News from Eskie Rescuers United American Eskimo Dog Rescue Inc

Eskie Scoops

The Official Newsletter for Eskie Rescuers United (ERU)

Issue No. 8

January 2009

Ask the Eskie

Dear Gus,

I adopted a foster Eskie last January through your organization. Jenny is be about 4 years old and had been living under a porch in Michigan with another Eskie (presumably her son) for who knows how long. Anyway, she has totally bonded to me. My problem is that she is very afraid of both of my sons (age 22 and 19). I originally thought she had issues with men in general but while not overly friendly with strange men,she does not growl, bark or cower with these males--only my sons! Both of them are away at school but have spent extended periods of time at home and she acts like she has never seen them before. She even releases her anal glands and I'm sure you know what that odor is like! If I sit beside one of the boys, she will allow them to pet her but never looks at ease. Any suggestions? We thought maybe she had been abused by young men but I would hope that after all this time, she would realize she has a safe home here. Any help would be appreciated.

Jenny's mom

Dear Jenny's mom,

So many dogs have such sad stories in their lives, and it sounds like your Jenny is one of them! Since it is impossible to know exactly what happened to Jenny prior to living at your home, it is hard to say what is causing her to growl at your sons. Normally dogs use their anal glands to mark their territory. However when a dog becomes afraid or alarmed they can also express their anal glands, and might explain Jenny's behavior.

Here are a few suggestions on things you can try to hopefully help Jenny and your sons to be on better terms:

Have your sons spend time with Jenny without you being around. It would be ideal if they can do this for a period of time such as a few days or a week. This will force Jenny to bond with them and Jenny won't be focused solely on you. Your sons can also feed Jenny and give her some treats to assure her that they are not a threat.

Another thing your sons could do to put Jenny at ease is to attach a leash to Jenny then attach it to your son. Your son should just go about his business as usual and ignore Jenny. This forces her to be around him. It is possible that she will growl and bark at him at first, but if he does nothing she should calm down.

Finally, dogs are really good at picking up stressed behavior and feelings from people. So you and your sons should be calm and relaxed when you are together and around Jenny. Jenny is picking up on the strained behavior, and that is making her act out because she knows something isn't quite right. Be patient and keep exposing your sons to Jenny under positive conditions!

Woof!

If you have questions you would like to ask the Eskie, send an e-mail to [email protected].

In This Issue

Ask the Eskie

Fundraising Update

Paws for a Cause

ERU Volunteer of the Month

ERU Adoption Fees

Max's Story

Garrett's Forever Home!

What Does it Take to do Rescue poem

Sponsorship Opportunities

Training Tip of the Month - Keeping Your Pet Safe From Winter Woes

Contact Us

P.O. Box 8652
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52408-8652

Web Site: www.EskieRescuers.org

Email: [email protected]

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ERU thanks the following clinics and other businesses for their commitment to rescue and for providing us with discounted services in December!

Cherry Hills Vet, Centennial, CO

Dakota Pet Hospital,

Lakeville, MN

Fairland Animal Hospital, Silver Spring, MD

Falls Road Animal Hospital, Baltimore, MD

Fetchers Dog Care,

Denver, CO

Petsound Animal Hospital, Cary, NC

Waugh Chapel Animal Hospital, Grambrills, MD

Total vet costs December 2008:
Routine Vetting: $3739.09
Special Needs Vetting: $1110.73

Vacation Fundraiser! Great Valentine's Day Gift Idea!

ERU has had a week's vacation donated to the rescue! What a great way to support our rescue group and possibly take a vacation too!

The vacation was donated with the hope of raising money to help replenish our medical funds, which are very depleted. We will be featuring stories throughout the raffle of dogs that have benefited from additional medical attention - above and beyond normal vetting. Please donate and help us to continue to help those who, otherwise, would be put down.

Check out this month's story for Max below. Additional stories will be added to the website as the raffle continues, so make sure to visit often to hear about these dogs and their second chance at a great life!

7 nights in the "Theme Park Capitol of the World!"

Click above banner for more details ...

Adoptable Eskies in the Spotlight

For more information on these dogs, click on their picture to visit their complete profile. Or visit www.eskierescuers.org to see many more.

Prudence

Hello, my name is Prudence and I'm looking for my new forever home! I'm a pretty big Eskie, but I'm just as sweet and nice as you can imagine! My dream home is one where I can curl up with my family and get and give lots of hugs and kisses! I'm well-behaved and won't cause you any problems! I would make the perfect addition to your home and family!

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Fundraising Update

There was a lot of fundraising activity in December!

We auctioned several Gordie Howe items on eBay which raised $460.75 for ERU. Gordie Howe (aka Mr. Hockey) is the retired right wing for the Detroit Redwings. Much thanks goes to Deborah Guske (IL) for getting these items donated and to Clint Lowe (NC) for handling the eBay transactions. We want to extend a special thanks to Travis Howe, Gordie's grandson, for donating the autographed jersey and several autographed photos of Gordie!

ERU raised $1,300 from its first annual Christmas card sale. Thank you to Heidi Ortmeyer (MD) for donating the printing costs and handling this entire project. The cards featured four of our own Eskies that were digitally enhanced by Stephie, a talented graphic artist. If you didn't order your cards from ERU this year, please consider purchasing them for Christmas 2009. Even if you don't send cards, they are perfect to wrap around a gift certificate or attach to a package.

Heidi was able to secure a $2,000 grant from the ASPCA for our special needs Eskies. Heidi wrote the proposal and sent in all the paperwork just before the deadline. She didn't think she would hear anything for a few weeks but within a couple of days, she got the news that ERU was awarded the grant. Thank you for all your effort, Heidi!

Heidi also donated a Gibson J-190 Super Fusion guitar which was auctioned on eBay, raising $1,800 for ERU. In case you didn't know, Heidi is a singer in a band and she really knows her guitars too! Thanks again, Heidi, for your generous donation and a special thanks goes to Carl Sapelli (PA) for handling this eBay auction.

Currently ERU is raffling off a timeshare vacation donated by one of our ERU volunteers. The winner can spend the 4^th of July at Disney World with their family! Accommodations are for six people at Celebration World Resort in Kissimmee, Florida from July 3-10. Pets are welcome. Raffle tickets are only $1.00 each! The winner will be drawn and announced on April 15. See the homepage on the website for more information about the timeshare and how to purchase your tickets. For only $1.00 each, you can't afford to pass up this vacation deal! Money raised from this raffle will help replenish the fund for our Eskies with special medical needs. Incidentally, if you'd like to read some of the stories about our special needs Eskies, there is a link to a story just below the timeshare raffle on the homepage. Each week a different story is posted. Most of you probably have no idea how many dogs are helped in amazing ways thanks to your generous support!

Finally, be sure to check out the article below on the Paws for a Cause event hosted by our volunteers in Colorado!

Paws for a Cause Fundraising and Awareness Event

Colorado Volunteers clockwise from left: Erin Akright with Skip, Heather Schriefer with Milo, Ryan Hagen with Dino, Bethany Hagen with Arlo, Chris Bradsher, Amanda Brown, Dan Nelson, Jami VonKaenel with Rocky and Juneau. Not pictured: Karen Henke, Scott Bradsher, Jaclyn Hinken.

n December, ERU's Colorado volunteer team took a moment to Pause for a Cause and get the community Fired up about dog rescue by hosting their first holiday season event "Paws for a Cause" at West Metro Fire Station #1 in Lakewood, CO. Geared towards educating the public about the great things that rescues like ERU do, this rescue awareness and fundraising event focused on spreading the love by requesting that attendees bring new or gently used pet items to donate to local shelters. We collected enough pet items to fill the back seat and trunk of a mid-sized car and donated everything to Maxfund, a Colorado no-kill facility.

Tables at the event featured the stories of ERU dogs adopted by Colorado families, as well as current dogs in foster care like Milo, a special needs puppy currently up for sponsorship to help with his medical bills. Milo was a big hit at the event, and even posed for a photo with Santa. Photos with Santa were the original basis for the event, but quickly took a back seat as volunteers forged ahead with plans for a Prize Drawing, featuring donated gifts including pet-oriented gift baskets, Nuggets and Avalanche tickets, and a grand prize $250 cash card (won by brand new volunteer Barb Van Sant in Colorado Springs). Photos with Santa were a large attraction at the event, as was the "Pennies for Puppies" donation jar and the complimentary coffee, cocoa, and treats.

Paws for a Cause raised over $1,000 for Eskie Rescuers United and donated a huge amount of new and used toys to Maxfund. ERU alumni, Booker (see photo at left) even attend the event with his dad, Brad Ellis! People brought all kinds of dogs to the even, from a very large Great Dane to a tiny 3 week old Chihuahua! The group received emails from attendees praising the event, and were even asked to appear on Colorado and Company, a local morning news show! Bethany, Chris, Heather and Milo appeared on the show December 30th. Milo slept through the entire event - from the green room to the taping of the show. All 3 ladies did an excellent job of sharing what ERU does with the rest of Colorado, and even Bethany's ERU-adopted Eskie, Arlo got to make an appearance!

Several of our rescue dogs, both adopted and not adopted yet, were outside letting the world know that we were there and that they were in the spotlight (special thanks to Dino Hagen for letting everyone know where we were!) This was a great opportunity for Eskie Rescuers United and our Colorado volunteers to really let the community know what we are all about!! If you would like to see more photos from the event, you can find them at
http://share.shutterfly.com/share/received/welcome.sfly?fid=50e49647af9c69ff&sid=0IbOGrJq3aMnUw. You can catch the complete TV interview at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iz10esA4mos.

ERU Volunteer of the Month

BJ Herrick

Hi fellow Volunteers,

What an honor to be named "Volunteer of the month." A LABOR OF LOVE!! As with everyone in ERU, our greatest reward is finding wonderful new families for our "KIDS".

Chip Chip, my first rescue Eskie, after 20 years crossed over Rainbow Bridge in October 2006. He was the most perfect Eskie!!! A few months before that October, I decided to look for another doggie. On Petfinder, I looked at Greyhounds, Labs, Shepherds', St. Bernards, etc, as no other dog in the world could take the place of my PERFECT Chip Chip. Of course I always checked for rescue Eskie's as well. And there was Miss Princess KeKe at a local Eskie rescue group, who I volunteer with also - the rest is history.

We discovered "ERU" August 2007 when I volunteered to transport. Then Roxanne called, "Would you be willing to do a 'Home Visit?'". What fun KeKe and I have, meeting families wanting an Eskie, and the thrill of receiving news and photos of their "Perfect Eskie" after adoption. Roxanne called again, "Could you overnight a transport Eskie in route to their new home?" We may be the OFFICIAL sleep over residence for transports in Florida! How long does it take to fall in love with an American Eskimo? A lot less than 24 hours and a sleep over! Roxanne called again, "Could you pick up a surrender, do to foreclosure, and previously a ERU Eskie?" However she didn't mention what we were to do with him after arriving home! Blake is still here working on his social skills and will soon make a Perfect companion for a lucky adopter.

So after Tara, Marco, Maria, Casper & Chipper, KoKo, Max, Snowy and lots of my clients' dogs staying over during vacations,( we have Einstein and Joshua this weekend), I caution visitors to wear white. They never notice the sea of white dog hair we live in and they go home with!

Everyone I have met through ERU has been wonderful, caring, kind-hearted and helpful. It is an absolute pleasure to be a small part of this terrific organization! Thank you VOLUNTEERS for everything you do to make our "Kids" healthy, happy, perfect Eskies!

Licks, Licks & Love

Blake, KeKe & Me

ERU Adoption Fees Increased

As of January 1, 2009 ERU increased it's adoption fees.

The reason for this increase is due to the increasing cost of vet care costs. Because ERU is a volunteer organization, almost all of the costs that we incur are for veterinary care of our foster dogs. Almost all of the other costs like food are borne by the foster homes.

Not only are the costs going up, but the number of tests that we have to do on dogs is increasing. For example, Lyme disease used to be confined to certain parts of the country. Because of the spread of this disease and how dogs are moved all of the country these days, we have found dogs everywhere with Lyme Disease. This is a big concern because if left untreated, it can cause severe debilitating symptoms and in some cases can result in dog aggression. So we are having to incur the cost of testing for Lyme more frequently.

These days dogs have been coming to us with greater vet care needs. Often this is because their previous owner ran into financial difficulty and did not get regular vet care for their dog. Conditions that are normally preventable or treatable early on become very costly to treat by the time we get the dog. Often we do not find out about these conditions until the dog is examined by a vet.

We are often asked why we charge an adoption fee, or why we charge so much. On average we spend more than the adoption fee on the vetting of each dog. We rely on donations to cover the remaining amounts. If we didn't charge an adoption fee, there is no way that we could provide adequate vetting for our dogs. Standard vetting for our dogs include neutering/spaying, vaccinations, testing for parasites and treatment for any problems that show up. Sometimes a dog has teeth requiring a dental and tooth extractions. In most cases if a person were to get a dog for free and have to pay for vet care, they would wind up spending more than they would if they pay an adoption fee to us and get a fully vetted dog.

The vet care that we provide is just a basic start for each dog. There are many additional veterinary procedures that an adopter can do for their adopted dog. Our goal is to have a healthy dog in a loving home that will provide continuing care for the dog for the rest of it's life.

For details on adoption fees: http://www.eskierescuersunited.org/info/display?PageID=1973.

Max's Story

Told by Chris Bradsher

Hello. My name is Max and I was rescued by ERU from a horrible life! It all started in Kansas where I had a home that left me outside all the time. They never let me inside at all! I watched people through the door as they lived their lives and forgot about me. My heart was so sad that I couldn't join them! All I ever wanted was someone to love me and let me love them back. Some kind soul finally noticed my horrible conditions and called the animal control people and they came and picked me up. I've heard others dogs talk about how scary and horrible that shelter place is, but I was so excited to be there because people actually talked to me! I wasn't alone any longer!

Well, even though I was so excited to be around people, this is where my health issues started. See, I had never been to a vet before - no vaccinations, check ups, neuter - nothing. The shelter people said that I had the worst case of fleas they had ever seen! I'm telling you, those little buggers hurt! It was so bad that I had scratched off all of my fur on my tail, my neck and most of my legs and some of my fur was stained red from bleeding from the scratching. A kind lady at the shelter treated me for the fleas and gave me a much needed bath. But even though I looked a little rough, I felt so much better! The kind lady contacted the ERU group and they agreed to take me in and help me find a family - the only thing I have ever really wanted! So the shelter had me neutered, and gave me vaccinations and I was on my way to Colorado to be fostered!

Or so I thought. When the vet went in to do the neuter surgery, they found out that I was Heartworm positive. How's that for a kicker? They said I had probably had it for a while but it didn't look too horrible and I should be fine once I was treated. Okay, a little bump in the road, but now I'm really on my way to Colorado!

I finally got to Colorado and they decided that I was the sweetest dog ever! I love people so much, you see, and I finally had a chance to show people what a great guy I am! My foster family was so great, but I still really wanted my own family and somewhere that I can finally call "Home." A wonderful lady named Nancy found out about me and it was love at first sight! She's so wonderful to me - giving me love and attention that I have never had before! She didn't even mind that I didn't look so beautiful at first - she fell in love with my gorgeous smile!

Nancy wants to adopt me but before we got all that taken care of, I had to go back to the vet. I have this pain in my right leg that causes me to cry out. This time, I found out that I have severe hip dysplasia in both hips! Can you believe it!?? I can't catch a break! Those years of neglect have really caught up with me. The vet said that I need to have the Femoral Head Ostectomy or F.H.O. surgery to help my hips. This surgery is pretty expensive, about $1,300 for each hip.

I heard that there's another dog in Florida, Bailey, with the same problem. He knows my pain! Bailey and I are hoping to get this surgery soon so we can be free of the hip pain and live our lives to the fullest! Could you help me and Bailey with the cost of our surgery? We would be so grateful!

I'm Max and I am so happy to finally be in a place that really cares about me!

Garrett's Forever Home!

Told by Caryne Clement

You would not believe what a great life I have here!!! I have the coolest parents and hound dog sister ever!!!

I am so excited to wake up everyday
(before everyone else of course!) I just stare at mom and dad in bed with a few licks until they wake up!!! They buy me all kinds of great toys in good spirit, but I decided I like simple plastic Tupperware dishes the best to toss around. Nephew Logan has a toy fishing rod he puts a treat on the end and we play cast and reel. I just love barking at everything in the yard...squirrels, bunnies, and deer are my favorite. When I get too loud, they call me in the door, but that means I get a milk bone if I come on my own doing! The rents go to work everyday, but they now cover the couch in the most comfortable fleece blanket ever so I get great naps. That blanket cover may have something to do with the big hole I chewed in the leather couch, but I'm still thinking they forgive me on that!

I have really learned a lot from my big sister the hound dog. She teaches me to respect stuff and people. I only chew half of what I used to! It's pretty cool! But anyway---I have become such a good dog my parents tell me everyday!!! Thanks for putting me here and let me know If there is
anything I can do for the rest of my Eskies in need! Love, Garrett

P.S. I attached some pictures of me, the fam and sis. I bet Gina won't even recognize me!!!! I'm so much better looking in person! For some reason, my ears flop when the flash comes out :-)

WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO DO RESCUE?

Author Unknown

Your rescue "kit" should include:

A heart of gold to accept those creatures that aren't "perfect" in the eyes of the world.
The people skills of a salesperson...to convince those that are looking for perfection that they will find it in a rescue dog if they are willing to look a little deeper.
A heart of steel to be able to say "no" when there isn't any more room for one more dog.
The knowledge that you can't save them all.
The ability to smile and speak rationally when the next person says "I don't want this stupid dog anymore...take him or I am gonna shoot him."
Some medical knowledge...or your rescue vet bill will be bigger than the national debt.
The fine art of fundraising...so your vet bill can be reduced to just under the size of the national debt.
Patience for: breeders who don't care, won't help, and turn their backs and say it's not their problem.
Patience for: dogs that were incorrectly placed and come to rescue with so much excess baggage that you think they will never be adoptable.
Patience for: owners who want - and expect - a quick fix.
Patience for: a world that no longer looks at life as a gift and the lives that we create as breeders as nothing short of miracles.
A sense of humor...because sometimes a smile on your face is the only way to hide the agony and turmoil in your heart.
A spouse with housekeeping skills that are so outstanding that they could be highlighted in Good Housekeeping magazine...so you can devote your time to all the rescues and be secure in the knowledge that the local Board of Health will not condemn your house.
Personal dogs that will tolerate the never ending stream of four-legged orphans, waifs and street urchins that will start arriving the moment you say, "I have room."
Children that like being the "token" child to socialize ever dog that comes through the door. Being able to say "good with kids" is a real selling point!
Magician skills so you can change anything that comes through the door, from a black tri-male to a long tail and brown eyes, into a merle female, good with kids, housebroken, crate trained and obedience trained.
The ability to face the paperwork head-on and deal with it...or someone you can send it to and say, "Here, do something with this mess!"
Grooming skills for those ugly ducklings waiting for their chance to be a swan...with a little help from you.

The list could go on and one, but you get the picture...none of us have all these things but we can all know that the business of rescue is a team effort. Each of us contribute what we can as a team member. Some of us cannot handle dogs, but there are other things that must be done! Some only want to work with dogs...so leave the paperwork to those that like it. No matter what your situation is, it is your willingness to help that is important!

Sponsorship Opportunities
Look for our stories and how you can help us at www.eskierescuers.org under the Sponsor Eskies tab!

Yogi Milo Quedo

Heidee Jewel Buddy of IL

Shiloh Sam the Man Hero

Baylor Sasha Mitzie

Bradley Max Kody

Keeping Your Pet Safe from Winter Woes

To protect your pet during the cold winter months, please follow these safety tips:

Keep an eye on the temperature. When it falls below 20 degrees Fahrenheit, you'll need to keep all of your pet indoors. Short-haired dogs, cats and puppies should be kept indoors when the temperature dips below 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
Keep your pet's coat well groomed. Matter fur won't properly protect your pet from the cold.
Check your garage and driveway for antifreeze and other chemicals. Antifreeze tastes sweet to pets, but most brands are very poisonous if consumed and can be fatal. Should your pet ingest any amount of antifreeze, contact your veterinarian immediately. Consider using a pet-safe antifreeze.
Regularly check your pet's water to make sure it isn't frozen. When your pet is outside, make sure there is plenty of fresh drinking water available. Animals can't burn calories without a fresh supply of water and if they can't burn calories, they can't keep warm. Also, use a tip-resistant, ceramic or hard plastic water bowl rather than a metal one, as your pet's tongue can stick to and freeze to cold metal.
Use a damp towel to wipe your pet's feet and underside. Ice-melting chemicals can irritate and burn the pads of your pet's feet and will cause serious injury if ingested. Another way to protect your dog's feet is to spray the pads of their feet with cooking spray or you can purchase boots for your pet.
Provide a dry, draft-free doghouse if you must keep your dog outside for any period of time. It should be large enough to allow your dog to sit and lay down comfortably, but small enough to hold in his body heat. The floor should be raised a few inches off the ground and covered with cedar shavings or straw. The doghouse should be turned to face away from the wind and the doorway should be covered with waterproof burlap or heavy plastic.
Get into the habit of slapping the hood of your vehicle before starting it. In their search to keep warm outdoors, cats often take refuge next to a warm car engine or tire.
Keep now from piling high next to your fence. A packed snowdrift will provide a boost for your dog to jump over the fence and escape the safe confines of your yard.
Consider the amount of exercise your dog received during colder weather. If your dogs stays indoors more, he's probably getting less exercise and may need less food; however, if your pet is outside often he may need more food to burn the calories necessary to produce more body heat.