| Eskie Scoops
The Official Newsletter for Eskie Rescuers United (ERU) |
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 Ask the Eskie
Dear Gus:
It's really heating up in my area, and I always feel sorry for my two Eskies who have to live day in and out with a heavy fur coat when the temps start rising.
I have a kiddie pool in the backyard that my dogs love splashing in, and I make sure to leave them at home if I would have to leave them in the car for even just a few minutes. I'm wondering if giving them a close haircut for the summer months will help to keep them cool when the mercury creeps north.
We all would appreciate any tips or help you can give to get us through another sweltering summer.
Sincerely, Sweltering in the South
Dear Sweltering:
Deciding whether to give your dogs a close cut or not is a personal preference. The dense double coat provides insulation to keep the skin cool, so as long as you or your groomer is using an undercoat rake, that should be enough to thin out the hair but keep the insulating quality.
Some people like to shave because they think the dog may be cooler without the hair. If that's done, there's more of a risk of sunburn, as well as skin irritation. Care should be taken to avoid sun exposure when the top layers of hair are shaved. You don't want your white Eskie to turn into a pink pup!
Another consideration is that a shaved dog's hair does not always grow back with the same coarseness or brilliance. All-in-all, between the kiddie pool and lazy days inside when the sun is at its hottest, your fully-fluffy dogs should be just fine.
Woof!
Keep watching for the answers to questions
you have sent in the upcoming newsletters! I
still have lots of them to answer! If you
have questions you would like to ask, send
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| Contact Us |
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P.O. Box 8652
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52408-8652
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Adoptable Senior Eskies
Hunter
Take one look at Hunter's over-the-shoulder pose and you'll guess that he was a supermodel in his puppy years. Though 12 years old, he has the looks and spunk to charm all the young ladies!
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Bob Barker has nothing on this beautiful senior! Kizzie has never told his true age, though some guess he's around 11 years old--not that his actions would show it. He's both inquisitive and cuddly.
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Spotlight on Seniors
Contributed by Elaine Hiner
ERU has a priceless, precious treasure in its midst, and I'm thrilled to tell you about it.
It's our wonderful, sassy seniors. ERU currently has a vivacious group of 19 who are
anxiously awaiting their special person to give them their furever home in their golden
years. They are so special they have their own tab on the website, so check it out.
They may be seniors, but they have sooo much love and devotion to share, it's amazing. Remember eskies can live long, healthy lives, so our seniors have a lot of eskie hugs and kisses left to give. Don't let age deter you-- they are awesome. After all, it takes a few years to perfect that eskie attitude.
There are many good reasons to consider a mature eskie. They are more lay back, serene, content to be your couch potato pal or leisurely walk buddy. They have outgrown that pesky puppy stage and have perfected their manners, as any will tell you. They just want to have their own special person they can shower with love and devotion, and believe me, they will!
Personally, I found out how special seniors are a couple years ago. I lost my first eskie, Sleet, after fourteen years to cancer and I was devastated. I went in search of a breeder to get a puppy, as I wasn't familiar with rescues and the angels who work in them. My sister suggested looking into rescues. I did, and that was how I found ERU and my heart dog Rocky. Remember that I was looking for a puppy, but when I read Rocky's story, I cried. Here was a blind eight year old eskie that was dumped in a field to die. I didn't need to look any further: I found my "puppy." The bond was magical and instantaneous.
Rocky had lived his entire life outside, he was matted, his fur was stained from mud and urine, he had parasites from fending for himself, not to mention the vet attributed his blindness to some circumstance we will never really know about.
My Rocky has gone to the rainbow bridge and not a day goes by that I don't miss him. He taught me so much and I really believe I'm a better person for having had him in my life. He made me see with my heart not only my eyes. He also made me realize I needed to stop and smell the roses, enjoy life more often-- something only an older dog could show you.
I have since adopted another senior, Boots and he is my baby and truly a joy. We do everything together, he is my best pal. He seems to enjoy just spending time with his people and visa versa. He is just right for us.
So please, if you are considering adopting, don't overlook the seniors. They are patiently waiting for that angel to share their life, love and devotion with. You may be the one that makes their golden years golden. You may be the one who shows them the love they have been missing all these years. If you are not able to adopt, please consider sponsoring one of our sweet seniors, they would love you for it. |
Adoptable Eskies in the Spotlight
For more information on the dogs mentioned in this month's newsletter, visit their complete profile at www.eskierescuers.org |
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The Animal Rescue Site Shelter Challenge
Help ERU Win $10,000!
ERU needs your help more than ever to win $10,000!
The Animal Rescue Site is awarding $100,000 in grants to eligible Petfinder.com member rescue organizations. Here's how you can help ERU Win $20,000 with just the click of a mouse!
2. In the purple "Search and Vote for a Shelter" box:
a) Enter "Eskie Rescuers United" for shelter name
b) Select "CT" for the state
c) Click on "search"
3. Click the "vote" button that appears beside the "Eskie Rescuers United American Eskimo Dog Rescue, Inc."
4. Identify the animal in the photo and then click the "confirm vote" button.
Clicking and voting are free, with no registration required. It's important to vote for Connecticut so we can pool all votes into one state.
It's that easy!
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ERU Volunteer of the Month: Debbie Nicholas
A shy Debbie Nicholas shows off Thor (his story is below) |
Debbie Nicholas is a superstar at ERU because of her devotion to the dogs who come in to her care and the volume of reskies she has helped with over the years. Debbie has been with ERU since its inception in 2003. She was involved in Eskie rescue for a couple of years before ERU existed, first getting involved in 2001. Debbie explains her entry into the rescue world:
"My heart-and-soul Eskie went to the Rainbow Bridge at the age of 15 in the fall of 2000. His name was, very appropriately, Buddy. After some grieving, I started looking for another Eskie and found out about rescue. There was a female "Finnish Spitz" (not!) that looked like an Eskie advertised at the Atlanta Humane shelter. Marti Jeffers offered to pull her and meet me on a transport. That morning, Marti called me from the shelter. She said they also had a very sweet male Eskie . . .and would I want to take two? I told Marti we couldn't leave the little boy in the shelter. That afternoon, I met Marti in Birmingham and brought home Kotton and Dandy . . .and began a journey into rescue. Marti introduced me to Rescue Angels on Wheels. That's how I got started with transporting and into the rescue community."
Debbie currently has 11 foster dogs and she can reel off their names with little effort: Annie, Branson, Cherie, Cinnamon, Goodman, Kotton, Mia, Precilla, Snowy Jo, Zack (Mack), and Zack. She jokes, "With two Zacks I can relate to the guy on the old Bob Newhart Show that introduced his brothers, 'This is my brother Darryl and this is my other brother Darryl.'" What makes Debbie such a gem is her sense of humor about the massive undertaking of fostering. When asked what she does in her "free" time, she lists "feeding Eskies, cleaning up poop, pee, and every other mess a bunch of Eskies can make, petting Eskies, refereeing spats between Eskies, grooming Eskies, retrieving whatever the Eskies hide or drag outside, and at the end of the day, snuggling with Eskies." ERU appreciates all you do, Debbie!
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ERU Board of Directors Election Results
The new Board of Directors were elected in April and there is a mix of seasoned and fresh members to lead ERU into the coming year. Listed below is the board and the Regional Directors:
Chris Bradsher begin_of_the_skype_highlighting end_of_the_skype_highlighting Nicole Kershaw begin_of_the_skype_highlighting end_of_the_skype_highlighting
Executive Director Executive Director
Heidi Ortmeyer Jenny House begin_of_the_skype_highlighting end_of_the_skype_highlighting
Executive Director Director, Fund Raising
Lisa Bachler Cheryl Petrochko begin_of_the_skype_highlighting end_of_the_skype_highlighting
Director, ERU Newsletter Recording Secretary
Vickie Taylor begin_of_the_skype_highlighting end_of_the_skype_highlighting Deborah Guske
Treasurer Assistant Treasurer
REGIONAL DIRECTORS:
Karon Stewart begin_of_the_skype_highlighting end_of_the_skype_highlighting
Midwest - OH, MN, WI, MI, IL, IN, IA
Darlene Maslar begin_of_the_skype_highlighting end_of_the_skype_highlighting Northeast - PA, MD, DE, VA, WV, NJ, CT, NY, MA
Heather Schreifer
Rocky Mountain - CO, AZ, KS, WY, MO, NM, NE, UT
Catherine Flockton
Southeast - GA, TN, NC, SC, KY, MS, AL, LA, FL
Selyne Aalbu
West - CA, WA, OR, NV
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Sponsorship Opportunities Be an Eskie Angel and help out one of these special folks! These are just a few of the many dogs that you can help at www.eskierescuers.org under the "Sponsor Eskies" link.
Josie
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Kotton
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Buddy (with his buddy) |
Coco from Noca(rolina) |
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RAINBOW BRIDGE Memorials to Those Who Will Live in Our Hearts Forever
I'm Thor and I met all of you in ERU back in 2005, and boy did my life change for the better! Everyone told me that, at 46 pounds, I was a strapping, strong dog, and I never did like hanging out with any other dogs, be they big or small. My foster mama Deb Nicholas was the apple of my eye, and like every other American Eskimo that I've ever met, I bonded really closely to her. So much so that I never ever wanted to be alone and would chew through any crate that I was put in. Yep, I was strong and no little plastic crate could hold me when I was trying to find my mama. The great thing is, I got to live in a place with indoor and outdoor runs with sinks and attachments to keep my fluffy white fur shiny and soft. You know how we kind of prance and seem just a little more proud when we're primped? That was me in my new home. What happiness I had in my last few years, when I didn't have to worry about another move or anyone ever leaving me alone again. Security is a great thing, and I'm happy now waiting to greet all the other dogs who come over the rainbow bridge to the most relaxing place of all! |
DONATIONS * MEMORIALS * SPECIAL GIFTS
If you would like to make a contribution to Eskies Rescuers United (ERU) rescue group to commemorate an occasion, in memory of an individual or pet, or to sponsor a pet, please complete the fields below and mail to ERU, P.O. Box 8652, Cedar Rapids, IA 52408. You can also simply click on the PayPal link and make your donation and special request there. Your special donation, memorial or special gift will be highlighted in the next newsletter.
This gift is:
___In Memory of (Animal) ______________________ (Human) __________________________
___In Honor of (Animal ) _______________________ (Human) __________________________
___For the special occasion of ___________________________
___Sponsor a pet (Pet name) _____________________________
___Enclosed is my Monthly Pledge _________________________
Name: _______________________________________________________
Street: _______________________________________________________
City: ________________ State: _____________ Zip: ________________
Phone: _______________________ Email: ___________________________
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We would love to have your contributions to the newsletter! If you have an article (or an idea for an article) you would like to contribute to the newsletter, please contact Chris at ChrisB@eskierescuers.org. | |
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