Oh Happy Day!

Today has been a wonderful day! Sandi was planning to take the day off from work to celebrate the Inauguration of our new President, and when we woke up this morning we had snow !


It is indeed a Happy Day !


Playing in the snow is fun, but I get ice balls on the hair between my toes (I have hobbit feet, and have large tufts of hair that stick up). The ice didn't stick to my English Shepherd teflon coat. Ruby's hair is different and she got icy dreadlocks. The cats wouldn't dream of going out in the snow....

Montana English Shepherd Rescue operations

Details from the Billings Gazette Dec. 30, 2008 - The Yellowstone County Sheriff's Department executed a second search warrant today at Shady Lane Kennels in Ballantine, MT and is in the process of seizing almost 300 dogs (English Shepherds and Pugs) and other animals.

A veterinarian assisting in the seizure said he saw dogs without food, water or adequate shelter. A team of veterinarians is examining the dogs at a temporary clinic at MetraPark, where the dogs will be housed.

The first warrant was issued Dec. 11, and after a four-hour search, officials took 10 dogs that they thought needed immediate veterinary care and discovered 13 dead dogs on the property. At that time, investigators took photos and video footage of the animals, which prompted the second warrant. The Sheriff's Department is still searching for about 50 to 60 pugs that were at the property during the first raid but were gone when authorities moved in Dec. 30.

For a story Jan. 3 from the Billings Gazette see:
http://www.billingsgazette.net/articles/2009/01/03/news/local/24-vetdogs.txt

National English Shepherd Rescue (NESR) is working to help with the care and potential placement of the ES involved. For anyone wishing to make donations, NESR is setting up a special Montana Rescue Fund. This fund will help with food, supplies, vet care, transportation, or anything else that might be needed for this rescue effort, including helping other rescue groups that may participate in this rescue effort. Any funds left over after the rescue effort is complete and all the these dogs are in forever homes, will go to rescue other English Shepherds in need.

Click on NESR on my links section or visit www.nesr.info/montana.htm for information about how to make a donation.

This breaks my heart, and Sandi's too.

Ayla

A great way to start the year! Happy 2009!

I had a great day on January 1, 2009. It started out as just another day for me (I don't understand all this New Year hoopla), but then we loaded up the car with my tracking gear and treats and we went tracking!!

We met my friend Niamh and her person Barbara on the UNC-Chapel Hill campus, and Barbara and Sandi laid tracks for us. Even though classes were out and offices were closed for the holiday, there were people walking and pushing strollers through campus.
















My track started on grass and moved onto shredded mulch, then turned onto a brick sidewalk and followed the sidewalk down the side of a big building, then turned again through more mulch and grass - to the final article. It is a very beautiful place, but not as many squirrels as I remembered from other times - bummer.




Tracking is my very favorite thing to do. I'm lucky to have found something that I love to do, and am good at doing. Barbara took some photos of us (she's very smart and brings her camera!) Thanks Barbara! Niamh had a fun time tracking, too. Check out her blog "Setter Tails."