Tag: stanley

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Cookie—Just Another Dog

Last December many of us were deeply moved by the Just One Dog video of sweet Stanley’s rescue from a California shelter.  Sadly we have another stark reminder that Stanley’s story is only unique in the he was noticed by someone who could help.  Cookie, pictured above, was just another dog suffering a tortured existance in a Georgia county shelter that appears to have some serious problems.  Fortunately, he is out of the Floyd County shelter, is now being treated by a vet, and is getting pain medications, treatment to ease his itching, and treatment for all his underlying problems.  Cookie has a Facebook page documenting his progress.

I think so many public shelters in the U.S. are overburdened, understaffed, and underfunded and the Floyd Co. Shelter where Cookie was found is no different. For instance, in 2009 a proposal to expand the facility was stopped by the County Commission.  Earlier this year though, the Floyd County animal shelter began working with volunteers from 52 rescuce groups to improve things.  Then in September, the Georgia Dept. of Agriculture investigation of a case of animal hoarding lead to the discovery that not all of the resuce groups were following regulations.  A press release from the county says:

reference-checking has been delegated to others outside of Floyd County, animal tags have been falsified, and licenses apparently used improperly in the rescue of animals….animals from the Animal Shelter (were) transported to uncertified rescues and persons who are not legally compliant in their home cities/counties…

So the volunteer program was suspended until it could be reexamined.  Shelter director Jason Broome and the County Commission are ultimately responsible for these problems and Broome has publicly said he takes full responsibility.  Cookie was found in the aftermath of this upheaval.

If there is to be any finger pointing though, I think that finger should be pointed right back at us, the public. I believe a lot of us don’t want to think about what goes on in our public animal shelters.  I know I don’t.  And the problems there can seem insurmountable.  However:

  • We need to speak up and demand that our animal control departments recieve proper funding.
  • We must demand that progressive, qualified directors be hired to oversee operations and to set goals.
  • If we visit a public shelter and see problems, we need to act—contact the director to politely voice your concernes & contact your representatives to let them know.
  • Spay & neuter your pets.  Don’t contribute to the numbers of unwanted cats & dogs.
  • And, please, think long & hard about buying a pet when there are so very many cats & dogs in shelters who desperately need someone who cares.
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Stanley’s Most Recent Update

What an amazing journey.  It all started with Cathy at CampCocker quietly going about the hard work of rescuing Cocker Spaniels when she saw a dog in desperate need like so many dogs, except this wasn’t a Cocker, it was a pitt bull.  Cathy stepped up, made an amazing video, and Stanley’s rescue started.  It’s so inspiring to see how far he’s come in this latest video and the other dogs who have been saved as a result.

But, I think we have to remember he is just one dog.  There are thousands out there every day who are also desperately in need of medical care, kindness, and a home.  Stanley really isn’t any more special than all those other dogs.  Every dog needing rescue has a story, a will to live, a personality, a spirit, and a mind.  Please consider adopting a dog instead of purchasing a dog.  They’re all special.  And your journey with them will be so rewarding.

Lastly, I want to say I do not understand how people can demonize a breed of dog.  Stanley has been through hell, but just look at the tail wagging when he gets out of his crate at the airport.

Stanley’s story wouldn’t be possible without these groups and they all need donations including LA Animal Services:

  • Los Angeles Animal Services—they have programs to improve the welfare of animals in their shelters, to provide foster homes, for spay/neuter campaigns in low income areas, & to provide medical treatment for “severely injured, abused, and neglected animals rescued by Animal Services”
  • CampCocker
  • Respect-A-Bull

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Stanley, From “Just One Dog” Adopted!

Remember this powerful video of a sickly & dejected dog in a California shelter?

The video of Stanley inspired so many people to act.  Working together they rescued him and eventually brought him to a foster family in British Columbia.  He had surgery to fix his eyes, has been putting on weight, and is recovering from mange.  And the best thing of all—Stanley won’t have to move again because he’s being adopted by his foster family! What a lucky boy.

Sadly, the first part of Stanley’s story is all too common.  Shelters are filled with dogs & cats who need just one person to step up and change their life.  I’m sure you’ve heard it a million times, but please consider adopting before you ever buy a cat or dog.  Pure bred or mixed breed, juvenile or adult, spotted striped or solid, short hair or long, big or small, any possible color or temperament—whatever you’re looking for is out there, but most of them don’t have a lot of time.  And don’t forget there are rescue groups for all sorts of animals: reptiles, ferrets, pocket pet, exotics, horses, goats.  Please adopt!


Stanley today & his new brother Taylor


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Update On Stanley From “Just One Dog”

Remember that painful and amazing video of the the white dog in a California shelter who had clearly given up hope?  Here’s Stanley today doing so much better. He’s recovered from eye surgery and can open his eyes without pain for probably the first time ever.  I’m so happy for Stanley.  I just wish every dog were so lucky.

Check out Stanley’s video, Just One Dog. It was made by Cathy at Camp Cocker. You can also find out about where Stanley is being fostered now in Canada.

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Update On Stanley, Just One Dog

Remember that gut-wrenching video, Just One Dog, about the dejected white pitbull with mange and eye infections in California shelter?  (The video was made by Cathy at CampCocker.) Well, a bunch of good things have been happening to Stanley since then and he’s doing so much better!  He’s now being fostered in a home by the Respect-A-Bull rescue group in Port Alberni on Vancouver Island, British Columbia.  His skin and eyes are improving, he has more energy, he’s playing, sleeping in a snuggly bed, and giving out lots of kisses.

Here’s the post about his arrival in Canada. Respect-A-Bull has a blog with information on their other dogs and updates on Stanley.  Stanley also has a Facebook page with updates. And check out the video below from a news story.  What a sweet boy!

Stanley’s story is great, but here’s the thing I think we have to remember—Stanley isn’t special, at all.  He really is just one dog out of thousands and thousands of dogs. I think we tell ourselves the fiction that Stanley is special so we won’t feel so bad about the millions of dogs destroyed every year in the US alone.  The majority of the dogs destroyed in shelters are no different than Stanley.  They just never got a chance.  Tons of people have offered to adopt Stanley.  I hope so much that they will instead adopt just one other dog.

Please support your local rescue groups.  If you want to help out Respect-A-Bull, you can donate on their site or purchase a Stanley shirt.

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