posted by admin on May 16
Here we are… 2 weeks into the enforcement phase of the anti-tether ordinance.
Although we are expecting more, I believe our first dog that was just turned loose has arrived. She is no stranger to us. She was first
Trudy in 2004
in the City Pound in September 2004 and was adopted in July 2005. The next time I saw Trudy she was again in the pound. That was 2 years ago. She had a wound around her neck where the tether (apparently a fairly fine wire) had grown into her neck. Her owners reclaimed her before her 3 days were up. They had shaved her neck and made some attempt to treat it.
Last week Trudy was in the pound again. This time no one claimed her. She had obviously been chained for most of her adopted life. The hair on her chest has been worn away and the skin is calloused and rough. She is also heartworm positive, has either flea dermatitis or mange and of course, intestinal parasites. Her teeth are worn down from chewing fleas.
We’ll see how Trudy progresses from here. She deserves much better than she has had so far. Maybe the new law has saved her life.
posted by admin on Apr 13
Motherhood on a Chain
- Scarlet and her new sister
Ah, yes. The story begins in August 2008 with a local pet lover looking for a Basset Hound puppy. There was the flyer… “Basset Hound Puppies for Sale”. Unfortunately, from a backyard breeder just looking for income and woefully ignorant of dogs. When the potential puppy buyer arrived, she was so appalled at the conditions in which the momma dog and her 4 pups were living she called Animal Control and then Goliad Pet Adoption. To make a long story short, we became the caregivers for the momma and her pups. The father of the litter was out wandering when the others were picked up. We have since learned that his owners traded him for a Chihuahua. Sigh. But the puppies all survived thanks to the care of our Puppy Rescuer and are all in wonderful homes.
This is the story of the momma. She was skin and bones. She could barely stand but was kept chained. She wasn’t getting enough nutrition to support her litter and the enormous infestation of intestinal worms she was housing. To say nothing of fleas. She also developed mastitis, tested positive for heartworms and had mange. Start at the bottom and the only way to go is up.
The daughter of another Goliad pet lover volunteered to foster and nurture Momma, whom she named Scarlet. Scarlet required lots of vet care as well as TLC. Her mange has cleared, her heartworms have been treated, the intestinal worms exterminated and the mastitis cured. Not necessarily in that order.
Needless to say, after all that care, a strong bond formed.
Scarlet and new mom
Scarlet was officially adopted by her foster family in April 2009. She has a loving human mom and dad as well as a Basset sister. She is a beautifully spoiled dog with a wonderful new life.
Many, many thanks to her new family!
posted by admin on Apr 13
Kudos to the Goliad City Council! They have stepped up and passed an anti-tethering ordinance that will go into effect May, 2009. They have assured everyone that ordinance will be enforced. There are bills in the State Legislature concerning anti-tethering but this time Goliad has not waited to follow. They have taken the initiatiative to go first!
During the last year there have been numerous incidents with dogs that have escaped their chains. Many of the chained dogs within the city limits are tethered 24 hours a day and are neglected. That does not create an environment for a friendly, socialized pet.
The City is bracing for an influx of dogs. We are waiting for those that will be transferred to us. Waiting… expecting the worst but hoping for the best.
We will keep you posted.
posted by admin on Dec 15
We will be at PetSmart in Victoria on December 20 and 21 from 11 to 4 for Pet Pictures with Santa. This is a great fundraiser for us and a wonderful opportunity for you to have a photo of your pet(s) with Santa. Many thanks to PetSmart for this opportunity.
posted by admin on Dec 15
KUDOS to a High School senior for her 4-H project. Anna Lee is working to provide our small town with a dog park! As a result of her work and determination, the city has agreed to donate land for the park. There is much work still left to do… cleaning the area, landscaping, setting rules of use, etc. Her goal is to have it open by the end of the 2009 school year.
To read more about the project, please go to www.goliaddogpark. com . This link is listed on the right side of our blog page. Visit later, too. It is a work in progress.
posted by admin on Nov 9
Captain Jack Beowulf
Tabitha.... or is it Tess?
Scare on The Square. The annual Halloween doin’s in our small town of Goliad. There are activities for the children, costume contests and of course lots of goodies, all provided by the city and local organizations as well as individuals.
This year was a bit weird. It was on November 1 since Halloween was on a Friday. We all know that in small town Texas, the ONLY thing that happens on Friday nights in the fall is football… Let me roll my eyes.
GPA gave out treats to all the trick or treaters. We had three ‘volunteer’ canines who agreed to wear costumes. Beowulf the pirate is an older fellow, around 7 years. He was quite stoic. The 2 Basset puppies, well, they’re puppies. What can you say other than that they are just too cute. Definitely people magnets. Most of their foster mom’s time was spent trying to keep them dressed.
Goblins, princesses and pirates galore. Gone until next year.
