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The Senior Dogs Project "Blessed is the person who has earned the love of an old dog." |
The Senior Dogs Project "Blessed is the person who has earned the love of an old dog."
..........."Looking Out for Older Dogs" ...........
- Sydney Jeanne Seward
| News.... October 2001 |
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Re-affirming a Commitment to Compassion
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| The events of September 11 have changed our lives, but not our values. The Senior Dogs Project remains committed to compassion and to the priority of respecting both human and animal life. It is our hope that the people who are making decisions for our country and our world during this very difficult time will be not only compassionate but wise, cautious, and very frugal with the world's precious human and other resources.
Many people are expressing their compassion by contributing to the efforts of the relief and emergency agencies that are focused on addressing the needs of surviving family members of the tragedy and rescue personnel. Petfinder has also posted a special page for companion animals whose guardians died in the tragedy. Please visit the New York page and the Washington DC page, and please help, if you can. |
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Regional Events in October |
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Brooklyn, NY -- BARC Fundraiser, 10/21
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The 15th Annual Mixed-Breed/All-Breed Dog Show, hosted by the Brooklyn Animal Resource Coalition (BARC), will be held Sunday, October 21, 2001 at 1:00 p.m. at McCarren Park, corner of Driggs and Lorimer streets in Greenpoint. Four-legged New Yorkers, with their human companions tagging along, gather to touch noses, enjoy treats and entertainment, and compete for prizes to benefit this grassroots no-kill animal rescue shelter in Williamsburg. For a small fee, you can enter your pup in any or all of the show's riveting competitions, including Best Trick, Gruffest-Looking Dog With Sweetest Temperament, Best Owner/Dog Look-Alike, and perennial favorite Best Butt (those with tails, please). Dogless observers are welcome to join in the fun, which includes gift packs, merchandise, food, and appearances by celebrities, elected officials, and other noted best friends of man's best friend. Rescued dogs awaiting homes will also be there to gaze soulfully into your eyes. If it's love at first snout, staff members are standing by to help you arrange to foster or adopt your new friend. BARC is a non-profit, no-kill animal shelter that has rescued thousands of dogs and cats and placed them in loving homes. This annual event raises community awareness as well as funds to maintain the largely volunteer-operated shelter. Last year's show was attended by more than 500 dog devotees. In response to the World Trade Center disaster, BARC is organizing volunteers to foster victims' pets. To add your name to the list, call (718) 486-7489 or visit the entry table at the dog show. Entrance to the show is free and open to everyone, although donations or sponsorships for BARC animals are appreciated. For more information, contact BARC at (718) 486-7489. Travel Directions: L train to Bedford Ave. station. Exit onto North 7th St. and walk 1 block south to Driggs. Turn left onto Driggs and walk alongside park to entrance at corner of Lorimer. By car: BQE to McGuinness Boulevard exit. Go west on McGuinness to Driggs (1 block after Broome), turn left and travel five blocks to corner of Lorimer. Street parking is available.
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Decatur, AL -- Animal Shelter Friends' Fair, 10/27 |
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Animal Shelter Friends, Inc., in Decatur, Alabama, is holding a fundraiser on October 27, 2001. Rescue groups are invited to set up a booth and bring dogs who are available for adoption. There is no cost to set up a table for this event. It will last from 9am to about 1pm. There will be a one-mile fun walk for participants who have sponsors for their dog(s). This walk, which is police escorted, is through a part of Decatur called the Historic District. Homes there are 100 years old or older and are immaculately kept. After the walk, there will be flyball and agility demonstrations, as well as a Halloween costume contest. For more info, E-mail disabledpets@dalmania.net or phone 256-350-0384 or 256-227-5363. |
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Fremont, CA -- Furry Friends Rescue Fundraiser -- 10/27
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| Furry Friends Rescue announces its Third Annual Pet Costume Contest (Dog Adoption Showcase also) . Bring your 4-Legged Hairy Goblin for a HOWL-O-WEEN good time! Great PRIZES, Games and More!! October 27, 2001 / Sat. @ 2:00 PM. Pet Food Express, 39010 Paseo Padre Parkway, Fremont, CA. (510) 713-9999. $5.00 donation for Treats for Tricks and Costume Contest. Fun for everyone who supports our Ghoulish good time! Contest & Prizes for: Cutest, Most Original, Funniest Costume, Best Group & Best Trick for a Treat. Additional fun: Raffle, Bean Bag Toss and tasty Baked Goods. Sponsored by Pet Food Express & Furry Friends Rescue For Info: www.furryfriendsrescue.org or call (510) 794-4703 | |
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No More Homeless Pets Conference -- 10/26 -28 -- Seattle, WA
Best Friends Animal Sanctuary will present a " . . . landmark gathering of experts from across the country to explore strategies to develop no-kill communities." The conference will be held in Seattle, WA, at the Radisson Hotel, Seattle airport. Registration fee is $150 per person, including two lunches and two breakfasts. For further information, phone 435-644-2001, ext. 129; fax 435-644-2078; E-mail: info@bestfriends.org |
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Rescue and Adoption Stories
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We were touched by a story sent to us recently by a woman who adopted an elderly female Boxer. The story begins: "In an attempt to help a client find a new dog to add to her home, I was scoping out the area pounds and shelters. My meanderings led me to the North Shore Animal League, a bright, well-funded, user-friendly, private animal shelter on Long Island, New York. It's a warm, comfortable shelter that always seems to be full of young, handsome, utterly adoptable dogs. I drifted from pen to pen, making mental notes that one dog would be too active, another too bold, another very appropriate for the family I had in mind. So many young, outgoing dogs... and then I saw her. Amid all these youthful bundles of fluff and mischief was an elderly Boxer." ....... You can read the rest of this wonderfully poignant story on the Courteous Canines site. |
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Coco Is Adopted! Atlanta, GA -- We've just had the wonderful news that Coco was adopted by a relative of her foster mom! Coco and Alice were the devoted companions of an elderly woman who doted on them. When the elderly woman died, the dogs were taken by her relatives to be euthanized at the local Humane Society. They were rescued just in time and taken into foster care by Kathi Paschall. Due to the stress of displacement and life at the shelter, Alice eventually succumbed to a stroke and cardiac arrest, leaving Coco the sole survivor of their former family. Coco spent several months in foster care with Kathi. During that time, Kathi's dad, Bill Andrews, was a frequent visitor. Bill and Coco became increasingly fond of each other, and, finally Bill decided to formally adopt her. Kathi writes that her dad, "... lives in South Carolina. He's got a lot of land, and he says that Coco follows him everywhere. I was over there the other day, and he is treating her like royalty. She's got exactly the right disposition for him and visa versa." Thank you, Kathi Paschall and Bill Andrews for this very happy ending! |
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Molly Has a Home! Northern CA -- Molly, a Labrador Retriever mix, was adopted 8 years ago from the Tracy shelter. When her family moved, they left her behind. The staff at the shelter were dumbfounded; how could they desert this sweetest, most gentle, loving, loyal dog? Her new "mom," Barbara Dickinson says she just might be the best dog in the world. You can read more about Molly's new life on the "Senior Dogs in Real Life" page on this site. |
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Syd's Rescue Story
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"Sydney was almost 8 when he ran into my office on a busy downtown street. It took me two weeks to find the people who had lost him. They let me keep him, and I spent the money I'd been saving to go to Australia on treating him for heartworm, other assorted worms, and skin problems. I was sad when the former owners told me he was 8; I thought that was pretty old for a dog. Now, Syd will be 14 in October of 2001, and I wouldn't trade the last 6 years with him for anything. He won 'Best Trick' twice at the local humane society dog show for his 'dancing,' but, after losing a toe due to a tumor recently, has retired from dancing. He inspired me to adopt another older dog in January of 2000 -- an aproximately-six-year old female Schnauzer -- and started me on my involvment with Schnauzer rescue. The older ones are always my favorites, but never have a found one as sensitive, gentle and intelligent as sweet Syd." Contributed by Laura, Nashville, TN. |
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Other Items of Interest |
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| IMOM.org is a wonderful organization helping people to help pets. (IMOM stands for "In Memory of Magic," a much-loved cat who inspired the group's mission.) The IMOM mission is to better the lives of sick, injured and abused companion animals. They are dedicated to ensuring that no companion animal is euthanized simply because a caretaker is financially challenged. To raise funds for their goal, they are auctioning a beautiful quilt. You can see the quilt and learn how to purchase a raffle ticket on the quilt page on the IMOM site. |
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Additions Posted October 2, 2001 |
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New Medication Software for Veterinarians
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| VPR (Veterinary Pharmacy Reference), a new software program for use by veterinarians, allows them to look up drugs by brand or generic name, and provides a list of indications, contra-indications, side effects, etc. The software can also be set to generate Client Information Sheets for any prescription. Such sheets describe possible side effects and precautions for the animal's caregiver to take when administering the drug in question. Additional functions of the software include an Interaction Matrix and Dosage Calculator. For information, call Brett Hess Veterinary Software Associates, LLC,1-866-639-3866 or 1-301-698-0795. (257 East Sixth St., Frederick, MD 21701). E-mail: Brett Hess [brett@bmccomputers.com] | |
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Internet Site for Lost and Found Pets...and a Reminder to Keep Your Senior Dog's ID Current
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| The newly redesigned Internet Lost and Found site offers a large lost and found pet database online, giving hope to those who may have lost a pet. As our dogs age, a decrease in the senses of hearing and sight can make them more susceptible to becoming disoriented and getting lost. Of course, your first lines of defense are an up-to-date ID tag and microchip. Just a reminder to keep the tag current and to get a microchip inserted, if you haven't yet done so. Microchipping is offered at many humane societies for a nominal cost. It is a quick, simple procedure and does not cause any significant discomfort to the animal. | |
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Morgan Bill Currently Before Congress Would Allow Creation of Trust for Pets
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| The following article was prepared and sent to us by by Raymond B. McFalone, Esq., an estate planning attorney in Walnut Creek, CA:
On May 10, 2001, Rep. Earl Blumenauer, D-Ore., introduced a bill in Congress that would create a powerful estate planning tool for pet owners. The proposed law would permit the creation of a trust that is designed to care for the pet upon the death of the owner and allow income, gift and estate tax deductions. Specifically, the bill seeks to amend the tax code to permit the creation of Charitable Remainder Pet Trusts. Under current law, a Charitable Remainder Trust is not a proper vehicle to provide for the maintenance of a pet after the owner has died because the pet is not a person for tax law purposes. The proposed law (H.R. 1796), also known as "The Morgan Bill" (named after the drafting attorney's pet Collie) would resolve this issue. A Charitable Remainder Pet Trust would allow a steady stream of income for the care of a pet upon the owner's death. When the trust terminates (typically when the pet dies), the remainder of the trust assets would go to charity (eg. SPCA, ARF, The Humane Society, etc.). The eventual gift to charity would be deductible for income, gift and estate tax purposes. The bill is currently before the Ways and Means Committee. If you would like to read the full text of the bill, go to http://thomas.loc.gov/. Then type HR 1796 into the box on the top left where it asks for the bill number. (This article courtesy of the Law Offices of Raymond B. McFalone, 1990 N. California Blvd., Ste. 830, Walnut Creek, CA 94596 (925) 944-1438 www.raymcfalone.com) |
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Important for Diabetic Dogs.... Don't Give Glucosamine!
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| People and animals with diabetes should NOT take the supplement glucosamine. It is added to some some pet foods for older dogs and many people give it to older dogs with arthritis. Glucosamine can interfere with insulin levels in the blood and cause serious negative reactions. | |