Where will they all go?

In July, over 400 pit bulls were confiscated from a dog fighting bust in the mid-west. A month later another hundred pit bulls were confiscated from another alleged dog fighter in Indiana, and just today August 20, another 35 pit bulls were confiscated from yet another dog fighting operation in Georgia. That is over 500 pit bulls confiscated from dog fighting in the last month and who knows how many more are out there waiting to be rescued from this horrible life.

It seems as though the media circus surrounding the Michael Vick case may have caused some changes in the public’s opinion of dog fighting. Most did not even know that dog fighting was still practiced, and certainly didn’t understand the epidemic proportions that still exist in this country. It’s hard to say if the authorities are doing more to stop the fighters or if it’s just that there is more media attention now. Another change that occurred after the Vick dogs were rescued is the public’s opinion of the dogs themselves. Suddenly, dogs confiscated from fighting rings aren’t facing an automatic death sentence, in at least some cases there may be a glimmer of hope that some of them could actually find there way into homes and onto a happier life.

But these changes raise a new question that doesn’t have an easy answer. Where will all these dogs go? Take a look around at your own home. How many dogs do you have; one, two, maybe even as many as five? Now imagine trying to find homes for 100 times that many dogs, many of whom have never lived in a house before, may not get along with other animals and may have expensive health problems. And that is just the ones confiscated in the last month. That doesn’t count the literally thousands of pit bulls and pit bull mixes that are currently in shelters and rescues waiting for homes of their own.

What can we do with all these dogs? Many people don’t want to adopt a pit bull, maybe they’re afraid of the reputation, maybe they just can’t handle a dog with the energy most pit bull’s have. Many others can’t have a pit bull due to breed specific laws in their neighborhood, a landlord that won’t allow it, the difficulty in finding homeowners or renters insurance with a pit bull, and forget it if you’re in the military since they are now banned from base housing! That rules out a lot of potential homes for these dogs.

Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not suggesting these dogs not be evaluated and placed up for adoption if they can be, I’m just wondering how we are going to find homes for another 500 pit bulls when there aren’t enough homes for the many thousands of pit bulls already waiting.

~ Amanda Clase

WHAT IS ON THE END OF YOUR LEASH?

No, not the dog end...the human end? An oft repeated sentiment is the fact that, as pit bull owners, we have to be better than the owners of other breeds. In addition to protecting the lives of our own dogs, we do have a responsibility to the entire breed. Everything we do, every decision we make, can impact many. It seems that often there are people who ask for advice and then when someone responds, pointing out dangers or mistakes, the seeker makes the issue about them, not their dogs, citing a variety of "special circumstances" that they feel prevents them from following the advice given them.

The bottom line is that whatever variables go into the equation, the resulting sum has to equal one of a responsible pit bull owner. Some of us have equations that have a few negative digits going in that have to be made up for by positives to ensure that grand total is a positive one. Maybe you have the additional burden of a multi-dog household (-) which requires you to practice crate and rotate to keep everyone safe (+). Perhaps you live in an area rampant with irresponsible owners letting their dogs run loose (-) and you have to drive to a less populated or more responsible area to walk your dog (+). Your personal situation might include a temporary or permanent illness that keeps you from exercising your dog (-) and you have to reach out to friends, family or even assistance agencies to find the help you need to ensure your dog stays safe and healthy (+).

The bottom line is that whether it is something in your control (adding more dogs to your home) or something for which you are not directly to blame (others' dogs running loose), the responsibility to ensure that positive total at the end still falls to you and you alone! Whatever your personal equation, it is up to each of us to do whatever is necessary to make sure our pit bull balance sheet is always operating in the black. There are a few things, that no matter how many positives you add back into the equation, can not only put you permanently in the red, but can bankrupt the entire industry in your area. In this example, the "industry" is the right to own pit bulls. Some of those things might include, but are not limited to:

• Leaving your dogs loose together unattended
• Going to dog parks or taking your dog to a doggie day care with a group environment
• Leaving your dog in your back yard unsupervised (whether you're home or away)
• Chaining your dog
• Having an intact dog (96% of all dog attacks are committed by intact dogs)
• Allowing your dog to roam off leash
• Yourself being a law breaker or inconsiderate neighbor (messy yard, loud music, etc.)
• Taking on more dogs than you can adequately care for - both financially and physically
• Rescuers who release dogs intact, untested (both health and temperament) or to unscreened adopters
• Rescuers who do not do follow-up checks or provide ongoing support for those who adopted their dogs

No one says that to own a pit bull you have to be an accountant, but you do have to be accountable - to yourself, your dogs and others who love this breed. Take an inventory of your end of the leash. Are you operating in the black?

If you are in need of a bail out, get the help you need by utilizing the valuable training resources available at PBRC.net or joining an online support community like Pitbull-L. The help is there, but only the owner can reach out for it. It must come from your end of the leash.

Shop through PBRC for great gifts as well as donations from supporting companies and search engines! http://www.pbrc.net/shop/shop.html

~ Lynn Lynde

Summer treat: Silkcicles

Frosty Paws are sometimes stocked in the ice cream section at the grocery store, although my local Albertsons has a small cooler in the pet food section where it keeps its Frosty Paws. A box of 4 individual cups of frozen fun costs about $5. My dogs love them, but at that price, I can't keep a freezer stocked with them! I got to thinking I could make a similar treat with small Dixie cups and soymilk.

Silk soymilk comes in several flavors...regular, chocolate, vanilla and very vanilla. We fill several little cups full and put them in the freezer for an hour or so and they're done. The dogs love them!

Supervision is recommended as the dogs will want every last bit and will chew the wax cup into bits. Some dogs may make a mess with theirs, so it's best if they eat them on a kitchen floor or outside.

~ Sanya

Kane the Paniolo Buys a New Dress for Annie!

Howdy Y’all! It’s yer old pal Kane the Paniolo checking in. I just had to poke my head in and tell y’all about sumthin special goin on. Seems today marks one year since I came to Pibble Creek so Ms. Lynn and The Yankee are having an Annie Versary party. I’m not quite sure what Annie’s Versary has to do with anything. Heck, I don’t even know what a Versary is, but figure it must be a pretty dress if Ms. Annie celebrates getting one every year, but I shore am glad she gets that dress ‘cause I learned it means that I get presents and cake too! That sounds like a purty good deal so I might just saves up my wages and buy Ms. Annie a new dress a few times a year ‘cause I really like cake.

Now it has been one helluva year, what we me havin to get all dem worms out of my heart and going to that Neuter Party and getting robbed. So much has happened so fast. My, how time flies. Once I got dem worms out of my heart, I’ve been trying real hard to be a good ranch hand at Pibble Creek. I always help Ms. Lynn when she works in dog corral but there must have been some trouble brewing ‘cause I heard her and The Yankee say they was declaring war on The Chiggers and The Ticks. I’m not even sure who they are but they must be two gangs of bandits ‘cause for a few hours each day, Ms. Lynn puts all us dogs in our bunks with our vittles and then she goes out to battle them. She also puts these funny smellin’ drops on us each month to keep them away from us and they must work as I ain’t never seen one of those varmits yet.

I guess Ms. Lynn and The Yankee must want to get a good look if those hooligans are headed our way ‘cause each time we come out of our bunks I notice that more tree branches have been trimmed real high like and more and more of that tall grass in the meadow has been hacked away. I shore hope we’re winning that there war ‘cause I don’t want them Chiggers and Ticks making it to the house and eatin up all my cake!

In addition to all the stuff that happened to me this last year, Ms. Lynn up and caved again and let another convict join us at Pibble Creek. Wouldn’t you just know it, it was one of those darn juvenile delinquents that seem to be so much trouble. I thought the Rangers shipped all dem delinquents up North but I heard dis little whipper snapper couldn’t go there because there was something wrong with the way she looks. Darn if that didn’t give me flashbacks to the time I met that drunken Dr. Baker (you know the one that didn’t bake nuthin) and she wanted to hook me up with the homely girl Ivy.

So I was pretty worried about what kind of ugly girl Ms. Lynn and the Yankee might be bringing home to Pibble Creek but once I saw her, I figured out da problem straight away. See, that girl ain’t homely, you just can’t tell if she’s a dog or a cow. Ms. Ipo, who was at Pibble Creek before I came, has that same darn de zees. I think I got a touch of it too from my mama’s side but shore am glad I don’t have as many spots as those two ladies. I was careful not to stare and didn’t say nuthin’ cause I know that would be unpolite like. I’ve heard of Cowgirls before but didn’t know they weren’t allowed up in Yankeeville.

I’ve been getting on swell with Ms. Nani and that old cow poke Koa. Ms. Nani likes to gallavant with me once in a while but she has bad hips so I take it easy with her on the dance floor. Koa is a cranky old coot but he’s taught me a bunch and he just likes to lay under a shade tree or whittle a new pipe now and then and not bother nobody. Dem Cowgirls are both crazy and I’m startin’ to think that the reason they aren’t allowed in Yankeeville ain’t so much their looks but that de zees they got must do sumthin funny to their brains.

Well, that there about covers most of my missing adventures since I last popped in for a chat by the fire. I’m going to go get ready for Annie’s party now. I can’t wait to meet her and just hope I don’t get no cake frosting on her purty new dress.

Kane Agape aka The Paniolo w/Lynn, Koa, Nani, Ipo, Lilo and the Wiley Cats!

PS: You can read chronicles of his first few weeks at Pibble Creek written in his own words: http://pitbullrescuecentral.blogspot.com/2008/07/howdy-yall-from-pibble-paniolo.html

Sago Palm Poisoning Alert

It has come to our attention that many home improvement stores are selling a houseplant that can cause serious poisoning in pets and children. The plant is called the “Sago Palm” or “Cycad”. It is also referred to as “The Oldest Known Plant”. It is used in outdoor landscaping in Southern States, but can only survive as a houseplant in the North. All of this plant, including the seeds and root ball are toxic. Signs of illness first appear about 12 hours after ingestion and include gastrointestinal sign such as vomiting, diarrhea and lethargy. The toxins in the plant lead to severe liver failure with progressive weakness, jaundice, bruising and bleeding and other signs of liver failure that lead to death. It is estimated that 75-80% of animals ingesting this plant will die in spite of aggressive medical treatment. If you have one of these plants in your home you will want to be sure to keep it away from pets and children, preferably by disposing of it safely in a covered trash can or “rehome” it with someone who does not have pets or young children in the household.

Courtesy of Burnt Hills Veterinary Hospital http://www.burnthillsvethosp.com/
For photos and information about the Sago, visit: http://www.rhapisgardens.com/sagos/

The Canine Good Citizen (CGC) Program was established by the American Kennel Club in 1989 to reward good doggie manners at home and in public as well as responsible ownership. All dogs, mixed and purebred, can participate and become CGC certified.

CGC tests are administered by AKC-approved evaluators. To receive certification, the dog must pass each of the following ten test items:

1. Accept a friendly stranger
2. Sit politely for petting
3. Accept grooming and examination
4. Walk on a loose lead
5. Walk politely through a crowd
6. Sit, down and stay on command
7. Come when called
8. React politely to other dogs
9. Demonstrate confidence in a distracting situation
10. Maintain good manners under supervised separation

If the dog doesn't pass one item, s/he must redo the entire test in order to pass the test. Dogs can take the test as many times as needed to become certified.

Treat/food lures are not permitted during any portion of the test. Reassurance through pats, hugs, smiles, and verbal praise is allowed and encouraged. Dogs are tested on a 6-ft lead wearing a flat or slip collar. Head collars, harnesses, and prong collars are not permitted during testing. Eliminating (peeing or pooping) during the test, disqualifies the dog from passing and the dog must retake the entire test.

The owner/handler must pledge the following:

- I will be responsible for my dog's health needs.
- I will be responsible for my dog's safety.
- I will not allow my dog to infringe on the rights of others.
- I will be responsible for my dog's quality of life.

Many therapy dog programs are now requiring dogs pass the CGC test before they can be considered potential therapy dogs. Some insurance companies and landlords have incorporated the CGC into their requirements. And, various animal control agencies use the CGC Program to manage dog problems in the community. Other countries, including England, Australia, Japan, Hungary, Denmark, Sweden, Canada, and Finland, have developed CGC programs based on the AKC’s CGC Program.

The cost of testing and certification is usually minimal, from $5-15.

To locate CGC classes and evaluators in your area, go to: http://www.akc.org/events/cgc/cgc_bystate.cfm

For more info, visit the CGC website, http://www.akc.org/events/cgc/

Fourth of July Festivities: Should You Bring Your Pet?

(From the ASPCA)

As the country dons its red, white and blue to celebrate Independence Day, nothing says patriotism like a good old-fashioned barbecue with a side of fireworks. But beware pet parents, what’s fun for people can be a downright drag for our furry friends.

The ASPCA recommends keeping your pooch indoors as much as possible during backyard parties and Fourth of July festivities, even if he is a pro picnicker. From toxic food and beverages to raucous guests and fireworks, the holiday weekend is a minefield of potential pet problems.

“Even the most timid dog can leap a six-foot fence if he’s spooked by loud noises,” says Dr. Pamela Reid, Vice President of the ASPCA Animal Behavior Center. If your dog shows signs of distress from fireworks or boisterous revelers, Dr. Reid suggests giving him a Kong toy stuffed with peanut butter. “The consistent licking should calm his nerves,” she says.

The ASPCA offers some more expert advice to keep your pet singing, “Oh Say Can You See,” all the way to the fifth and beyond:

• Keep your pet on the wagon. Since alcohol is potentially poisonous to pets, place all wine, beer and spirits well out of paws’ way.
• Avoid scraps from the grill. Stick with your pet’s normal diet—any change, even for a day, can result in stomach upset. Certain foods like onions, avocado, chocolate, grapes and raisins are especially toxic to pets.
• Avoid lathering your pet with any insect repellent or sunscreen not intended for the four-legged kind. Ingestion can result in drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, excessive thirst and lethargy.
• Stay fire-smart. Keep your pet away from fireworks, matches, citronella candles and lighter fluid, which if eaten can irritate the stomach, lungs and central nervous system.
• Be cool near the pool. Don’t leave pets unsupervised around a pool or lake—not all dogs are expert swimmers! Also, pools aren’t large water bowls—they contain chlorine and other toxic chemicals that can cause stomach problems.
  

As always, if you suspect your pet has ingested something poisonous from the picnic table, please contact your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435. And be sure to check out our more complete list of holiday pet care tips for a safe and happy Fourth!