it's been a sad sad day

Just about every day, we hear from dogs about another instance of IMHA/IMTP, both, one, the other or either, some by way of diagnosis, some due to loss, others regarding maintenance of the disease. Many days, it's far more than one.

So when we heard from HQ tonight that sending a PPR asking new pals to consider corralling us for charitable means, stating quite clearly that someone else is making a donation as a result that our pals see this as SPAM, and would we cease and desist.

We hear from mates just about every day as well that they appreciate what we're hoping to do, and they want to help. How can anyone write in criticism and suggest [that] asking for a mate has but an ulterior motive).!.?.! Ah yes, the cause may be noble, but... I only want your corral, pal. Have we ever left someone out in the cold that ever came to us for anything?

We do what we can to help others all the time and in fairness we might never have accomplished all we have thus far on behalf of a quest for a cure without that click by a pal, but this is one of the most sad and absurd things I've ever heard in this community to date. How can pennies per a 3way corral hurt anyone?

Well, it did.

If anyone has felt this way, now or in the past, then we cannot begin to apologize enough. I'm sorry but it is for the benefit of everydog and cat we do what we do. That it's done in Mica's memory stands for absolutely everything in our mom's heart and mind. Anything less would be agony.

If you write and don't hear from us, please don't take it personally. I'm not sure this is the place for us to be right now.

angel mica-the wonderpup, mirra & mel

we're gonna repeat this all 3 ways, so that we reach as many mates as we can. thanks for your understanding.

ALL the purple girls speak out

Thanks to Deanna, Jezzie & Bruti's mom, this has been brought to national attention.
The link below will take you to the page on "FOR THE LOVE OF THE DOG" site. The petition STILL NEEDS signatures, and the story in Black & White makes us SEE RED.

You do NOT have to view the video in order to act.
We would appreciate your support. This officer, guilty of abuse of HIS OWN K9 partner, a Belgian Malinois, is expected to regain his job..

ACTING HERE WILL HELP PREVENT THAT TRAVESTY. HE DOES NOT DESERVE HIS JOB, HE DESERVES TO BE PROSECUTED FOR ANIMAL ABUSE.

THANK YOU.

Love, angel mica, mirra, the purple girls of oregon and mel, their mom


http://petloverstips.com/ForTheLoveoftheDog/news-up dates/judge-rules-reinstate-nc-
trooper-charles-jones-call- to-action#more-1603

Judge Rules; Reinstate NC Trooper Charles Jones - Call to Action!
Posted on 2008 under Companion & Service Dogs, Crimes Against Canines, Just Sad :(, Laws
& Legislation, News & Updates, Torture, Video |

6 June
Sgt. Charles Jones show hanging and kicking K-9 partnerIt is totally incomprehensible to me
that anyone could possibly recommend that NC Trooper Charles Jones be reinstated after
viewing the violent abuse against his K-9 that was videotaped! Not only reinstated, but have
his back wages and lawyer’s fees paid!

Administrative Law Judge Fred Morrison, who handed down the recommendation, stated that
Jones was fired without the incident being properly investigated. How the hell much
investigation does it take to look at a videotape and see that this trooper’s disciplinary
method was violent and abusive? What kind of an excuse can someone give for doing
something like that that would make it acceptable?

State employees are not allowed to be fired or demoted unless there is just cause, and the
stateSgt. Charles Jones must be able to prove that there is just cause in each case. In his
ruling, Judge Morrison said that the burden of proof was not met and that Jones was making
“a good faith training effort to make Ricoh release.” (News 14)

Good faith training effort?!?!? Hanging, kicking and beating the dog is a “good faith training
effort”?

Testimony also included troopers saying training methods included whatever worked with
their dogs, including: choke collars, stun guns, sticks, cans filled with rocks, Alpha Rolls,
windmilling, helicoptering, tying-off, tethering, lifting-up. They seemed to believe all these to
be acceptable ‘training methods’.

Lt. Everett Clendenin, a spokesman for the Patrol, said the agency will likely contest the
judge’s ruling. Crime Control and Public Safety Secretary Bryan Beatty still believes Jones
should have been fired.

“We’re surprised. We believe this agency did the right thing, based on the investigation,
based on the video. “And we stand by that decision that we made,” spokesman Lt. Everett
Clendenin said Thursday.

In September on 2007, Sgt Charles Jones was fired from his position after he was
videotaped on August 8, 2006, hanging and kicking his K-9 partner, a 9 year old Belgian
Malinois, because he would not drop a toy. This was after he had ‘helicoptored’ the dog, a
technique in which a dog is swung off the ground by his leash.

“Dog experts say trooper Jones’ conduct was completely unacceptable,” Easley said Thursday
following the judge’s decision. “If the state has to resort to that level of cruelty to train dogs
demonstrated in the video by trooper Jones, then they will simply not be in the dog
business.”

At this point the judge’s ruling is just a recommendation and will be reviewed by the Office of
State Personnel, which can reject, modify or agree with the decision.

Jones originally faced a three-day suspension, based on the first video. But patrol Captain
Ken Castelloe, who was Internal Affairs director at the time, said he recommended firing
Jones after reviewing the second video. He said it showed that Jones’ actions were more
egregious because he left the dog hanging after it had released the toy.

Bryan Beatty, secretary of the state Department of Crime Control and Public Safety, testified
that Jones was fired only after a careful review.

Disturbed by evidence that some troopers thought kicking a dog was acceptable training and
that testimony about “abusing dogs to get compliance” was inconsistent with an independent
review of the K-9 program, Beatty, suspended K-9 operations following testimony from
Jones’ hearing.

Morrison also said, “My final conclusion is that the State of North Carolina forego the future
use of dogs such as Ricoh for law enforcement purposes, unless it purchases fully trained
canines to be handled by fully trained troopers who are given specific written compliance
techniques.”

You can watch the video clip below - WARNING - it may disturb some viewers

[Click to play video] NC Trooper Abuses K-9 Partner

Public opinion has run high regarding this case with an extreme majority in favor of the
firing of the trooper and many feeling that not only should the trooper be fired but also face
criminal prosecution for animal abuse.

The PETITION calling for Justice for K-9 officers and prosecution for Jones has almost 1000
signatures, some of them recent as yesterday after the ruling was handed down. Needless to
say, people are not pleased!!

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

You can show your displeasure by writing, calling and emailing. Be polite and courteous but
let the Judge, Governor and Officers of NC law enforcement know that you are displeased
with the ruling and in favor of keeping Jones off the force. The judge’s ruling is NOT FINAL! It
has yet to be reviewed by the Office of State Personnel, which can reject, modify or agree
with the decision.

WRITE or CALL NOW!

Administrative Law Judge Fred Morrison, NC Office of Administrative Hearings
(919) 733-2691

Governor Mike Easley — In favor of the firing
http://www.governor.state.nc.us/email.asp?to=1 or governor.office@ncmail.net
(919) 733-4240 or (919) 733-5811

Crime Control and Public Safety Secretary Bryan Beatty — In favor of the firing
(919) 733-2126 or http://www.nccrimecontrol.org/ContactUs.cfm and choose Office of the
Secretary in the dropdown

Captain Ken Castelloe, NC State Highway Patrol – Supported firing (not after seeing the first
video, which is absurd, but after watching the second video), but makes way too many
excuses for the perp officer
(919) 733-7952

Public Information Officer Lt. Everett Clendenin
(919) 733-5027

OMD.. a woofday poem from uncle Angus the Warrior

In a wink and a twirl
Our sweet birthday girl
Is all grown up
From a dervish of a pup
Finding her way
And making her fun
Into a beautiful Belgian
And Mom’s ray of sun

thanks uncle Angus, you're the best!
love, mirra

Been tagged, played and suggesting a way for a game of tag- to evolve...

I have been tagged by my swell pal Sadie 711675.

Here are the rules to this game of tag:

(Please consider our revision at the bottom)

Each player tells 7 facts about themselves. Then, chooses 7 pups to tag and lists their names. Let them know by paw mail or by a rosette that they've been tagged, then to read your diary for instructions on how to play!

Here’s 7 facts about me:

1. I was sent by an Angel.

2. I’m a half-Canadian, half-American Belgian Oregonian (CABO for short) and stand or even will lie down for world peace.

3. I’m very kind (even to squirrels).

4. I’m lightning fast, sure on my feet & still can render myself invisible at times (or so mom says).

5. I like all kinds of weather, whether or not that matters.

6. I like to nap upside down, stretched out at nearly one and half times my body length, back legs splayed out, head facing one way and one paw opposite side touching a wall. (AKA my power yoga nap). P.S. the peeps say it looks kind of twisted.

7. I love pretty much everything in life, including cabbage.

Thanks Sadie. I’d like to tag 7 mates because my friend was kind enough to pick me, but Mica & I wondered if we could suggest a new game of tag that was little different?

We like to learn new things each day, and this is a game we’d very much like to play.
(Thank you for considering it)

Maybe mates we tag might be willing to share with others 3 ways they try to make a difference in the lives of dogs (or animals in general)?

Mica helped me with the list but we thought these mates could help us get started. In no particular order…tagging 7 as per the rules of the game...

1) Lena Malik 98633
2) Takoda 762637
3) Flicka 655533
4) Demon 292006
5) Hildy 496159
6) Daisy Mae 439979
7) Luna 565707

It's all about timing and whether you care

It hailed 3 times today. I was lucky enough to be out in it twice. The first time we had just come inside, so I watched from the window. I like all kinds of weather, though even in winter, I sit in the shade if there is any to be found. Just thought you might like to know that about me. I am told I come from sound working stock, (herding & tracking) so I can weather anything. BOL!

The other night there was a wind storm. Mica's wind chimes sang the whole time, but that's a good thing. There is still some discrepancy between mom & my count of downed pines cones, however. Mom says she believes it was 248. I think she's off by at least 10, and since I can count to 258, she should trust me. She says when I ran off to patrol the property, being wary of varmits in such extreme weather events and all, that I didn't keep actual count. humph.

We consider any that fall in the yard trespassers. We do have a NO Trespassing sign after all. Then again, I guess just like varmits, they can't read either. We like to throw them. No, I don't actually throw them. I nibble, bury, toss up & catch, play keep away and make piles quite adeptly. I once even enjoyed the delights of a conescicle (on film!). I do like to watch them sail over the fence, however. Mom used to pitch softball. Just to give you an idea how many that was the other day, today by comparison, even with hail, there were only 12. The yard was covered in big white apple blossom petals though, so we pretended it was snow.

Whether weather matters must be the moral of the story then.
As a puppy I live and learn. For now I'm tired. Time to nap.
Love, Mirra

Whoever you are you're sadly mistaken (addendum)

We received a PPR from a swell little dog in California named Max, who said a friend of his owner (this time a human) claims to have been Mirra's prior owner.

This person, who for now shall remain nameless, is absolutely wrong.

Mirra came directly from Canada from her breeder, Attra Dea Belgians, at 7 weeks of age. She travelled with her sister Sufi and a pack of Belgians by way of her sire's owners Obsidian Belgians, here in Oregon.

I have no clue why this individual is spreading false information, yet we find it rather disturbing.

We'd also like it to cease and desist.

If that individual UNDERSTANDS legal ease, they'll get the brunt of this post loud and clear.

Mirra's owner,
Mel

p.s.
We have since given the names of this couple to both the owner of the sire and the dam. Neither knows of these folks and said, you kinda owned Mirra when she was in utero. We can't imagine how someone could get before this?

Maybe they'll tell me.
It is also sad, that with all the important things people can do with their time, all they can think of is to tell lies. Shame on you.

Justice, Please-for Hannah, with thanks to Lena Malik

With kind permission comes this crosspost from the talented & lovely Lena Malik..
few, if any say it better.
thank you for letting us use your words.

April 27th 2008 7:47 pm

But my heart is huge.
I cannot wrestle from my mind the injustice of my friend Hannah the Brave
Sure I myself was a rescue pup and live in the comfort and safety of the home my humom provides for me but the FACT is Hannah's life is under investigation and we are getting the run around, cloak and dagger and wishes of people in power to make her story go away. This is not just for her, this is for all pups who have had to serve the horrific crime of inhumane breeding practices/puppy mills....of every single underdog that has had to gamble their lives to chance.
Please read and sign and pass along her petition. I am so tired of all the injustices we pups have had to go through, we need paws in action.show of concern and determined minds to act now because it's everywhere around us....some want to put their blinders on or not face the issues and combat them but if our humans who love and care for us do not act, who will for the love of DOG?!!!
Justice for Hannah petition!

visit our pal Lena Malik at:
Lena Malik

rock dogs rock!

if you'd like to see some of my family in action, like my dad Rogue (who will be with my pretend grandpa Dave), & uncle Rocky (with my pretend grandma Joan), here's a link to some agility footage.

they're Obsidian Belgians, which makes them rock dogs, but they rock anyway, to me. hope you'll enjoy them too..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZzCc5SZXnQc

love, mirra

Been Tagged

Hello everypup.

I have just been tagged by that handsome lad about town Redford. Thanks buddy. Mica & I were recently tagged, so some of it may be a bit repetitive.

Here are the 4 questions that need answering, then I get to tag 4 more pals to do the same.

Name 4 jobs that you have:

1. Supervising the resident chef
2. Puppy psychologist (I’m told I’m a good listener)
3. Personal trainer (for the pawrents)
4. Laundry inspector

Name 4 places where you have lived:

1. B.C. Canada (where I was born)
2. Aurora, OR (where we live)
3. In my crate, with an open-door policy
4. Under mom’s bed or desk, depending where she is at the time

Name 4 places that you have been:

1. British Columbia
2. Washington State
3. My sister Mckenna’s house in Portland
4. The v-e-t (said in a whisper too)

Name 4 places you'd rather be:

1. Anywhere there is snow, preferably a lot of it too
2. Any room mom is in, even a closet & EVEN if we don’t fit
3. Here is fine, but outside if possible-I LOVE all kinds of weather
4. Speaking of which, I must run, there’s a squirrel I need to chase

Friends I’m tagging: (in no particular order)

Sirius 715569
Island Guide Dog 496153
Angel Runt 432160
Daisy 99444

To GET me and to LET me

I have a really nice bed, but then again I don't.

Mica had some nice ones too, which I was introduced to before my own. The pawrents don't understand, but it seems I want to annihilate them, but not just beds, even stuff like blankets.. (see my apres bath purple blanket ballet video)..
there's just something about soft stuff that makes me go bonkers.

Mckenna and dad thought that I didn't accept these things because they had been Mica's, but mom held her ground. We tested that theory when my new bed came from Canada, my homeland recently!
Surely enough I wanted to kill it too.
(sigh)
We have an open crate policy (ever since the week before Christmas), but so far I need to stay in the bedroom at night. I know Mica got to wander wherever she wanted to but I guess I'm still a puppy- there's time..
I have jumped up on the bed, but that's extremely rare. Mom says it's kinda like me settling upon hot coals. I barely touch it and am flying off to the safety of the hardwood floor. She tries to coax me up. Recently, she catches me 'sleeping' on the bed, though ALWAYS with my 2 back feet on terra firma.
They say it's cute, but I couldn't tell you.

Then, after my new bed came last week, and it was taken away AGAIN, I was told I just don't seem to be ready for it. Later that night I took mom's pillow under the bed, (for the first time) right at bedtime! I often start out in the magic den I made all by myself under the bed. I didn't eat or destroy it. She told dad and Mckenna she thinks I made the association to the new bed being kinda nice- soft & cushy and shaped like & about the size of the pillow.

I was asked not to repeat that, and being the good obedient puppy I try to be, I didn't.

Dad usually rises first and takes me to do my 'chores'.
I usually fly up 2 flights of stairs to tell mom everything, and this morning, I jumped up on the bed, over mom, onto the floor, immediately did the same going the complete opposite direction, then on the third try settled down alongside her to stay.
That must be where the third time's the charm expression comes from?!

Suddenly, the light bulb went off over my head (and twin peaks ears of course). Mom nearly cried, and I then showed dad how comfy & cozy we were. I guess I was proud of myself and liked the praise! I jumped off, then jumped up and found a good spot at the foot of the bed and curled up once more. More praise! Hey this is good stuff!

It was time to get up, but mom said she thought it was a huge breakthrough for me. I'll be 10 months old tomorrow. They say I have a way about me that is all me. I just DO things my own way and in my own time.

I guess I'm lucky they get me and for the most part, let me.

I heard mom say to Mica, "did you see that girl?" then came the tears.
Mom says she can't wait to go back to bed to see what happens next.
Even I don't know what will happen, but she was right about one thing, it was better than the couch.