Charges filed in Montana Case

I need some hugs after reading this.
I want to cry my eyes out again.

Here's a link to the charges filed by the Yellowstone County Prosecutor against Linda Kapsa.

WARNING. The above link contains very GRAPHIC descriptions of the animals seized and the conditions they were living in.

Agility Class Update

Chan has been to three weeks of beginners agility class so far.

Week one, he was great. He started off a bit overwhelmed-its a large class of about 10 dogs, but really perked up when we took out the jumps and started practicing with them low.

Week 2- Debacle.
After Chan's first run through two tunnels, he broke away with me to zoom around the training center with the dog who went through the tunnels after him. He had a great time, but was so wound up afterwards that he really couldn't focus, kept popping out of the tunnels, and even jumped on top of one. Yeesh...crazy dog.

Week 3- Better.
I decided to keep Chan busy with various "fun" commands while we were waiting. (Pay attention to me...you are not breaking loose and joyriding this week!) It worked really well, and the lesson suffered more from my inexperience and clumsiness than Chan's "vroom" this week. He did really well, except for one little snafu. Chan is too smart for my own good.

About halfway through the class the instructor decided that she didn't want us leaning down to reward the dogs on the target,
because that could become an unintended cue.
So she walks purposefully across the classroom, with Chandler avidly watching because instructors rarely do that.
She goes to the refrigerator that has the REALLY GOOD homemade treats.
( I think Chandler MIGHT have seen me get treats from there once, months ago.)
Now Chan is a bit of a food hound, and he also does things with gusto...
so when it's our turn, he shoots to the end of his leash in overdrive,
much more eager than he'd been all night, although he'd been enthusiastic and willing.
All he wanted to do was DRAG ME to the obstacle and do whatever he can to get those REALLY GOOD treats!

Oh well, it is just his third class.
I think we're going to keep working on focus. ;)

More articles about the Montana English Shepherds

Dog-care operation gets into full swing

Dog care for rescued animals proves challenge

Vet: Dogs were horribly neglected

Volunteers, donations continue to help with care of dogs

Offers of dog help pouring in

Montana situation update

They're getting them out!
The dogs are being seized by local authorities today.
(Prayers to various deities requested!)

Officials return to seize dogs from kennels

Just sent a message out to tick-l

I HATE ticks.
I HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAATE ticks.

Chandler got a faint hit on his 4X snap test during his yearly vet visit.
It took them a little over a
week to actually run the test (I guess they do them in batches), and I
assume his blood sample had been stored since his visit. After finding the
faint positive, they sent more of his blood out for a CBC, which came back
normal.

I haven't seen any overt symptoms. His appetite is excellent, and he hasn't
slowed down any, and he isn't favoring any of his legs. The only times I
have heard him cough are when he's straining at the end of his leash because
of a big distraction, (such as the neighborhood suburban fox). He may be
taking a bit longer to squat when eliminating, but it is hard to tell as he
does have minor hip dysplasia that is controlled with supplements. His hips
sometimes seem to be sore if he's been a "weekend warrior"- he will sit down
if slight pressure is placed on them, but once again, that could be him
overextending when he has dysplasia.

My veterinarian has recommended waiting. I asked about retests, and they
said to do another CBC in six months. I'll admit that I have some trust
issues because the last clinic I took Chandler to misdiagnosed his hip
dysplasia for two or three months (despite having taken an x-ray), and also
failed to remove a lot of dirt, wood chips, and bark when they removed a
stick he had impaled himself upon.

Anaplasmosis can be very serious. *SIGH*
http://blackgsd.googlepages.com/ehrlichiosis

So...I've just sent out a message to the major tick disease list online.
It was recommended by some people from the ES lists.
Here's to hoping I can get some great advice from the experts.

The "kids" and their toys

Here are the post-Christmas photos.

Chandler really liked his Skinneez fox. It seemed appropriate, given how he's gotten all excited every time he sees our local suburban fox.



Yes, he REALLY liked it.


I got organic catnip "lemons" for the cats. They're big enough that I don't have to worry about Chan picking one up and choking on it.

Rowan was enthusiastic.


Thankfully she did eventually run out of energy.



In contrast, Ashke is more laid-back about such things. He had to wake up...


But he did eventually take some notice and rub his cheeks against his lemon a few times.

Frustration

At times it is really tough to be 36, living with my parents, and have no income because I am working on getting a Master's degree and a new career. Most of the time it is just background frustration with my life, which is admittedly not that screwed up compared to how bad some other people have it. I"m really concentrating stepping forward and working toward my goals.

But sometimes things come up that make me kick myself for not having independence and my own place to stay.

This is one of them:

Sheriff's Deputies Take Animals from Ballantine Woman

Yes, dogs again. English Shepherds (aka Chandlers) to be precise. I'm nothing if not predictable.
But National English Shepherd Rescue is likely to be overwhelmed by this event.
We're a small breed community, with not too many resources.
With my life as it is, I can't offer to foster any of these dogs, and I can't send much money.
All I can do is offer transport if needed. :(

Edit: 7 pm
I really should not have watched the footage and looked at the search warrant they now have posted. Too many black and white sheppies that look like Chan.

Plus the warrant says they pulled 3 dead pugs and 10 dead ES. *cry*