I'm a Single Mother*

I HAVE A FOSTER DOG!

His name is Casper and I just love him.

I'll start with the back story on how I ended up being a single momma.  Charlotte-Mecklenburg Animal Care & Control picked up this little nugget wandering around with a collar, no tags, and two shoestrings tied to the collar (what a way to tether a dog, huh?).  By the time CMACC caught up to him, he had swallowed the shoestrings that were STILL ATTACHED TO THE COLLAR so I have to imagine he wasn't having the easiest time breathing/eating/drinking.  Truth be told, it hurts my heart to think of his life before me- defenseless, wandering the streets, starving, shoestrings stuck in his throat, and probably terrified.  I try not to think about it since there are currently thousands of animals- if not millions- across the country in similar conditions.  My Cas is one of the lucky ones.  Anyways, the fact that he is a black pit mix was working against him in a huge way at CMACC (not sure if you're aware, but black dogs are the least likely to be adopted and most likely to be euthanized.  For whatever reason, people are less inclined to fall in love with black dogs).  Since CMACC does not adopt out pit bulls, he should have been euthanized within 24 hours of arriving at the shelter.  Luckily, an angel of an animal control officer thought he just had too much going for him to let his life end so soon, so she was taking him home with her every night so that he would have an extra day.  I volunteer with the American Pit Bull Foundation, and since we have no shelter, we can only rescue as many dogs as we have foster homes in place for.  When the foster coordinator contacted me about Mac (what he was being called at the time), I thought about it and decided I wanted to help.  I mean who could say no to this little face?

 Yes, that picture was taken in the animal control officer's house.  Look how vicious pit bulls are with children and other animals.

When I picked him up from CMACC on January 20, he was estimated to be around 5 months old and weighed 24.8 lbs.  When he went to lose his manhood on March 20, he weighed 49 lbs, and I would guess hes somewhere between 55-60 lbs today (HOSS!).  He has the most agreeable personality, and is so calm for his age.  

Things I love about him:

-He is so photogenic.

-He gets episodes of "zoomies"- normally around bedtime- but stays calm for the most part.  

-He is so eager to please.

-He actually watches TV.  He loves cartoons and Bravo's "It's a Brad, Brad World."  I find Brad oober annoying, but I leave it on for him if he starts watching it.

-He was crate trained, and nearly completely leash and house trained when I got him.  

-He has now perfected bell training for when he wants to go potty.  Though I'm positive the ringing bell every time the door is opened/closed annoys my roommates, it certainly helps prevent accidents in the house. 

-He will not get onto my bed unless I drag him up there, but man he gets comfortable once he's up there. 

-He loves to cuddle on the couch.

-He lays with his frog legs ALL THE TIME ( I LOVE when dogs lay like that!)

Things I've struggled with:

-His grain allergy! Took weeks to figure out what was making his nose run and him chew on his paws, but we finally discovered he is allergic to food that isn't grain-free/holistic. AKA the high-end, expensive stuff.

-His affinity for chewing.  Now I know this is a puppy thing.  And being a pit, he is a power chewer.  Toys never stay in tact very long (I'm talking a couple of hours- if I'm lucky!- before I have to take the squeaker and stuffing out of the hole he's created so he doesn't swallow it), and he has also managed to gnaw his way through a laptop power cord, an Aveda paddle brush, a Bobbie Brown makeup palette, and a Havianas sandal.  You have to give it to the boy, he has a taste for the finer things. 

-What I affectionately consider his "handshake."  He just wants to have your hand in his mouth when you walk in and he gets really excited.  He doesn't put any pressure on your hand, just wants your hand in his mouth.  We're working every day on breaking this for good so that maybe hopefully he can take therapy dog training in the future.
-He likes to push his toys under the furniture, then whines and/or barks until someone gets it out from under there for him. Seems like getting toys that don't fit under the furniture would be the easy fix, but any toys that don't fit under the sofa also don't fit in his mouth so if anyone knows how to break this, please let me know.

Lotus & The American Pit Bull Foundation

YOU GUYS! This is the best!! Lotus and her awesome foster parents were invited on air with Kiss 95.1 this morning to raise awareness for the American Pit Bull Foundation and the many dogs we rescue! I am so excited Kiss 95.1 brought exposure to not only the abuse of the breed, but to this organization that is truly committed to it.

Lotus is the sweet 5 month old puppy who was saved from a man trying to drown her. Not only did she suffer the confusion and terror of someone attempting to drown her in a frigid pond, but she has been severely and repeatedly abused in her short life. Medical exams revealed she has a recently broken pelvis and smashed leg, as well as past abuse that resulted in a fractured skull from being hit HARD- possibly with a shovel, and broken vertebrae in her spine. Of course with these injuries intentionally given to her, no medical attention was ever sought. Her body attempted to heal these atrocious injuries on its own- albeit incorrectly- and though she can live with the way some of her injuries have healed, her pelvis will require surgery to set it correctly and her front leg will unfortunately likely require amputation.

I love Lotus flowers. They grow in the mud at the bottom of lakes then rise to the top of the water to blossom and reveal their beauty despite where their growth started. When I suggested we name her Lotus, it was in a pretty literal sense- I mean she was essentially saved from the bottom of a pond. But once you experience the resilience, forgiveness, optimism, and love she inexplicably possesses after what seems like repeated attempts to kill her, there's no denying that naming her Lotus was just as much a testament to her triumphant spirit as it was literal. (Check out her cuteness in this in-studio video: http://youtu.be/nJjys2jrkoU)

Please consider donating to the APBF to not only help with the costly surgical procedures and rehabilitation Lotus will require, but to also assist with the continued support provided to the other dogs in APBF. I know everyone's financial situation is different and money is tight for a lot of people, but if 100 people see this and donate just $10, that's already $1000 from this post alone. Skip your Dunkin run two days, put that pedicure off for a week, take the change in your car to CoinStar- any little bit helps and is sincerely appreciated.

Posted below are a few links about Lotus, an upcoming fundraiser, the APBF, and ways you can help:

Lotus:
Kiss 95.1: http://kiss951.cbslocal.com/2013/03/29/drex-maney-bringing-lotus-from-abused-pit-to-happy-pup/
Charlotte Observer: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2013/03/25/3937523/police-search-for-man-who-threw.html

APBF: http://www.americanpitbullfoundation.com/ The American Pit Bull Foundation is an amazing organization that I am proud to be involved with. APBF's purpose is to promote responsible breed ownership through providing: owner and public education, positive alternatives to pit fighting, programs to endorse and recognize responsible breed ownership, providing medical and financial assistance for dogs with responsible owners, and aiding in adoption of Pit Bulls to responsible individuals and families. Based on the incredible network of volunteers, fosters, donors, and other advocates, APBF provides medical attention, monthly flea and heart worm preventatives, food, training, and other necessities to each dog while they are in foster homes with the organization. On the website you can find links to donate, view our Adopt-a-Bulls, contact information for becoming a foster home* or volunteer, the adoption procedures and application, as well as other information about the breed and organization. (*Foster homes are always needed. Since the APBF doesn't yet have a shelter, we can only rescue as many dogs as we have foster homes available for.)

Fund Raiser: Pawbrokers Party to Support Lotus and Other Pitties with Medical Needs Pawbrokers is hosting a fundraiser at The Comedy Zone in the Music Factory Wednesday, April 3 from 5:00-9:00 where you can purchase jewelry and drinks, with a portion of the proceeds going to APBF to help with the cost of Lotus's surgeries and support the other dogs in our care. Of course outright donations can also be made either at the event or on the ABPF website. Donations of pet food will also be accepted for donation to the Humane Society of York County. More information can be found here: https://www.facebook.com/events/446421495433390/

Authorities are still searching for the depraved individual who abused and attempted to drown her. He is described as a skinny black male between 6' 2"-6' 5", weighing no more than 170 pounds. He has thin dreadlocks and was wearing a black hat at the time. He had no facial hair. The suspect was driving a light-colored/sky blue, four-door BMW or Mercedes from the mid-90's with no plates but a paper dealership tag with a red circular emblem in the center. This happened near Nevin Rd in the Mallard Creek/77 area of Northeast Charlotte. Please contact the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department's Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600 if you have any information that can assist in the investigation. You don't even have to give your name.

Please feel free to share this with as many people as you would like. The more exposure, the better!

CALLING ALL HUMANS

To anyone who doesn't think adoption, spaying/neutering, fostering, volunteering, donating, etc. is important, have a look at this album.

Yes, it's sad- devastating even- to see that all these innocent animals were euthanized. What's possibly even sadder is that this is only in ONE small county (Gaston), and that it is only since the beginning of 2012. It's March 23. That's 188 animals in only 82 days. At the current rate, that means nearly 900 animals will be PTS in this shelter alone this year. If that is the average for every county in NC (which it won't be-some higher, some lower), 90,000 animals will be put to sleep in North Carolina in 2012. A lot of these animals were unfortunately only given a short amount of time in the shelter before being PTS because of the the sheer volume of animals being picked up and surrendered everyday; there just isn't enough space.

This is not these animals' fault; this is 100% in the hands of humans. And I'm not talking about the workers and volunteers working tirelessly and exhausting every effort (in Gaston County and across the nation); those people are angels. It is unfortunate that those are the people- who love and advocate for these animals- who end up having to pick up the pieces and euthanize them when they should've had a chance. That we are allowing this to happen as a civilized nation is atrocious and we should all be ashamed. Wake up people. This can be prevented.

Reputable breeders DO NOT sell their animals at pet stores. Dogs from pet stores are the product of puppy mills. Period. These dogs are kept in small crates, bred repeatedly, and are usually not even familiar with human interaction or the feeling of grass under their little paws. Puppy mills not only create a cruel and disgusting life for dogs, but there is so much inbreeding to create as many litters (profit) as possible that a majority of the puppies are doomed from an early age to have many health issues throughout their lives, compounded with a short life span.

ADOPT. SPAY/NEUTER. DONATE. VOLUNTEER.

Do your part to help humanity. This extends to local, national, foreign, animal, human, education, veteran, active soldier, elderly, disease, Red Cross, natural disaster relief, and everything between.

If everyone did something, just one thing per person- it would seem a lot more like humanity and a lot less like all humans are selfish, negligent, and uncaring.

Offering

In an attempt to begin a tradition of donating to an organization/organizations that help the less fortunate, I have come across several sites and wanted to share them in an effort to encourage others to look into it as well.

The idea that people worry about how they will be able to afford their next meal is a very sad concept, especially during a time of year that is so centered around bringing people together for feasting.
--Groupon, Feeding America, and Pepsi teamed up to offer an extended deal where you can purchase $22 worth of meals for only $11 each! 100% of proceeds bought through this Groupon offer are distributed through the Feeding American Organization to needy families; with Pepsi matching all donations up to $250,000!
--Holidash has compiled several different great ideas for how to help.
--The organization behind the national Dine Out Campaign, Share Our Strength, hosts many events throughout the year and across the nation that benefit those in need.
--A regular mom, and fellow blogger, has organized a fundraiser in order to bring Thanksgiving dinners to people who may otherwise not get to enjoy one this year. Jill at ScaryMommy is matching donations and buying gift cards to distribute to families in need. Go here, check it out, and help if you can.

--The Samaritan Ministries in my hometown of Winston Salem is currently holding a penny drive, and is always in need of donations and volunteers.
--Living Social is offering a deal where $15 creates a $30 credit for a USO care package for a soldier overseas, who not only probably won't get to enjoy the holidays with his or her family this year, but also don't get to enjoy just the everyday with them. The people of the military perform a service that is extremely appreciated, and as someone who isn't even remotely brave/selfless/willing enough to step up to the plate and do what they do, I think a care package is the least I can offer.
--I remember the year my mom was working one full and two part time jobs to support me, her and Hayli, and we came home one night to find a live Christmas tree on our front porch. To this day, we still have no idea who left that tree for us, but I know that I'll never forget the look on my mom's face- it was one less thing she had to worry about providing in her attempt to maintain some normalcy for us. Similarly, I'm sure buying a $10/$20/$50 gift card to a Walmart/grocery store/gas station, etc. and handing it to the single dad of 4 who looks like he's struggling, or offering to pay for the 5 grocery items the 80 year old woman in front of you has as random acts of kindness would probably be appreciated more than you could ever know. Use your judgement on who you want to give it to- it may be someone who truly needed it to survive, or someone who won't have to go to bed on that one night wondering which is more important to pay for-heat or food, or maybe it's someone who doesn't need it as much as it seemed.

Even if you don't care or can't to contribute to any of these causes, consider helping out however you can- whether it's donations of your money, time, or gently used items. I know everyone is busy, and I don't know too many millionaires, but Google your local shelters- human or animal, and take a peek at their wish lists and where they need man-power. Everyone can help in some way. Besides, imagine all the good karma.