Nobody’s Dog

Yesterday I came across this very sad poem on the Starting Over Dog Resuce Facebook page, and I thought I would share it as a timely reminder now that summer is on its way out, and we have been getting the rain and the thunder and lightening.

If there is one thing that absolutely terrifies dogs that is thunder. Fortunately not all dogs are scared of thunder, but most are. This fear has caused many dogs to dig out of their back yards and venture out into the sometimes dangerous, sometimes cruel world.

If your dog is not microchipped and he does not have a nametag your chances of being reunited with him are quite slim.

Why would anyone want to take such a risk?

Dexter is an inside dog but even an inside dog can occasionally get out. It doesn’t take much, a gate that was not closed properly, a hole that had not been refilled.

Fortunately my Dexter is microchipped, is your dog?

NOBODY’S DOG

Today is the death day of nobody’s dog
Nothing will mark it but a note in the log
I’m faceless and nameless and no tears will fall
For I know in your world I have no worth at all

To you, my sweet someone, I’m a friend and a dear
We ran the wind daily and you held me so near
But the gate was left open – I chanced a walk on my own
I’d have cowered in fear if only I’d known

I know how you cried on the night that I strayed
I know how you searched, I know how you prayed
But I went to a pound far far from our home
Where I crouched in despair in my kennel alone

I know that you phoned for I heard your dear voice
And I hoped you would hear me so I barked myself hoarse
Although I’m a Lab cross with stockings all white
On their form I’m a Staff cross – the description’s not right

So they said I’m not here and I sank to my bed
My kennel cough’s worse and I can’t raise my head
The rescue came yesterday but they hadn’t a place
For an un-neutered cross breed with his mucus-streaked face

If only you’d come to search for me here
You would have known me at once, you would have sensed I was near
You would have sorted my ills, you would have carried me home
And I promise our God no more would I roam

Now my eyes plead for mercy for my seven days are done
And I am waiting with dread for the final vet run
No arms will caress me as they inject me to death
No words will comfort me as I take my last breath

When the body man comes, it is fitting I’m found
In a bin bag in the freezer in the depths of the pound
Thrown away like the rubbish – no respect and no shame
Denied even the time to find you again

My loyalty and devotion they did cruelly betray
Without microchip or nametag, I am just a dispensable stray
Once waggy-tailed, once proud, beloved and free
Oh Dad look with pain at what mankind’s done to me!

Author Unknown

Getting a pet? Have you done your homework?

If you are thinking about getting a pet for your family the three most important things to consider are:

1. Your Time or commitment factor- how much time do you really have to devote to this animal?

2. Size, how much room do you have- do you have a large yard, or do you live in a unit or apartment.

3. Price how much money can you afford to spend on your pet. It’s not just the initial price of purchase but also the ongoing costs of care such as food, medical bill etc.

Once you have answered these three questions you can then move onto the fun part which is actually choosing your pet . Cat, dog, rabbit, bird, fish, skink, hermit crab, frog, alpaca the list is endless .

I know that baby animals are so adorable but there is a lo to be said about rescuing an animal in need, more often then not these pets turn out to be the best ones. So before you rush off to the pet shops or breeders why not have a look through the animal shelters first or the even trading post, you just never know what you might find, your new best friend could be there waiting eagerly for you.

If you would like some information on a particular animal or alternatively if there is anything you would like to know any problems you may be having with an existing pet and would like some helpful solutions let me know and I will try my best to find the easiest, most environmentally friendly solution I can.

Microchips…who..why..how..

I have been noticing a lot lately, that more and more pets that are found wandering the streets, have incorrect microchip details. They seem to either still have the breeders details or the animal has been re-homed and the microchip details have not been updated accordingly.

Who is responsible for updating microchip details? Is it the current owner of the pet or the person re-homing the pet? What about registration when an animal is registered at the council the microchip details are required, is this sufficient? Where do you get the relevant forms to update microchip details and can this be done on line?

I wanted to know the answer to all of these questions, so I set to work and this is what I have found: There are quite a few microchip registers in Australia, we have The National Pet Register, Central Animal Records, Microchip Australia, Australasian Animal Register and Pet Address, and even though everyone of these services can access the others data base you really cannot register your pet on more than one register.

Also if you do not know who the previous owners were or if the breeder has changed address and cannot be contacted there are quite a few hoops you will need to jump through in order to add your details to the microchip register. The whole process is long and complicated and seriously needs to be looked at.

Before you can even start though you will need to visit your vet and have your pet scanned for that elusive microchip number (word of warning – microchips can move around over time ).

When it comes down to it I guess you can never be too cautious it pays to cover your bases if nothing else but for your own peace of mind.