From Holding Protest Signs to Holding Rescue Puppies

This weekend I helped transport four adorable puppies with Paws on the Ground after spending the rest of the day mailing items from our recent fundraising auction, picking up a donation of supplies, and cleaning and readying crates for transport. Since the beginning of the year we have been working to help a local retail pet store offer rescue puppies for adoption. Here in Colorado we have a licensing and inspection program that oversees all aspects of pet care, both retail and rescue, and we have to be sure that we comply with their requirements. We had a total of thirteen puppies arriving from New Mexico, four going to foster and nine going to the store we are working with. The transport would not be possible without From Forgotten to Forever whose volunteers devote every weekend to long-distance driving with a van full of precious spared lives. The van has designated drop-off points and they have the process down to a science. A Facebook message thread keeps everyone up-to-date on their estimated arrival times, dogs are transfered, pictures are taken, and they are on to their next stop. Between our own volunteers and those from other organizations, we formed a small tribe of animal lovers in the parking lot, sharing stories, appreciation, and excitement about the adorable cargo soon arriving. Mostly, we can't wait to get our hands on those puppies!

Protesting is the Easy Part

Carrying "Herbie" from a long transport into the store where he would be adopted several days later. 

Last August I started joining a weekly protest in front of a pet store here in the Denver area that sells puppies from commercial breeders. That's the nice way to say puppy mill. I'm someone who does her research, so I looked up the USDA reports from some known suppliers to this store. The numbers of adult dogs and puppies on the premises at times of inspection told me all I needed to know. These dogs were not frolicking in green meadows and sleeping in warm, comfortable beds. They were spending their lives in cages, producing puppies as fast as their bodies were able. I bought some poster board and my dad helped me make some protest signs. I showed up a few times a month at first, started making some friends and becoming more comfortable standing up for what I believed. As the holiday season approached, momentum built and we organized some all-day protests in shifts. Groups of dedicated volunteers stood on snow and ice in freezing temperatures for hours, holding signs in gloved hands. We didn't see very many puppies leave the store on those days, and the pet store was growing increasingly agitated by us.

Puppies Were My Valentines

No matter who you are, no matter what you did, no matter where you've come from, you can always change, become a better version of yourself.

 ~

Madonna 

Remember that pet store protest group I joined last summer? Well, huge stuff is happening and you can read all about it on our Facebook page. To make a long story short, these beautiful blue-eyed girls are some of the first Paws on the Ground Colorado rescue puppies that will be available in that same local pet store as we assist in its transition to a humane model. I am grateful beyond words to be involved with this incredible project, witnessing tangible change. I've been helping with transports and got to shuttle these darlings to their foster home on Saturday evening. Truly one of the best Valentine's Days ever.

Braving the Cold for Animal Advocacy

Since August, I have been protesting the sale of puppies outside of a local pet store several times a month. I joined the group after seeing the documentary Dog by Dog this summer, inspired by Mindi Callison's efforts with Bailing Out Benji. Every weekend, on Saturday and Sunday, a group of dedicated advocates show up in all kinds of weather, from blistering heat to freezing temperatures, to educate the public about puppy mills and the deceptive doublespeak that leads people to unwittingly support them.

Pet Store Doublespeak: How They Dodge The Puppy Mill Question

Since I've been protesting weekly in front of a local pet store that sells puppies with a group of wonderful, dedicated women, I've done some of my own research on the store and puppy mills in general so that I am an educated advocate. I'm learning about all the tricks that the proprietors of these kind of stores use to dodge questions about where their puppies come from.

Reputable Breeders
Breeders that care about their dogs do not sell them to a third party and a fate unknown. Period. Breeders that care about their dogs interview potential families and ensure a perfect match is made, very often with a contract to return the dogs to them if it doesn't work out and a lifetime promise of commitment to the dog they brought into the world. They don't pack them in crates and ship them across state lines to be unloaded in the parking lot of a strip mall and sold to people they will never meet. When a pet store employee says "reputable breeder" they are just telling customers what they want to hear in order feel better about buying a pet store dog. Don't buy the lie.

USDA Licensed Breeders
The USDA governs the agricultural industry, and in their eyes, the dogs housed by large-scale commercial dog breeding operations are nothing more than livestock. Their regulations are absolutely minimal, the numbers they allow are mind-boggling. What does a USDA licensed breeder look like? I looked up the inspection reports for a breeder known to supply dogs to the pet store we have been protesting. Their most recent report was not completed due to "no responsible adult on premises." In years past, they had violations for dangerously sharp chewed water receptacles, improper shelter and too many dogs in one enclosure. Their recorded number of adult dogs and puppies was over 300. How can 300 dogs possibly be given the individual care and attention they need? It's simple - they can't.

AKC Registered Animals
For a dog to be registered with The American Kennel Club, it needs to be the product of two AKC registered parents. That's it. The AKC does nothing to ensure that the dogs are healthy, that the facilities are satisfactory, or that the puppies and their parents are treated humanely. While they claim to inspect high-volume breeders, some who have passed AKC inspections have later been convicted of animal cruelty. In fact, as explained in the documentary Dog By Dog, the AKC regularly fights legislation to improve conditions and increase oversight of commercial breeders.

When I was in college, I traveled with my mom and aunt to the home of an Airedale breeder near Santa Fe, New Mexico. We'd just lost our German Shepherd mix to a rare form of canine leukemia at the tragic age of 2 1/2 and our family had always had Airedales so she was interested in getting another. It's shocking that the woman allowed us to come to her home - while not a puppy mill per se, the AKC registered dogs were kept in cramped, dirty kennels outside, the puppies had runny eyes and crusty noses and all the dogs were miserable in the desert heat. It was heartbreaking to leave them there, but we walked away. My mom was not about to buy a sick puppy after recently losing our last dog. She adopted our heeler mix, Scout, from the Santa Fe Humane Society instead. My mother later reported the breeder to the AKC and was told there was nothing they could do.

Health Guarantees
Pet stores often offer a limited health guarantee for puppies purchased from them. Why? Because they know there is a good chance the dogs they sell will have parasites, respiratory infections or other viruses due to the cramped, unsanitary conditions they are coming from. Many of the reviews for the local pet store we are protesting spoke of health issues. Much to my surprise, some of these reviews were positive overall. The customers were satisfied that the store had paid their vet bills, instead of questioning why their expensive eight-week old puppy was already sick. One reviewer even described the hypoglycemic seizures her new puppy suffered because they did not properly follow the store's instructions to feed Karo syrup to the dog. Are you angry yet?

If you want to do something about it, spread the word. As part of the dog obsessed community, it's easy to forget that the general public are easily swayed by the pet shop double-talk. Join or form a local protest group, speak out when and where you can. I was so happy to learn of the group in my area, and seeing the documentary Dog By Dog was the impetus I needed to get my feet on the ground. Some days people talk to us, other days they ignore us, but changing just one person's mind makes it all worthwhile. Keep an eye on local legislation for regulating dog breeding and pet store sales. Phoenix, Arizona, recently banned pet store sales of dogs and cats from commercial breeders. I hope that it's only a matter of time before this touching video is the reality in every pet store, and dogs are no longer stacked, stored and shipped like merchandise, but instead cherished and cared for like the treasures they are.

Standing Up Against Puppy Mills

Last weekend I attended my first pet store protest organized by a local group called Puppy Mill Free Colorado. I had been following the group and meaning to join them for a while, but seeing the Dog by Dog documentary gave my procrastination a kick in the rump. While I knew that the protest group would provide signs, I thought that creating my own would both make the protest more personal for me, and solidify my determination. I hadn't been feeling well all week, but it was only an hour of my time, and I couldn't back out at the last minute if I put the effort into making a sign. Plus, I had the great resource of my artistic dad, so we made it into a family project. We stopped at a craft supply store and got foam board and adhesive letters, and all the way home I brainstormed my slogan. I was delighted to come with something rhyming and succinct.

My awesome dad drew the picture of the sorrowful caged dog and helped me with the lettering placement - straight lines are not my forte. My dad has always been on my side with my animal welfare projects, contributing his practical and creative sensibilities. We finished the sign just a little while before I needed to leave for the protest. I was a little nervous - I didn't know what to expect. My dad told me as I headed out the door that he was proud of me but that he would be embarrassed to do something like that. I responded that when it comes to animals and advocacy, I'm an extrovert. I may be a naturally shy and quiet person, but dogs help me find my voice, whether it's chatting about them with strangers or speaking up for their welfare.

As I parked my car and walked to the busy corner with my sign, I was welcomed by the other protesters. There were six of us in all, and we lined up with our signs facing the oncoming traffic and people that would be turning into the shopping center. I could see the puppies in their glass enclosures through the windows of the pet store. I spent some time reading online reviews of the store, and was horrified to see that even many of the "positive" reviews included tales of puppies sick with respiratory infections and parasites, as well as proof that the "reputable breeders" are in fact large-scale commercial operations. Perfect Pets is in Centennial, a suburb south of Denver. There have been legislative attempts to ban the sale of puppies in pet stores in Centennial but they have unfortunately failed, which is why it's imperative that education continue, so that enough people understand the reality behind the cute, instantly-obtainable puppy.

As the store opened a few cars pulled into the parking lot. The protest leader approached the would-be customers politely, asking if they'd like information about why they shouldn't buy from a pet store and adopt from a shelter instead. The reactions were mixed - some ignored her completely, one guy said he "didn't want to hear it," others said no thank you. A few took the handout, and best of all, two families actually got back in their cars and left Perfect Pets without going in after speaking with us. The most heartwarming of all was a young man with his kids, who were obviously excited to pick out a puppy. The young man was completely receptive to the information, and was especially concerned when he found out that pet store puppies often come from the unhealthy conditions of puppy mills. He actually said "Come on, let's go get a good dog from a shelter!" as they piled back into their car. I could have cried from happiness, and that fueled our enthusiasm for the rest of the morning.

It was one of the hottest weekends we've had this summer, and yet I didn't mind at all standing on the sidewalk in the sun, waving and gripping my sign. I felt an immediate camaraderie with these five other women who took time out of their weekend to effect change for animals. It's a message I deeply believe in, and every person that whooped or honked from their car meant another person that gets it. Some of the drivers that read our signs as they passed had never thought about it. Others may have thought we were "crazy animal rights activists" harassing a perfectly acceptable business. What mattered the most were those two families that made another choice that day, who didn't buy a puppy whose mother probably spends her life in a wire cage with no vet care, affection or shelter. That's the reason I'll be back with my sign another day, several times a month. No one left with a puppy from Perfect Pets during our protest, and I hope that little by little, these profit-driven commercial breeders will find fewer and fewer ways to peddle their shameful wares. In the meantime, I'll be out there aspiring to change just one more mind.

Dog By Dog: Puppy Mills and The Blackfish Effect

With Christopher E. Grimes, the director of Dog by Dog at the Mayan Theater in Denver, CO 

On Thursday night I attended the premiere of Dog by Dog, a documentary that seeks to reach the general public with information about the reality of puppy mills and the politics and pocketbooks that continue to support them. It was incredibly uplifting to see the support the documentary received in the local animal welfare community. Hosted by Colorado Citizens for Canine Welfare and attended by famous football players and state representatives, the turnout in my favorite historic theater in Denver warmed this advocate's heart.

While it had extremely emotional moments (and in fact I saw most men in the theater wiping their eyes at the end), this is not a film filled with graphic footage of abuse. The shots of the empty cages and the tough guy cradling a filthy rescued puppy against his chest are enough. The real impact of the documentary lies in its informed interviews and shocking statistics, as well as exposure of the ways in which corporate agribusiness and the AKC fight against legislation meant to improve conditions for commercially bred dogs. The film was well-researched and effectively delivered, including interviews with rescue volunteers, politicians and heads of animal welfare organizations.

I already knew much of the information presented, but what I was most surprised by was the widespread lack of knowledge. One of the women interviewed sincerely believed that the puppy she bought online was coming from a loving family home where the dogs were frolicking in fields of flowers. This could not be further from the truth - internet retailers with payment plans and immediate shipment are more than likely puppy mills. According to the film, between two and four million puppies are born in puppy mills every year, to parents who will never know grass beneath their paws, a kind hand on their head or even shelter from the elements.

For my own reasons, I will probably always adopt from rescue. I love potcakes and podencos, and don't have any purpose for my dogs outside of companionship; however, I understand the purpose-bred dog and the love of purebreds, and the movie does, too - it does not vilify all breeders. During the panel discussion after the film, one of the audience members asked why the director and filmmakers didn't take a stand against all dog breeding and the answer was that this was simply not realistic, too polarizing, and essentially shooting themselves in the foot when rescue groups and reputable breeders can and should be a united front against large, profit-driven commercial puppy mills.

The most inspiring part of Dog by Dog - much needed after the discouraging illustration of just how deeply embedded the politics and bureaucracy surrounding legislation of puppy mills are - was the story of Mindi Callison Long, founder of Bailing Out Benji. Since 2011, Mindi has been educating and organizing peaceful pet store protests in her hometown, rain or shine. For a while now I have been considering joining a local protest group, and I think this was exactly the push I needed to get my hands on a sign and my feet on the pavement. If any one of us can get just one person to turn around at the door of a pet store and head to their local shelter instead, or to sign up on the waiting list of a reputable breeder instead of clicking "Buy Now" on that cute picture at the commercial breeder website, then we are making a difference, person by person, dog by dog.

The goal of this documentary is to reach beyond those of us who already know about the horrors of puppy mills. The Mayan Theater was filled with people who were already deeply aware and passionately supportive of this cause. While in this early stage of screenings around the country, the ultimate hope is for Dog by Dog to have the same powerful impression as Blackfish did, for the general public's eyes to be opened to the injustice of keeping loving, intelligent dogs in wire cages for their entire lives, churning out puppies to be sold behind facades of storefronts and webpages, dressed in ribbons and lies. If one by one, our family members and co-workers - potential puppy-buyers whose lives don't revolve around dogs as ours do - abandon pet stores and wholesaler websites the way families and sponsors and stockholders have been abandoning Sea World, then we will see the world start to change the way it should. Please spread the word about this important film - follow Dog By Dog on Facebook, share the trailer, and watch for it in a theater near you.

Bringing the Spanish Galgo and Podenco Out of Darkness

This beautiful galgo photo is available for purchase in LHBGA's online fundraising auction

Warning: This post contains disturbing information about the treatment of galgos and podencos, the hunting dogs of Spain. I understand the inclination to look away, but I am relaying the facts as described by two rescue organizations who have seen the horrors with their own eyes and braved the heartache in order to show kindness, love and compassion to these deserving dogs that have only known cruelty and abandonment. Please read on and be part of the light that reaches these forgotten dogs of the dark perreras. 

For twenty years, I have been enamored with Spain, its people, horses, music and culture. For as long, I dreamed of traveling there and felt some almost preternatural connection, like the ghost of a memory, that told me I belonged there. I could see it in the Baroque curves of the Andalusian horse, feel it in the passionate verse and forceful rhythm of flamenco music. I was lucky enough to turn this dream to reality in the summer of 2013, spending two weeks in Andalucia and experiencing the glorious Feria in Seville, the exquisite Alhambra in Granada, the breathtaking cliff-top town of Ronda. I still think I've never recovered from having to come back from there - it was everything I'd imagined in my most elaborate fantasy and more. I answer unhesitatingly whenever someone asks me where I want to vacation or even live, but I am sad to say that learning about the galgos and podencos has cast a shadow over my love for Spain.

Far luckier than a podenco, a pet dachshund outside Seville's Alcazar, taken on my 2013 trip to Spain.

Since adopting Ruby and Boca, I've taken a special interest in street dogs and international rescue. I'm also admittedly drawn to ginger and white dogs with big, upright, triangular ears, and I've always thought that Ibizan Hounds were particularly stunning. I started following some rescue groups on Facebook that focused on rescuing galgos (Spanish greyhounds) and podencos (agile rabbit hunters). I think you can see why I've fallen for them, but what started as an aesthetic attraction turned into learning about the unspeakable treatment and disposal in shocking numbers by the very hunters they are loyally working for. Their plight has captured me with the piercing stare of those intelligent eyes, and I feel bound to return their gaze. I set up a small monthly donations to both rescue groups featured here, follow their monthly fundraising auctions, and one day hope to do more. I would love to travel to Spain and accompany dogs back on flights and ultimately adopt a podenco of my own. In the meantime, I reached out to rescue groups with some interview questions in order to spread the word about helping these extraordinary dogs. Following are the answers from Rain Jordan with Hound Sanctuary in California (RJ) and Amanda Patenaude (AP) from Love, Hope Believe Galgo Adoption in Illinois, both founded in 2013.

What are the breed characteristics of galgos and podencos?

RJ: A Galgo, aka the Galgo Espanol, which means Spanish Greyhound, looks a lot like a greyhound though it is not in fact a greyhound...there are differences. For example, whereas the greyhound, due largely to its being bred over time for racing, is a sprinter, the galgo is more of an endurance athlete. That is not to say that a galgo won't be a couch potato--who doesn't like a good couch, after all. While there are always exceptions based on the dog's previous life experiences, generally speaking, the galgo is a calm, gentle, relaxed creature. A Podenco Ibicenco, is essentially the Spanish version of an American bred Ibizan hound. Again there are some differences. For example, the Ibicenco is often somewhat smaller than the American Ibizan hound. It gets more complicated when you add the fact that there are many more subtypes of the Podenco Ibicenco, named after the region from which they originate. The podenco is a highly intelligent, sensitive, loving, and loyal creature. While s/he enjoys couch and cuddle time, many podencos can also be quite bouncy, energetic, and athletic.  

AP: We like to tell our adopters that Greyhounds are "book smart" and Galgos are "street smart"!  While a greyhound has lived a very structured life, a Galgo has had to fend for itself. They learn how to "survive" the best they can. Galgos are very clever and learn very quickly how to get what they want.  Their physical appearance differs in more subtle ways. Galgos are smaller in height and their frame is more narrow. they have longer muzzles. Their ears appear larger and set further back. their feet are a bit larger and flatter for better mobility.  Galgos come in different coat types: smooth, rough or wire, and a very few long, wire coat.  Galgos have a bit thicker skin than greyhounds.  
 

Skyler, a podenco rescued by Hound Sanctuary, before & after 

 
Can you explain the specific plight of the galgos and podencos?

RJ: The galgos and podencos of Spain are bred and raised as tools for hunters. They generally live outdoors or in dark, tiny bunkers, in barricaded-in junk heaps, or worse, on a short chain that is anchored to a piece of cement or some other fixed object. Usually there are many of them living together in very close quarters, and sometimes they are also chained to one another as well as to a fixed object. They are provided very little space of their own, little if any food, and little to no human contact. The females are often kept like handmaids, for year after year as breeding machines, then dumped in the perrera ("killing stations"), on the side of the road or worse. It is not uncommon in Spain to find living dogs--adults as well as puppies--tied up and thrown in trash bins. Training methods for these dogs vary, but often include methods such as tying them to the backs of automobiles and forcing them to run behind as the vehicles drive down the roads. If the dogs cannot keep up, they simply fall and may be dragged while their training mates keep running. If a dog is no good at hunting, or so good that s/he takes the fun out of it for the hunters, or eats what s/he catches, that dog will be deemed a defective weapon. Disposal methods may include abandonment on a strange roadside somewhere far away enough from the dog's bunker that the dog cannot find its way back home (these dogs are very smart and very loyal, so will try to find their homes, however unkind their owners might have been). Sometimes in order to make sure that the dog does not find its way home, the abandoner will break the dog's legs, blind it, or enact other horrible physical measures upon the dog to make it impossible for the dog to maneuver.  

AP: Galgos are only a tool to be used and abused by the galgueros(hunters). They are not considered worthy of "family pet" status. If the galgo gets injured or doesn't perform the way they are expected, they are discarded. Many are hung in trees. If they are hung high in the tree, they were considered good hunters and this is a sign of respect. But many are hung by a method called "piano playing". These are the ones that disgraced their galgueros and are hung so their back feet can just touch the ground. Many galgos are set on fire, thrown in abandoned wells, or severely injured to prevent them from hunting on their own. Even more are hit by cars. They are persecuted simply because they are galgos. Thousands of years ago, galgos were only owned by royalty and it was punishable by death for killing a galgo. Now, 40,000 to 50,000 galgos are killed each year.

Lottie & Lettie, podencos available for adoption through Hound Sanctuary

Describe a day in the life of rescue: 

RJ: There really is no one sort of typical day here. Sometimes we have fosters in and during those times it's all about working with the dogs, teaching them what living indoors is all about, getting the dogs to feel comfortable if they are nervous or scared, letting the dogs learn what it is to be truly cared for, photographing the dogs, and showing the world why those particular dogs are so deserving of a new life full of safety and love. Other times we are planning for the next dogs to come in, and that is a lot of internet time and communication with our overseas contacts. Sometimes--a lot of the time, actually--we have to focus on raising funds to pay for our rescue missions, which also requires a lot of internet time. 

AP: The galgos of LHBGA are mainly fostered in our home (as we have very few foster homes in our area) where they are taught "House Rules". We work on basic obedience and house breaking. Many of the galgos we adopt out have been on the streets or in a shelter for a year or more. Many are fearful of humans and we work hard to socialize them an help them over come some of their fears. Galgos are very smart and it becomes a learning experience for them and us! They love to play and run around the yard. Galgos are very vocal and physical players. It is not unusual for them to sound like they are fighting, even if there is only one galgo out playing! They growl at and throw their toys, and run, and run, and run some more!! But they are absolutely BIG cuddle bugs!

What do you say to people who wonder why dogs should be brought here from another country when there are homeless dogs in the U.S.? 
 
RJ: I always appreciate that question because it is an important one to keep answering and letting more people understand.  But let me start by saying that we do also rescue dogs in here in the USA (in fact, we just rescued a little Chihuahua from an Orange County kill shelter), both locally and from other areas of the country.  We also work to help other USA rescues, and to do outreach to reduce the problem of homeless, abandoned, neglected, and abused dogs in the USA, and we will continue to do so as long as there is a need. The Spanish podenco and galgo plight was the catalyst for Hound Sanctuary's founding and will always be one of our projects.  It is, so to speak, my 'heart' project. It spoke to my heart and I had to help. It's that simple. But to answer the question more directly:  Rescuing needy podencos (Ibizan hounds) from Spain and bringing them here for adoption is actually helpful to the USA rescue community.  Hound Sanctuary makes it possible for those people who only want a specific breed [Ibizan Hound] to adopt a needy dog, and we make it possible for people who would love to have this breed, but who only want a rescue dog, to have the dog their heart longs for while still being a good animal-helping citizen by rescuing.  

AP:  I love when people ask this question because it opens the door for a discussion about their plight.  Yes, the US has a very large number of dogs in shelters and I am all for finding the right breed to fit your family and lifestyle. For some people, it is a Galgo. The US has laws against animal abuse that are truly enforced. In Spain, the majority of the ones that are there to enforce the laws are the very people hunting with galgos and podencos. Many times, the authorities turn a blind eye to what they see other hunters do in fear that they will make known the negative side of hunting with galgos. A Galgos life expectancy in Spain is 2-3 years old. If they have a female that is a relatively good hunter they may keep her for breeding. Galgueros will typically keep one male and 4 females through of off season in the hopes of one really good coursing dog. There are at least a hundred thousand registered hunters in Spain. Each hunter with at least 5 galgos. Now each of those galgos is pregnant and may have, let’s say 5 puppies. Can you see the numbers adding up? More than half of these galgos won’t live more than a year or two. There are no true numbers of how many galgos are actually killed each year. It is estimated to be 40 to 50 thousand. However, there are many galgos that just disappear and no one ever knew they existed. Their bones may be found in an abandoned well or wrapped in a bag in a garbage dump. In more rural areas they may be found hanging from trees. So, yes I do agree that there are a lot of dogs in need here in the US, but this particular breed are abused or killed on a daily basis. The Galgos that LHBGA brings to the US hardly makes a dent in the numbers in Spain. Our goal is to raise awareness and help make space for the next galgo to be rescued. Saving one Galgo may not change the world, but for that one Galgo, the world has changed forever!

Khaleesi, available for adoption through Love, Hope, Believe Galgo Rescue

What is the process for adopting a galgo or podenco from Spain for someone in the U.S.?

RJ: We recommend that potential adopters first complete the online application on our website. Once their application is approved, we can explore what sort of dog (personality, gender, breed, etc) the adopter is seeking.  Because there are so many podencos and galgos in need of homes, we can usually find what the adopter needs, within reason. The process is application, home check, personal interview/s, and reference checks, then execution of a strict contract that contains safety and care rules, and repossession and liquidated damages clauses for breaches of contract. The minimum adoption donation currently is $500 plus travel kennel cost. This amount comes nowhere close to covering what it costs us to bring one of these sweethearts to its forever home. 

AP: When someone is interested in adopting a galgo, we first have them fill out an application. After reviewing the application we contact references and their veterinarian. We then contact the applicant and discuss the galgos (personalities, requirements of a six foot fence or leash walking, type of galgo they are looking for,etc…). Then we will have an LHBGA representative do a home check. We encourage them to come and meet the galgos if they haven’t already. If they have a specific galgo in mind, we set up a meeting with the whole family, including pets. If we don’t have a galgo that fits with the family’s expectations, we will work with them and the groups in Spain to find the right fit. Our adoption fees are about half the cost of the transport, so $550.00. 

What can one ordinary person do to help the dogs of Spain? 

RJ: Well, it depends on that person's resources! If you are retired, you can contact us about volunteering to be a flight escort to bring dogs home to us from Spain, or you can volunteer to make, or collect items for our fundraising auctions. If you are a good networker, you could help a ton by spreading the word about us and asking all of your contacts to donate to Hound Sanctuary. If you travel a lot, you could donate your saved up air miles to us that we would then use to help pay for a needy dog's trip out of Spain and into safety here with us. If you have a particular skill or product, you can donate that--for example, we always need legal services, tax services, art/design, grant writers, fundraising professionals, marketing/PR professionals, media experts, force free trainers, T shirt printers/providers or other merchandise. Each one of you reading this has at least one special thing about you.  Ask yourself what that one thing is that could help, and how you can make that happen.  You are doing it not for me, nor for the sanctuary, but for each and every dog that comes through.  

AP: Many people ask how they can get involved and help the Galgos. Our first answer is to help spread awareness for the plight of the Galgos in Spain. The more people know, the more people protesting and shining the light on the issue, the pressure on Spain to correct the issue will increase. Many people that adopt a Galgo, suddenly become a member of a community of Galgo/Greyhound lovers!  If you can’t adopt, there are always ways you can help! We are looking for foster homes. We have foster applications on our website. Like our Facebook page and share posts of adoptable galgos. We collect donated items for the galgos of LHBGA and for the galgos in Spain (coats, martingale collars, leashes, first aid supplies, flea and tick preventative, heartworm preventative, as well as monetary donations). We always need sponsors to help cover transport costs and medical care for the galgos of LHBGA. If you have special skills such as sewing, graphic design, writing, marketing, accounting, these are great ways to help out.

Do you have a favorite rescue story?

RJ: Honestly, each rescue is its own beautiful story.  How can I pick a favorite?  There was Ibis, the giant Podenco Canario puppy (31 inches to the shoulder, barely a year old) who learned to use our refrigerator icemaker on day one. His forever mom calls him her PermaPuppy. There was Hero, the Podenco Ibicenco who was found in Spain with a broken leg; the kennel people warned us repeatedly that he was not going to be easy to deal with because he was so nervous and would not allow anyone to touch him--many times I was told I should take a different dog that was more friendly. He came in our very first group and I found him to be so sweet and deserving, definitely not the lost cause people had painted him to be.  And he let me touch him just fine.  There's Chai, a local Saluki surrendered to me by his owner because of seizures, he might even have been put to sleep had there not already been a signed surrender agreement in hand; a year later, he is so happy with his new family, and loved madly. Cloudy, the Podenco Pup of Many Surgeries and Flying Nun Ears, was found with broken legs and endured several surgeries in Spain, came to us with a plate in his leg; our vet advised he would need more surgery, yet his fosters loved him and adopted him anyway; he just had the plate removed and will be all better soon. 

AP:  I can’t really say I have a favorite rescue story, because they all hold a special place in my heart.  I can tell you that starting Love Hope Believe Galgo Adoption has changed my life! These dogs are my life and I love each and every one of them! We get stories from our adopters about the silly antics of their galgos. Whitaker, aka Damaris, came from Foundation Benjamin Mehnert in Sevilla, Spain. She was found tied to a tree with another galgo, left there to starve. She came to us and was adopted by a woman that is a lead investigator for animal cruelty.  Now, Whitaker is a certified therapy dog and goes to schools and acts as an ambassador for animal cruelty. Her silliness and confidence at home has helped her galga sister overcome her fears. She likes to gather all the dog bowls and put them on her mom’s bed. She also drags her own bed up onto her mom’s bed so she can be sure to sleep in ultimate comfort! She has learned to open the screen door to let herself and all the other dogs back into the house. Pipo, aka “The International Galgo of Mystery”, is a very active boy and too smart for his own good! Pipo learned a puzzle to in less than 5 minutes and continues to find new ways to challenge his parents. They also adopted a galgo named Janis and their dad “is just happy to no longer be the chew toy!” Then there is Rosendo aka “the wooly mammoth”. He is the rock star of LHBGA with his hair extensions and highlights, as we call them! Gemma is our most recent addition to the Patenaude gaggle of hounds. We adopted her from Baas Galgo. We met her during our last trip to Spain. She had only been there for 3 days and all she wanted was to be pet, she wagged her tail the whole time!  I could go on and on about these dogs, but until you experience them for yourself, you won’t get the full understanding of their love.

Sklyer, Hound Sanctuary alumni, in her forever home

I am so grateful for the tireless efforts of those involved in the rescue community in general, the compassionate souls who stand at the mouth of darkness and extend a gentle hand. They have witnessed what is painfully difficult to read. Without them, I would not have my perfect family of my brilliant Ruby and my breezy Boca. I am similarly grateful

to those who champion the cause of the hunting dogs of Spain, through networking, transport, rehabilitation and homing. Without them, many more galgos and podencos would perish without knowing love. Without them, forgotten dogs would be bereft of hope. While they are considered trash in Spain, many who have seen the fear fade and trust illuminate their eyes through rescue, fostering and adoption know that they are treasures.

What can you do to help galgos and podencos?

• Donate to Hound Sanctuary or Love, Hope, Believe Galgo Adoption


• Follow Hound Santuary on Facebook and bid on their monthly auctions, which are their primary source of fundraising


• Follow Follow Love, Hope Believe Galgo Adoption on Facebook - they also hold online fundraising auctions


• Follow Podenco Friends on Facebook - watch and share their touching videos of podenco rehabilitation in Spain


• Spread the word - share this post! 

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The Meaning of Rescue

Boca ready for her flight off the island - photo courtesy of The Humane Society of Grand Bahama

Inspired once again by my friend Anna's wonderful writing (I'm not kidding, she has a book coming out soon), I wanted to talk about my own experience and the evolution of my thinking regarding rescue, which happened over the course of adopting two rescue dogs. There is a lot of controversy surrounding "rescue" vs. "adopted" and the criticism that people like to throw the term 'rescue' around to feel better about themselves. Some think we should forget our animals' pasts and live in the moment, to stop labeling them as rescues and ourselves as rescuers. There is a lot of in-fighting even among the people who are fighting for a common cause.

To be clear: I did not rescue Ruby and Boca firsthand - I adopted them. The savior credit goes to Ruby's angels, who pulled her from death row in an Arkansas shelter and transported her to Colorado, and Boca's angels, who saved her off the streets of The Bahamas, housed her for a full year and flew her to Denver. They were absolutely delivered from terrible fates, and I am forever grateful to the wings both literal and figurative that flew them home to me. I will always refer to them as rescues, as a tribute to those who saved them and what they have overcome.

What I didn't fully understand about rescue, despite having volunteered, transported and fostered for Norwegian Elkhound Rescue, is the shoestring budget they are normally operating on, the extremes of abuse and neglect that they witness on a regular basis, and the level of dedication they have to their customers - the animals. They aren't in business to make sure you get a perfect dog, but to make sure the dog gets a forever home. You can hardly blame them if they seem overprotective or ask a lot of questions - they have seen the worst of the worst.

Ruby at the dog pound in Arkansas - photo courtesy of Arkansas Angels for Animals

A few days after adopting Ruby, I found a tick in her ear, followed by two more on her back. I was somewhat horrified, to be honest. I didn't understand how the vet that had performed her spay had missed them, or how she had been released to me in this condition. I had always adopted animals from big fancy shelters, where my pets were sent home with free vet checks, obedience classes and a goodie bags. I contacted the adoption coordinator to let her know about the ticks, and she apologized but didn't seem to think it was a big deal. Ruby's icky freeloaders were evicted with no ill effects, and as a bonus I am now really good at removing them!

I was later humbled as I realized why it wasn't a big deal. I started following the efforts of the rescues and shelters that were instrumental in saving The Ginger Sisters' lives. I saw picture after picture on Facebook of the desperate dogs they were trying to help. These were not animals that were relinquished because someone was moving and kenneled in state-of-the-art, well-funded shelters. These were animals that were skinny and starving, badly injured, bald with mange. If they had ever had a home, they had now been dumped on a highway or abandoned on a chain. They roamed the streets of the south, the Caribbean and rural Colorado. They probably had ticks, and ticks were the least of their problems.

I will repeat what Anna says: rescue is not for everyone. The sad story dog is not the instant gratification dog. As much as I am an advocate for adoption and nearly always encourage anyone I know to rescue or adopt, I am the first to admit that it can be hard. It takes patience, creativity, and a willingness to let go of expectations. I met someone at an event recently who said their friend had also adopted a potcake, but was mad because the dog turned out to be partially blind. It's true: a rescue dog might come with some unwelcome hitchhikers, be leash-reactive, or have an eye problem. There are no guarantees with a rescue dog except one: they will love you and change you for life. Not because they're a rescue, but because they're a dog and that is what they do best.

Extreme Makeover: Potcake Edition (or, Why I Gave Up My Beauty Box Subscriptions to Help A Dog In Need)

If you have been following Rubicon Days for a while, you know that I adopted the second Ginger Sister, Boca, from The Humane Society of Grand Bahama (HSGB) after fostering her for Colorado Animal Welfare League. Boca is a Royal Bahamian Potcake, the official breed of The Bahamas and a type known for their intelligence, loyalty and empathy. There is a desperate need on the islands to reduce the native population of stray dogs and find homes for those housed by The Humane Society of Grand Bahama. The HSGB is the largest animal shelter in The Bahamas and the only one on the island of Grand Bahama. They take in up to 1,500 dogs annually and have a dismally low local adoption rate of only 7 to 10 percent. This makes sense because if a person living in The Bahamas wants a dog, they can literally pick one off the street.

Unlike municipally-funded shelters in the United States, The HSGB receives limited support from the local government, and new USDA regulations have restricted their efforts to get the potcakes off the islands into loving forever homes. Since adopting Boca I have connected strongly with the local and larger Potcake community. It is an amazing family of dog lovers who recognize the unique treasures of these dogs that were once thrown away, ignored or abused on the street. I started a Colorado Potcake Meetup group and stay in touch with the director of The Humane Society of Grand Bahama, whose love and concern for each and every dog she takes in is inspiring. You can read more about the shelter director in my interview here.

When I learned this month that The Humane Society of Grand Bahama was in danger of closing, my heart went out to the cause, knowing that the shelter is the only hope for most of the islands' canine residents. I made a small donation to the GoFundMe campaign, but found myself wanting to do more. I reviewed my budget to find a way to donate on a monthly basis and I saw that I could easily cancel my two beauty box subscriptions and have almost enough to sponsor a dog. I added a few more dollars and went to the HSGB Facebook page to browse their album of adoptable dogs. One immediately caught my attention - a sweet black Potcake with a face that reminded me of my extraordinary dog, Lasya. I was astounded at the transformation Cherie made once in the hands of the HSGB - from a sad-eyed, half-bald creature to a bright-eyed smiling soul. Who needs beauty products when the HSGB is doing makeovers like these? My mind was made up - I would sponsor Cherie for $1 a day. It's not a lot, but it's something - one small thing I can do on behalf of my great love for Boca and my gratitude to those that saved her.

I know that we as dog lovers are implored on a daily basis to help all sorts of animal welfare causes. This one is so important to me because of my bond with my silly, gentle, affectionate Boca and experiencing her rescue story firsthand. Boca wins people over everywhere she goes - my aunt says her presence is as calming as a cup of chamomile tea. I want more dogs like Boca to have a chance to find families of their own, and for the HSGB to be able to continue saving them from the cruel streets and ferrying them to happily ever after. Cherie has now been living at the shelter for more than two years and is just one of the precious Potcakes that need us. I hope that by spreading the word we can find homes for more of them and also garner support for the incredibly deserving island shelter whose efforts extend across borders. Here are some ways to help:

• Sign the Petition to encourage the local government to support The Humane Society of Grand Bahama. 


• Donate to the Colorado-based Kohn Foundation, a 501c3 organization dedicated to raising funds for The Humane Society of Grand Bahama. 


• Foster or Adopt! Both Colorado Animal Welfare League and Outpaws here in Colorado regularly have Potcakes for adoption and are always in need of foster volunteers. Transportation can usually be arranged for dogs to be adopted directly from The Humane Society of Grand Bahama into the U.S.


• Spread the word! Please share this blog post on Facebook, Twitter (#savethehsgb) and other social media.

All photos courtesy of The Humane Society of Grand Bahama

Be the Change for Animals: Waiting

I took these pictures in July, 2013 when I visited a local shelter. I already had my heart set on Ruby and had completed her adoption application, but I could easily have taken any of these sweet dogs. Sometimes I fantasize about raising that "perfect puppy", the one that comes from a responsible breeder with sound, stable parents and a loving, enriching environment for early development. I've adopted seven shelter pets in my adult life and I grew up with many more. Through Ruby, I have learned of the desperate conditions for stray dogs in other parts of the country, and through Boca I have learned about the plight of the wonderful potcakes and street dogs around the world. Knowing that I can walk into any shelter or visit any rescue site and see a dozen dogs I'd happily bring home, the truth is I will probably always adopt. Please consider the millions of animals waiting in shelters before you breed or buy, and encourage your friends and family to do the same. Let's work together to change these numbers. Let's bring them - and keep them - home.

All statistics courtesy of ASPCA and HSUS and are approximate for the U.S.

Edited to add for clarification: I have no problem with loving certain breeds, and if people who do their research are looking for a specific dog for a specific job or sport, I don't fault them for choosing a reputable breeder. I think that people with young children are also good candidates for breed research and responsibly bred, purebred puppies. In general though, the average person looking for a nice pet should have no trouble finding one at a shelter or rescue organization, even when a particular breed is wanted.

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Another Post About Shock Collars

 
Recently I came across a blog post promoting e-collars for a big name brand. I was surprised and disappointed in the level of support it received, leading me to once again examine my position on the use of these tools. First off, from here on out I am calling them one thing: shock collars. Not the "softer side" of what they are: e-collars, static collars, training collars, remote collars...shock collars. I did quite a bit of research for this post, which lead me to change my shopping habits so that my dollars, where possible, were not supporting retailers or manufacturers of shock collars. This past week, I've done even more delving into the history, sale and prevalence of shock collars and examined more deeply why, exactly, I am so vehemently opposed to them.

I'm not arguing the effectiveness of shock collars. Shock collar training works through operant conditioning - the same principal as positive reinforcement. Modern studies are proving that reward-based methods are both more effective and pose a reduced risk for distress and lasting negative psychological effects. The use of shock collars falls into two of the four quadrants of operant conditioning  - negative reinforcement and positive punishment. The collars are commonly used in one or both of these ways:

1. The dog receives a shock for an undesirable behavior, such as barking or digging (natural dog behaviors). This is an example of positive punishment, because you are adding an aversive consequence to reduce frequency of a behavior.

2. The dog receives continual shocks until it does the desirable behavior, such as being shocked continually until it is in heel position. This is an example of negative reinforcement, because you are taking away an aversive consequence to increase frequency of a behavior.

A shock collar, by design, is always an aversive tool. What does aversive mean? It means "causing avoidance of an unpleasant or painful stimulus." Those fancy shock collars that have one hundred different levels just give the ultimate precision in discomfort. Call it "annoyance," "stimulation," "just a tap" - it is unpleasant enough that the dog changes its behavior in order to avoid it. I watched a manufacturer's instructional video for an anti-bark collar - the dog in the video jumped and cowered when it received a shock for barking, and the video warns not to accidentally receive a shock yourself. It is instinctual for a dog to hide its pain, and even if the owner tries the shock levels on themselves, how is that any guarantee that they are feeling the same thing the dog is feeling? Pain tolerance varies by individual, which is why in the many reviews of shock collars that I read, there were complaints ranging from "my dog didn't feel anything" all the way to "my dog cried and hid the rest of the day."

The fear of malfunction alone should be enough to make people think twice about using them. There are no regulations in place regarding the performance or reliability of these products. Again, based on pages upon pages of reviews that I read, there were instances of buttons being stuck down and the dog being shocked for unknown durations, and contact points causing actual burns on skin. If you think these are old or outdated examples before the technology was improved, they were all from readily available products in 2014. Shock collars range in price from $39.99 to upwards of three hundred dollars. I suppose as with all things...you get what you pay for.

Many people reviewing shock collars report that they only have to reach for the remote for the dog to "know what's coming" and behave. When I train with my dogs, I love to see their open-mouthed, tongue-lolling grins and their butts wagging because they know what's coming...a yummy treat or a favorite tug toy. I don't understand why you would want your dog not to be motivated by good things, but to suppress behavior out of fear of bad things. One of the things that bothers me about a shock collar remote is the distance it provides...people who probably wouldn't dream of hitting or kicking their dog have no qualms about pressing a button that causes their dog to yelp or jump. The dog doesn't know where it came from, and there was no physical contact. It is the same kind of sneaky rationalization that much of the advertising language from the shock collar manufacturers and retailers use, softening "shock" to "static" and "correction" to "stimulation."

I asked my Facebook followers to tell me the first word that came to mind when they thought of shock collars, and created a word cloud from those results:

Given that it's my audience, built mainly of like-minded, force-free-philosophizing dog lovers, the results are no more surprising than a leading shock collar manufacturer's press release stating that 86% of people already using shock collars found them to be an effective training tool. The people already using these collars are not the minds I'm hoping to change, no more than they are going to change mine. There is absolutely nothing that could convince me to put a shock collar on my fearful, sensitive, reactive dog or my calm, gentle, normal dog. 

In all my thinking, discussing and reading, I've come to realize that my own distaste for the collars is tied more esoterically to cultural attitudes. I see parallels in the use of shock collars to animals bought on a whim and later dumped in shelters for not conforming to expectations. The assumption is often made that dogs are just supposed to intrinsically know how to behave, even though many of the things we want them to do or not do are against their very natures. I question the desire to control them - often suppressing the very behaviors that define their dogness - with the push of a button. I can hear the criticism now "but don't you use a clicker - isn't that a button?" A clicker is simply a marker, no different than saying "good dog" except that it allows for more consistency and precision. It is not an attention-getter or some kind of remote and it is not even positive reinforcement on its own, but the promise of positive reinforcement. The shock collar remote and the beep or vibration "warning" mode that many possess are the threat of positive punishment.

I know that many of my readers are on the same page and while it is nice to be in good company, my aim in these sorts of posts is to reach the one or two people who may have already bought a shock collar but are hesitant to use it, those with reactive dogs who are thinking of it as a last resort, or someone who thinks there can be no harm in trying it. I'd ask you to reconsider, to do your own research, and to ask whether you would rather have a dog working with a currency of trust, or one working with a currency of fear. 

Sources:

The Welfare Consequences and Efficacy of Training Pet Dogs with Remote Electronic Training Collars in Comparison to Reward Based Training

Amazon reviews of Remote Shock Collar

The Pet Professional Guild

Training With Grace

Be the Change for Animals: Save the Potcakes!

"What's a potcake?" I've been asked many times since adopting Boca (okay, foster failing). According to Wikipedia:

The potcake dog is a mixed-breed dog type from the Turks and Caicos Islands and the Bahamas. Its name comes from the congealed rice and pea mixture that local residents traditionally fed dogs. Although appearance varies, potcake dogs generally have smooth coats, cocked ears, and long faces.

According to me, a potcake is a sweet, loyal and gentle companion that is eternally grateful for being rescued from starvation, disease and danger on the streets, and welcomed into a home. Boca's temperament is wonderfully mellow and affectionate, and according to most of the people that I've connected with on a Facebook group I founded, Potcake Passion, this is not unusual. Potcakes are reportedly easy to get along with, sociable and happy. This article from Victoria Stilwell's blog explains how village dogs in Central America can set an example for the modern domesticated dog, and I think there is definitely something to it.

Some people criticize the importation of dogs from other countries into the U.S., and ask why we aren't rescuing local dogs instead. For me, compassion has no geography. The rescue group that sponsored Boca's trip to Colorado is the same group I adopted Ruby from. Colorado Animal Welfare League runs a mobile spay-neuter operation that travels to rural areas of the state as well as bringing in dogs in need from other states and The Bahamas. They work directly with The Humane Society of Grand Bahamas, where Boca lived for about a year after being a stray in Freeport. Below is my interview with shelter director, Tip Burrows:

On a recent visit to Colorado, reconnecting with former shelter dog Polly
(photo credit Tip Burrows)

How did you first get involved in animal rescue in The Bahamas?

By rescuing my first potcake as a tiny bush puppy in 1993!  I started volunteering on a regular basis in 1999 with the HSGB which led to a full time job in 2003.  

Can you describe the particular plight of the potcakes in The Bahamas?

Potcakes are still viewed as nuisances and pests by too many Bahamians.  While education initiatives are under way, and slowly beginning to have an impact, there is still a high level of neglect and disdain for potcakes. 

Why is it important for the dogs to be transported off of the islands for adoption?  

There are not enough suitable homes for potcakes on most Bahamian islands.  Suitable being a secure fenced yard and shade and shelter in the yard​ ​and a minimum of care and attention. HSGB's local adoption rate is between 7 and 10% of our annual intake of over 1400 dogs and puppies.   

What do you remember about Boca's (aka Lydia's) rescue and her time at HSGB?  

Boca was seemingly living on the streets and had been brought to our ​attention by a concerned resident as she was very skinny.  We were able to catch her and quickly realized she had recently had puppies.  We searched and searched for her babies and finally Boca herself led us to them.  She had found an extremely secure place for them in a wooded area, in a hollowed out indentation  beneath a tree where she could get to them but the pups couldn't get out.  

Boca was a most attentive mama dog and was also very accepting of us handling her and her puppies.  She obviously had been someone's pet at one time. Sadly, her six puppies did not survive despite Boca's and our best efforts.  Boca was an easy dog to keep - she got along well with all other dogs and was very friendly to staff and visitors.  

How does the recent regulation of international importation of dogs affect potcake rescue and adoption? 

​It will make it much harder in that we will now be required to obtain import permits which could take several weeks, and the vaccination requirements are much more rigorous including vaccinating for some things we never see such as corona virus and leptospirosis.  It also will mean we cannot send litters of puppies to rescue until they are six months old.  It will be a real hardship to keep puppies that long (space and fund-wise), not to mention that fewer rescues will take older puppies.  Private adoptions will be exempt, but our Operation Puppylift wherein we send sometimes dozens of dogs and puppies to various rescues, will be greatly affected, as it will be much harder and more costly and complicated to comply with these regulations.  ​

What can one person do to help the potcakes? 

​Adopt.  Foster.  Donate.  Volunteer.  Share stories and pleas on social media.  There are so many ways even one person can make a tangible difference!  ​

I will close with this video portraying one of the HSGB's large "puppylift" operations getting potcakes off of the island to rescues and adoptive homes in the States. Having picked Boca up from the airport this May and been kept in the loop about all of the stages of her journey, I know what a well-coordinated labor of love this is, and I thank Tip from HSGB and Lisa from CAWL for bringing her into my life. I will never forget Boca's scared little shape huddled in her airline crate, and the immediate trust she put in me. I don't pretend there were not countless dogs right here in my backyard that needed homes, but Boca needed us, and we needed her. 

Operation Puppylift April 2012 from Tip Burrows on Vimeo.

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