Crazy Dog Lady
This June 6, 2013 photo shows Pat Huntley hugging three dogs that need adoption, at her home in Hobbs, N.M. Huntley was inspired to start a rescue operation after learning of the high euthanasia rates at the local animal shelter. She spoke out about the high rates during a few Hobbs city commission meetings last summer. She told the commission that the community needed to work together to get the euthanasia rate down. (AP Photo/Hobbs News Sun, Kimberly Ryan)
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‘Crazy dog lady’ starts pet rescue
By GABRIELA MUNOZ AP News-Sun
HOBBS, N.M. (AP) — Pat Huntley was 15 years old when she determined her English setter, Mr. Chips, must be the smartest dog in the world.
“He would open the fridge door on his own and take a steak,” Huntley said with a laugh. “I thought, ‘He is the smartest dog in the world.’”
Owning Mr. Chips was the just the beginning of Huntley’s lifelong passion for furry, four-legged animals.
“Ever since then, I have just loved dogs,” Huntley said. Throughout her life, Huntley has dedicated her time in some capacity to the canine companions and is known around town as the “crazy dog lady.”
Most recently, Huntley has taken up the cause of pet rescue through an organization called Crazy Dog Lady of Lea County Pet Rescue.
“We are in the process of applying for nonprofit status,” Huntley said. “I’m not there yet, but it’s what we are working on.”
Huntley was inspired to start the rescue operation after learning of the high euthanasia rates at the local animal shelter. She spoke out about the high rates during a few Hobbs city commission meetings last summer. She told the commission that the community needed to work together to get the euthanasia rate down.
“I’m really proud of the city,” Huntley said. “They brought the euthanasia rate to 50 percent (from 75 percent). It’s still high but … it’s an improvement over the past year.”
Due to her vocal stance on the issue, people started coming to her for advice on abandoned dogs.
“In October, people started asking me if I could take in a dog because they didn’t have a place for the dog to go,” Huntley said. “And it just kind of snowballed.”
As of this month, 19 dogs have been adopted through Crazy Dog Lady of Lea County Pet Rescue. However, almost 40 lost or surrendered canines have walked through the doors at the Top Dog Boutique, where Huntley runs the pet rescue operation.
Currently, there are six dogs waiting to be adopted including a Yorkie named Xanax, a brindle pitbull named Zeus and a Chihuahua named Dixie.
That is where Hobbs resident Donna Richards first met Oliver.
Richards stopped by one day to get one of her Labrador Retrievers groomed.
“We had a dog that died a few months ago,” Richards said. “We’ve always had three. I felt like I had an opening. I asked her (Huntley) if she had any Labs.”
Huntley happened to have two Lab puppies at the time.
While Richards checked out the duo, who had been abandoned near a highway, a frisky, but friendly Airedale Terrier mix named Oliver grabbed her attention.
“Oliver was running around and he was adorable,” Richards said. “He was very friendly and he loved the dog that I took in to be groomed. And I just kind of fell in love with him on the spot.”
Richards had her husband stop by the boutique to look at Oliver the same day, and a few hours later, Oliver had a new home.
Oliver wasn’t the only one who went home with a new owner after Richards’ visit.
When Richards returned to work, she told her co-worker, Melinda Allen, of the Lab puppies. Allen, also an owner of a Labrador retriever, went to look at the cuddly pair.
“I have a little bit of a soft spot for Labs,” Allen said.
Allen decided to take one of the puppies home. She named the puppy Little Sis.
“She’s been great,” Allen said. “She’s really integrated with the household. I have another dog, Mishka, and they are just the best of friends. They can’t bear to be separated from one another.”
The other puppy was adopted by a family with children.
And although the experience of adopting rescue dogs has been positive for Richards and Allen, both admit that there are some hurdles.
“Of course, with any rescue dog you are going to have some issues at the beginning,” Richards said. “But we’ve worked through them.” Richards said that although Oliver initially suffered from separation anxiety when he was left alone, he was able to overcome it with the help of medical intervention.
“We are really making some progress now,” Richards said.
Allen, who first became a dog owner when she adopted Mishka a few years ago, said her advice to potential pet owners would be to think it through and be aware of the responsibility. Allen considered pet ownership for almost two years before she committed.
“I’ve worked with primates — gorillas, chimps, orangutans and all different kinds of monkeys,” Allen said. “And my feelings are, if you are going to be a pet owner, you need to be a responsible pet owner and plan to own that pet for its entire life.”
For Huntley, another way to decrease the amount of abandoned and surrendered pets is for owners to spay and neuter their pets.
“One litter could mean four-eight puppies that you are going to need to find homes for,” Huntley said. “Or potentially, four-eight puppies that aren’t going to have a home. That is a big responsibility right there. We have so many already that need homes.”
Adopt-A-Dog’s Pets of the Week
Geraldine
Geraldine is a 3-year-old hound mix, spayed female, from a shelter in Tennessee. She was incredibly shy, but Adopt-A-Dog friends and dogs brought her out on her shell. She weighs 26 pounds, and could possibly live with cats and older children. She loves to run to play and run with other dogs.
Geraldine
Dog and cats like Geraldine are available for adoption at Adopt-A-Dog, 2 Cox Ave., Armonk, N.Y. The phone number is 914-273-1674; the Adopt-A-Dog website is adopt-a-dog website is adopt-a-dog.org/
Winnie
Winnie is a pit mix, a 50-pound spayed female. She was very stressed when she was in a local shelter, so now she is living with a foster family. Now she loves her ball, and plays with many dogs. The best is Winnie’s big smile. She is trained to be obedient and to get into a crate. When Winnie found a home, it would not be with cats, but older children would be fine.
Winnie
Dog and cats like Winnie are available for adoption at Adopt-A-Dog, 2 Cox Ave., Armonk, N.Y. The phone number is 914-273-1674; the Adopt-A-Dog website is adopt-a-dog website is adopt-a-dog.org/
Greenwich Animal Control’s Bunnies of the Week
Cinnamon
Cinnamon is a Rex rabbit, 2-or 3-years-old, and a very nice bunny. She is very sweet, curious, and friendly.
Cinnamon
And here is another rabbit, named Dusty. She is a lopped ear bunny, 2- or 3-years-old.
Dusty
She looks a little sad, but a new house would help her. Give them a piece of banana and she will be very happy. My bunny, Coco, looks forward for a piece of banana every morning.
Cinnamon and Dusty, along with other cats and dogs, is available for adoption at Greenwich Animal Control, 393 North St. Facility hours are 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. The phone number is 203-622-8299. Call ahead first.
Greenwich Animal Control also had a young chicken. She is so cute!
Chicy
Chicy is very pretty and a delight.
Chicy
Chicy, along with other cats and dogs, is available for adoption at Greenwich Animal Control, 393 North St. Facility hours are 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. The phone number is 203-622-8299. Call ahead first.
Adopt-A-Dog’s Pets of the Week
Mandy
Mandy is an 8-months-old, mixed breed, spayed female. Her weight is 45 pounds. The family surrendered Mandy. She was scared when she came to Adopt-A-Dog, but bonds grew quickly. She is warm and gives kisses. Mandy along with other cats and dogs, are available for adoption at Adopt-A-Dog, 2 Cox Ave., Armonk, N.Y. The phone number is 914-273-1674. Adopt-A-Dog website is adopt-a-dog.org/
Mandy
She is ready to play.
Sophie
Sophie is a young bulldog/beagle, who weighs 20 pounds. She was shy at Adopt-A-Dog shelter but she warms up quickly. She learned to sit and lay down, and even dance. She is friendly with some dogs, and with older teenagers. Sophie along with other cats and dogs, are available for adoption at Adopt-A-Dog, 2 Cox Ave., Armonk, N.Y. The phone is number is 914-273-1674914-273-1674. Adopt-A-Dog website is adopt-a-dog.org/
Sophie
Please take a good look at Sophie. She is very sweet.
Greenwich Animal Control’s Dogs of the Week: Rascal and Maya
Rascal
By Greenwich Animal Control Officer Suzanne Carlin
Rascal is a small Gray Terrier mix, she was left in a carrier and abandoned outside one of the Town Parks department sheds. Rascal was found heavily matted and has an appointment at the vet to be shaved down, she is a nice dog but still quite nervous of her surroundings and of new people but, she is warming up to the shelter staff more and more each day.
The #1 reason animals are dumped, abandoned and owners choice to look to surrender their pet is due to the lack of training! It is always easier to prevent negative behavior than it is to ignore the behavior and have to correct the negative behavior later. Seek out a trainer, behaviorist or animal care professional for help with training or behavior questions.
Rascal
Those who are looking to adopt a dog should always do their research first for breed type, training, exercise, medical needs and grooming needs. Dogs with long hair need to be groomed regularly to maintain the coat and health of their dog. When a dog’s fur becomes matted the dog can become very uncomfortable, the matted can restrict movement mobility, it can cause skin infections and in severe cases the matted can even cause loss of blood circulation to that particular affected area on the dog’s body.
Adopting and extending your family with a new pet can be very rewarding!
Although please consider these few tips; Be realistic in knowing what your lifestyle and limitations are of yourself and your family, Be as realistic as possible with the expectations of ones self and or family when looking for the right dog that will match your families activities and lifestyle and always do your research!!!
These few tips will help make the adoption process, relationship and bonding experience with your new pet that much more enjoyable and rewarding for both the animal and the family!
Rascal along with other cats and dogs, is available for adoption at Greenwich Animal Control, 292 North St. facility hours are 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. The phone number is 203-622-8299. Call ahead first.
Maya
Maya is a 4- to 5-year-old female pit bull mix who loves a good hug. She is very loving and eager to please. Maya is smart and well-behaved, too, and is eager to be a great friend.
Maya
Maya
Maya
Maya, along with other cats and dogs, is available for adoption at Greenwich Animal Control, 292 North St. Facility hours are 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. The phone number is 203-622-8299. Call ahead first.
Travelers give Hawaii dogs 2nd chance on mainland
Martin Sprouse with ‘Grady’, an Airedale Terrier-Irish Wolfhound mix, Thursday, April 18, 2013, in Oakland, Calif. After his owner brought the dog to the Kauai Humane Society because he was moving, the dog with the big brown eyes languished for four months, said shelter operations manager Brandy Varvel. But now Grady is living in a spacious California loft with a new owner who is admittedly smitten thanks to an arrangement the Kauai Humane Society has with the East Bay SPCA in Oakland. The Kauai Humane Society has been reaching out since December to Hawaii tourists willing to bring a little extra baggage, one of the island’s many strays and abandoned dogs, when returning to the Bay Area. The dogs are mostly mixed breeds derived from Airedales, whippets and hounds; breeds which are used in the Hawaii Islands to hunt feral pigs. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)
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Travelers give Hawaii dogs 2nd chance on mainland
MARY PEMBERTON,Associated Press
The lanky, charcoal-gray dog with a distinctive, wiry hairdo would stand out in most other animal shelters, but no one gave him a second look on Hawaii’s island of Kauai.
But thanks to a tourist willing to take him across the Pacific, an Airedale Terrier-Irish Wolfhound mix named Grady now enjoys a spacious California loft with a new owner.
The Kauai Humane Society since December has been reaching out to tourists and others traveling to California and Oregon to see if they’re willing to check some extra luggage — one of the island’s many stray or abandoned dogs.
When a traveler agrees, the shelter pays a reduced rate of $100 to fly the dogs on Alaska Airlines to get them to shelters in Oakland, Calif., and Portland, Ore., where most get adopted within a couple of weeks. Dogs also can make the trip as cargo at a more expensive rate.
Shelter officials attribute some of the program’s success to the uniqueness of the animals. Kauai’s only shelter gets a lot of stray and abandoned dogs derived from hunting breeds used for stalking feral pigs on the island.
The animals can languish for months at Kauai’s shelter. But once they’re sent to the mainland, the dogs are snatched up quickly because they’re different from others normally offered for adoption.
“Some are kind of funny looking, unusual looking,” said Laura Fulda, vice president of marketing and development at the East Bay SPCA. “They tend to be a little shy, very sweet, well-behaved and have had some training, and they are friendly toward other dogs.”
Grady was brought to Kauai’s shelter in November by an owner who was moving away. He didn’t get much attention at first, shelter operations manager Brandy Varvel said.
“He sat there, and I never saw a single person look at him,” Varvel said.
But at the East Bay SPCA in Oakland, it was love at first sight when 46-year-old Martin Sprouse saw the 50-pound dog on the shelter’s website.
Sprouse, who designs modern furniture for a living, was waiting when the shelter opened its doors the next morning.
“I walked right up to him, and he gave me those big eyes and rolled over on his back,” Sprouse said. “I said, ‘Oh my god, dude. It’s on. You are coming home with me.’ He melted me the minute I saw him.”
Sprouse had been seriously looking for about two weeks for a dog to adopt but hadn’t found a breed he wanted. There were a lot of smaller dogs in the local shelter, mostly Chihuahuas and pit bulls.
The dogs delivered from Hawaii have been mostly mixed breeds derived from Airedales, whippets and hounds — breeds sometimes used on the islands to hunt feral pigs. On any given day, Kauai’s shelter holds about 90 dogs and 45 cats, Varvel said.
Varvel came up with the idea to fly the dogs off the island to shelters that mainly take in other breeds.
The Kauai shelter has an open-door policy, meaning all animals are accepted regardless of space. The steady influx of hunting breeds was forcing the shelter to double and even triple up on dogs in their cages, Fulda said.
Some of the dogs had been in the shelter for at least six months when Varvel contacted the California shelter in late December. Varvel initially reached out to shelters on other Hawaiian islands, but found they had the same problem.
She now talks with shelter officials in Oakland every week to discuss which dogs to send to the mainland. Operations manager James Pumphrey said some of the biggest factors considered are how long a dog has been waiting to be adopted and whether it has a friendly, outgoing personality.
Since the program’s start, 24 dogs have been adopted with one or two dogs shipped each week to California. Varvel also has an arrangement with the Oregon Humane Society to take some of Kauai’s puppies and small dogs.
And Grady, who was named Kruger before he was adopted, seems to enjoy his new life riding around Oakland in Sprouse’s truck.
“Everyone thinks they win the dog lottery,” Sprouse said. “I know I have won the dog lottery with him.”
