Thanks for reading the EBHS Insider! This column will be updated frequently with news and stories about the shelter, our staff, Well-Bred Bargains, and interesting and important animal related information from our community and beyond. If you have any comments or questions for the Insider, send them to ebhsinsider@ebhs.org. 

Thursday, May 9, 2008

EBHS to the rescue! When there is an animal in distress, EBHS always does our best to go the extra mile. In this case, we went underground to save the life of one of our web-footed friends.

One of our brave, and unfortunately claustrophobic, employees climbed down into a sewer drain in Butler today to save the life of a gosling who had managed to fall into it. The good news is that both Jen, one of our Care Staff, and the little goose, managed to safely exit the sewer and get back to the shelter a little dirty but no worse for wear.

Sadly, the rest of the little goslings family were unable to be located, so the little one is going out to our friends at Wildlife in Need in Oconomowoc where he will stay until he can take care of himself, and then go back into the wild. A big thanks to Jen, and the Butler Police Department for their help today!

Monday, May 5 - Special Edition!

GREAT NEWS! Bandit has found his forever home! Bandit went home today with a great family, and two furry siblings. Bandit has been at EBHS since February of 2008, and was at another animal shelter for a long while before coming here. We know that there is a perfect adopter for every animal, and we are always willing to wait for that family to come along. Bandit is deaf, and was not going to be easy to find a forever home for. Some shelters would have never had the time or space to give this guy another chance. We are all a little teary eyed with happiness seeing Bandit walk out with his new family. We will miss him, but judging by how happy he looked getting into the car for his final trip from the shelter, we know we did a great thing for him! Thanks to Barb for giving Bandit a second chance!

Monday, May 5, 2008

Over the weekend we received an email from the family that adopted Marcie (now named Millie), whom many of you may remember was a puppy mill survivor who needed to have surgery to remove a growth that was suspected to be cancer. Fortunately, it was not cancer, and she has made a full physical recovery. This letter offers great insight into the emotional recovery of a puppy mill dog. I will again turn over today's entry to an EBHS family member to share this important message:

Thursday, May 1, 2008

I received a special email today, so I will turn the blog over to Neela, an EBHS alumni, who took the time to write me a letter on her adoption anniversary.

Dear Friends at EBHS,

Today is a special day for me.  It’s my two-year adoption anniversary.  I just want to let you know I’m doing great, and I’ll always be grateful to all of you for giving me and other animals a second chance.  I was a stray in Milwaukee and ended up at MADACC.  I was very scared, sick, and cowering in my kennel, but you were nice enough to rescue me and bring me to EBHS.  My name was Quest, although my nickname was “Commando” because I would crawl on the ground in a submissive manner.  I had to be kept in a medical ward for a few weeks because I wasn’t feeling great, but thanks to the care and love I received I was feeling better in no time.  The volunteer dog walkers would come take me outside, and I quickly captured two hearts in particular.  I rested my tired head in their arms, and next thing I knew they were filling out the adoption application.

My mom and dad renamed me Neela, which means blue in Sanskrit for my pretty blue eyes.  I have a 5-year old black lab sister, and she welcomed me into my new home with open paws.  I always guarded my water bowl from her, as water was a precious commodity for me when I was a stray.  To this day, I always drink from her water bowl before drinking out of mine, and she doesn’t mind one bit.  My mom and dad promised me there would always be plenty of water and food in my bowls and plenty of love. 

I can’t help but think if it wasn’t for you rescuing me, my life may be very different today.  I’m so happy now.  I go on daily walks with my family, play in the backyard with my sister, go swimming in the lake in the summer, and lounge on the couch in my free time.  Thank you for all you do for the animals in our community all through the year!

Neela (Christine & Anil, Kaesha – lab sister, & Sammy – bunny sister)

Congratulations to Neela! We are happy she is celebrating another anniversary in her forever home. We are also thrilled that her adoptive family still volunteers here at the shelter. In fact, our black dog Conner is staying in foster care with Neela and her family, as he was not happy being away from people, so Neela and her family are letting him crash at their pad until he can find a home.

For the record, Conner has been available for three weeks, and we have adopted out two yellow labs over that time period...

Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Remember our deaf dog, Bandit? He is still here waiting for a new home, but he has been getting to have "furloughs" to the home of one of our dedicated volunteers, Kati.

Bandit went home with Kati two weekends ago, and she said that he seemed happy, but a little apprehensive. Otherwise, Bandit was no trouble at all in the house, or with her other dogs.

This past weekend when Bandit went home with Kati, she said he was like a different dog! He went to a  park, went swimming, and loved taking a long walk with Kati and her dogs. Not nervous at all, just enjoyed his time with his new friends.

Stories like that are one of the reasons that I love EBHS so much. Our size, combined with our devoted volunteers and staff, allow us to make sure that every animal gets the special individual attention that they need to thrive. I see dedicated volunteers like Clarice, Lynn, Meggie and lots of others here almost everyday working with shy animals, or reinforcing good behavior with more enthusiastic animals, helping animals brush up on basic obedience skills, and just giving the animals one on one time that a larger facility might not be able to give. Almost every one of our employees has a foster animal (or two) at their home at any given time. We will never let an adoptable animal fall between the cracks because of illness or a disability, especially when we have volunteers like Kati around!

Bandit looks so happy, and he will be more adoptable because of the time and attention he is getting from Kati and our other volunteers and staff. I think I could use a weekend with Kati!

Tuesday, April 29, 2008

Things have been very busy at the shelter, hence my lack of entries. Let me get you up to date on the news:

We have had several senior dogs and cats come into the shelter, I am talking animals aged 10 and up that for whatever reason, have to find a new home. I always feel the worst for the older dogs and cats having to come into a shelter after being in a family for so long. It is super easy for young animals to find a home, but once an animal is over 6 or 7, their prospects go down considerably. The time in a shelter grows the older an animal is.

 I often explain this scenario to people in the following way, ask yourself - Which one of these two people would you like to adopt?

Now, most people always gravitate toward the cute little baby. Why? Well, they figure that the baby will bond better with them, and they will be able to raise them up to do things their way. They will also have many years together. Of course, anyone that has lived through raising a child will tell you that things often do not go as planned as far as training, and doing things your way. That sweet little baby could someday become a naughty, uncontrollable young lady, and maybe worse as she gets older. You never know what a baby will grow up like.

Personally, I would chose the older guy. Why? Well, he is probably already potty trained, and house trained. He will be much easier to integrate into my already hectic lifestyle, and will be fine if I leave him home for a few hours alone. He will also be much more appreciative of being a part of a family again, and I know that he will bond to my family quickly. I already know how big he is going to be since he is full grown, and I can get a great sense of what his personality will be, as it developed long ago. Sure, we may not have 10 years together, but I gauge happiness on quality, not quantity. I will have 5+ years of happiness with him, and when he does leave this earth, I will feel even better knowing that because of me he had the best 5+ years of his life.

The baby will no doubt easily find a home and live a happy life, but that older person will have a hard time finding someone willing to take him into their family. People worry about the health of older people, as health care costs can be daunting. The baby will be old someday too, plus the baby will need all kinds of vaccinations, training, time investments now and in the end, the money invested will be about the same in either adoption.

Why not take a chance on a senior animal? I can tell you that I have not had one adopter of a senior animal be anything but thrilled by their decision, despite the challenges they experienced.

Tuesday, April 22, 2008 - EARTH DAY!!!

Want to be a "green" pet owner? I think the easiest way to start  is to adopt a "recycled" pet, rather than buy one from a pet store. Until my shelter, and every other shelter across the country, is empty, there is really no reason to run out and buy a puppy from a pet store.

Sure, everyone thinks getting a puppy or kitten is the only way to have a companion that is "bonded" to you and your family. I can assure you that this is simply not the case. I have been fostering dogs for about 20 years, starting with sick animals from a local vet and working up to rescue groups and shelters.  I can tell you that there was not one animal that did not become attached to me. Sure, there were a few from a puppy mill that took longer, but eventually each one of them became part of the family. Most in very short order.

Dogs are simply hardwired to want to be a part of your life. So don't think you have to run out and get the newest model puppy or kitten. An adult animal is a great choice, and saves a life!

Adult cats often have the hardest time getting adopted. Cats, unlike dogs, do not always run up to the front of their kennel for attention. Plus, since cats are the ultimate sleepers, they are often overlooked if they are not in a social mode. I really urge anyone interested in adopting a cat to please look at the adults first. Most of them are so different when you get to meet them outside of their kennel, and you are definitely missing out if you are only looking for a kitten.

If you already have a best friend - please do the next responsible "green" action and make sure that your companions are spayed and neutered! Take an active role in pet overpopulation! 

Monday, April 21, 2008

The other night, I took the dogs out for a while in the yard before going to bed. The weather was so nice that I sat outside with my husband chatting while the dogs ran around the woods that are my yard. It was very late, and when we got into the house I went right to bed. My dogs sleep on beds on the floor right next our bed. Despite, or because of my exhaustion, I could not sleep, so I was tossing and turning and then I smelled something. Something not really good.

My husband was my first suspect, as he had earlier had eaten very spicy food. My next suspect was our 11 year old black Lab, who can be quite gassy. I then started to walk around and zero in on the smell. It was coming from my side of the bed. Well, I knew that it was not me, but I have two dogs sleeping on my side of the bed. I turned on a little light, and looked down and I saw that the two of them had brown stripes on their heads, necks, and backs. They had rolled in poop!

So an hour and two baths later, I was ready to go back to bed but the question of why dogs do this lingered in my mind. Our Lab does this every once in a while, but we thought it was a hunting dog thing and let it slide. Why would two Tibetan Terriers do this? Don't they know how much I spend on their grooming?

Some research revealed that no one really knows for sure why dogs do this. Theories range from scent camouflage for hunting, or to be able to tell other dogs what good stuff they have found. Whatever the reason, dogs seem to not only love to roll in poop and other dead things, but sometimes they eat poop as well! 

Unfortunately, there is no easy way to keep an animal from rolling in or eating poop other than to keep them on a leash, and under supervision so you can tell them "NO" when they are about to commit this disgusting deed. Surely, cleaning up the poop would also be helpful, but, this was deer droppings, and while I can get the husband to clean up after the dogs, I doubt I can talk him into cleaning up after the wildlife in the yard. 

I know I am not alone with a dirty little dog secret like this. I hope that knowing there are many others out there going through the same thing affords you some comfort as the weather turns nicer and the snow no longer covers the yuck in the yard.

Thursday, April 17, 2008

Baby wildlife season will soon be upon us, and I wanted to share some of our favorite stories about baby animals.

We received a call last year from a local elementary school when a boy arrived at school with a lunchbox full of baby rabbits. Baby rabbits freeze when they are afraid, so they are easy to scoop up. Seems that the boy was waiting at the bus and saw the rabbits. He thought they were abandoned and wanted to rescue them so he tossed his lunch and put the babies in. We had to go to the school and pick them up and leave them back in the bushes near his bus stop so that their mom could find them in the evening when she came back to them. 

Two little girls found a couple of fledgling birds running on the grass. They each took a bird home. We found out about it when one of the girls brought her bird to school to show the class. The other baby was resting comfortably in an underwear drawer full of grass, dirt, and earthworms in her bedroom - much to her mother's horror! Both birds were put back near the tree they were found by, and their mother came to check on them immediately when they started to cry for her.

The picture below was sent to me last year, and I kept it because I thought it was hilarious. The caption read "Look, Daddy! Kittens!" Please let your children know that baby animals are best left alone. Usually their mom is nearby and they do not need help.

Wednesday, April 16, 2008

Today a cat was transferred into the shelter with teeny, tiny ears. We are not sure what happened to this cat. Was it frostbite? A do-it-yourself crop job? A birth defect? When a cat comes in from somewhere and we do not have a history on it, we can never tell what the story might be. She does look kind of incomplete with her teeny, tiny ears, but I know that when she is made available for adoption that someone will find those little ears the most endearing thing about her. We are calling her Rachel. Can you guess the significance? If someone can tell me why the name Rachel and ears are related, I will send them an EBHS t-shirt.

In the past week I have heard from five people that have lost their dogs when they were struck by a car. One of these families lives right on my block. I am not sure if it is because spring fever is infecting all of us, and more animals are enjoying the outdoors, or what it could be. I just want to urge everyone to please keep their cats INSIDE and keep their dogs under strict supervision while off leash outside. Nothing is worse than losing your pet to a car accident, especially when it happens right in front of you.

Someone sent me a list of strange animal facts over the weekend. The one I remembered the most was that all Polar Bears are left handed. How could someone know this? Have Polar Bears been observed writing letters to people? Apparently, dogs and cats can be either right or left handed - or pawed. 

I also learned that cats have over 100 vocal sounds, and dogs have about 10. I can listen to dogs bark all day and think nothing of it, but when a cat is crying, it goes right to my core. I do not know what that is all about. My dogs rarely bark and are happy to live with my schedule, but my cat is always demanding. If he is hungry in the middle of the night he will stand there and meow at me until I get up and do his bidding. He likes a certain blanket to sleep on when he is on the back of the couch. He will holler at me until I take it out of the dryer and put it in his spot. This reminds me of a great cat quote:

"In Ancient Egypt cats were revered as Gods. Cats have not forgotten this." No kidding!

Tuesday, April 15, 2008

Do you remember Dooley? He predates this column, but many people have heard about him because of where he came from. Dooley was entered into the infamous Thorp dog auction last March. The USDA inspector was alerted to the fact that this dog was listless, sickly, and had a swollen mouth. The USDA inspector pulled this dog from the auction and the mill owner surrendered him to EBHS. He would have sold that poor dog for profit, happy that he made money instead of having to spend money. 

When we got Dooley to a vet, it turned out that he needed to have all but two of his teeth removed, and that his mouth was infected. One of his teeth fell out while he was being examined! He needed several hundred dollars worth of medical care, including a hernia, and he needed a neuter on top of that. All this for a 4 year old dog! My 11 year old dog is in better shape than Dooley was.

Fortunately, with the care he received from the EBHS staff and his foster family Dooley recovered from his injuries and was adopted out to a wonderful family who brought him in for a visit this past weekend. He is now a happy, well taken care of, Papillion. Even with only two teeth, his smile is one of the happiest I have ever seen!

Dooley is one of the lucky ones. He overcame his illness, and fear of humans to become a beloved companion. Many dogs who spend years in a puppy mills are not nearly as fortunate. 

I always say, and firmly believe, that physically rescuing a dog from the prison of a puppy mill is very easy. What is hard is dealing with the prison created by the many medical and behavior issues that they come with. I have  heard people that own puppy mills always say that the dogs are happy, and that they like how they live.  Like they would choose that life instead of being a family pet. 

Any experience that could cause the mental and physical scars that I have seen should never be considered a happy and preferable lifestyle. Most people I know could not stand to be stuck in an elevator for an hour, never mind a wire cage in the outdoors for 7 years. 

I think we owe all animals a lot more in return for what they give us. A lot more.

Monday, April 14, 2008

Did you hear the one about the boarding kennel that gave a dog to an owner after a stay only for the owner to notice that the dog was not his? Read the story:

http://www.kptv.com/news/15844252/detail.html?rss=ptl1&psp=news

I am amazed that the kennel cannot get all of the owners back in at the same time to sort out who is who. I guess this is where a microchip would have really come in handy. Even if you thought you had your own dog, wouldn't you want to know for sure? 

An architect friend of mine told me about these really cool cardboard cat furnishings called Kitty Pods. They are a little pricey - but they last a lifetime. I always think that cat people are underrepresented in the accessories department. Here is a link: http://www.epsdesign.com/kittypodtitle.html - they are modern designs, but I think that they could work anywhere.

Friday, April 11, 2008

Cat poop coffee. I am NOT kidding. I read it today. Some department store in London is selling a special coffee made from beans found in the feces of the Civet cat. The coffee beans are picked out of the animal's poop. The luxury blend -- called Caffé Raro -- is one of the world's rarest and most premium coffees, according to the store, anyway. You can either buy 3.5 ounces of coffee to drink in the store, or a pack of 3.5 ounces of beans to brew at home, for a measly $100.

If this trend takes off, I am going to start feeding the cats beans and starting a new fundraising venture here at the shelter. I would not eat something that I took out of my dog's or cat's mouth and eat it, never mind something that traveled through their whole digestive system.

Thursday, April 10, 2008

In weather like this torrential rain, I am always reminded of a quote that our Volunteer Coordinator, Carol Sumbry, told me.

"Don't ever question the value of volunteers. Noah's Ark was built by volunteers; the Titanic was built by professionals."

We had a brand new volunteer in the front office today who really helped us catch up. The shelter is so lucky to have the dedicated and tireless volunteers that we have, both helping the front office, and in the Animal Care department. What would we ever do without volunteers here? I could not imagine. Next weeks starts Volunteer Appreciation Week. Every single person in this world benefits in some way from a volunteer. Make sure if you see a volunteer next week to thank them profusely because they are the people who are the real heroes in our world. 

I saw a wire story come out about "Black Dog Syndrome". This relates to the fact that black animals often have longer shelter stays than animals of any other color, with big black dogs and black cats being the most likely to spend the most time in a shelter. This is not news to EBHS. In 2006 we had to have a Black Sheep of the Shelter promotion in an effort to find homes for several black labs and black cats that we had that seemed to be overlooked in favor of more colorful animals. Being the owner of a black lab myself, I do not see why the color would make a difference, but I do know that if we have a yellow lab and a black lab the yellow will always find a home faster.

We have a black lab named Connor here at the shelter, who just became available a few days ago. Let's see how long it takes him to find a home...

Wednesday, April 9, 2008

The computer Gods were not happy yesterday, so we were unable to update. We also had a few website outages that we apologize for. All seems to be working now, and I am glad that you are back.

We have to cancel our "Clicker Training Class" for this weekend. We did not have enough people sign up for it. I was looking forward the class to it to see if I could clicker train my 14 year old and my husband, but I guess that I will have to wait for the next class. If you have any suggestions for a class that you would like to see us feature here at the shelter, please email ebhsinsider@ebhs.org.

We recently had a rat surrendered to the shelter that was a former classroom pet. This rat started to bite the children and become fearful of being handled so the teacher thought it was best to find a new home for this little girl. Animal welfare organizations are hot and cold on the subject of classroom pets. The only pet I ever had in a classroom was a goldfish that we took to the restroom to change the water in his bowl each day and it was lucky that the poor thing did not end up on the floor or down a drain. The fish actually lasted few months, but when I think back to the horror that poor little fish must have had every day at bowl cleaning time, I feel pretty guilty.

I know there are many people with fond memories of classroom pets, and classroom pets have launched thousands kids into a lifelong love affairs with animals. It is hard to say for sure whether classroom pets are a good idea or not, but at least this teacher did the right thing as the animal was obviously not happy in that environment. 

That little rat, named Simone, went home today with a new family, who has no small children, and a lot of patience and rat experience, so this story has a happy ending all around.

Monday, April 7, 2008

Wow, what a nice weekend! Cannot wait for the weather to stay like that! I see that the forecast is calling for some April showers this week, so I hope everyone got out to enjoy the sunshine this weekend. Our volunteer dog walkers, and our dogs, surely got a treat!

EBHS wants to send out a special thank you and congratulations to Ian Long, a new Eagle Scout who did several projects at the shelter. Ian is a proud member of Boy Scout Troop 16. He worked at the shelter with the guidance of Anil Raman (who along with his wife Christine, are two of our most giving and hard working volunteers) to complete his projects. Ian was officially sworn in as an Eagle Scout on April 4, and EBHS is very proud to have benefited from Ian's hard work. Only 4% of Boy Scouts ever make Eagle Scout. Some famous Eagle Scouts include Gerald Ford, Steven Spielberg, and Neil Armstrong. 

Judging from that illustrious group, I will bet that we all have not heard the last of Mr. Ian Long.

We have also received some pretty exciting news today. We have been selected to be the "Pet Stop" for Best Friends Racing Laps tour. That means Best Friends has chosen EBHS, because we share similar philosophies, to take part in their national tour to raise awareness for local shelters, animal adoptions, and volunteerism at animal welfare organizations. The best part is that Indy driver #5, Andrew Prendeville, will be here at our shelter to sign autographs and meet fellow animal lovers. He will also have his car here for you to check out. We are still waiting for confirmation of the date and time that he will be here so keep looking at our website for more information!

Friday, April 4, 2008

Today we got a visit from a dog that spent a long time here at the shelter waiting for the right family to adopt him. Ubu was a big mixed breed dog, who did not show well in his kennel, because he wanted to be with people. Outside of his kennel, he was a completely different dog. It was hard for the staff and volunteers to make sure potential adopters gave him a chance because he tended to bark and jump at his kennel gate. Fortunately, a nice family gave him a chance and it seems to have been a perfect match. 

Ubu came back with his new mom and dad today, and the three of them could not be happier! It seems Ubu has settled very nicely into his new home and has become the pride and joy of his family. He loves to run, swim and is definitely enjoying his new life. His new parents raved about what a great dog he is, and we all got a little misty seeing how happy they all are.

We also got some sad news today. The EBHS family has lost a long time friend and volunteer in Virgil Trudgeon, who passed away last night. She was so generous to us in so many ways, and we are all blessed to have known her. Her daughter is Patti Muraczewski, who is a former Executive Director of EBHS, and who is still very involved in animal welfare and in our shelter. Our thoughts and prayers are with Patti and her family tonight. Virgil will be truly missed, and remembered for her gregarious manner, cheerful nature, and for making all of our lives that much brighter. 

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam uasail. 

Thursday, April 3, 2008

Did you hear that Oprah is dedicating her show tomorrow to her beloved dog Sophie, who passed away recently?  The show is going to focus on the inhumane life for dogs in puppy mills. Elmbrook Humane Society staff and supporters are already aware of the horrors of puppy mills as we regularly see the survivors here in our shelter. Make sure you tune in tomorrow - Channel 12, WISN will be broadcasting Oprah at 4pm. I am sure it will not be easy to watch, but I am glad that someone of Oprah's stature is shining a light on this issue. 

Our new companion loss support group is officially starting next Sunday, April 13, 1-3pm, at the shelter. This group will incorporate art therapy to help humans cope with the loss of a special animal in their life. Fortunately, you need no artistic talent to be able to benefit from the group. Class size is limited, so if you are interested, call the shelter to reserve a spot (262.782.9261). I still cry every time I think of my first best friend, a German Shepherd named Smitty, who died from colon cancer when we were both 13 years old. I know I am not alone in having an empty space in my heart. 

Even though time is supposed to heal all wounds I think it is hard for people to express their sadness and loss when they lose an animal companion. If you lose a family member, many people know how to express sympathy to you and you are embraced by friends and loved ones.  But, if you lose an animal many people, especially those without a deep relationship with an animal, think you are nuts for being so emotional. 

Wednesday, April 2, 2008

Have you been to our resale shop yet? If not - you have to get over there. Well-Bred Bargains opened in late 2006 in Elm Grove in the Village Court Shopping Center, behind the new Sendiks (two doors down from The Grove Restaurant). This little shop is just another way for the shelter to raise funds for the animals we care for.

Well-Bred Bargains has high end fashions for the whole family, home decor, furniture, collectibles, handbags, jewelry and lots of unique items donated by EBHS supporters. I never leave without buying something when I go there. We are now rolling out lots of spring and summer items and accessories - so get the good stuff while it lasts!

Now that yard sale season and spring cleaning will be upon us, I wanted to remind everyone that if you have nice things that would be a shame to sell in a yard sale - there is another option. Bring in your items and make a tax-deductible donation to Elmbrook Humane Society via Well-Bred Bargains. We are experts in re-homing cherished things, as you know!

We are having a Customer Appreciation Sale starting now through May 31, so if you go to the store, you can pick up a coupon for 20% off of your purchase that day. 

Life is good when I can combine my two passions - Animal Welfare and Shopping! 

Make sure you introduce yourself to one of the nicest people I know, Well-Bred Bargains Manager, Paula Kroening. She has been at the shop since it opened and knows every item in the store. If you do not see something you are looking for, she will know if we have it. Plus - she always has cookies and coffee to share! Where are you going to find that kind of service anymore?

Tuesday, April 1, 2008

There were no April Fools at EBHS, but there sure were some cute puppies! Remember the three little terrier mix puppies that were born here a couple of months ago? They hit the adoption floor today and were all spoken for immediately. Being that cute sure does not hurt when you are homeless.

People LOVE puppies! But for all their cuteness, sometimes we forget how much work is involved in raising a little puppy like that. They are as much work as a human baby can be, and the time you put into training and socializing your puppy at this age will make a huge difference in how they spend the rest of their life. 

Cute can easily grow up into destructive, spoiled, and badly behaved when you do not take raising a puppy seriously. We cannot stress enough how important consistent, positive training is to any animal. We see many wonderful animals surrendered to us because their new families did not put in enough time training them and they grew up into unruly dogs that were difficult to live with.

EBHS offers a puppy class for dogs under 6 months, and we are happy to offer trainer referrals and training tips to humans who are having difficulty with an animal's behavior. We would rather keep your family together, than see you have to surrender your companion.

Monday, March 31, 2008

Have you remembered to license your dog yet? Most municipalities require that you either license, or renew a current license by April 1 - so you still have time to avoid a late fee! Few municipalities in Waukesha require a license for cats, but all do for dogs that are 5 months old and over. You will need a copy of your rabies certificate to get your license. Most municipalities also give a discount to license a spayed or neutered animal so be sure to have a copy of your vet bill for the surgery, or some other documentation that shows that your animal has been spayed or neutered to receive your discount.

If you are not sure of the licensing rules for your municipality, here is a link for Waukesha County:

http://www.waukeshacounty.gov/page.aspx?SetupMetaId=7596&id=7638

If you live in Milwaukee County, you can get your license, and a rabies shot if needed, at Milwaukee Area Domestic Animal Control (MADACC). Check out their website for details: http://madacc.com/

This is also a good time to make sure your animals have secure ID tags, and microchips, as spring fever can get the best of any animal.

We can microchip your dog or cat right here at the shelter so if you need one and cannot get to your vet. Give us a call and make an appointment! Call 262-782-9261 for more information.

Monday, March 24, 2008

WOW! The shelter was super busy today! Lots of families are coming in during spring break to consider adopting a new companion! 

I have been seeing lots of wildlife all around Brookfield the past few days. This is the time of year when mammals start mating and nesting and returning to their busy lives. I have seen squirrels and birds building nests in my front yard and a few coyotes lurking around, probably making a den for babies that will be coming in the next month or so.

It is extremely important to be aware of coyotes in suburban areas. Coyotes are predators, and do not differentiate between prey and companion animals. We always ask people to keep their cat indoors for many reasons, but, it is especially important when there are predators all around us that will not think twice about making a cat, or small dog, a meal for their nesting mate or growing family. Be especially vigilant at both sunrise and sunset, which is peak activity time for many predators. Small dogs and children should always be supervised when outdoors.

I love that I live in a place where I can see all manner of wild mammals and birds. I also know that it is my responsibility as a parent and caregiver to several companion animals that I am aware of animal activity in my yard and the woods close by. This ensures that my children and animals can live in peace and safety.

Here are some tips to make sure that coyotes and other wild animals do not decide to make your property a nice place to live:

- Do not leave small pets unattended.
- Do not leave pet food outside.
- Use trash containers with locking lids.
- Don't feed Coyotes on your property.
- Remove excess brush and vegetation from your property.
- Ripe fruits and vegetables should be covered at night.

Thursday, March 20, 2008

The first day of spring has produced our first litter of spring kittens! Three little ones were born to a stray mom who was definitely hiding her pregnancy well! Each spring shelters across the country (and the world, I imagine) are inundated with spring kittens from both stray and owned cats. If you have a cat PLEASE have it spayed or neutered immediately!

We also had a human birthday visitor today, our new friend Jade (on right) who wanted to visit the shelter with her grandmother to celebrate her special day! Because Jade shares a birthday with these newborns, we let her name this wriggly baby "Jaid".

Jade is also entering our coloring contest, which ends on March 31. If you stop into the shelter, pick up a sheet, take it home and color it, and then bring it in to enter to win some great prizes! Sorry grownups and tweens - this contest is for kids 10 and under!

Happy birthday, Jade! I should also say, "Good-bye spring!" if we get the snow expected tonight! I really miss grass! 

Wednesday, March 19, 2008

The shelter has many puppy mill survivors available for adoption right now. These dogs are not the typical dog that you find in a shelter. Most animals in a shelter have lived with a family, in a home, and have some rudimentary social skills. Puppy mill survivors have experienced none of these things and because of this they are harder to find homes for. We work so hard to save them from hell, and our hearts break while they linger in limbo waiting for a new family to come find them. I never feel like we have saved them until we know they are in a loving home and it is a very emotional experience for every staff member and volunteer in the shelter.

Puppy-mill survivors are often super desirable breeds, and small sized dogs, and so many people are initially interested in them. The catch is that potential adopters are often overwhelmed with the "restrictions" that we put on these dogs. I want to explain why a puppy mill dog has restrictions and why adopting a puppy-mill dog can change your life for the better.

Puppy mill survivors almost always have to go home with another dog. This is because they need to be around another dog to feel comfortable. They know nothing else. The best way to help them transition and trust a human is to have them join a "pack" where kind humans are leaders and the other resident dog(s) create a bridge between the human and a puppy-mill dog. Then real bonds of love and trust can form. 

Many people without an existing dog would like to adopt two puppy mill survivors. If we sent a puppy mill survivor home with a fellow puppy mill survivor - these dogs would bond solely to each other and you would essentially end up with two distant roommates who never really need to reach out to a human for warmth, comfort and companionship.

Puppy mill survivors can be a flight risk. Should a normal dog become afraid, most times they retreat to the safety of their human, or their home. Puppy mill dogs know nothing of home, and due to their fear of humans, they flee for cover as far from people as possible. We do not want to scare people away from adopting puppy-mill dogs for this reason. A fenced in yard, or a strong hold on a leash is usually enough to prevent a runaway puppy mill dog. It is better to be aware of this risk and to be vigilant for situations that could cause a dog to run. 

We often have age restrictions on puppy mill dogs as well. This is due to the fact that they do not trust people in general, and young children with their jerky movements, sometimes loud and boisterous behavior, and innate desire to love and handle all animals can cause newly adopted puppy mill survivors to remain fearful of people. Some of these dogs in time learn to love all people. Some never do. We do not want to set up a dog for failure from the start by placing them in a home where, on top of all the other issues they have to overcome, they might become fearful of one of their new family members.

So why adopt a puppy mill survivor? I think that bringing a puppy mill survivor into your life makes you a stronger person. It makes you savor every sign that this animal is allowing you into its heart, sometimes inch by inch. When a puppy-mill survivor decides on its own to climb into your lap for the first time, it is like when a butterfly lands on you and does not fly away. That fleeting time, and intimate connection, is so special and meaningful.

If you have a dog at home, and have room for four more paws, and are up for the challenge of a lifetime, come on in to the shelter and meet one of these dogs. 

Tuesday, March 18, 2008

First, a big "Congratulations" are in order for Jan Brophy, the lucky winner of our St. Patrick's raffle at O'Donoghue's. Our volunteers raised over $2,000 for the shelter selling raffle tickets last night! I think that EBHS was truly lucky to be so blessed and we are very thankful to all the volunteers and donors who made the event so successful! Especially to Susan Freedy, her daughter Heather, Jayne Schaefer, and Jan Schoenecker who worked so hard and got to spend their whole St. Patrick's Day with the great crowd at O'Donoghue's! I know that they are still hearing bagpipes in their ears!

We had some really great news for an adoption too, little Puzzles went home with a new family that she met at PetSmart on Saturday. Puzzles came to the shelter as a tiny little puppy who was sick with an upper respiratory infection. She started losing weight and had to go into foster care in order to receive almost 24 hour a day care. Meggie, one of our volunteers, nursed this little girl back to health with her magic chicken soup - and her dedication. I really thought Puzzles might not make it. Then Puzzles was able to move to another foster family to help her with her housebreaking skills, and manners.

Christine and Anil, EBHS volunteers and supporters, took over Puzzles care and she did so well learning to be a great dog with them. Christine brought her up to the shelter each afternoon to make sure that visitors to the shelter would get to meet Puzzles and increase her chances of finding a home. I know that they were sad to see her go, but they were very happy to know she was going onto a very loving home that would spoil Puzzles like she was used to. 

I know from personal experience that it is so hard to be a foster home for an animal in need. You do get attached to them and it can feel like you are losing a little piece of yourself when your foster gets adopted. But, I still feel honored to be able to make a difference in the life of an animal that may not have had a chance without me.

Monday, March 17, 2008

Today we are having our big raffle at O'Donoghue's to raise funds for the shelter. A basket was donated by Mystic Ireland, and O'Donoghue's with lots of great items that at last total was worth about $1,000. This basket  is going to go to a lucky winner tonight! It is not too late to toss back a pint and buy your raffle tickets! However, I pass on a word of warning - you do NOT want to know what is under the kilt of an Irishman. There were a few gents there donning kilts at lunch time today and I can tell you from personal experience that you are best not letting curiosity get the better of you on that one!

In honor of St. Patrick's Day, please read this story about Irish Wolfhounds, one in particular, Bally Shannon:

 http://www.irishwolfhounds.org/ballyshannon.htm

Friday, March 14, 2008

We have discovered a new breed of dog here at Elmbrook Humane Society and I wanted you to be the first to know about it. They are called "Fauxhuahuas" (pronounced fo-wa-was). We have taken in several of these Fauxhuahuas recently. They are supposed to be Chihuahuas - and certainly there is some Chihuahua in there - but these dogs are mixed with all kinds of things and are sold as Chihuahuas.

Here on the left we have a Chihuahua. It is extremely small, and has its trademark cute little apple head. You can pick a Chihuahua up in one hand easily.

On the right is a Fauxhuahua. You can see that it shares many characteristics with the Chi, but full grown will be about double in size and weight, and look more like a terrier.

Of course, if you adopt either of these kind of dogs you will be thrilled to have them in your life. However, if you spend a lot of money on a Chihuahua, and it grows up into a Fauxhuahua, you will probably not be as excited.

Be careful where you buy your puppy from! NEVER go to a pet store - EVER! Resist cute puppies at flea markets or from a backyard breeder as they may not have the quality and temperament you think you might be paying for. If you want a purebred puppy- go to a breed club, or a dog show and make a face to face connection with the breeder. If you want a purebred adult - find the breed rescue for your area and go through them. Adult animals make WONDERFUL pets that bond with you just as strongly as a puppy would. Of course, you can always come to an animal shelter like EBHS, where 1 in 4 dogs is a purebred, and all of the animals on our adoption floor have the potential to make amazing companions for far less the cost to buy a companion from anywhere else. Our adoptable animals are already started on vaccinations and spayed or neutered making them an even better choice for your family!

While we are on the topic, adult cats also make EXCELLENT additions to any family! Many adult cats are overlooked when there are cute, playful kittens in the shelter. Adult cats are just as loving, and playful as kittens when given the chance to be, so please consider an adult cat who really needs a home before looking at a much easier to place kitten. Here are some pictures of adult cats that we have available at the shelter right now!

                        Oliver                                  Bonnie                                 Brittany

Thursday, March 13, 2008

As promised, I have the pictures from PetSmart yesterday. These are not for the faint of heart. Just remember, as bad as these look - you could not imagine how bad it was in person. These are before and after photos of two of the dogs. The matting was incredibly bad, as you can see. Fortunately, Robin (pictured)  in the PetSmart Grooming Salon and her staff were able to get these dogs looking and feeling much better after a shave and a bath.

Today these dogs were much happier and much more comfortable and are on their way to being made available for adoption. I do not know for sure when they will be ready - so keep checking our Adoptable Dog page to see!

I also want to send a big "THANK YOU!" to Sandy, the manager of the Brookfield PetSmart, and the other caring staff at PetSmart who all chipped in and made a large donation of canned dog food to help us with this large group of dogs that we took in yesterday. We are certainly very honored to be working with them as an adoption partner, and as a partner in making the world a better place for our companion animals!

Duley here is a sweet cat who was surrendered recently when his owner was unable to care for him anymore. He was very loved, and we are hoping this nice guy will find a new home soon. He has such a beautiful face, and it was captured so nicely by our wonderful volunteer photographer, Valerie Beaudry, from Slider who does AMAZING work, and captures the uniqueness and character of our adoptable animals for our website and our Wisconsin OnDemand Channel.

Wednesday, March 12, 2008

I am very tired today. I had to get up early to make a 2 hour drive to pick up dogs that were surrendered to a shelter north of here in Green Lake. They were surrendered by a breeder who had too many dogs, about 47 too many to be exact. These dogs were at least friendly, and not psychologically scarred the way most dogs in this situation would be. In fact, on my drive home, my new friend, a Goldendoodle named Sally, who was part of this group, shared some Culver's chicken fingers with me and rode with her head on my shoulder.

Four of these dogs were so matted that they had to be taken straight to the groomer, and our good friends at PetSmart in Brookfield were kind enough to step up and help us out with these dogs - I will have some pictures from this tomorrow. The groomer just called to tell me that these were some of the worst matted dogs they had ever seen! Boy they were stinky too! I cannot wait to go pick them up to see what they really look like.

We are expecting more dogs to come in from this shelter, but if you really were interested in Beagles, I would suggest contacting Green Lake Animal Shelter, because they have about 27 of them there waiting for a second chance. Here is their website: www.greenlakeareaanimalshelter.org.

Today a staff favorite went home to his new family! Roberto was part Rotty, part Basset, but all lover. He loved all people, and I am sure his new family will love him as much as we all did here. Good luck, Roberto!

Monday, March 10, 2008

Well, the party is officially over! Wine & Whiskers was definitely the place to be this past Saturday night! We all had a great time, and we raised funds for the shelter - not bad for a night's work! If you missed it - make sure you come next year!

Am I the only person recovering from springing ahead one hour this weekend? As we all know, our furry friends do not really understand the concept of daylight savings time so, at 5:30am Sunday morning the dogs were ready for their breakfast. They have since been able to adjust but I am still in need of a serious nap. At least my cat knows how to sleep in!

Did you hear that our Pet Communicator, Faye Pietrokowsky, is going to be doing readings at our Well-Bred Bargains shop on Monday, St. Patrick's Day? Leashed dogs and secure kitties are welcome to meet with this fun lady who has a real talent for understanding what our friends are trying to tell us. 

Our Well-Bred Bargains shop will be open that day (we are usually closed on Mondays), so please come in to meet Faye, shop, or buy tickets to our St. Patrick's Day raffle sponsored by Mystic Ireland and O'Donoghue's. The prize basket is worth over $700 and is full of great items.

This weekend was super busy at the shelter, and as the weather warms up, we will be even busier. We have some lab mix puppies on the floor right now, and pretty soon, kitten season will be upon us and we will be full to the brim with kittens and their moms. Animals that have been adopted this past week include Darwin, Amy, Beeker, Samba, Bopsy, Misty, Haley, and Tempo. 

This month, we are having a coloring contest for kids in celebration of rabbits! Have your child pick up a coloring sheet and submit it for display and the chance to win a prize! You can also learn a lot about rabbits and why we discourage families from adopting an "Easter Bunny".

Wednesday, March 5, 2008

Have you met Puzzles? She is a shepherd/terrier mix who is ready for a new home. She is still a puppy, brindle in color, and ready for her forever home. She will most likely be a medium sized dog when full grown. She loves to give kisses, as you can see! Puzzles does live with a foster family, and will be spending afternoons at the shelter, so if you want to meet her, make sure that you call first to confirm that she will be here!

Don't forget that It is not too late to make a reservation for our Wine & Whiskers event this Saturday night at the Elm Grove Woman's Club! Call Karen at 262-754-6597 to make your reservation! You also have the option of paying at the door that night as well. We hope to see you there!

Remember Ubu? He was at the shelter for quite awhile, and our staff and volunteers were really hoping he would meet a forever family soon! Well, Ubu did meet a forever family and he is now at home enjoying them and his new life. Many shelters have time limits on animals, but at EBHS we never give up. Because Ubu was a dog that did not show well in a kennel he spent a longer time here than an animal usually would. Outside of his kennel he was a fun loving, sweetheart and we knew if someone took a chance and met with him outside of his kennel they would see what a wonderful dog he really was. We are so thankful to his new family for giving him a chance! 

Tuesday, March 4, 2008

You just never know what each day will bring when you work at a shelter. This morning, for instance, I found myself showering with 3 foster puppies that I have at home until they are ready to be spayed and neutered and made available for adoption. I did not have enough time to shower myself AND give the puppies a bath. So, being a fairly resourceful person, I immediately formulated the plan for us to shower together in an effort to save time and a change of clothing.

These puppies started off being a fairly clean bunch but their acclimation to my home has allowed them to let their guard down enough to make themselves at home and start making apocalyptic messes in my kitchen, and on each other. Fostering is full of surprises. 

Saw this picture the other day. Meet Cindy the balancing dog! Is there no limit to what our companion animals will do to please us? Of course, cats have too much dignity for this kind of display of "talent". We would be balancing things for them!

Also, I think I speak for everyone when I say "Thanks, Brett!" for his many years of bringing excitement to our fair state! We have adopted out many Lambeaus, Lombardis, and Curleys over the years and we will miss him each Sunday next season.

Monday, March 3, 2008

Got a great note today from the family that adopted Little Red. Did you meet Little Red when she was here? Little Red came into the shelter through another rescue group that took her in when her owner was no longer able to care for her. She was an adorable Irish Setter/Spaniel mix and so sweet and loving that everyone at the shelter fell in love with her. Sounds like an easy placement, right? There was something about our Little Red.

She is 15 years old! 

Most people come into the shelter looking for young animals, especially puppies and kittens. Many potential adopters are hesitant to consider an animal over 7 or 8. It is not because they do not think the animal will not make a great companion. It is because they know that this relationship might not last as long as they would like. I suppose it might feel like setting yourself up for an earlier heartbreak, and since none of us can bear to think about losing our furry friends, I can empathize.

But Little Red, and the many senior animals we see at the shelter do not know how old they are. They are used to being a part of a family, and just want to find that security again. EBHS is committed to ALL animals and seniors are no exception. We know that the right family will come along and we take the best of care of our seniors until they meet their forever family.

Little Red just celebrated her 3 month anniversary in her new home and here is an excerpt from the note her family sent:

I wanted to take a moment to update those that loved Little Red since our adoption of her.  It’s been three months since we she came home with us and she is just the sweetest little girl.  I have never seen a dog wag their tail as much as she does.  When she is outside she follows Sox around the yard, and when she’s ready to go back in she runs to the back door.  It is so cute to see her cocker spaniel ears flying behind her.  If she gets real excited she’ll do little spins for me ;)  Red loves cuddles on the couch with dad and has ventured to the upstairs bedroom now to make sure I’m ok if I’m watching TV.  There she will settle down and take a quick nap before going back downstairs to see what she has missed.  Her walks outside are short, every house she passes she thinks is hers.  In summer she will be able to tell better which house is ours; since all houses look the same now, snow bank after snow bank.  That’s if she wants to leave their little kiddy pool that I put up for Sox. So our family is doing well, and Red is getting more comfortable as each day passes.  I’m glad she got a second chance to enjoy life!

We could not be happier for Little Red, Clyde, Nikki, Misty, Princess, and all of the other animals that we have placed in the past year who were over 10 years old. Most of all a special thanks to all of the people that come in and look with their heart for a companion. They may not get as many years with their companions, but they certainly get all the love. Maybe even more as "Senior Love" seems to be concentrated!

Thursday, February 28, 2008

I always tell my children never to say the word hate about anyone, but today I am really hating the puppy mill operator that was breeding Camilla for 8 years! She is a Lhasa Apso, who walks like a gorilla due to living in a short cage with wire to walk on. She moves terribly, though she is pretty sweet for a puppy mill survivor. Today we found out that this poor girl now needs surgery on her back leg too! How much pain and suffering does a living and feeling creature have to endure?

I know there are people out there who either do not care about puppy mills, or think that getting a puppy when you want one is more important than where the puppy came from, but I know if these people had to see what I see come out of puppy mills they would be ill. The dogs that have been used for breeding are so psychologically damaged that they can take years to be even remotely like a normal dog - if ever! The puppies are horribly bred and many do not even resemble the breed they are supposed to be due to bad breeding.

Right now we have 6 puppy mill survivors in our shelter. Each one of them have psychological issues, medical issues, or both! Most of them in time will live a fairly normal life, but it often takes them longer to be adopted as they will need special families to love them and work with them. 

We have started a Puppy Mill Survivor fund at EBHS - and all money donated to this fund will go to the care and rehabilitation of puppy mill survivors. While the financial costs really impact our shelter, we cannot simply turn the other way when people ask us to take in these dogs. 

EBHS is now known as a sanctuary for puppy mill survivors and they need a place like us to have the time, attention, and dedication to learn to be a companion. Camilla gave her all for a human for eight years. We owe it to her to make sure her next eight years are pain free, and full of love.

Wednesday, February 27, 2008

If you have not gotten in your Wine & Whiskers reservation form - you should hurry! After Friday, the price for a reservation goes up to $65! You can make a reservation by phone if you need to by calling the shelter at 262-782-9261.

We have gotten in some adorable baby rabbits this week. We all know the story, boy bunny meets girl bunny, and then the babies need homes. We have three adorable little babies ready for new homes, so if you have been thinking about adding a companion to your family that will not require cold walks in the snow, maybe the time has come to add a bunny to your life.

Are you interested in finding a new way to spoil the special animal in your life? We are having an animal massage class here on Saturday and space is still available. This is a fun and relaxing way to bond with your furry friend, and I strongly recommend it. I find it to be relaxing for myself as well as my dog.

Did you know that owning a cat may add years to your life? Check out this article to see how a cat can increase your heart health. 

http://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/news/20080221/owning-a-cat-good-for-the-heart

Monday, February 25, 2008

This weekend went so fast! The mini-heat wave will soon be over tonight with another inch or so of snow. The dogs here really enjoyed being outside yesterday and this morning. The snow is not melting fast enough for me, though. I have yellow snow problems! I currently have 4 dogs at my house (two fosters) and there is yellow snow everywhere - so much so that it is very embarrassing to have people over. I will have to wait until the thaw for houseguests!

Our Central Bark Jr. room is currently home to four puppy mill dogs. Two Schnauzers, and two Bichons. They went from a tiny wire cage, to this large room full of toys and playmates. They are having the time of their lives. They are sleeping on the beds, and enjoying their freedom. These ladies will need to find homes with other dogs in order to adjust from being a breeding machine to a family companion, but we feel they are already on the right track! Puppy mill dogs can be very difficult to train, but there are few as rewarding experiences as bringing home a dog that has never known love and giving it a second chance. If you are up to the challenge, I highly recommend one of these gals.

Friday, February 22, 2008

Today I read a particularly poignant story about a dog and a soldier. It reminded me of the spirit of the staff and volunteers here at EBHS. We never look at an animal and see just an animal at EBHS. We look past the wounds, the medical problems, the sometimes advanced age, the behavior problems and we see a soul. A heart. A life worth saving. No matter the cost. Not just because that is the right thing to do. But because it is the only thing to do. The only thing we know how to do. I have posted the story here - but I warn you to get out a tissue before you start reading. 

Dog saved by Marine coming to Calif.

I know I speak for all of the staff and animals here at EBHS when I say that I hope that Nubs and Maj. Dennis get to spend many peaceful and happy years together. What a great story! 

Thursday, February 21, 2008

Just finished giving a Boy Scout group of 18 a tour through the shelter. I love when kids come in, as they are so funny, and ask such brilliant questions. They also talk about their families which today revealed the nugget "We can't have a pet because my dad says he is allergic, but my mom thinks he's lying". That one made my day!

We are looking for a temporary foster home for a beautiful Weimaraner that was surrendered to the shelter last weekend. He is skin and bones and needs a home where he can put on some weight and finish a course of antibiotics. He CANNOT be around cats, but is otherwise great with people and other dogs. His name is Buddy. If you are interested in being a foster home for this big boy, email Carol Sumbry by clicking here.

Have you come to see our Central Bark Jr. room yet? A wonderful and talented volunteer has turned the room into a beautiful oasis of flowers and nature. Thanks Jayne!

We are looking for a part-time cleaning person! If you know anyone who is interested - click here for more information!

Wednesday, February 20, 2008

I have still been fighting off the plague and was out on Monday and Tuesday. I am happy to report that I am back today, though my co-workers will not let me breathe near them.

Our Petlicious Spa Day, scheduled for this past Sunday, was cancelled due to the inclement weather. Mother Nature has not been nice this winter! I hope that we have a wonderful spring to make up for all of this. Stay tuned for our make up date for this event.

We have gotten yet another batch of puppy mill dogs into the shelter this past weekend. There are some really cute Poodles, Bichons, Schnauzers and various other smaller dogs. A couple need to have hernia repairs done, but fortunately, they do not seem to be the typical severely psychologically scarred animals that we have been seeing coming out of puppy mills lately. These dogs will definitely need time and patience, but do not seem too scared to be around humans.

We also had a sweet, and utterly adorable, dog come in today, named Bandit. Unfortunately, Bandit is deaf, and does not like to be in a crate. He is currently on the adoption floor, and will need a special home that feels comfortable learning the hand signals that Bandit will need to know to become a great companion. Hand signals are handy for all dogs to know. Especially if your dog might not be listening to you due to other loud noises. I used to live in Manhattan and many people used hand signals because if your dog was too far away to hear you, you could always signal a sit-stay to prevent them from running into a dangerous situation or going too far. Click here for a link to a site that talks about living with deaf dogs, and the common hand signals all dogs should know!

Friday, February 15, 2008

Well, here is something you don't see everyday, in Brookfield, in the middle of winter, in three feet of snow - CHICKENS!!!

We have three hens, and their chicks (some still in their eggs!) currently residing in the shelter waiting for their foster mom to come pick them up! These chickens were sent here from the mean streets of Milwaukee in the hope that we could find permanent homes for them, as there are more rural residents in Waukesha County and beyond. A foster mom will be able to hang on to these cuties until April, then the roosters will need new homes (the hens are already spoken for). If you are thinking of adding Mother Nature's alarm clock to your family in April, please think of us!

I have never been a big fan of fowl, but these little families are pretty cute. All of the chicks from the one family (photo on right) ride on their mom's back or hide under her when they are scared...the other chickens (above) are larger, but they were still pretty adorable, clucking around the room they are in. 

Are you looking for an all around, awesome, companion? Ubu is here waiting for you! Ubu is a large mix dog, looks like he might have some Lab and German Shorthaired Pointer in him. Whatever he is, he is definitely a staff and volunteer favorite. So much so, that the volunteers have donated $100 worth of top quality dog food to go home with Ubu and his new family. Ubu knows many commands, loves other dogs, and really loves to be around people. Why not come in to meet this wonderful dog? We know you will not be disappointed! 

Thursday, February 14, 2008

I received some pictures of the puppies that were born here a few weeks ago - they are so cute and growing so fast! They are still weeks away from being available for adoption, but I wanted to share them with you and wish you all a happy and warm Valentine's Day.

"A dog is the only thing on earth that will love you more than you love yourself." ~ Josh Billings

Wednesday, February 13, 2008

I started off my day having breakfast with the Milwaukee Rotary Club and making a presentation about EBHS, and I have to tell you, I love Rotarians! This was my second talk to a Rotary group, and both times I have found the meetings to be so positive, and upbeat and the people so welcoming and receptive. So a big shout out to all you Rotarians out there! Thanks for making being downtown at 6:45am so fun!

Did you see that the Beagle won at Westminster? At the shelter, we cringe every time a dog of a particular breed is featured in a movie or wins a high profile award. That means in 6 - 12 months we are going to start seeing a lot of those dogs in our shelter. Unfortunately, we already see lots of Beagles here at Elmbrook.

Let's face it, there is no cuter puppy than a Beagle. Beagles are wonderful companions for the right family. They are almost always happy and friendly. But without proper training and guidance, they can be difficult to live with. Please do your research on this wonderful breed before deciding to bring one home. I will be talking about Beagles on the WTMJ620AM News tomorrow morning if you would like to hear more about Beagles. Congratulations to "Uno" the 2008 Westminster Best in Show, and the first Beagle ever to win that honor.

Tuesday, February 12, 2008

Sorry for the absence. I have been battling an upper respiratory that my family is convinced is kennel cough!

Did you watch the Westminster Kennel Club show last night? I love that event, and even had the privilege of attending in 1987 when Dallas, the German Shepherd Dog, won best in show. Last night they did the Herding, Non-Sporting, Terrier, and Hound groups. Tune in tonight for Sporting, Working, and Toy groups and then the best in show! Here is a photo of the winner of the Herding Group - a beautiful Aussie!

As a shelter/rescue advocate, I always say - adopt from a shelter before buying. Many people think that shelters are full of mixed breed animals, and I have to say, the number of purebred dogs and cats that come through here would surprise you! If someone is dead set on a certain breed, we always recommend contacting the local or national breed club to see if there are rescue dogs in their system. However, what is best about animals in a shelter, especially the adults, is that you know what they will look like as they are full grown. We know about their personality, and good points and bad habits. Plus, they are already spayed and neutered. I received an estimate from a vet to neuter a 12 pound dog two years ago and the range was from $289 - $800! That alone is reason enough to consider a shelter animal first!

One exciting development today is that a litter of  Lab mix puppies are living in our Central Bark Jr. room at the moment and ready to be adopted. They are adorable and really enjoying playing and running around with each other. I am pretty sure that most people do not want to housebreak a dog in the snow, and bitter cold. My foster puppy does not even want to go outside. He does his business so fast and runs for the door, which is great for me as I have zero tolerance to the cold.

Thursday, February 7, 2008

I had to check my calendar this morning to confirm it was NOT a Monday! The shelter was closed to the public yesterday, and only the animal care staff came in, so today we are not only digging out of the snow, but all of the things we were supposed to do yesterday! Gomer, our adoptable front office cat, really missed having us around yesterday. He loves to snuggle in our laps while we are trying to work. He also really seems to like sleeping on keyboards which I am sure is NOT recommended by our computer manufacturer.

We did receive some good news today. In late August of 2007, we rescued a sick red fox from a residential neighborhood in Brookfield. This poor boy was severely underweight and covered in mange. We were pleased to find out this lucky fox was completely rehabilitated at the Wildlife in Need Center in Oconomowoc and has been returned to the wild in Camp Timberlee's 700 acres of perfect habitat for this boy to live a happy and safe life far from our backyards.

We are also starting to recruit foster families in earnest. Spring kitten season will be upon us in no time, and we need temporary homes for litters of kittens and sometimes their mother, to stay safe and healthy until the are ready for adoption. As we also rescue so many puppy mill dogs, we also need families willing to help these dogs learn how to live with people and get over shyness. Fostering is in many cases difficult, messy, and sometimes frustrating. But fostering is ALWAYS rewarding. Many of us at the shelter are never without a foster or two in our homes, and there is no better feeling than seeing your foster being adopted into a loving family who will give them a permanent home. Think about making a short commitment that will make a lifetime of difference to an animal in need! Contact Carol at 262-782-9271 for more information.

Tuesday, February 5, 2008

Have you ever heard of "Black Dog Syndrome"? It is a fact that black dogs will sit in a shelter longer than dogs of any other color. If we have a black Lab, a yellow Lab and a chocolate Lab - the black one will stay at the shelter longest. Sometimes MONTHS longer. There are many hypotheses as to why this happens, such as that black animals can look "plain" or "menacing" in a shelter environment. There is actually a whole web page dedicated to this phenomenon which you can access here.

While the name references dogs, I can tell you from personal experience, this syndrome is applicable to all black animals in a shelter. Black cats and rabbits sit here longer than other animals of the same species. In fact, our kitten room is now occupied by two black kittens that came in at three months old and are now close to 6 months old. Why did all the other kittens get adopted and these two remain? This kitten is Crescendo, and she is as playful and cute as any other kitten. I hope she gets a home soon and that people will not judge an animal by the color of its fur.

Do you know Carol Sumbry? She is our fearless Volunteer Coordinator, Humane Educator, and the buyer for our shelter shop called Petsville (she is also a fantastic person and one of my best friends). She has acquired some really cute pet strollers and is hoping to get the word out about them. Who needs a pet stroller you may ask? Well, someone with a pet with limited mobility who would still like to take a walk. Someone with a cat or a rabbit who would like to participate in the very exciting and social world of pet walking, but understands the limits of leash walking with their furry friend. Or someone who just wants to bring their dog everywhere and needs a place for them to safely rest when they need a nap. This stroller is just as neat as ones for human infants with many bells and whistles and would make a great gift for Valentine's Day for the animal you love. Show Carol she is not the only overindulgent animal lover out there and get a stroller like she has to show your solidarity! These strollers sell for $99 in our shop and we can order you a pink or blue version. You can email Carol for more information.

Monday, February 4, 2008

Does your dog have a collar and ID tag on right now? Is the information they have on that ID current? Do all of your companion animals have a microchip? Answer honestly! You cannot imagine the number of stray animals that come into the shelter with no identification, or information that is not current. Promise yourself to make sure that all of the animals in your life have current, and secure ID (and microchips if possible) by this weekend! No one ever thinks about losing their companion until they have lost them!

We had a very busy day here at the shelter thanks to the Pet Expo. Many of our adoptable dogs have applications on them, and hopefully, they will be in loving homes soon. I am going to miss Morgan (pictured right) the most. I pulled him from Animal Control myself. I was first struck by his appearance. The Border Collie mix with the shiny coat, and He seemed so sad and shy, but when I got him alone to evaluate him, I could tell that he had a really sweet disposition despite his fear. When we got him back to the shelter, he blossomed into a happy, and confident dog who is very outgoing and loving. 

I always get a little misty when a dog that I have a connection with finally has a happy ending. It is hard to see a part of your heart leave sometimes. But knowing that he will now be a loved family member is worth my momentary sadness. 

Friday, February 1, 2008

Many of you have heard about Lilly, or read about her here. Lilly had surgery on Wednesday and she came through with flying colors. You can barely make out her incision site in this picture. Her foster mom sent us this photo and has let us know that she is resting comfortably. She will have a few weeks of physical therapy before she can be ready for a forever home.

Special thanks to all who donated to the Animal Medical Fund for Lilly's surgery. While the shelter has an idea what the costs are for the ordinary medical care of incoming animals, we can never tell when something like this will present itself. Our supporters enabled Lilly to look forward to a long and limp free life and for that we are forever grateful.

This weekend EBHS will be hosting Rabbitopia at the shelter. We had a great response for this seminar and it has filled up, but anyone interested in adopting a rabbit is more than welcome to come to the shelter and view the rabbits and perhaps even get a word with one of the rabbit "gurus" that we will have on hand.

Let's hope that the groundhog does NOT see his shadow tomorrow! We really need an early spring...here is the link for the Sun Prairie groundhog, Jimmy, if you want more info about the legend. The forecast for tomorrow is cloudy, but I am thinking the snow might force him to go back to bed instead of his shadow this year! Have a great weekend!

 Archive of  January 2008 Entries