Adopt a Beautiful German Shepherd!

Gracie is a sweetie. When I met her in the shelter, she was sitting calmly and licked my hand. Who could dump such a beauty? Due to their innate desire to be with their people, shepherds do NOT do well kenneled. They are extremely intelligent and need a job (ie. training) and daily exercise...but the rewards of living with one of these dogs is immense. Steadfast and uncompromising loyalty, love and devotion. Who could ask for a better friend?

Do you have room in your life for Gracie? Contact SF Animal Care & Control.

Puppy Brutally Murdered in SF

Reward offered for fatal stabbing of puppy

Who could do such a thing? The sickness and evil of human beings never ceases to amaze me. This poor pup was friendly as can be and was being fostered until he found a new home. Sadly, pits are often taken, along with other breeds, to be used as bait dogs. My guess is some sick predator was looking for exactly that at Ocean Beach (which is right below Ft. Funston, where tons of dogs congregate every day).

If one reads the comment section on SFGate, you will see many with their panties bunched up that a reward was offered in this case. They cite other murders...of a boy stabbed in the Excelsior, the Bologna family, etc. All horrific tragedies that no reward was offered. But Grateful Dogs Rescue and Friends of Animal Care and Control, who put forth the reward, feel strongly that the slime that did this should not be walking free. It's common knowledge that violence to animals is indicative of future violence to humans. I'm glad our society is slowly taking animal cruelty cases more seriously. In the end, it is not about the value of human life over animal life (the topic of another post but you can guess my stance-we are not more important than animals or trees, etc. and our pride in this matter is our downfall...), it's about securing a safe and peaceful earth for all of us.

Beagle+GSD=BFF

Area Woman's Life Gone to Dogs

San Francisco, CA: Bay Area resident, Angela C., admitted on Tuesday that her life has truly gone to the dogs. Currently housing four dogs (not to mention the two cats, two snakes and various fish tanks totaling 75+ gallons) in a small flat with no yard, her son and significant other are considering forcing her to seek medical treatment.

"I don't need treatment! The dogs are all I need!" Angela exclaimed while picking up another dog poo from the kitchen.

"I'm hungry all the time," He son shared. "She never misses giving the dogs a meal, but she hasn't cooked dinner for me since...since...I don't know when!"

"I'm worried Animal Cops will be knocking on her door soon to take her away for hoarding." Her father was caught saying, shaking his head.. "Not to mention the fact that she and my grandson now live in a urinal..."

Angela simply rolled her eyes. "Here we go...exaggerating again..."

"Then, what's that smell? Why have your friends stopped visiting? You have a problem..." Her father drifts off in order to push off a dog humping his leg.

"I do NOT have a problem," Angela muttered, as she stepped over a urine puddle on her way to the refrigerator, while dogs following her stepped through it. "If other people have an issue with it, "she continued, while feeding dogs bits of cheese and trying to keep two from fighting. "well, then, it's their problem, isn't it?"

Three Becomes Four...

Sidd is here and is settling in quite nicely. He has a few pounds to lose (as most beagles do) but embraced his new exercise regime with gusto. He and Roman are best buds and raced around the dunes for two hours. Meli almost played with them, too!

The weather is still gloomy, but the dogs don't mind. In one month, I am back at work but I shoved that thought out of my head. Staying in the present moment, I was able to simply be and not think. What a glorious feeling!

This is Tikka's tree. She loves climbing it every time we pass!

The Best Dog Trainer

(Tikka (left) shows foster dog Meli the ropes at Ft. Funston)

Our foster pup, Meli, is settling in so it was time to introduce her to the joy that is Ft. Funston. Given that she is still a bit fearful outside (expressed by barking at anything or anyone that scares her) and still growls/snaps at Roman if he gets too close, I had not idea how she would do.

Well, she exceeded my expectations. I kept her on leash, but she kept play bowing to Roman as he ran circles around us. Good sign! She was so happy to be out there. She tentatively met some big dogs, too. While she's still fearful of new people (she barked at a few that wanted to pet her. Not good PR, Meli!), I'm encouraged by how she trotted along and took things in stride.

Roman and Tikka really deserve the credit. They have been her "trainers" and are doing a much better job than I. Despite her aggression towards him, Roman will simply stand there and turn his head, while Meli snaps and barks at him, teeth and all. By not engaging her, and giving her a calming signal (turning of the head), she stops her display and then they go about their business. When Meli gets too rambunctious with Tikka, Tikka simply shows her teeth and Meli backs off. When Roman and Tikka are resting and calm in the house, Meli is resting and calm.

So, I decided to try Scott's (Roman's walker) trick and tied Meli to Tikka. Meli is very attached to me now, and I don't want her using me as her security blanket. This technique worked great! Tikka has nice energy and Meli picked right up on it. They walked side by side and still looked to me for guidance.

Tomorrow, our pack increases by one. Sid, a whirling dervish of a beagle, will be staying with us for a week of boot camp while my cousin is in Hawaii. Yes, I will have four dogs in a two bedroom flat with no yard. Just like old times.

Nature's Miracle is standing by...Stay tuned.

Distraction Training

When teaching a dog a new behavior, it is important to use a lot of positive reinforcement and keep the environment free of distractions. During this learning phase, I ignore mistakes and heavily reward correct choices which increases drive in my dog. I also only work him for short bits of time after getting him in drive (basically, this is when he is 'on' and wanting to work, something I can achieve after a game of tug or fetch) and I always try to end a session while he is in drive and performing a behavior correctly. After I am confident he knows a behavior with no distractions, I slowly add various distractions, then I take the behavior on the road...further proofing and polishing. During this proofing phase, I still do not correct for mistakes. If Roman is making a lot of mistakes, that means I need to back up.

Today, Roman has an incredibly solid sit/down stay and recall. I can down him from a distance while dogs are running by. I can call him to front while he is mid chase. His solid obedience is due to many hours of distraction training. Training also provides me with a positive, uplifting distraction. I once had a woman say to me that she does not train her dogs because she doesn't want 'robots'. I would hardly refer to Roman as a robot. The more training he has, the more freedom he has. Our off leash walks are usually in silence. I never even have to command him (or Tikka). They can run off ahead without me worrying they will run off. They always stop, looking back, "Hurry up!" they pant. If they get caught up with a pack of dogs at the dog park, and I walk off, they chase after me. Our walks have become a silent meditation.

The Fog Creeps In

(yes, once again I can't resist the poetry of paw prints in wet sand)

Sensing my treacherous mood, the fog crept in yesterday cloaking the city with its dreariness. I find some peace, if only for a moment, walking the dogs in the evenings. At that time, I can relish the stillness of Ft. Funston as the dogs chase ravens across the dunes. Walking with dogs doubles the experience since,not only am I taking in everything from my human perspective, but I try to experience it from the dogs' point of view, too. Checking their daily mail, Roman and Tikka silently trot along ahead of me leaving replies. At various points, they stop and wait, air scenting. A dog's eyesight is worse than ours and things that are not moving can be virtually invisible. But, their sense of smell is so intense (humans have 5 million scent receptors; a German shepherd has 225 million!) and provides them with a unique way of interpreting the world.

(click to enlarge image)

The fog and slight wind played havoc with my hair and I surrendered. My unruly mop never stands a chance in frizz weather. We walk down to the beach and watch the fishermen battle the rough waves. I take a detour back to the car and we watch the hang gliders shift deftly through the fog. Rather, I watch and the dogs continue their never ending scent exploration. We see the lady with five pugs, whom we see every day at this time. I take comfort in that.

The day ends apathetically with humans all over experiencing joy, sadness, depression, anger...the day doesn't care and simply goes about its business. It will be here again tomorrow.

Facing the Pain

Six weeks ago, my brother in law was told his brain tumor was back (which explained why he suddenly was losing feeling on left side). "This time, " his doctor said. "You won't recover." He was given three to six month which turned out to be six weeks. He just turned 51.

Vahid was a kind, stoic and giving soul who was always there for everyone, especially during a crisis (something my family cannot do without, so he was often busy). He was an eclectic artist that created art in everything he did. His best creations are his two little boys. How many dinners did he cook me as I moaned about some inconsequential problem or another? Really, how did I ever complain about anything? How selfish of me! As my aunt used to say, "If you have your health, you have everything." Vahid was so brave through this terrible illness. Even when he lost the use of his body and could barely speak, he still whispered jokes to ease my sister's tears. He fought until the very end. He did not want to leave his family, but he lost the battle.

I have left religion long ago in favor of a more spiritual existence. Facing this tragedy, though, I am not feeling very spiritual. Is there a God? I don't know, but if there is, he has a shitty way of doing things.

My sister contends with the well meaning words of friends:
"This will make you stronger."
"It's all part of God's plan."
"He is in a better place."

She wakes up alone now, not feeling very strong. She has the kids, of course, but who is prepared to be a widow at 41 raising a 6 and 8 year old? I hang my head in shame for ever bemoaning my single mom existence. Divorce cannot compare to this untimely loss. I got over the divorce but how can my sister ever get over losing her love of over 15 years?

Today, at the grave sight, watching his coffin being lowered into the ground, his youngest said, "But how is he going to get out?!" Erik and I were quietly sobbing as we hugged Vahid's parents. What cruel god would let a parent bury their child? Then, I backed up and stepped on poor "Jose"'s grave stone while my nephew tripped over "Edgar's" flowers.

I told Erik, "Burn me when the time comes and take a vacation to Maui. I want to be fish food."
Poor Erik seriously thought about this. "But, what about the dogs? Do I bring them, too?" (I used to keep my dead dogs' ashes in my fireplace...Mr. Dog-ma called them Angela's Ashes. They are now buried in Lake Tahoe). I asked my mom where she wanted her ashes thrown. "The Bay?" "No, I hate the water (true, she never liked swimming)." "The mountains?" "No, I hate the mountains." (True, she was never into nature). "Neiman Marcus?" "That's a thought...No, just use me for cat litter." My dad, the stoic Irishman, was aghast at this morbid talk, but my family always had a mix of odd humor.

Part of me believes we choose this human life, knowing all the suffering...and joy...we will experience and everyone we will experience it with. Why are we here? The only feasible answer, to me, is to learn and grow. You can't learn and grow without suffering, which life happily supplies by the truckload. Then we move on with our journey.

I don't like to think that this is IT...but it's hard to imagine what else is there. I guess we all find out in the end.

I do know that Vahid would say, "Stop all that crying! Here...have some food (he was a wondeful chef) and try this new wine. Get on with it!" He lived a full life, fully. A message to us all. If there is something you want to do, what are you waiting for? Is there something you want to say to someone? What are you waiting for? Death is always with us...While he is not a pleasant companion, he is a constant reminder to live the life you are meant to live.

Not that this will be any comfort to my sister, but Rumi believes in embracing the pain:

The Guest House

This being human is a guest house.
Every morning a new arrival.

A joy, a depression, a meanness,
some momentary awareness comes
as an unexpected visitor.

Welcome and entertain them all!
Even if they're a crowd of sorrows,
who violently sweep your house
empty of its furniture,
still, treat each guest honorabley.
He may be clearing you out
for some new delight.

The dark thought, the same, the malice,
meet them at the door laughing,
and invite them in.

Be grateful for whoever comes,
because each has been sent
as a guide from beyond.

Meet Meli

Meli is my new foster dog. Her name means honey in Hawaiian. She is very sweet but very scared. Poor puppy (only 8 months) wants to play so badly, but can't quite let herself go. Her owners surrendered her to the shelter because they moved and she was so shut down there, she didn't eat and was growling, shaking and snapping at everyone. She's really opened up in the 24 hours I've had her. She will now wag her tail at us and kiss my hand. Sadly, she does not like poor Roman. He looks to me as she growls at him, "What's wrong with her?" and calmly walks away to lie down. She does like Tikka, who does not like her much. But, they are all dealing and I expect in the next few days things will settle down.

Meli looks like a Brittany spaniel mix and I'm sure will be adopted quickly. There was another puppy at the shelter (4 months) put on the euthanasia list and I will probably be fostering her, as well. She was put on the euthanasia list because she sprained her paw putting it through the cage (though, it seemed to have healed and she was happy and friendly-how could they think to kill this puppy?). It was really heartbreaking to see all the dogs in the Lost section, waiting for someone who will never come. There were two, beautiful young shepherds, too.

Many people say that the pet overpopulation problem is due to people not spaying or neutering. I actually wonder if we have a pet overpopulation problem. More like a human commitment problem. While I agree that s/n helps control unwanted births, I feel the problem lies with people not honoring their commitment to their dog or cat when they first got them. If you adopt an animal into your home, it should be for the life of that animal. If people were responsible and didn't treat animals as disposable merchandise, then there would hardly be any in the shelter. Most of these animals had a home at some point. Very few are true strays (most likely, someone dumped them). A commitment means that when you 'move', you take the time to find a place that will let you have your dog...or, you don't get a dog to begin with if you think there's a chance you'll be moving!

There is also the problem with shelters killing adoptable animals, instead of using their resources to help save them. Most of the dogs are doomed to fail the temperament test because they are stressed out in the shelter. There is just something seriously wrong with this picture.

I'm reading "Redemption" by Nathan Winograd who addresses this very issue. While he is very idealistic, he puts forth solutions that shelters could adopt to helps save instead of kill so many.

So, I will try to help one at a time. I foster for Grateful Dogs Rescue. They came into being to help the animals put on the euthanasia list at San Francisco's shelter. Roman and Tikka were saved by them and in return, I want to try to make a difference for a few more unwanted dogs.

If you are looking for a new dog or cat, I do hope you will consider a dog or cat from your local shelter. I realize many people want a puppy or kitten or purebred, but all of those can be found with persistence. Also consider and adult animal. You won't have to deal with the destruction of a youngster and the temperament & size is known. You'll save a life and get a new best friend at the same time!

Zia Camp

Zia ("aunt" in Italian, aka ME) was quite exhausted after 12 hours with her six year old nephew. At first, I thought it was due to my advanced age, but when Erik fell asleep in the car after we dropped Cyrus off, I felt justified.

First, we had a challenging game of Guess Who and Battleship. Then we went to the aquarium and Pier 39. Pier 39 is ripe with an arcade, 3-D ride and plenty of ways to spend money on crap:

"Zia, can I have this?" (a wand that flashes multiple colors...something every kid needs on a foggy day)
"OK"
"Zia, I want this!"
"Uh..."I say...but then Erik interjects: "Mom, get the poor kid a stuffed sing ray...come on!"
"Zia, I need this!"
"No Cyrus, you don't a rubber ball with bloodshot eye for $5.95."

I actually quite enjoyed playing tourist and some of the games at the arcade. Erik was a wonderful helper and didn't milk me for too much. He enjoyed saying loudly, "Wow! I just love San Francisco, I want to live here!" as we passed by tourists (poor things...why do they always wear shorts & tank tops? Didn't they listen to Mark Twain? The coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco.)

The day ended with a trip to the dog park before we went to Erik's baseball game. When I dropped him off, Cyrus bubbled, "When can we do Zia camp again?"

Motherhood Revisited

I've been babysitting my nephews (6 & almost 8 years) a lot these past few weeks. It's been fun but I'm exhausted after only 4 hours. My bath giving skills are totally MIA but I had to laugh when Cyrus imitated Santa Claus. How many times did Erik do this? How many kids in general do this? LOL How did I ever do this? I don't know what's more tiring, the physical or mental aspect. I forgot how hard it is to get anything done with a little person (let alone two little people) around...and...all the questions! "Why is Tikka sitting there?" (she's waiting for her dinner) "Why?" (because she is hungry) "Why is she hungry?" and on it goes...

There have been a few personality clashes between Erik and my older nephew, Darius. Darius loves and idolizes Erik to the point of smothering him. After they left the other day, Erik said to me, "Mom, was I annoying as a little kid?" LOL

Ahhh...but this, too, shall pass and soon they will be teenagers.

Today Erik and I are watching Cyrus, the six year old, all day. One little boy is definitely much easier. An added bonus is that Cyrus loves all the animals, especially the fish, and is excited to go to the fish store with me. We are also going to go to the Aquariumof the Bay. I can't wait to take the kids (and I'm going to force Erik, dammit he will develop an appreciation for our natural world!) to the new Academy of Sciences in September.

Manic Moon Jelly Mass Suicide

The part of Ocean Beach reached via Ft. Funston was a mine field of moon jellyfish yesterday. They were quite beautiful in an ice sculpture sort of way. Why were hundreds beached on this particular day?