The Senior Dogs Project "Blessed is the person who has earned the love of an old dog."
..........."Looking Out for Older Dogs" ...........
- Sydney Jeanne Seward
| News.... February/March 2003 |
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Issues & Announcements |
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Winsome Stynson
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 We apologize for the late publication of the February/March newsletter. It is with sadness that we report the delay was in part due to the illness and death of one of the Senior Dogs Project's own dogs -- Stynson, also known as "Winsome Stynson." We adopted Stynson from Norcal Golden Retriever Rescue in August 2001, after he had been surrendered at the city shelter. He was scheduled for euthanasia, since he was 12 years old and had been diagnosed with mast cell disease (a form of cancer). This didn't stop him from endearing himself to everyone he met, though. He had a wonderfully outgoing personality and made friends everywhere he went.
Late in 2002, Stynson was diagnosed with another type of cancer -- mycosis fungoides, a T-cell lymphoma of the skin. There was no therapy that could stop its progress. We released him from his suffering on February 5, hoping he would understand that our love for him had guided us to make that choice. He was an amazing and wonderful dog, and we all miss him terribly. We are grateful, though, for the terrific year-and-a-half-long "run" that we had with him. |
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"Dominion".....a Book by Matthew Scully |
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 We've just finished reading a book entitled "Dominion: The Power of Man, the Suffering of Animals, and the Call to Mercy," by Matthew Scully. Mr. Scully, a writer and literary editor, was special assistant and senior speechwriter to President George W. Bush from January 2001 to June 2002.
We think it is important for anyone concerned about the humane treatment of animals to read this book. Scully has personally done the research that reveals the mentality and economic motivation behind the devastatingly inhumane practices prevalent among hunting groups, the whaling industry, and meat producers. Be forewarned that, once you read about the manner in which animals are raised at factory farms and slaughtered at meat processing plants, you may never want to let a piece of meat pass your lips. We cannot forget the image he portrays of hogs, penned without room to turn around or lie down (except, briefly, to give birth), standing on broken legs (because they have been fattened to extremes), wild-eyed and driven insane from the conditions in which they "live." While it is true that economic vitality is important to our nation, and that animals are raised in factories to increase production and decrease the cost of food to consumers, we believe that these practices are morally untenable. It is simply wrong to treat any sentient creature in this manner. Furthermore, we don't need all that meat! -- as attested to by the growing obesity and poor health of increasing numbers of people in our country. We can find alternative "crops" that can keep our economy strong and our citizens healthy. In an interview with Kathryn Jean Lopez, when he was asked, ". . . how are we abusing 'dominion' -- our stewardship -- over animals?" Scully replied: "In the same way that human beings are prone to abusing any other kind of power -- by forgetting that we are not the final authority. The people who run our industrial livestock farms, for example, have lost all regard for animals as such -- as beings with needs, natures, and a humble dignity of their own. They treat these creatures like machines and 'production units' of man's own making, instead of as living creatures made by God. And you will find a similar arrogance in every other kind of cruelty as well." We hope you will read Scully's book and decide for yourself. |
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Online Petition to Ban the Sale of Puppies and Kittens in Pet Stores |
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| Vera van Diepen is the author of a petition to ban the sale of puppies and kittens in petstores. If you wish to sign the petition, you will find it online at http://www.petitiononline.com/AdoptOut/ Signatures will be forwarded on diskette to the Canadian Federal Government and US Congress. The petition will be available online to sign until the end of May 2003. | |
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Identity Theft & a List of Animal Abusers |
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| We find it hard to believe, but it appears that someone has been falsely posing as a representative of the Senior Dogs Project. A Yorkie Rescue group in Terre Haute, Indiana, reported to us that a woman told staff at the local shelter that she was from the Senior Dogs Project, and that she was there to rescue one of the dogs in custody. We have had no luck tracing the person and have no knowledge of her intentions. However, we would like to issue an alert as follows:
The Senior Dogs Project functions primarily on the Internet via www.srdogs.com. If anyone presents him- or herself as a representative of the Senior Dogs Project, please do not release any dog to that person until you contact us at: alert@srdogs.com There is always the potential for someone with less-than-noble intentions toward animals, and perhaps an established reputation as such, to attempt to take one from a shelter under false pretenses. A list is currently available that names people who have been convicted of animal abuse and to whom no animal should be released. It can be found at: http://www.pet-abuse.com/database/abusers.php |
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Milwaukee, WI -- Veterinary Medicine for the Non-Vet Conference -- April 19, 2003 |
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| Labrador Education and Rescue Network, a non- profit organization based in Wisconsin and Northern Illinois, is offering its first annual Veterinary Medicine for the Non-Vet conference on Saturday, April 19, 2003 at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Milwaukee, WI. This conference will draw between 100-200 people who are actively involved in caring for rescued dogs. Our target audience also includes shelter directors and personnel. Tuition for the program is $35 and includes continental breakfast, sit down luncheon, refreshment breaks and a comprehensive course syllabus. For further info or to receive a full course brochure, call (414) 422-8690. | |
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Redmond, OR -- Noah's Wish Will Conduct Disaster Training -- March 28-30, 2003 |
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| Noah's Wish, a national disaster response team solely dedicated to rescuing and sheltering animals in both natural and man-made disasters, will conduct a Volunteer In-Field Training for Region 1, which includes Alaska, Idaho, Nevada, Northern California, Oregon and Washington, for both our experienced volunteers as well as recruiting new volunteers. The training will be held in Redmond, Oregon on March 28, 29 and 30. The training is basically a mock disaster, setting up a temporary shelter as in a real disaster. Volunteers stay on site in tents for the three day course. For more information visit the website at: http://www.noahs-wish.org. | |
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Managing Incontinence
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A website visitor writes that she has had great success in handling incontinence that occurred with one of her seniors, shortly before the dog died. She used a product called "underpads." She writes that, since the dog liked to sleep on the bed, ". . . I put the underpads on the bed and then put a blanket over them (for my dog's comfort and to keep the pads in place). Then, if she had an accident, I had only one blanket to wash. Her final days with me were full of quality time and fond memories. I now also use underpads around my litter boxes, since we have an older male cat (18 years old) with some arthritis. He gets in the litter box, but his butt isn't always as low as it should be. If it weren't for those pads, we might have to euthanize him prematurely. Cat urine can ruin a floor; but what a poor reason to lose a faithful pet!" Underpads can be purchased at any store that carries incontinence products for people, and is also available from various online merchants. Use the "google" search engine (www.google.com) and the search term "underpads" to find them. (Editor's note: Our thanks to Maggie Friedenbach for this helpful hint.) |
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Other Helpful, Therapeutic Products |
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| We're grateful to website visitors who have taken the time to recommend these other products, which they have used successfully with their own dogs. (The Senior Dogs Project has not had first-hand experience with any of these products and cannot personally recommend them, but we thought you might like to know about them.) | |
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According to the manufacturer's website, "DogLeggs® are an attractive, therapeutic treatment for the calluses, soreness, swelling, lameness and arthritis that cause many dogs to suffer. Your dog's rough calluses become soft and supple. DogLeggs prevent the wearing away of the elbow hair. The aching of arthritis is lessened and movement enhanced by the gentle warmth from the Malden Mills Polar Fleece used in DogLeggs. An inside triple layer of fleece protects the inner elbows from hard surfaces, while the gentle warmth allows the rough calluses to soften, alleviates arthritis pain and enhances range of movement." According to the website visitor who told us about DogLeggs, John-Henry Gross, they gave " . . .my older Rotti great comfort from arthritis and actually reduced a serious case of hygroma." |
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Peggy Terl wrote us about the BottomsUp Leash as follows: "I wanted to tell you about a terriffic product we found that would be a great help for senior dogs and their families. Our Colby (12 year old GSD) suffers from spinal degeneration and has had a lot of trouble walking. Someone sent me an article that mentioned a product called 'the BottomsUp Leash.' We bought one and it's fabulous! It has given our boy his mobility and dignity back. Best of all, even I can handle this 80-lb dog easily." |
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Hotline for Deramaxx and All Animal Drugs Made by Novartis |
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| Last month's newsletter contained an item about potential side effects of Deramaxx. Deramaxx is a new Cox-2 inhibitor that functions like the human drug Celebrex to relieve post-surgical pain and discomfort in dogs. It may, however, like all medications, have unwanted side effects. If your veterinarian has prescribed Deramaxx for your dog, ask for the consumer information sheet or package insert so that you can become informed about potential side effects. And, if you believe your dog is experiencing an adverse effect, you can call Novartis, the makers of Deramaxx, to report it at 1-800-637-0281. Novartis writes, "Our veterinarians are available to take your calls, Monday through Friday, from 8 AM to 5 PM eastern time." | |
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Rescue & Adoption News |
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Cincinnati, OH -- Family Cat Could Have Led Them to Their Lost Dog
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Ginny Snyder's dogs: Newport and Garbo |
Ginny Snyder wrote us in early January to report that she had taken in from the cold a very old Black Lab whom she was calling "Good Olde Girl." The dog had apparently strayed from her home. It was a difficult situation because the weather was extremely cold, and, due to her inability to climb the stairs in Ginny's house, the dog had to stay in a rather cold entry hallway. Ginny was deeply concerned that the dog would be harmed by the cold. Even her own dogs kept running down the stairs to check on "Olde Girl," because they were concerned about her, too. |
Good Olde Girl, "Chessie" |
Missing her sorely, the dog's folks had posted numerous flyers and placed a "lost dog" ad in the newspaper. Fortunately, Ginny called the same newspaper to place a "found dog" ad, and it was the ad taker, who had also processed the "lost dog" notice, who put two-and-two together. And that's how Good Olde Girl, whose real name is "Chessie," was happily reunited with her family -- a little the worse for wear due to the extreme cold. |
Chessie's "mom," Danae, with Akasha and Chessie |
Ginny wrote to tell us the kicker to the story, which we think is quite wonderful: While Chessie was staying with Ginny, there was a "new" cat that kept showing up around the house. Ginny writes that the cat was ". . . hanging around with my feral cat colony (all the cats in my neighborhood have been fixed and fed at my house, no kittens in my neighborhood!) and I would see her at odd times of the day. Well, when I went to 'Olde Girl's' home to re-unite her with her family, there was THE CAT! Her name is 'Akasha.' She had followed the scent of her dog, and if her folks had only followed her, they would have found Chessie much sooner!" |
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Another Award for the Senior Dogs Project |
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We thank the Canadian Voice for Animals for bestowing their award on the Senior Dogs Project. |