Abbie Girl, an Australian Kelpie, is a rescue dog with an amazing cinderella story. Rescued at six months old by the Humane Society Silicon Valley, she was soon adopted and started rehabilitation for trauma. She survived to become the top-medaled surfing dog in the world, and a media star. Abbie’s credits include Animal Planet, the 20th Century Fox movie Marmaduke, the TV reality show “Dog Park Superstars,” and a feature in Kyra Sundance’s latest book, “101 Ways to Do More With Your Dog.”
Abbie is a local icon in San Diego, where she and owner, Michael Uy, can be found surfing year-round at their home break in Del Mar. ESPN calls Abbie the “exception to the rule” for surf dogs. She took off on a board the first time she got on one, “and has been surfing ever since.” Michael and Abbie started competitive dog surfing in 2008 – a few days after catching her first wave, she medaled 1st in a heat at the Helen Woodward dog surfing contest, and every competition in the next five years.
I am an animal welfare activist and pit bull advocate.I have owned several ‘pit bulls’ many years ago with small children so I know first hand they make great family pets. Unfortunately, I cannot own one or more where I live now due to BSL (breed specific legislation) and stereotypes. But I do volunteer for It’s the Pits, a bully breed rescue, and do what I can to help these poor misunderstood homeless american pit bull terrier and staffordshire bull terrier mixes which are all classified as ‘pit bulls’.
I came across this news article about 26 pit bulls rescued from a dog fighting ring in Florida written on 2/29/13. I cannot tell you how it warms my heart to hear these types of stories. These dogs have been trained to fight. Pit Bulls are very strong and powerful dogs and eager to please their owners. Dogs are like people, some are aggressive, some are not. You can’t judge a race of people, just as you can’t judge a dog breed by the deeds of a few! (People make their own choices, dogs do not). Many breeds are misidentified as ‘pit bulls’.
The media has portrayed them as man-eating, child-mauling dogs that should not be allowed to live with humans. There are many many pit bull owners that will testify that this is not the case. If you have never been around a pit bull and have set your mind against them from what you have heard, I say at least meet one from a responsible owner and see for yourself!
Society tends to forget that this breed was once ‘America’s Sweetheart’,nicknamed nanny dogs for their gentleness with children. And they were even war heroes. The dog did not change, society changed and started these horrible dog fighting rings, only to enforce the stereotype of our society today. Pit Bull is actually not even a breed, but a variety of breeds with the same characteristics. American Pit Bull Terrier is a breed.
Here is the article about the dogs saved. Pam Perry is of no relation to me and do not know her.
“Some of them are severely injured,” Pam Perry, with Hillsborough County Animal Control told ABC Action News. “Clear cuts to their faces, forelimbs, head, they are still bleeding.” All twenty-six dogs were brought to Hillsborough County Animal Services and have been seen by a veterinarian. Pam added, “We saved these dogs lives today.”
The dogs are all expected to survive, but some have a long road to recovery given the extent of their injuries and trauma. The dogs will go through rehabilitation prior to being made available for adoption.
Officials continue to investigate and will be charging several individuals in the case shortly.
Pam said that they have been responding to more and more calls regarding dog fighting rings located in rural areas. “It is weekly [that we bust these rings],” Pam said. In November, they busted a long standing ring in Seffner and in late October they rescued a dog who had been shot and buried up to her neck in the ground. In all three cases the department received calls from concerned citizens.
Note: It is tragic when anyone is bit or attacked by any type of dog. It is my belief that this is due to irresponsible ownership.
Please if you hear of or see any type of animal abuse, call your local animal control office. This can be found on your county’s website. Example: County of San Diego>Community Services>Animals & Pets
Zeus is the newest member of our family. He is a one year male shih tzu that was rescued from the shelter by Holly’s Garden Dog Rescue when he was scheduled to be euthanized. My daughter, Samantha, adopted him after fostering him for a month.
Samantha, Heidi & Zeus
Zeus’ Story
Zeus was abandoned at a shelter when his previous owner refused to get his eyes treated. (Later found out he has retinal detachment as a result of being shaken). Zeus was scheduled to be euthanized at the shelter because he was labeled aggressive and bit people.
Holly’s Garden Rescue pulled him from the shelter on the last day of his life and paid for his eye surgery. His right eye had to be completely removed and he has only 10% vision in his left eye. It was this vet that said he had retinal detachment as a result of being shaken.
My daughter, Samantha, started fostering him in December 2012, the day after his eye surgery. Zeus had a lot of issues, no wonder he bit people! She nursed him back to health and began socializing him. She has a female shih tzu, Heidi, she rescued in 2008 after being abused and abandoned many times.
After fostering Zeus for a month, she adopted him in January 2013. He is no longer aggressive, but he has to get used to you before he stops barking at you. When I first met him, he was so aggressive and would just bark and bark at me and run at me, but never bit me. I even nicknamed him ‘Chucky’, because of the way his face looked and he was like a ‘mad’ dog. I am not being mean, just have a ‘dark’ sense of humor!
Zeus right after surgery.
Zeus is no longer aggressive, however he does bark at strangers. Zeus has to take eye drops the rest of his life. He loves his mommy and grandma (me). Zeus has taught us a lot and thankful he is a part of our family. He loves to snuggle close when he is being held. I believe he likes the feeling of being secure.
He is not treated any differently than the other dogs as far as discipline. He learned his way around the house, although he still bumps into things sometimes. He goes outside ‘potty’ and goes for walks just like the other dogs. Sometimes when walking he is coupled to the other shih tzu and he walks just fine. You would never know he is blind. We do talk to him a lot so he can hear our voice. He gets a little fearful (barking) if he can’t hear us.
Zeus Today
Cast: Zeus playing with Sydney (foster dog), Heidi walking through, Lexis on couch supervising. Sydney loves Zeus!
We want celebrate Valentine's successes with you. Our one year anniversary present to you is this collection of smiles and love from Valentine. Please share this page and encourage your friends to support the work of Sounds of Silent Spirits clicking the donate button on the right.
I first wrote about Valentine a year ago, when she was brought to Sounds of Silent Spirits. She was in real bad shape. Dogs are so amazingly resilient and forgiving.
Zeus, a Great Dane, has the honor of the world’s tallest dog by the Guinness Book of World Records. When Zeus stands on his hind legs, he towers 7 feet 4 inches. His owner, Denise Doorlag of Otsego, a regular family from Michigan.
Zeus weighs a 155 pounds and eats around 12 cups of food a day, which is equal to an entire 30-pound bag of food. Despite his enormous appetite and the cost to take care of him, Doorlag is very happy about her pet and his new honor.
“Zeus is an awesome dog,” she was quoted as saying in a Guinness press release.”The only downside is that everything costs more; the food, medicines, transport. We had to get a van to be able to transport him, oh, and if he steps on your foot – he leaves bruises!”
When she goes out with Zeus, “The most common thing people ask is: ‘Is that a dog or a horse?’ and ‘Where’s his saddle?’”
On another note, Savannah Islands Trouble, was awarded the world’s tallest cat on Nov. 17, 2011. He became the Guinness World Record holder for world’s tallest domestic cat, a record he still holds. Unfortunately Savannah is no longer with us. He passed away on Aug, 15, 2012, at 4 years and 5 months old. You can visit Savannah’s website here.
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Jane Booth, Minister of Spiritual Peacemaking and USUI Reiki Master, specializing in Peaceful Path Workshops and Retreats, Inner Peace Reiki, USUI Reiki Certification
