Zeus’ Second Chance

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!

Weekly Wag: Learn Your Dogs’ Body Language

I recently had a dog basic training class to volunteer at the local shelter. You want to know if it’s safe to enter a kennel. The first thing the instructor said is a dog will always give warning signs before it bites. The problem is people cannot read a dogs’ body language. Pay attention to their ears, eyes, tail and stance. I have cared for many dogs and still learned a few things and will continue to learn!

The only way dogs communicate with us, unless you’re an animal communicator, is through their body language. I have posted some pictures to help you. Parents please teach this to your children to help stop dog bites. If you are a teacher, please teach this to your class or have a specialist come to your classroom. In San Diego County, we have a program where an animal specialist will come to your school, free of charge, to educate your children. (Contact your local county shelter for more information).

Imagine going up to a human and greeting him the way you would a dog. Most of these ways are intrusive and threatening, but most people think this is only a dog, it doesn’t matter. WRONG! Just remember would you greet a human in the same manner?! If you see any signs of a dog being agitated, stressed or fearful please step back and give the dog its space! You won’t necessarily see teeth and growling before a dog will strike out.

Click for Source

Dog Safety…Bite Prevention

Shows 7 situations in which you might meet a dog.  Guess which are handled in the right way and which in the wrong way….Click picture to find which is right or wrong.

Worth a Thousand Words

September 6, 2012

Reprinted from stubbydog.org

A photographer focuses on capturing the daily life of shelter dogs

By Sylvia Elzafon

My inspiration for photographing shelter dogs began in 2005 after a visit to my local humane society. It was clear to me that there was a need for exposure for these precious animals living day in and day out in cold cages. Initially, the photos were merely shots of dogs from outside the cage, many of who were scared or simply unresponsive.

Needless to say, as the years have passed, it’s become overwhelmingly obvious that these sweet dogs photograph best when taken out of their cages – either outdoors or to a space where they can be their loving and playful selves.

The recent project with Dallas Animal Services has been such a gift. Thanks to a generous donor, the shelter has implemented a photo program that, so far, seems to be doing very well and receiving plenty of attention. It’s an opportunity for the photographers to interact with individual dogs as to get a better understanding of their personality and temperament, while giving them some much needed free and play time. It’s a chance to really capture their beautiful and shining personalities!

Each and every dog I photograph has a story to tell. Many have been neglected, abused, surrendered by an owner, or simply abandoned at the shelter doorstep. Though their stories are heartbreaking, their resiliency is absolutely incredible. Treats and toys perk some of the dogs up, but a loving touch and a belly rub is really all these precious pups long for. They love to lean on you, touch you, kiss you and receive affection in return. Shelter dogs live for this.

Luckily, because of the exposure, two additional local shelters and one high-intake shelter have reached out to me with interest in starting similar programs. I’m extremely excited to see these kinds of programs become standard in my local community shelters, and nationwide.

Local Dog Adoption: Helping 250 Dogs and Puppies Get Adopted This Year Is Goal of TheDogTrainingSecret.com

Reblogged from Fetch Magazine's Weblog:

Every year animal shelters euthanize between 3 million and 4 million dogs. The Dog Training Secret, a dog training program, wants to help end needless deaths and increase dog adoptions in all 50 states. The company will partner with 50 local pet adoption centers in 50 states and will pay for five pets to be adopted at each partner site.

Read more… 541 more words

July 5th is the busiest day for animal shelters. Please secure your pets and have them micro chipped or tagged with your information. Adopt, Don't Shop!

My “Adopted” Face

Paws in the Park

Paws in the Park

March 25, 2012
8 AM to Noon

Kit Carson Park
3333 Bear Valley Parkway
Escondido, CA, US 92025
Admission: Free

Benefiting: Escondido Humane Society

The Escondido Humane Society’s Paws in the Park dog walk is sure to be a howling good time for people and their canine companions. The annual dog walk, which will raise funding and awareness for homeless and abandoned animals, is from 8 a.m. to noon March 25 at Kit Carson Park, 3333 Bear Valley Parkway in Escondido. Post-walk festivities include a Paw vendor expo, games, contests, entertainment and more. Walkers can register online here. Registration is free, and all walkers will receive incentive prizes based on dollars raised. For more information, call (760) 888-2235 or go click here.

For more information, please call (760) 888-2235 or email media@escondidohumanesociety.org.

Coming from out of town? Get a discounted rate on pet friendly hotels in Escondido, or call 877-411-FIDO to speak with one of our pet travel experts!