Greta's Haven Pet Rescue

Eva has been a little naughty lately so Mom and Dad signed her up for basic obedience class with a guy named Jerry. Eva says Jerry is pretty nice but Mom turns into a big meanie while they are there!

I believe it because today we all went for a walk to practice some of the basic obedience stuff. We have to sit down during our walks if Mom and Dad stop. Well I am actually used to that except today Mom kept making me sit in the snow!!!

I like snow - I am part husky, after all - but no one likes to have their sensitive bits frozen to the concrete, am I right?

But I think it is even trickier for Eva. The cold on her bits isn't as bad for her as the having to think all the time! Eva is easily distracted. Training is making her have to focus and think a lot more than usual. After our walk she decided to take a nap instead of wrestling with me.

Practice makes perfect, though. Eva will understand what is being asked of her soon and she won't have to think so hard. Until intermedi

On a lazy Saturday you can usually find me curled up in bed, or on the couch, or on the dog bed. I dream of rabbits.

On a lazy Saturday, if no food is being served, you will likely find my little buddy Gabriel sharing my sleeping space.

On a lazy Saturday, I keep one ear half-awake to pick up the jingle of leashes and Mom's half-question: "walk?"

On a lazy Saturday I like those comforts that emerge in the steam off of Mom's tea, the scent of baking and the whispering cold wind outside the window.

On a lazy Saturday I remember being alone, afraid, abandoned in a kennel. And then I smile for what life has become.

On a lazy Saturday I dream of dogs being adopted. Just like me.

I would like Santa Claus to know that, no matter what Mom says, Eva and I have been VERY good this year. Only one emergency room visit, Santa. Find another pair of dogs who can say as much!!!

I went to see Santa Claus with my cousin, Link, and we had a great time. Santa was nice. I already have kittens so I asked for a puppy. I couldn't hear what Link wanted because he whispered in Santa's ear.

Since I am sure that Eva and I are on the nice list I would also like to ask Santa for a favour. Fraggle the kitten has a lady who would like to adopt him. Mom says that the lady is very nice and very good to her animals. I hope, Santa, that you will not only make this lady love Fraggle a lot, but that you will also remember him on Christmas. I know you will fill stocking for Eva, Adina, Bowser, Gabriel and I. If Fraggle has gone to a new home, please do not forget his!

I know for a fact that Fraggle is on the nice list. He purrs a lot and snuggles with me. If anyone is naughty it is... well, since you are Santa you already know. Right?

You know you are rich when the browning grass in the back yard glows in gold shimmer on a cold November afternoon.

Being a husky, I am pretty fond of the North winds and lacy precipitation that accompanies this season's change. Some people grumble, huddling tight into heavy sweaters but, for me, a bit of snow is a welcome change. I was made for glazed trails; freezing darkness; blowing snow.

Oh, but that sun! To bask in the gilded honour of light! To revel in the radiant splendor of the orb! The wilted grass turns to skeins of spun gold and cool fur is kissed with the fire of a billion years. Summer is on the wings of a burgeoning Winter. The cold can, and will, spin into gold.

So today Dad brought home a turkey. He got it from where he works. Mom kind of looked at it askance - you know, she's a vegetarian - but I know it will not go to waste.

Here's a little secret. As much as Mom won't eat meat she's alright at cooking it. I sit by Dad's side every time he has one of those organic, free-range steaks Mom buys for him at the market. Oh, so good!!!!

Of course, Eva and I, the cats and Bowser all eat a poultry-based grain free diet. Eva and I are omnivores like people, but I'm allergic to grain. The cats are obligate carnivores; Bowser wo and Mom says they should not be subjected to unnatural elements in their diets.

Which brings me back to the turkey. Mom will squinch up her face when she pulls all the guts out. Actually, first she'll try to shake them out and when that doesn't work she'll employ the salad tongs. Still, she'll probably have to stick her arm up that freezing carcass. After that she'll rub that bird with butter and spices, put him in a pan and roast him well. If we are lucky Mom will mince up all those guts, sear them in a bit of butter and feed them to Eva and I. But even if we aren't that lucky, Eva and I will rest in the warm kitchen by the glowing oven.

You know Dad can't eat a twenty pound turkey by himself. Oh, there will be stuffing. I will be stuffing my tummy!  :D

Hey, guess what? Eva and I are out of the hospital. We have been for days. We didn't have to stay quite 24 hours.

Mind you, the vet kind of wanted to keep us but agreed to let Mom take us home as long as we came back for blood tests. See, we didn't like being away from home so we were TERRIBLE for the veterinary staff!

We pulled out our IVs and got blood everywhere. Eva barked, cowered and snarled. I howled my best wolf-like howl. I ate but Eva scattered her food everywhere! And when they tried to separate us for procedures? Oh, we raised HELL!

But they did a great job. Eva and I are safe with no ill effects from our adventure. Mom and Dad are so happy! Eva and I are back to our mischief only, so far, without any pills. We chewed up a pencil, shredded and scattered a toilet paper roll and, last night, woke Mom up 6 times.

Life is good! I'm so glad we get to continue enjoying it. Thank you to all of the people at Wilson Veterinary Hospital for taking such good care of us.

Hey, did you guys know that vitamin D can be toxic to dogs? I didn't either. I got ahold of the forgotten pill bottle and boy, did I have fun? Indeed I did.

Gel capsules are particularly yummy. They've got a chewiness to them reminiscent of steak. If you don't believe me you should try it some time.

So... here I am in the hospital. I'm not acting sick yet. But acting sick often means BAD THINGS so my parents brought Eva and I to the hospital right away. I like the people here at Wilson Veterinary Hospital but that doesn't mean I'm going to tolerate this treatment. Blood draws; an IV; a CATHETER?!?!?! I'm actively trying to escape. I know my strong nails will make it through this stainless steel cage in no time.

Eva isn't fairing so well. Her cage is right next to mine, thank goodness. She shies back whenever the people come around and then barks furiously as they turn away. Poor girl! She's afraid because our parents aren't here.

I wonder what Mom is doing right now? She and Dad will be cold in bed without us. Our pack is broken up tonight and it makes me feel pretty sad. Almost sad enough to swear off mischief-making forever. Almost...

(Any prayers, good thoughts and healing vibes for Orrin and Eva are more than welcome! Our family is frightened. We cannot lose them!)

It is October. Again.

This is my Mom's favourite time of year. The leaves are burning with secret fire, the air has a crisp quality and, she says, spirits walk among us!

It is the one time of year you can be anyone or anything without judgment. Speaking to shadows won't get you committed. Seeking the ghost in the linen closet is more a pass-time than an exorcism.

I have dressed up before. On year I was Bolt. Another year I was a white wolf from the Mononoke Hime anime. (Really easy costume, BTW.) This year Mom is being a wolf and I think I'll just be me.

My Hallowe'en duties are hard enough. Since the end of September I've had to endure the most horrendous of trials! That is when Mom begins watching horror movies. As she sits on the edge of the couch, squealing in fright and spitting half-chewed popcorn around I hide my eyes under our blanket. She hugs me tight around the neck and tells me to tell her when the monster had finished plucking out the young, attractive teenager's eyeballs. NU-UH! I'm not looking either.

One time I asked my mom what made her pick me - besides, of course, my dashing good looks and amazing intelligence. I mean there I was, a dog among thousands of others, floating in a sea of pictures and vague descriptions. How was it that I caught her eye?

She said that I didn't catch her eye at all. Well, hardly at all. She saw my picture and I caught her heart. Her heart began singing my name, or the name that would be mine, at first glance. Even when she wasn't looking at petfinder.com the song grew louder and louder. She said the song was so beautiful and it continues to grow more lovely and more profound every day.

Mom says she wishes that every animal could be chosen in this way. She knows that some of the animals adopted from our rescue had a heart-song and she also knows that some have not. But she still hopes for it for every singe one. Especially as her heart sings for Gabriel.

And I hope for it for all of my foster-brothers and foster-sisters as well. I know all about it. My heart sings, too.

Sometimes we receive missing pet notices here at the rescue. It can be really frightening to think that a loved one has disappeared! What if they never came home?

There are a lot of things that a pet-mom or pet-dad can do to try and help their animals come home safe. I'm going to make a list of things I know about.

1. Microchips are our friends!!!
     Yes, there is a rare occurrence of side effects at the chip site but it         microchips are one form if identification that is really hard to lose!

2. Posters Galore!
    Posters and fliers to tuck into doorways and mailboxes are a great way
    to bring attention to a missing pet. Posters should be huge and easy to
    read from the roadway. It should say "LOST!", have a big picture of
    the missing pet, and a contact phone number. Fliers can have more
    information but should still be at least 50% pet photo.

3. Postal Workers Know Everything.
    Seriously! (Although ours would rather not know Eva.) Not only do they
    know where all the dogs live, they also may see kitties sitting in the
    windows or notice a new stray hanging around the neighborhood. Ask
    your postal worker to be on the look-out for your pet!

4. Common Sense should be Common; It Isn't.
    Keep an ID tag on your pet's collar and keep their license and/or rabies
    tag on there, too. Those things make it obvious that a pet has a loving
    family. Also, check with your local police jurisdiction. They often have
    temporary holding facilities for animals during times that Animal Control
    facilities are closed. Visit local animal control facilities or Humane
    Societies in person. Only you can confidently ID your pet!

5. A Supervised Pet is a Safe Pet.
    Pets should not be left outside alone with no one watching out for
    them. Sure, you won't always be able to be outside with your dog but
    check on them often and make sure there is no suspicious activity going
    on. Pet thefts seem to have increased over the past several years so
    having a "secure" yard is no longer adequate pet protection. My
    opinion is that kitties do not need to go outside. If you decide to let
    your kitty out, she deserves the same cautious supervision and
    identification systems you would use for your dog.

Those are five things I know about that will help keep your pet from getting lost and help you retrieve a lost pet. What do you know about that I have missed? Please leave a comment to tell me!