Waiting out the Storms

(Pictures Left:

1- Daisy, when first rescued. 2--The symbolic darkness, ice and storms, Daisy had to wait through before finally finding the sunshine and new hope and beginnings.)

Daisy, our beautiful Retriever/Chow mix was adopted yesterday by a fantastic family from Connecticut.

Daisy had a amazing, if not always pleasant journey from the Euth list at the city shelter, to boarding for almost 6 weeks, to foster, to finally and hopefully, her loving and forever home.

Daisy was one of those dogs one feels horribly guilty for putting in boarding.

A young, vivacious and human needy dog, Daisy went virtually stir crazy while being confined almost 24/7 in boarding.

When first rescued and suffering from Kennel Cough, Daisy had to go into "isolation" at the boarding facility. A small cage in an empty ward with almost no stimulation, it seemed enough to make even Lassie or Rin Tin Tin go crazy.

Those times I went to the facility to try to walk Daisy, she was so wild and uncontrollable on the leash, I could barely get to the corner with her.

A couple of the staffers at the facility complained that Daisy was "aggressive" and difficult to handle, though I personally never saw aggressiveness in Daisy. I saw only need and anxiety.

Daisy haunted me during her stay in boarding. Her behavior seemed so wild and hard to control, I was not optimistic about being able to place her.

Who's going to take a dog that can't even be walked? I wondered. How long will Daisy have to remain in this high stress environment and situation? Is it not, in fact, cruel?

As time passed with no inquiries on Daisy or real hope for adoption, I worried constantly.

I didn't know what to do.

As grim as matters seemed however, there was a glimmer of hope.

Fiorouzeh and her boyfriend, Mike volunteered to help walk boarding dogs a few times during December. When taking Daisy to Carl Shurtz Park, she seemed to do better when we all took turns running with her.

Another time, Fiorouzeh informed me that Daisy seemed to love and respond well to children.

These events provided some hope that there was light at the end of the tunnel for Daisy.

Perhaps it was just a matter of waiting out the storms and worry.

When Jewels, our little older Shepherd mix was finally adopted, it opened up Carrie (our primary foster) to take another dog.

I did not ask Carrie, but thankfully she offered to take Daisy home to try as a foster. Daisy was in fact, our most urgent case in boarding. But I could not be sure how Daisy would be with Carrie's three cats or Carrie's other foster dog (Spencer, the Cocker Spaniel). We were at least reasonably confident (with the information from Fiorouzeh) that Daisy liked kids and would thus, be OK with Carrie's two young daughters.

Amazingly and thanks primarily to Carrie's now extensive experience and ("dog whispering") skills with rescued dogs, Daisy flourished in Carrie's home.

Daisy learned to walk better on the leash and the fact that she was getting so much human attention and love resulted in a much happier and secure dog who was not only housebroken and eager to please, but actually very well behaved in the foster home. Daisy even proved to be a "whoose" with Carrie's three cats. -- If anything, the cats bullied Daisy!

The fact that Daisy was doing so well after a couple of weeks in a foster home that contained not only children, but cats and another dog as well, meant that I could then advertise and promote Daisy as a "excellent family dog."

This is what in fact, facilitated her adoption into a country home with other pets and two children.

It was indeed a happy day yesterday. One that we in fact had been hoping and waiting for since before the holidays.

Watching Daisy frolicking happily in the snow and joyfully jumping in the SUV next to the little girl and family she was going home with was sheer heaven for one's eyes.

But, its a sometimes long and troubled journey from rescue to the loving home we all so strive for in animal rescue.

One that sadly often presents with a lot of guilt, worry and "storms" along the way.

I am extremely fortunate to have volunteers like Fiorouzeh, Sarah and especially Carrie due to her commitment, family situation and vast knowledge and experience with dogs.

Without them, the "storms" might otherwise be endless and without foreseeable light. -- PCA

Losing Self

I seem to be having a case of (non) writer's block.
Perhaps that's because there is so much going on in my head right now, I am not sure how to separate, "compartmentalize" and get some of it written down.

The conflict in my head seems to be between that of the personal me and the professional me that is only identified with animal rescue and placement issues.

Yesterday, I spent more than two hours in snow-covered Central Park with Tina and Chance. It was fantastically beautiful. Just the dogs, the snow, the music in my ears and me.

I loved the feeling of just being in peace and harmony with the world around me. In the park, I am just one more entity in nature. No more, no less than the sparrows in the trees or the ducks skirting between the ice flows on the water.

But, when returning home, I am once again met with the identities and obligations of my work.

The constant cleaning and trying to keep ahead of the pet hair that seems to gather everywhere, the kittly boxes, the need for more pet food, laundry and the flurry of all animal related phone calls.

During one of the conversations with a friend, I attempted to veer into other subjects, such as the upcoming inaugural of soon to be President Obama or even fluff type TV shows.

But, the friend kept returning the topic back to animals, saying to me, "I am obsessed about the dogs you have in boarding."

But, I don't know what to say about the dogs we have in boarding. I am of course, not happy to have dogs in boarding. I feel bad that, for the time being, they are not getting all that they need. I feel bad that one dog pulled out stitches after being neutered and had to go back to the vet. I feel bad that another rescuer's dog got sick and that could result in my dogs catching an infection. I feel bad that finding reliable fosters and committed adopters is especially hard right now -- especially for young, active dogs.

I especially feel bad about all the alerts we keep getting from Animal Control begging for rescuers to "Step Up" and "PLEASE!" save these dogs and those cats. (At least ten such alerts this morning.)

A part of me wants to run away from all this.

Like my dogs, I could literally spend the entire days in Central Park.

Even my best male friend now mostly calls to discuss or ask advice on animal related topics.

My head feels like its exploding.

I seem to have lost myself as a woman, an American or even a human being. -- PCA




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"Rough Beginnings" and a Little Patience and Understanding

(Picture Left: Jewels -- After a rough beginning, happy at last?)

A couple of positive developments over the past few days -- though both had rough beginnings.

Foxy, our frisky and loving Pomeranian was in fact adopted by Ilene and her husband the other night.

But, it was an adoption that almost self-sabotaged within the first few minutes of Ilene meeting Foxy for the first time. (Her husband was not able to come due to working late.)

Foxy curiously approached the woman to sniff her out. As Ilene does with her other dog at home, she enthusiastically petted Foxy paying special attention to Foxy's hindquarters (generally a mistake with a dog just attempting to know you.) Confused or simply not appreciating the vigorous rubs near the intimate area of his tail, Foxy suddenly snapped at Ilene.

It seemed like the potential adoption would end right there.

Though momentarily shaken, Ilene to her credit, was not deterred.

When arriving to Firorozeh's (the foster person) home to do the adoption and told of the incident, I informed Ilene that there are three sensitive areas in a dog that one needs to be especially respectful of when first meeting the animal: Paws, stomach and tail area.

Ilene was surprised to learn this and explained that her dog at home loves being petted and rubbed near the hindquarters.

"Yes!" I answered. "Most dogs love it. But, that tends to be after you have established a relationship with them. For a dog who doesn't know you, the action can seem threatening and invasive."

"Really?" Ilene questioned. "I thought I was doing the right thing by giving pleasure to the dog."

"Well, it's like a hug." I explained. "A hug is a nice thing. Most people and pets love to get hugs. But, its also a somewhat intimate action. If a stranger on the street comes up and suddenly hugs you, you are more likely to slap the person than reciprocate Hugging dogs (or cats) when you first meet them or handling them in the more sensitive areas of paws, tail or stomach is likewise more likely to result in defensive or negative reaction than pleasurable response. It is simply too intimate and presumptive, too soon."

"You know, it makes sense when you stop and think about it," Ilene said appreciatively.

From that point forward, the adoption moved smoothly.

Foxy warmed up to Ilene and she was delighted with him.

Fiorozeh gave a number of toys to Ilene that she had generously purchased for Foxy and that the little dog loves. Following the signing of adoption papers, we accompanied Ilene to her car with Foxy. Foxy cheerfully jumped in the car and settled down happily next to his new adopter. It was if the bright and sensitive little dog understood fully what had just occurred and he was very pleased to be going with his new person to his new home.

For her part, Fiorozeh was a bit emotional when seeing Foxy leave and fought back tears.

I knew exactly how Fiorozeh felt, having gone though the exact same thing in the past with so many dogs I fostered over the years.

"I remember especially when Baby, my foster Bichon was adopted last year," I said to Fiorozeh. "He pawed at the car window of his adopters as if begging me to 'rescue' him again. It was horrible! I almost screamed out at the couple to stop so I could take Baby back! But, you know the adoption worked out beautifully. Just this past Christmas Baby's adopters sent a lovely card, note, pictures and a donation. They love Baby. But, it was so hard to let him go at the time!"

"I grew to love Foxy over these past few weeks," Fiorozeh said wistfully. "If I didn't already have Cubby who sadly was so stressed by Foxy, I would have kept him."

"I know." I said. "But, its better this way. Your first obligation is to the dog you already have. Foxy finally found his forever home and I am very confident he will be happy and this adoption will work."

"I know what you're saying, Patty and I agree that this woman is wonderful for Foxy. It's just so hard......"

Fiorozeh had to turn away as the car drove off. She could not look at Foxy go.

She did not see that Foxy gave one appreciative look towards her out the window as if to say, "thank you!."

But then he quickly settled on Ilene's lap and didn't look back again.

The other positive development over the past few days is that Jewels, our little Shepherd mix adopted out more than a week ago seems finally to be adapting to her new people and new home.

She was scheduled to be returned today due to housebreaking issues.

But, Helen, the girlfriend of Jewel's adopter called last night to say matters had much improved over the past few days and that the couple really love and want to keep her.

Nothing could describe my relief when receiving this call. I did not look forward to having the put the timid and very sensitive older Shepherd mix into boarding as Carrie (Jewel's former foster person) has since taken in two new rescue dogs.

I anticipated Jewels having to be in boarding a long time as due to her age and timidity, she was not an easy adoption.

I had spent a good deal of time trying to explain to Jewel's adopter that it is not unusual for dogs (especially timid and sensitive dogs like Jewels) to have housebreaking issues when first going into a new environment with new people. While it is understandably upsetting to have a dog messing up one's expensive carpeting, one cannot show one's frustration with the dog. It only exacerbates the situation by creating even more anxiety in the dog.

"This world would be a far better and happier place if only people could learn PATIENCE!" I said (actually out of personal frustration) the other night to Ray, Jewel's adopter.

Helen told me last night that Ray had actually been very "upset and depressed" even to make the call to me the other night. He loved Jewels and hated the idea of returning her. But, between Jewels failing to get the housebreaking down and Helen's two cats hiding under the bed from Jewels the first week, it seemed for that brief time that things weren't working out. (The cats are calmly walking by Jewels now and she is peaceful towards them.)

As I have always said: "If they can just get by those first few hard days or weeks of adjustment, it almost always works out in the end."

Its the "getting by" those first few days that is so often the killer to successful adoptions.

So yes, I am very pleased and relieved about both developments -- especially, the adopters keeping Jewels.

But, perhaps the nicest "closure" of all, have been the follow-up calls from Ilene about Foxy.

He has settled in quickly and wonderfully into his new home. The two dogs are getting along well, Foxy is eating, playing and following his new people around.

And yes, Ilene can now give Foxy "rump rubs."

All he needed was a little time to trust and feel comfortable.

As Jewels needed a little time to feel secure.

As all people and animals need time to adjust to new and challenging situations.

Yes, a little patience (and understanding!) goes a long, long way! -- PCA

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Dog Days of Winter

"All's well that ends well."

Our Pomeranian mix, Foxy is a wonderful little dog. If we had to wait another 6 months, I knew he would eventually find an equally wonderful home. Perhaps it was a matter of simply waiting out the storms.

But, no sooner had I said to Foxy's foster person that the rejection of Foxy by Carla and her husband was loss to them and not us. No sooner had I written that animals have to wanted and appreciated for who they are (rather than their appeal to some people's neurosis or hang-ups) we finally received the inquiry on Foxy that I think we have been waiting and hoping for.

An inquiry that I believe tonight will result in the happy and successful placement that this little dog so deserves.

Ilene from New Jersey called yesterday. She and her husband are long time Keeshund owners. They have always had two dogs, but some time ago, there 13-year-old Keeshund passed and the surviving 8-year-old dog, Keesha "seems lonely" according to Ilene. It was time to adopt a second dog. Ilene has always liked Pomeranians and when seeing Foxy's writeup and pictures on a rescue site yesterday immediately called.

Ilene didn't call with a laundry list of demands, expectations and questions of future predictions and guarantees.

Rather she called with the desire of being able to rescue a dog; the only request being that Foxy is able to get along with another dog.

Well, Foxy likes other dogs so that should not be an issue.

I liked Ilene and got a very good feeling from her. She and her husband have excellent vet and grooming references and Fiorouzeh, Foxy's foster person seemed to like Ilene as well.

I think only a meteorite suddenly hitting earth would stand in the way of this adoption.

I am hopeful this adoption goes through tonight, as I truly need our few fosters for other dogs we have currently languishing in boarding. -- The fact is, we are not able to rescue new dogs right now because of having too many in boarding.

Yesterday, I spoke with another rescuer who lamented the difficulty right now in finding reliable fosters and good adopters. "M" like us, has a number of dogs in boarding.

"I guess its the economy," M said. "I am having such a hard time finding the homes even though we are advertising all over the place!"

"Well, a bad economy certainly doesn't help," I replied. "But, more than that, I think its the deceptions and misrepresentations that have helped to create this mess. Most people don't realize the numbers of animals dying and the numbers of animals in need. They have been wrongly led to conclude that all the problems have been solved. Every homeless animal gets rescued. Every sick animal gets treated. And every shelter or rescued pet gets immediately adopted. Even Michael Vick's dogs have been saved! -- End of story. The people don't step up to help, because they think we don't need the help. All has been solved. We are all living in Disneyworld -- including the animals."

M just shook her head.

Whatever the "reasons," there is no doubt the present situation as described yesterday is tough. Even the weather has taken a downturn insofar as dog placements. After all, who wants to walk a dog when the temperature is plunging to single digits?

But for one hopefully fortunate dog, Foxy, on a bitterly cold, grey day in New York City there is finally some warmth and sunshine to be found.

Now, that we can only find that for all the others! -- PCA

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Tough Times

(Picture Left: Jewels -- Sensitive little Shepherd mix coming back for what really is incompatibility between romance and pet adoption.)

Frustration continues to mount as the New Year trudges on.

One of our dogs, adopted last week is being returned this weekend for "housebreaking" issues even though Jewels was housebroken in her foster home with Carrie.

Jewels is a small, older German Shepherd mix and like most Shepherds, she is very sensitive to the people and energy around her.

Although adopted to a single man with good dog experience, his girlfriend gave both Carrie and me pause for thought at the time of the adoption.

Following the completion of the adoption papers last week, "Ray's" gal pal, nagged and complained about "being hungry" and asked where they could stop to get some food.

Carrie suggested a nearby Chinese take-out, but "Helen" didn't seem the type to go for fast take-out. She instead wanted to go to some fancy restaurant in midtown Manhattan, but I told the couple that was not possible with a dog in the car.

Although the couple doesn't live together, this brief incident should have spelled "red flag" to both Carrie and myself.

Both of us found the woman grating and annoying.

Apparently, Jewels is experiencing anxiety around the woman, also.

The complaint is that Jewels is constantly peeing and pooping in the home.

When trying to discuss the problem with Ray the other night and making suggestions (particularly to help Jewels feel secure), I could hear Helen in the background yakking and complaining.

We should have known this adoption wouldn't work.

Not only do adoption shelters or rescues need to screen actual adopters, but we need to also evaluate (when possible) the boyfriend and girlfriends of single adopters. It's not the first time we are having an animal returned because of a troublesome or neurotic love interest.

The question is, how do you turn down a potential adopter who otherwise fits the criteria for adoption because you think their paramour is a nut job?

Can you say, "Ditch the romantic heart trob and we'll adopt to you."?

The return of Jewels isn't the only frustration right now.

I heard again yesterday from the couple who rejected Foxy for adoption.

"Carla" (her real name) told me that the couple couldn't decide on Foxy because he "reminds" her too much of the couple's last dog.

Since the couple's dog of 17 years was also a Pomeranian, I asked Carla why they were seeking the same breed if they don't want to be reminded of the former dog?

"There are 400 dog breeds." I said to Carla. " Surely, you could seek a different breed or mix that wouldn't be similar to your last dog. Even though Foxy is larger than your last dog, the fact he is Pomeranian is going to mean there are going to be similarities. What exactly are you seeking?"

Carla told me she and her husband had been to many shelters and rescues and just couldn't find "the right dog."

The latter is a phrase that truly irks me to no end.

"What the hell is 'the right dog?" I asked. "I am sure some of the dogs you looked at are now dead! Any one of them could have been the right dog if you and your husband are the right people! I don't think you and your husband are ready for a new dog right now. As matters are, you are simply wasting the time of rescues and shelters."

Carla was insulted and hung up on me. "It's a wonder you get any animals adopted!" she angrily snapped.

Well, on that point, I had to agree with Carla. It is a very tough climate for animal adoptions right now. -- Far tougher than what I (who have been in rescue 20 years) am accustomed to.

But, its OK. We are animal rescue and adoptions. And though certain TV shows mislead the public into expecting that animal rescues and shelters should be proficient in everything from behavior modification to life saving surgeries to fortune telling, to carpentry, the fact is, we're not.

We are especially neither baby sitters, hand holders nor grief counselors.

I say to all those people forever seeking "the right dog" (or cat), that if you are the "right people" (i.e. patient, considerate, kind, calm, committed and compassionate) then any animal you bring home will be the "right" one.

The person or people who eventually adopt Foxy (or any of our animals) will hopefully be truly enthusiastic and honored to add this great little dog to their lives. There should not have to be conflict, doubt, confusion, clones or "reminders" of past animals.

In the end, animals are just animals and, like people, possess their individual faults and strengths. They are not symbols for human drives for perfection and/or wish fulfillment.

I just want our animals to be wanted and appreciated for who they are. -- Not for whatever unrealistic demands or expectations people put on them. -- PCA

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Winter Trees

In the previous entry, I described the past weekend as a "washout."

Well, in terms of animal placements and too many frustrating phone calls, it was.

But, in other ways, if it was a washout, it was quite a beautiful one.

We had about an inch of snow in New York City this weekend.

It was a great time for picture-taking and having fun in Central Park yesterday with the dogs.

I so love Central Park. Any time of the day or night; any season of the year.

But, sometimes it seems my favorite time of the year is, in fact, winter.

I love the bare, free-wheeling look of the trees -- like naked, abstract paintings traveling in all different directions.

I love watching and throwing some food to the myriad of ducks and other water birds that seem to return in large flocks to the Reservoir during the cooler weather.

And I most love watching Tina and Chance take off in the snow and run like small, curious and care-free, happy children.

Perhaps the nicest and most fun time in Central Park (for dog lovers) is the early morning when hundreds of dog owners congregate (especially around the Great Lawn) to sip some hot coffee, allow their dogs to run free and chew the fat with fellow "dog people."

If one wasn't involved in animal rescue work, one would swear that New York City was one very big, dog loving town!

Well, in some ways, it obviously is.

Those dogs (usually fancy purebreds) fortunate to have loving and committed owners actually have a good life here in the city.

Central Park is their personal "backyard."

I don't usually stand around and chew the fat with other dog owners. Tina likes to wander too much and Chance tends to simply follow wherever we go. I always have music flowing through my Walkman and prefer traveling to different areas of the park (rather than staying in one place) as each is like its own little piece of heaven.

I always have to find and see the ducks. I think ducks are among the most beautiful animals on earth. Watching them flow peacefully across the waters always gives me a feeling that all is right in the world. (I know of course that isn't true, but its nice to feel and pretend if only for a moment out of the days.)

When returning home yesterday, I finally removed all the Christmas decorations from my tree, but did not actually take down the tree.

One of the advantages of having a fake Christmas tree is that one doesn't have watch the tree slowly die and then seek to get rid of it a few days following New Year.

One just needs to change the decorations!

I removed the colored lights and replaced them with white ones. I removed all the religious and "Christmasy" ornaments and replaced them with icicles and tiny animal ornaments. And I finally trimmed the tree in white (snow-like) garland.

My Christmas tree has thus become a "winter tree" and closely resembles the snow covered pine trees I so love in Central Park this time of year.

In some ways its prettier now than just prior to or during Christmas!

"For those times one can't get to the park, then bring the park to you!"

I will probably leave the tree this way until the first day in Spring in late March.

As Mickey Rourke says, "When one is alone, all one has is one's dogs."

And they don't judge if you leave your "winter tree" up until March! ;) --- PCA

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Few and Far Between

(Picture left: "Foxy" (formerly, Jay) still waiting for a home that doesn't seem to exist.)

I went to meet and walk Chiva and she is every inch the lovely dog that she was perceived to be.

Very loving and responsive, it seems Chiva had previously been well cared for and taught basic obedience. Though a very solid dog, Chiva is not particularly big. If pulling a bit on the leash, she quickly responds to voice commands. There is no question that Chiva is a wonderful dog. But, will she be an easy adoption?

That is another question entirely.

We thought we had an adoptive home finally for Foxy, our loving and devoted little Pomeranian mix.

The mature married couple had lost their Pomeranian of 17 years a couple of months ago and were seemingly seeking another dog.

There is no question that "Louise" and her husband would have represented a loving and committed home for Foxy.

The question was, were they truly ready for a new dog?

And apparently the answer to that question is "no."

The couple met Foxy on Friday in his foster home.

And although both Fiorozeh (Foxy's foster person) and I assured the couple that Foxy is a wonderfully affectionate and devoted dog once he gets to know people, the potential adopters were "disappointed" that Foxy did not immediately run up to them and jump in their lap.

More people apparently seeking "instant love" with a dog. One is tempted to ask people like these if they fell in love and married a half hour after meeting each other?

Fiorozeh was disappointed and surprised that the people did not want to adopt this beautiful and super sweet, well behaved and playful dog.

But, I told her this kind of thing happens all the time in animal adoptions. -- It especially seems to occur with small dogs and pedigree cats. (One reason why I personally believe that those who demand little dogs and purebred cats are often not animal lovers, in the true sense of the term.)

I don't want to make a harsh judgment on the people who met Foxy as much as give benefit of the doubt. They obviously loved their last Pomeranian. Though its been two months since the little dog passed, I simply don't believe his owners have suitably gone through the grieving process enough to adopt a new dog. The suspected truth is that even had Foxy jumped on their laps and planted kisses all over their faces, they would have sought and found another reason not to adopt and instead, reject Foxy.

Its just the way things go in this kind of work. Along with everything else, one needs to have basic knowledge of human psychology and "grief processes."

And so yes, it was another disappointing (or "washout") weekend with no animals being adopted and no new fosters found.

But, I did have calls from one woman seeking a " young, declawed Maine Coon or Persian cat" a guy who wanted to adopt Foxy to send to his sister in Pakistan and a woman who wanted Foxy as a "birthday present" to her five-year-old niece.

But, the best call was from the woman who wanted to adopt a "small dog" for her 5 and 7-year-old children. The woman told me that the family had never had a dog, but they previously had a hamster. She added that she gave the hamster away, because "the kids weren't caring for it" and she "had no time" for the tiny animal.

"Ma'am, if you gave away the hamster because it was too much trouble and time to care for, how do you expect to be able to care for a dog? Your children will only be interested in the dog for two weeks and besides, you can't put that kind of responsibility on small kids."

It is unbelievable to me that so many people who have a history of giving away animals (or more likely dumping them in shelters, but not telling us that) because they "moved" or had "no time" for the animals, then seek out an even more challenging pet to care for. Obviously, animal "care and commitment" are not words in their vocabularies.

I know I am sounding very judgmental here, but I do believe that unless otherwise reformed or educated in some way, people's past behavior is a good predictor of what their future behavior will be with pets.

Maybe I am cynical or maybe I have been in this work too long, but I believe that the truly loving and committed homes for animals are far and few between. Most are already "taken" with pets they keep for 15 to 20 years and the others are not yet through the grieving process for the cats or dogs they recently lost. -- PCA

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