We are family - get up everybody and sing

Today was one of those best days of my whole life. I went out to the ranch prepared to give the B-4's yard a good cleaning and dig up some more of the submerged blankets. I think I got all of them but one that's lodged under the fence. Next week I'm bringing my knife to cut out the part I dug up.

 
I got Paolo really good and brushed with a lot of his clumpy matts removed. I do not believe he's ever been brushed in all his seven years of life. I must have brushed out a garbage bag full of old dirty clumps. He was so gentle and pleased to have the attention. He just sat and let me comb him for a good 45 minutes. I've still got a ways to go, but plan on making a weekly habit of this. He still doesn't have the treat thing down, but dang, we've got our whole lives to learn, right?

The girls were all over me. Getting their rawhide twirls and some cookies. They got new balls and a rope toy. It was a hit with Paolo which was a big surprise. But, the biggest breakthrough for me was Rza who used to be Dorothy. She and I had a special moment at the end of my visit. She came and sat on my lap and let me hug and kiss on her. This little girl is so loving. She really trusts me and was the last to come around. Oh, but worth the wait. I really love these dogs. They are so very special. Each and every one of them. All four. A family unit.

Don't mess with Texas!

Willie, pitties, cookies and a house party

Rza, Sza, Cardi B and Paolo moved into their own cabin last week and are just lovin' it. They've got their own little house and a yard, almost like a real home. Everybody's doing good past their spay/neuter surgeries. I was worried about the girls, but they're tuff. It was Paolo who threw us for a scare. His incision came loose and had to be re-stitched. What he needed was a little Neosporin, Colloidal Silver and a few doses of Hypericum homeopathy.
I spent the whole day driving there listening to Willie Nelson..it's his 90th birthday and the station we listen to at Reunion Rescue 24/7 for the pit bulls is KUTX. Each year they play all Willie on the weekend to celebrate his birthday. So it was real extra special this year. What other artist does country, folk, rock 'n roll, gospel, soul, rhythm and blues and reggae...and all pretty dang good. So it was real spiritual driving to spend my regular Saturday with the Bakersfield 4. Willie really put me in the mood. I have a lot to be thankful for and plan on following Mr. Nelson right on up to nonagenarian country. I'm about to cross on over to septuagenarian-ville next year, so all's good.
I have two more chapters and the introduction to record for the Pit Bull Nation audiobook and it's pretty good if I say so myself. I wrote an afterward for this new special edition on sale tomorrow April 30. It features the Bakersfield 4 and how I have come to know them. The audiobook will follow soon, but has to go through the screening process first. Please stay tuned because I'm going to sell these books to pay for the Bakersfield 4 boarding. Feel free to share with a friend. This book has so much good information valuable dog stuff, from training to holistic health, how to feed raw and never go to the vet. Also how to get those dogs out of high kill shelters. It's a great book for not only pet owners but also new adopters, for shelters, for rescuers both old and new.
So here's to on the road again with Willie and blue skies...and listening to what the blues are saying..only my blues are pocket pittes and they are always, always on my mind. Enjoy the photos of their new house.

And please sign up for the new Reunion Rescue newsletter - organizing to #savelives just like the Bakersfield 4. 

From London to Texas: a raw food love story

When Salina Mccullough heard about Austin Pets Alive, she was compelled to uproot from her native London and travel around the world to Austin. Salina wanted to be a part of the largest no kill city in the United States. Talk about a leap of faith! 
She had heard about the work APA was doing to stop mass euthanasia of companion animals in city shelters. Austin Pets Alive! has created programs to save the key demographics of pets that hadn’t been making it out of our municipal shelter alive. These key groups of animals included puppies with parvovirus, unweaned kittens, cats with ringworm, dogs and cats in need of additional behavioral support and/or additional medical attention.

By developing comprehensive, innovative programs that targeted these key groups of animals and pulling directly from euthanasia lists, Austin Pets Alive! has saved more than 25,000 dogs and cats since 2008.

That was six years ago. Salina's life was about to change and lead her down a path she'd never envisioned. Salina became a volunteer for Austin Pets Alive! immediately upon arriving in Austin. She trained under Roman Gottfried to become a certified holistic handler. She now lives with three rescued pups, Ruby-Sue, Barnie and Daisy-Mae. Ruby, a 10 pound Maltese/Terrier mix has symptoms of autism and has been Salina's greatest challenge. Barnie is apug-chihuahua who only used three of his legs when he was adopted by Salina. He was in great pain and had suffered multiple fractures.

Daisy-Mae was terrified and could not be touched when she was rescued. She bit Salina several times during the first six months, but Salina wouldn't give up. Finally, Daisy let out a huge sigh and sank into Salina's arms. She was breathing a sigh of relief as she had finally realized she was in a safe

place.

Salina started feeding raw about 18 months ago. She orders from BARF World, a company which ships fresh organic raw food all over the United States. She stumbled upon raw-feeding when unable to find a cure for Ruby's itchy skin. After much research, she decided to give raw a whirl. Previously, Salina had cooked their food, but discovered cooking kills the enzymes dogs and cats need to thrive and live healthy lives.

Ruby's skin cleared completely up after 6 months eating BARF diet. When Salina did a bit more research, she realized the flea and heart worm prevention medication was compromising their recovery and health. She completely stopped the prevention meds.

 
Salina says, "my three are the epitome of health. BARF is delivered packed in dry ice in frozen patties and that makes things easy for me, I simply get a couple out at night and they are defrosted by the morning. They do contain veggies but I like to add fresh veggies like broccoli, carrot, kale to add some texture and variety. 

The staff at BARF are wonderful, they are thoughtful and genuinely love and care about dogs. When I first signed up with them Autumn and I exchanged photos and stories of our babies."
Salina is at work building a website to help other pets in need with training and diet. Stay tuned in to Pit Bulls and Other Animals for updates and more pet stories.

Feed those birds!!!

http://www.examiner.com/animal-advocacy-in-austin/austin-texas-bird-lovers-feeding-your-cage-bird-a-healthy-homemade-diet

"I will lend to you, a bird", God said, and teach you all you have to do...
             ...and when I call him back to heaven, you will know he loved you too…..(author unknown)

Avian Avenue’s website has some sage advice for the caged bird enthusiast. “A healthy parrot starts with a healthy diet.” There are almost as many parrot and cage bird websites as there are pet birds. One common factor all agree on is a diet enthused with :essential nutrients, vitamins and minerals.”

According to Avian Avenue, a ‘healthy diet can help aid a bird’s immune system in keeping illnesses away’ and fresh foods added to a cage bird’s diet will not only ‘increase their health, but may also prolong their lifespan.’

The site provides a list of suggestions for the novice:

1.   Before you make the switch
2.   Sprouty Goodness
3.   Mash-terpiece
4.   Ingenuity
5.   Morning Feed
6.   Cold Turkey
7.   From Seeds to Pellets
8.   Sweet Treats
9.   Pellet Paste
10. Size matters
11. Juicy Supreem

Just like the raw food craze sweeping the nation for people, birds enjoy and thrive from a sprouted diet.

The Kitchen Physician website hosts an excellent article on sprouting by Carolyn Swicegood. According to Swicegood, “Sprouts are the only food on the planet that meets these seemingly impossible requirements. The germinating seed is in the maximum growth phase of the immature plant. It has been described as "a chemical vitamin factory in high gear, cranking out antioxidants and chlorophyll, and repackaging minerals and trace elements in a more bio-available form."

All of the stored food and enzymes needed for the growth of an entire new plant are mobilized as the seed sprouts. Protein, carbohydrates and fats are broken down (predigested) to free up amino acids, simple sugars and soluble compounds. Essential minerals such as calcium and magnesium are supplied by sprouts in chelated form for better assimilation.”

She offers easy step by step instructions for bird lovers who want the very best for their feathered companions.

•  SELECT seeds that have been grown organically or that are free of harmful chemicals.
•  MEASURE one half cup each of shelled sunflower seeds, mung beans, lentils and wheat berries. Measuring will become unnecessary once you become accustomed to sprouting.
•  INSPECT and remove broken and damaged seeds which will not sprout and can cause spoilage.
•  RINSE well until the water runs clear.
•  SOAK overnight in pure water (and antibacterial solution if desired). Water level should be well above the top of the seeds to allow for swelling. Houseplants can benefit from the nutrients in the soak water.
•  RINSE well in the morning.
•  SPREAD seeds in colanders, glass jars, or pans and place in a dark, well-ventilated area.
•  RINSE well several times a day.
•  HARVEST when small tails appear, usually in one or two days.
•  DRAIN UNTIL DRY before serving to your birds. Dry sprouts will continue to grow in your birds' dishes during the day instead of spoiling as wet or cooked foods often do.

If the old hippy-style version is too complicated for the birdy’s household, easy sprouting set-ups and ingredients can be ordered online from sites like Sprout People or China Prairie.

For the wise owl who wishes to insure his companion of both a diet as close to the wild as can be mimicked, the productHerb Salad for Birds is the ticket. These herbs contain the ingredients birds seek out to repair damaged organs, fight off infection and improve the skin, beak, feather conditions and aid in digestion.

Made up of organic harvested astragalus, barberry, chickweed, dandilion, echinacea, elderberry, garlic, kelp, lavender, licorice, marshmallow, milk thistle, oatstraw, olive leaf, pau d’ arco, plaintain, red clover, spirulina, thyme, valerian, wormwood and yarrow, these herbs have been known to heal sick birds when other pharmaceutical medications have failed.

Just for fun and on the off chance that the pet bird is still hungry, try making birdy bread. There are many sites which provide great recipes, but for the healthy conscious, Holistic Bird offers some organic ideas that rival some people bakeries.

Feeding a bird a good homemade natural diet is very rewarding and nothing is sweeter than the song of a healthy bird.

*Please consult a holistic avian veterinarian before transitioning your bird to a homemade diet.

Please send all animal advocacy tips and stories to doggirl1@earthlink.net.

Author – Pit Bull Nation

Live Chat Software

The story of Batgirl’s rescue: a long road to recovery

Batgirl at Town Lake ACC

The story of Batgirl has gained national attention over the past two years in bringing awareness to animal abuse, hoarding and cruelty.

Batgirl was beaten with a baseball bat and sentenced to die in Austin at the former animal intake facility, Town Lake Shelter.

http://www.examiner.com/article/a-dog-named-batgirl

American Pit Bull Examiner and National Dog Examiner wrote several pieces about Batgirl, but no one stepped forward to save her.

http://www.examiner.com/article/batgirl-beaten-with-a-baseball-bat-and-waiting-to-die-austin-texas

http://www.examiner.com/article/update-batgirl-s-last-day-on-earth

On my birthday, April 26, 2011, I couldn’t stand the thought of losing this precious dog. I drove down to Town Lake and adopted her privately as Reunion Rescue is not an Austin ACC partner.

On her way to Spindletop

What followed over the next two years is a story even worse that what Batgirl had experienced and covered in the articles.

Like many others in rescue, we believed in the longtime rehabilitation work being done at Spindletop outside Conroe, Texas and arranged to bring Batgirl there for boarding and intensive rehab work with the ‘professionals.’

What followed was like something from a horror movie. On July 17, 2012, Spindletop was raided and almost 300 dogs were confiscated. Luckily, Batgirl was one of the survivors.

http://doggirlpitbull.blogspot.com/2012_08_09_archive.html

Batgirl is now called BeBe and still updated regularly on Pit Bulls and Other Animals blog and her Facebook page, For the Love of Batgirl.

We are trying to put the sparkle back in BeBe's eyes

When BeBe arrived last summer, she was a completely different dog than the one entrusted to Spindletop. She had even more scarring over her body and had literally been driven insane.

Her daily heartworm treatments had been discarded by the proprietor of Spindletop, so she is also in the throes of high heartworm infestation. Her cranium has been fractured from years of abuse and needs to be medically addressed.

BeBe learning how to heal

After months of herbal and homeopathic support, BeBe is recovering, but needs a conventional heartworm cure and other veterinary treatment.

Reunion Rescue has committed to BeBe for the rest of her life, but BeBe needs help. We are reaching out to her followers. Please consider sharing BeBe’s story and consider a small donation toward her care by visiting http:www.reunionrescue.com and click on the Paypal donate button.

All donations go 100% toward BeBe’s care and are tax deductible under Reunion Rescue’s 501©(3) charitable non profit federal entity.

Thank you for helping BeBe and please keep up with her progress on this website, Pit Bulls and Other Animals.