Exposing the Chesterfield County, SC Animal Shelter... and further exposing the killing field

The Chesterfield County, SC Animal Shelter execution of 22+ dogs has been a great deal to digest and absorb since the story first broke last Friday, March 4th.  Personally, time has flown by because I've been working behind the scenes to network every avenue at my disposal to bring awareness to this case.  However, I have felt every single second of it, as my heart continues to break over and over again.

I am only one little voice among many many others who are supporting the Paws and Claws volunteers at the shelter.  Our hearts are all entwined together made up of rescue workers like me, who have pulled dogs and/or cats from this shelter, along with others who have adopted pets from this shelter.  We also count among us various animal advocate entities, and animal lovers whose love and concern has no boundaries, nor borders.  

Our hearts have been assaulted over and over again each time more news breaks.  But, our common bond is helping us push the through the hurt -- just knowing we're a community working from our various communities.  In the midst of what has become our status quo angst, we are very focused and are doing our best to allow our anger to drive us positively  forward.  We are choosing to take the high road in our actions and words.  Why?  It's quite simple.  We need to be taken seriously collectively.  And not be seen as yahoos, or part of a good ole boy network like the Chesterfield County, SC Sheriff's Department and Animal Control Officers have appeared to be.  It's important that although our angst is driving us, that we keep it tempered and not be seen or judged as barbaric like they have.  It's key that we not make a difficult uphill battle, more difficult by behaving like the animals that pulled the triggers.

Our method is working because other animal lovers and advocates from across our nation have taken up this cause and are joining in our outcry.  Additionally, voices from across the oceans to the east and west beyond the borders of the U.S. are adding theirs to ours, and standing firm with us.  

The news media is truly doing a fine job reporting this story and updating it daily.  The most revealing update by far was on Fox News 14 - Charlotte at 10:00 p.m. last night by Morgan Fogarty.  She is digging in deep with her investigative reporting.  She had an exclusive which exposed what too many of us had already suspected.  The sad fact is that the execution style "euthanasias" have been going on for God only knows how long.  Watch via the link below to see for yourself.  There are no graphic images as side from the paw prints in the mud again.  What you will read and hear will be tough to digest.  But, it is essential that you watch as it contains critical information that needs to be exposed and circulated immediately.  My commentary will appear in italics below the link:

Former Chesterfield County Animal Shelter Worker Speaks Out 

Again, Sheriff Parker is playing the victim, in my opinion.  Again, Sheriff Parker is trying to cover numerous tracks about the animal remains in the Chesterfield County, SC Sheriff's Department Firing Range aka landfill by calling it a "PET CEMETERY"?  You have got to be kidding, Sheriff!  But, you aren't!  Please keep opening your mouth wide to the press and putting your foot into as you try to manipulate the story.  Do you not see that you are hanging yourself, your department and everyone attached to your department from your Deputies to your Animal Control Officers?  Do you not see that your behavior is reflecting upon the citizens who put you in office?  Or, you don't.  You're above law and being brutalized by public opinion. 

Plus, you keep saying that your Deputies found only 6 dogs in that landfill.  Have you deemed 6 dogs to be the acceptable limit?  There is NO acceptable limit.  6 is NOT okay.  1 is NOT okay.  And certainly, what I've called a killing field since the story broke with countless remains is NOT okay! 

But, please continue to down play it!  Because it will bite you in the butt and in your career as a sworn to protect and serve with a code of conduct, law enforcement officer.

My question to you, Mr. Sheriff is how much spent ammo will be found in that landfill "pet cemetery" killing field?  Will you tell us that's where the spent rounds are tossed after your Deputies practice or perform their annual qualifications?  My guess, that very well could be another line of defense you'll say on camera at some point. 

I do have to thank you and those who pulled the triggers for not covering up those paw prints in the mud.  They are like shrines to me, much like the Imperial Foods fire in Hamlet, NC on September 3, 1991.  One of the doors which was locked is now in the Smiththonian because it bears the footprints of trapped employees who tried in vain to escape by kicking the padlocked emergency fire door down. It's an example of man's inhumanity to humans.  Those paw prints in the Chesterfield County owned mud, are right up as an example of man's inhumanity to animals.  Not just animals, domestic animals.  Animals who needed a second chance to be loved and adopted.

I was so elated to see that the Department of Health and Environmental Control designated the landfill where the shelter animals were buried, dumped, and bull dozed as an un-permitted site.  And will not be allowed.  The Sheriff indicated by April, or May that should change?  What?

Readers, while you're at it, you should take a moment to learn a bit about the Chesterfield County, SC Animal Shelter Director, Brian Burch.  As you watch and read, ask yourself, how in the heck did he get the job as the Director, much less, an Animal Control Officer with his criminal background?  To me, that's a crime!  Again my commentary will appear in italics below the link.

Again from Fox News 14:

Learning More About Chesterfield Co. Animal Shelter Employees

Either Chesterfield County, SC as a government entity doesn't have any strict employment standards regarding hiring folks with a felony record.  Or, someone just conveniently chose to look the other way.  Did politics play a role in his hiring and being given the Director's title?  It surely smacks of it.  Because of his past, is he someone in a good ole boy network that could be easily trusted to keep his mouth shut?  The truth of the matter is, in such networks, it's always beneficial to have something on someone.  It helps keep the little dirty secrets, secret.  Could he be trusted to lead by example discreetly in carrying out inhumane acts against the animals in his care, such as herding them across the street to the Chesterfield County, SC Sheriff's Department Firing Range for execution, rather than more humanely by injection?  It's appearing as if he was.  Were these heinous acts carried out for budgetary reasons?  Or, target practice for hunting season?   Everything rises and falls on leadership, regardless of the level, the ones in charge always are responsible.  And you are one, sir, that never should have been in charge, much less carry a weapon!

I could add more links, but the two above are enough for now.  As much as I want not a single detail to be lost, I'm sensitive in the breaking hearts and grief this ongoing story causing those you who are following this case via Project Rewire.

Where am I with all of this?  I'm still floating between heart sick and righteous anger, but I'm trying my best to channel it through positive methods.  The image in my mind that will not go away as I shared before, are the paw prints in the mud, that have forever left paw prints on my heart.  The thought of 88 paws was difficult enough, but now the numbers are too numerous to even guess the totals.  My heart feels stampeded upon inside out by the images and muddy paw imprints of those poor precious animals while trying to dodge the bullets being aimed straight at them.  

I'm also remembering sweet sweet Molly the day pulled her and it's tearing me up.   

As I shared in my initial post about this massacre, she could not get out of there fast enough.  She literally drug my husband to our car, and as I mentioned before, she barked her head off for the next 50 miles on our way to get her vetted.  Now, I know what she was trying to tell us.  She knew what they did there.  Dogs do have keen senses and her nose had already told her the story of the killing of field across the street from the shelter.  I'm so thankful to ESRA for requesting that my husband and I pull her.  She was old and had been described as difficult, which means very likely she would have been written off as a senior too difficult to place in a forever home.  Were her days numbered?  My heart tells me they were and now I know why the inmate was so relieved that we'd come to her rescue.  I'm also beyond grateful that she was given a loving foster home to live out her final days.  God bless you, Molly... my heart still isn't over the loss of you.  But, I'm beyond grateful that you were able to enjoy your life before your trip to rainbow bridge.  More than ever.

Now, how can you help to ensure that justice is done for all of the animals remains in the killing field of the Chesterfield County, SC Firing Range -- landfill, or as the Sheriff calls it, "pet cemetery".  Which I knew, was an illegal way to dump animals.  

The most effective way to help is by contacting:

South Carolina Governor, Nikki Haley 

South Carolina Lieutenant Governor, Ken Ard

South Carolina State Attorney General, Alan Wilson

South Carolina State Law Enforcement Division - Greenville Region

Although this case is getting exposure, we need more to ensure that these slain animals get their day in court.  We live in a day where such barbaric acts should be a thing of the past, and not be dismissed, or poo pooed as Sheriff Parker has repeatedly try to do.  Again, I say this is just the tip of the iceberg.  Not only in Chesterfield County, SC, but by making THIS case an example, it gives ground to more cases that are happening across the USA, that need to be exposed.  We need all eyes on this case.  Those of us who are acting as "watchdogs for justice" will help you stay updated.  All we ask is that you help us by adding your voices to ours, or by echoing our voices on behalf of the precious ones who have no voice, nor had a chance to be adopted into forever homes.   

If you don't know where to start, or feel comfortable composing an email, and are concerned about the unaccounted for animals, feel free to either copy and paste my emails to both Governor, Haley and Lieutenant Governor, Ard below.  Or, use it as guide to help your thoughts and words flow.  To me it's important to be direct, polite, and temper the anger, yet demand justice.  Also, it's helpful to personalize causes and issues when dealing with politicians.  Trust me, I know this from experience in trying to bring awareness to Epilepsy and my husband and I have rubbed shoulders with many politicians from the local, state and even the federal level.  So, I chose to include a link to my initial blog entry, to put the faces of three dogs in theirs that represent the ones who were spared.  Yet, could be in the landfill -- killing field, or as the Sheriff calls it, a "pet cemetery".  I want accountability for the 80 or more dogs and cats who are showing as euthanized by the Animal Shelter's own records.  However, only two vials of Phenobarbitol were purchased since last September to be used for euthanasia.  That's enough to put down about 14 animals depending on weight.  I don't want them to slip through the cracks of the investigation.  So much ground time was given during the Sheriff's Department investigation which could lead to evidence tampering and/or cover up.  Thus, I chose to lead with it in my emails to them.   

Governor Haley and Lt. Governor Ard:

Please ensure that the investigations by SLED and the State Attorney General's office dig deep into the deaths of what may be 66 or more animals between the period of last September and last week.  According to news media reports only two vials of Phenobarbital were purchased since the shelter went from a gas chamber to lethal injection euthanasias.  Two vials will put down approximately 14 dogs.  However, 80 or more animals were euthanized over this same period.  This information was given by Whitney Knowlton in an interview with The Cheraw Chronicle.  So, by the Animal Control Officers' own accounting there are many animals that were killed by some other means.  I hope to God each death was humane.

Also, attached is a link to my blog entry.  I'm a rescue worker for English Springer Spaniel Rescue America, and have pulled dogs from that shelter over the past almost two years.  Two of which, have found forever homes with my husband and I and our family of rescues.  I can't look at their faces and not see the faces of the dogs who were executed at the Sheriff's Department Firing Range, and buried there.  I can't get past the paw prints in the dirt that have been shown over and over again via the news media.  The only way we can find peace, is for the truth with accompanying evidence (all of it) to be revealed -- brought into the light, so that justice can served.  Hopefully, since the eyes of the nation are upon SC because this horrific incidents.  Or, better said, these horrific incidents other places across the country where the inhumane killing of animals by Animal Control Officers will be exposed, and stopped.

 

You have the ability to break ground that needs badly to be broken, so other states can follow suit.  You have ability rather than to be example of horrible acts upon animals, to lead by example.

Please do click in to see the faces of my dogs, which forever in my heart and mind will represent the faces of the dogs executed and inhumanely killed while in the care of the Chesterfield Animal Shelter and Animal Control Officers.  Those dogs had their chance to be adopted taken away from them heartlessly. 

http://projectrewire.blogspot.com/2011/03/exposing-chesterfield-county-sc-animal.html

Sincerely,

Jeanne Holland Newton 

Thanks to all who have been circulating and sharing this on the internet, via email and on Facebook!  God bless you all in helping put the word and for doing your part to stop the insanity not just in this case, but for animals who are inhumanely treated and killed.  Please continue to share my updates.

That's all for now... if you've not read my initial entry and the first update, regarding this horrific story, please click into the link below: 

Exposing the Chesterfield County, SC Animal Shelter... and the killing field... 

Let's ♥ WSOC & WCNC & the other news agencies for doing a great job of investigative reporting...

and for dogging the Chesterfield County, SC Sheriff's Department about the recent shooting of the possibly 22+ dogs at and dumped in the Sheriff's Department Firing Range.  As well, as contacting SC State officials.  Public outcry is making a difference!

Having friends in the news business, I know how much ground can be covered quickly via dogged investigative reporting in a short time.  At the same, admittedly, I'm highly critical of the media.  But, the local news affiliates and print press nearby Chesterfield County, SC (and beyond) deserve kudos for the job they are doing.

I was wondering when the Sheriff Sam Parker would see that it would be in everyone's best interest for him request  investigative assistance from the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, meaning... turn the case over to them.  That is always an option at a Sheriff's disposal.  Could it be that the heat from the outcry has been too hot for him handle?  No, sadly not.  As per the news report on WSOC at 5:00 p.m. today, Solicitor Will Rogers had to convince him to do so.  

I, for one, sincerely, don't believe there can be enough heat placed on Sheriff Parker at the moment.  Or, responsibility placed on his shoulders for being the authority over the Animal Control Officers.  He's under scrutiny, but didn't see that he should call in a higher authority without being nudged to by the Solicitor?  I can just imagine the conversation...  "you're making our state look bad... if you are innocent, it's better it be proved, not assumed just because you're the Sheriff.  You need to be concerned that it not appear that there is any wrong doing..."

Hmmmm... I'm not sure Sheriff get's the appearance of evil thing...

Who believes that Law enforcement officers should be held to a higher standard?  I do!  Don't they take an oath of office to protect and serve?

Additionally, Fourth Circuit Solicitor Will Rogers, as well as the Attorney General’s Office, and Governor Nikki Haley offered full cooperation from South Carolina State agencies to Sheriff Parker on Monday. 

Could they're be tired of him making them look bad?

Let's just hope he ceases playing the victim on TV and in his statements.  It's so unbecoming for someone in his position. 

I've also heard from one of my best friends, yet have not seen, that CNN has picked up the story at 3:00 p.m. today. In the Charlotte viewing area that would be channels 32, or on HD, 1400 on Time Warner Cable.  I'm currently glued to the tube watching for the story.  In the meantime, here's a link to WSOC's, FOX News and WCNC's most recent updates:

SLED Takes Over Dog Shooting Investigation

Sheriff's deputies dig through landfill for slaughtered dogs

Chesterfield Co. Sheriff Speaks Out About Shot Dogs, Employees Being Investigated

The above Fox link was edited in @ 12:00 p.m. March 9, 2011.  In my humble opinion, the Sheriff is a baffoon!

And before I close this super short entry, thank you to all who have cared enough about the Chesterfield County, SC Animal Shelter dog shootings, to pass on my blog entry from last night.  You have touched my heart and my spirit by choosing to add your voice to mine and all of the others who are networking on Facebook, off Facebook across the internet, via email, by phone calls and every manner of communication to ensure that justice is done.

Your care, concern and devotion is helping Rainbow Bridge shine a little brighter for those precious dogs.

The story will be ongoing... so please continue to share it.  The more it's in the public eye, the better.

That's all for now... if you've not read my initial entry regarding this horrific story, please click into the link below: 

Exposing the Chesterfield County, SC Animal Shelter... and the killing field... 

 

Oh my gosh, I'm writing a blog entry, an update on Summer... finally!

Yes yes! I know know! It's been forever since I've entered anything here! I've peeked in and started to write often.  In fact, I even have a draft of a long entry, but it's not the right time to post it. It's quite long. Whether I feel compelled to post it or not, who knows? For now, I'm just going to sit on it!

So, what's been happening with me? Why am I dragging my blogging feet? For one thing, it's been busy around my house. Admittedly, I'm having some word issues in writing which is a bit discouraging... and also, I'm still very focused on Summer. How could I not be? Her recovery process is NOT over. Although the little sweetheart is making strides daily and is MUCH better!

Last I mentioned her we were dealing with her eye... well, the ulcer on the cornea of the eye where the cherry eye was repaired steadily worsened. Finally, after three trips to "her" vet hospital in Sanford, NC it was determined that she needed to be seen by a DVM specialized in animal Ophthalmology. To be honest, it's what I wanted from the moment she first scratched her eye.  I knew she needed to be seen by such a specialist.  Yet, these things take time at times. For one, she needed a referral from her vet before the animal eye care clinic would set up an appointment. Two vets (at the same hospital in Sanford) and two types of antibiotic eye drops, another course of oral antibiotics and another round of an anti-inflammatory and pain reliever, we were able to schedule an appointment with an animal Opthalmologist in Cary, NC to have Summer's eye examined.

To catch my readers up on her current state... unfortunately, there was a suture in the fleshy part of her eye that hadn't dissolved which kept rubbing on the cornea causing it to become ulcerated and continually increase in size. Without the specialized hi-tech equipment the Opthalmologist has the vets never could have seen the suture as it was "lost" in her eye.  Also, it's important to keep in mind that vets do not typically have the type of an instrument an Opthalmologist uses to operate on a canine's eye beyond the usual cherry eye repairs. Bottom line, the ulcer never would have healed unless we'd taken Summer to the Opthalmologist. I do want to point out it wasn't a case that we weren't trying for Summer, nor her regular vets. They were focusing hard not to cause her any undue pain the three times we brought her in when and after she scratched her eye.  Much pain was involved and Summer was struggling even with me when I had to put drops into her eye.

After the Opthalmologist removed the suture within three days the cornea of her eye was MUCH improved.  Then, when we took her back for her week follow up visit, her cornea was totally healed. Things go bad quickly with eyes and on the flip side an eye has the ability to heal extremely fast. The fleshy part of her eye still looks raw and there is a tiny piece of cartilage protruding from the cherry eye repair, but so far the repair has remained in tact. Unless she has some further issues with that eye, I'm not going to have the piece of cartilage removed. It's just a cosmetic thing anyway. She's already been through enough as it is and is better, but definitely we have a way to go before she's 100%, if that's even possible.  Hearts are difficult to repair and totally recover.  But, I'm going to my best with a combo of vitamin and mineral supplements and holistics to get her there.  So much is about healthy nutrition and exercise, just like it is with we humans.

At the moment Summer is being treated for a bladder infection and is on horse pill sized Amoxycillan caps, 500 mg twice a day. I've had to take the same antibiotic quite a few times during my lifetime and it was 250 mg caps three times a day. So, that's a lot of antibiotic for a little 34 pound dog. She'll be on it for two weeks. And again she's on an anti-inflammatory for a few days. Since she first came into our home in late June, the poor little girl has been on antibiotics straight with the exception of only about 3 weeks off. She also has a fungi infection, no doubt due to all of the antibiotics and she's being treated for that, too.   I've had her on Probiotics for weeks now.

In spite of everything, Summer is happy happy happy and is finally enjoying being a dog a little bit. She's still recovering from all she's been through the past few months, and Lord only knows what her life was like prior to coming into ESRA rescue care (straight into my care)... but she's begun to play some with Chance and Sydney, as well as run around the backyard a bit looping the pool.

She's also still very much glued to me as one can see from the photo above and to the right.  She actually crawled under the arm of the deck chair to get next to me.  Rarely is she more than 5 feet away from except in the backyard for energy "spurts".  And, in the house, she's at my feet, even when I prepare dinner I either have to slide her out of the way when I'm working at the counter, or lean over her. Although she's the most loving dog I've ever had, I don't believe she got much loving prior to coming into our home.  Except for her over protective growlies, I'm not in a groove to discipline her or make her find another spot where ever she decides to rest.  And crating is totally out of the question for any length of time.  No way.  Ever. 

More and more by her behaviors and simply from the scars on her lower chin extending from her mouth to under her chin, and by her the grooves in teeth, as well as the misaligned teeth on the bottom, I'm certain she lived her life in a wire cage or in a pen with a dog house.  She cut herself by trying to chew her way out!  Some of the scars were "fresh" when we pulled her from the shelter, but others have been there for a long long time.  I'm also certain she was USED primarily for breeding purposes and lived with other dogs.  Quite possibly in the same cage or pen.  She also backs under tables and into even my pantry.  Neither of my other two Springer put it into reverse very often, unless I'm coming towards them getting ready to throw a toy.  She also lays with her legs positioned as a dog would partially out of a dog house.  Why do know this stuff?  My grandfather raised Beagles and I spent a tremendous amount of time observing them from the time I could walk until I was 13.  If a person is observant and knows about dogs a rescue will reveal part of their story.  Summer's pieces are coming together.  Her triggers, as well, give much insight.

Lastly, before I close this entry.  My hubby and I had the sincere pleasure of working at the Carolinas' ESRA twice yearly yard sale in Liberty, NC.  It's held in conjunction with a gigantic Antiques Festival the town of Liberty has in the Spring and late summer.  On Friday we had to take Summer back to the vets for the bladder infection I mentioned above and from there it's just a short 30 minute trip to Liberty.  Well, Summer got to be the "ambassador" ESRA Springer for the day.  Normally, it's best not to bring our dogs to this particular event because it's usually hot and very busy.  It makes for a long day for the dogs.  Dawn to Dusk are the hours, although we weren't there that long, but our coordinator and/or her hubby were.  For us to participate, it was necessary to take Summer with us on Friday.  The trip to Sanford is already a bit of a "hike" for us -- an hour one way.  Need I say Summer had a good time and everyone who met her fell in love with her?  The children were crazy for her and petted her so sweetly.  It was interesting explaining "rescue" "adoption" and "fostering" of a dog on a child's level.  Technically, Summer is still my foster, and one little guy boldly asked why didn't I just adopt her?  His face was squnched up very unhappy like.  But, immediately I told him she was going to be all mine forever.  Fortunately, he got it!  Then, when, I pointed out to him the scars on her chin his eyes became watery... he almost cried, but held it back.  The kids also couldn't get over her curly fur on her ears and down her back.  They thought it was so pretty and loved petting her.  She was so GOOD!!!  I truly see her as a therapy dog one day, and so hope to make it happen!  It was fun fun fun showing Summer off and very rewarding.

She's come so far since the first day of Summer when we pulled her from that shelter.  It's been painful for her and for my husband and I as she's had to endure much to recover to the place she is now.  She's such a lap dog and craves attention SO much and is SO humble and SO amazingly submissive (God only knows why she is THAT submissive) she was either in her "poppy's" lap or mine the entire time being held like a baby with her legs up in the air at the yard sale.  People really made over her and she gobbled it up.   It was a damp yucky day, but because we were there on behalf of ESRA to raise funds, and because Summer was there with us, I feel nothing but warm and fuzzy over the experience.  The work ESRA does is incredible.  The work our Carolinas coordinator and her hubby do... countless hours with hearts of gold... there are no words to thank them enough, no bounds to what they do.

On Saturday, it rained, but it didn't stop our event.  We did shut down early, yet the Antiques Festival had already closed down due to the weather for all intents and purposes.  Quite a few sales were made toward the end of our time there.  We were drenched, chilled, but not a single complaint was uttered from any of us.  For us... it's all about the Springers!  And after we volunteers left... after the take down and the clean up... there was still things our coordinator and her husband had to do on their own.  God bless them for all they do and ESRA.  Without ESRA, I'd not have my precious Sydney who brings me unending joy each day... she is comic relief and so smart... so observant and has BIG feelings.  She's also very much still a puppy and has some triggers we're still working on.  And, of course, without ESRA, I would not have my Summer... and Summer truly makes every day special.  The unconditional love and affections she gives, the bright smile on her face which is almost constant, is a pure gift from God.  She's helped distract me SO much from transitioning off the Keppra and focus my attention towards her when I'm being challenged by pain and neuro activity.  The physical pain she's had to endure to recover from the Heartworms alone, makes any pain I feel pale.  Even though I didn't ask for whatever has caused "seizure" issues within my brain, it's very likely many things have contributed to it... none was due to neglect!!!  And I know and understand treatments and medications and the effects... a little dog doesn't.  All Summer knows is that we love her and are in her life to help her.  She trusts us.  The pain she was in with her eye so upset me because I've ulcers on my cornea.  All I could do is wait it out with her even though I couldn't have been more on top of the situation with the vets and my coordinator and the Oopthalmologist.  There are other ways I identify with the pain Summer has experienced since she became my foster, but too personal to share any further.  Suffice it to say, I've told my coordinator many times, if I were a dog, Summer would be me.  And the rain, was no different that rain or shine many many auctions I had to "manage" during my old career with Morningstar Properties.  Plus, the type of rain we experienced was exactly like the rain I became accustomed to during my Seattle years.  So... it was no biggie!

Okay... so I'm going to do my best to post more frequently.  I ran out steam with my words over the Summer and feel that way over a few things at the moment.  Just feelings I need to push through.  And, I'm very good at pushing through.  With God's help and love... His Word... I'll get to the other side.  As far as focusing on Epilepsy, putting a face on it, I'm not sure I can do it.  Speaking of it so much in this blog has been a testing ground for me.  When I'm in the real world,  I prefer not to talk about it.  This past Friday and Saturday was a terrific example of it. Except for the feelings in my head that never seem to stop and random twitches and sensations in my body, it was as if I was normal.  I want to be healed and normal.  So... rethinking calling more attention to myself locally and on a state level.  Youtubes will stay up for the time being... until I've fully thought "this" through and prayed about it.

AND Blogger, where did the spell check button go!!!  Bug report here I come! 

Breaking the blogging hiatus...

One way or another is was my "what's on my mind" statement on Facebook a few days ago. An ESRA friend commented saying that it sounded ominous, but I posted a reply to her in essence saying it really isn't. It just sounded that way.

More or less, I am a place where I needed to set a goal to get back to writing "here" again. I've attempted to several times, but although verbally my speech has remained the same since I took myself off of Keppra, which is great! I am experiencing some difficulty with word retrieval and composing sentences. In no way is it as bad as it has been in the past, since my initial diagnosis of Epilepsy, yet, admittedly, it bothers me. Does it bother me enough to go back on Keppra. No!

I've not been able to focus, either. I'm sure much has to do with Summer. She's had so much going on which really has required me to watch her like a hawk. No exaggeration. I've been keeping up with updates about her on Facebook, but not here. See, on Facebook I have a pretty good sized group of ESRA connects in my friend's list and quite a few I've gotten to know and they're all special people. So, I'm always mentioning Summer and my FB friends also ask me how she is. So, it's only logical I'd be updating there via comments and photo albums I've shared. In fact my profile blurb states that I'm on Facebook essentially to add a face to Epilepsy and ESRA, as well as connect and reconnect with old friends and loved ones.

This is one of the downsides of having a Facebook. And, at the same time a personal blog that's evolved to include several interests. Interests that are close to my heart, such as my Springers and ESRA. Often, that means double "postings". It's not a biggie, but it does mean playing catch up here. I could simply copy and paste. But, it just doesn't get it for me. That kind of defeats the purpose of Project Rewire. Starting from scratch with my entries here, is a method I use to keep my words flowing. It's certainly become a tried and true method. So......

anyway...

Briefly, before I can share any more about myself, this is what's been happening with Summer.

The last I entry I made about her "here" we were a week past her first Heartworm treatment. Well, here's for some excellent news right off the bat. Summer is Heartworm free!!! We had the Dilfil test performed during a trip to the vets recently (you'll see why below) and the results were negative! That is a blessing! Much prayer has gone up for Summer. She very likely could have had to go through another painful injection, but I believe God intervened. In fact, when we first took her to All Animals we were advised of the steps she'd be going through. And there was to be another injection. Thankfully, we were able to side step that one! She'll be on her monthly preventative and tested annually as should be the case with ALL dogs! Not going to get on my soapbox about that! At least not now. ;)

Now, on to the rest of "her" update...

I also shared that the vet had discovered she was pregnant. Well, after a chest scan and blood test on August 4th she was spayed and the vet repaired the "cherry eye" condition in her left eye. She wasn't very far off from having puppies, so it was imperative for her to be healthy enough to go through the surgery. Fortunately, even though she wasn't overly strong, she was good to go for them to proceed. The chest scan revealed that there really hasn't been any change in her heart, meaning that it was/is still enlarged. However, her lungs were clear, which is terrific.

Now, the blood test did show that there was Microfilaria. (Microfilaria is the parasitic embryotic "larvae"stage of the Heartworm in a canine's blood system. In simple terms, they're the minute offspring of the adult Heartworms and are evidence that they're actively reproducing. In order for a dog to have any hope for a normal life and to regain health, this cycle MUST be stopped and the Heartworms MUST be killed. The protocol to eliminate the Heartworms in their entirety is usually done in two or three stages. I'd provide links, but there is so much information on the treatment of Heartworms in canines, for any of my readers unfamiliar and interested, please simply "google". There's tons of worthwhile information available.)

Back to Summer. She made it through the spaying and cherry eye removal just fine on August 4th. So, the next day, Wednesday, August 5th, she was given an oral dose of Ivermectin to kill off the Microfilaria. She tolerated it well. Just like with the HW injections, it's a situation where she must be confined and remain as still as possible as there's a risk involved. The following day she was sick on her stomach, but the vet assistant contacted me to let me know that we could come pick her up. Since she was throwing up, I arranged for us to pick her up at the end of the day. We're an hour away and I didn't want Summer to be nauseous in our car, or possibly get sick on the way home. If I have nausea, I certainly don't care for riding in a car, so there is no way I'd put my dog in that position. Fortunately, when we picked her up, she was feeling a little bit better and just wanted out of there. So, we obliged her as quickly as we could. When the vet assistant brought her to us, she headed straight for the door! Who could blame the little sweetheart.

Summer's eye looked better right away. The incision in her belly is about 4 inches long and had quite a number of sutures from the spaying and "removing" the puppies. That's something I can barely write about, much less talk about. In fact I requested when we brought her in for the surgery not to give me any specifics as to the puppies. NO details whatsoever. The vets and staff at All Animals are very kind. It's a super veterinary hospital and each person I interacted with in person and over the phone was sensitive and didn't elaborate, thankfully.

Summer was coming along pretty well. She was in slo-mo, but was recovering from the spaying and cherry eye removal okay, until she decided to tear out a few of the sutures over the weekend. My hubby wanted to go flying in our powered parachute ultralight late Saturday afternoon/early evening. I was torn whether to go with him to take a break, or stay home with Summer. I chose to go because I just feel safer being at the airport when he flies; even if I don't go up. It was probably within moments before our return home that Summer had begun biting the sutures out causing her tummy to bleed. To make matters worse, Chance had dug a hole under a big Hydrangea bush beside our deck to cool off and we didn't know it. So, when we let her out, this was before we saw what she'd done to herself, she dove into the hole. It was as if she knew she'd been a bad girl and decided hiding was the best course of action for her. I don't know if that goes back to something in her past, meaning how her prior owner treated her or what, but she was pitiful. When we got her out from under the Hydrangea bush, her foot was bloody and her tummy was covered in dirt. Yep! In the incision, too! She'd also scratched out the one stitch holding the "tuck" for the cherry eye repair. With the blood on her tummy it looked bad at first, but after a clean up and antiseptic treatment I was able to assess the situation more clearly. With her eye, all I could do was use a warm white wash cloth to wipe it off.


Thank God for Liquid Band-Aid! With us, the trend seems to be that stuff happens on the weekend. It wasn't quite an emergency, since I was able to seal the incision. Three times between Saturday night and Sunday night because she kept fooling with it! I was keeping a close watch on her eye, too. On Monday we took her back to the vets. She'd not only tore the cherry eye repair, but scratched the cornea. Although the incision looked okay, it was becoming inflamed, so we left with a triple antibiotic ointment for her eye and an RX of Cephalexin. Well, I saw no improvement with her eye whatsoever and had a feeling she was having an adverse reaction to the ointment. And, she was showing signs of an ear infection, so back to the vets we went. To make matters worse, an ant bit Summer's rear right paw the night before we were to return to the vets which caused her paw to swell. So, she chewed on it off and on all night causing a dermatitis to set in. Poor Summer! She's like me in that they've determined she's sensitive to medications and obviously bug bites, too. I'm allergic to ant bites, so I so get it!


Wondering where we are now? Her paw is all better. One ear is clear the other still has a way to go before the infection is totally gone. But, her poor eye! Her cornea has an ulcer the size of her pupil when it's fully dilated. We've been back to the vets twice and "finally" have a referral to a canine ophthalmologist in Cary, NC for Friday. I'm elated about it for a several reasons. The first being, I knew the moment I saw the scratch with black light and the staining agent, what it would possibly lead to. Things with eyes can go bad quickly. Secondly, I know what an ulcer feels like on the cornea. When I lived in Ohio many many years ago, I reacted to some eye drops I was using and had 7 ulcers on the cornea of my left eye. It was painful!! I couldn't wear makeup for 6 weeks. Sunlight made my eye burn and sting like crazy, of course, tears flowed when bright light hit it. So, with the size of the ulcer Summer has, I can't even imagine. And it's not like I can put sunglasses on her! I am keeping her out of the sun as much as possible and being careful with the lighting indoors. And, thirdly, the group we're taking her to is part of Animal Eye Care Veterinary Ophthalmology Associates. They have offices in Virginia, Maryland, North Carolina and South Carolina. So, I can't help but feel pretty good about that!

Since then, things have been challenging with her. We're having to drop her eye with Ciprofloxacin and she is resisting it big time. They sting her eye and the fleshy part where she tore the cherry is very inflamed. I so wanted to get her into canine Opthalomologist sooner, but it was impossible and we ultimately got the first available appointment as it is. Am I sorry in anyway for taking on a special needs Springer. No way!!


There is no way NOT to love Summer. She is such a dear dog. She is incredibly humble and submissive. But, between making sure she didn't tear the incision any more and keeping her from scratching her eye further, well... I've kept a close eye on her and when I say close, I mean during the night hours. And during the waking hours. She's rarely more than a foot or two away from me. For all intents and purposes, she has been almost all consuming because there is such a potential for her to re-injure her eye and cause more damage and possible blindness. We could have put her in a "lampshade" collar, however, that would just cause her more stress and anxiety. With the toxins still in her system from the HW treatments and an enlarged heart, stress is not a good thing.

She's become my side kick in a different way than Sydney or Chance. For one thing, she's extremely needy right now. Her disposition is like no other dog I've ever had she's that affectionate. When I'm at my work table, she's under it. She loves it under there. It's her safe place. When my hubby and I leave the house for any reason, she waits at the door leading into our garage. The top portion of the door is glass and when she hears us driving into the garage the first thing we see is this pink nose bobbing up and down. She's on her tippy toes and her nose just makes it to the very bottom of the glass. It's precious, but it also shows she's anxious and has separation issues.

Summer is beginning to feel better, in spite of the situation with her eye. As her body rids itself of the of the Thiacetarsamide and Ivermectin, plus all of the antibiotics she's been on, she'll be feeling better and better. Her personality is truly beginning to come through. She's funny. And just this week for the first time she barked for her breakfast on Monday and Tuesday. Today, though, she's very subdued. But, a lot was done to her eye yesterday at the vets and she's on Carprophen to help reduce the inflamation and pain. It slows her down a bit. She's actually been on Carprophen since her first HW treatment. I'm doing some alternative things to help her such as adding supplements to her food. And, she's on a totally holistic diet. She and Sydney and Chance also get treated to meals of chicken and brown rice, and sometimes a few nibbles of fresh fish like Coho or Sockeye Salmon. Yum!

Not so much in a nutshell... that's where I am with Summer! Next entry I may be sharing some powered parachute photos! But! There's something more important coming in just a few days... my first year with Sydney! My miracle puppy!!! She's the joy of my life. I'm going to try to snap special pictures of each of the Springers... Chance aka Mr. Puppy. He's very camera shy and timid, so we'll see if I can encourage him to look at the camera for once! Then, the beautiful Miss Summer. Now that she's in my life, every day is Summer! And the star, Sydney Australia! Believe me, she knows how to work it. So stay tuned!

There will also be another YouTube soon, I just need to find the right time. Hoping for a good day outside when it's not so blasted hot! However, I adore Summer the season!

All photos of Summer were taken the day before she was spayed and had her cherry eye repaired. Today her eye looks much worse! Notice that she never dropped her little Hedgehog. She is rarely without the one in her mouth. She carries it everywhere. It goes to the vets with her and stays with her. She has a larger one that she uses as a pillow and one of my best friends just treated her to two more that she sent to us from Atlanta. Summer collects her Hedgehogs and other toys and surrounds herself with them. It's part of the "nesting" and "grieving" process. It's obvious she's been bred before and was a good mother. She mothers Sydney, even me at times. So, it's been pitiful to watch. But, except for her medical problems, she's happy and content and adores living here with all of us. The cats, not so much. But, as far as Sydney and Chance, except for a few growlies now and again, they're living in harmony. Can't beat that!

Promise my next entry will not take nearly a month!

Summer one week after her first two Heartworm treatments

Well, it's been a week now since Summer went through her first two Heartworm Treatments. I was going to post earlier, but thought one week would be a bit of a milestone and would provide a better picture about what's involved in caring for a Heartworm positive dog after the initial two treatments.

I'm happy to share that Summer has been doing well. So well, in fact I took her off the Carprofen (pain medication) night before last. I'd been giving her 1/2 tab every 12 hours, then tapered that down to just once per day on Sunday. She was very sore through this past Saturday and yelped whenever we tried to pick her up or move her. So, my hubby and I would coax her to lay down on a towel making a hammock for her, then we'd hoist her on to the sofa or bed. If we didn't, she'd try to jump up herself, which caused her more discomfort. We can easily pick her up now, but we're trying our best not to allow her to jump. She's attempted to spring onto my bed a few times. It's not a good thing, because she doesn't have the strength nor power to make it.

We tried crating her once and she tried to bite her way out. In the photos of her it doesn't show up but she has healed over cuts on her chin. There's one which has broken open a couple of times. They're a matching set, so it appears as if she struggled to bite her way through the shelter kennel wire, or somewhere else. She's perfectly house trained, so there will be no crating for Summer here in her "forever home".

Her nose has continued to be cold when she gets up in the a.m. the past few mornings, which is great! Then, yesterday was the first day it turned cold for a little bit in the afternoon. So, everyday she's getting better. She loves her holistic diet and with the exception of this a.m. she's had no tummy issues at all. And the experience this a.m. passed quickly. She ate her breakfast and would have welcomed seconds. She's had no coughing spells (something the vet tech told us to watch out for). She's still on Doxycycline and knows when it's coming, so we're having teeny tiny little peanut butter sandwiches. She woofs them down, then wants more!

Summer sleeps a good part of the day and evening, but enjoys her time outside. She runs to the door when it's time to go out with Sydney and Chance and they squish through the opening all happy and kissing and nosing each other. She's pretty much taken on the role of pack leader, much to Miss Sydney's dismay, but those two are getting closer. They stroll around the fenced portion of the backyard like two little sisters, either shadowing or mirroring each other's behavior sniffing the air, flowers and bushes, Once and awhile, she'll flush birds out of one of our Wax Myrtles around the pool.

Chance and she have totally accepted each other, too. She's a terrific watchdog, as is he. He actually appears to be enjoying the back up! He has a deep bark, but Summer's... well, I wouldn't mess with her. It is scary for such a small Springer! I'm just delighted to be on her good list! With those two at my living room windows, an intruder had better think twice!

Now, a few of Summer's *fans* know this news already... but sadly... she's pregnant. "It" either happened at the shelter before we pulled her, which is very well possible since she was in a kennel with 7 or 8 other dogs. Or, right before because there were no indications when she was initially assessed and treated at All Animals Vet Hospital in Sanford, NC. Prior to giving her the Heartworm Treatments, of course, the vet performed a scan and soon discovered the puppies. We'll be taking her back to All Animals on August 5th to be examined and spayed. They'll be performing another scan and a blood test to make sure she's in good enough health before they proceed. But, with the progress she's making, it's inevitable.

It's the course of action the vet wants... so even though it's not the type of decision anyone wants to make, it's what's best for Summer. (It's one of the difficult things that comes along with rescue work. And a phone call I did not really want to make to our wonderful NC/SC ESRA Coordinator, Pam Civile.)

Whew! Including two slide shows below. You'll see Summer last Wednesday right after we picked her up. She was happy to see us, but very timid, as if she wasn't sure about what was going to happen yet. She'd been sick on her stomach early in the day and wasn't feeling well at all, yet she was ready for the back seat of our car. You can see her expression change as we got closer to home. Then, her smiles returned when she saw her yard and her home. The last few shots, I took today.

Again, Summer the calmest dog I've ever had. Such a dear! So peaceful and sweet natured. She's as happy to be with us as we are to have her. I believe the same thing about her as I do about Sydney & Chance... God "gave" her to me to care for & love.

Last week...




Today...

What a difference one week can make!

Before I close this post, I'd be remiss if I didn't say if any of my readers feel compelled to adopt, foster or sponsor an English Springer Spaniel, please click the link below...

Thank you!

English Springer Rescue America

Summer's goes for her first of several heartworm treatments...

An update on Summer. If life would tame down a little, I'd set up a separate blog for my Springers, but evidently, now is not the right time... so Project Rewire it is! Part of the prob is I'm pondering (as usual) directions, what an appropriate name for such a blog should be? The set up part would be easy easy! Any suggestions, please pass them my way via comments or via my blog email addy.

Anyway...

Summer began her first in a series of heartworm treatments yesterday for stage three heartworms at the All Animals Vet Hospital in Sanford, NC. I received two phone calls from "her" vet tech, Candie, yesterday advising me that her chest and lung scan looked good and they were going to proceed with the first of two HW treatment injections (for this go round). Well, all went well with the injection. They'd followed the HW injection with a pain medication, so Summer was resting. Candie advised they'd also be keeping her on Doxycycline for the time being. Bless Candie's heart, she called me twice yesterday.


Summer had her second treatment this morning. Candie called me again to let me know she was doing fine and described her as being downright drunk. As long as she's feeling no pain, I'm happy!

Summer truly is a trooper. From the photos I snapped yesterday a.m. at about 6:00 a.m. you can see she knew something was up. Neither she nor I had much sleep the night before. She was very restless. Me, too! In fact, she'd crawled up into an old chair in my bedroom... a chair my mother bought back when I was ten, actually. It's a spot where Sydney plops herself at times when she needs a bit of comforting, too. Summer played dish rag dog and wouldn't stand up for anything, so her Poppy had to scoop her up to carry her downstairs.

You can also see from the shots I snapped in the car that she had one of her favorite toys with her. A hand me down hedgehog from Chance. She was calm, but it was obvious she wasn't content. There was no tail wagging nor smiles. I believe she knew she was headed to the vets. A couple of these shots are fuzzy. Climbing around in a moving car is not necessarily the easiest setting for photo taking. ;)

When we arrived, Summer was afraid. She walked in on her leash, but climbed into my lap almost immediately. When the vet assistant came out to get her, she locked down. I decided it best that she not become a Springer "Swiffer" and picked her up, then carried her to her kennel. She wouldn't go into in on her own, so I actually had to pick her back up, then put her inside of it. I left her hedgehog with her, so she'd know she belonged and we'd be returning.


Summer truly is the most calm and peaceful dog I've ever had as a part of my life and I've opened my heart and home to many dogs. She's amazingly humble.

Even though, she's only been with us since June 21st, her transformation has been remarkable.


When we first brought her home she literally rattled when she barked and during growling moments in mothering Miss Sydney, or cough. She'd also get a bit winded just walking around in my backyard. The rattling is better now. Her energy level had improved, too, prior to yesterday. Although she spends much time sleeping, she is happy and totally content. I'm sure when we retrieve her tomorrow (which won't come fast enough) no doubt she'll be tired, but overjoyed to see us. The same will be true of her Poppy and I.

During the past week or so she did begin to spend a little time chewing on a safe "doggy" bone and started discovering and placing lots of toys on our sofa and bed. One day my sofa looked like the closet in the movie "ET" she had so many toys piled upon it. Except for her trip up the road yesterday, she rarely stops smiling.

It's been such a blessing to have her become a part of our family and Springer pack. Sydney and Chance have both totally accepted her now. My husband (her Poppy) is constantly telling Summer, myself and everyone he's shared about her how precious she is. He's even begun to show her off on his Facebook! :)


Once we get Summer through her heartworm treatment, spaying and repairing her "cherry" eye, as many already know we'll become her "forever home". The rewards she's given us are many. She's a complete and utter lapdog. And is never far from my feet or side. Where ever I am, she wants to be. She's totally housebroken and we can leave her loose in the house with Chance when we're out. However, our wild child, Sydney, still must be crated when we're out. The girl needs the nap time. She plays and enjoys her days. Swims every single chance we'll allow her to -- she's now leaping into the air as she dives in!

To my readers...

If you've never considered fostering nor adopting a Special Needs Springer, give it some quality thought. All have amazing stories. All are sweethearts. Survivors! We've three dogs here in NC whose medical expenses are way up there. There's another in Cleveland, Ohio by the name of Riddle. He has quite a story and just went through surgery earlier today to have his leg amputated. Thankfully, his surgery went well and he's in recovery. He now has a chance for a full life, thanks to the efforts of ESRA. All of our Springers are fully vetted, rehabbed and ready for new homes once they placed on our "available" lists. The rewards you'll reap are endless. And, if you can't foster nor adopt, considering sponsoring. There's a huge need within ESRA right now across the country. More dogs are coming into rescue daily who need help. More than ever due to the economy!

Little slideshow of Miss Summer yesterday...