Edwina's Secretary
03-17-2002, 11:41 AM
Yesterday we went to the Pet Show at Arlington Race Track. I had never been to anything like it before. We got to see the cat judging. Edwina has decided to give up her dreams of the show business life. Even if she could do something about her weight.... I mean her large bones, I'm not sure she has the disposition for hanging out all day in a tent and then being "examined" by the judges. I'm afraid her tendency to bad language might cost her alot of points. It was really cool to see all the cats though, including finally seeing in person my dream cat (other than Edwina) -- a Devon Rex.
We meet people from a cat and bunny rescue group in out neighborhood (by the Harley shop -- my husband's favorite.) The cats and bunnies "co-habitate." We had seen a gray beauty in their window but it took some effort to get the guy to admit exactly where they are located. Once we finally convinced him we are "honorable" people he explained that people dump animals and they want to discourage that. So sad.
There were all kind of dog breed rescue groups so both my husband and I got to see and pet and talk with our favorite breed -- the Italian Greyhound for me and a Great Pyrenees for him. I realized we may have some issue to work out when we are finally able to offer a home to a dog.
Many of you may be interested to know I spoke with the South Suburban group that helped Maddie find a new home. The woman who was there -- although "she does cats" knew Maddie. SHe described her as "looking like a german shepard but smaller." Told me what a gentle and loving dog she is and how bladder control is the owners' responsiblity. She said she could not tell me about the family who adopted her (confidentiality.) So I asked about their adoption procedure. They require that everyone living in the household be present and interviewed. They do not want one person in the home wanting a pet and someone else not. They have to agree to home visits if the center choses. They are interviewed on how well they understand the responsibility of pet ownership. (The parents of one the couple has a dog.) They are not a no-kill shelter but they do whatever they can to avoid putting an animal down. She gave me an article about a dog who was brought in by his owner with the last seven inches of one his hind legs hanging by the tendon. The result of an accident, the owner had not sought medical treatment for weeks. The dog was rushed to a vet clinic in the vehicle of a volunteer. The leg was amupated and the dog, Cassie is back at the shelter ready for a home. I was impressed. That could have been a quick "put down" decision.
(I was going to make some southside jokes but on second thought....) Anyway, I wanted people to know that this shelter seems to me to be a place where the people really do care about the animals in their charge. It is often a thankless and emotionally painful job they have to do. They seem to me to do it with compassion.
We meet people from a cat and bunny rescue group in out neighborhood (by the Harley shop -- my husband's favorite.) The cats and bunnies "co-habitate." We had seen a gray beauty in their window but it took some effort to get the guy to admit exactly where they are located. Once we finally convinced him we are "honorable" people he explained that people dump animals and they want to discourage that. So sad.
There were all kind of dog breed rescue groups so both my husband and I got to see and pet and talk with our favorite breed -- the Italian Greyhound for me and a Great Pyrenees for him. I realized we may have some issue to work out when we are finally able to offer a home to a dog.
Many of you may be interested to know I spoke with the South Suburban group that helped Maddie find a new home. The woman who was there -- although "she does cats" knew Maddie. SHe described her as "looking like a german shepard but smaller." Told me what a gentle and loving dog she is and how bladder control is the owners' responsiblity. She said she could not tell me about the family who adopted her (confidentiality.) So I asked about their adoption procedure. They require that everyone living in the household be present and interviewed. They do not want one person in the home wanting a pet and someone else not. They have to agree to home visits if the center choses. They are interviewed on how well they understand the responsibility of pet ownership. (The parents of one the couple has a dog.) They are not a no-kill shelter but they do whatever they can to avoid putting an animal down. She gave me an article about a dog who was brought in by his owner with the last seven inches of one his hind legs hanging by the tendon. The result of an accident, the owner had not sought medical treatment for weeks. The dog was rushed to a vet clinic in the vehicle of a volunteer. The leg was amupated and the dog, Cassie is back at the shelter ready for a home. I was impressed. That could have been a quick "put down" decision.
(I was going to make some southside jokes but on second thought....) Anyway, I wanted people to know that this shelter seems to me to be a place where the people really do care about the animals in their charge. It is often a thankless and emotionally painful job they have to do. They seem to me to do it with compassion.