Tag Archives: dogs

2020, Adoption, bonded pets, Cats, Dogs, FOTAS, making care-giving arrangements for pets, News, SOCIAL MEDIA, surrendered pets

Bonded Dog and Cat Saved After Owner Goes into Assisted Living

Posted on by Bob Gordon
16
Apr

Everything fell apart for Fergus and George when their owner’s health deteriorated, forcing him to move into an assisted living facility. Broken-hearted, Robert Toole brought Fergus, a 2-year-old, tan Chihuahua, and George, an 11-year-old cream-colored cat, to the Aiken County Animal Shelter on Jan. 8 and tearfully said goodbye to his sweet pets.

Fergus snuggles with Mia, the Usrys’ Golden Retriever,

Since Robert was able to provide their medical records, the pair became available for adoption immediately. Terrified and wondering why they were at the shelter, Fergus and George huddled together and it quickly became clear to the shelter staff that these two pets needed to be adopted to the same home.

FOTAS friend Martha Anne Tudor posted pictures of Fergus and George on her Facebook page along with their sad story. The post was shared by thousands, including WRDW-TV News 12, which did an on-air feature about the bonded dog and cat.

On the morning of January 9, before the shelter had even opened its doors, Lynn Usry was waiting outside, ready to adopt Fergus and George.

“My friend forwarded me the Facebook post and their eyes just spoke to me,” Lynn said. “As soon as I saw the two of them in their kennel, I knew they would be perfect for our home.”

Lynn Usry hangs out with her Chihuahua crew — Bert, Fergus and Ernie.

Lynn brought them home to meet her husband, Mark, and their other pets – and the transition could not have gone smoother. George started hanging out with the couple’s other senior cat, Mojo, and after about a week, Fergus and Mia, their Golden Retriever, were inseparable. Fergus and George also get along with the Usrys’ other Chihuahuas, Bert and Ernie, and Marley, their male Golden Retriever.

“We all hang out together,” Lynn explained during a phone interview last week. “Right now, Bert and Ernie are sitting in one recliner and Fergus is on my lap underneath his favorite red blanket. He’s a spitfire and fits right into our group. He often curls up with Mia and uses her as a pillow.”

Lynn offered to bring Fergus and George for visits to their old owner, Mr. Toole. But when the shelter staff reached out to him on her behalf, he declined. He said the experience would be too painful for him.

Bonded pets Fergus (left) and George were devastated when their owner had to go into an assisted living facility — where they weren’t allowed to join him.

The Usrys have a small farm with goats and chickens and Lynn said she’s finding great comfort being with her pets during the COVID-19 crisis. She’s a retired OR nurse and Mark is currently the director of University Hospital’s biomedical department.

“The adoption process was wonderful,” Lynn said. “Everybody was very kind. I took the babies home and they didn’t have any issues. I think God just meant it to happen…to have everything fall into place.”

Their lives are in our hands.

Note: Due to the COVID-19 crisis, the ACAS is closed to the public. If you are interested in adopting a pet, please call the ACAS, (803) 642-1537 for an appointment. Adoption fees are waived until further notice.

— By Bob Gordon, FOTAS Communications Director

2020, Adoption, Dogs, FOTAS, neglected pets, News, Volunteer

A FOTAS Love Story: Fate and the Redemptive Power of Love

Posted on by Bob Gordon
07
Apr

This week’s story is one about serendipity—a series of coincidental and seemingly unrelated events and encounters that resulted in happy good fortune for a scared, abandoned dog and a man stricken by grief.

Bryce Lingo, a resident of Delaware, is a frequent winter visitor in Aiken. An accomplished equestrian, Bryce travels from his farm in Virginia with his horses to train with his friend, Snowden Clarke. The past year has been difficult for Bryce—he lost his dad, his older brother, and last October, he lost his 10-year-old German Shorthair Pointer to cancer. By the time he reached Aiken in January, he was looking forward to relaxing in Aiken in the company of his friends, but on Valentine’s Day, tragedy struck again. His other beloved German Shorthair Pointer, Hartley, was struck and killed by a car. Bryce was devastated.

Gill (renamed Aiken) on his new owner;s bed

Enter Sam Cato, a longtime FOTAS supporter, volunteer, adopter, and foster, with whom Bryce had become friendly with over the years. Sam, upon hearing about Bryce’s heartbreaking loss of Hartley, did one of those things Sam does best—which was to lobby Bryce to adopt a dog from the county shelter to ease his grief. Bryce was not opposed to rescuing a dog, but he and his family had a long history with, and singular allegiance to, German Shorthair Pointers. Since the shelter rarely takes in purebred animals (much less German Shorthair Pointers), Sam did not push the point.

Two weeks later, Sam made an impromptu decision to take a houseguest out to the county shelter for a tour. As they walked through the adoption pods to check out the canine residents, she stopped, stunned, in front of a kennel in Pod 2. There, cowering in terror in the back of the kennel, was a magnificent German Shorthair Pointer (called Gill by shelter staff) who had been picked up as a stray and only moments before been released from Intake and moved to the adoption floor. Sam wasted no time in snapping Gill’s photo and sending it to Bryce, who had returned to his farm in Virginia the week before. By mid-afternoon, Bryce had formally adopted Gill and made arrangements with a local man to pick him up and drive him to Bryce’s Farm in Virginia.

Today Aiken (Gill’s new name) is resting comfortably at Bryce’s home in Delaware, recovering from being neutered and on antibiotics for heartworm treatment. Says Bryce, “He’s so sweet and quiet, but he’s also very shy and traumatized. He gets better every day: he sleeps on my bed and thumps his tail when I speak to him. My nieces lavish him with attention and my female Siamese cat spends lots of time grooming his face and ears. I wish I knew what had happened to this guy. How could someone just dump him on some county road and drive away?”

Aiken is a sweet and quiet dog who’s learning to come out of his shell and trust people..

Ah ha. That’s the question—one we fret about all the time: how could someone be so callous and so irresponsible to leave a helpless animal to an unknown fate? But in this case, Aiken was lucky, and Bryce has been blessed. They found each other in their time of need.

Maybe—just maybe—that was their fate all along.

Their lives are in our hands.

— By Joanna D. Samson, FOTAS Vice President

2020, Cats, Dogs, Foster, fostering, FOTAS, News, Spay/Neuter

County Shelter Emergency: Transfers Cancelled Due to COVID-19

Posted on by Bob Gordon
30
Mar

As the coronavirus spreads throughout the United States, the ways in which our daily lives are affected become more apparent with each passing day. Shortages in household goods, widespread closing of public places, self-quarantine, and social distancing are becoming the norm in a world stricken by the pandemic. Now is the time to focus on protecting the most vulnerable among us: the elderly, the immune-compromised, and, yes, homeless animals.

Now is the time to focus on protecting the most vulnerable among us: the elderly, the immune-compromised, and, yes, homeless animals.

Over the past two years, the Aiken County Animal Shelter was able to do something no one thought was possible: find a home for all adoptable animals and reserve euthanasia for only the fatally sick and the very dangerous. We were able to do that through innovative care and adoption programs as well as a robust transfer program.

Little Murphy goes home with foster Chenoa Shields during the COVID-19 crisis period.

The pandemic is seriously jeopardizing that success because our transfer partners are eliminating out-of-state transfers because of operational concerns, particularly staffing reductions caused by illness; the anticipation of greater intake caused by folks in the community unable to care for their animals; and even the possibility of shutting down public operations to reduce community spread. These are valid concerns and prudent actions for all shelters, including the county shelter, in light of this unprecedented emergency.

Without your help, the combination of these factors will spell “death sentence” to otherwise healthy animals as overcrowding at the shelter becomes unmanageable and unhealthy. That’s bad news at a time when bad news dominates our daily lives.

How can you help? There are several ways.

1. If you are able, please consider adopting another dog or cat. The shelter is waiving adoption fees until further notice.

2. If you can’t adopt permanently, but you have an empty stall, a fenced in yard, a suitable shelter, please consider fostering animals for some period of time. As always, FOTAS can help you with supplies, if necessary, as long as our supplies last.

3. Do you know someone who is ill and has a pet? Perhaps you can help them care for, feed, or walk their pet. Your assistance could mean the difference between a beloved pet staying home while their owner recovers or being surrendered to the shelter.

Archer needs a home where he can finally feel loved and be your one and only pet.

4. Please, please become an outspoken advocate for spay/neuter, particularly now in this crisis right in the middle of the breeding season. No one should be bringing more puppies and kittens into the world when so many homeless animals need homes.

The Center for Disease Control and the World Organization for Animal Health have issued advisories saying there is no evidence companion animals can spread the virus and “there is no justification for taking measures against companion animals which may compromise their welfare.”

Given the common-sense requirement for social distancing and self-quarantine, our pets may be our only protection against the devastating effects of social isolation. We will need our pets as much as they need us in the trying times to come.

Although the county has closed the shelter to regular public traffic for the safety of the community and shelter personnel, it will be open for adoptions/fosters by appointment, which will take place outside. Call the shelter (803-642-1537) between 9:00-4:30 (Mon.-Fri.) for adoption/foster appointments or email info@fotasaiken.org for more information.

Thank you and God bless.

Their lives are in our hands.

— By Joanna D. Samson, FOTAS Vice President

2020, Bully Dogs, Chained dogs, Dogs, FOTAS, kennel stress, News, Pibbles

Affectionate Shelter Dog Baya Is One Marvelous Mutt

Posted on by Bob Gordon
09
Mar

Mutts are a tribute to the creativity of nature, each one unique—a mix of physical and behavioral characteristics divinely inspired and executed. As a rule, thanks to a broader, more diverse gene pool, mutts live longer, healthier lives than their purebred canine pals. According to DogTime.com, mutts are the ultimate family dog:

“. . . the mixed breed excels where the purebred lacks . . . his intensity is softer than his pedigreed cousins, his drives and compulsions mercifully muted. The mutt’s loyalty, warmth, and deep desire to please, however, remain as fiercely intact as any dog you could choose to create.”

Pretty BAYA dresses up for St. Paddy’s Day photo.

We love mutts at the Aiken County Animal Shelter; we see thousands of them every year. They come in all shapes, sizes, and colors: small and large; short-haired and rough-coated; spotted; dappled, and plain; muscular and petite; dignified and cute; yappy and quiet; energetic and couch potatoes; friendly and reserved. Some dogs are unbearably cute, but they are by far the minority at the shelter. Most of our mutts are graduates of the school of hard knocks, and while they may not represent the classic ideal of canine beauty, we are strong believers in “pretty is as pretty does.”

Baya is a perfect example. She lies on her blanket patiently and sits quietly in her kennel. She is the picture of good manners. Thanks to our Can I Crash on Your Couch? program, we also know Baya is housebroken, loves her crate, and knows basic commands. She is affectionate and loves to cuddle.

Yet, despite all of these lovely attributes, Baya holds the unfortunate distinction of being the shelter’s longest resident on the adoption floor. People walk by her kennel without a second look, day after day for the past two months, thanks to a number of factors that are not her fault. Her coat is black, and there is documented adoption bias nationally against black-colored dogs. She is older — County Shelter Veterinarian Dr. Levy estimates her age at about seven years old.

Sweet, big-hearted BAYA has been waiting for a home longer than any other pet on the Aiken County Animal Shelter adoption floor.

Baya has a square head, and even though the shape of her head is an accident of random gene selection and not indicative of behavior, many people are wary of dogs that look like bully breeds. Finally, she is defensive with other dogs (most likely because she was chained and tethered for long periods of time) and needs to be the only dog in the home.

It’s a shame—truly. Baya is as affectionate and loyal as they come. She loves children. She likes nothing more than a good walk and a tummy rub—maybe an opportunity to announce her presence to the dogs in the yard and return to your side to sit on your feet.

We live in a society that favors beauty and youth, but we know from experience that beauty is only skin deep. What really matters, in people and in dogs, is what’s in their heart. By that measure, we know Baya is, quite simply, one beautiful dog.

Please don’t wait. Baya needs a home. We are certain she will bring joy and love to the lucky family who claims her as their own.

Their lives are in our hands.

— By Joanna D. Samson, FOTAS Vice President

2019, Adoption, Dogs, FOTAS, News, SELECTING A PET, Uncategorized

Adopting a New Canine Family Member

Posted on by Bob Gordon
20
Nov

You’ve made the decision: you’re ready to bring a new dog into your life. Since you are reading this column, I’m guessing you’ve also decided to rescue your new pal from a shelter—maybe because your heart goes out to the thousands of homeless dogs who need and deserve a loving family, or maybe because you know, either from experience or through the experience of others, that shelter dogs are overwhelmingly grateful for a second chance and they express that gratitude through devotion and unconditional love.

I salute you for your wisdom and your humanity. Quite simply, you rock!

ALEK is 2 years old but acts like a puppy.

So, you hop into your car and head over to the Aiken County Animal Shelter, and there you find dogs of every color and shape, age, and gender. Some dogs bounce around their kennels, some bark, some cower in the corner, and then there’s that goofy-looking spotted mutt in Kennel 12 calmly assessing every passerby with a look that says, Are you the one?

Overwhelming, right? Here’s the good news: county adoption staff and FOTAS volunteers are there to help you choose. There are a number of factors to consider.

Do you live alone or with a family? Do you have small children? Are there other dogs in your home? Cats? Do you work all day? Do you have an outdoor area for your dog to run and play? Is your idea of heaven a hike through the Hitchcock Woods or a night on the couch watching Law and Order reruns? Do you prefer small dogs or large dogs?

Of course, there are no hard and fast rules, but there are some guidelines that may help. For example, if you live alone and work all day, you might want to adopt a mature, even a senior dog, who is happy keeping your place on the couch warm until you return. If you have small children, you might consider a calm, gentle dog that won’t accidently knock your toddler over in an exuberant burst of affection.

ANGEL gets along with most other dogs.

If you’re an active person who spends lots of time outdoors, then a younger, energetic dog would make a great companion. On the other hand, if your idea of rigorous activity is gardening, you might look for a companion that is happy to stroll around the yard with you and watch for squirrels while you weed.

Do you have another dog? Is that dog sociable with other dogs, indifferent, or dog aggressive? Do you need a dog that likes, or at least, tolerates cats?

You get the picture. Shelter staff and FOTAS volunteers will explore all these issues with you to help you make the right choice for your life and circumstances. Why? Because a wrong choice only increases the chance that the dog you select might end up in the shelter . . . again.

INDIA loves people and even tolerates cats!

But here’s the thing: despite our best efforts to help you make rational choices, the heart isn’t always an obedient servant. Maybe you’ll walk through the kennels and lock eyes with that goofy-looking spotted mutt in Kennel 12 and inexplicably, somewhere deep in your soul, desire sparks love and your spirit responds to Are you the one? with Yes! I am the one.

You know what? That’s okay, too. We’re suckers for a good love story.

Their lives are in our hands.

— By Joanna D. Samson, FOTAS Vice President

BY THE NUMBERS

From Nov. 1 to 15, the Aiken County Animal Shelter received 182 strays and surrendered pets – an average of 12 animals per day. Please spay/neuter your pets!

PETS OF THE WEEK

JAY
Mixed breed, male, 5 years old, brindle & white, 67 pounds – $35

DINA
Domestic Shorthair kitten, female, 2 months old, Calico, 2 pounds – $10

2019, adopter feedback, Adoption, Bully Dogs, Chained dogs, Dogs, FOTAS, News, Pibbles

The Dog I Didn’t Want Might Just Be My Favorite

Posted on by Bob Gordon
11
Nov

The oldest of our three dogs, Yoda, died in August from cancer. My wife, Jennifer, wanted to honor Yoda’s memory by adopting another dog from the shelter. I was against the idea. Our other two dogs (Beethoven and Buster) are great dogs, best buddies with established routines, and our pet ownership experience was on autopilot. Why rock the boat?

MEADOW lived on a chain and was neglected before joining the Miller household.

We own a horse farm and allow our dogs to roam free. The dogs are well trained to stay within the boundaries of our property. A new dog would mean training those boundaries all over again, training it to be compatible with the horses, and introducing it to Beethoven and Buster—who I feared, even though they are the sweetest dogs, could develop a pack mentality and give a new dog problems.

I gave Jennifer all the excuses I could to avoid adopting another dog. She wasn’t buying it. Not only was she insistent that she wanted to adopt another dog, she wanted to adopt one that had been on the adoption floor the longest. Great! I was losing the battle.

Then one afternoon, Jennifer informed me she had found that dog and wanted me to go to the shelter to meet her. Her? A female dog? With our two boys? “Meadow,” said Jennifer. “She’s everyone’s favorite dog at the shelter.” Yeah, right.

Off we went to the shelter, and I met Meadow, a six-year-old, white pit bull mix, who was heartworm positive. She had lived outside on a chain most of her life and was obviously overbred as evidenced by the six hanging nipples. Housebroken? Working on it. Basic obedience? A work in progress.

Bruno gives his new sister, MEADOW, her daily grooming — these two instantly bonded.

Jennifer had found her perfect unwanted dog.

I relented and we took Meadow home. The introduction to the other two dogs was okay; they didn’t kill her. The next day, Susie Cohen, shelter dog trainer extraordinaire, came to our home to assess the situation. When our alpha dog, Beethoven, raised his hackles, Susie was worried. But both Buster and Beethoven began to accept her, and we breathed a sigh of relief.

Next, we took Meadow to the barn on a leash to test her reaction to horses. We introduced her to our horse, Bruno, and Meadow sat down in front of him, intensely curious. Then the most amazing thing happened. Bruno bowed his head, sniffed her, and began to lick her all over, the way horses groom each other. Meadow sat still and savored his affection. It was precious. They were in love!

MEADOW (center) gets cozy on the bed with her new canine siblings, Buster and Beethoven.

Soon, Meadow fit right in with our family. She is the boss of the boys and we don’t need to leash her anymore. Her manners and her housebreaking continue to improve, and she has discovered our soft, cushy furniture – plus she sleeps in our bed with Beethoven and Buster. She also is a great athlete, as evidenced by the time she jumped on the counter, grabbed a plateful of people cookies, and threw it to the floor. All three dogs wolfed down ten cookies before we could intervene. Every day she becomes a happier, more well-adjusted dog.

Don’t tell Beethoven and Buster, but I think Meadow is now my favorite. Go figure.

— By Peter Miller, FOTAS Volunteer

BY THE NUMBERS
Monday, November 11 is Veterans Day. FOTAS sponsors (pays for) Aiken County Animal Shelter adoptions year-round for U.S. veterans and active military personnel.

PETS OF THE WEEK

SYDNI
Lab mix, female, 3 years old, black w/white, 65 pounds – $35

SIMBA
Domestic Shorthair kitten, male, 2 months old, bronze Tabby, 2 pounds – $10

2019, awards, Board of Directors, Cats, Dogs, Donate, Events, FOTAS, News, Shelter staff, Spay/Neuter, Uncategorized, Volunteers

It’s a Party! FOTAS Celebrates Ten Years of Saving Lives

Posted on by Bob Gordon
28
Oct

On Saturday, November 2nd, FOTAS will host a party at the Aiken County Animal Shelter to celebrate its tenth anniversary partnering with the county and the shelter to save lives.

What a ride it’s been. In 2009, a few dedicated and concerned citizens banded together to form FOTAS in response to the dismal conditions at the old shelter and the bleak prospects for any animal unlucky enough to pass through its doors. At the time, a trip to the county shelter was a death sentence—91% of the 6,000 animals at the shelter were euthanized every year. Very few made it out alive.

Destiny, a 3- month-old kitten available for adoption, is ready to celebrate FOTAS’s 10th year.

The turnabout at the county shelter since 2009 is nothing short of spectacular. Since the formation of FOTAS, the euthanasia rate has dropped steadily each year, reaching a historic low of 6% in 2018, saving every adoptable animal. It’s a remarkable story of partnership, determination, commitment, and community involvement and support.

In fact, the South Carolina Secretary of State selected FOTAS as one of the ten organizations (out of thousands!) to receive the Angel Award, which recognizes the most efficient and effective charities in the state.

There are so many people to celebrate for this astonishing success:

The FOTAS volunteers, who work on bookkeeping, social media, special fundraising events, and FOTAS Fix-a-Pet; who organize and work on special fundraising and on-site events; who foster mamma dogs and cats and all their progeny, who care for animals designated for transfer; who shuffle animals to off-site adoption events; who walk the dogs, love up the cats, work with play groups, and show animals to potential adopters—the dramatic and steady increase in the Shelter’s live release rate since 2009 is directly related to their efforts to make the animals more adoptable

Paige Bayne, Director of Aiken County Code Enforcement, and the beloved Bobby Arthurs, Chief Animal Control Officer and Shelter Manager, who directly oversee and manage the Shelter operations with kind, thoughtful and dedicated attention to the welfare of the animals.

Blue, a handsome young mixed breed, can be adopted at the Aiken County Animal Shelter.

The County Shelter staff—the intake administrators, adoption coordinators, vet techs, kennel techs and custodians—who make certain that all of those animals are properly documented and cared for with compassion and efficiency.

Dr. Lisa Levy, the Shelter Vet, whose medical prowess and big heart has saved the lives of hundreds of animals, and Dr. Mike Wells, who performs spay/neuter surgery on community cats for the TNR program.

The County Council and the County Administration for being the best public partners—ever—and working with FOTAS to save every adoptable animal.

And last but not least, you, the Aiken community, who year after year have supported our efforts with enthusiasm and generosity. You have designated the Shelter as your community shelter, and we could not be prouder.

Join us at the county shelter this Saturday, November 2nd, from 10:00 to 1:00 for a joyful celebration of our shared success in making the county shelter a model of public responsibility to our animals. There will be lots of free food and activities for adults, children, and their four-legged friends. Bring your party hat, and we’ll see you there.

Their lives are in our hands.

— By Joanna D. Samson, FOTAS Vice President

2019, adopter feedback, Adoption, Cats, Dogs, FOTAS, kittens, News

Adopters Report Back with Stories about Their County Shelter Pets

Posted on by Bob Gordon
28
Oct

FOTAS volunteers and the shelter staff contact new pet owners within a week to 10 days of their adoption to see how they are doing Following up with new adopters not only helps ensure they are satisfied with their pets, but also provides us with great stories and feedback that can help with future adoptions. The best feedback includes photos of the shelter pets loving life in their new homes.

Pit Bull mix Hector loves his new family and watches over the little ones.

Here are examples of emails and notes we’ve received from recent adopters (some have been edited for space):

Hector watches over new baby girl
I’m happy to report that Hector has adjusted very well to life in the Frank household. He has been eating just fine and quickly adapted to his routine here. We just had our fourth child last week and one of Hector’s favorite things to do is lay beside her swing and bed to watch over her. He is very protective over the little ones. We appreciate the opportunity to have him in our lives.

Murray Frank

Kittens Cheddar and Kady enjoy cuddle time at their new home
Cheddar and Kady are doing great. They are eating well, and both have become part of our family. They enjoy playing together and cherish all their cat toys and other treats. Kady has an attachment to her favorite blanket and both enjoy cuddle time.

Brittany Hiers

Kitten Cheddar: If I fits, I sits!

Senior Beagle Aimee is filling out and gaining confidence
Aimee is amazing! We changed her name to Sadie, and she is the absolute sweetest. She loves going on walks, wants to meet all the neighbors and her two favorite things are jerky treats and car rides. She’s filled out like the vet wanted and has gained the confidence to get on the couch whenever she wants! We were just talking about taking her on a trip to the mountains this fall so she can smell all the trails. Thank you for taking care of her until we found her!

Kelli Prather

Pibble Haylee eats side by side with her new brother
Haylee is doing very well. She is still learning which are her toys and which are ours, but catching on very quickly. She is loving her new brother, Dudley. They eat side by side and he is slower than her, but she will wait until he is finished to make sure he cleaned his bowl. They have become fast friends!

Will Clark

Adopted Haylee (left) and Dudley have become fast friends.

Bo wins his family’s heart and takes over their bed
Bo is doing amazing …we changed his name to Buddy and he truly is my buddy as well as a big part of our family. We love him very much and he shows us lots of love in return. He’s also taken over our bed during the day.

Niccole Reidhead

— By Bob Gordon, FOTAS Communications Director

2019, Adoption, Bully Dogs, Dogs, fostering, FOTAS, kennel stress, News, Pibbles, Training

Amazing Dogs Struggle to Find Homes Due to Kennel Stress

Posted on by Bob Gordon
22
Jul

Last week I walked over to see the new dogs on the shelter’s intake wing. When I see the dog in kennel 8, my heart breaks. He is so scared. He is a larger dog, white with a gorgeous brown spot on his eye. He can’t make eye contact with me; he just turns and tries to hide.

RAMSAY is having a tough time adjusting to life in the County Animal Shelter.

The fans are blowing – cooling the kennels – and he is clearly unsure of the noise. He has a ring around his neck where the long chain was taken off of him. He was dragging it along the ground when found lost and confused by a shelter volunteer. I step into the kennel and he jumps back. When I sit down, he tries to bury his head between my back and the wall. Each sound frightens him. He looks around nervously trying to figure out what is happening. I decide he needs some time, so I lie down with him in the kennel and he finally closes his eyes. I am now invested and must find a way to help this poor boy.

Imagine you live all your life outside on a chain and now you are confined. It has to be a struggle. Over the next couple of days, he gains confidence with each leash walk but frantically digs at the concrete floor when put back into his kennel. A large, donated Nylabone helps him calm down. The right toys can be hugely comforting.

Now on adoption and named Ramsay, he is being overlooked because he is so uncomfortable in the kennel space. If adopters could only take him out and see how incredibly sweet he is! He’ll melt against your leg just wanting to be loved.

LUKE is such a sweet dog away from the shelter.

Fosters Yvonne and Colin Brookes have been working with a dog similar to Ramsay, a beautiful boy named Luke. Luke struggled in the kennels, so the couple started taking him to the park. They noticed that he relaxed as soon as he left the shelter but needed some training as no one had ever had him on a leash or taught him any obedience.

He has been in foster with them for weeks and now knows so much! Great with other dogs, he is crate trained and loves to go to Dunkin’ Donuts and sit on the bench. Colin rides his bicycle and Luke trots right next to him; it’s his favorite exercise.

When Luke comes back to the shelter for adoption opportunities, he reverts back to his old behaviors. He starts jumping, barking and chewing at the leash as soon as he gets out of the car. It is so painful for Yvonne and Colin to see the dog they know is so great away from the shelter turn into a completely different creature when he hears the barking of the other homeless dogs. He is almost frantic.

LUKE enjoys going to the park with FOTAS foster volunteer Colin Brookes.

There are so many amazing dogs that struggle to find homes due to kennel stress. If we could only encourage adopters to look at the dog outside of the kennel and not judge them by their behavior while in confinement. Trust me, we would not be ourselves if we were in that position.

Please spread the word about these amazing dogs and take a chance on the underdog. You will find that no pet ever loved you as much as they do.

Their lives are in our hands.

— by Kathy Jacobs, FOTAS Program Director

2019, Dogs, FOTAS, injured animals, kittens, neglected pets, News, Shelter staff, surgeries, surrendered pets

A Tale of Tails: A Little Bit Shorter Now

Posted on by Bob Gordon
18
Jul

We have all experienced that strange phenomenon where things seem to come in waves, or the old saying that things happen in “threes”. Well for the month of June that trend was tail surgery and it wasn’t three; it was five! I normally perform one or two tail amputations per year. But this particular month the tail injuries kept coming.

First there was Bolt. Bolt is a very energetic Pittie mix. After only a few days at the shelter he developed what we lovingly call “happy tail”. He wags his tail so much he hit it against the walls of his kennel causing the tip to bleed. Normally a wrap on his tail for several days resolves the problem. Unfortunately, Bolt was not a fan of having his tail wrapped and despite bitter apple spray and the dreaded cone of shame around his head, he still managed to get his wraps off. The tail wound kept getting worse and finally I decided to amputate his tail when it became clear that it would never heal. His facial features are a little like a Boxer’s, so we made his tail end match.

His tail healed beautifully and we may have prevented his forever home from having to deal with that exuberant tail knocking everything off the coffee table.

Scraps arrived with a badly injured tail but felt better after the dead tissue was surgically removed.

Then came the 3 kittens Scraps, Sagwa, and Ren. They came in about a week apart.

Scraps was first. About ¾ of his tail was black and hard, meaning all of the tissue was dead and had been for a while. After surgery, the poor little guy hardly had any tail left, but then again neither does a Manx cat. However, he was more playful after surgery, so I think he felt better without that dead tail.

Sagwa is a beautiful little Siamese mix. She came in with the last half of her tail just hanging on by a piece of skin and the bone exposed. She healed very quickly and was adopted within one hour of being put on the adoption floor.

Last of the kittens was Ren. He was the luckiest of the three as only about the last third of his tail was injured, so he was able to keep most of his tail.

Black kitten Ren goes home with his new family.

Finally, there was Magyver (yes, I spelled it wrong on purpose). He is one of my most challenging cases this year. He is a shepherd mix brought in by animal control with multiple areas on his body covered in maggots. In order for a dog to be that severely infested, they have to be weak enough to allow flies to stay on them long enough to lay eggs, which then hatch into maggots.

My two vet techs and I got to work and it took an hour to shave all the affected areas and flush out all those gross little things. After many years of practice there are not a lot of things that make me squeamish, but maggots are still one of them. (You’ve heard the expression “gag a maggot”. Well, I really think it’s the people who gag!)

X-rays revealed he had a fractured pelvis which is probably why he was reluctant to move to stop the flies. The next few days his skin felt like leather from all the scabs. He would not make eye contact and his eyes looked defeated.

Bolt looks better — and feels better — with a docked tail.

I wasn’t sure he was going to make it but slowly with medication he started to improve. Then his tail turned black and I knew the tissue was so damaged it could not be saved. So Magyver became my fifth tail amputation. As he healed, his spirits started to improve and after two weeks we finally got our first wag of that stump of a tail. I was so happy I almost cried. He was finally showing us he was happy to be alive.

The next day I got my first kiss on the face. His skin continued to heal and his hair is growing back. This amazing dog is in foster care and getting stronger every day. And that makes it all worthwhile.

–– By Dr. Lisa Levy, ACAS Veterinarian