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[Zipper]

From the Titusville Herald
http://www.titusvilleherald.com/articles/2010/10/12/news/news01.txt
 
Plum Twp. man making sure man's best friend leads a better life

By Tom Boyle
tboyle@titusvilleherald.com
Monday, October 11, 2010 11:16 PM CDT
Mark Ritke, of Plum Township, recalls the German shepherd he rescued that had been locked in a bedroom without food or water.

Named Misty, the dog was eventually adopted out to a veteran who had served as a veterinarian in the military.

“I nursed Misty back to health,” Ritke said, “and found a home for this beautiful German shepherd with a Vietnam veteran living near Pittsburgh.”
 

Ritke is involved with the organization Dogs Deserve Better, which is based in Tipton. The non-profit group rescues dogs that are chained or penned most of their lives. The group has a sort of motto, which states, “For to be free is not merely to cast off one's chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the lives of others.” Ritke said that he learned about Dogs Deserve Better through the group's website.     “I was glad to find there was someone out there who was concerned about dogs who are abused or neglected,” he said. Ritke described this sort of animal abuse as being a big problem, especially in northwestern Pennsylvania. “In some cases, the owner doesn't even think they're doing something wrong,” he explained. Ritke said that if he sees a dog tied up or otherwise abused, he knocks on the homeowner's door and gives them literature about the free services Dogs Deserve Better offer to help incorporate the owner's dog into their home. Ritke said these services included things such as fences, a crate to help with housetraining, pet supplies and help with veterinary bills. “We also help people train their dogs and offer to take them for walks.” Since joining Dogs Deserve Better, Ritke has learned to keep an eye out for neglected or abused dogs while he is driving around the area. Although he is the lone Dogs Deserve Better representative in Titusville, he said there are other people in surrounding areas the organization uses as contacts. “If [people see an abused dog], they can call Dogs Deserve Better, then the group will contact people in the field.” Ritke noted that the Pennsylvania Coalition to End Tethering is endorsing House Bill 1254, which would make it a summary offense to tether or chain a dog unattended to a stationary object outside between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. without food and water. Under the bill, tethers must be at least 6 feet long or five times the length of the dog, whichever is longer. No prong, pinch, chain or choke collars could be used. The bill would require that the tether must be attached or placed so the dog does not become tangled. The tether would be required to be of a type commonly used. No tow chains would be allowed. The bill also requires that the dog must be kept free of sores and wounds. The dog must also have shade in addition to the shelter provided. A dog could not be tethered outside during periods of unusually cold or hot temperatures, or when a weather advisory or warning has been issued. According to information from Dogs Deserve Better, since 2003 three states have enacted some kind of protection for those dogs living chained or penned - Connecticut, California and Texas - and more are trying every year. More than 110 cities and counties nationwide have now banned or limited tethering, and are setting stricter laws for what is acceptable treatment for man's best friend. For more information, contact Dogs Deserve Better, P.O. Box 23, Tipton, Pa., 16684; visit dogsdeservebetter.org; or contact Ritke, at 676-4747.

[precisionpest]

although you never met dyna, i can tell you she was chained as a pup in pgh when she went potty only, as she lays her head on my leg as i type, we then trained her out back, fenced yard to learn how she should act. she did!! she walks with me un leashed to the mailbox almost everyday!! occasionally i need to call her back from running into the field after deer, but she responds right away!!!!!! great dog!! my little companion always waiting for me when i get home!!! she actually thinks my friends come to visit her instead of me!! pretty funny, you'd have to see it!!

[Zipper]

Did you ever get Dyna spayed at the ANNA Shelter, Pest?

[Zipper]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3-KK_wBhT2g&feature=player_embedded

[Zipper]

The cat and the crow:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1JiJzqXxgxo&feature=player_embedded

 

[Zipper]

 
Me and two of my "kids". Lotsa love in this house.

[Zipper]

 
The big guy....

[CindyLouWho]

My 19 y.o. cat has some sort of "mass" (vet's opinion - I disagree) growing in her mouth with an infection......the smell tipped me off cause she has been eating well all along.....nothing has changed with her........I think it's abscessed tooth or an out of control sore of some sort?  Happened too suddenly to be a "mass" of unknown origin.   Anyway, antibiotics and steroids for two weeks and then back for a recheck.  Cool thing about this antibiotic......we've all given a sick animal an antibiotic......you have to crush something up and sneak it into food or hold them down and get it into them.....even a liquid with a dropper is horrible.......it's a pain in the ass, right?  Well the vet gave her some new stuff....a shot.  One shot that stays in the blood stream for 14 days!  Nothing for me to do.  How cool is that!  Oh!  And same with the steroid!  I was thrilled.  As soon as she said antibiotic I had visions and thought oh just great.  But this is too easy.

[Amidala]

Geez, CLW, that shot takes all the fun out of pet ownership... lol
Hope your kitty recovers quickly!!

[CindyLouWho]

Thanks guys.  After 19 years I'm sort of attached to her.  (She was a gift from my mother to my daughter on her 3rd birthday.  She is now going on 22.)   When you've had an animal that long, you really do come to understand one another.  She doesn't think she's human, she knows she is, lol. 

She's the tortoiseshell one in front.

[lifefeedsonlife]

I hope she's OK. I like old cats. They're cool.

[Zipper]

I have wrestled more than one cat trying to give meds. I usually requested liquid form and tried an eyedropper to squirt it in.... it's not easy!
 
I like the idea of a 7 day shot!
 
My sister's dog had to wear a pain patch after his surgery. They shaved a spot on his abdomen and applied the patch there.
 
He had torn ligaments at his knee. He had done the other one also, so he had two surgeries pretty close together.
 
 

[Zipper]

Rat Terrier Mix.
 
Available now at the ANNA Shelter. www.theannashelter.com
 

Sweet face and spayed!
 

Handsome and already neutered!
 
Meet Martha:

 
Please help us find Martha a home!!!
Martha is a wonderful loving dog who has been at the shelter a very very long time.  She is a Dashund mix on the larger side...she is an adult spayed female probably around 3-5 years old.  She gets along with most other dogs and doesn't mind cats at all.  She likes children and anyone who will pay attention to her.
In all honesty, she isn't the prettiest dog you'll ever see...we'd never tell her that...but it's true.  But what she lacks in physical apperance she makes up for with a fabulous personality! 
She loves to snuggle and give gentle kisses.  She has become increasingly depressed and lately just lays in her bed rather then greet visitors.  It's almost as if she knows no one is interested in adopting her.  But we want to prove to her that's not the case!!!  That somewhere out there is a person who is going to love her as much as we do - uncondtionally - the way she loves.  Please - please - please spread the word and help us find Martha a forever home!
Someone very lucky is going to get a great dog!!! (From the ANNA Shelter)
 
 
 

[Zipper]

Kitties need homes too!
At the ANNA Shelter www.theannashelter.com
 

 

 

 

(This one is named Janet)
 

Wow! Look at those markings!
 

 
 
And many more!!!

[CindyLouWho]

They are all so gorgeous!  I wish I had room for more!