I GOT MY CGC

Woof! I am now officially a Canine Good Citizen. It took me 2 tries at the test but I DID IT! Not bad for a guy who had no training at a pup and only found his forever home about 6 months ago. Mom's so proud of me!

I will test for TDInc on Sunday so that I can visit like my sister, Lily.

And we have had an agility lesson every other week all summer. I am not ready for intermediate so I am going to take beginner's class this fall.

We had a great summer, how about you?

Summer's here!

Well, summer is here. It is hot and mom got me a kiddie pool. Lily doesn't go in it but I sure do. Love it! Cool my paws in there. Take a drink while standing it the pool. How awesome is that!

The graduate

I graduated basic obedience at Smarty Paws. And we got to run through the tunnels to celebrate -- love it. I think I will like agility this fall!

In the meantime I am not only taking private lessons with Annie Tate there but Mom enrolled me at UNLV with Sonja Hersh to take Canine Good Citizen. That way she knows I will be ready for the test and for the therapy dog test so I can join Lily working with the kids. Cool, cool, cool.

Begg Hunt?

Our friends the guys at Three Dog Bakery have this party called a Begg Hunt. This was my first chance to go. My sister Lily really likes it. She is pretty good at it but I showed her and Mommy that I could do it to. I would sniff out the treats in those eggs. We filled up our whole basket. What fun! There were so many dogs there. We got to meet our friend Tucker and see our friend Sherman. Sherman found the golden egg and got lots of great stuff. I want to find it next time!

For Easter we hung out at home. I got to eat some hard boiled egg. Not bad but it gave me stinky gas -- bleah!

We are grilling outside for Easter dinner. Mom says that they don't eat something called ham much anymore. The chicken smells good. I think I like holidays!

I am going to school?

Mom is all excited. She says she got me into obedience class at Smarty Paws? I am not sure what the big deal is. I am so cute and funny who needs obedience? But Mom is tired of me bolting out the door and running all the way down the block before she gets to the end of our driveway. I am doing pretty good at sit. And trying to do that down thing. So I guess I will go to class and show my mom that I am a good boy.

Having my picture taken

On St. Patty's Day Saturday we attended a fun party thrown by Sniffany & Co. on West Sahara. We met the nicest, coolest photographer! Her name is C. Renee and her website is www.creneephotography.com. She took lots of pictures of us and we will get 1 in a couple of weeks. She does this cool thing with photos -- she puts the photos on canvas and they look like a work of art -- so awesome! My sissy, Lily love the camera. I am not too sure about someone getting in my face and that snapping noise. But I warmed up to it after a while.

Mom's notes on the meeting about the shelter I came from

My new mom was gone all afternoon yesterday. She said there was a meeting about the shelter I was jailed in. Here's her notes.


Animal Control/Humane/Rescue
Focus Group

Meeting Highlights


General info:

There were at least a dozen rescue groups in attendance along with Nevada SPCA, Heaven Can Wait, Best Friends from Southern Utah, and Nevada Voters for Animals along with a few vet techs and private citizens.

The County and cities has representatives there along with representatives of Animal Control from each of the 3 jurisdictions (Clark County, City of Las Vegas and City of North Las Vegas)

All the major TV stations had camera crews and reporters in attendance as well.

A trained facilitator who works for Clark County facilitated the meeting. He has no vested interest in the outcome of this crisis.

The meeting had a agenda which included introductions from everyone present, an explanation of the regional alignment for animal control and sheltering, a lengthy discussion of issues and concerns and a solution development session.

Animal control/Lied handed out an extensive packet of emergency recommendations that they are implementing since the crisis.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION – PLEASE RETAIN

Each of the jurisdictions has designated an administrative and an operational point person for us to contact.

Clark County

Administrative = Jeff Wells, 455-3530
Operations = Joe Boteilho, 455-8178

City of Las Vegas

Administrative = Tim Shattler, 229-6617
Operations= Floyd Womble, 229-2401

City of North Las Vegas

Administrative = Al Nyola, 633-1754
Operations = Dale Smock, 633-2143
There was a group sign in list of all attendees so that we can receive e-mail notifications of future meetings. I would like to suggest that those who were unable to attend contact their jurisdictions Administrative point person and ask to be added to the contact list.

There was some discussion that Lied had once again lost the current list of contacts for all the rescue groups. We need to get a list to them and perhaps hand deliver it to the operations contacts.

A concern was immediately raised about the work of this group versus the work of the Clark County Animal Advisory Board which has been working for over 2 decades. Members of that group encouraged everyone concerned with animal welfare to attend their next meeting which is April 3 at 6:30 p.m. at Paradise Park, on McLeod north of Tropicana.

The meeting lasted for 3 ½ hours so I am going to provide a synopsis of the highlights in no particular order.

1. We need a low/no cost spay/neuter clinic for our valley. Current wait times for an appointment at Lied are 2-3 months which is unacceptable.
2. We need to maintain an up-to-date list of all the rescue groups and ensure that Lied has it and uses it.
3. We need to use rescue groups as a resource and allow them to pull all dogs in their breed, regardless of age or adoptability.
4. Lied employees need to be trained on proper procedures, policy, breed recognition, etc.
5. More animal control officers are needed to enforce backyard breeders, pet shops, dog sales listed in the newspaper and on the internet.
6. Lied needs more vets to do its job properly, to assess incoming animals, care for sick animals and perform spay/neuter. There is 1 vet there 5 days a week and 1 vet who works 2 days a week, the equivalent of 1 full-time vet. Also our entire community is in need of qualified vet techs.
7. Ordinances among the 3 jurisdictions must be uniform.
8. The contract that the 3 jurisdictions have with Lied must be uniform.
9. Trust must be rebuilt by Lied with the rescue groups and the public.
10. Microchips must be checked for immediately on all incoming animals. Lied needs more scanners.
11. Animal identification tag machines need to be more readily available to dog events, malls, etc.
12. Partnering among all interested parties including rescues, shelters, vets, dog trainers, groomers, dog sitters, etc. is essential. We all need to work to educate the public about choosing the right pet as well as spay/neuter.
13. Adoption fees need to be reviewed. Fees went up from $13 to $150. The fees charges to rescue groups should also be reviewed for unadoptable vs adoptable dogs.
14. We must keep our elected officials as well as the media engaged in our efforts.
15. Lied needs a specified coordinator to work with the rescue groups.
16. The website must be improved as to timeliness and accuracy.


Important next steps:

1. The City of Las Vegas’ contract with Lied expired in October 2006 and is currently in negotiation. Karen Coyle with the city stated that the information shared at the meeting will be reviewed and incorporated into the contract as much as possible.
2. The County and the City of North Las Vegas plan to amend their contracts to be uniform with Las Vegas’ new contract as soon as it is finalized.
3. The City of Las Vegas will look into the Lied website issues immediately.
4. A new director of Lied has been hired and will be announced soon.

LET'S ALL LIGHT A CANDLE FOR LIED BEFORE TOMORROW'S MEETING

Tomorrow Animal Control is meeting with local rescue groups. Let's light candles that their ears and minds will be open to new ideas and that they are willing to work as partners in our community to save our pets.

Light at candle at: http://www.gratefulness.org/candles/candles.cfm?l=eng&gi=LIE D

Settling in and believing I am home

Well, I have been here for 4 days now. My mom sure loves me. And I love her. I spend every minute I can, when I am not playing with my sis, Lily, or going out that cool doggie door, by her feet.

I have plenty to eat. And I get a cookie and a chewy every day. Last night I got into the trash can. I could not help myself. It smelled so good. And my mom guesses that I used to have to get my meals from the trash. So, she did scold me but just cleaned it up and fed me more good food. I am still skinny and mom frowns when she runs her hands over my spine and ribs but I am putting on weight.

And I have finally figured out that all those toys are for me to play with. I don't have to run away and hide them. They are mine.

And I can lay down anywhere I want. No one is making me move along.


Sigh. I am happy. I am beginning to believe that I get to live in a heaven like this forever.

Oh and thanks to all of you for being my new friends and giving me those awesome stars and sweet rosette. Sure makes a guy feel welcome!

My first day in my forever home

My mom was surprised because I acted like nothing happened at the vet's office. I kissed the vet profusely because I don't hold any grudges. I yawned a few times and that was it. You would never know I'd had surgery! What is a little anthesia after what I have lived through before coming home.

I Lily and she loves me, I think. Mom doesn't let us get to carried away or play too rough because I ams recovering.


I tried to makr everything in my new home so that everyone knows that I am happy to be here and never want to leave. But mom put a belly band on me so I guess she didn't like my marking idea. I get it, I get it -- potty outside.

I learned the doggie door after being home only about 6 hours. Mom thinks I am very intelligent and bright. She wants me to be trainable, whatever that is.


I know my name. And I like it because I did get a second chance. I try to come when called. That's what we are really working on right now. I like to come because I get a yummy treat.

Of course I didn't eat much last night. And I am not sure about the kibble this morning. But I love those cookies!

I hadn't seen a cat up close before. I was curious but cautious. Tigger the oldest kitty let me lay down next to her on the couch which is cool. Stormy the youngest like to rub up against me. Buddy this Siamese lets me sniff him but that's it for now. Ella and Athena don't let me get to close. yet. But I am sure that I can win them over in time.

I slept in my new soft sided crate in the bedroom last night. I didn't think I was allowed to sleep in the bed but Lily does so I may try that tonight.

I have been soooo happy during my first day in my forever home. I am a lucky dog. My mom's human daughter and her hubby came to meet me rthis morning. They love me too and called me a good dog. I have never heard good dog before and now I hear it like all the time. It's so nice. My family has welcomed me and took me in and I feel loved. Sigh