Getting Stronger Everyday

It's been a while since I've updated and asked for prayers for Bill. It's not for lack of updates, but instead a protection of privacy. But I do want to take the time to reassure everyone that Bill is getting stronger everyday. We continue to send him cards twice a month and I'm determined to call him more. The last time I spoke to him was two weeks ago today. He smiled a lot but still can't talk, only listen. The dogs and I also sent him our hilarious Halloween pictures. I'm hoping to call today to see if he enjoyed them as much as we did. I'm also on the hunt for a December card to send him before we search for a Christmas card. I'm still not sure if the dogs and I will have personal ones made, or even if we're going to send any at all. Cards and postage in bulk is expensive! I'm still waiting for the day when I can actually fly to North Carolina to see him. Wouldn't that be a dream come true! No, really I've been wanting to do that for more than a year now. In the meantime, I just keep educating and advocating for the No Kill movement and proudly tell Bill about it when I can. Please keep praying for our William to return to us! And enjoy my favorite "Bill" song: Fire and Rain by James Taylor

Work to do in Milwaukee

We love living in Milwaukee. The dogs and I are super excited to call this city home for the next two years. Knowing us, we probably won't stay any longer than that, but we'll see. What we do know is that Milwaukee has a huge problem: they kill thousands of animals a year. THOUSANDS! In Spokane, 91% of the animals who entered the local animal control shelter made it out alive. At the Humane Society that number was even higher. Here in Milwaukee less than 50% of them make it out alive. That is beyond disgusting and something needs to be done about it. First and foremost, education.

I've started emailing my alderman almost everyday. He's already received about six emails from me since last Monday. I have sent him links to other websites and also a copy of my master's thesis in which I wrote about converting communities into No Kill. I'm also working to become a foster of animals either through the local kill shelter and also through a rescue group. Even if I can only save them one at a time, it's still better than nothing. The dogs and I cannot sit back and let animals die every. single. day. I'm also working on telling EVERYONE about what's going on there. I've already been tweeting and facebooking about the problem, but now I am also taking it to YOU. I know only maybe a handful of you actually live in Milwaukee but EVERYONE can do their part to advance the No Kill movement. If you can't write your lawmaker, volunteer, if you can't volunteer, foster, if you can't foster, donate. DO SOMETHING! There is a lot of work to do here in Milwaukee and it might take me more than two years to make some real changes here but at least I am trying. This is something that I actually lose sleep over.

Secondly, I'm trying to network. There is power in numbers. Milwaukee's situation is soooo bad that even No Kill Nation has started putting the spotlight on this problem. I am working to email local rescues who are also disgusting by the killing and realize pulling one animal out at a time is a start, not an end to this problem. Real changes have to be made at the top. But the good news is it only take one person! One person who says, "the killing has to stop. Let's find someone who is against the killing of animals to be the leader of our animal control system" That's it!

Thirdly actual action. I haven't got this far yet but if I have to sit outside and protest with a sign well then sign me up. I'm trying to get my foot in the door first, then find others to stand alongside me. I know those people are out there and are willing to help, but even if I have to stand alone I'll do it. We can do this. I am committed to saving lives. Are you?

Happy (Late) Halloweenie!

We're a little late but the pics are so worth it...

IBS not BS

It's been a world-wind few months of activity. Long story short we finally moved back out on our own, started a new job, and did all those things that come with moving to a new city and state. The past few days have been nothing but our typical dog fun adventures. Today included a trip to the vet, a visit to the dog park, and a quick stop to the groomers for a small fix. At the vet we discovered Missaroo had Inflammatory Bowl Syndrome, or IBS. Yes, it's the same kind that a human can have. I always knew she was really a person trapped in a dog body. Anyway, she's on a new special food and her grandparents have got to stop feeding her! Like I'm going to kick them next they do it. The last pretzel filled visit ended up with Missy adding blood to her pee. (not the first time this has happened) Can you say awesome sauce? At least I know I'm not crazy. Missy has been puking since the moment I adopted her. She's also had really bad stools every few months for years. The vets always tell me she's find but here's some antibiotics just in case. They basically tell me I'm over reacting. Now this vet sent me away with a disease and no pills. I believe him. She has to be on an even more special food and a little bit of generic yogurt. I have to watch what she eats and it's def a lifestyle change for her, but no magic pills which I like much better. We have to stay away from gluten and find the right protein for her. Chicken is not it. So we're trying lamb and rice which he recommended and a few that is gluten free. We also have to keep the ingredients really simple so we can figure out exactly what she can and cannot tolerate. We'll see how it goes and I'll try to blog more to keep you updated. In the meantime, enjoy a pic from the vet and a shaky Miss at the groomers :)

Dog Park Fun

There is really nothing better for my heart and soul than to see my two loves scatter around the dog park and just be dogs. Since I have trouble even putting it into words I'd thought I'd just let you take a look for yourself.

Shaggy Shack

The dogs are looking mighty shaggy lately. Ever since their adoption, they have never gone more than 9 weeks without a bath and trim. Now they are both heading into week 16. Yikes! Long nails, bad breathe, and overall smelly dogs is not something any of the three of us signed up for. Unfortunately, my lack of income has everything to do with it. BUT I just can't take it anymore, which means neither will they. They are both at the groomers for a major overhaul. SO major it's actually going to cost me more than it ever has before. Oops! Oh well, what's a dog mom to do. I feel so bad every time I look at them and their shaggy messes. We can't all be hot messes all of the time. I'll be picking them up in a few hours and I'll be sure to post pics of my new clean babies. Look for updates soon! And don't forget to follow us on Twitter too. @bdollymargaret and @themissaroo.

UPDATE:

See Ya Later Alligator

This week will be my last official week as intern at Found Chicago; to say I love it there is an understatement. Unfortunately, it has become too costly to make the long trek into the city. I won't miss the 5am alarm clock, paying tolls, or battling drivers for space on the interstate. What I will miss is the dogs and the commitment to those dogs by the wonderful people who work and volunteer there. One of my New Year's resolutions was to advance the No Kill movement; thanks to Found Chicago I can check that one of my list. I hope that one day soon I can go back, but right now the bills are adding up, my gas tank is getting low, and the overwhelming feeling of unemployment is looming. I have asked them to keep me up-to-date and I hope I can still help them out even if it is just from my home computer. It will be hard to get up every morning knowing I have nowhere to be, but luckily for me I still have two amazing dogs of my own. Once again, I will look to Missy and Mister to lift me up off the floor. I really, truly hope this is only see ya later alligator, and not goodbye.