New Dog

[charlie]

I have a new dog. She came to me starved and mishandled. I say mishandled because she was never beaten. She was tied up and forgotten.
It's nothing new here in Mexico to kick dogs, starve them, put them in dog fights, delibertley hit them with cars and any and all cruel things you can imagine. After all the common folk here believe that animals have no souls and therefore need no consideration.
My new dog was tied up, forgotten and fed an occasional tortilla. Not many of them as evidenced by her razer sharp backbone, bone thin ribs and pink gums. She also has a tendency to eat her own shit. Another sign of extreme starvation.
This dog initially belonged to a neighbour of mine. He tossed her out because she ate too much. She the went to two other homes before escaping and coming to my gate.
Kathie is a one year old Pit bull X Lab of the most amassing sweet disposition. She is making her recovery with my other "girls"
She is my number four girl.
Today she was brave enough to come into the house. The open wounds on her hips are closing, she is growing hair over all the bald bits, and she has learned her name. There is nothing I can do about her teeth, they are worn down from chewing rocks, brick bits and wood.
I can't help comparing her to my Lucy who died last year. There are so many similarities. She is big, ungainly, and totally lovable. Already she is playing peacemaker ever though she gets no respect (yet) from the other girls.

[Deleted]

I am always pleased to know that there are still good people who can take in strays and bring them back into a real life.

On a similar note, I was stuck in a big traffic jam on the ring road around Paris last week. When I finally got to the source of the problem, I saw that a German shepherd type dog had been hit by a car, but for once it was still alive and not displaying its guts. It was clearly in distress (probably with a leg or two broken), but there was a policeman taking care of it and comforting it and a whole other bunch of police around with their vehicles to keep danger well away from the dog. I was happy to see them making such an effort to save the dog and get the necessary medical care, because I imagine that there are plenty of places where they would not have taken such pains.

[bixaorellana]

Too true. I saw an online discussion recently about special equipment for animals that had been donated to an area's emergency services. Without getting any facts, a hue & cry went up about people being sacrificed while paramedics "wasted their time" on animals. That's hardly the way it's going to work.

I've met Charlie's Kathie & she's a lovely dog -- pretty even when she had mange & all her ribs showing, plus a truly sweet nature.

[charlie]

It's been over 6 months since Kathie came to live with us. She is looks wonderful! I posted that she was Pit Bull X Lab but now that she has recovered I have to say that predominately she appears to be a Boxer.
I am babysitting Bixa's latest rescue puppy and Kathie has become her playmate, protector and chew toy. It is hilarious watching the two of them. Missy (the tiny puppy) walking between Kathie's legs, chewing on her toes and trying to catch her tail. Kathie puts one paw out and poor Missy is knocked over squeaking like a mouse. Kathie then feels terrible and puts her huge head down to check the puppy who then bites her on the nose. Kathie leaps back shaking her head and the whole thing starts over. The only injury sustained in all this is Me. I've been laughing so hard that my sides ache.

[bixaorellana]

I am here celebrating US Thanksgiving because Charlie was willing to give itsy Missy refuge.

It's not a dogless Thanksgiving, though, because my sister & her husband brought their 17-year-old Jack Russell terrier , Roscoe, with them.

Happy thanksgiving to Roscoe, to Kathie, to Frankie, to Annie, to Wednesday, to Darla & Harley of course, to little Missy, & to dear Aunt Charlie & Uncle Mr. Charlie.

[bixaorellana]

Missy, the day she was taken to Charlie's house:


Missy, today (got her back from Charlie yesterday)

[htmb]

Poor baby, but she looks so sweet and healthy now. How's her temperament?

[bixaorellana]

She is the best little dog! She's bouncy & friendly & easily one of the smartest puppies I've ever met.

I didn't show the really awful "before" pictures. She was almost bald on most of her body. You can see a hint of it in the first picture -- her bare, overly pink chest. She had a vet visit before going to Charlie's. The vet said the poor little mite didn't have mange, just the effects of severe malnutrition & horrible filth. I was amazed at how much she'd grown & how much more hair she got in just 10 days.

[fumobici]

i'm not generally a small dog lover (though can be won over) but that girl is just the cutest thing ever.

[bixaorellana]

She was a lot cuter @20 minutes ago, before she peed on the rug.

I don't think she is going to be very small -- more medium/small. In the bottom picture she's standing next to (fully grown) Darla, who is about the size of a miniature dachshund. Missy is already taller at less than 2 months old, & has bigger feet.

[fumobici]

That young!?!? That explains the ridiculous cuteness. And the peeing on the rug. That age is too young to expect a dog to be house trained although sometimes one gets lucky.

[charlie]

Missy was house trained at my house. Whatever are you doing wrong Bixa?

[bixaorellana]

Actually, I made a mistake -- she's now @three months old, still bouncy & cute but it's time for her forever home to be found.

There was an adoption event last Saturday. There was a person who wanted Missy, but I didn't feel it was a good idea. Worse yet, I came home with an extra dog.

I couldn't help it -- it was love at first sight. He's half dachshund & half chihuahua, semi starved and was very frightened. At first Harley loathed him, but seems to be coming around. Darla hardly reacts to him at all, but is mildly threatened by his presence. If it really doesn't work out at my house, at least Oliver (new guy) will be stronger, healthier, & more socialized if it becomes necessary to find him another home.

I had the strongest feeling that I somehow knew this dog already, which is clearly impossible. Then it hit me: he resembles this object that set on my dad's side of the dresser my whole life:

SPOILER: Click to show

Missy doing the adorable thing ~~

[lugg]

Charlie and Bixa - you are both fantastic . Hope the new dogs do well and Missy stops peeing on the carpet soon.

[bixaorellana]

Thanks, Lugg!

Missy was taken over to Charlie's house to stay while I'm out of town. She (Missy, not Charlie) has grown quite a bit & is very sturdy. It's now that her heritage is showing: schnauzer and cocker spaniel!

[cheerypeabrain]

aw....what a cutie...she's a real beauty. I am overcome with admiration and gratitude that there are people like you and Charlie in the world Bixa dear.

I can't understand the mentality behind cruelty to animals (and not just to animals!)...it might be a cultural thing but surely people know that it's morally repugnant. ?

[Deleted]

Obviously I approve of taking in dogs -- but the real talent is finding new homes for them!

[bixaorellana]

Not so much a talent as an arduous process.

I'm in the process, along with a friend, of mounting a second adoption campaign. We have questionnaires, the prospective adopters are interviewed & must agree to a visit to their homes, but ....

People are people & nothing is foolproof. We haven't been asking any sort of money for the animals, but this time are going to do so. There's too much chance of people taking a dog or cat on a whim if it's free, plus adds to the general perception that "breed" animals have value & the rest do not.

We're thinking of one amount for puppies or kittens which have only been de-wormed, another for animals which have also had their shots, & possibly a third level for those already sterilized.

Any input or suggestions would be extremely welcome!

[mich64]

I think the three levels offer good choices Bixa and agree that if you expect to pay something to adopt than the person is more likely to be a serious pet owner.

We adopted Jebidiah from our City Humane Society and we paid about $75.00 and it included his needles, de worming, city registration tag and a chip inserted under the skin that had his identification, his name, address, our names and phone number. If he was turned in to them or picked up, you received one free return after that it was $100.00 to get him back.

I admire your ambition, commitment and success at finding homes for these cats and dogs.

Cheers Bixa!

[bixaorellana]

Thanks, Mich! My co-organizer thinks that three levels might provoke people to choose the cheaper options or look too much as though we're selling the animals. I don't agree, but it's probably true that we need to take baby steps in this regard.

There is no municipal humane society, although the city begrudgingly helps an organization in providing sterilizations.

[Deleted]

Have you set up your puppy website yet?

[mich64]

Yes, there will definitely be people choosing the least expensive option, but there will be those wanting their new pet to have their shots and be sterilized.

I think it is admirable to help these defenseless animals and to help control the pet population even more so now that you tell me there is no municipal program.

Perhaps after a few successful campaigns you and your partner should present your program to your municipal council? Keep records, if you break even hopefully you can show them that although it is not a money making venture, it is a no cost operation that they could perhaps adopt on a larger scale.

[bixaorellana]

Actually, I did try setting up an adoption/educational site, but was defeated by the forces of people who can do facebook & cellphone, but nothing else. Well, them & people who'll probably never use a computer at all.

Mich, that is a really, really good idea. I visited the pound here once when it was still in operation, & will spare you the dreadful details. My partner was excited to hear your imput.

[bixaorellana]

Has anyone been following the story about the "murderous dog pack" in Mexico City? Along with outrage, it's provoked some pretty funny mockery here, such as this picture. It's a take-off on photos frequently seen in the police section of newspapers, wherein alleged criminals are posed with their weapons, ill-gotten goods or whatever.

Two dangerous leaders of the group "The Pack" fall, implicated in criminal activies


The story in English: www.huffingtonpost.com/huff-wires/20130111/lt-mexico-wild-dogs-killing/?utm_hp_ref=green&ir=green

And I apologize for linking to F*x "News", but it has pictures of the detained dogs:
www.foxnews.com/world/2013/01/11/mexicans-protest-detention-dogs-in-killings-tests-come-back-negative/

[patricklondon]

Has anyone been following the story about the "murderous dog pack" in Mexico City?

Reported with a degree of scepticism (what else?) in The Guardian:

www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/jan/10/mexico-city-murders-wild-dogs

[bixaorellana]

Ah, thanks for that Patrick. It didn't come up last night when I searched, & is a much better article.