very blessed to be able to share my life with the hounds I so deeply love. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: small;">For people who have no clue who I am or how we live to suggest my life is unhappy or I have any bottled up anger in my life they simply are ignorant and clueless. The last thing I do every night is say good night to my beloved hounds. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: small;">I don’t do that as a unit – or pack but individually. In most cases the hounds have their own bedtime routine whether it’s crawling up for a quick scratch on the chest before scurrying off to her bed like Abigail or wandering over to my bed for a pat on the head like Dano. Several of the hounds claim their spot in bed – whether its Agnes stealing my pillow or Poe stretched out by my feet.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong><em>Rise and shine its a new morning</em></strong></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: small;">In the morning I’m the first one up. Our routine then turned into waking each of the hounds and escorting them out for their morning walk. That is pretty much how the whole day goes – whether its our meal time routine, watching the morning news or the two hours I spend in the evening watching TV – the days are focused around those routines.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: small;">Its not to say I don’t squeeze in things that need done in between including some me time on the computer or many of my other pastimes I enjoy doing. But we are a large family unit. When one passes, like Cleo and beagle – they are most missed during those daily routines. I find myself remembering how Beagle liked her dish or how I would prepare our queen something special because she was our queen.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: small;">Life goes on around here because it is a routine. I may just plow through the paces still thinking about my loss but I do so with a spirit that keeps the other hounds high-spirited. As I think about our losses I am realistic in understanding there will be more. Of the twenty hounds still part of our extended pack only six are under four years old. Only eight are under six years old. Nineteen are between the ages of ten to eighteen years of age.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YWKIo1vBnHA/Ubu8pHtnvzI/AAAAAAAABYE/9okCbGWdOkc/s1600/Agnes+Sleeping.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YWKIo1vBnHA/Ubu8pHtnvzI/AAAAAAAABYE/9okCbGWdOkc/s640/Agnes+Sleeping.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong><em>Our sweet dream Agnes</em></strong></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: small;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: small;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: small;">Dreams are a strange concept. Philosophers talk about reaching for your dreams to find true happiness. I dream of days gone past. Those are the dreams that bring solace to my soul. One thing I’ve come to understand about life is you can’t turn back the page – you can’t stop the clock and all you can do is try and build dreams that give your soul the same comfort as days gone past.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: small;">Since we can’t turn back the page to yesterday and we surely can’t bet on tomorrow the only thing that works is too live each day to its fullest with the cards you have to play. Fortunately, I am still surrounded by a pack of happy, loving hounds that manage to keep me more than busy every day. We push through our daily routine looking to build more cherished memories for days to come. These moments in time are the dreams of future past.</span><br />
<br />
</span><br />
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By20houndshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01270646010444091362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8446112192690275298.post-72943430320285979982013-06-14T12:37:00.000-07:002013-06-14T12:41:27.935-07:00Cleo's Final Journey<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cvkBS-L3SmY/UbtsAxkU4UI/AAAAAAAABV0/JavIsMotLds/s1600/2009052.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="416" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cvkBS-L3SmY/UbtsAxkU4UI/AAAAAAAABV0/JavIsMotLds/s640/2009052.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong><em>Journey to the Heavens</em></strong></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yesterday I took the dreaded slow trip out to Jackson Lake to lay my sweet girl Cleo to rest. It seems we’ve made this journey far too often. The hounds and I are blessed with some remarkably kind friends. In times of great sadness I lean on my friend Bill who helped set up a small burial plot for several of my precious hounds were they could rest peacefully on his farm. <br />
<br />
While I thought I had prepared myself for her departure during the last two months since we received the dreadful news of her illness that wasn’t the case. Once the finality of losing her set in all the emotions of losing your best friend set in. Cleo was the last survivor who had helped me through the passing of my father in 2001. I brought Cleo along with Maggie and Zoe to dad’s funeral. Afterwards we traveled for four or five months at a wicked pace trying to outrun the demons of despair that had set in. Ultimately this would lead to becoming involved in rescue which not only saved hundreds of hounds but my own sense of purpose as well.<br />
<br />
I found Cleo living on a chain in a dirt filled yard in south Florida’s "Cuban Ghetto". Cleo was only a year old and she shared the backyard with an overly energetic pit puppy about the same age. Their chains were separated but the pit puppy was close enough to take a swipe out of her nose. She was petrified.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7kjPwNJd0z8/UbtsrLgzCBI/AAAAAAAABV8/56Nf6UEHazs/s1600/2009050.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="427" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7kjPwNJd0z8/UbtsrLgzCBI/AAAAAAAABV8/56Nf6UEHazs/s640/2009050.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><em>Cleo's first picture after her bath - she wasn't sure what was going on</em></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <br />
I found here answering a classified ad in the morning news. The girl I was with told me I didn’t need a third basset but once I saw that look of fear in her eyes I wasn’t leaving without here. A problem came up when the woman told me in broken english she wanted $100 for Cleo. I told her I only had $60 but wasn’t leaving without her. So, I offered her a deal – pulling out my cell phone I told her "$60 and I won’t call animal control". I never saqw anyone agree so fast. At first I laughed and told my friend she probably didn’t have a green card but later I realized she was probably concerned about the illegal pit bull she had instead.<br />
</span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sR9AcqM-eo8/UbttZ_iTbnI/AAAAAAAABWI/yY-E9ISX8uU/s1600/img026.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="434" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sR9AcqM-eo8/UbttZ_iTbnI/AAAAAAAABWI/yY-E9ISX8uU/s640/img026.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><em>Learning the rules - there ne no sleeping on the floor</em></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /><em>
</em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cleo never spent a day living on a chain ever again. In my heart I know Cleo lived a wonderful life. Not only me but with her adopted siblings Maggie and Zoe. That bond remained even as our family of hounds grew.<br />
<br />
For twelve and a half years Cleo gave back a love that was priceless. She had a certain grace that brought smiles to adults and laughter to children. Strangers would ask if they could pet "my dog" and I would simply tell them to ask her? Cleo always obliged. I like to think once you met Cleo - she left a lasting impression that always brought a smile to your face. She was loved by many.<br />
<br />
I knew Cleo was closing down in her final hours. I was by her side letting her know what a truly great dog she was and that it was all right to let go. Cleo was fighter. I truly believe she fought on not wanting to disappoint me. Cleo was loyal in her love right up to her last dying breath. <br />
</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EJovjWUhvqk/UbtuD9MMkyI/AAAAAAAABWQ/TMz_dgxEbCI/s1600/img018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="430" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EJovjWUhvqk/UbtuD9MMkyI/AAAAAAAABWQ/TMz_dgxEbCI/s640/img018.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">While the tears have slowed and eventually the images and memories will be replaced with smiles but life will never be quite the same around here. For twelve and a half years now I never went to sleep at night without sharing a final lights out "Night Cleo – daddy loves you". It was those words on her passing that started the tears flowing. <br />
<br />
In the end I talked to her about going to sleep so she could see Maggie and Zoe again. She is in a more peaceful place now. In times of great grief music and words can play a powerful role in moving one’s mind from sorrow to remembering the good times shared building those priceless memories we cherish till our final breath. </span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--3CgzMQGuKk/Ubtv3wPXXJI/AAAAAAAABWg/hpSmdY75n_o/s1600/2009053.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--3CgzMQGuKk/Ubtv3wPXXJI/AAAAAAAABWg/hpSmdY75n_o/s640/2009053.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
<br />
<br />
An English songwriter Peter Green wrote a song that always mesmerized feelings deep inside my conscious soul. The song was written in 1969 called Closing My Eyes. It on a old Fleetwood Mac album called "Then Play On". <br />
<br />
"Then Play On" is a mindset that reminds me to continue living each day one at a time. That is what life is all about – playing on.<br />
<br />
In loving memory of my girl I’ll close with this song as I press on feeding on her smile.<br />
<br />
<em>Written by guitarist / vocalist - leader of the Band - Peter Green.<br />
<br />
John Mc Vie [bass]<br />
Danny Kirwan [guitar / vocal]<br />
Mick Fleetwood [drum]<br />
Jeremy Spencer [slide guitar / vocal]<br />
Peter Green [guitar / vocal]<br />
<br />
Lyrics -<br />
<br />
Now it's the same as before<br />
And I'm alone again<br />
<br />
With no sorrow for myself<br />
And I'm blaming no one else<br />
<br />
And closing my eyes<br />
And seeing you standing there<br />
<br />
Now it's the same as before<br />
You've touched me with your love<br />
<br />
And though you're in my heart<br />
We're still a world apart<br />
As now I'm back to the time<br />
Where I would search for a dream<br />
But no use to try anymore as before<br />
Someday I'll die, and maybe then I'll be with you<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jMIVQ13oAWw/UbtwSM8oysI/AAAAAAAABWo/p1cgfCQ4lyw/s1600/2009049.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jMIVQ13oAWw/UbtwSM8oysI/AAAAAAAABWo/p1cgfCQ4lyw/s640/2009049.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>Rest in Peace - Till We Meet</strong></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</em><br />
<br /><em>
</em><br />
<em></em><br />
<em>So I'm closing my eyes<br />
To hear the people laugh<br />
<br />
For they're all aglow<br />
Not knowing where to go<br />
<br />
But is it asking too much<br />
When the question is what to do<br />
With the life I'll have<br />
It seems I know nothing now<br />
Except my love for you<br />
And the strength in my hands<br />
To go on feeding your smile<br />
<br />
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ol5vqE4PVdc</em></span>By20houndshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01270646010444091362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8446112192690275298.post-56520142736817098272013-05-27T08:59:00.002-07:002013-05-27T08:59:43.067-07:00Living Poe's Dream<span style="font-size: x-small;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D1rdvqt1RhU/UaN8bEeQw5I/AAAAAAAABUU/Db15E6R8OE0/s1600/010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D1rdvqt1RhU/UaN8bEeQw5I/AAAAAAAABUU/Db15E6R8OE0/s400/010.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Today we celebrate ten tears since our Poe joined our family of hounds. I written about Poe before and the wonderful bond we have formed. Poe has been a dream come true. A truer more loyal friend and companion would be hard to find. Over the years Poe has been my constant shadow. He is a beacon of light whom I am quite proud.</span><br />
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</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">While Poe is no longer young with his touch of grey he remains my forever friend. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SVQs2ti-eYE/UaOBGEiQ8bI/AAAAAAAABUs/gAvAzAZlnHo/s1600/May+23+2008+007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SVQs2ti-eYE/UaOBGEiQ8bI/AAAAAAAABUs/gAvAzAZlnHo/s640/May+23+2008+007.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><em>Poe with Maggie, Zoe and Bam Bam - five years ago (May 2008) </em></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Today is his day – our day to celebrate all the wonderful times we have shared. It is our shared dreams that make our lives complete – not the promises of riches we can not spend. Poe is one of my priceless riches that life has bestowed. Life promises us nothing but the riches of finding our dreams – in Poe we have found that dream.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HIkmld-SNJ8/UaOB8EfuCMI/AAAAAAAABU0/8hvMWYsDfio/s1600/037+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HIkmld-SNJ8/UaOB8EfuCMI/AAAAAAAABU0/8hvMWYsDfio/s400/037+-+Copy.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><em>Poe and Cleo in the summer of 2010</em></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><em></em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">There are those throughout the history of time who tell you - to find your dreams you must be a dreamer yourself. We might all be different and lost in life's fog, but in the end aren't we all just living Poe's dream within a dream? <br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QNky6lI6UIk/UaOCjR0TvOI/AAAAAAAABVA/PeD204xFH4c/s1600/Poe+&+Bam-Bam+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QNky6lI6UIk/UaOCjR0TvOI/AAAAAAAABVA/PeD204xFH4c/s400/Poe+&+Bam-Bam+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-size: small;">Poe and Bam Bam in 2006</span></em></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Poe now joins an exclusive club we call "Ten Years After" with Cleo, Abbie, Beagle, Agnes, Casey and Marley who have withstood the grace of time. This is his day to celebrate that bond.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">From his namesake – Edgar Allen Poe</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
<em></em></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><em>"A Dream within a Dream" </em><br />
<br />
</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><em>Take this kiss upon the brow!<br />
And, in parting from you now,<br />
Thus much let me avow-<br />
You are not wrong, who deem<br />
That my days have been a dream;<br />
Yet if hope has flown away<br />
In a night, or in a day,<br />
In a vision, or in none,<br />
Is it therefore the less gone?<br />
All that we see or seem<br />
Is but a dream within a dream.</em><br />
<br />
<em>Edgar Allen "Poe"</em> </span></span></span><br />By20houndshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01270646010444091362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8446112192690275298.post-52173498921497404032013-05-13T11:20:00.002-07:002013-05-13T11:54:42.108-07:00Saving Juju<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SCfT9ONHifs/UZErCid4FSI/AAAAAAAABQU/r3JVeZgoUtk/s1600/Juju125.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="260" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SCfT9ONHifs/UZErCid4FSI/AAAAAAAABQU/r3JVeZgoUtk/s400/Juju125.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">Juju</span></em></strong> </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">In October of 2009 I pulled two beagle mix puppies out of Henry County Animal Control. They were litter mates from a local backyard breeder that I named Juju and Ziva. Both were only about twelve weeks old.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Of the more than 300 beagle and bassets that I have fostered for a local licensed rescue through the years it was unusual to even consider taking in two puppies. Typically puppies find their way into the other beagle rescue groups in the Atlanta area who do a remarkable job in placing them in loving homes.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Juju and Ziva however had severe skittish behavior around people. I suspect that was the result of not being properly socialized around people as puppies. Not only were they both afraid of strangers but they were also severely afraid of me as well. When I decided to stop doing rescue in the summer of 2010 as with the rest of the special needs fosters I simply took responsibility.</span></span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--S4HNzBjKJs/UZEsygR7ryI/AAAAAAAABQg/8LulfDImnBs/s1600/Juju124.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="260" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--S4HNzBjKJs/UZEsygR7ryI/AAAAAAAABQg/8LulfDImnBs/s400/Juju124.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong><em>Ziva</em></strong></span><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Over the last three years both Juju and Ziva have dome remarkably well. Both are sweet girls nearing the age of four. They are housetrained, follow simple commands and have a friendly beagle disposition. I only problem I have had with both is they are young enough and agile enough to scale the fence that encircles our yard. While they never wander too far from home it is simply too dangerous with all the traffic so during the day they stay in a six by ten kennel unless I am out in the yard to supervise them.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Within the last two months Juju has developed severe diarrhea. I brought her in to Monroe Animal Hospital April 8<sup>th</sup> thinking it might be worms but instead she was diagnosed as having "chronic" diarrhea. She was put on antibiotics and a bland diet with instructions to return in three or four weeks if there was no improvement. Juju’s did not respond to treatment as we had hoped but instead she has developed a prolapsed rectum which will require surgery.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">The cost of that surgery will be around $600 to $650 which includes her last two exams. The good news is she should make a full recovery in about three weeks. With my own health situation I had asked Henry County Humane if they would assist in finding both Juju and Ziva new homes. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Both girls have developed into sweet beagles who will make excellent family pets. It is my hope that they can find a family looking for a pair of house-trained beagles who would be great around mature children or a family looking for active hounds. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">For these girls to realize that dream of being part of a family of their own Juju needs help. I am not in a position to pay for her surgery with my own health issues limiting my ability to work. Anyone who can help with Juju’s surgery costs can contact the Monroe Animal Hospital where donations are being taken for specifically for Juju's surgery.</span></span><br />
<br />
You can reach the Monroe Animal Hospital at 770-267-3006.By20houndshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01270646010444091362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8446112192690275298.post-19652554103302371552013-04-27T17:37:00.004-07:002013-08-02T14:26:55.850-07:00Life Trailed by 20 Hounds<span style="font-size: large;"><strong><em>There are plenty of people who are more than willing to lovingly look after your dogs if you should be sentenced to any amount of incarceration. </em></strong><br />
<strong><em></em></strong><br />
<strong><em>No Kill Nation spokesperson Teri Dyer </em></strong><br />
<strong><em></em></strong><br />
The arrogance that a spokesperson could even make such a statement astounds me. Obviously No Kill Nation hasn't considered how this would effect the hounds she is suggesting are in need of a "loving home".<br />
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Many of you reading this many not know exactly WHO the hounds are that have become an iconic treasure in our community.<br />
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Over the years I have shared the antics and stories of my beloved hounds for the world to see. I have also shared the heartbreak as many have peacefully left this world. I can say without a doubt losing my hounds would be life altering.<br />
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<strong><em>Meet the hounds known as "Trailed by 20 Hounds"</em></strong><br />
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I found Cleo chained in a backyard in south Florida on December 28th 2000. She was being used to tease a pit bull who's chain reached close enough to touch nose to nose. I advised the Spanish speaking owner I wasn't leaving without her even if I had to call INS. He "sold" her to me for $60. Cleo recently was diagnosed with a huge tumor on her hind leg. Surgery was not successful in saving her life - she is now in hospice care while I treasure each day we have left.<br />
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Abbie was surrendered with a euthanasia order for being aggressive after taking a bite out of a two years olds ice cream cone. She got all cone - what one year old puppy doesn't like ice cream? She's been here since August 2001. For the last three years she has struggled with an open wound tumor on her front leg that would not heal. A year ago her leg was removed and she has had a full recovery. She still enjoys an occasional cone.<br />
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Beagle Annie found herself at the Spalding gassing shelter in November 2001 with only hours to live. I "rescued" her with the idea of finding her a home. Not wanting to get attached I started calling her beagle - she's been here ever since.<br />
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</span><span style="font-size: large;">Agnes was rescued from Miami Dade Animal Services on January 16th 2002. She was picked up as a stray with a huge gash on her forehead New Years Eve. Agnes was near death from all the disease in the shelter with whip worms, an infected head would and general poor health. Probably the sweetest of hounds we call her the "Mad Kisser" around here. Who wouldn't love that face?</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sHYKe8iBDkw/UXxfvi10G8I/AAAAAAAABNo/1ZnJjrkIFOk/s1600/Casey+aol.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sHYKe8iBDkw/UXxfvi10G8I/AAAAAAAABNo/1ZnJjrkIFOk/s640/Casey+aol.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I found Casey Jones at the Spalding Shelter waiting to be gassed on May 9th 2002. He was not available for adoption since he had a crushed left eye. The shelter manager told me you don't want a "one eyed" beagle we have another. I looked at him and said "how do you know what I want?" and grabbed a leashed walking him out. The eye was removed the next morning. Casey's been a wonderful friend ever since. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I found Marley after answering a "free to a good home ad on crackliest on August 5th 2002. He was located in Hernando County Fl. We drove 450 miles to snatch this handsome boy up. A gorgeous hound with super long ears. His owner claimed he couldn't house train him so he was living in their backyard. I'm not sure what he was talking about as we didn't have any issues. Maybe Marley couldn't figure out how to open the door?</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Poe Poe's owner dropped him off at a local vets office in May of 2003 and never came back. He was two years old. Not wanting to take him to the local high kill shelter a receptionist had him neutered, paid his bill and called me. A sweeter hound does not exist. Poe Poe and Bam Bam (RIP) were best friends. Like Bam Bam, Poe has been my 24/7 companion ever since.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">What were you thinking?</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Beep Beep was a foster failure. She's been with us since October 2003 - still waiting for one of those 23,000,000 people looking for a great house trained beagle. Adopted out twice Beep Beep came back twice for acting up. One adoptee was a personal friend who adopted another beagle named Einstein in 2006. I've always thought Beep Beep acted out so she could come back and join all her houndie friends. I officially adopted Beep Beep upon retiring from rescue in the summer of 2010.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Belle Belle was dumped at the Gwinnett Animal Shelter in November 2005. She was eight years old. Her owner had her since she was a puppy and dumped her when she started peeing on the floor. A VERY KIND animal control Officer Sandy Towler hid Belle in the back to avoid following up on the order. She begged me to come rescue Belle before someone found her in a back part of the shelter. Belle had bladder stones which were removed and I put her up for adoption. She's still waiting. I adopted Belle in the summer of 2010 as well.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Meet Sherlock. I bought Sherlock in a "batch" of basset and beagles that were being auctioned at a puppy mills breeders auction for $25 in May of 2007. He was just a puppy. A truly handsome boy I selfishly decided to just keep him. Everyone who meets Sherlock just melts at his sweetness. The only issue I have with him is he definitely CANTHUNT.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Abigail was part of a second shipment of puppy mill breeder rejects in August 2007 just months before the infamous dog barking case in Gwinnett.. She was terrified with people including me. I held on to her to try and work with her only to decide like Sherlock she would just stay. While it's been a slow process initially Abigail has blossomed into a truly wonderful hound. Sherlock still thinks of Abigail represent a next wave of hounds for after many of the older hounds have passed on to the bridge </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Many of the other "original" by20hounds Maggie Dawg, Zoe Monster, Toby, Sydney Barret, Scarlett, Mulligan, Flash, Samantha and my dear sweet Bam Bam have passed on taking with them huge chunks of my heart but leaving behind memories I will cherish till we meet again.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I am blessed to have been given the gift of their loyal friendship and the priceless memories that remain close to my heart. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">This blog is dedicated to the stories and memorials of the iconic hounds known as Trailed by 20 Hounds.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><em>Friend of the Devil</em></span><br />
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<em>I lit out from Reno, I was trailed by twenty hounds<br />Didn't get to sleep last night 'till the morning came around.<br /><br />Set out runnin' but I take my time<br />A friend of the devil is a friend of mine<br />If I get home before daylight, I just might get some sleep tonight.<br /><br />Ran into the devil, babe, he loaned me twenty bills<br />I spent the night in Utah in a cave up in the hills.<br /><br />Set out runnin' but I take my time, a friend of the devil is a friend of mine,<br />If I get home before daylight, I just might get some sleep tonight.<br /><br />I ran down to the levee but the devil caught me there<br />He took my twenty dollar bill and vanished in the air.<br /><br />Set out runnin' but I take my time<br />A friend of the devil is a friend of mine<br />If I get home before daylight, I just might get some sleep tonight.<br /><br />Got two reasons why I cry away each lonely night,<br />The first one's named Sweet Anne Marie, and she's my hearts delight.<br />The second one is prison, babe, the sheriff's on my trail,<br />And if he catches up with me, I'll spend my life in jail.<br /><br />Got a wife in Chino, babe, and one in Cherokee<br />The first one says she's got my child, but it don't look like me.<br /><br />Set out runnin' but I take my time,<br />A friend of the devil is a friend of mine,<br />If I get home before daylight, I just might get some sleep tonight.<br /><br />-RIP Jerry </em><br />
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<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZYo3rPgAvM4"><em>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZYo3rPgAvM4</em></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><strong><em>Peace and Love </em></strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><em><strong>Drats</strong></em></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />By20houndshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01270646010444091362noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8446112192690275298.post-51671605156650522532013-04-24T11:24:00.000-07:002013-04-24T11:28:14.753-07:00Lovers Cross<span style="font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: small;">Jim had a tremendous skill in starting and ending truly emotional songs. His insight, spirit </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: small;">and verbage are sorely to this day.<br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: small;">I love Jim Croce, what an inspiring truly amazing musician. Pure poetry and such a sad haunting melody. Jim is truly missed. Such a shame more folks don't give him a listen.<br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: small;">Over the past few years the hounds and I have been truly blessed with the kindness and friendship of hundreds of Face Book friends. Your passion and love for companion friends has been an inspiration and left us with memories we will forever cherish. We are proud to have inspired a discussion that helped change a culture of thinking on our relationships with our three and four legged friends.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: small;">Social media has lead a revolution of thinking that in time will bridge a gap that allows far too much suffering and senseless death for God’s creatures that could never be part of any spiritual plan.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: small;">The world can be a dangerous place. As much as we cherish the good we can not overlook the evil that has become all to part of the fabric with which we live. There is far too much hate in this world that seems to negate all the good. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: small;">Over the last few months some of very small-minded cold hearted voices of evil have decided to target not only my safety but more importantly the safety of my beloved hounds. I can not overlook these threats. </span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jGfPHIx3LTA/UXgi4osaZ9I/AAAAAAAABMI/oWvLg_JJJEQ/s1600/Bam-Bam+2006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jGfPHIx3LTA/UXgi4osaZ9I/AAAAAAAABMI/oWvLg_JJJEQ/s640/Bam-Bam+2006.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: small;">I like to think we share a vision of a kinder, gentler world were peace, love and understanding of our differences drowns out the hatred that has taken over the social media world. As important as that vision is for our companion friends it carries with it dangers I can not risk. For the last twelve years I have used my advocacy voice to speak for those who can’t. I have paid a huge price participating in the discussions needed to bring about this change, including the loss of my beloved Bam Bam a few years back.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: small;">I have never recovered from nor gotten over her loss. Bam Bam’s death was collateral in a war of opposing views. To this day I blame myself for not protecting her and recognizing the risk that came with what I do, I will carry the nightmares of her loss with the shattered parts of my broken heart. To this day Bam Bam’s image remains everywhere I look.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: small;">Now I face a much greater danger as small minded self absorbed cold hearted animal haters target the rest of my hounds. No matter how huge the vision of a kinder world is for our companion friends I could not survive losing even one of the hounds in order to capture that dream.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: small;">There has always been an exit plan for my beloved hounds. I have made the decision to close down all Face Book operations and execute that plan. We will cease participating in sharing the antics, stories and pictures of the hounds. I do so out of concern for their safety. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: small;">Instead, I will be returning to writing stories on my blogs and hopefully the lord will move on to other methods and commination in formats where the hounds will be secure. It saddens me to have to make this decision but I trust our true friends will understand. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: small;">We are but here on this earth for a few fleeting moments in time. No one can change yesterday’s approaching dawn nor are we assured a vision of tomorrow sun as it rises in the east. All our faith assures us of is our today, this minute, this hour, right now.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: small;">Over the last forty plus years I have tested that resolve more times than I care to discuss. I have learned to cherish every moment, every breathe that the lord offers. In some strange way I have questioned why a number of times he didn’t cash in my chips. I’m left with the hope that my work remains undone. I am no hero, nor a saint in any way. I am merely one person in a huge world trying to make amends for my sins of the past. It is my hope, my dream that when the time comes to knock on heaven’s door I will be judged on the kindness in my heart and my respect for the lord’s cherished ones. All the money in the world won’t buy a ticket to the lord’s kingdom – it just doesn’t work that way.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: small;">To all our dear friends – as much as we love you all I can not hang on no lovers cross for you. I leave you a tear and these emotional words.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: small;"><em>Lover’s Cross </em></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: small;"><em>Guess that it was bound to happen<br />
Was just a matter of time<br />
But now I've come to my decision<br />
And it's one of the painful kind<br />
'Cause now it seems that you wanted a martyr<br />
Just a regular guy wouldn't do<br />
But baby I can't hang upon no lover's cross for you<br />
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I really got to hand it to ya<br />
'Cause girl you really tried<br />
But for every time that we spent laughin'<br />
There were two times that I cried<br />
And you were tryin' to make me your martyr<br />
And that's the one thing I just couldn't do<br />
'Cause baby, I can't hang upon no lover's cross for you<br />
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'Cause tables are meant for turnin'<br />
And people are bound to change<br />
And bridges are meant for burnin'<br />
When the people and memories they join aren't the same<br />
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Still I hope that you can find<br />
Another who can take what I could not<br />
He'll have to be a super guy<br />
Or maybe a super god<br />
'Cause I never was much of a martyr before<br />
And I ain't bout to start nothin' new<br />
And baby, I can't hang upon no lover's cross for you </em></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: small;"><em>Jim Croce</em></span><br />
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<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kbg95YYtXxE">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kbg95YYtXxE</a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong><em>Peace and much love - Drats</em></strong></span></span><br />
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</span></span><br />By20houndshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01270646010444091362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8446112192690275298.post-52373712704508307192012-09-22T15:52:00.001-07:002012-09-22T15:52:47.845-07:00You've got a friend<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<em><span style="font-size: large;">Agnes - MDAS Survivor</span></em> </div>
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<em><span style="font-size: large;">When you're down and troubled<br />And you need some loving care<br />And nothing, nothing is going right</span></em></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4yU2iwTpO9Q/UF40OiSCRDI/AAAAAAAAA78/jvQJtoz9dPE/s1600/35309.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4yU2iwTpO9Q/UF40OiSCRDI/AAAAAAAAA78/jvQJtoz9dPE/s320/35309.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><em><strong>Mr Gibbs - Heard County Animal Control Survivor</strong></em></span></td></tr>
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<em><span style="font-size: large;">Close your eyes and think of
me<br />And soon I will be there<br />To brighten up even your darkest
night</span></em></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><div align="center">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qQbBZegFBd0/UF42m9XceyI/AAAAAAAAA8M/Tc51fAZMBfM/s1600/039+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qQbBZegFBd0/UF42m9XceyI/AAAAAAAAA8M/Tc51fAZMBfM/s320/039+-+Copy.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong><em><span style="font-size: small;">Frannie - Heard County Animal Control Surviver</span></em></strong></td></tr>
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<em><span style="font-size: large;">You just call out my name<br />And you know wherever I am</span></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-size: large;">I'll come running to see you again</span></em></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vQ5F0igIZok/UF44r19ayFI/AAAAAAAAA8U/oDjeTzbX098/s1600/Lucy+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vQ5F0igIZok/UF44r19ayFI/AAAAAAAAA8U/oDjeTzbX098/s1600/Lucy+6.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><em><strong>Lucy Moonchild</strong></em></span> - <span style="font-size: small;"><strong><em>abandoned on a country road</em></strong></span><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-size: small;"></span></em></strong><br />
<em><span style="font-size: large;">Winter, spring, summer or fall<br />All you have to do is call<br />And I'll be there<br />You've got a friend</span></em></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AZ7jfyoSOWo/UF45drtsjRI/AAAAAAAAA8c/EOfmKxHNap4/s1600/002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AZ7jfyoSOWo/UF45drtsjRI/AAAAAAAAA8c/EOfmKxHNap4/s1600/002.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><strong><em>Lilly</em></strong></span> </td></tr>
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<em><span style="font-size: large;">If the sky above you<br />Grows dark and full of clouds<br />And that old north wind begins to blow</span></em></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OUXZ3Vpt7K8/UF46BVNKzEI/AAAAAAAAA8k/8KbWk-s6TJA/s1600/Albert.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OUXZ3Vpt7K8/UF46BVNKzEI/AAAAAAAAA8k/8KbWk-s6TJA/s320/Albert.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><strong><em>Albert</em></strong></span></td></tr>
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<em><span style="font-size: large;">Keep your head together<br />And call my name out loud<br />Soon you'll hear me knocking at your door</span></em></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-apdMW1VQ8pE/UF46h4E0rsI/AAAAAAAAA8s/OrRavzLPU2Q/s1600/Georgia+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-apdMW1VQ8pE/UF46h4E0rsI/AAAAAAAAA8s/OrRavzLPU2Q/s1600/Georgia+4.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><strong><em>Georgia on my mind</em></strong></span></td></tr>
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<em><span style="font-size: large;">You just call out my name<br />And you know wherever I am</span></em></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SYW81fgDpuE/UF478VPGK5I/AAAAAAAAA80/rTXSMXqhEqg/s1600/Bam-Bam+Green+Eyes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SYW81fgDpuE/UF478VPGK5I/AAAAAAAAA80/rTXSMXqhEqg/s1600/Bam-Bam+Green+Eyes.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong><em>Bam Bam</em></strong></span> </td></tr>
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<em><span style="font-size: large;">I'll come running to see you<br />Winter, spring, summer or fall<br />All you have to do is call<br />And I'll be there</span></em></div>
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<em></em> </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I_E5U46QJto/UF49yIu8roI/AAAAAAAAA9E/W52ChImT7ks/s1600/Mulligan+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I_E5U46QJto/UF49yIu8roI/AAAAAAAAA9E/W52ChImT7ks/s1600/Mulligan+001.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><em><strong>Mulligan found crippled abandoned on a dirt road</strong></em></span><br />
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<em><span style="font-size: large;">Ain't it good to know that you've got a friend<br />When people can be so cold</span></em></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ajwvw2gxrm0/UF4-wqElKzI/AAAAAAAAA9M/dmBs5yaLD4Y/s1600/Sydney+Eyes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ajwvw2gxrm0/UF4-wqElKzI/AAAAAAAAA9M/dmBs5yaLD4Y/s320/Sydney+Eyes.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong><em><span style="font-size: small;">Sydney Barrett MDAS Survivor</span></em></strong><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-size: small;"></span></em></strong><br />
<em><span style="font-size: large;">They'll hurt you, and desert you<br />And take your soul if you let them<br />Oh, but don't you let them</span></em><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-upsrsy1XRmk/UF4_xhg0LDI/AAAAAAAAA9c/ryd24zwRVyM/s1600/Beagle+Sleeping.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-upsrsy1XRmk/UF4_xhg0LDI/AAAAAAAAA9c/ryd24zwRVyM/s1600/Beagle+Sleeping.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><strong><em>Beagle - Gas Chamber Survivor</em></strong></span></td></tr>
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<em><span style="font-size: large;">You just call out my name<br />And you know wherever I am<br />I'll come running to see you again<br />Winter, spring, summer or fall</span></em> </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BgGln5ly8lU/UF5Ap5pGMlI/AAAAAAAAA9k/JKh8AxVlQ1g/s1600/Ellie+Walton+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BgGln5ly8lU/UF5Ap5pGMlI/AAAAAAAAA9k/JKh8AxVlQ1g/s320/Ellie+Walton+1.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong><em><span style="font-size: small;">Ellie Mae Walton County Animal Control</span></em></strong></td></tr>
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<em> </em><br />
<em><div style="text-align: center;">
<em><span style="font-size: large;">All you have to do is call<br />And I'll be there<br />You've got a friend</span></em></div>
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<em></em>By20houndshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01270646010444091362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8446112192690275298.post-24012350098443037012012-06-08T15:41:00.002-07:002012-06-08T15:41:38.586-07:00<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">New Horizons</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">We would like to thank all our friends who offered inspiration and encouragement during Abbie's long illness. We've crossed through the abyss with nothing but a new horizon up ahead. We are estatic having our Abbie back.</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ebc_sSPi4dQ/T9J-yXkAc2I/AAAAAAAAAvw/fd1iWXt9rKo/s1600/IMG_0025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ebc_sSPi4dQ/T9J-yXkAc2I/AAAAAAAAAvw/fd1iWXt9rKo/s640/IMG_0025.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">On the wind soaring free</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Spread your wings, I'm beginning to see</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Out of mind far from view</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Beyond the reach of a nightmare come true</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Well I've had dreams enough for one</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">And I got love enough foir three</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I have my hopes to comfort me</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I got my new horizons out to sea</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">But I'm never gonna lose you precious gift </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">It will always be that way</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">"cos I know I'm gonna find my own piece of mind</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Someday, someway</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Justin Haywood</span>By20houndshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01270646010444091362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8446112192690275298.post-46333571052794921312012-06-03T13:48:00.000-07:002012-06-03T13:59:40.224-07:00Poe Poe, a dream within a dream<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ms5JRblAK1k/T8vLHLMOKhI/AAAAAAAAAvM/HcomOfqGgDQ/s1600/IMG_0003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ms5JRblAK1k/T8vLHLMOKhI/AAAAAAAAAvM/HcomOfqGgDQ/s320/IMG_0003.JPG" width="320" /></a>Today we celebrate our sweet beagle dream. A dream known as Poe Poe to honor his dream. Poe's dream has been a beacon of light shining through darkness of night. This dreamer renamed this sweet boy Poe-Poe to honor the icon who's namesake he represents. It was nine years ago today that Poe entered my life, a dream within a dream that came through the darkness of night. </span></b></div>
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Today we celebrate that dream. Poe's dream was to simply love and be loved; that's the dream Poe now lives.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_8gprirCuJc/T8vLb0EQHDI/AAAAAAAAAvU/A1T-_W1ehbU/s1600/Poe+&+Bam-Bam+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_8gprirCuJc/T8vLb0EQHDI/AAAAAAAAAvU/A1T-_W1ehbU/s1600/Poe+&+Bam-Bam+4.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">Poe Poe and Bam Bam</span></em></strong></td></tr>
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<em><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></em>Born in the spring of 2001, could it be destiny or fate that our lives would soon cross or just a night's dream running late? In a dream Poe must have been a sweet little beagle boy - all innocent and sweet like all puppies are.<br />
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Somewhere before he was two that dream got lost. He found himself lost in a nightmare of doubt abandoned by those he loved and left to fend for himself.<br />
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Poe was found wandering along the side of the road. His savior was a local vet tech who spotted Poe; opened the door and Poe jumped in. This forgotten mangy looking soul was now in the arms of his savior. <br />
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Was it fate or a dream that answered I answered a call from Poe's now desperate savior needing a place for Poe to go before animal control was called. Poor Poe was lost in a maze of unwanted fog unable to see any beacon of light. One look at Poe's sweet but pathetic face was all that fate would need. Poe found his dream and fate would reward us with our dream as well.<br />
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When I first met Poe he had been left behind at a local vet's. Poe's savior brought Poe to work and took great care to help stop the suffering this poor boy had been left to endure. <br />
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For dreamers the life we see during the darkness of night are our life's dream.<br />
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It's our dreams just before the dawn ekes out the darkness of the night and our prayers of faith in the light that reward us by honoring our dreams.<br />
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It was then that this kind woman gave Poe his greatest gift, she sought out a dreamer who would help Poe rekindle his dream. <br />
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In the nine wonderful years living Poe's dream he has been a beacon of light whom I am quite proud. A beacon of hope of dreams that come true down through the clouds. <br />
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My sweet little Poe is no longer young yet with his touch of grey he is now my forever friend. As we stumble through life's valley's and peak's, one thing is certain our dreams do come true. It is our dreams that will make our lives complete - not the promises of riches we can not spend. Life promises us nothing but the riches of finding our dreams. <br />
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There are those throughout the history of time who tell you - to find your dreams you must be a dreamer yourself. <br />
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We might all be different and lost in life's fog, but in the end aren't we all just living Poe's dream within a dream? <br />
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<em>"A Dream within a Dream" </em><br />
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</em><br />
<em>Take this kiss upon the brow!<br />
And, in parting from you now,<br />
Thus much let me avow-<br />
You are not wrong, who deem<br />
That my days have been a dream;<br />
Yet if hope has flown away<br />
In a night, or in a day,<br />
In a vision, or in none,<br />
Is it therefore the less gone?<br />
All that we see or seem<br />
Is but a dream within a dream.</em><br />
<em>
</em><br />
<em>Edgar Allen "Poe"</em> </span></b><span style="font-size: medium;"></span>By20houndshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01270646010444091362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8446112192690275298.post-10338629549062419612012-05-31T06:53:00.002-07:002012-05-31T06:57:10.133-07:00A Brand New Day<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BypOfhjTbpM/T8d1pKRhjmI/AAAAAAAAAu4/P3a-e8xRUwE/s1600/Abbie+&+Cleo+2004.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="194" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BypOfhjTbpM/T8d1pKRhjmI/AAAAAAAAAu4/P3a-e8xRUwE/s320/Abbie+&+Cleo+2004.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: small;">Abbie and Cleo - a bond formed years ago</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">From the onset I realized that while I am extremely pleased with our dear Abbie's physical improvements after surgery to remove her cancerous front leg I also realize that even though we've climbed that mountain together our real journey starts now.</span><br />
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<em><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Well the first days are the hardest days</span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Don't you worry any more</span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Cause when life looks like Easy Street</span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">There is danger at your door</span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Think this through with me</span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Let me know your mind</span></em><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>Wo, oh, what I want to now is are you kind?</em></span><br />
<em><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Uncle John's Band</span></em><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4iqinEQP3x8/T8d1NDZc-BI/AAAAAAAAAus/oDGDFoNpe8k/s1600/IMG_0003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4iqinEQP3x8/T8d1NDZc-BI/AAAAAAAAAus/oDGDFoNpe8k/s320/IMG_0003.JPG" width="320" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">It's difficult to judge what Abbie's thinking after waking up to find her leg gone. It is obvious her new life is a complete shock. What Abbie needs most now is a little "are you kind". This isn't going to be easy for me or Abbie but together with the bond we've formed over the past eleven years will help make this transition go forward. It will take lots of time but hopefully we now have the advantage of having that time.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Everything Abbie does from this day forward will be different. She'll need a new place to eat and get her water, she'll need a new routine for going outside to take care of her business, she'll need to learn that life will still have everything she enjoys doing but will simply be different. What won't be different is the amount of love and support she gets from both me and some of the other hounds.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Last night I saw the hounds like Cleo, Agnes, Beagle and Poe all step up and form a circle of love around their long time fellow pack member. Cleo and Agnes stayed by Abbie's side throughout the night. I've never doubted the therapeutic effect that packs have when one has been injured or falls seriously ill. Of course as alpha leader in our pack I reaffirmed the role the "elders" play in helping bring things back to normal for Abbie. I count on the help from some of the older hounds in helping keep the newer members of the household in their place.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Over the next five days Abbie will be heavily sedated in order to help allow her wound to start the healing process. The wound itself looks clear. She is quite painful so her schedule will be broken down into little steps we will take. She did go out this morning but turned around and wanted back in. I offered her breakfast but at first she wasn't interested. So I sat there and hand fed her a few bites and left her alone. When I came back she was eating some of her breakfast. Then she went back to sleep. We'll try again with taking her out and encouraging her to eat every few hours.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Later today I'm going to move a large cage in the bedroom and use it only to put her food in. Hopefully I can teach her that when she's hungry there will be food in the cage where the rest of the hounds haven't had access to. It was kind of funny when the staff told me they tried to feed Abbie but she turned her nose up to everything but a few treats. I was going to mention that Abbie has a thing about her food - she really wants to watch you prepare it or she takes this attitude you must be trying to poison her and won't touch it. Besides, only dad knows what she likes.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">As we move forward on introducing Abbie to her new life we'll just take things real slow and take things one day at a time. Days we are now blessed with thanks to a whole bunch of Abbie's dear friends and we thank you all.</span></div>
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<br />By20houndshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01270646010444091362noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8446112192690275298.post-22459077339071009792012-05-26T07:36:00.001-07:002012-05-26T07:36:13.841-07:00Memories of ZoeToday marks two years since the passing of Zoe Monster. <br />
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"God saw you getting tired and a cure was not to be. So he put his arms around you; whispered come with me. With tearful eyes, I watched and saw you drift away. Although I loved you more than you'll ever know I could not make you stay. A golden heart stopped beating as I stroked your soft coat. God broke my heart to prove he only takes the best". While your loss has proved to be more than I thought I could endure your heart still is close as memories inside my heart."<br />
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Today marks two years since the passing of my dear sweet Zoe Monster. Zoe's passing came only weeks after losing Maggie. I had just come to lean on Zoe to help me deal with losing Maggie when her time came as well. Maggie and Zoe set the stage for the hundreds of hounds to follow. They were inseparable in life and live on together in their passing.<br />
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I found Zoe in August 2001 while visiting South Florida. Zoe was listed as "free to a good home" in the classified ad that caught my eye during breakfast at George's Diner in Deerfield Beach. I'll never forget introducing Maggie to this sweet super petite little puppy. Maggie was initially not impressed and answered the introduction with an uncharacteristic little growl. That lasted all of about fifteen seconds before they became the best of friends. <br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yXHC53_hsGU/T8Dh3WuxNdI/AAAAAAAAAt0/kyXxtk3Jezo/s1600/Maggie+Sleeping+2001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yXHC53_hsGU/T8Dh3WuxNdI/AAAAAAAAAt0/kyXxtk3Jezo/s320/Maggie+Sleeping+2001.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Zoe idolized her big sister Maggie with a bond that never wavered. This is one of my favorite pictures of little Zoe buried beneath the blankets sleeping with her big sister Maggie.<br />
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As a puppy Zoe was so full of life. Always happy and energized Zoe added a unique personality far different than Maggie's laid back approach at life. She loved our travels quickly adjusting to a life on the road never missing an opportunity to ham it up when she could. This in contrast to her short past as a product of an Oklahoma puppy mill where she found herself in a south Florida pet shop for sale.<br />
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Zoe would mature into a strikingly regal yet petite red and white basset who was truly beautiful. Zoe never met a camera that she couldn't pose for either resulting in some of our best shots.<br />
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While there isn't a day that goes by where her presence isn't felt it is the memories she left behind that I will always cherish. The days spent on the road with Maggie and Zoe were some of the happiest memories of my life. Till we meet again my dear sweet Zoe remember you were always loved. </div>
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<em><strong>Sweet dreams Zoe Monster - sweet dreams.</strong></em></div>
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<br />By20houndshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01270646010444091362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8446112192690275298.post-4410854808315763642012-01-16T13:42:00.000-08:002012-01-16T14:15:06.181-08:00Once there was a time<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eWpHXjLA9a0/TxSdElbRoiI/AAAAAAAAAnE/Kud8R-UWhlQ/s1600/scan0053.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="435" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eWpHXjLA9a0/TxSdElbRoiI/AAAAAAAAAnE/Kud8R-UWhlQ/s640/scan0053.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<em>When your down and feeling blue there's no better medicine than a smile. That's why I love the hounds - you can't be feeling sorry when their whimsical ways makes you laugh. </em><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iEsacNVCXUg/TxSdoAEXyyI/AAAAAAAAAnM/Wm2flRGyrgk/s1600/scan0048.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="207" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iEsacNVCXUg/TxSdoAEXyyI/AAAAAAAAAnM/Wm2flRGyrgk/s320/scan0048.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><em>Keep looking forward, forget the past, it's up to me to make me laugh.</em><br />
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</em><em>Once there was a time when things weren't quite so blue, we'll just keep looking forward to days anew.</em><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><em>An adaptation of Alvin Lee's song </em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>"Once there was a time".</em></div><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><em>Once there was a time I'd rob my mama<br />
For a good meal and a smoke<br />
Once there was a time I'd sell my brother<br />
For a dollar when I was broke</em></div><br />
<em><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Xx36dOnZJFE/TxSesqL-FvI/AAAAAAAAAnc/_L2dIAflQaw/s1600/scan0022.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="218" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Xx36dOnZJFE/TxSesqL-FvI/AAAAAAAAAnc/_L2dIAflQaw/s320/scan0022.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">But I'd never sell my hound dogs<br />
And things were always great<br />
'Cause if I don't have a hound dog<br />
I'll be strumming on some angels harp<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7OrmmM9MesU/TxSfKsliVXI/AAAAAAAAAnk/a-HJkzcR-sQ/s1600/scan0001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7OrmmM9MesU/TxSfKsliVXI/AAAAAAAAAnk/a-HJkzcR-sQ/s320/scan0001.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">And if I don't get to heaven<br />
And I go down there below<br />
Better be a hound dog when I get there<br />
Or, I will refuse to go<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oN82Sj4PG78/TxSfoM3ZWII/AAAAAAAAAns/0FQ8RurOW9A/s1600/scan0017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="216" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oN82Sj4PG78/TxSfoM3ZWII/AAAAAAAAAns/0FQ8RurOW9A/s320/scan0017.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Once there was a time I was hungry<br />
And I'd find my food in some bin<br />
But I'd never, never sell my hound dogs<br />
'Cause that would, darling, be my sin</div></em><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fmlnx2KmjFE">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fmlnx2KmjFE</a></div>By20houndshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01270646010444091362noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8446112192690275298.post-77298029731406968942012-01-15T17:12:00.000-08:002012-01-15T17:12:53.203-08:00Agnes surviving MDAS "Ten Years After"<span style="font-size: x-small;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q96Mt9jxt0I/TxN3vZR_z7I/AAAAAAAAAmY/qfhEmUFDN90/s1600/scan0009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q96Mt9jxt0I/TxN3vZR_z7I/AAAAAAAAAmY/qfhEmUFDN90/s320/scan0009.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Strike Force prepares for mission "Save Agnes"</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It was ten years ago that we loaded up the "Deadmobile" Emergency Strike Force for a journey to south Florida to extricate and rescue our girl Agnes from MDAS. Gilmour wasn't able to make the journey as he was still recovery from his injuries he sustained at MDAS.</div><br />
For those who think MDAS kill rate is high now ten years ago over 80% of the animals that entered MDAS never emerged. Many were simply left in their cages until they died horribly slow deaths from the diseases in the West Wing.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MJxDBDG2jZY/TxN4X41FJ5I/AAAAAAAAAmg/47TjASGZlfk/s1600/Agnes+%2526+Gilmour.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="220" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MJxDBDG2jZY/TxN4X41FJ5I/AAAAAAAAAmg/47TjASGZlfk/s320/Agnes+%2526+Gilmour.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Agnes and Gilmour both MDAS Survivors </td></tr>
</tbody></table>We made it to the shelter early the following morning and I went swiftly to the counter and "adopted" Agnes, even though she looked deathly ill. With her safely on board we turned our transport vehicle around and started back to Atlanta> I soon became concerned that perhaps Agnes wasn't strong enough to make the ten hour journey so we pulled up in Punta Gorda so I clean an open pussy head wound she had and to check her out. <br />
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We left early in the morning heading for home. I remember passing through Tampa when an officer who identified himself with the Miami Dade Police Department called and informed me the address on my Florida's license was a warehouse and MDAS policy "forbade" to commercial addresses. I informed the officer that I lived in the Atlanta area and that was also going to be where Agnes would reside as well. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RCRNMwcb5Hs/TxN44HxzV8I/AAAAAAAAAmo/TP6eEp0Ayjg/s1600/Agnes+Sad+Eyes.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RCRNMwcb5Hs/TxN44HxzV8I/AAAAAAAAAmo/TP6eEp0Ayjg/s320/Agnes+Sad+Eyes.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Agnes with her please let me kiss you eyes</td></tr>
</tbody></table>He then informed me that adopting dogs out of state was also forbidden and then proceeded to order me to return Agnes to MDAS. I informed him that I had no intention of turning around and my next stop was to take Agnes to MY vet for treatment. I was then informed I would be banned from ever "adopting" from the shelter and cited for violating some law. I probably can’t repeat what my response to his comment was and proceeded on home. <br />
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The following day I took Agnes to my vet where she was observed to have a two inch head wound that was infected and was suffering from severe whipworms which my vet suggested would have killed her in a few short days. I told him about my conversation with Officer Killhappy and he said not to worry about it and that he would fax this guy his comments. I’m not entirely sure what was in that fax but I never received a citation in the mail.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-w0nHhs4vdbs/TxN5ILNjSII/AAAAAAAAAmw/YLDEbg1AFQ4/s1600/Agnes+Sleeping.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-w0nHhs4vdbs/TxN5ILNjSII/AAAAAAAAAmw/YLDEbg1AFQ4/s1600/Agnes+Sleeping.jpg" /></a></div>We have been blessed with having Agnes as part of our crew for ten years now. Around here she’s also known as the "Mad Kisser" for her habit of planting wet sloppy kisses on whoever she meets. Here’s to Agnes "ten years after".<br />
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</span>By20houndshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01270646010444091362noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8446112192690275298.post-88052067659265602012011-08-04T20:53:00.000-07:002011-08-04T20:53:36.738-07:00Cruise <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong><em><span style="font-size: small;">Cruise</span></em></strong><br />
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<em>Cruise you are making me sing</em><br />
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<em>Now you have taken me under your wing</em><br />
<em>Cruise, we both know you're the best</em><br />
<em>How can they say you're like all the rest</em><br />
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<em>Cruise, we're both travelling so far</em><br />
<em>Burning out fast like a shooting star</em><br />
<em>Cruise I feel sure that your song will be sung</em><br />
<em>And will ring in the ears of everyone</em><br />
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<em>Saving our children, saving our land</em><br />
<em>Protecting us from things we can't understand</em><br />
<em>Power and Glory, Justice and Right<br />
I'm sure that you'll help us to see the light</em><br />
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<em>And the love that you radiate will keep us warm</em><br />
<em>And help us to weather the storm</em><br />
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<em>Cruise, you have taken me in</em><br />
<em>And just when I've got you under my skin</em><br />
<em>You start ignoring the fears I have felt</em><br />
<em>'Cause you know you can always make my poor heart melt</em><br />
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<em>Please don't take what I'm saying amiss</em><br />
<em>Or misunderstand at a time such as this</em><br />
<em>Because if such close friends should ever fall out</em><br />
<em>What would there be left worth fighting about</em><br />
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<em>I'm sure that you'll help them to see the light</em><br />
<em>Will you save our children, will you save our land</em><br />
<em>And protect us from all the things we can't understand?</em><br />
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<em>Power and glory and justice for all</em><br />
<em>Who will we turn to when your hard rain falls?</em><br />
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<em>David Gilmour - Cruise</em> <br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-size: large;"></span></em> </div>By20houndshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01270646010444091362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8446112192690275298.post-13133386095729354802011-06-21T09:06:00.000-07:002011-06-21T09:11:23.152-07:00A Georgia Tale - The Fallacy of "Fates worse then death"<strong><em>It's the memories of success that we will forever remember, it's the nightmares of failure we can never forget. </em></strong><br />
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Once you've worn out pairs of rescue shoes it's easy to be jaded by all the horrible cases of rescue failures that you stumbled over along the road. It's easy to forget that dogs add so many cherished memories to our lives. It's easy to overlook the effect how these cherished moments have helped build and define our character. We've been exposed to the worst of what mankind has to offer with our experiences with shelter dogs. How could we expect anything different emotionally to evolve from that?<br />
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But have we lost the ability to step back and see the lighter side that dogs bring to our lives. Why do these same creatures who have endured this abuse not be symptomatic with the same emotional shortsightedness?<br />
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Could it be that dogs simply gravitate back to a true purpose in life - that purpose being to celebrate living rather then festering on dying? Dogs who have endured suffering far greater then we humans can tolerate quickly seek out healthy alternatives - dogs just want to run and play - they want to be able to sniff things - they treasure the soft touch human words of praise. For dogs life is about living, even if that living means moving on from the past. Dogs don't want us too feel sorry for them either - they want us too love them unconditionally in the same way they love us humans unconditionally.<br />
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When I was still green in rescue - still wearing those same shiny new shoes I didn't understand the significance in restoring not only a dogs trust with humans but more importantly restoring a dogs purpose in being a dog. That purpose is found in running in circles barking at squirrels, it's in finding new curiosity in chewing newly found shoes, it's in simply getting their little heads rubbed. If we humans can't restore those life values too our rescues then we truly have failed. <br />
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<em><strong>A Georgia Tale</strong></em><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Camilla - Elbert Animal Control "mug shot"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>In January of 2007 I was asked to take in a beagle named Camilla from Northeast Georgia Animal Shelter. No one else wanted her. Her family who dumped her at a rural high kill shelter didn't want her. No one from the community wanted to adopt her. No one in the rescue community wanted her either. In fairness, Camilla was in horrible physical condition.<br />
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I looked at her picture for days. Kept telling myself "you can't save them all" but I don't think I did a very good job selling that argument. In the end it kept coming back to one person in the background caring enough to hold Camilla out with those eyes that screamed "why not me?"<br />
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Camilla was about five plus years old and was suffering from a severe skin condition. She was missing half her hair with huge raw red skin under her neck. One would assume that if rescue was about saving dogs from a "Fate Far Worse Than Death" the logical disposition for Camilla would be a humane ending to life as she knew it.<br />
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Still, I was haunted by those wide starring eyes. As my finger started zeroing in on the delete key I slowly paused. Rather then make this judgment call myself I decided to let Camilla make that choice. Instead my fingers quickly dialed the number of a rescue friend who sent me her story and I told her to "go pick her up".<br />
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Camilla's skin condition didn't seem to respond to the many treatments we tried. Her vet bills quickly climbed into four digits with little to show for our efforts. We tried skin specialists looking for allergies, we treated every parasite known to man - yet the only thing that seemed to blossom from it all was Camilla's amazing resilient spirit. Too a causal observer, Camilla seemed to be just another extremely curious and happy beagle. <br />
<br />
She loved running through the yard sniffing everything along the way with her tail flipping side to side in the wind. I started taking Camilla to adoptions not to necessarily find someone too adopt her but too show people the horrible results of neglecting an animal. Camilla's special diet, special meds, vet visits ect made this sweet girl extremely "high maintenance" that virtually excluded most potential pet owners who weren't looking for a project but simply wanted a family pet.<br />
<br />
Still, I fell for Camilla's "charms" realizing that quite possibly Camilla had found her forever home. <br />
<br />
January 2007 marked another significant event for the hounds. It began what would be a highly contentious battle with our county government and animal control seeking to lower the number of hounds residing at my residence. While in it's original "plea offering" the county insisted on my surrendering all but three of my hounds which I refused, the county attempted to "sweeten the deal" by offering to "allow" me to keep the original fifteen hounds I had before I started doing rescue. <br />
<br />
Once that offer was on the table I gave some consideration to the proposal. It's also interesting in the fact that I had been advised by an "unnamed source" who worked inside our county's "justice" circle that if my case went to trail I would be found guilty and have all my hounds removed.<br />
<br />
Threats and intimidation never have worked with me. Having to choose just three of the hounds when I knew I had eight, writing about about the rest for years would have been an impossible choice to make. While this new offer would spare me those difficult choices of which hound was "good enough" to save and which I should just say "oh well", those considerations quickly became obscure when my thoughts went back to Camilla and the rest of our foster dogs. When our famed "animal rights attorney pressed me for a response too her "extremely generous offer" I replied with the following comment:<br />
<br />
"Allison, what part of advocating for sentinel creatures allows me to take beagles who are sleeping around my bed and send them to our shelter where the county will kill them. The number of dogs I will agree to "dump" in order to save myself from your threats of twelve years in jail is ZERO. If the county wants an alley fight on this issue you will be surprised as too who ultimately gets bloodied up." With that statement I launched into an all out battle to save not just some of the hounds but all of them.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Te7Hb8YPBX4/TgDALUTqedI/AAAAAAAAAeM/pa9f0ziyZ_U/s1600/Camilla+NEGAS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" i$="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Te7Hb8YPBX4/TgDALUTqedI/AAAAAAAAAeM/pa9f0ziyZ_U/s1600/Camilla+NEGAS.jpg" /></a></div>As our case made it's way through the media, bobbed it's way through the court system I made sure each step in the process was a painful embarrassment to the county. I may know little about spelling but what I do know is human nature. I knew the public would not support killing dogs simply because they were accused of violating a poorly written draconian dog barking law. <br />
<br />
In the trial, we were found guilty - just like my source had predicted. But in her court ruling the judge refused too consider including putting a limit number on the number of hounds I was allowed to keep. While I was sentenced to 24 months in jail and allowed to serve that time on probation the hounds were finally safe.<br />
<br />
Despite Camilla's suffering she could care less about the court ruling. Life returned to normal, her tail never seemed to stop wagging and she still ignored my every command. While we never gave up on finding a cure for her illness her treatment plan focused on preventing her condition from getting worse.<br />
<br />
Camilla had good weeks and she had not so good weeks as well. Through it all I became tremendously attached to this little girl and by the summer of 2008 considered Camilla as one of my own.<br />
<br />
<strong><em>Destiny sings a different song</em></strong><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XVp06Haj7dM/TgCuy6rDbUI/AAAAAAAAAeE/Fy4wGBiS05M/s1600/Georgia+%2526+Mom.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" i$="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XVp06Haj7dM/TgCuy6rDbUI/AAAAAAAAAeE/Fy4wGBiS05M/s320/Georgia+%2526+Mom.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A life Far Better then Death Georgia and her new mom </td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
During an adoption event a little more then six weeks after our trial a woman approached the cages where the beagles were, asking "that beagle was still available." I looked over and saw little Camilla hopping on her back feet trying to get this woman to pet her raw skin. I started too explain all of Camilla's health issues and suggested some of the other beagles might be a better choice when she abruptly cut me off by saying "I'm not interested in the other beagles - this one is talking too me. I want to see THAT beagle"<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Low and behold Camilla was speaking to her, wagging her tail and working real hard to get her attention. After a lengthy discussion about Camilla's health issues she was adopted.<br />
<br />
From time to time over the next few months I would see Camilla on her trips to Petsmart. You really couldn't tell who was happier, Camilla or her new proud mom. But what you could see was a gradual improvement in Camilla's overall health. Six months and over $1,200 in vet bills later Camilla is no longer Camilla in name or body. Her new name is Georgia and she has completely recovered from her illness.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A14eP6NTve4/TgDA07ZgCYI/AAAAAAAAAeQ/U-5PmtAjpoU/s1600/Georgia.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" i$="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A14eP6NTve4/TgDA07ZgCYI/AAAAAAAAAeQ/U-5PmtAjpoU/s320/Georgia.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>Georgia</em></strong> - Mission Accomplished</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
Georgia has a beautiful beagle coat, has added six pounds to her once skinny frame and serves as a perfect example why we shouldn't be so quick to judge whether there ever is a fate far better then death. Certainly you would have a difficult time convincing Georgia or her mom of this ridiculous assumption.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XVp06Haj7dM/TgCuy6rDbUI/AAAAAAAAAeE/Fy4wGBiS05M/s1600/Georgia+%2526+Mom.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>A Life Far Better then Death - Georgia and her new <br />
momBy20houndshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01270646010444091362noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8446112192690275298.post-38866617611664317952011-06-18T06:11:00.000-07:002011-06-18T20:38:27.337-07:00Walk into splintered sunlight<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_6hbYoejHBk/TfyjN3869gI/AAAAAAAAAd0/j30or91ZQiY/s1600/Dudley.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" i$="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_6hbYoejHBk/TfyjN3869gI/AAAAAAAAAd0/j30or91ZQiY/s320/Dudley.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><em>Walk into splintered sunlight</em></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><em></em></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><em>Inch your way through dead dreams</em></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><em>to another land</em></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<em></em></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><em>Maybe you're tired and broken</em></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><em>Your tongue is twisted</em></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><em>with words half spoken </em></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><em>and thoughts unclear</em></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<em></em></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><em>What do you want me to do</em></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><em>to do for you to see you through</em></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><span style="font-size: large;"><em>Just remember, a box of rain will ease the pain<br />
and love will see you through</em></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8JlnI1Xgn-o&feature=player_embedded">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8JlnI1Xgn-o&feature=player_embedded</a>By20houndshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01270646010444091362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8446112192690275298.post-76856156078882912222011-05-08T09:45:00.000-07:002011-05-08T09:56:11.648-07:00Casey's Special Day<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6PL5h6_u4AM/TcbGDDdYCII/AAAAAAAAAaM/ffajbQCDfBE/s1600/drats0011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" j8="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6PL5h6_u4AM/TcbGDDdYCII/AAAAAAAAAaM/ffajbQCDfBE/s320/drats0011.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Casey - April 2011</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Today's a special day for our Casey Boy. It was nine years ago that Casey was adopted from the Spalding Shelter. The old saying that "it was destiny which brought us together" applies to how Casey and I met. <br />
<br />
I had made the long drive to Spalding's infamous "gassing" shelter after reading a post about a basset girl who "would only be available until May 9th - 4:30 PM. I always despised the shelters "signature line" because I knew what it meant was that at 4:31 PM the doors to the shelter would be locked and any of the pets left standing would be loaded up into the shelter's "home made" gas chamber and killed.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LLX8D3B8EcI/TcbHLui4ErI/AAAAAAAAAaY/Sxq00lp141k/s1600/Casey+Before+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" j8="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LLX8D3B8EcI/TcbHLui4ErI/AAAAAAAAAaY/Sxq00lp141k/s320/Casey+Before+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">How could anyone not love such a sweet boy? </td></tr>
</tbody></table>I arrived at the shelter about an hour early after learning my lesson when I adopted our beagle "Annie". Not knowing the shelter's policy on "promptness" I almost didn't make it after getting stuck in Atlanta's infamous traffic. <br />
<br />
Upon arriving I was informed that the fine people at Basset Hound Rescue of Georgia has beat me there and snatched the girl basset. With a sigh of relief I did ask if they had any beagles who I could adopt instead, after all 150 mile round trip was along way to drive for nothing. Little Annie (who ultimately earned the nick-name Beagle) had so won my heart I thought well why not another beagle? As usual, the reply came back "go look for yourself".<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rsujLpxrUV8/TcbGh_ayayI/AAAAAAAAAaQ/v07J_HKf5Pw/s1600/Casey+Before+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" j8="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rsujLpxrUV8/TcbGh_ayayI/AAAAAAAAAaQ/v07J_HKf5Pw/s320/Casey+Before+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Casey before his surgery</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Wandering towards the back of the kennel I noticed a small chocolate looking beagle. Even though his card listed this as being his "last day" he wasn't on the urgent list I had brought so once again I headed back to the office to "get his story". <br />
<br />
As I ask why the brown beagle wasn't on the "urgent list" the response of "well, nobody would want a one-eyed beagle" I snidely remarked back "well, I guess your wrong there, because that's just what I was looking for a good one-eyed beagle" to adopt. Here's your twenty bucks - what paperwork do i need to sign?"<br />
<br />
After a quick ceremony where I named my new beagle "Casey Jones" he was leashed up and out of there we went. I hadn't really noticed his eye until I got him in the truck and we were headed for home. It was obvious that he had an eye injury that needed addressed so I quickly called the hounds vet (who somehow was on speed dial) to see if Dr Yeomans could squeeze us in. <br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-w-wzKpgVKQ4/TcbG6RAyX1I/AAAAAAAAAaU/xdTz306tMJY/s1600/Casey+%2526+Zoe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" j8="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-w-wzKpgVKQ4/TcbG6RAyX1I/AAAAAAAAAaU/xdTz306tMJY/s320/Casey+%2526+Zoe.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nurse Zoe keeps a close eye on Casey</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Casey was diagnosed with a collapsed right eye probably caused by blunt force trauma. Dr Youmans suggested it was probably causing him considerable pain. Casey was scheduled for surgery the next morning to remove his eye.<br />
<br />
His surgery was a complete success - so now I had that $500 one eyed beagle that I "was looking for".<br />
<br />
Casey was probably only several months old when he somehow found himself in a gassing shelter. Since I can't imagine any responsible person not taking an obviously injured beagle to the vet for treatment I can only assume that Casey was the victim of domestic violence where after the "warring" humans make up he became a reminder of someones darker side. Doesn't matter - their loss and my gain.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uVQIxRKJBUU/TcbHu7jigOI/AAAAAAAAAac/WDn6_1jHGxU/s1600/Casey+aol.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" j8="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uVQIxRKJBUU/TcbHu7jigOI/AAAAAAAAAac/WDn6_1jHGxU/s1600/Casey+aol.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Casey - October 2002</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Casey's been a wonderfully sweet beagle boy. He was never made available for adoption - after all he was bestowed with a great "dead head" name that I certainly wouldn't "waste" on a beagle I was re homing. I did take Casey to adoptions quite frequently so that others could see what a "fine one eyed beagle" I had found.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RTkDG_XPzyI/TcbIJE-sgzI/AAAAAAAAAag/BNZv2wkEgVo/s1600/IMG_0149.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" j8="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RTkDG_XPzyI/TcbIJE-sgzI/AAAAAAAAAag/BNZv2wkEgVo/s320/IMG_0149.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>It's hard to believe that nine years have gone by so quickly. Casey's close to ten years old now and over the years his name has shifted to Casey BOY - after all, he's still my boy.<br />
<br />
Here's too you Casey Boy - on your special day!By20houndshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01270646010444091362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8446112192690275298.post-68449509084034825552011-04-24T16:56:00.001-07:002015-08-02T09:30:10.859-07:00The Weight<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OHsdACf_StQ/TbS6N1yVfQI/AAAAAAAAAZw/xY-qUI3QTkE/s1600/scan0020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" i8="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OHsdACf_StQ/TbS6N1yVfQI/AAAAAAAAAZw/xY-qUI3QTkE/s320/scan0020.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XY_5JOEmFK0">I pulled into Nazareth, I was feelin' about half past dead;<span id="goog_1990100904"></span></a><br />
I just need some place where I can lay my head.<br />
"Hey, mister, can you tell me where a man might find a bed?"<br />
He just grinned and shook my hand, and "No!", was all he said.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Take a load off Annie, take a load for free;<br />
Take a load off Annie, And you put the load right on me.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-u70i0MttuCk/TbS6dW9Yi3I/AAAAAAAAAZ0/V30d-87kyTs/s1600/scan0026.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: right; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="216" i8="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-u70i0MttuCk/TbS6dW9Yi3I/AAAAAAAAAZ0/V30d-87kyTs/s320/scan0026.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
I picked up my bag, I went lookin' for a place to hide;<br />
When I saw Carmen and the Devil walkin' side by side.<br />
I said, "Hey, Carmen, come on, let's go downtown."<br />
She said, "I gotta go, but my friend can stick around."<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XNliKlus45s/TbS7G0ImeKI/AAAAAAAAAZ8/YkZ84qqaPTw/s1600/scan0021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" i8="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XNliKlus45s/TbS7G0ImeKI/AAAAAAAAAZ8/YkZ84qqaPTw/s320/scan0021.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
Go down, Miss Moses, there's nothin' you can say<br />
It's just ol' Luke, and Luke's waitin' on the Judgement Day.<br />
"Well, Luke, my friend, what about young Anna Lee?"<br />
He said, "Do me a favor, son, won't you stay and keep Anna Lee company?"<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2rTt1EAwY6g/TbS7yjLk8FI/AAAAAAAAAaA/Eu4mI8-2GJ0/s1600/Maggie+Klamath.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: right; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="222" i8="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2rTt1EAwY6g/TbS7yjLk8FI/AAAAAAAAAaA/Eu4mI8-2GJ0/s320/Maggie+Klamath.jpeg" width="320" /></a><br />
Crazy Chester followed me, and he caught me in the fog.<br />
He said, "I will fix your rack, if you'll take Jack, my dog."<br />
I said, "Wait a minute, Chester, you know I'm a peaceful man."<br />
He said, "That's okay, boy, won't you feed him when you can."<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nNrfLial61k/TbS8FerSjpI/AAAAAAAAAaE/sgYWEjx3Jyg/s1600/Zoe+Holiday+Inn+2002.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="219" i8="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nNrfLial61k/TbS8FerSjpI/AAAAAAAAAaE/sgYWEjx3Jyg/s320/Zoe+Holiday+Inn+2002.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
Catch a Cannonball, now, to take me down the line<br />
My bag is sinkin' low and I do believe it's time.<br />
To get back to Miss Annie, you know she's the only one.<br />
Who sent me here with her regards for everyone.By20houndshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01270646010444091362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8446112192690275298.post-1254678966646925622011-04-20T01:57:00.000-07:002011-12-25T12:41:10.544-08:00Zoe Monster - Has anyone seen my momma?<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hgA9PRymhDI/Ta6dcuZWdfI/AAAAAAAAAZE/OpgIIhMCkxc/s1600/Flying+Zoe+2001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="206" i8="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hgA9PRymhDI/Ta6dcuZWdfI/AAAAAAAAAZE/OpgIIhMCkxc/s320/Flying+Zoe+2001.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Zoe as a young puppy</span> </td></tr>
</tbody></table>It's hard to believe a year has passed since helping our Zoe Monster cross the bridge. Her, Maggie and Bam Bam are all together again along with the other hounds who have passed. Slowly the heartache of losing Zoe has been replaced with the thousands of memories of our time spent together.<br />
<br />
Zoe was born at a puppy mill in Oklahoma. As a small puppy she was ripped from her mother's care and transported thousands of miles across country where she ended up in a south Florida pet store. A nice family bought Zoe as a puppy only to realize caring for four small children along with a rambuncious puppy was more then they bargained for. That's where Maggie and I found Zoe.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MHfr4aV9bh0/Ta6d4lPmqsI/AAAAAAAAAZI/PiTnZy8XJ3M/s1600/scan0001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="216" i8="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MHfr4aV9bh0/Ta6d4lPmqsI/AAAAAAAAAZI/PiTnZy8XJ3M/s320/scan0001.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Meeting dem cows</td></tr>
</tbody></table>With all these memories it would be impossible not to think about my Zoe. She touched my heart in so many ways that she will always be a part of me I will never forget. Slowly, the tears and sadness were replaced with a smile that reflects the love we shared.<br />
<br />
I always knew I did good for Zoe but I still hope her last few hours weren't ones of suffering for her. Zoe truly deserved my love as she brought about an inner peace that I can never thank her enough for. <br />
<br />
While we don't really know what happens to our pets after they pass from our hands it is my hope for Zoe that she is back with her momma as well.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iclF99rEczI/Ta6easpRCcI/AAAAAAAAAZM/7Oj1bJsvwBE/s1600/Zoe+Big+Sur+2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="215" i8="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iclF99rEczI/Ta6easpRCcI/AAAAAAAAAZM/7Oj1bJsvwBE/s320/Zoe+Big+Sur+2.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>Zoe had a blessed life living with the hounds and me. Our time spent traveling with Maggie and then Cleo where the happiest time of my life. While she always had a comfortable place to sleep, was surrounded with the love from the hounds and I, Zoe's momma was not so blessed. I've often thought about the contradictions of life that had Zoe sleeping on my warm bed while her mother slept in a small cage for probably her entire life. <br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tT2oVwu3SZo/Ta6esiw1yNI/AAAAAAAAAZQ/m5aMx0H7Gno/s1600/Zoe+Klamath+2001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="211" i8="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tT2oVwu3SZo/Ta6esiw1yNI/AAAAAAAAAZQ/m5aMx0H7Gno/s320/Zoe+Klamath+2001.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zoe overlooking the Klamath River</td></tr>
</tbody></table>While Zoe loved the attention and the belly rubs that came with being a cherished pet, Zoe's mom only knew the role she played as someones breeding stock. Zoe enjoyed life to the fullest - Zoe's momma was deprived of the chance of simply being someones devoted pet - someones best friend. While Zoe slept on a warm blanket did Zoe's momma sleep on a wood floor or wire mess? While Zoe always had the best of food - the best of vet care - did Zoe's momma even know there were people who cared? <br />
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<br />
While Zoe's eyes would light up when she saw a small child did Zoe's momma ever get the chance to play with a child?<br />
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To many leaders in our No Kill movement the cruelty that puppy mills represent is taking a back seat as they stumble through excuses on how puppy mills don't contribute to the regional pet overpopulation issues that continue to haunt our public shelters. <br />
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Even more offensive is the posturing that these leaders are taking, willing to "compromise" with those groups like MoFed and the NAIA who have spent years defending irresponsible breeders like the one who "owned" Zoe's momma.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wpIPnI6RgbU/Ta6fdbvz2TI/AAAAAAAAAZY/Gd6QrMzLpbc/s1600/Maggie+%2526+Zoe.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="216" i8="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wpIPnI6RgbU/Ta6fdbvz2TI/AAAAAAAAAZY/Gd6QrMzLpbc/s320/Maggie+%2526+Zoe.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maggie and Zoe - match made in heaven</td></tr>
</tbody></table>I can't accept this rationalization with breeder interests I despise in order to hitch my wagon to this new fang led No Kill Nation movement. It is in Zoe's honor and the memory of Zoe's momma that I will recommit myself to opposing puppy mills and the cruelty and misery they breed by refocusing my efforts to educate others on the politics and political deal that brushes aside puppy mill cruelty in order to justify this new fang led movement. <br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DAIshGzNolQ/Ta6fzByifII/AAAAAAAAAZc/lF8IQkYBSiA/s1600/Zoe+Sleeping.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" i8="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DAIshGzNolQ/Ta6fzByifII/AAAAAAAAAZc/lF8IQkYBSiA/s1600/Zoe+Sleeping.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sweet dreams till we meet agian</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
Sacrificing my principles while chasing a No Kill dream that is full of smoke and mirrors is not a road I will travel. <br />
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Instead my voice will be reserved for speaking out against irresponsible breeders who want us to look the other way while they continue to use and abuse the innocent victims of puppy mill abuse that deny hope for Zoe's momma. <br />
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That's the least I can do for my Zoe Monster. Rest in peace my sweet girl.<br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div>By20houndshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01270646010444091362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8446112192690275298.post-76674661885604841532011-04-18T17:36:00.000-07:002011-04-18T17:45:58.105-07:00Memory's from the vault - my love on the airTwo of our treasured Miami Dade survivors - Sydney and Agnes<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2VmAhCLtqwM/TazX54xxWKI/AAAAAAAAAY0/-5FT-7Pd_qE/s1600/drats0001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="216" r6="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2VmAhCLtqwM/TazX54xxWKI/AAAAAAAAAY0/-5FT-7Pd_qE/s320/drats0001.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sydney a few months out of MDAS </td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
No one will hurt me again<br />
No one will cause me to lie<br />
No one will control me by pain<br />
No one will cause me to cry<br />
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I was looking for love<br />
In wandering eyes<br />
Like a ship trying to fix on a beacon<br />
I learned how to sigh<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oR8fB0qnElI/TazYV7bNgnI/AAAAAAAAAY4/UUoOIYCqCss/s1600/drats0002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="216" r6="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oR8fB0qnElI/TazYV7bNgnI/AAAAAAAAAY4/UUoOIYCqCss/s320/drats0002.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sydney Barrett</td></tr>
</tbody></table>On the ribbon and wires<br />
It's a habit that's so hard to weaken<br />
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No one will ever manipulate<br />
Make me promise to do or die<br />
No one can make me hesitate<br />
What can I lose if they try<br />
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I was looking for love<br />
Like the very first time<br />
Didn't realise love never left me<br />
Contradicted - conspired<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uEJNp2oiL4Q/TazYpachhyI/AAAAAAAAAY8/ou5JoV6KqRU/s1600/drats0006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="216" r6="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uEJNp2oiL4Q/TazYpachhyI/AAAAAAAAAY8/ou5JoV6KqRU/s320/drats0006.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Agnes a few weeks out of MDAS</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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I connived and designed<br />
Nothing on earth could arrest me.<br />
Reception is hazy<br />
When you put your love on the air<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oxjvtssgtGA/Taza6JNNV3I/AAAAAAAAAZA/-UjodLW1pE8/s1600/drats0005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="218" r6="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oxjvtssgtGA/Taza6JNNV3I/AAAAAAAAAZA/-UjodLW1pE8/s320/drats0005.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our Agnes</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Always knew it was crazy<br />
To put my love on the air<br />
But I only communicate<br />
When I put my love on the air<br />
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You don't have to consummate<br />
Love on the air<br />
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<a href="http://www.lyricsmode.com/lyrics/d/david_gilmour/love_on_the_air.html">http://www.lyricsmode.com/lyrics/d/david_gilmour/love_on_the_air.html</a>By20houndshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01270646010444091362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8446112192690275298.post-65619141221429510252011-04-17T08:24:00.000-07:002011-04-17T08:24:55.593-07:00All I see are dark eyes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NJwI4zzNGsg/TasFvsXgOeI/AAAAAAAAAYk/bsn6Ul8yguA/s1600/ElbertCountyAnimalControlBeagle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" r6="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NJwI4zzNGsg/TasFvsXgOeI/AAAAAAAAAYk/bsn6Ul8yguA/s200/ElbertCountyAnimalControlBeagle.jpg" width="158" /></a></div>Oh, the gentlemen are talking and the midnight moon is on the riverside<br />
They're drinking up and walking and it is time for me to slide<br />
I live in another world where life and death are memorized<br />
Where the earth is strung with lover's pearls and all I see are dark eyes.<br />
<br />
A cock is crowing far away and another soldier's deep in prayer<br />
Some mother's child has gone astray, she can't find him anywhere<br />
But I can hear another drum beating for the dead that rise<br />
Whom nature's beast fears as they come and all I see are dark eyes.<br />
<br />
They tell me to be discreet for all intended purposes<br />
They tell me revenge is sweet and from where they stand, I'm sure it is<br />
But I feel nothing for their game, where beauty goes unrecognized<br />
All I feel is heat and flame, and all I see are dark eyes.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Cgm9zZA2tAo/TasGEG6-2WI/AAAAAAAAAYo/MVDgE7AZ9D4/s1600/Georgia.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" r6="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Cgm9zZA2tAo/TasGEG6-2WI/AAAAAAAAAYo/MVDgE7AZ9D4/s200/Georgia.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><br />
Oh, the French girl, she's in paradise and a drunken man is at the wheel<br />
Hunger pays a heavy prize to the falling gods of speed and steel<br />
Oh, time is short and the days are sweet and passion rules the arrow that flies<br />
A million faces at my feet but all I see are dark eyes.<br />
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<strong>Bob Dylan - Dark Eyes</strong>By20houndshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01270646010444091362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8446112192690275298.post-68642546103361300462011-03-09T09:35:00.000-08:002011-03-09T14:09:59.427-08:00Mulligan's journey's cross the bridge<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-B_SjKfKcKJ0/TXe3Md3x9zI/AAAAAAAAAXc/NdVCj4a2zFo/s1600/Yard+Aug+31+030.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" q6="true" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-B_SjKfKcKJ0/TXe3Md3x9zI/AAAAAAAAAXc/NdVCj4a2zFo/s320/Yard+Aug+31+030.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>This morning I sat with Mulligan stroking his head as he passed on to the bridge. Over the past few days his condition went down hill as he once again lost the use of his hind legs. Making this decision is the hardest one a person can make, but ultimately giving Mulligan the gift of ending his suffering is what makes our bond so sacred. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-BJmJXXIxPC4/TXe4VrgRaBI/AAAAAAAAAXk/nTlS2ynFPvc/s1600/Mulligan+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" q6="true" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-BJmJXXIxPC4/TXe4VrgRaBI/AAAAAAAAAXk/nTlS2ynFPvc/s320/Mulligan+001.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I first saw Mulligan at the Walton County Shelter - he had no use of his hind legs and for all practical sense little chance of surviving his stay. I pulled him not to save him but to at least give him the dignity of being put to sleep with someone who cared. Despite being told by three vet's that euthanasia was our only option Mulligan proved an entirely different future was ahead of him.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-ApnmoNwCGwc/TXe320GDR2I/AAAAAAAAAXg/Am2WrTDUSdw/s1600/008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" q6="true" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-ApnmoNwCGwc/TXe320GDR2I/AAAAAAAAAXg/Am2WrTDUSdw/s320/008.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
While I wanted to give Mulligan every opportunity to fight on I was never going to allow him to suffer. While I will mourn his loss I will forever remember the feeling of great accomplishment when Mulligan took his first steps, the laughter he brought as he chased his poor beaten stuffed bunny around the room, the moans he used to let out when he didn't want to do his physical therapy and the look he would give me letting me know how much he appreciated everything we had been though.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/--VrEa5H_49Y/TXe4bTcHRYI/AAAAAAAAAXo/zJSTNJJHOQ8/s1600/Mulligan+%2526+Toby+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" q6="true" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/--VrEa5H_49Y/TXe4bTcHRYI/AAAAAAAAAXo/zJSTNJJHOQ8/s400/Mulligan+%2526+Toby+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In better days with his pal Toby </td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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True to his couraqgeous nature Mulligan fought this illness with determination as well. Now he is free to prance and run - and join the other hounds who passed before him. Rest in peace dear friend.<br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-BJmJXXIxPC4/TXe4VrgRaBI/AAAAAAAAAXk/nTlS2ynFPvc/s1600/Mulligan+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a></div>By20houndshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01270646010444091362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8446112192690275298.post-79614312631993950222011-01-14T13:59:00.000-08:002011-01-14T14:13:07.857-08:00Saving Simone <br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_aJbnpfowGmc/TTC_CrkjHZI/AAAAAAAAAWM/ITf2Ez1o5oM/s1600/DSC03057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="133" n4="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_aJbnpfowGmc/TTC_CrkjHZI/AAAAAAAAAWM/ITf2Ez1o5oM/s200/DSC03057.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">Simone</span></em></strong></td></tr>
</tbody></table>The recent passing of Michael Ethier was a shock to the local beagle rescue community. Michael shared a passion for beagles and was avid at making sure none were killed "on his watch".<br />
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A few years back I adopted a sweet beagle named Simone to Michael after he fell for her sweet beagle charm. Now with Michael's passing it has come to my attention that Simone and four of Michael's other beagles have been being kenneled since his death.<br />
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I have always believed that once you commit to rescuing a shelter dog you make a lifetime commitment making sure that dog is safe. Tomorrow we go pick up Simone - she will come back here and join us as one of the pack.<br />
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Through the years Michael assisted - was responsible for saving hundreds and hundreds of death row beagles from Georgia shelters. It would be simply tragic and heartwrenching if ANY of his personal companions ended up in a shelter because he couldn't save them.<br />
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It's equally tragic that his hounds are probably desparately looking for their Michael - who will not return. Dogs don't know about separation - they don't understand death - all they understand and expect is their master being their to comfort them - feed them and keep them safe. His hounds must be suffering dearly with his loss.<br />
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WE, the rescue community need to save Michael's hounds. We need to do this not only as a tribute to Michael - but also because it is the right thing to do. Michael's hounds - Simone - Lani - Towne - Rosie and Freckles deserve better. <br />
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Here's the rest of Michael's hounds<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aJbnpfowGmc/TTDAjGFMzFI/AAAAAAAAAWU/Ok8jBWuserE/s1600/DSC03052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" n4="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aJbnpfowGmc/TTDAjGFMzFI/AAAAAAAAAWU/Ok8jBWuserE/s320/DSC03052.JPG" width="320" /></a> <br />
Lani was rescued from Douglas County Animal Control about four years ago. Lani is up-to-date on vaccinations, HW negative, and will come with clean teeth, as the veterinarian who is boarding her will clean her teeth prior to adoption. <br />
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Two years ago Lani had become paralyzed in her rear end, unable to walk and unable to get around without pulling herself around by her front legs.<br />
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Throughout Lani's ordeal, Michael doted on her, carrying her around and even building her a cart so she could walk on her own. Little by little, Lani improved, but it was slow. Then, at about the six months mark, Michael took her to the Blessing of the Animals at his church, and it was right after that that Michael put the cart away; Lani had begun walking around as if she had never been disabled. Michael, being a spiritual person, always believed it was time and prayers that made Lani well. Other's might suggest God worked his miracles through Michael's hands and heart - we'll never know - but what is known is Lani must be missing her Michael just terrible.<br />
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Can someone please step up and take this girl in?<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_aJbnpfowGmc/TTDCdW9FkOI/AAAAAAAAAWY/tJqyhCYevo0/s1600/DSC03054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" n4="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_aJbnpfowGmc/TTDCdW9FkOI/AAAAAAAAAWY/tJqyhCYevo0/s320/DSC03054.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><strong><em>Townes - Call me handsome</em></strong></span> - <br />
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</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="color: maroon;">Michael rescued Towne's mother, Paisley, who was pregnant, from one of the local animal control facilities. Soon after her rescue, Paisley delivered Townes and his six brothers. Michael kept Townes, who is named after one of Michael's favorite musicians, and found homes for the other five puppies (one died shortly after birth). Paisley passed away a few years ago.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_aJbnpfowGmc/TTDDVfuKUzI/AAAAAAAAAWc/SrgZOnHtVo4/s1600/DSC03054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_aJbnpfowGmc/TTDDjByyclI/AAAAAAAAAWg/b8qMF15b_oo/s1600/DSC03059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" n4="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_aJbnpfowGmc/TTDDjByyclI/AAAAAAAAAWg/b8qMF15b_oo/s320/DSC03059.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong><em><span style="font-size: small;">Sweet Rosie</span></em></strong></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Micael took in Rosie a couple of years back after she was found by a rescue group in the Dahlonega area and running down the road. Since then she's known nothing but Michael's love and care.<br />
Rosie needs a warm place to rest her head. She is house trained, UTD on her shots, H/W negative and super sweet. Please help this girl out.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_aJbnpfowGmc/TTDFt_LLDGI/AAAAAAAAAWk/k7IJvXns_dw/s1600/DSC03051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" n4="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_aJbnpfowGmc/TTDFt_LLDGI/AAAAAAAAAWk/k7IJvXns_dw/s320/DSC03051.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
Not much is known about Freckles except that Michael loved him dearly too. He is neutered, UTD on all his shots, house trained and desparately needs <br />
someone to fill the void Michael's passing has left.<br />
<br />
Dr. Laura Alston, has physical custody of Michael's beagles, and has asked for help in finding homes for them. If you are interested or know of anyone who is interested in adopting one of the beagles, please contact Dr. Alston at vetdrlta@bellsouth.net. Dr. Alston has two veterinary clinics. One is South Hall Veterinary Hospital, 3640 Mundy Mill Rd, Suite 178 Gainesville GA. 30504 Tel: (770) 532-4449; Fax: (770) 535-2773; the other is Ark Veterinary Hospital in Buford. The beagles are going to be listed individually on Petfinder, and Dr. Alston and Nancy will be screening potential adopters.<br />
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Permission to share or crosspostBy20houndshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01270646010444091362noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8446112192690275298.post-55752946045319332362011-01-05T07:06:00.000-08:002011-01-05T09:29:01.699-08:00Closing my eyes with sweet memories of you<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_aJbnpfowGmc/TRdk2Dfrn6I/AAAAAAAAAV0/6nhwv5qsG7s/s1600/Maggie+Profile.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: right; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="135" n4="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_aJbnpfowGmc/TRdk2Dfrn6I/AAAAAAAAAV0/6nhwv5qsG7s/s200/Maggie+Profile.jpeg" width="200" /></a><br />
<br />
<em>Now it's the same as before</em><br />
<em>and I'm alone again</em><br />
<br />
<br />
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<div style="text-align: left;"><em>With no sorrow for myself</em></div><div style="text-align: left;"><em>and blaming no one else</em></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_aJbnpfowGmc/TSSFjBioQvI/AAAAAAAAAV4/w38WPYIt-8U/s1600/scan0002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="216" n4="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_aJbnpfowGmc/TSSFjBioQvI/AAAAAAAAAV4/w38WPYIt-8U/s320/scan0002.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<em>Closing my eyes</em><br />
<em>you standing there</em><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
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<em>Now it's the same as before</em><br />
<em>You've touched me with your love</em><br />
<br />
<em>Though you're in my heart</em><br />
<em>We're still a world apart</em><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_aJbnpfowGmc/TSSGn5JjBzI/AAAAAAAAAV8/IRLB5kNehTE/s1600/scan0014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="215" n4="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_aJbnpfowGmc/TSSGn5JjBzI/AAAAAAAAAV8/IRLB5kNehTE/s320/scan0014.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">You call this a happy meal?</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
<em>Back to the time</em><br />
<em>searching for a dream</em><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
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<em>No use to try anymore as before</em><br />
<em>someday I'll die, and maybe then I'll be with you</em><br />
<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_aJbnpfowGmc/TSSHOPP4ypI/AAAAAAAAAWA/ens_ZPjMNxY/s1600/scan0013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="216" n4="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_aJbnpfowGmc/TSSHOPP4ypI/AAAAAAAAAWA/ens_ZPjMNxY/s320/scan0013.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
<em>Closing my eyes</em><br />
<em>to hear people laugh</em><br />
<em>they're all alone </em><br />
<em>not knowing </em><br />
<em>where to go</em><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_aJbnpfowGmc/TSSH2aQw2iI/AAAAAAAAAWE/nix5KFa75vE/s1600/scan0008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="210" n4="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_aJbnpfowGmc/TSSH2aQw2iI/AAAAAAAAAWE/nix5KFa75vE/s320/scan0008.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<em>Is it asking too much</em><br />
<em>When the question is what to do</em><br />
<em>with the life I have</em><br />
<em>It seems I know nothing now</em><br />
<em>except my love for you</em><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_aJbnpfowGmc/TSSIi-ZOVWI/AAAAAAAAAWI/VBtUrPOYws0/s1600/scan0005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" n4="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_aJbnpfowGmc/TSSIi-ZOVWI/AAAAAAAAAWI/VBtUrPOYws0/s320/scan0005.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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<em>With the strength in my hands</em><br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><em>to go on feeling your smile</em></div>By20houndshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01270646010444091362noreply@blogger.com1