SB 95 - Please support. . .

I've been chatting back and forth with several rescue friends about SB 95. Late last night I received another email from a rescue friend who forwarded an email exchange that had been started by MOS inserting several comments I made about a year ago on the Stop Ohio Puppymills Yahoo group in response to questions about the bill.

My comments were used out of context and without permission. This blog is to clarify my thoughts on SB 95.

Since I have not reread the bill since I wrote the original comments in May and June of 2009 and I haven't checked to see if the modifications are available online, I don't know which, if any, changes would impact my original thoughts. That said, even if the bill has changed very little, I am still asking my senator to support the bill.

I know that many involved in rescue don't like the provisions that deal specifically with rescue organizations in Ohio. I understand not wanting someone to come to your home unannounced to do an inspection. However, if I want to stop the person who calls them self "rescue" and keeps dogs in deplorable conditions, then I have to be willing to be inspected. So do you. Basically it involves pulling up our big girl panties and agreeing to walk the talk.

I believe shelters, pounds and humane societies should be included in the bill and this is the biggest sticking point for me. If even one shelter, pound or humane society in this state is as abusive (or more so) to their charges as some of the breeders and hoarders, they should be included. We all know there is more than one of each type that fits the bill. I don't like letting them off the hook and I don't agree with the statement that the intention of the bill does not include these groups - it's a pen stroke to include them and they should be required to follow the same standards as everyone else. Still, I'll support the bill even if shelters, pounds and humane societies are exempt because half a loaf is better than none. There are other parts of the bill I don't care for, but here's what I dislike even more:

1. It's the beginning of summer, the outside temperatures are reaching 75-80 degrees which means the inside temperatures of unventilated buildings are easily reaching 85-90 degrees and as the temperatures rise outside, so will they rise inside. Dogs are suffering and it is only going to get worse.
2. Of course, if it were November 25 the situation would be the same except we would be talking about temperatures in the high 20's or low 30's and dogs would be suffering from the cold.
3. I don't like the fact that "rescue organizations" have literally no oversight at all in Ohio. Whether they are an individual or whether they are listed as a 501(c)3, "rescues" literally have carte blanch in most cities, towns, counties to do whatever they want. Unless a specific city, town or county requires licensing and annual or biannual inspections, they can pretty much house and care for hundreds of dogs anyway they want with no intervention.

4. The fact that many rescues are good and take excellent care of their dogs does not mean the poorly thought out, or poorly run, or hoarders/collectors posing as rescues should be allowed to ride on the coat tails of the good rescues and not be stopped.
5. I think "rescue" should have a clear definition whether it is one person or a group or a large organization and I don't think it is a bad thing to hold rescue groups accountable. Should a state authority be able to set adoption fees? No, I don't think so, because ultimately, that will result in cherry picking which dogs rescue groups can afford to take in - I don't know if Kelli's explanation is accurate as that is not what the bill says, however, I would be willing to chance it in order to have rescue groups included in the bill.
6. I don't like taking in dogs that are so matted I can't tell their heads from their tails - literally.
7. I don't like taking in dogs that must have an eye removed because it was in a fight with a larger dog that hurt it so badly that enucleation is the only pain free option available.
8. I don't like months of antibiotics for severe ear infections that return for a year or two until we are able to finally get on top of them.
9. I don't like severely damaged feet and legs from cages in poor repair or dog fights that result in either large medical bills and/or amputations.
10. I don't like malnourished dogs that are anemic from fleas and ticks literally sucking their life blood away.
11. I don't like what is going on in Ohio among some breeders and among some who call themselves rescue because what they are doing is harming dogs.
12. I don't like females coming into rescue with pyometra and only having hours to save them.
13. I know that I can not justify dogs continuing to suffer until the "perfect law" is written because the perfect law doesn't exist but the dog's suffering does.

14. I know that dogs are suffering in Ohio and they will continue to suffer until we do something. This bill may not be perfect and I may not like everything in it, but it is better than what we have now which is NOTHING!

SB 95 is not perfect, it never will be. I don't have all of the answers but the fact is, neither do any of you. Every individual be it breeder or rescue has a different opinion on what constitutes "good and appropriate care." We have personality differences between members of the same rescue group and those of different groups. We each think "our" way is the best. We all believe we know what a good law will look like and of course it is "our" version of the law. Bottom line is none of this is helping the dogs. There may be parts of this bill I really dislike but enough to actively fight it???? No, I want to see a bill in place that will help the dogs.

Sadly, while we all argue among ourselves, dogs are suffering. So while I have said many, many times that no law is better than a bad law - I have to change my position - this law will help stop the suffering and that's something everyone should agree on.

Dogs are dying while we continue to have a pissing contest with one another over this bill. We need to recognize the perfect bill doesn't exist and it can not be written because someone will always disagree with some part. We need to stop perceiving the bill as a personal affront to our ability to rescue and see it as a bill to help the dogs. This is not about individuals it is about the dogs that need our help. Unless someone has a better bill ready to go right now (and McKenzie's law is not better - it's a nice try but not the answer) then I'm supporting SB 95. Ohio dogs are suffering. Now. It needs to stop. Now. So for what I hope is the last time, pull up your big girl panites, suck it up and support SB 95.

Columbus Clippers

We went to a baseball game at the Huntington Park downtown on Saturday. What a great park! Not huge but plenty big enough, very nice and I really enjoyed seeing so many families with youngsters and even little babies.

The "SuperStars," characters that were sort of cartoonish, sort of air filled larger than life entertainers were a nice treat for kids of all ages. The mackeral that ate the little boy was worth the price of a ticket. (Don't ask, just go see them when you get the chance!)

Take a look at the Huntington Park http://tinyurl.com/2ez3jma and then make plans to visit when you are in the area. Great time!

I don't get it (and other odd things. . .)

Page Six in the New York Post reports Sean Salisbury, a former ESPN sports anaylist acknowledged using his cell phone to take a photo of his penis and showed it to co-workers? For the record - this person is over the age of three.

KMGH Denver - Channel 7 news is reporting a United Airlines flight from Washington DC to Las Vegas made an emergency stop in Denver to remove a male passenger who tried to open a door on the airplane while it was in flight.

Fox news reports a 22 yr old Michigan college student was terrorized by a TSA employee in Philadephia's airport when he reached into her laptop bag and pulled out a plastic bag of white powder and demanded to know where the powder came from. After a tearful denial of any knowledge of the bag by the college student, he smiled, laughed and told her he was kidding - the bag of white powder was his. Although he is no longer employed by the TSA, the agency refuses to answer whether he resigned or was fired.

I don't get it. What were these people thinking?

Jacki - A Christmas Miracle

Afer Jacki's owner died last year her remaining family gave her to a dog breeder who put her in a barn, in a cage and there she lived. From a warm home to a cold cage, from belly rubs to fear - how traumatized she must have been.

Just before Thanksgiving, the breeder contacted a rescuer and offered her Jacki. In the process of putting Jacki in the crate for transport, Jacki, who was terrified, bit her rescuer and the nightmare began.

The rescuer, who has a low immune system, ended up in the hospital with a severe infection and Jacki was being cared for by friends. Somewhere along the way, animal control picked up Jacki and took her to the shelter and placed her in quarantine. Since she was originally destined to come into a rescue group one of the members called the shelter to check on her. The person answering the phone said Jacki would be euthanized as soon as her quarantine was up. The subject was closed. It didn't matter there was a licensed rescue who wanted to take Jacki and place her in an experienced foster home where she would live out her days. Jacki would be euthanized. Period. No discussion, no reprieve. Dead - because that was what was best for Jacki. A second call elicited the same response from a second person. Jacki was going to die because that is what was best for her. End of discussion.

Those of us who do rescue understand that we can't save them all, but sometimes, a certain dog will touch us in a way we can't explain. Rescue friends called the shelter asking them to reconsider, polite emails were sent asking for a reprieve and the staff at the shelter was adamant - Jacki would die because that was what was best for her.

Another person called the shelter and a kinder person answered the phone. The call was transferred to the Director who explained Jacki had been badly neglected. She was old, had cataracts, long toe nails, lumps on her body, and she was terrified. He was outraged on Jacki's behalf - no dog should ever be treated the way she had been treated; the family sent her to the shelter and asked to have her put down. Ahhhh, now we understood - so the person explained Jacki's real history and begged to let her go to the rescue where she would stay as a forever foster in one home with one experienced owner - please just let us prove who we are.

And the Director listened. He agreed to research the rescue if they would fax a current license from the state, another rescue person did so immediately. More calls, more emails, more time - a decision would be made on Monday. The only available driver was several hours from the shelter so Monday morning, with an absolute belief that the Director would do what was best for Jacki, the journey of a thousand miles began. A call was made to the shelter to tell them a rescuer was on the way and they were told - "No decision had been made - there's no guarantee the dog will be released to you." Faith, either you believe in miracles or you don't - the driver did, "I'm on my way, I'll call again later." "It's your choice," was the response. Yet is it. The driver kept going.

Two and a half hours into the trip, the driver's phone rang - "Where are you? What state? Your dog is here waiting for you!" said Judy, the kind lady who had originally put the call through to the Director several days ago. "I'm still a few hours away, but I'm coming, thank you, thank you!" Calls went out to fellow rescuers - "Yes! Yes! We can have her! I'm on my way!" Word spread, prayers of thanks stormed heaven!

The driver met a rescue friend closer to the shelter who led the way and the two went inside to pick up Jacki. The Director was unavailable but he had left word to release Jacki to the driver. Robin, the ACO who greeted the two rescuers clearly was not happy the dog was going to be released. Robin was rude, overbearing and insulting. She had nothing good to say about the rescue group or the rescuers who worked so hard to save Jacki's life. The two rescuers listened, one of them was even polite, the goal was to get Jacki out of there, not educate a fool. Papers were signed, a much reduced fee was paid (thanks to a kind Director) and then Jacki was brought out, placed in the driver's vehicle and as soon as politely possible, the two rescue people left. The minute the driver left the shelter property a call was placed to her foster mom - "I've got her, she's safe!" Joy, relief and love came through the phone- "Thank God" said her foster mom. Indeed, Thank God!

Jacki spent a safe, peaceful night at the driver's home and the next morning jumped right into the vehicle when asked. The last leg of her journey began - perhaps she knew she was going home. When the driver and foster mom met several hours later, Jacki put her paws in her new Mom's lap and gave her a kiss. I think Jacki knew - like hearts recognized each other.

Jacki was neglected, terrified, and miserable yet there was something about her that called out to a little rescue group a thousand miles away. Rescue people from all over the country worked on her behalf with calls, emails, providing requested paperwork and sending prayers. The right person answered the phone at the right time. The Director agreed to listen, he investigated and agreed to release her to the rescue group.

At the end of the trip, the driver added up the miles - 1027 miles in two days. Quite a journey for such a little dog - but not so far when you consider that Jacki's release was a Christmas Miracle given to a little rescue group that steadfastly believes in them.

Jacki is safe, she is no longer terrified. She is home. She is our Christmas Miracle.

A few of my Favorite things. . . .

Ellen DeGeneres, what is there to say? She is smart, funny and quick witted. She keeps me in stitches and I try to catch her show as often as possible. (She's on during the dogs regular outside play time so sometimes I'm running back & forth between the TV & the yard.) Her "O, Yes I can" campaign to get on the cover of O Magazine was hilarious (and successful!) You can watch scenes from the photo shoot on her website this week: www.ellen.warnerbros.com. It is a fun video to watch and Ellen's humor and Oprah's good nature come through. Take a peek.

While watching Bravo's The Actor's Studio yesterday, the audience (including me) was treated to a visit with Hilary Swank - two time Oscar winner and all around nice person. You can see part of the program here: www.bravotv.com/inside-the-actors-studio.

The story of another facinating person is the subject of an upcoming Swank movie - Betty Ann Waters, who was a high school drop out when her brother was falsely accused and convicted of murder. Betty Ann worked her way through college and law school so she could take up her brother's defense. He spent 18 years in prison shile she earned her law degree and helped free him through DNA evidence. Amazing story.

And last but not least, I enjoy a good laugh - I hope you do too - from the Reader's Digest Website, read about the world's dumbest criminals: http://tinyurl.com/y9k6cu6

November Blessings. . . .

I love fall - definitely my favorite season. Today, the sun was out and there was a little nip in the air. The dogs all went outside and played for a bit this morning while I went around cleaning up the yard. I get such a kick out of them when I'm walking around pooper scooping and they line up behind me and follow me through the yard. I feel like the pied piper. lol

The dogs in the photo to the left are Prince, the Devil Dog (Maltese in upper left corner), Gaylin the Yorkie, Mason the Magnificent slightly behind Gaylin, Callie the Chihuahua and Joey, the Maltese in front.

I am so thankful to the rescue that took Joey the little Maltese and when they determined they couldn't keep him, contacted me and sent him back. Joey is a great little dog with a lot of medical problems and to the uninitiated, a disconcerting growly way of talking. I'm not really sure what happen but I suspect the way he talks caught them off guard and they thought he was doing an angry dog growl and that frightened them. Fear is so easy to communicate to a dog and once they know you are fearful, it's difficult to get them to mind.

We have a very stable pack of dogs here and I've gotten used to watching them to see how they react. If no one pays attention to a growl, I know it's Joey's way of communicating and not a threat or warning. If one of my dogs goes on alert, I immediately stop Joey's behavior with a finger snap and a no growl command. He settles down right and gets a head scratch as a reward and off we go to the next adventure. The rescue group who had him is known to euthanize dogs they consider biters so I am glad he was sent back to us. He is not a biter, just a dog who needs positive reinforcement to understand how to behave.

Well, it's about time to feed the pack so I'm off for the next adventure.

Issue 2 in Ohio - Why I changed my mind. . . .

After going back & forth for two months on Issue 2, initially in favor of it passing - I have come to the conclusion this issue needs a resounding NO!

At the end of the day, it has to be about the animals. I am not amused by the politics that took place regarding how this issue came to be proposed - IMO both sides need a crack along side the head.

I often disagree with HSUS, but creating a board to set livestock standards specifically to thwart them is foolish. It it were an advisory board with no specific authority other than to make recommendations, I might be more agreeable. Under the proposed change to the Ohio Constitution no one (not the governor, the legislators or the voters) has direct oversight of this 13 member board and that is a bad thing. All of us need to be accountable and a 13 member board with no oversight is a disaster in the making.

I'm not prepared to give up my right to demand humane treatment for animals in this state because the Ohio Farm Bureau and the HSUS got into a p*ssing contest. It's not about HSUS or OFB - it's about the animals - and that's why I'm voting no on issue 2.