Petco entry for the win

Here is Leslie's entry for the Petco contest for Reunion Rescue's chance to win $10,000 for the dogs!

 Gauguin: The Art of the Dog

My dog Van Gogh had died at home and was buried under a headstone that said “Companion, Friend, Teacher.” Then there was nothing left but my grief. I knew I wanted another dog, but I was looking for a pit bull because of how maligned they are and Van Gogh had been a pit bull terrier. I emailed Cindy at Reunion Rescue about a couple of dogs on their site. Cindy listened and said she had a dog that needed a friend. She said, “Festus” had been found on a brutally cold day and taken in by someone who couldn't keep him. Festus was a few months old still in “training.” He had been in two foster homes and a failed adoption. Cindy said we should both go for a walk and I should “check him out like a library book.” Reunion Rescue has a foster to adopt program and a 100% lifetime guarantee so no pet ever goes back to a shelter.

I took gangly Festus for a walk and was told he was kind of a pain – super energetic and athletic. After the walk we played fetch and he and I fell into a nice rhythm. I did NOT feel ready, but sometimes the dog knows better and “our time” was just beginning. We have the best adoption day picture EVER. The kids in the neighborhood all came over that day to meet him and they took him on a walk. Everybody loved him.

 

Throughout many other fosters, other cats, a turtle and many moves, Gauguin (renamed from a close friend to Van Gogh) has weathered the storms. Gauguin outlasted my marriage and several moves – including a cross-country move from Texas to Minnesota with Gauguin in the passenger seat. 

 

Throwback to his beginnings on that “brutally cold day” and now he has many fashionable coats to keep him warm and dry. He has run many miles and we still walk twice a day. From his frenetic youth, he has slowed to a very sweet guy who loves to lean on me. He is like a Gauguin painting, colorful, bright, mystical.

 

 

 

 

He's not your average cuddler, but he does allow me to use his hip as a pillow. I am very grateful that he was there with me to visit my difficult mother. He was there for me when I went to her funeral. He always travels back and forth from Texas with me and while he does not seem to enjoy it - he does it without complaint.

Wherever we walk he chooses human and animal friends to visit and people are so proud to be “chosen.” I get lots of strange looks and chuckles as I call him “Sir” when addressing him. It reminds me that he deserves the respect of being a separate and whole entity with his own life beyond our friendship. 

Gauguin is my best friend in the world, my soul companion like that Jimmie Dale Gilmore song, “Reunion,” “we’ll remember that we’ve never been apart.” 

 

 

Austin, TX: Chained dog in terrible situation and no one will help

A kind neighbor of this abused pet is begging authorities for help. The neighbor's dog is chained on a

heavy chain out of distance from water. He has been licking the puddled water on debris left in the yard in an effort to try and cure his thirst.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/jot7t4mhywgdiil/20140225_093411.mp4 

Heavy tow chained abused dog in Austin, Texas

The neighbor never sees the animal being fed, much less petted, walked, cared for. She has called animal control over and over and finally "The Deputy that showed-up on 2/21/2014, for my third call to "311", was Sheriff Deputy Tony Alvarado. He gave me Case Number: 14-4382. He stated he would have the case assigned and also have Travis County Animal Control contacted."

 "I have reached out over-and-over to help this dog get the proper care or be put out of its' misery. No one will help. EVERYONE, including my closest friends turn the other cheek and tell me to stay out of it. I CANNOT CONSCIOUSLY IGNORE THIS. As of 2 weeks ago, the Owner of this neglected and sickly dog has decided to invest in landscape materials. NOT A FENCE THOUGH!!!

The dog has been relocated to the other end of the backyard and still tethered. I was waiting it out to see if this guy was actually investing into his beautiful yard to accommodate the needs of his family dog, but NO, NOTHING as of yet!

The gate I provided to him almost a year ago is now wedged in the privacy as if he is giving it back to me. I do not understand why this is allowed anywhere!!! What is it I need to do to get anyone's attention when animals are being mistreated??? I wish I had a hotline to the WhiteHouse to give a piece of my mind.

Better yet, live satellite feed until people come to their senses and pull their selfish heads out of their asses!!! At this point, I do NOT want "REPLIES", just "RESULTS"!!! I apologize in advance for any offensive yelling and/or statements..."

"Thank you for the information, your help and advise. I have attached what videos & pics I have. The two video links are from back in September I believe. Please let me know if you have any trouble viewing them. Calling Travis County to come out has not worked so far. It will also cause problems for me; as I am the neighbor.

 I am also afraid my calling the law a third time may put my dogs in danger by upsetting these people, but I cannot sit here and watch this poor dog suffer anymore. It is out there chewing on its' water bucket begging for at least water.

The address I listed in the Subject Line is where this dog is."

https://www.dropbox.com/s/7jdpo3dsmqam08q/2013-10-24%2019.41.20.mp4 

https://www.dropbox.com/s/xeej3vxpdxjqrax/2013-10-24%2019.31.06.mp4 

This good person has watched this dog chained and miserable during heavy thunderstorms, extreme freezing, heat waves without any help.

Please call Austin Animal Center

(512) 978-0500

Reference CASE # 14-4382

Tethering is ILLEGAL in Travis County...please report!