July 2011

No. 20

GSP logo

Swimming GSPJULY

NEWSLETTER

GSP Dive

Greetings!

 

July is turning out to be a very satisfying month at GSP Rescue NE!

 

We've adopted out three more dogs, received glowing reports on two dogs who've found their forever homes and are flourishing, and best of all, we were able to return one on-the-lam GSP to its owner.

 

How often does a missing GSP get returned?  Unfortunately, not very. Most GSPs who work their way into the rescue system are either owner-surrenders or have been intentionally turned loose by their owners who no longer have any use for them.
 
The satisfaction of actually being able to return a missing dog to its owners is tremendous. The amount of teamwork involved in making that return happen is equally amazing.

And we hope the reminders to spay/neuter your dogs, get them microchipped, and keep them in a fenced yard will be a benefit to all.

Stay cool!
Your friends at GSP Rescue NE   :-)
Yogi/Braco: A GSP On The Lam

     

Braco

Braco - Lost from East Hartford, Conn. ... 

On June 19 (Father's Day) between 8 and 9:30 p.m., while his family was out of the house and all was quiet, Braco, the Silvestre family's  3-year-old GSP made a break for it, crashing through a screen in the basement window of their house in East Hartford, Conn., and hightailing it for parts unknown. 

 
When Lourdes Silvestre and her daughter, Kassandra, 16, returned home later that night, and Kassandra went to the basement to let Braco out, she found the broken screen and no sign of the dog.  She was crushed. 

 

Not wasting any time, Lourdes and Kassandra jumped in the car and went looking for him, staying out until midnight searching for Braco.   Lourdes was on the phone with animal control officers in East Hartford, and surrounding  areas, but there had been no sightings.

 

wfsb channel 3 logo

That night, Lourdes emailed the local TV station, WFSB Channel 3 in Hartford, with information about Braco so that they could announce it during a morning broadcast (a service that the station offers free to its viewers.)


The next day, Monday, June 20, Kassandra and Lourdes posted flyers with Braco's information and picture around all the neighboring towns. They delivered flyers to animal control officers, police stations, vet clinics and talked to people for possible sightings, but were having  no luck. They even searched a walking trail in a nearby town where they thought Braco may have headed. A friend offered his help and expanded the search area. Still no Braco.

 

Little did they know that 40 miles north of them, at a summer resort called Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Camp-Resort in Sturbridge, Mass., Braco had been spotted. The dog had been wandering around the campgrounds and the Sturbridge Animal Control Officer had been contacted. He came and collected the dog on June 21 and brought him back to the animal shelter. Shortly after that, several days after the area had been hit by tornadoes, the Sturbridge shelter was struck by lightning and burned to the ground (none of the animals was injured).   

 

Braco Sturbridge

... And found in Sturbridge, Mass.!

 

Braco was transferred to the nearby Southbridge, Mass.,  Animal Shelter and came under the protection of ACO Kathy Shields. Kathy had previously owned German Wirehaired Pointers and knew a shorthair when she saw one. She also saw what a great personality this dog had and knew he had to have been a family dog. What she didn't know was his name, so she called him "Yogi,'' after the cartoon bear who was a resident of Jellystone Park. 

  

Yogi had no identification, no license, and was not microchipped, but Kathy figured he was so nice a dog that someone must be looking for him so she put a notice on the national ACO website for missing dogs - the canine version of an "Amber Alert'' - and started the hunt for his family. 

 

A week passed since Braco had escaped. Neither his owners nor the ACO knew that each other were out searching for this dog and his owners but, in fact, they were moving closer and closer to finding each other.

 

Kathy then decided to call the closest breed rescue for help, which turned out to be GSP Rescue New England.

 

Celeste Long swung into action, dispatching volunteer Matt Atanian to the Southbridge shelter to evaluate Yogi. Once the evaluation was complete and it was determined that Yogi was an awesome dog that needed a home, Celeste wrote up an email and sent it out asking for a foster home for Yogi.  

 

Rescue volunteer Steve Schultz got that email. And as it turned out, he was at work that Saturday morning and also happened to catch the story on Channel 3 about a missing GSP from East Hartford.  

 

Steve says, "I noticed that his color and pattern was the same as Yogi. As soon as I got home I sent an email to the TV station and to Celeste to ask for help finding out if they were the same dog. I never got a reply from the TV station, but Celeste was able to get in touch with them and found out that Yogi was Braco. From there it was all Celeste."

 

Kathy speculates that someone may have picked up Yogi/Braco in a vehicle and headed north. The dog may have gotten away from them at some point close to Sturbridge, as he's proved to be quite the escape artist. Since the time elapsed between his escape from East Hartford and his capture in Sturbridge (about 40 miles away) was only two days, it was too little time for a dog on foot to cover that much distance. 

 

Celeste tried to contact Channel 3 several times, finally receiving an email from the Channel 3 weatherman who gave her Lourdes' information. On Sunday, July 3,  Celeste called Lourdes and said Rescue might have their missing dog. Lourdes immediately emailed pictures, and it was a match. Braco had been found!

 

Within minutes of getting that call of confirmation from Celeste, Lourdes and Kassandra jumped back in the car, this time to make the trip to the Southbridge shelter to pick up their beloved dog.

 

"I knew the dog was theirs as soon as they got out of the car,'' said Kathy. "(Braco) saw the car and got perky. He got very excited when he heard them call his name. (Kassandra)  was crying, and I could tell they really, really loved him."

 

GSP Rescue NE has sent Braco a microchip and has offered to assist in finding a low-cost neuter clinic for him in an attempt to curb his wandering ways.

  

Thanks to two caring ACOs, one devoted rescue group, some very astute volunteers, and a family who wouldn't give up the search, one young wayward shorthair has happily found his way home. 

 

A Home For Biscuit

   

     In the June newsletter, we featured a story on Biscuit, an old, blind, almost deaf GSP mix with bad hips, who had led a very difficult life. To add insult to injury, poor Biscuit had very recently been abandoned by his owners at an animal shelter in Billerica, Mass., and was in desperate need of a  home. If one wasn't found quickly, he would be scheduled to be euthanized.

  

Biscuit2

Biscuit at the Billerica animal shelter.

 

His plight touched the heart of Michelle Koch, a volunteer for GSP Rescue.

   

She writes:  

   

"Last month, I was reading the GSP Newsletter, and like many of you, I read the story of Biscuit.  I am a pushover for seniors, especially those with special needs, and I was so moved by his story that I was up all night thinking about different ways we could assist this dog. Originally, we were going to sponsor him, but after talking to the shelter a few times, I knew he needed to be in a home. My husband agreed, and on the Friday before July 4th, we drove the hour and half to the shelter to meet him and bring him home.     

 

"The shelter had alerted us that traveling can be scary to Biscuit - he can't see or hear, and here he is being loaded into something that is moving. They thought he might travel best in a crate, so we brought a crate and got him settled in that, and it was a pleasant ride for all.

 

"When we got back to the house and let him into the yard, we were pleasantly surprised at how well he got around. We noticed that he tended to use his front legs as a cane to familiarize himself with new places.  

Biscuit walking

Biscuit checking out the back yard.

 

"He used the same technique to figure out the inside of the house as well. It's been a few days, and now you can see him running around outside or using the lilac bush to scratch his back and bum.    

 

Biscuit lilac bush

A lilac bush serves as  

 an excellent scratching post!

 

 "Inside, he not only gets around, he has learned where the furniture is and is more than happy to climb up on it for nap.  

 

Biscuit on chair

There's no place like home.

 

"Although he gets around well overall, we do have to be careful of Biscuit around stairs (he has not taken to ramps).  He actually goes up stairs well, in spite of his blindness and his hip issues, but going down he needs to be guided by holding onto his collar. We now have to gate off the stairs to the upstairs to make sure he doesn't wander up them, but we do allow him up at night so that he may sleep with us.  

 

 "When he goes outside, we have to make sure to guide him both to and down the stairs for his safety as well, but outside of that, you might not even realize this independent guy is blind.

 

"The hard thing to adjust to is his deafness. Trying to call him or get his attention by regular verbal/sound commands just doesn't work! For the most part, it's easy enough get his attention by gently blowing/breathing near him before we touch him, so as not to startle him, but it's a little trickier when he's about to get into something or step on another dog ... we've learned to move very quickly!

 

Biscuit snoozing

Taking a well-deserved snooze.

 

"Biscuit is wonderful with other dogs, but we still have watch him carefully. Since he is blind and deaf, he isn't able to pick up on any body language or sound cues that other dogs give. Additionally, we want to make sure he isn't "ambushed" by younger dogs wanting to play since he has hip issues.

 

"Biscuit may be special needs, but his biggest need (and want) is to be treated like a normal dog. So, after watching this determined fella get around for a couple of days, my husband and I decided we would try to walk him in the park. Everyone we talked to thought we were nuts, but our determination paid off. We hooked Biscuit up to a leash, and with the smooth walking paths, he is now able to go on normal walks in the park without any issues! He is actually one of the easiest dogs we've ever walked as he isn't distracted by other dogs or squirrels or whatnot. We still aren't sure who is happier and prouder of this accomplishment - Biscuit or us!

 

"Biscuit is truly an amazing wonderful gift. He reminds us daily to never underestimate his abilities and to not undervalue what he has to give due to his special needs and/or age. He is a fabulous, happy boy and we are so grateful to the shelter for seeing how much love, joy, and life this ol' guy has left in him, and to GSP Rescue NE to alerting us to his plight.

 

"If you've ever considered adopting a special needs and/or senior dog, I would highly encourage it - they will give back to you ten-fold." 

 

 Michelle Koch   

  

Michelle and Biscuit bridge

Biscuit and Michelle - living happily ever after.

Update On Bruno

   

Bruno

Bruno, left, and his BFF Della.

            

 Laurel Patt, who adopted Bruno in July of 2010, writes: 

 

Hello Celeste,

 

I hope this finds you having a good summer.   I feel very connected through all the GSP NE newsletters and e-mails, but thought it might be nice to give you an update on how Bruno is doing, which is terrific.

 

 It is hard to believe that he will have been with me for one year on July 3rd.  He has grown into a very tall dog.  He is even slightly taller than my older GSP, Della, although much more slender, weighing about 53-54 pounds.  He is very charming, a gentleman and well behaved.  Even when he manages to get in trouble it is very difficult to get mad at him.

 

We go hiking every day and I lost 10 pounds over the winter and Della lost 5 pounds trying to keep up with our high-energy youngster.

 

  He loves to run off leash in the woods and has very strong hunting instincts.  I have him wear a bell so I can hear him. He is never out of hearing distance but not always visible, and comes when called.  He also loves the water, although he has not swum yet. He will put his head under water to retrieve.  Once I can get in the water with him, I am sure he will get the hang of swimming.  Do I sound like a gushing parent?

 

Everyone who meets him comments on how handsome he is and how well behaved.  I am so glad you connected us.  I attached a picture for your viewing pleasure.

 

All my best,

Laurel

 

Dealing With Fleas And Ticks

      

Deer dog ticks

 

Thanks to the rain and overabundant humidity, this is turning out to be a very prolific year for ticks.

  

Spot-ons, the liquids applied to the back of the neck or down the spine,  still seem to be the most effective way of dealing with these pests. These include Frontline, Advantage, Advantix, BioSpot and Zodiac. The patent on Frontline has expired and there is now a 'generic' version called Fiproguard. It is identical to Frontline in all but the cost; it is less expensive. 

 

Some advice on using these products, from the Critter Hut newsletter: 

       * Do not shampoo your pet for two or three days before or after application.

 

       * Do not let your pet swim for a day or two after application.

 

       * For animals with dense fur or undercoats, consider shaving a patch. Spot-ons must be applied to the skin to be properly absorbed and fully effective.

 

       * The first time you use an insecticidal product on a given animal, monitor him/her carefully at first for any sign or an allergic reaction. Problems are fortunately rare, but could be severe for some animals.

 

       * Remember that Advantix can be fatal to cats. If you have both cats and dogs, and use Advantix, make sure your cat does not groom or rub against the application area until the liquid is fully absorbed.


       * Use any insecticide as sparingly as possible.


GSP flea

If you are unlucky enough to get a flea problem in your house, make sure that any product you use contains the hormone that prevents the flea eggs and larvae from becoming pupae. Treating with just an insecticide takes care of only 15 to 20percent of the fleas in the house - the other 80 to 85 percent are in the three pre-adult stages. The hormone allows you to break the cycle.

Testing Dogs For Dehydration

 

 How can you tell if your dog is dehydrated?

 

Capillary refillOne answer lies in your dog's mouth. It's called capillary refill time. Simply apply some pressure to your dog's gums by pushing in on them with a fingertip. If the area doesn't fill back in with red and stays white instead, then get your dog cooled off first, then watered. In addition, obviously dry or tacky gums is another warning sign your dog needs water.

 

Elasticity

Skin elasticity is another indicator of a dog's state of hydration. You've probably seen your vet pull up the skin on back of your dog's neck during vet visits. Why? Because skin is a good indicator of hydration. A properly hydrated dog's skin will snap back into place quickly, but if that loose skin on the back of the neck doesn't snap back quickly, it's a sign your dog needs water.

 

Additionally, a dog's internal temperature can also be a sign. If it's above 105 then stop, cool and then hydrate. One thing you don't want to do if you think your dog is overheating or dehydrated is to wet them down or swim them and then stick them in a dog box or kennel. Evaporative cooling is the most effective way to cool down a dog, but putting a wet dog in a hot box or kennel only turns that space into a humid sauna. Instead, stake out or your dog in the shade where he can get some airflow for good cooling, or better yet, put them into the cab of your truck and crank the A/C.   

In This Issue
THE RETURN OF BRACO
A HOME FOR BISCUIT
UPDATE ON BRUNO
DEALING WITH FLEAS AND TICKS
IS YOUR DOG DEHYDRATED?
FACEBOOK
ADOPTIONS
THANK YOU, DONORS!
PETFINDER
FREE FIRST AID CLASS
DOG DOOR DISCOUNT!
COMEDY CORNER

Quick Links

Facebook

GSP Rescue New England now has a presence on Facebook. Go to: Facebook.com/GSPRescueNE

Look who's been adopted!

Some more GSPs have

found their forever homes!

 

They are:  Daisy, Cairo and Calvin.

 

Hooray for the dogs! Hooray for their new families! :-)

Donations

Donations have been gratefully accepted this month from:

Melissa West

Bradford Wright

Doug Leenhouts

William Kowalski in memory of Jake Drum

Thank you, donors!

For those who have graciously made donations to GSP Rescue NE and would like a receipt, please contact Celeste.

 

And, once again, a big THANK YOU to you all. :-)

Turning Happy Tails

Into Cash 

 The Petfinder.com Foundation has partnered with Fuzzy Nation for a  SUPER MODEL Photo Contest  (see link at https://www.facebook.com/fuzzynation).

 

There will be 3 winners:

GRAND PRIZE - $10,000 to the shelter or rescue from which the dog was adopted, as well as a custom Fuzzy Nation bag to match the winning pooch, a comfy Kuranda dog bed for that pooch and $300 gift card to Fuzzy Nation to the pet parent.

SECOND PRIZE - $3,000 to the shelter or rescue from which the dog was adopted, a comfy Kuranda dog bed for that pooch and $100 gift card to Fuzzy Nation to that pet parent.

THIRD PRIZE - $1,000 to the shelter or rescue from which the dog was adopted, a comfy Kuranda dog bed for that pooch and $50 gift card to Fuzzy Nation to that pet parent.

Next steps and fine print:   

 

1. From NOW until AUGUST 1, submit a picture of your  adopted dog and his adoption story to the SUPER MODEL Photo Contest at the Fuzzy Nation Facebook page (

https://www.facebook.com/fuzzynation)

2. On AUG. 5, 50 finalists will be announced. (Successful finalists will have adopted from an active Petfinder member shelter or rescue group and sent in the most unique, high quality photos and stories.)

 

 3. On AUG. 8, voting begins. Remind your supporters, encourage your friends, family and business associates to vote daily until AUG. 21

   

Think of all that you could do with $10,000!  Start now!  Share those great photos and stories of your adopted dogs and enter the contest!    

 

Free first-aid class!

 

Vetcision logo

 

 

A first-aid class for pet owners will be held Friday, Aug. 5, at Vetcision, 293 Second Ave., Waltham, Mass.

 

This will be a basic first aid class for pet owners, with an emphasis on heat-related emergencies.

 

 Classes are held on the first Tuesday of each month and alternate each month between basic first aid classes and other topics.

 

 Please call or email for details and to RSVP.

 

For more information, go to Vetcision.

Dog door discount!

 Hale Pet Door logo

GSP Rescue New England is listed among rescue groups and shelters that have participated in Hale Pet Door's Rescue Rewards program. 
  
The Rescue Rewards works this way:  When  customers let Hale know that they adopted a pet (either recently or in the past), they receive a 10 percent discount on the cost of their Hale Pet Door.  And then Hale makes a donation for that same 10 percent amount to the organization that the customer tells them about.
 

 

In 2010, Hale donated more than $20,000 to rescues and shelters all over the country.  

  
For more information on Hale pet doors, go to www.halepetdoor.com

Pet Photography

 Creative Pawtography logo

Wouldn't it be nice to show off your pets in imaginative, personalized cards?  Our full line of pet cards featuring YOUR pet is one-of-a-kind, because it's your pet(s), your text, your thoughts personally conveyed!  

 

For more information, visit Creative Pawtography   

 

Partners for Pets Program  

 Bissell logo

Bissell's Partners for Pets program supports pet adoption and homeless pets. When you buy selected pet products on bissell.com, you save 10% (with free shipping) and BISSELL will donate 10% of your purchase price to a pet shelter of your choice. For more information, click here.

Use the code ADOPT at the BISSELL checkout to receive the discount. 

Click here

 to view eligible products.

COMEDY CORNER

 

Revenge comedy corner

"If I stare out this window long enough,  

I'm sure I can find the dog who made this mess!'' 

 

 

Laughing dog cartoon