Here's another one of those stories that defies explanation.
It's difficult to comprehend why it happened, but in Griffin, Ga., south of Atlanta, a police dog was stolen from his kennel this week, was shot and killed, then thrown in a ditch. A $1,000 reward has been offered to anyone who can lead police to the person who did it.
Griffin police officer Chad Moxon was at a firing range when his two German Shepherd Dogs, Jimi and Yeager, disappeared.
Moxon told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution he searched Monday night and most of Tuesday, handing out some 300 flyers in the hope of finding his missing dogs.
Then, Wednesday morning, he got a call that someone might have found Jimi, a 3-year-old, in a ditch. A vet found buckshot in the dog's body.
"I just sat down in the ditch for the next 30 minutes," Moxon said. "I didn't have the energy to get him out."
The other dog, Yeager, was found in a neighbor's yard. "I almost didn't recognize him," Moxon said. "He was badly beaten." He's hopeful Yeager will recover in the next few days.
Let's hope police find the person who harmed the dogs. Given all they do - Jimi was trained in finding drugs and explosives and tracking people -- it's unbelievable someone would hurt a police dog.
There are many products available at home improvement centers to help make older windows more energy efficient. And don't discount the benefit of curtains to cut drafts. We have dual pane energy efficient windows on our home, but can still feel a draft at times, especially on really windy days. Following decorating trends, over the past few years I have had only window blinds and valances on my windows. But curtains are making a comeback for visual appeal as well as energy savings, and I recently added curtains to my windows. I was pleasantly surprised at how homey and fresh the pleated curtains made my rooms feel, not to mention how much warmer the rooms feel at night and when it's windy.
Curtains are an easy way to cut drafts, make you feel more comfortable, and also update your tired looking rooms for holiday entertaining too.
Seeing Frankie snug in her bed as I type this post makes me so grateful for all that I have... and reading this story from Guideposts had me wanting to order a truck load of tissues!! These stories always shoot right to my heart... all good feelings though reaffirming for me what life is really all about. So grab yourself a few tissues (ok maybe a whole box) and check out this wonderful story.
Whoohoo! Look what I found on the PetCentric site: a camp for dogs in Denver! Regular readers will remember that our move to Denver is pending. We hope to be on the road the week of Nov. 16th and in our new home (living out of boxes) by the 22nd! Yay!
Of course, this is a lot of great, fun stuff on the PetCentric site, but when I saw the mention of Camp Bow Wow, how could I resist clicking over to see what it was all about? Mind you, they have camps all over the place and I see one in Littleton, CO and Fort Collins, CO and more than one in Denver. They describe themselves as "Colorado's Premier Doggy Day and Ove®rnight Camps" and add that they "...provide a fun, safe and upscale environment for dogs to play, romp and receive lots of love and attention!"
Wow, if only there were such places back in the day when I was a vet-tech. I think I would love working in a doggy daycamp - this one, especially! I see at the footer of their webpage that they offer advice on How to Socialize Your Dog and even How to Start a Dog Walking Business. Fantastic!
I'm so thrilled with all the good attention pets are getting these days. And yet, I feel compelled to remind all that this week is at the tail end of National Shelter Appreciation Week so I would encourage you to visit your local shelter; volunteer, walk a few dogs, pet a few cats, bring some items the shelter needs (pet food, toys, leashes, whatever - ask ahead, they'll tell you what they need).
While we can afford to give our pets the very best, not everyone is able to do so. And, those who have the terrible task of relinquishing a pet to a shelter want to know that their dog or cat will find a forever home with someone like us (like you) who loves and cares for pets like they're family. (one caveat: no my dog is not allowed on the bed or the couch! sorry!)
Shelters are the last resort for these cats and dogs, and the good people who manage them deserve our attention. If you can't visit and help out, consider donating items or even cash. Cash goes a long way to helping care for these animals. It's been said that a society will be judged by how it treats the least among it, and our pets are often among those considered "the least." They are NOT expendable and they are NOT replaceable the way a piece of furniture or a pair of shoes is replaceable.
When we're settled in CO, I'm going to interview the Camp Bow Wow® folks. I wouldn't be surprised to find out they are supporters of their local shelters.
Lab Pups
Me and the family in VA.
Photos from: Nancy Kaiser (USA)
Nancy, they are so adorable. Thank you for sharing!
Nancy is the author of Letting Go: An Ordinary Woman’s Extraordinary Journey of Healing & Transformation, about her recovery from trauma with the help of animals and nature. She recently sent me a wonderful e-mail in regards to her teaching Hana and Saba, while at the same time learning profound lessons about herself from these two adorable Labrador Retrievers. You can read the article on our sister blog, All About Labradors, by visiting Labrador Lessons.
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