RESCUING THE PERISHING

A story has been paramount in my area for several weeks concerning ninety-nine sled dogs rescued from a farm further north by the Animal Protection Societies. The owner was unable to care for them.

This is a problem with sled dogs. They work hard during the snowy winter months in races, etc., but the owners must still feed and care for them over spring, summer, and fall. A huge task it is for anyone to take on ninety-nine?? From pictures, the dogs were somewhat emaciated, cold, and hungry, and the rescue team saw no water. Thirty of the females were pregnant, and at the last report I heard, four mothers had dropped (for example) ten puppies each. Twenty-six more mothers have yet to bear. Most of the dogs are huskies, but some are cross breeds.

When one thinks of the enormity of the task the Humane Societies must face in feeding and providing Veterinarian care for so many dogs, it is staggering. I understand they have a source for food, but they need donations for the Vet care, not to mention the advertising needed to place all of these dogs in homes across Canada and the USA. People are calling in, but such a program for all of these dogs and the puppies to come!!!

How sad that this occurrence happens all over North America, with even worse horror stories of dogs in far worse conditions. Lax tax laws and punishments allow for this, and even some owners are given back some of their dogs to start the process all over again--but one sees the winds of change. It is our task to press for firmer laws, and that owners receive more severe judgments so they will think twice before jeopardizing these beautiful animals.

We must do our part to help. The Humane Societies will be aware of this story if you wish to assist.

STANDARDS IN DOGS, AND THEIR IMPLICATIONS

I talked before about Standards when Showing dogs. I thought this time to write about the implications of that Standard, as shown in the 2009 Shetland Sheepdog Calendar to help you understand the dogs' points of difference. The more I looked at this Calendar each month, the more I realized they deserved a comment. Without looking at the Calendar it is difficult, but bear with me.

True, on the cover, there are two cute puppies, and beautiful dogs all through. There are, however, pros and cons I will offer. They are used in Shows to make decisions, and will help you when you make a purchase of a breed. You need to learn your breed. The Inside Cover shows a gorgeous Sable and White Sheltie head. She is perfect in every way, a credit to the breed. We would need to see the whole, but such a perfect head should have a perfect body.

January: A Blue Merle with excellent ears, and the blue eye. The head suggests a male, but the small bib and full skirt make her look female. Could be wrong.
February: The puppies from the cover. Left is an excellent Blue Merle male around six months old. Right is a smaller, younger Sable and White female. She has good ears, but her look is hard, rather than soft. It is in the eye.
March: A Sable and White male with ears back, and a Collie-like head.
April: A beautiful Sable and White mother and pup. Delightful! Right on Standard.
May: A lovely Blue Merle male with questionable ears.
June: A rangy Sable female up to Standard, and a large, gangly Blue Merle male, perhaps over six months. Her son?
July: A Sable and White bitch jumping in an Obedience setting.
August: A good Sable and White bitch, either young, or having lost her coat through breeding.
September: Left is a Blue Merle male with too large ears and a pinched look, hard eyes with unfortunate markings.
Sable dog beside him has hard eyes and sky high ears. They should tip over a third. A breeding fault?
October: Sable and White males, but I could be wrong. Muzzles are masculine. Usually males have a large lion-like bib, whereas females have a smaller bib and a full skirt.
November: Blue Merle male running with ears back by the wind (I hope). He has a beautiful coat and good bone, but with a brown eye. Usually Blue Merles have blue eyes. (Black iris with blue 'whites').
December: Mistake in breeding here. Left is a large Sable male with Collie head and askew ears. Right, another male(?) with flopped over ears--bad. Such ears must be trained when they are puppies. Both have excellent soft eyes.

All of these dogs re beautifully groomed for their photos, but I note these faults to show that one must learn the breed Standard. Unless you do, and you decide to breed your dog, then you can double up the faults and do the breed a disservice. A good breeder will only breed a bitch to a dog who will cancel out major faults and vice versa.

A dog or bitch who conforms to a Breed Standard is beautiful to behold.

I am putting up a picture of my Tri-color, JEWEL.

A LITTLE HELP FROM YOUR FRIENDS

I have had a few interesting incidents as proof of this.

With all of the Autumn leaves so beautiful and the small birdfeeder out, birds arrived to feed. The day was clear and cloudy. The Nuthatches frolicked about, as did the Blue Jays. Well...'frolick' is not quite the word for them. Since the large feeder is as yet unfilled, it was amusing to see the Jays gyrate their large bodies to get at the small holes near the bottom of the feeder. It surprisingly held their weight. One at a time is good. I have been throwing up peanuts to the large feeder, peanuts left from last year, but they don't seem to mind. They truly are intelligent, and sit above, watching me until I am finished. I can work around outside, and they go about their business. Since the Jays are absent during the summer, I take it they migrate elsewhere, to return in the Fall--their calls strident--and remain until the spring. It is good to have them back. I believe they are the Northern Jay, (cyanocitta cristatta bromia). Along with them, the Mourning Doves are here. How good to see them again. They bottom feed, although I have seen them on the large feeder. They are most humble, and wait their place. Yesterday a pair sat in the tree. Today, three fed on the ground, so another mate must be near. It pleases us both, me to see them all, and they to feed. The Cardinals are the last to come. I hope to see them soon.

I returned from shopping the other day to discover the beautiful Bernese Mountain dog from the top of the street, free, and snuffing about down near the Park. He is usually tied, or inside, unless his family has him out for a romp with them. I parked and walked up to the house to knock on the door. No one appeared to be home, so I walked back down to the Park. He was still sniffing about, but further away. I had a young dog killed on the highway, so I was uneasy. I started walking toward him, and saw that his leash, or chain was broken and dragging. Cheerily calling, "Good Boy, etc...." I had him backing up a bit as I came closer. He shied and padded warily around me to safety? Good. He made his way up the steet, and I "Good Boy'd" him all the way up until he went down his driveway to the back of the house. I let out a sigh.

Helping days are good. What are friends for?

INDOORS FOR ME, BEAUTIFUL LEAVES OR NO

I heard on the radio the other day that it would cause little harm to begin feeding birds again even though it is migratory season. The birds, it said, are hungry. I thought it good advice, so put out the smaller feeder. Its presence might evade the blackbirds and grackles if they are still about. Otherwise I am sunk; I cannot withdraw it. Several days go by before the birds twig that it is up again. A few come, and that attracts other birds, then before long there is a veritable army--rather air force, of birds. You would think they had some telepathic system for alerting their buddies--but in our greedy, human world that would not fly--pardon the pun.

There was to have been frost last night since we are into hard frost season, mid October here, but it did not come to the garden. Some like the Fall, but not I. I must admit that the leaves are quite colorful. This leads me in my somewhat disjointed manner to my showy cactus, which is loaded with buds about to burst forth in profuse glory, eventually with double blossoms. I do look forward to it. Along with the still blooming geraniums it will leave my house most lovely.

Indoors it is. I will leave the outdoors to the birds and other adventurous beings.

THE FALL SEASON IS UPON US--MY WORLD IS CHANGING

Outdoors, signs of Fall are everywhere evident. The nights are cool, dipping to almost zero. Days are cold. The Sun shows its face a lilttle, but many days it hides behind clouds and dullness. The birds have pretty much gone, although the Blue Jay calls. We have had lots of dreadfully windy weather when the birds played least in sight. I have some old peanuts for the Jays when I am certain the Blackbirds have departed. Usually they mass in our (street) trees, but they may have alighted elsewhere. Flocks of Canada Geese high in the sky prove they are on their way, following the River south.

My friend in Ottawa saw a Snow Goose alone by a pond. I hope he finds his mates soon. The odd few geese fly about, no doubt looking to attach themselves to a flock. Even the squirrels appear to be caught up in the uncertainty of change.

Indoors, my green tomatoes are determined to remain so. I left a few tiny cucumbers out, but will have to rescue them soon. In another week or so hard frost will descend upon us, which means I must cut my herbs and bring them in. My geraniums sit, now warm, toasty, and snug in their window boxes. They will rebel at the change and drop leaves, but adjust. When they complete their blooming, I will cut them back for their resting period.

My early Christmas Cactus is in bud, usually in bloom when the older, wiser Cactus is just beginning to bud. It properly blooms just before Christmas, and as I continue to feed it, blooms well into spring. Having rested from spring to fall, it soon will become active. The early Cactus achieves a mass of lovely blooms, but has little staying power. It is great to have this show when I can no longer enjoy the flowers outdoors.

In Genesis 8:22, after the flood, the Lord promised that the seasons would always be with us. Change or no, we cannot stop the seasons as they perfect their destiny.

ANIMALS ENCOUNTERED ON MY VACATION

While visiting with friends for a week, I met again with the son of my hostess, and his Border Collie. Lively is the word for him. We all had fun watching him play.

Down at the end of the backyard four horses cropped grass, so I went along to chat with them. The Bay male was friendly and let me pat his nose a few times. Obviously, he looked for a treat. I had none. The largest horse, a Roan male, or Liver Chestnut--I am not good with horse colors--ignored me. He had a huge, rather ugly head, and continued to crop. Another male, a Chestnut, cropped weeds near the fence, but would not lift his head to me. Whether he was intimidated by the electrified line or not, I do not know. He was not as high as the Bay. Behind him, on the other side of the run, was a lovely female, a Black. Her head was decidedly feminine. She watched me the whole time, but remained cropping. The Roan had scars. All had beautiful black manes and tails, with uneven blazes, and short, white socks on their back legs. They all appeared to be related. When the Roan wanted to move on, he bit the quarters of the Bay, to get him to go, and all moved along. The Roan was Top Dog? Or Top Horse?

The area was truly country, with a number of horse farms. Not far away were cattle farms. It was the first time I saw an Alpaca farm. I had seen Alpacas in Peru, but these had all been shaved. They looked funny with their bodies bare and fluffy heads, necks and legs. I do hope they grow out their coats before winter sets in.

I enjoyed the visit with my friends. We talked, walked, shopped, and ate, etc., but the animals I encountered played a large part in that enjoyment. Truly it was a pleasant vacation.