Chester

Chester was an 8 year old Chesapeake Bay Retriever who was rescued from the pound by Happy Tails Rescue (HTR) in Alabama. The picture to the left is when we were in Alabama and visited Chester at the pound.





The top picture is him after Lisa rescued him from the pound one month later. Chester was having problems breathing and had over 60 ticks on him. ( see the tick below his eye!) HTR took him to the vet who said his immune system was compromised and his ears were so infected they would never heal. They estimated he would only live 6-12mos. The Jackson City pound failed to take care of him (and all the other dogs for that matter). A simple tick and flea treatment would have probably saved his life.

Chester was euthanized by the vet today. Thank you Lisa, for getting him out of there even if it was for a little while.. Chester learned someone loved him.

Updates from Adopters

Hope we were up in the area friday fishing around 7ish we stopped by to show u abby n how big and good she's doiing but u weren't home we missed u. She is doiing great. Considering she's half husky half sheppard n a lil lab she's a really mellow puppy she's our toddler now actually ! Thank u again for letting us adopt her she has dun very well adjusting to the family. Best regards to u and ur family ! Here's a pic update ! Thank u again for completing our family cassey gage robert and abby !

I just wanted to let you know that Bailey is doing quite well here in her new home! She is a very sweet girl and even the cats seem to love her. she is doing wonderful. The potty training is coming along however, I am sure she will have me trained soon!!! LOL

I hope your trip to Alabama was productive and that you accomplished all you set out to do thereI am attaching some pictures of Bailey so you can see how she is happy here in her new home.
Thanks again for the allowing me the privilege of adopting her!!Corrine

Hello! Just wanted to let you know that Bama is doing great!! she is probably the best puppy we could have asked for!!! She loves playing with the cats in the house and going to the dog park. If we don't take her to play with the other dogs at least every couple days you can tell she misses it! She is doing great with house training, she has very few accidents. I'll attach some pictures for you, but she is doing great. Everyone keeps telling us she is the calmest puppy they have ever met! I just wanted to thank you again, there are so many animals out there that need a loving home to go to, but they need someone like you guys to help them find that home, what you do is amazing!!

Precious has been adopted.. Update from her new MOM

Hi Hope, I just wanted you to know that Precious-Bella is
doing great. She has been very sweet with us. We introduced
her to Bennett today and it went very well. She slept in her
bed last night and didn't make a peep. Her stools have been
loose but I think it is because she adjusting to a new
environment/food. She is eating and drinking and really
loves to take walks. We will introduce her to Elsie later
today or in the morning. I'll keep in touch and send
pictures in a few weeks. Thanks so much, Michelle (Thank
Scott for trekking the Poconos-we really appreciate it)

PIctures speak for themsleves

Top Middle picture was Gage at

the Jackson County Pound when we visited in early June.

Ticks!! Gage after his first bath 30 days later.

The pictures that you are looking at is 57 ticks ( and still counting) in the toilet bowl that was taken off of ONE dog. The top picture is what he looked like when we went to see him at the Jackson County Pound, in Jackson Alabama. The picture to the right is what he looked like after Lisa rescued him from the pound 30 days later. He has a urinary track infection, treatable mange and close to 20 pounds under weight.

Dogs are pulled when both rescues have openings. Laura's Hope Rescue sent flea and tick treatment to Lisa to help treat the dogs in the pound. However, Lisa'a access to the dogs is limited at times. But to date they have rescued over 200 dogs.

Consider helping us by becoming a foster. Sometimes we only need a foster for a few weeks, other times it could be longer. If you cannot foster maybe you could help us in other ways such as leash, food, flea and tick donations. Both shelters work on a shoe string budget. Please contact us anytime. We would appreciate your help.

Pa Bound

We thank Lisa and Richard and the gang from Happy Tails for their southern hospitality. But most of all for fixing our AC.

We left at 1:37 pm loaded with dogs, puppies, lots of goodies from shopping and headed back to Pa. We learned a lot from our trip. A different culture and the need to educate about pet population and the need to spay and neuter.
But most of all.... We can cross Alabama off our list to retire to... It’s too dam hot!

Hog Hunting

Hog Hunting "Bay dogs" (favorite is the Black Mouth Cur) are let out first. They are the most likely to get injured because they find the hog and distract it so the pitbull can attack. When the bay dogs find the hog, the "hunter" let's the pitbulls go. The pitbull attacks the hogs ear and doesn't let go until the hunter releases him. The hunter kils the hog and then releases the pit from the hog. OR the hog is captured, neutered, and corn fed and then later killed. Neutering and corn-feeding make the meat taste better. The man said that the pit has to be pried off the hog cause its instincts tell it not to let go. He said that you can get him to release by grabbing the pits collar and twisting it. That causes the pit to release to catch his breath. I asked what he did when the dogs got injured. He said that they stitched them. Evidently pitts are more valuable than Black Mouth Cur. He said that his pits wore armour. But that is not always the case.Stray pit bulls are usually used so if they get gored by the hog or accidently shot by the hunter they are left to die if the Black Mouth Cur were more likely killed.

The hunters claim the hogs weighing 70-100 pounds are the “best eating”. They also told us to cook the meat all the way through since they have parasites in them. We decided not to find out.

more pictures of the pound

Who is at the Pound

Jackson Alabama Animal Facility

Jackson Alabama Animal Facility: We had the pleasure of meeting Jackson County’s Animal Control Officer Lee Hutto. Officer Hutto met us at the facility, took the time to show us each dog and answered all of our questions. The outdoor facility consists of 10 kennels, a metal roof and tarps covering the outside of the building. There were pails of water filled to the brim and cots for the dogs to sleep on. Officer Hutto just hose downed the kennels and plenty of dog food was piled on the floor in each kennel.

Officer Hutton wears several other “ hats” in the county and has limited time to devote to the pound. The dogs are not posted on line and there are no set hours for the facility. Interested adopters must call Mr. Hutto or City Hall to set up an appointment. However, the number listed on the sign is the wrong number.

Mr. Hutto says he is only allowed to keep the dogs for a week and if they are not claimed or adopted they must be euthanized. Adoption of the dogs are free of charge.

At the time we were there, there were 6 adult dogs and 2 puppies: small white terrier, one Border Collie (possibly pure bred), one lab, small pit bull mix, a large pit/rottie mix and a pit bull. Very few adoptions happen here. Mr. Hutton said there had only been one adoption this month and there had been some interest in the Pit Bull for hog hunting ( upcoming blog.) We looked at all the dogs and took pictures. They were all friendly some needed medical attention. Happy tails rescue pulls as many as they have space for. All the animals are tested for Heart Worm and for other health issues.They are spayed or neutered and vaccinated to their age. They are kept at HTR for two months to find local homes. If no home can be found locally, they are sent to Laura’s Hope Rescue. To this date HTR has rescued over 200 dogs and since we have started with them, we have placed close to 60 dogs that would have never had a chance.

Thank you officer Hutto for taking the time out of your day to meet with us, we appreciate all you do.

The Call

During our visit, Lisa and Richard received a phone call regarding a one year old pit bull needing help whose owners could not afford to vet. Arriving at the address given, the neighbors came out to meet us and acted as spokes person for the owners. The Pit bull was tied to a tree with no more than a 3 foot chain. He had no shelter, but did have food and water. He had a soft ball size abscess on the side of his neck. When Lisa commented on the deplorable conditions for the dog, the neighbors said they were bringing the dog a coop and runner. Lisa explained to the neighbors that if the owners would agree to having the dog neutered, they could offer some assistance. In the mean time they administered a shot of penicillin to help the dog and waited for the owners to call. The neighbors called the next day asking when they could expect the second dosage for the dog and said the owner was not willing to have the dog neutered. HTR said that they could not continue to treat this dog and told the neighbors where they could buy the supplies they needed. Lisa offered their rescue services one last time, but the owners were unwilling to surrender the dog.

Arriving at Happy Tails Rescue

Happy tails rescue is run by Richard and Lisa Sokoll and their two children Savanna and Reese. When we arrived renovations were taking place to make it more efficient and comfortable for the dogs that they rescue. Bo was doing a fine job and asked Scott if he would like to go “hog hunting” (which we will talk about in a later blog.) We also had the pleasure of meeting Karen and Al, one of HTR’s fosters. They are currently fostering Casey ( who is on our pet finder account ). Casey was found with a broken leg by Bo and brought to HTR. Casey has made excellent progress. Al and Karen shared on how rewarding it is to foster dog rescues and had wished they had started sooner.

Alabama Bound

On Wed. Scott, Stevie and I loaded our car with luggage and crates and headed to Jackson, Alabama, destination Happy Tails Rescue (HTR). Six months ago we joined forces with HTR to rescue dogs and headed down to pick up some new dogs. We stopped in Roanoke Virgina at a pet friendly Howard Johnson’s, had a good night sleep and started again. This was Stevie’s first road trip and he did great!!!! We drove straight through to Jackson on Thursday and arrived at 7:30 PM hot and tired (the air conditioner stopped working). It was Very HOT there!

Update from Buster's Family.

Dear Hope,

First please accept my apologies for not sending you an update earlier. I was just cleaning out my spam and saw your e-mail J.

Anyway……about Buster. I simply cannot believe how much we just LOVE him. I know that sounds so cheesy but it is so true. He has brought us so much fun and laughter! He is so comical with his faces and grins and even his stubbornness. He has completely taken over the house. As I mentioned to you in an earlier e-mail, my dad built him the Cadillac of dog houses. He could have saved himself a lot of time and money because Buster prefers to sleep in the bed. He is so comfortable in his routine that he goes up to bed sometimes before my parents. He has also earned the nickname “Houdini” for his uncanny ability to unlock doors. (You did mention in his online description that he can open sliding glass doors – how accurate – that was just the beginningJ) When left alone at the house we would lock the kitchen door (leading downstairs where he has his television to watch and bed and food) only to every time come home to Buster relaxing on the recliner or looking out the windows. He is too funny! We can’t even begin to figure out how he does it but…..it’s just another thing we love about him.

It’s summer now and we go up the lake every weekend. Buster just loves all of the attention he gets from everyone – and I mean everyone! No one can walk by without telling him how “handsome” he is. He tries to play with our dog Novalee (a Bischon) and he is so gentle with her and then sometimes forgets his own size and strength. They are fun to watch together. He loves to go down to the lake and wade – he is not much for jumping in or swimming. He is my Dad’s constant companion. The go to the home improvement stores, the junk yard and just about everywhere together. Buster gets so excited when he sees my dad pick up the keys. Believe it or not – you can actually read his emotions on his face. My dad also has a cabin and land in Wyalusing (we call it The Ranch) and Buster goes up there to run. He and my Dad have “boxing” lessons daily where Buster jumps and jumps on him in a boxing way. I don’t know how they keep up with one another!

Basically, we feel like we were just “made for each other”. Buster has particularly fallen in love with our middle daughter, Ciera, who makes it a point to stop by to see and play with him as much as she can. Their play time is a show in itself! My Mom has even gotten over being crazed over the shedding – she just adores him and makes him breakfast (he loves his eggs and toast) several times a week.

In short – we cannot thank you enough. Buster is happy and healthy. He has put on about 10 pounds since we got him which the vet said is very healthy for him. What a success story…..God Bless You and all you do for so many!!!

Love,

Mary Ellen

Maggie's dilema

Maggie was Ivy's partner when they were strays. Lisa our friend rescued both of them who were a lot thinner then they are now. Lisa runs Happy Tails Rescue in Alabama whom we work with . After an initial physical they discovered Maggie had a medium case of heart worm.. Lisa taught us to use the slow kill method versus the fast kill . Below she explains:
SLIGHT/MEDIUM heart worm positive. Don't let that scare you! Most vets treat heart worms with the "fast kill method" that involves a series of injections of poison that kills the adult heart worms on the heart. That method is VERY hard on the dog and often lethal. We use the "slow kill method", which kills the microfilariae (baby heart worms in the blood before they attach to the heart). We use ivermectin given by mouth every other week for a year. The slow kill method kills the babies in the blood (the exact same thing that heart worm preventative does) and let's the adult worms on the heart die of natural causes. Because Maggie is slight/ Medium positive, that means she only has one on her heart. The slow kill method is not hard on the dog and you will not see a difference in behavior. You do not have to confine the dog for weeks like you do with the fast kill method.

We provide the medication until she tests negative. I wouldn't hesitate to adopt a dog with slight heart worm + for my family (I have a 6yr old and 2 year old). Hope and Laura have children also.

I will not treat with the fast kill method again. Three yrs ago we treated one rescue dog with that method and it was very hard on the dog and we thought we were going to loose her. In our rescue, we only use slow kill. Let me know if you have any questions. I would be happy to answer them here.

So Maggie has medication. This does not stop her from being a great jack russel mix She is very very smart. And loves to be cuddled.
She does have the jack russel traits, but we are working on them. Old habits die hard...

She will let you know if something is not right.. Great family dog..

A greatful Rescue

Ask any rescue and they will tell you that a rescue dog is a grateful dog. I realized that today with our group. Ivy, greyhound mix, was a stray and had to fend for herself. As a result, she has food issues. She is getting so much better, tonight she ate in the kitchen with dogs on both sides of her. She did great. Looked at me twice while eating as to see if I was watching this positive behavior!! She comes back to you she is called, is very affectionate and really wants to please you.
Ivy is really becoming a nice family dog. She will make a wonderful pet for any family.

Ivy went up to our pond and camper with us. She enjoyed being able to go in the woods and investigate with the other dogs. I would call each of them every 15 minutes and when they came back received a biscuit which they enjoyed. It only took a few times for them to get the idea!1

When it became dark each dog found a place and fell asleep with Ivy looking as if she was smiling.

BUSY

We have been so busy at Laura's Hope Rescue. We rescued and adopted 18 puppies!! Lisa and Richard from Happy Tails Rescue, Alabama brought up our puppies While they were here they showed Sabryna and Scott how to give shots. Explained how we could tell how old puppies were. And many other things. It was a pleasure to finally meet these dedicated people and we are happy have joined forces with them to find dogs their fur ever homes.

Some great Products

Now and then we get a chance to try new products and this one we are really excited a bout ..

check out thier site..



www.walkyourdogwithlove.com

Pablo

Pablo is a black Chihuahua. He weighs around 4 pounds and is 3 months old. We think that he will weigh around 8 pounds when he gets older. He is very small but cute. He loves to be held but also loves to play with the other dogs and children. He loves everybody.

- By Sabryna Alley

May 27 10 Today Pablo was adopted by a couple in Carbondale Pa. We are sure Pablo will be happy in his new home!

Sadie

Sadie is a 3 month old Chihuahua. She weighs about 4 pounds. She is black, white, and tan. She is very cute and is expected to weigh around 8 pounds when she gets older. Sadie loves to be held but also enjoys playing with the other dogs and children. She is usually calm and very quiet.

- By Sabryna Alley

Sadie has been adopted by a family in Montrose!!!

Update on Ferb

Ferb has been adopted. He was adopted by the Hasting Family. We hope you like your new home Ferb.

- By Sabryna Alley

Update on Pearl

Pearl has just been adopted. She was adopted by L. Schultz. We wish you the best of luck at your new home Pearl.

- By Sabryna Alley

Update on Sparky

Sparky has been adopted. He was adopted by D. Cambisi. We all hope that he likes his new home.

- By Sabryna Alley

Update on Skylar

Skylar was just adopted. We are so proud of him. We hope you have fun Skylar.

- By Sabryna Alley

Update on Penny

Penny was just adopted. She was adopted by K. Baker. We are so happy for her. We hope you like your new family Penny.

- By Sabryna Alley

Update on Diamond

Diamond has been adopted. She was adopted by J. Randal. We hope you enjoy your new home Diamond.

- By Sabryna Alley

Update on Cassidy

Cassidy has just been adopted. She was adopted by R. and M Gibson. We hope you have fun with your new family Cassidy.

- By Sabryna Alley

Update on Bryant

Bryant has been adopted recently. He was adopted by P. Durgey. We hope you have fun at your new home Bryant!!

- By Sabryna Alley

Diamond

Diamond is a 8 week old Yellow Lab. She is very loving and has a very cute personality. She likes children and other dogs.

- By Sabryna Alley

Mrs. Nesbitt

Mrs. Nesbitt is a 3 year old Wirehaired Terrier mix. She is black with white markings. She is full grown weighing about 30 pounds. She loves kids, cats, and other dogs. She is great when walking on a leash. Mrs. Nesbitt is a very sweet dog.

- By Sabryna Alley

Little Bear

Little Bear is an 10 week old, 4 and a half pound, Terrier/Chocolate Lab mix. He is very cute. Little Bear loves to be held. He also loves to be with other dogs. Little Bear doesn't have his wiskers or his tail anymore, we think that someone cut them off after he was born :( . He is brown with some white.

- By Sabryna Alley

May19,10 Little bear has been adopted by a family in Montrose.. Way to go Little Bear!!

Sylvia

Sylvia is an 8 week old Australian Shepperd/Chocolate Lab mix. She is black and white. She weighs 10 pounds. Sylvia is a very sweet and easy going puppy. She loves to play with the other dogs.

- By Sabryna Alley

5/10/2010

Sylvia has recently been adopted. She was adopted by E. Gallaghar and family. We hope you like your new home Sylvia.


- By Sabryna Alley




5/15/2010

Hope,

It was nice meeting you (& the brood). Even though we haven't had her long, I wanted to give you a quick update on Sylvia. She has a vet appt scheduled on June 2nd. She's adjusting very well and I think she likes it here as much as we like having her here. Her first two nights were very quiet. Of course I slept on a mattress with her in her room. It's my son's turn tonight and then we'll try it on her own.

She is still very calm when held, but she is definitely active when on her own. She loves our cats, but unfortunately the feeling isn't mutual. We're introducing her to the neighborhood, both people and dogs, as she seems very comfortable with people but not so much with many other things. She is very skittish of noises and seeing dogs at a distance. We've walked her on the leash down to my mom's for a visit (her cat was not fond of Sylvia either).

In typical lab fashion, she chews on anything and everything, with a preference to shoes and not her puppy approved toys. In Aus. Shepard fashion, she likes to grab at your pants when you walk/run with her. We're getting the best of both worlds here. She's doing a pretty good job of listening to no when she is trying to "herd us".

The kids love her, and she's very good with Jordan. I think she is going to be a great addition to our home. We'll keep you updated as she grows. Oh, and she gives the best kisses!

Dawn

Ivy

Ivy is a Greyhound mix. She is very cute and loving. She is full grown at a year ols and weighs 45 pounds. Ivy is great with other dogs, cats, and children.

- By Sabryna Alley

Bryant

Bryant is an Australian Shepperd/Chocolate Lab mix. He loves playing with toys ans wrestling with the other dogs. He loves children. He is brown and white. Bryant is an adorable little pup.

- By Sabryna Alley

Dixie

Dixie is an Australian Shepperd/Chocolate Lab mix. She loves to play with the other dogs. She also loves people. She is black, white, and brown.

- By Sabryna Alley

5/10/2010
Dixie has recently been adopted. She was adopted by A. Duncan and family. We wish you the best of luck at your new home.

5/15/2010


Hope,

We made it home and Dixie has met the family. Everyone is getting
along very well! Thanks so much! She is a sweet puppy dog! Alex

Scooter

Scooter is a Boxer/Labrador Retriever mix. He is 8 weeks old and full of energy. He loves playing with the other dogs. He is working on being house broken and doing very well with it. Scooter is brown and white.

- By Sabryna Alley