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Blog Entry 15 of 16 A Therapy Dog's Journal

I was curious about pet therapy when I first learned about it in the mid-90s. Pets can have an important role in the well-being of children, the elderly and hospitalized patients. In 2002, I began looking for the dog which would be most compatible with me as a therapy dog. I wanted a smooth-haired dog; clean and easy to groom. I wanted it to be small enough to carry in my arms, hold on my lap, and travel in a little crate in the car. It must also be trainable, healthy and have a people-pleasing, forgiving temperament. I liked many of the characteristics of dachshunds. I owned one before, but she passed away in 1997, at age sixteen. This dog won an AKC obedience title. I narrowed my search for another dachshund. There were puppies available, but I didn’t want one from a pet store or puppy mill. In 2004, I heard about a litter in Utah. After several long distance calls and emails, I was excited about the runt. I drove to meet the breeder at a dog show in Greeley. Jewel and I were a good match. We visited for a while then I bought the puppy and brought her home. Jewel is a ten pound, smooth-coated, black and tan daughter of AKC champions. Jewel was sold to me as a pet, and has never been a show dog. But she’s a very healthy, happy and pretty little girl. This blog tells the adventures of Jewel: Therapy Dog.

Blog Url: http://denver.yourhub.com/~JewelWeekly

Rescue me! Oh take me in your arms!

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Contributed by: Gail Kirkegaard on 4/21/2008

We met some nice dogs at the April Pet Partners meeting. Some of the nicest ones are those who have had a bad start in life and need someone to commit to giving them a chance to start over in a new home.

Greyhounds, bloodhounds and golden retrievers were represented at the meeting by people from their respective rescue organizations. We heard stories about the dogs who came to foster care having been abused or neglected. Some are rescued from families who are unwilling or unable to care for all the pups in an unexpected litter. Some come from puppy mills -operations that breed frequently simply to make a profit, and cast off the excess animals. Those unwanted ones have either outgrown their baby cuteness, or they have a little defect or another problem that prevents them from being purchased. It's the sad picture we don't see from our side of the doors at local animal shelters.

Enter the dog rescues; caring people who take them into foster homes until a loving family adopts the dog to be their new family member. I can't speak for the foster parents, because I've never done it. I'm sure it has its challenges and rewards. My sister fostered a dog once; the little canine pal soon ended up being hers. She told me how she and the dog bonded, and she didn't want to think of surrendering it.

Here's what GOLDEN RETRIEVER FREEDOM RESCUE, INC. has to say at their Web site:

"Every year between 4 and 8 million animals are euthanized in animal shelters across the United States. Many of these animals are strays, but an astounding number are animals given up or abandoned by people who no longer want them. You can save one of these lives, and give love to a dog who has been sadly neglected. The rewards of helping an animal in need are enormous. Rescue dogs normally bond quickly to an adoptive family."

Another group at the meeting was THE ALIE FOUNDATION, which rescues and trains bloodhounds for search and rescue. Cool huh, rescues dogs to be used for rescuing children! Bloodhounds also track bad guys. This organization was founded by the grandfather of a little girl, Alie,who was kidnapped and murdered in 1993. A bloodhound named Yogi found her little body in a ravine several days later. This is what I learned about Richard Berrelez, her grandfather, the founder of the Alie Foundation, at the Web site,

"...is very active in the Foundation's mission. He has visited 48 states to provide the Foundation 's service of informative and educational presentations about stranger awareness issues and crimes on children. He has worked with purebred bloodhounds studying and understanding their behavior, personality, and instinct in trailing human scent. Through screenings of the dog's health, trailing potential, and training he has be able to place over 190 bloodhounds in law enforcement canine units in the country."

To my astonishment, the typical retired racing greyhound is not an old geezer, nor does he want to dash across the yard all day. He doesn't need to live in a home on the range. They are actually some of the sweetest couch potatoes! At their Web site, RECYCLED RACERS, I read,

"Since our inception in 1993, we have placed over 1500 Greyhounds! Every adoption is important to us. We try to make every effort to match the personality of the Greyhound with the potential owner. We enjoy keeping in touch with our Greyhound adopters and their hounds through their participation in our adopters events held through out the year. Racing Greyhounds are usually not very old, when they become available for adoption. They are typically 2 to 5 years of age when they retire and have an average life span of 12 to 14 years. Occasionally, we get younger dogs who were not interested in chasing the lure or an older dog who is retired from breeding."

Now, I made the links all very easy to find and they are all clickable. So go there! Look up a dog and find one to adopt before you get any lonelier. If you have enough dogs, like I do, please find out what these rescues need and help them out the best you can. They could all use supplies, and cash - it's the same as money!

Thanks, and God bless.

Woof! Woof!

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Showing 1-3 of 3 comments

Submitted By: Katherine Jerome

posted on 4/26/2008 @ 11:58:01 AM

Rated Blog Entry

These and other rescue organizations have made it possible for dog lovers to adopt some of the best pets on earth. From one dog lover to another, thanks Gail!

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Submitted By: Gail Kirkegaard

posted on 4/23/2008 @ 5:16:07 PM

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Me too Erin!

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Submitted By: Erin Feese

posted on 4/22/2008 @ 2:31:03 PM

Rated Blog Entry

I wish I could adopt them all! Thanks for all the great info, Gail!

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CONTRIBUTOR INFORMATION

Gail Kirkegaard

Lakewood , CO

Gail Kirkegaard has posted 16 blog entries and 158 comments since joining on 3/2/2006. Gail Kirkegaard 's average blog rating is 4.83.

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