Basset Hound Rescue Organizations

A few days ago, I posted these words on my Facebook wall:

It takes a village.

This sentence, once a title of a book written by Hilary R. Clinton, has been used in so many ways by so many people. The sentence can fit anything that takes a group effort. In my case, as I’m heavily involved with animal rescue and animal activism, the words reflect the work that many of my virtual and personal friends have worked so hard to do: to alleviate the suffering of animals.

Raven, a cute little puppy that I never met, was the crux of that sentence. Raven was 1-1/2 years old and was one signature away on the adoption contract from going to her new forever home. Sadly, she started losing feeling in her back legs, prompting Dawn Joslin, her kind-hearted rescuer, to decide to take her to the Penn Veterinary Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania (UPenn) to be diagnosed and cured. Unfortunately, the cure was never found. Raven was sent to the Rainbow Bridge, which is a euphemism that we, animal lovers, use for death. It took two weeks for poor Raven to go from hopeful recovery to hopeless condition.

During the hopeful moments, I blogged here, and I also posted on my Facebook wall, about Raven’s need for financial backing. There was hope for recovery. All she needed, so we thought, was lots of therapy, tender loving care (TLC), and financial help.

Dawn (would post,

They have (hospital staff) Raven playing on the therapy balls. She’s having a grand time. Her neurologist has 4 students that work with her, and they are in love with Raven. They even put her in the wagon and take her around when they do their rounds.

But as the days progressed, Raven was deteriorating. However, her condition, at the time, was not enough to declare it hopeless. At first, she reacted positively to the therapy. Her back legs seemed to get better. But, soon enough, the legs wouldn’t react anymore. It was speculated that she may have had a stroke on the spinal column. She would need to use a K9-cart the rest of her life.

Dogs do fine in K9-carts. Many, especially those dogs that start using the cart at a young age, are able to run and play like normal dogs. A cart was even in the wings for Raven’s use. However, she was soon enough, not only losing the sensation in her back legs, she was losing sensation in one of her front legs. She would need to be carted around because, in order to use a K9-cart, you need full use of the front legs. It was decided that Raven would need to go to a home that would be able to deal with her disabilities. I had that perfect person in mind.

To keep that person’s privacy intact, I’ll call her A. I spoke with A, and though she was full, she agreed to take Raven into her home. Another friend, I’ll call her B, agreed to transport Raven to A’s house, which is 6 hours away. Happily, I updated my status to say, “It takes a village.” I didn’t want to jinx or even say more until the deed was totally sealed. Unfortunately, Raven deteriorated even further.

Raven went from having one spot on her spine to, within her two weeks stay at the hospital, having loads of spots on her spine. The veterinary staff was beginning to think that Raven had cancer, a rapidly aggressive form of cancer. This Friday (Jan 13), she started to have facial twitches, and the staff was concerned that she may end up having seizures. Raven was no longer able to control her bile and bladder. Her urine had to be expressed. There was no hope. The best gift that could be given for this once vivacious puppy was euthanasia. On Saturday night, she was quietly sent to the Rainbow Bridge.

During Raven’s short lifetime under Dawn’s rescue care, she was loved and spoiled. Dawn made sure of that. Here’s part of the note that Dawn sent me:

[Raven] has no chance of recovering. They are giving her a very poor prognosis now. So, it is a very hard decision we are having to make right now. But we have everyone spoiling her and giving her pretty much anything she wants right now.

Unfortunately, Raven left this world with a $9,000.00 hospital debt. We are asking for donations, in Raven’s memory, however small, to help defray the costs. Dawn is a wonderful rescuer who speaks with her heart. She needs your help now! Let’s help Dawn in her time of need!

And let’s, once again, prove that it takes a village!

It’s sad to see a life slip by, especially when that life is young and vibrant. Raven is just one-year old. She is full of life. Tomorrow, because no one saw into their hearts to possibility of helping her, she will not understand why she is so tired, and we will have to mourn her short life, because she will never wake up.

Raven lost the capability of using her hind legs. She could have been a good candidate for a K-9 cart. But for that she needs a good home that will deal with her handicap. On top of that, she is losing feelings of one of her front legs. That makes her ability to use a cart a bit more difficult. She needs more therapy (which is costly) and she needs a tender loving home. So this blog is now requesting for the final time for someone who could provide a loving home for as long as she needs to be rehabilitated and to have a life. Are you that person? If yes, please contact Dawn Joslin at 609-277-4684.

Click on the photos to see the larger version.

When I started this website, I was living in a small world, the world of basset hounds. We love the breed because the nature of bassets fit so well with our semisedentary lifestyle. Like us, bassets were perfectly willing to be couch potatoes and participate with the few basset hound events (RAMBLE, club meetings, etc.) that we were willing to take them to. Slowly, our world expanded. We found a stray, and she fit in with our lifestyle and she became part us. When our first basset died, we became involved with basset rescue. A new world opened up. We learned that not all bassets were taken from puppyhood to loving homes. Some were given up for some reason and another and others even wound up in shelters. I learned about that not all dogs are loved and many are abused.

When Patrick, a young pit bull from NJ, after being starved to death was thrown down into the garbage pit minutes away from death, made news, my innocence was taken away from me and my website morphed from just concentrating on the plight of basset hounds to the plight of abused dogs.

Today, this website is once again shedding some more of its innocence. Years ago, I believed that the ASPCA was the protector of all animals. But alas, that belief was shattered when I found out that the ASPCA saved a poor cat from being euthanized at the high-kill shelter in NYC known as the Animal Care and Control of NYC (ACC). His name was Benny. Benny was lucky. The ASPCA grabbed him from the abomination that cares to call themselves a shelter committed to caring. Don’t kid yourself, they are not committed to caring (more about that later). Here’s Benny’s kill list (obtained from In Dog We Trust blog, which is a real worthwhile read):

A few days later, after a few test were given to Benny, tests that the incompetents at the ACC failed to give, the ASPCA sent Benny back. Benny was tested Feline Aids Positive. The ASPCA, rather than dealing with the condition (which can be dealt with very successfully) chose to return the animal to be euthanized. Yes, that’s the great ASPCA. If you want to know where your donations go to, they don’t go to saving animals. They go to generous salaries for their CEOS, as well as to tear-producing commercials for TV, commercials that bring in revenue for salaries for CEOS.

Don’t fall for the videos, let’s face reality. Here’s what happened to Benny a few days later:

NYACC, as I said earlier is a high-kill shelter, but that’s not all. It’s a horrible place. Animals are killed by the dozen. Animals can smell death all around them. But that’s not all. The animals at the ACC are abused. In fact, I don’t understand why the ASPCA keeps a blind eye to the abuse happening not far from their headquarters in NYC. At the ACC, animals are killed for no other reason than a treatable cold; some are left with their fecal matter around them (as no one cleans their cages); many are not walked for days; many are left without food and water. Why isn’t the ASPCA outraged about this? Why isn’t PETA reporting ACC? Why? Because these so-called caring societies became money-grabbing corporations. Before you write another check for any of these organizations, stop and think about sending donations to the small rescue groups that work hard by pulling as many animals from the hell hole they are in. Rescue organizations like Empty Cages Collective. They step up and saved Benny. Rescue organizations like Angels on Paws Animal Rescue that saved Raven, the paraplegic 1-year-old puppy.

Raven still needs help. Her current veterinarian bill is around $5,000.00, but her Chipin is not even near that mark. Please open your heart (and your purses) to help the rescue and the puppy. Here’s the latest news from her Vet:

I thought I would shoot you an email update. Raven is stable. No progress forward or back since yesterday. I got a few more infectious disease test back. She has been negative for everything so far (Erhlichia, Anaplasma, Rocky Mt Spotted Fever, Neospora, Blastomycosis, bacterial culture, and Cryptococcus).

I am still awaiting results on toxoplasmosis (which is unlikely) and distemper (which unfortunately I cannot treat). She remains comfortable fortunately and can still get around fairly well sling walking her back end. I have increased her steroid further hoping to treat an inflammatory condition or cancer (lymphoma). She is stable enough to go to her foster home or your regular veterinarian if they can provide care for her. Her current bill as of this evening is almost $5000.

I am very happy to keep her here as long as you desire however I know that Penn’s fees tend to be higher than other veterinarians and I hate to spend money from a rescue group. I will be in the office tomorrow morning. Weekend visiting and discharge hours are from 9-11 am. I will try to give you a call tomorrow morning. Have a nice evening.

Raven underwent her MRI. Unfortunately, several more areas of concern were located. Currently, the veterinarian staff is doing a cerebrospinal fluid(CSF) analysis to determinie whether her paralysis is caused by an infection, and if so, what type of infection, or whether she is still having more strokes of the spine (FCEM). She was given antibiotics in hopes that she will respond to them.

If Raven paralysis is caused by FCEM, she stands a good chance of regaining some, if not all of her functions. Time will tell. Tests results should be in a few days. Recuperation, if she has FCEM, should take 4–16 weeks.

In any event, Raven may need to use a k-9 cart. Currently, the veterinarian staff does not want her in a cart, as animals tend not use their muscles once in the cart.

Raven sill needs lots of financial help. Please, any amount is helpful to help this vibrant and life-loving pup.

You can also visit Ravens Facebook Page. Just click here.

Raven needs help, lots of help. In her short life she has met with, and has overcome, lots of crisis:

1. She was dumped at a kill shelter in Kentucky.
2. The shelter was going to close. Every animal was to be euthanized. She was one of the lucky ones and was saved.
3. Her foster mom abandoned her when Hurricane Irene struck the area she was living in. Poor Raven (and other fosters in the foster mom’s care) was abandoned for 4 days.

The rescue organization had to fight in court to get Raven away from her bad foster condition and put her in a better situation. Once Raven was under a better foster care, as well as getting healthy again, and just as her adoption papers were being signed, Raven lost control of her hind legs. Unfortunately, her illness progressed to decreased bowel and bladder control.

Raven was rushed to the Red Bank Veterinary Hospital, where an MRI was done. Before receiving the MRI results, everyone thought that all Raven was going to need was an emergency surgery to fix a ruptured or herniated disc.

The MRI proved that every disc was intact and in place. All the MRI shows is a small white area, dead center in her spinal cord, midway down her back. There are very few possibilities for what is going on in this 1-year-old, who, technically speaking is a perfectly healthy, happy, active, incredible dog, and showing no obvious signs of injury, and yet partially unable to use her lower limbs.

Raven needs further tests to find what is ailing her. She may have suffered a small stroke in spinal cord. Hopefully, she is suffering a temporary loss. Unfortunately, the University of Pennsylvania Veterinary Hospital is charging $2,000.00 for further testing. And there’s a ChipIn to help the rescue taking care of her to enable this poor dog to undergo the testing.

Raven is an incredibly happy dog who so wants to love and live her life. She is way too young to have it ended so soon.

If all else fails, a cart will be given to her.

After her health problems are solved, Raven will need to be adopted by a special family who will be able to take care of her and give her the love and care she needs. Won’t you open your heart and help her. Even a $1.00 is a blessed help. Thank you.

Here’s a quote from the head of the rescue taking care of Raven:

Please help me give Raven the same chance!! I will be happy to send anyone who needs it – the estimate once they give it to me today and any receipts from the care she has already received (just under $4,000.00 of which I have covered $3,000.00 myself, but have no more left!!).

U Penn (once she is a patient there) will take larger payments on her bill over the phone. I will provide that information also I’m given the number to use. Till then, my information is

Dawn Joslin
31 Putting Green Avenue
Northfield, NJ 08225

cell: 609-277-4684

email: saveourpets.djoslin@gmail.com

Rescue: Angels on Paws Animal Rescue (501c3 in the works)

I am a member in good standing with Almost Home Dachshund Rescue Society (501c3). We are all independent rescuers with this group. So we are responsible for all of our own expenses, such as vetting, boarding, transport, etc, just as we are responsible for finding fosters and adoptive homes (which is why I am also asking for the posts  not only for donation, in the hopes that we may find that special home for Raven).

Raven’s Chip In

My PayPal.

I will give you, or anyone who asks, whatever info needed that is within my power to give. I need to be able to try to help this love!!! Just ask

Thank you for considering helping in whatever way(s) you can, we are all truly appreciative!!

Visit Raven’s FB Page.

The video that follows went viral with animal advocates. The video follows Cora, a Chiweenie (Chihuahua—dachshund mix) young dog who was dumped in a Wal-Mart parking lot. Luckily, Eldad Hagar, who is one extremely patient man from Hope for Paws, rescued her. It took a lot of patience and two hours to catch her; but he succeeded. Just watch the video. Warning: Get a box of tissues. If you are human, you will shed some tears. This is a powerful story.

Now, here’s Cora today. She is a happy mom of 3 healthy, 11-day-old puppies. Read the rest of this entry »

Stories like this makes me hopeful towards the human race:

Kisha Curtis, the alleged abuser of a beautiful Newark pit-bull puppy named Patrick, was finally handed down an indictment of Fourth Degree Animal Cruelty for abandoning and starving the 1-year-old pit bull in March, by the New Jersey’s Grand Jury. Her sentence, if found guilty, can carry up t0 18 months in jail.

Patrick was found stuffed in a plastic bag in the garbage shoot of a 22-floor apartment building. Ms. Curtis, who lived on the 19th floor, denies having stuffed the emaciated puppy in the garbage bag and having thrown him in to the garbage shoot. Patrick weighed 19 lbs. and was 1–2 hours away from death when the building maintenance man found him. Patrick was sent to Garden State Veterinary Specialist, in Tinton Falls, to recuperate. He is currently weighing 51 lbs and is in a loving foster home.

Court date is set for December 3.

w

A few days ago, I got my copy of Dog Fancy and in it was an article about “Memorializing Your Dog.” That article hit home. I had so many of my pets go to the Bridge. Of course, I have a multiple-pet household, which means that I will have many more pets leaving us at some point or another. So, I’d like to share with you how I handle my own memorial.

When our first pet died, a guinea pig named “Sparky,” we buried him in our yard and the children made some rudimentary marker that was way too fragile to put in the ground. Then other guinea pigs joined, as well as a number of hamsters and birds. I planted a small bush around the small-pet cemetery. Twenty-five years later, that bush is huge.

When our first dog, Ginger, died, we had her cremated. We were going to bury her in the “pet cemetery,” but never got around to it. My daughter didn’t want her in the ground where she would remain if we were ever to move. So, I put Ginger’s ashes in one of the shelves of one of our bookcases. Not too long later, other dogs followed.

The place where time stops

The boxes that the crematory gave us became too big and numerous to hide in the bookcase. It was time to look for another place. Just about that time, a faux grandfather clock that my Dad gave us when I was a young bride broke. The clock handles broke, and the clock no longer was telling time. I placed Ginger, Coriander, and Zack Curry behind the clock. They were placed where time stopped.

Now, that clock houses Cinnamon, Basil, Camembert, and my Mom’s cat, Cirmi. It is where all my pets will go. That’s my way of memorizing them. Someday, as this song says, I will be gone too. Then, my pets will be going with me. If I’m cremated, my ashes will be mixed with theirs and spread. If I’m to be buried, I want them in my casket. What is your way of memorizing your pets?