About Weims:Rescue:Rescue Interview
Rescue Interview
The following article is from Dog Sports Magazine, printed with permission of Shirley Greene. For any comments or questions, please contact Shirley at jeff6542@aol.com
It's That Time of Year
-Shirley Greene
Why do the holidays always sneak up on me? I know on Christmas Day that there are 364 days left in which to prepare for next year. Each summer I promise to plan ahead and do gift buying just as soon as the weather starts to cool off. That's my excuse for starting my shopping at the very end of November. Here in Arizona, that's usually when the daytime temperatures stop hitting triple digits. Oh, Christmas.
Christmas is also that time of year when the kids' pleas prevail, the parents give in and a new puppy arrives. That cute bundle of fluff grows by leaps and bounds. It develops sharp teeth and a mind of its own. Too often, a Christmas puppy - the most wanted gift under the tree - may turn into a thrown away dog.
Christmas means "no room at the inn," and spring, in my neck-of-the-woods means no room left in shelters. The calls begin in January and continue through March. And every year, I'm mentally caught off guard as I listen to the sad stories.
We've all heard a variety of reasons why the Christmas pup needs a new home. The kids aren't taking care of him. We forgot how much work a puppy takes. We don't have time. He jumps up and barks when I throw food to him in the back yard. In fact, he's run us out of our own back yard. (Didn't anyone explain that a family dog belongs with the family?)
My personal favorite is: "I had no idea Irish Wolfhounds grew so large and ate so much." Apparently they bought him from a breeder who didn't screen potential buyers. And my second nominee for dunce of the year went to the woman who said: "I thought expensive Mastiffs wouldn't drool."
As you get calls about placing puppies this holiday season, please consider assessing the client's needs. Help families seeking your advice find the right dog for their lifestyle. Take a moment to educate them about their "breed de jour," its temperament, possible genetic problems and unique traits.
And please: don't forget your local shelter. In the hustle-bustle rush before the holidays, donations often dwindle. Whether a bag of food or a little cash, your contribution matters.
And come spring, if you can find space in your kennel to provide a temporary home, surely you will be blessed. And if your kennel space is taken, how about making space in your heart to help a dog with great potential receive the training needed to become a family pet?
My column this month is an interview with a woman I've seen for years. Yet, I just recently learned she is/has been a mover and a shaker in the rescue community for more than twenty-six years. Whether it is a plea from an Internet buddy or a telephone call, she always comes through for the dogs.
I'm sure Twyla would agree when I say there's nothing better she'd like this Christmas than to be out of a job next year.
An Interview with A Rescuer
Q: Tell us a little bit about yourself, Twyla.
A: First and foremost, I am a dog lover. I've been animal crazy since birth. For some reason that is unclear to me, I see and understand things from a dog's point of view. My specialty has evolved into explaining the dog's side of a behavior issue to the owner. Afterwards, the owner can better understand the dog's actions. This has allowed numerous dogs to stay with their families, keeping them out of shelters. I'm always happy when a dog doesn't end up with me.
Since two-years of age, I've been borrowing dogs to walk, bathe and just pet. In my young adult years, I realized that I could not keep every dog I saw. I learned the reality that not every dog had a loving home where it was cared for properly. Putting the two concepts together, I decided to help dogs in need and then find them a good home. That became my mission.
Now, older, wiser and with a very understanding mate, I'm still working for the dogs. Those who know me have heard this a million times: I find people that fit a particular dog; I don't find a dog for particular people.
Q: How did you begin rescue work?
A: Years ago, Phoenix was a relatively small town. A friend and I started taking in strays. We'd foster them until good homes were found. Through my contacts with Animal Control, the Humane Society and no-kill shelters, one thing just led to another. I became associated with several rescue groups. Then, like most organizations, politics became more important than the dogs. So, another friend and I decided to fly solo. Today, we help each other out, but I am not associated with any formal group. A girlfriend started a Band of Angels whom I can count on for help with special cases.
Q: Do you have a specialty when it comes to rescuing dogs?
A: I've always been for the under-dog, pardon the pun. And being stubborn, I further decided to focus on those animals that no one else wanted to rescue. Many times it was because of behavior issues, the severity of abuse or their motherhood status. Of course, some were just too large, i.e. the giant breeds. So, I decided to take those that probably wouldn't stand a chance within other organized rescue groups.
Like I said, my specialty was bitches and their pups. In the prime of my work, the highest number in our home were 27 dogs, not including pups that were still nursing. Of course, that was during the desert monsoon season, when we get rain almost every afternoon. Nothing quite like 27 wet and muddy dogs running around the house. Here's how we ended up with that many pups:
A Chow, living in California, had new pups. Neither the owner nor anyone else wanted this dog and her 8 mixed breed pups. Within twelve hours, they came to me. However, the owner forgot to mention that her other dog, which I also agreed to take, was pregnant. As fate would have it, I was already fostering a terrier mix due to whelp at any time.
The Chow arrived. Her traveling partner whelped within 48 hours of landing at our place; and, halfway through, the terrier mix joined in. My house was now a maternity ward. By the third morning, there were 24 pups, and then the stealing started. I kept finding pups in my hallway and couldn't figure out why. After returning the fifth pup to it's rightful mother, I started my stake out. Each time a mother would go outdoors to potty, the other two bitches would check out her whelping box and take a pup or two back to their own litter. It was a game of musical pups. Luckily the pups looked very different or I'd never have sorted them out.
Q: Tell us about one of your favorite rescues.
A: The third dog I fostered was a 110-pound Labrador-German Shepherd Dog mix. Due to his being evaluated as out-of-control, a "no kill" shelter had him scheduled for euthanasia.
Rocky was just special. He'd be anything you needed him to be and nothing ever rattled him. We used him as a stand-in mother for young pups 5-12 weeks old. He was happy to teach them house rules. I loved to watch him herd everyone through the doggy door to go outside to potty. His size often made him the shelter for scared foster dogs to hide behind as well as the "enforcer." If a foster dog put their nose in the trash, Rocky would walk over and explain that trash was off limits. Rocky was flexible and would change jobs in a minute. Our constantly changing pack suited him to a T.
I adopted this boy as my own and he became a smart, loving dog, that I named Rocky. He needed a job and wanted to be kept busy. There wasn't anything he couldn't learn in three tries. This included popping over a 3-foot fence after watching my dear hubby step over it rather than opening the gate. I almost killed the hubby for showing him that lil' trick.
There was a quiet dignity to Rocky. We lost him to cancer at age eight. On the day we helped him cross the bridge, he refused to leave the house for the last ride to the vet until all the dogs had gone potty and were settled down to nap. I truly believe he knew his time was up and wanted his work done before he left.
Q: Speaking of your husband, how has he fared throughout all your years of rescue work?
A: He's done remarkably well. None of the dogs have ever gotten the upper hand with him, but we did rescue a large Doberman years ago that managed to test his patience and train him - - all at the same time. That Dobie had been severely abused by a man. The first three weeks in our home, each time my husband stood up, she'd nip him. It took him about three weeks to remember that each time he stood up he had to announce to her that he was getting up and moving into another room.
We didn't blame the dog. She'd had no choice in how her last owner treated her. But, my hubby did have the choice to either speak to her or get nipped. Alas, he was a slow learner.
Even today, he walks around the house talking to himself, a lot. He swears he is only doing it to be prepared for the next dog like this Dobie. That's his story and he's sticking to it.
Q: Everyone must ask about the cutest dog you've ever rescued, but what about the most homely?
A: I rescued a small dog awhile back. Hands down, she was the ugliest dog I've ever seen. Weighing in at fourteen pounds, she had a French Bulldog body with a docked tail at one end. The other end ended in a head that suffered from a severe under-bite. Her top canines also protruded, giving her a vampire profile. Her coat looked and felt like a gray porcupine at full quill. The topper was a pure white streak of much longer hair that ran from her forehead to behind the ears. This streak stood straight up and she looked like someone had styled it into punk spikes. She reminded us of the gremlin, Spike.
I had pretty much resigned myself to the fact that even though she was a wonderful dog, her chance for adoption was slim to none. Then, one day a wonderful woman saw her with me in PetsMart. She begged to adopt her, as she had always wanted a unique dog. This girl was certainly unique. After checking on the woman, the adoption took place. They are very happy together. In the world of rescue, there are some things you just can't explain. There's truly someone for everyone in this world - - even if it is a dog.
Q: Who was the funniest dog you've come across?
A: Ah, the funniest dog that comes to mind would be who loved to imitate people. If he saw us open the fridge, he'd open the fridge. What was so funny is that he would only steal broccoli. That dog was addicted to it. He'd never touch a steak or anything else, just broccoli.
Q: What's the weirdest story you can think of concerning one of your rescue dogs?
A: That would have to be the story of Cinder. Cinder was a Cocker/French Bull mixture. She loved to ride around on a big, red Doberman bitch - the dog that trained my husband. As Cinder rode on the Doberman, she'd hold a rawhide chew toy in her mouth and it would look like a half-smoked cigar. Of course, as she was riding, she was often humping. The Dobe didn't seem to mind it and eventually Cinder would lose her balance and fall off. It didn't take the Dobe long to figure out that when Cinder got too annoying she could just walk through the doggy door and scrape her off. Cinder would always land on all four feet with the rawhide chew still in her mouth, looking like a picture of Winston Churchill.
Q: Where have your rescues come from?
A: Believe it or not, I have rescued dogs from across the United States and five other countries. We've had dogs from Canada, Italy, Germany, Mexico and Australia.
In the past, I was an unofficial safe haven for many dogs taken by authorities in small towns within our State. It was not uncommon for me to get a call at 3:00 o'clock in the morning from an officer saying he'd seized a dog in an abuse case. Many times, the authorities wanted to give the dog a second chance by making sure it wouldn't end up back with the abuser. They needed the dog to disappear within hours and it would - - right into my care.
Q: What happens when you can't place a rescue?
A: With patience, training and time, most of the rescues I've taken are settled with new families. Of course, sometimes it takes several months or a year until the dog is ready for me to find the right home.
Now and then, I come across a dog that was just too traumatized to ever place. My last permanent rescue died approximately six months ago. We had her for four years. She was a happy, normal dog when I was around. But, the minute I left our property, she refused to enter the house and would not allow herself to be touched by anyone - even my husband. Of course, that drove him crazy. She'd cower and shy away from him while I was at the store. The minute I came home, she'd wag her tail and be friendly and outgoing with my husband or anyone else. He still swears she had multiple personalities. We called her Bear but a better name would have been Sybil.
Q: Any tips for readers or their clients before visiting a shelter or selecting a dog from private or breed rescue?
A: First, ask questions. Second, listen. Be very aware of the questions that are asked of you by shelter personnel, as well as subjects they may avoid.
Before you pay your money and take a dog, give the organization a test. Block your phone number. Call the shelter. Pretend to be everything that is bad in a dog owner. Will they still invite you to visit?
Make an appointment to meet their shelter dogs. Take a video camera. This isn't a buying trip; this is an investigation. Film several of the dogs interacting with you. Then, LEAVE.
Wait at least 48 hours to make a real decision. Let the first wave of "we're getting a dog" ebb. Watch the tape several times. Make notes about what you like about each particular dog and what you see as potential problems. Habits you cannot live with will not go away. Are you prepared to change behaviors through training? Know your limits.
Look for a dog that suits your home and family. Then, worry about what breed or sex it happens to be.
When children insist they want a dog and if you intend to make them responsible for its care, try a cyber pet first. If your youngster manages to keep it alive for longer than a week, that's a good start. But, don't go looking for a live pet unless you, as the adult, are willing to oversee its well being. Make sure everyone at your house is watching out for the new pet's welfare.
Q: When you go into a shelter, personally, how do you test dogs?
A: Before I describe how I evaluate a dog, let me say that I do not test a dog during the first or the last hour the shelter is open. I find the dogs are hungry, cranky and often have just been sprayed down. Testing is more valid other times of the day.
Here are some of the things I do:
Take a 15-foot line along and attach the dog. Find a spot that is quiet and let the dog just wander till it hits the end of the line. Call the dog - gauge his response by how keyed into humans he appears to be. The dog should be more interested in spending time with you than barking at the other dogs.
Calmly rub the dog all over - check for pain and to see if it has a dislike of being touched. The dog's reaction to touch reveals a lot about its history with people.
Lightly pinch the dog in different spots on its body - not to inflict pain, but to see if it is able to accept humans' dumb ideas.
I also firmly hold one front foot and judge the dog's reaction. Will it try to pull away or try to bite?
Bring a ball. Toss it a foot or two. See if the dog knows what to do with the ball. Will it bring it back? Does it want you to play? How interested in humans is this dog?
If you really want the dog, make yourself test at least two others. Evaluate them the same way. Then, compare.
I always tell people that a rescue dog isn't a finished product. It is only a starter kit. Be prepared to deal with bad habits and committed to providing training.
Q: OK. Here comes my controversial question: What do you think about no-kill shelters? Should they be a model for animal rescue?
A: I personally don't hold with all the current hoop-la for no kill shelters. How long should an animal be sentenced to a 5' X 10' cell awaiting the miracle of a new home? Is six months too long? One year? Two? There is life. And, for me, there is quality of life. No matter how nice people think they are being, a cage is a cage.
A no kill policy isn't in the best interests of the dogs, in all cases. Some dogs just aren't able to function in our urban world because of abuse. Many have quality-of-life issues and I'm not certain months of painful recovery after multiple surgeries should be encouraged across-the-board.
I believe it is possible, however, to make this country into a place where animals are only put down for the sake of the animal. When that is the criteria, there will be no need for no kill shelters. People will behave in a reasonable and responsible manner.
Rescue havens, shelters and county impounds need to wake up and realize they should be there for the animals - not politics, not publicity, not another rung on a career ladder. They need to exist for the care and well being of the animals.
Q: Any final thoughts?
A: As I think about it, my thoughts move towards how, when you least expect it, you end up with a calling. Rescue happened to me. I didn't plan or expect it.
If you pick up that first lost dog, it becomes easier to stop for the next one. Before you know it, you may end up like me and be out all night with a flashlight, in a ratty robe, 'cause you thought you heard a dog in pain somewhere close by. You just can't sleep until you make sure it is OK and get it into the house where it will be safe. Your mind is already way ahead of your body. You are thinking about where it will sleep the next night and who may be looking for a lost pet. Then, you just ahead and ask yourself what the dogs currently at your place will do with an injured animal and just what your spouse will say when you walk in the door with another dog.
All this goes through your brain, but your body doesn't slow down. You haven't even seen this dog yet, and you don't even know for certain that there is a dog in need of help. But, you have to check out the sounds. That's when you've been hooked. That's when you know rescue is a part of who you are and not just what you do.
Sometimes, my nerves get frayed. There are too many calls on the answer machine and I say to myself that I just don't have time to run down to the shelter and check on a dog. Then I remember that on just such a visit, I found my current assistance dog, Denim. Friends called after visiting the pound and told me about an awesome German Shepherd Dog. It was day ten of a ten-day hold and his time was up. If I hadn't acted immediately, I'd not have this awesome boy in my life and in my heart.
So, I forget about cooking dinner and tell the hubby that instead of a sit down meal, we are going to eat a fast food burger while we take a drive. Then, we end up stopping for more dog food or by a vet supply company, too. I don't have to tell him what's up. He knows. If we don't act, maybe no one else will either. So, off we go.
Q: What can we do to help?
A: Go to a shelter. Look at the dogs. Does one spark your interest? Can you get on the phone and find someone to sponsor that dog? Does your visit reveal many purebred dogs? Get on the phone or jump on the Web and contact breed clubs. Get the word out.
Take a bag of food in to the Humane Society. Collect returned bags of opened pet food from your local market and make a run out to a shelter.
If you see a stray and can safely do so, get it off the street. If it doesn't have a collar, take it to be scanned for a microchip. Put up flyers. Most newspapers will take ads for found pets without charging you. List it on the Internet. Make a commitment to that one dog.
Does your neighbor's dog run free with just a buckle collar and no tag? Buy a tag at Wal-Mart and take it to your neighbor as a gift. Care.
And, here are some things I encourage people not to do. Don't put change in boxes or jars that you see at the feed store or in your vet's office. The company contracting for the collections takes a huge amount off the top and little trickles down to the animals. The same holds true for phone solicitations from call rooms on behalf of animal charities.
If you really want to help, visit the shelter in person. Write your check to the group that passes muster and meets your standards.
I've come to realize that I can't save the world. I can't save every dog. But, I also couldn't live with myself if I at least didn't try to do whatever I can, and as often as I am able, to help.
Remember: You don't have to do a lot, just do something!