HoundsGood: Chronicles of a Virtual Volunteer

As you are out celebrating today, it is natural to think of George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, and the other framers of the Constitution. Since, as you know, I think volunteers rock, it was literally a cast of thousands who supported this grand idea and made our freedom possible.

Deborah Sampson took up about a paragraph or two in my grade school history book, but her curious story stuck with me all this time.

She was born into a poor family, having a father who was lost at sea (or at least that is what history has passed down). She was split up from her siblings, and grew up as an indentured servant, learning how to sew and shovel. Despite her modest existence, she eventually served a family that allowed her to attend school with their children, and she quickly became enthralled with politics.

At 18, she was free from service and so badly wanted to join the cause of Revolution that she disguised herself as a man and enlisted. She was a tall girl, and because of her servitude learned some of the skills and hard work men faced, so she felt she could hold her own. However, she feared that she would be recognized and joined the Continental Army a year later and used the name Robert Shurtliff, which was the name of a brother who had passed away in childhood before she was born.

She managed to keep her secret for several years until she became stricken with illness and was treated in a hospital. The bands that bound her breasts was discovered, but Dr. Barnabas Binney, who treated her kept the secret and brought her home, where she was further treated by he and his wife.

Later, Deborah married and had four children (one of which was adopted and an orphan like herself). She went on the lecture about her experiences, and the campaign for her army pension (though serving under a different name and gender) was successful and paved the way for women in the armed services.

I know it makes us scratch our heads today thinking nobody would have noticed. We let Shakespeare get away with it due to the dramatic contrast in attire, the miles and pounds of brocade that could easily obscure, that

What is the moral of the story? Excuse the butchering of a crude, yet popular phrase, but even if you don’t have a pot to…well…relieve yourself in, nor are wealthy enough to own a window to throw it out of, you can be very capable indeed. You may never make a paragraph in an HBJ reader, and no one may never know how you have made an impact on someone’s life, or at just knock yourself out of the “poor me” rut.

P.S. Fun Fact: Did you know that word has spread that George Washington had a pet parrot named Polly? You think he would have come up with a more original name, but perhaps he was being original at the time.

A long time ago (at least it seems like a long time ago), when I was just starting this blog, I was having a heck of a time deciding what type of template or format I wanted for it. Although, I was well versed in html and website building, there are many “half directions” written up on the internet regarding installing wordpress templates.

I imagine they are written by people that give directions similar to how my dad gives driving directions: he knows the route so well that he forgets to tell you about an important turn. He is not absent minded; rather, he thinks highly of you and figures that you are completely familiar what he is familiar with. In otherwords, they leave out things that are second nature to them. There is an article, here, that gives a visual take on the process which cuts through the fear anyone has with the technical language.

I explored a little more of the site I found the article on. There are tons of really great templates that you can try on for size. Look at this one. Is that a tree-o-saurus? Perhaps I am the only one who thinks of it that way. Afterall, my inner child who wanted to be a paleantologist when she grew up often shows herself around here. That one seriously tempts me.

Independence Day is this Friday. That means it is a “short week.” There will be barbeques, boating, or if you are in Florida….dodging the rain! This week is not so fun for shelter animals. While we are away on vacation, time marches on without us. The week is the same for the animals, but where have all the people gone? Adopters are not thinking about adding a family member, adoptions are slow at rescues so they can’t take as many in as they would like, or are not around at all either, as a rescue is made up of people who have friends and families too.

Just remember that if you were thinking about stopping at the pound after the holiday blew past, why not change your plans? Visit today and tomorrow and you can save a life in the nick of time!

“Kiddie” is an owner turn in. Isn’t she just the perfect Siamese kitty with her beautiful markings? They were nice enough to send her with all of her medical records, but not nice enough to keep her. How much room could she possibly take up?

Kiddie has a flea allergy, so she needs to always be on flea preventative and needs to be an indoor only cat. Her adoption fee is very low, as she is already spayed. What a “no brainer” it is to adopt her if you have been thinking about a feline companion.

The shelter is still euthanizing on Friday - even though they are closed…we have to hurry!   They will honor faxes on friday but will NOT be open so we really only have today and tomorrow.

Heard County Animal Control Center
11818 Ga Hwy 100
Franklin, GA 30217
Phone: 706-675-3570

On Friday, I wrote an entry thanking a few bloggers for spreading the word about animals in need at Heard County Animal Control. I do have a readership that includes a few fellow/sister bloggers who pick up news stories from me from time, and I am thankful for that. This past week, I didn’t have much time between receiving the information on what sweet cats and dogs that were going to be put down this week, and the time it was happening. I needed help right away !

I turned to the devoted Sparkers at SocialSpark for help, as I knew that I could count on them. I have recently joined SocialSpark, which has a great set up for getting the word out about just about anything that can be blogged. A blogger places their “order” so to speak, and a request goes into the list of available “Sparks.” Suddenly a “Spark” is ignited and the matter you are trying to call attention to or the blog you are wanting to promote is called to attention. Other bloggers can write about it, and in exchange for their generosity, you’ll throw them back a mention too. It is a great way to get to know eachother!

In a nuthshell, it is social networking for bloggers. You may wonder with all of Google’s rules, how can you add all sorts of shout outs to other blogs on your blog? I mean, Google likes to see link exchanges, but you get penalized in the rankings and searches if you go overboard. They just want to make sure you are not one of those spammy “links only” sites with no real content. SocialSpark is 100% Google approved. The use of “no follow” tags instruct the Google robots what to do.

What’s more, is that you can also purchase advertising with this system and get 100% honest opinions about your product, website, or message. You never know what people think sometimes when you buy print advertising. You may get a few phone calls, but what did the other folks who saw it think and why didn’t they act on it? With using SocialSpark, you can find out not only instantly through the opinion of bloggers, but will get a trickle effect from their readers too. All bloggers are required to carry an in post disclosure that has two benefits. Firstly, the reader knows that they are reading a compensated review. Secondly, it gets you traffic from others interested in checking you out. Word spreads fast on the internet!  

Ignite the Spark!  CLICK HERE to start!

This little pup is so young. Everything is just a wonder to her in her brand new life. But her eyes seem to be asking a question…

…and 51 of her friends are waiting for an answer…..Will you help??

Saving Shelter Pets, Inc., has an emergency on their hands. They have undertaken 52 seperate rescue efforts, rescuing dogs and cats from deathrow. This year alone, the animals that have been saved (medically treated, spayed and neuter, quarantined and transported to rescue who have waiting adopters) number in the hundreds. In addition, thanks to the innovative Puppy Promises program, 153 puppies have been saved prior to the most recent effort. They have been intercepted from entering the shelter, many who have literally been intercepted as an owner arrives to dump them. They are given a better alternative. If they can take the puppy home for two more weeks, he/she gets vaccinated today. Then, in two weeks, quarantined out of the shelter, if healthy, they get transporter to rescue. In the meantime, Mom dog, and all of the OTHER dogs and cats in the household are spayed by Saving Shelter Pets. There were so many cases where multiple litters would come from the same home and it was the only proactive way to solve the problem.

The thing is, Urgent dogs on deathrow are much more sensational, people freely donate to save a dog pulled moments from euthanization. It is much more difficult to raise funds for dogs that are “safe.” However, right now, due to summer travel, perhaps, and because of the sheer number of litters (52 pups instead of the usual 21!!) who have signed up this month, SSP is falling very short, almost needing to make the decision to cancel Transport #53!

What will happen if that happens?

There is a mother and pups and an adult in foster care who will simply wait until next month. However, it is not as easy for the little ones. It is very tempting to the family, as the pups are now mobile and getting into everything, to dump them at the shelter. Even though they are so close, they can’t wait a day longer. There is a litter of pups now a family dumped a week before transport!

There are 52 Pups who Need $45.00 each. This cost covers their vaccinations, deworming, transport to rescues, and spays Mom dog and other friends in the house. It is such a small price to save so many lives in one shot. If you can give even just a dollar, please consider it. If you give $25.00 or more, you can submit a name to name a puppy!

For more about the Puppy Promises Program, CLICK HERE (numbers on the page are not up to date)

For more information on the SSP Rescue and Transport Efforts, Click Here Also on this page are photos from the first 42 rescue efforts. 43 through 52 to be posted soon.

The Myspace Blog with up to date info is HERE.

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Blogging about volunteer opportunities and spreading the word about dogs and cats in need, among other good causes, might seem pretty easy. Sometimes, however, I get very attached to trying to do all I can to make sure there is a positive outcome to a situation, and that sometimes involves sleepless nights. I stay up way too late sometimes, thinking that one more email will do the trick. Some days it leaves me in a fog. I have found that natural alternatives, like B12 supplements have really helped me get through the day.

However, it really doesn’t do anything to get rid of the jitters. I know, I need more sleep. I think that is what it is caused by. Sometimes, no matter how much sleep you get sometimes it is hard to not have your palms sweat. There is something natural out now called AbsoluteCalm . Upon further reading, it has beta carotene and magnolia extract in it. Beta carotene boosts the immune system, and magnolia extract seems to have antioxidant qualities that lower the stress response.

Nothing in my adult life, despite all this pressure I put on myself, has compared to the anxiety of the Presidential Physical Fitness Tests! Remember those? I was good at the running and jump roping part, but I always flunked out during the parts that called for chin ups/pull ups. If I recall, only a couple kids could ever do one at the grade level I remember most.

Back then (and I am not old!) we took plenty of vitamin C, but all the other supplements were not pushed as heavily on is. If we had something like around, I could imagine taking that I would have been using it. I don’t know why, looking back, we were so nervous or anxious about it. Part of it might have had to do with the fact that if you passed, you got some sort of a medal or plaque. Kids like that stuff. We could hardly wait to get up in the morning and apparently not measure up to what the head honcho of the Presidential Physical Fitness Test, The Arnold could do at that age.

Then again, if we were all a little too serene and relaxed, would we have been suspected of being “up to something?” Maybe so.

I still have some reading up to do on it, but it looks interesting.

(Photo: Apparently the Governator set the standards for the Presidential Physical Fitness Test on his own abilities, and not ours)

Sweet Cindy is a little different than all the other dogs that come into Heard County Animal Control.  The main reason is that Cindy has a family that knows she is there.   It is not a family that has tearfully said goodbye to Cindy because of a hardship. On the contrary, the family is toying with the idea of what to do.  They sent their teenage child into the shelter today to scope things out to see if it really was their Cindy after getting calls and notices.    But she didn’t take Cindy with her.   How heartbreaking it is to see a family member…only for them to turn their back.

Cindy is now passed the time that they are supposed to hold a stray at Animal Control.

The teen was presented with the idea of the family paying the fee and spaying her, but there was protest because “Cindy is pregnant.” Does she look pregnant to you? It is thought that Cindy had been allowed to wander the neighborhood in heat and may or may not be pregnant. But if she actually is, it is just barely.  And if the family cannot take care of her, what are they going to do with a litter?  It set  seeemed like they would rather have her dead and unspayed than alive and spayed.

Cindy is a boxer mix - she looks like a very high mix at that.    She is now eligible for adoption by anyone, not just her family.  Her “time up” date is this coming Friday.  Technically, she can be euthanized at any time, but the schedule for all the dogs and cats is Friday.

My heart breaks for Cindy.   I know I always like to see a dog reunited with a family, even if it occassionally involves a little education and changing atitidues (like spay so Cindy will never be wandering and picked up as a stray again).  Sometimes it involves knowing it may not be all perfect, but she’s home.    But my heart breaks for her to have  a family who may never come back for her ever.   She may sit and wait and because people may hold out hope that they will come, she loses her life waiting.   She deserves so much to have a family who would be worried sick if they were seperated from her.

If your heart aches for Cindy and you would like to be her safety net, please contact Kaylene at Heard County Animal Control, or leave a message for me in comments, please.  Out of area adoptions welcome.  This shelter is small, and very off the beaten path and the dogs and cats there need all the help they can get.

Heard County Animal Control Center
11818 Ga Hwy 100
Franklin, GA 30217
Phone: 706-675-3570

There is also one other dog at this shelter that needs extra exposure.  (don’t mind the date on the camera, the camera was on the blink!)  This dog is sweetness personified.  She just simply loves everyone.  The reason rescues have shied away from her is that she has mange.  It is HIGHLY treatable but no boarding facility will take her.

I don’t know why she is listed as a shepherd mix.  She is less than 30 lbs, and her ears look more like an Ewok in this photo.  She was spared because a woman named Karen (or Caren, or Karyn: If you are out there, please let us know!) called to adopt her right before euthanization started on Friday but has not of yet followed up with the shelter so this sweet girl is back on the euthanization list! I know there is someone out there reading that will be touched by her.

Are you considering taking another trip this summer with the whole family? There are many pet friendly hotels out there but sometimes the sightseeing or your relatives don’t make it easy to go back to the hotel every few hours. There are also plenty of friends that say “oh, you can always stay with us when you are in town,” but quickly retract the invitation when they know you are bringing your pets. I say, why not consider Motorhomes? Your cat can hang out in a comfy chair in the RV in their driveway while you play cards with your allergic relatives, or you can easily tour the National Park 10 hours straight without having to race back to check on your dog. He/she will be right there with you, getting out for the dog friendly stops, but hanging in the cool air conditioning when you pop in for a bite to eat. Think like a turtle and carry your house with you.

We rented once. It seemed like an arm and a leg. I was surprised how economical it is to just go ahead and buy a modest sized RV outright. I have been playing around on RVs.com lately, just thinking about it.

Do you have an RV story that involves your pets? I would love to hear it.

Ratitude is a blog I just discovered, and the latest post made me stop in my tracks so I could run over here and tell you about it.   The latest post is a very touching story about kindness shown to an injured wild rat from a very unlikely person.

“Shortly after I woke up this morning, Hubby came back from walking the dogs and told me his mom had just found a wild rat in her yard and it looked like it couldn’t’t move.

First I was astounded that she rescued a rat. Despite my best effort, my MIL continues to HATE rats. But, she felt sorry for it laying there so helpless and she had ants crawling on her so she scooped her off the ground in a plastic shovel and put her in a chair in the shade and gave her some food and water.”

Travel over to Ratitude to see what happened next.

I’ll be bookmarking one for future updates on the story.

(Photo above: How much ratitude is in that rat?)

My husband was a limo driver for a couple of years.  Not only does the profession snag you some extra spending money, but it also presents scenarios that you will probably talk about for years.   He usually found that driving people to concerts or other events were the easiest jobs.   That was until the night the Spice Girls came to town, and he wildly underestimated the demographic of the group.  A limo was reserved for a mom, her 6-7 year old and eight of her screaming friends.   They were so excited, that there was chocolate smeared all over the interior, melted fruit candy between the seats, and being subjected to hearing the CD of the group they JUST saw ten minutes ago looped around and around.

I hope my New Jersey friends fare better than when the Radio Disney concert series at Morey’s Piers.  I can just imagine with the frenzy over Hannah Montana tickets this year, it will be equally a mad house for competitive parents. Luckily, some of these shows are free to the public, but that just gives more incentive to push to sit in the front.  You can check the kids in to one of the Cape May hotels so you won’t have a long sojourn.  Of course, there are plenty of other things to do in New Jersey, like going to the water parks, or attending a number of other Wildwood events, but most kids I suppose who skip that for a chance to see Raven-Symone.   At least she is a respectable young lady.

So, if you are a parent, get yourself down to Morey’s Piers right now!  On the other hand, if your idea of entertainment is having a picnic basket full of wine coolers while reclining on the lawn of an outdoor ampitheater and chattering with cultured friends, stay away….stay far away.

There is a new feature to this site. As you know, I frequently post updates about the goings on at Heard County Animal Control in Franklin, Georgia. I live nowhere near there, but sort of have “adopted” that shelter. Now, instead of scrolling through the posts, I have a fixed page that will direct you to the latest blog entries, fundraisers, transport needs and points of interest.

Check it out here: The Latest at Heard County Animal Control

Of course, another week is about to start for the ladies at HCAC, so stay tuned for the latest update.

I have been looking for more ways to spread the word about this blog, and one popular choice is Pay Per Click advertising.  For the uninitiated, a site owner contributes a certain amount of money to purchasing ads on websites and are charged according to the number of clicks an ad gets.   This is very popular on Google.   Recently, Network Solutions, who is the domain registrar with one of the longest histories, got into the game.    The jury is still out for me on this, but I admit the Network Solutions name makes me turn my head a little.  In fact, the very first domain we had registered in the 90s was purchased through them.    In reviewing their ppc management program, it seems that they offer a more comprehensive plan, such as keyword research, site analysis, and ad copy.  You don’t want your whole campaign crashing and burning based on something only you think is catchy.    The other positive is that if your site deals with a local business, you won’t be placed on sites that will bring you calls for a plumber from five states away.

The  service may seem a bit pricey for sites that revolve around personal hobbies or blogging, but if your site is also about your livelihood, such a high percentage of business comes from the internet these days, it could be well worth it to you.  

I want to thank a few sister/fellow bloggers who lended a hand to spread the word on Friday’s rescue effort.  My aim was to spread the word as far as possible about the sweet dogs and cats that were on deathrow at Heard County Animal Control.   

Karsun’s World was the first to dispatch the news.  She jumped to spread the word, and within the hour of my plea, she got right on it! 

Dena, at SuNeGirl Loves to Shop was particulary interested in the little kittens found in the box.  Unfortunately, I do not have particularly good news for her.   By lunchtime on Friday, there were only two kittens left and the last one didn’t last the night.    These kittens were only 2-3 weeks old and were in desperate need of their Momma.    It is hard to understand why someone would abandon them.   It is possible that they thought someone would find them easily at a storefront and take them in, but they were ignorant to their very basic needs to survive.

Michael in the City at Box 5150 dropped me a link for these wonderful cata and dogs, which I was very thankful for.    He also took it as an opportunity to let people know about shelter animals in his own area needing help.   Great Job!  By the way, Michael, I am a chick, not a dude :)  But that is A.O.K.!  Can’t exactly tell when someone has a unisex name and its a 50-50 shot.

Here is some cool news:

Local adoptions have been few and far between at this shelter.  (No, of course that is not the COOL part.) 

Our little Beagle pal got adopted locally! An older gentleman came in to adopt a dog that would be his friend and “bark to let him know if someone was coming up to the house.” What better doggie for that, than a Beagle?

 There are a few others that have been held over just for a few days and definitely still need your help.  They had possible situations but it all may be shakey.   Please watch the blog to find out how you can help us find homes or rescues for the remaining sweethearts.

This sweet calico has an adopter, but she is too pregnant to travel.  The adopter was adopting her long distance and there is little way that she will be able to hold off on having her kids long enough.    A local adopter or rescue is sought.  What do I mean by “local?”   Georgia.  Or, if you can arrange to pick her up yourself: Eastern Alabama, Southern Tenneessee, Northern Florida, South Carolina.  The adopter is not leaving her hanging, but thinks that it is in her best interest to stay local if she can. Contact the shelter directly if you are interested.

Also, this sweet but way too skinny Labrador Retriever has been pulled from the shelter by a volunteer to save her life, but still needs a good home or a rescue. Comment to me on this blog if you are interested or can help