The official word is that Michael Vick is now rehabbed. Officially. And whether you believe it or not, it’s been officially declared “Official,” so it’s apparently accepted far and wide and is not for us to question. He’s even getting Hero Awards (I’m not makin’ this up) and Keys to Cities, as well as Comeback Player of the Year Awards. Further proof that it must be true.
Vick is rehabbed.
Take his word for it, Oprah.
And the dogs? Well, the ones that lived? They’re rehabbed too. Or inching toward rehabbed. Or crawling on their bellies one clawmark at a time toward rehab. Which is mighty impressive, coming from a life of mistrust of humans, chains, pens, and a fight for their very survival. I am in awe of the rescuers who took these dogs on and refused to let them die just because.
I know “You Rock” is overused and therefore lame, so I’ll say a simple Thank You.
But what about the property where these dogs lived, breathed, fought, and died? What about the community that was left with the collective shame and guilt, still figuring out how to clean up the mess of a crime they didn’t commit?
Haven’t we healed enough from our emotional scars to rebuild the remaining piece of this three-pronged puzzle?
The property in Surry County, Virginia that formerly housed Bad Newz Kennels has lain vacant since Vick dumped it in 2007. Seems there were lots of curious onlookers, but no serious buyers.
The 15-acre property was waiting to be healed, and that’s something that doesn’t come without time and love. The property where this occurred was no more guilty of a crime than the community, but it too paid the price of the stigma that has remained in the wake of the violence.
Enter Dogs Deserve Better, an award-winning 9-year old nonprofit organization working to free chained and penned dogs, who has dreamed of a Rehab Center for Chained and Penned Dogs for years. We had started seeking ground to purchase in the Charlottesville, Virginia area when it came to our attention that this particular piece of property was still sitting vacant a mere two hours away.
The opportunity to take something so dark and turn it to light beckoned.
Wouldn’t that be the best tribute to those who died there, who fought there? Wouldn’t the community prefer that someone turned it from Bad Newz to Good Newz instead of bulldozing it and pretending nothing ever happened?
I visited the property to see for myself and felt oddly at home. I thought I would be creeped out by the sheds and the kennels in the acre where the dogs lived and died, but I wasn’t. Instead I felt like the dogs were reaching out to me, saying “Oh, thank God, you’ve finally come.” I wanted to wrap my arms around them and never let them go.
Figuratively speaking, of course—I do know they’re dead.
Just as humans have preserved other spots around the world in the wake of heinous happenings, (think Auschwitz, or battlefields like Gettysburg) these dogs need and deserve to be memorialized. Just as other spots around the world have both honored the memory of the fallen and used the tragedy as a learning tool for future generations, so this spot has similar value—as a source of closure for those in pain, a source of comfort to those who want to reach out, and a source of education for our children who must learn to do better.
Were I one of Vick’s dogs and had a choice between the area where I lived being bulldozed and forgotten or memorialized and rebirthed, I would choose the second option any day of the week.
We’ve been told by members of the local community that we are welcome. They want to feel hope and pride again, they want to feel something positive rather than fighting the negativity that was brought by the Bad Newz Kennels.
Dogs Deserve Better has a dream, a purpose. We dream that one day EVERY dog will live inside as part of his/her family. EVERY dog will be treasured, valued, loved, and nurtured. When we pull a dog off a chain—from a solitary existence of sadness, boredom, fear, cold, heat, hunger, thirst, and pain—we bring light to dark.
When we fight an abuse case or work toward better laws, we bring light to dark.
When we stand firm in the knowledge that chaining or penning a dog for life can no longer be accepted and must end, we bring light to dark.
The Good Newz Rehab Center for Chained and Penned Dogs will be a place where our dreams can come true. Where we can continue bringing light to dark, creating an environment that safely and lovingly trains dogs to live inside the home with the family.
Where visitors are welcome and can come to memorialize those who were lost and rejoice with those who are found. Where they can play with rescued dogs and be a support system for those working the everyday trenches of animal abuse.
If you believe in this rebirth, believe that dogs do deserve detter, donate to the Center Fund today. We need an additional $490,000 by March 20th to get off the ground, and a grand total of $3 million to make our Center Dream a reality.
Our time grows short.
Support Dogs Deserve Better today. Because they do deserve better, and we ARE giving them better—one dog, one life at a time.
To donate, visit: http://www.dogsdeservebetter.org/ddbcenter.html
Mail to: P. O. Box 23, Tipton, PA 16684 • Or call: 814.941.7447
Tamira Ci Thayne, founder and CEO, Dogs Deserve Better
Awards won by Dogs Deserve Better:
• First place, 2010 American Dog Magazine Humanitarian Awards, Voice for Chained Dogs
• First place, 2010 American Dog Magazine Humanitarian Awards, Rescue Organization Saving Dogs
• Second Place, 2010 Animal Dog Magazine Animal Organization Website
• Founder and CEO Tamira Ci Thayne, Second place, 2010 American Dog Magazine Humanitarian Awards, Individual Saving/Adopting Dogs
• Second place, 2010 American Dog Magazine Humanitarian Awards, Animal Welfare Lobbyist
• Third place, 2010 American Dog Magazine Humanitarian Awards, Role Model-Philanthropist
• Third place, 2010 American Dog Magazine Humanitarian Awards, Animal Advocate for Dogs.
• Dog's Life, "Breaking the Chains that Bind" Article about Dogs Deserve Better in December 2007 Dog's Life Magazine, Honorable Mention HSUS Genesis Awards
• February 2008 • Founder Tamira Thayne,
IDA Guardian of the Month
• September 2007 • ePhilanthropy Award Finalist, 2nd Place People's Choice Award
• December 2006 • Founder Tamira Thayne, 2nd Place, Animal Planet Hero of the Year Award
• 2003, First Place, ASPCA/Chase Pet Protector Award
Showing posts with label chained dog. Show all posts
Showing posts with label chained dog. Show all posts
Wednesday, March 02, 2011
Friday, August 06, 2010
Day 5, August 6, 2010. Operation Fido's Freedom; This is What a Law Does
A proposed Toledo dog chaining law would include "a 15-minute limit for chaining a dog outside unsupervised and prohibiting chaining a dog within 500 feet of a school."
I love the 15-minute limit unsupervised! Presumably it's longer supervised, which I can understand and live with, but by stating this and also putting it into context of the proximity to the school, they are recognizing the fact that chained dogs can and do become more aggressive than other dogs, and are seeing it as a measure to protect their children too, as a community solution, and not just a--gasp--'animal rights' solution.
In West Palm Beach, Florida, officers are doing sweeps for suffering animals in the heat.
"Take this dog for example, a female pitbull named Diamond. Animal care and control has her now. She was seized last week, after authorities took these photos of her tied up outside in the heat in a yard in West Palm Beach. The temperature that day was a sweltering 93 degrees and Diamond had no shade, except for a small dog house.
Captain Walesky said, "we try and explain to 'em it's a bad idea. but not only is it a bad idea, it's a law. You can't do this. In Palm Beach County, it's illegal to tie a dog up outside between 10 in the morning and 5 in the evening."
Having a law enables the officers to do what is right and just and what people are asking them to do: save the dog's life, and stop the suffering.
But while most Pennsylvania residents 'get it,' there's still that 10-20% who just don't get it, and need to have their actions legislated. I don't care if you're intelligent or not, you have two eyes, and it's time you open them and your heart and have a good look around at the suffering of chained dogs and the suffering of neighbors forced to endure watching it.
This message on the DDB Facebook fanpage shows the typical ignorance we fight: "I'd like to know what your alternative is for an outside dog other than chaining? We had a beagle and he was an outside dog for 16 years chained to a doghouse with shade, food, water, and attention several times of day. He broke his chain several times and ran to neighbors luckily or would have been run over by traffic...or train. In late years, was blind and deaf. Isn't it just as cruel to pen up a large dog in a 3X5 cage in a house for 12-16 hours a day, lying in their feces and urine? What about their rights? What about the handicapped persons in nursing homes who have to sit in a wheelchair or bed for most of their day? Are you standing up for them too?"
This message is so problematic on many levels. First, it attempts to confuse, by dragging in totally unrelated issues and assuming that it's our responsibility to advocate for all societal wrongs: "What about the handicapped persons in nursing homes who have to sit in a wheelchair or bed for most of their day?"
Second, it states their beagle was an 'outside' dog. If you look in any of the breed books, there is no such thing as an 'outside dog;' these are just regular dogs of every different breed, every single one of which has many others just like it living inside as part of a family. The only difference is the level of responsibility assumed for that dog's happiness and well-being by the dog's caretakers.
Third, she states that: "for 16 years chained to a doghouse with shade, food, water, and attention several times of day." Attention several times a day? My arse! I'm 100% sure that dog was lucky to get any food/water on a daily basis, let alone attention several times a day. Every chainer tries to make out like THEIR dog is the exception to the rule that chained dogs are neglected, and puts a beauty of a spin on it so it appears like the dog led a dandy of a life. In truth, any dog spending 24 hours a day on a chain is by that very virtue neglected and in my opinion abused.
Fourth, she says "He broke his chain several times and ran to neighbors luckily or would have been run over by traffic...or train." My question is, if he were so happy there, why was he breaking his chain? Why was he running to the neighbors? Maybe because he was seen there and treated with love and respect?
Fifth, she tells us, "In late years, he was blind and deaf." There is no mention that in those years he was indeed given a reprieve from the chain due to his immense physical challenges, but it appears that he was left chained, unable to see, and unable to hear. I can imagine very few greater horrors than to not only be unable to see and hear, but to be nothing more than a sitting duck for any animal or human intending to do you harm. You may smell him coming, but without seeing or hearing, there is no way you could avoid him or fight him off. You are totally vulnerable to death at each and every moment, and without love or light to guide you and give you safety, death would indeed come as a welcome release from the crushing fear.
Sixth, she implies that there is only one alternative to chaining your dog outside: "Isn't it just as cruel to pen up a large dog in a 3X5 cage in a house for 12-16 hours a day, lying in their feces and urine?" Why in God's name would any human with an ounce of decency cage a dog for 12-16 hours in his own feces and urine? Who wouldn't take their dog out to the bathroom? Did you not know that crates are to be used only as tools and only as long as it takes to get the dog trained, then the dog can have the run of the house without incident? What about your dog living in your home with you as a companion, not a prisoner? What about building a fence so your dog can go outside to potty and then come back inside with his pack? Have you heard of walking a dog on a leash? Why are none of these humane possibilities even thought of as an option?
And lastly, she states: "What about their rights?" Here's the one place we agree, Anita, because that's exactly what I want to know. WHAT ABOUT THEIR RIGHTS?
Having just spent five 10-hour days on a chain on their behalf, I'm asking that same question of my state legislators. WHAT ABOUT THEIR RIGHTS? Despite having endured one week of absolute and mind-numbing 10-hour days of torture on that chain, I still cannot fully comprehend the horror of being there ad infinitum. I so looked forward every day to the magic hour of six o'clock, and I watched as the minutes and seconds dragged on. What if getting off the chain were not an option? What would I do?
I can honestly say I've never waited for a weekend more in my entire 46 years--EVER--and I've pledged to enjoy every single second of my freedom before I force myself back on that chain on Monday. To think that these dogs cannot look forward to freedom for any amount of time is truly unconscionable. I cannot endure the mere thought of it for their sakes.
Pennsylvania legislators, I am personally holding you accountable for opening your eyes and seeing the suffering of our friends. I am asking those 80-90% of PA citizens who agree with me to join me in holding them accountable.
It's time for this abuse to end, and it's time for people like Anita to grow up, and go buy a dog book for Pete's sake. Some things are common sense, and if you don't have any, then don't have a dog or find a way to buy some. Common sense, that is.
Pennsylvania, and the world, MUST stop tolerating this abuse of Man's Best Friend. If this is how we treat our best friend, I would hate to see how we treat our enemies.
Random incidents or thoughts from the day:
1. My new friend Cathie (don't know her last name) brought me water, sun chips, and magazines. I told her I wasn't allowing myself to read as it wouldn't be fair to the dogs, but I would save the chips for later. She's a very sweet and caring woman.
2. A young girl who works at the Capitol brought me out a bag of pretzels and a water. I wonder if she read my blog from yesterday? Oops!
3. Oddly, by sheer coincidence, an Altoona man I met at a Sheetz one time came wandering by. When I met him before, he was very interested in getting involved, so I had him go to a street in Blandburg, Cambria County (Senator Wozniak's district) where there was a chained dog at every house, and see if he could do any ejumakatin'. He told me that he was physically threatened there by the residents when he tried to discuss their dogs with them. He described it as 'a scary place, man.' Ah, welcome to my world!
4. Deb Smith came and chained up with me for a couple of hours. She was very excited because her house rep hasn't been supportive of chaining legislation, but she is being challenged in the upcoming election by Gene Stilp. She spoke to Gene, and he's fully in support of the legislation, so she called Sue Helms and told her that. Her office immediately said she'd call Deb back on Monday. We all need to push the issue with our reps. Enough is enough.
5. A college student at Harrisburg Area Community College was inspired to do her speech on the issue after seeing the news articles this week. She came to interview me, and was super excited about making a difference and spreading the word that chaining has to stop.
6. Joe surprised me in his beautiful Camaro around 3:00, took me to dinner at 6:00, and played professional photographer, again.
7. So many of you in the Harrisburg area are bringing me water, worrying about me all day (just like the dogs), and wanting in some way to make a difference. I truly am in awe of your kindness, and humbled by it. Thank you.
8. I'm asking any of our supporters who might have business attire in sizes 10-14 (assuming the fasting drops some weight off me, which would be the 10, I'm currently a 14) that they no longer want, to send it along to me. If I receive clothes that don't fit me, I will share them with some of the needy people I meet on the streets of Harrisburg. I want to be decently dressed every day to present a positive image of our work for chained dogs, but have very few business clothes myself. If you have anything, please send to P.O. Box 23, Tipton, PA 16684.
9. I'm embarrassed to admit what I thought was blood in my urine and a uti was actually red from the beet juice in the veggie drink I got at the corner Juicy Rumors each day! My test from Tuesday night came back fine, and I got suspicious it could be the beet juice, and I was right! Well, at least now we all know…if you drink beet juice, and it turns red, don't panic like I did...
http://www.rawfoodsupport.com/read.php?2,130704,130747
From the above website: "It's quite normal for the wee to turn red on consuming large amounts of beetroot juice. I'm not sure it's down to depleted HCL, as it's rare to find someone whose wee doesn't turn red after consuming beetroot juice. Mine does, and I've been raw for two years (100%)."
10. Enjoy your weekend, everyone. Please, if you haven't contacted your Senator yet, it's SO important. Please make the call on Monday.
To view pics from Day 5, visit the webpage at: http://www.dogsdeservebetter.org/FidosFreedom/day5aug6.html
I love the 15-minute limit unsupervised! Presumably it's longer supervised, which I can understand and live with, but by stating this and also putting it into context of the proximity to the school, they are recognizing the fact that chained dogs can and do become more aggressive than other dogs, and are seeing it as a measure to protect their children too, as a community solution, and not just a--gasp--'animal rights' solution.
In West Palm Beach, Florida, officers are doing sweeps for suffering animals in the heat.
"Take this dog for example, a female pitbull named Diamond. Animal care and control has her now. She was seized last week, after authorities took these photos of her tied up outside in the heat in a yard in West Palm Beach. The temperature that day was a sweltering 93 degrees and Diamond had no shade, except for a small dog house.
Captain Walesky said, "we try and explain to 'em it's a bad idea. but not only is it a bad idea, it's a law. You can't do this. In Palm Beach County, it's illegal to tie a dog up outside between 10 in the morning and 5 in the evening."
Having a law enables the officers to do what is right and just and what people are asking them to do: save the dog's life, and stop the suffering.
But while most Pennsylvania residents 'get it,' there's still that 10-20% who just don't get it, and need to have their actions legislated. I don't care if you're intelligent or not, you have two eyes, and it's time you open them and your heart and have a good look around at the suffering of chained dogs and the suffering of neighbors forced to endure watching it.
This message on the DDB Facebook fanpage shows the typical ignorance we fight: "I'd like to know what your alternative is for an outside dog other than chaining? We had a beagle and he was an outside dog for 16 years chained to a doghouse with shade, food, water, and attention several times of day. He broke his chain several times and ran to neighbors luckily or would have been run over by traffic...or train. In late years, was blind and deaf. Isn't it just as cruel to pen up a large dog in a 3X5 cage in a house for 12-16 hours a day, lying in their feces and urine? What about their rights? What about the handicapped persons in nursing homes who have to sit in a wheelchair or bed for most of their day? Are you standing up for them too?"
This message is so problematic on many levels. First, it attempts to confuse, by dragging in totally unrelated issues and assuming that it's our responsibility to advocate for all societal wrongs: "What about the handicapped persons in nursing homes who have to sit in a wheelchair or bed for most of their day?"
Second, it states their beagle was an 'outside' dog. If you look in any of the breed books, there is no such thing as an 'outside dog;' these are just regular dogs of every different breed, every single one of which has many others just like it living inside as part of a family. The only difference is the level of responsibility assumed for that dog's happiness and well-being by the dog's caretakers.
Third, she states that: "for 16 years chained to a doghouse with shade, food, water, and attention several times of day." Attention several times a day? My arse! I'm 100% sure that dog was lucky to get any food/water on a daily basis, let alone attention several times a day. Every chainer tries to make out like THEIR dog is the exception to the rule that chained dogs are neglected, and puts a beauty of a spin on it so it appears like the dog led a dandy of a life. In truth, any dog spending 24 hours a day on a chain is by that very virtue neglected and in my opinion abused.
Fourth, she says "He broke his chain several times and ran to neighbors luckily or would have been run over by traffic...or train." My question is, if he were so happy there, why was he breaking his chain? Why was he running to the neighbors? Maybe because he was seen there and treated with love and respect?
Fifth, she tells us, "In late years, he was blind and deaf." There is no mention that in those years he was indeed given a reprieve from the chain due to his immense physical challenges, but it appears that he was left chained, unable to see, and unable to hear. I can imagine very few greater horrors than to not only be unable to see and hear, but to be nothing more than a sitting duck for any animal or human intending to do you harm. You may smell him coming, but without seeing or hearing, there is no way you could avoid him or fight him off. You are totally vulnerable to death at each and every moment, and without love or light to guide you and give you safety, death would indeed come as a welcome release from the crushing fear.
Sixth, she implies that there is only one alternative to chaining your dog outside: "Isn't it just as cruel to pen up a large dog in a 3X5 cage in a house for 12-16 hours a day, lying in their feces and urine?" Why in God's name would any human with an ounce of decency cage a dog for 12-16 hours in his own feces and urine? Who wouldn't take their dog out to the bathroom? Did you not know that crates are to be used only as tools and only as long as it takes to get the dog trained, then the dog can have the run of the house without incident? What about your dog living in your home with you as a companion, not a prisoner? What about building a fence so your dog can go outside to potty and then come back inside with his pack? Have you heard of walking a dog on a leash? Why are none of these humane possibilities even thought of as an option?
And lastly, she states: "What about their rights?" Here's the one place we agree, Anita, because that's exactly what I want to know. WHAT ABOUT THEIR RIGHTS?
Having just spent five 10-hour days on a chain on their behalf, I'm asking that same question of my state legislators. WHAT ABOUT THEIR RIGHTS? Despite having endured one week of absolute and mind-numbing 10-hour days of torture on that chain, I still cannot fully comprehend the horror of being there ad infinitum. I so looked forward every day to the magic hour of six o'clock, and I watched as the minutes and seconds dragged on. What if getting off the chain were not an option? What would I do?
I can honestly say I've never waited for a weekend more in my entire 46 years--EVER--and I've pledged to enjoy every single second of my freedom before I force myself back on that chain on Monday. To think that these dogs cannot look forward to freedom for any amount of time is truly unconscionable. I cannot endure the mere thought of it for their sakes.
Pennsylvania legislators, I am personally holding you accountable for opening your eyes and seeing the suffering of our friends. I am asking those 80-90% of PA citizens who agree with me to join me in holding them accountable.
It's time for this abuse to end, and it's time for people like Anita to grow up, and go buy a dog book for Pete's sake. Some things are common sense, and if you don't have any, then don't have a dog or find a way to buy some. Common sense, that is.
Pennsylvania, and the world, MUST stop tolerating this abuse of Man's Best Friend. If this is how we treat our best friend, I would hate to see how we treat our enemies.
Random incidents or thoughts from the day:
1. My new friend Cathie (don't know her last name) brought me water, sun chips, and magazines. I told her I wasn't allowing myself to read as it wouldn't be fair to the dogs, but I would save the chips for later. She's a very sweet and caring woman.
2. A young girl who works at the Capitol brought me out a bag of pretzels and a water. I wonder if she read my blog from yesterday? Oops!
3. Oddly, by sheer coincidence, an Altoona man I met at a Sheetz one time came wandering by. When I met him before, he was very interested in getting involved, so I had him go to a street in Blandburg, Cambria County (Senator Wozniak's district) where there was a chained dog at every house, and see if he could do any ejumakatin'. He told me that he was physically threatened there by the residents when he tried to discuss their dogs with them. He described it as 'a scary place, man.' Ah, welcome to my world!
4. Deb Smith came and chained up with me for a couple of hours. She was very excited because her house rep hasn't been supportive of chaining legislation, but she is being challenged in the upcoming election by Gene Stilp. She spoke to Gene, and he's fully in support of the legislation, so she called Sue Helms and told her that. Her office immediately said she'd call Deb back on Monday. We all need to push the issue with our reps. Enough is enough.
5. A college student at Harrisburg Area Community College was inspired to do her speech on the issue after seeing the news articles this week. She came to interview me, and was super excited about making a difference and spreading the word that chaining has to stop.
6. Joe surprised me in his beautiful Camaro around 3:00, took me to dinner at 6:00, and played professional photographer, again.
7. So many of you in the Harrisburg area are bringing me water, worrying about me all day (just like the dogs), and wanting in some way to make a difference. I truly am in awe of your kindness, and humbled by it. Thank you.
8. I'm asking any of our supporters who might have business attire in sizes 10-14 (assuming the fasting drops some weight off me, which would be the 10, I'm currently a 14) that they no longer want, to send it along to me. If I receive clothes that don't fit me, I will share them with some of the needy people I meet on the streets of Harrisburg. I want to be decently dressed every day to present a positive image of our work for chained dogs, but have very few business clothes myself. If you have anything, please send to P.O. Box 23, Tipton, PA 16684.
9. I'm embarrassed to admit what I thought was blood in my urine and a uti was actually red from the beet juice in the veggie drink I got at the corner Juicy Rumors each day! My test from Tuesday night came back fine, and I got suspicious it could be the beet juice, and I was right! Well, at least now we all know…if you drink beet juice, and it turns red, don't panic like I did...
http://www.rawfoodsupport.com/read.php?2,130704,130747
From the above website: "It's quite normal for the wee to turn red on consuming large amounts of beetroot juice. I'm not sure it's down to depleted HCL, as it's rare to find someone whose wee doesn't turn red after consuming beetroot juice. Mine does, and I've been raw for two years (100%)."
10. Enjoy your weekend, everyone. Please, if you haven't contacted your Senator yet, it's SO important. Please make the call on Monday.
To view pics from Day 5, visit the webpage at: http://www.dogsdeservebetter.org/FidosFreedom/day5aug6.html
Tuesday, August 03, 2010
Day 2, Operation Fido's Freedom: My Mission, Should I Choose to Accept It
Click the link above to view this blog on the site and see pics.
Long before I started Dogs Deserve Better, I was on a mission to discover my mission. I knew I didn't want to die without making a difference, and judging by the nasty comments on the article posted in Penn Live today, I guess it's working.
I'm annoying the hell out of those people who's mission it is to cut down anyone with a mission.
Pretty crappy mission, if you ask me, but they're the ones who have to look themselves in the mirror every morning and say, "Well, who shall we abuse today?"
I spent a lot of time in the self-help book section attempting to point my life in a positive direction. Every time I would ask God what my mission was, a picture of the dog up the road would come into my mind, just like one of those little thought bubbles. I would shake my head and say, "no, God, that one's too hard. I'm gonna' need an easier one."
The dog up the road, Worthless (yes, that truly was his name), was a black lab mix with a stumpy tail, and a sweet as sugar disposition. I loved him dearly, but there he was, chained to a post in the yard, and always tangled around a tree. I used to sneak up and give him food and water, until they told me to stop. For two years I watched him suffer and grow old, until I finally could bear it no more.
I accepted my mission.
After today's chaining, I'm thinking about that old me who just knew chaining was too hard of a mission…and I'm wanting to agree with her.
What was I thinking committing to doing this every Monday through Friday? Not eating? Working late each night to catch up on the work I missed while I spent ten hours chained to a doghouse? Nursing sunburn, aching bones, stinky feet?
I am thinking that YES, it IS a very hard path to treed, but that's exactly why I'm here. If it were easy to live chained to a doghouse, for dogs OR for me, I wouldn't be here. But it's not easy.
It downright SUCKS.
And I know all the naysayers and nasty-grammers will say "people aren't dogs." OK, that's the one thing you've got right. People AREN'T dogs, people are MUCH more capable of living by themselves than dogs are. People don't need people the way dogs need people. Dogs are the neediest creatures on the planet, bar none, and to chain them up like their social nature doesn't matter is just beyond insensitive…it's genuinely apathetic.
One man touched my heart today. He was a big, strong-looking man from Juniata County with a short, marine-style haircut. He told me he hates seeing chained dogs, and every time he drives by this one mangy dog near him who spends his life chained, he feels so much empathy for the dog he almost wants to cry. This is one aspect of the whole need for a chaining law that people don't get…not only are the dogs suffering, but those of us who have to watch them suffer right along with them.
Why should we have to suffer because you can legally torture your dogs? It's not acceptable.
Today I sat for the dogs in Mifflin County. May you know your voices were heard, mores than ever before. In fact, we were part of a bit of a media frenzy, a big thank you to any media who came out to interview. Wave hi as you drive by about your Capitol beat in the next few weeks, you know where my house is: the Doghouse in the Shadow of the Capitol, Harrisburg, PA.
Observations from today's chaining:
1. Another big "I'm Grateful" to Juicy Rumors Smoothies and Juice Bar for allowing me bathroom breaks and supporting our mission. And to Deb Carr, Gordon Bakalar, and Linda Cribb for coming out to hang with me.
2. People here are still giving me funny looks, but the natives are starting to accept me. This would be a time that being extroverted would help, but alas, I look at them warily, as a chained dog who's been beaten before and doesn't know if he can trust again.
3. The weather wasn't too bad today, although I still got a little sunburned, hot, and sweaty. Unfortunately the next two days are supposed to be much hotter AND have a 50% chance of showers. Sweet!
4. A few people from the Capitol started to come out and tell me "We heard you were here." Can you imagine the water cooler conversation?
5. My new computer programmer friend I met yesterday made signs for us. They helped draw people in, which was cool. But, then they kept blowing over, and I felt annoyed that I had to keep putting them back up. Really? Like I had anything better to do?
6. LOVED the Channel 8 guys, they spent over an hour videotaping and asked really insightful questions.
7. Two guys in a pickup truck drove by and shouted "You're the only one protesting." Well, at least they can count to one. Probably have a chained dog at home.
Long before I started Dogs Deserve Better, I was on a mission to discover my mission. I knew I didn't want to die without making a difference, and judging by the nasty comments on the article posted in Penn Live today, I guess it's working.
I'm annoying the hell out of those people who's mission it is to cut down anyone with a mission.
Pretty crappy mission, if you ask me, but they're the ones who have to look themselves in the mirror every morning and say, "Well, who shall we abuse today?"
I spent a lot of time in the self-help book section attempting to point my life in a positive direction. Every time I would ask God what my mission was, a picture of the dog up the road would come into my mind, just like one of those little thought bubbles. I would shake my head and say, "no, God, that one's too hard. I'm gonna' need an easier one."
The dog up the road, Worthless (yes, that truly was his name), was a black lab mix with a stumpy tail, and a sweet as sugar disposition. I loved him dearly, but there he was, chained to a post in the yard, and always tangled around a tree. I used to sneak up and give him food and water, until they told me to stop. For two years I watched him suffer and grow old, until I finally could bear it no more.
I accepted my mission.
After today's chaining, I'm thinking about that old me who just knew chaining was too hard of a mission…and I'm wanting to agree with her.
What was I thinking committing to doing this every Monday through Friday? Not eating? Working late each night to catch up on the work I missed while I spent ten hours chained to a doghouse? Nursing sunburn, aching bones, stinky feet?
I am thinking that YES, it IS a very hard path to treed, but that's exactly why I'm here. If it were easy to live chained to a doghouse, for dogs OR for me, I wouldn't be here. But it's not easy.
It downright SUCKS.
And I know all the naysayers and nasty-grammers will say "people aren't dogs." OK, that's the one thing you've got right. People AREN'T dogs, people are MUCH more capable of living by themselves than dogs are. People don't need people the way dogs need people. Dogs are the neediest creatures on the planet, bar none, and to chain them up like their social nature doesn't matter is just beyond insensitive…it's genuinely apathetic.
One man touched my heart today. He was a big, strong-looking man from Juniata County with a short, marine-style haircut. He told me he hates seeing chained dogs, and every time he drives by this one mangy dog near him who spends his life chained, he feels so much empathy for the dog he almost wants to cry. This is one aspect of the whole need for a chaining law that people don't get…not only are the dogs suffering, but those of us who have to watch them suffer right along with them.
Why should we have to suffer because you can legally torture your dogs? It's not acceptable.
Today I sat for the dogs in Mifflin County. May you know your voices were heard, mores than ever before. In fact, we were part of a bit of a media frenzy, a big thank you to any media who came out to interview. Wave hi as you drive by about your Capitol beat in the next few weeks, you know where my house is: the Doghouse in the Shadow of the Capitol, Harrisburg, PA.
Observations from today's chaining:
1. Another big "I'm Grateful" to Juicy Rumors Smoothies and Juice Bar for allowing me bathroom breaks and supporting our mission. And to Deb Carr, Gordon Bakalar, and Linda Cribb for coming out to hang with me.
2. People here are still giving me funny looks, but the natives are starting to accept me. This would be a time that being extroverted would help, but alas, I look at them warily, as a chained dog who's been beaten before and doesn't know if he can trust again.
3. The weather wasn't too bad today, although I still got a little sunburned, hot, and sweaty. Unfortunately the next two days are supposed to be much hotter AND have a 50% chance of showers. Sweet!
4. A few people from the Capitol started to come out and tell me "We heard you were here." Can you imagine the water cooler conversation?
5. My new computer programmer friend I met yesterday made signs for us. They helped draw people in, which was cool. But, then they kept blowing over, and I felt annoyed that I had to keep putting them back up. Really? Like I had anything better to do?
6. LOVED the Channel 8 guys, they spent over an hour videotaping and asked really insightful questions.
7. Two guys in a pickup truck drove by and shouted "You're the only one protesting." Well, at least they can count to one. Probably have a chained dog at home.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Why Chain Off Matters
I remember the moment eight years ago when I first thought of chaining myself to a doghouse. I was filled with a sense of rightness and excitement at the notion, yet fear and trepidation dogged my every mental step.
I tucked the idea away and ruminated.
The image wouldn’t budge, however, no matter how often I told myself it was impossible, it would be too embarrassing, people would laugh, etc., etc., etc.
What would they think of me?
But in the end the fear and uncertainty didn’t sway me from my vision. On July 3-4, 2004, I chained myself to a doghouse for the first time, facing my own inner demons about social acceptance and the prejudice of others—others who either chain their own dogs, love their own dogs but don’t extend that compassion to others, or know in their guts that chaining is wrong but aren’t willing to stand against it.
I chained myself to make a statement about chaining a dog for life.
I.e., it’s morally wrong.
And, it's ethically indefensible.
It should be the same no-brainer for the ‘Absolutely Immoral List’ as kicking a puppy or molesting a child.
Sticking a dog on a CHAIN despite the fact that he’s the absolute most-social of animals, affixing him to a doghouse or tree, ignoring his pleas for help, and watching him die ten years later—a mere shell of the glorious creature he was intended to be—IS a criminal act.
Yet, inexplicably, it doesn’t make the list for a large percentage of Americans.
I was raised on a 100-acre farm, and I grew up with a beagle chained to her doghouse behind the honeysuckle bush at the top of the lane. Granted, perhaps on the surface Maggie’s lifelong chaining didn’t top the list of abuses in my household, but looking back I can see that what we did to Maggie was absolutely WRONG.
I just didn’t have the power to stop it.
But don’t you see?
NOW WE DO! Now We DO!
When enough of us burst forth from the fear bubble we’ve put ourselves in, we CAN make things right for America’s chained dogs.
This IS a no-brainer, but we have to be willing to stop tolerating the abuse.
Are we ready yet? Will you work with me to put an end to the abuse?
When I take my place in front of my doghouse on the hot and humid grass of an Alachua, Florida shopping center this July 3rd, it will be my seventh year living chained for 24 hours or longer—suffering one day in comparison to their 365.
I’ve yet to die of embarrassment for doing it. When I spend those 24 miserable hours chained on behalf of chained dogs, what I’m doing matters to me, and it matters to the world we live in—a world which needs to see people strong enough in their belief of the wrongness of an act that they are willing to look stupid on behalf of a creature who has no voice. I’m depriving myself of comfort, adequate food, enough water, a nice soft bed, and protection from the elements because I know that they DO DESERVE BETTER.
Please join me in chaining yourself for them, or in supporting our Chain Off fundraising efforts so we may continue to be their voice.
When you see your dog on the couch tonight, give him or her a hug. And realize, no matter purebred or mutt, there are thousands more dogs who look just like yours living chained at this very moment, needing someone to be a voice for them.
Will you be that voice?
Tamira Ci Thayne,
Founder, CEO, Dogs Deserve Better
To register for Chain Off:
http://www.dogsdeservebetter.org/Chainoff2010before/chainoff2010.html
To sponsor me as I chain myself:
http://www.firstgiving.com/TamiraThayne
To sponsor others who are chaining on behalf of the dogs:
http://www.dogsdeservebetter.org/Chainoff2010before/chainoff2010locations.html
I tucked the idea away and ruminated.
The image wouldn’t budge, however, no matter how often I told myself it was impossible, it would be too embarrassing, people would laugh, etc., etc., etc.
What would they think of me?
But in the end the fear and uncertainty didn’t sway me from my vision. On July 3-4, 2004, I chained myself to a doghouse for the first time, facing my own inner demons about social acceptance and the prejudice of others—others who either chain their own dogs, love their own dogs but don’t extend that compassion to others, or know in their guts that chaining is wrong but aren’t willing to stand against it.
I chained myself to make a statement about chaining a dog for life.
I.e., it’s morally wrong.
And, it's ethically indefensible.
It should be the same no-brainer for the ‘Absolutely Immoral List’ as kicking a puppy or molesting a child.
Sticking a dog on a CHAIN despite the fact that he’s the absolute most-social of animals, affixing him to a doghouse or tree, ignoring his pleas for help, and watching him die ten years later—a mere shell of the glorious creature he was intended to be—IS a criminal act.
Yet, inexplicably, it doesn’t make the list for a large percentage of Americans.
I was raised on a 100-acre farm, and I grew up with a beagle chained to her doghouse behind the honeysuckle bush at the top of the lane. Granted, perhaps on the surface Maggie’s lifelong chaining didn’t top the list of abuses in my household, but looking back I can see that what we did to Maggie was absolutely WRONG.
I just didn’t have the power to stop it.
But don’t you see?
NOW WE DO! Now We DO!
When enough of us burst forth from the fear bubble we’ve put ourselves in, we CAN make things right for America’s chained dogs.
This IS a no-brainer, but we have to be willing to stop tolerating the abuse.
Are we ready yet? Will you work with me to put an end to the abuse?
When I take my place in front of my doghouse on the hot and humid grass of an Alachua, Florida shopping center this July 3rd, it will be my seventh year living chained for 24 hours or longer—suffering one day in comparison to their 365.
I’ve yet to die of embarrassment for doing it. When I spend those 24 miserable hours chained on behalf of chained dogs, what I’m doing matters to me, and it matters to the world we live in—a world which needs to see people strong enough in their belief of the wrongness of an act that they are willing to look stupid on behalf of a creature who has no voice. I’m depriving myself of comfort, adequate food, enough water, a nice soft bed, and protection from the elements because I know that they DO DESERVE BETTER.
Please join me in chaining yourself for them, or in supporting our Chain Off fundraising efforts so we may continue to be their voice.
When you see your dog on the couch tonight, give him or her a hug. And realize, no matter purebred or mutt, there are thousands more dogs who look just like yours living chained at this very moment, needing someone to be a voice for them.
Will you be that voice?
Tamira Ci Thayne,
Founder, CEO, Dogs Deserve Better
To register for Chain Off:
http://www.dogsdeservebetter.org/Chainoff2010before/chainoff2010.html
To sponsor me as I chain myself:
http://www.firstgiving.com/TamiraThayne
To sponsor others who are chaining on behalf of the dogs:
http://www.dogsdeservebetter.org/Chainoff2010before/chainoff2010locations.html
Sunday, June 06, 2010
Dog Caretakers who charge animal advocate with trespassing later release dogs to her organization
Cite Desire for Dogs to be a Success Story
June 6, 2010, Altoona, PA — In January 2010, Dogs Deserve Better Founder Tamira Thayne was charged with trespassing for providing food, water, and straw to two underweight chained dogs in Lilly, PA. Thayne lost the case in magisterial court, but the charges were not prosecuted on appeal.
In a twist that is being described as miraculous, dog caretakers Jason and Krystal Cann came to her and Dogs Deserve Better in June with the willingness to release the dogs to her organization. On June 6, 2010, everyone got their miracle.
Says Thayne: "I have renewed faith in miracles today! When Jason called me and expressed a desire to relinquish ownership of the dogs to DDB, I admit I was suspicious there was some kind of trick. But both he and wife Krystal desired a better life for the dogs, and they wanted their dogs to be a Dogs Deserve Better success story.
"I commend them for their courage in doing the right thing. That's a first for me, and I'm happy to say that tonight these two dogs have gotten their miracle. They will spend tonight sleeping in the home and will now learn how to live inside as part of the family."
Video of the rescue can be seen on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iuzyIjIY4m8.
Dogs Deserve Better is a national 501c3 nonprofit organization based in Pennsylvania, and asks all Pennsylvania residents to stand against this form of abuse by joining the coalition to Unchain Pennsylvania Dogs. The coalition seeks to pass a bill setting time limits on chaining, and creating better conditions for Pennsylvania's dogs. Sign up today at Unchainpadogs.com.
Please visit the website at DogsDeserveBetter.org to learn more about dog chaining, the reasons it is cruel to dogs and dangerous to humans, and to find a local area representative or other areas that have laws in place.
Contact:
Tamira Ci Thayne • CEO, Dogs Deserve Better
Dogs Deserve Better • P.O. Box 23, Tipton, PA 16684 • 814.941.7447 • www.dogsdeservebetter.org
June 6, 2010, Altoona, PA — In January 2010, Dogs Deserve Better Founder Tamira Thayne was charged with trespassing for providing food, water, and straw to two underweight chained dogs in Lilly, PA. Thayne lost the case in magisterial court, but the charges were not prosecuted on appeal.
In a twist that is being described as miraculous, dog caretakers Jason and Krystal Cann came to her and Dogs Deserve Better in June with the willingness to release the dogs to her organization. On June 6, 2010, everyone got their miracle.
Says Thayne: "I have renewed faith in miracles today! When Jason called me and expressed a desire to relinquish ownership of the dogs to DDB, I admit I was suspicious there was some kind of trick. But both he and wife Krystal desired a better life for the dogs, and they wanted their dogs to be a Dogs Deserve Better success story.
"I commend them for their courage in doing the right thing. That's a first for me, and I'm happy to say that tonight these two dogs have gotten their miracle. They will spend tonight sleeping in the home and will now learn how to live inside as part of the family."
Video of the rescue can be seen on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iuzyIjIY4m8.
Dogs Deserve Better is a national 501c3 nonprofit organization based in Pennsylvania, and asks all Pennsylvania residents to stand against this form of abuse by joining the coalition to Unchain Pennsylvania Dogs. The coalition seeks to pass a bill setting time limits on chaining, and creating better conditions for Pennsylvania's dogs. Sign up today at Unchainpadogs.com.
Please visit the website at DogsDeserveBetter.org to learn more about dog chaining, the reasons it is cruel to dogs and dangerous to humans, and to find a local area representative or other areas that have laws in place.
Contact:
Tamira Ci Thayne • CEO, Dogs Deserve Better
Dogs Deserve Better • P.O. Box 23, Tipton, PA 16684 • 814.941.7447 • www.dogsdeservebetter.org
Monday, February 08, 2010
Dog advocate charged with trespassing after providing straw to underweight dogs chained in freezing temps
Charges point to immediate need for stronger dog protection laws nationwide
February 6, 2010, Altoona, PA — Dog advocate Tamira Ci Thayne, founder and CEO of Dogs Deserve Better, a non-profit working solely on behalf of chained and penned dogs, spent the coldest night of the year sleepless despite being snug and warm in her bed.
The faces of dogs chained out in single-digit temperatures and sub-zero windchills haunted her, and she worried if these dogs would survive the night in their inadequate houses, many of which contained not even the single insulating element that could well save their lives: straw.
Determined to help local dogs, she rose early and, with another DDB volunteer, took straw, food, and water to some of the worse cases.
At 1492 Dulancey Drive in Lilly, Pennsylvania, Thayne spotted two skinny dogs with inadequate shelter, minimal straw, no food, and no water. She knocked on the door, and when no one answered she left a Dogs Deserve Better calendar and stuffed the doghouses with straw to save the dogs from immediate danger of death by freezing. She gave the dogs each a bone, food, and water. They shivered nonstop while they ate in the -11 degree wind chill.
The boxer mix had very short fur, a too-large doghouse with an opening as large as the dog, and every rib and bone in her back stood out starkly as she tried to decide whether to eat or run into her house for what little warmth it offered.
Current Pennsylvania law dictates that dogs must have access to"sustenance, drink, and sanitary shelter which will protect the animal against inclement weather and preserve the animal's body heat and keep it dry." Thayne knew the law was being broken, so she returned three days later to speak to the caretaker on behalf of the dogs.
Again, no one answered the door. She left a brochure and a note saying the doghouses were not meeting legal requirements, including her phone number in case they wanted help or to release the dogs to rescue.
As she gave the dogs treats and a pat on the head, a woman came out screaming at her to get off the property. She immediately left.
Two days later she received a call from a Pennsylvania State Police officer saying she was being charged with Summary Defiant Trespass. Under Pennsylvania law 18 Pa.C.S.A.§3503(b), a person commits the crime of defiant trespass if he or she comes onto or stays on your property AFTER being told to stay away.
However, Thayne had only been told to leave the property once, which she immediately did. She has not returned. She was informed by the State Trooper that the dog caretaker claimed she had told Thayne to leave twice. Thayne rebutted this statement, but the officer said it was her word against the owner's.
Thayne has a witness—the volunteer from the first day—who will testify in court that: 1. Although Thayne made a good-faith attempt to speak to the caretaker before taking action on behalf of the dogs, no one indeed answered the door, and 2. No one EVER asked them to leave the property on Sunday, January 3, 2010.
Thayne's report to the Cambria County Humane Officer brought no relief of the dogs' suffering. He had the guardians fix one of the doghouse openings, but never charged them with cruelty for inadequate housing, the underweight condition of the dogs, the lack of food and water, or leaving the dogs to freeze in sub-zero wind chills.
Thayne will be in district court on Main Street in Portage, Pennsylvania, at 9:30 a.m. on February 16, 2010 to defend against the bogus charges. She will be bringing photo and video evidence, and well as eye-witness testimony.
Thayne is asking all Pennsylvania residents to stand against this form of abuse by joining the coalition to Unchain Pennsylvania Dogs. The coalition seeks to pass HB1254, a bill setting time limits on chaining, and creating better conditions for Pennsylvania's dogs. Sign up today at Unchainpadogs.com.
Please visit the website at DogsDeserveBetter.org to learn more about dog chaining, the reasons it is cruel to dogs and dangerous to humans, and to find a local area representative.
Contact: Dogs Deserve Better • P.O. Box 23, Tipton, PA 16684 • 814.941.7447 • www.dogsdeservebetter.org
The world's most unusual Valentines go to the dogs
The world's most unusual Valentines go to the dogs
15,000 Valentines to be delivered to America's 'Forgotten Dogs'
Tipton, PA, February 7, 2010—15,000 Valentines will be delivered this week to some very unusual recipients: dogs. Dogs of every breed, size, and color may receive one, but all that do have one thing in common—they are America's 'Forgotten Dogs.'
Dogs Deserve Better, a national rescue and advocacy group dedicated to ending the suffering endured by chained and penned dogs, annually sends Valentines and dog treat coupons to canines across the country. The 2010 campaign has reached a milestone: 15,000 Valentines will be mailed between February 7-14 to chained and penned dogs nationwide.
Dogs of every breed, size, shape and color end up outside through no fault of their own. Caretakers claim they are not housetrained, too big for the house, or too dirty to be inside. Yet through it all dogs just want to be with humans, part of our pack, and putting a dog outside for life when he/she becomes a burden is not an acceptable solution.
The mailing includes a Valentine for the dog and a brochure for the dog’s caretakers, explaining why the practice of chaining dogs for life is a form of abuse. The materials encourage people to bring their dogs into the home and family or to find better homes for the animals.
“We call these dogs the Forgotten Dogs, because they may technically have a home, but do they really? Left alone in the elements, enduring extreme heat and cold, often withstanding inadequate or no shelter, food, or water, there's no doubt that these dogs suffer, and suffer immensely. Winter is a critical time to reach out directly to the people who chain their dogs, and what better excuse than Valentine’s Day to send these forgotten animals a little love,” says Tamira Thayne, founder and director of the eight-year-old non-profit. “Every winter our rescuers see dogs that have frozen in the snow, suffered frostbite, or otherwise endured horrific living conditions because of the longstanding misperception that it is ok to chain a dog and let it out there for life. It isn't.”
“This is the perfect opportunity for people who pass chained dogs every day but feel powerless to help them to make a difference,” continues Thayne. “People anonymously provide us with the addresses of these dogs, or make us a batch of Valentines, and we do the rest.”
Schools, scouting troops, and other similar organizations create the Valentines, expressing love and such unusual sentiments like "Chains Break Hearts" or "I Promise to Spread the Love, Not the Fleas." “Children have a natural affinity for animals and they enjoy making art projects,” says Thayne, an artist herself. "In this way we remind children of proper pet caretaking, and educate guardians as well."
Although the practice of 24/7 chaining is pervasive in many parts of the country, states and cities have started to pass laws against the practice. So far four states have passed limitations on chaining: California, Texas, Connecticut, and Nevada. Hundreds of cities and counties have passed limitations or flat-out bans.
Meanwhile, countless backyard dogs are spending yet another winter in the cold. Often, they shiver day and night in hole-riddled doghouses, suffer from thirst because their water is frozen, and pace neurotically from lack of exercise and attention.
Perpetually chained dogs often become aggressive from their constant confinement, thereby posing a danger to people, especially small children.
For more information about the Valentine’s Day outreach, go to http://www.dogsdeservebetter.org/Valentines2010.html or email info@dogsdeservebetter.org.
For general information about Dogs Deserve Better go to www.dogsdeservebetter.org.
END
Contact: Tamira Ci Thayne • founder, Dogs Deserve Better • www.dogsdeservebetter.org
P.O. Box 23, Tipton, PA 16684 • 1.877.636.1408 • 814.941.7447
Note: For hi-resolution photos, please visit the site at
http://www.dogsdeservebetter.org/Valentines2010.html.
15,000 Valentines to be delivered to America's 'Forgotten Dogs'
Tipton, PA, February 7, 2010—15,000 Valentines will be delivered this week to some very unusual recipients: dogs. Dogs of every breed, size, and color may receive one, but all that do have one thing in common—they are America's 'Forgotten Dogs.'
Dogs Deserve Better, a national rescue and advocacy group dedicated to ending the suffering endured by chained and penned dogs, annually sends Valentines and dog treat coupons to canines across the country. The 2010 campaign has reached a milestone: 15,000 Valentines will be mailed between February 7-14 to chained and penned dogs nationwide.
Dogs of every breed, size, shape and color end up outside through no fault of their own. Caretakers claim they are not housetrained, too big for the house, or too dirty to be inside. Yet through it all dogs just want to be with humans, part of our pack, and putting a dog outside for life when he/she becomes a burden is not an acceptable solution.
The mailing includes a Valentine for the dog and a brochure for the dog’s caretakers, explaining why the practice of chaining dogs for life is a form of abuse. The materials encourage people to bring their dogs into the home and family or to find better homes for the animals.
“We call these dogs the Forgotten Dogs, because they may technically have a home, but do they really? Left alone in the elements, enduring extreme heat and cold, often withstanding inadequate or no shelter, food, or water, there's no doubt that these dogs suffer, and suffer immensely. Winter is a critical time to reach out directly to the people who chain their dogs, and what better excuse than Valentine’s Day to send these forgotten animals a little love,” says Tamira Thayne, founder and director of the eight-year-old non-profit. “Every winter our rescuers see dogs that have frozen in the snow, suffered frostbite, or otherwise endured horrific living conditions because of the longstanding misperception that it is ok to chain a dog and let it out there for life. It isn't.”
“This is the perfect opportunity for people who pass chained dogs every day but feel powerless to help them to make a difference,” continues Thayne. “People anonymously provide us with the addresses of these dogs, or make us a batch of Valentines, and we do the rest.”
Schools, scouting troops, and other similar organizations create the Valentines, expressing love and such unusual sentiments like "Chains Break Hearts" or "I Promise to Spread the Love, Not the Fleas." “Children have a natural affinity for animals and they enjoy making art projects,” says Thayne, an artist herself. "In this way we remind children of proper pet caretaking, and educate guardians as well."
Although the practice of 24/7 chaining is pervasive in many parts of the country, states and cities have started to pass laws against the practice. So far four states have passed limitations on chaining: California, Texas, Connecticut, and Nevada. Hundreds of cities and counties have passed limitations or flat-out bans.
Meanwhile, countless backyard dogs are spending yet another winter in the cold. Often, they shiver day and night in hole-riddled doghouses, suffer from thirst because their water is frozen, and pace neurotically from lack of exercise and attention.
Perpetually chained dogs often become aggressive from their constant confinement, thereby posing a danger to people, especially small children.
For more information about the Valentine’s Day outreach, go to http://www.dogsdeservebetter.org/Valentines2010.html or email info@dogsdeservebetter.org.
For general information about Dogs Deserve Better go to www.dogsdeservebetter.org.
END
Contact: Tamira Ci Thayne • founder, Dogs Deserve Better • www.dogsdeservebetter.org
P.O. Box 23, Tipton, PA 16684 • 1.877.636.1408 • 814.941.7447
Note: For hi-resolution photos, please visit the site at
http://www.dogsdeservebetter.org/Valentines2010.html.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Chain Off 09 Update: Why Did the Hound Dog Cry All the Time?
Cause she was chained outside, of course! But this year, that Hound Dog is a darn lucky dog...cause she has the Duke of Elvis pulling up a doghouse on her behalf down in Greenville, South Carolina!
That's right...this year the official Duke of Elvis, Steve Cates and his wife and partner Trish Cates will be chaining with us in Greenville, South Carolina. We've even got wind of a possible specially designed Hound Dog doghouse for Steve and the Duke of Elvis singing while chained...who knows what will happen, stay tuned for more details!
Trish tells us "We are currently working to locate our doghouses (5 furdogs in the house and not one doghouse, bet you can't figure where they all stay??) As for the chains from the dogs we rescued, they quickly found their way to the trash!!!"
http://www.dukeofelvis.com
Join us, either at our main event in Greenville, South Carolina, or stage your very own event in your backyard or local area.
So far we have 26 people in 18 states, plus Canada and Romania.
Call me crazy, but I want to see 100 MORE PEOPLE STEPPING UP TO THE PLATE AND CHAINING WITH US! HELP US MAKE A HUGE IMPACT THIS YEAR by standing in your local community or with us in South Carolina.
And, while it's unbecoming of me as organizational founder to whine, here I am a-whinin'...because did you all see how that Rhonda Sims is kicking my butt in fundraising again? For the second year in a row? It's unconscionable! She's already raised a whopping $2,960 dollars, and here I am at only $130.01 (and the $5.01 was donated by my boyfriend-I suspect he's in cahoots with Rhonda, next he claims he's gonna send $500 her way! For his sake, let's all hope he's joking...)
Far be it for me to beg, but yes, here I am beggin'...sponsor me for Chain Off this year! My personal goal is to raise $4000 for the chained dogs, and while that may be a lofty one, Dogs Deserve Better is surely an organization worthy of our support.
http://www.firstgiving.com/tamirathayne
Check out our main fundraising page to see all the teams and personal fundraisers and get in on the friendly competition (join us, create your own page and get started making a difference for Chain Off!) If you are chaining and fundraising, please make sure your pages are linked up; if you have updated information, please send it along to dogs@dogsdeservebetter.org.
Join US this year! Let's make it the year the world will sit up and take notice of this issue because of our actions on behalf of chained dogs.
http://www.dogsdeservebetter.org/ChainOff09/chainoff2009.html
That's right...this year the official Duke of Elvis, Steve Cates and his wife and partner Trish Cates will be chaining with us in Greenville, South Carolina. We've even got wind of a possible specially designed Hound Dog doghouse for Steve and the Duke of Elvis singing while chained...who knows what will happen, stay tuned for more details!
Trish tells us "We are currently working to locate our doghouses (5 furdogs in the house and not one doghouse, bet you can't figure where they all stay??) As for the chains from the dogs we rescued, they quickly found their way to the trash!!!"
http://www.dukeofelvis.com
Join us, either at our main event in Greenville, South Carolina, or stage your very own event in your backyard or local area.
So far we have 26 people in 18 states, plus Canada and Romania.
Call me crazy, but I want to see 100 MORE PEOPLE STEPPING UP TO THE PLATE AND CHAINING WITH US! HELP US MAKE A HUGE IMPACT THIS YEAR by standing in your local community or with us in South Carolina.
And, while it's unbecoming of me as organizational founder to whine, here I am a-whinin'...because did you all see how that Rhonda Sims is kicking my butt in fundraising again? For the second year in a row? It's unconscionable! She's already raised a whopping $2,960 dollars, and here I am at only $130.01 (and the $5.01 was donated by my boyfriend-I suspect he's in cahoots with Rhonda, next he claims he's gonna send $500 her way! For his sake, let's all hope he's joking...)
Far be it for me to beg, but yes, here I am beggin'...sponsor me for Chain Off this year! My personal goal is to raise $4000 for the chained dogs, and while that may be a lofty one, Dogs Deserve Better is surely an organization worthy of our support.
http://www.firstgiving.com/tamirathayne
Check out our main fundraising page to see all the teams and personal fundraisers and get in on the friendly competition (join us, create your own page and get started making a difference for Chain Off!) If you are chaining and fundraising, please make sure your pages are linked up; if you have updated information, please send it along to dogs@dogsdeservebetter.org.
Join US this year! Let's make it the year the world will sit up and take notice of this issue because of our actions on behalf of chained dogs.
http://www.dogsdeservebetter.org/ChainOff09/chainoff2009.html
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
"Scream Like Banshee" Book for Dog Foster Parents Now Available!
With 29 Days of Tips and Tales for Animal Rescuers
who Struggle with Foster Dogs from a Leading Animal
Activist and Non-Profit Founder
March 2009, Tipton, PA — Termed “A really insightful book and a no-bullshit diary,” Scream Like Banshee: 29 Days of Tips and Tales to Keep your Sanity as a Doggie Foster Parent hits the market with a unique edge over other animal-related books.
The book combines not only tips for both adequate training and containment of foster dogs, but also tips for the rescuer’s mental health, as well as pleas to those who have not yet stepped up to foster a dog.
Says Cherie Smith of SmithVirtualOffice.com: “I finished reading your book and all I can say is WOW!!! You are an inspiration…you had me crying, laughing, and then crying again! The story of Banshee had me on edge the entire book.
I liked how you incorporated wellness; this book is not only for those who foster or want to foster but for everybody because it is a ‘feel good book.’ It has joy, love, sadness, grief, and how to love yourself.”
Thayne combines seven years of foster knowledge gained from housing America’s formerly chained or penned dogs with an M.S. in Naturology, the study of the body/mind/soul connection, to send a positive message of hope for mental stability while fostering.
“Fostering dogs is one of the hardest yet most rewarding experiences an animal advocate will ever have. Many of us struggle with it, and many of us feel we are failing because we are not doing it perfectly. Screw perfect! I say just do it, and I hope the tips and tales of my own struggles will inspire those who haven’t yet fostered to step up, and those who overdo to take a sanity break because their own health is important too,” states Thayne.
The book is available from lulu.com and soon will be available at all online booksellers. Dogs Deserve Better will receive $2 per every book sold on lulu.com, and—as a fundraiser for chained and penned dogs—signed and dedicated books can be purchased on the DogsDeserveBetter.org website for an additional $9.99. All additional funds will go directly to Dogs Deserve Better’s work.
For more information, visit the website at http://www.ScreamLikeBanshee.com.
About the Author
Tamira Ci Thayne is founder and CEO of Dogs Deserve Better, an award-winning national nonprofit working on behalf of America’s chained and penned dogs.
Thayne holds a B.A. in Visual Arts from the University of Maryland, and a B.S. and M.S. in Naturology (study of the Body/Mind/Spirit connection) from American Institute of Holistic Theology.
She has written articles for nationwide publications including American Dog, and has been the subject of articles in magazines such as Bark, Animal Sheltering, The New Barker, and Dog’s Life, which won a Genesis Award Honorable Mention.
She has created over 30 animal advocacy art pieces, available for viewing and purchase on littlegirllooking.com, and illustrated Puddles on the Floor for Dogs Deserve Better, a humane education book written by Lorena Estep.
Scream Like Banshee is Thayne’s first book.
Thayne is available for interviews, author visits, and book signings. Please contact her at 814.941.7447 or Tami@littlegirllooking.com to request an appearance.
Tuesday, March 03, 2009
Thayne Receives Key to the City in Fort Pierce Florida Plus an Animal Control Ride-Along
Woman convicted of dog theft in Pennsylvania
Receives 'key to the city' in Fort Pierce Florida
for her compassionate act
Tamira Thayne, founder of Dogs Deserve Better, honored at ceremony in late February 2009
March 1, 2009, Altoona, PA — Tamira Ci Thayne, founder of the award-winning non-profit Dogs Deserve Better, was granted the Key to the City of Fort Pierce Florida by the Mayor's office at a ceremony in late February. Thayne, formerly Tammy Grimes, was found guilty of theft and receiving stolen property in December 2007 after a three-day trial in Blair County, Pennsylvania. The case, which pitted dogs as property against the inherent rights of animals kept as companions, made headlines nationally and was featured on Inside Edition and in a host of news publications and Internet blogs.
Thayne was presented the Key to the City by Mrs. Donna Benton, wife of Mayor Bob Benton, who commended Thayne for her actions in helping Doogie, telling the audience "When you see a dog in distress, take heart and give it some aid—because they should all have a home with a family."
Thayne was arrested September 11, 2006 after rescuing a dog that had lain on the ground in a yard in East Freedom, Pennsylvania for three days, unable to stand and pleading for help. A distraught neighbor tried repeatedly to convince humane agents to help the dog, but no officer ever returned calls or showed up. Finally, the neighbor turned to Dogs Deserve Better.
Thayne, touched and honored by receiving the key to Fort Pierce, was also amused by the contrast between the actions of Fort Pierce, Florida and the actions of those in power in her hometown of Altoona, Pennsylvania.
"It's a night and day reaction," she explains with a grin. "In Altoona I am treated as a pariah, a criminal, and in fact was termed 'worse than his worst hardened-criminal' and 'a piece of trash' by District Attorney Richard Consiglio. Yet here, and in many other areas, I am honored for my efforts to help the aging shepherd, and people are able to recognize the truth for what it is.
"I want to thank Fort Pierce and Mayor Benton and his wife Donna for their courage in coming to stand behind me. No dog should be left outside for life, and no dog should ever be left to die there, unable to stand, still chained, and flailing about in the mud and his own feces.
"We are still working to bring private cruelty charges against the caretakers of this dog, and will be back in court in June to attempt to override the DA's denial of the case. We will always remember Doogie, and I never, EVER, have regretted for one moment my actions in helping him."
During the case, jurors were permitted to view photos of the dog’s emaciated condition on the day of rescue; however video taken at the scene, photographs of the dog’s much-improved condition post-rescue, and expert vet and investigation procedure testimony were barred from the courtroom. An appeal is still pending.
To learn more about the Doogie case, visit the website at http://www.dogsdeservebetter.org/doogie.html.
Dogs Deserve Better, a 501c3 nonprofit organization headquartered in Tipton, Pennsylvania, is the 2003 First Place Winner of the ASPCA Pet Protector Award. The group has 130 area reps in 35 states as well as in Canada and Hong Kong. Thayne was also a Top Ten Finalist for the 2006 Animal Planet Hero of the Year Contest.
YouTube Video Link of Award Plus Animal Control Ride-Along
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_vyZp_zR8I
For Immediate Release
Contact: Tamira Ci Thayne • founder, Dogs Deserve Better • info@dogsdeservebetter.org
www.dogsdeservebetter.org • P.O. Box 23, Tipton, PA 16684 • 1.877.636.1408 • 814.941.7447
Receives 'key to the city' in Fort Pierce Florida
for her compassionate act
Tamira Thayne, founder of Dogs Deserve Better, honored at ceremony in late February 2009
March 1, 2009, Altoona, PA — Tamira Ci Thayne, founder of the award-winning non-profit Dogs Deserve Better, was granted the Key to the City of Fort Pierce Florida by the Mayor's office at a ceremony in late February. Thayne, formerly Tammy Grimes, was found guilty of theft and receiving stolen property in December 2007 after a three-day trial in Blair County, Pennsylvania. The case, which pitted dogs as property against the inherent rights of animals kept as companions, made headlines nationally and was featured on Inside Edition and in a host of news publications and Internet blogs.
Thayne was presented the Key to the City by Mrs. Donna Benton, wife of Mayor Bob Benton, who commended Thayne for her actions in helping Doogie, telling the audience "When you see a dog in distress, take heart and give it some aid—because they should all have a home with a family."
Thayne was arrested September 11, 2006 after rescuing a dog that had lain on the ground in a yard in East Freedom, Pennsylvania for three days, unable to stand and pleading for help. A distraught neighbor tried repeatedly to convince humane agents to help the dog, but no officer ever returned calls or showed up. Finally, the neighbor turned to Dogs Deserve Better.
Thayne, touched and honored by receiving the key to Fort Pierce, was also amused by the contrast between the actions of Fort Pierce, Florida and the actions of those in power in her hometown of Altoona, Pennsylvania.
"It's a night and day reaction," she explains with a grin. "In Altoona I am treated as a pariah, a criminal, and in fact was termed 'worse than his worst hardened-criminal' and 'a piece of trash' by District Attorney Richard Consiglio. Yet here, and in many other areas, I am honored for my efforts to help the aging shepherd, and people are able to recognize the truth for what it is.
"I want to thank Fort Pierce and Mayor Benton and his wife Donna for their courage in coming to stand behind me. No dog should be left outside for life, and no dog should ever be left to die there, unable to stand, still chained, and flailing about in the mud and his own feces.
"We are still working to bring private cruelty charges against the caretakers of this dog, and will be back in court in June to attempt to override the DA's denial of the case. We will always remember Doogie, and I never, EVER, have regretted for one moment my actions in helping him."
During the case, jurors were permitted to view photos of the dog’s emaciated condition on the day of rescue; however video taken at the scene, photographs of the dog’s much-improved condition post-rescue, and expert vet and investigation procedure testimony were barred from the courtroom. An appeal is still pending.
To learn more about the Doogie case, visit the website at http://www.dogsdeservebetter.org/doogie.html.
Dogs Deserve Better, a 501c3 nonprofit organization headquartered in Tipton, Pennsylvania, is the 2003 First Place Winner of the ASPCA Pet Protector Award. The group has 130 area reps in 35 states as well as in Canada and Hong Kong. Thayne was also a Top Ten Finalist for the 2006 Animal Planet Hero of the Year Contest.
YouTube Video Link of Award Plus Animal Control Ride-Along
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_vyZp_zR8I
For Immediate Release
Contact: Tamira Ci Thayne • founder, Dogs Deserve Better • info@dogsdeservebetter.org
www.dogsdeservebetter.org • P.O. Box 23, Tipton, PA 16684 • 1.877.636.1408 • 814.941.7447
Sunday, February 22, 2009
They Cannot Kill Truth with Poison
Today is February 22, 2009, and I’m officially off probation for the theft of a dog left flailing about in the mud and his own feces—unable to stand for three days—yet who, regardless of his plight, remained chained indifferently to the same doghouse he’d known forever.
History of the Doogie story: http://www.dogsdeservebetter.org/doogie.html
One year ago today I was called a piece of trash by a DA who’s sole concern was that I’d removed property from the yard of an East Freedom home.
One year ago today I was told I was no hero by a judge who withheld video evidence of the dog’s condition and instructed the jury to convict me.
The breach in morality by those in power so overwhelmed me that I spiraled into the abyss known solely as hell, even losing my daughter because I couldn’t face another day in the courtroom that terrified me and drew me back to childhood traumas.
I was forced to confront the demons of my past. I saw the cycle of abuse repeat itself, and struggled to make sense of it, find a way through the darkness back to the light I believed in and which gave me a reason to exist.
For 60 days I could barely lift my head. Could scarcely put one foot in front of the other. Could hardly lead the organization I loved with such passion, nurtured from its essence, grew from a pebble.
Yet today, I know that truth still stands. Those in power may seek to control a truth they find bothersome, may seek to destroy those who fight for that truth, may cover the truth with so many lies it is damn near impossible to extract from the poison.
But extract it we will.
Fight for it we will.
Die for it we will, and gladly.
Because you will never kill the truth, or the souls of those who protect it.
Truth has a power you cannot have. Truth has the power of purity, of God strength, of a massive uprising that can only be suppressed by immorality for so long before bursting forth with a power so fierce there are no bounds to contain it.
Dogs do have rights, and protecting Doogie from abuse was not only my responsibility but my moral obligation, and ironically my duty under the law just as his owners. If one has knowledge of abuse and does nothing then they are just as guilty of that abuse as those committing the crime. You have not destroyed that knowledge.
Dogs do not belong on chains, nor does any other, man nor beast. Freedom belongs to us all, and is not the domain only of man, or only of men.
We will be free, and we will continue to fight for freedom for those who have not. Join me in this battle; they have not killed the truth with their poison.
Truth still lives, and the truth will be set free.
SHARK Video of the Doogie Story
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V8OI58JoufU
History of the Doogie story: http://www.dogsdeservebetter.org/doogie.html
One year ago today I was called a piece of trash by a DA who’s sole concern was that I’d removed property from the yard of an East Freedom home.
One year ago today I was told I was no hero by a judge who withheld video evidence of the dog’s condition and instructed the jury to convict me.
The breach in morality by those in power so overwhelmed me that I spiraled into the abyss known solely as hell, even losing my daughter because I couldn’t face another day in the courtroom that terrified me and drew me back to childhood traumas.
I was forced to confront the demons of my past. I saw the cycle of abuse repeat itself, and struggled to make sense of it, find a way through the darkness back to the light I believed in and which gave me a reason to exist.
For 60 days I could barely lift my head. Could scarcely put one foot in front of the other. Could hardly lead the organization I loved with such passion, nurtured from its essence, grew from a pebble.
Yet today, I know that truth still stands. Those in power may seek to control a truth they find bothersome, may seek to destroy those who fight for that truth, may cover the truth with so many lies it is damn near impossible to extract from the poison.
But extract it we will.
Fight for it we will.
Die for it we will, and gladly.
Because you will never kill the truth, or the souls of those who protect it.
Truth has a power you cannot have. Truth has the power of purity, of God strength, of a massive uprising that can only be suppressed by immorality for so long before bursting forth with a power so fierce there are no bounds to contain it.
Dogs do have rights, and protecting Doogie from abuse was not only my responsibility but my moral obligation, and ironically my duty under the law just as his owners. If one has knowledge of abuse and does nothing then they are just as guilty of that abuse as those committing the crime. You have not destroyed that knowledge.
Dogs do not belong on chains, nor does any other, man nor beast. Freedom belongs to us all, and is not the domain only of man, or only of men.
We will be free, and we will continue to fight for freedom for those who have not. Join me in this battle; they have not killed the truth with their poison.
Truth still lives, and the truth will be set free.
SHARK Video of the Doogie Story
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V8OI58JoufU
Thursday, January 29, 2009
"Scream Like Banshee: 29 Days of Tips & Tales to Keep your Sanity as a Doggie Foster Parent" Seeking Sponsors
Tamira Ci Thayne, DDB founder and CEO, is publishing her first book in February, entitled "Scream Like Banshee: 29 Days of Tips and Tales to Keep your Sanity as a Doggie Foster Parent". She is now opening the field to a limited number of book sponsorships. Each sponsorship will get you: your logo or name/business name printed on the back cover and listed as a sponsor, as well as either a 1/2 page (measured at 5"x4") or full page ad (measured at 5"x8"). Books will be sold and available at all online booksellers, as well as via the DDB website and at all DDB booths and events. To learn more or grab one of the few sponsorships available, contact Tamira at Tami@littlegirllooking.com.
Monday, January 26, 2009
Organization Condemns PA State Legislators who Failed to Enact Chaining Law, says "Girl's Blood is On Your Hands"
Organization condemns Pennsylvania State Legislators who Failed to Enact chaining law, says "Girl's Blood is On Your Hands"
Calls for Immediate Ban on Dog Chaining in Pennsylvania
after Death of Child in Chained-Dog Attack
Tipton, PA -- January 26, 2009 -- Tamira Ci Thayne, Founder of Dogs Deserve Better, an organization working to end the chaining of dogs and bring them into the home and family, issued harsh words today for those legislators who blocked a proposed law on dog chaining in the past two sessions: "Her blood is on your hands."
"Her blood" refers to the death of Brianna Shanor, an 8-year-old girl killed in Beaver County by a chained mixed breed dog on December 19th.
"If state legislators had acted to pass our all-too-reasonable law limiting chaining of dogs for life, there's a good chance that this attack would never have happened. A law which, adequately enforced, would have cut back on chaining, causing most people to either socialize dogs by bringing them into the home and family or at a minimum erect a fencing barrier between the dog and small children, would have and could have saved the life of this child.
Now she is dead, and her mother is forced to mourn her for the rest of her life. There is no easy way to say this: I place the blame for her death at the hands of those in the Pennsylvania House who blocked HB1065 last session. I am calling for an immediate and total ban on dog chaining in the state of Pennsylvania. How many lives must end—both dogs and children—before legislators take the action that is both needed and demanded by our citizens?"
According to an article in the Beaver County Times, Brianna " went near one of several dogs at the property, a more than 100-pound, mixed-breed dog, which was chained outside an old camping trailer that the dog used for shelter. The dog was on a chain 15 to 20 feet long."
A child of Brianna's size and age has no defense against a dog that large—an unsocialized, unneutered, male—bent on attacking and killing.
Dogs Deserve Better has been one of the organizations at the forefront of the push for a state law, and in the last two sessions house bills were put forward to limit chaining. Animal advocacy groups banded together to lobby for the legislation, which last year made it out of the House and to the floor before being blocked and left to die.
Connecticut, California, and Texas have all enacted some legislation limiting chaining, and over 150 cities and counties have followed suit.
For more information on Dogs Deserve Better, visit their website at dogsdeservebetter.org.
Calls for Immediate Ban on Dog Chaining in Pennsylvania
after Death of Child in Chained-Dog Attack
Tipton, PA -- January 26, 2009 -- Tamira Ci Thayne, Founder of Dogs Deserve Better, an organization working to end the chaining of dogs and bring them into the home and family, issued harsh words today for those legislators who blocked a proposed law on dog chaining in the past two sessions: "Her blood is on your hands."
"Her blood" refers to the death of Brianna Shanor, an 8-year-old girl killed in Beaver County by a chained mixed breed dog on December 19th.
"If state legislators had acted to pass our all-too-reasonable law limiting chaining of dogs for life, there's a good chance that this attack would never have happened. A law which, adequately enforced, would have cut back on chaining, causing most people to either socialize dogs by bringing them into the home and family or at a minimum erect a fencing barrier between the dog and small children, would have and could have saved the life of this child.
Now she is dead, and her mother is forced to mourn her for the rest of her life. There is no easy way to say this: I place the blame for her death at the hands of those in the Pennsylvania House who blocked HB1065 last session. I am calling for an immediate and total ban on dog chaining in the state of Pennsylvania. How many lives must end—both dogs and children—before legislators take the action that is both needed and demanded by our citizens?"
According to an article in the Beaver County Times, Brianna " went near one of several dogs at the property, a more than 100-pound, mixed-breed dog, which was chained outside an old camping trailer that the dog used for shelter. The dog was on a chain 15 to 20 feet long."
A child of Brianna's size and age has no defense against a dog that large—an unsocialized, unneutered, male—bent on attacking and killing.
Dogs Deserve Better has been one of the organizations at the forefront of the push for a state law, and in the last two sessions house bills were put forward to limit chaining. Animal advocacy groups banded together to lobby for the legislation, which last year made it out of the House and to the floor before being blocked and left to die.
Connecticut, California, and Texas have all enacted some legislation limiting chaining, and over 150 cities and counties have followed suit.
For more information on Dogs Deserve Better, visit their website at dogsdeservebetter.org.
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Investigation into CT State Law Against Chaining Dogs for Life
I'm doing a TV interview here in Connecticut on Sunday about the chaining of dogs for life, in which case I decided to investigate how chaining is being addressed in Connecticut...in case you don't know it, there is a chaining law in CT which states that dogs cannot be chained for 'an unreasonable amount of time.' Granted, that's not the best law, it's very vague, but it certainly implies that dogs cannot be chained 24/7, right? Check out what occurred in only 1 hour of being in the state:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PdzIvpAP0H0
I had already found the AC phone number this morning, and had it ready to call when I found this chow who I had received complaints about, only to discover at 3:43 p.m. I was already too late to actually get to speak to a Middletown, CT Animal Control officer! I then transferred myself to a policeman, who had no idea what the state law was, and found it much more prudent to argue with me about the fact that although I called at 3:43 my time, probably her time it was actually 3:45 p.m. and it was already 3:44 p.m. his time, which means that the AC was totally justified in closing up shop a few minutes early due to time differences...
He did say that the cops would 'go by there a few times tonight' looking for infractions of state law, and would inform the animal control officer of their findings. I asked him if the police would inform me of their findings if I left my number, but he told me that no, they indeed would not, and if I wanted any help to contact the AC again. I insisted he transfer me to the AC, where I left the following message:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m96yW-M93L4
I have not had a chance to edit yet or add photos and make a 'real' video of this, but check out these two videos of a dog chained in Middletown, CT on Friday, January 23, 2009.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PdzIvpAP0H0
I had already found the AC phone number this morning, and had it ready to call when I found this chow who I had received complaints about, only to discover at 3:43 p.m. I was already too late to actually get to speak to a Middletown, CT Animal Control officer! I then transferred myself to a policeman, who had no idea what the state law was, and found it much more prudent to argue with me about the fact that although I called at 3:43 my time, probably her time it was actually 3:45 p.m. and it was already 3:44 p.m. his time, which means that the AC was totally justified in closing up shop a few minutes early due to time differences...
He did say that the cops would 'go by there a few times tonight' looking for infractions of state law, and would inform the animal control officer of their findings. I asked him if the police would inform me of their findings if I left my number, but he told me that no, they indeed would not, and if I wanted any help to contact the AC again. I insisted he transfer me to the AC, where I left the following message:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m96yW-M93L4
I have not had a chance to edit yet or add photos and make a 'real' video of this, but check out these two videos of a dog chained in Middletown, CT on Friday, January 23, 2009.
Friday, January 16, 2009
I Had a Dream Dogs were Dying in the Forest
Last night I had a dream that I was in a lush forest with tall, tall evergreen trees. I could barely see the sky because the tops of the trees came together, forming a canopy, blocking out the distant but grey sky.
I could hear dogs scattered all throughout the forest, crying for help and begging for me to come for them; but I couldn’t see them. I knew they were gonna die.
I hated the feeling, and I rushed around the forest trying to find them, to no avail. It was useless.
Then I woke up, only to discover that my dream wasn’t much different than my reality.
Last night it was -5 degrees here in Pennsylvania, with a wind chill at -20. As I snuggled up cozy in my bed with my dog and foster dogs and cats reading Breaking Dawn for the millionth time, my guts wanted to rip out of my stomach. I couldn’t even focus.
I just wanted to go to sleep so I wouldn’t have to feel the stress of knowing they were out there dying. But I felt guilty that I got to sleep warm and cozy and they are left out there to suffer another endless night and another endless day of subzero temperatures.
I feel helpless and hopeless.
I know that careless caretakers really don’t care that the dogs are frozen to the ground outside or in their pitiful excuse for a doghouse.
My brain can’t process that mentality.
When they get up in the morning, they will see if the dog is dead or not. If so, they will toss it away quickly, get rid of the evidence, before whatever local and in most cases wretchedly pathetic humane agent actually gets a call from the neighbor and may show up later to find out why they left their dog outside to die last night.
You know, just curious and all.
But it really doesn’t matter why they did it, because it’s too damn late. The dog is already dead. The dog already suffered, looking for help that never came, and died, frozen to the ground right where he lay.
And there’s nothing I can do about it.
But maybe, just maybe, if we all get angry enough, we can rise up and make some kind of damn difference. Maybe.
I spent much of the last two days faxing press releases and begging for news stories from the local news stations and papers. I did hear that the Altoona Mirror actually ran an article about animals freezing, so that’s something. I know they didn’t bother to interview us, even though that is our specialty. Maybe the TV stations did a mention, but I do know that not one of them got back to me for an interview.
I’m only local news when I get arrested, just another criminal. It’s laughable.
It really is that time, people. Don’t you feel it? Can’t you hear it calling to you?
What will it take to put the dog lovers in action? How many atrocities have to occur in America before we say enough is enough?
STOP taking the abuse. When careless caretakers abuse their dog and leave it to die in their yard, they are abusing us as well. Their pain is our pain.
When we hear and know they are suffering, we suffer right along with them. Because we’re connected.
I’m tired of being abused.
I’m tired of uprising alone.
It takes a village, people. Go uprise!
If you see a dog suffering in your area, plant yourself in front of that damn house and don’t move until you are arrested or they are. It’s really that simple.
Sooner or later the cops will know we’re not taking the abuse anymore, and they’ll start arresting the right person.
Abusers abuse, that’s what they do. They abuse us, they abuse animals. As long as we take it without fighting back, we’re just as wrong as they are.
As long as we’re big cowards, the big bullies will win.
Stand up.
I could hear dogs scattered all throughout the forest, crying for help and begging for me to come for them; but I couldn’t see them. I knew they were gonna die.
I hated the feeling, and I rushed around the forest trying to find them, to no avail. It was useless.
Then I woke up, only to discover that my dream wasn’t much different than my reality.
Last night it was -5 degrees here in Pennsylvania, with a wind chill at -20. As I snuggled up cozy in my bed with my dog and foster dogs and cats reading Breaking Dawn for the millionth time, my guts wanted to rip out of my stomach. I couldn’t even focus.
I just wanted to go to sleep so I wouldn’t have to feel the stress of knowing they were out there dying. But I felt guilty that I got to sleep warm and cozy and they are left out there to suffer another endless night and another endless day of subzero temperatures.
I feel helpless and hopeless.
I know that careless caretakers really don’t care that the dogs are frozen to the ground outside or in their pitiful excuse for a doghouse.
My brain can’t process that mentality.
When they get up in the morning, they will see if the dog is dead or not. If so, they will toss it away quickly, get rid of the evidence, before whatever local and in most cases wretchedly pathetic humane agent actually gets a call from the neighbor and may show up later to find out why they left their dog outside to die last night.
You know, just curious and all.
But it really doesn’t matter why they did it, because it’s too damn late. The dog is already dead. The dog already suffered, looking for help that never came, and died, frozen to the ground right where he lay.
And there’s nothing I can do about it.
But maybe, just maybe, if we all get angry enough, we can rise up and make some kind of damn difference. Maybe.
I spent much of the last two days faxing press releases and begging for news stories from the local news stations and papers. I did hear that the Altoona Mirror actually ran an article about animals freezing, so that’s something. I know they didn’t bother to interview us, even though that is our specialty. Maybe the TV stations did a mention, but I do know that not one of them got back to me for an interview.
I’m only local news when I get arrested, just another criminal. It’s laughable.
It really is that time, people. Don’t you feel it? Can’t you hear it calling to you?
What will it take to put the dog lovers in action? How many atrocities have to occur in America before we say enough is enough?
STOP taking the abuse. When careless caretakers abuse their dog and leave it to die in their yard, they are abusing us as well. Their pain is our pain.
When we hear and know they are suffering, we suffer right along with them. Because we’re connected.
I’m tired of being abused.
I’m tired of uprising alone.
It takes a village, people. Go uprise!
If you see a dog suffering in your area, plant yourself in front of that damn house and don’t move until you are arrested or they are. It’s really that simple.
Sooner or later the cops will know we’re not taking the abuse anymore, and they’ll start arresting the right person.
Abusers abuse, that’s what they do. They abuse us, they abuse animals. As long as we take it without fighting back, we’re just as wrong as they are.
As long as we’re big cowards, the big bullies will win.
Stand up.
Tuesday, January 06, 2009
Seeking Crafty Kids to Create Canine Valentines
Sorry I have been blogging in a long while...I don't know what go into me! Besides Twilight, that is...man, where are all the gorgeous, hot vampire men in this world?
Anyway, we really need some action this year for Have a Heart for Chained Dogs Week! As we're expecting to mail 12,500 valentines to chained dogs, we first and foremost need some kids and adults making the valentines...and then we need a ton of addresses of dogs to send them too...so please, please, crosspost this and help us get some action. Below is the press release, with links to the page on our site if you need more information...
http://www.dogsdeservebetter.org/Valentines2009.html
Group Seeks Crafty Kids to Create Canine Valentines
Elementary School Students, Clubs, Groups, and Individuals Needed
to Make Valentines for Delivery to Chained Dogs Nationwide
Tipton, PA -- January 06, 2009 -- As Valentine’s Day approaches, non-profit organization Dogs Deserve Better is asking for help from dog lovers nationwide in a direct mail outreach campaign which pairs Valentines created by schoolchildren with America's chained dogs.
Dogs Deserve Better, a national rescue and advocacy group dedicated to ending the suffering of perpetually chained dogs, annually sends Valentines and dog treat coupons to chained canines across the country during its Have a Heart for Chained Dogs Week, February 7-14.
The group includes a brochure for the dog’s caretakers, explaining why the antiquated practice of chaining dogs for their lives is a form of abuse. The materials encourage people to bring their dogs into the home and family or to find better homes for the animals. Last year's campaign reached 10,435 dogs.
By the end of January, the group needs 12,500 Valentines to pair with addresses for chained and penned dogs. Each Valentine should measure no more than 4"x8.5"so that it readily fits into a mailing envelope.
"The creation of the Valentines is an ideal project for schools, scouting troops, and other similar organizations because children have a natural love for animals, especially dogs, and enjoy making art projects,” says founder Tamira Thayne, an artist herself. "We receive thousands of heart-touchingly creative Valentines made by schoolchildren each year, sending the dogs good wishes and hopes for a brighter future."
Although the practice of 24/7 chaining is pervasive in many parts of the country, especially in rural areas, states and cities have started to pass laws against the practice. California passed a law in 2006 and Texas followed suit in 2007. Hundreds of cities have passed, or are considering, similar legislation.
Meanwhile, countless “backyard dogs” are spending yet another winter in the cold. Often, they shiver day and night in leaky, uninsulated doghouses, suffer from thirst because their water is frozen, and pace neurotically from lack of exercise and attention. Perpetually chained dogs can become aggressive or insane from their constant confinement, often posing a danger to people.
Dogs Deserve Better provides a variety of services to people who agree to take their dogs off their chains, including providing help with socialization, housetraining, and fencing.
For more information about the Valentine’s Day outreach, go to http://www.dogsdeservebetter.org/Valentines2009.html or email info@dogsdeservebetter.org.
Valentines, addresses and donations can be sent to: P.O. Box 23, Tipton, Pennsylvania 16684. For general information about Dogs Deserve Better go to www.dogsdeservebetter.org.
Anyway, we really need some action this year for Have a Heart for Chained Dogs Week! As we're expecting to mail 12,500 valentines to chained dogs, we first and foremost need some kids and adults making the valentines...and then we need a ton of addresses of dogs to send them too...so please, please, crosspost this and help us get some action. Below is the press release, with links to the page on our site if you need more information...
http://www.dogsdeservebetter.org/Valentines2009.html
Group Seeks Crafty Kids to Create Canine Valentines
Elementary School Students, Clubs, Groups, and Individuals Needed
to Make Valentines for Delivery to Chained Dogs Nationwide
Tipton, PA -- January 06, 2009 -- As Valentine’s Day approaches, non-profit organization Dogs Deserve Better is asking for help from dog lovers nationwide in a direct mail outreach campaign which pairs Valentines created by schoolchildren with America's chained dogs.
Dogs Deserve Better, a national rescue and advocacy group dedicated to ending the suffering of perpetually chained dogs, annually sends Valentines and dog treat coupons to chained canines across the country during its Have a Heart for Chained Dogs Week, February 7-14.
The group includes a brochure for the dog’s caretakers, explaining why the antiquated practice of chaining dogs for their lives is a form of abuse. The materials encourage people to bring their dogs into the home and family or to find better homes for the animals. Last year's campaign reached 10,435 dogs.
By the end of January, the group needs 12,500 Valentines to pair with addresses for chained and penned dogs. Each Valentine should measure no more than 4"x8.5"so that it readily fits into a mailing envelope.
"The creation of the Valentines is an ideal project for schools, scouting troops, and other similar organizations because children have a natural love for animals, especially dogs, and enjoy making art projects,” says founder Tamira Thayne, an artist herself. "We receive thousands of heart-touchingly creative Valentines made by schoolchildren each year, sending the dogs good wishes and hopes for a brighter future."
Although the practice of 24/7 chaining is pervasive in many parts of the country, especially in rural areas, states and cities have started to pass laws against the practice. California passed a law in 2006 and Texas followed suit in 2007. Hundreds of cities have passed, or are considering, similar legislation.
Meanwhile, countless “backyard dogs” are spending yet another winter in the cold. Often, they shiver day and night in leaky, uninsulated doghouses, suffer from thirst because their water is frozen, and pace neurotically from lack of exercise and attention. Perpetually chained dogs can become aggressive or insane from their constant confinement, often posing a danger to people.
Dogs Deserve Better provides a variety of services to people who agree to take their dogs off their chains, including providing help with socialization, housetraining, and fencing.
For more information about the Valentine’s Day outreach, go to http://www.dogsdeservebetter.org/Valentines2009.html or email info@dogsdeservebetter.org.
Valentines, addresses and donations can be sent to: P.O. Box 23, Tipton, Pennsylvania 16684. For general information about Dogs Deserve Better go to www.dogsdeservebetter.org.
Sunday, October 05, 2008
Maria Daines "Chained to You" for Shepp, Proceeds to DDB
Please
Help get Justice for Shepp, a German Shepherd
left to Starve
on the End of a Chain
Maria
Daines, who is becoming known
as the Goddess of Animal Rights Music, has
written an incredibly moving song for Shepp,
and is generously allowing DDB to keep any money raised from downloads. The
song is now up, please listen and download at: www.indiestore.com/dogsdeservebetter or
listen and download it from this widget, below:
Details
of the case since DDB heard of it:
9/22/2008
After being dumped off at an abandoned
home in Corpus Christi, TX, a German Shepherd was found in horrific
conditions last week on 9/16/08. Parts of his bones were exposed
due to constant friction from trying to move. No arrests have been
made.
Laying on the concrete, unable to even get up from his side and
with what appeared to be a wound on his neck was a dog laying under
a carport. Barely within reach was an overturned bucket with some
dry food.
Shepp, a German Shepherd, squirmed in an attempt to move when
the Animal Control people arrived. The dog was unable to budge
but a few inches. His ribs were protruding through the skin due
to him weighing 43 lbs., less than half of what would be considered
a healthy weight. Skin was actually growing over his collar and
there were wounds all over his body. The skin and the muscle had
worn through due to the friction of him struggling on the cement,
with approximately one inch of shoulder bone exposed. It is being
labeled as the worst case of animal neglect that local officials
have ever seen.
A neighbour told reporters that
a man in a tan coloured Ford Ranger pickup dropped the dog off
about a month ago at a vacant home. She said in the news report
that she knew the dog was indeed thin but didn't know to what extend
until this past Monday when it had apparently gotten loose from
whatever means the individual had used to tie it up.
The pickup was found at another residence in Corpus Christi. The
owner of the residence claimed to know who owned the pickup but
couldn't remember his name despite it being her brother-in-law.
She said he found the dog, according to the KZTV news report.
Sadly, Animal Control director,
Kelli Copeland explained how this case and so many other animal
abuse cases fall short of proper investigation and prosecution
due to limited resources. When there is a child abuse case versus
and animal abuse case, current available resources go to the children.
Shepp was removed from the horrific conditions in which he was
found but he died in a local animal facility last Friday. The owners
have not been charged with any crime and police are not confirming
that they know who owned Shepp.
Here is a link
to the footage of Shepp by KZTV 10, but be warned,
it is graphic and very disturbing.
To sign a petition to bring justice for Shepp which will be sent
to local officials, please
visit this link.
10/01/2008
A major development
in the animal cruelty case of Shepp the Dog. TWO PEOPLE HAVE BEEN
ARRESTED! A 44-year old man named
Daniel Luna, and a 45-year old woman named Norma Luna. Both charged
with animal cruelty. We will continue to update as we get more
information.
According to ACO Richard Golb, the DA who is prosecuting the case
is Deborah Rudder - here is contact info for that office :
PROSECUTORS' OFFICE
Office Hours: Monday – Thursday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00
p.m.
Physical Address: 120 North Chaparral, Room 240
Mailing Address: P.O.
Box 9277 Corpus Christi, Texas 78469-9277
Telephone Number: (361)
826-2530
Fax: (361) 886-2567
E-mail: Prosecutors@cctexas.com
A comparison of Shepp's
photos (graphic) to Doogie's photos
follows:
We are struck by the similarity
between photos of Doogie and photos of Shepp. Doogie
was lucky we found him when we did, and that the neighbor did not stop looking
for help when humane officers failed to respond. Yet, despite
vets best efforts, Shepp died of the cruelty bestowed upon him.
Why does it seem that when concerned citizens and neighbors do
the right thing and get help to save the dog before it's too late,
advocates are arrested for providing that help, and when they don't,
the poor creature dies and then maybe, maybe, cruelty
charges are filed? We maintain that these dogs have MORE rights
than to die BEFORE cruelty charges are filed. They deserve to LIVE!
And, where is the new
Texas law on this?
Wednesday, October 01, 2008
CHAIN-GE We Can Count On! Campaign at Dogs Deserve Better
As Election Day approaches, both candidates are filling the airwaves with talk of change...and here at DDB we're joining in by talking about some CHAIN-GE of our own!
Help us by using your spare Change to create some lasting CHAIN-GE for America's chained and penned dogs.
It's a simple but effective idea: Help Dogs Deserve Better through Election Day by taking all your spare change, tossing it in a jar, and saving it up through November 4th. If everyone on our e-mail list saved only $5.00 in change, an amount that won't be missed by ANYONE, we'd have over $25,000 dollars by November 4th! This would go a long way toward vetting dogs, building fences, and printing educational materials in preparation for the winter onslaught of dogs who are suffering and need our help.
So, on Election Day when you go out to vote for the Candidate you believe will bring the most Change, stop by your bank or grocery, change that change into dollar bills, and send it along to Dogs Deserve Better at P.O. Box 23, Tipton, PA, 16684.
Make sure you let us know it's for our Chain-ge We Can Count On Campaign, so we can total the amount raised, and give the individual sending in the most money a free Puddles Pak of her/his choice!
Join us today in turning that Change into Chain-ge for Chained Dogs!
In a downward economy such as we're facing right now, it's the smaller nonprofits who really suffer and whose programs really suffer. Nonprofits without a 'nest egg' of bequests (DDB has not as of this date received any major bequests to enable us to build a nest egg) that have built up over time cannot hope to make it through hard times when donations dry up.
Dogs Deserve Better has always put our funding to use as it comes in month to month, expanding programs as possible, expanding vet care, and expanding educational programs whenever funding permits. We feel it's our obligation to put our donor funds to the best possible use, and sitting on it doesn't do our 'clients' any good.
I personally pledge to you that Dogs Deserve Better will keep going no matter what. Our programs are already suffering, and we will continue to cut back as necessary, yet we will not quit.
If you are not suffering financially, now is the time to step up your support for smaller nonprofits, and hopefully Dogs Deserve Better. Our monthly donor programs start as low as $5.00-$10.00 a month (we all can give that much!), and can be set up through our paypal account or through our merchant account by calling us at 814.941.7447. Monthly donations form the basis of our monthly budget, and without that money to count on, we start at square one each and every month.
Remember Dogs Deserve Better in your will or planned giving. Your gift can help our dreams come true by building a Rehab Center for America's Chained and Penned dogs and helping us expand our services exponentially.
Support our fencing or vetting programs, or give a donation to the general fund which covers our educational materials and costs of mailing to homes with chained and penned dogs.
There's so much we need, there's so much we do, there's so much this nation would lose if Dogs Deserve Better were not here. We deserve to be here, and we will not stop no matter how bad the economy becomes.
On a personal note, just this month alone someone dropped a black lab boy at my home, probably due to a foreclosure, and Sweetpea, a foster dog who was in a home for a year and a half, came back due to the economy. These are unexpected costs and unexpected guests, but I could not turn these dogs away. In tough times, our 'clients', the chained and penned dogs, are suffering even more and need our help even more. But without funding we cannot make that happen.
So continue to support the work of Dogs Deserve Better. Save your change, and help us make CHAIN-GE. Thank you.
Tamira Ci Thayne, founder and CEO, Dogs Deserve Better
Friday, May 02, 2008
Registration Opens for Chain Off 2008: Unchain Our World, Plus, Please Sponsor Me!
Chain Off has been held annually around the 4th of July since 2003, highlighting the reality that while Americans are celebrating their own freedom, there are tens of thousands of Man's Best Friends in every state who are still not free: America's chained and penned dogs. These dogs are found in backyards stretching from Delaware to Alaska, from Maine to Hawaii, all throughout the provinces of Canada, and in countries around the world.
Chain Off has evolved from one woman chaining herself to a doghouse in 2004 for 33 hours, to108 people chaining themselves in 36 states and Canada during last year's 2007 Chain Off to raise awareness for chained dogs.
This year help us blow that 108 total out of the water by chaining yourself in your own backyard, your neighborhood, a local park, or with us in Chicago! Join up 'in packs' to make a local event of it, or take it low-key in a one-woman or one-man show in your own backyard. However it works for you, it's ok by us! We've got more excitement than ever, with a large event in Chicago where activists will be chained, and new ways to fundraise in groups or on your own. We'd like to see 200 people, and at least one from EVERY SINGLE STATE, living chained to doghouses sometime during the week from June 27th through July 7th. We can do it!
This is also our biggest fundraising event of the year, last year raising over $20,000 for our work with chained and penned dogs. $20,000? Let's blow that out of the water this year too, with a goal of $60,000 raised during Chain Off! Be part of it! You can be a sponsor, exhibitor, chain yourself, or just donate and cheer from the sidelines. You can fundraise even if you're not going to live chained to the doghouse...join a fundraising 'team' near you, start your own fundraising page, and make it happen.
Please sponsor me for Chain Off! I'm trying to raise $3000.00 for our work!
Read All About Chain Off and Our Chicago Main Event
Saturday, April 12, 2008
Dognamic Duo's Tour Days 5 & 6: Alabama and Georgia Chaining
Day 5 Alabama—Too Young to Be a Mother!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2DTWjWyj5oU
The theme of the Dognamic Duo’s presence in Alabama is “Spay and Neuter” or “Too Young to Be a Mother”. This theme goes for both the young women and the dogs we met. Practically everywhere we stopped we found pregnant or nursing dogs with pregnant or nursing caretakers; all too young to be in their condition.
This morning we drove to Alabama to meet with Sonya who was kind enough to put Tammy and me up in her beautiful home, feed us and let me sleep in the bunk bed with the fluffy giant teddy bear. Sonya and Linda Morgan took us on an expedition in search of Alabama chained dogs. We stopped at the home of a pregnant young woman with two dogs she chained together to keep them in the yard. Cooper, the Husky mix, was a wanderer and the other was a homebody so their caretaker thought maybe if she chained them together the stay-at-home dog would detour the drifter from meandering. She was very kind and invited us into her home and around her yard. We offered her a fencing application and she agreed that a fence and a doggie door would solve many of her problems and make her home more accessible to her dogs.
The next family we met had a penned pit in the yard. The pregnant young wife asked her husband to come to the door and he told us the dog used to live in the house. They had another dog sitting on the couch watching television with them. When asked why the one dog was in a pen and the other was in the house the man told us that the pit “got too big for the house” and started knocking things around. Tammy asked them it they thought the Bulldog was bigger than they were because they were allowed in the house. The question flew over their heads. We left them information, treats, a collar and leash so they could take their dog for a walk and moved on.
We stopped at a house in the middle of nowhere and met a white chained Pit Bull named Dixie. Dixie a recent mother herself was lonely for attention; her puppies had all been given away. Dixie’s intense coughing caused us to be concerned about the possible presence of heartworm. Further out in the yard we spied a chained little pup, the tether tangled so taut around the base of a tree the pup was unable to move. Another dog came walking up; she had puppies in the back under the house. Angie, a gracious young 5th grade girl came out of the house to greet us. We thanked her for taking the time to talk with us but asked her to be more careful of whom she approached in the future. We left treats, puppy kits, collars and leashes. She took information from us to give to her mother. Angie went straight to feeding and watering the dogs as we were leaving. All the dogs were dying of thirst.
We visited with a little Weiner dog, obviously NOT “too big for house” but still left outside on a small trolley system. When we gave the Dachshund a squeaky toy his little tail went wild. The next trailer we approached had a chained Pit Bull in the yard and another roaming loose. Neither of these dogs had water and both were so happy to see us. On down the road we ran into another young woman who was interested in the idea of fencing and a doggie door for her Pit Bull named Bryor. Next there was the chained Pit Bull with the “Beware of Dog” sign and the Pit Bull wearing a shock collar with invisible fencing that encompassed about a 20x20 area. The invisible fencing dog had two empty bowls and a hole in the roof of his plastic dog house. The only thing dangerous about any of these sweet dogs was their irresponsible caretakers.
We ended at a trailer with a chained Pit Bull on a trolley. The whole family came out to greet us. The daughter was carrying a baby doll, one of those they give school children to teach them how much work having a baby is. Tammy said to her, “I’ll bet that makes you not want to have kids.” The girl replied, “I’m having one in October.” I’m thinking maybe the school system should start that program a little earlier.
Dogs and people started coming out from all over the place at that trailer. Then we found there were 4 puppies in a shed. The chubby little wrinkle faced pups were in desperate need of socialization.
I used to feel that people were being facetious when they said they thought “No Chains” meant the dogs were to be left free to run at large, but during our travels we have seen quite a few dogs running at large and we realize that this is more of a problem than we originally imagined. Tammy explained that there are two sides of the “Irresponsible Owners Spectrum”; on one end you have dogs running at large and the other you have dogs being chained 24/7 for their entire lives. The middle ground, which is desirable, includes your dog living in the home, with proper fencing and/or walking your dog on a leash.
We ended the evening with a speaking engagement and met some wonderful people in Alabama’s rescue world. We very easily found 36 chained dogs in Alabama bringing our total to 228 in only 5 days.
Alabama proved to be a beautiful state full of friendly people, but like everywhere else, not a great place to be a chained or penned dog. A special thank you to Linda Morgan and the Cullman Area Animal Welfare Association (CAAWA) for their offer to follow up on the animals we met with today.
Tomorrow should be peachy as we head for Georgia bright and early in the A.M.
Diary of Dawn, Day Six, Georgia: It's All About Fight or Flight
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nfy1758gT3g
Tammy and I said goodbye to Alabama and voyaged along a two-lane highway all the way to Georgia. We counted 61 more chained/penned dogs left outside alone and sad as we passed through the country areas, even stopping to pass out information despite the fact that we had to get to the next state...we just couldn't help ourselves!
In Georgia we passed out information and talked with dog caretakers. We spoke with a Hispanic man and met his chained German Shepherd named King, another adorable looking dog with a lazy ear. The dog was in desperate need of fresh water and food, a privilege most chained dogs don’t often receive. King sat up and begged and wagged his tail. I said, “Aww! How sweet!” Little did I know the dog was begging for me to come closer so he could take a bite out of me! King took a piece of my ear and afterward his guardian proclaimed, “Be careful that dog is mean.” Neither Tammy nor I read the aggression in his demeanor or actions, until the obvious of course. I don’t think King would have been violent off of the chain, but guarding the small terriority had made him that way. I still managed to get him fresh water and food; it's mentally draining enough without walking away leaving a dog without food and water. I refused treatment because I felt the wound wasn't too bad and I didn't want King turned in for a dog bite. Tammy and I braked at the nearest service station to stop the bleeding and clean the wound.
Further into Georgia we stopped at a home with two terribly scared Pit Bulls. The female was so frightened she cowered and both Tammy's and my heart shattered. The little girl was pregnant by her yardmate, Kilo. The owner had both dogs in a pen together when they mated; he said it wasn’t on purpose. Now each dog is chained separately in the yard. Kilo was appropriately standing in front of a football. This is Atlanta Falcon’s territory after all and Kilo seemed to understand he was in Michael Vick’s stomping grounds. We wondered if he'd chew up the football and spit it out to pass along his opinion of this treatment of dogs? One could hope.
Next we came across a yard full of chained and penned Pit Bulls. “Beware of Dog” and “No Trespassing” signs gave the breeder’s residence away. Seven chained and God only knows how may penned dogs were on the property. The breeder said the dogs sell for $250.00 a piece and up. We see them put down daily in shelters across the country, but home grown Pit Bulls are still being bred and sold, just to end up in someone else's backyard, dead in the fighting ring, or dead in the shelter system. We pray they will not kill others along the way. Left alone and completely unsocialized, their anger can sometimes turn outward against their imprisoners or other innocents who cross their path. Can we as a society blame them for what is only a reaction to our ignorance and abuse? We've really got to put a stop to our barbaric practices that allow such things to continue.
Just across the road from the Pit Bull plantation was a neighbor, a pleasant young woman who has her Boxer and Chihuahua in a beautiful fenced in yard. The dogs looked lovely, they sleep inside and have their own beds. The caretaker said that others in the neighborhood thought she was crazy for keeping her dogs indoors. We think she is the only responsible one on the block. Her dogs ran up and down the fence and through the yard happily as the Pit Bulls across the street kept their position in the dirt so miserable most of them didn’t even bother to move.
Fight or Flight, when the flight ability is removed from the dog’s scenario the fight instinct is all that remains. Even veteran rescuers are often bitten during these times; approaching a chained dog should be done very cautiously and still the dogs are often hard to read.
"Every forty seconds, someone is presented to an emergency room in the U.S. for dog bite related injury. About sixty percent of the victims are children.” - College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, Dog Bite Facts, June 2004.
“Never tether or chain your dog because this can contribute to aggressive behavior.” - American Veterinary Medical Association, Safety Tips for Dog Owners, JAVMA News, May 15, 2003
"A chained dog is 2.8 times more likely to bite." - Gershman, Sacks, and Wright, Which Dogs Bite? A Case-Control Study of Risk Factors, Pediatrics, Vol.93 No. 6, June 1994.
These are just a few of the statistics we discuss as we make our way through the state of Georgia.
36 dogs in Alabama and 61 more on the way out of the state. Into Georgia we counted 57 chained/penned dogs bringing our overall total 346 by Day 6, already almost 6X higher than our ten dog per state goal! We're now halfway through our journey, not knowing what day it is or or where we are most the time. Tammy realized today was Friday and we both were shocked!
We met with our favorite "pick-me-up" Rep, Pam Cheatham in Atlanta. Thank you Pam for taking the time to meet with us and lift our spirits!
South Carolina in a few hours....I hope I don't fall asleep with my shoes on again! This trip is starting to take a toll on us, both physically and emotionally. We're starting the second half of the journey today, and we hope we can make it through to the end. Thanks for staying with us...your support bouys us up and keeps us going. Don't stop! We need you behind us.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2DTWjWyj5oU
The theme of the Dognamic Duo’s presence in Alabama is “Spay and Neuter” or “Too Young to Be a Mother”. This theme goes for both the young women and the dogs we met. Practically everywhere we stopped we found pregnant or nursing dogs with pregnant or nursing caretakers; all too young to be in their condition.
This morning we drove to Alabama to meet with Sonya who was kind enough to put Tammy and me up in her beautiful home, feed us and let me sleep in the bunk bed with the fluffy giant teddy bear. Sonya and Linda Morgan took us on an expedition in search of Alabama chained dogs. We stopped at the home of a pregnant young woman with two dogs she chained together to keep them in the yard. Cooper, the Husky mix, was a wanderer and the other was a homebody so their caretaker thought maybe if she chained them together the stay-at-home dog would detour the drifter from meandering. She was very kind and invited us into her home and around her yard. We offered her a fencing application and she agreed that a fence and a doggie door would solve many of her problems and make her home more accessible to her dogs.
The next family we met had a penned pit in the yard. The pregnant young wife asked her husband to come to the door and he told us the dog used to live in the house. They had another dog sitting on the couch watching television with them. When asked why the one dog was in a pen and the other was in the house the man told us that the pit “got too big for the house” and started knocking things around. Tammy asked them it they thought the Bulldog was bigger than they were because they were allowed in the house. The question flew over their heads. We left them information, treats, a collar and leash so they could take their dog for a walk and moved on.
We stopped at a house in the middle of nowhere and met a white chained Pit Bull named Dixie. Dixie a recent mother herself was lonely for attention; her puppies had all been given away. Dixie’s intense coughing caused us to be concerned about the possible presence of heartworm. Further out in the yard we spied a chained little pup, the tether tangled so taut around the base of a tree the pup was unable to move. Another dog came walking up; she had puppies in the back under the house. Angie, a gracious young 5th grade girl came out of the house to greet us. We thanked her for taking the time to talk with us but asked her to be more careful of whom she approached in the future. We left treats, puppy kits, collars and leashes. She took information from us to give to her mother. Angie went straight to feeding and watering the dogs as we were leaving. All the dogs were dying of thirst.
We visited with a little Weiner dog, obviously NOT “too big for house” but still left outside on a small trolley system. When we gave the Dachshund a squeaky toy his little tail went wild. The next trailer we approached had a chained Pit Bull in the yard and another roaming loose. Neither of these dogs had water and both were so happy to see us. On down the road we ran into another young woman who was interested in the idea of fencing and a doggie door for her Pit Bull named Bryor. Next there was the chained Pit Bull with the “Beware of Dog” sign and the Pit Bull wearing a shock collar with invisible fencing that encompassed about a 20x20 area. The invisible fencing dog had two empty bowls and a hole in the roof of his plastic dog house. The only thing dangerous about any of these sweet dogs was their irresponsible caretakers.
We ended at a trailer with a chained Pit Bull on a trolley. The whole family came out to greet us. The daughter was carrying a baby doll, one of those they give school children to teach them how much work having a baby is. Tammy said to her, “I’ll bet that makes you not want to have kids.” The girl replied, “I’m having one in October.” I’m thinking maybe the school system should start that program a little earlier.
Dogs and people started coming out from all over the place at that trailer. Then we found there were 4 puppies in a shed. The chubby little wrinkle faced pups were in desperate need of socialization.
I used to feel that people were being facetious when they said they thought “No Chains” meant the dogs were to be left free to run at large, but during our travels we have seen quite a few dogs running at large and we realize that this is more of a problem than we originally imagined. Tammy explained that there are two sides of the “Irresponsible Owners Spectrum”; on one end you have dogs running at large and the other you have dogs being chained 24/7 for their entire lives. The middle ground, which is desirable, includes your dog living in the home, with proper fencing and/or walking your dog on a leash.
We ended the evening with a speaking engagement and met some wonderful people in Alabama’s rescue world. We very easily found 36 chained dogs in Alabama bringing our total to 228 in only 5 days.
Alabama proved to be a beautiful state full of friendly people, but like everywhere else, not a great place to be a chained or penned dog. A special thank you to Linda Morgan and the Cullman Area Animal Welfare Association (CAAWA) for their offer to follow up on the animals we met with today.
Tomorrow should be peachy as we head for Georgia bright and early in the A.M.
Diary of Dawn, Day Six, Georgia: It's All About Fight or Flight
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nfy1758gT3g
Tammy and I said goodbye to Alabama and voyaged along a two-lane highway all the way to Georgia. We counted 61 more chained/penned dogs left outside alone and sad as we passed through the country areas, even stopping to pass out information despite the fact that we had to get to the next state...we just couldn't help ourselves!
In Georgia we passed out information and talked with dog caretakers. We spoke with a Hispanic man and met his chained German Shepherd named King, another adorable looking dog with a lazy ear. The dog was in desperate need of fresh water and food, a privilege most chained dogs don’t often receive. King sat up and begged and wagged his tail. I said, “Aww! How sweet!” Little did I know the dog was begging for me to come closer so he could take a bite out of me! King took a piece of my ear and afterward his guardian proclaimed, “Be careful that dog is mean.” Neither Tammy nor I read the aggression in his demeanor or actions, until the obvious of course. I don’t think King would have been violent off of the chain, but guarding the small terriority had made him that way. I still managed to get him fresh water and food; it's mentally draining enough without walking away leaving a dog without food and water. I refused treatment because I felt the wound wasn't too bad and I didn't want King turned in for a dog bite. Tammy and I braked at the nearest service station to stop the bleeding and clean the wound.
Further into Georgia we stopped at a home with two terribly scared Pit Bulls. The female was so frightened she cowered and both Tammy's and my heart shattered. The little girl was pregnant by her yardmate, Kilo. The owner had both dogs in a pen together when they mated; he said it wasn’t on purpose. Now each dog is chained separately in the yard. Kilo was appropriately standing in front of a football. This is Atlanta Falcon’s territory after all and Kilo seemed to understand he was in Michael Vick’s stomping grounds. We wondered if he'd chew up the football and spit it out to pass along his opinion of this treatment of dogs? One could hope.
Next we came across a yard full of chained and penned Pit Bulls. “Beware of Dog” and “No Trespassing” signs gave the breeder’s residence away. Seven chained and God only knows how may penned dogs were on the property. The breeder said the dogs sell for $250.00 a piece and up. We see them put down daily in shelters across the country, but home grown Pit Bulls are still being bred and sold, just to end up in someone else's backyard, dead in the fighting ring, or dead in the shelter system. We pray they will not kill others along the way. Left alone and completely unsocialized, their anger can sometimes turn outward against their imprisoners or other innocents who cross their path. Can we as a society blame them for what is only a reaction to our ignorance and abuse? We've really got to put a stop to our barbaric practices that allow such things to continue.
Just across the road from the Pit Bull plantation was a neighbor, a pleasant young woman who has her Boxer and Chihuahua in a beautiful fenced in yard. The dogs looked lovely, they sleep inside and have their own beds. The caretaker said that others in the neighborhood thought she was crazy for keeping her dogs indoors. We think she is the only responsible one on the block. Her dogs ran up and down the fence and through the yard happily as the Pit Bulls across the street kept their position in the dirt so miserable most of them didn’t even bother to move.
Fight or Flight, when the flight ability is removed from the dog’s scenario the fight instinct is all that remains. Even veteran rescuers are often bitten during these times; approaching a chained dog should be done very cautiously and still the dogs are often hard to read.
"Every forty seconds, someone is presented to an emergency room in the U.S. for dog bite related injury. About sixty percent of the victims are children.” - College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, Dog Bite Facts, June 2004.
“Never tether or chain your dog because this can contribute to aggressive behavior.” - American Veterinary Medical Association, Safety Tips for Dog Owners, JAVMA News, May 15, 2003
"A chained dog is 2.8 times more likely to bite." - Gershman, Sacks, and Wright, Which Dogs Bite? A Case-Control Study of Risk Factors, Pediatrics, Vol.93 No. 6, June 1994.
These are just a few of the statistics we discuss as we make our way through the state of Georgia.
36 dogs in Alabama and 61 more on the way out of the state. Into Georgia we counted 57 chained/penned dogs bringing our overall total 346 by Day 6, already almost 6X higher than our ten dog per state goal! We're now halfway through our journey, not knowing what day it is or or where we are most the time. Tammy realized today was Friday and we both were shocked!
We met with our favorite "pick-me-up" Rep, Pam Cheatham in Atlanta. Thank you Pam for taking the time to meet with us and lift our spirits!
South Carolina in a few hours....I hope I don't fall asleep with my shoes on again! This trip is starting to take a toll on us, both physically and emotionally. We're starting the second half of the journey today, and we hope we can make it through to the end. Thanks for staying with us...your support bouys us up and keeps us going. Don't stop! We need you behind us.
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