More new dogs

Meet Giselle, Joanne, and Marlon. They showed up at the beach recently and it appears Giselle may be pregnant.

Benji-na

How cute is she, right?!?! If anyone is looking for a perfectly shaggy dog, Kristen is your girl! We are financially over-extended with too many dogs in vet and foster care right now so we really need donations to rescue Kristen.

Business as usual for the authorities in Puerto Rico

Animal advocates in Puerto Rico complain of slow progress since pet massacre

By Yaisha Vargas
ASSOCIATED PRESS

9:32 a.m. January 27, 2008

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – Activists in Puerto Rico who were outraged by the massacre of dozens of dogs hurled from a bridge last year say the government has been slow to deliver on promised measures to protect stray animals from abuse and abandonment.

In response to an outcry over allegations of inhumane killings, the government pledged in December to build shelters and create animal protection units inside the police. Authorities say they are making progress despite bureaucratic obstacles.

But advocates say that dogs are still being abandoned in large numbers, some of them starving or battered, on the streets and beaches of this U.S. Caribbean territory.

“It seems to me that the situation for the animals is continuing basically the same,” said Eugenio Crespo, president of the Animal Protection Federation and owner of shelters in Mayaguez and Ponce.

The animals found under a bridge in October had been seized from housing projects and thrown to their deaths. An investigation by The Associated Press later showed that such inhumane methods of killing pets and stray animals were routine, with thousands of animals brutally slain.

The island's tourism department announced the campaign to improve the treatment of animals on Dec. 11. It has enlisted local artists for a media campaign to raise awareness about animal mistreatment and is preparing meetings with mayors to discuss strategies for handling strays.

“We have taken firm steps,” tourism director Terestella Gonzalez said.

But one key promise – new animal shelters in cities and towns across the island – depends on a $1.5 million fund that was created in 2000 upon the launch of a government animal control agency. None of the money has been made available to municipalities.

“I have heard of this money, but nobody has the money in their hands,” said Carol Janus, owner of A Cat's Last Resort, a shelter in eastern Puerto Rico. “It's all talk.”

The animal control agency's director, Wilma Rivera, said the money cannot be released until guidelines for the shelters are set. She said the process has been delayed by the need to coordinate with other agencies and she expects a completed draft by late February.

Police training on how to pursue complaints of animal mistreatment is expected to begin next week. Two officers from each of the island's 13 police divisions will receive the special instruction and share it with their colleagues, according to police spokesman Stephen Alvarez.

More than 50,000 people worldwide have signed an online petition calling for justice for those responsible for hurling pets off the bridge in Barceloneta.

The owner of the animal control company and two employees have been charged with animal cruelty, but they have denied involvement. A judge has been hearing evidence to decide whether the case should go to trial.

The case focused new attention on treatment of animals in Puerto Rico, which has no pet registration law and little spaying or neutering.

Vanya gets a haircut

Before and after of beautiful Vanya. She was a matted mess last week and she's now a sleek and gorgeous beauty! She's in foster care for right now but will be coming to Florida in a couple of weeks for adoption.

Scaredy cats come around - a bit

Remember the little chickens I wrote about last week? We'll they're coming along very nicely! They are gorgeous dogs and by next week, they'll be lovin' all over me. We play the hot dog game a couple times a day and after a week of trying, I can now get all 3 to take a hot dog piece from my hand. And the video shows that they want SOOOO badly to just pounce and lick me all over but they're just not quite there yet.

Little Kelsey gets a new start!

She's cute! She's feisty! She's adopted!!! It was love at first fight when this family met little Kelsey. She will keep everyone on their toes - or should I say she will NIP everyone on their toes! This little girl is a sweet sweet baby with lots of personality and I know she'll be very happy in her new home.

Kara goes home!

I'm not sure who's gonna have their hands more full - Kara or these two boys! Little fluffball Kara went home this evening to her new family. She's going to be treated like a little princess and already has a big brother pup at home waiting for her!

Best letter EVER!

Today I received the letter and pictures below. For any of you who know Ruth and June, I dare you to get through this without at least 1 tear!

Thank you cannot begin to express the gratitude we have in our hearts for you. Your willingness to go out of your way to liberate many dogs from what we now realize are horrific circumstances is beyond altruistic. After researching the conditions on Dead Dog Beach in Puerto Rico, we know your actions are not only compassionate but simply lifesaving.

We have to share with you the happiness brought by the fruits of your labor of love. In September, we came upon one of your rescued friends at the Humane Society of the Treasure Coast in Palm City, Florida. Ruth, as she was called, was a terrified pointer mix. We instantly fell in love with this trembling little creature. It is almost 3 months later and the transformation is amazing. She is a happy, active addition to our home.

But the story does not end there. Because of someone's sense of humor, we heard that Ruth came to the shelter with another look-a-like doggie named June. The rescuers named them after the entertainers in The Pointer Sisters' act. Putting two and two together, we surmised they must have been litter mates. We set out to locate June. June's new "mommy" was more than happy to have the dogs reunite. Until this meeting, Ruth would not willingly interact with other dogs. As you can see from the enclosed pictures, the recognition of sisterhood was instantaneous. Ruth and June loved every minute of their time together. With plans for future "playdates", these sisters will always know the other is loved.

Thank you for your unselfish generosity, Phil and Veronica

Beautiful Vanya

This is Vanya. She showed up at the beach today and she may be pregnant. We need a sponsor to get her off the beach as soon as possible.

We didn't get there in time

This is Mobi. He was a beautiful, sweet dog but he's dead now. His owner took him to the vet to be euthanized because they were moving and couldn't (that is didn't want to) take him with them. The vet tried to dissuade the owners from killing him and they agreed to give him 5 days for someone to rescue him. No one was able to get to him in time. Yet another example of the selfishness and disrespect towards life people have.

Too many puppies!

Well, thank you, folks, for giving us some more of your "trash" to deal with! The first picture is a litter of puppies that have been living in an abandoned house - the mom was feeding them but hasn't been seen in a while. Then there's Vanessa and her babies who are all at Dead Dog Beach. Vanessa was thrown away a few days ago and had her babies on Sunday. And then there's a mom and her puppies at a factory in Bayamon. Michelle and Maritza have been caring for them there but they need to be in a foster home for their safety and health. And of course, Taina and her puppies, also another throwaway mom at the beach, are lucky enough to be in foster care. I just will never understand how it is that people just don't care about the well-being of an animal - especially a helpless puppy.

Looking for sponsors

Katya and Karyn are new arrivals at the beach. They are beautiful but shy girls. They are highly adoptable but we are just overextended right now with all the other rescues we have. If anyone could please sponsor either or both of them, please let us know.

Los Satos de Playa los Machos

A new blog has been started that you should add to your daily read. It is dedicated to the street dogs of Los Machos Beach in Ceiba, Puerto Rico, with the purpose of changing the way these animals live through public outreach, education, and fundraising for their rescue, rehabilitation and adoption.

http://losmachossatos.blogspot.com/

Beautiful but terrified

These are beautiful dogs that came from a rescuer in Puerto Rico. They were sent to the SPCA in Orlando and since they were such scaredy-cats, the shelter was going to kill them b/c they're not adoptable without a lot of work. Luckly, Mary from P.R. called to check on them and was given the story. She called Christine who called me and I drove up the next morning and took them out of there. So now I have a big lump of gorgeous dogs curled up in a kennel in my garage. They are not aggressive and they are absolutely gorgeous! But they are terrified of me - any humans. They seem okay when Belle or Laila pass by the sliding glass door but if they even catch a shadow of me, they pile on each other like football players in the endzone on Super Bowl Sunday. They let me pet them - begrudgingly - and don't seem to enjoy it and they shiver the whole time. They are eating and drinking water and pooping just fine. They've only been here for 16 hours or so - it will take a while. As soon as they start feeling a bit more comfortable, I'm going to separate them into different foster homes (I'll keep one) so they can stop depending on each other and start bonding with a person.

Can you say "precious"?!?!

These are Taina's babies. Taina and her little ones were rescued from the beach yesterday and are in foster care in San Juan. The puppies appear to be healthy and certainly are cute! They are getting excellent care and will soon be ready to wiggle their little fuzzy bodies into someone's heart!

Updates on Lannie and Riley

This just makes all the hard work worthwhile.

Here's the update on Lannie livin' the life in sunny California:

This is a Lannie update. Lannie has settled in and has turned into the "personality kid". She is loving, affectionate, showering everyone with cuddles and kisses, playful, and seems to be very happy with us. She does have a need to chew things, and in spite of innumerable chewy toys, rawhide chews, squeaky stuffed animals, etc., she has managed to chew up my laptop cord, my cell phone charger, and my new expensive Bali bra (sob), but you know what? It doesn't matter. It was my own fault for leaving this stuff where she could reach it. The expensive Bali bra is a little on the shredded side in a couple places, and Lannie re-engineered the underwires, but it's still wearable. I would never, ever, ever let her know that I was upset over the bra (only momentarily), because she really doesn't know how to distinguish what is okay to chew and what isn't. The key is to put stuff away, and it's not her fault that I didn't.

She sleeps in bed with me, and if I reach over to pet her during the night, she feels compelled to wake up and shower me with kisses. She is very good about letting me know when she needs to go potty during the night - she just sits by the window that opens from the floor and cries softly. She still has Emily Post manners when she eats her canned food, so I have to shut her in the guest room to eat or Toby (the greyhound) wolfs down his food and then goes over to finish Lannie's. She just politely steps aside and lets him, so now I separate them when they eat. Every day when I come home from work, Lannie is part of the greeting committee, crying and jumping up on me and wanting to be hugged and kissed immediately, which of course, I do!

Lannie does one remarkable thing that I've never seen a dog do before! She watches television!! She lays down on the end of my bed across from the television, puts her paws on the maple footboard of the bed, puts her chin on her paws, and actually watches television!!! She loves it! When I first told my family that Lannie loved television, they thought I was imagining things. Since then, every person in our family and their friends have come to me saying, "You know what? Lannie really does watch television!" I leave it on for her during the day when we're at work and school, and I either turn on the Disney channel or TV Land (sitcoms) or the Animal Planet Network. I don't want her to watch anything upsetting or depressing. Seriously. She is the most extraordinary dog that I've ever known.

I love all my dogs - passionately - but there is something almost spiritual about Lannie. I can't quite describe it, but she is so loving and protective of us and so - I don't know how to say this, but Lannie knows a lot. Not "fund of knowledge" type of knowing, but "Knowing" with a capital "K". She has a lot of wisdom. I'll send photos this weekend because I just can't seem to take decent photographs. I hope all of you are well. I pray for all of you daily, because you are really saints here on earth. Lannie is proof.

Love,Terry

Here's Riley's update from the blustery north:

Just thought I would give you an update on Riley. She is doing wonderfully! She's no longer afraid of the horses, but still keeps her distance, and she's become very attached to our Nygerian Dwarf Goats! We have one goat, Ida, nicknamed "Momma goat", who is due for babies any minute now. Riley just loves her. We have a pen set up for her in the basement and Riley actually pulled her dog bed down the stairs and lies on it next to the pen. It's so cute! I'm amazed at how smart she is! She is learning so quickly. She now knows "Sit", "Leave it", "Paw", "Toy", "Bed", "Car", "Walk", "Outside", "Stay", "Come", and "Lay down" already. She loves going to the park and meeting new dogs, especially when she's being good and can go off leash for a while. She's also having a lot of fun with the fresh snow. She goes bounding through it! Very cute to watch. Well I hope all is well with you!

Have a good one, Jules and Riley

Top 10 Reasons it's Perfectly Acceptable to Throw Away a Dog

10. She was cute & little when I got her but now she's too big.
9. He doesn't really match the new "theme" of my house.
8. Darn thing went and got herself pregnant!
7. We're moving.
6. He's too old - time to get a new one.
5. Her pee-pee makes brown spots on my lawn!!!
4. He sheds all over my furniture.
3. I'm pregnant.
2. He ate my orchids.

And the Number 1 reason it's okay to throw away a dog is

1. Paris Hilton has a different kind - and she's HOT!

(This list is a collection of REAL "EXCUSES" provided by rescuers who have actually heard these ridiculous statements from people. Do you understand now why I fear for the future of this planet!?!?)

Disposible society

These guys were thrown away at Dead Dog Beach this week. Just trash. He's too big. This one has funny eyes. Uh oh, she might be pregnant. Let's throw them away and go get new ones. I want one of those little fluffy white ones that you can dress up and put in your purse! Oooh, we'll look so hot! (Okay, fine, maybe I AM a bit crabby before I get my coffee!)

Some good news!

Taina and her beautiful pups tugged at some serious heartstrings and we found not only a foster but a sponsor for their care! Sandra will get them from the beach first thing in the morning and get them all to safety! Thank you to everyone who helped save this family!

And another New York dog story!

Here is the gorgeous Dane - now named Bapujii. He is living the life of a city dog up in the cold cold north. His new mom loves him to pieces and it's not hard to see why!

Gabriella in New York

The beautiful Gabriella has landed safely in Newark and is in a wonderful new home. She got to ride in the cabin of the plane in a beautiful pink bag and was greeted at the airport by her new family. She's a country girl still adjusting to city life but she'll soon be the talk of the town. And she will be a very loved little girl! Isn't she gorgeous!?

Mom and puppies need help

This mom and her six beautiful babies were relocated to the beach from a building where the owner was going to throw them all out in the street. They are safer at the beach but need to get out of there as soon as possible. We have no space available for a mom and puppies. Can anyone help?

Kelsey is in foster care

This pretty girl was rescued from the beach and is in foster care until she's ready for adoption.

Four more off the beach

Daisy, Dylan, Debbie and Woody are safe at Dr. Reyes office and will be going to foster homes soon. Katie from Island Dog is sponsoring Daisy, Dylan and Debbie and we are taking care of Woody.

Dogs brought to Florida

Yesterday, the Puerto Rico Puppy Plane brought 19 bundles of joy to south Florida. Yogi, Kody, and Nanette and her 5 3-week-old puppies, as well as 5 other puppies from another rescuer, went to the Tri-County Humane Society in Boca Raton. Richter, the little kitten rescued from Dead Dog Beach, was taken to the Adopt-A-Cat Foundation in Lake Park, and the remainder, Sasha, Belle, Laila and the little ones Kenny, Keri, and Krissy, all came to my house. Sasha, Kenny, and Richter have already been adopted and it won't be long before the others are all snuggled safely into their forever homes too.

Anyone need a poodle with a heart condition!?

Boris had a home all set for him in Boston - then just before he was to fly, we found out he was lots older than we thought. And then he started coughing. Well, he's doing okay now but he's not going to be an easy adoption. The vet says he's 7-8 years old and that he has a cystolic heart murmur. He was coughing b/c of pulmonary edema (fluid in the lungs) that probably happened with his recent teeth cleaning and neutering just putting stress on him. He will have to be on heart medications for the rest of his life and of course the heart condition will shorten his lifespan. So, I need to find a home for a geriatric dog now!

Boris is about 10-12 pounds and very sweet and cute. He has his first shot and rabies and will the second soon and he's neutered. He would be a great dog for a retired couple or single person but they have to be willing to take on a dog that won't live a super long life and will have to be on medications the whole time.

Oh, of course the photo attached is of him at the beach. He's been shaved and is much "prettier" now. Mary says he's a great little dog.

Brownie boy didn't make it

Brownie, the dog rescued from Guanica, didn't make it. His little body was just too compromised from all his problems. The only positive note is that this little guy did not leave this world without knowing true love. His last few days were spent in comfort and he was given more love than I'm sure he's ever known before. Gina did a fantastic job with him and we're so thankful for Louie and his wife for rescuing Brownie and giving him at least the hope he deserved. Looking into the eyes of that little guy - even though I only have seen him in photos - I cried for him and for all the other satos and for ALL animals in pain.

Our Luquillo boy is doing GREAT!!!

Little Rocco - who has been renamed "Tino" by his new parents - had his surgery on December 31 and was up and walking - on all 4 legs - today! He has to stay on "bed rest" for another 2 weeks and then will fly to Connecticut to be with his new family. This is a little dog who just a few days ago was crying in horrendous pain and agony laying under a van, abandoned at the beach to die. We can't save them all - but every one we save matters.

Lovely Lana with the loooooong legs!

Take a look at the before and after of Lana! She was adopted through Luv-A-Pet in Royal Palm, FL last summer. Her new parents named her Eloise and they just adore her! They say she loves to run and play with the horses - she even herds the cows and goes on trail rides with the horses!