Dog Days at the Magic Cottage

Did you know October is
Adopt a Shelter Dog month?

I grew up with shelter dogs and never thought twice about it; in fact, I guess I just always assumed that's where everyone got their dogs! My very favorite dog in the world, Mr. Tim, came from the Animal Welfare Society in Kennebunk, Maine. The AWS does an amazing job with their animals and one of the things I love most about AWS is that they participate in the Paws Across America program; click on the link to read more.

my man Tim, Animal Welfare Society Alum

Mr. Tim says "Throw the ball already!"

Another wonderful local shelter is the Animal Refuge League of Greater Portland. They too do a fabulous job finding homes for their animals and participate in programs to relieve overcrowding in southern shelters. And then there is the MSSPA - the Maine State Society for the Protection of Animals. They are New England's largest equine rescue and rehab facilities, and I just can't say enough about the amazing work they are doing.

When I can, I foster dogs through Almost Home Rescue which, like the AWS, works with partner shelters in the south to find homes for strays/rescues here in NE. AHR does an amazing job! AHR is made up of a super-organized bunch of volunteers who LOVE dogs and spend countless hours and dollars on finding homes for these dogs. And on finding the RIGHT homes. AHR carefully screens applicants because what they don't want is for dogs to end up back at a shelter because the adopter didn't realize the energy level of the dog or how much time it would take to care for it. [sidenote: If you don't realize how prevalent this is, check out a bunch of shelter notes on why dogs were surrendered - overwhelmingly owners state "Not enough time."] But I digress. Please check out AHR and see who might be waiting to be your new best friend!

here i am smooching on foster dog Landon -

who has been adopted by a wonderful family!

foster dog Chili Bean,
who also found a fur-ever home!

Right now my household is in a "hiring freeze" at two dogs (@mrtimidity and @djangofullspot), two cats, and two wonderful kids. I am working, completing a master's degree, an internship, and a thesis, and my partner and I have decided that although we very much want another dog and to continue fostering rescue dogs, I should really put my nose to the grindstone and finish my thesis and internship first! Now THAT'S motivational! After making that commitment, I notice a definite increase of focus, HAHA! ADDENDUM: okay. hiring freeze may be off. stay tuned.

Tim and Django sharing the couch.

In the meantime, I continue to torture everyone on my Facebook friends list with numerous posts advocating for all of the beautiful dogs waiting for their forever homes, and I have a particular soft spot for the most over-bred and misunderstood breeds; the pit bull. And by "pit bull" I mean any of the various breeds that people tend to confuse and lump into the category of "pit bull." Turns out, lots of people think they know one when they see one, but they really don't. (Do you?) I have fostered a wonderful lab/pit mix (shout-out to Yoda!) and I live with an American Staffordshire Terrier and know what amazingly loveable, goofy, and loyal pets these dogs make. I also know that they are the most-euthanized dog breed - thanks to overbreeding and persistent myths about their personalities. In many states, even owning a pit bull is illegal but backyard breeders continue to pump them out, so guess what happens to them? They die by the millions in kill-shelters. I wish that were an exaggeration but sadly, it isn't.

If you are considering a new pet, PLEASE consider a shelter or rescue dog!

I'll have something from the light menu with a side of redemption

I have been so down, and so sore. I re-injured my back and the doctor I have been seeing for ten years would not see me because I am now on MaineCare. Mighty unfriendly, if you ask me. All my prescriptions ran out before I could get in to see the new doctor. I finally had my first appointment this past Friday, and not a moment too soon. I could barely stand up from pain (nor could i sit comfortably, or lie down, for that matter....) and was frustrated. And tired. Tired of being frustrated and tired. Perhaps the most demoralizing part of chronic pain is the effort it takes to pretend that you're not in it. Trying to keep functioning because you don't want to freak the kids out and you need to go to the job interview and you need to buy groceries but you're exhausted from not being able find a pain-free position in which you can sleep. Or sit. Or stand. When the doctor showed great empathy and started writing prescriptions for Prednisone and painkillers, and said she would get me in for an MRI and a pain specialist a.s.a.p., I couldn't help it -- I started crying. Sometimes great relief does that. It catches you by surprise. Sometimes you don't know how dark things have been until you find yourself blinking, gratefully, in the light.

photo by Joani N.
No, that's not a cane. It's a "hiking stick." Which for my
purposes just means it's a cane with a long handle
that I don't need insurance to pay for.

Our big tabby, Tucker, loves to walk with us. I live on a cul-de-sac dirt road that winds through the pine trees to the river. On either side are ditches of rainwater, blackberry brambles, milkweed. Dog and cat heaven, in other words. I've avoided our regular route the past week, because of my back pain and missing Dakota's exuberant, joyful presence. Snuffling through the fallen leaves, sampling ditchwater, racing around the meadow, this was Dakota's favorite part of the day. But today, the sun was shining and the smell of fallen leaves returning to the earth was delicious in the air. We walked down to the house by the river where no one lives, where the grass has grown long and the dogs love to roll around. Tucker follows along just like another dog, popping kitty wheelies to be petted, and purring in complete contentment.

Tucker leaning in for some love.
photo by Joani N.

Me and my man Tim.
Photo by Joani N.

After lunch we got the call to come pick up my newest foster, Chilibean. Chili is being returned to the rescue after living with a family in Vermont for ... a while. Apparently, it wasn't working out. Out of respect for the family who will likely never in a million years read this blog, I won't say much more than that. I will just say that I'm proud to be part of a rescue group that can, in less than a few hours, organize a transport chain of four drivers to get a sad, lonely little dog who's been tied out all day to a new foster home two states away where he can sleep indoors, have fresh food and water, hugs and kisses, and walks down a dirt road bordered with milkweed and blackberry brambles. The other volunteers know I'm having a back issue right now and to prevent me having to sit in a car for any length of time made sure they got him to the turnpike exit that's a mere 10 minutes from my house.

Chilibean. A.K.A. Chilly-Willie. Chill-Bill. Mr. Bean.
Beanie-Weenie. The Ween. The Bean. Teeny.


SUBJECT MUCH CUTER THAN HE APPEARS IN PHOTO.

Pictured here wearing the latest in phlorescent harness fashions for those walks during hunting season in New England, is Chilibean. Half Chihuahua, half Miniature Pinscher, Chilibean has the most beguiling features each breed has to offer. The apple head and soft flippy ears of the chihuahua set on the more sturdy, bi-colored min-pin body. He doesn't just walk or trot, he prances. Except for when he's chasing a cat, and then he FLIES! With unwavering focus! Well, to be more clear - Chili Bean LOVES the cats and is just being friendly. Several of my more dog-savvy cats know to just stand there and let him sniff them and he's happy as pie. Two of the other cats RUN, which makes Mr. Bean think he is supposed to chase them! What fun! Aside from these harmless shenanigans, Chili-Willy is a true lap dog; he'd rather be sitting on you than be anywhere else. He stands on his hind legs to ask to be picked up. He is eager to please and to learn new tricks. I don't think he's been worked with much, but with a little time and training he could be the star of the agility team's midget division, I just know it!

Yesterday, both he and I were truly at the end of our ropes. Today? We both got a little reminder of what the world looks like when the sun shines. And how grateful I am to know that it still can.