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Donnie, one of our Challenger puppies, is sick. The vet says he has a great chance to recover, and he seems to be doing really well on his medication. As you know, we exist totally on donations and out of our own pockets, so a donation of any size-- even $10--is a huge help. If you can spare a donation to help with Donnie's vet bills, we would really appreciate it! All donations are completely secure through PayPal (you don't need a PayPal account--just follow the prompts after clicking Donate, below). We thank you, and Donnie thanks you!
Please use this button to forward SNIPpets to friends.
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Pet Detective on the Case! 
Rocky's Road to a New Life
Just two main roads crisscross through our little town of Lake Los Angeles. Six days a week I head south on 170th St for about two miles before turning west through the desert towards civilization. On one such early morning commute last December, I spotted a young German Shepherd at the side of the road scrounging through some weeds and garbage. He wore a thick loose leather collar and was nervous of my presence. I know from experience that adult dogs on the street will often bolt if approached and not pay attention to traffic. The dog was in a rural but populated area, and I hoped he had a home and would go back before being another casualty of the mean streets of Lancaster. A few cold days went by, and I saw him on 170th St, over a mile north of where he had been and closer to my house. He looked skinny and scared. He ate some of the food I put out, keeping a wary eye on me. I called my sister, and she came armed with some honey-baked ham left over from our barn Christmas party. We came up with a plan. We were over a mile from our house, but we started driving, Susan in front, throwing out bits of ham from her car, and me following in my truck with emergency flashers on (we were in the middle of a busy road!). The plan was working--the dog kept up, grabbing ham as he went, and I felt I was holding my breath till we turned onto the quieter roads that took us home. It was touch and go as neighborhood dogs, cars, and people spooked him at every turn, but we managed to get him into our yard.  | Rocky at our home before adoption. A real beauty!
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Once he got over his trauma of being on the street for days, he showed himself to be a wonderful, sweet dog. We named him Rocky, and he quickly learned how to walk on a leash, which he obviously had never done. After socializing with us for about a week, Susan got him to a Shepherd Rescue, and he had a new home for Christmas!
Another case solved by The Pet Detective and her trusty Assistant!
Are you a Pet Detective?
If you've investigated a case of animal cruelty or neglect, you can be a Guest Pet Detective! We'd need details of the case and a photo or two, and we'll feature your story in an upcoming issue. Email us at info@spayneuterip.org.
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Neuter of the Month
Santiago
 | Santiago with his new Mom, Elizabeth
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We love synchronicity--and that was what brought Santiago to us. Our mail carrier, Evelyn, and Susan had talked briefly about SNIP. Evelyn is a dog lover and had offered to help out if and when needed. Well, a neighbor, Elizabeth, had been visited repeatedly by a yellow lab puppy (looked about 6 months old) who was loose and roaming the streets. He seemed to be a fixture in the neighborhood, although he had no collar and was obviously a stray. Elizabeth told herself that if she could find someone to help with the cost of neutering and shots, she would take the puppy in and give him a home with her and her other rescue dogs, Shaman and Bear. She mentioned this to Evelyn, who immediately gave her our number and suggested she call us for help. Susan went over to meet Elizabeth and the stray, who Elizabeth had enticed into her yard with some food and had already named Santiago. Seeing this gorgeous dog and the bond that had already begun between him and Elizabeth, we agreed to paying for his neuter and shots so Elizabeth could adopt him. Elizabeth and Susan got him to our vet ( High Desert Animal Care), picked him up that afternoon, and took him back to her home. The next day we introduced him to her other dogs in a very relaxed atmosphere (they're both lovely and calm). He got along with them perfectly, and they're now fast friends.
 | Santiago with Shaman, Bear, and Elizabeth
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Another happy ending, and it shows how reaching out to the local people who love animals is a great way to help our furry friends!
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Challenger Update
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We thought you'd like to see pictures of the Challenger puppies as they grow--and GROW!
Except for Donnie, who's still with
Lisa and Lauren Fidelibus recovering from his illness, the puppies are at our newest friends, PetOrphansin Van Nuys. PetOrphans is a very impressive organization. They've been in business for 40 years, and are thrilled to have such adorable bundles of love to cuddle and get new homes for.
If you have room in your heart and home for one of these special guys, just email us, and we'll get right back to you. |
 | | Rafael |
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 | Cassie
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 | | Mikey |
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 | | Leo |
 | | Karai |
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 | | April |
| | Donnie |
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Also, the mom, Rosie, now lives with us and is fitting into our pack beautifully. Turns out she's a Belgian Mallinois! How she ever got dumped in the desert is a mystery. She's smart, a little shy, and is starting to play with our other youngsters. She's a real "people" dog and is devoted to both of us.
 | | Rosie |
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 | On her favorite "bed"
--our couch!
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Rescues of the Month
Tres Amigos
We had a very busy month! Three strays came our way needing rescue. All were found by neighbors who fortunately brought them to us; one (bottom photo) was a stray that decided he would like to stay in a neighbor's yard, and the terrier puppy and the Chihuahua were found in the desert by local children.
All three have been adopted through our favorite no-kill shelter. Yeah! |
Puppy-Free
Delilah Gets a Break!
One of our first, most important projects was to get as many of the unspayed dogs as possible right on our block fixed. Some females had been having litter after litter, and the results were usually sad. Delilah belongs to the family right across the street. She's a sweet Golden Retriever mix, about 5 years old, who'd had a litter just about every year. We were able to help the owners see that it would be to their advantage, as well as Delilah's, to have her neutered. She is now a happy girl, shown here with one of her family.
 | Delilah, happy and puppy-free!
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Tip from the Vet
Guard Against Parvo!
Parvo is everywhere! The main way it's spread is by fecal matter. This can be trace amounts left from an area that has been cleaned up, but a tiny bit of poo is left. It's safe to assume that any area where there are dogs will have traces of the virus.
If your dog goes anywhere--dog park, walks, friends' homes--the only way to protect him or her (especially puppies and older dogs, whose immune systems are not so strong) is by keeping their shots up to date.
Puppies shouldn't be exposed to any other dogs or outside areas until their shots have had a chance to fully immunize them. Our vet says that, assuming you start your series of puppy shots at 6 weeks and keep to the schedule of boosters every 3 weeks, your puppy should be ready to face the world at 4 months.
Parvo is a horrible disease. Although we know of dogs who have survived, treatment is often ineffective and is quite expensive. Prevention is the best way to protect your cherished companion. |
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You Make It Possible!
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NEWS FLASH--NOT FOR THE SQUEAMISH!!
Dog Pack Attacks Gator
At times nature can be cruel, but there is also a raw beauty, and even a certain justice, in that cruelty.
The alligator, normally an "apex predator," can still fall victim to team work, as in this case of a dog pack attacking an alligator.
Note that the alpha dog has a muzzle hold on the gator, preventing it from breathing, while another dog has a hold on the tail to stop it from thrashing. The third dog attacks the soft underbelly of the gator. We've hidden the photo for those of you who might find it too harsh. See this remarkable photo courtesy of Nature
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Photo of the Month
 | The Worst Hunting
Dog Ever!
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Man's Best Friend
...and Friends
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To donate any amount from $1 up, click the button below to make a safe, secure donation through PayPal.
You don't need a PayPal account to donate; just click the button below and follow the instructions on the PayPal screen.
You can also mail a check to SNIP, PO Box 500064, Lake Los Angeles CA 93535.
Remember, each neuter can save hundreds of pets from neglect, mistreatment and abandonment.
All donations go directly to the care of the pets, vet bills, and the minimal costs of keeping the organization running.
We thank you in advance for giving to SNIP, when we know you have many uses for your hard- earned money.
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About SNIP
SNIP (Spay/Neuter Implementation Program) is a 501(c)(3) promoting the spay/neuter of domestic pets in Lake Los Angeles and Littlerock in Southern California. Our service is unique in that we pick up pet from the owner, take it to the vet for surgery, and either return it to the owner or find it a home. SNIP bears the entire cost of the neuter.We rely on the expert assistance of High Desert Animal Care and donations from pet lovers who know the vital importance of keeping pet population under control so pets are not abandoned in the desert or neglected and mistreated at home. SNIP recently became a member of NKLA (No-Kill Los Angeles), a Best Friends' initiative, and we work with FixNation in Trap/Neuter/Return of feral cats. We want all pets to be lovingly cared for! |
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