Special to the Star-Herald
The weather has been downright freezing. I hope everyone is keeping their eyes open for animals in distress. I look around my home right now and if there is a ray of sunshine I have a critter in it taking a nice warm sunbath. Still, I worry about the animals left out in the cold. Please keep your animals inside and safe during the extremely cold weather.’ I recently visited my brother; he shared some childhood photos with me and found pictures of a dear friend, Ziggy. When I was in high school, I went to visit the Central Aroostook Humane Society. There I met a wonderful dog named Ziggy; she was a beautiful Yellow Lab mix, and I loved her at first sight. So I went home and told my mother about her and we went to visit her. At the time Ziggy was very excited to be out of her cage and my Mom was not impressed. The following weekend I talked my father into going to see this dog. We left with the warning from Mom, “don’t you come back here with a dog!” You guessed it, we came back home with this beautiful Yellow Lab mix in the back seat of the car. For many years to come she was a beloved pet, a dear friend and a member of our family. I looked at those pictures and I thought how lucky we all were to have each other. Zig was the first dog my family had ever had; she was wonderful and smart. My father would say “go get Daddy’s slippers” and she would do it, sometimes bringing both at the same time. There were pictures of this dog sitting in the front of my brother’s truck waiting for a ride and others of her perched on my father’s snowmobile ready to go. Everyone in town knew her; she always went to the post office or the dump with my father, his official co-pilot. I remember spending hours with this dog at the river, swimming together on hot days. My family will get together and share our memories of Zig and we all get a tear in our eyes. Yes, she did mean that much to us and when we lost her it was devastating to all of us. That was over 15 years ago, and she is still sadly missed. But we all feel blessed to have had a chance to have her in our lives.
I wish for every dog what Ziggy had. I am not sure why people find it necessary to take the pure love of an animal and leave it unappreciated. I am lucky to know many people who love their animals and share their lives with them. I am also saddened to see the flipside of that coin. At the Central Aroostook Humane Society, we try very hard to make dreams come true – the dreams of both people and animals, lost souls searching for companionship. It is simple to open your heart to an animal; they ask for very little in return. We have many wonderful animals available for adoption, waiting for their dreams to come true. Please visit us often, you never know who may be waiting for you.
It is a hard time of year to hear this but if you are having behavior problems with your dog, the problem may lie with a lack of exercise. Dogs are very intelligent animals and they thrive when they have plenty to do. Yes, there are some dogs that are “couch potatoes” but when given the choice, most dogs want to be active. A bored and under-exercised dog is more likely to chew or be destructive, just looking for something to do. I have had people tell me that they don’t want to have their dogs spayed or neutered because they become fat. Dogs don’t become fat from spaying or neutering; they become fat from being over-fed and under-exercised. A tired dog is generally a good dog.
Most dogs were bred to perform specific jobs, such as guarding, herding or hunting – work that demands physical stamina and mental concentration. When we choose to bring an animal into our homes, it becomes our responsibility to meet the behavioral needs of that dog by providing an outlet that is appropriate to his physical and mental energy. Some dogs that become bored and have no outlet for their energy can become self-mutilators or adopt bad or dangerous habits.
If you can’t get your dog out long enough to wear him out, there are plenty of toys on the market to keep their minds busy. There are treat cubes and Kong toys for example. Dogs have to figure how to get what is inside out. Or now may be an awesome time to teach your dog some new tricks, get creative. Ehow.com has some great pointers on teaching tricks to keep your dog’s mind stimulated. It will be fun for both you and your dog. I promise this cold weather will not last forever; use tricks and teaching as part of your bonding experience with your dog.
I Rescued a Human Today
Her eyes met mine as she walked down the corridor peering apprehensively into the kennels. I felt her need instantly and knew I had to help her. I wagged my tail, not too exuberantly, so she wouldn’t be afraid. As she stopped at my kennel I blocked her view from a little accident I had in the back of my cage. I didn’t want her to know that I hadn’t been walked today. Sometimes the shelter keepers get too busy and I didn’t want her to think poorly of them.
As she read my kennel card I hoped that she wouldn’t feel sad about my past. I only have the future to look forward to and want to make a difference in someone’s life. She got down on her knees and made little kissy sounds at me. I shoved my shoulder and side of my head up against the bars to comfort her. Gentle fingertips caressed my neck; she was desperate for companionship. A tear fell down her cheek and I raised my paw to assure her that all would be well.
Soon my kennel door opened and her smile was so bright that I instantly jumped into her arms. I would promise to keep her safe. I would promise to always be by her side. I would promise to do everything I could to see that radiant smile and sparkle in her eyes. I was so fortunate that she came down my corridor. So many more are out there who haven’t walked the corridors. So many more to be saved. At least I could save one.
I rescued a human today.
FYI, the State of Maine Department of Animal Welfare Laws regarding strays:
7 § 3913. Procedure for Stray Dogs
Persons finding stray dogs. A person finding a stray dog and taking control of that dog shall take that dog to its owner if known or, if the owner is not known, to the animal shelter designated by the municipality in which the dog was found.
7 § 3919. Seizure of Stray Cats
Person finding stray cat. A person finding a stray cat and not knowing the owner or residence of the cat may take that cat to the animal shelter designated by the municipality in which the cat was found.
These laws are in place so that the person who has lost their pet may know exactly where to go to reclaim them. It is important that we all work together to reunite animals with their owners.
Stay warm and enjoy your pet. If you are looking for a friend for life, please visit the Central Aroostook Humane Society or give us a call at 764-3441.
