Put It On The Bill

There are several things that are going to be written on my headstone when I die, many I cannot repeat, however, one saying that I use a lot is "put it on the bill"  I have never been one to ask the vets how much things are, I always think if you have to ask then you cannot afford it. I would never not have an operation due to lack of funds, and the day I do is the day I quit.

So many rescues delay operations, and vital procedures due to a lack of funds, and this is worrying. Although I worry about money a lot, I have an amazing vet who knows he gets the money eventually. We rely on amazing supporters to help, and slowly we pay off the debt after the animal has been fixed.

Surely if you cannot have a relationship with your vet where the dog comes first, then you should not be rescuing animals. Sorry if people don't agree with me, (whats new there!) but the animal should always come first. The phrase "put it on the bill" is said so often with me, but we always pay it, and the animal has a chance.

I sit is despair when I see "rescues" pleading for money to pay for operations, with the dog just sat there waiting. How is this helping? how is this what is best for the dog? I suppose it also helps that I work as well as run my rescue, so I know that if it really comes to it I can pay out of what I earn. Again this is the correct way to run a rescue, having a back up plan for expenses.

On a side note..... Contrary to the stupid statement that was said yesterday about me from a person who we refer to as Fungus (irritating as hell, and has no purpose in life) regarding the claim that I do un necessary surgery on dogs so I can blog about them, I think the dogs would consider them to be necessary for their health, and future. Rossi is one such dog... hit by a car, broken leg.... She is thankful I said "put it on the bill"

Welcome To My Hell Hole

Over the last few weeks I have had abuse after abuse and most of it goes over my head, especially the comments regarding the "state" of my kennels or the fact that my rescue is a "hell hole" Why do these comments not bother me, well because the idiots stating this have never been to my kennels have never probably even been to this island. As always it is just idiots, spouting crap about stuff they know nothing about.

The reality is the kennels are cages..... the dogs don't have luxury acomodaticio, however, what they do have is a warm, clean, comfortable place, with bedding, clean water and food.  We pressure wash every kennel, twice a day. Change the bedding daily, and ensure that all the dogs have as much comfort as a kennel surrounding can give them.

I was slated the other day because we often use old transport boxes as beds, separate them, flip them, and voile, one plastic bed. However, this was twisted to "I keep my dogs in plastic boxes", as always you can believe what you want... transport box being recycled as a bed in my world is a great idea. I have never denied that the dogs are in kennels, AKA a cage, but people seem horrified by this.

One delightful woman posted on FB that my rescue was worse than the kill pound here, my question as always have you been there? have you been here? needless to say the answer was no to both, yet she felt she had the right to post, lie, and then do the "I wouldn't want to see where the dogs are" Then why do you feel the need to post, other than to cause shit.

Another woman posted how the dogs need to get out of my "hell hole" again when confronted, she gave a pathetic response, of "no why would I want to see" maybe love to see what utter crap you are spouting. How can you possibly comment on somewhere you know nothing about, where you have never seen.

Why do these people post this crap... that is easy because they are sad, lonely little trolls that have nothing better to do. So, whilst I remain in my hell hole, saving lives, rescuing animals, you can sit at home typing away on FB. Hmmmm Hell hole V's Your life... I know which one I would prefer!!

Rescue V Breeder Debate

I am about to open up that can of worms, but to be honest I do not care, as comparing rescue to breeders is like saying apple and oranges are the same. A FBD went up for adoption yesterday, therefore my inbox filled quicker than a leaking boat. A huge majority of applicants already have a FBD, so I ask the question..... "Is it a rescue" knowing that 90% of the people are going to say no.

So, of course I then ask why buy from a breeder, and some people have reasonable answers, and feel their decision was correct. Other people are simply stupid, and believe that we need breeders for FBD in the world. Now don't get me wrong not all breeders are bad, and yes there is a place for them in the world. However, over breeding a fashionable breed for profit is not a reason in my mind!

A woman argued with me yesterday that it was not the breeders who caused the pounds to be full, and that it was irresponsible owners. Yes to a point, but without the breeders, we would not have so many puppies in the world. Rescues and pounds are overflowing with dogs, and many are pure bred, therefore, breeders are not needed.

I always think that if these people spent a day wandering around kill shelters, then their attitudes may change. Sadly though I think there are a large number of people that believe breeders are important, so they can buy their designer puppy when they want to.

It is easy to say oh well everyone has a choice, yes they do.... but does the female dog? Does she have a choice? Nope humans make this choice, to breed over and over, making money from her womb.

A HUGE majority of puppies end up in pet shops, or sold in local papers to people that want a FBD. This trend has caused the world to go mad, and as with every trend it has yet to loose its appeal. A lady told me she bought from a breeder as the list for a rescue FBD was too long. Surely if you really wanted to rescue, you would have waited on that list. Sadly we are a world though that want things NOW.

Although I do try and see it from other people's point of view, I find it hard to justify buying from a breeder, so when you apply, and I ask the questions, work with me. Be honest, answer the questions, and we can work together to educate each other. Don't dismiss my questions, state im rude, and have a temper tantrum. Telling me that I will never find a better home for my dog, will not push you to the top of the adopt list, trust me you will be right down the bottom in the NEVER getting one of my dogs pile.

Operation Catch A cat

The number of stray cats here on GC is huge, in fact I think they out number people, and might be plotting to take over the world! There are cats everywhere, and many people do not care that they have the potential to breed over and over, creating a massive problem.

No matter how many times I tell people the scary numbers that one female cat has the potential of producing it never seems to have an effect.

Sadly the attitude is often "oh well they will die eventually" I have walked into so many finca's to see literally hundreds of cats running around, with the owner having no care, or responsibility. So, when I walked into the Spanish guys place the other day and saw the cats, my heart sank, as so many were pregnant, and I knew I had to ask the question.

Usually, when I ask why the cats are not steralised, the Spanish look at me like I have grown a second head. They simply do not see it as a problem, as the kittens will likely die, and eventually the cats will die from disease, or fighting. However, the answer I got was a shock, a nice one, and one that we could work with.

I asked if the issue was that he didn't want to steralise, or was it money... he answered "money" Well that was easily solved, as I knew a group of amazing supporters that could help us to raise the funds. We came up with a plan, I would supply the boxes, he would catch the cats as instructed, and I would pay the bill.

So, all week we have been meeting swapping neutered cats for un neautered ones, and we have managed to steralise 13 so far.

We think there is around 8 more to go, which is incredible, and will make his and these cats lives so much better. These are the small things in life, which has made me feel so proud to have the supporters I do, as you all came together to help someone you did not know. If everyone did a little so much more could be achieved in the world!

Thank God For The Chain

I don't agree with dogs being chained, however, the other day I was thankful that a dog was on a chain, and that I had worked out how long the chain was! When we were at the Spanish guys finca, he showed us all the dogs that were scattered far and wide. Many were chained as he had no cages/kennels for them. When approaching a chained dog it is always a cautious experience as the dog considers this area to be there property.

There was a beautiful dog sat up on a pallet house, he watched us as we approached, and jumped down to greet the guy, tail wagging, full of happiness, rolled over for belly rubs, and then jumped back in to his house.

This happened several times, and the dog appeared to be friendly, and I begun to walk towards it. I stopped as I heard a low deep growl, which is never good. We locked eyes, he growled, and I went backwards as fast as I could, praying the chain was the length I had predicted.

Thankfully, I was correct and just as I reached the safety spot the dog stopped on the chain. At that moment my heart needed to resume to its normal speed, and Miss H started sniggering that she had never seen me move so fast.

The dog was obviously very protective of his home, and his area, this may be something that we can work with once unchained. So, on this occasion a chain was good, it enabled me to still have legs, and to be able to walk away.  I will return and unchain, and see if his behaviour is different. If so he may get his chance of a new life, but for now he has to stay and wait his turn.

Asking For Help

Asking for help is something that very few people do, as they are too proud or too stupid until it is too late. Which is why I was shocked when I was asked for help last week from a Canarian Guy who had admitted he had a problem, and needed help. As always I was sceptical as many of these places are awful with starving dogs, and I want to hit the owner with a shovel.

I was 100% shocked, and not for the typical reasons, but because this guy was genuinely nice, and really did care. He had 24 dogs, all in very good condition, in fact one that I have is obese! The other protectoras had not helped him because the dogs were black, big, not so friendly and were not going to be easy to rehome, but as always that didn't put me off.

The guy had ended up with so many due to finding them on the waste lands near his finca, or being thrown over his wall. He had tried to help, but now felt overwhelmed, and had reached out for help, which I found very refreshing. I know the feeling of overwhelmed, I know what it feels like to feel like you are drowning, and cannot come up for air..... but I am too stubborn to ever ask for help.

So, we wandered around his property looking at dog after dog, who were starring out at us pleading, and decided we could help with five. This may not sound a lot, but as always we are FULL and these five were of course big, grumbly and black. I'm not saying we wont help with more, but for now, three have been collected, and I need to go back for the other two.

This story will continue, as we help him with other things, including operation catch a cat... but for now I am feeling all warm and fuzzy that someone stepped up to look after stray dogs, and then asked for help and we could help!

They Don't Live in Apartments!

I've lost track of the amount of times I have received a message asking for help with a baby goat or sheep in an apartment. I know these people start with the best intentions, and they try to save the small cute bundle, but come on people they cannot live in apartments. The only thing I would say is that people do get in touch sooner rather than later.

Baby goats/sheep make a lot of noise, it is like a crying baby 24/7 they follow you, pull on your clothes and jump on everything. They of course poop everywhere, so I can see why the appeal quickly wears off. So, late on Thursday night my phone went off, a young girl had found a goat could I take it.

Really it is a no brainer, when people reach out and ask for help, I cannot say no, so pick up point arranged, and lots of tears later I was in possession of a small bundle of bleating fun.

The baby goat was in fact a baby sheep, but hey very similar, and will need the same attention. So, on top of everything else, I now have a lamb to bottle feed!

Happy Easter guys!