The Animals of our local Shelter

[Jenna14Chicken]

Aww they are soo cute! Do you only have dogs there? Sorry if that's a stupid question

 

[GitaBooks]

Aww they are soo cute! Do you only have dogs there? Sorry if that's a stupid question

Nope, it's not silly at all.

Our shelter (actually its a Humane Society to be exact) has both cats and dogs but rarely anything else. We did have a couple rabbits at one point and for a short time a cockatiel, but being out in the country I think most of the animals we get are strays, drop-offs and barn cats, stuff like that. Most other animals probably go to more specialized rescues, such a bird rescue or small animal rescue.

I do hope to start spending more time with the cats and getting photos of them as well, but since cats don't need walks and their smaller size means they naturally get more space, the dogs are usually first priority when I go in. Once they are all walked and have gotten their energy out and some cuddles then I can see if the cats need anything ( half of them snub me anyways

).

Here are some of the cats that we have or had at the shelter this year. Many of the cats I spend time with are back in the medical room, where they are being treated for worms, injuries, viruses, respiratory infection, and other illnesses. Here they are prevented from spreading diseases to the healthy cats, which are up for adoption, as well as being given round-the-clock care, medication, food, and a safe, warm, soft place to rest as they heal. Other cats may not be sick but have just come in and are yet to be given a check-up and proper vaccinations or neutering/spaying.

This nervous looking blue cat was suffering from diarrhea and so was in a medical cage until he/she could get better. I love those green eyes, even if they are hard to see in the shadowy cage. A bright cage, however, would just make the cats nervous. They like the secure feeling it brings. They also have a litter box and a soft bed as well as easy to clean newspaper for the flooring. This guy was on dry food, since it can help lessen diarrhea.


Butters is a handsome boy with long, silvery fur and a gorgeous tail. I'm sure he was adopted as soon as he got out of quarantine.


Shantelle has to be one of my favorite cats, and the first one I really spent time with while at the shelter. She is a tortie kitten who came in as a stray with a broken leg. This photo was taken the same day her cast was removed (from her back right leg) and she got to stretch her leg for the first time in a long while. She managed well with the cast, but I'm sure it was getting itchy, as she cleaned it up real good after the cast came off. She was the sweetest little thing ever!


Boodle is an orphan kitten that we actually still have! He's a healthy little guy whose eyes just opened and his little ears are still curled forward. He has a soft blanket and warm heat pad to rest on and goes home with someone every night so he can have his bottle every two hours through the night.


Another cat we likely still have, Mr. Cool came in as a stray with cracked, swollen, and bleeding paw pads, hints the extra thick, soft blankets given to him. He is SO sweet though, and calls out for you to come and give him some cuddles and tell him he truly is a cool cat.


Rags has been with us for over a month now at least. He came in with a severe respiratory infection (many cats in the area suffer from a herpes virus that causes them to be susceptible to respiratory problems) as well as an injury to his side. Here he is when he was really bad, not even willing to open his eyes, he would call out with a deep, gurgling meow and just look at you, so tired and sickly. Now he is full of attitude, energy, and demands the best food. He still has crusty sores around his eyes from the long lasting infection, but at least he can breath easy and enjoy himself as he waits to be adopted (he is finally available!).


This little girl is another case of respiratory problems in kittens that are brought in. Thin, small, and with watery eyes and the sniffles, it takes a course of antibiotics and a warm, safe place to live with good food to help them fight of the condition before they can be offered for adoption. However, if it truly is a virus that they suffer from, it will remain inside of them for life. With proper care, however, it likely won't manifest its self. Most if not all our own cats (my families) have the same issue and during cold winters they will start sneezing some here and there.


This big dude is Moo, another sick cat but not because he was too skinny! He had run free of the room, but preferred to remain in his soft, warm, safe crate where he could work on getting better before he was offered up for adoption and found a great new home to go to (hopefully where they continue to help him burn off some of that access weight he has on him). Moo wasn't feeling so good here because he was throwing-up, but when he got better he was moved out into the adoption area. Not only do we have some crates for cats that prefer to be solo, but we have an amazing cat paradise room for those that get along with a large climbing gym, a TV that plays bird calls and shows videos of rodents and other wildlife, multiple places to hide and rest and climb, comfortable chairs for people to sit in, and a nice, clean window they can look out and rest in the sun by.
Cats that aren't available for adoption are sometimes let out in one of the connections rooms during closed hours, where they can get some exercise and play time, but care has to be taken that they don't spread any diseases by sneezing on the floor, then having step on that "sneeze" and carrying it home on their shoe to their own cats, hints why most of them are in the back room where they can be kept clean and healthy.

 

[N F C]

Some very handsome cats...especially like the blue one and the tortie! It's interesting to read about them.

 

[Jenna14Chicken]

Awwwwwwwww I'm in love with them!! Thanks I thought there would be other animals but I wasn't sure cause u only posted dogs at first thanks

 

[GitaBooks]

Two more of our dogs that we currently have (both in the medical kennel). Sparrow we have had for a long while, weeks in fact, and she has gotten much better from the thin dog with scabs on her ears. She is a sweet, small mix breed that is full of energy but not one to pull on the leash. She just likes you to pet her and tell her she is good.

Sparrow before she gained her weight back.


Sparrow looking so cute!!!!!!!


Sparrow looking sleek and healthy with proper weight on and a nice, clean coat of hair.

The only reason she is still in the medical kennel is because she seems to have persistent diarrhea and that is why she had trouble gaining weight. I hope she can get out to be adopted soon, as she is a perfect dog for anyone.


Garrick is a bulldog, a big guy with long legs, who came to us in TERRIBLE shape. He was so thin and dehydrated with no fur on his neck or chest and thin fur on the rest of his body. He was nervous and seems a little aggressive with extropion problems on his eyes (the red parts show) and possibly other issues. Whatever it is, he is lucky to have found a place that can give proper food, a clean and warm place to rest, plenty of water, and all the health care he needs. I haven't walked him yet, because he doesn't wear a collar (his hairless neck is probably one reason) and he seems a little aggressive. In most cases volunteers aren't suppose to walk any dog that shows signs of aggression because a dog that bites may have to be put down (this is a no kill shelter, but dogs that bite people more then a couple times have to be put down).



Thankfully Garrick is starting to do better, at least he is gaining some weight and not dehydrated. I'm so glad he is doing well. Hopefully he can go up for adoption soon. He is a large Bulldog with nice, long, strong legs, longer then most English Bulldogs, which makes me think he must be a mix breed.

 

[GitaBooks]

So, now to introduce one of my favorite dogs at the shelter ever, this Aussie Cattle Dog is one of the most handsome dudes I've ever seen, so sleek and strong and full of energy and intelligence. He has gorgeous blue eyes, a heart-like star on his forehead, and a little blue ticking on his muzzles and legs. However, he also had aggression and hyperactivity issues. Thankfully, he did find a home before he had to stay too long and is hopefully very happy.

His name: Hoss










And no one can forget the loving, soul-full Fletcher. He is still with us and suffers from anxiety due to his blindness. Fletcher is special because of his ability to press on even with his disability and the constant sound of other dogs that he can't see around him. He licks his cage until huge puddles of drool develop to try to keep busy, since he can't watch the world around him and he doesn't know when a person is looking at him or not. However, he is sweet and loves hugs and kisses, walks, and being told he is a good dog. He listens to your voice and with patience learns to trust your guidance, though is afraid of doorways (since he can run into things).
Fletcher needs special handling, but just because he is blind doesn't mean he isn't incredible about learning how to work around it. He doesn't need babied, just understood. An environment that doesn't change, speaking so as not to startle him and so he knows where you are, being told where a treat is so he doesn't bite something by accident, knowing he might not dodge if you want to get past him, and watching when he is on a walk that he doesn't run into anything or trip off of a curb. I tell him with words (he likes my voice whether he understands what I am saying or not) and with the tapping of my foot or hand when there is a change up ahead. I tap the door so he hears it, I tap the walls so he knows where they are, I tap the cement when he is going from the grass to the cement, and I let him know I am there and he doesn't have to worry. But like I said, carrying him around and not letting him live his life would just make him fearful. He longs for someone who gives him the guidance and tools to be free and peaceful.






He sure gets excited about cuddles.

Snoopy (Snoop-dog as I call him) is a mix-breed who obviously has some issues with his weight. He is starting to get into better shape, but still needs a lot of work. He's a total sweet-heart with people, but is very aggressive and snappy towards most dogs, particularly through a fence (fences tend to make dogs more aggressive towards one another then open space). he has a nice brindle pattern with white tips, even on his tail, a thin coat, and a solid build (he is muscular even though he is over-weight). He is starting to enjoy short jogs during his walks.






Snoop is excited about getting let out for a walk. The harness on him is what all dogs must wear when outside of any building or fence because it is less likely they will slip out of their collar. It also prevents issues with choking if the dogs pull, which many shelter dogs due because of lack of training or pent-up energy.


Here are some more pictures of Fletcher, showing his hesitance as he feels out a new environment. he steps his feet up high, placing them in front of him with his head down, sniffing and listening. He heard my voice and began to walk towards me, but was nervous about running into something.



Now this guy, a sweet husky known as Fulton (I call him Colton) is a precious, sweet, gentle, sickly dude. He is gorgeous though, so handsome and so full of intelligence and life. He came in with a large tumor on his neck, bleeding wounds, a hairless chest and stomach, thin and thirsty. It also became apparent that he is deaf, with one ear being slightly smaller then the other. But those eyes...


So blue. They look like they are looking into your very soul. He will just stare at you like this, gently asking that you stay with him, that you offer him a treat, which he gentle takes with soft lips. I sure hope he gets better soon because he will make someone a wonderful companion.

 

[GitaBooks]

While they are no longer available (puppies are snatched up quick) these little guys were an awesome addition when they were with us. A large litter of mix-breeds, all too young to be adopted yet. They at first spent time in quarantine, then were moved to one of the connection rooms where they could be played with and cuddled. And that's what they adored! They just wanted to sit with you and cuddle and chew on you and lick you and pull on your clothes and hair (and sometimes skin).

Here they are, snuggled up in quarantine.




This little girl is Tilly, a chocolate covered female. She looks a lot like a lab actually, with that adorable liver nose of hers.




Luella is also a female, and shows off the golden lab that was likely part of their parentage. Boy she enjoyed snuggling and giving puppy kisses!


All of them just trying to get their turn! Pink collar belongs to Lydia, Tilly is the chocolate and Luella the golden, andt he last is Derwin, the male with the black collar. He looks a lot like his brother Dorian, both of them being tan and black.


Derwin again. He is one of the largest of the litter.


Trying to stop me from leaving by grabbing my skirt. Boy they are so cute! Look at those tails go!
The blue collar on the black and tan pup belongs to Dorian.



I think this is Lydia, based on the collar color, though there were two other pups that were too small to be with these guys. I'll show you one of them later, because she is just such an incredible little survivor. She was about 2 lbs while they were 8 lbs, and the only reason her stomach was swollen was from worms. She had to be half the size of the others at least!


Luella giving a puppy smirk.


Dorian, Tilly, Derwin and probably Lydia.


Adorable little smiles!


All trying to fit on my lap at the same time.


The face of the little princess, Lydia, so sweet and gentle.


This little pup was one of the two weaker ones. I'm not sure what his/her name is because it wasn't on the list. She's got a pot belly and small size, but not near like her little sister. That liver nose shows she's got similar genes to Tilly (the chocolate one).


So cute!!!!

 

[GitaBooks]

Now, I can't believe I forget her name, but here is the littel girl I was talking about. It started with an L I know, just like her sisters. She is colored like a golden lab but as small as a Chihuahua.

This was where she was kept, since she needed fluids and warmth and rest, not rambunctious siblings trampling her. She was in the medical room its self, a place for animals needing special care.


She had a little dish of puppy food, a soft blanket, and a puppy pad for her comfort, as well as a dish of water. You can see her adorable eyes and tiny paws.


She was happy to see me, but tired and weak as well.


I held her for a little while, but she seemed to be uncomfortable with her pot-belly, tiny frame, and weak build, and so I set her back in her cage. You can see her back bone and ribs were sticking out and how her size was mostly made-up of stomach, not any true muscle or fat.


So precious. Here you can see how small she really was compared to my hand. The precious thing had obviously not been given the proper medical care and food she needed, and was the runt of the litter. If I remember right, they were found in a box together, abandoned because someone didn't want to have to deal with them. Taken from their mother too soon, hungry, and full of worms and likely with fleas and mites, they were so lucky to have the loving care of a shelter before they could find good, forever homes.


Its so weird to witness these little miracles of a tiny runt surviving first hand. So often you read the stories on-line and think it doesn't happen in a place like where we live, no one would really just dump puppies in a box. But is does happen, all the time. Thankfully, her story is not a sad one, just an amazing one. There are so many animals out there that just need a few minutes of someones time to be shown that someone does care. A feral at that needs someone to apply some flea and tick on its back, a queen (female cat) with some kittens who needs extra nutrition, a stray dog that needs returned to its owner, or a pet waiting at your local shelter, hoping to be adopted into a forever home.
There, I sounded dramatic just like all those dog commercials. Lol.

Its funny that those commercials rarely show dogs that actually need help but instead those at the shelter, getting proper care. When it comes to dogs, there aren't really the good guys and the bad guys. No, there are owners who don't understand proper care, shelters without the proper funding or space to keep large amounts of dogs, and people who simply can't adopt dogs because of allergies or renting. Those commercials make it seem like a dog is in misery without your donations, but I'm happy to say that while a shelter isn't a perfect home for a dog, they are given the best of care, daily walks, proper food, vaccinations and wormers, cuddles and pettings, and a chance to find someone who can give them a peaceful, loving home.

 

[N F C]

Oh, that little girl is adorable!

 

[GitaBooks]

Now for the dog that I love but whose story has to bother me the most of any of the other dogs. This precious little girl is a miniature dachshund named Coralyn (or Cory). She came to us as a stray, with stained fur and the obvious fact that she was completely blind... had been from birth. How did a tiny dog like her manage as a stray in this sort of weather? How did she not get caught by a coyote or hit by a car? I'll never know.
By her very obvious saggy belly and large nipples, Cory had been used in the past as a breeder dog. However, her condition is genetic, this means that whoever bred her had no idea what they were doing. No one would breed a blind dog with a genetic illness if they knew how to breed dogs at all. Its just common knowledge.

So, here is what Cory's condition is: Cory is a double merle, this means that she has two copies of the merle gene that causes the coloration seen in some dachshunds, Australian shepherds, Great Danes and other breeds. It is an amazing color, unless it is doubled. Then it causes what is known as "lethal white". Double Merle is not actually lethal in dogs, but it is connected with the color white, and the color white is often connected with blindness, deafness, and early death in a number of animals that have it. The reason for this is that during development the brain needs melanin, and if a dog genetically is not producing it properly then the brain, eyes, ears, and nerve system will not form properly, in turn leading to a dog with small, useless eyes, sometimes partial or complete deafness, and sometimes a smaller size with a narrower skull.
Someone not only bred a double merle (something that can be avoided by breeding merles to non-merles) but then used her as a breeder herself even though she was deaf and deformed! It had to be a puppymill, since that would be the only reason a blind dog would be released as a stray since she was no longer considered useful.

Being blind from birth, Cory does to better then Fletcher as far as feeling out her environment, however. Her nose being close to the ground allows her to use it like a walking stick, to sniff or feel out for any problems ahead to avoid bumping into things with her head or tripping on them with her feet. She is very, very sweet and loving, she loves cuddles, wags her little tail and trots around outside, cries when she is alone (such a pitiful sound), but does nip at people she doesn't recognize. You have to talk to her and touch her gently so she knows where you are. She likes to sit on your lap but also to explore. Recently she has been brought out behind the desk with her own bed so she is never alone.

So here she is, the little survivor. Coralyn outside for a walk.


Cory excited to be petted, tapping her paws and wagging her tail. You can see how small and white her eyes are, as well as the stains on her neck, stomach and paws.


Cory looking at the camera. She is smaller then most miniature dachshunds, and very slim. We pet-sat a mini dachshund that was properly twice Cory's size and far more muscular and strong. Another sign that suffering from lethal white is so sad and should be avoided at all costs (some breeders do not avoid it and simply euthanize puppies born with eye issues).


Cory feeling out the connections room. She is only slightly hesitant, not nervous about walking around and sniffing. She asked to get off my lap, but wasn't sure how far the distances was, so I helped her down (I was sitting on the floor). She then got really excited and started around the whole room a few times, coming back to me, then going back in a circle again. You can see in this picture as well how saggy her stomach got from the litters of puppies she likely had.


A picture of Cory's eyes, once again showing how deformed and small they are. Any animal that suffers from lack of melanin in the brain may have issues with their eyes or ears, something seen in blue-eyed white cats, lethal white hamsters, lethal white guinea pigs, lethal white horses, lethal white ball pythons, lethal white dwarf hamsters, and white ferrets. It is not always lethal, as stated, but many times the babies die or are euthanized at a young age, some not even surviving to birth.


You can see here Cory's color. It is pretty, but it should never be bred for. The soft dilute reds and high amounts of white show the melanin deficiency.


Cory enjoying a walk. I'm not sure if she is partially deaf or not, but she doesn't respond to sound normally or come when called. She just walks happily through the grass, towards the road, towards a river, the dangers are numerous, but she is very happy and with me there she is safe. She just keeps her nose to the ground to sniff the smells and feel the grass.