And Then There Were None

By Alecia


We hear it at least once at every adoption event: "Isn't it hard to give them up?" The answer? Well of course it is!  But at the same time it is also really easy... 



September 1st an email was sent to our group: 
"Pregnant dog. Has milk. She is at pound. Can anyone help?"

Momma at the Pound

We all became frantic. Milk means puppies soon and we hate seeing puppies born at the pound when they could be born in one of our loving foster homes instead. Being in a home means less exposure to harmful pathogens, more hands-on care and better socialization as they continue to grow. Unfortunately, the pound just does not have the same resources for a puppy that a home can provide. Especially in terms of around the clock snuggling!

Momma and I having a heat-to-heart

My foster had just been adopted out the night before so I was browsing the list of dogs that needed pulled when the email came through. "Well," I thought. "I've whelped a litter before... I'm sure it's just like riding a bike." A big, stupid grin flooded my face at the thought of canoodling some adorable newborn pups for the first time in a long time. I replied to the email letting them know I would be more than happy to have the mom-to-be in my home... And then reluctantly emailed my fiance so he wouldn't be so surprised when he came home from work to see what I had done.




My fiance, Cory, has been diligently at my side through all of our fosters, which at that point, had broken sixty.  He loves helping the animals but also wants to take breaks here and there. The only problem with that is that unfortunately, irresponsible owners NEVER take breaks so there is always a constant influx of dogs and cats at the local pounds. One trick that I've learned that you are more than welcome to use if you are fostering or plan to foster: let him name the dog. :P


Such a happy Momma!
Cory has always had a fascination with Halloween and horror stories so once I told him the pups should be ready to go home around Halloween, he was sold. A chance to name a whole litter? Of course, we know that very few of our names stick after adoption but it is always still exciting to name them, even just for the short term. Our Momma dog had become "Mary Shelley" as the mother of horror although we could find no name that fit her better than "Momma."



Trick, just a few minute old
We had Momma for 19 days before those beautiful puppies had dropped. It really was like riding a bike! When all was said and done, we had six stunningly handsome males and two sweet females. We called them our Monster Mash litter. I was fascinated with them. Every two weeks I set up a photo shoot (yes, I am that lame) so that I could share photos with potential adopters, but also, so that I could have a TON of photos for my own memories. These puppies were amazing. Well mannered, slept through the night, very quiet and always eliminated on the paper rather than on bedding or the regular floor. They really were perfect pups.



Jekyll/ Hyde, 2 weeks old

At the eight week mark, they were all ready to go home. I emailed each family lined up to adopt one of the babes and made appointments so they could each spend time with the puppy and ask any questions they may have before leaving my home with their new addition. I had to pry the puppy from each and every family's arms to get the paperwork done, but I knew it was only because they were going to love that little furry beast with everything that they have got! By the time the families had left my home, I felt that I knew them personally and that they had just become an extension of my own family. All were wonderful, all had beautiful gifts they could offer my puppies.


Ichabod, 4 weeks old
After all of the puppies had gone to their respective homes it was time for Momma to meet her new family. Her future mom and dad sat on my couch and Momma made a bee line for their laps. As soon as she was all snuggled in, she began kissing their faces and remained that way while they got to know her through interacting with her and asking me questions from their smiling lips. It was an immediate love and I knew it would be an enduring love. 

Elvira, 6 weeks old



In just three days I had gone from caretaker and lover of eight puppies and their amazing mother to my normal life filled with an amazing fiance and a much quieter home. The only difference? In my "new" normal life, I now have nine new families that have become my own and nine new sets of paw prints that have danced around my heart. 


So is it hard to see them go? You bet! But I am happy to see them through to their new life and even more happy to know that now I can open my home again to help out the next dog that is down on their luck. It's a rescue "Circle of Life" that I am happy to be a part of, no matter how bittersweet it may be. 
Frankenstein, now Jack, 8 weeks old in his forever home!

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"Blind Amazingness"

By Alecia

One thing that a lot of people may not know about the rescue groups in Akron is that we work really closely together. Summit County Animal Control has not had to euthanize a dog for space reasons in nearly four years because of the great network that we have established here in Akron. We all share responsibility for these animals, we all share the heartache of a new animal coming in and the relief of one going to a new home. Because of this, it is not uncommon to ask each other for a little help now and again. 

A couple weeks ago we were contacted by the Humane Society of Greater Akron (HSGA) who was becoming over-full this month. HSGA has helped us out immeasurably over the years, so of course, we wanted to do everything that we could to help them out. We were sent a list of their "long-timers," some of which had been there for going on a year or longer. We passed this list on to our fosters in hopes that some would see a cat or dog that they could not turn down and that they would kick their husband out to make room for. ;)

It worked. 

Now, one thing you may not know about us is that we have quite a few fosters that have a soft spot for seniors. Heck, it's not even a soft spot, it's a big, huge, empty void that can only be filled with a big, huge, sweetly aged senior! For those fosters, we found just the right guy: OLAF!


Olaf is the senior of all seniors; aged to perfection! Unfortunately, most people will not see it this way. Most families looking for a new companion want just that; a "new" companion, not a "used" one. Olaf had been with the HSGA since May, undoubtedly passed up for the cute little puppies and the youthful jogging partners just a cage or two down. It is always hard on us as rescuers to see seniors at the local pound. We always invent a rich back story for them, imagining the great fun they had skipping about the yard as a young pup, the sweet children they may have nestled as an adolescent and the loyalty they had carried with them as an adult; all to find themselves in this sad place as a senior. We know that in most places they are the first on the chopping block. This is why, when we saw Olaf's listing, we could not let him fall through the cracks.


Olaf already had the chips stacked against him. We all know about Black Dog Syndrome and not only is Olaf a black dog, he is a senior. And not only is Olaf a senior... He is also blind.

No one has ever said that rescue is easy. Let me tell you, it certainly is not. When do you stop telling someone "Oh, he's still got a few good years left in him!" When do you stop crying "It's ok, he adjusts really well to new environments without his eyesight!" To have a dog that you love and care for so deeply that you feel he is your own, even though he is not... And to see that same dog continually rejected by potential adopters. That is disheartening.  When do you stop saying to yourself "I know his new family is out there!" The answer: Never. You NEVER give up.

Olaf is a very, very special boy. We know that his perfect home is out there and we will not stop searching for it until it is found. Such an upbeat and happy boy deserves a happy ending, after all. :)


 Thank you for reading, Rescuers! If Olaf's story has touched you, please pass this on to friends and family. The more people that see Olaf, the greater his chances are at finding his retirement home! :)

If you think you may want to add Olaf to your home, please complete our online application. You can find the link to it under "Our Links" near the top of this page.



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From a Foster's Perspective Pt. 1

By Alecia

Doing a "rescue blog" is by no means something new. It is, however, something new to us! We decided to shake things up a little bit today to see how it turns out. Aside from this opening paragraph, this blog was written by one of our most dedicated fosters, Meredith. She has bailed us out of making some tough decisions in the past (and I am sure she will in the future!) and we could not be more happy to have her in our little group. She was also just accepted into a nonprofit administration master's program through John Carroll University and hopes to some day run her own Humane Society! Make sure to congratulate her in the comments below and if you enjoy reading this, check out her blog at: http://merediiith.blogspot.com/


The charity organization that is nearest & dearest to my heart is an animal rescue & adoption group known as Paws & Prayers. I have been a volunteer & foster parent since 2007; in total, I have provided a transitory home to fifteen dogs & two cats. I remember deciding that year I wanted to help an animal rescue. I searched on the internet for some in the area; luckily for me, Paws & Prayers was the first to respond to my inquiry emails. My life has been forever changed through this organization. The commitment & hard work of all the dedicated volunteers is nothing short of amazing.


Here are my thoughts on what it's like to be a foster parent to a dog or a cat.


With each new foster, you never know what to expect. A foster dog can drive you crazy. She might chew up a pair of your shoes. He might lift his leg & pee on your Christmas tree (which may have been his way of criticizing you for leaving it up throughout January). The dog may even slip her leash and then have you running down the sidewalk in your pajamas screaming "Pancakes!" - a risk you take when you enjoy naming your fosters after breakfast food. All in all, you never know what to expect. Fostering takes up extra time, money, & effort. It can be frustrating & it can be hard.


An example of the destruction a foster dog can do!


BUT.


It is also worth it all. According to the Humane Society of the United States, four MILLION dogs & cats are put down in shelters in this country each year. (What a good time to make a plug for spaying/neutering your pets!!!) When you take a scared, shaking, lonely dog out of their cage at the pound & offer them, temporarily, your home, you know you are doing something wonderful. An animal's life has been saved & in return you receive all the kisses, love, & doggie smiles that pet has to give. You give them a warm home, and they warm your heart. I personally feel compelled to help. The thought of animals being killed in those numbers hurts me to the core. I wish I could help them all.


Often, at animal adoption events, someone will say to me, "I don't know how you do it. I love animals too much. I could never let them go once they were in my home". I challenge this statement. It takes an incredible amount & special type of love to open your home & your heart to dog after dog after dog - caring for them & then letting them go, hoping & praying for their happiness. The best way I have found to describe this feeling is bittersweet. It hurts now to let that dog walk away from you, but you know you've done the right thing. Through finding this foster pet their forever family, you now have the opportunity to do it all over again.












Pet overpopulation is a serious problem. Ask yourself now; what can you do to help?

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Keep "Buddy" Cool this Summer with this!

By Alecia

Heat wave... That's what they call it. I like to think of it more as a "What-the-heck-I-just-got-out-of-the-shower-and-I'm-already-sweating wave!" The beads of sweat line your nose ridge, your hair won't stop sticking to your face, your clothes hang on you like a damp shroud; there's one thing for certain, though! At least you're not wearing a fur coat!

It's true that many fur coats actually insulate our beloved cats and dogs from the heat, but watching them trudge through it is still pretty darn heartbreaking! Poor "Buddy" is always too hot to play! His tongue lolling about his mouth, all of his energy being focused on panting to bring down his body temperature. Of course you want your playful pal back to normal and being his happy, delightful self! So, how can we do it?

Earlier this week I posed the question on our Facebook Page and got some wonderful answers! Some give their dogs ice cubes, others use the mister on their hose, I saw a picture of an English Bulldog laying in a pile of ice. One of our wonderful supporters, Debby, was nice enough to share a recipe that she uses for her dogs! It's like a little ice cream dessert guaranteed to let "Buddy" know what a good dog he is that will also keep him cool!

Debby's Homemade Frosty Paws

1 - 32 ounce container of FF or low fat plain or vanilla yogurt (I use plain because vanilla has more sugar in it)1 C water4 overly ripe bananas (or 1/2 cup of peanut butter if you'd like a change of taste)Mash bananas and add all ingredients to a bowl. Mix thoroughly. Put into 3 ounce dixie cups and freeze. Or if you are lucky enough to have a restaurant supply store (here in Canton, we have GFS), you can get small plastic cups with lids and that makes it so much easier to freeze and store them. That's what we do.I usually make a double batch because in the summer they are a great way to cool off your dog after a walk or some days just after being outside for a bit. They are healthy and COLD.... our dogs have always loved them and our current 2 dogs still love them.

So there it is! Whip up a nice batch for your beloved pets today and let us know how it goes! Don't forget to share it with all of your friends with pets too! Thank you so much, Debby, for sharing this recipe with us. We're sure to have some very happy cats and dogs throughout the rest of the summer! 


Stay cool, guys! :)

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We've Been Through a Lot, You and I.

By Alecia

Roscoe- Lovingly pulled from the pound.
Died of heartworm complications.
We've been through a lot, you and I. You, man, and I, beloved creature. I remember the day you walked through those doors. You saw me lying in the corner, sad and broken. With a wave of my tail, I got up just for you. Most people walked right past me, but not you. You have a greater calling. So I got up and walked to the bars, hoping there was space enough between for you to fit your fingers through and stroke me behind the ear. You told me everything would be ok and I trusted that it would be.

I was tired. I had nothing left to give. But you gave me life, you gave me hope. When my kennel door opened, I felt as though a weight had been lifted from between my shoulder blades. Once in your arms, I knew I was home.

Tiny- Dumped at PetSmart and brought
in to foster care
Died from advanced stages
of Feline Leukemia
I remember walking away from that cold place. You placed me gently in the back seat of your car. When you got in I kissed the side of your face to say "thank-you"; I know how many pets, just like me, never make it out. I then retreated to curl up in the back seat. I hope you didn't think I was abandoning you, I was just so tired! I remember hearing you say I looked really adorable all balled up like that, so I think you would have forgiven me anyways. 

I woke up when the car sputtered to a stop. You called me by a name I had never heard before, but I quickly accepted it as my own knowing that you must have chosen a great name to grace me with. From there you took me into your home. You gave me some delicious morsels to eat and a nice warm blanket to sleep on. I didn't eat all of the food, but I hope you understand: I've been hungry for so long that my belly just couldn't handle it all. When I was done eating, you cradled me in your arms. I could hear your heartbeat and it was sweeter than any lullaby I had ever known. This must be what love is like.

Over the next few days, I saw you smile so much! It made me so happy to see that you were proud of me! All of your love and care meant I was starting to get a love for life, a true bounce in my step, a new light in my eyes! Right then I knew that you were meant to save me. 

Cochise- one of our beloved seniors
Died of cancer
But then, something just didn't feel right. I was feeling dizzy. My whole world was spinning and I just knew that something was wrong. I laid in my bed so confused! A few minutes later I could hear your voice and it was all shaky and loud. I think you were crying and I just wanted to tell you that everything would be alright. Usually you can understand me but I guess I wasn't very clear laying there like I was. I felt your hand by my nose so I nuzzled it to let you know everything would be OK.

Willow- an affectionate,
partially blind pound kitty
Died of a neurological disorder 
I felt you put me in the back seat again but then something strange happened! I was in the front seat watching over you! I could see myself laying in the back seat, which was weird considering that I wasn't really back there. A few minutes later the car was stopped again. I saw you pick up my body and run it in to a strange building. The woman in there was really nice and she took my body in to the back. I don't know what happened to it from there because I stayed out front with you. How could I leave you alone in a time like this? I gave you kisses and sat by your feet, but I think you were too worried about me to notice.

Only a few moments later, a tall guy with dark hair wearing blue scrubs littered with cartoon puppy paws emerged from the back. He called your name and you approached him. He shook his head and I saw the tears begin to pour from your eyes. I was there the whole time, trying to lick away your pain.

Shirley- a sad and tired Puppy Mill dog
Had a broken jaw left
untreated while she was at the mill.
The jaw became infected and
the infection had spread to her brain
At that time, it seemed so silly to me that this little stray, once sad and broken as you were then, had caused so much pain. Especially considering that all you had to do was leave me in that kennel with what would have been my fate. But no, you were greater than that. You saw this little stray and brought it back to life. If even for just a moment, you brought me back to life! At first I was upset that you had let me hurt you so badly, but then I remembered... I was worth loving! I was worth the chance to live! You are weeping that I have passed, but I did not pass without love, I did not pass without meaning. You pieced my broken self back together, so at least I could pass as a whole! 

 I will stay by your side to help you get through this. It was then that I understood that I was meant to save you. We've been through a lot, you and I. You, man, and I, beloved creature.

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Our Nine Lives

By Alecia

It's a funny thing being a cat! I mean, just look at me! I am adorable! When no one else is around I love to jump on my foster mom's vanity so I can check myself out in the mirror. Can you blame me? And yet, as cute as I am, here I sit in my foster home. Hoping that out of all the kitties out there, someone may smile upon my cute little face. But I guess that is the life of a foster cat for you.


My name is George by the way. I'm not sure why they named me that, I don't think I'm any more curious than the next cat. But, hey, at least I have a name. I see my foster mom looking at different shelters online all the time and a lot of those cats don't even have names. They're just called "Cat #8" or "Tag13648." But I guess that is the life of a shelter cat for you.


This one time, before I was in my foster home, I was eaves dropping and I heard a woman yelling at another woman. She was talking about how her kitty stopped using the litter box so she wanted to "get rid" of him. His name was Alf. He looked over at me with really sad eyes and Alf told me that he had stopped using the litter box because he was feeling sick. It turns out that Alf had diabetes and the woman would have known that if he had seen a vet. Instead he suffered alone and now must hope for a new and loving family. But I guess that is the life of the neglected cat for you.


I love spending time with my foster mom. Sometimes, though, I like to sit in the window and day dream. Sometimes I see another cat outside and my day dream turns in to something else entirely. I begin imagining what it must be like out there. Left out in the rain, left out in the heat, left out in the snow, left out in a place absent of a human to love you or snuggle you or to give you at least two square meals a day. But I guess that is the life of a street cat for you.

Being the sneaky little kitten I am, I have been known to sneak on to the computer from time to time (this is one of those times). I was watching some television clips on Hulu and I saw one about "Hoarders." In the clip it showed a sad kitty that had no happiness left in her eyes. Her mommy had never washed her and hadn't fed her for weeks. She had all of these tiny, black bug looking things all over her and I could tell she was really sleepy. Through the computer monitor she cried for my help so I patted her head with my paw and sighed. But I guess that is the life of the voiceless cat for you.

That same night I decided to learn a little bit more about cats. Do all cats come from bad situations? Aren't there some cats that are loved from the get-go? I was happy to find that not everyone has to see the things that I have already seen in my short life. I actually began chatting with a Silkenthunder Bengal named Mickey and he told me that his family loves him very much. They paid $2,000 for him and he gets to have lots of pictures taken and is a real hit with the Silkenthunder Bengal ladies. My adoption fee is only $100, so this gives me a lot of hope. I was a little sad though because he said that he gets to see lots of other kittens born. Does this mean that those kittens will be taking the homes that me and my friends could be taking instead? Lucky Mickey. But I guess that is the life of a purebred (and exotic) cat for you. 


Have you ever seen a really FAT cat whose belly is wiggling? Yeah, never call a cat like that FAT or she will whack you with her paw! I guess that cats like that aren't fat, they're pregnant... Whatever that means. The cat that smacked me was named Cagney and she told me that she had a nice warm home and lived with lots of other cats. Then one day she had a weird desire to go outside and meet some other cool neighborhood cats. The little human girl that lived with her cried for her mother to find Cagney once she realized she was missing so they went driving around and finally found her. A few weeks later they found out that Cagney was fa- I mean PREGNANT, so her mommy decided she didn't want her any more. She did not want a bunch of other cats to take care of and she said she didn't like Cagney much anyways. Cagney is really nice and I feel bad for her. But I guess that is the life of a castaway cat for you.



This one time I saw my foster mommy crying. I curled up in to her lap, began rubbing against her arm and started purring to let her know that everything would be alright. She stroked my ears, which I LOVE, by the way. She then picked me up and snuggled me really closely. I am glad that she loves me so, but I know that all of the purring in the world won't mend her heart; it breaks for every cat she knows she can't save. But I guess that is the loss of a life of an "unwanted" cat for you.



I hate to see my foster mommy cry. I just want her to know that I am here too! A gentle purring reminder that even though she may not be able to save all of the lost kitties out there, at least she was able to save this one. And even after I am adopted in to my forever home, I will always love her for that. And that is the life of a rescued cat for you. :)

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A Letter from Heaven

By Alecia

It is extremely hard when you lose a dear, beloved friend. A friend that has made you laugh, brightened your life each and every day, silently accepted your tears without judgement, snuggled with you, forgiven your faults and has loved you unconditionally. Unfortunately for dog lovers, we all know that we will have to say goodbye all too soon. Our founder, Marty Harbin, just recently lost her friend, Skye and with a heart as big as Marty's, you have to wonder how long it would take to heal after breaking. Skye, in knowing this and wanting to alleviate her mommy's pain, sent down this letter from heaven.


LETTER FROM HEAVEN

Hi, my name is Skye and if you are getting this letter, you probably knew me or knew of me in some way during my twelve years on earth. You may be one of the people I want to thank since you helped me medically as a vet or groomed me or just told me what a wonderful dog I was.

I was dropped off as a little pup at U-Bathe-M-Dog Wash in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. The people that put my two brothers, one sister and me in a box also put a $10 roll of quarters in the box. I think we were suppose to call home if no one came and got us. My mom took a friend there to U Bathe M to look at me but instead my mom fell in love with me. That afternoon she came to see me with my new brother Freedom who is now 14. She took me out of the cage and I was smart. I licked Freedom right on the face so he and mom were sure to want me to come home with them. Freedom is still down on earth but I miss him and I know he misses me. From heaven I can see him pacing and it is hard for him to sleep. Mom put my blanket from while I was sick in with him and it seemed to make him sleep better. Freedom, don’t worry, I am running and playing up here in Heaven and waiting for you and mom. Freedom you will always be my best friend. I remember when I was little and you brought me your bone because you knew I was scared and when I had epileptic seizures, how you guarded me, sat in front of me, to protect me from bad things and the seizures were easier that way. I loved you and always cleaned your ears so I could help you, too.

We did such fun things. I remember hiking and taking a ten mile walk for a good cause. I remember Firestone Metropolitan Park and once a month this summer we went to Bow Wow Beach in Stow and I played just like a puppy once again. My mom took my picture with Santa and she got me dressed up one Halloween in a Bride’s costume. My mommy said that I was her “Heart”. When she talked I tilted my head side to side because I was intent on hearing exactly what she was saying. I always helped her because I could feel her feelings. I hope I did not take all of her heart when I left.

When she fostered this one hard beagle, I went to training with him as I was the only dog he liked. He did better and I learned quickly. Since I am a corgi/husky, I did have a tendency to want to run up the street when we got out of the yard and since Mom taught me to sit, all she had to do was yell “Sit” on one of my trips, and being the obedient girl I am, I sat.

Mom feels guilty because mom rescued dogs and feels like she gave all those needy dogs time she could have spent with me. I don’t want her to feel that way because, you see, I was a rescue dog and if she hadn’t loved me so much, she would not have helped those other dogs. In fact, I was always there to help with the puppies and became a surrogate mom for many of them. We were partners in helping other dogs.

Mom says the only bad part of loving me is having me leave her. She told me that every hurt and tear is worth it and can’t match the hundreds of kisses, cuddles and memories that I etched into her soul.

Mom was going to call me Libby (she had a Freedom and I was going to be Liberty, she is big into that advocacy stuff), and she got me in May on a beautiful day and I kept looking up into a gorgeous blue sky, cloudless and pure. She decided my name was Skye with an “e” because I was unique. It was fortuitous that she call me Skye as now I am in the Skye looking down at all of you, trying to help you and thanking you for all you have done for me. Mom said my theme song (she gave each of us a theme song) was “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds”. She said there was something so ethereal and spiritual about me and maybe I have kaleidoscope eyes but I don’t know what they are. I just know I will be here waiting for her when she passes over too.


Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds

Picture yourself in a boat on a river,
With tangerine trees and marmalade skies.
Somebody calls you, you answer quite slowly,
A girl with kaleidoscope eyes.

Cellophane flowers of yellow and green,
Towering over your head.
Look for the girl with the sun in her eyes,
And she's gone.

Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds

Follow her down to a bridge by a fountain,
Where rocking horse people eat marshmallow pies.
Everyone smiles as you drift past the flowers,
That grow so incredibly high.

Newspaper taxis appear on the shore,
Waiting to take you away.
Climb in the back with your head in the clouds,
And you're gone.

Picture yourself on a train in a station,
With plasticine porters with looking glass ties.
Suddenly someone is there at the turnstile,
The girl with kaleidoscope eyes.

Skye is in the Skye and is a true diamond.

Skye
February 14, 1998 – January 30, 2010
“Greatly Loved”

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