Therapy Dog Visit to Juveniles Allows Discussion of Animal Abuse and Domestic Violence

Since we returned to Colorado, Maddie and I have resumed our therapy dog visits to the juvenile center. I love combining the therapeutic effect of Maddie's interaction with the kids with valuable humane education topics. Yesterday I talked to the kids about the connection between domestic violence and animal cruelty after Maddie greeted and interacted with each of them individually.

"How is animal abuse related to domestic violence?" I asked them. (While I speak, Maddie is lying at my feet watching me with total focus, like I'm talking about the most interesting thing in the world ... but of course it's the treat bag around my waist that is captivating her!)

I got a few blank stares and a response about abuse in puppy mills. Although I was very happy to see how much a couple of the kids knew about the terrible conditions in puppy mills, I could see they didn't really know or weren't sharing what they knew about the connection between animal cruelty and domestic violence. One young woman noticeably slumped her shoulders, which made me wonder if I struck a chord for her with this subject. I was concerned for her.

I shared with the teens some of the information that I learned from the ASPCA website. A New Jersey study found that in 88% of families who experienced physical abuse of children they had also experienced animal abuse.

"Why do abusers abuse animals?" I asked.

"Because they feel insecure," offered one young man.

"Very true," I said. "And sadly the abuser often gains a sense of power and control over the family with his/her abusive acts with animals or people. An abusive person can use animal cruelty to perpetuate fear in family members or to enforce submission. It can also be a way to prevent the victim or victims from leaving the abusive situation; or a way to punish them for a behavior such as independence that the abuser does not like."

We discussed the signs they may see in an animal as a result of animal cruelty/abuse. According to the ASPCA these include but are not limited to:

• wounds on the body
• flea or tick infestation
• missing hair
  
• a very thin, starving animal
  
• limping
  
• animals who cower when approached by their owners
  
• dogs who have been hit by a cars and not treated
• dogs repeatedly left alone without water or food or chained in a yard
  
• dogs left outdoors in extreme weather without shelter
  
• actually seeing and owners strike or abuse an animal

My goal in sharing this information with these kids was to empower them to know where to turn if this was happening in their own family or in a friend's family. We talked about who to report animal cruelty to. I told them it could be different in different states but that the police department was always a place to turn to report animal cruelty.

"You can also contact your local humane society or animal control organization to report animal cruelty in or outside of your family.

You will not only be helping the animals, but you may also keep the abuse from escalating into human abuse."

We lightened up this difficult topic by ending with a 15 minute play period with Maddie, which brought smiles to all of their faces -- not to mention Maddie's!

Posted By:

Dawn Kairns
Author of MAGGIE the dog who changed my life A Story of Love

Website: www.dawnkairns.com

Blog: Dawn Kairns and Maggie the Dog
Twitter: www.twitter.com/themaggiebook

Become a fan on Facebook of MAGGIE: the dog who changed my life

2009 Indie Book Awards Finalist
DWAA 2008 Merial Human-Animal Bond Award Finalist

Do You Want To Help Inner City Kids Connect With Animals?

Today's topic is a little off my usual direction. But when I was contacted by Sara Wilson from The Fresh Air Fund about their program for hosting NYC children for part of the summer, I saw an opportunity to share their program with all of you both to help The Fresh Air Fund and the children they serve, and to help animals. Some of these kids already have animals, I'm sure, and have a love and respect for them. Others may fear them or not know how to treat them; and could benefit from humane education. Here is an opportunity to introduce inner city children to share in the beauty, love for and the joy of animals. To respect and better understand them. Many of you have an animal related career. It would be great for these kids to be exposed to what's possible in terms of future careers with animals. Or maybe more importantly to see the value in the rescue work so many of you are involved in. Without further adieu, may I introduce The Fresh Air Fund:

The Fresh Air Fund NEEDS host families for the Summer of 2010

In 2009, The Fresh Air Fund's Volunteer Host Family program, called Friendly Town, gave close to 5,000 New York City boys and girls, ages six to 18, free summer experiences in the country and the suburbs. Volunteer host families shared their friendship and homes up to two weeks or more in 13 Northeastern states from Virginia to Maine and Canada.

The Fresh Air Fund relies on donations to provide memorable summers to NYC children.

The Fresh Air Fund needs hosts for the summer of 2010.

More than 65% of all Fresh Air children are reinvited to stay with their host family, year after year.

Thanks to host families who open up their homes for a few weeks each summer, children growing up in New York City’s toughest neighborhoods have experienced the joys of Fresh Air experiences.

Fresh Air Fund Host Families

"It is rewarding to see the smile on our Fresh Air child's face as she enjoys the simple things we take for granted..."

Friendly Town host families are volunteers who live in the suburbs or small town communities. Host families range in size, ethnicity and background, but share the desire to open their hearts and homes to give city children an experience they will never forget. Hosts say the Fresh Air experience is as enriching for their own families, as it is for the inner-city children. There are no financial requirements for hosting a child. Volunteers may request the age-group and gender of the Fresh Air youngster they would like to host. Stories about real Fresh Air host families and their New York City visitors are just a click away!

Fresh Air Children

"We made s'mores and hot dogs over the fire. I've never cooked outside before!"

Fresh Air children are boys and girls, six to 18 years old, who live in New York City. Children on first-time visits are six to 12 years old and stay for either one or two weeks. Youngsters who are re-invited by the same family may continue with The Fund through age 18, and many enjoy longer summertime visits, year after year. A visit to the home of a warm and loving volunteer host family can make all the difference in the world to an inner-city child. All it takes to create lifelong memories is laughing in the sunshine and making new friends.

The majority of Fresh Air children are from low-income communities. These are often families without the resources to send their children on summer vacations. Most inner-city youngsters grow up in towering apartment buildings without large, open outdoor play spaces. Concrete playgrounds cannot replace the freedom of running barefoot through the grass or riding bikes down country lanes.

Fresh Air children are registered by more than 90 participating social service and community organizations located in disadvantaged neighborhoods in the five boroughs of New York City. These community-based agencies are in close contact with children in need of summer experiences in rural and suburban areas. Each agency is responsible for registering children for the program.

What do Fresh Air children enjoy?

Playing in the backyard

Laughing in the sunshine

Catching fireflies

Riding bicycles

Learning to swim

Running barefoot through the grass

Gazing at the stars on moonlit nights

Building sandcastles

Making new friends

Simple pleasures of life away from the inner-city

Every year, The Fresh Air Fund gives thousands of inner-city children the priceless gift of fun – and opens the door to a lifetime of opportunities.

Whether it's a two-week trip to visit a volunteer host family, or a fun-filled and educational stay at one of their camps, Fresh Air Fund programs make for unforgettable memories – and open a world of new friendships and fresh possibilities.

Fresh Air Fund is a not-for-profit agency and depend on tax-deductible donations for their programs. Visit http://freshairfundhosts.com/ to donate or to learn more about becoming a host or call (800) 367-0003.

Posted By:

Dawn Kairns
Author of MAGGIE the dog who changed my life A Story of Love

Website: www.dawnkairns.com

Blog: Dawn Kairns and Maggie the Dog
Twitter: www.twitter.com/themaggiebook

Become a fan on Facebook of MAGGIE: the dog who changed my life

2009 Indie Book Awards Finalist

DWAA 2008 Merial Human-Animal Bond Award Finalist

Gas Chambers Banned in Georgia Animal Shelters

This is not a pretty subject. I was appalled when I first learned that animals in shelters in many states are euthanized in gas chambers using carbon monoxide, rather than by lethal injection. The result is anything but a humane death. This Georgia vote is a step in the right direction and my hope is that the remainder of states that still use the gas chamber will follow Georgia's lead. The following is from the Care 2 Blog today.

Georgia Votes to Ban Gas Chambers and Reunite Lost Pet

by Sharon Seltzer

Georgia could be on its way to becoming the number one state for protecting animals. The state’s legislators passed two new animal welfare laws last week.

In a vote of 115 to 46, lawmakers in Georgia finally approved a bill to stop the use of gas chambers to euthanize pets in animal shelters. Under the new law animals “must be put to sleep through lethal injection.”

The bill’s sponsor, state Representative Tom Knox told a local TV station, “Gas chambers, which use carbon monoxide to euthanize pets, are pretty gory.”

He won over his opponents by showing how animals die in a gas chamber and how they gasp for their last breath. He also demonstrated how pets become very frightened when they are placed in the gas chamber container, which resembles a dark closet. “They don’t’ go to sleep real quick,” said Knox. “It is not humane,” he continued.

State Representative, Gene Maddox, a veterinarian argued against the bill. He wanted to keep gas chambers open for feral animals. He told fellow legislators, “This is a bad bill… The carbon monoxide chamber is the most humane method.” Lucky for the pets of Georgia, Maddox was outvoted.

And during the same week, legislators approved a second bill to protect animals. The new law will require animal shelters to scan homeless pets for a microchip before euthanizing them. The vote on H.B. 1106 was unanimous.

Ironically, this bill was introduced by Representative Gene Maddox. The new law has two parts. First it requires shelters to scan animals for a microchip as soon as they arrive at a facility. If a chip is found, the animal shelter is obligated to contact the pet’s owner. Then the law makes it mandatory to re-scan household pets such as cats and dogs a second time before euthanizing them. The intention of the law is reunite as many lost pets with their owners as possible.

Maddox said the companies that make scanners have agreed to donate them to local shelters in order to keep the cost down. Some critics of the scanning bill argued that the majority of pets in Georgia do not have a microchip, but that may soon change as owners hear about the extra measures shelters will have to take to return lost pets.

Visit the original post at:

http://www.care2.com/causes/animal-welfare/blog/georgia-votes-to-ban-gas-chambers-and-reunite-lost-pet/

Posted By:

Dawn Kairns
Author of MAGGIE the dog who changed my life A Story of Love

Website: www.dawnkairns.com

Blog: Dawn Kairns and Maggie the Dog
Twitter: www.twitter.com/themaggiebook

Become a fan on Facebook of MAGGIE: the dog who changed my life

2009 Indie Book Awards Finalist
DWAA 2008 Merial Human-Animal Bond Award Finalist

In Honor of Maggie, Chloe, Maddie, Marky & All My Rescue Dogs: I Rescued A Human Today

Most of us who have rescued or loved an animal realize at some point in our lives with them just how much they rescued us every bit as much, if not more, than we rescued them. For all my furry loves: MAGGIE, Chloe, Maddie, all my foster dogs, Marky, my cats Shanna and Cinnamon, thank you for rescuing me and being there when I most needed you, and for your never-ending unconditional love.

I received this lovely piece of wisdom from a reader and friend via email today and want to share it with you:

I Rescued A Human Today

by Janine Allen, CPDT

Her eyes met mine as she walked down the corridor peering apprehensively into the kennels. I felt her need instantly and knew I had to help her. I wagged my tail, not too exuberantly, so she wouldn't be afraid.

As she stopped at my kennel I blocked her view from a little accident I had in the back of my cage. I didn't want her to know that I hadn't been walked today. Sometimes the shelter keepers get too busy and I didn't want her to think poorly of them.

As she read my kennel card I hoped that she wouldn't feel sad about my past. I only have the future to look forward to and want to make a difference in someone's life. She got down on her knees and made little kissy sounds at me.

I shoved my shoulder and side of my head up against the bars to comfort her. Getle fingertips caressed my neck; she was desperate for companionship. A tear fell down her cheek and I raised my paw to assure her that all would be well.

Soon my kennel door opened and her smile was so bright that I instantly jumped into her arms. I would promise to keep her safe. I
would promise to always be by her side. I would promise to do everything I could to see that radiant smile and sparkle in her eyes. I was so fortunate that she came down my corridor. So many more are out there who haven't walked the corridors. So many more to be saved. At least I could save one.

I rescued a human today.

Posted By:

Dawn Kairns
Author of MAGGIE the dog who changed my life A Story of Love

Website: www.dawnkairns.com

Blog: Dawn Kairns and Maggie the Dog
Twitter: www.twitter.com/themaggiebook

Become a fan on Facebook of MAGGIE: the dog who changed my life

2009 Indie Book Awards Finalist
DWAA 2008 Merial Human-Animal Bond Award Finalist

Marky the Rescue Dog Update

I have two kinds of news about Marky. The difficult news is that Sheree's (Marky's next foster mom and potential adopter) sister has been in and out of the hospital the last week with a dangerously low white blood count due to her chemotherapy. Her chemotherapy was rescheduled for Wednesday, yesterday, the day Sheree would have picked Marky up after his neuter surgery. Needless to say, she couldn't pick him up. Sam (Sheree's sister) is currently living with Sheree, and Sheree is trying to keep her isolated from any potential bacteria AND trying to incorporate Sam's animals into their household. So she can't take Marky this week. My heart goes out to Sheree, Sam and their family in their time of crisis. Incorporating a new dog at such a stressful time, as we all know, would be so hard on all involved, including Marky.

The great news is that a different BSPCA foster mom, Cindy, picked Marky up from his first foster home a few days ago to be sure he made it to his surgery yesterday. If you remember, the first foster mom missed Marky's first neuter appointment along with a couple of other dogs, and neglected to get her 3 foster dogs to PetSmart on 2 potential adoption days. Given her unreliablity, BSPCA arranged for Marky to stay with Cindy, and this is where he'll stay until Sheree is ready to take him. At Cindy's we learned that Marky is good with Cindy's several cats. I hear that Sheree likes this idea. What amazes me is that Sheree still plans to pick Marky up next Wednesday! I have to say, she is a bigger woman than I am. Of course I want Marky to go with her, but I don't know that I would be capable of doing it if I were walking in Sheree's shoes right now.

Marky does seem to be food aggressive and Laura from BSPCA tells me that Sheree is aware of this and has dealt with this issue with a couple of her own dogs. Is it any surprise that he is food aggressive right now given that he was out fending for himself as a pup, starving, with ribs protruding, and being eaten alive by fleas? Other than his food aggression, Cindy reports that Marky is a very sweet and friendly dog. That's the boy I met on the road!

Marky came through his surgery very well yesterday and tested negative for heartworm! The wait for his forever home continues, but I'm happy that progress is being made. I am relieved that he is now neutered, safe, and with a reliable foster. What will next Wednesday bring? Even though it seems so overwhelming to me for Sheree to foster or adopt Marky right now, perhaps somehow Sheree, Marky, and Sam are all part of each other's healing and support during this crisis. My hope for the best for all of these wonderful beings remains, and I owe a huge debt of gratitude to the wonderful volunteers of the Brownsville SPCA.

Let's all send healing energy in Sam's direction ...

Posted By:

Dawn Kairns
Author of MAGGIE the dog who changed my life A Story of Love

2009 Indie Book Awards Finalist
DWAA 2008 Merial Human-Animal Bond Award Finalist

Website: www.dawnkairns.com

Blog: Dawn Kairns and Maggie the Dog
Twitter: www.twitter.com/themaggiebook

Become a fan on Facebook of MAGGIE: the dog who changed my life

"There are only two ways to live your life: As if nothing is a miracle, or as if everything is a miracle." -- Albert Einstein

Good News In Pet Adoption 3.5 from Adopt a Pet

Good News in Pet Adoption 3.5
Original Post by Jennifer on March 5th, 2010 on Adopt a Pet Blog

This week features a story from CA where a community came together and helped end puppy mill sales of one local pet store. Owners of a Rocklin pet store say they were flooded with e-mails and phone calls, asking them to stop selling purebred puppies. The requests started soon after a Roseville pet store which sold dogs closed last year. “We won’t be selling puppies anymore at the store, we just want to be a good member of the community and it’s clear that people don’t want us doing it,” said Rocklin Family Pet Store owner, Dale Glazer. The store will host an SPCA pet adoption event this Friday.

Posted By:

Dawn Kairns
Author of MAGGIE the dog who changed my life A Story of Love

Website: www.dawnkairns.com

Blog: Dawn Kairns and Maggie the Dog
Twitter: www.twitter.com/themaggiebook

Become a fan on Facebook of MAGGIE: the dog who changed my life

2009 Indie Book Awards Finalist
DWAA 2008 Merial Human-Animal Bond Award Finalist

Amazon Ranking Site Offers Free Copy of" MAGGIE the dog who changed my life"

If any of you would like a chance to receive a free copy of my book, MAGGIE the dog who changed my life A Story of Love, the Novel Rank Blog is offering a book give-away contest for the paperback version of my book over the next few days. You can visit the link below to enter to win...

http://www.novelrank.com/blog/book-giveaway-march-2010-maggie-the-dog-who-changed-my-life/

Novel Rank is an independent site that reports ranks & book sales on Amazon for any of you authors who may be interested in tracking. Shipping is also free to you ...









Posted By:

Dawn Kairns
Author of MAGGIE the dog who changed my life A Story of Love

Website: www.dawnkairns.com

Blog: Dawn Kairns and Maggie the Dog
Twitter: www.twitter.com/themaggiebook

Become a fan on Facebook of MAGGIE: the dog who changed my life

2009 Indie Book Awards Finalist
DWAA 2008 Merial Human-Animal Bond Award Finalist