I DON’T ALWAYS TALK ABOUT DOGS …
SOMETIMES I’M ASLEEP.
Rescued dog “Roxy” holding hand with inmate / trainer. Tuesday April 19, 2016.
A homeless pit bull facing an uncertain future found a second chance in the most unlikely of places — within the walls of Rikers Island.
A group of teen inmates lived with the pooch — named Roxy — for nine weeks and worked to help her shed her wild ways.
“She was kind of nippy,” one of the inmates told the News during a recent visit to the Robert N. Davoren Complex. “I would spray apple vinegar on my hand. That stopped it.”
The teenagers’ aptitude for the nuances of dog training thrilled the volunteers who work with them and the staff they see every day at the complex.
The inmates — all 16 or 17 — are awaiting trial for a range of offenses.
Through the special program with the nonprofit Rescue Dogs Rescue Soldiers, they are responsible for feeding, walking, grooming and socializing pooches deemed unadoptable by shelters. If not adoptable, some dogs may be euthanized.
“This is giving them the opportunity to focus on something positive,” said Winette Saunders Jackson, deputy commissioner of Youthful Offender and Young Adult Programming at the city’s Department of Correction.
“I see personal growth,” said Jackson. “I see how they are a little more empowered and they can do something different.”
The Daily News was allowed to attend an emotional Rikers Rovers graduation ceremony last week, where the young inmates received certificates. Several family members attended and celebrated with a pizza dinner.
Since the program started in 2014, eight dogs from animal shelters have been trained and rehabilitated by inmates. They have gone to loving homes, including Hawkins, who is now a companion dog for a veteran with posttraumatic stress disorder.
“In my experience, the boys and the stray dogs have a great ability to bond,” said Liz Keller, a volunteer for Rescue Dogs Rescue Soldiers.
“They are alone. They are scared. They miss their family and they need love,” Keller said.
One young inmate smiled as he remembered the first time he had to get up at 5 a.m. to walk Roxy.
“It was a learning experience,” he said. “I never thought I would be able to train a dog.”
Keller said she hopes to continue the program but donations are scarce. The group does not receive any city funding for its work.
Roxy also captured the heart of Correction Officer Gregory Jean-Louis, who adopted her. Several of the inmates implored him to bring her by for visits.
“I used to have a lot of anger and she helped calm me down,” one young inmate told The News. “You feel a lot of love. It feels good to help a dog get a new start.”
BIG Walkies Bournemouth
Saturday 21 May, West Cliff Gardens
Are you ready humans and dogs of Bournemouth? On Saturday 21 May, we’re coming for you to bring you the biggest and best walkies you’ve ever seen… by the beach!
Sign up now
BIG Walkies by the beach will be a walk you’ll never forget. There’ll be more trees, more slobber and plenty of fun to sniff out along the promenade – doggies and dog lovers, this is your day!
Choose your walkies distance of 2.5K or 4K, have a ball in our lively event village, get sponsored as a team and even meet some of the dogs who are looking for new homes in our rehoming hubs.
Registration opens at 10.30 am and the walk opens at 11.00 am. The event village closes at 15.00 pm.
Sign up today
Golden retriever being pat on the head at Big Walkies Birmingham photo by Kirsty Wise © RSPCA Big Walkies
Bring your kids, your partner or come along and meet someone new! Sign up today for the Best Walk Ever.
Join as a team
Terrier walking with owners at Horsham Big Walkies by Shaun Cox © RSPCA Big Walkies
For groups of friends, workmates and more, why not sign up as a team? Big Walkies just got Bigger!
Volunteer
We need volunteers to help make our big walkies fabulous! Join us – be part of the Big Walkies events team.
Event facilities
Parking facilities
Pay and display parking
Toilet facilities
Toilets – at the Event Village
Refreshments – at the Event Village
First Aid facilities
First aid for humans
First Aid for pets
Event Village – stalls, merchandise and more!
Pushchair access
Suitable for pushchairs – Both routes are along flat, paved surfaces. There is a steep incline back up towards the Event Village.
Pushchair access
Suitable for wheelchairs – Both routes are along flat, paved surfaces. There is a steep incline back up towards the Event Village.
If you would like to discuss special assistance please get in touch by emailing bigwalkies@rspca.org.uk.
Sniff out BIG Walkies Bournemouth:
You’ll find BIG Walkies registration and Event Village in West Cliff Gardens.
Address:
West Cliff Gardens,
Bournemouth,
BH2 5HL
By train:
Bournemouth Railway Station
By bus:
The yellow buses serve this area. To plan your route visit Yellow Buses.
By car:
Sat Nav: BH2 5HL
Pay and display car parking:
Durley Chine Car Park (BH2 5JG)
Bath Road South Car Park (BH1 2EW)
I arrived at the home of adorable Four Paws Cocker Spaniel Archie who had been having fun with a roll of kitchen paper from of the worktop!
Being a very clever puppy he decided to try and distract me from his antics by offering me his soft toy.
How could I be cross with those puppy dog eyes saying it wasn’t me Aunty Fran, honest!
Don’t you just love them!
Always have a First Aid Kit in your vehicle.
Not only to be used for first aid but if there is a risk of being bitten, use a bandage as a muzzle.
AS spring flowers bloom in forests, parks and gardens across Dorset, pet owners are being warned of the dangers certain plants bring to cats and dogs.
While colourful springtime flora such as daffodils, tulips and lilies are delightful to look at, they can also prove deadly to pets.
According to findings from More Than, over three quarters (78%) of Britain’s gardens contain plants that are toxic to cats and dogs. The insurance provider also found almost 10 per cent of cats and dogs have fallen ill after ingesting dangerous plant life. Of those, 43 per cent subsequently needed urgent veterinary care, while 15 per cent sadly passed away.
Among the popular spring plants and flowers that can be dangerous to pets are daffodils, tulips, lilies, crocuses and lily of the valley.
With daffodils, ingestion of the bulb, plant or flower can cause severe vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, and even possible cardiac problems in dogs and cats. The main toxicity of tulips is found in the bulbs, and when ingested it can result in irritation to the mouth and oesophagus. Typical signs of poisoning include drooling, vomiting and diarrhoea.
There are many varieties of lily and not all are dangerous to pets. Peace and Calla lily can cause minor complications when ingested, such as irritation to the mouth. However, the likes of Tiger, Asiatic and Easter lilies can be highly toxic to cats, with the ingestion of even small amounts of the plant potentially resulting in kidney failure.
The spring crocus variety can cause general gastrointestinal upset including vomiting and diarrhoea. And the lily of the valley plant can cause symptoms similar to foxglove when ingested by pets, including vomiting, erratic heart rate and diarrhoea.
Despite the dangers, More Than found one in three pet owners (31%) admitted they had no idea if the plants in their garden were toxic. The same number were unaware plants could be poisonous to pets.
As part of its campaign, More Than is calling on plant producers, manufacturers of garden products and retailers to provide clearer labelling to help pet owners easily identify if plants are safe or harmful to cats and dogs. To date, over 30 MPs have supported the company’s aims for clearer labelling.
George Lewis, head of marketing, said: “Whether you’re walking your dog in the park or planting bulbs in the garden, we would urge pet owners everywhere to take the appropriate steps to ensure their cats and dogs are safe.” from ingesting poisonous spring plant life and falling seriously ill.”
Maggie the Kelpie, believed to be the world’s oldest dog, passed away while asleep in her basket Sunday night.
Maggie, who belonged to Australian dairy farmer, Brian McLaren, was 30 at the time of her death. That’s approximately 200 in human years. According to McLaren, Maggie had been happy and healthy up until two days before her death, when she began to deteriorate.
Ella and ToTo enjoying the sunshine together. Relaxed and chilled!
Special doggies!
Meet Cleopatra a lovely 5 year old Cat. She is a very outgoing girl and really loves cuddles. She is looking for a new home as sadly her previous owner was moving to no pet accommodation. She will need a new human that is happy to be groomed by her and doesn’t mind getting the odd present. She should be fine to live with cat savvy children but she will need to be the only pet in the home.
Visit http://www.margaretgreenanimalrescue.org.uk/41270
If your dog gets an electric shock from a voltage supply e.g. non domestic, do not approach the dog!
Call the Police immediately.
