The Red Dog Inn

I love this photo of Butters. It looks like he was practicing to catch snowflakes on his tongue. Cousin Steve shot it; Lauren Marie, possibly the most creative person I know, added the snow.

This week, Philadelphia Eagles QB, Michael Vick said he’d like to adopt a dog in the future. He said his girls wanted a dog.   And he “I think just to have a pet in my household and to show people that I genuinely care.” (Read here)

Personally, I don’t think Michael Vick should ever be responsible for the well-being of an animal again. First, his intentions are wrong. He wants to show people that he’s changed, not that he wants to improve the life of an animal. He just wants an animal in his household.  

Second, his daughters should know that their father did unspeakably cruel thing to dogs, and because of that cruel, intentional choice he cannot own animals again…ever.   When his daughters are old enough to live on their own and choose to have animals, they can have them. 

I agree with Los Angeles sports announcer Roger Lodge when he said, “I’ll believe Michael Vick is truly repentant when he donates 90% of his annual income (salary and endorsements) to the ASPCA.” I’d like to add Dogtown, U.S.A., the rescue that took in the Vick’s victims, to that.  In my mind, if Vick was truly on the right track, he’d accept fiscal responsiblity for the dogs he caused irreparable harm to.

As for the daughters of Vick, I am truly sorry that their father made such a horrible choice.  I’ve heard people say, “Well, it’s not like he was carrying weapons or assaulting women.”  To that I say: Human beings have recourse. Animals and children do not. They rely on adults to stand in the gap for them when evil people harm them.”

I think it would appropriate for the Vick daughters to get involved with animal programs where the animal is under someone else’s care, e.g. riding lessons, volunteering at an animal shelter, working adoption events.   That way they can gain a respect for animals from people who truly care about the animals and the children, not now it looks to one’s adoring, yet myopic, fans.

I told you all that I’d tell you a little story about my boy Butters.

Christmas of 2008 my friends at Direxxis sent me a box of chocolates. I shared the majority of it at the office and brought some home to enjoy.  On December 29, 2008, I arrived home and thought one of the dogs had had an accident. The carpet was a mess! But it wasn’t what you thought. I couldn’t figure it out.

I fed the dogs — Finley, Butters and Lula.  And that’s when I noticed Butters white socks were dusted with cocoa.  So I called the Emergency Vet and asked what I should do.

As I was talking with them, I figured out how MUCH chocolate he ingested.  He really went on a chocolate bender that would’ve inspired Willy Wonka’s Oompah Loompahs to burst into song! He ate:

• 6 chocolate covered OREO cookies
• 24 chocolates
• a BOX of Hershey’s Baking Cocoa! ( I couldn’t believe it!  He could’ve chosen the powdered sugar or graham cracker crumbs, instead, he chose nasty baking cocoa. That’s what exploded on the carpet!)

Frankly, it was a miracle he wasn’t already dead.

• When Butters started shaking, I knew I had to take him in.  I scooped up Butters, grabbed Lula and kissed good ol’ Fin’ (the best dog EVER!) on the head and dashed to to the Vet ER.

There, they took Butters into the back to evaluate him. The doctor came out and prepared me for the worst.  I didn’t want to hear that. I told the doctor to do whatever it took to make him better.  The Veterinary Assistant was a godsend. 

First, they induced vomiting to get the chocolate out of his system.  They invited me into the back to see everything they got out of him. He really went bonkers while I was out!  In addition to the chocolate, he had bits of wrappers and the finger of my brand new riding glove in his tummy.

Then they gave him meds to stop vomiting so they could give him lots of activated charcoal to absorb the remaining toxins.  All this was accompanied by 2 bags of fluids.   They even put jingle bells around his neck to alert them if he had a seizure.

I felt so bad for my boy. I didn’t want to leave, so I sat with Lula in the waiting area from 9:30 p.m. to 4 a.m.  We’d tried to sit with Butters, but that made him anxious, so we left and waited in the waiting area, drinking the staff’s coffee and watching other families bring in their beloved pets.  Meanwhile, Finley was at home sleeping like 14 1/2 year old golden retrievers do.  After watching virtually every video in their video library, the veterinary assistant came out and said, “Here’s his picture. On a scale from 1-10, 10 being best, Butters came in around a 2+. Now he’s at about a 6+ and climbing. So why don’t you go home and get some rest. I promise to call you if anything happens.”

Reluctantly, I said, “I suppose you’re right.” Afterall, I hadn’t looked in on Finley since I left at 9:30 p.m.   So Lula and I went home.  I fell straight asleep and about 8 a.m. I got a call.  On the other end was another Veterinary Assistant relaying the latest: “Hi! This is the animal hospital. Butters is doing great.”

Me: “Oh, that’s wonderful. Thank you.”

Veterinary Assistant: “Yes, he’s feeling MUCH better.  Say, we were wondering WHEN do you think you can come pick up Butters?”

I got it. I’d heard that tone before.  I heard it at the beach when a little boy named Scotty was terrorizing the lifeguards in the Tower.  I couldn’t help it; I started laughing.

So, I rolled out of bed, got dressed and went to go pick him up. When I walked in, I heard him protesting being locked in a cage. When I said, “I’m here for Butters.” the staffers breathed a sigh of relief.

He BURST through the door and leapt on me as if to say, “MOMMY, YOU’RE HERE!!!!!!!” He slept the rest of the day as expected. The bright lights in the ER didn’t allow him to get sleep.

I asked if he’d ever be tempted to eat chocolate again. Doctor said, “Probably.”

About a year later, my cousin brought a Mocha Frappuccino into the house and set it on the table.  We walked down the hallway. When we came back the Frappuccino was missing and so was Butters.  We have no idea how he got the cup off the table without spilling, but we found him hiding behind the shed lapping up the frappuccino in the farthest corner of the yard!  

Here’s the thing: Butters suffered from Chocolate Toxicity. Chocolate contains theobromine that is toxic to dogs in sufficient quantities.  Learn more here: http://www.talktothevet.com/ARTICLES/DOGS/chocolatetoxic.HTM

A quick search of the internet shows that many rescues and shelters are having adoption events this weekend!  Some are even discounting their adoption fees. The idea is to get more animals into their FOREVER homes.

But before you invite a pet into your home, please do so with your eyes wide open.  A pet requires time. There will be accidents. You’ll need patience.  You’ll need to invest in training and good veterinary care. You’ll have to feed and clean up after the animal. And groom it.

Adopt an animal that fits your lifestyle.  If you’re planning on moving, please include your pet in your moving plans.

Can’t adopt? Consider fostering. 

You foster a homeless animal until the rescue adopts it out. Additionally, it’s a great way to try out a pet.  If the animal fits your lifestyle, you may be able to choose to adopt that foster animal.  Each rescue works differently and has different rules, so be sure to ask.

If you adopt a pet, thank you!!!!

Okay, everyone has that friend who is REALLY hard to buy for and has a heart of gold! Instead of going bonkers trying to find “the perfect gift”, why not pay it forward by making a donation to an animal rescue?

If your friend is a basset hound fan, make a donation to BaRNi (Basset Rescue Network, Inc.)

If they are crazy for Golden Retrievers, consider donating to the Southern California Golden Retriever Rescue

If they are cat people, find a local cat rescue that needs help like Kitten Rescue

If your friends are horse folks, consider an equine rescue like CANTER or the Red Bucket Equine Rescue

If you can’t make up your mind, the ASPCA is a good choice.

Then you can send your friend a note informing them that in lieu of physical presents, you made a donation to the charity. Sure you can include a small token like cocoa or socks.

We started doing this a few years ago and the “aunties” LOVED it!

Local shelters are always looking for towels and sheets, so if you’re clearing out the old take them down to the local shelter.

This holiday, remember the homeless pets. If you’re opening your heart and home to an animal this season, please do your homework. Be patient with the critter as he or she adjusts to her new surroundings. Spend time training the animal. And you will be rewarded.

All the best to you and yours from all of us at The Red Dog Inn!

Sorry for being away for over a month! We needed some help from the guy who talked us into writing the blog in the first place when the host company decided it was time to up security.  Thanks, JK!

Thanks to the Atlanta Humane Society for the lovely mention in their blog. It’s much appreciated. 

Here at the Red Dog Inn all the packages have been sent to the nephews, the tree is up and still decorated despite the best attempts by a curious hound to undecorate it, there have been no clandestined canine attempts on chocolate (Dogs CAN open cabinets folks, so please learn from our experience, lock up the cocoa products. I’ll write about Butters’ experience in a later post.) and the turtle is good.

So, I’ve heard a number of folks say they are thinking about adopting a pet this year. What a wonderful thing!  There are so many critters that need new homes. The shelter folks are filled to the rim, so we have to start springing these critters. (Michael Vick need not apply. Ooh… there’s another good topic to write about!)

More later!

Suz