Make Me Smile

Working for the SPCA for 13 years has exposed me to a lot of people. Sometimes  people will stop me in a store and ask for pet advice, or ask if we have a certain kind of pet.  But my favorite stop is the individual who tells me that they adopted the best pet they ever had from our SPCA.  That happened this weekend.  It was such a pleasure to see the huge smile on her face as she told me that she adopted the best dog she ever had.  Now that made me smile.  I hope you will consider adopting because I want to see you smile too.

In Memory of Zeke

It is never easy to say good-bye.  Zeke was laid to rest on Saturday, August 18th.  I like this picture of him because he squeezed himself into this basket that was really meant for a smaller dog. Also, the white mark over his back reminded me of an eighth note.  Which was appropriate since he was my 'musical' dog.  He made the loudest howls and whines when I was out of his sight.  If I left him in my office he would either sit in my chair or jump up on my desk so that he could see out of my office windows and keep his eyes out for me.

His separation anxiety was a source of amusement as well as aggravation.  My wonderful neighbors watched him one week when I went on vacation.  When they came home from work he was gone!  They had doggy doors for the dogs to go outside when they wanted and Zeke managed to chew a hole in the chain link gate and get out of the yard.  Luckily, they found him sitting on my front step.

If I walked out into the garden which was on the other side of the fence from where he was, he would bark and howl like crazy.  I guess it's nice to be so loved.

Zeke followed me from room to room.  I couldn't even take a shower without his company. 

When I came home from work he would bark, howl, and wag his entire body.  What a joyful and exuberant greeting!

I found out by accident that he liked Merlot.  I had put a wine glass on the end table and quickly discovered him lapping Merlot from the glass!  He apparently didn't get the memo that grapes are bad for dogs.

Despite his "flaws" I loved him.  For those of us who have experienced the love of a dog-you know what I mean.

Evacuation at the SPCA

It took six staff members 10 minutes to evacuate 113 animals after a wall unit sprung a gas leak and filled the building with gas.  Andrew and James turned off the gas supply to the window units and prevented more gas from entering the building. Kabrina, Whitney, Kelli, Judy, Andrew, and James quickly evacuated the animals to safety.   Our wonderful Williamsport firefighters came and helped air out the facility.  UGI came to inspect, and all was well.  Thanks to the quick actions of SPCA staff, a possible tragedy was averted!

Just Call Me Officer

I have just been sworn in as a Humane Society Police Officer for Lycoming County.  Our current, full time officer has been performing investigations for 43 years!  He has had back-up from another officer during that time.  But the first back-up retired, the next back-up was fired, and the current back-up is going through cancer treatments and surgery.  Knowing that he would need help, I agreed to attend the training and be sworn in. 

So my first full day as an officer of the law, I get to assist in a search warrant.  The poor animals we removed were in great need of veterinary care.  The worse part for me is that the owners were angry and didn't understand why we would remove their animals.  Counldn't they see how thin the animals were?  Couldn't they see the fleas and open wounds on the animals?  That is the worse part.  The fact that they didn't think that anything was wrong or that the animals were in need of veterinary care.  

So now that I am a Humane Society Police Officer I will find justice for the animals that cannot speak for themselves.

My Worst Dog Ever

If you have always lived with a dog, chances are you will have bonded with a dozen or so in your lifetime.  My first dog was given to me when I was just five years old and there was rarely a period in my life when I did not have a dog.   And then, I reached a point where one dog wasn't enough and I had two dogs at a time. So my lifetime grand total is ten dogs.  So I shouldn't complain that I have one of the worst dogs ever.  And this isn't really a complaint but more of a reflection on his life because I don't think he will be with me much longer.

So why is he my worst dog?

• He counter surfs
• Steals my food when I'm not looking
• Chews up my favorite shoes
• Lifts his leg in the house 
• Has separation anxiety
• Has chewed the door frame multiple times
• Has chewed his way through a fence
• Whines and paces when I'm not in his sight
• Tries to bite my significant other
• Raids the garbage can every chance he gets
• Chews up tissues
• Chases passersby if he gets out of the house

And why do I love him?  That's the easy part. He gives me unconditional love.  His tail wags when he sees me as he follows me from room to room.  He sleeps on my feet so they are never cold.  And he was my walking buddy.

At thirteen years of age, he is a doggie senior citizen.  Despite multiple tests and medications he is not responding.  He is becoming weaker and weaker.  I know I will be saying farewell to my worst dog ever.

14 Cats and 14 Rats

 

I've opened my blog page several times only to be distracted by one thing or another.  Most recently, Officer Woltz served a warrant in a hording situation where he removed 14 cats, 14 rats, 4 dogs, and a red ear slider turtle.

We are making deals to help these unfortunate animals find homes.  The cats are currently in the garage in temporary kennels.  All of the animals are very sweet and calm and will make good pets.  Some of the rats are juveniles. 

Most people look forward to summer, but for shelter employees, summer is an overwhelming time because of the numbers of animals we handle and the number of cruelty cases we investigate.  We don't mind being busy with adoptions though.  (Hint hint)