animal rescuers - resources - support - Page 14

DapperButch · 03-06-2010, 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AtLastHome

A good friend of mine (Harry) has a 13 year old boxer (George) and he is going through what we all do when we need to make that quality of life versus our not wanting to let go decision. I love this dog, too and have known him for several years. He was my boxer’s best pal and Harry used to bring George over to visit my Valentino when he was too sick last year to go to the dog park anymore. They would just hang out quietly together on my front lawn like two old men playing chess and reminiscing. It was so kind of Harry to do this.

George has severe arthritis and is having stroke events as well as is incontinent. He is still eating, but really can’t stand for long. Harry was talking to me yesterday about calling his vet and asking him if it was time.He is struggling internally so much it just breaks my heart.

Harry has taken incredible care of George since his wife died 8 years ago. George was actually her dog. I know the loss of George is very much connected to the loss of his wife. This guy has made George a hand made cape and a bed in which George can slip into it and the covers gently cover him by just getting in the bed! Harry was an inventor (he is about 75 years old). He also made George special goggles to protect his eyes from getting poked as he aged and couldn’t see well. Harry adores this dog.

I can see that Harry is exhausted as taking care of George has been a 24/7 job for the last 5-6 weeks since he has had the stroke events and gets confused. Harry has to get up and bring George out several times at night.

I realized yesterday that the real problem is that George needs to tell Harry in some way that it is OK for him to let go. But even with all of what is going on with him, he still picked up a tennis ball in his mouth and gave it a very slight nudge toward me yesterday. I guess he just isn’t ready to give Harry the OK, yet. Still has a couple of tosses in him. But, I could tell harry was trying to make the decision and just agonizing.

I feel awful concerning both of them. I’m worried about Harry and his getting rest and taking care of himself but as long as George does anything as himself (or, old self), I don’t think Harry can let go of him.

I know Harry wants George to just die at home, peacefully. I remember wanting that for Valentino too. I guess I should just let them work it out. This is so damn hard! Both of them matter to me.

Wow, AtLast, this is so sad.

Harry may need to let George know that it is ok for him to go. I think that dogs, just like humans, hang on because they believe that their loved ones want them to.

I am not trying to be negative about your friend as I know he is suffering, but maybe the kindest thing he can do for George is to tell him that he can let go/take him to the vet and "let go"...(especially if George is suffering in any way).

Your mileage may vary,
Dapper.

Tommi · 03-06-2010, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DapperButch

Wow, AtLast, this is so sad.

Harry may need to let George know that it is ok for him to go. I think that dogs, just like humans, hang on because they believe that their loved ones want them to.

I am not trying to be negative about your friend as I know he is suffering, but maybe the kindest thing he can do for George is to tell him that he can let go/take him to the vet and "let go"...(especially if George is suffering in any way).

Your mileage may vary,
Dapper.

Thanks for this thread.

Dusty, who has jaw cancer will let Deb-the-Ex, know when it is time. We talked to the Doc. about surgery, recurrence in a year, removal of 1/2 his jaw, stomach tube, etc and are not putting him through that.

Dusty has about another healthy month, the Vet estimated. So, he will let us know, and we are listening and watching, and won't let him suffer.

Kimbo · 03-06-2010, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tommi

Thanks for this thread.

Dusty, who has jaw cancer will let Deb-the-Ex, know when it is time. We talked to the Doc. about surgery, recurrence in a year, removal of 1/2 his jaw, stomach tube, etc and are not putting him through that.

Dusty has about another healthy month, the Vet estimated. So, he will let us know, and we are listening and watching, and won't let him suffer.

I'm sorry to hear this. I had thought that this type of cancer was not a good one. I hope for the best with Dusty, Deb and you.

A few years back I had a cat named Giz who was competely healthy until one day when he was 6 y/o he started to vomit. A vet visit put him in intensive care for a few days with complete kidney failure. His ultra sound showed scarred kidneys that they thought would recover but after sub-q's and meds for 3 months nothing was working. One day I came home and it was obvious that something had changed and I could tell that he had enough. I had lit a fire that night and he tried to walk into it. I called the vet and sat with Giz and said my good byes. The vet came to my house and we let him go as I held him in front of the warm fire. It was very calm and peaceful. I laid Giz down so the other animals could say their good byes and then the vet took him with her to be cremated.

I believe Giz gave me the opportunity to help him go in a peacefull way--it was much easier on me and I believe it was much easier on him as well.

FeminineAllure · 03-11-2010, 10:01 PM

Hear our humble prayer, O God, for our friends the animals,
especially for animals who are suffering;
for animals that are overworked, underfed and cruelly treated;
for all wistful creatures in captivity that beat their wings against bars;
for any that are hunted or lost or deserted or frightened or hungry;
for all that must be put death.
We entreat for them all Thy mercy and pity,
and for those who deal with them we ask a heart of compassion
and gentle hands and kindly words.
Make us, ourselves, to be true friends to animals,
and so to share the blessings of the merciful.

Andrew, Jr. · 03-12-2010, 12:51 PM

There was a well-known Priest in Baltimore who was an animal lover. As a child, he really didn't have any pets.

After going thru the schooling of being a Priest, he would take walks from the Church to the office building which was thru a parkinglot and next to a very heavily wooded area. Well, he never knew of feral cats...but they knew him and taught him about life.

The cats made such an impact on him, that this Priest bought an igloo shelter for them, and would put blankets in it for warmth. He also would feed them. Slowly, he befriended each one. He had a total of 21 cats. However, the first 4 cats he befriended were the ones who really changed him. He wrote several small books (easy to read) about his cats. They taught him about life. What is was to be abandon, or killed by a car, or to have a terminal illness where the best thing to do was to be put down. It moved him beyond imagination.

When this Priest aged, and got sick himself, he left his beloved cats (only 4 are left today) to a woman who helped him care for the cats (as he got older). Now, the cats are living inside, but have a cat door to let them go inside or outside as they please. Mostly they are inside, and sleeping. The 4 are enjoying life as it was meant to be. They know what it is to be loved. They remember the rejection they once faced.

Feminine Allure,

That poem was just beautiful. I love it! Thank you for sharing that. I am going to write that down to remember.

Semantics · 03-12-2010, 04:52 PM

A RESCUER'S ANSWERING MACHINE:

Hello: You have reached ___-____, Rescue. Due to the
high volume of calls we have been receiving, please listen closely to
the following options and choose the one that best describes you or
your situation:

Press 1 if you have a 10-year-old dog and your 15-year-old son has
suddenly become allergic and you need to find the dog a new home
right away.

Press 2 if you are moving today and need to immediately place your
150 pound, 8-year-old dog.

Press 3 if you have three dogs, had a baby and want to get rid of
your dogs because you are the only person in the world to have a
baby and dogs at the same time.

Press 4 if you just got a brand new puppy and your old dog is having
problems adjusting so you want to get rid of the old one right away.

Press 5 if your little puppy has grown up and is no longer small and
cute and you want to trade it in for a new model.

Press 6 if you want an unpaid volunteer to come to your home TODAY
and pick up the dog you no longer want.

Press 7 if you have been feeding and caring for a "stray" for the
last three years, are moving and suddenly determine it's not your
dog.

Press 8 if your dog is sick and needs a vet but you need the money
for your vacation.

Press 9 if you are elderly and want to adopt a cute puppy who is not
active and is going to outlive you.

Press 10 if your relative has died and you don't want to care for
their elderly dog because it doesn't fit your lifestyle.

Press 11 if you are calling at 6 a.m. to make sure you wake me up
before I have to go to work so you can drop a dog off on your way
to work.
Press 12 to leave us an anonymous garbled message, letting us know
you have left a dog in our yard in the middle of January, which is
in fact, better than just leaving the dog with no message.

Press 13 if you are going to get angry because we are not going to
take your dog that you have had for fifteen years, because it is
not our responsibility.

Press 14 if you are going to threaten to take your ten year old dog
to be euthanized because I won't take it.

Press 15 if you're going to get angry because the volunteers had the
audacity to go on vacation and leave the dogs in care of a trusted
volunteer who is not authorized to take your personal pet.

Press 16 if you want one of our PERFECTLY trained, housebroken, kid
and cat friendly purebred dogs that we have an abundance of.

Press 17 if you want us to take your dog that has a slight
aggression problem, i.e.. has only bitten a few people and killed your
neighbor's cats.

Press 18 if you have already called once and been told we don't take
personal surrenders but thought you would get a different person this
time with a different answer.

Press 19 if you want us to use space that would go to a stray to
board your personal dog while you are on vacation, free of charge,
of course.

Press 20 if it is Christmas Eve or Easter morning and you want me to
deliver an eight week old puppy to your house by 6:30 am before
your kids wake up.

Press 21 if you have bought your children a duckling, chick or baby
bunny for Easter and it is now Christmas and no longer cute.

Press 22 if you want us to take your female dog who has already had
ten litters, but we can't spay her because she is pregnant again and
it is against your religion.

Press 23 if you're trying to make one of our younger volunteers feel
bad and take your personal pet off your hands.

Press 24 if your cat is biting and not using the litter box because it is declawed, but you are not willing to accept the responsibility
that the cat's behavior is altered because of your nice furniture.

Press 25 if your two year old male dog is marking all over your house
but you just haven't gotten around to having him neutered.

Press 26 if you previously had an outdoor only dog and are calling
because she is suddenly pregnant.

Press 27 if you have done "everything" to housebreak your dog and
have had no success but you don't want to crate the dog because it
is cruel.

Press 28 if you didn't listen to the message asking for an evening
phone number and you left your work number when all volunteers are
also working and you are angry because no one called you back.

Press 29 if you need a puppy immediately and cannot wait because
today is your daughter's birthday and you forgot when she was born.

Press 30 if your dog's coat doesn't match your new furniture and you
need a different color or breed.

Press 31 if your new love doesn't like your dog and you are too
stupid to get rid of the new friend (who will dump you in the next
month anyway) instead of the dog.

Press 32 if you went through all these 'options' and didn't hear
enough. This press will connect you to the sounds of tears being
shed by one of our volunteers who is holding a discarded old dog
while the vet mercifully frees him from a life of no medical care,
severe neglect and abuse..

violaine · 03-12-2010, 08:51 PM

hallo to everyone - happy friday and weekend

i've some catching up to do in this thread. atlasthome, your post really was beautifully sad- i do not like being in that place- to make a decision of that gravity whatsoever. how are you all?

andrew, good to 'read' you

lisa, your little poem is just so you

loved it. thank you for sharing [birthday girl].

kimbo and tommi, these stories are so hard. i lived with a cat who was called 'cleo' and five years of age when i adopted her from the animal control shelter. she had a tiny pea sized lump on her jaw one day. the vet gave her two weeks to like two months after the examination/x-rays and i was stunned! it was inoperable and invasive cancer. awful.

semantics - that list is quite the sobering reality, thank you for your posts!

dapperbutch, thank you. i think you are so right. i cannot go into my two dogs right now [and it's been since 2006], as they were my family for 13 years. in some ways like a husband - snoring, at times grumpy, and bed-hogging!!

i need to update on the recent fundraiser for the pet food pantry and committee of the humane society. plus, there's good news about the animal control. not sure i can put it down right now.

love to the dorg-and cat-zillas [exotics and so on!]

Soft*Silver · 03-12-2010, 09:26 PM

Most people think that its time for George to cross the rainbow bridge. I do not. Neither he nor Harry are willing to let go. While it is wearing on Harry and it might seem that George is on last threads of the cord that ties him to this earth, the practical matter is that George still wants Harry...and Harry wants George. I have put down many animals....because I adopt only old ones. No one else wants them and yet they are so loving and deserving of a home again...but, this shortens my time with them. Yes, but I will take any day with my beloved four leggeds than any time without them...

the time is probably close, and they will get their on their own. But what I hear and feel more loudly in your post, is your sorrow over the loss of your boy and how this is touching that part of you that continues to grieve.

I know that when any of my newfs get close to the final surrender, all the beloveds I have ever loved, are felt in my heart. I dont resist that grief...it is just a deep part of the love we shared..I hope I never stop feeling sorrow over those I lost...they made my heart grow bigger...and even as they pass, it opens my heart to continue to love...

blessings to George and Harry...and blessings to you too, ALH....

Quote:

Originally Posted by AtLastHome

A good friend of mine (Harry) has a 13 year old boxer (George) and he is going through what we all do when we need to make that quality of life versus our not wanting to let go decision. I love this dog, too and have known him for several years. He was my boxer’s best pal and Harry used to bring George over to visit my Valentino when he was too sick last year to go to the dog park anymore. They would just hang out quietly together on my front lawn like two old men playing chess and reminiscing. It was so kind of Harry to do this.

George has severe arthritis and is having stroke events as well as is incontinent. He is still eating, but really can’t stand for long. Harry was talking to me yesterday about calling his vet and asking him if it was time.He is struggling internally so much it just breaks my heart.

Harry has taken incredible care of George since his wife died 8 years ago. George was actually her dog. I know the loss of George is very much connected to the loss of his wife. This guy has made George a hand made cape and a bed in which George can slip into it and the covers gently cover him by just getting in the bed! Harry was an inventor (he is about 75 years old). He also made George special goggles to protect his eyes from getting poked as he aged and couldn’t see well. Harry adores this dog.

I can see that Harry is exhausted as taking care of George has been a 24/7 job for the last 5-6 weeks since he has had the stroke events and gets confused. Harry has to get up and bring George out several times at night.

I realized yesterday that the real problem is that George needs to tell Harry in some way that it is OK for him to let go. But even with all of what is going on with him, he still picked up a tennis ball in his mouth and gave it a very slight nudge toward me yesterday. I guess he just isn’t ready to give Harry the OK, yet. Still has a couple of tosses in him. But, I could tell harry was trying to make the decision and just agonizing.

I feel awful concerning both of them. I’m worried about Harry and his getting rest and taking care of himself but as long as George does anything as himself (or, old self), I don’t think Harry can let go of him.

I know Harry wants George to just die at home, peacefully. I remember wanting that for Valentino too. I guess I should just let them work it out. This is so damn hard! Both of them matter to me.

Tommi · 03-13-2010, 03:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by violaine

hallo to everyone - happy friday and weekend

......

kimbo and tommi, these stories are so hard. i lived with a cat who was called 'cleo' and five years of age when i adopted her from the animal control shelter. she had a tiny pea sized lump on her jaw one day. the vet gave her two weeks to like two months after the examination/x-rays and i was stunned! it was inoperable and invasive cancer. awful....

Sometimes it's gloomy here. It is hard to see this beautiful long haired black, alpha male getting skinny and loosing this fucking Cancer battle. He suns himself on the patio, and plays with the 6 month old kitten in the afternoon. I went to visit my boy yesterday and he wanted his ears rubbed, and to be brushed, just like I used to do for him........ Deb flew home tonight to spend the weekend with Dusty, and she leaves Sunday evening. She's deployed out of town till April 30. I don't think he is going to be able to survive that long.

Dusty saw his vet on Thursday for follow-up, had the last stitches out, and another long acting antibiotic.The first antibiotic he had 2 weeks ago really helped him , and he is eating and drinking really well again.

His jaw is more swollen. He sees a surgeon/onchologist who specializes in this type of cancer to see if there is anything that can be done.

One day at a time

violaine · 03-14-2010, 08:35 PM

http://www.sugarbane.com/wildlife.htm

http://www.opossum.org/

Kimbo · 03-14-2010, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by violaine

http://www.sugarbane.com/wildlife.htm

http://www.opossum.org/

Are you rescuing opossums in another state?

Tommi · 03-16-2010, 08:19 AM

It will be a month, maybe 3, maybe 6.

Not that I overdo things, but..I took Dusty for a 3rd opinion. We went to a Veterinary Surgical Hospital with a cancer wing... He saw an Oncologist/Surgeon that specializes in feline head and neck cancers. One doctor had recommended surgery. One doctor had said No surgery.

Gayle Donner, DVM was the most gentle , loving, caring woman,. She stroked Dusty as she examined him and he let her, jsut poke and prod jaw where the tumor is. She told him he was a brave boy. She held him tight and whisered, to me "Take him home take him to his Hospice."

I called the Ex who's out of town, and told her that I was taking him home and we would be his hospice care team. and her partner better be good to my boy..

I have unlimited visitation. I dropped him off at my old house, looked into his eyes, and saw the kitten we adopted 13 years ago.

violaine · 03-18-2010, 10:18 AM

some progress has been made with the AC Shelter. animals are being photographed, petfinder is being used, and rescue groups are contacted - none of which ever was or is presently being initiated/carried out by the AC Shelter! volunteers [the people who have been behind the movement for improvements at this shelter] are checking in with the shelter animals and pushing for all of these changes. at least we are getting somewhere, but it's still not enough-

here is a letter to a reporter who met with us months and months ago. i first met the reporter, "w", last year when he was at my address covering another story for my committee [of the humane society] .

note the way this county [where i reside] operates, sadly.

Hello W,

I am just following up again regarding the article about the X County Animal Control. The last time we spoke, you told me that you were still waiting on comment from the commissioners of from Animal Control. Were you able to reach them for comment?

I remember you saying that you would be able run the article even if we were not given a response. I'd like to move forward with writing the article even if we don't get comment from anyone-we can state the truth-that they did not respond. My guess is that if nobody has responded by this time, they will not respond ever.

I would be lying if I said the story is the exact same since our first discussion. We've made some progress, and I'd like to share all of that with you for an updated story.

Please update us on the progress of the article. We are very anxious for the public to know about this extremely important issue-the animals need everyone's support!

Thanks,

** W's response **

Hi ,

I haven't forgotten about this story. We're still working on the multi-part Progress section. I should be mostly finished with that after this week. Because of it, I haven't had time to work on the shelter story. I still need to talk with CH AC Officer and the commissioner. I do see that there's updates to the story, including a website and discussion of a community advisory board. The timing with Progress was incredibly bad, but I promise to publish something on this matter.

-W

on 3/15/10 9:23 AM

violaine · 03-18-2010, 06:13 PM

[QUOTE=Kimbo;67093]Are you rescuing opossums in another state?

i how are you? i visited tennessee for three days recently. don't tempt me, kimbo ~

IttyBittyFem · 03-18-2010, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Semantics

A RESCUER'S ANSWERING MACHINE:

Hello: You have reached ___-____, Rescue. Due to the
high volume of calls we have been receiving, please listen closely to
the following options and choose the one that best describes you or
your situation:

Press 1 if you have a 10-year-old dog and your 15-year-old son has
suddenly become allergic and you need to find the dog a new home
right away.

Press 2 if you are moving today and need to immediately place your
150 pound, 8-year-old dog.

Press 3 if you have three dogs, had a baby and want to get rid of
your dogs because you are the only person in the world to have a
baby and dogs at the same time.

Press 4 if you just got a brand new puppy and your old dog is having
problems adjusting so you want to get rid of the old one right away.

Press 5 if your little puppy has grown up and is no longer small and
cute and you want to trade it in for a new model.

Press 6 if you want an unpaid volunteer to come to your home TODAY
and pick up the dog you no longer want.

Press 7 if you have been feeding and caring for a "stray" for the
last three years, are moving and suddenly determine it's not your
dog.

Press 8 if your dog is sick and needs a vet but you need the money
for your vacation.

Press 9 if you are elderly and want to adopt a cute puppy who is not
active and is going to outlive you.

Press 10 if your relative has died and you don't want to care for
their elderly dog because it doesn't fit your lifestyle.

Press 11 if you are calling at 6 a.m. to make sure you wake me up
before I have to go to work so you can drop a dog off on your way
to work.
Press 12 to leave us an anonymous garbled message, letting us know
you have left a dog in our yard in the middle of January, which is
in fact, better than just leaving the dog with no message.

Press 13 if you are going to get angry because we are not going to
take your dog that you have had for fifteen years, because it is
not our responsibility.

Press 14 if you are going to threaten to take your ten year old dog
to be euthanized because I won't take it.

Press 15 if you're going to get angry because the volunteers had the
audacity to go on vacation and leave the dogs in care of a trusted
volunteer who is not authorized to take your personal pet.

Press 16 if you want one of our PERFECTLY trained, housebroken, kid
and cat friendly purebred dogs that we have an abundance of.

Press 17 if you want us to take your dog that has a slight
aggression problem, i.e.. has only bitten a few people and killed your
neighbor's cats.

Press 18 if you have already called once and been told we don't take
personal surrenders but thought you would get a different person this
time with a different answer.

Press 19 if you want us to use space that would go to a stray to
board your personal dog while you are on vacation, free of charge,
of course.

Press 20 if it is Christmas Eve or Easter morning and you want me to
deliver an eight week old puppy to your house by 6:30 am before
your kids wake up.

Press 21 if you have bought your children a duckling, chick or baby
bunny for Easter and it is now Christmas and no longer cute.

Press 22 if you want us to take your female dog who has already had
ten litters, but we can't spay her because she is pregnant again and
it is against your religion.

Press 23 if you're trying to make one of our younger volunteers feel
bad and take your personal pet off your hands.

Press 24 if your cat is biting and not using the litter box because it is declawed, but you are not willing to accept the responsibility
that the cat's behavior is altered because of your nice furniture.

Press 25 if your two year old male dog is marking all over your house
but you just haven't gotten around to having him neutered.

Press 26 if you previously had an outdoor only dog and are calling
because she is suddenly pregnant.

Press 27 if you have done "everything" to housebreak your dog and
have had no success but you don't want to crate the dog because it
is cruel.

Press 28 if you didn't listen to the message asking for an evening
phone number and you left your work number when all volunteers are
also working and you are angry because no one called you back.

Press 29 if you need a puppy immediately and cannot wait because
today is your daughter's birthday and you forgot when she was born.

Press 30 if your dog's coat doesn't match your new furniture and you
need a different color or breed.

Press 31 if your new love doesn't like your dog and you are too
stupid to get rid of the new friend (who will dump you in the next
month anyway) instead of the dog.

Press 32 if you went through all these 'options' and didn't hear
enough. This press will connect you to the sounds of tears being
shed by one of our volunteers who is holding a discarded old dog
while the vet mercifully frees him from a life of no medical care,
severe neglect and abuse..

"]

This is FABULOUS!!!!! By any chance, do you have the Author for these creative (yet so accurate) 32 options?

I'd just love to pass it along to so many that have volunteered with me for years upon years however, would prefer to credit the proper person.

Thank you soooooooo very much for submitting this. I'm confident I'm not the only one that is well aware of all of the above excuses (in addition
to a few hundred others pathetic ones)

Just to reiterate something that can never be said enough, ya'll deserve so much credit for the time and love (and we all know this 'Volunteer' job requires personal $ $ $ from our own wallets) invested in whatever capacity you go out of your way to rescue our beloved fur babies.

YA'LL ROCK - THANK YOU

violaine · 03-20-2010, 11:09 AM

tammy, a member of my commitee was not exactly quoted the right way- and she is not amused today! anyway, i am going to post the article about the AC shelter. comments AC made about the humane society are not true. i do not mind the he-said-she-said aspects of the article so much [as other people on my team/the citizens face book page seem to mind], because i'm happy the story is out there finally. any mention of an Advisory Board was all i wanted to see, basically because it just makes sense to have one- and there will not be these kind of issues [plus a lot of ordinances can be changed to work in favour of the animals

].

M = Chief Animal Control Officer of the Animal Control Shelter
RB = friend of M

my/our team = tammy, AL, JK, LN, DG.

today -

Animal lovers fighting like cats and dogs
Commissioners to help settle dispute

By W
D, IND- When the county opened its new animal shelter in 2008, it was supposed to be the reward for a years-long struggle to complete the project. Instead it’s turned into a battle between animal control and animal lovers.

AL & JK have started a Facebook page [exposing problems at X Animal Care & Control] After a few months, it has more than 400 fans.

Its creators and supporters have specific complaints about M, X County’s chief animal control officer, and how she runs the shelter. One is that she supposedly doesn’t allow volunteers to work there.

“There are people in the community who want to volunteer,” AL said. “Open your doors and let us volunteer at the shelter that we pay for.”

JK added, “When was the last time anyone begged their employer to work for free? That’s basically what we’re doing. We’re pleading to work for free.”

They also accuse animal control of not doing enough to get their animals adopted and treating them cruelly.

“None of the animals get names; they’re given a number,” AL said. “There are no bios because there are no volunteers to do it.”

Tammy G. claims to have been at the shelter on three occasions when they were spraying the cages with dogs in them. [the reporter left out a lot here] M, {CH AC O} admits they have to clean the pens with animals in them, but says they aren’t left soaking wet all day, like her retractors accuse her of doing. She also cleans the cages during business hours, so the public has the ability to see the process.

“I have nothing to hide, and if I felt like I was doing something inhumane to an animal, don’t you think the vets of this county would’ve stood up and said something a long time ago?” M said.

RB, who ran X Kennel for 30 years, organized an annual car show to help raise funds for a new shelter. He says the $80,000 the X County Humane Society donated to cover the facility’s architectural fees came with the stipulation that the county use a Fort Wayne firm to design the building. But RB says he and others raised concerns over the design, including that there wouldn’t be enough indoor/outdoor runs to move animals out of the cages while they were cleaned. Or that the pens didn’t go all the way to the ceiling, which meant an aggressive dog could potentially climb out. That latter aspect has since been changed.

“Everything we said has come true,” RB said. “The Humane Society shoves this building down our throats, and now they’re complaining about exactly what we told them would happen.”

M {CH AC O} says volunteers have always been welcome at the shelter.

“We used to have a great relationship with the Humane Society,” she said, and many volunteers came from there. But over time the relationship soured. Volunteer attendance would dwindle to nothing, then later M would get requests for volunteers again. Beth Farmer, a former president of the Humane Society, volunteered and did such a good job that M hired her.

“She was the only one who would show up,” M said.

Those complaints extend to what critics say are a lack of listings of the animals available for adoption at the shelter.

“I offered to put their animals (online),” said DG. “They said they don’t allow volunteers period because of liability reasons.”

Since then, however, a page for the shelter, with a listing of available animals, has gone live on the Pet Finder website. It can be found at petfinder.

M said she heard from three people volunteering to create such a website. The person who ultimately created it was the only one who came through, she added. M said she and her staff took photos of all their animals for use on the website. The shelter also prints information on their animals in local newspapers, including the X County F.

“I don’t know what more I can do, but I’m trying,” M said.

Because of this perceived lack of information, her critics say this county’s animal shelter has a too-high euthanasia rate. Some put it as high as 78 percent of the shelter’s animal population. M says when you remove owner-requested euthanasia, it’s more like 44 percent. M has served as an animal control officer for 20 years, and some of her detractors say she’s become too callous to do the work any longer.

“They’re under the impression I intentionally want to do this,” she said. “Do you know how depressing it is to get up every morning, come to work, and have someone bring a pet in to be put down or a stray brought in when there’s no more room? That is not a fun decision for any of my staff. It breaks our hearts. We don’t want to do that.” [she cries at county commissioner meetings or any time she is questioned about the job she is not doing!].

As LN sees it, “There are two functions going on here. There’s animal control, which is getting the strays off the streets. Running the shelter is a whole other ideal. This county has the animal control people running the shelter, and I believe they are two different things.”

County commissioners are set to vote on a resolution instituting an animal control advisory board at Tuesday’s meeting. If approved, it would be comprised of citizens appointed to one-year terms who would make recommendations on the animal shelter’s operation.
Perhaps that will bridge the gap between the two sides. Or maybe RB's advice should be followed:

“If the Humane Society thinks that building is so good, they need to buy it from the county,” he said. “We’ll take that money and build a building that’s usable for an animal shelter. It’s a nice building, but it’s just so impractical.”

Kimbo · 03-20-2010, 09:28 PM

Excellent work Belle. Your group has really made a dent rather quickly. I hope you get your advisory board!

On a sad note my Bella kitty is deteriorating. She's lost another 1 1/2 lbs. We've increased her thyroid pills and it seems that is prompting underlying kidney disease. She's happy and eating but she is losing coordination in her hips/back legs and is ill a lot. I may start subq's on her to help her with hydration. She is 14 y/o and my head butter and my fav (ssshhhhh that can't get out to the troops here).

violaine · 03-22-2010, 10:06 AM

http://www.theotherendoftheleash.com/

dear kimbo, thank you for the message. i am saddened to read of your bella's declining health. may the sq's relieve some of her discomfort [and yours]. hang in there, friend.

belle

Mrs. Strutt · 03-22-2010, 02:40 PM

I so admire those of you who devote your time and talents to animal rescue.

Mr. Strutt and I just adopted a three-year-old beagle from Tampa Bay Beagle Rescue last Monday, who rescued her from a kill shelter. She is the most calm, loving, gentle spirit...she and my daughter are already completely head over heels in love with each other. I can't believe someone just threw this perfect little girl away

We named her Shadow, incidentally, since she follows all of us everywhere we go

Kimbo · 04-05-2010, 09:06 PM

My lil' feral, Sweet Pea, has finally stepped over the line. It's been around 5 years that I've had her. She now will sit on the couch with me and has quit running everytime I move or open a door or ?? She actively seeks me out for lovin' and I've even picked her up again, although not for long. She will let me rub her head to toe and will let me rub her neck under her chin although still a bit reluctantly. I think she is now classified as semi-feral.

My Bella cat continues to lose weight..she is as frisky as ever and does her yard patrols as usual but she's not really stablizing and certainly not gaining in weight. Such a bummer.

03-11-2010, 10:01 PM	#264
FeminineAllure Member How Do You Identify?: Female Preferred Pronoun?: she Relationship Status: My rainbow is way overdue Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: PA Posts: 1,145 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 1,659 Thanked 2,026 Times in 555 Posts Rep Power: 21474853	Prayer For Animals Hear our humble prayer, O God, for our friends the animals, especially for animals who are suffering; for animals that are overworked, underfed and cruelly treated; for all wistful creatures in captivity that beat their wings against bars; for any that are hunted or lost or deserted or frightened or hungry; for all that must be put death. We entreat for them all Thy mercy and pity, and for those who deal with them we ask a heart of compassion and gentle hands and kindly words. Make us, ourselves, to be true friends to animals, and so to share the blessings of the merciful. __________________ Remember anyone can love you when the sun is shining...In the storm is where you learn who truly cares for you

03-12-2010, 04:52 PM	#266
Semantics Senior Member How Do You Identify?: malapropist Preferred Pronoun?: she Relationship Status: single Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: New England Posts: 2,169 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 6,367 Thanked 3,968 Times in 1,201 Posts Rep Power: 21474854	Someone sent me this in an email A RESCUER'S ANSWERING MACHINE: Hello: You have reached ___-____, Rescue. Due to the high volume of calls we have been receiving, please listen closely to the following options and choose the one that best describes you or your situation: Press 1 if you have a 10-year-old dog and your 15-year-old son has suddenly become allergic and you need to find the dog a new home right away. Press 2 if you are moving today and need to immediately place your 150 pound, 8-year-old dog. Press 3 if you have three dogs, had a baby and want to get rid of your dogs because you are the only person in the world to have a baby and dogs at the same time. Press 4 if you just got a brand new puppy and your old dog is having problems adjusting so you want to get rid of the old one right away. Press 5 if your little puppy has grown up and is no longer small and cute and you want to trade it in for a new model. Press 6 if you want an unpaid volunteer to come to your home TODAY and pick up the dog you no longer want. Press 7 if you have been feeding and caring for a "stray" for the last three years, are moving and suddenly determine it's not your dog. Press 8 if your dog is sick and needs a vet but you need the money for your vacation. Press 9 if you are elderly and want to adopt a cute puppy who is not active and is going to outlive you. Press 10 if your relative has died and you don't want to care for their elderly dog because it doesn't fit your lifestyle. Press 11 if you are calling at 6 a.m. to make sure you wake me up before I have to go to work so you can drop a dog off on your way to work. Press 12 to leave us an anonymous garbled message, letting us know you have left a dog in our yard in the middle of January, which is in fact, better than just leaving the dog with no message. Press 13 if you are going to get angry because we are not going to take your dog that you have had for fifteen years, because it is not our responsibility. Press 14 if you are going to threaten to take your ten year old dog to be euthanized because I won't take it. Press 15 if you're going to get angry because the volunteers had the audacity to go on vacation and leave the dogs in care of a trusted volunteer who is not authorized to take your personal pet. Press 16 if you want one of our PERFECTLY trained, housebroken, kid and cat friendly purebred dogs that we have an abundance of. Press 17 if you want us to take your dog that has a slight aggression problem, i.e.. has only bitten a few people and killed your neighbor's cats. Press 18 if you have already called once and been told we don't take personal surrenders but thought you would get a different person this time with a different answer. Press 19 if you want us to use space that would go to a stray to board your personal dog while you are on vacation, free of charge, of course. Press 20 if it is Christmas Eve or Easter morning and you want me to deliver an eight week old puppy to your house by 6:30 am before your kids wake up. Press 21 if you have bought your children a duckling, chick or baby bunny for Easter and it is now Christmas and no longer cute. Press 22 if you want us to take your female dog who has already had ten litters, but we can't spay her because she is pregnant again and it is against your religion. Press 23 if you're trying to make one of our younger volunteers feel bad and take your personal pet off your hands. Press 24 if your cat is biting and not using the litter box because it is declawed, but you are not willing to accept the responsibility that the cat's behavior is altered because of your nice furniture. Press 25 if your two year old male dog is marking all over your house but you just haven't gotten around to having him neutered. Press 26 if you previously had an outdoor only dog and are calling because she is suddenly pregnant. Press 27 if you have done "everything" to housebreak your dog and have had no success but you don't want to crate the dog because it is cruel. Press 28 if you didn't listen to the message asking for an evening phone number and you left your work number when all volunteers are also working and you are angry because no one called you back. Press 29 if you need a puppy immediately and cannot wait because today is your daughter's birthday and you forgot when she was born. Press 30 if your dog's coat doesn't match your new furniture and you need a different color or breed. Press 31 if your new love doesn't like your dog and you are too stupid to get rid of the new friend (who will dump you in the next month anyway) instead of the dog. Press 32 if you went through all these 'options' and didn't hear enough. This press will connect you to the sounds of tears being shed by one of our volunteers who is holding a discarded old dog while the vet mercifully frees him from a life of no medical care, severe neglect and abuse..

03-18-2010, 10:18 AM	#273
violaine Timed Out How Do You Identify?: atypical Preferred Pronoun?: plague words and phrases Relationship Status: love wise guys of the avian world Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: wekiva springs basin Posts: 3,236 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 9,934 Thanked 3,293 Times in 1,301 Posts Rep Power: 0	some progress has been made with the AC Shelter. animals are being photographed, petfinder is being used, and rescue groups are contacted - none of which ever was or is presently being initiated/carried out by the AC Shelter! volunteers [the people who have been behind the movement for improvements at this shelter] are checking in with the shelter animals and pushing for all of these changes. at least we are getting somewhere, but it's still not enough- here is a letter to a reporter who met with us months and months ago. i first met the reporter, "w", last year when he was at my address covering another story for my committee [of the humane society] . note the way this county [where i reside] operates, sadly. Hello W, I am just following up again regarding the article about the X County Animal Control. The last time we spoke, you told me that you were still waiting on comment from the commissioners of from Animal Control. Were you able to reach them for comment? I remember you saying that you would be able run the article even if we were not given a response. I'd like to move forward with writing the article even if we don't get comment from anyone-we can state the truth-that they did not respond. My guess is that if nobody has responded by this time, they will not respond ever. I would be lying if I said the story is the exact same since our first discussion. We've made some progress, and I'd like to share all of that with you for an updated story. Please update us on the progress of the article. We are very anxious for the public to know about this extremely important issue-the animals need everyone's support! Thanks, W's response Hi , I haven't forgotten about this story. We're still working on the multi-part Progress section. I should be mostly finished with that after this week. Because of it, I haven't had time to work on the shelter story. I still need to talk with CH AC Officer and the commissioner. I do see that there's updates to the story, including a website and discussion of a community advisory board. The timing with Progress was incredibly bad, but I promise to publish something on this matter. -W on 3/15/10 9:23 AM Last edited by violaine; 03-18-2010 at 10:20 AM.

03-18-2010, 06:13 PM	#274
violaine Timed Out How Do You Identify?: atypical Preferred Pronoun?: plague words and phrases Relationship Status: love wise guys of the avian world Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: wekiva springs basin Posts: 3,236 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 9,934 Thanked 3,293 Times in 1,301 Posts Rep Power: 0	love little baby opossums! [QUOTE=Kimbo;67093]Are you rescuing opossums in another state? i how are you? i visited tennessee for three days recently. don't tempt me, kimbo ~

03-20-2010, 11:09 AM	#276
violaine Timed Out How Do You Identify?: atypical Preferred Pronoun?: plague words and phrases Relationship Status: love wise guys of the avian world Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: wekiva springs basin Posts: 3,236 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 9,934 Thanked 3,293 Times in 1,301 Posts Rep Power: 0	the article finally - tammy, a member of my commitee was not exactly quoted the right way- and she is not amused today! anyway, i am going to post the article about the AC shelter. comments AC made about the humane society are not true. i do not mind the he-said-she-said aspects of the article so much [as other people on my team/the citizens face book page seem to mind], because i'm happy the story is out there finally. any mention of an Advisory Board was all i wanted to see, basically because it just makes sense to have one- and there will not be these kind of issues [plus a lot of ordinances can be changed to work in favour of the animals ]. M = Chief Animal Control Officer of the Animal Control Shelter RB = friend of M my/our team = tammy, AL, JK, LN, DG. today - Animal lovers fighting like cats and dogs Commissioners to help settle dispute By W D, IND- When the county opened its new animal shelter in 2008, it was supposed to be the reward for a years-long struggle to complete the project. Instead it’s turned into a battle between animal control and animal lovers. AL & JK have started a Facebook page [exposing problems at X Animal Care & Control] After a few months, it has more than 400 fans. Its creators and supporters have specific complaints about M, X County’s chief animal control officer, and how she runs the shelter. One is that she supposedly doesn’t allow volunteers to work there. “There are people in the community who want to volunteer,” AL said. “Open your doors and let us volunteer at the shelter that we pay for.” JK added, “When was the last time anyone begged their employer to work for free? That’s basically what we’re doing. We’re pleading to work for free.” They also accuse animal control of not doing enough to get their animals adopted and treating them cruelly. “None of the animals get names; they’re given a number,” AL said. “There are no bios because there are no volunteers to do it.” Tammy G. claims to have been at the shelter on three occasions when they were spraying the cages with dogs in them. [the reporter left out a lot here] M, {CH AC O} admits they have to clean the pens with animals in them, but says they aren’t left soaking wet all day, like her retractors accuse her of doing. She also cleans the cages during business hours, so the public has the ability to see the process. “I have nothing to hide, and if I felt like I was doing something inhumane to an animal, don’t you think the vets of this county would’ve stood up and said something a long time ago?” M said. RB, who ran X Kennel for 30 years, organized an annual car show to help raise funds for a new shelter. He says the $80,000 the X County Humane Society donated to cover the facility’s architectural fees came with the stipulation that the county use a Fort Wayne firm to design the building. But RB says he and others raised concerns over the design, including that there wouldn’t be enough indoor/outdoor runs to move animals out of the cages while they were cleaned. Or that the pens didn’t go all the way to the ceiling, which meant an aggressive dog could potentially climb out. That latter aspect has since been changed. “Everything we said has come true,” RB said. “The Humane Society shoves this building down our throats, and now they’re complaining about exactly what we told them would happen.” M {CH AC O} says volunteers have always been welcome at the shelter. “We used to have a great relationship with the Humane Society,” she said, and many volunteers came from there. But over time the relationship soured. Volunteer attendance would dwindle to nothing, then later M would get requests for volunteers again. Beth Farmer, a former president of the Humane Society, volunteered and did such a good job that M hired her. “She was the only one who would show up,” M said. Those complaints extend to what critics say are a lack of listings of the animals available for adoption at the shelter. “I offered to put their animals (online),” said DG. “They said they don’t allow volunteers period because of liability reasons.” Since then, however, a page for the shelter, with a listing of available animals, has gone live on the Pet Finder website. It can be found at petfinder. M said she heard from three people volunteering to create such a website. The person who ultimately created it was the only one who came through, she added. M said she and her staff took photos of all their animals for use on the website. The shelter also prints information on their animals in local newspapers, including the X County F. “I don’t know what more I can do, but I’m trying,” M said. Because of this perceived lack of information, her critics say this county’s animal shelter has a too-high euthanasia rate. Some put it as high as 78 percent of the shelter’s animal population. M says when you remove owner-requested euthanasia, it’s more like 44 percent. M has served as an animal control officer for 20 years, and some of her detractors say she’s become too callous to do the work any longer. “They’re under the impression I intentionally want to do this,” she said. “Do you know how depressing it is to get up every morning, come to work, and have someone bring a pet in to be put down or a stray brought in when there’s no more room? That is not a fun decision for any of my staff. It breaks our hearts. We don’t want to do that.” [she cries at county commissioner meetings or any time she is questioned about the job she is not doing!]. As LN sees it, “There are two functions going on here. There’s animal control, which is getting the strays off the streets. Running the shelter is a whole other ideal. This county has the animal control people running the shelter, and I believe they are two different things.” County commissioners are set to vote on a resolution instituting an animal control advisory board at Tuesday’s meeting. If approved, it would be comprised of citizens appointed to one-year terms who would make recommendations on the animal shelter’s operation. Perhaps that will bridge the gap between the two sides. Or maybe RB's advice should be followed: “If the Humane Society thinks that building is so good, they need to buy it from the county,” he said. “We’ll take that money and build a building that’s usable for an animal shelter. It’s a nice building, but it’s just so impractical.”

03-12-2010, 12:51 PM	#265
Andrew, Jr. Timed Out How Do You Identify?: Me Preferred Pronoun?: He Relationship Status: Unavailable Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Over the Rainbow in a House Posts: 5,072 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 16,004 Thanked 5,250 Times in 2,217 Posts Rep Power: 0	There was a well-known Priest in Baltimore who was an animal lover. As a child, he really didn't have any pets. After going thru the schooling of being a Priest, he would take walks from the Church to the office building which was thru a parkinglot and next to a very heavily wooded area. Well, he never knew of feral cats...but they knew him and taught him about life. The cats made such an impact on him, that this Priest bought an igloo shelter for them, and would put blankets in it for warmth. He also would feed them. Slowly, he befriended each one. He had a total of 21 cats. However, the first 4 cats he befriended were the ones who really changed him. He wrote several small books (easy to read) about his cats. They taught him about life. What is was to be abandon, or killed by a car, or to have a terminal illness where the best thing to do was to be put down. It moved him beyond imagination. When this Priest aged, and got sick himself, he left his beloved cats (only 4 are left today) to a woman who helped him care for the cats (as he got older). Now, the cats are living inside, but have a cat door to let them go inside or outside as they please. Mostly they are inside, and sleeping. The 4 are enjoying life as it was meant to be. They know what it is to be loved. They remember the rejection they once faced. Feminine Allure, That poem was just beautiful. I love it! Thank you for sharing that. I am going to write that down to remember.

03-12-2010, 08:51 PM	#267
violaine Timed Out How Do You Identify?: atypical Preferred Pronoun?: plague words and phrases Relationship Status: love wise guys of the avian world Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: wekiva springs basin Posts: 3,236 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 9,934 Thanked 3,293 Times in 1,301 Posts Rep Power: 0	hallo to everyone - happy friday and weekend i've some catching up to do in this thread. atlasthome, your post really was beautifully sad- i do not like being in that place- to make a decision of that gravity whatsoever. how are you all? andrew, good to 'read' you lisa, your little poem is just so you loved it. thank you for sharing [birthday girl]. kimbo and tommi, these stories are so hard. i lived with a cat who was called 'cleo' and five years of age when i adopted her from the animal control shelter. she had a tiny pea sized lump on her jaw one day. the vet gave her two weeks to like two months after the examination/x-rays and i was stunned! it was inoperable and invasive cancer. awful. semantics - that list is quite the sobering reality, thank you for your posts! dapperbutch, thank you. i think you are so right. i cannot go into my two dogs right now [and it's been since 2006], as they were my family for 13 years. in some ways like a husband - snoring, at times grumpy, and bed-hogging!! i need to update on the recent fundraiser for the pet food pantry and committee of the humane society. plus, there's good news about the animal control. not sure i can put it down right now. love to the dorg-and cat-zillas [exotics and so on!]

03-14-2010, 08:35 PM	#270
violaine Timed Out How Do You Identify?: atypical Preferred Pronoun?: plague words and phrases Relationship Status: love wise guys of the avian world Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: wekiva springs basin Posts: 3,236 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 9,934 Thanked 3,293 Times in 1,301 Posts Rep Power: 0	http://www.sugarbane.com/wildlife.htm http://www.opossum.org/

03-16-2010, 08:19 AM	#272
Tommi Infamous Member How Do You Identify?: Usually "Hello" Relationship Status: Married and Bound to Tommi's kaijira (Ts_kaijira ) Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Suthun.... California that is. Across the ridge from Laguna Beach. Posts: 8,151 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 13,621 Thanked 21,336 Times in 5,969 Posts Rep Power: 21474860	It will be a month, maybe 3, maybe 6. Not that I overdo things, but..I took Dusty for a 3rd opinion. We went to a Veterinary Surgical Hospital with a cancer wing... He saw an Oncologist/Surgeon that specializes in feline head and neck cancers. One doctor had recommended surgery. One doctor had said No surgery. Gayle Donner, DVM was the most gentle , loving, caring woman,. She stroked Dusty as she examined him and he let her, jsut poke and prod jaw where the tumor is. She told him he was a brave boy. She held him tight and whisered, to me "Take him home take him to his Hospice." I called the Ex who's out of town, and told her that I was taking him home and we would be his hospice care team. and her partner better be good to my boy.. I have unlimited visitation. I dropped him off at my old house, looked into his eyes, and saw the kitten we adopted 13 years ago.

03-20-2010, 09:28 PM	#277
Kimbo Member How Do You Identify?: Butch Relationship Status: Eligible Butchelor Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Seattle Posts: 591 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 432 Thanked 551 Times in 257 Posts Rep Power: 119	Excellent work Belle. Your group has really made a dent rather quickly. I hope you get your advisory board! On a sad note my Bella kitty is deteriorating. She's lost another 1 1/2 lbs. We've increased her thyroid pills and it seems that is prompting underlying kidney disease. She's happy and eating but she is losing coordination in her hips/back legs and is ill a lot. I may start subq's on her to help her with hydration. She is 14 y/o and my head butter and my fav (ssshhhhh that can't get out to the troops here).

03-22-2010, 10:06 AM	#278
violaine Timed Out How Do You Identify?: atypical Preferred Pronoun?: plague words and phrases Relationship Status: love wise guys of the avian world Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: wekiva springs basin Posts: 3,236 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 9,934 Thanked 3,293 Times in 1,301 Posts Rep Power: 0	today on NPR- http://www.theotherendoftheleash.com/ dear kimbo, thank you for the message. i am saddened to read of your bella's declining health. may the sq's relieve some of her discomfort [and yours]. hang in there, friend. belle

03-22-2010, 02:40 PM	#279
Mrs. Strutt Member How Do You Identify?: Stone Femme Preferred Pronoun?: She/Her Relationship Status: 16 Years as Queen of Hys Castle Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Gulfport, FL Posts: 243 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 266 Thanked 341 Times in 115 Posts Rep Power: 17282	I so admire those of you who devote your time and talents to animal rescue. Mr. Strutt and I just adopted a three-year-old beagle from Tampa Bay Beagle Rescue last Monday, who rescued her from a kill shelter. She is the most calm, loving, gentle spirit...she and my daughter are already completely head over heels in love with each other. I can't believe someone just threw this perfect little girl away We named her Shadow, incidentally, since she follows all of us everywhere we go __________________ ~ Tiffany http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...FLR/sunset.jpg "If I can put one touch of rosy sunset into the life of any man or woman, I shall feel that I have worked with God." - Gilbert Keith Chesterton

04-05-2010, 09:06 PM	#280
Kimbo Member How Do You Identify?: Butch Relationship Status: Eligible Butchelor Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Seattle Posts: 591 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 432 Thanked 551 Times in 257 Posts Rep Power: 119	My lil' feral, Sweet Pea, has finally stepped over the line. It's been around 5 years that I've had her. She now will sit on the couch with me and has quit running everytime I move or open a door or ?? She actively seeks me out for lovin' and I've even picked her up again, although not for long. She will let me rub her head to toe and will let me rub her neck under her chin although still a bit reluctantly. I think she is now classified as semi-feral. My Bella cat continues to lose weight..she is as frisky as ever and does her yard patrols as usual but she's not really stablizing and certainly not gaining in weight. Such a bummer.