Monday, June 14, 2010
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!
Friday, June 11, 2010
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
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
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