Stuck In Your Head

The huge number of dogs looking for homes and to be saved on FB is incredible, and there are days when you have to simply scroll past. If you stop and read every sob story it becomes absorbing, as you cannot save them all. I have a friend in tenerife who works with the non kill pound, and she like many will often ask me to help.

Now being a non kill pound, you would think it would be better, in fact I think it is worse. Dogs go there to simply sit, and rot, as they soon become forgotten. The place is soul destroying, and many of the dogs have simply give up. Mrs Mc posts photos and stories of many of the long term dogs, and I will look, and move on. However, a few days ago, I stopped I read, I scrolled past, and I went back.

As soon as I go back, then I am hooked, like a fish on a line, she had me, and as always she wasn't letting go. The photo that stopped me was of an old pointer, his eyes told a million stories, and many of them were not good. I didn't even read the full write up... god she waffles more than me! However, the fact this dog was 16 had been in that hell hole for 5 years, and was not being attacked was enough.

I knew I was going to help, but had to have somewhere for him to go, this is where my amazing UK team step in. One quick message to Mrs T and all was confirmed. She had agreed to foster this old guy, so off I went to call Mrs Mc and tell her the good news. So, one old pointer reserved, and then suddenly it hit me, NO FUNDS.

January is an awful month, low donations, and we struggle more than ever, so out comes the begging bowl. To get him from another island, prepped and over to the UK is approx 600€ which I simply don't have....

Can you help? My appeal is doing well, but we still need more to get this guy safe, and on a comfy sofa in the UK.

To Donate:

Paypal: petpalsgc@gmail.com       please send to family and friends or we receive the charges

LA CAIXA 

ACC: 2100 6003 0002 0013 1820
IBAN: ES43 2100 6003 0002 0013 1820
SWIFT: CAIXESBBXXX

UK bank account: MRS L BAKER NATIONWIDE 070116 40349444

Different Types of Rescuer.....

Over the years I have learnt that there are several different types of rescuers in the world, some are great and others are REALLY bad. There are a huge number of hard working caring rescuers that do it for all the right reasons, and then there are the others. These others fall into several categories, which include:

COLLECTORS: these are the people that do a lot of talking about how amazing they are, and rescue everything. They have huge numbers, but do not steralise, or rehome, they simply are making the problem worse. They never put sick animals down, and allow them to suffer because "they love all animals"

BLEEDING HEARTS: these are the people that feel sorry for everything, and don't make the right decisions. They often keep animals alive for the wrong reasons and believe the world should be 100% no kill. Sadly euthanasia is a necessary part of all rescue, and if you cannot make that decision them you should stay out of rescue. There are many situations where the kindest thing to do is put the animal to sleep, does it get any easier, hell no, but it is necessary.

IDIOTS: Yes there is a category that is simple idiots, as there are many in animal rescue. These are the people that are uninformed and stupid, or worse both. They may have good intentions, however, they go through life spouting and preaching, not actually achieving anything.

LIARS: another clear category and these are the people that lie over and over to get people to donate or adopt. People need to know the truth about the dog they are adopting, lying to potential adopters is simply stupid, and can result in serious issues.

MONEY MAKERS: more and more there are people that are using animals to get money, many will take a sad photo and write a huge load of BS and people donate. Social media, sad stories, and horrible photos are a combination to be conned sadly. These are the ones that use the food donated for their own dogs, and the money raised to fund lifestyles.

ONE DOG RESCUER: these people are bizarre, and want all the glory but with no effort, they take one dog to rehome, and for the next few years keep the dog, claiming they can take no more, and are "actively searching" for a home. They still get donations, and publicize their "rescue"

So, all there are many bad ones, there are some good rescues out there, you need to remember:

• know your limits
• say no
• have the space, funds and time to rescue
• have patience 
• a clear goal of why you are rescuing

Whats One More!

People often say to me, "oh you must fall in love with them all?" No is the simple answer to that, of course every dog that we save is special, but many come and go without any tug on the heart from me. However, once in a while I stop, and look and think well you are staying aren't you. The only similarity is that they are often old.

My soft spot is oldies, it really pisses me off when I see old dogs dropped off to the pound without a care in the world. Add a shepherd into that mix, and well it is a recipe for disaster. So, when I picked up this old guy it really was only a matter of time before he was in the house.

Don't get me wrong he did go to the kennels... for one night, by morning he had escaped, and sat next to my car refusing to move. So, he was introduced to my pack, and all went well. He fitted in like he had always been here.

Oh well whats one more? well it means more food, more vets, and less space on the sofa, but hey who needs to sit down anyway.

Christmas Puppies

I can never get my head around the fact that today we still see a huge number of idiots rushing out and buying puppies for Christmas. The internet has made it far easier for this stupid people to purchase their "gift" But, what makes them think that a puppy is a good idea, do they not read papers, or watch the TV regarding the huge numbers of abandoned dogs very year.

For over 40 years the slogan "A dog is for life not just for Christmas" and yet people still get bored, and dump their puppies soon after Christmas. Rescues actually find that the key time for a spike in hand in's is actually March, when their bundle of fluff has grown, pissed everywhere, and chewed everything in the house.

Surely people are not that stupid to think that the puppy the bought over the internet will be perfect, and everything they ever wanted. Many people do not even want a puppy for Christmas, yet idiot partners go out and purchase the cute pup for them. It is always charities, and rescues that are left picking up the pieces, and dealing with the unwanted gifts.

I actually dont think the advertising campaigns, or the slogans make any difference what so ever. The people who buy puppies for Christmas are stupid, and there is no solving stupid. Thankfully more rescues like myself are banning adoptions of pups over the Christmas period, and people are shocked when they call up and we say NO.

So, all we can hope for is that the numbers of dumped puppies are less, and that slowly future generations are more intelligent than previous ones. There is no quick fix to this problem, therefore, let the dumping commence.

Where Does The Water Go?

Every day we fill the duck pond, and every day the water vanishes, not completely, but enough to notice, and no we do not have a leak! I appreciate that an amount will evaporate due to the sun, however, I am convinced the ducks drink it, which is a mighty task.

Maybe they think they have to drink the recommended 8 glasses a day, if so they are doing well. I have actually worked out that if I was to drink the same amount proportionally as the ducks, I would need to drink 150 gallons a day. This would probably cause me to explode, or at least never be off the toilet. Therefore, they obviously cannot be drinking all the water, so this brings me back to the question, where does the water go.

Ducks care about three core things in life..... each other... food and water, they adore water, and spend a huge amount of time making as much mess as possible in the pond. A large amount of water does leave the pond as they do their high speed aerobics up and down the pond, then there is the wing flapping high speed water exits that are performed.

We have a lot of ducks, therefore, as they splash and dive, and spin and flap they manage to ensure that the freshly added water leaves in a huge tidal wave. Added with drinking their own body weight in stinking duck water, I can safely say I know where the water is going....... all over the bloody floor!

The Almighty Abortion Debate

I have fallen out with many people over daring to state that you can put a dog or cat through an abortion, and that I feel it is the right decision to make. Am I going to hell probably, however, I am going there knowing I helped to decrease the over whelming number of unwanted animals.

I hold my head in my hands when I see idiot rescues all over FB proudly announcing the birth of puppies from one of their dogs. Well done, we need more puppies in the world, and you are now going to be asking for more donations to support your new bundles of fun. Of course the puppies will be rehomed quickly, with no assurance that they will be steralised, therefore, causing a larger issue.

Abortion is an ethical debate, and many people believe that the dog or cat should be allowed to give birth, and then everyone will live happily ever after. Sadly many dogs die during labor, as there is no guarantee what is inside. The small cute 5kg bitch may have been impregnated by a large 25kg pitbull. It happens a lot, which means mum and pups are likely to die, surely it is better to abort, stop more puppies and save one dog?

So many people disagree though and as always this is a topic that could go on and on, and for many average people they could not make the decision. However, as rescues we are there to help with the bigger picture, to try and help with over population, sadly though there are far too many rescues that simply see the money, and cute newborn pups always get the donations flowing!

Hellllooooo 2018!

As we welcome a new year, I like to consider that it is the first blank page of a 365 page book. I always want to ensure that our book is full of happy tales, and that we keep growing our reader base, and gain new friends along the way. I would love to say that all negative things are left behind, however, this is not true... but moving into 2018 I can say:

If you wronged me, I will never get over it, however,  have moved on! 

If we aren't speaking, that's fine...I'm not wasting anymore time on people that cannot be bothered.
If you’re talking and posting about me, great means I am important enough be on your mind
If you don’t want to deal with me, brilliant, continue not to
If you don’t like me, that is your choice, and I really don't care

Life is too short for all the drama, and backbiting, and I know we do a great job, therefore, I am confident and comfortable with my choices. In 2017 we achieved so much, don't get me wrong, there were many low points, but also some incredible highs. 

In 2017:

We rehomed 435 dogs, which is fantastic, everyone that has adopted, shared, and donated has helped these lucky dogs. The UK team has grown in strength and confidence. Without these guys giving up their homes and lives to foster the dogs, we could not achieve as much as we do. We took on some of our most challenging cases, which brought happiness, but also tears, as we said goodbye to some of the older dogs. 

We took out the trash several times, binning "wannabe rescues" and making sure we work with good ones. We also did the same with people, as negative people, are draining, and have sad pathetic lives. We now have positive people who we work with, and want the same goal which is working together to see more dogs rehomed. 

So, Adios 2017... and hola 2018...... lets see what you have to offer!