A Meaningful Gift

Happy Holidays friends! I hope you had a blessed Thanksgiving. As people rush about today to start shopping for Christmas, I offer you some meaningful gifts to give.

There is a point to this story you are about to read friends, please read on.. Two years ago I had to take my hospice foster dog Pookie to the vet to be euthanized. I know I should say release him from his pain, which I did or send him to the Rainbow Bridge, which I know brings many members of the animal rights community solace.

Every time I am face with this choice, I feel no solace. I know I am doing the best thing for those in my care but the pain I feel and the never ending questions, is this the right time, are they ready and how will I get through losing my beloved family member? Every time I tear my heart out. I can hardly see to drive to the vet through tears. I hold my dog and will them to health, to take some of  my life and live on and of course to no longer feel pain. I never leave their side. Once when I was young I did not stay with my beloved Drake, I was a coward. This shames me. He loved me unconditionally and I didn't stay with him in his last moments.  Never again. I promised never to leave or abandon my animal companions and I never, ever will. I promise.

Many people when they lose their loved family member say never again, they can't go through the pain.  I understand and I know you do as well. But for me, I cannot close my eyes to another in need, no matter the pain. And I have had the privilege to share my life with these sweet dogs. I have done the right thing to love them in their last days when others have abandoned them. I will tear my heart out over and over for my hospice dogs to give them the love they deserved and were due from their original family.

So what is the point of this story? Two very dear people, Kristin Reed and Pam Nelson, who worked with me gave me and Pookie and all dogs one of the best gifts EVER for Christmas.  They donated money to an DFW Pug Rescue, the rescue group that had rescued Pookie and gave him into my care.  This donation meant so much to me that I am still filled with gratitude. I accepted this give with immense joy. They honored Pookie and all my dogs.

Give the most meaningful of gifts.  Donate to a rescue group or an animal rights organization. 

So I ask you my friends to consider giving the most meaningful of gifts.  Donate to a rescue group or an animal rights organization.  Give the gift outright as a gift to animals and yourself. Or give the gift in the named of a loved one.  Here are some ways you can give.

The Humane Society of the United States of America.
The Humane Society will send a printed or electronic card on your behalf to a friend.


PETA. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. You can donate in general or to a specific action.  You can also Donate through PETA Presents. Compassionate Gifts That Give Twice.

Give a Gift That Protects Animals — and Pleases Your Family and Friends Pick one of PETA’s “virtual gifts” — such as a toy for a neglected dog or a day off for a working animal — and your gift will be put to work immediately to support PETA’s lifesaving work for animals. What better way to both help the animals you love and send your recipient a cool e-card at the same time! Choose your gift. Personalize the e-card that you’d like to send. Stand tall as your donation goes right to work to end animal suffering.

 

Buy an actual gift that benefits an animal rights organization. The National Wildlife Federation and many others groups (listed below are some additional sites) have gifts you can buy and the profits go to the organizations. Shop NWF.

 

 

Donate to the ASPCA. Or Buy or lease a Subaru. Really, if you need a new car, Subaru has a SHARE THE LOVE. From the ASPCA Blog: Please help us spread the word about the Subaru “Share the Love” event! The support from Subaru has already helped us save thousands of animals, but there are countless more that need our help. Once again this year, for every vehicle sold or leased between November 21, 2013 and January 2, 2014, Subaru will donate $250 to the consumer’s choice among five national charity partners, with a minimum guaranteed donation of $250,000 to each partner, and in select areas, a sixth local charity chosen by individual dealers. Click HERE for more at ASPCA or HERE for more from Subaru.

 

 

I know I am more inclined to buy a Subaru in the future. I appreciate such generosity.

 

Or give to a local rescue group, animal shelter or sponsor an animal through a group - help pay for the care and medical expenses.  Give and Volunteer. Volunteer.

 

 

Give. Volunteer.  Be The Change.

 

Sometimes the difference between life and death is YOU.

Adopt. Rescue. Foster. Transport. Sponsor. Donate Volunteer. Educate. Care.

Be the Change. Be that Person.

 

 

 

 

 
 

Do Dogs Overeat to Compensate?

In December of 2012 a study published in the Journal of Veterinary Behavior Clinical Applications and Research  entitled, Stress-induced and emotional eating in animals: A review of the experimental evidence and implications for companion animal obesity , authored by veterinarian Dr. Franklin McMillan currently of the Best Friends Animal Society in Kanab, Utah.

Short recap of Dr. McMillan’s study abstract: “… because emotional eating is a coping mechanism, overeating may be a sign that an animal's psychological well-being is impaired." See below for abstract.

The concept is foreign and unaccepted by some but I believe the study has merit. Ask yourself this:

Would you ask your toddler to stay still by themselves every day for 8 to 10 hours with no human interaction? Then when you return home would you either immediately put them outside to potty? Or have them cross their legs until you situate yourself to take them for a quick walk?

Yet many guardians of animals unthinkingly do this, what they would not do with a child. This neglect causes your animal companion undue emotional stress. Because we all believe our animal companions have emotions and needs, right?

If you said no you should be ashamed. Our animal companions need interaction and exercise. We know that stress negatively impacts humans. Chronic stress impacts our emotional well being, increases levels of cortisol, leads to high blood pressure, digestive distress, aggression, irritability and over eating.  The same is true  for our pets, animals in zoos etc.

One of my biggest soapbox moments was when someone I worked with told me he was getting an 'outside dog'. And the dog was fed and had shelter but was left alone. An animal is not a yard ornament. Our responsibility to animals is to protect and care. Care for their physical and emotional well-being.

This is true for dogs, cats, rabbits, mice, rats, guinea pigs, pigs and a host of other animal companions.  Is over eating only stress related? I say No. But the stress factor needs to be investigated and considered. If your pet is overweight take them to the vet to check for or rule out an underlying health concern.  Even if stress is not the cause of overeating or your pet isn't overweight - they still need interaction, affection and exercise.

From article in The Telegraph and interview with McMillan:

"By simply putting an “emotional eater” cat or dog on a diet, they could worsen the situation, by taking away the animal’s “coping mechanism” and making the animal even more unhappy - and even hungrier.

Dr. McMillan, said: “The bottom line is that there is a ton of evidence in humans and animals like rodents that stress induced eating, or emotional eating is a very real thing and contributes to obesity, so we should be looking at it in pet animals. 

“If this is a major factor in our pet animals, then the standard approach, by simply yanking away their food, is very misguided and potentially harmful. "

What do you think?
 

Enrich your animal companions life. Be the Change! Be that Person.

 

 

 

 The abstract: "Eating in response to stress or negative emotional states is well-documented in humans as well as animals in experimental settings and has been shown to work by alleviating the unpleasant emotional experience. This type of eating behavior, termed stress-induced or emotional eating, is linked to the development of obesity. Standard approaches to companion animal obesity have failed to incorporate this concept. Not every animal given more food than they need will become overweight, which raises the critical question: Why does the animal that overeats do so? If it is to help alleviate stress or negative emotional states, then the standard obesity management approach of restricting food intake without alleviating the emotional distress may actually exacerbate the distress by removing one of the animal's coping mechanisms. Moreover, because emotional eating is a coping mechanism, overeating may be a sign that an animal's psychological well-being is impaired."

 

Another Evie Update with Positive News

Evie is doing better! She is having laser therapy, hydro therapy and massages as well - loving touch is critical to all creatures. This video shows Evie eating and eating.

Lots of video of eating and at the end some of her moving around and showing signs of alertness. Such wonderful news.

To stay up to date visit Emma Cleft Plate Palate on Facebook. You can donate for further care here.

To those that have cared, prayed and / or donated, thank you. This is something to be happy about.

Be The Change!

Be the person that cares and acts.

 

 

  

Original Post and first Update.

 

 



Evie Update

Poor Evie was sealed in a plastic container and thrown in the trash.

I posted about her plight and request for donations Here.

NBCDFW also released a story on the efforts to help Evie.

Evie's plight is heartbreaking. I encourage everyone to contact Fort Worth officials to treat this as an animal abuse case and see the repugnant and despicable person that did this heinous act be found and prosecuted.

And everyone in Texas should contact your state representatives to increase the penalty for animal abuse.

DONATE HERE, please.

Evie is starting treatments in a hyperbaric chamber. Evie is still head-pressing. BUT - she continues to accept food and is still fighting through.

Donate and Pray for Evie

So many animals deserve and need our help. Here is a girl in desperate need. Please Be the Change. Be that Person.

http://www.youcaring.com/pet-expenses/urgent-immediate-need-for-evie/107044

This is footage of our visit with Evie at the hospital today. Evie was found inside an apartment complex dumpster - stuffed into a sealed plastic tub. Seizing, dehydrated and presenting with a myriad of severe neurological symptoms when she arrived to the Fort Worth shelter on 11.15.13. ("swimming", miotic pupils, non-responsive and with a significant fever of 105). 

Tossed away like garbage ~ left to die an agonizing, terror-filled death. Evie was quickly sent to rescue and rushed to the ER hospital where she remains - in critical condition, receiving supportive care, seizure management and is under 'round the clock observation in ICU. 

Help us find Evie's abusers and bring them to justice! For more information and updates on Evie's condition - click here: https://www.youcaring.com/SavingEvie 
https://www.facebook.com/FriendsOfEmmaCleftPalateChihuahua

**UPDATE** Evie's sodium levels have DROPPED again!! YAY!! Right now, she is at 163 - which is the lowest she's been yet! (normal range is around 150) This is a HUGE advancement for Evie! ♥ She obviously is still affected.... there is no telling at this point just how much permanent damage her brain has suffered. It has been confirmed at this point - that Evie has absolutely zero vision due to her traumatic experience. She is very likely - totally and permanently blind. :( She continues to eat well - and is resting more peacefully when she does rest. Doc opted to not move forward with the sedation as we had previously discussed - since she has calmed somewhat and her respiratory is already quite low - so we don't want to add to that and run into problems with her breathing atop everything else she has going on. Evie still cannot stand / walk / sit or hold herself up. She has no balance / coordination due to the brain trauma.... it is too early to tell whether that will improve. Doc says not to be "too optimistic" at this point - but she is showing some SLIGHT signs of alertness - vs. the totally unresponsive state she has been in since her arrival. We will visit later today and will update upon our return. Obviously, Evie as well - requires additional funding to maintain her ongoing ICU stay... please visit her fundraising page below to assist us with those expenses if you can. ♥ https://www.youcaring.com/SavingEvie
https://www.facebook.com/FriendsOfEmmaCleftPalateChihuahua