Pet of the Month: Breezy

Breez-y (adj.) Fresh and animated; lively

My foster momma, Dori P, helped me look that definition up. And yep, we agree that's pretty much me to T!

Hi, I'm Breezy, a 2-year-old Treeing Walker Coonhound. My foster mom says I'm an entire Broadway production wrapped in a lanky, 4-legged package. I spend my time entertaining the masses with my quirky, light-hearted nature and endless shenanigans. During my foster family's "tidy the house" sessions, I enjoy stealing the kids' things right from their hands - game on! With front row tickets to the show, my foster mom can't help but laugh!

I've been compared to a spinning top, I have so much playful energy. I love to play, especially with other dogs. My stardom affords me the time to enjoy a couple of my most favorite pastimes - running and hiking! And I stay in tip-top form performing all of my own stunts! 

A lifetime pass to your very own private, up-close-and-personal Breezy show runs $150 and includes up-to-date vaccinations, Heartworm test, flea, tick and Heartworm prevention and spay (refreshments are extra). So if you're the furever family for me, bring the show right to your living room, I'm sure to win a Tony Award!



 Breezy is listed on Paws & Prayers Adoptable Dogs. This sweet girl is up to date on her shots and vaccinations. To meet and/or adopt Breezy please fill out a Paws & Prayers adoption application for her today.


Images courtesy of:  Alliey Bender Photography

Pet of the Month: Scoogie

 Hello.  I'm Scoogie.

I'm an older gal, at 8 years old, but I assure you I still have plenty of love and happiness to bring to you and your home!  I am past all of the craziness of kittenhood and am ready to snuggle up with you and be the purrfect companion.

Paws & Prayers has been helping me to find my furever home for a while now.  More recently I was given a break from the cage life and moved to be an office cat.  You'll most likely find me one of two places - relaxing on a shelf or right by your side.  Like any cat I like my me-time every now and then so I'll find a spot to curl up and get a good cleaning and nap in.  But I'm never too far from the action.

Getting up to say hello!
I love attention!  If you find me in one of my me-time hiding spots and even look at me to say hello, I'm up and at your feet ready for some loving.  Or even if you don't find me, I'm not shy once I get to you know, I'll come find you for some cuddles and love.
From my first days with Paws & Prayers,
coming out of my shell a little

And as you can see in my pictures, I have a beautiful, short coat of black, white and orange in a pretty calico pattern. Even my little nose decided to get in on the fun, as it's got some little black spots that look like my coat pattern! My eyes are big and round and flash from a soft lime green to a beautiful yellow, depending on the day.

From my first days at Paws & Prayers, feeling a little shy
 I was scared when I first got here to Paws and Prayers, but now I am starting to warm up to everyone and they're able to see how incredibly sweet I am.  The office life especially exposes me to all sorts of scenarios and I've come to show that I am good with other cats, dogs, and children once I have had the time to warm up to them, so I am a great fit for any family situation.  I can't wait to find my furever home.  Won't you help me find it today?

Scoogie is listed on Paws & Prayers Adoptable Cats. This sweet girl is up to date on her shots and vaccinations. To meet and/or adopt Scoogie please fill out a Paws & Prayers adoption application for her today.

Volunteer of the Month: July 2013

The July Volunteer of the Month is our very own Beagle Bob! Bob is awesome, he takes a lot of his time to transport dogs from far away. If we need a dog or dogs picked up from other shelters even in other counties.  Bob is always the first one to volunteer his services (thank you for that!). We know we can reach him on email almost anytime (right, Bob?).  He always makes sure to share with the group his estimated arrival time to the office. He is a selfless person who is devoted to helping pets in need! Bob loves Beagles (see why we call him Beagle Bob?) and has fostered many (he will transport and foster other breeds too). If a foster has a problem with their foster dog he will offer advice and help out in any way he can. He is definitely a great attribute to our group. Bob's commitment and devotion not only to fostering with P&P but also to each and every dog he takes in is inspiring. To hear him talk about his experiences and what it means to him to foster and why he keeps doing it, is amazing. And our fans love him - especially his posts and Russell series.  In the words of a volunteer "he's frickin awesome" and that, he is! Congrats to Bob for being there and helping whenever you can.  We are so grateful to call you our volunteer of the month but also part of the P&P family!

Have a volunteer you'd like to nominate? (Yes, fosters are volunteers, too!) Click here to complete our quick, easy survey with your nomination and why they deserve to be Paws & Prayers Volunteer of the Month! Please have all nominations in by the 20th of the month you're nominating them for. Winners are announced at the start of the following month. Thank you!

Volunteer of the Month: June 2013

Paws & Prayers June Volunteer of the Month is Donna S. Donna has been with Paws and Prayers for around a year. She has made a big impact in a short time. Donna has fostered dogs, puppies and kittens. We think she is most famous for finding Snow White her Prince Charming. Fostering animals in your home when you have animals is not always easy, but Donna sure makes it look that way. She has been our go to women when we attend Akron Aero's games and sell Diamond Balls. She has really rocked that scene for sure. We have had 4 and she has been to each one.  Donna is a wonderful asset to P&P. She is always on email waiting to see how she can help next. Anytime anyone asks for a pick up/drop off down she will help if she is available. She isn't afraid to go to the pound to pull dogs that need love. She has even been known to bring her granddaughter to help. Donna is always willing to share her personal property (i.e. chairs, tents, etc.). We have truly enjoyed the time she has been with us and look forward to many more experiences with her. Donna, from all the puppies, kittens, cats and dogs (and us humans) we thank you for your love, support and dedication to Paws and Prayers.

Have a volunteer you'd like to nominate? (Yes, fosters are volunteers, too!) Click here to complete our quick, easy survey with your nomination and why they deserve to be Paws & Prayers Volunteer of the Month! Please have all nominations in by the 20th of the month you're nominating them for. Winners are announced at the start of the following month. Thank you!

Pet of the Month: Hanna

Hello.  I'm Hanna.  As my foster dad, Beagle Bob says, like many aging humans in this world, I was ignored for being a little gray face in the pound.  And he says I didn't really help matters by being so scared to death and not wanting to be touched.

But he believed in me, took me into his foster home and sees the loving, happy and loyal companion I truly am.  When I feel safe and in loving care, I respond with kisses and constant companionship.  I'm told that when I smother someone with kisses it's very much as though I was a squealing excited child greeting their Mom or Dad home.

I'm a pretty easy going gal.  My typical day is sleep, eat/snack, nap, walk/go outside, and then repeat!  Those are my absolute favorite activities.  When I go for a walk I'm able to walk with my tail and head held high, almost like I would be whistling with pride.  But if I see another dog, especially if they make eye contact, I turn on my inner diva and let them know "Stay away from me; I'm not here for you to stare at!"

When I'm not sleeping you might just find me chewing on a bone.  But that's about it for my interest in toys.  I do know some tricks and commands.  I can sit pretty, shake (with either paw) and I can speak.

All in all, I truly just need the presence of a human to make my life complete. In return, you will have an amazing friend that will make your life happier.

Hanna is listed on Paws & Prayers Adoptable Dogs. This sweet girl is up to date on her shots and vaccinations. To meet and/or adopt Hanna please fill out a Paws & Prayers adoption application for her today.

Images courtesy of:  Alliey Bender Photography

Pet of the Month: Phantom

Well, hello there! My name is Phantom. I am a beautiful black and white kitty with a little black mask over one side of my beautiful green eyes, just like the Phantom of the Opera! Like the Phantom, I just want to find a home filled with lots of love. I’ve been hanging out with the people here at Paws and Prayers for a while – you could say that I’m like a volunteer here, too! I had my very own litter of kittens a few months back and then I helped to raise THREE more litters of kittens that weren’t even mine! I’m a great momma and I adore other kitties, but I’m not the biggest fan of dogs. I love people, though! I’m very friendly and laid back – not very shy at all. I love to roll around and give your hand kisses when you pet me. Scratch me behind my ears or on my neck and I’m in love! I recently got spayed so that I don’t have to worry about raising any more kittens – it’s Phantom time, now! I’m ready for some of that good karma to come back to me so that I can find my furever home. I think I deserve it, don’t you?


My friends and I will be at the Adopt Me Meow event at the Chapel Hill PetSmart on Saturday June 22nd and Sunday June 23rd – that is, unless I’m adopted before then!



Phantom is about 2 years old and is listed on Paws and Prayers’ adoptable cat page and is up to date on all of her vaccinations and shots. To meet and/or adopt Phantom, please fill out a Paws and Prayers adoption application for her today!

Volunteer of the Month: May 2013

Volunteer of the month for May is Becky K. Becky has been volunteering with Paws & Prayers for about a year. She started volunteering with us at the 2012 Annual Adopt Me Meow event! She continued to stay on after that event (lucky us for her wanting to stay a part of this group). She then became our go to Sunday morning Feline Care Manager at Petsmart Chapel Hill. She is there bright and early from 8:30am - 10:30am (this makes most of us groan being so early on a weekend!) Becky's a reliable volunteer. She is always ready and willing to help in any way that she can. She is awesome with our adoptable kitties and they all just love her (they think she is purrrfect for the early morning cleaning). She has now taken on a new role, too, as the Lead for the Montrose expansion (we couldn't be more excited to expand to Monstrose). She was excited to take on this role. This takes a lot of time and dedication. Her efforts and energy to get this great new project off the ground and running smooth has been phenomenal! We're so lucky to have her! Go cats! ;) Becky we thank you for all you have done and continue to do to help the wonderful kitties find there furrever homes. We couldn’t have as many adoptions without your love and support. See you at Adopt Me Meow 2013 June 22-23! (just had to add the little plug!)

The Not-So-Adorable Reality of Kitten Season

It’s June, which means we’re well into kitten season! While it sounds like the most adorable season ever, it’s actually a pretty big problem.

What is kitten season and why does it happen?

Kitten season is the time from late spring to early fall in which the rate of feral kittens being born spikes significantly. During winter, feral and stray cats are busy fending for themselves – trying to stay warm, sheltered and fed. But when the weather begins to warm up, our feline friends can relax a little and come out of hiding. If a female cat is not spayed, her hormones will begin to kick in and she will begin her first heat cycle for the year, which is regulated by the weather. She will then repeat that cycle until she becomes pregnant.

Why is kitten season a problem? 
10 week old kitten


Kittens are born after 9 weeks of gestation and are ready to be taken from their mothers and placed for adoption when they are 8 weeks old. A female cat that is 5 months or older and not spayed is able to get pregnant. Since heat cycles are regulated by the weather, that means that any and every cat who is 5 months or older and is not spayed will most likely be delivering a litter of kittens in early spring. These kittens are then brought in to shelters by the dozen, and resources – money, food, beds, space, people – are spread extremely thin. It puts an extreme amount of stress on no-kill shelters and rescues.

What should I do if I find a litter of kittens?

Observe first, and then act. If you find a litter of kittens without its mother, there could be an explanation for it. The mother could be out searching for food – lactating mothers need 2 to 4 times as many nutrients in their diet as a cat that is not lactating. Her milk is the very best source of food for kittens and they typically need to be fed every few hours. That’s a lot of pressure to put on mother’s body. She may also be moving the kittens to a new location, which involves carrying each kitten in her mouth by the scruff of their neck to the new spot. Should you try to approach the kittens right away, you may end up encountering a very angry and protective mom. The best solution is to watch the litter for a few hours and assess the situation. If you feel the need to act right away, put out some food and water for mom and a box and a blanket that the mother could use to shelter them. Getting mom to trust you is the first priority. For more information on what to do if you find stray or feral kittens, or their mother, the Feral Cat Coalition of Oregon has an excellent guide to dealing with most situations.
Phantom, a momma who not
only nursed her litter but also took in
3 other momma-less litters, too.
What can I do to help?

  • Volunteer to foster. Foster homes are the most important resource that any shelter can have, especially during kitten season. Fostering involves housing, feeding and generally taking care of kittens until they are about to be adopted and sent to their furever homes. Paws and Prayers will pay for all necessary medical care and will even supply the food, crate, toys, leash and anything else if necessary. If you’re even just a little curious about fostering an animal, please check out Paws and Prayers’ Foster Information Page
  • Volunteer to help. Unfortunately, there are always more needy animals than available volunteers. Even just a few hours a week is a huge help! Check out Paws and Prayers’ Volunteer Page for more information.
  • Donate. While most shelters and rescues are desperate for donations in even the best of times, kitten season is an especially difficult time. Of course, the number one thing always needed is actual funds (for operating costs, food, medicine, veterinary procedures, etc.). However, almost anything having to do with pets is helpful – from wet or dry food to pet beds to new toys, every little bit helps. Many shelters also collect odd items on the side to turn in for cash refunds – for example, here at Paws and Prayers, we collect empty ink/toner cartridges and plastic grocery bags. For more information, check out Paws and Prayers’ Donation Page.
  • Spread the word. Whether it’s simple word of mouth, a few posts on social media or an ad in your local paper, getting the word out about fostering/adopting is extremely necessary. Without the help of foster families, there would never be enough space to house all the kittens born during the season. It’s also very important to raise public awareness about how crucial it is to spay and neuter all pets. 
  • Spay or neuter an animal. The biggest reason for kitten season is that much of the general public is either unaware or misinformed about the effects of spaying and neutering. While it may seem cruel to put an animal through the surgery, it actually helps to save lives every time. The Humane Society has an excellent page addressing spaying and neutering facts and myths. Paws and Prayers has a list of links to low-cost, local clinics that will help spay or neuter a household pet or stray without costing an arm or a leg. The Humane Society also has created an amazingly comprehensive list of clinics in Ohio who participate in Trap-Neuter-Release programs which will spay or neuter truly feral cats and then release them back into the wild. These programs are essential in helping to cut down on the amount of unplanned pregnancies in the wild. 
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Content By:  Chrissy Reese

Chrissy Reese is a Pittsburgh native who recently moved to Ohio with her long-time boyfriend and their rescued Tabby cat/fur baby Madeline. Her last several years were spent in Philadelphia, earning her Journalism degree from Temple University and writing and editing for Campus Philly and 2.1.5 Magazine. She also runs a blog called Literophilia where she occasionally writes about her obsession with books. When she’s not blogging or snuggling with kitties, you can find her doing makeup artistry, knitting or exploring the great outdoors.

Images provided by:  Paws & Prayers

Russell's Story: Chapter 7 - The Final Installment

There is no way to tell the story of Russell from beginning to end as a short story. His story is far too long; and far from over. So I will do my best to keep it as short as possible. I'll divide it into chapters so it doesn't have to be read all at once. The 7 chapters of Russell's Story will be posted semi-monthly.

This is the final chapter.


By the week of Thanksgiving I had gotten the results of Russell’s blood work. His thyroid levels were much better. His weight was down to 47lbs. and it was easy to see that he was well on the way to feeling better. He could keep up and sometimes even pass Mandy and Buddy when we went on walks. He loved to run whenever he could and watching him hop down the steps, his backside bouncing in the air at each step, was both inspiring and comical at the same time. My only concern was that his skin was flaking badly. His skin and fur were dry and flaky in September when he came back to us, but had improved. Now it seemed that it was worse than in September. The vet told me that was due to his body’s metabolism changing. He would, over the next six months or more, loose his skin and replace it with healthier skin cells that would improve his overall skin condition and coat. In the meantime, with advise from Tara (another foster for Paws and Prayers), I would give Russell a soaking oatmeal bath. He loved it! Soon his skin and fur would be much improved.

After doing the normal amount of checking through Marty’s adoption application, I realized that she would provide a wonderful forever home for Russell. Knowing how concerned I was about Russell’s future, she even sent me a photo of her house and fenced in backyard so I could see that Russell would have plenty of room to run freely when going outside. Her vet would contact my vet to discuss Russell’s health issues and plan his continued recovery. It all seemed like my long journey with Russell was coming to and end. We planned on doing the adoption soon after Thanksgiving. That would change.

During the week after Thanksgiving, I got a phone call from Marty. Her mother, retired and living in
Russell at the Holidays 2012
Tennessee, decided that see would like to come to Pennsylvania for the Christmas Holidays. Marty would have to drive to Tennessee to get her mother. She would stay down there a couple days before returning with her mother to Pennsylvania. After the Christmas and New Year’s Holidays, she would drive her mother home. After a short visit, Marty would return home to Pennsylvania. If Marty were to adopt Russell now, she would have to put him in a kennel when she was traveling. There was simply not enough room in her car to transport her mother, her mother’s dog, her own dog and all the luggage. She didn’t think it would be good for Russell to be put in a kennel shortly after being adopted. I agreed. She asked me if I would keep him until she returned to Pennsylvania in the middle of January. She would pay any expenses that I incurred taking care of him for the extended period. I wasn’t worried about that. I was more worried about it being all the more difficult to part with Russell.

People often ask me how I give up a dog for adoption after getting attached to the dog and the dog getting attached to us. It is never easy, and Russell was going to be the most difficult of all my fosters. My answer to people is that I know that there are so many other dogs that need help. Our family could not handle more than three dogs at a time. If I kept Russell, it would mean giving up fostering. I couldn’t do that. I made two trips to the Summit County Animal Control shelter prior to Russell’s adoption for the sole purpose of just looking at the dogs. The sights, sounds, smells, and especially the eyes of all the dogs confined there kept me grounded in the belief that I needed to keep fostering.

Up until Russell’s official adoption, he continued his steady improvement. His weight would eventually be down to 42lbs., for a total weight loss of 18lbs. Although he was considered adopted, I took him to adoption events so he could interact with other dogs and I could show him off like a proud father. He enjoyed playing with other dogs and seemed to especially like the large females! And for the first time since I knew him, after petting him at one of the events, a little girl said: “He’s so soft!” It was quite a breakthrough. He enjoyed the Holidays with my family and we bought him a new bed to sleep in and take to his new home.
Russell lounging in his bed
Russell’s adoption would finally come about on January 25th. I met Marty at the Petsmart in Poland, Ohio to complete the adoption. My Dad accompanied me on the trip. I was glad to have someone to talk to, especially on the way back home. We got there early and I was able to spend some additional time walking and sitting with Russell. I couldn’t help thinking what must be going on in his mind. In my mind I hoped that he would do well in his new home. I hoped I was making the right decision. I hoped he didn’t think I was giving up on him and abandoning him. Every time I looked down at him he would sit and look into my eyes. I knew he probably just wanted a treat, but I couldn’t help but think he might know I was saying goodbye.

Shortly after 2:00pm, I put Russell into Marty’s car for the ride to his new home and the start of yet another new journey. I gave him a hug, a kiss on the head, and whispered something private into his ear; something that I tell all my foster dogs when they leave me. I gave Marty a hug and thanked her for adopting Russell. She thanked me for keeping him for so long for her.

My Dad and I avoided talking about Russell on the 50 mile trip back home, but he knew I was thinking about him. It will be a long time before there is a day when I don’t think about Russell. He touched the hearts of my entire family and countless others around him. I hope to foster many dogs for many years to come, but there will never be another Russell.

By the way, Russell is doing great in his new home. He has become attached to Marty and enjoys his time with his big brother dog Simon. Marty and I will keep in touch and whenever possible she will meet me so I can see Russell again.
The last picture Beagle Bob snapped before
sending him off to his new furever home!



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Content By:  Beagle Bob

"Beagle Bob" Dietrich is a foster parent for dogs along with his wife Vicki and son Robert.  Bob is a full time Fire Fighter/Paramedic, Vicki is a high school math teacher, and Robert is a full time college student.  They have two Beagles, Mandy and Buddy. 

Images: Provided by Beagle Bob

Russell's Story: Chapter 6

There is no way to tell the story of Russell from beginning to end as a short story. His story is far too long; and far from over. So I will do my best to keep it as short as possible. I'll divide it into chapters so it doesn't have to be read all at once. The 7 chapters of Russell's Story will be posted semi-monthly.


Russell
November 2012
When I took Russell to my vet, I was nervous that he might have some serious health issues from being overweight. I had recently listed him on the Paws and Prayers web site as being an adoptable dog. I wrote briefly about his history and how he would need a lot of care to get healthy. I hadn’t gotten any inquires yet, but I felt I needed a better grasp of his overall health before even considering his being adopted. After giving Russell a thorough exam, my vet told me that Russell definitely had some health issues. He had: a heart murmur that was not serious or life threatening, some shifting of tendons in his front legs that may be from the excessive weight on the joints, and many signs of hypothyroidism. His being overweight, having dry skin and fur, and lack of energy (I noticed that the previous year) were signs of hypothyroidism.

The next day the vet called me and told me that Russell’s blood work showed that he definitely had hypothyroidism. He would put Russell on daily medication and check his blood again in one month. By that time Russell should be showing signs of improvement and more weight loss. He also put Russell on some aspirin daily because he felt Russell’s joints were probably hurting him.

By the middle of October I had gotten two applications for Russell by families wanting to adopt him. I was excited to see that he had gotten some interest, but was cautious about letting him leave without being healthier. After much debate, I decided to wait until after his blood work was re-checked in November before letting him be adopted. I contacted both families and was both surprised and pleased that they were very willing to not only wait until Russell’s blood work was done, but also to trust me to make the decision as to who would be the best family to adopt Russell. I also got a third application for Russell from a woman in Pennsylvania who had originally put an application in for another dog. That dog had been adopted by someone else, so she wanted to know about Russell. She was also willing to wait until I thought Russell was ready.
Russell
November 2012

Over the next two weeks Russell made remarkable progress. We noticed immediately that he had more energy. A major breakthrough came on a cool, damp day. We had all three dogs outside in the back yard. Russell had been able to go up and down the steps for a couple weeks now. It wasn’t pretty, but it was impressive. He was, however, walking over into the neighbor’s yard and we didn’t want him going to the bathroom there, so we had him tethered on a 30ft leash to keep him in our yard. It was a leash that was over ten years old and had been used by almost all the foster dogs. Suddenly, all three dogs spotted some deer strolling through the woods behind our house. With a fury of loud barking and howling, all three ran toward the woods after the deer. To our surprise, Russell broke his leash and darted into the woods dragging about ten feet of broken leash with him. My wife ran out after them with no shoes on and white socks. Mandy and Buddy ran a little ways before listening to my wife yelling for them to stop, but Russell disappeared into the woods. While I scrambled to get some shoes on, my wife ran as far as she could into the woods before the rough terrain and soft, thick mud was too much.

When I finally caught up to Russell, he had managed to get at least 100 yards into the thick, overgrown, and very muddy wooded area. I was down on my hands and knees crawling because the area was so thick. The only things that seemed to have stopped him was the fact that the leash he was dragging had gotten caught on underbrush and he had sank into the mud up to his belly. I had to pull him out of the mud like pulling a cork out of a bottle. As I carried him back to the house, I couldn’t help but notice the happy look on his face. I felt his tail wagging against my body and his heart rapidly beating strongly through his chest. I took him right into the house and straight to the bath tub for a good cleaning. My wife and I couldn’t help but laugh at how happy Russell seemed to be after his little adventure.

Russell
November 2012
With Halloween about a week away, Russell was making great strides. He weight had dropped to 48lbs and his energy level was increasing daily. He was now ready to go on a full evening walk with Mandy and Buddy. It was no secret that he liked walks, but I was surprised that after just a few walks he got his own leash and brought it to me as I got Mandy and Buddy on their leashes. Russell was also beginning to show that he liked being at our home. Whenever I got home, he would run up to greet me. He would bark and cry until I petted him and even rolled over to have his belly rubbed (something he wasn’t physically able to do for a long time)! He followed me almost all the time when I was in the house and constantly sat down near me waiting for his head to be petted and neck rubbed. Most of the time he wouldn’t even lay down until he was convinced that I was going to stay put myself for a while. Russell had completely worked his way into our hearts.

As the time to re-check Russell’s blood work grew nearer, I knew that I must consider who would be the best of the three applicants to adopt him. I decided that Marty, a retired teacher who lives in Pennsylvania, was the best candidate. She was home a lot of the time, had a fenced in yard, a dog of her own, and most importantly; a true understanding of Russell’s history and my attachment to him and my desire to find him the right forever home. After several phone calls and e-mails, we arranged to meet.

It was the day after the November elections when we met at a Petsmart in Poland, Ohio. I was outside the store walking Russell when Marty pulled up in her car. As we introduced ourselves, Russell lifted his leg and had a nice long pee on the wheel of her car. As I watched, embarrassed by the scene, all I could say was: “You know there was a time when he couldn’t even lift his leg!” Marty was very nice about the situation and even laughed. Russell and Marty’s dog, Simon, a 12 year old male Lab-Collie mix, gave each other a “smell over” and seemed to be okay as we walked them together for a short time. Russell was cordial to Marty, as was his nature not to be over affectionate to new people. He took treats gently from her hands and sat patiently as she petted him. After about an hour of visiting and talking, Marty decided that she would like to, if I thought it was okay, adopt Russell. I wanted to wait until after the November 16th blood work was completed and I had a better idea of how Russell was progressing to complete the adoption. Marty agreed that would be best.

As I left the Petsmart, I was feeling a lot of emotions. I was excited that it looked so good that Russell was going to get adopted, nervous that I was making the best decision, but mostly sad that my time with Russell was nearing an end.

Russell had only lost a few pounds in the first couple weeks he was with us. I decided it was time to get a better physical check up and blood work done. I made an appointment with my vet. A thorough health evaluation would reveal many things.

Russell
November 2012
To be continued . . .

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Content By:  Beagle Bob

"Beagle Bob" Dietrich is a foster parent for dogs along with his wife Vicki and son Robert.  Bob is a full time Fire Fighter/Paramedic, Vicki is a high school math teacher, and Robert is a full time college student.  They have two Beagles, Mandy and Buddy. 

Images: Provided by Alliey Bender Photography

Pet of the Month: Anna "Banana"

I love to cuddle and be silly!
Hello.  I'm Anna.  Or Anna Banana as my foster momma calls me.  I think she's just being silly when she calls me that.  I love my foster momma.  I get very attached to my persons.  So much so though that is probably the reason why I've been searching for my furever home for so long.  I'm not a bad girl, I promise.  I am just very loyal and protective of my persons and my home.

I'm not a huge fan of strangers.  I don't like cats or small children.  I get very upset.  And although I usually need some time to warm up, I do like other dogs.  I've spent many a day at Camp Bow Wow and always get good reports.

I'm not camera shy!
I am a good a girl.  My foster family is working with me on learning to be more welcoming to strangers and outsiders. There's hope for me yet as I do very well with training and every day manners.  Foster mom says I'm very well behaved.  I'm smart and a fast learner.  I know basic commands like:

  • sit
  • shake
  • laydown
  • roll over
  • stay
I'm crate trained too.  Although, because I'm such a good girl, you are able to leave me out to roam the
house when you're gone.  It'll be just as you left it when you come back, I promise!

I love to play.  And when let out to run I run like crazy.  So if you've got the energy to keep up with me and want a companion to be by your side, I hope I get to meet you very soon!

What?  I'm playin' here!

Anna "Banana" is listed on Paws & Prayers Adoptable Dogs. This sweet girl is up to date on her shots and vaccinations. To meet and/or adopt Anna "Banana" please fill out a Paws & Prayers adoption application for her today.

Amazing Motherly Love

Momma with her pups
I just read a story about a mother dog, her owners home was on fire. Onlookers were shocked when she re-entered the ferocious flames six times rescuing her puppies one by one and carrying them out and placing them in what she deemed the safest place, a open compartment of the fire truck. Once they were all safe she climbed in herself and nursed her 10 day old puppies. Seeing this reminded me that I have been blessed enough to witness this amazing motherly love before.

Some thirty years ago I had a beautiful Shepard Husky Mix, aware she was due to give birth any day we prepared for a birthing box full of comfortable blankets. While at work one day she decided, despite our efforts to keep her pinned in our kitchen, it would be more comfortable to have her pups on my new couch. We opened the door that evening to find her laying on the couch with stuffing every where!! I gasped at the sight of my couch shredded all over my living room, while surveying the damage I heard the tiniest squeak. And then I saw them, two adorable puppies nursing on their mommy. I totally forgot about the mess, Babe had delivered her puppies! What I didn't realize at that moment was that there were more. Her weight on the couch had caused the babies to slip down inside the couch, she hadn't been destructive she was trying to get her babies. There were nine more pups down inside the couch for a total of eleven. Fortunately all the pups were healthy and there was no ill effect from being - couch puppies. I couldn't be upset with Momma, I had recently lost my three month old son I would have torn up anything to save my baby. I totally understood, it was motherly love.


Shepard Husky mix puppies


Snow White
Recently I took into my foster care a very emaciated White Shepard momma, along with her six, three day old pups. The pups needed supplemented because momma wasn't producing milk yet. A few hours after her arrival as I was preparing to feed when I noticed the tiniest puppy in the corner all by herself. I picked her up she was lifeless and extremely cold, I needed to warm her up and fast. I have a microwaveable bag filled with rice I use for headaches and I heated it up and wrapped her in a blanket and then placed her on the heated bag. It took several hours but I got her temperature up, got some food in her and she started to peak up. I gave her back to momma which licked her and pushed her gently under her. A few hours later the whole scene repeated itself a second time. The third time I found her in the corner she was even worse than before and again I began the process of reviving her. Only this time her extremely weak mother came to me, placing her mouth around the puppy and carried her back and placed in the corner. Once again I picked up the poor little girl and started to work on her, when I felt a gentle nudge. Momma again took her and put her back in the corner. Being determined I was going to save her I again picked up the puppy walked back over where I was working on her and before I could even start, momma took her away. As much as I didn't want to give up I also didn't want to upset momma any more. Heart broken I decided momma must know more than I did, so I let her be. A couple hours later I return expecting to find this precious little baby in the corner. What I found is something I will never forget as long as I live. The puppy had indeed passed but her lifeless little body was not in the corner. She was being held in her momma's paws. Momma looked up at me and for the last time picked up her lifeless baby and brought her to me. I could have her now! She must have known something was wrong, how hard it must have been to love her puppy so much to let her go, sparing her baby from any further pain. It was motherly love!!

Snow White and her pups in foster care.  All, including
Snow, have since gone on to find their furever homes!


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Content By:  Donna Schulman

Donna Schulman is a foster for dogs and puppies along with her husband Richard.  Donna is a full time care taker for her mother and Richard is an automotive painter.  They have a 7-year-old rescued Pomeranian named Pepper and three rescued cats Figaro, Charlie and Boots.

Images:  Provided by Donna Schulman

Russell's Story: Chapter 5

There is no way to tell the story of Russell from beginning to end as a short story. His story is far too long; and far from over. So I will do my best to keep it as short as possible. I'll divide it into chapters so it doesn't have to be read all at once. The 7 chapters of Russell's Story will be posted semi-monthly.


In the early afternoon of September 26th I brought Russell back to our house for the third time as a foster dog. I introduced him, yet again, to my Beagles, Mandy and Buddy for the third time also. They gave each other a courtesy sniff and walked away from each other. It seemed that Mandy didn’t care to fight with Russell any more. Maybe she felt sorry for him. The introductions that day took place in our front yard. Since Russell was completely unable to run, I let him loose in the front yard with my two dogs. As my two ran around sniffing and doing their business, all Russell could do was pant and watch. After several minutes, he waddled over to a bush and attempted to lift his leg to pee where Buddy had a few minutes earlier. He couldn’t do it on the mildly slopping ground. Despite his obvious discomfort, Russell’s tail slowly wagged as he tried to follow me down our 50ft. long driveway so I could get the mail. He made it about half way and stopped. I walked back up the driveway to our walk that led to the front porch. Russell followed along. When I stepped the one step to the porch, I saw Russell staring at it like it was a mountain. He crawled up slowly and had to take a break before crawling up over the front door threshold and into the house. I’m the kind of person who tries to find humor in just about anything. The only humorous thing that came to mind at this point was: “At least he can’t run away!”

In the late afternoon my wife Vicki returned home from work. She knew Russell would be there, of course, so it was not going to be a surprise. As she opened the door to come into the house, Mandy and Buddy did their normal barking and running to the door to greet her. Russell, who had been sleeping in a dog bed, struggled just to get up. When Vicki first saw Russell, her mouth dropped open. Nearly in tears, she couldn’t believe his condition. The Beagle that she had not really cared all that much for last year, was now just a pitiful sight that she couldn’t help but feel sorry for.

Shortly after Vicki got home, we fed the three dogs. Afterwards we led them to the sliding glass door that opened up to the back yard. This is where we normally let them out to go to the bathroom. There are ten steps that lead from the door down to the yard. Mandy and Buddy raced down the steps and into the yard. Russell put his front paws down one step and stopped. He couldn’t get down the steps. I went down the steps past him and tried to help him down. He methodically went down each step by dropping his two front paws down first. He would then have to shift his body weight to one side because his rear legs would start to spread apart. As he shifted sideways, his back end would slide around and drop down to the lower step. He would then have to twist his whole body to get his two front legs back in front of him so he could lower them to the next step. It was a grueling process for him to do and even more torturing for us to watch. Russell would be going out the front of the house for a while because there were only two steps down to get to the yard and each had a larger surface to land on.

That evening we prepared to take Mandy and Buddy for their evening walk. It was obvious that Russell was not going to go for the normal 1-2 mile walk we go with our dogs. Mandy and Buddy went nuts when we got their leashes ready for their walk. Much to our surprise, Russell was showing some excitement to go also. We knew he wasn’t going to be able to go very far (maybe to the end of the driveway), but we had to admire his enthusiasm. Vicki decided to take Mandy and Buddy and I would try to follow with Russell. I didn’t need a leash as we started on the walk. Vicki quickly disappeared as she walked off with Mandy and Buddy. Russell tried his best to follow, but after about 100ft. down the street, he stopped and laid down on the concrete. After a few minutes, I convinced him to get up and follow me back to the house.

Over the next couple weeks we tried to put Russell into a routine of eating healthy and moderate exercise. By the end of the two weeks, Russell still could not go down the back steps. We did, however, find out that he could go up the steps. We got into a routine that would allow him to get some exercise by letting him out the front door, force him to go around the house to the back yard and up the steps to get back into the house. We also continued to let him follow Vicki or I walking the dogs in the evening. He slowly was able to go farther and farther down the street. One night when I was walking Mandy and Buddy and Vicki was following behind with Russell, he suddenly decided that he wanted to come too. It didn’t take long for Mandy, Buddy, and I to get far ahead. After I was far enough away to be out of sight, Russell started barking. For the next 30 minutes or so I could hear him bark as I went through the neighborhood. We walk the dogs in a big loop through the neighborhood leaving the house from the south and returning from the north. When I was about 200ft. or so from returning to our house, Mandy and Buddy started barking at one of our neighbor’s dogs. I noticed that Vicki and Russell were not in front of our house, but I could hear Russell barking. When I got to our house, I noticed Vicki and Russell coming from the south. It seems that Russell had tried to follow us and had gotten almost a quarter of a mile before he heard Mandy and Buddy barking. He turned around and headed to the barking which brought him home. Vicki said Russell was very determined to follow me despite it being so physically difficult. It was a major sign of improvement for Russell in terms of his health and his personality. He was getting in better shape and was also beginning to bond with us.

Russell had only lost a few pounds in the first couple weeks he was with us. I decided it was time to get a better physical check up and blood work done. I made an appointment with my vet. A thorough health evaluation would reveal many things.

To be continued . . .


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Content By:  Beagle Bob

"Beagle Bob" Dietrich is a foster parent for dogs along with his wife Vicki and son Robert.  Bob is a full time Fire Fighter/Paramedic, Vicki is a high school math teacher, and Robert is a full time college student.  They have two Beagles, Mandy and Buddy. 

Images: Provided by Beagle Bob

Volunteer of the Month: April 2013


Volunteer of the Month for April is Jackie F.  We might not always see her at Petsmart every weekend. Jackie does tons and tons of behind the curtain work for Paws and Prayers. She takes care of her family including; children, animals and always has a foster or two. She is on email all the time and will respond to phone messages (even when someone else got it before her), help with questions and guides people where they need to be. She sends out emails to just make us smile, which they do. She takes in kittens that need a momma to stay alive when it is kitten season (NOW). Jackie is our go to women, she is there when we need her.  She spent hours last year for the Adopt Me Meow event and there are talks of her does the same again this year. Jackie dedicates so much time to our group with a positive attitude and smile on her face. We truly appreciate all the time and hours Jackie spends helping animals in need find their loving homes. Thank you from the volunteers but most importantly the fur babies that you save!

We can't reinvigorate our Volunteer of the Month recognition without YOU, our supporters! Have a volunteer you'd like to nominate? (Yes, fosters are volunteers, too!) Click here to complete our quick, easy survey with your nomination and why they deserve to be Paws & Prayers Volunteer of the Month!  Winners are announced at the start of the following month. Thank you!

Russell's Story: Chapter 4

There is no way to tell the story of Russell from beginning to end as a short story. His story is far too long; and far from over. So I will do my best to keep it as short as possible. I'll divide it into chapters so it doesn't have to be read all at once. The 7 chapters of Russell's Story will be posted semi-monthly.


Melanie, victim of BB gun shot wounds
From August of 2011 to September of 2012 our family fostered fifteen dogs for Paws and Prayers. Most of them, ten to be exact, were Beagles or Beagle mixes. Each had its own level of affection that made it easy for us to get attached to them. From the extreme response of jumping in your lap and licking your face, to a simple nudging of your hand for a gentle pat on head, each had their own distinct personality. Each also had challenges that needed to be worked out. These included, but were not limited to: two “diva” Beagles that barked loudly at every dog they saw, a Beagle puppy that only pooped in his cage, a Beagle that had to spend hours a day hiding and retrieving toys all over the house, a German Shepherd mix that needed to sit in your lap every minute, a Redbone Coonhound that was scared of me and most likely had never been in a house, and a small Beagle with a dislocated hip and twelve BB’s from a gun scattered throughout her body (including one in the neck). Each dog was adopted to a loving home.

On Sunday, September 23, 2012, the Paws and Prayers voicemail system received a message from Russell’s owner. Most voicemail messages are sent out to a group e-mail system that transcribes them into print for easy retrieval. Every person in the group can see the transcribed messages. Most never apply to me and I delete them after just a glance. As I was glancing through a transcribed message, I saw Russell and S’s name. I stopped immediately and was shocked to read that Russell was in the care of the Humane Society of Greater Akron. S wanted to know if I could get him out. I called her and found that Russell had been staying with a friend of S’s. That friend, who lived alone, needed to be taken to the hospital and Russell was taken to the Humane Society for care. S wanted me to get involved because the Humane Society needed proof of her ownership of Russell and how she had adopted him. She had never gotten him a license for 2012. S also told me that she had been living with her daughter because of frequent hospital admissions and recovery periods that prevented her from taking care of Russell properly. Her daughter could not have pets at her house. I told S I would help her any way I could.

On Monday morning, September 24th, I called the Humane Society to inquire about Russell. I was put on the phone with a Humane Society Officer who related to me a story I was not prepared to hear. It seems the Humane Society Officer was involved in removing Russell from S’s neighbor’s home because of “deplorable conditions." The neighbor also had two other dogs, two cats, and a bird that also needed to be removed. The Officer stated that there was little chance any of the animals would go back there.

When I told the Officer that I had fostered Russell last year, his first question, much to my dismay, was: “How much did he weigh the last time you saw him?” I told him that Russell weighed about 33lbs, but should have weighed about 25-30lbs The officer told me he weighed about 60lbs now! I could not believe what I heard. They hadn't weighed him yet, but I could hear a woman in the background over the phone telling the officer that she could pick up dogs up to 50lbs and she could not lift Russell. The Officer said that Russell could hardly walk, had trouble breathing, and could barely get up after laying down. I wanted to rush right out there to get him, but I was at work, so I told the Officer I would pick Russell up the next day.
Russell, just over 60lbs, back at Beagle Bob's home

I called S and made arrangements to meet her with Russell on Tuesday at the Banfield Pet Hospital that Paws and Prayers takes their dogs and cats to. I also contacted Jen, the Paws and Prayers Executive Director, and asked her to come with me. I wanted someone to help me get to the bottom of what happened to Russell.

Early in the afternoon of September 25th, I arrived at the Humane Society to pick up Russell. I was both excited to see him and scared of what he might look like. I felt that his weight might have been somewhat exaggerated. It seemed impossible that a dog that small in stature could weigh 60lbs. When they brought Russell out to see me, my jaw dropped. He was huge! As I approached him and called out his name, his tail slowly wagged as he strained to lift his head up to look at me. The face, the ear, and especially the eyes were the same, but the rest was practically unrecognizable. I bent down and let him smell me as I gently stroked his head. He seemed to remember me. Most dogs that I have fostered usually don’t remember me after being adopted, especially if they were only with us a short time. Russell seemed to have at least a little memory of me. The scene must have been somewhat comical as I struggled to lift Russell into the back seat of my truck. He was very heavy and very awkward to lift.

Jen met me at Banfield about 15 minutes before S was set to arrive. She was as shocked as I was to see Russell’s condition. After I struggled to get Russell out of my truck, I started to walk him into the Banfield building. He could only walked about four or five steps and had to stop to catch his breath. He didn’t really walk. It was more of a waddle. The 30ft. walk from my truck to the door of the building took a solid five minutes. Along the way Russell lost control of his bowels twice. It was pitiful.
Stairs were quite the challenge for Russell

Once inside Banfield, we took Russell to the scale to get weighted. He could not go up the five inch high platform without help. He weighed 60.5lbs! Jen began to tell me that Russell would most likely have a host of health problems from this obesity. She wondered if S was going to be able to afford the type of medical care he would need. We both were very anxious to find out how this had happened. While we waited for S to arrive, I told her I wanted to take care of Russell myself or at least help S get him the care he needed.

When S finally arrived Jen and I were shocked to hear that she had not seen Russell in over six months! Her frequent admissions to the hospital had prevented her from taking care of him and she had entrusted him with her a neighbor. A decision she seemed to regret. S told us that she was glad Russell was not at the Humane Society any longer. As she gently petted his head, Jen and I exchange glances. Both of us knew that Russell should not go back to her. I couldn’t come up with the words, so I was glad when Jen finally spoke up and asked her it she would allow Paws and Prayers to foster Russell again. Without ever looking away from his face, she sighed and agreed to release him back to us.

After S signed Russell over to us and left, Jen had a Vet take a quick look at Russell. His obesity had taken a toll on his body. He would need a full exam and blood work soon to determine how dangerous his health had become.

Because my current foster, Dotty, was being adopted that evening, Jen offered to take Russell to her house for the night and I would pick him up the next day. As I struggled to get Russell into the front seat of Jen’s car, I wondered how this had happened to this poor dog. I was very angry with myself for not following up enough with S to see how Russell was doing. I was, however, determined to do everything I could to get Russell healthy.

To be continued . . .


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Content By:  Beagle Bob

"Beagle Bob" Dietrich is a foster parent for dogs along with his wife Vicki and son Robert.  Bob is a full time Fire Fighter/Paramedic, Vicki is a high school math teacher, and Robert is a full time college student.  They have two Beagles, Mandy and Buddy. 

Images: Provided by Beagle Bob

Hack Into Hairballs!

Did you know, TODAY is National Hairball Awareness Day? That’s right…this special day dedicated to our furry feline friends is celebrated on the last Friday of April.

Now…some of you might be wondering why something so “yucky” gets its own day of recognition. The truth is, frequent hairballs are NOT a normal part of a healthy cat’s life. So, let’s get down to the root of this hairy problem…AND, how to fix it!

It’s no secret that cats shed their fur (one look at my house would confirm it!). What most people DON’T know is how hairballs are formed and what dangers they can cause.

What is a hairball?

A hairball is a collection of ingested hair (caused by the cat’s natural grooming process) which a cat may regurgitate along with mucus or bile. The ASPCA says, “During a cat’s daily grooming regimen, he may inadvertently swallow loose hair, which generally passes through the digestive system into the cat’s stool. Some hair can remain, however, and collect in the stomach or small intestine, causing the cat to hack, gag, or retch until he vomits the offending [material]. The hair that is vomited can appear matted or tubular in shape.” Hairballs are commonly thought of as a normal part of a cat’s life; however, most vets agree that if your cat hacks up more than 1-2 hairballs per year, it’s a problem.

Besides the “yuck” on my carpet, what are symptoms of hairballs?

Hairballs can also cause constipation and decreased appetite. They can also cause upset stomach or general gastrointestinal discomfort, which may in turn cause vomiting of the hairball or of mucus or food.

Why are hairballs dangerous?

The ASPCA stresses hairballs can be indicative of several things. First, it may indicate that your cat may need tweaks to her diet. By improving diet—and thus, coat and skin health—you can help reduce your cat’s ability to efficiently move groomed hair safely through her digestive tract.

Second, hairballs may block the esophagus or intestinal tract, causing surgery to correct. In rare cases, they may be symptomatic of serious disease such as inflammatory bowel disease or even cancer.

Lastly, it can indicate a behavioral issue, such as obsessive-compulsive type activity.

How can I prevent hairballs?

As we’ve already said above, a good diet can make a HUGE change in the amount of hair your cat has a potential to ingest. Look for a high-quality food; some brands have hairball control formulations that may be of benefit. Some pet stores also sell hairball lubricants or food additives which may help lubricate the digestive tract.

Some types of cats are more prone to hairballs, such as long-haired breeds. Brush your cat often—if long-haired, brush daily—to help decrease the amount of hair he may ingest during grooming.

If your cat shows tendencies to groom herself excessively, try distracting her with a new toy or by initiating playtime activities. This strategy has the added benefit of spending quality time with your favorite feline! 


Below are sources and resources containing helpful information and valuable tips for keeping your kitty healthy and hair-free! 

http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/cat-care/hairball.aspx 

http://www.furminator.com/Blog/National-Hairball-Awareness-Day.aspx


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Content By:  Jocelyn Alexander

Jocelyn Alexander is a rescue foster for dogs and cats, as well as a Certified Professional Pet Sitter (CPPS).  She has a 4-year-old black Labrador retriever named Dixie, who is a registered Pet Partners therapy dog and Canine Good Citizen; and Chloe, a 10-year-old tuxedo cat who rules the house with a velvet glove.

Images:  1, 23


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Pretty but Poisonous: Know the Common Plant Toxins

Daffodil
Spring is upon us in Northeast Ohio, and with it comes the prime time for gardening (FINALLY!).  When planting your vegetation—or even keeping houseplants or floral arrangements in your home—it can save your furry friend’s life if you know which ones can be harmful or even deadly.

We at Paws & Prayers have compiled a list of common toxic plants for pet parents to be aware of. While the list is not exhaustive, you can find a complete listing at the ASPCA poison control site.


Aloe Vera  

  • Vomiting, diarrhea, depression, decreased appetite, tremors, change in urine color 

Azalea
Azalea/Rhododendron 

  • GI upset, drooling, loss of appetite, diarrhea, colic, weakness and loss of coordination, stupor, leg paralysis, recumbency for 2 or more days
  • Dogs and cats may become comatose and die if medical attention is not sought 
  • Also toxic to farm animals such as horses, goats, and sheep

Begonia

  • Oral irritation or burning of mouth, tongue or lips; excessive drooling; vomiting; difficulty swallowing

Daffodil

Hosta
  • The bulbs are the most toxic part of the plant
  • Vomiting, salivation, diarrhea 
  • If large amounts are ingested, may cause convulsions, hypotension (low blood pressure), tremors, and arrhythmias
Hosta

  • Vomiting, diarrhea, depression

Ivy 

  • GI upset, abdominal pain, increased drooling

Tomato plant

  • Excessive drooling, decreased appetite, severe GI upset, depression of the central nervous system, confusion, behavioral changes, weakness, dilated pupils, slow heart rate


Tulips
Tulips/Narcissus
  • As with other bulbous plants, the bulb is the most toxic portion of the plant
  • Severe GI upset/irritation, depression of the central nervous system, drooling, loss of appetite, convulsions, cardiac arrhythmias


Several plants found in floral arrangements can also be hazardous to your pet’s health, causing symptoms such as GI upset, loss of appetite, vomiting, and diarrhea. These include carnations, baby’s breath, chrysanthemum, and gladiola. And YES, although the ever-popular holiday poinsettias are a commonly known toxic plant, the symptoms of ingestion are not quite as severe as most people believe, and are mostly limited to vomiting and diarrhea.

Don’t be left unprepared in the event of any type of poisoning, whether it be hazardous chemicals, foods, or plants. Make sure you—and every member of your family—know how to reach the closest emergency veterinarian, and have the ASPCA’s Poison Control number (888-426-4435) prominently displayed in a common area, such as your refrigerator.

Being vigilant and knowing what symptoms to look for can help save your cat or dog’s life. It’s always better to be safe rather than sorry, and a consultation fee for the ASPCA Poison Control Center or your vet is worth it to make sure your pet is A-OK! 

Here are some helpful sources and resources to review: 

http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/poison-control/plants/ 

http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/poison-control/?gclid=CJyj_qXnvbYCFc9AMgodSlAA0w

http://www.care2.com/greenliving/24-common-plants-poisonous-to-pets.html

http://www.animalhealthfoundation.net/news/item.html/n/20261gclid=CJ2yxYzqvbYCFY1aMgodZH8ADA


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Content By:  Jocelyn Alexander

Jocelyn Alexander is a rescue foster for dogs and cats, as well as a Certified Professional Pet Sitter (CPPS).  She has a 4-year-old black Labrador retriever named Dixie, who is a registered Pet Partners therapy dog and Canine Good Citizen; and Chloe, a 10-year-old tuxedo cat who rules the house with a velvet glove.


Images:  1, 2, 3

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