THE GOLDEN RETRIEVER, BELLA, HAS PASSED AWAY

After six years of wanting another dog, after her Dixie died, if you are a regular reader, you know that my friend in Washington was delighted after adopting beautiful Bella who is our cover girl.  That's Bella.

She was doing very well, but missing her former owner.  In three days she was not eating - showing no signs but anorexia and we all thought she was pining.  Four days later, after constant attention, a vet put her to sleep while my friend held her and loved her away.

The night before, my friend slept with Bella on the kitchen floor.  She was so broken hearted. 

But she did the right thing for this is what the vet reported:  Bella was bleeding to death.  The best diagnosis she offered was Hemangiosarcoma often found in Golden Retrievers Bella's age.   http://www.caninecancer.com/Hemangiosarcoma.html

We both cried - she in Washington and me here in the south.  We'd been speaking constantly, worrying about poor Bella.

Sometimes, I have found when dear Maggie had to be put down of liver failure in Oregon, that Bear came to live with us almost immediately, a product of divorce, left at the vet's office. He never could take her place; he was his own very quirky guy.  When Blade contracted bone cancer suddenly, a large dog  was needed to help dull the pain - his death so quick and unexpected.  I visited the local animal control desirous of saving a life.  And there was Jack; a tiny blond handful of puppy, and absolutely irresistible sitting on a laptop case.  He was handed to me.  "Take him home," someone said, and I did.  But strangely, in a week, Maya needed a home.  Her owner was off to law school.  This was her third home.  She'd been at animal control twice.  Like Blade, she just needed the right fit and when she greeted me at the front door, I think I just snapped the leash to her collar.  It was her eyes. She's getting gray now, but loves her life, fitting into what has been a continuum of blessings that has lasted for 50 years. 

The other night Bobby told me she wants a Lab puppy (black and female, please), while she waits for her broken wrist to heal a little more.  But if you know of a litter in the Seattle area, you just leave a comment here.

And love to Bella, wherever she is in her journey back to God.

CONGRATULATIONS TO BOBBY AND BELLA! YOU FOUND EACH OTHER AT LAST!

My friend in Washington adopted a Golden Retriever yesterday morning.  Her name is Bella, and this is her photo.  Bobby's been alone since her Dixie left for The Bridge (a black Lab) six years ago and she's missed her every day.  I poked and prodded that woman to get a dog for about three years. She was hesitant even though every time she left the house she was loaded with dog treats, just in case she'd meet any dog, with or without an owner attached to its leash.  She loved Dixie very much and I know there was a huge hole in her heart that hadn't healed, though I kept telling her that a new dog wouldn't take Dixie's place, but would mend that hole in its own sweet way.  She didn't understand my method of mending the tapestry of life with another companion animal.  My own tapestry is a crazy quilt of so many beautiful faces and memories.  The pain of their loss is acute and lingering, sometimes even debilitating, but the joy a new one brings is immediate and the love never fades and is never forgotten.

So suddenly, beautiful Bella, six years old,  came on the scene two days ago in a phone call, in need of a new home because of divorce.  I told her on the phone that she would immediately fall in love, and she did.  The first question she asked Bella's owner was, "Will she sleep on my bed?"

I am sitting here bawling my eyes out with happiness as I type this, wondering if I should call and make sure Bella peed in the rain (she hadn't yet this morning when I called early).  She was sleeping happily on her bed next to Bobby's bed. 

I wish my friend many deliriously happy years with her Bella. 

Most days are just days, but then some are perfect miracles.


I will try to add Bella's lovely photo here with a poem superimposed called "Today I Rescued a Human", sent to Bobby from a friend more techy than I.  It's beautiful, and a real tear jerker.  

TARRA THE ELEPHANT MOURNS BELLA, HER DOG COMPANION

http://www.care2.com/causes/elephant-tarra-mourns-bella-the-dog.html

In his book, "The Outermost House", Henry Beston wrote this beautiful paragraph - one which I treasure. I mention it in my own book, "Waltz on the Wild Side - An Animal Lover's Journal", which is now sadly, out-of-print.

No matter how much we learn about animals, their interaction with their own species and others, we will never begin to even scratch the surface. But we can respect and love them for the jewels that they are, so special and unique, and attempt to understand the niches in the chain of their lives and their importance to ours...

“We need another and a wiser and perhaps a more mystical concept of animals. In a world older and more complete than ours they move finished and complete, gifted with extensions of the senses we have lost or never attained, living by voices we shall never hear. They are not brethren, they are not underlings; they are other nations, caught with ourselves in the net of life and time, fellow prisoners of the splendour and travail of the earth.”
― Henry Beston

I hope Tarra will be gifted with another dog companion who will bring this loving and intelligent animal happiness after grief.

LOUKANIKOS - THE GREEK RIOT DOG! A LEGEND IN THE MAKING

http://dreamdogsart.typepad.com/art/2011/10/loukanikos-greek-riot-dog.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+DogArtToday+%28Dog+Art+Today%29

EBRO GREYHOUND TRACK SURVIVORS - YOUR HEART WILL BREAK

http://www.grey2kusa.org/eNEWS/G2K-110210Email.html


If you are following this story, you will know that more bodies were found under a bridge, decomposing, near the kennel owner's home.

Here are the survivors.

I would very much like to start a movement to stop greyhound racing in Florida, and in every state. These are dogs. Not machines. They are not disposable. They are not expendable. They gentle, sweet and loving dogs, very calm by nature in the home.

How about it?

How about you call your Congressmen, state and federal. The gaming department in your states, your governors, your city councils, county commissions.

This case says a lot about the caliber of people involved in this blood sport - blood sport because ultimately, most of the dogs will die.

They are too precious to die like this. And to think the racetrack did not check on these dogs on its premises is leaves me cold. To turn away, or not even check on the animals, even if in the contract with the track, the owners are responsible for the dogs - couldn't one person check on the vacated kennels? Call the biggies - the ASPCA, HSUS, WSPCA, any animal organization with clout you can think of. This has to stop.

I'm sure there will be more on this issue in future days, and I will post it here. Yesterday, the Panama City News Herald ran another piece. It is in their archives.

Do these photos not sicken you - the cruelty of it all? Just for a buck?

COGNITIVE DYSFUNCTION (SENILITY) IN ELDERLY DOGS

http://www.petplace.com/dogs/cognitive-dysfunction-in-elderly-dogs/page1.aspx?utm_source=dogcrazynews001et&utm_medium=email&utm_content=petplace_article&utm_campaign=dailynewsletter

PREVENTING MILKY EYES IN SENIOR DOGS

http://blogs.dogster.com/living-with-dogs/milk-thistle-and-senior-dogs/2010/08/

I'd be happy to hear comments on this...have you tried it?

BOSTON TERRIER PEOPLE (AND EVERYONE ELSE), PLEASE MEET OSCAR, WHO WILL STEAL YOUR HEART

http://bhambtr.org/assets/photos/rescues/Oscar/destination/index.htm

When I first heard of Oscar's plight and fight, he really touched my heart. You probably all know by now, my family includes five rescued Bostons, including Granny Annie who is very old, ugly, disabled (she's a tripod), and extremely beautiful to all that meet her.

All of them, particularly Granny Annie, are very precious souls. And I'm sure that Oscar will
win someone's heart very soon.

All dogs who are neglected and abused seem to know when they finally come "home". They are sensitive to their rescue, and they are forever grateful, returning your love in inestimable ways.

If you can't take Oscar home, perhaps you will be able to send a donation, however small, for his continuing care.

This particular Boston Rescue is one I have worked with many times. The staff and volunteers
are wonderful people with enormous hearts and unending devotion to the breed, and it is my pleasure to deliver this entry to you on their behalf.

Let's get Oscar a home!

Granny Annie, my old 3-legged Boston has apparently touched a lot of hearts.

She made Wayne Pacelle's HSUS blog again, in praise of adopting the older companion.

http://hsus.typepad.com/wayne/

Granny Annie's on Wayne Pacelle's HSUS blog today!

Wayne Pacelle: A Humane Nation | The Humane Society of the United States

Gray, with a Silver Lining

Posted: 23 Dec 2008 11:02 AM CST

I celebrate the people who go to shelters or rescue groups to adopt any homeless dog or cat. It's an act of love and kindness. But I have a special place in my heart for people who adopt senior pets. These dogs or cats may have a few flecks of gray, and may not be as frisky or fetching or as big-eyed as puppies or kittens, but they love us just the same and perhaps they need us even more. They may not stay with us as long, but that only means we need to pack a lifetime of love and affection into fewer years.

Some weeks ago, the following story came into the blog and it's a great reminder to us all during the holiday season of the special creatures who need our help. I hope you find inspiration in this tale that May Lattanzio, a freelance writer, poet and photographer, tells.

Off and on throughout my life, I have worked as a volunteer wildlife rehabilitator and placement volunteer for the local humane society and in private. I put up a blog and decided to help the county shelter which is high-kill, but rescue friendly, in Bay County, Fla., by putting a rotating widget in the sidebar of adoptable dogs.

Then I saw the nameless Boston with three legs who was supposedly five years old (approximately). Her owner was incarcerated, and she was given to someone else who neglected or mistreated her so much, she was confiscated.

And there she was. Much older than five. Maybe 500. She was scarred on her flanks. Her forehead looks like it was cleaved at one time. She trailed a long cyst sack that swung when she walked. It was heavy. She is missing a front leg. She hobbles; has lumps, bumps and warts all over. She is gray-faced.

Maybe someone would want a special needs dog. I took her home to foster. Granny Annie is no beauty. All dogs are beautiful physically, but poor Annie isn't. But inside that scarred interior lives a shining, golden heart and endless sweetness of character. I was planning to foster her so that she would not be euthanized. Who would want her?

It turned out that I did. To a house full of dogs and cats, she fit right in. If your heart is set on a dog, please adopt one, and don't forget the older ones who aren't pretty anymore; or the black ones who are seldom adopted because of their color. If they have special needs, they have lessons to teach you; like courage, inner strength, patience, gratitude and above all, love.