Whisker Therapy

Ending puppy mills is an important goal for dog parents all over the world. And a big part of that is stopping pet stores from selling dogs. But banning puppy sales is much easier said than done, and sadly, many people continue to fight back against puppy mill bans. So, the state of Texas is doing what they can to put an end to puppy mills as quickly as possible.

Bill 1818 recently passed in the Texas House. If it passes in the Senate, it will require pet stores to get their dogs from shelters, rescues, and licensed breeders only. But will it help?

A Bill to Save Dogs

Texas is one of the states with the most dogs euthanized in shelters annually. Yet, that doesn’t stop people from buying puppies at pet stores instead of adopting. Most puppies from pet stores come from puppy mills, and they often end up sick because of it. To help put an end to these inhumane businesses, a new Texas bill recently passed in the House.

The new bill would make it illegal to sell puppies from puppy mills in pet stores. Instead, businesses would have to get their dogs from animal control agencies, animal shelters, animal rescues, or licensed breeders. Luckily, six municipalities in Texas have already passed similar laws.

“An estimated 2 million puppies sold annually across the U.S. originate from puppy mills while 2 million to 3 million puppies and cats are euthanized by pet shelters every year,” said Rep. Jared Patterson. “Commercially bred dogs often live in horrendous conditions and suffer from an array of illnesses, often unknown to the consumer.”

Bill 1818 was quickly approved by the House with a vote of 85-54. Before it can go into action, it must pass through the Senate too.

Not Everyone Agrees

Any step toward ending puppy mills seems like progress to dog lovers. But unfortunately, not everyone feels the same. Many government officials fought back, saying that there was no reason for this bill to be passed.

“What business is it of the State of Texas to tell people who are taking care of their dogs and ensuring that the dogs are healthy, that they can’t sell to the public in the manner that which they want to,” Rep. Matt Schaefer said.

But what Schaefer isn’t acknowledging is that many breeders don’t take proper care of their dogs. Puppy mills put profit above the well-being of their dogs, which results in poor living spaces and sick puppies. Petland is one of the biggest offenders of these inhumane practices.

“Petland is the only one of these stores that sort of refuses to give up this archaic business model. That is so cruel. It brings sick and injured, unvaccinated, not spayed and neutered puppies into our state,” Texas State Director of Humane Society of U.S. Lauren Loney said.

Will This Help End Puppy Mills?

Any effort to stop puppy mills is a step in the right direction. So, this new bill is essential for animal welfare. While many dog parents are aware of inhumane breeders, first-time dog owners might not be. It’s important to keep spreading the word so people get dogs from responsible sources instead.

Even if this bill passes in the Senate, it won’t completely remove puppy mills from Texas. The bill states that one of the sources pet stores can get puppies from is “licensed breeders.” But many puppy mills are licensed by the USDA. This is because the licensing standards are so low that a breeder could be licensed while still neglecting dogs. So, the only real way to stop the majority of these sales is to stop pet stores from selling puppies. Otherwise, puppy mill breeders will keep finding loopholes.

This new bill is a small victory for Texas, and hopefully, it will be passed soon. But we still have a long way to go to stop puppy mills from hurting so many dogs. By encouraging more families to adopt dogs from rescues and shelters, more dogs can be saved. If more states start passing laws like this one, maybe puppy mills can be stopped once and for all.

H/T: texomashomepage.com
Featured Image: Puppy Mill Awareness Facebook

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If you found your way to this article, odds are pretty high you’re an animal lover. I’m also willing to bet you’ve loved animals since you were old enough to distinguish a doggie from a kitty. So surely you can relate to 9-year-old Caroline Uhorchak, who already knows her passion in life is giving back to animals.

Though she’s only a grade-schooler, Caroline has pulled in tons of donations to her local animal shelter… literally. With a red wagon in tow, Caroline goes around her neighborhood gathering all kinds of pet accessories.

From her neighbors, Caroline collected hundreds of toys, dog food, clothing, and cash. She then donated her entire haul to the Hillsborough County Pet Resource Center in Tampa. As you can see from the photograph, it’s quite a haul indeed!

When asked by ABC what her motivations were, Caroline had this to say:

“I just like animals and I like shelters, and I like what shelters do for animals. It’s really nice.”

Fair enough, Caroline. That sounds like a sentiment we can all agree with.

Caroline’s mother, Stacey Uhorchak, had some skepticism when her daughter first proposed the idea of doing a neighborhood drive. Still, she knew Caroline’s passion was something to be celebrated.

“I was thinking this seems like a lot of work. I wanted to say no. But I also heard God telling me she was going to do amazing things. And she did.”

The Donation Pile Increases

Caroline’s selfless deeds eventually made their way into The Week Junior Magazine. It was there the folks at Purina learned of the young girl’s wonderful work. In response to Caroline’s kindness, Purina donated three pallets of food to the shelter.

There are tons of costs involved in running an animal shelter, from food and toys to upkeep costs to pricey surgeries. A donation of this size will allow this shelter to help even more animals. Lauryn Postiglione of The Pet Resource Center shared how grateful the staff and animals are for all these donations:

“The toys, the treats, all of that, is a great form of enrichment for the animals. We always appreciate those donations.”

Since the Uhorchak family is a military family, they’ll be relocating from Florida to Arizona soon. My guess is some shelter animals in Arizona are about to have good fortune.

H/T: ABC Action News
Featured Image: Screenshot, ABC Action News

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April is heartworm awareness month — and this month, 1,000 dogs affected by the disease will get their second chance at a healthy life. 

Announced April 14, Greater Good Charities is partnering with the maker of Heartgard Plus and The Animal Rescue Site to create the Good Flights program. This program will help bring 1,000 asymptomatic heartworm-positive dogs that are at risk of euthanasia to safety. 

According to the American Heartworm Society, Louisana is one of the leading states in heartworm infection rates in the US. This puts heartworm-positive shelter dogs in the state at higher risk of euthanasia due to the cost of treatment, length of care, and space required to house them. 

This initiative will fly heartworm-positive dogs from Lousiana to no-kill shelters across the United States. Ideally, they will then be placed into foster or adoptive homes to complete their heartworm treatment—the dogs will receive their initial dose prior to transport. 

“Canine heartworm disease is a dangerous and life-threatening illness for infected animals, and Save a Heart, a life-saving initiative of our newly launched Good Flights program, will be a historic game-changer for these at-risk shelter dogs who are battling this disease,” said Liz Baker, CEO of Greater Good Charities. “We are extremely grateful to Boehringer Ingelheim, the maker of HEARTGARD Plus (ivermectin/pyrantel), for making it possible for us to bypass the prohibitive cost of treatment by graciously covering medical costs and providing the necessary product for these dogs in need, and to The Animal Rescue Site for helping fund the transport and providing sheltering and foster supplies. A special thank you to the Banfield Foundation for helping to cover the costs of veterinary care for participating shelter pets of Save a Heart.”

Save a Heart flights and ground transports will occur approximately two to three times a month for one year after the inaugural flight mission, which occurred last week.

Good Flights is staffed with trained animal welfare transport professionals and covers all transportation costs needed to get the dogs to safety. The program also provides mentorship to receiving shelters as well as pet care supplies like crates, bowls, and cash grants. 

“With current euthanasia rates of heartworm-positive dogs in partner Louisiana shelters, the alternative to a Save a Heart flight and treatment is life in a stressful, overstimulating shelter environment and, very often, humane euthanasia due to lack of resources,” Julie Ryan-Johnson DVM, the associate director of shelter programs at Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health, said of why these transports are so important.

At the receiving shelters last week in Morristown, New Jersey and Fort Lauderdale, Florida, the first group of dogs was met with the excited faces of volunteers and potential adopters. From here on out, they will only be treated with love and kindness. Hopefully soon, they will all find forever homes where they can live out their lives happy and healthy. 

H/T: People.com

Featured Image: Courtesy of Hannah Seaman

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Most lost dog reunions happen when the dog is found just down the road or a few cities over. But when a dog is found across the country, you can’t help but wonder what they’ve been up to all that time. Becca Williams from St. Augustine, Florida lost her black German Shepherd named Cass at the beginning of April 2021. It was very unlike Cass to run off and not return, so Williams knew that something was wrong. For almost a month, Williams searched for her dog for hours every day. But when the pup was finally located, she was in the last place Williams suspected.

Finding Cass

Cass escaped when Williams accidentally left her door open briefly. Cass was an obedient dog ever since Williams adopted her, so she panicked when her loyal dog didn’t come back. She spent hours driving around looking for the pup. She put up posters, called animal shelters, and even started a Facebook page called Finding Cass.

As it turns out, there were a few other black German Shepherds lost in Florida. So, a few people reported sightings, but none of them were Cass. Then, 26 days after Cass disappeared, Williams got a call from someone in Indiana. They said that they believed their family member had Cass. They picked her up as a “stray” while visiting Florida and then brought her home with them.

Williams was thrilled, but she ran into a few complications at first. The woman who had Cass refused to give up the dog initially, but eventually gave in. She then agreed to meet Williams halfway in Nashville, but then the family ended up having a medical emergency. So, Williams drove 16 hours and 900 miles to Indiana.

A Cross-Country Trip Home

Williams and Cass shared the most heartwarming reunion in Indiana. Williams said that her furry friend ran up to her squealing and crying with joy while showering her with kisses. Of course, neither of them could contain their emotions that day.

“I just had chills, I was crying. It was the most pure moment I’ve ever had,” said Williams.

Now, Williams is using some of the money she raised for the reward to buy more methods of protection for Cass, such as a GPS collar. And finally, both Williams and Cass feel at peace after the most stressful month of their lives.

Williams and Cass will be hosting a party on May 4th, 2021 to thank everyone in the Finding Cass Facebook group. It will take place at 5 pm at the Palm Valley Outdoors Bar & Grill in Ponte Vedra Beach. Plus, many of the people who helped out are ecstatic to meet the beloved Cass in person. But Cass is just happy to be anywhere that her human is.

H/T: wthr.com
Featured Image: @casswilliamsmissing/Facebook

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As someone who ended up rescuing a foster, I understand how hard it can be to let go of an animal you’ve cared for. When a special bond forms, you just can’t imagine saying goodbye.  Frustratingly for a U.S. Marine who bonded with the abandoned dog he rescued overseas, taking her home wasn’t so simple.

Luckily, an organization dedicated to solving this particular problem stepped in to ensure these two didn’t have to be apart. The story of their bond and journey will warm the hearts of anyone who can’t imagine being separated from their dog.

A Serendipitous Discovery And Six New Friendships

Due in part to the Covid-19 pandemic, U.S. Lance Corporal Tommie Johnson’s departure from his base in Eastern Europe was delayed until February. As a result, morale around the base dipped. Johnson explained:

“Everyone was getting tired of the same monotonous stuff, seeing the same people, and only going to work and then going back to sleep in these little rooms. So morale got really low and depressing.”

But soon, their moods improved. One day, Johnson and some fellow Marines discovered six abandoned puppies by the side of the road. They were only about six months old and not in great shape.

“One of them was hurt, badly. The speculation was that she was hit by a car. She had a fractured hip and a broken leg that was already in the process of being healed, a vet told us. So we were told to keep watch to make sure it was healing properly.” 

In Krtsanisi, Georgia, where their base is located, it can get freezing at night. Johnson marveled at the endurance of these tiny puppies.

“They were all below five pounds, and just looked like little meatballs, because they were bloated from malnourishment.”

Though the puppies would need heartworm treatment and careful attention while they healed, this new responsibility brought joy to the stir-crazy, homesick Marines. There was no way they’d walk away from these dogs. They were glad to help.

“When the puppies came, it pretty much brought light to the situation we were in.”

Soon, each of these rescued dogs ended up forming bonds with a Marine. Johnson, in particular, became attached to the injured puppy. He even found the perfect name for her.

“Everyone kept saying that it was a blessing that she was still alive, so one morning I woke up and said, ‘Well, if she’s a blessing, let’s just call her that.’ And so Blessing is her name.” 

Operation Baghdad Pups: Worldwide Steps In To Bring ‘Blessing’ Home

There was no question that Johnson wouldn’t be returning to the U.S. without his new best friend, Blessing. Sadly, military regulations prohibit dogs on official transportation. Bringing Blessing home with him would not be as simple as jumping on a plane and flying in to the U.S.

Fortunately, there’s an organization dedicated specifically to assisting in these situations. The SPCA’s Operation Baghdad Pups: Worldwide helps American military personnel bring home the animals they form bonds with while serving overseas. Since the program began in 2008, they’ve helped rescue over 1,100 animals. Best of all, they never turn anyone down due to funding.

Meredith Ayan, the executive director of SPCA International, explained the complex red tape these animals and servicemen have to cut through.

“In order to comply with U.S. regulations for importing animals, all animals have to be vaccinated 30 days in advance of entering the country. That means they’ll be in our care for at least a month before traveling to the U.S.”

Blessing’s condition also required her to have additional health certificates before she could leave Europe. Thanks to the SPCA’s help, though, all six of the puppies were able to travel to New York City. After a few days to decompress, Blessing continued her journey down to Hapeville, Georgia (outside of Atlanta.)  There, she finally reunited with the man who saved her.

Finally Together Forever

When Blessing arrived at her new home, she recognized her dad and could not have been more excited. Johnson shared:

“She was in a crate, and they wouldn’t let me take her out at the airport, but I could tell she recognized me. So when I put her in the back of my truck and opened up her crate, she instantly jumped on me.”

Like the good dog dad he is, Johnson had a pocket full of treats ready for her. Though she had once been abandoned, Blessing has the best new life.

“She has a really derpy run because of her injury, but it’s so cute! I have a fenced-in backyard, and she has a plush football that I throw, and she’ll run after it. We’ll do this for 30-45 minutes at a time.”

The bonds we form with dogs are real and important. All six pups and all six of their Marines now get to be with the ones they love. It shouldn’t be any other way!

H/T: Daily Paws
Featured Image: @spca_international/Instagram

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No one can resist the sweet faces of a puppy litter! But sadly, many rescue puppies never get the chance to feel the love. Many kill shelters are forced to euthanize pregnant dogs due to a lack of funding and space. Yet, many people keep avoiding spaying and neutering their own pets, which only adds to the overpopulation problem.

Luckily, one kind dog lover decided to do her part to help with these issues. She created a rescue specifically for pregnant dogs and litters of puppies. It’s like a maternity ward for rescue dogs!

A Safe Haven For Mom Dogs

Aron Jones founded Moms and Mutts: Colorado Rescue for Pregnant and Nursing Dogs (MAMCO) in 2017. When she heard that pregnant dogs often have to be euthanized, she was horrified, so she chose to help out in any way she could. Not only are pregnant dogs expensive and a lot of work, but many people mistake them as “aggressive.” But mom dogs only come off as aggressive because they’re doing their job: protecting their puppies.

“She wasn’t ever aggressive–she was terrified,” Jones said about a pregnant dog named Addison. “Now she’s the nicest dog you’ll ever meet in your whole life. She just needed a little bit of love. It took me a good six weeks to get her to let me touch her without wincing like I was going to hit her.”

Since starting the rescue, Jones and her team have saved over 8,200 dogs, both moms and puppies. She has a staff of about 18 people and over 480 active fosters. The Colorado rescue gets about 90% of the dogs from Texas, along with some from Oklahoma, Arizona, and New Mexico.

Fosters are needed to care for pregnant moms and assist them during birth. But others care for litters of puppies who have lost their moms. As it turns out, moms with puppies are easier than puppies on their own. After all, mom dogs have an instinct to care for all their pups’ needs.

Always More Puppies!

MAMCO is always full of adoptable puppies, especially now that things are starting to return to normal. Sadly, many families adopted dogs during COVID, but are now realizing they don’t have time for them. About three to five dogs are returned to the rescue every week. But if people surrender a litter of puppies that their dog had, the rescue will work with them to make sure their dog gets altered so it doesn’t keep happening. This involves signing a contract and the rescue contributing money to help out.

“The adoptions have just stalled because the world’s opening up again. Between them and the returns, it’s been really challenging,” said Jones. “We have 180 available puppies this weekend. It’s out of control ridiculous.”

When puppies are adopted, spay/neuter, microchip, vaccinations, and deworming are included. The rescue is also happy to help support families in other ways too, such as providing transition food or even helping clean their home if they lost a former puppy to parvo. They want to ensure that all the adopters and dogs are happy and healthy in the long run.

MAMCO gives pregnant dogs the space and resources they need to shine. Foster parents find it very rewarding to care for these dogs and give them a second chance at life.

If you’re interested in fostering or adopting puppies and their moms, visit MAMCO’s website for more information. Every dog fostered makes a difference, especially when it’s a whole litter of puppies.

H/T: rover.com
Featured Image: @MAMCORescue/Facebook

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In a recent viral video, a dog’s loyalty is put to the test. And not only did Jessie the Staffordshire Bull Terrier succeed, but she saved her canine sibling’s life! Security footage of her humans’ pool shows her Pomeranian brother named Chucky fall in.

As Chucky struggles to get out, Jessie rushes to save the day. She eventually pulls her tiny friend to safety and becomes a hero. It seems that dogs aren’t only a human’s best friend, but they’re also there for each other.

A Daring Rescue

7-year-old Jessie and 13-year-old Chucky have always known not to go in the pool unsupervised. So, their family made the mistake of not covering their pool in South Africa. But sadly, they didn’t see the problem until it was too late. Luckily, thanks to Jessie’s quick thinking, they can learn from their mistakes and be more cautious in the future.

Security footage around the family’s pool caught a heartwarming, but terrifying moment between the two dogs. First, Chucky is seen walking near the shallow end of the pool. He falls in near the stairs, but doesn’t know how to get out. In a panic, he swims to the deep end, making it even harder for him to escape.

Soon, Jessie rushes outside and sees her brother in danger. She immediately jumps into action and tries to find ways to pull the tiny dog out of the pool. Yet, it’s clear that she’s scared to accidentally hurt him, so the full-length security footage takes about a half-hour. But the viral clip only shows the highlights.

Every time Chucky paddles to a new side of the pool, Jessie follows along on the shore. She tries to pull him out by his ears a few times, but stops when she realizes it might hurt him. Finally, she gets a comfortable hold of him and pulls him out. He shakes off on land and keeps walking as if nothing happened. But his caring sister follows close behind to ensure that he’s safe.

From Rescue Dog To Viral Hero

When Byron and Melissa Thanarayen came home, they were surprised to see that Chucky’s hair was damp. They thought maybe he dipped his head in a water dish, but there was no water spilled in the house. They never expected him to fall in the pool, but then they watched the security video and were in shock.

“It was heart-wrenching to watch. We still struggle to watch that video today, just thinking of what could have happened if Jessie was not there,” Byron said. “I’m really proud of her, considering she is the youngest.”

Luckily, both dogs were healthy after the incident. The family is so grateful that their Pit Bull acted as a lifeguard. But the couple is now installing a pool cover to ensure their safety in the future.

Byron and Melissa are incredibly proud of Jessie, who is a rescue dog. Staffordshire Bull Terriers often fall under the “Pit Bull” category, making it harder for them to get adopted due to harmful rumors about the breeds. But hopefully, Jessie’s kind heart will shine through in this video to show the world how loving Pit Bulls can be.

Watch the Incredible Rescue Below:

H/T: people.com
Featured Image: Screenshot, Daily Mail YouTube

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WARNING: Images might be sensitive to some readers.

The Animal Welfare Society of South Africa (AWS) recently came across one of the worst neglect cases they’ve ever seen. Someone called to report a sick dog on a short chain outside someone’s house. The woman who owned the dog showed no concern for the pup’s rough state and didn’t have an interest in helping her heal. So, AWS had no choice but to issue a final warning to the woman and take the dog into their custody.

Now, the dog, whose name is Kuhle, is in a safe place. She has a long road ahead, but at least she’s in a loving and caring environment where she can recover.

A Home with No Love

When AWS found Kuhle, the pup had almost no hair and seemed to have a severe skin infection. The poor pup was outside with no food or water, and she was chained to a dangerous metal stake. The man who reported the case explained that the chain attached to her was no longer than an arms-length.

“He was distressed to observe that her movement had been restricted to an arms-length and horrified to think that this was all the space she had to exercise, sleep, and defecate in. To him, it appeared as though her owner had forsaken her,” AWS wrote.

When confronted, Kuhle’s human didn’t try to argue or defend herself. She was an older woman who understood that the dog was sick and needed to see a vet. But she claimed that she couldn’t afford to take off work to bring Kuhle to a clinic.

AWS had no choice but to remove Kuhle from the woman’s care immediately. She received a written warning for animal cruelty and neglect, meaning she will not be able to own another animal. The organization decided not to take any further legal action since she willingly gave the dog up.

Kuhle Gets a Second Chance

The most important thing is that Kuhle is finally getting the long-overdue medical attention she needs. She is receiving treatment for her skin condition and is getting medicated baths twice a day. She is also eating a premium dog food diet and getting strong antibiotics to benefit her immune system.

Perhaps best of all, Kuhle can finally walk around freely without being restrained to only a few feet.

Kuhle still has a long road to recovery ahead, but thanks to the kind AWS staff, life is getting better every day. Trainee Inspector Sivuyile (Sivu) Kilwa especially deserves recognition because he has worked so hard to help this dog improve, and she wouldn’t be where she is today without him. There’s a bright future ahead of Kuhle and we can’t wait to see it!

If you see an animal being neglected, please speak up. Neglect is a form of abuse, so it should be taken very seriously. No dog deserves to live the way Kuhle did, so it’s up to dog lovers all over the world to spot these problems and help stop them.

H/T: news24.com
Featured Image: Animal Welfare Society of SA Facebook

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It’s no secret that when soldiers return from combat, their lives are often changed. Adjusting to a new normal can be extremely difficult.

This is especially true for veterans who have seen and lived through unimaginable circumstances. Sadly, civilian society can quickly feel overwhelming. Even everyday tasks can feel like moving mountains.

As you may have learned yourself, dogs are often a source of comfort. Dogs help heal our hearts and bring peace to our minds. They help our beloved veterans return to some sense of normalcy. There’s just something about having a furever friend by your side that heals the deepest parts of the soul.

One Non-Profit Is Changing The Lives Of America’s Heroes

Rebuilding Warriors is a non-profit organization that provides highly trained and socialized service and companion dogs to veterans. These pups are paired with honorably discharged veterans from all branches of the military. The veterans must be amputees, living with PTSD, or have a traumatic brain injury. In addition to veterans, the non-profit also serves first responders.

“It’s improving the quality of life for veterans and first responders by providing them a service animal to help them do those things that they have a really difficult time doing,” said Jeff Mullins, vice president of Rebuilding Warriors.

One army veteran was recently paired with his new furever friend.

Meet Sergeant First Class, David McCoy. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1995 as an infantryman. After that, he went on to complete One Station Unit Training (OSUT) at Fort Benning, Georgia.

SFC McCoy proudly served in Operation Enduring Freedom. His deployments sent him all around the world. In addition to his time overseas, SFC McCoy also had many duty stations in the United States. He has been honored with several awards and decorations for his sacrifices. Now it’s time to give back to this hero who gave so much for all of us.

SFC McCoy Is Ready For His Next Mission: Unconditional Love

Rebuilding Warriors recently presented SFC McCoy with a service K9 named Daphne. The touching presentation was held at Horsehead American Legion Post 442 in New York. SFC McCoy was overwhelmed with gratitude as he met his new best friend. Daphne will help SFC McCoy rebuild his confidence and help him live a happy and fulfilling life now that he’s retired.

“Rebuilding Warriors is an absolutely top-notch service dog organization,” said SFC McCoy. “Thanks so much to Jeff Anderson and Jeff Mullins and Valori [Phillips] for all that they’ve done.”

Rebuilding Warriors continues its mission of helping other veterans find the unconditional love and companionship they deserve. If you’re interested in helping them change the lives of our heroes, you can donate here.

h/t: mytwintiers.com
Featured Photo: @RebuildingWarriors/Facebook

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If you live in a populous residential area, odds are you hear a dog barking from time to time. A rational and understanding person learns to tune out the noise. Apparently, though, some cruel neighbors will resort to threats of violence if they happen to be bothered by a dog’s barking.

Cheri Blair, from a Sydney, Australia suburb, let her 7-month-old dog Jolene into the backyard one morning. When the Portuguese Podengo took a while to come back to the house, Blair went into the yard to look for her. She found Jolene lying next to a strange bone.

Blair told Daily Mail:

“I went down there and it was a bone, and it was one of those ones that you have to go to pet store to get there like a freeze dried bone, quite big.”

Though she initially just tossed the bone back over the fence, something didn’t sit right with her. Blair went back to inspect the place she’d found Jolene.

“Something made me go down there [again], and then I looked down. There was a letter, but it was sealed in an envelope and it had the message on it.”

The message, though incorrectly spelled, contained a threat: “Your dog is to be poisoned, to much barking, sorry but no choice, your falt [sic].”

Blair, astonished, called for her husband to get the bone. They immediately rushed Jolene to the emergency vet clinic.

“We don’t know for sure [if the bone was poisoned], but I wasn’t going to take any chances. I mean it’s obviously quite threatening.”

Though she was forced to stay overnight for monitoring, Jolene is “fine and well,” according to a police statement.

The Culprit Remains A Mystery

After returning from the emergency clinic, Blair wanted to figure out who was responsible. She said the police didn’t hesitate to act when they heard her story. 

“People take it seriously when you threaten a little puppy.”

The letter was taken in for DNA testing, but Blair still doesn’t know who would possibly do this to her dog. She does recall one incident where Jolene had barked after an interaction with another dog, and she heard a voice shout, “Shut up!” Still, two other neighbors indicated that Jolene’s barking was never an issue for them.

Police also went to the 60-unit apartment building next door, where they attempted to contact everyone who lives there. So now we wait.

The Barking Debate Rages On

This bizarre event has been hotly debated online, with some expressing outrage at whoever left the bone and some empathizing with the person annoyed by Jolene’s alleged barking, but conceding that poisoning goes a step too far.

“This person needs to serve time in prison for [what] he/she did. That was so mean and cruel to do to a puppy.” – Camille Foote via Facebook

“People shouldn’t have to listen to other peoples dogs bark constantly.” – Dennis Gilmore via Facebook

“Dogs left to bark is really annoying but it’s the owners you should have the problem with.” – Wayne Boulton via Facebook

Until we know whether the bone really was poisoned, justice will have to remain on hold. 

If you live in a concentrated area and have a dog who loves to bark, learn about some of the reasons they may be doing this. You can also find tips to prevent barking here.

If the incident turns out to be a sincere threat, what do you think should happen to the culprit?

H/T: Fox News
Featured Image: @AnimalRescueSite/Twitter

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Kinga Szpakiewicz and her 80-pound Rottweiler named Lusha love hiking together. They often spend several days on hiking trips in California. It’s an excellent chance for them to bond and take a break from the chaos of the real world. But when something goes wrong, suddenly being away from civilization doesn’t seem so perfect.

During a three-day hiking trip on the Sespe Creek Trail in Los Padres National Forest, Lusha hurt her paw. The pup was unable to finish the hike, so Szpakiewicz had to frantically find someone to carry her giant dog home. Luckily, nearby hikers were happy to help.

Hiking Trip Gone Wrong

On the third day of the duo’s hiking trip, the 8-year-old Rottweiler cut her paw on a rock. They were over four miles from the nearest trailhead and nowhere near their car. The cut seemed minor, so Lusha continued walking without problems at first. But eventually, she stopped in her tracks and refused to walk any farther due to the pain of her paw.

Szpakiewicz knew there was no way she could lift Lusha by herself. But luckily, she’s very familiar with the area and was able to get the attention of some fellow hikers. The other hikers helped carry Lusha for a few minutes to a safer location. Then, they called it a night so Lusha could rest her paw.

In the morning, it was clear that Lusha still couldn’t walk any further. So, with the help of the fellow hikers, Szpakiewicz contacted the Upper Ojai Search and Rescue. It wasn’t the kind of rescue mission they were used to helping with, but they came to the scene without hesitation.

Volunteers Save the Day!

Six Search and Rescue volunteers hiked to Lusha’s location. They came with a lightweight, trail-friendly stretcher with a wheel to put her on. Szpakiewicz also placed her sleeping bag on the stretcher to ensure that Lusha stayed comfortable. She said Lusha looked like a princess as her rescuers lifted her on the stretcher.

The hike back was no easy task, but the rescuers were persistent. They crossed rivers, rocks, and other obstacles, but eventually made it to safety. Szpakiewicz has since taken Lusha to the vet, and everything seems fine now.

Deputy Jason Havelka used this story to remind others to be responsible while hiking. He says that satellite communication is essential when you’re hiking somewhere far from cars and people. Szpakiewicz admits that she usually avoids communication during her hikes so she can feel more relaxed, but she will be sure to take the deputy’s advice. After all, she will need to be extra careful from now on to ensure that Lusha stays safe.

H/T: vcstar.com
Featured Image: @OjaiSar/Facebook

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