Randy has Worked Tirelessly For Animals

Hi Friends, Randy who works tirelessly for animals has been nominated for the St. Louis' Person of the Year contest which is sponsored by the Post Dispatch. This is an informal contest in which the nominees and the winner are chosen by the public. Randy is currently ranked#1 and we would love for him to win. Please take the time to vote at the link below and share with your dog/cat loving friends! Thank you.

http://www.stltoday.com/blogzone/talk-of-the-day/talk-of-the-day/2008/12/vote-on-your-nominees-for-st-louis-area-person-of-the-year/all-comments/#comments

Elijah how could this be done to you?

This is Elijah, so named after the angel in charge of the weak and the sick. Elijah was shot at point blank range in the face, the chest and the abdomen. Someone found him on Puckett Creek Road in Flat Rock, TN. Whoever did this did it very much on purpose and with intent to kill. Given the trajectory of the wounds and the number of them, the vet believes someone held this dog on a leash while they shot him. Elijah's front left leg was shattered by the bullet and his right front leg was injured but will recover. Elijah lost his front leg and part of the right side of his face. We removed a bullet from the chest cavity and most of one bullet in his tongue. The right side of his face will never look normal as his upper canine and incisor were shattered on the right side of his face. He was shot with both a rifle and a shotgun and he has buckshot from head to toe and some slugs we did not remove. He has a long way to go and more surgery ahead of him. Despite all this, he wags his tail and kisses us and comes hobbling over when we call. He is underweight and malnourished on top of everything else, but so trusting of people. I pride myself on balance and temperance in my dealings with people but I confess I am burning with anger over this case as it transcends mere cruelty and is a much darker example of the worst we can do to an animal.

It is Christmas time which should be a time of good will toward all men and animals. I am sick at the thought that there are other dogs out there just like Elijah but without someone to speak for them and care for them, dying alone and unloved in some misbegotten place. I am unspeakably sad to know that there are people capable of such monstrosity and I am amazed at the grace shown by this poor dog toward people whom he has no reason to trust. These pictures were taken after he was bathed to remove all the blood he was covered in. I can’t bring myself to post what he looked like when we got him Thursday. This is what happens to dogs in rural areas in the South when they are left to fend for themselves and we should all work toward ensuring this never happens to another dog. I am sickened by the thought of what this dog suffered and I am deeply ashamed of my fellow man. Say a prayer for all those lost souls not in a home or a rescue and alone and scared on this cold December night.

If you would like to donate to Elijah's fund, a link is provided below. Feel free to crosspost as you see fit. http://bigfluffydogs.com or you can send it straight to the vets office who is taking care this beautiful dog Premier VetCare 10579 Cedar Grove Road #190 Smyrna, TN 37167 or contact them through their website at www.premiervetcare.com

Jean Harrison
Big Fluffy Dog Rescue
http://ssomail.charter.net/do/redirect?url=https%253A%252F%252Fwww.paypal.com%252Fcgi-bin%252Fwebscr%253Fcmd%253D_s-xclick%2526hosted_button_id%253D1691044

I included this letter in my blog today because I must admit I am blown away by how cruel and inhumane that people can be to not only each other but to us helpless dogs. This story just deeply saddens my heart.

Bark! The Boston Terriers Sing

Hudson's revision of

"Hark! The Heralds Angels Sing"

Bark! The Boston Terriers Sing

"Look at us, the coolest thing.

Stubby nose and tempers mild,

The first American breed was styled."

"Don't forget us!" call the puggles.

Terriers yip, "We're best for snuggles."

"Wait a sec!" the mutts proclaim.

"Neath our fur, we're all the same.

Bark! Tho' wondrous breeds abound,

Don't forsake the local pound."

This Christmas season brighten your home

and a dog at the pound or a rescue facility by

purchasing your next pet from them.

Dog's Lover Paradise

R.T.Weiler's Food & Spirits located in downtown St. Charles, Missouri is a restaurant you have to check out. The minute you walk into the place you are bombarded with amazing dog momentum's everywhere. One of the traditions is their regulars bring framed pictures of their dogs and the establishments hang them on the wall. There is every kind of dog imaginable hanging on their walls. It's just fun to go around checking out all the dog pictures. Some of the pictures are in memory of dog's that were amazing pets to their owners. You will have to find mine but it does kind of stand out as I'm such a handsome little guy.They have a fabulous happy hour from 4:00-6:00 p.m. where all their appetizers are half off and they have some terrific drink specials. On Wednesdays wine by the bottle is all half off. They have an extensive, fun menu that is very reasonable. The restaurant atmosphere is so laid back and relaxing. It is very homey and has such a friendly feeling to it. Some nights they have live music that is played at just the right noise level not to interrupt dinner conversation. They always seem to play amazing music. Prices are extremely reasonable and every time my family goes there the waitresses are SO FRIENDLY and provide excellent service. I can come anytime I want as they allow dogs on their patio dining.Everyone who works there always brags about their owners saying they are so easy and kind to work for. I haven't met them yet but I'm looking forward to it. Anybody who loves dogs is a friend of mine.There number is (636) 947-1593 and let them know HUDSON sent you....

Shelter Dog Rescues Human

"I rescued a Human today.

Her eyes met mine as she walked down the corridor, peering apprehensively into the kennels. I felt her need instantly and knew I had to help her.
I wagged my tail, not too exuberantly, so she wouldn't be afraid.

As she stopped at my kennel I blocked her view from a little accident I had in the back of my cage. I didn't want her to know that I hadn't been walked today. Sometimes the overworked shelter keepers get too busy and I didn't want her to think poorly of them. As she read my kennel card I hoped that she wouldn't feel sad about my past. I only have the future to look forward to and want to make a difference in
someone's life. She got down on her knees and made little kissy sounds at me. I shoved my shoulder and side of my head up against the bars to comfort her. Gentle fingertips caressed my neck; she was desperate for companionship. A tear fell down her cheek and I raised my paw to assure her that all would be well.
Soon my kennel door opened and her smile was so bright that I instantly jumped into her arms. I would promise to keep her safe. I would promise to always be by her side.I would promise to do everything I could to see that radiant smile and
sparkle in her eyes. I was so fortunate that she came down my corridor. So many more are out
there who haven't walked the corridors. So many more to be saved. At least I could save one. I rescued a human today." (author unknown) Save a dog's life today...buy your next canine at a shelter or from a rescuer. Tell them Hudson sent you....

Fly Me Away

I don't care what talent you have it can make a huge difference in the life's of others if you open your heart. Have you heard about the pilots who fly dogs on the verge of being euthanized in shelters ? DO YOU KNOW THAT BETWEEN 4 AND 6 MILLION ANIMALS A YEAR WILL BE EUTHANIZED IN U.S. SHELTERS ??? There is one group out there called Pilots N Paws that was co foundered by Jon Wehrenberg of Knoxville, Tennessee. This compassionate man saw the need for dogs in overcrowded shelters to be flown to rescuers and animal shelters. He rescues dogs that are next in line to be killed and finds rescue groups to fly them to. The rescue groups then foster the dogs until they can find them permanent, loving homes. He has over 85 pilots who have signed on to help him. He has saved over 200 dogs to date by flying them to safety and eventually loving forever homes. There are way too many high kill shelters in the United States and way too many people who are dumping dogs off at them because they become inconvenient. I realize there are some situations that are beyond the owners control but the majority of the time that is not the case. Most people like my family weren't aware that many

many animal shelters have to euthanize 70% of the dogs

that come to their facility. These are loving, wonderful pets who often were purchased without any fault of their own by owners who gave them up. Maybe they didn't have time for them, get transferred with their job and can't move the animal with them, have a baby and no longer have time for the pet and don't have the time they thought they did to take care of a dog. Some of these dogs were purchased by college students who find out they can't handle the responsibility of raising a dog etc... So many reasons out of the control of the pet and they wind up at a shelter that isn't a no-kill one. This organization just helped out Knoxville-Williams Animal Center which receives around 17,000 animals a year and has to euthanize 70% of them. Xan Rawls is the operations director of Young-Williams Animal Center and is thrilled for every animal she can find a loving home for. She goes out of her way to work with Pilots N Paws. They simple struggle to find homes for all the animals they take in. Pilots N Paws has a web based message board about animals in need if you've got a minute to check them out. Won't you consider buying a dog from a shelter next time your adding a canine to your family??