Miraculous dog rescue raises awareness

First 12 News KX11.com

VAN ALSTYNE, TX - Statistics show that for every animal rescued two more have to be euthanized due to overcrowding in shelters or poor health. But one Van Alstyne woman is working hard to change all that through her own rescue efforts, and one special dog in particular.

Anita Armstrong is a local business woman, but she’s also an avid animal advocate. She has been working with animal rescue groups for years, and now on her own she tries to do her part. And luckily, one night while driving down Highway 82, she saw a wounded animal on the side of the road, so she stopped to help.

"There were lots and lots of prayers within 30 minutes of finding her to please pray for this dog because she is so broken,” said Anita. “And they were all answered, so it was that night she was named mercy."

When Anita found the Great Dane puppy mix lying in the mud on the side of the highway both of her back legs and pelvis were badly broken. The vet told her she probably wouldn't make it.

"She has been amazing, I think she's taught a lot of us ‘don’t give up,’” said Anita.

And Anita didn't give up on Mercy either, saying she knew no matter how bad Mercy was, she couldn’t put her down. She took her to an emergency veterinarian in Grayson County, and then a special treatment center in Plano.

"I knew the dog had landed in the right place; that she was going to get the help it needed,” said her good friend and fellow animal rescuer, Kathy McVean.

That help wasn't easy either, and Anita has paid roughly $9,000 of her own money on medical costs. But weeks later, after extensive surgery, almost all of Mercy's rear end is metal plates. But amazingly she’s walking again.

"She is a miracle dog, absolutely she is. I mean the way Anita found her in the ditch, it’s amazing,” said Kathy.

But Anita and Kathy, who also works for rescue group Paws in the City, said there are countless stories just like Mercy's that don't have a happy ending.

"These babies have no voice, and they need all of us to be their guardian,” said Anita.

They said one of the best ways to help is have your pets spayed and neutered, and always give them the care they deserve.

"They need help just like anything else and we need to step in when they need help,” said Kathy.

And while Anita can't keep Mercy forever, she knows this puppy will give someone else the love that Mercy has shown her.

"She has 14 years to give someone more joy than they can ever imagine, so that's what we're looking for, for someone to love her,” said Anita.

“Paws in the City” is assisting in the adoption of Mercy, along with many other rescued dogs and cats. For more information, go to their website: www.pawsinthecity.org.

There has also been an account to help out with Mercy’s high medical bills. It’s set up as the “Friends of Mercy” account at Wells Fargo Bank.

The Not So Ugly Duckling

By Bernie Siegel, M.D.
The other day I was sitting on our back porch, enjoying the sun, when a bedraggled little duck startled me with a big splash as he crash landed in the little pond I had built in our backyard. As he settled down and tried to catch his breath I noticed his feathers were pointing in all directions. I continued to watch as our rabbit Smudge hopped over to the pond and struck up a conversation.
“Hi, my name is Smudge. If you are looking for a place to rest you landed in the right place. Can I get you something to eat? You look tired and hungry.”
“I could use a bite to eat and a few moments to catch my breath.”
When Smudge gave me the sign I went to our food bin and brought some bird seed and corn over and then went back and sat down so I wouldn’t frighten his new friend.
“That helped. Thank you.”
“Happy to help. Bobbie and Bernie, the couple who live here, rescued me and my sister Snowflake two years ago. They have big hearts and a house full of animals they love. We all have stories to tell; what’s yours?”
“When I popped out of the egg before I was expected my mom started telling me that she was disappointed in me from day one because I was so small and had weird looking feathers. She said she was tired of explaining things to people and hiding me. She kept telling me what a disappointment I was to her and my dad. Whenever they talked about me they called me the ugly duckling. They were breaking my heart so I decided to run away. I’m an ugly duckling with no place to run to.”
“Well you have a place now. You stay right here while I tell everyone about you and we’ll get you moved into our bird sanctuary where you’ll get to meet the other ducks and geese who live here. Not to mention all the other creatures we have rescued who have learned we are all family.”
“Why are you being so nice when you don’t even know me?”
“Dear Doctor Bernie has taught us that we are all wounded and have our share of troubles. He’s a surgeon and says we are all one family, the same color inside, so we try to serve one another. He’s our CD and Bobbie is our CM; they stand for Chosen Dad and Chosen Mom. I know someone whose childhood was a lot like yours except for one thing that made all the difference in the world to him. Would you like to hear a story? It may help you to understand and change how you see yourself.”
“Sure. I’m definitely not going anywhere.”
“Once upon a time there was a young woman who was told not to become pregnant because she was very sick and had lost a lot of weight. Her doctor felt becoming pregnant might endanger her life. She and her husband followed the doctor’s advice but her mother wouldn’t accept it. She told her daughter to lie down on the couch and she started feeding her all through the day. Well in time the woman gained thirty pounds and went ahead and became pregnant.
“Things went reasonably well until the time when the baby was due. You showed up too soon while this duckling seemed like he had no interest in ever coming out. Weeks went by and finally his mom went into labor but after several days he still didn’t show his little head. I think it was his big head that was the problem but don’t tell anyone I told you that.
“His mom was going through a lot of pain and the doctor said he really needed to get her baby out but she wasn’t well enough to risk a cesarean section so they reached way up inside and pulled the baby out. Then the fun began. His mom said when she saw him she thought, they didn’t give me a baby they gave me a purple melon. So she and the baby’s dad wrapped him in kerchiefs and put him in a covered carriage so no one would see him and when they got home they hid his carriage behind the house and covered all the mirrors.”
“Boy, I know how he must have felt. “
“But there was one big difference between his family and yours. He never considered running away from home. Can you guess why?”
“No.”
“Think about it. He had what you didn’t have; a grandmother and he was her grandchild. She saw the beauty that parents haven’t learned how to see. It’s not their fault and I am not blaming anyone. It’s about life and what they have experienced. Hey, the next generation becomes great grandchildren so it is definitely about what we learn from our experience.”
“I’m sure you know by now that the ugly duckling with a grandmother was Bernie. Bernie’s mom said her mother took him and poured oil over him many times a day and massaged and pushed things back where they belonged. Bernie said as he grew up whenever he worried about how he looked he’d always go to his grandma for a hug. Finally when he was old enough to go to school for the first time he went to his grandma and said, “I don’t know how I look. There are no full length mirrors in our house.”
She answered, “Come over here, look into my eyes and you will see how beautiful you are.” Bernie didn’t need plastic surgery or to do what the ugly duckling and you did, run away from home. You won’t have to struggle to see by your reflection that you are beautiful because you will see that in our eyes. Bernie’s grandma has taught us all a few things though Bernie’s wife Bobbie did insist upon having a mirror by their front door. So his grandmother hung a sign across the top of it that says, “Come and see how beautiful and meaningful life is.”
“So whenever anyone is having a bad day and grandma isn’t around we just go and stand in front of grandma’s mirror.”
“Now I want you to start working on what the original ugly duckling did. He quieted his mind and didn’t let his mother’s rejection become the focus of his life. With a quiet mind one can focus upon and quiet one’s life and the direction it is taking and look what happens then? His quiet mind and the still water of his life allowed him to see his true beauty and that he was a swan, not an ugly duckling. Don’t ever forget we are all swans and divine creations.”

Animal friendly products make a difference

It haunts me to think about all the animals that have lost their lives to research. The graphic images are burned into my mind forever.
Over the years I have stopped using personal care products including cosmetics as well as household products that have been tested on animals. Such products can be found locally or online. (See links on the sidebar).
It really isn’t that difficult. I have found locally face products that are much better – and less expensive – that have made quite a difference in my complexion to the point that when I see someone who hasn't seen me in a while they marvel at how good my skin looks. (You can only go so far without plastic surgery!) I use Eminence, a Hungarian company and every product states that no animal testing was done. Locally this product can be found at Inner Essence Spa and Wellness Center in Orange.
There are also plenty of personal care products that are cruelty free as well from deodorant to body scrubs to toothpaste and everywhere in between that are skin sensitive and do a fine job for their intended purpose.
I used to think that household products made by earth friendly companies were cruelty free. However, when shopping for these at local health food stores I started reading the product labels and was surprised to not find the simple statement that animals were not used for testing purposes. Researching further on the product websites there wasn’t any statement about not testing on animals there either. There were plenty of statements talking about corporate responsibility and saving the earth but nothing about saving or respecting animals.
While I am only one household committed to using products not tested on animals if we all just started replacing one item at a time animals would slowly stop becoming a laboratory statistic.
Join me.

Rabies, microchip clinic

Amity Animal Rescue Fund and Country Companions Veterinary Services will host a rabies and micro chipping clinic on May 15, 1 to 3 p.m. at Country Companions location, 9 Amity Road, Bethany. Dr. Kimberly McClure Brinton will be inoculating animals 1 to 3 p.m. Rabies inoculations will be $12 and Micro chips $15 while supplies last. Additional fee to activate the microchip. To receive a 3-year rabies certificate bring proof of current inoculation. All animals without a current rabies certificate will be given a one-year vaccination. Animals must be on leash or in carriers. For additional info call 203-389-1996.

Have pride in being a vegetarian

The 2010 Veggie Pride Parade is coming next month, May 16, in New York City.
Organizers say they Vegans and vegetarians have good reason to choose their meatless lifestyle and are convinced that being vegetarian is the only way to live ethically and be in good health according to the parades Web site.
Goals of the parade and rally complete with speakers include:
• Setting a positive example by standing up for a vegetarian lifestyle.
• Demonstrating love for all animals including farmed animals.
• Promoting a healthy diet.
• Educating about the issues surrounding today's cruel, unsustainable, and exploitative meat, egg, and dairy-production systems.
• And encouraging meat eaters to join in.

Day to respect chickens is May 4

An annual project of United Poultry Concern is International Respect for Chickens Day to be celebrated May 4. The event is designed to celebrate the dignity, beauty and life of chickens and to protect the bleakness of their lives in farming operations. UPC encourages individuals to start planning what you can do in your community to highlight the life and suffering of chickens, and to encourage compassion for them.
To obtain brochures, buttons and posters visit UPC at www.upc-online.org/merchandise/.

A best friend waiting for her chance at happiness

A couple of years ago I was perusing the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary We site reminiscing about Lady Jane. She touched our lives so deeply.

I came across this photo of Peoria and my heart stopped after reading her sad story. If you are inclined to believe in reincarnation Peoria did it for me. Another Lady Jane.

According to her profile she was found in an Arizona junkyard wandering around with a pack of feral dogs. And somebody had been shooting at them. She tends to bark and freeze when you pet her too. And she is not suited to be around children either.

I immediately started to cry and picked up the phone to learn more about her. She was not ready for adoption.

Of course I didn’t give up on her but adopted her online with a donation in her honor. I have continued to do this and have kept up with her progress. Best Friends sent me this photo of her. Isn’t she special?

Earlier this year we lost another wonderful companion (another post) and I thought if there was ever a reason to lose someone it was to give someone else a chance. I filled out the adoption application for Peoria only to learn she still was not ready for her forever home yet. And she is older now and we would have had to drive to Best Friends. I am certainly up to that task when she is ready.

It is heartening to know that there are organizations such as Best Friends who truly care for and don’t give up on animals.

When you call there they talk to you and answer all your questions. If you have a behavior question, they will try to offer you advice. There is a link on the right side of this blog to Best Friends.

Average dog owner 'gets more exercise than gym-goers'

Telegraph.co.uk
Nov. 27
Researchers found animal lovers exercise their pet twice a day for 24 minutes each time – a total of five hours and 38 minutes a week.
On top of that, the average dog owner also takes their pet out on three long walks each week adding another two hours and 33 minutes to the total.
But in comparison, those without a dog spend an average of just one hour and 20 minutes per week exercising by going to the gym or heading out for a stroll or jog.
And almost half (47 per cent) of non-pet owners admit they do absolutely no exercise whatsoever.
A spokesperson for pet health care experts Bob Martin said the difference between the two was that going to the gym can feel like a chore while dogwalking can be far more enjoyable.
"A couple of short walks a day soon adds up and this research shows that it amounts to more time than people spend in the gym," he said.
"And whilst gym-goers exercise inside an air-conditioned gym, dog walkers are able to rack up the miles and enjoy fresh air whilst admiring the Great British countryside."
The study of 5,000 people, including 3,000 dog owners, revealed that 57 per cent of those see walking the dog as their main form of exercise. More than three quarters said they would rather take their dog for a walk than go to the gym.
A total of 86 per cent said they enjoyed taking their pet out each day, with just 22 per cent saying they sometimes see it as a chore.
But only 16 per cent of respondents said they enjoyed exercising in the gym, while almost 70 per cent considered it a chore.
The survey showed that having a dog to walk actually encourages regular exercise with 60 per cent of pet owners saying they always go for a walk with their dog – even when time is precious.
But 46 per cent of gym goers admit they often find other things to do to get out of doing exercise.
"With increasing focus on leading an active healthy lifestyle it seems that owning a dog makes us more healthy," the Bob Martin spokesperson said.
"The Government recommends 30 minutes of moderate cardio vascular exercise 3-5 times per week and it's encouraging to see that dog walkers are exceeding this target and enjoying it at the same time."

Spay/Neuter Now Program Available

Amity Animal Rescue Fund, Inc. has introduced a spay/neuter program for Bethany, Orange and Woodbridge felines. AARF has partnered with several local veterinarians to offer a dramatically reduced rate of $65 per cat which also includes a rabies inoculation. The program is for both domestic and feral cats.
For information call 203-389-1996 or e-mail Amityarf@yahoo.com.

Just who was Lady Jane?

If we are lucky once in our lifetime we will be fortunate to have a canine as devoted as Lady Jane was to us.
She was found tied to the entrance of Racebrook Nature Preserve with a piece of rope around her neck. And she was VERY pregnant. We were volunteering at the animal shelter at the time when Animal Control brought her in. She was frightened to death and snarling at everyone who came into her view. Although she was pregnant, it was obvious she had not had a good meal in some time.
During her tenure at the shelter it became obvious that she had no tolerance for felines. In fact we learned she was to be put down because of this intolerance. And thankfully, the animal control officer let us rescue Lady Jane. We hoped to find her a home as we had a feline, Prudence, who already ruled our lives.
For the next seven years, we kept Lady (AKA Border) and Prudy apart. Each taking their turn at ruling the house. During the day Lady Jane enjoyed her downstairs condo while Prudy had the run of the house. In the evenings, it was just the opposite.
Lady blossomed living with us. She developed a beautiful silky coat that was hard to keep your hands off of. And she was defiantly loyal. Constantly looking out for us.
One time when out for a car ride we went into New Haven for some reason. We left her in the car while we ran an errand. When I approached the car and put the key in the lock I heard, before I saw her, a deep warning growl. It was not until I alerted her it was me that she gave me an apologetic lick, as if saying “Sorry Ma, I was just protecting.”
Over the years, there were many such episodes, always with Lady Jane having our best interest at heart.
And then one day, when her dark muzzle had turned grey she developed a lump on the top of her head. After learning from a biopsy that the lump was indeed cancerous we opted to keep her as comfortable as possible. She was grateful I think that we didn’t put her through the chemotherapy regime. Eventually the day came when I had to carry her into Dr. Kim’s office. As her suffering was coming to an end I stroked her beautiful silky coat and thanked her for coming into our lives. She taught us much and constantly showered us with her love and devotion.
To her, and the many creatures that have been part of my life I dedicate this blog.