Dog Center Blog

Saving his backyard from squirrels…it’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s Super Banjo!

Banjo was in our adoption program from July, 2008 until May, 2009, when he was adopted by Michelle and Chris.   Cute as the dickens, and a Beagle to boot, he was with us all those months because he was, well, I have to say it:  he is crabby.  Banjo had a lot of love to give, but his sometimes-aggression made him the kind of dog most people don’t want to work with.  Luckily for him, Michelle and Chris were willing to put in the work necessary to help Banjo . Working with a trainer and attending obedience classes, plus a lot of love and fun, have made this a very happy placement.  Here is the update we got from Michelle:


Banjo, Chris and I are all settling in very nicely to our new house.  We put up a fence in the backyard shortly after moving in so Banjo can run around chasing squirrels and whatever else comes wandering into our yard.  He’s an excellent tracker and will throw up a howl whenever he’s on a good trail.  During the summer and fall, Banjo would run around in the backyard for hours and refuse to come inside – there was important work to be done!  It turns out winter is his time to relax and snuggle up under a blanket since he gets cold pretty quickly outside.  His paws seem to get cold very quickly in the snow, so I’m knitting him some booties.  We’ll see if he will actually wear them! 

He’s constantly making us laugh with his general craziness and goofy manner, which is where he got his nickname of Crazypants.  He love to play chase and tug of war, and goes nuts over the flashlight.  He plays so hard that it’s hard to believe he close to nine years old!  

It hasn’t all been laughs: we’ve had some aggression-related issues with Banjo, but we’ve gotten help from one of Banjo’s former trainers and have gone through a dog aggression course.  We’ve definitely made good progress and continue to do so.

I am grateful Pet Haven helped us find Banjo.  I can only hope we’ve given him as much laughter and joy as he’s given us.

So what does Jane Goodall have to do with rescuing and re-homing dogs and cats? I’ll get to that in a moment …. but some background for those who aren’t familiar with Dr. Goodall. In 1960, at the age of 26 she ventured into the world of wild chimpanzees and won the trust of these shy creatures. Her work has led her to be described as one of the 10 most influential women in history. The Boston Globe wrote: “Being with Jane Goodall is like a walk with Gandhi.” She has also been called “The Einstein of behavioral science” by The Los Angeles Times. Dr. Goodall’s life is sometimes exhausting, but always driven by purpose. She is determined to use her time working to save chimpanzees and to empower people — young and old — to do what they can for a better world. One of the programs she initiated through the Jane Goodall Institute was a program for youth called Roots & Shoots, a global environmental and humanitarian youth program that not only motivates young people to learn about pertinent issues facing our communities, but helps them design, lead and implement their own projects as a means of solving them.

Jane Goodall has inspired people – young and old to get involved. She has developed programs to get youth involved and to create leaders following a sustainable model. She continues to hold out a vision for the world that there is hope. Her reasons for hope are: 1) humans are beginning understand and face up to the problems that threaten us and the survival of life on Earth as we know it, 2) indomitable nature of the human spirit, 3) the incredible resilience of nature, and 4) the tremendous energy, enthusiasm and commitment of young people around the world. There is so much we can learn from this great leader. For me personally, I have been inspired, motivated and guided by leaders such as Gandhi and Jane Goodall. They lead with love and compassion. From her website she says “Let’s have faith in ourselves, in our intellect, in our staunch spirit and in our young people. And let’s do the work that needs to be done, with love and compassion.”

So what does Jane Goodall have to do with rescuing and dogs and cats? In my humble opinion, Jane Goodall is a kind of leader so many of us can learn from … in a world where there can be so much divisiveness she encourages us to “develop respect for all living things and try to replace impatience and intolerance with understanding, compassion—and above all—love.”

On April 19th she will be coming to Minnesota to speak. This is an opportunity of a life time. For more information and to purchase tickets click here. I will be there and I hope to see you there too.

Marilou
President, Pet Haven Inc of Minnesota

So what does Jane Goodall have to do with rescuing and re-homing dogs and cats? I’ll get to that in a moment …. but some background for those who aren’t familiar with Dr. Goodall. In 1960, at the age of 26 she ventured into the world of wild chimpanzees and won the trust of these shy creatures. Her work has led her to be described as one of the 10 most influential women in history. The Boston Globe wrote: “Being with Jane Goodall is like a walk with Gandhi.” She has also been called “The Einstein of behavioral science” by The Los Angeles Times. Dr. Goodall’s life is sometimes exhausting, but always driven by purpose. She is determined to use her time working to save chimpanzees and to empower people — young and old — to do what they can for a better world. One of the programs she initiated through the Jane Goodall Institute was a program for youth called Roots & Shoots, a global environmental and humanitarian youth program that not only motivates young people to learn about pertinent issues facing our communities, but helps them design, lead and implement their own projects as a means of solving them.

Jane Goodall has inspired people – young and old to get involved. She has developed programs to get youth involved and to create leaders following a sustainable model. She continues to hold out a vision for the world that there is hope. Her reasons for hope are: 1) humans are beginning understand and face up to the problems that threaten us and the survival of life on Earth as we know it, 2) indomitable nature of the human spirit, 3) the incredible resilience of nature, and 4) the tremendous energy, enthusiasm and commitment of young people around the world. There is so much we can learn from this great leader. For me personally, I have been inspired, motivated and guided by leaders such as Gandhi and Jane Goodall. They lead with love and compassion. From her website she says “Let’s have faith in ourselves, in our intellect, in our staunch spirit and in our young people. And let’s do the work that needs to be done, with love and compassion.”

So what does Jane Goodall have to do with rescuing and dogs and cats? In my humble opinion, Jane Goodall is a kind of leader so many of us can learn from … in a world where there can be so much divisiveness she encourages us to “develop respect for all living things and try to replace impatience and intolerance with understanding, compassion—and above all—love.”

On April 19th she will be coming to Minnesota to speak. This is an opportunity of a life time. For more information and to purchase tickets click here. I will be there and I hope to see you there too.

Marilou
President, Pet Haven Inc of Minnesota

Kayleigh is a beautiful black lab mix about 5 years old. She has a little gray on her chin that makes her look a bit older than she actually is. You see Kayleigh has had a hard life. Not being spayed till just recently no telling how many litters of puppies she has had. And Kayleigh was scheduled for euthanasia at the Bemidji animal control when she was rescued and brought to the loving care of Karen Good of Red Lake Rosie’s Rescue. She is currently available for adoption.

Kayleigh is a move in ready dog. She gets along great with other dogs. She is housetrained and can be left with free roam of the house while you are away. Eager to please, Kayleigh would be happier if someone was around home with her at least part of the day a few days a week. Kayleigh is just learning how to play …. she is learning what toys are and is going through a time of exploration and curiosity.

She is currently being fostered at Rescue Buddy Boarding. As much as she loves it there she would love to find a forever home …. could you be the one?

If you are interested in adopting Kayleigh please click here to read more about her.

Reposted from the Animal Humane Society Website:

Time is critical for Puppy & Kitten Mill Bill

Friday, March 5, 2010

The Dog and Cat Breeder Bill (S.F. 7/H.F. 253), also known as the Puppy and Kitten Mill Bill is before the Minnesota Legislature. The bill will put in place licensing and inspection of dog and cat breeder facilities in Minnesota, bringing an end to inhumane breeding practices.

Currently, the bill is still “on the table” in the respective agriculture and veterans committees in both the Minnesota Senate and the House of Representatives. We need your continued support to help members of the committees understand the importance of the bill and to “call it off the table” for discussion.

Time is critical. The first policy committee deadline is next Friday, March 12. If we are not granted a hearing by that time, the bill will not pass this year.

You can make a difference with one phone call. Please call all of the following members on the committees (listed below) before noon on Monday and let him or her know you support S.F. 7/H.F. 253. If you live in one of these districts, please make certain your legislator knows that fact. To find your district and State legislators, go to: Minnesota District Finder.

MN Senate Agriculture and Veterans Committee Members
State the bill number and the Senate author’s name: S.F. 7 authored by Senator Don Betzold

Tony Lourey 651.296.0293
Lisa A. Fobbe 651.296.8075
David W. Hann 651.296.1749
Rod Skoe 651.296.4196
Dan Skogen 651.296.5655
House Agriculture, Rural Economies and Veterans Affairs Committee
State the bill number and the House author’s name: H.F. 253 authored by Representative Tom Tillberry

Mary Ellen Otremba 651.296.3201
Kent Eken 651.296.9918
Terry Morrow 651.296-8634
Dean Urdahl 651.296.4344
Now is the time to be a voice for animals.

Explain the importance of the bill and that it is a highly collaborative effort among many animal groups and volunteers, and the bill has a long list of supporting organizations and individuals—including you.

Talking points for your call

Educate them on what goes on in puppy and kitten mills

If you call this weekend, chances are you’ll reach the legislator’s voicemail. Please leave a message with your name and support of S.F. 7 (Betzold) or H.F. 253 (Tillberry).

Legislators are also hearing from breeders and others who oppose the bill. Your voice will make a difference. Don’t wait—call today!

Small Dogs:  Wayzata Chuck & Don’s,  1147 Wayzata Blvd. East, Wayzata, MN 55391

Medium & large dogs will be at the Minnetonka Petco at 13691 Ridgedale Dr, Minnetonka.

Hours for both events are 10 am to noon.

We hope to see you there!

Small Dogs:  Wayzata Chuck & Don’s,  1147 Wayzata Blvd. East, Wayzata, MN 55391

Medium & large dogs will be at the Minnetonka Petco at 13691 Ridgedale Dr, Minnetonka.

Hours for both events are 10 am to noon.

We hope to see you there!

Here is a New York Times blog post about legal rights for animals.

Here is a New York Times blog post about legal rights for animals.

Daisy, the Shih Tzu  and Susie the Poodle continue to adapt and adjust in their foster home.  Their foster mom has sent me an update, which you can read below.  These two little dogs came to us from a puppy mill with a myriad of health problems and an evident lack of socialization with humans.  They’re making progress and looking great.