OK I did my homework

This is the original poem..

From Friend to Friend
by Karen Clouston

You're giving me a special gift,So sorrowfully endowed,And through these last few cherished days,Your courage makes me proud.
But really, love is knowingWhen your best friend is in pain,And understanding earthly actsWill only be in vain.
So looking deep into your eyes,Beyond, into your soul,I see in you the magic, that willOnce more make me whole.
The strength that you possess,Is why I look to you today,To do this thing that must be done,For it's the only way.
That strength is why I've followed you,And chose you as my friend,And why I've loved you all these years...My partner 'til the end.
Please, understand just what this gift,You're giving, means to me,It gives me back the strength I've lost,And all my dignity.
You take a stand on my behalf,For that is what friends do.And know that what you do is right,For I believe it too.
So one last time, I breathe your scent,And through your hand I feel,The courage that's within you,To now grant me this appeal.
Cut the leash that holds me here,Dear friend, and let me run,Once more a strong and steady cat,My pain and struggle done.
And don't despair my passing,For I won't be far away,Forever here, within your heart,And memory I'll stay.
I'll be there watching over you,Your ever faithful friend,And in your memories I'll run,...a young cat once again.

So I guess it was originally about a cat passing!!!

A Poem I Found Regarding Euthanasia

Hey all-- Today I read a wonderful poem-- I don't know who wrote it (I will be researching this) and thought I just had to share.. Especially since we lost another one of our babies recently.. Cody was euthanized early Tue morning-- he apparently had come in with distemper and it just moved through him too quickly to even take him in to the clinic-- not that much can be done of course with distemper--
Anyhow our little Zack and Jack are thriving and nobody is showing signs so I guess it is a good thing that we keep them segregated upon intake!!! Of course it also reminds me of my old Pitt I used to have Sheba who was euthanized about 3 years ago due to Cancer-- I still miss my baby!!
Anyhow here is this poem- before I start crying again!!-
I will also be posting it in the "Memorium" section of the site (I know that page isn't up yet-- but it will be soon!!)..

You're giving me a special gift,
So sorrowfully endowed,
And through these last few cherished days,
Your courage makes me proud.
But really, love is knowing
When your best friend is in pain,
And understanding earthly acts
Will only be in vain.
So looking deep into your eyes,
Beyond, into your soul,
I see in you the magic, that will
Once more make me whole.
The strength that you possess,
Is why I look to you today,
To do this thing that must be done,
For it's the only way.
That strength is why I've followed you,
And chose you as my friend,
And why I've loved you all these years...
My partner 'til the end.
Please, understand just what this gift,
You're giving, means to me,
It gives me back the strength I've lost,
And all my dignity.
You take a stand on my behalf,
For that is what friends do.
And know that what you do is right,
For I believe it too.
So one last time,
I breathe your scent,
And through your hand I feel,
The courage that's within you,
To now grant me this appeal.
Cut the leash that holds me here,
Dear friend, and let me run,
Once more a strong and steady dog,
My pain and struggle done.
And don't despair my passing,
For I won't be far away,
Forever here, within your heart,
And memory I'll stay.
I'll be there watching over you,
Your ever faithful friend,
And in your memories I'll run,
...a young dog once again.

Great News!!!

Well so far so good!! We have so many great adopters!!! I can't thank them enough for keeping in touch with stories of the furbabies they have adopted from us!!!! I wanted to just share with you all one of the most heartwarming updates from an adopter of one of Angelina's puppies!!

Shirokii-- Well, this was one of Angelina's babies- he was the runt and born all white except for 1 black spot on his back.. He has since grown some brindling spots and is still just as cute as ever!!!

He has been diagnosed as being deaf though- so I did offer to take him back and trade him for another one of the babies that was still here.. However his new mommy said "no way!! I love this little guy!!" Her and her daughter Brooke and her best friend Holly (who by the way adopted Tadashii) have all decided to learn all about deaf dogs and work with little Shirokii to learn sign language!!! Cassandra went out and bought what books she could find on deaf dogs and got onto the deaf dog website and has worked diligently with little Shirokii on "checking in", "sit", "beautiful boy", and some other commands..

A few days ago they came over and brought Shirokii and Tadashii over so we could see how much they have grown.. I was shocked at how amazing both of these beautiful boys behaved!!!

They both sat quietly on their leashes and little Shirokii kept "checking in" with Cassandra and Holly!! He would go sit right in front of one of them and just look up for a command.. He was just sooo cute.. He seems so pleased that he can now communicate with his owner. It is amazing!!!

Of course little Tadashii was also very amazing!! He knew his commands and sat and is just such a cute big monster of a pup!!! He has his mommy Holly wrapped around his little paw!!! She still carries him around like a baby and he loves it.. We were actually laughing that she was getting built with all that lifting of such a big boy!!! He is going to be a monster!!!

Too Many Issues!!!!

Pitts!!! Gotta Love Them!!!

Well, recently I received an e-mail requesting rescue for 3 animal aggressive pit bulls. I was very shocked by that request seeing as we do not, by any means, have a shortage of animal friendly pitts! I pull pitts as often as possible-- but I will not pull a pitt into rescue if it is animal aggressive. This goes for all breeds of dogs not just the pitts-- I do not see any reason to save an aggressive animal that poses a liability or can and may cause pain and suffering. So I contacted the requester and she explained that a pit had been euthanised and now people were causing a stink about it. This was my response to her:

I think the question to ask these people is: "If you are so worried about these aggressive animals why don't You foster and train it rather than give others a hard time for not wanting to risk a lawsuit or injury?". Most will decline due to not wanting to put themselves, their family, or their animals in danger. They are too quick to judge those of us that must do it on a daily basis though.

I can almost guarantee the people giving you the hard time do not work with dogs on a daily basis, run a rescue, or have ever worked directly with the volume of dogs we (shelters/rescues) work with. They may be advocates for them but do not actually do the hands on stuff we do. On average we keep about 24 dogs at any given time- they are kept in a pack- so to bring an aggressive dog with a high prey drive could be detrimental to my efforts.. It takes a while yes to integrate the animals the way I do but I believe it helps them in the long run to know how to behave around other dogs..

My guys know me and my girls are the bosses and there is no fighting allowed here ever- it just isn't tolerated. We humans are the only ones ever to give any corrections-- they eat together, sleep together, everything is done as a pack..

If you have problems with these people regarding these aggressive dogs needing to be euth please feel free to direct them to me and I can explain to them how utterly irresponsible it is to adopt aggressive animals out.

There is no shortage of good natured animals to adopt out and the aggressive ones should be euhanized the minute the caregivers realize it is in their blood (their instinct so to say-- it is prey drive and can be very dangerous to deal with) and not just fear.. Every rescue I know of is packed beyond capacity--- why on Earth would we waste a space on an aggressive animal that will be very difficult to place when there are soooo many non aggressive animals dying daily in the shelters???

The people causing the stink about euthanasia of aggressive animals need to be given a good talking to-- and maybe even given an example..

"OK-- we only have space for 1 animal right now-- here is a friendly dog (breed doesn't matter) this animal has absolutley no issues at all and here is a great people friendly dog that has quite a bit of animal aggression and can possibly be dangerous..

Who do we save to meet with adopters??

Which one poses a liability to the rescue or shelter adopting it out??

Which one will more likely cause pain later on to the adopters and possibly others??

Who will move faster to make room for another dog???

Everybody inolved in animal services/rescue/etc should understand which dog should be spared and which needs to be humanely euthanized.. The average advocate on the other hand who does not work directly with the animals would say -- "Oh both-- you must save them all!!!"..


Here is a good example of what can happen that you can share with these people:

A family adopts one of these dogs after "rehabilitation".. They trust the dogs commands, training, and rehab.. They take him out for a walk and a child accidently lets her dog out of the yard.. Now that dog runs over and the "rehabbed dog" goes into instinct mode and kills this child's dog!! Trust me there is no real training you can do when it come to a strong prey drive-- yes those of us with extensive knowledge on behavior can control it-- but the average owner will not be able to control this-- the eyes glaze over into a blank stare and instinct takes over-- not a good thing to have to deal with!!! This prey drive/aggression can be with any breed not just pitts (I have seen it in Spaniels, Setters, Shepherds, you name it I have probably seen it in action-- this is not just a pitt thing)!! Now what?? That child just saw her dog killed, the family (possibly with children) just witnessed this as well and now don't want this dog anymore.. Now instead of 1 dead dog- you have 2 dead dogs and a bunch of people who are now terrified of pitts and are now supporters of breed specific legislation!! It is a bad situation all the way around!!!


It is not realistic to adopt out any aggressive dog regardless of breed.. It is our responsibility as people and rescuers to not put any dog into a worse situation than what they came from. To put a possibly aggressive pitt out there, a breed with so many strikes already against it, that may fail and cause even more negative media attention to the breed is very detrimental to the work we do.

I am a very strong believer in humane euthanasia when there is no safe alternative or if by letting that animal go out to the public it can cause more negative media attention.. We just don't need that type of hype surrounding pitts who are already so difficult to place due to ignorance..

Now take a look at our handsome boy Happy!!! He is the typical clownish pitt we pull who loves everything and everyone!!! He is just so Happy!!!!! These are the ones that should be saved-- not the aggressive time bombs waiting to blow!!!
If you have any questions regarding this post please feel free to contact me..

Rest in Peace Abuela

Well yesterday I got news of another one of our little babies death.. She was one of the first Chihuahuas me and my girls ever fostered.. She was so tiny and sweet we fell in love with her.. However, she did get adopted.. A very caring woman named Desiree opened her heart and home to our little old Abuela.. She adopted both Abuela and Baby Doll and they joined her and her other senior dog-- Sue.. Unfortunately both Sue and Abuela were seniors and both passed away within weeks of each other.. Our prayers are with Desiree and Baby Doll that they will be able to go on after the deaths of these faithfl little companions. We are so sorry for your loss Desiree.. Thank you for giving Abuela a loving home and, of course, Sue as well who you saved many years ago frm the strees!!

Rest in Peace Baby Shyler

Shyler left our world this afternoon at about 5 pm for the Rainbow Bridge. Our vet did all he could to save him with yesterdays surgery.. However by about 4 pm today Shyler started showing signs of distress and was humanely euthanised. We did all we could to save him. Please help him along his journey to the Rainbow Bridge with your prayers.. Thank you..

Rest in peace little Shyler.. You fought hard little guy- we just wish things would have been different and we could have helped you find a happy forever home..

Please be aware that our vet bill for Shyler does not just go away with him.. We are still in desperate need of donations so we can carry on our rescue efforts... Please make a donation in Shyler's honor that we may be able to save the next baby that comes in.. Thank you..

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.
There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food and water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.
All the animals who have been ill and old are restored to health and vigour, those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing:
they miss someone very special to them who had to be left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance.
The bright eyes are intent; the eager body quivers.
Suddenly it begins to break away from the group, flying over the green grass, strong legs carrying him faster and faster.
YOU have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again.
The happy kisses rain upon your face, your hands caress the beloved head and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.
Then you cross the Rainbow Bridge together.

Poor Shyler

Well today Shyler had to get surgery.. Our wonderful vet worked on him for quite a while. According to the vet he seems to be doing much better and should recover.. He is spending the night at the clinic so they can moniter him.. Another expensive surgery!! What do we do??

Anyway Shyler started out with Coccidia and then a few days ago we noticed he started refusing to eat and drink.. So we thought maybe he just had a tummy ache. So we gve him medicine for that, continued his sub-q fluids, and kept him on Nutri-Cal, Ensure, Albon, and Hydration Tabs.. Just hoping he would pull through. Well, last night we noticed he was just getting worse.. I started palpating his tummy and sure enough something didn't feel right-- it was all bulgy and weird.. So he was seen first thing this morning and sure enough there was something wrong.. Here is what it was:

Intussusception is the sliding or telescoping of the intestine within itself. When the intestine slides within itself the blood supply to that section is greatly reduced and the tissue begins to swell and then die. The entire process can occur rapidly, which makes early detection and treatment essential.

Poor little guy!! They had to take 8" of his intestine.. We will be keeping you updated on Shyler's recovey...

What has been going on this week!!

Well, so far this week we took in a few more dogs.. Two puppies were thrown over our fence!! Three were owner surrenders due to the fact that they had too many dogs-- one was too aggressive to go into the shelter so he is with us for some rehabilitation, and the other has a 12 day old puppy.. So we have been very busy to say the least..

The puppies thrown over the fence seem very sweet and well adjusted--

Dink is poss an Amer Bulldog X and seems very healthy so far..

Shyler on the other hand came in very sick.. He was extremely dehydrated and has been on sub-q fluids, Albon, anti-nausea med, and a hgh protein supplement to keep his energy up.. He is not doing very well but we are keeping our fingers crossed he will pull through..

The momma dog that came in (Wiggles) is very sweet over all and of course the baby (Giggles) is just darling!!! Once they are made available they will go very quickly into their new homes..
Louie is a Chih.. Very handsome and small but very aggressive and tests his boundaries constantly.. We were told the children in the home were teasing him which escalated his behavior problems.. So we are currently working with him on self control and trust..

Pearl had surgery done on both eyes and seems to be doing great.. We will be posting an update with pictures of her very soon!!!!

Our new blog!!

Hey all we decided to start a blog to keep everybody informed about the happenings of Almost Home NM.. We are very excited to now have this great way of communicatiing with everyone!! We are very excited and have a lot to share!!!