Rescues » Big Dog Blog

It appeared to be a normal birthday party for two girls, ages six and seven.

Party goers gathered at a skating rink in Depew, New York - kids donned pink and purple helmets as they toddled around the rink – pop music blasting from nearby speakers.

What made this birthday party unique was the gift table.

Instead of Barbie dolls and hair bows, guests brought dog food, cat food, treats, toys and other pet products.

There were no gifts for humans at the joint birthday party for six-year old Victoria Bogucki and her seven-year old sister Isabella - instead every one of their gifts will be donated to the SPCA and Buffalo Animal Shelter. It is exactly what the girls wanted.

“We have too many toys,” Victoria said.

Victoria came up with the charity gifts idea after asking her mother what the word “donation” meant.

As for which charities to donate to, that was easy.

“We’re animal lovers,” said Victoria.

Victoria cherishes her dog, Butkus, her hermit crab and fish, and plans to become a veterinarian. Isabella aspires to do the same.

As for the SPCA and Buffalo Animal Shelter - they haven’t heard the last from the Bogucki sisters.

Victoria asked her mother if they can do the same charity gift giving for her first Holy Communion.

Source: www.BuffaloNews.com

It may be the year of the dog in china, but the zodiac sign of luck apparently isn’t for the dogs. Authorities in Beijing ordered a brutal mass-murder of all dogs in their county after 3 people died as a result of rabies contacted through dog bites. The dogs were either ordered to be killed by owners, which were paid just over $.60 for each dog, or they were slaughtered at large by the government. The raids occurred over 5 days under the cover of darkness and the bait was noise. Executioners went throughout the neighborhoods with banging pots and pans while setting off firecrackers to get the dogs barking, at which point they were beaten to death. China, known for its deficiency in people’s civil rights in the country, now shows their true colors with all forms of life.

This was a few days ago. Now a second Chinese local government is planning a similar slaughter. This needs to stop! China can deal with the problem humanely and rationally. It is because of their lack in leadership that this problem even exists.

An internet petition to urge our US ambassador to condemn the slaughter is already off to a good start but needs to continue. Please make your voice heard.

I think that it would be fair to say that a majority of dog owners are very familiar with dog rules and regulations, in the specific city and county in which you live. Knowing the laws and following them however, can sometimes be a contradition in iteslf though. Consider for example your local leash law. Many of us will comply with the given rule and when on the street use a leash for our dog but when we get to an open field or park where the traffic flow is minimal, then we let the dog free to roam about as he/she wishes. Or what about when you are on a walk and your dog needs to poop? I am sure that 99% of the time you remember to have a bag or two, depending on the trip, but what happens when you are caught off guard? Do you go go home and then return to the scene of the crime to clean up your mess as the law states you should? My guess is no but that doesn’t make you a bad dog parent; it simply makes you human.

One city is attempting to make one rule that is often not followed easier to comply with. In the city of Springfield, Oregon “officials are making in promoting a program that would allow pet owners to buy a license for their pooch during a routine trip to the veterinarian’s office.” This idea came about after a 2003 survey was taken of dog owners where it was discovered that only 12% of the residents city wide complied as compared to only 17% of the county residents. Although the registration fee is small, the benefit to having this done far out weighs it. Not only will this allow you feel good about being a fully law abiding citize but you can also rest easy knowing that if your dog gets out and is picked up by the animal control people, he/she will be returned in no time.

Alexandra writes in and has this to say:

“This is to all the people running “rescue groups”. You keep talking about all these dogs who need new homes. There are more people than you know willing to give these dogs new homes. But you have set yourselves up as better qualified than we are to have a dog. I have not seen any initials behind your names that would signify training or something similar to make you better suited. I breaks my heart more everyday that goes by without a dog in my life. Have no idea if I would qualify for one of your rescued dogs. Do know I have owned dogs most of my adult life. Some have come from shelters. Some have been purchased from breeders. All have had a good home with lots of love and attention. I realize that you have expenses when you rescue a dog. If I am going to pay over $200.00 for a dog, I am most likely going to go through a breeder who can give me a dog with a known history. I feel that you are well intentioned. Also feel you are keeping alot of people and dogs from liveing happy lives together. Please take this the way it is intended. Not just criticism. But a new perspective on finding homes for so many dogs who truly need them.”

I do agree with Alexandra a bit as Jaime and I shared a similar experience. Before we found our Boy Bear, we faced 3 different applications that we were turned down by. We couldn’t be better parents (at least as far as we’re concerned and most would agree). Are breeders and rescuers overly cautious today? Is it for good reason? Sure, but at the expense of not placing pets into good homes? Sure is tough.