Plea for help -- save Chaca

Chaca, the beautiful, endearing, complex, difficult, wonderful dog, has received a temporary stay of execution, so to speak. But she needs your help in order to survive.

Some of you know this story, or parts of it, and some don't. I've provided details below, and it's a long story, but a compelling one. Basically, she needs funding for training & fostering, and she also will need a new home. I know that there are many demands on your good will and charity, especially during this holiday time, but if you can help even a little bit, I will be eternally grateful, and so will Chaca.

I love this dog more than I can possibly describe. Chaca started off life abandoned and discarded, but she deserves a happy ending -- Will you help give one to her?

Here's the scoop:
Chaca is approximately 1 1/2 years old and is a small border collie mix. At around 4 or 5 months old, she was abandoned in a drop box at a shelter, and probably was abused before being discarded. She was fostered briefly, and then adopted by a family that is loving, but very inexperienced with dogs.




I have been taking Chaca out in small dog playgroups for almost a year, and have occasionally boarded her in my home for short periods. She has made progress in many areas, but is not a good match for the family she has been living with (-- one of them never wanted a dog to begin with, and Chaca knows it).

Chaca is a wonderful and loving dog, but needs to live with someone experienced with border collies or other herding dogs, someone who can be not only loving, but consistent and firm.

Chaca plays well with other dogs, and many people at the park remark upon what a good playmate she is. Being a border collie, she is semi-obsessed with chasing the ball, of course, but also enjoys play with other dogs and will not guard her toys.

She has always been uncomfortable with being reached for (--god knows the abuse she probably experienced as a puppy!), but while she used to allow me and some others to put on her leash or take her collar, she now sometimes attempts to flee, or failing that, to growl, snap, and eventually nip as a last resort. She has nipped several times and has broken skin and clothing, and/or caused bruising, but no one has required medical attention other than bandaids, etc. She has shown mild leash reactivity, and some food-guarding issues, as well, but has made progress with training. She wants to please, and is extremely smart.

Over the last several months the relationship between Chaca and her family worsened until, not knowing what to do, the family believed they had to euthanize Chaca. However, at the last minute, they were put in contact with Larry Johnson, an Animal Care and Control officer with a background as a dog trainer. (He is featured on the television show Animal Cops San Francisco; see his bio here.) Larry met Chaca and is willing to board Chaca privately while he attempts to assess and train her; he is doing this for a very reasonable discounted fee, but it is still a financial burden on the family.

I have donated time and services for Chaca, and am willing to foster her for a while, but cannot adopt her myself or pay for the full training period. So I appeal to you, my friends, colleagues, neighbors, and fellow dog-lovers: Please contribute toward her training (even $10 or $20 will be of great help), and spread the word so that we can locate an experienced dog person who might be interested in taking on this "project dog." You can click on the link below to donate via Paypal (you don't need to have a paypal account), or if you prefer to talk to me, the family, or the trainer directly, please send an email to savechaca@gmail.com

Honestly, how can you resist this face...?

Kennel Cough -- a misnomer

Two of my clients recently took their pets to the vet for vaccination boosters, and when asked whether they wanted to vaccinate for "kennel cough", replied something to the effect that they didn't put their dogs in kennels, so no they did not.

This made me realize that a little helpful information spreading is in order...

Kennel cough is a bronchitis characterized by a harsh, hacking cough which most people describe as sounding like “something stuck in my dog’s throat.” It is analogous to a chest cold for humans. It is usually caused by airborne bacteria, most commonly bordetella, but can also be caused by viruses or other organisms.

It is highly contagious among dogs, although usually not serious to any but the very young/old or immuno-suppressed, but despite it's nickname of kennel cough, it is just as easily spread anywhere at all that dogs congregate, for example the dog park, the corner cafe where dogs are often tied up, etc. Particularly since many owners will not recognize the symptoms in their dog, which may be quite mild, and will unknowingly take their dogs out while contagious. Vaccinations are available (given either annually or even twice per year) -- discuss with your vet whether your dog should receive one.

For more info, you can Google "canine bordetella" or visit sites like this one or or talk to your vet.

There, that's the lesson of the day. ;-)

Petunia update

I previously chronicled the plight of Petunia, who needed some operations, and her foster mom, who needed some financial assistance. Well, I'm happy to report that a number of people donated small amounts, and thanks to their help and the foster-mom's dedication, Petunia is recovering nicely from a successful surgery.

Now that she is healthy and in a loving environment, Petunia is letting her playful, sweet personality show through.

Thanks to all who helped, and asked about her.

Citipets (new pet store in West Portal)

Today's post is a shameless plug for a new pet store in West Portal called Citipets (183 West Portal Ave., S.F., 415-564-1183). I attended the opening party on this rainy and chilly night, and was really impressed.

The products are great quality, and the prices are very fair. But best of all, it's a family business run by local people who are involved in the community and really experienced with pet care. They've been doing dog-walking, training, and pet-sitting for years, and it shows.


Check it out -- it's an easy stop on the way to Fort Funston or Stern Grove, for those of us who don't actually live in West Portal. Their prices on food like Innova, Solid Gold, Wellness, and other premium brands are great. The store is also well-laid out, and inviting, so check it out, and bring your pooch with you! Tell them Eden says hello.

New Addition -- a Pug Puppy!

Meet Willy. Could he be any cuter? I think not.

He's still too young to come out with the group, but I'm enjoying my visits with him, and watching him develop.




While Leroy's family is still grieving his loss, I am happy they were able to open their hearts and home to a new life. There's nothing like a puppy to keep you in the moment!

He will definitely keep us all on our toes, I think. All that puppy energy...


I told them about some of my favorite resources for new puppy owners, including the book After You Get Your Puppy by Ian Dunbar (can be purchased from Dogwise.com by clicking here), and the organization SF Puppy Prep (see their site here) which offers both a Puppy Happy Hour and a Small Dog Happy Hour every Friday evening.






Boy, I'd forgotten how tough it is to get a puppy to hold still long enough to get a non-blurry picture! Especially with my old digital, with its unbearable lag-time between pressing the shutter, and the picture being taken.

For more pictures of Willy, both blurry and not, you can navigate from my homepage www.sfdogzone.com, or go directly to Willy's album.

Thanksgiving

As many of my friends and family know, it's been a rough few weeks... my house was burgled (while I was home!), and I had a few other setbacks and emotional things going on.

But one of the great things about my work is that I'm reminded every day by the dogs around me of how to enjoy the moment.


They also know how to be eternally optimistic, especially when it comes to eyeing food on the Thanksgiving dinner table!


So, I give thanks to my dog Luna, and to all the other pups who know how to put a smile on my face no matter what.


Take a look at these pics of a few of my Thanksgiving houseguests this year and last year, and think about what you are thankful for. Sounds hokey, I know, but that doesn't mean it isn't worth doing.

The Petunia Fund

Julie, a fellow dog walker, has rescued a dog, Petunia, from a kill shelter and is fostering her. She has already paid for treatment for worms, fleas, kennel cough, anemia, and bloody diarrhea, but she still needs to get an operation for the fistula (open wound) on Petunia's mouth, since food and stuff can get directly into her sinuses, causing painful and serious infections, and she needs to be spayed. Her foster mom will do what she has to for the dog, but this is pretty expensive (around $1200 for the operation on top of what she's already invested), and she would certainly appreciate any help she gets.

You can donate directly either by contacting the SF Pet Hospital at 415-931-8312 and saying you'd like to contribute to the Petunia Fund, or by going to the Paypal page I've set up for her. Any amount at all that you can give -- $10, $25, $50, whatever -- will be deeply appreciated. It is not tax deductible, but 100% of the money will go directly to Petunia's healthcare.

The whole story, as well as more photos, can be found on Petunia's blog.

Lia, a new client

Lia, a beautiful English yellow lab, just joined one of my dog playgroups. What a sweet girl, and a welcome addition to my other wonderful "pack" members! She has very good doggy manners, and is a dream to spend time with.


So far, her favorite things are splashing, playing, and running at Fort Funston (--duh, I know, that's EVERYBODY'S favorite activity!),
and playing with a plastic water bottle. She can be hanging out at the park, all mellow, but when she sees that water bottle, she lights up, and gets into that great, mischievous play mode. Beautiful.

For more pictures of Lia, please visit www.sfdogzone.com or go directly to Lia's photo album.

Bumbledog

For Halloween this year, my dog and I were both dressed as bumblebees. Very LARGE bumblebees. I know, I know, but I swear that it's the only day of the year I put clothes on my dog. She's just not that kind of dog, and I'm not that kind of owner. But come on, it was *Halloween*!

Poor Luna, she kept shooting me miserable looks when I first put her in the costume:

But once she was able to shake the antenna completely off to the side, and get out to meet people and attempt to scavenge for dropped candy, she was much happier:



I joke about the candy, but it's not funny, really. I had to be very vigilant, since candy and wrappers can be dangerous to dogs. See my previous post on Halloween safety. 'Nuff said.


We went down along 24th Street in Noe Valley with my niece and nephew et al, and had a great time.

Lots of people commented on my "bumbledog" and how cute she was. A few people thought she was supposed to be a "killer bee," but clearly those are people who know nothing about my extremely friendly pooch! Even she was getting a little overwhelmed by the crowds and excitement, however, so I gave her some periodic breaks away from the crush. She was a good sport.

Unfamiliar Shapes & Dog Socialization

Wow, a lot of dogs seemed really wound up at the park today; there were extra scuffles, barking, and general energy. I think that all the excitement, schedule changes, and unfamiliar shapes (i.e. costumes) that come with Halloween were to blame.

Dogs don't change their shape dramatically by putting on outfits or costumes, and so they don't always know what to make of Darth Vader, dragons, or giant milk carton shapes suddenly walking the streets. It can make many of them nervous, and people sometimes forget that. Just one more reason to socialize your puppy/dog as much as possible --introduce them over and over in positive ways to people and things of all shapes and sizes, to bicycles, skateboards, wheelchairs, umbrellas, backpacks, headphones, shopping carts, etc.

Not sure how to socialize, or what that means? Just do a google search on "socialize dogs OR puppies" and you'll come up with a ton of stuff.

Pet Loss & Grief -- Leroy is gone

I learned that Leroy was killed yesterday: hit by a bus after he slipped his harness while out walking with his owner. Leroy, my beloved, trouble-making, utterly irresistible pug client. Client isn't even the right word -- I loved him like crazy. My heart aches. Not for him, but for myself, and for his owners, because we won't have him to cuddle with, talk about, and do stuff with anymore. Because he's dead, just like that.

I wish I could tell my dog that he's gone. She won't know, and for some reason I can't get that out of my head. She loved him, too, and I can't explain to her or give her something to smell that would let her know. I think I just need everyone to *know*. Know that he's gone. Know how much we loved him. Know how much it hurts.

I've lost dogs in my life before. It is incredibly painful, and the grief is sometimes worse if those around you don't understand why the loss of "only a pet" is so devastating. Luckily, I surround myself with other dog people. We understand. We get why it's so horrible each and every time, and also why it's so worth it anyway, to have these creatures in our lives, even for the short time they are here. (Also, here in SF we're lucky to have great resources like the San Francisco SPCA monthly drop-in pet loss support group. Link)

The owners and I were able to talk, cry, and reminisce tonight. Mostly cry. It was cathartic, but of course the grief is still there.

Leroy, you will be sorely missed. I will remember you as you were on our last outing together: we went to the beach at Fort Funston, and you played with the other dogs and ran around for hours, king of all you could see, and got so tired that you fell asleep nestled against my leg on the ride home, snoring, of course.

Halloween Pet Safety

Halloween is just around the corner, and here is a link to the ASPCA's tips to keep your pets safe:Link

Have fun, and for any of my clients and friends, I would love to see pics of your pets in costume, if you have them! Here is a pic of me and Luna from 2005; I was Little Red Riding Hood and she was the Big Bad Wolf in grandma's nightie.

Upper Douglass Park Clean-Up Day

I organized the first of (hopefully) many clean up days at Upper Douglass Park (see map here or photos of the park here), and the response was even better than I'd hoped. Over 30 people showed up to work this morning, and several people who couldn't make it today came earlier in the weekend and worked on their own.

Together, and with the help and direction of Brian, the gardener for the park, we picked up innumerable bags of dog poop, broken glass and other trash, as well as filled in holes in the field and patched gaps in the fence. The weather was beautiful, the dogs were well-behaved, and a good time was had by all!

My only mistake was not taking more pictures... I guess I'll have to remedy that next time. :-)