(Conrad is on Petfinder here)
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
Monday, February 25, 2013
Link Roundup!
Welcome to our first link roundup, where we bring you animal-related news, pictures, and videos from around the internet. Enjoy!
To start things, off, here's the best part of this mailman's day!
Breed bans put loving families in difficult positions. But this family won't abandon their pet: "Baseball pitcher Mark Buerhle and family refuse to abandon pit bull due to breed ban"
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| Click here to see more big dogs that love to be carried like puppies! |
Great reasons to consider adoption for your next pet! - "Shelter Dogs Deserve 'Best in Show'"
This man's dog was stolen and abused. 10 months later, his owner has him back - "Florida man reunited with stolen dog used as fighting bait"
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| Click here to see the 10 best dog smiles on the internet! |
Continuing with our pit bull love - "Heroic pit bull saves her family and runs back into burning home to rescue five dogs"
And finally, the essential difference between cats and dogs - the role of trust.
Friday, February 22, 2013
Success Series - Aggie
Welcome to another installation of our Success Series! Every Friday for
the next several weeks we will post the story of a pet who has found
their forever home through HSEC. If your animal was adopted from HSEC
and you want them to be featured on the blog, contact us here: humanesocietyofec@gmail.com
by Alexa L.
We adopted Aggie in November 2011, the Tuesday before Thanksgiving.
She was my early Christmas present and the very best gift I ever could
have asked for! We brought her home and were so surprised by how quickly
she adjusted! She even spent Thanksgiving with my mom in New Bern, just
days after she came home with us! Her tipped ear is a great
conversation starter, and it always amazes people how friendly she is
considering someone once assumed her to be feral with a future as a 'wild kitty'!
[ed. note: ear tipping, or removing the very tip of the left ear, is the universal symbol for a feral neutered cat. It is done by the groups who care for feral cat colonies so that ferals can be quickly recognized and so it is known which animals are already neutered.]
Aggie
by Alexa L.
[ed. note: ear tipping, or removing the very tip of the left ear, is the universal symbol for a feral neutered cat. It is done by the groups who care for feral cat colonies so that ferals can be quickly recognized and so it is known which animals are already neutered.]
Aggie had been with us for about 8 months and developed
into such an outgoing, friendly kitty! I couldn't believe how sweet she
was when we had friends over, she is a wonderful 'car-rider' and did
great when we took her on trips to visit my mom and grandmother in New
Bern. She absolutely loves her harness, because it means she can go
outside and stands still, sometimes helping me lift 'arms' and 'legs' to
get it on!
In August 2012 I began the process of registering her as a
therapy animal (not to be confused with service animals).
During our final evaluation at a local nursing home, I was nervous and
made a few mistakes, but she passed with flying colors! Although we have
not yet set up a real schedule with a facility here, Aggie made the Daily Reflector back in December!
She has been a true joy to us, always excited to see
people and be the center of attention. She loves sleeping on my pillow
at night, sits as close to people as she can during the day and purrs
as soon
as we approach. She is a wonderful example of an unwanted black cat,
expected to stay feral and outdoors turned into a true family member and
volunteer in our community!!
Thank you for saving her!
HSEC responds: "No, thank you, Alexa! It's amazing that a cat once thought to be feral could today be working as a therapy cat!"
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Monday, February 18, 2013
Catnap with Casey
Want to support the HSEC and get a t-shirt and a goody bag, but don't want to run in the 5k? Our buddy Casey has a suggestion for you!
Hey there. My name is Casey. I’m a Retriever / Corgi mix available for adoption at HSEC. I’m a very cute dog, especially with my short Corgi legs and I’m always really happy. One of the things that makes me the happiest is when volunteers take me for walks. I am great on a leash and will prance around at your feet.
I normally would like to go for a run, but I recently injured one of my legs. Currently, I’m recovering from a partially torn cruciate and making great progress. I’ve started putting weight back on all four legs, but I still need to take it easy. While I continue on the road to recovery I’ll enjoy watching my some of my fellow dog friends get ready to run in the 5K at this year’s Canine Crawl. I’ll sit this one out and train for next year’s race.
But I still wanted to be part of the fun - luckily, I learned I can register as a catnapper, and you can too! A catnapper gets a shirt and goody bag, but you can sleep in. You don't have to run in the race! All the perks without any of the work. You can sign up to be a fundraiser too and raise money to help out me and my other HSEC pals. This will be the best St PAWtrick’s Day ever!
See this post to learn how you can sign up for the race, either as a participant or as a catnapper!
I normally would like to go for a run, but I recently injured one of my legs. Currently, I’m recovering from a partially torn cruciate and making great progress. I’ve started putting weight back on all four legs, but I still need to take it easy. While I continue on the road to recovery I’ll enjoy watching my some of my fellow dog friends get ready to run in the 5K at this year’s Canine Crawl. I’ll sit this one out and train for next year’s race.
But I still wanted to be part of the fun - luckily, I learned I can register as a catnapper, and you can too! A catnapper gets a shirt and goody bag, but you can sleep in. You don't have to run in the race! All the perks without any of the work. You can sign up to be a fundraiser too and raise money to help out me and my other HSEC pals. This will be the best St PAWtrick’s Day ever!
See this post to learn how you can sign up for the race, either as a participant or as a catnapper!
Friday, February 15, 2013
Success Series: Slate
Welcome to another installation of our Success Series! Every Friday for
the next several weeks we will post the story of a pet who has found
their forever home through HSEC. If your animal was adopted from HSEC
and you want them to be featured on the blog, contact us here: humanesocietyofec@gmail.com
Sometimes in life, those who have gone through a rough patch are looking for a new beginning and a clean slate. That is very true of our alum, named Slate, who was both homeless and in jail within his first year of life.
Slate, a Retriever/Hound mix, came to us at eight months. With a sleek black coat and floppy hound ears, he might say he was paroled to our custody. He actually spent 10 weeks in the New Leash on Life program, working with inmate trainers at Greene Correctional Institution. As a graduate of this positive rewards-based program, Slate learned basic obedience commands including sit, stay, down, down from a distance, high five, shake, go to bed, rollover, loose leash walking, and heel, along with being crate trained and housebroken. An added bonus was a special trick – rolling over on his back and covering his eyes with his paws!
This highly educated puppy’s next trick was to find a home, which was also a success. A week after his adoption, his new human reported, “Slate has been a FANTASTIC addition to our home and he is adjusting very quickly. As a friend of ours said, we ‘hit the jackpot’ of dogs.”
A happy ending? Yes, but not quite the end. We were fortunate to hear from Slate’s family again, a year after his adoption. Described as “loved unconditionally, spoiled silly and very happy in his forever home,” Slate is a lucky guy. This Christmas, Santa stopped by with a stocking full of toys that he promptly took great pleasure in shredding.
Slate’s behavior continues to be stellar. He enjoys practicing commands and showing off his good-boy manners. He’s a love sponge, seeking attention and the company of his people, and has become an easygoing, loving and laid back part of the family. Slate recently met his canine cousins, and they became best friends. So adding a furry sibling to the family is now under consideration.
It’s clear that this dog is the darling of his humans, and this season has become their very special Valentine. “Slate has truly made our house a home, and we are so thankful for him everyday,” reports his mom. “He is so full of life and love!”
Slate
Sometimes in life, those who have gone through a rough patch are looking for a new beginning and a clean slate. That is very true of our alum, named Slate, who was both homeless and in jail within his first year of life.
This highly educated puppy’s next trick was to find a home, which was also a success. A week after his adoption, his new human reported, “Slate has been a FANTASTIC addition to our home and he is adjusting very quickly. As a friend of ours said, we ‘hit the jackpot’ of dogs.”
A happy ending? Yes, but not quite the end. We were fortunate to hear from Slate’s family again, a year after his adoption. Described as “loved unconditionally, spoiled silly and very happy in his forever home,” Slate is a lucky guy. This Christmas, Santa stopped by with a stocking full of toys that he promptly took great pleasure in shredding.
Slate’s behavior continues to be stellar. He enjoys practicing commands and showing off his good-boy manners. He’s a love sponge, seeking attention and the company of his people, and has become an easygoing, loving and laid back part of the family. Slate recently met his canine cousins, and they became best friends. So adding a furry sibling to the family is now under consideration.
It’s clear that this dog is the darling of his humans, and this season has become their very special Valentine. “Slate has truly made our house a home, and we are so thankful for him everyday,” reports his mom. “He is so full of life and love!”
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
Sponsors Wanted!
What's that? You'd like to know what YOU can do to help make this great event a reality? Well! Have you come to the right place! We'll talk about how to become involved in our fundraising walk or 5k another time. Today, we want to spread the word that we are looking for sponsors to support us in this endeavor.
HSEC sponsors are our angels in the business community. We are one of the only no-kill rescues in the region and receive no funding from local, state, or federal tax dollars, nor do we receive financial support from the Humane Society of the United States. We rely only on donations, and as the economy has turned downward, your generosity becomes all the more crucial. Even if you can't become a sponsor, you can get the word out by sharing this post.
So help us help them - and attach your company's name to a great cause.
Click here for more information about becoming a sponsor, and here to learn about Vendor Village. If you are interested in becoming a sponsor or vendor for Canine Crawl 2013, or if you just have questions about the process, please contact Kimberly Benson - caninecrawl@gmail.com
Follow news about Canine Crawl on Twitter - #caninecrawl
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
Seizure Disorder in Cats and Dogs
by Beau Dove
In the middle of September 2012 my 9-year-old yellow lab passed away. This event led to some of the saddest days that I have lived in my young life and I still feel some of the shock of his passing. Although I didn’t want to believe the day would ever come, I had definitely been worrying about it. for months. He had not been acting like himself… He wouldn’t respond “walk” or “chow-time” the way he once did and his overall aura seemed to be contained into an ever-dimming idle position.
It all started one night after a family dinner… My little brother yelled from outside where he found my dog in a helpless state where he seemed to be having a seizure! I rushed outside with the rest of the family to find him foaming and panting heavily short for breath. My brothers and me picked him up (all 100 pounds of him) and placed him in the back of the family truck as we rushed towards the Vet.
At that moment, I was frightened and overwhelmed by how sudden his health had shifted. My dog would never fully recover from that night and eventually, the re-occurring seizures took his life one night while he was asleep. That night, I learned about the fear and helplessness that overcomes someone when their pet is having a seizure. It may be an unfamiliar and quite scary sight, but the best thing for owners to do is remain calm and aware. There are not too many things that can be done to prevent or alleviate the situation but, from my experience, stay proactive and follow your best nursing instincts.
According to VCA Hospitals website, seizures are one of the most frequently reported neurological conditions in dogs. The scientific term for seizure is "ictus". A seizure may also be called a convulsion or fit and is a temporary involuntary disturbance of normal brain function that is usually accompanied by uncontrollable muscle activity. An owner may be confused upon seeing a seizure for the first time. Seizures can be isolated to particular limbs or regions of the body, or they may be grand mal seizures, characterized by collapse with the legs sticking rigidly out.
Within that realm, “epilepsy” or “epileptic seizures” are the most common form that plague canines. The main cause for seizures with felines is interestingly acute poisoning from things like household cleaners. There are many causes of seizures. Idiopathic epilepsy, the most common cause of seizures in the dog, is an inherited disorder, but its exact cause is unknown. Other causes include liver disease, kidney failure, brain tumors, brain trauma, or toxins.
Now that we have some background, what are the remedies and cures (if any) for this condition? At a most basic level, you are your animal’s protector and provider. But what can you do to help them when they begin convulsing and go into that truly uncontrollable state? For most cat and dog owners, their first experience with a seizure is met with utter confusion and helplessness. Pharmaceutically, there are medications available for the prevention or reduction but there is little to do at that moment when the episodes occur.
The best that can be done at that point is a damage control or prevention of further injury. It's important to understand that especially in dogs, epilepsy can be well controlled. It is important to work with the vet to find a medication regime that reduces the number of seizures, and to try and identify triggers, such as stressful events.
During one of my dog’s last walks with my brother, he had a seizure. Thankfully, my neighbor (a vet assistant and former farm girl) knew a ton on how to get through this type of episode. The two of them laid him on his side and while my brother was petting him (which may have been more to comfort him that the dog) my neighbor went inside to get a cool wet towel to lay over my pet’s torso. She instructed my brother to remain calm and assured him that he would recoup soon.
Usually during these episodes of brain misfiring, the animal has little if any awareness of their surroundings or current status. Once my dog recouped, gained his footing, and check back into reality, the helping neighbor instructed my parents to take him in for blood work so that we may find some root to his reoccurring epileptic episodes. Although we never found in solid answers in the blood work, I believe it is always an appropriate means of action to understanding your pet’s health. Every seizure seems to be different, some cats and dogs live for years only to be haunted by episodes sparsely while others may experience them daily or may only start up due to an activity, event, or trigger.
If your cat or dog has a seizure, don't panic. The episode should last less than two minutes. (If it goes on for longer, get the animal to the vet right away.) Make sure that your pet is seen by a vet within the next day or so, in order to make sure that your pet is on the right treatment program to manage this condition. Some animals have only one seizure. Others will go on to have multiple episodes during their lives. But with the right treatment, this condition is often manageable and will not necessarily impact your pet's quality of life.
It all started one night after a family dinner… My little brother yelled from outside where he found my dog in a helpless state where he seemed to be having a seizure! I rushed outside with the rest of the family to find him foaming and panting heavily short for breath. My brothers and me picked him up (all 100 pounds of him) and placed him in the back of the family truck as we rushed towards the Vet.
At that moment, I was frightened and overwhelmed by how sudden his health had shifted. My dog would never fully recover from that night and eventually, the re-occurring seizures took his life one night while he was asleep. That night, I learned about the fear and helplessness that overcomes someone when their pet is having a seizure. It may be an unfamiliar and quite scary sight, but the best thing for owners to do is remain calm and aware. There are not too many things that can be done to prevent or alleviate the situation but, from my experience, stay proactive and follow your best nursing instincts.
According to VCA Hospitals website, seizures are one of the most frequently reported neurological conditions in dogs. The scientific term for seizure is "ictus". A seizure may also be called a convulsion or fit and is a temporary involuntary disturbance of normal brain function that is usually accompanied by uncontrollable muscle activity. An owner may be confused upon seeing a seizure for the first time. Seizures can be isolated to particular limbs or regions of the body, or they may be grand mal seizures, characterized by collapse with the legs sticking rigidly out.
Within that realm, “epilepsy” or “epileptic seizures” are the most common form that plague canines. The main cause for seizures with felines is interestingly acute poisoning from things like household cleaners. There are many causes of seizures. Idiopathic epilepsy, the most common cause of seizures in the dog, is an inherited disorder, but its exact cause is unknown. Other causes include liver disease, kidney failure, brain tumors, brain trauma, or toxins.
Now that we have some background, what are the remedies and cures (if any) for this condition? At a most basic level, you are your animal’s protector and provider. But what can you do to help them when they begin convulsing and go into that truly uncontrollable state? For most cat and dog owners, their first experience with a seizure is met with utter confusion and helplessness. Pharmaceutically, there are medications available for the prevention or reduction but there is little to do at that moment when the episodes occur.
The best that can be done at that point is a damage control or prevention of further injury. It's important to understand that especially in dogs, epilepsy can be well controlled. It is important to work with the vet to find a medication regime that reduces the number of seizures, and to try and identify triggers, such as stressful events.
During one of my dog’s last walks with my brother, he had a seizure. Thankfully, my neighbor (a vet assistant and former farm girl) knew a ton on how to get through this type of episode. The two of them laid him on his side and while my brother was petting him (which may have been more to comfort him that the dog) my neighbor went inside to get a cool wet towel to lay over my pet’s torso. She instructed my brother to remain calm and assured him that he would recoup soon.
Usually during these episodes of brain misfiring, the animal has little if any awareness of their surroundings or current status. Once my dog recouped, gained his footing, and check back into reality, the helping neighbor instructed my parents to take him in for blood work so that we may find some root to his reoccurring epileptic episodes. Although we never found in solid answers in the blood work, I believe it is always an appropriate means of action to understanding your pet’s health. Every seizure seems to be different, some cats and dogs live for years only to be haunted by episodes sparsely while others may experience them daily or may only start up due to an activity, event, or trigger.
If your cat or dog has a seizure, don't panic. The episode should last less than two minutes. (If it goes on for longer, get the animal to the vet right away.) Make sure that your pet is seen by a vet within the next day or so, in order to make sure that your pet is on the right treatment program to manage this condition. Some animals have only one seizure. Others will go on to have multiple episodes during their lives. But with the right treatment, this condition is often manageable and will not necessarily impact your pet's quality of life.
Friday, February 8, 2013
Success Series - Trust (Sam) UPDATE
by Anna Geletka
UPDATE!! Trust/Sam's person, Susan, left a wonderful comment on this post. Be sure to read it to get all the latest information about Sam in his forever home!
Welcome to another installation of our Success Series! Every Friday for the next several weeks we will post the story of a pet who has found their forever home through HSEC. If your animal was adopted from HSEC and you want them to be featured on the blog, contact us here: humanesocietyofec@gmail.com
When I met Trust, I was first reminded of a deer. He moved like a prey animal, this small lab mix with sleek black fur and a gaze that constantly monitored any human presence while avoiding any eye contact. Along with his three siblings, Trust had grown to the age of nine months without any human contact at all.
He would not come up to the end of his run or let a leash get slipped over his head. He would not solicit play or attention, and in the play area he paced restlessly. If I crouched submissively, making myself small, looking away with my hand stretched in the opposite direction with a piece of cheese balanced atop my palm, he eventually might risk approaching. A delicate brush of his snout against my hand, and the cheese would be gone. By the time I looked, he would already be on the other side of the yard.
And that was a good day.
I have long been drawn to the underdog, and Trust was as under as a dog could get. So naturally my husband and I decided to foster him. The week before we were scheduled to bring him home from the HSEC facility, he got off leash in the play yard and I couldn't get him back. For almost an hour we tried coaxing him in - me, my husband, other volunteers, staff - while he hovered nervously just out of reach. I was only able to reach him by belly-crawling toward him, inches at a time, until finally I slipped the leash over his head.
We took him home. For two days he wouldn't eat. We had to carry him in and out of the house for bathroom breaks (but he was so terrified inside our house, he never once had an accident). He hid in his crate. On day three, a hot dog finally convinced him to break his fast. I was just beginning to understand what I'd gotten myself into.
After a few weeks, Trust found himself a new safety spot, in the corner next to the couch where I work (I work from home). He would curl up there, small as he could get, only surrendering to sleep when he could no longer hold his head up. Then one day, I felt something brush my hand as it rested over the edge of the couch. I sat forward to look. Trust and I stared at each other. He licked his lips and yawned, a nervous behavior that he performed almost constantly. I started working again, and felt the nudge again. This time I didn't move.
Trust was pushing his head under my hand. Cautiously, I scratched. When I stopped, he bumped his head against my hand, more insistently. Wanting more scratching. Wanting attention. It was the very first time I had ever seen him show interest in me, much less a desire for affection.
I cried. (I cry a lot in this story.)
Trust lived with us for nine months. Every baby step toward normality was a major accomplishment, like when he finally began sneaking out from his crate, or when he began to eat food from my hand, or when he would go in and out of the house by himself. But for every step forward, there were days when his all-consuming fear would reduce me to tears. For example, he was particularly scared of the back door. Something about that pinch point just freaked him out. He would pace on our back porch sometimes for fifteen minutes before finally making the dash inside.
As people who adopt or foster these difficult, unsocialized dogs know, their progress can only be tracked in months or years. Even by the time Trust left us, he still couldn't do a basic "sit" (too afraid of the standard training method which involves raising the hand over the dog's head). There were rooms in the house he still wouldn't enter. He also wouldn't jump in and out of the car by himself, and while daily walks had improved dramatically, he was often driven to utter panic at something as simple as a car going by.
When the HSEC staff suggested I bring him to an adoption stand at PetSmart, I was skeptical. A noisy environment with constant unfamiliar stimuli and dozens of people shoving their hands into Trust's face. How on earth could that go well? But I had underestimated him. For one thing, unsocialized dogs raised with other dogs are comfortable interpreting doggy signals. Surrounded by dogs who were comfortable around people, Trust wasn't as freaked as I expected. He hugged my leg, but he would take treats from me, a sign that he wasn't shutting down.
There wasn't a lot of attention paid to this small black dog. A couple stopped next to us to look at a litter of puppies. Trust snuck out. My heartrate sped up as he approached the woman's leg. Silently, I begged her not to jump or startle or, worst of all, stick her hands in his face while shouting endearments. Trust sniffed her leg, ever so gently.
Then he put his head under her dangling hand and nudged her. Pet me. And she obliged, sucked in by the honey softness in his liquid brown eyes.
For the first time I saw a future for Trust outside our house or the HSEC facility. In his willingness to go up to this total stranger, his hopeful soliciting of affection, my sweet little Trustman had demonstrated a courage and resilience that many humans can't match.
I cried. Again.
Almost a year after we began fostering Trust, he was adopted from the facility. My phone number was given to the adopters. None of us were sure if this would stick. Then, a few weeks later, I got a call. Trust was now called Sam, and his new owner wanted to tell me how great he was, but I sensed something more in her voice. "You know, it might take some time for him to get comfortable with you," I said. "You have to be really patient. Sometimes he can be really frustrating."
The woman let out her breath in a rush. "Thank you for saying that," she said. "Sometimes I just don't know what we're doing wrong. I just put my head down on the table and cry."
"Well, it's not you, believe me," I assured her. And we talked for a while about him - I recommended a thundershirt, which had worked wonders for our nervous chocolate lab - then she hung up. I fretted for days that he would be returned to the facility.
I got another call weeks later. It was Thanksgiving, and she left a message. "I just wanted to tell you that Sam is like a different dog. He's just the most wonderful dog. He's a part of our family. We love him so much."
Yes, I cried.
UPDATE!! Trust/Sam's person, Susan, left a wonderful comment on this post. Be sure to read it to get all the latest information about Sam in his forever home!
Welcome to another installation of our Success Series! Every Friday for the next several weeks we will post the story of a pet who has found their forever home through HSEC. If your animal was adopted from HSEC and you want them to be featured on the blog, contact us here: humanesocietyofec@gmail.com
Trust
 |
| Hiding in his crate |
He would not come up to the end of his run or let a leash get slipped over his head. He would not solicit play or attention, and in the play area he paced restlessly. If I crouched submissively, making myself small, looking away with my hand stretched in the opposite direction with a piece of cheese balanced atop my palm, he eventually might risk approaching. A delicate brush of his snout against my hand, and the cheese would be gone. By the time I looked, he would already be on the other side of the yard.
And that was a good day.
I have long been drawn to the underdog, and Trust was as under as a dog could get. So naturally my husband and I decided to foster him. The week before we were scheduled to bring him home from the HSEC facility, he got off leash in the play yard and I couldn't get him back. For almost an hour we tried coaxing him in - me, my husband, other volunteers, staff - while he hovered nervously just out of reach. I was only able to reach him by belly-crawling toward him, inches at a time, until finally I slipped the leash over his head.
We took him home. For two days he wouldn't eat. We had to carry him in and out of the house for bathroom breaks (but he was so terrified inside our house, he never once had an accident). He hid in his crate. On day three, a hot dog finally convinced him to break his fast. I was just beginning to understand what I'd gotten myself into.
After a few weeks, Trust found himself a new safety spot, in the corner next to the couch where I work (I work from home). He would curl up there, small as he could get, only surrendering to sleep when he could no longer hold his head up. Then one day, I felt something brush my hand as it rested over the edge of the couch. I sat forward to look. Trust and I stared at each other. He licked his lips and yawned, a nervous behavior that he performed almost constantly. I started working again, and felt the nudge again. This time I didn't move.
Trust was pushing his head under my hand. Cautiously, I scratched. When I stopped, he bumped his head against my hand, more insistently. Wanting more scratching. Wanting attention. It was the very first time I had ever seen him show interest in me, much less a desire for affection.
I cried. (I cry a lot in this story.)
 |
| Trust learns that toys are fun to destroy |
As people who adopt or foster these difficult, unsocialized dogs know, their progress can only be tracked in months or years. Even by the time Trust left us, he still couldn't do a basic "sit" (too afraid of the standard training method which involves raising the hand over the dog's head). There were rooms in the house he still wouldn't enter. He also wouldn't jump in and out of the car by himself, and while daily walks had improved dramatically, he was often driven to utter panic at something as simple as a car going by.
Video taken about six months after entering foster care - from refusing to approach us to wagging his tail! Note how he licks his lips and nervously paces up and down the stairs, still anxious about approaching me.
When the HSEC staff suggested I bring him to an adoption stand at PetSmart, I was skeptical. A noisy environment with constant unfamiliar stimuli and dozens of people shoving their hands into Trust's face. How on earth could that go well? But I had underestimated him. For one thing, unsocialized dogs raised with other dogs are comfortable interpreting doggy signals. Surrounded by dogs who were comfortable around people, Trust wasn't as freaked as I expected. He hugged my leg, but he would take treats from me, a sign that he wasn't shutting down.
 |
| A moment in the sun |
Then he put his head under her dangling hand and nudged her. Pet me. And she obliged, sucked in by the honey softness in his liquid brown eyes.
For the first time I saw a future for Trust outside our house or the HSEC facility. In his willingness to go up to this total stranger, his hopeful soliciting of affection, my sweet little Trustman had demonstrated a courage and resilience that many humans can't match.
I cried. Again.
Almost a year after we began fostering Trust, he was adopted from the facility. My phone number was given to the adopters. None of us were sure if this would stick. Then, a few weeks later, I got a call. Trust was now called Sam, and his new owner wanted to tell me how great he was, but I sensed something more in her voice. "You know, it might take some time for him to get comfortable with you," I said. "You have to be really patient. Sometimes he can be really frustrating."
The woman let out her breath in a rush. "Thank you for saying that," she said. "Sometimes I just don't know what we're doing wrong. I just put my head down on the table and cry."
"Well, it's not you, believe me," I assured her. And we talked for a while about him - I recommended a thundershirt, which had worked wonders for our nervous chocolate lab - then she hung up. I fretted for days that he would be returned to the facility.
I got another call weeks later. It was Thanksgiving, and she left a message. "I just wanted to tell you that Sam is like a different dog. He's just the most wonderful dog. He's a part of our family. We love him so much."
Yes, I cried.
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Navigating the Canine Crawl Website
We hope you're already starting to get excited for our annual event, the Canine Crawl - we sure are! This year, the 13th Annual Canine Crawl will be on Sunday, March 17th. The event will feature the same favorite vendors, contests, and opportunities from years past, but there are two great new additions to this year's lineup.
The first new addition is a professionally managed and timed 5k. And the second is our website, where you will go to find out information about the event as well as to sign up for the event and manage your fundraising efforts, or see how others are doing. Today we'll take a look at how the website works and guide you through the steps to registering, donating, or becoming a fundraiser to collect donations of your own.
To begin, navigate to the Canine Crawl website, www.caninecrawl.com - you will see this page:
To the left, you will see a list of links with information about the different parts of the event, including contact information if your business is interested in becoming a sponsor or vendor (click on the 'Sponsors' or 'Vendor Village' links to learn more).
Let's look at three ways you can use the website: signing up for the 5k, signing up for the 1 mile walk, or managing/viewing donations. The 5k is in the morning and the walk is in the afternoon, so you could do both if you choose!
The fee for the 5k increases as we get closer to the date, so register early! You can still register (for an increased fee) on the day of the race.
Step 1: From the main page, click on '5k Information', the link on the left side of the screen. This takes you to this page:
Step 2: Click on that green link next to where it says 'Registration'. You will be taken to this new website, outside of the Canine Crawl site:
Step 3: Click on the orange oval on the right portion of the screen that says 'REGISTER for this event!', and you will be directed to a form looking like this:
Step 4: Fill out the form as directed, clicking on the orange oval 'Continue' button at the bottom right to progress through the form. The last page will look like this:
In order to complete your registration, you must click on the 'Checkout' button and enter your credit card information to be billed for the registration fee. (If you would rather pay by check, be sure to select that option at the beginning of the form.)
Be sure to complete the order by hitting the 'Submit Order' button after the page where you enter your credit card information. Once you have completed the process, you will see this page:
Congratulations! Now be sure to keep an eye out on the blog for our training tips to get you (and maybe your dog too) ready for the big race. On the imathlete site you can also invite others, upload a photo of yourself, manage your profile, and look at other people who are registered for the same event.
This process is very similar to signing up for the 5k. You can sign up for the walk on the day of the event, but an early registration has a discount, so sign up now!
Step 1: Starting again on the main Canine Crawl website, click on the '1 Mile Walk' link on the left hand side of the screen. This will bring you to this site:
Step 2: Click on the green link next to where it says 'Registration'. This will lead to this page, which is outside of the Canine Crawl website:
Step 3: Click on the orange oval on the right portion of the screen that says 'REGISTER for this event!', and you will be directed to a form looking like this:
Notice here that you have a choice of two options. There is a regular registration, and then something called a 'catnap' registration. If you choose the catnap option, you will still receive a shirt and goody bag, but do not have to walk.
Step 4: Fill out the form as directed, clicking on the orange oval 'Continue' button at the bottom right to progress through the form. The last page will look like this:
In order to complete your registration, you must click on the 'Checkout' button and enter your credit card information to be billed for the registration fee. (If you would rather pay by check, be sure to select that option at the beginning of the form.)
Be sure to complete the order by hitting the 'Submit Order' button after the page where you enter your credit card information. Once you have completed the process, you will see this page:
Congratulations! You're all set to walk! On the imathlete site you can also invite others, upload a photo of yourself, manage your profile, and look at other people who are registered for the same event.
Detour - You can look at fundraisers and donate without signing in, but becoming a fundraiser requires you to sign in to imathlete, which for most of us will mean creating an account with the website. If you are already signed in, skip down to Step 2. Otherwise, follow the below instructions to sign in or create an account and then navigate back to the Canine Crawl fundraising website.
If you have already registered for either the 5k or the walk, you will already have an account with imathlete. Be sure to check your email for the temporary password (you will be directed to create a permanent password upon signing in for the first time). Otherwise, follow the instructions to create a new account.
Upon signing in, you will be taken to this page:
Clicking on that result link - 2013 Canine Crawl - will return you to the original link as seen in Step 1. Click again on that red link on the left side of the page that says 'Become a fundraiser!' - phew!
Step 2: You will see this page:
Use the scroll down menu to select the event you wish to raise money for. If you have already registered for the 5k or the walk, that will be one of your options. 'No Event in Particular' will direct the money in general towards HSEC.
Step 3: A form will appear below. Fill out the required boxes. Notice that you will have the option to select whether you are raising funds as an individual or as a team. If you select the team option, you will then be able to join a pre-existing team (select the name from the scroll down menu) or to start your own.
After filling everything out, you can preview your site or launch it by selecting the appropriate button at the very bottom of the form:
The first new addition is a professionally managed and timed 5k. And the second is our website, where you will go to find out information about the event as well as to sign up for the event and manage your fundraising efforts, or see how others are doing. Today we'll take a look at how the website works and guide you through the steps to registering, donating, or becoming a fundraiser to collect donations of your own.
The Basics
To begin, navigate to the Canine Crawl website, www.caninecrawl.com - you will see this page:
To the left, you will see a list of links with information about the different parts of the event, including contact information if your business is interested in becoming a sponsor or vendor (click on the 'Sponsors' or 'Vendor Village' links to learn more).
Let's look at three ways you can use the website: signing up for the 5k, signing up for the 1 mile walk, or managing/viewing donations. The 5k is in the morning and the walk is in the afternoon, so you could do both if you choose!
Signing up for the 5k
The fee for the 5k increases as we get closer to the date, so register early! You can still register (for an increased fee) on the day of the race.
Step 1: From the main page, click on '5k Information', the link on the left side of the screen. This takes you to this page:
Step 2: Click on that green link next to where it says 'Registration'. You will be taken to this new website, outside of the Canine Crawl site:
Step 3: Click on the orange oval on the right portion of the screen that says 'REGISTER for this event!', and you will be directed to a form looking like this:
Step 4: Fill out the form as directed, clicking on the orange oval 'Continue' button at the bottom right to progress through the form. The last page will look like this:
In order to complete your registration, you must click on the 'Checkout' button and enter your credit card information to be billed for the registration fee. (If you would rather pay by check, be sure to select that option at the beginning of the form.)
Be sure to complete the order by hitting the 'Submit Order' button after the page where you enter your credit card information. Once you have completed the process, you will see this page:
Congratulations! Now be sure to keep an eye out on the blog for our training tips to get you (and maybe your dog too) ready for the big race. On the imathlete site you can also invite others, upload a photo of yourself, manage your profile, and look at other people who are registered for the same event.
Signing up for the 1 Mile Walk
This process is very similar to signing up for the 5k. You can sign up for the walk on the day of the event, but an early registration has a discount, so sign up now!
Step 1: Starting again on the main Canine Crawl website, click on the '1 Mile Walk' link on the left hand side of the screen. This will bring you to this site:
Step 2: Click on the green link next to where it says 'Registration'. This will lead to this page, which is outside of the Canine Crawl website:
Step 3: Click on the orange oval on the right portion of the screen that says 'REGISTER for this event!', and you will be directed to a form looking like this:
Notice here that you have a choice of two options. There is a regular registration, and then something called a 'catnap' registration. If you choose the catnap option, you will still receive a shirt and goody bag, but do not have to walk.
Step 4: Fill out the form as directed, clicking on the orange oval 'Continue' button at the bottom right to progress through the form. The last page will look like this:
In order to complete your registration, you must click on the 'Checkout' button and enter your credit card information to be billed for the registration fee. (If you would rather pay by check, be sure to select that option at the beginning of the form.)
Be sure to complete the order by hitting the 'Submit Order' button after the page where you enter your credit card information. Once you have completed the process, you will see this page:
Congratulations! You're all set to walk! On the imathlete site you can also invite others, upload a photo of yourself, manage your profile, and look at other people who are registered for the same event.
Viewing and Managing Donations
Whether you are involved in the 5k, the walk, or you just want to support HSEC, you can still keep track of how we are doing in meeting our donations goal, donate yourself, and even become a fundraiser to encourage others to donate!
From that main Canine Crawl page, click on the green link under where it says, in bold, Online Fundraising Campaign. This will take you to this website:
Here you will see information about the event. On the right you can see how close we are to our total fundraising goal of $30,000. Below that, there is a light blue box surrounding donation options. To make a donation, pick the option that suits you and hit 'Donate Now'.
On the following page, you will be able to select specifics for your donation, including whether you want your donation to go toward a particular fundraising individual or team. Fill out the important information and click 'Submit Donation' at the bottom to send off your funds.
Fundraising individual or team?? What's that, you may ask?? Well, let us tell you! Some of our supporters are actively working as fundraisers in the community, either as individuals or as part of a great big fundraising team. To check out the fundraisers, look to that left side of the page here:
You can use the drop down menu to select a team or individual you would like to know more about. Let's check out Katie Benson - pick her name from the list and click the orange 'Go >' button to travel to Katie's page, which looks like this:
Here you can see why Katie is raising money, how close she is to reaching her goal, photos and donor comments, and you can donate to Katie's fundraising efforts specifically by selecting your donation level from the blue box on the right (the form on the next page will automatically enter Katie's information for you).
With all of that under your belt, there is just one more think you might want to know - how to become a fundraiser yourself.
To Become a Fundraiser as -
An individual
A member of an existing team
Leader of a new team
Step 1: click on the red 'Become a fundraiser!' link underneath the purple Canine Crawl logo...
Detour - You can look at fundraisers and donate without signing in, but becoming a fundraiser requires you to sign in to imathlete, which for most of us will mean creating an account with the website. If you are already signed in, skip down to Step 2. Otherwise, follow the below instructions to sign in or create an account and then navigate back to the Canine Crawl fundraising website.
If you have already registered for either the 5k or the walk, you will already have an account with imathlete. Be sure to check your email for the temporary password (you will be directed to create a permanent password upon signing in for the first time). Otherwise, follow the instructions to create a new account.
Upon signing in, you will be taken to this page:
Notice you can do all kinds of fun things here, like telling friends about certain events, uploading a photo and personalizing your profile, and so on. If you are registered for the 5k or the walk, you can see this and any other registered events by clicking on the grey 'My Events' link near the top of the page.
To get back to the Canine Crawl fundraising page, click on the grey 'Fundraising' link near the top of this page. You will find yourself here:
Look over to the right - see where it says SEARCH in white, and Campaigns & Fundraisers in Orange? Type Canine Crawl into that search box. Below the box will appear your results, as below:
Clicking on that result link - 2013 Canine Crawl - will return you to the original link as seen in Step 1. Click again on that red link on the left side of the page that says 'Become a fundraiser!' - phew!
Step 2: You will see this page:
Step 3: A form will appear below. Fill out the required boxes. Notice that you will have the option to select whether you are raising funds as an individual or as a team. If you select the team option, you will then be able to join a pre-existing team (select the name from the scroll down menu) or to start your own.
After filling everything out, you can preview your site or launch it by selecting the appropriate button at the very bottom of the form:
And you're done! Check out your new site! You can still make changes on this site, and you will also be able to see donations as they come in. Once you are a registered fundraiser, this campaign will appear in the 'Fundraiser' link in your profile page - you will not have to search for it each time you visit the site.
Do you still have questions? Please leave a comment and we will update this page with answers.
Monday, February 4, 2013
Tips on running with a high-energy dog
Have you signed up for the Canine Crawl 5k? Want to get some tips on running with your dog? In this post we'll look at how to exercise with a high energy dog, and meet Clara, an HSEC adoptable animal! ADOPTED!! Stay tuned in the future to learn about running with other types of dogs.
Hi, I’m Clara. I am a year old Pitt Bull Terrier mix. Like many other Pitt Terriers I’m very energetic and I have a natural eagerness to please those who take care of me. That’s why I want to be your future running partner. Running is a great way for me to use up some energy and to get some exercise. I’m great on a leash, but sometimes I get overly excited and I tend to pull. Once I get started running, I like to continually increase my speed. Caution though, I stop for random sniff breaks. With some proper training from a dedicated owner I’d be the perfect running partner.
When training a high energy dog, like myself, there’s some things you should keep in mind. If you want me to pay attention while you’re teaching me new tricks, you’re going to have tire me out a bit first. FYI, I love to play with chew toys. Clicker training may be the best tactic. Start with conditioning; click and immediately offer me a treat. Repeat this 20 times. On the 21st time I should recognize that a click is followed by a treat so you’ll have to test me by not offering a treat right away. Click and wait for my response. If I look for a treat then we’re good to move on to the first trick. Otherwise, repeat the process.
I was adopted last weekend! But check out my buddies at HSEC, from 2:00 to 5:00 every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday or by appointment only during the week. They can't wait to begin training together for the first ever HSEC 5K at this year’s Canine Crawl on St. PAWtrick’s Day. Your first step to getting ready for the race is to sign up. Don’t procrastinate! Then you'll be committed and can begin training. Your dog is even allowed to join you during the race! Let your best friend be your biggest motivator!
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| Clara |
When training a high energy dog, like myself, there’s some things you should keep in mind. If you want me to pay attention while you’re teaching me new tricks, you’re going to have tire me out a bit first. FYI, I love to play with chew toys. Clicker training may be the best tactic. Start with conditioning; click and immediately offer me a treat. Repeat this 20 times. On the 21st time I should recognize that a click is followed by a treat so you’ll have to test me by not offering a treat right away. Click and wait for my response. If I look for a treat then we’re good to move on to the first trick. Otherwise, repeat the process.
I was adopted last weekend! But check out my buddies at HSEC, from 2:00 to 5:00 every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday or by appointment only during the week. They can't wait to begin training together for the first ever HSEC 5K at this year’s Canine Crawl on St. PAWtrick’s Day. Your first step to getting ready for the race is to sign up. Don’t procrastinate! Then you'll be committed and can begin training. Your dog is even allowed to join you during the race! Let your best friend be your biggest motivator!
Friday, February 1, 2013
Success Series - Mona
Welcome to another installation of our Success Series! Every Friday* for
the next several weeks we will post the story of a pet who has found
their forever home through HSEC. If your animal was adopted from HSEC
and you want them to be featured on the blog, contact us: humanesocietyofec@gmail.com
When Mona arrived at the Humane Society, she wasn’t a happy kitty. Much of her now sleek coat was missing from untreated flea allergies. She did not enjoy the company of other felines, which made living in our Cat Palace a very stressful experience. Once out of her cage, she had definite opinions about going back in. She had already been adopted once and returned to us.
Lucky for Mona, we were able to find a foster home to give her a break from the shelter environment. And even luckier, her foster mom’s roommate fell in love with Mona; when she got her own place, she came in and adopted her. We suspect this was Mona’s strategy all along; she played up to the young woman’s boyfriend, going as far as knocking over flowers, picking one up, and laying it at his feet.
In a home of her own, Mona has gone from grumpy to gregarious. According to her new mom, “She has become one of the most loving cuddly cats anyone could ask to have in their lives.” Mona has taking a liking to crawling under the covers at night, and sprawls out for a belly rub. She goes crazy for the red dot of a laser toy, and actually enjoys taking walks on a leash! In fact, Mona has become a seasoned traveler, and enjoys visiting human relatives in Boone, Rocky Mount and Raleigh.
While Mona is not a fan of other cats, her best friend is a bunny who lives with the boyfriend’s mom. When in her buddy’s company, Mona mimics the bunny, hopping on all fours. She even tries to eat bunny food, but spits it out every time. She and the bunny both sulk when it’s time to go home.
After hitting a rough patch in her life, Mona is in a loving home where she’s been able to blossom into her own sweet, quirky self, playing, strolling, cuddling and bunny-bonding her way to happiness.
When Mona arrived at the Humane Society, she wasn’t a happy kitty. Much of her now sleek coat was missing from untreated flea allergies. She did not enjoy the company of other felines, which made living in our Cat Palace a very stressful experience. Once out of her cage, she had definite opinions about going back in. She had already been adopted once and returned to us.
Lucky for Mona, we were able to find a foster home to give her a break from the shelter environment. And even luckier, her foster mom’s roommate fell in love with Mona; when she got her own place, she came in and adopted her. We suspect this was Mona’s strategy all along; she played up to the young woman’s boyfriend, going as far as knocking over flowers, picking one up, and laying it at his feet.In a home of her own, Mona has gone from grumpy to gregarious. According to her new mom, “She has become one of the most loving cuddly cats anyone could ask to have in their lives.” Mona has taking a liking to crawling under the covers at night, and sprawls out for a belly rub. She goes crazy for the red dot of a laser toy, and actually enjoys taking walks on a leash! In fact, Mona has become a seasoned traveler, and enjoys visiting human relatives in Boone, Rocky Mount and Raleigh.
While Mona is not a fan of other cats, her best friend is a bunny who lives with the boyfriend’s mom. When in her buddy’s company, Mona mimics the bunny, hopping on all fours. She even tries to eat bunny food, but spits it out every time. She and the bunny both sulk when it’s time to go home.
After hitting a rough patch in her life, Mona is in a loving home where she’s been able to blossom into her own sweet, quirky self, playing, strolling, cuddling and bunny-bonding her way to happiness.
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