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		<title>Pavement Too Hot For Her Tootsies?</title>
		<link>https://www.barefootpets.com/hot/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[jeannie]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 04 Jul 2023 18:22:00 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Cat Tips]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Dog Tips]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Health]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Safety]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Barefoot]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[barefootpets]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[booties]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[burn]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[dogs]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[hot]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[pavement]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[paws]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[pets]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[rescue]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[walking]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.barefootpets.com/?p=106</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>The best test – put your own bare foot on the pavement. Too Hot For Your Feet? Then It&#8217;s Too Hot For Hers Too. Don’t make your dog walk on it. Simple as that. Avoid &#8230;</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.barefootpets.com/hot/">Pavement Too Hot For Her Tootsies?</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.barefootpets.com">BareFootPets</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The best test – put your own bare foot on the pavement.</p>
<h5>Too Hot For Your Feet? Then It&#8217;s Too Hot For Hers Too.</h5>
<p>Don’t make your dog walk on it. Simple as that.</p>
<h5>Avoid Midday and Evening Walks When The Pavement Is Most Hot.</h5>
<p>While we’re on the subject of “too hot,” you also should be very careful about what time of day you walk your pooch. In the heat of Summer, your little Precious can suffer heat stroke <em>very</em> quickly if you&#8217;re not paying attention. Get in the habit of waking a half hour earlier in the mornings so you can walk her before the sun is all the way up. Early morning is WAY better than evenings because the pavement has cooled down overnight and won’t scorch her little paws. If you walk in the evenings, don&#8217;t be fooled. Sure, the sun’s not bearing down on you, but the pavement hasn&#8217;t cooled down yet. It&#8217;s still giving off all the day’s heat and her little feet can still be burned. To know for sure, test your own bare foot. A good tip to know–asphalt can be way hotter than cement. Stay on the sidewalks or grass and avoid asphalt at all costs. Always take water with you and give her some as often as she’ll take it.</p>
<figure id="attachment_433" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-433" style="width: 881px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" class="wp-image-433 " src="https://www.barefootpets.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/layla-in-her-new-booties-jul-2017a-263x300.jpg" alt="" width="881" height="1005" srcset="https://www.barefootpets.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/layla-in-her-new-booties-jul-2017a-263x300.jpg 263w, https://www.barefootpets.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/layla-in-her-new-booties-jul-2017a-768x875.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 881px) 100vw, 881px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-433" class="wp-caption-text">Little Layla in her dirty face and new pink booties.</figcaption></figure>
<h5>Booties ~ What A Great Idea!</h5>
<p>A novel and very effective idea to protect your lovebug&#8217;s feet from hot or cold pavement is booties ~ you can buy them online or at any pet supply store; a great, fun little investment in your pet&#8217;s good health. Check out little Layla&#8217;s pink booties above. Adorable or what! The bottoms are a good solid rubber that doesn&#8217;t let heat or cold through. &nbsp; 🙂</p>
<h5>Alternative To Walking Outdoors.</h5>
<p>The best way to protect your pet&#8217;s health is to find somewhere <strong>INDOORS</strong> to walk her when the weather is too hot or too cold. Lowes, Home Depot, Petsmart, Petco for example. These are all ideal pet-friendly places &#8211; temperature controlled, safe from outdoor natural predators, and they encourage your pooch to interact with people and socialize. Your dog will LOVE you for it. &nbsp;🙂</p>
<p>** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** **</p>
<p>God Bless and Happy Pet Parenting!</p>
<p><a href="https://www.barefootpets.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/jeannie-july-2017a-e1500253570956.jpg"><img decoding="async" class="wp-image-271 alignleft" src="https://www.barefootpets.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/jeannie-july-2017a-e1500253570956-225x300.jpg" sizes="(max-width: 169px) 100vw, 169px" srcset="https://www.barefootpets.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/jeannie-july-2017a-e1500253570956-225x300.jpg 225w, https://www.barefootpets.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/jeannie-july-2017a-e1500253570956-768x1024.jpg 768w, https://www.barefootpets.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/jeannie-july-2017a-e1500253570956-750x1000.jpg 750w, https://www.barefootpets.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/jeannie-july-2017a-e1500253570956.jpg 856w" alt="" width="169" height="225"></a></p>
<p>With love and good wishes,<br />
jeannie.&nbsp; &nbsp;?</p>
<p>About jeannie:&nbsp; I’ve been pro-actively involved in pet rescue all of my life. I founded Milagro Senior Pet Refuge© (Phoenix) in 1998, and BareFootPets (TM) in 2008.&nbsp; Animal welfare has always been and will always be my heart’s work. If my only legacy is that I save a handful of precious souls that would not survive otherwise, I’m good with that.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.barefootpets.com/hot/">Pavement Too Hot For Her Tootsies?</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.barefootpets.com">BareFootPets</a>.</p>
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			</item>
		<item>
		<title>Hydrate Your Kitty And Save Her Kidneys.</title>
		<link>https://www.barefootpets.com/hydrate/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[jeannie]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 06 Jun 2023 18:22:00 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Cat Tips]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Health]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Barefoot]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[barefootpets]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[cat]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[cats]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[dehydrate]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[drink]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[feline kidney disease]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[fountain]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[hydrates]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[kidney disease]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[kidneys]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[kitties]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[kitty]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[pets]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[pkd]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[water]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.barefootpets.com/?p=101</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>We all know kitties are very stoic about their health. They typically don’t let you know anything is going on until it’s advanced enough for you to notice on your own. By then it can &#8230;</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.barefootpets.com/hydrate/">Hydrate Your Kitty And Save Her Kidneys.</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.barefootpets.com">BareFootPets</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>We all know kitties are very stoic about their health. They typically don’t let you know anything is going on until it’s advanced enough for you to notice on your own. By then it can be pretty tough to treat, and sometimes even too late to save her. Kitties as a species are generally prone to kidney disease. One way you can “get ahead and stay ahead of the 8 ball” early on is with her hydration. When kitties don’t feel well, they generally just go hide somewhere. Problem is, while they’re hiding, they’re not drinking water. Kitties get very dehydrated very quickly and this is really hard on their delicate kidneys.  So what can you do to help prevent trouble?</p>
<p><img decoding="async" class="aligncenter  wp-image-244" src="https://www.barefootpets.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Fotolia_67364343_M-reduced-1-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="916" height="608" srcset="https://www.barefootpets.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Fotolia_67364343_M-reduced-1-300x199.jpg 300w, https://www.barefootpets.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Fotolia_67364343_M-reduced-1.jpg 373w" sizes="(max-width: 916px) 100vw, 916px" /></p>
<h5>How To Identify If Your Kitty Is Dehydrated.</h5>
<p>How to tell your little one is dehydrated? As a loving kitty owner, you need to be very aware of your kitty&#8217;s behavior at all times so you can read the signs early. If you suspect kitty is not feeling well, pinch the skin up and down her back. Does it stay pinched and loose when you let go? Then she’s dehydrated. Make it a habit every day when you’re loving on your kitty to do the pinch test. Also, does she hover/linger over her water dish? She&#8217;s dehydrated. So, establish the good habit to support her kidney health by ensuring that she&#8217;s always hydrated. How do I do that? First of all, START EARLY. Don&#8217;t wait until she shows signs of kidney trouble. When the signs start, she&#8217;s already in trouble.</p>
<h5>A Good Fountain Is Excellent Support For Kitty&#8217;s Hydration And Health.</h5>
<p>The best way to help your kitty stay hydrated, hands-down, is with a food-grade ceramic drinking fountain and a good filter. Kitties are naturally fascinated by running water, which is a big help. Just leave a faucet on somewhere in the house and watch them come running. No doubt you’ve seen the cute videos on YouTube of kitties and faucets. I’ve discovered that even a kitty that’s not feeling well will hang around a fountain or running faucet. You can use this to your kitty’s advantage. Don&#8217;t wait for her to develop signs of poor kidney health. Start her on a fountain when she&#8217;s young to help discourage kidney troubles down the road.</p>
<h5>Choosing A Fountain.</h5>
<p>Having fresh water available to kitty at all times is paramount. Having a running fountain of fresh filtered water is even better, because it attracts her even when she’s not feeling well. This is an especially important time for her to be drinking more water. There are many places you can buy pet fountains. Definitely avoid plastic units. Plastic harbors bacteria. Ideally, you want a “food-grade” ceramic fountain–food-grade ceramic like the dishes people eat and cook on, not the ceramic that art pieces are made of because art glazes contain lead.</p>
<p>After much online research, I found “Fountains by Ebi” (http://ebifountains.com/).</p>
<p><iframe loading="lazy" width="770" height="578" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/lSdyWL4Hgaw?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></p>
<p>You can custom-order the fountain to your liking as far as size and look and what type of filter you want in it. I’ve been using my Ebi fountain for several years now, and I promise you from personal experience it is one of the BEST INVESTMENTS you’ll ever make for your kitty’s health.</p>
<h5>Added Hydration Support.</h5>
<p>A kitty that’s already dehydrated will have a tough time drinking enough water to re-hydrate herself, even at the fountain. In these instances, you can give her a little extra support with “sub-q” fluids. Sub-q fluids must be prescribed by your veterinarian. It&#8217;s like a bag of IV fluid that you see in hospitals. The bag comes with a line, and you can use 10-20 needles per bag depending on the level of distress your kitty is in, and how much fluid your veterinarian recommends for her.</p>
<h5>Before You Run Screaming For The Hills, Hear Me Out.</h5>
<p>Your veterinarian can show you how to give the fluids to your kitty. Don’t be afraid of it. You just pull up a pinch of skin over her shoulders and insert the needle under the skin. Don’t go any deeper into tissue or muscle–just under the surface of the skin. The first time or two you’ll feel awful, like you’re hurting her. I almost fainted, because I’m afraid of needles. So I was feeling guilty for kitty AND i was trying not to throw up. But you’ll quickly get the hang of it and be able to insert the needle without her even noticing, especially because you know you’re helping her.</p>
<p>The needle simply goes just under the skin, NOT into a vein or muscle. Her body will quickly absorb the fluids and she’ll be feeling like a million dollars again in less than 30 minutes. I’ve found that having kitty sit in the bathroom sink while I give her the sub-q fluids helps to discourage her from struggling. She seems to feel safe all snuggled down in it. And I&#8217;m not wrestling with her to stay still, so the whole process is easier on both of us. She relaxes quite comfortably in the sink for the two or three minutes it takes to dispense the fluids under her skin. When you’re finished, massage her skin at the injection site for a couple of seconds to ensure the fluids don’t leak back out, and Voila!  You’re done and she’s already on her way to feeling better. Sub-q fluids are lifesavers&#8211;the best and fastest support for a dehydrated kitty and for a kitty with kidney disease.</p>
<h5>Sub-Q Fluids Are Tremendous Support, But Not A Cure.</h5>
<p>NOTE: Sub-q fluids are <em>not</em> a cure for kidney disease. They simply offer her much-needed comfort and desperately needed hydration that she can’t get on her own by drinking water. I make it a point to keep a supply of sub-q fluids and needles on-hand at all times. In my rescue organization, we’ve saved more lives by having sub-q fluids immediately available right when we need them, rather than having to wait for a scheduled appointment and an emergency run to the vet. Hydration isn’t just a matter of the kitty’s comfort. It can be a matter of her life, and time and treatment are of the essence. It&#8217;s a glorious feeling to know you&#8217;re caring in such a great way for this precious little soul. Because of you, she has the healthiest, most wonderful life.</p>
<p>Here&#8217;s a cute video of Princess, a Milagro Senior (www.milagropets.org). She actually prefers to drink from our little fish tank instead of the kitty fountain. There are no fish in it, but Princess enjoys it so much we keep it set up just for her. And that&#8217;s cool, too. As long as it&#8217;s clean and she&#8217;s drinking, that&#8217;s the main thing. See how you can make the critical act of staying hydrated fun for your kitty? Be creative.</p>
<p><iframe loading="lazy" width="770" height="433" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/JGLyvKi88l0?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></p>
<p>So your take-away tip on this subject – invest in a food-grade ceramic fountain for your kitty or, like Princess, a running fish tank. Be very sure the water is always clean, and <span style="text-decoration: underline;">always</span> <span style="text-decoration: underline;">always</span> <span style="text-decoration: underline;">always</span> make sure she’s hydrated. If your kitty needs more critical care, ask your veterinarian about sub-q fluids.</p>
<p>** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** **</p>
<p>God Bless and Happy Pet Parenting!</p>
<p><a href="https://www.barefootpets.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/jeannie-july-2017a-e1500253570956.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-271 alignleft" src="https://www.barefootpets.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/jeannie-july-2017a-e1500253570956-225x300.jpg" sizes="(max-width: 169px) 100vw, 169px" srcset="https://www.barefootpets.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/jeannie-july-2017a-e1500253570956-225x300.jpg 225w, https://www.barefootpets.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/jeannie-july-2017a-e1500253570956-768x1024.jpg 768w, https://www.barefootpets.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/jeannie-july-2017a-e1500253570956-750x1000.jpg 750w, https://www.barefootpets.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/jeannie-july-2017a-e1500253570956.jpg 856w" alt="" width="169" height="225" /></a></p>
<p>With love and good wishes,<br />
jeannie.</p>
<p>About jeannie:  I’ve been pro-actively involved in pet rescue all of my life. I founded Milagro Senior Pet Refuge© (Phoenix) in 1998, and BareFootPets (TM) in 2008.  Animal welfare has always been and will always be my heart’s work. If my only legacy is that I save a handful of precious souls that would not survive otherwise, I’m good with that.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.barefootpets.com/hydrate/">Hydrate Your Kitty And Save Her Kidneys.</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.barefootpets.com">BareFootPets</a>.</p>
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		<item>
		<title>Ignore Your Pet&#8217;s Teeth &#8230; They&#8217;ll Go Away.</title>
		<link>https://www.barefootpets.com/teeth/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[jeannie]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 04 Apr 2023 09:15:00 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Cat Tips]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Dog Tips]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Health]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Barefoot]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[barefootpets]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[dental]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[dental infection]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[gum massage]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[infection]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[oral]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[organ failure]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[pet care]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[pet comfort]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[pet health]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[pet kidneys]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[pet liver]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[pet rescue]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[pet toothpaste]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[teeth]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[teeth cleaning]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[teeth extractions]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.barefootpets.com/?p=23</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>Okay, that’s not the whole story, but I&#8217;ll bet I got your attention. Sure, rotten teeth eventually fall out.&#160;But it’s while they’re still in your pet’s mouth that you need to be concerned.&#160;Pets need their &#8230;</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.barefootpets.com/teeth/">Ignore Your Pet&#8217;s Teeth &#8230; They&#8217;ll Go Away.</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.barefootpets.com">BareFootPets</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Okay, that’s not the whole story, but I&#8217;ll bet I got your attention. Sure, rotten teeth eventually fall out.&nbsp;But it’s while they’re still in your pet’s mouth that you need to be concerned.&nbsp;Pets need their teeth cleaned just like us.&nbsp;Imagine how gross your mouth would feel if you went a whole week without brushing.&nbsp; Ack, right?&nbsp;Well, think about pets who go their <em>whole lives</em> with no teeth cleaning!&nbsp; <em>Eww!</em>&nbsp; Not only is it gross, but it’s totally dangerous to the rest of their body.&nbsp;Dirty teeth become rotten teeth.&nbsp;Rotten teeth infect the gums.&nbsp;Infection from the gums spreads into the blood stream, then into the pet’s kidneys, liver, and other organs.&nbsp;The organs struggle to keep working, but eventually they are damaged by the infection from the pet’s mouth.&nbsp;When the organs finally fail, the pet dies. Now you see the importance of clean teeth and healthy mouth?&nbsp;Brush your pet’s teeth and save her life ~ literally.</p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter  wp-image-249" src="https://www.barefootpets.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/smiling-retriever-reduced-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="910" height="607" srcset="https://www.barefootpets.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/smiling-retriever-reduced-300x200.jpg 300w, https://www.barefootpets.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/smiling-retriever-reduced.jpg 391w" sizes="(max-width: 910px) 100vw, 910px" /></p>
<h5>Okay, How Do I Begin?</h5>
<p>I know it&#8217;s tough to carve out time in your already hectic day to brush Fido’s teeth, every day after day no less. You already dread it, don’t you.&nbsp;Let’s make it easy then. First step&#8211;whenever you find little moments and you’re sitting around snuggling with Fluffy, massage her gums at the same time. See&#8211;no extra time needed. Massage very lightly, ok, don’t get all invasive on her like the bathroom scene with Channing Tatum and Jonah Hill in 21 Jump Street. At this point, you’re just getting her used to your fingers in her mouth, like it’s no big deal.&nbsp;I introduce my kitties and pups to gum massage by hand-feeding them cat kibble one piece at a time.&nbsp;They love being hand-fed so, when i start checking out their gums, they’re pretty much okay with it.&nbsp;Massage her gums lightly and very briefly, then stop, before she has a chance to object. Go on&nbsp;your merry way like it was no big deal.&nbsp;[<strong>TIP: </strong>Knowing when to ignore your pet is a tremendously effective training and handling tool ~ more on that later.]&nbsp;By making gum massage part of snuggle time and creating a positive experience instead of a dreaded chore, she’ll come to associate it with pleasure. Keep this tip in your memory bank.</p>
<h5>Baby Steps &#8230; You&#8217;re Getting There</h5>
<p>Once you’ve got your pet feeling okay about having her teeth and gums handled, you can introduce a toothbrush or rubber thumb. I prefer the rubber thumb because it&#8217;s similar to your finger and seems less foreign to the pet. Before you go shoving them in her mouth, tho, let her sniff them and get familiar, even batting them around like toys.&nbsp;Remember, baby steps.&nbsp;Use the brush to massage her teeth without paste for the first few times.&nbsp;Once she’s comfortable with the toothbrush or rubber thumb, then try adding a tiny dab of flavored pet toothpaste.&nbsp;She may not be sold right away&#8211;don’t force it.&nbsp;<em>Never</em> force it.&nbsp;But definitely keep the massaging in your routine and eventually try adding toothpaste again.&nbsp;You’ll get there eventually.</p>
<p>Here is a really good pet toothpaste I like to recommend for you. It&#8217;s popular because it&#8217;s made in the USA, it&#8217;s safe, pets like it, and it works!</p>
<iframe style="width:120px;height:240px;" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ss&ref=as_ss_li_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=ilagriz-20&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=B00025K0R6&asins=B00025K0R6&linkId=1c524f967d208f48eb3032a4a534139b&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true"></iframe>
<p>In the meantime, stimulating her gums is a good thing. If, however, you have a pet who just refuses to warm up to a toothbrush, no worries.&nbsp;There are options. There are some great dental washes for pets that you put in their drinking water. Can&#8217;t get any easier than that! &nbsp;Here&#8217;s a good one. Completely odorless/tasteless so your pet won&#8217;t detect it and get all fussy. It&#8217;s made in the USA and completely safe for your pet.</p>
<iframe style="width:120px;height:240px;" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ss&ref=as_ss_li_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=ilagriz-20&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=B002OXHJ6Y&asins=B002OXHJ6Y&linkId=715b39ebd319395e342584422996ee48&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true"></iframe>
<p>I also found this product below that you spray right onto their teeth and gums and, as the pet licks his lips and sloshes it around, it begins to reduce plaque and heal his mouth. It&#8217;s all organic, no chemicals to create allergies or inflammation, and makes your pet&#8217;s breath very fresh and sweet so you just want to get all up in his face and snuggle with him! &nbsp;🙂 &nbsp;Give it a try!</p>
<iframe style="width:120px;height:240px;" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ss&ref=as_ss_li_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=ilagriz-20&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=B01B8DXEJG&asins=B01B8DXEJG&linkId=a16dec106698f8769cbfbc42e6e8ffa6&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true"></iframe>
<h5>It&#8217;s NEVER Too Late.</h5>
<p>Ideally, you want to start your pet&#8217;s dental care when she’s a puppy or kitten. If she’s older, tho, no worries. Always better late than never at all. Just remind yourself how important dental care is to her overall health.</p>
<p>Bottom line is you may have to try a few approaches to your pet’s dental care before you find the one your pet responds to, and that’s ok, because there are many products of all kinds out there to choose from.&nbsp;One of them will work for you.&nbsp;As long as you&#8217;re patient and consistent, you&#8217;ll get there. Just keep your eye on the prize&#8211;longterm good health and protection for your beloved furbaby.</p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter  wp-image-1143" src="https://www.barefootpets.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Fotolia_58616497_XS-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="907" height="605" srcset="https://www.barefootpets.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Fotolia_58616497_XS-300x200.jpg 300w, https://www.barefootpets.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Fotolia_58616497_XS.jpg 425w" sizes="(max-width: 907px) 100vw, 907px" /></p>
<p>** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** **</p>
<p>God Bless and Happy Pet Parenting!</p>
<p><a href="https://www.barefootpets.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/jeannie-july-2017a-e1500253570956.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-271 alignleft" src="https://www.barefootpets.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/jeannie-july-2017a-e1500253570956-225x300.jpg" sizes="(max-width: 169px) 100vw, 169px" srcset="https://www.barefootpets.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/jeannie-july-2017a-e1500253570956-225x300.jpg 225w, https://www.barefootpets.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/jeannie-july-2017a-e1500253570956-768x1024.jpg 768w, https://www.barefootpets.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/jeannie-july-2017a-e1500253570956-750x1000.jpg 750w, https://www.barefootpets.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/jeannie-july-2017a-e1500253570956.jpg 856w" alt="" width="169" height="225"></a></p>
<p>With love and good wishes,<br />
jeannie.&nbsp; &nbsp;?</p>
<p>About jeannie:&nbsp; I’ve been pro-actively involved in pet rescue all of my life. I founded Milagro Senior Pet Refuge© (Phoenix) in 1998, and BareFootPets (TM) in 2008.&nbsp; Animal welfare has always been and will always be my heart’s work. If my only legacy is that I save a handful of precious souls that would not survive otherwise, I’m good with that.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.barefootpets.com/teeth/">Ignore Your Pet&#8217;s Teeth &#8230; They&#8217;ll Go Away.</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.barefootpets.com">BareFootPets</a>.</p>
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		<title>If You Love Her, Chip Her.</title>
		<link>https://www.barefootpets.com/chip/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[jeannie]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 08 Mar 2023 18:36:00 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Safety]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Barefoot]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[barefootpets]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[euthanasia]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[lost pet]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[microchip scan]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[microchipping]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[nathan winograd]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[no kill advocacy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[pet care]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[pet chip]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[pet identification]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[pet rescue]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[pet safety]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[pet shelter]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[redemption]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[shelter killing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[stray pet]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.barefootpets.com/?p=924</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>Having your pet micro-chipped (&#8220;chipped&#8221;) is becoming more and more recognized for its importance as pets are becoming a more integral part of our families. Thanks to the multitude of animal welfare and rescue organizations &#8230;</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.barefootpets.com/chip/">If You Love Her, Chip Her.</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.barefootpets.com">BareFootPets</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Having your pet micro-chipped (&#8220;chipped&#8221;) is becoming more and more recognized for its importance as pets are becoming a more integral part of our families. Thanks to the multitude of animal welfare and rescue organizations promoting this issue nationwide, people are paying more attention and recognizing just how critical chipping is to their pets&#8217; wellbeing and to keeping their families whole.</p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter  wp-image-3369" src="https://www.barefootpets.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/sandy-aug-2016-1-300x212.jpg" alt="" width="881" height="622" srcset="https://www.barefootpets.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/sandy-aug-2016-1-300x212.jpg 300w, https://www.barefootpets.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/sandy-aug-2016-1-768x542.jpg 768w, https://www.barefootpets.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/sandy-aug-2016-1.jpg 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 881px) 100vw, 881px" /></p>
<h5>Why Is Chipping So Important?</h5>
<p>Pets become lost for many reasons, some of them preventable, others unavoidable mishaps. Compare losing a pet to losing a child&#8211;you need turn your eyes away for only seconds and they can be gone. You can be the world&#8217;s best pet parent, and it can still happen. We&#8217;re all human. The lawn care guy leaves your gate open, the cat darts out the door when you answer to sign for a Fedex, the dog jumps out the window of your car when he sees a cat on the sidewalk, etc.</p>
<p>And, of course, there&#8217;s always the unfortunate possibility of your pet being stolen. Thieves can easily figure out your routine, when you&#8217;re not home, and they can climb your fence, grab little Fluffy and be gone in a New York minute. Without Fluffy having a chip, most likely you&#8217;ll never get her back. Chipping tells the finders you are the rightful owner and eliminates any claims someone else may be trying to make for your pet.</p>
<p>Posting on social media is a huge help, for sure, but that depends on people actually reading the posts, and then those specific people being in the right place at the right time to find the lost pet. With chipping, the owner&#8217;s contact information is secured right on the pet at all times. Chipping&nbsp;is hands-down the best way to recover a lost or stolen pet.</p>
<h5>What Does A Chip Do And How Do I Get My Pet Chipped?</h5>
<p>A chip is a nearly microscopic little disk, if you will, that is inserted with a needle, as if giving the pet a shot. Typically, chips are implanted between the shoulder blades, where it will remain permanently. The injection is nearly painless for most pets. The chip is programmed with a serial number that is registered to you and contains your name, address, and phone. Some chip manufacturers also provide a website where you can opt to set up a profile for your pet with photos and certain identifying information to make identification even more exact. You can get your pet chipped at your vet or most pet stores. The cost is generally $35 to $45. Most rescue organizations include micro-chipping in the adoption process if you adopt the pet from them.</p>
<p>If your pet shows up at a shelter, the folks there have a scanner gun that they will scan over your pet. If the pet is chipped, the scanner gun will capture the information, and they can call you immediately. If someone finds your pet and wants to help get her back home safely rather than drop her off at a shelter, the finder can go to any PetSmart, Petco, veterinarian, etc., and ask them to scan the pet for a chip. There is no charge for simply scanning. Once the rescuer has your contact information, they can let you know that Fluffy is safe and sound and can get her back home to you. Chipping is critical to your pet&#8217;s wellbeing and keeping your family whole. There is no better substitute.</p>
<h5>Being Chipped Can Mean Life Or Death To Your Pet.</h5>
<p>Chipping also protects your pet from being killed should she end up in a shelter. Shelters screen incoming strays for chips. If your pet is chipped, then all is well, because first thing they will do is call you and you can go get her safely back home. But be aware&#8211;shelters typically deal with overcrowding, so they don&#8217;t invest lots of time trying to identify lost or stray pets. Sadly, kill rates for shelters across the nation are still very very high. If your pet is not chipped and ends up in a shelter, she is in extreme danger. They may put her to death in a matter of hours and you&#8217;ll never even know. You may still be driving your neighborhood, posting flyers, searching hopefully and calling for her, not knowing she&#8217;s no longer alive. Avoid such a terrible heartbreak&#8211;chip your beloved pet. Cats and dogs both. If you love her, chip her.</p>
<h5>While We&#8217;re On The Subject Of Shelter Kill Rates &#8230;</h5>
<p>Awareness is growing nationwide about the epidemic of high shelter kill rates, especially for cats. Barely 1 in every 10 cats gets out of a shelter alive&#8211;there is no excuse for this. While many shelters are finally abandoning old set ways of using euthanasia to &#8220;control&#8221; what they identify as &#8220;pet over-population,&#8221; we still have a very long way to go to stop the terrible killings. If you have an interest in learning more or volunteering to help in this overdue animal welfare revolution, get this book&#8211;<em>Redemption</em>&nbsp;by Nathan Winograd. It&#8217;s truly eye-opening. When you finish the book, pass it on, keep it going. It&#8217;s on our generation to get the word out and get the wheels in motion.</p>
<iframe style="width:120px;height:240px;" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ss&ref=as_ss_li_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=ilagriz-20&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=0979074312&asins=0979074312&linkId=885aa72ff81b3d985b5548afb081d68b&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true"></iframe>
<p>** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** **</p>
<p>God Bless and Happy Pet Parenting!</p>
<p><a href="https://www.barefootpets.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/jeannie-july-2017a-e1500253570956.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-271 alignleft" src="https://www.barefootpets.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/jeannie-july-2017a-e1500253570956-225x300.jpg" sizes="(max-width: 169px) 100vw, 169px" srcset="https://www.barefootpets.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/jeannie-july-2017a-e1500253570956-225x300.jpg 225w, https://www.barefootpets.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/jeannie-july-2017a-e1500253570956-768x1024.jpg 768w, https://www.barefootpets.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/jeannie-july-2017a-e1500253570956-750x1000.jpg 750w, https://www.barefootpets.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/jeannie-july-2017a-e1500253570956.jpg 856w" alt="" width="169" height="225"></a></p>
<p>With love and good wishes,<br />
jeannie.&nbsp; &nbsp;?</p>
<p>About jeannie:&nbsp; I’ve been pro-actively involved in pet rescue all of my life. I founded Milagro Senior Pet Refuge© (Phoenix) in 1998, and BareFootPets (TM) in 2008.&nbsp; Animal welfare has always been and will always be my heart’s work. If my only legacy is that I save a handful of precious souls that would not survive otherwise, I’m good with that.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.barefootpets.com/chip/">If You Love Her, Chip Her.</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.barefootpets.com">BareFootPets</a>.</p>
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		<title>Pets And Hot Cars</title>
		<link>https://www.barefootpets.com/pets-and-hot-cars/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[jeannie]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 02 Aug 2022 18:12:51 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Cat Tips]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Dog Tips]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Health]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Safety]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[aspca]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Barefoot]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[barefootpets]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[car]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[cat]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[dehydrate]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[dog]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[heat stroke]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[nypd]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[overheat]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[pet care]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[pets]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[seizures]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.barefootpets.com/?p=3283</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>You Can Never Over-Emphasize The Need For Diligence Over Your Pet. The article below is republished, with permission by its author, in its entirety to underscore the absolute critical importance of not leaving animals in &#8230;</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.barefootpets.com/pets-and-hot-cars/">Pets And Hot Cars</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.barefootpets.com">BareFootPets</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<h5>You Can Never Over-Emphasize The Need For Diligence Over Your Pet.</h5>
<p>The article below is republished, with permission by its author, in its entirety to underscore the absolute critical importance of not leaving animals in cars.  Fortunately, this story has a happy ending.  Sadly, that&#8217;s not always the case.  Please take a few minutes to read and lock this information away in your brain so that you will always be mindful and protective of your own beloved pet.  Remember, at best your pet has the mental capacity of a two-year-old child.  He can&#8217;t save himself &#8212; he needs you to watch over him at all times. And if you get it wrong, there aren&#8217;t always do-overs.  Gratitude to Amy McGorry, Fox News, for this very important reminder.</p>
<h3 style="text-align: center;"><strong>* * *</strong></h3>
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<h1 class="headline" style="text-align: center;">NYC dog trapped in hot car endures month-long recovery, finds home with police officer</h1>
<h3 class="sub-headline speakable">A New York City officer has adopted the dog she helped rescue from a parked car on a Manhattan street</h3>
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<div class="author-byline">By <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/person/m/amy-mcgorry">Amy McGorry</a> <span class="article-source"><a href="https://www.foxnews.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">| Fox News</a></span></div>
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<div class="control" data-v-a7f268cc=""><a style="font-size: 1.5625rem; background-color: #ffffff;" href="http://video.foxnews.com/v/6310298746112" data-v-a7f268cc="">This lucky dog in New York City has now found a loving home</a></div>
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<div class="sk-cell svelte-1p9zcvv"><span style="font-size: inherit;">A dog that had been trapped inside a hot car this summer in </span><a style="font-size: inherit; background-color: #ffffff;" href="https://www.foxnews.com/category/us/new-york-city" target="_blank" rel="noopener">New York City</a><span style="font-size: inherit;"> for as long as 24 hours now has a new home — thanks to the police officers who rescued him from the dire situation and the officer who then took him into her heart.</span></div>
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<p class="speakable">An official from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) told Fox News Digital that New York City Police Department officers rescued <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/category/lifestyle/pets" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the fluffy white dog</a> — an American Eskimo dog whose name is now Snow — and brought him to the ASPCA Animal Recovery Center on the Upper East Side of Manhattan.</p>
<p>There, the dog was given medical care and behavioral treatment until he was ready for adoption.</p>
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<div id="google_ads_iframe_/4145/fnc/desk/art/life/lb2_0__container__"><a style="font-size: inherit; background-color: #ffffff;" href="https://www.foxnews.com/lifestyle/french-bulldogs-stolen-pet-lovers-going-on-breed" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>AS MORE FRENCH BULLDOGS ARE STOLEN, PET LOVERS WANT TO KNOW: WHAT&#8217;S GOING ON WITH THIS BREED?</strong></a></div>
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<p>Last month, the NYPD tweeted about the rescue as it was happening. It said police responded to calls from &#8220;caring New Yorkers&#8221; who notified them about a dog locked in a hot car in the heat of the summer.</p>
<p>The <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/category/us/crime/police-and-law-enforcement" target="_blank" rel="noopener">responding police officers</a> discovered the car was off, the windows were closed and the distressed dog was inside, according to the NYPD 19th Precinct&#8217;s tweet.</p>
<p>Police tweeted that the dog was locked inside the car for two hours; the ASPCA confirmed afterward that the dog was trapped inside the car for at least 24 hours.</p>
<p>The officers broke through one of the car&#8217;s windows, removed the suffering pup from the car once they were able to open the door — and brought the animal to the ASPCA for treatment.</p>
<p>A criminal investigation was underway at that time, according to the June 18 social media post.</p>
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<p class="quote-text"><strong>On an 85-degree day, it only takes 10 minutes for the inside of a car to reach a deadly 102 degrees, the NYPD said.</strong></p>
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<p>Another tweet shared by the NYPD 19th Precinct said the temperatures that hot summer June day were in the mid-80s.</p>
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<div id="google_ads_iframe_/4145/fnc/desk/art/life/lb3_0__container__"><a style="font-size: inherit; background-color: #ffffff;" href="https://www.foxnews.com/lifestyle/cats-classified-invasive-alien-species-polish-scientific-institute" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>CATS CLASSIFIED AS ‘INVASIVE ALIEN SPECIES&#8217; BY POLISH SCIENTIFIC INSTITUTE</strong></a></div>
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<p>The precinct said that on an 85-degree day, it only takes 10 minutes for the inside of a car to reach a deadly 102 degrees.</p>
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<div class="m"><picture><source srcset="https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2022/08/343/192/AC_NYPD_Adoption_Marshmellow_A50498629_2022Jul26_0012.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2022/08/686/384/AC_NYPD_Adoption_Marshmellow_A50498629_2022Jul26_0012.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x" media="(max-width: 767px)" /><source srcset="https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2022/08/672/378/AC_NYPD_Adoption_Marshmellow_A50498629_2022Jul26_0012.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2022/08/1344/756/AC_NYPD_Adoption_Marshmellow_A50498629_2022Jul26_0012.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x" media="(min-width: 767px) and (max-width: 1023px)" /><source srcset="https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2022/08/931/523/AC_NYPD_Adoption_Marshmellow_A50498629_2022Jul26_0012.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2022/08/1862/1046/AC_NYPD_Adoption_Marshmellow_A50498629_2022Jul26_0012.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x" media="(min-width: 1024px) and (max-width: 1279px)" /><source srcset="https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2022/08/720/405/AC_NYPD_Adoption_Marshmellow_A50498629_2022Jul26_0012.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2022/08/1440/810/AC_NYPD_Adoption_Marshmellow_A50498629_2022Jul26_0012.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x" media="(min-width: 1280px)" /><img decoding="async" src="https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2022/08/640/320/AC_NYPD_Adoption_Marshmellow_A50498629_2022Jul26_0012.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1" alt="This sweet dog — an American Eskimo dog — was trapped in a hot car in Manhattan for approximately 24 hours. It took the dog a month to recover and to be available for adoption." /></picture></div>
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<p>This sweet dog — an American Eskimo dog — was trapped in a hot car in Manhattan for approximately 24 hours. It took the dog a month to recover and to be available for adoption. <span class="copyright">(ASPCA)</span></p>
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<p>The NYPD social media post also said the law prohibits leaving &#8220;an animal unattended in a car under these dangerous conditions — thankfully the pup was rescued &amp; is being cared for.&#8221;</p>
<p>Officer Aruna Maharaj, one of the NYPD rescuers, remained in touch with the ASPCA during Snow’s month-long recovery, a media spokesperson for the ASPCA told Fox News Digital.</p>
<div class="image-ct inline">
<div class="m"><picture><source srcset="https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2022/08/343/192/AC_NYPD_Adoption_Marshmellow_A50498629_2022Jul26_0006.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2022/08/686/384/AC_NYPD_Adoption_Marshmellow_A50498629_2022Jul26_0006.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x" media="(max-width: 767px)" /><source srcset="https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2022/08/672/378/AC_NYPD_Adoption_Marshmellow_A50498629_2022Jul26_0006.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2022/08/1344/756/AC_NYPD_Adoption_Marshmellow_A50498629_2022Jul26_0006.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x" media="(min-width: 767px) and (max-width: 1023px)" /><source srcset="https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2022/08/931/523/AC_NYPD_Adoption_Marshmellow_A50498629_2022Jul26_0006.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2022/08/1862/1046/AC_NYPD_Adoption_Marshmellow_A50498629_2022Jul26_0006.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x" media="(min-width: 1024px) and (max-width: 1279px)" /><source srcset="https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2022/08/720/405/AC_NYPD_Adoption_Marshmellow_A50498629_2022Jul26_0006.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2022/08/1440/810/AC_NYPD_Adoption_Marshmellow_A50498629_2022Jul26_0006.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x" media="(min-width: 1280px)" /><img decoding="async" src="https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2022/08/640/320/AC_NYPD_Adoption_Marshmellow_A50498629_2022Jul26_0006.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1" alt="This dog — rescued from a hot car — has now been adopted. The dog's new name is Snow. The officer who adopted the pet &quot;knew Snow was special.&quot;" /></picture></div>
<div class="caption">
<p>This dog — rescued from a hot car — has now been adopted. The dog&#8217;s new name is Snow. The officer who adopted the pet &#8220;knew Snow was special.&#8221; <span class="copyright">(ASPCA)</span></p>
</div>
</div>
<p>The ASPCA also confirmed that the officer and her fiancé made the adoption official just last week.</p>
<p>&#8220;From the moment Officer Maharaj was involved in this case, she knew Snow was special,&#8221; the ASPCA official told Fox Digital News.</p>
<blockquote class="pull-quote">
<p class="quote-text">&#8220;When [the officer] rescued Snow from the car, she instantly fell in love.&#8221;</p>
</blockquote>
<p>The spokesperson said that the officer was not looking to adopt a pet — but when she rescued Snow from the car, she instantly fell in love.</p>
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<p>&#8220;She immediately brought him into her car with the air conditioner blasting, where he sat on her lap, licked her face and wouldn’t move from her company,&#8221; the ASPCA spokesperson added.</p>
<div class="image-ct inline">
<div class="m"><picture><source srcset="https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2022/08/343/192/AC_NYPD_Adoption_Marshmellow_A50498629_2022Jul26_0019.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2022/08/686/384/AC_NYPD_Adoption_Marshmellow_A50498629_2022Jul26_0019.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x" media="(max-width: 767px)" /><source srcset="https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2022/08/672/378/AC_NYPD_Adoption_Marshmellow_A50498629_2022Jul26_0019.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2022/08/1344/756/AC_NYPD_Adoption_Marshmellow_A50498629_2022Jul26_0019.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x" media="(min-width: 767px) and (max-width: 1023px)" /><source srcset="https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2022/08/931/523/AC_NYPD_Adoption_Marshmellow_A50498629_2022Jul26_0019.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2022/08/1862/1046/AC_NYPD_Adoption_Marshmellow_A50498629_2022Jul26_0019.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x" media="(min-width: 1024px) and (max-width: 1279px)" /><source srcset="https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2022/08/720/405/AC_NYPD_Adoption_Marshmellow_A50498629_2022Jul26_0019.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2022/08/1440/810/AC_NYPD_Adoption_Marshmellow_A50498629_2022Jul26_0019.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x" media="(min-width: 1280px)" /><img decoding="async" src="https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2022/08/640/320/AC_NYPD_Adoption_Marshmellow_A50498629_2022Jul26_0019.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1" alt="Officer Aruna Maharaj, one of the NYPD rescuers, holds Snow, who was removed from a hot car in June. Maharaj has since adopted Snow." /></picture></div>
<div class="caption">
<p>Officer Aruna Maharaj, one of the NYPD rescuers, holds Snow, who was removed from a hot car in June. Maharaj has since adopted Snow. <span class="copyright">(ASPCA)</span></p>
</div>
</div>
<p>The ASPCA official said the dog&#8217;s adoption was delayed for several weeks because Snow needed to receive medical care and behavioral care.</p>
<p>Officer Maharaj officially adopted Snow once the dog was cleared.</p>
<p>She brought him to her home, where he now enjoys a large backyard and walks to a nearby park, according to an emailed statement from the ASPCA.</p>
<blockquote class="pull-quote">
<p class="quote-text">Snow is enjoying a large backyard and regular walks to a nearby park.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>The official also said Snow has been adjusting well to his new family and to having a cat sibling.</p>
<div class="image-ct inline">
<div class="m"><picture><source srcset="https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2022/08/343/192/AC_NYPD_Adoption_Marshmellow_A50498629_2022Jul26_0009.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2022/08/686/384/AC_NYPD_Adoption_Marshmellow_A50498629_2022Jul26_0009.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x" media="(max-width: 767px)" /><source srcset="https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2022/08/672/378/AC_NYPD_Adoption_Marshmellow_A50498629_2022Jul26_0009.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2022/08/1344/756/AC_NYPD_Adoption_Marshmellow_A50498629_2022Jul26_0009.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x" media="(min-width: 767px) and (max-width: 1023px)" /><source srcset="https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2022/08/931/523/AC_NYPD_Adoption_Marshmellow_A50498629_2022Jul26_0009.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2022/08/1862/1046/AC_NYPD_Adoption_Marshmellow_A50498629_2022Jul26_0009.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x" media="(min-width: 1024px) and (max-width: 1279px)" /><source srcset="https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2022/08/720/405/AC_NYPD_Adoption_Marshmellow_A50498629_2022Jul26_0009.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1, https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2022/08/1440/810/AC_NYPD_Adoption_Marshmellow_A50498629_2022Jul26_0009.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x" media="(min-width: 1280px)" /><img decoding="async" src="https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2022/08/640/320/AC_NYPD_Adoption_Marshmellow_A50498629_2022Jul26_0009.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1" alt="This pup rescued by officers with the NYPD is now enjoying himself again." /></picture></div>
<div class="caption">
<p>This pup rescued by officers with the NYPD is now enjoying himself again. <span class="copyright">(ASPCA)</span></p>
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</div>
<p>Fox News Digital reached out to the NYPD, who said the officer was not available for comment; the department did not comment on the case.</p>
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<div id="google_ads_iframe_/4145/fnc/desk/art/life/lb5_0__container__"><span style="font-size: inherit;">As the summer continues, the ASPCA shared the following tips and advice for everyone when dealing with pets and the heat. </span></div>
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</div>
<h2><strong>Never leave pets alone in a parked car</strong></h2>
<p>A car can overheat even when the window has been left cracked an inch or two.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.foxnews.com/lifestyle/pennsylvania-baby-dies-hot-car-parents" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>PENNSYLVANIA BABY BOY DIES IN HOT CAR INCIDENT: WHAT PARENTS NEED TO KNOW NOW</strong></a></p>
<p>The temperature inside a parked car may be as much as 20 degrees hotter than the temperature outside.</p>
<p>Not only can it lead to a fatal heat stroke — it is also illegal in many states.</p>
<h2><strong>Know the signs of overheating in pets</strong></h2>
<p>The signs that <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/category/health/healthy-living/pet-health" target="_blank" rel="noopener">an animal is overheated</a> include excessive panting or difficulty breathing, bright red gums, increased heart and respiratory rate, drooling, mild weakness, stupor — or even collapse.</p>
<p>Symptoms can also include seizures, bloody diarrhea and vomiting, along with an elevated body temperature of over 104 degrees.</p>
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<div id="google_ads_iframe_/4145/fnc/desk/art/life/lb6_0__container__"><span style="font-size: inherit;">Heat stroke can be life-threatening.</span></div>
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<p><a href="https://www.foxnews.com/lifestyle/pigs-playlist-farmer-finds-pigs-happier-with-music" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>PIGS AND A PLAYLIST? FARMER FINDS HIS PIGS ARE HAPPIER WHEN THEY HEAR MUSIC</strong></a></p>
<p>It can cause permanent damage or death.</p>
<h2><strong>If you&#8217;re worried a pet might be experiencing a heat stroke, immediately remove your dog from the environment</strong></h2>
<p>Let your dog pant out excessive heat in a controlled and cooler space, such as an air-conditioned room, the ASPCA advises.</p>
<h2><strong>During very hot weather, use good judgment about keeping pets indoors</strong></h2>
<p>Also, when walking dogs in hot weather, never let them linger on hot asphalt — which can burn their sensitive paw pads.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.foxnews.com/apps-products?pid=AppArticleLink" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP</strong></a></p>
<p>Since pets are close to the ground, the hot asphalt can also contribute to their body heating up very quickly.</p>
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<div id="google_ads_iframe_/4145/fnc/desk/art/life/lb7_0__container__"><span style="font-size: inherit;">Amy McGorry is a contributing health reporter for Fox News Digital. Follow her on Twitter </span><a style="font-size: inherit; background-color: #ffffff;" href="http://twitter.com/amymcgorry?lang=en" target="_blank" rel="noopener">@amymcgorry</a><span style="font-size: inherit;">.</span></div>
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<div>
<h3 style="text-align: center;"><strong>* * *</strong></h3>
<p style="text-align: left;">* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">God Bless and Happy Pet Parenting!</p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.barefootpets.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/jeannie-july-2017a-e1500253570956.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-271 alignleft" src="https://www.barefootpets.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/jeannie-july-2017a-e1500253570956-225x300.jpg" sizes="(max-width: 169px) 100vw, 169px" srcset="https://www.barefootpets.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/jeannie-july-2017a-e1500253570956-225x300.jpg 225w, https://www.barefootpets.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/jeannie-july-2017a-e1500253570956-768x1024.jpg 768w, https://www.barefootpets.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/jeannie-july-2017a-e1500253570956-750x1000.jpg 750w, https://www.barefootpets.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/jeannie-july-2017a-e1500253570956.jpg 856w" alt="" width="169" height="225" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">With love and good wishes,<br />
jeannie.   ?</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">About jeannie:  I’ve been pro-actively involved in pet rescue all of my life. I founded Milagro Senior Pet Refuge© (Phoenix) in 1998, and BareFootPets (TM) in 2008. Animal welfare has always been and will always be my heart’s work. If my only legacy is that I save a handful of precious souls that would not survive otherwise, I’m good with that.</p>
</div>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.barefootpets.com/pets-and-hot-cars/">Pets And Hot Cars</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.barefootpets.com">BareFootPets</a>.</p>
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		<title>Imagine The Possibilities</title>
		<link>https://www.barefootpets.com/imagine/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[jeannie]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 12 Jul 2022 17:28:59 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[adoption]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Barefoot]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[barefootpets]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[euthanasia]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[no kill advocacy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[pet pet care]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[rescue]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[shelter]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.barefootpets.com/?p=3299</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>I am a staunch believer in The No Kill Advocacy.  There is never justification for shelters to use killing as their first chosen tool to manage animal population &#8230; never.  Below is a blog post &#8230;</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.barefootpets.com/imagine/">Imagine The Possibilities</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.barefootpets.com">BareFootPets</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>I am a staunch believer in The No Kill Advocacy.  There is never justification for shelters to use killing as their first chosen tool to manage animal population &#8230; never.  Below is a blog post by Nathan Winograd, Founder of The No Kill Advocacy.  I found it encouraging and inspiring, and I am republishing it here, with permission by the author and in its entirety, to encourage and inspire you as well.  Until all of America&#8217;s shelters become true &#8220;shelters&#8221;, then this message is vital.  Please see yourself in the lines of the following possibilities &#8211; what you personally can offer to advance the true welfare of our vulnerable animals.  Every hand and every heart counts, no matter how seeming small the gesture.  Much gratitude to Nathan Winograd for his undying bravery and fortitude on behalf of the pets who so desperately need our help, not our excuses.</p>
<h3 style="text-align: center;"><strong>*  *  *</strong></h3>
<p><a href="https://substack.com/app-link/post?publication_id=340487&amp;post_id=63572317&amp;utm_source=email" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Open in browser</a></p>
<h1><a href="https://substack.com/redirect/2/eyJlIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly9uYXRoYW53aW5vZ3JhZC5zdWJzdGFjay5jb20vcC9pbWFnaW5lLXRoZS1wb3NzaWJpbGl0aWVzP3Rva2VuPWV5SjFjMlZ5WDJsa0lqb3pOelEwTnpFM055d2ljRzl6ZEY5cFpDSTZOak0xTnpJek1UY3NJbWxoZENJNk1UWTFOell6TnpneU1Dd2lhWE56SWpvaWNIVmlMVE0wTURRNE55SXNJbk4xWWlJNkluQnZjM1F0Y21WaFkzUnBiMjRpZlEuNEVQREJMaFhhUU84d3dMZkh5bnFvNDhXeGYteEhtQ1loeFgzbENZd2FBMCIsInAiOjYzNTcyMzE3LCJzIjozNDA0ODcsImYiOnRydWUsInUiOjM3NDQ3MTc3LCJpYXQiOjE2NTc2Mzc4MjAsImlzcyI6InB1Yi0wIiwic3ViIjoibGluay1yZWRpcmVjdCJ9.TRMikalbcHAiRcGJQ9sUt2qxiG3p4ZZ1s72gIC080kY?" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Imagine the Possibilities</a></h1>
<figure id="attachment_3313" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-3313" style="width: 484px" class="wp-caption alignleft"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-3313" src="https://www.barefootpets.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/winograd-meme-300x300.png" alt="" width="484" height="484" srcset="https://www.barefootpets.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/winograd-meme-300x300.png 300w, https://www.barefootpets.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/winograd-meme-150x150.png 150w, https://www.barefootpets.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/winograd-meme.png 512w" sizes="(max-width: 484px) 100vw, 484px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-3313" class="wp-caption-text">Nathan J. Winograd | July 12, 2022</figcaption></figure>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>As <a href="https://substack.com/redirect/58a56f49-9e98-4253-9d97-23790456f5f8?u=37447177" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reported earlier</a>, an Austin Pets Alive director recently posted a “no-win” hypothetical designed to demonstrate the impossibility of No Kill. I responded that “<a href="https://substack.com/redirect/58a56f49-9e98-4253-9d97-23790456f5f8?u=37447177" target="_blank" rel="noopener">I don’t believe in no-win scenarios</a>” and showed how poor and incompetent leadership, and not a failure of No Kill, are to blame for Austin’s fall from grace.</p>
<p>To further respond to Austin Pets Alive’s cynical apologia, I’d like to offer a “hypothetical” of my own, one just as dire. But instead of accepting defeat, I’m asking people to imagine an outcome that recognizes our duty to animals and the people in our communities who love them.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<h5>Imagine You Run An Open-Admission Shelter.</h5>
<p>Your intake rate is higher than the national average. Like most communities, you have pockets of affluence but also incredible poverty. You are getting your daily influx of animals. And then you get the call.</p>
<p>The state has requested assistance in closing down a puppy mill. They asked other shelters for help, but you would take the lead. In one day, you would get three times the number of dogs than the number of kennels you have, and you already have dogs in those kennels. As the animal control authority for all ten towns and cities in your county, you also get dogs daily.</p>
<p>On top of that, you are not just getting any dogs. While the other shelters are getting the puppies, you are getting the dogs used for breeding. Most of these dogs have <a href="https://substack.com/redirect/f4a5931d-8182-4a66-b4b7-fe5acd14d1e3?u=37447177" target="_blank" rel="noopener">severe conditions or other challenges</a>: dogs with untreated tumors, dogs with rotten teeth, dogs with neurological problems who walk in circles, under-socialized dogs, heavily traumatized dogs, dogs matted from head to toe who are painful to touch, blind dogs who lived inside pet carriers their whole lives.</p>
<h5><em>What Would You Do?</em></h5>
<p>We know what would happen at <a href="https://substack.com/redirect/36a9a3aa-8e3c-4107-9f8e-fe93f9316bce?u=37447177" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the shelters that Austin Pets Alive champions</a>, such as those in Philadelphia, Memphis, El Paso, and Los Angeles. After killing the dogs, the Executive Director would talk about “public irresponsibility,” saying the dogs were “unadoptable,” and how “euthanasia” relieved them of their suffering. “Public irresponsibility,” “unadoptable,” and “euthanasia” are all code words that show a profound lack of imagination.</p>
<p>If you chose to kill the dogs, too, Austin Pets Alive would not criticize you for it. Instead, they would circle the wagons around you, claiming the fault lies with the puppy mill. And there is <em>some</em> truth there: Fault does lie with the puppy mill for exploiting, neglecting, and abusing those poor dogs. But once the dogs are in the care of the shelter, the calculus changes. Whether those dogs live or die is now up to the shelter. At that point, the only choice is whether the shelter will perpetuate the harm by killing them or whether it won’t.</p>
<h5>In Sheltering, We Like To Fall Back On The Cliché That Killing Is A Last Resort.</h5>
<p>But while shelter directors give lip service to that, it often is a first resort: The thing that is routinely and casually done when the cages get full. The thing that is done even when they aren’t full. Because that is just what we’ve done in shelters for over 100 years, and collectively, these pounds stopped imagining a different outcome. But in reality, this “solution” is the most extreme, inhumane, and violent of all possible responses.</p>
<p>Imagine Child Protective Services taking in abused, abandoned, and homeless children and then killing them. It is unthinkable. As a society, we should no more tolerate it for animals. Indeed, if we had never started killing, the suggestion that we should do so would be preposterous. Yet custom has reconciled those running animal shelters to view it as inevitable.</p>
<figure id="attachment_3301" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-3301" style="width: 520px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class=" wp-image-3301" src="https://www.barefootpets.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/firefox-300x270.jpg" alt="" width="520" height="468" srcset="https://www.barefootpets.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/firefox-300x270.jpg 300w, https://www.barefootpets.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/firefox-768x691.jpg 768w, https://www.barefootpets.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/firefox-1024x921.jpg 1024w, https://www.barefootpets.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/firefox.jpg 1357w" sizes="(max-width: 520px) 100vw, 520px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-3301" class="wp-caption-text">Nine years old and blind, “Firefox” lived inside a pet taxi his whole life. He was taken out for breeding. He was part of a raid on a puppy mill that brought him the promise of a better life.</figcaption></figure>
<h5>So What Would Happen If You Threw Out The Calculus?</h5>
<p>What would happen if, instead of debating whether the killing was the first or the last resort, it was no resort? What if you took killing off of the table? The pro-killing Naysayers argue that you would become a hoarder: the animals would pile up and get sick. But the Naysayers are wrong. There are communities across the country, including those with extremely high intake rates — almost ten times the rate of New York City, the most congested urban area in the United States — that have done it: with sustained placement rates of 99%. And the two things they all have in common are leaders with a “can do” attitude  — <em>with imagination</em> — and the <a href="https://substack.com/redirect/1d8b8986-662c-4448-b014-52bd5016a554?u=37447177" target="_blank" rel="noopener">No Kill Equation</a>.</p>
<p>So where will you house the dogs? Who will provide the triage? Who will treat the rotten teeth, the tumors, and the matted fur? How will you adopt them? This is the scenario I faced several years ago when I ran an animal shelter in New York. And here is what happened.</p>
<p>First, I employed an essential trait of any leader: staying in control. If you are confident, your staff will be confident. If you believe, the volunteers will believe. Then I employed a bit of imagination. What if we put up a big tent outside to house the dogs? So I called a local party rental store and asked them to donate a wedding tent in exchange for promoting how they helped us save lives. Whatever the circumstances, it was my job to imagine a solution. If it didn’t work, it was my job to imagine another solution. Leaders do not throw up their hands and say if we can’t do this one thing (killing or refusing to take them in), there isn’t anything else we can do.</p>
<p>What if we created the equivalent of a MASH hospital by issuing an all-hands-on-deck call to volunteers and staff, bringing them in on their off days? Not enough veterinarians? What if I called my daughter’s orthodontist to help with rotten dog teeth? If a door is closed, you open it. If it is locked, you kick it down. If it is reinforced, you smash a window.</p>
<h5>That Is What I Did.</h5>
<p>And when the vans arrived and the officers carried off the dogs, it was an awesome sight to behold. Volunteers had established an assembly line bathing the dogs, delicately cutting the mats, and cutting toenails. A local veterinarian canceled her appointments and spent the day doing triage, with staff acting as assistants, and then spent the evening doing surgeries. A local dentist came in to clean, fix, and pull teeth. The media was there with cameras rolling, we reached out to rescue partners in five states, and we kept the shelter open late for adoptions. As long as people came in, our adoption floor was open for business.</p>
<p>We had already created the infrastructure necessary to save lives. We had the <a href="https://substack.com/redirect/1d8b8986-662c-4448-b014-52bd5016a554?u=37447177" target="_blank" rel="noopener">No Kill Equation</a> in place — foster care, comprehensive adoption programs, socialization and behavior rehabilitation, medical care, working with rescue groups, marketing and promotions, a robust volunteer base, and more. These programs allow a shelter to save lives not just in <em>ordinary </em>circumstances but could be called upon to give more during <em>extraordinary </em>ones.</p>
<p>All I had to do was create an environment and provide the tools that <em>allowed</em> people to help. When you make it easy for people to do the right thing, they will. And within 48 hours, we had emptied the shelter <a href="https://substack.com/redirect/5683f5e2-225b-41d8-9783-db908d1412ff?u=37447177" target="_blank" rel="noopener">without a single dog losing his life</a>, without even unfurling the big tent.</p>
<h5>Of Course, We Owe It To The Animals To Do These Things.</h5>
<p>That goes without saying. But we also owe it to people — the people clamoring for change in their communities. The people fighting shelters that refuse to do these things, but who would be a shelter’s biggest cheerleaders and fiercest allies if shelter directors stopped viewing them as enemies and partnered with them to save lives. Killing those dogs would have been unfair to the volunteers who gladly spent the day caring for them and unfair to the human orthodontist who talked about that day years later. They had so much to give and would have felt so much anguish had our “solution” been simply to kill. A leader’s job is to give people the opportunity to help, not to turn them away with platitudes about public irresponsibility and the inevitability of killing.</p>
<p>Recently, a reporter asked me what I thought was the most important trait a county or city should look for when hiring someone to run the local shelter. I thought of a few: past success, a passion for saving lives, a belief in one’s duty to animals and the community, and the ability to get results. But, when all is said and done, the most important trait of all is <em>imagination</em>. If you can imagine a different outcome than killing; a different outcome than closing your doors to animals in need; if when faced with adversity, you can imagine how you might do things differently; and you permit yourself to try it even when conventional wisdom says you should not; you’re already more prepared than the vast majority of shelter directors in this country. Because, unfortunately, for far too many shelter directors and in far too many “animal protection” organizations, imagination is in tragically short supply.</p>
<p>To receive future articles and support my fight for the animals, please subscribe.</p>
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<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone wp-image-3309 size-medium" src="https://www.barefootpets.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/nathan-winograd-300x90.png" alt="" width="300" height="90" srcset="https://www.barefootpets.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/nathan-winograd-300x90.png 300w, https://www.barefootpets.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/nathan-winograd-768x231.png 768w, https://www.barefootpets.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/nathan-winograd-1024x308.png 1024w, https://www.barefootpets.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/nathan-winograd.png 1092w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></p>
<h3 style="text-align: center;"><strong>*  *  *</strong></h3>
<p style="text-align: left;">* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">God Bless and Happy Pet Parenting!</p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.barefootpets.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/jeannie-july-2017a-e1500253570956.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-271 alignleft" src="https://www.barefootpets.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/jeannie-july-2017a-e1500253570956-225x300.jpg" sizes="(max-width: 169px) 100vw, 169px" srcset="https://www.barefootpets.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/jeannie-july-2017a-e1500253570956-225x300.jpg 225w, https://www.barefootpets.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/jeannie-july-2017a-e1500253570956-768x1024.jpg 768w, https://www.barefootpets.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/jeannie-july-2017a-e1500253570956-750x1000.jpg 750w, https://www.barefootpets.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/jeannie-july-2017a-e1500253570956.jpg 856w" alt="" width="169" height="225" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">With love and good wishes,<br />
jeannie.   ?</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">About jeannie:  I’ve been pro-actively involved in pet rescue all of my life. I founded Milagro Senior Pet Refuge© (Phoenix) in 1998, and BareFootPets (TM) in 2008. Animal welfare has always been and will always be my heart’s work. If my only legacy is that I save a handful of precious souls that would not survive otherwise, I’m good with that.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.barefootpets.com/imagine/">Imagine The Possibilities</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.barefootpets.com">BareFootPets</a>.</p>
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		<title>Reaction:  Dog vs Cat?</title>
		<link>https://www.barefootpets.com/difference/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[jeannie]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 13 Jun 2022 20:47:29 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[funny]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Barefoot]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[barefootpets]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[cats]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[dogs]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[pet toys]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[pets]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[rescue]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.barefootpets.com/?p=3267</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>Important Difference Between Cats and Dogs. Here&#8217;s a fun little analogy.  We bought a new play tent for our rescue pets.  It was on the clearance bin at our neighborhood pet store, and we grabbed &#8230;</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.barefootpets.com/difference/">Reaction:  Dog vs Cat?</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.barefootpets.com">BareFootPets</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<h5>Important Difference Between Cats and Dogs.</h5>
<p>Here&#8217;s a fun little analogy.  We bought a new play tent for our rescue pets.  It was on the clearance bin at our neighborhood pet store, and we grabbed it, not really knowing which of the pets would enjoy it first.  Well, it made for a very interesting illustration. See the photo below.</p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-3268" src="https://www.barefootpets.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/mufasa-and-sparky-111911a-300x215.jpg" alt="" width="922" height="661" /></p>
<p><strong>MUFASA THE CAT:</strong>  &#8220;Gee, thanks Mom!  What a cool new fort!  I can hide in here and nap all day!&#8221;</p>
<p><strong>SPARKY THE PUPPY:</strong>  &#8220;Gee, thanks Mom!  Don&#8217;t know what it is, but let&#8217;s put my name on it!&#8221;</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!!!</strong></p>
<h5>How Would You Caption This?</h5>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">God Bless and Happy Pet Parenting!</p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.barefootpets.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/jeannie-july-2017a-e1500253570956.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-271 alignleft" src="https://www.barefootpets.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/jeannie-july-2017a-e1500253570956-225x300.jpg" sizes="(max-width: 169px) 100vw, 169px" srcset="https://www.barefootpets.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/jeannie-july-2017a-e1500253570956-225x300.jpg 225w, https://www.barefootpets.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/jeannie-july-2017a-e1500253570956-768x1024.jpg 768w, https://www.barefootpets.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/jeannie-july-2017a-e1500253570956-750x1000.jpg 750w, https://www.barefootpets.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/jeannie-july-2017a-e1500253570956.jpg 856w" alt="" width="169" height="225" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">With love and good wishes,<br />
jeannie.   ?</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">About jeannie:  I’ve been pro-actively involved in pet rescue all of my life. I founded Milagro Senior Pet Refuge© (Phoenix) in 1998, and BareFootPets (TM) in 2008. Animal welfare has always been and will always be my heart’s work. If my only legacy is that I save a handful of precious souls that would not survive otherwise, I’m good with that.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.barefootpets.com/difference/">Reaction:  Dog vs Cat?</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.barefootpets.com">BareFootPets</a>.</p>
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		<title>K-9 Ruby, Symbol Of Hope For All Shelter Dogs.</title>
		<link>https://www.barefootpets.com/ruby/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[jeannie]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 16 May 2022 11:49:45 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Barefoot]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[barefootpets]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[canine police]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[fox news]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[k-9]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[k9]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[pet shelter]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[police dog]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ruby]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[shelter dog]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.barefootpets.com/?p=3252</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>Encouraging Tribute by Fox News.  I Am Honored to Re-Post (unaltered) In Its Entirety on Behalf of Sweet Ruby and All Shelter Dogs Hoping For the Same Beautiful Chance. &#160;  By Maureen Mackey &#124; Fox News &#160; &#8230;</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.barefootpets.com/ruby/">K-9 Ruby, Symbol Of Hope For All Shelter Dogs.</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.barefootpets.com">BareFootPets</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<h5>Encouraging Tribute by Fox News.  I Am Honored to Re-Post (unaltered) In Its Entirety on Behalf of Sweet Ruby and All Shelter Dogs Hoping For the Same Beautiful Chance.</h5>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<div class="author-headshot">
<div class="m"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="" src="https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2021/09/340/340/Maureen-Mackey-headshot-3.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1" alt="Maureen Mackey" width="49" height="49" /> <span style="font-size: inherit;">By </span><a style="font-size: inherit; background-color: #ffffff;" href="https://www.foxnews.com/person/m/maureen-mackey">Maureen Mackey</a><span style="font-size: inherit;"> </span><span class="article-source" style="font-size: inherit;"><a href="https://www.foxnews.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">| Fox News</a></span></div>
</div>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p class="speakable">A <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/category/us/us-regions/northeast/rhode-island" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Rhode Island</a> pooch who inspired people by making her way from shelter dog to lifesaving police K-9 — and who was the subject of a recent Netflix movie, out in March 2022 — has been euthanized, according to the Rhode Island State Police on Sunday.</p>
<p class="speakable">K-9 Ruby was put down on Friday, the police said, following a &#8220;sudden, acute, and untreatable illness,&#8221; the Associated Press reported.</p>
<p>She &#8220;served admirably for 11 years,&#8221; the RI State Police also said.</p>
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<div id="desktop_desk-art-life-lb2" class="ad gam" data-iu="lb2" data-ad-size="728x90,300x250,320x50,300x50,1x1,fluid" data-ad-lz="1" data-hot-unit="" data-ad-init="1" data-ad-slot-rendered="1" data-rendered-size="320x50" data-google-query-id="CLHYg_X-7vcCFUgvrQYdhsENHw">
<div id="google_ads_iframe_/4145/fnc/desk/art/life/lb2_0__container__"><span style="font-size: inherit;">Here is the police department&#8217;s tweet about Ruby on Sunday.</span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="embed-media twitter">
<div class="tweet-embed">
<div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered"><iframe id="twitter-widget-0" class="" title="Twitter Tweet" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&amp;embedId=twitter-widget-0&amp;features=eyJ0ZndfZXhwZXJpbWVudHNfY29va2llX2V4cGlyYXRpb24iOnsiYnVja2V0IjoxMjA5NjAwLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjpudWxsfSwidGZ3X3NlbnNpdGl2ZV9tZWRpYV9pbnRlcnN0aXRpYWxfMTM5NjMiOnsiYnVja2V0IjoiaW50ZXJzdGl0aWFsIiwidmVyc2lvbiI6bnVsbH0sInRmd190d2VldF9yZXN1bHRfbWlncmF0aW9uXzEzOTc5Ijp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6InR3ZWV0X3Jlc3VsdCIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9fQ%3D%3D&amp;frame=false&amp;hideCard=false&amp;hideThread=true&amp;id=1525858554095321093&amp;lang=en&amp;origin=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.foxnews.com%2Flifestyle%2Frhode-island-police-dog-k-9-ruby-netflix&amp;sessionId=d82093036e3a550ce63d987aaf1f392786aaeb51&amp;siteScreenName=foxnews&amp;theme=light&amp;widgetsVersion=c8fe9736dd6fb%3A1649830956492&amp;width=550px" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" data-tweet-id="1525858554095321093" data-mce-fragment="1"></iframe></div>
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<p>Col. Darnell Weaver, superintendent of the state police, expressed gratitude for K-9 Ruby’s many years of service, the AP also noted.</p>
<p>&#8220;K-9 Ruby dedicated her life to serve the citizens of Rhode Island and make a positive impact on every person she ever interacted with,&#8221; Weaver said in a statement.</p>
<p><strong>&#8220;She became a symbol of hope for all shelter dogs, showing the world what a shelter dog can do when just given love and the chance to shine.&#8221;</strong>  <em>(emphasis added) </em></p>
<div class="image-ct inline">
<div class="m"><picture><source srcset="https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2022/03/1470/828/AP22053807416953.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x" media="(max-width: 767px)" /><source srcset="https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2022/03/1862/1048/AP22053807416953.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x" media="(min-width: 767px)" /><img decoding="async" src="https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2022/03/640/320/AP22053807416953.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1" alt="Ruby served as a K-9 dog for the Rhode Island State Police for 11 years. She was once a hyperactive shelter dog who struggled to find a forever home." /></picture></div>
<div class="caption">
<p>Ruby served as a K-9 dog for the Rhode Island State Police for 11 years. She was once a hyperactive shelter dog who struggled to find a forever home. <span class="copyright">(AP Photo/Charles Krupa)</span></p>
</div>
</div>
<p>Ruby was an Australian shepherd and border collie mix. Cpl. Daniel O&#8217;Neill, in need of a search-and-rescue dog for work, adopted her in 2011, according to the AP.</p>
<p>At the time, the active and rambunctious eight-month-old pup had been adopted and returned to the Rhode Island Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals shelter by no less than five families.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.foxnews.com/lifestyle/adopting-shelter-dog-must-know" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>THINKING OF ADOPTING A SHELTER DOG? WHAT YOU MUST KNOW</strong></a></p>
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<div id="desktop_desk-art-life-lb3" class="ad gam" data-iu="lb3" data-ad-size="728x90,300x250,320x50,300x50,1x1,fluid" data-ad-lz="1" data-hot-unit="" data-ad-init="1" data-ad-slot-rendered="1" data-rendered-size="300x250" data-google-query-id="CKq77_v-7vcCFXMOfQod4LIP5Q">
<div id="google_ads_iframe_/4145/fnc/desk/art/life/lb3_0__container__"><span style="font-size: inherit;">She finally found her place with O&#8217;Neil, as </span><a style="font-size: inherit; background-color: #ffffff;" href="https://www.foxnews.com/lifestyle/shelter-dog-turned-k-9-hero-inspires-netflix-movie" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Fox News Digital previously reported</a><span style="font-size: inherit;">.</span></div>
</div>
</div>
<p>Shelter volunteer and dog trainer Patricia Inman recalled that Ruby was full of energy and needed an advocate to reassure staff that euthanasia was not the right choice for her.</p>
<div class="image-ct inline">
<div class="m"><picture><source srcset="https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2022/03/1470/828/AP22053807469386.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x" media="(max-width: 767px)" /><source srcset="https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2022/03/1862/1048/AP22053807469386.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x" media="(min-width: 767px)" /><img decoding="async" src="https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2022/03/640/320/AP22053807469386.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1" alt="Cpl. Daniel O'Neil of the Rhode Island State Police Department recalled earlier that Ruby was &quot;determined&quot; and &quot;focused&quot; during her K-9 trainings, which took place after he adopted her from a Rhode Island animal shelter." /></picture></div>
<div class="caption">
<p>Cpl. Daniel O&#8217;Neil of the Rhode Island State Police Department recalled earlier that Ruby was &#8220;determined&#8221; and &#8220;focused&#8221; during her K-9 trainings, which took place after he adopted her from a Rhode Island animal shelter. <span class="copyright">(AP Photo/Charles Krupa)</span></p>
</div>
</div>
<p>&#8220;[Ruby] was a total knucklehead,&#8221; Inman told the AP earlier, as Fox News Digital reported several months ago.</p>
<p>&#8220;She jumped and bit her leash. She wouldn&#8217;t sit or lie down. She just never stopped moving. She was special, and she needed a special person.&#8221;</p>
<blockquote class="pull-quote">
<p class="quote-text">In October 2017, O’Neil and Ruby found a teenage boy who had fallen into a ravine and remained unconscious.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>O’Neil enrolled Ruby in a K-9 training course, where she reportedly graduated at the top of her class.</p>
<p>Ruby went on to serve as a K-9 dog for the Rhode Island State Police. She assisted in several search-and-rescue missions.</p>
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<p>In October 2017, O’Neil and Ruby found a teenage boy who had fallen into a ravine and remained unconscious. Later, they learned the young boy was Inman’s son — who had been missing for 36 hours following his accident.</p>
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<p class="quote-text">One commenter on YouTube said of the film, &#8220;Dogs are truly a gift to humans!! Back the Blue!!&#8221;</p>
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<p>Ruby’s story and remarkable recovery skills made national news and captured the hearts of many Americans.</p>
<p>The talented K-9 was honored at the 2018 Hero Dogs Award ceremony hosted by American Humane; she won in the search-and-rescue dog of the year category.</p>
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<p>Four years later, Ruby’s story was told in the Netflix film, &#8220;Rescued by Ruby,&#8221; released in March of this year.</p>
<p>One commenter on YouTube said of the film, &#8220;Dogs are truly a gift to humans!! Back the Blue!!&#8221;</p>
<p>Ruby lived with Corporal O’Neil and his family, the RI State Police also said in its statement.</p>
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<div id="google_ads_iframe_/4145/fnc/desk/art/life/lb5_0__container__"><span style="font-size: inherit;">&#8220;She will be honored privately,&#8221; it added.</span></div>
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<p><i>Cortney Moore of Fox News Digital, as well as The Associated Press, contributed reporting to this piece.</i></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">God Bless and Happy Pet Parenting!</p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.barefootpets.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/jeannie-july-2017a-e1500253570956.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-271 alignleft" src="https://www.barefootpets.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/jeannie-july-2017a-e1500253570956-225x300.jpg" sizes="(max-width: 169px) 100vw, 169px" srcset="https://www.barefootpets.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/jeannie-july-2017a-e1500253570956-225x300.jpg 225w, https://www.barefootpets.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/jeannie-july-2017a-e1500253570956-768x1024.jpg 768w, https://www.barefootpets.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/jeannie-july-2017a-e1500253570956-750x1000.jpg 750w, https://www.barefootpets.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/jeannie-july-2017a-e1500253570956.jpg 856w" alt="" width="169" height="225" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">With love and good wishes,<br />
jeannie.   ?</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">About jeannie:  I’ve been pro-actively involved in pet rescue all of my life. I founded Milagro Senior Pet Refuge© (Phoenix) in 1998, and BareFootPets (TM) in 2008. Animal welfare has always been and will always be my heart’s work. If my only legacy is that I save a handful of precious souls that would not survive otherwise, I’m good with that.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.barefootpets.com/ruby/">K-9 Ruby, Symbol Of Hope For All Shelter Dogs.</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.barefootpets.com">BareFootPets</a>.</p>
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		<item>
		<title>&#8220;Strange Pet Fellows.&#8221;</title>
		<link>https://www.barefootpets.com/backyard/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[jeannie]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 04 Apr 2022 23:37:30 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[funny]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Barefoot]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[barefootpets]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[birds]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[bobcat]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[hummingbird]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[lizard]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[petcare]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[pets]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[rescue]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[squirrel]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.barefootpets.com/?p=3146</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>Not All &#8220;Pets&#8221; Live Indoors. Most of my posts are focused on indoor domesticated pets.  For this post, I thought it would be fun to change it up a bit and spotlight some of the &#8230;</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.barefootpets.com/backyard/">&#8220;Strange Pet Fellows.&#8221;</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.barefootpets.com">BareFootPets</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<h5 style="text-align: left;">Not All &#8220;Pets&#8221; Live Indoors.</h5>
<p style="text-align: left;">Most of my posts are focused on indoor domesticated pets.  For this post, I thought it would be fun to change it up a bit and spotlight some of the unusual and unexpected visitors I&#8217;ve enjoyed in my humble Arizona backyard.  I keep <a href="https://smile.amazon.com/Zaer-Ltd-Scallop-Birdbath-Curved/dp/B09W68JHTC/ref=sr_1_62?keywords=bird%2Bbath&amp;qid=1653078036&amp;sr=8-62&amp;th=1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">fresh water</a> and food out round the clock and, with all my giant shade trees providing much-needed relief from the Arizona desert heat, my yard has become the &#8220;go-to&#8221; spot in my neighborhood for all kinds of wildlife.  Here are just a few of the visitors that have come along and stayed with us awhile.  Click on each photo for its video.  Enjoy!?</p>
<h4 style="text-align: center;"><strong>LINUS THE LIZARD</strong></h4>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-medium wp-image-3229 aligncenter" src="https://www.barefootpets.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/lizard2-300x181.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="181" srcset="https://www.barefootpets.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/lizard2-300x181.jpg 300w, https://www.barefootpets.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/lizard2.jpg 586w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></p>
<p>June 2011.  Meet Linus the Lizard.  This big guy showed up on my block wall one afternoon.  Pretty much minding his own business, but freaked me out nonetheless.  In fact, I was shaking so badly I couldn&#8217;t hold my camera steady enough to get a good video of him!  Yes, I&#8217;m one of <em>those</em> scaredy cats.  Go ahead and laugh, I don&#8217;t care.  At least I got this great photo &#8212; isn&#8217;t he beautiful?  He&#8217;s about 15-18&#8243; long.  Anyone know what type of lizard he is?  I did an online search but haven&#8217;t figured it out yet.  We&#8217;ll just call him Linus and leave it at that.  He didn&#8217;t stick around long anyway.  My yard was just a pit stop along his travels, it seems.  P.S.  I&#8217;ve just been told that Linus appears to be a juvenile Komodo Dragon which, when adult, can grow up to ten feet long and weigh over 400 pounds, can run up to 12 mph, are extremely poisonous, and they eat dogs, cows, pigs, etc.  YIKES!   Boy am I glad Linus didn&#8217;t decide to take up permanent residence in my back yard!!</p>
<h5 style="text-align: center;"><strong>VERN THE PRAYING MANTIS</strong></h5>
<figure id="attachment_3151" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-3151" style="width: 300px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQuA2t_kh4M" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-3151 size-medium" src="https://www.barefootpets.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/vern1-300x169.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="169" srcset="https://www.barefootpets.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/vern1-300x169.jpg 300w, https://www.barefootpets.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/vern1.jpg 320w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-3151" class="wp-caption-text">Click Photo for Video</figcaption></figure>
<p>May 2015.  Vern is a very friendly, cool dude.  So I&#8217;m sitting on the back patio enjoying the day, and along comes this really big green bug strolling up to my chair.  The big green bug stops and looks at me for a long minute, then hikes up my arm all the way to my shoulder and plants himself next to my chin.  As I sit frozen with initial misgiving, he relaxes and enjoys the sun on his face.  Satisfied with this vantage point, he eventually turns to me and winks and says &#8220;Hey Girl, how you doin&#8217;?&#8221;   Now somewhat more relaxed, I reply &#8220;Hey Bug, I&#8217;m doin&#8217; good, wussup?&#8221;   Bug says &#8220;Oh, just chillin&#8217; in this beautiful Arizona sun.&#8221;  So I say &#8220;Hey Bug, mind if I take your photo?&#8221;  Bug says &#8220;Thass cool, Girl, but let me primp a little first.  You know I gotta look &#8216;fly&#8217; for the camera.&#8221;  It was a nice chat.</p>
<h5 style="text-align: center;"><strong>ALVIN MY ARIZONA SQUIRREL</strong></h5>
<figure id="attachment_3155" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-3155" style="width: 300px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f3DZaFU5crE" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-3155 size-medium" src="https://www.barefootpets.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/alvin1-300x169.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="169" srcset="https://www.barefootpets.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/alvin1-300x169.jpg 300w, https://www.barefootpets.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/alvin1.jpg 320w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-3155" class="wp-caption-text">Click Photo for Video</figcaption></figure>
<p>Dec 2020.  Alvin is such a doll!  He hangs out in the &#8220;corridor&#8221; that runs between my back yard wall and the wall of the neighbors behind me. The tunnel is barely 6-8&#8243; wide, but lets him travel the neighborhood safely hidden away from coyotes and owls. I give Alvin raw almonds every day, so he comes closer and closer to me as trust builds. This day I put lettuce out for the first time. It was a really big hit.  Alvin skipped right past the almonds and went for the green. Alvin is quite large, almost the size of my cats, and the most beautiful squirrel i&#8217;ve ever seen. His coat is bushy and luscious, almost fox-like. He&#8217;s a stunning fellow.  Fascinating how choppy and robotic his movements are.  Just another one of my beloved back yard buddies.?</p>
<h5 style="text-align: center;"><strong>QUENTIN THE QUAIL</strong></h5>
<figure id="attachment_3162" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-3162" style="width: 300px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VxXqPM8486c&amp;t=6s" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-3162 size-medium" src="https://www.barefootpets.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/quentin1-300x169.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="169" srcset="https://www.barefootpets.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/quentin1-300x169.jpg 300w, https://www.barefootpets.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/quentin1.jpg 320w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-3162" class="wp-caption-text">Click Photo for Video</figcaption></figure>
<p>May 2021.  Look at this stunning fellow!  My apology for the camera jitters. I was filming Quentin from inside my house, so had to set my camera on highest zoom, which is hyper-sensitive to focus and movement.  Even in spite of the technical challenge, boy am I glad I captured this big boy hanging out and ruffling his feathers like king of the hill.  So gorgeous!  And hear his song &#8212; magnificent vocals!  I gotta say &#8212; God has quite the imagination.  Has He done some glorious work on this earth or what. ?</p>
<h5 style="text-align: center;"><strong>MAMA BOBCAT AND KITTENS</strong></h5>
<figure id="attachment_3168" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-3168" style="width: 300px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K82TlpveRWY&amp;t=6s" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-3168 size-medium" src="https://www.barefootpets.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/bobcat-kittens2-300x196.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="196" srcset="https://www.barefootpets.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/bobcat-kittens2-300x196.jpg 300w, https://www.barefootpets.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/bobcat-kittens2-768x501.jpg 768w, https://www.barefootpets.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/bobcat-kittens2-1024x668.jpg 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-3168" class="wp-caption-text">Click Photo for Video</figcaption></figure>
<figure id="attachment_3172" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-3172" style="width: 300px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://youtu.be/oAKAoG6eomY" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-3172 size-medium" src="https://www.barefootpets.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/bobcat-mama1-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" srcset="https://www.barefootpets.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/bobcat-mama1-300x225.jpg 300w, https://www.barefootpets.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/bobcat-mama1-768x576.jpg 768w, https://www.barefootpets.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/bobcat-mama1-1024x768.jpg 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-3172" class="wp-caption-text">Click Photo for Video</figcaption></figure>
<p>Sep 2021.  I always check the trees before letting my small dog or cats outside, because my giant 30-40&#8242; Eucalyptus tree is a favorite hiding place for certain predators:  owls, hawks, and most recently bobcats.  While standing at the foot of the tree and scanning the topmost branches this morning, I kept hearing a low, guttural growl.  What I hadn&#8217;t seen when I first walked up to the tree was a mama bobcat perched in the tree only seven feet above the ground, barely inches away from my face.  She was sitting very still, but warning me with her throaty deep growls.  Naturally, I became very still so not to threaten her further.  I looked above her into the outer branches and saw two babies.  She was hiding her kittens safely away so she could go off and hunt or take a much-needed mommy break.</p>
<p>I backed slowly away to a safe distance and then ran inside for my cell camera &#8212; was very lucky to capture a multitude of photos and videos.  Once I retreated inside and Mama Bobcat felt comfortable that I was not a threat, she left my yard, while the kittens remained high up in the tree.  So I called the Fish &amp; Wildlife folks for guidance in the off-chance Mama might have abandoned the little ones.  They said to absolutely stay back and leave the babies alone, that almost guaranteed Mama would come back for them in about four hours or so.  It ended up being more than eight hours when she finally returned to collect her family and I could breathe again.  A very very memorable visitation to our home. 🙂</p>
<h5 style="text-align: center;"><strong>OLIVER THE OWL</strong></h5>
<p>Oliver is an enormous Great Horned Owl, and tough to photograph, because he perches so high up in my Eucalyptus, and hides cleverly among the branches and leaves.  I&#8217;ve taken many photos of him, but they all look like he&#8217;s just part of the tree.  If I ever manage to get a good, clear photo of this elusive fellow, I&#8217;ll post it here.  For now, he only gets honorable mention.</p>
<h5 style="text-align: center;"><strong>HERMIE THE HUMMINGBIRD</strong></h5>
<figure id="attachment_3182" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-3182" style="width: 300px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=02U8d1fjawI" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-3182 size-medium" src="https://www.barefootpets.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/hermie1-300x169.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="169" srcset="https://www.barefootpets.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/hermie1-300x169.jpg 300w, https://www.barefootpets.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/hermie1.jpg 320w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-3182" class="wp-caption-text">Click Photo for Video</figcaption></figure>
<p>May 2021.  I had just filled the <a href="https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B005F5NGYW?pd_rd_i=B005F5NGYW&amp;pd_rd_w=xn6Hp&amp;pf_rd_p=7672bfb7-93b0-4322-b745-2104db09c4df&amp;pd_rd_wg=X0xhM&amp;pf_rd_r=KRD0VWTHWVWBZY4ZVAKD&amp;pd_rd_r=5ab85ef6-817f-4638-b2ec-d46e23746f01&amp;th=1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">hummingbird feeder</a>, and little Hermie was first in line to enjoy the nectar.  He was so excited and fluttering all around the feeder when he noticed my camera.  Apparently he was more curious about the camera for a minute than he was hungry for food.  I slowed the video so you can follow his movement.  Look at him come right up to my camera and check it out!  Maybe he&#8217;s welcoming you to his back yard.  Listen carefully and you can hear his wings fluttering &#8212; sounds like a miniature airplane. Fascinating, absolutely captivating. 🙂</p>
<h5 style="text-align: center;"><strong>KITTY CAT COLONY</strong></h5>
<figure id="attachment_2907" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-2907" style="width: 300px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pky-gjVWPXw" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-2907 size-medium" src="https://www.barefootpets.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/kitty-family-dec-2020-300x254.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="254" srcset="https://www.barefootpets.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/kitty-family-dec-2020-300x254.jpg 300w, https://www.barefootpets.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/kitty-family-dec-2020.jpg 673w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-2907" class="wp-caption-text">Click Photo for Video</figcaption></figure>
<figure id="attachment_3191" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-3191" style="width: 300px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ogbcQe6Ak-A" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-3191 size-medium" src="https://www.barefootpets.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/big-daddy3-300x270.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="270" srcset="https://www.barefootpets.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/big-daddy3-300x270.jpg 300w, https://www.barefootpets.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/big-daddy3.jpg 706w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-3191" class="wp-caption-text">Click Photo for Video</figcaption></figure>
<figure id="attachment_3195" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-3195" style="width: 300px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZLxGqgpBpHI" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-3195 size-medium" src="https://www.barefootpets.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/tommy1-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" srcset="https://www.barefootpets.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/tommy1-300x200.jpg 300w, https://www.barefootpets.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/tommy1-768x513.jpg 768w, https://www.barefootpets.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/tommy1-1024x684.jpg 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-3195" class="wp-caption-text">Click Photo for Video</figcaption></figure>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-3197 aligncenter" src="https://www.barefootpets.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/cognac1.jpg" alt="" width="243" height="262" /></p>
<p>2020-2022.  Over the past two years, I&#8217;ve had a number of cats come to my home looking for shelter and food.  Some are completely feral; others are strays that have been abandoned.  After the first litter of kittens, it became quickly apparent I needed to step up and start trapping these cats and getting them spayed and neutered.  So I hooked up with Animal Defense League of Arizona, and my little cat colony began.  First to be &#8220;tnr&#8221; was Chanel with her two little kittens, Calypso and JoJo Morelli.  My very first trap experience and it was a huge success &#8212; I was able to trap all three the same night, which was my goal.  I wanted to keep Chanel and her little ones altogether since the kittens were still pretty young. After they were altered and fully vetted and micro-chipped, I released them back into my backyard.  They have stayed in my backyard ever since.  My patio is their home base.</p>
<p>Once word got out around the neighborhood, other cats began to show up.  Big Daddy, a big orange tabby, is super super friendly and loving.  He&#8217;s obviously a stray someone tossed out &#8212; full of <a href="https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B07P22LN8P?ref=nb_sb_ss_w_as-reorder-t1_ypp_rep_k0_1_5&amp;amp=undefined&amp;crid=1ODCWCJMQ0S92&amp;sprefix=flea%2B&amp;th=1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ticks and fleas</a>, dirty dirty feet, and lots of scars, probably from being beat up by the ferals, poor sweet guy.  He&#8217;s so easygoing he kept walking back into the traps to eat the food and just hang out &#8212; I actually &#8220;caught&#8221; him three more times after I had already vetted and altered him!  It&#8217;s like he thinks the traps are forts to play in!  I adore Big Daddy.</p>
<p>Next is Tommy Boy the all-grey tomcat.  Tommy Boy is also most likely an abandoned house cat, because, although he&#8217;s a little bit nervous and keeps a very close eye out behind himself at all times, he&#8217;s mostly friendly and sociable too.  This video of him was taken before we knew he wasn&#8217;t really feral.  Calypso and Morelli were keeping a very close eye on him in the beginning, but they&#8217;re all fine with each other now. Tommy Boy loves mealtime &#8212; he takes his time and savors every bite. It can take Tommy Boy as much as 45 minutes for his first serving. After he finishes eating, he goes under the chaise lounge and stretches out and relaxes for about 20-30 minutes. Then he gets up and goes right back to the food bowl and eats again!  This is his routine every single night &#8212; hard to believe he&#8217;s not a fat boy. 😀</p>
<p>Lastly there&#8217;s Cognac, a two-tone brown striped tomcat that is most definitely feral.  He&#8217;s like smoke in the wind &#8212; no chance of getting my hands on him.   Also no chance of getting any video of him yet either, but will keep trying.</p>
<p>Fortunately, over the course of several months I was able to get them all vetted, altered, and micro-chipped.  Big Daddy has since moved on, and I miss that guy dearly.  Chanel doesn&#8217;t come around as often since I trapped her &#8212; pretty sure she&#8217;s still holding a grudge.  Everyone else, tho, still comes to my back patio for breakfast in the morning, naps during the day, and dinner in the evening.  The &#8220;kids,&#8221; Calypso and Morelli, stay all night on their favorite pillow, and most of the day playing with all their toys and <a href="https://smile.amazon.com/New-Cat-Condos-140009-Neutral-Large/dp/B07D1YVVFR/ref=sr_1_64?crid=18KNH7TQK2W2Z&amp;keywords=cat+condos&amp;qid=1653078690&amp;s=pet-supplies&amp;sprefix=cat+condos%2Cpets%2C154&amp;sr=1-64" target="_blank" rel="noopener">climbing trees</a>.</p>
<p>They all co-exist beautifully, and it&#8217;s a happy little colony.  Very glad I started altering them right away so that the colony isn&#8217;t getting any bigger.  Feeding and ongoing vet care gets pretty expensive.  But it&#8217;s so worth it.  Calypso and Morelli are almost completely domesticated now and spend lots of time indoors with us.  They love the air conditioning in the Arizona summers.</p>
<h5>The Video That Got Away.</h5>
<p>Early on when I first lived in this house, I was home one Saturday morning cleaning, doing laundry, and had all the doors and windows open.  It was a glorious Arizona day.  As I stood at the kitchen sink, I kept hearing a noise, like rushing wind, coming from outside my front door.  It wasn&#8217;t a very common noise that I recognized, so curious I went to see what it was.  Turns out it was one of the most breathtaking, spectacular scenes I have ever witnessed in my lifetime.  There, completely covering every inch of my tall, billowing Arizona Willow tree, from top to bottom, were thousands &#8212; literally thousands &#8212; of Monarch butterflies at rest on the leaves, apparently taking a break from their migration south!  And they just happened to have taken that break in my front yard!   As they fluttered their wings gently in unison, the tree appeared to tremble in its full cloak of brilliant orange.   I was spellbound, speechless, frozen in place at the door.  By the time it dawned on me to go get my camera and come back to film them, they were gone.  They had continued on their way toward the horizon.  I was so completely disappointed.  Doubtful a moment like that might happen twice.  As fleeting as the moment was, and although I don&#8217;t get to share it with you on film, I&#8217;m profoundly thankful to have experienced such an event in my lifetime.</p>
<p>Thanks for letting me share these little stories with you.  I will update this post as other new visitors come by to see us, so be sure to bookmark this page and check back periodically.  😀</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">God Bless and Happy Pet Parenting!</p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.barefootpets.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/jeannie-july-2017a-e1500253570956.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-271 alignleft" src="https://www.barefootpets.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/jeannie-july-2017a-e1500253570956-225x300.jpg" sizes="(max-width: 169px) 100vw, 169px" srcset="https://www.barefootpets.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/jeannie-july-2017a-e1500253570956-225x300.jpg 225w, https://www.barefootpets.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/jeannie-july-2017a-e1500253570956-768x1024.jpg 768w, https://www.barefootpets.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/jeannie-july-2017a-e1500253570956-750x1000.jpg 750w, https://www.barefootpets.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/jeannie-july-2017a-e1500253570956.jpg 856w" alt="" width="169" height="225" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">With love and good wishes,<br />
jeannie.   ?</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">About jeannie:  I’ve been pro-actively involved in pet rescue all of my life. I founded Milagro Senior Pet Refuge© (Phoenix) in 1998, and BareFootPets (TM) in 2008. Animal welfare has always been and will always be my heart’s work. If my only legacy is that I save a handful of precious souls that would not survive otherwise, I’m good with that.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.barefootpets.com/backyard/">&#8220;Strange Pet Fellows.&#8221;</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.barefootpets.com">BareFootPets</a>.</p>
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		<title>And Another Good Dog Is Ruined.</title>
		<link>https://www.barefootpets.com/ruined/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[jeannie]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 16 Mar 2022 01:27:45 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Behavioral]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Dog Tips]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Safety]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[abandon]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[animal shelter]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Barefoot]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[barefootpets]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[dog]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[dog train]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[fetch]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[harness]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[lead]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[leash]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[pet training]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[shelter]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[water toys]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.barefootpets.com/?p=3055</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>This Is a Tough Post to Write. It&#8217;s about Johnny, my neighbors&#8217; beautiful young German Shepherd.  When the neighbors moved in next door to me several years ago, they brought along their two dogs &#8212; &#8230;</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.barefootpets.com/ruined/">And Another Good Dog Is Ruined.</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.barefootpets.com">BareFootPets</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<h5>This Is a Tough Post to Write.</h5>
<figure id="attachment_3139" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-3139" style="width: 493px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class=" wp-image-3139" src="https://www.barefootpets.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/jeffrey1a-300x256.jpg" alt="" width="493" height="421" srcset="https://www.barefootpets.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/jeffrey1a-300x256.jpg 300w, https://www.barefootpets.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/jeffrey1a-768x655.jpg 768w, https://www.barefootpets.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/jeffrey1a-1024x873.jpg 1024w, https://www.barefootpets.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/jeffrey1a.jpg 1385w" sizes="(max-width: 493px) 100vw, 493px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-3139" class="wp-caption-text">johnny&#8217;s first visit</figcaption></figure>
<p>It&#8217;s about Johnny, my neighbors&#8217; beautiful young German Shepherd.  When the neighbors moved in next door to me several years ago, they brought along their two dogs &#8212; Alabaster, a petite, pretty, white Pittie, and Johnny, a magnificent young German Shepherd.  I was happy to meet the young couple and befriend their pets.  But the couple weren&#8217;t as excited to get to know their neighbors, which of course is their choice, obviously, but disappointing nonetheless.  Our properties are divided by concrete block privacy walls, so once Johnny and Alabaster were ushered into their new backyard, I was never able to interact with them again <strong>&#8230;</strong></p>
<p><strong>&#8230;</strong> Until Johnny began jumping the wall into my back yard.  The first time he came over was quite the surprise.  I happened to walk past my patio door and glance out to see this big guy standing there staring back in at me.  I marveled at his size &#8212; large, muscular, a real specimen dog.  Johnny, however, was not trained, even basics like <a href="https://smile.amazon.com/BARKBAY-Harness-Reflective-Control-Walking/dp/B07FQ5TC4J/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=3J9G42PWDR4XF&amp;keywords=dog%2Bharness%2Band%2Bleash%2Bset&amp;qid=1653075951&amp;s=pet-supplies&amp;sprefix=dog%2Bharness%2Band%2Bleash%2Bset%2Cpets%2C130&amp;sr=1-1-spons&amp;spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUE2RzFRSlkyN0UzVlImZW5jcnlwdGVkSWQ9QTA5NDM5NTkyMVFMMVlPU0MxSVk4JmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTA4ODM1MDYyR0o4MFRRQVlOMFJaJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfYXRmJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ&amp;th=1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">walking on a lead</a>.  He was a good-natured boy, but had lots of nervous energy, making him unable to focus or respond to commands.  It only took a minute or two to recognize that his owners were not invested in managing his behavior.</p>
<p>His owners were away that first time, so I kept Johnny with me in my yard till they returned home a few hours later.  We had fun.  Turns out <a href="https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B09W5BPWC6?pd_rd_i=B09W5BPWC6&amp;pd_rd_w=PGQsP&amp;pf_rd_p=7672bfb7-93b0-4322-b745-2104db09c4df&amp;pd_rd_wg=Vv42w&amp;pf_rd_r=CJWZTN4QWBV823X1WK40&amp;pd_rd_r=48014f89-309d-451c-a1c1-99ccf6e9ff09" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Johnny loves water &#8212; loves it</a>!  The more I sprayed the garden hose for him to chase, the more he loved it.  I loved his child-like joy!  And the more he ran and chased the water spray, the more relaxed he became.  I could see his nerves and anxieties melt away as he played and burned off all his built-up toxic energy.  It was a great time, and I could tell he was relieved.</p>
<h5>Our New Normal.</h5>
<p>And so began the next three years living next to Johnny.  He jumped the fence on a frequent basis.  I was always finding him in my yard running around.  I adored Johnny but, even tho he was welcome at my home, I couldn&#8217;t allow him to keep coming over unannounced.  My own pets were outside with me every day enjoying our yard, and I had no idea if Johnny could be trusted with them.  My dog Bandit is only 11 pounds, and my two cats are quite small as well, especially compared to a 150-pound hyper-active German Shepherd.  I couldn&#8217;t put them at risk by allowing Johnny free run of my property.  Johnny might have been friendly and non-threatening, but his size and nervous energy alone could hurt them.  We never knew when he would come over the fence &#8212; we just knew that he was always pacing on his side of the fence, and that he would surprise us at any moment.</p>
<p>Johnny&#8217;s back yard is higher than mine because we live on the foothills of a mountain range.  So he was never able to jump back over the fence to go home on his own.  And he would freak out &#8212; running, crying, pacing, barking, tearing up my grass, my window screens, etc.  I was never angry at Johnny for his anxieties and poor behavior, because it was never his fault.  I knew he was a good dog, who just needed some attention and training.  So I tried to take advantage of the times he was in my yard, and help him burn off pent-up energy so he could learn some commands.  He liked that.  But then the owners would come get him and he&#8217;d go back to being ignored and misbehaved.  It was a sad and unfortunate cycle.</p>
<h5>Sad Intentions.</h5>
<p>It became apparent that Johnny&#8217;s time living next door to me was coming to an end.  The neighbors were growing frustrated at having to come get him from my yard so often, and they commented on occasion that they needed to find him a new home.  They listed the typical reasons that people give:  he&#8217;s badly behaved, he&#8217;s too much work, we have a new baby, etc.  I could tell they were looking for a quick and easy way to unload him, so I began reaching out to people I knew to see if we could get him re-homed safely.  Before I got any takers, tho, the big escape happened.</p>
<h5>The Big Escape.</h5>
<p>One day last month, I got a notice on NextDoor.com about two dogs wandering a nearby neighborhood.  I pulled up the photo and saw that it was Alabaster and Johnny.  I quickly texted my neighbors that their dogs were loose and the finder had already taken the dogs to the county shelter.  I knew the danger they were in there, and my heart was racing.  The neighbors eventually texted back saying they would go retrieve them.  I texted them again and gave them the two kennel numbers to help quickly identify the dogs and get them safely out.  They texted back saying they were on their way to the shelter.</p>
<p>Later that evening, another post came through on NextDoor.com about Johnny and Alabaster.  It said Alabaster had been picked up by the owners, but Johnny was still at the shelter.  I was shocked to realize the owners had recovered Alabaster but had deliberately left Johnny behind at the shelter.  My heart sank.</p>
<h5>Heartbroken But Hopeful.</h5>
<p>Posts on NextDoor.com were swirling about trying to get Johnny out of the shelter to safety.  I called everyone I could think of.  Folks were even visiting Johnny at the shelter to be sure he was doing okay and posting status reports on any possible adoptions.  Three days later, the posts stopped.  No more updates on Johnny.  The shelter folks would not let us know if Johnny had been adopted or if they had killed him.</p>
<figure id="attachment_3138" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-3138" style="width: 300px" class="wp-caption alignleft"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-medium wp-image-3138" src="https://www.barefootpets.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/jeffrey1b-300x294.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="294" srcset="https://www.barefootpets.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/jeffrey1b-300x294.jpg 300w, https://www.barefootpets.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/jeffrey1b.jpg 484w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-3138" class="wp-caption-text">johnny&#8217;s first visit</figcaption></figure>
<p>It&#8217;s been a few months now, and I still think of Johnny every day.  I fight the urge to judge his owners and be angry with them.  But it&#8217;s hard.  Johnny deserved so much better than he got from them.  My heart will always hurt for Johnny knowing he got cheated &#8230; and it wasn&#8217;t his fault.  I can only pray our networking helped and that he was adopted and is now in the care of loving, diligent folks who prioritize his wellbeing and happiness.  Miracles do happen.</p>
<p>If you don&#8217;t have the time or attitude to invest in training a dog,<strong> . . .</strong></p>
<p><strong>                                                              . . .</strong>   please don&#8217;t get a dog.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">God Bless and Happy Pet Parenting!</p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.barefootpets.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/jeannie-july-2017a-e1500253570956.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-271 alignleft" src="https://www.barefootpets.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/jeannie-july-2017a-e1500253570956-225x300.jpg" sizes="(max-width: 169px) 100vw, 169px" srcset="https://www.barefootpets.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/jeannie-july-2017a-e1500253570956-225x300.jpg 225w, https://www.barefootpets.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/jeannie-july-2017a-e1500253570956-768x1024.jpg 768w, https://www.barefootpets.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/jeannie-july-2017a-e1500253570956-750x1000.jpg 750w, https://www.barefootpets.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/jeannie-july-2017a-e1500253570956.jpg 856w" alt="" width="169" height="225" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">With love and good wishes,<br />
jeannie.   ?</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">About jeannie:  I’ve been pro-actively involved in pet rescue all of my life. I founded Milagro Senior Pet Refuge© (Phoenix) in 1998, and BareFootPets (TM) in 2008. Animal welfare has always been and will always be my heart’s work. If my only legacy is that I save a handful of precious souls that would not survive otherwise, I’m good with that.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.barefootpets.com/ruined/">And Another Good Dog Is Ruined.</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.barefootpets.com">BareFootPets</a>.</p>
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