Updates:
Kenny has been adopted! Wow, its hard to believe I won't have my Kenny-benny here any more. Picked up initially as a stray by Animal Services, he was nearing "the end" of his time when he was released to Boxer Rescue before coming to live with me in September 2006. I can't imagine having spent the last (almost) three years without him. He's like a celebrity in the dog world, like Norm from Cheers... everywhere we went, people knew his name. But the good news is he is with a great family and finally has all the love (and toys) and attention (and toys) that he deserves. We're all so happy for you, Kenny-benny!
Where's Murphy? Murphy, the little terrier coming all the way from Brooklyn, New York, was supposed to arrive this weekend. The couple that were driving him travelled all the way from NYC to Sault Ste Marie only to be denied access in to Canada. Grrrrrr! They had no choice but to turn around and return home so I'm not sure now when Murphy will be coming, if at all. His "mom" is in Tailand until some time next week so I won't know anything until she returns.
CHARGE WITHDRAWN!!! On January 13, 2009 I was charged by the OPP under section 372(1) of the criminal code of Canada with "conveying a false message" for referring to Loretta Nummikoski and Steve Clark, the owners of Paws and Claws pet store, as a "puppy mill' (see March 19 below). The matter was remanded until today and the charge was withdrawn (thrown out) by the crown attorney. So what message does that send?
In a statement written by Loretta Nummikoski and Steve Clark for the small claims suit they filed against me, they wrote "Since all this the defendant has been charged by the OPP under section 372(1) of the criminal code for harassing me for the past 5 years". Hey folks, if you're going to lie and fabricate stories to try to get someone in trouble, at least make sure you have your facts straight. Not only were these people unaware of what the charge actually was, but they continue spreading their false accusations to the public and, apparently, to the court system.
Hammy goes in for his neuter, microchip and booster vaccinations today. This handsome boy has been in a foster home for a couple of months now and will be coming to live here with us in the next few days once he's had a chance to recover from surgery. He's such a friendly, happy boy, hopefully he will find his forever home soon!
For those wondering what happened in court on the 19th, it was remanded until the 9th of April (see March 19).
Court Proceedings today - I will be attending Ontario Provincial Court this morning to dispute charges by OPP Constable John Lingner for referring to Paws & Claws pet store owners Loretta Nummikoski and Steve Clark (of the Sensational Hotrods) as a puppy mill. Nummikoski is a self-admitted dog broker and a backyard breeder as defined by the Ontario SPCA's Animal Cruelty Glossary. In December 2008 they opened a pet store at 831 N. May St. to sell many of the dogs she admittedly breeds at her own kennel (http://www.chroniclejournal.com/stories_local.php?id=161898)
Ruby went in for her spay today! She was a perfect angel and the girls at Slate River Vet clinic even commented on how much of a sweetheart she was for them. She left the clinic feeling a little sore but everything went well and she's doing great. Ruby has been officially adopted now and is recovering from her surgery at her new home with her new mom and dad. HooooOOooray for Ruby!!!
Ruby went for her first sleepover with her potential new family today. She fit right in from the get go so I anticipate this precious little angel will quickly wiggle her way in to the hearts of her new family. Way to go Ruby, you deserve the best!
Ruby and Hammy went to the vet for vaccinations and their exams today, and both appear to be in great health! Ruby will be going in to be spayed on March 18, and Hammy will hopefully be neutered by the end of the month.
Went to meet Pixie and Stewie's new potential mom and dad, what a wonderful couple. They are such nice people, Pixie and Stewie were so comfortable with them it was as if they'd lived there for years. This looks like it could the forever home for my two beautiful babies!!! On the down side it sure is hard to let them go. They've been with me almost a year now since they were 8 weeks old. They've been such wonderful puppies, so friendly and happy and loved by everyone. They will be missed, thats for sure. Nobody said running a rescue was easy...
On the up side again I got to see Quincy, a pitbull I placed about three years ago. He lives right across the street from Pixie and Stewie's future home. Quincy is doing great and has a new sister - a pot belly pig named Angie. I'll post a picture of them together soon...
Roo arrives today! She's a shepherd/rottweiler mix, a little shy of 3 years old. Her name is actually Rory but I think Roo is much catchier. Too bad the temperature is -20 today, I was hoping to take her out for a visit to the dog park.
Happy Valentines Day everyone! I hope you all have a great day...
Yesterday was a great day! What did we do that made it so great? ABSOLUTELY NOTHING! Actually, I took Whisper, Prince, Jake, Ruby, Missy and CJ out for a two and a half hour hike. I watched them play in the snow and run through the woods and got some great photos. Might not seem like fun to some, but I love to watch the dogs play. We came home, I dropped a few off of them off, picked up Kenny and Hanna and we headed over to the dog park to play for another hour or so. Spending quality time with my canine companions is so peaceful and rewarding....
PROTESTERS PREFER PET ADOPTION INSTEAD OF SALE OF ANIMALS
Paws and Claws store says protesters are "lynch mob"
A group of protesters opposed to the sale of puppies in pet stores marched in front of Paws and Claws pet store on Saturday in Thunder Bay.
The protesters - none of whom would give their names* - said they were not representing a particular organization. Rather, one described herself and the others as a group of concerned citizens who feel that puppies should not be sold in pet stores.
"The protest is against the sale of animals in a retail environment - specifically dogs," she said.
"The Canadian Federation of Humane Societies, as well as the OSPCA and the Canadian Kennel Club, all recognize this as a critical animal welfare issue. Reputable breeders do not sell in pet stores. Reputable breeders do not engage in the sale of mixed breed dogs."
The protesters added that pet store dogs often come from puppy mills and often end up with health problems and high veterinary bills for their owners. They said part of their protest was to inform the public and encourage them to adopt their pets through one of the various rescue groups in the region instead.
"If you're interested in a purebred puppy, contact either the Lakehead Kennel Club or the Thunder Bay Club who have a list of reputable breeders," said one.
Facing the brunt of the protesters' ire were Paws and Claws store owners Steve Clark and Loretta Nummikoski, who adamantly defend their puppies and their business practices.
"I would never jeopardize my reputation by buying puppies from a puppy mill," Nummikoski said.
"And that's what (the protesters) believe. They have it in their head that all puppies from pet stores come from puppy mills. They've never tried to contact me to ask questions."
Nummikoski says she breeds many of the dogs she sells at her own kennel, and others come from local breeders whose homes she has thoroughly checked out herself. She says they don't ship any puppies in - instead she drives to pick animals up to make sure they're from a good home. She added that all the puppies in the store are handled and "very well socialized," with every one of them coming home with her each night after the store closes.
"(The puppies) are all vet-checked, vaccinated, de-wormed," Nummikoski said, adding that she does everything she can to ensure the puppies she sells are healthy and going to good homes.
"If there was a pet store that was truly found to be selling puppy mill puppies, I would stand beside (the protesters) and fight with them to stop it," Nummikoski said.
"But that's not the case in this store. We do not advocate puppy mills in any way, shape, or form . . . ask questions before you lynch-mob somebody."
*The pet store owner told protesters he was going to find out who they were and "get them". While protesters considered that a threat, the Thunder Bay police did not.
from: http://www.chroniclejournal.com/stories_local.php?id=161898
Sparky was layed to rest today. His tired little body began to shut down on him and his kidney and liver were no longer functioning normally. His mom, Dorothy, had to let her precious little angel go. Sparky was guessed to be 16 years old. See Sparky's video tribute on his tribute page.