Valley of the Dogs

All about Thiamine

2008-09-05T19:55:12Z

I was right! The vet started Marcie on Thiamine treatments as well as a tiny amount of insulin. She's going to have to stay there for about three more days. If it's what we think it is, then she probably has Thiamine Deficiency as a result of the diabetes, which causes the Cervical Ventroflexion (man! try to remember how to pronounce that! It took me many tries...heheh). So yeah...that's where we're at right now.

No news yet...

2008-09-05T18:23:58Z

I guess that's good news as I have not heard from the vet yet. I just thought I'd post a picture I took of Marcie at the vet. Sorry for the cell phone quality. She's giving me that look of...WHY?! Just keep sending prayers and positive thoughts for a speedy recovery!!

There is some hope

2008-09-05T06:14:31Z

I talked with the vet today to determine what's going on and what kind of treatment we're looking at for Marcie. He determined that she may have signs of Cervical Ventroflexion. I'm not sure but I think the doctor suggested the Thiamine treatment. He ordered the medicine and it should get there by tomorrow (crosses fingers and toes). He asked if I'd rather take her to an internist that has the medication readily available but I just decided to keep her there. Why bring her all the way to a new place again?

So that's what's happening with my girl at the moment. It's a much better prognosis than the possible explosion in the head or a blood clot in the artery like the doctor originally envisioned. I guess he had to go over all the possiblities.

Update on Marcie

2008-09-04T02:09:16Z

The emergency hospital did a battery of tests from kidney function to heart function. There were some normal outcomes and some not so normal (but that was expected with the diabetes). But still it was inconclusive as to why she went limp. They also took x-rays because they heard a minor heart gallop. He also thinks it could either be an embolism in the brain or the neck. But she seems so alert in the brain and that really puzzles me. I will find out more tomorrow. Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers for a speedy recovery.

Marcie is in the hospital!

2008-09-03T10:57:31Z

I'm in the process of updating some other stuff (i.e. local pet services and such), but as of this moment that is just going to have to wait. This morning I woke up at about 2 a.m. to Marcie meowing incessantly as she was slumped over on my bed. When I'd pick her up and try to stand her up she'd slump over like a ragdoll. She could barely walk. So my husband and I immediately drove her to the emergency hospital. They're not sure if it's the diabetes or her kidneys or what. Please pray that everything will be okay. She was totally fine last night. I cannot stand the thought of losing her. She is virtually my baby!!!

A good thing can sometimes result from bad circumstances

2008-09-02T15:40:50Z

And it's definitely a good thing in the case of Simone kitty! Yes that's what I dubbed her (though Sandra named her Simone). Not sure if the guy that adopted her will change it or not...heheh! I'm just so glad that she has a home. I really hope that she's happy there and I hope the guy keeps in touch. She now lives in a Hollywood apartment with a single guy! Sandra posted a craigslist ad and he responded.

Good luck in your new home Simone Kitty!! I'm actually tearing up because I'll miss her. She's very sweet! The last I heard was she was hiding in his closet. Hope she gets acclimated fast to her new abode!

Proof that it's safer than ever to travel!

2008-09-02T14:18:07Z

According to this picture, even airport security cannot be trusted and must be sniffed out!!

So many blessings....

2008-09-01T17:25:07Z

Anthony Stipelcovich loads up his cats at his home in Arabi, La. in preparation for Hurricane Gustav. Gay/AP
I was away this weekend so I didn't get the chance to update much. Lots of things happening on my end as you know. Some good things have happened regarding pet adoptions, but that's for another post. Last night we were watching updates on Hurricane Gustav, and I couldn't help but notice the difference in evacuation efforts to that of Katrina. I'm just so glad that people have been allowed to either bring their pets with them or arrange for separate rescue rather than leave them there. That was one thing that really got to me during Katrina. Though it still bothers me that something like the horrible mishandling of Katrina had to happen for people and governments to shape up. Pets are family! They are not just pieces of furniture that you should leave behind.

And second of all...I'm so glad that the storm is not as severe as originally thought although the gulf coast isn't completely out of the woods yet. That is definitely something to be thankful for.

Here's a wonderful article by Stephanie Gaskell of the New York Daily News.

More puppies need homes...

2008-08-31T17:28:22Z

Got this email from a very reliable source. Five puppies were dumped dumped in their neighborhood. There seem to be two are black labs and three are blonde/yellow labs.

Here's the email:

They're FREE

Please help find these babies find homes. If you can't take one, *please forward to anyone who may be interested*. We found these FIVE lab pups in our neighborhood this morning. Apparently, someone dumped them. We think they are 6-8 weeks old. Attached are a few pictures. Really need to find a home we are leaving to go out of town on Saturday. Just let me know if anyone is interested.

Lauren......
714-943-0905 or lverity@oakley.com

They may be in Orange county, but Hey!! if you can help these dogs, then why not drive down there and check them out!!

More photos on next page

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Pee Wee the Tortie is still lost!!

2008-08-29T17:02:44Z

I was finally able to get some photos of the lost mother cat. Her name is Pee Wee although she does not have a collar. These aren't the greatest photos in the world but it gives you an idea of what she looks like. If you live or work anywhere near Canoga Park, Chatsworth, Northridge, or any other nearby areas and you see or find a cat that looks like her, Please let me know. You can reply to this post, email me here or call the number on the craigslist ad. CLICK HERE to read the ad.

Two homeless dogs need homes...

2008-08-28T20:40:07Z

Got yet another email about dogs that have been found and need homes. The two dogs in question are a poodle mix and a terrier mix. Check out their photos and read the story from the person that found them.

Aren't they cute?!

Jodi (I think) with the dogs.
Not sure where the dogs are but I know they are in the 626 area code. Regardless of where you live, if you're looking for a dog, here's another chance to adopt some really cute ones. Here is her email (some of it has been edited):

About 3 weeks ago my sister, Loretta, was at a Park and saw three little dogs running in a dump area looking for food. She said that bystanders had seen them there for a few days and were pretty sure that is where they lived knowing that they can find scraps of food there. Loretta told me that a couple said that they tried to get the dogs to come to them to no avail. So my sister Loretta parked her car near the dump, under a shady tree, opened all her car doors and waited them out 1 whole hour before they all sat around her car. One even jumped in the vehicle and was laying in there to rest.

They were so matted, dirty, and full of flees and ticks yet my sister found it in her heart to take them with her and call me to help. When she first arrived to my home she let them out of the car and we gave them food and water. All 3 seemed just so happy to have people around them and more then happy to just hang out with us. From this point we felt God sent us these 3 precious dogs and that it was our duty to help them. So, we first took them to the pound and let them keep them for 5 days in hopes that they would have a chance to be adopted. We were blessed. One of them had been adopted within that five days. As for the other two it was curtain call time, if you know what I mean so I adopted them out of the pound. The last 2 weeks have been an amazing transformation for these 2 loving dogs. From living in the park dump, matted/dirty and filled with flees and ticks they are now spayed, micro chipped, been given their shots and have even had a trip to the groomers with a nice hair cut and flee and tick dip bath and are in good spirits.

We believe that one is definitely a poodle mix of some sort and the other is terrier mix. The Poodle mix is a white male and the terrier mix is a girl. The doctor at the pound believes that they are both about 1 year of age and that the female terrier mix has had a litter of puppies in her short life already. Both are really sweet dogs. The are good around children and would be a great loving companion for someone who needs a pal 24/7 around the clock.

We need to give these two dogs a good life now. Both are very loving and kind. They love to be together and we would love to find a family willing to take them both in. But if not, we can find each of them a loving family. Their first year of life has not been so good so we ask that if anyone is interested in giving both or even just one of these dogs a home that you take into consideration the following:

You have the time for an animal (s)
That lots of love can be provided
We prefer to find homes that will allow them to be indoor family members and, if possible, have time for nice walks. We are willing to do test trials on a temporary basis if needed. We don't want anyone to feel obligated to keep them if it doesn't work out. We are more then happy to take them back and keep trying until we find the perfect homes. Besides, more then anything, we want you to be just as happy with your possible new doggie as we want them to be just as happy with their new possible owners.

If you or somebody you know might be interested or have any questions, please contact me, Joni, at 626-488-4238. This is my cell number. If I don't answer please leave your name, number and a good time to reach you and I will be happy to call you back as soon as I can. Thank you so much!
God Bless you all
Joni

Cat trapping continued...

2008-08-28T17:19:31Z

Not the kitty I caught but this is what he/she looks like!
Yes I skipped a day of blogging because yesterday was extremely busy. I've got several things to write about including a dog that is looking for a home. But for now you'll just have to read more about my cat trapping experiences. I caught one kitty this morning that does not look like it's been fixed (i.e. the cat's ear was not tipped). So I moseyed on down to Devonshire Animal Hospital to drop said kitty off to get snipped! He/she will stay in my porch overnight and I'll release him/her in the morning.

The patron saint of cats!

2008-08-26T16:40:10Z

That's what I call this woman. I'd really love to meet her someday and I'd give anything to be able to do something like this.

Visit her website HERE!

Carry your bird on your back

2008-08-26T06:14:29Z

Besides babies and small furry animals, you can now travel easily with your bird...yes your bird. I know someone that would love something like this (he's got at least 15 birds). Now...just like your dog or the occasional cat (yes some cats like to go places), you can take your bird to the park or the veterinarian with ease. Now I'm not so sure if taking your bird to the park is a good idea. He/she might get upset because they'll completely envy all the wild birds out there that get to fly free. I can just picture a bird inside of this thing wishing he were up in the trees. But if you think your bird would like something like this, you can buy it for $29.99 at Doctors Foster & Smith.

Source: The Pet Blog

A kitty named Simone

2008-08-25T14:34:54Z

Although I'm still distraught over losing the momma kitty (I'm not giving up hope), it's a consolation to know that something good did happen from it. It turns out that this gal was declawed and possibly dumped in the complex by her previous owners. While it's protocol to post ads to find the owner, my volunteer friend said that we shouldn't be too adamant about finding the owner. People have called me about losing their cat but it wasn't the right kitty. I have reservations about giving a declawed cat back to an owner that lets it roam. First of all, cats should NOT BE DECLAWED! (yeah that's my two cents). Here are some FACTS ON DECLAWING. A declawed cat should never be let outside because it does not have its front claws to defend itself against other animals. If you don't want your cat scratching the furniture it's easy to train them to use a scratching post. My Marcie has almost never scratched the furniture (except when she was a kitten) and she uses her scratching post religiously!! And if you can't stop them from scratching your high-end couch, you can always use Soft Paws or Soft Claws. Or here's an even better idea: just don't allow them to go into the room where that particular furniture is in.

Anyway...back to the kitty at hand. She is deemed highly adoptable and will be put up for adoption soon since she's got a clean bill of health and she's already spayed. Oh, and by the way...Sandra decided to name HER Simone after me, the person that rescued her.

But please don't forget about the missing kitty. I found out yesterday that her name is Pee Wee. As soon as I can get a photo I will post it here.