45k Dogs, Cats Euthanized in Year at Triad Animal Shelters

45k Dogs, Cats Euthanized in Year at Triad Animal Shelters

Pit Bull's Don't Cry Song

Meet Judy Doxie/Yorkie Mix Pup by betty sue haynes

Patrick County Topics With Dr. Lock Boyce

I wanted to share a wonderful public opinion blog I found for Patrick County VA. It is called Patrick County Topics. It is a great place that Dr. Lock Boyce has set up for the citizens of Patrick County VA to exercise their right to free speech. I for one think it is an awesome blog. The direct link to it is http://patrickcountytopics.blogspot.com/ . Dr Boyce is also the the supervisor over the Peter's Creek District in Patrick County.

Dr. Boyce happens to be a vet that our animal rescue uses a lot. We have literally taken 100's of animals to Dr Boyce over the past couple years. Our archived files will verify that. At the last check we had 2 inactive folders crammed as full as they could get. These folders are literally several inches thick.Those files are for the rescues that have went on to new homes. I had one active folder, as many critters as we help the contents of that folder changes regularly. We have spent a bunch of money in his clinic(in 2010 the total was around $7,000 for the year), and I don't begrudge that fact one bit. I am all for keeping my business in the county! He has been good to us and the rescue critters. The service I have always received is worth 10 times more to me than what I  have had to pay. I recommend him to everyone, and he will ALWAYS get a glowing reference from me.

The main thing I have always admired about Dr. Boyce is the fact he is not the least bit greedy. His prices are more than fair and he has always tried to keep good vet care within as reasonable grasp for the people of our county. He has more than once reached out to help a needy person who could not afford to pay. I have witnessed his generosity more than once over the years. Here is a link to his clinic's web site http://www.boyce-holland.info! His clinic is located in Stuart off Hwy 58.

How We Can Help the Unwanted Animals!

This is an article that I wrote a while back!


How We Can Help the Unwanted Animals!

Animal Cruelty

 

Bandit is one of the most dramatic "poor body score" rescue cases that we have taken in. The picture to the left reflects what she looked like when she arrived here at Our Critters Kennel. She weighed a stunning 39 pounds. The picture to the right reflects what Bandit looks like today after some of our special TLC. At her last vet visit she weighed 60 pounds.

Bandit was placed with someone whom we all thought was reputable. His father in law was in higher ups in law enforcement in NC and he had great references.  A concerned mutual friend went to visit with Bandit at her new home a couple months later. She was found very attenuated and with rancid sores all over her face. My friend was very upset and heart broken that Bandit had been allowed to get in that putrid condition. When they asked the person why he allowed her to get in such a state of deprivation, he said his other dogs would not allow her to eat and they fought with Bandit over the food. My friend removed Bandit from the neglectful situation. She called me in tears asking if I could help Bandit. So, of course I said yes. She was  not in the position to keep Bandit at her home. So Bandit came to our rescue kennel to live.

My husband and I were really fond of Bandit even before she was re-homed. I spent many days at my friend's place playing with her. Bandit was some what a "community dog" My husband and his boss were re modeling my friend's home in the development where Bandit lived. Bandit would find her way to the job site everyday to visit with my husband. He and his boss man would often share their lunch with Bandit. Although Bandit proved to be a "thief". She would steal hammers and other things off the job site and amuse her self with them. She always did things to keep up laughing. I loved hearing about the daily "Bandit Antics". Bandit was and still is so full of personality.  

My question is, would you consider Bandit's ordeal "animal cruelty" or simply "animal neglect"? I would think it would be considered animal cruelty. The guy KNEW she was not getting enough to eat, yet he did nothing to remedy the situation. He KNEW that the other dogs were fighting with her. Yet, he did nothing about that. The sores on her face were very bad infected  and with her drastic weight loss she should have been seen by a vet. Yet he did not take her to the vet. I honestly believe that if my friend had not visited with Bandit to check on her well being, she would have been expired within 2 weeks. Bandit was vetted when she was brought back home. The vet was stunned and appalled at her condition. 

We have helped many dogs like Bandit over the years. Some come in literally looking like a bag of bones. They are normally so thin their homely hip bones protrude, their eye sockets are sank in, and you can count every distended rib. What makes the over all appearance of these animals so heart wrenching, is the helpless, hollow look in their saddened eyes. To anyone who has just the smidgen of a soul and any amount of compassion in their heart, it would be like driving a calloused stake into their still beating heart.

I will continue to help the "Bandits" of the world as long as my heart still beats and my breath divulges from my earthly body!

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Betty Sue Haynes Rescue Dog Adopter Review

The cute little dog above was known as Spunky at our rescue. He was pulled from a high kill shelter in TN. Spunky had a few quirks, as with any dog none are perfect, just like us humans are not perfect. His adopter understood that he had flaws and she was willing to give him the benefit of the doubt and adopt him. She understood the risks of adopting an adult rescue dog, because you often inherit the bad behavior the dog learned in his prior life before being adopted. I am up front with all the people who adopt that no dog is perfect.  Rescue dogs often have many flaws. If they expect a dog to be perfect then they really have no business adopting. When they have unrealistic expectations they are setting themselves and the dog up to fail. Most of the time our stories end up like this one. We love committed and educated adopters who know what to expect, and how to uncover the best in their rescue dog. We admire the tenacity of a devoted human who is determined help a dog succeed. Those types of adopters are the ones that keep the wheels or any creditable rescue turning.

Sent: Monday, January 9, 2012 1:53 PM
Subject: Spunky (now known as Benny)

Hi Betty,

I've been wanting to write to you to give you an update on Spunky/Benny, hereinafter referred to by his forever name, Benny.

He is proving to be a wonderful family member and lives up to all you said about him - well, at least most of the time. He is laid back and humble too but he does have great amounts of energy at times. What fun !

Everyone who has met Benny falls in love with him. Those eyes of his just look straight into one's heart; how could anyone resist? I could not. Now, as for the one we call Daddy, he took longer to convince. First the issue of Benny thinking one of the cats was some sneaky creature that came out at night (he did). We are still working on that one but Biff Cat is getting braver and I keep introducing them to eachother. Slow but sure; I have faith.

Benny walked great on the leash from the beginning but I did get a Gentle Leader head collar for safety's sake around the cat and found it good for walking Benny at certain times when I know he is full of the surplus energy. The G. Leader is wonderful and calms him right away. Vet and sister both recommended it. If anyone asks they can see it on www.gentleleader.com

For awhile I thought Bob was going to make me part with Benny. I had many friends supporting me and got me through the rough patch, especially friends at the vet's and groomer's. It helped by taking Benny to doggie-day-care at the groomer's twice a week. He loves it there and definitely needed time with other dogs. He has a best friend who looks like he could be Benny's brother. Same coloring and near in size. They greet each other as best friends do and I am told play together the whole day. This gave, and gives, Bob and I two days to do whatever we want - go further afield, etc. and not worry about dog walks etc.

I also had a professional trainer come to our home one day to help with suggestions about the "mouthing" that Benny was doing, cat relationship and general suggestions re: training in obedience. By the time the day arrived for the visit, I had Benny's "mouthing", meaning grabbing me at times when he decided to play rough, mostly under control. I liked my method much better than the trainer's and am sticking with my firm but more gentle approach.

I have spent lots of time, treats and praise in working on every-day obedience. I don't know how much he already knew and is just re-learning or what is new to him but he does learn very quickly. He shakes (paw) regularly. Of course he is very food motivated and still prefers to perform for the treats and sometimes ignores commands that don't have a treat attached. But he is learning and will do just fine. The treats are part of the daily ration of food so his weight is staying very steady after gaining about two pounds when he first came.

Finally I must say what truly made "Daddy" come around. We have an 8 acre dog park near us (12 miles, which is near in our rural area). We took him there on a beautiful 50 degree day - New Year's Eve. He was ecstatic when he was turned free in that big area among about 12 other dogs of all sizes. He makes friends with all dogs and people. But the thing that opened my husband's heart was to see Benny run. He could out-run all of those dogs no matter how big. He ran in great, four foot, leaps and at full speed. Truly awesome to see. Other people were all asking us what breed of dog he is. The paper work said beagle/terrier but the first time our vet saw him and his long legs she said she thought he could be part Italian Greyhound. After seeing him run we could almost believe that. Bob was a runner (NYC Marathon) for many years and still hikes regularly on the Appalachian Trail. He still hikes at least 25 - 30 miles a week. Anyway - Benny impressed him. That afternoon I heard Bob say to Benny, "Benny, we're going to keep you." That took a long time to come for me but it was pure music to my ears. The miracle I asked for at Christmas was my New Year's present.

Bob walks Benny at least once a day and I do the rest. Benny now jumps into Bob's lap and I wish you could have seen the look on Bob's face the first time he did that. Joy. Otherwise Benny is where I am and always very close - as in touching me if not on my lap. He is a lap full at the computer.

Benny entered my heart at the first kiss (right out of the crate from his trip to NJ) and yes, he has also joined me in bed. How could I resist?

I love him - totally.

'

Thank you for your part in bringing Benny into our lives. God bless you and the work you do.

Mary R, Benny's forever Mom

Cool Blog On Moonshine Stills That I found

I wanted to take the time to share a very interesting blog I discovered. The name of it is “Moonshine Heritage Exploring the History of Moonshine in the Appalachians”.  Anyone from my back woods area of Patrick County VA would have to appreciate the time and effort this person has put into their blogging masterpiece. It is well written, and abundantly illustrated.  My favorite by far is the blog titled “Apple Pie Moonshine“.  Check it out today, and tell the author that Betty Sue Haynes sent you!

Betty Haynes's Dog Rescue Adventure In Campton KY

 
    This is just one of the many adventures my husband and I have had doing animal rescue in the past couple of years. This story, is one that makes me laugh now that I think about it. Then it was not funny in the least.

    Kenny came to be at Our Critters in an odd sort if way in 2010. We did a transport to Lexington KY to help get a rescue dog to his new family. One the way back our car decided to “give up the ghost” and die on us. We ended up in a small area called Pine Ridge in Campton KY. If anyone knows this area they know it is very remote. We made it to a store off the parkway before the car died all the way. My husband and I had to actually push it in to the parking lot to get it out-of-the-way. We determined the car had extensive problems that would not be worth fixing. It would cost more to repair it than the car was worth. It would have costed a fortune to have it towed the 6 hrs home as well. So, I went inside the store and asked someone if they knew anyone that would buy scrap. Some nice fellows hooked us up with a friend who had a garage and bought junked cars.

The nice gentleman and his wife arrived and we made a deal and ended up selling our car to them for junk. While we were standing there talking a lady in white mustang pulled up in the parking lot in front of us and shoved this little dog out of the car. She then took off down the road. The dog ran straight to the out stretched arms of my husband Barry. He scooped him up and placed him in the car with me. We could not believe what we just witnessed. I asked about reporting the lady but the gentleman who bought my car said it would do no good. They do not even have an Animal Control officer there. The game warden takes care of all the strays. What ever that meant.

    We hitched a ride to the only overly priced motel in the county. I was praying all the way that they accepted pets, and they did thankfully. We were so happy to finally be in a room with some air. It was very hot that day. We decided to name the little dog Kenny. Since we found him in Kentucky. Kenny is a suitable name. Kenny, turned out to be a VERY SWEET AND LOVING little fellow. An added bonus is that he is house trained.

    Sunday was spent trying to figure out how to get back home. All the car rental places were closed until Monday. Not to mention we had not eaten a meal in over 24 hrs. There was no restaurants that delivered to the remote area. The nearest store was 2 miles away. To get to it walking meant we would have to cross over traffic barricades and fight very heavy fast traffic. My husband decided that I was not going with him. He said there was no way I could crawl over those concrete barricades as short as I am. Not to mention I had flip-flops on and I have a leg issue due to a fall off a ladder a few years ago that required some extensive surgery to correct. I can’t stand or walk for any length of time without being in severe pain. So, by chance I was talking to one of the house cleaning staff and she volunteered to take me to the store. She was able to do so with the managers blessing. I was able to get some sandwich stuff and some snacks and drinks and dog food for little Kenny. I was very happy to do so. I was so thankful for the nice girl who helped us.

   Did I mention that I had no black berry service at the location? My cell barley worked to get calls out. There was no telephone books in the motel rooms. I had to really work to get numbers to call to research on how to get out of the little hick town we were stuck in. I called Greyhound which would have been our ticket out of there but only one thing, They did not accept dogs. So, even if it meant us WALKING HOME that is what we would have done. No way no how was I ever going to abandon that little dog the way he was abandoned in front of us. So, I began calling every car rental place I could think up starting at 7 am Monday morning. No one would do a one way rental. The ones that would do a one way rental required a major credit card in the driver's name, which we did not have. All we have is a debit card. Some would not rent without a KY license. I found one that would rent a one way but in order to do that I had to rent the car for 5 days and that was $1200.00. No way no how could I afford that. So finally after some suggestions from a dear friend and my brother we called U haul. They agreed to rent us a one way 10 ft moving truck to get home.

     Now, we had to get to the U haul rental place 30 miles away. We ended up getting a ride there with 2 Nuns from a near by Catholic Church. They were very happy to help Barry and I and little Kenny. Kenny was a hit with them. They said their Parish was under Saint Francis who was the Patron Animal Of Saints. I will never forget Sister Ann and Sister Amy. They were really our angels in disguise. Without them I have no idea what we would have done.

     It is amazing to think how God works things. Even though our simple “Go There, and Come Back” trip costed us over $700 when it was said and done, that is where we were meant to be. We were meant to find little Kenny. He is such an awesome little dog. He has long since gone to his forever home, but his memory will linger in my heart forever.