Friday, January 31, 2014

Happy Friday Fellow Canine Lovers!

I am still cruising around from house to house waiting for my rock-star owners to come back from the great down under. Wish I could be there with my best mates. In the meantime, I am kicking it at Rue's house now. She can be quite a crazy kid, but thankfully Jackie's diva side keeps her in check. Rue was adopted at 7 months and had some chewing issues which included carpet, furniture, and a various assortment of other things that she went to town on when her parents left her alone in the house. After a few risky departures with our owners leaving Jackie and myself with her alone, it looks like Rue can now be trusted alone if we are there. She must use me as her role model. Jackie and I talked some sense into her mini head, and let her know that laying around and chilling is way more fun. Her owners were very pleased to see that she took cue from us and did not chew while they were gone. It makes them wonder if getting another dog could solve all of their problems with leaving Rue alone with a house full of furniture to chew on. I am off to my fifth nap of the day. Have a good weekend my friends! Hudson

Thursday, January 16, 2014

Some Good Habits To Teach Your Dog …….


Start the New Year off right: Help your cat or dog to be on its best behavior. When a pet knows and follows the rules, it makes living together more pleasant for everyone.
Even though we love our pets, their behavior sometimes needs improvement. It’s never their objective to annoy; it’s just that they haven’t yet learned (or have forgotten) the proper way to act.
If you believe your pet could benefit from etiquette lessons, know that it’s not difficult to teach a dog or cat to behave better. To make the most of your relationship with your pet, teach good habits using:
  • Practice – Once you decide on a behavior to focus on, give your pet plenty of opportunities to practice it. Try it at different times of day, in different situations, even in different locations around the house.
  • Praise – Animals love to be adored and told how good they are. When yours masters a new habit, praise him or her in an enthusiastic voice. Use the pet’s name and say how wonderful they are. Pat them on the head or scratch your pupil behind the ears as you praise.
  • Rewards – Who doesn’t like a cookie (even if it’s in the form a dried fish morsel, for a cat)? Accompany your praise with a treat. Even a small piece communicates how proud you are.

Important Habits to Learn

1. Come 
The best time to teach a cat is before mealtime. Call her name right before you reach for the kibble or can opener. With repetition, she’ll start to believe that hearing her name means to make a beeline for you. Away from the kitchen, call her name and have a reward like a sliver of tuna or chicken. Repeat. Similarly, with a dog use food and practice, praise and reward.
2. Go 
When placed in a clean litter box, most cats figure out what to do. With a kitten, gently take her paw and use it to scrape the litter. If instinct doesn’t take over, keep her in a confined space with the box until she uses it. Clean and repeat. With dogs, it’s all about timing (and crate training helps too!) And remember to praise and reward good behavior with enthusiasm.
3. Be a Good Traveler 
Whether you need to take your pet to the veterinarian or around the world, good behavior can make travel less stressful for everyone. To keep everyone safe, make sure that you have an appropriate restraint or carrier for your pet. Make test runs to get your pet accustomed to leaving the house. On a trip, allow time to stop and provide water and a bathroom break.
4. Leave It 
Pets are naturally curious, and dogs are particularly scavengers. To convince yours to give up something he finds that’s toxic or potentially dangerous, teach him that the “Leave it” command is always followed by a tastier reward.
5. Don’t Pull 
Walking even a small dog can pull you off balance, so it’s important to control your pet rather than the other way around. With the dog on your left, walk quickly, talking to the dog as you go. Stop, treat, and go — and make every walk a training session until your dog consistently keeps pace with you.
For more detailed advice on training your pet, visit the ASPCA website [http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/virtual-pet-behaviorist] and consider contacting a professional animal behaviorist.

Your Pet Deserves An Annual Checkup ….

Bringing your dog or cat to the veterinarian’s office on a regular basis can ward off serious illness and help to avoid high bills later.
Your dog can’t tell you in words that his teeth hurt, nor can your cat confide that her leg doesn’t feel right. Fortunately, information like that — and much more — can be determined during a pet’s physical exam.
“When you consider that our pets age at approximately six to seven times the rate that we do, it’s easy to see that yearly veterinary exams are important not only for vaccinations and vital statistics but also to notice any early signs of disease or other problems,” states the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine website.
Checkups keep your pet healthy by allowing your veterinarian to spot small problems before they escalate and resolve them more easily, less expensively and with a greater outcome of success. They can also help your pet to avoid common discomforts such as heartworm and dental disease.
By the time your pet reaches about 7 years of age, yearly visits become even more important. The cost of a routine wellness exam is going to be much lower than treatment of an advanced disease. Catching a problem early can prevent your pet from unnecessary pain, suffering and possibly even loss of life.

What Happens During a Yearly Checkup

An annual exam allows your veterinarian to take a close look at your pet and compare findings with those of the previous visit. It’s also your opportunity to report on anything out of the ordinary that you’ve noticed such as excessive water drinking, loss of appetite, coughing, diarrhea or constipation.
A thorough, nose-to-tail physical exam typically starts with a weigh-in and includes taking the patient's temperature, which for both dogs and cats is normally between 101 and 102.5 degrees.
Your pet’s doctor will also conduct a visual inspection; clean skin, clear eyes and a shiny coat are indicators of good health. Some problems are caused by poor diet, and it’s possible that changing nutrition or adding a supplement that the veterinarian recommends can clear up things in a matter of weeks.
Ears should also be checked, especially on dog breeds with floppy ones that trap bacteria, such as cocker spaniels. Many of these dogs have ongoing problems. Your veterinarian can bring you up to date on the best way to manage them at home and will prescribe medication, if necessary.
Using a stethoscope, the veterinarian listens for clear lungs and a healthy heart rhythm. If an abnormality is detected, further investigation is warranted. If not, then it’s onto the pet’s underside to palpate the liver, kidneys, and other vital organs.
It’s also essential for a veterinarian to examine your pet's mouth. Loose or rotted teeth, infected gums and other problems can be causing your pet discomfort without your knowing it. Even if bad breath is the only problem, a cleaning at a later date may be in order.
Once your pet is deemed free of serious problems, your veterinarian will most likely discuss vaccinations, heartworm prevention and flea and tick treatments, depending on the season. And if your pet hasn’t been spayed or neutered or microchipped yet, a reputable veterinarian should bring it up — if you don’t first.

Tuesday, January 14, 2014

FIrefighters Rescue Dog In O'Fallon Park Pond …..

Photo GalleryEXPAND1 of 4
  • Courtesy the St. Louis Post-Dispatch
ST. LOUIS (KTVI) – Sunday, St. Louis City firefighters had a chance to practice their cold water rescue procedures at O’Fallon Park. Firefighters were called to the park for a dog trapped in the icy water of a pond in the park.
The dog was rescued, and everyone is okay.

Sunday, January 12, 2014

Thank You Governor Cuomo For Signing Great Legislation…...


VICTORY!
On Friday, Governor Cuomo signed A.740a /S.3753a - legislation which will lead to stricter laws regulating puppy mills and large scale pet breeders in locales in New York. Our sincere thanks to Assemblymember Linda B. Rosenthal and Senator Mark Grisanti for their determined leadership on this anti-puppy mill measure. And special thanks to thousands of New Yorkers who weighed in on this political process, securing a very important outcome. It was signed in 2014, but technically, it's the 108th animal protection bill enacted in 2013 -- and it's a big one.

Wednesday, January 8, 2014

Nothing Beats A Shelter Pet…...





7th Annual Dogs 'n Suds Benefit Dog Wash for OpSpot …….

Dogs n' Suds January 11

Join us for our 7th Annual Dogs 'n Suds Benefit Dog Wash for OpSpot on
Saturday, January 11 from 10 AM - 3 PM at our Four Muddy Paws Lafayette
Square shop (1711 Park Avenue)

We're turning our self service dog wash into a benefit dog wash for OpSpot! 
Enjoy some libations from Square One Microbrewery while your dogs gets a bath!  How perfect is that?

Friendly volunteers from OpSpot will be on hand to wash and dry your dog while you enjoy a bit of fresh brewed beer and other delicious delights from
SquareOne Microbrewery and Distillery!

All for only $15 and 100% of the proceeds benefit OpSpot!

There's no appointment necessary - it's just first come - first served! 

O'Fallon Animal Control Rocks !!!!



AS ALWAYS-temperatures are at a historic low (we are hitting a 20 year record) in the next 24 hours- you CANNOT have your pet outside unless using the restroom or other extenuating circumstances- like a heated dog house and water bowl. O'Fallon PD has zero tolerance. There are 42 plows out there attempting to clean up the streets but we advise you to stay home and make sure your vehicles are off the streets, the police are citing for traffic violations. Report any animal welfare issues to 636-240-3200. Stay safe and warm!!!



We can all understand that certain types of dog breeds adore the cold weather and to them, winter precipitation is their natural playground. There are many cases though where an owner can take it to an extreme and for that we have specific ordinances to follow. If it's 32 degrees Fahrenheit or below take extra precautions to keep your dog healthy. If you notice a cause for concern don't ever hesitate to contact the police department at 636-240-3200 and ask for Animal Control.

Women Charged After Trying To Do The RIght Thing …….We've Got To Get Better Laws !!!

LINCOLN COUNTY • When Jessica Dudding saw a yellow Lab tied to a pipe in a vacant lot on a cold December night, her only thought was to get the dog shelter.
She never imagined her good deed would end with her being charged for lying about where she found the dog.
Dudding, 34, was out looking at Christmas lights with her husband and two boys Dec. 27 in the Glen Meadows subdivision, south of Troy, Mo., when they saw the dog.
“As we got closer, I saw it had a red collar, like a shock collar, and tied to that and a sewer pole was a green baseball belt,” she said. “I wasn’t sure if someone had dumped it or if someone was just playing a prank, but I knew it was extremely cold already, and the temperature was supposed to drop even more.”
Dudding couldn’t find any identifying information on the dog, so she called the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Department.
“My boys actually sat next to the dog and put their coat on him while we waited,” she said.
A deputy told Dudding the county had no facilities for strays, and Dudding said she couldn’t keep the dog herself because she already had two of her own.
The deputy told her the nearest shelter was in Wentzville in St. Charles County, but he wasn’t sure they would take a dog from Lincoln County.
Because it was close to 11 p.m., and the wind chill was 19 degrees, Dudding said she decided to try the shelter. The deputy cut the belt and helped her load the dog in her van.
When Dudding got to the Wentzville Police Department, an officer took her drivers license number and asked her where she had found the dog.

“I told him I found him on Wentzville Parkway, close to Highway 61,” she said. “I was scared that they were going to tell me, ‘You live in Lincoln County, and we can’t do anything.’ ”
The police took the dog, and Dudding posted a picture of the animal on her neighborhood Facebook page. A few days later, someone mentioned a sign on Highway U about a missing yellow Labrador retriever. Dudding’s husband got the phone number, and they called the Campbell family.
Bryan Campbell said that when Dudding found his 3-year-old dog, Diesel, he had been missing for more than 24 hours. Campbell said he had an electronic fence but the battery in Diesel’s collar must have died.
“This was the first time he was gone for any length of time,” Campbell said. “My girls went out looking for him but couldn’t find him, so they posted some signs.”
Campbell said he had no idea who had tied up his dog or why they had done it. He feels partly to blame because he didn’t have Diesel’s name on his collar, something he has since rectified.
When the Duddings called about Diesel, Campbell said he couldn’t pick up his dog right away because the shelter, a private veterinary office that contracts with Wentzville, was closed for the holidays. He didn’t get Diesel home until Thursday and had to pay about $250 in boarding fees and a $50 fine for letting his dog run in Wentzville.
‘I WAS HYSTERICAL’
One of Campbell’s daughters contacted Dudding and asked if she would consider telling police the truth so they wouldn’t have to pay the $50 fine.
Dudding agreed and couldn’t believe it when police said she was going to be charged with a misdemeanor.
“I just immediately was in shock; I was hysterical,” she said. “I was at work, and he told me that I had to come down there and fill out an actual police report and get a fine.”
Campbell said he had called police and asked them to drop the charge.
“She did what she thought was right at the time, and that’s all you can ask of a person,” he said.
But Wentzville Police Maj. Paul West said it wasn’t that simple.
“She reported to us that this happened, and you don’t get to lie to the police,” he said.
Dudding said she didn’t maliciously mislead anyone.
West said Dudding could tell her story to a judge when she goes to municipal court Jan. 21, and he wouldn’t be surprised if the charge was dismissed.
If it isn’t, Campbell said, he will pay Dudding’s fine, which would be determined by a judge.
“She’s in trouble for helping my dog, so I’ve got to have her back on this,” he said.
The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Department says the situation highlights the need for an animal shelter in the county, which currently has about 53,000 residents and is one of the fastest-growing counties in Missouri.
Sheriff’s Lt. Andy Binder said officers were faced almost daily with the dilemma of what to tell people when they call to report a stray animal. In 2013, the department took 367 such calls.
He said they told people to try to find a shelter that would take the animal — “or house the dog themselves and post something on our Facebook page.”

How To Help Animals In Extreme Temps/Weather ……...

How to help animals in extreme temps/weather - advice from Dogs Deserve Better

More and more e-mails and phone calls are pouring in from Southern Missouri and across the entire State of MO asking for help for dogs left out in the cold. We can not get to all of them but I have some advise for anyone willing to try to help these dogs that we cannot get to. We do not sleep at night knowing that there are dogs out there, but we are working our butts off to get to as many as we can and coach people through helping the ones that we can't. Here are some suggestions that seem to be successful, in my experience 

1. If you approach a property, rule number one, do not trespass. If there is a no trespassing sign on the property, do not enter the property, call the officials whether it is Animal Control, the Sheriff or the Police Dpt., whoever dispatches calls in your area. If there is no trespassing sign, stay on the driveway and the sidewalk or walk leading to an entry door, this is not trespassing. Never put anything on or in the mailbox unless it is mailed through the postal system, this is a federal offense.
2. When approaching a property, be concerned about the people living there as well, they may be in need and this is why their focus is not on the dog. There are many different situations out there, so if you approach a property wanting to "help", being sympathetic, asking the owners if everything is alright and do they need anything, offer to plow their driveway or shovel their walk, striking up a conversation and then asking about the dogs and if there is anything you can do to help them, you will get further than being irate, angry and making them feel the dogs life is more valuable than theirs is.
3. Have supplies on hand, have straw, tell them you have some left over straw from your own dog houses (even though you would never leave your dog out with a dog house) and could they use some for their dog. Have a small bag of food and a jug of water, if they say you can help the dog, be prepared to do so and do it then, don't scurry for supplies later.
4. If they say they don't care about the dog, can't afford the dog, ask you for help rehoming the dog, take the dog at that time. I don't care if you are on your way to work or have your "good car", take the dog. Get them to sign a piece of paper, anything, even a napkin stating I (name of owner) am relinquishing (name of dog), a (breed of dog) to (your name), on (date). (Signature of owner)
5. If you are not comfortable approaching owners of these dogs that desperately need help, call the authorities, animal control if in your area, the Sheriff Department, or the Police Dpt., whoever dispatches the calls in your area. Remember to state your name, do NOT call anonymously and ask for a follow up. Keep records of who you called, when and what the response was and follow up. Get others to call as well. The more reports, the faster they will respond and they will be sure to respond.
6. Always leave a contact number, they may contact you later and tell them to call you anytime they need anything at all.
7. Lastly, always get a picture if possible of the living conditions of the dog.

There are many more suggestions, but these are the basics that I follow when I approach a property.

Thank you all for speaking up for these dogs, don't give up, get creative, be caring, helpful, understanding, sympathetic, talk to them about the extreme weather, get them to open up, befriend them, do them a favor......you will be able to make a difference for the dog.

~Melody Whitworth
DDB MO

Tuesday, January 7, 2014

What Dogs Should or Shouldn't Be Left Outside in a DogHouse …….

Personally I think all dogs should live inside but for those individuals who think it is okay to leave a dog outside because you bought a dog house here is some information straight from the manufactures:

What is the “R-factor” for your doghouses?
“R-factor” is a term used to describe how effective the insulation is in a structure. Typical human homes have an R-factor of 12. We do not quote an R-Factor on our doghouses because just looking at R-Factor could be very misleading. There are several important variables in keeping a doghouse warm and determining the coldest temperature at which the doghouse will be effective:Correct sizing: The dog’s body is what keeps the house warm. Too small a dog in too large a house will never get warm enough.
Door flaps: The doorway is effectively a huge hole in the house. Without a door, there is no way the house will retain warmth.
Setup: The doghouse should be oriented with the door facing away from the prevailing winds and in the sun for cold weather. (The opposite is true for warm weather.)
Ventilation: Adjustable ventilation should be open just enough to prevent condensation inside the house in cold weather.
Breed: Some dogs, especially the very short-haired breeds, just should not be outside during cold winters. Others, such as working sled dogs, may thrive outdoors in the cold.
This is from another dog house manufacturer: 
What is the lowest temp that your dog houses are rated at?
Like · 
  • Petmate Pet Products Hi T, there is no official temperature rating. For more information, please message us and we'll connect you with our customer service department. Thanks! - Petmate Facebook Team


Please bring your dogs inside in this weather….I'm getting way too many calls from people whose neighbors have left their dogs outside in these -11 degrees days. This is insane folks as water will freeze in 15 minutes in this temperature let alone a DOG. 

Adopting Gives You Such A Wonderful Feeling and Is The Right Thing To Do …….


Monday, January 6, 2014

Cold Weather TIps From The Humane Society of Missouri…..

Pet Safety is Paramount when Temperatures Plummet –Cold Weather tips from the Humane Society of Missouri
With severely cold weather here and continuing, the Humane Society of Missouri urges all pet owners to bring their pets inside and exercise the utmost caution when exposing pets to the cold. Pets rely on their owners to help stay warm during cold weather. As a general rule: If it’s too cold outside for you, it’s too cold for your pets.
BRING YOUR PET INSIDE: Don't leave your pet outside in the cold for prolonged periods of time. Remember — thermometers might show one temperature, but wind chills can make it feel much, much colder. Limit time outdoors and be mindful of frostbite on ears, tail and paws. If you run with your dog, pay attention to cold paws and, if it gets too cold, leave your pup at home. Cats should always be left indoors — it's the law in the City of St. Louis. "Outdoor" cats are often victims of road traffic, wild animals, dogs and cruel people and freezing or starving to death in severely cold weather. 
ACCLIMATE YOUR PET TO COLD WEATHER: If your pets spend a lot of time outdoors, make sure to introduce them gradually to dropping temperatures, rather than exposing them to the extreme cold all at once.
PROVIDE ADEQUATE SHELTER: Adequate shelter is mandated by law. If your dog lives outdoors, you must provide a well-insulated and draft-free doghouse. The opening should face south with a sturdy, flexible covering to prevent icy winds from entering. Line the floors of the shelter with straw, not hay. Towels and blankets can become damp or freeze, making the space colder.
BEWARE OF ANTIFREEZE AND ROCK SALT: Antifreeze often collects on driveways and roadways. Although it smells and tastes sweet to your pet, it is lethally poisonous. If you suspect your pet has ingested antifreeze, contact your veterinarian immediately! Deicing products like rock salt can irritate footpads. Be sure to rinse and dry your pet's feet after being outside. Pet stores often carry pet-safe ice melts that do the job and won’t harm your pets.
DRY OFF WET PETS: A wet pet is a cold pet. Towel or blow-dry your pet if he gets wet from rain or snow. Also, it is important to clean and dry paws to prevent tiny cuts and cracked pads.
PROVIDE PLENTY OF FOOD AND WATER: It takes more energy in the winter to properly regulate body temperature, so your pet needs additional calories if he spends a lot of time playing or working outdoors. Your pet is just as likely to get dehydrated in the winter as in the summer, so be sure to provide plenty of fresh water. Snow is not a substitute for water. Refill outside bowls often to prevent freezing.
CAREFULLY KEEP PETS WARM INSIDE: Keep your pets warm, dry and away from drafts while inside. Space heaters and other supplemental heat sources can burn your pet. Keep portable heaters out of reach and make sure all fireplaces have adequate screening. And, of course, never leave your pet alone with an unattended fire.
GROOM REGULARLY: Your pet needs a well-groomed coat to keep him properly insulated. Short- or coarse-haired dogs might get extra cold so consider a sweater or a coat. Long-haired dogs should have their paw hair trimmed to ease in cleaning and snow removal.

To report an animal in distress, please call the Humane Society of Missouri at 314.647.4400.

The Snow Storm In Missouri Has Many Dogs In Trouble ….

 This little guy is so bored from not being able to play outside or take a walk. Thank God his owner adores him so much they aren't leaving him outside in these elements. 
 PLEASE bring all pets inside in !!!



This is NO LIFE for a pet. If you don't plan on having your pet be a part of your life and treating it with KINDNESS than don't adopt one !!!

List of Pet Stores To Shop or Not Shop At by ASPCA….

Pups for Sale | Pet and Dog Adoption

Don’t buy a puppy in a pet store or online—in fact, do not buy a puppy from any place that does not allow you to see its entire facility and meet the mother dogs. This includes websites that sell pets online. Anyone can put up a great-looking website boasting the highest standards of breeding and care, but you really have no way of knowing if such businesses are what they claim to be besides seeing them for yourself. Truly responsible breeders want to meet you before selling you one of their prized pups to be sure that he or she is going to a good home.
Make adoption your first option. If you’re looking to make a puppy part of your family, check your local shelters first. Not only will you be saving a life, but you will ensure that your money is not going to support a puppy mill. There are many dogs waiting for homes in shelters all across the country! If you’re committed to a specific breed of dog and can't find what you're looking for at your local shelter, contact a rescue group for that breed or locate a responsible breeder. Responsible breeders never sell puppies to dealers or pet shops or ship a puppy to a buyer without meeting them first. They operate in an open, undisguised manner, allowing and even encouraging potential buyers/adopters to visit and tour their homes and meet their breeding dogs.
- See more at: http://nopetstorepuppies.com/pups-for-sale-pet-and-dog-adoption#sthash.BOEUd2Pp.dpuf

Sunday, January 5, 2014

Leaving A Dog Outside 24/7 Is Not Only Cruel It Can Be Deadly…….

Mom here: a day like today I never want to experience- ever again. I am crawling into a hole now. My dogs have it beyond amazing and me stressing about rescheduling Mac's appointment just got to be a lot less of a "big" deal in my mind:


A dear friend and I found a dog, dead, inside a dog house this afternoon while we were passing out free straw to many local "outside" dogs. I will not entertain
 any questions due to the nature of this entire situation and the possible damaging of any further action to be taken. I do want to bring this lost soul's story to light for the simple fact that I can not wrap my brain around this even for a second. Today this dog looked severely emaciated and possibly frozen to death. A few weeks ago he looked good when I gave him the house and not "skinny" at all. I even checked on him via a local neighbor about a week ago and the people said he was fine and loved his house? Nothing really explains why or how he truly died but he did, alone and cold. My friend and I tenderly managed to get his frozen chain off from around his neck and wrapped him in a towel to carry him to my truck. This dog had no name as we placed his cold lifeless body on the tailgate. I couldn't breath or even think about naming him as I looked at his body. The other parent and I took him right to the shelter tonight to be cremated. This was his existence, to live on a chain, unnamed and then be discarded like trash. He had shelter, food and water so legally things checked out. This is not what is supposed to happen to any living thing. I am beyond sick of what some people feel is acceptable treatment of living things. My heart has shattered into a million pieces for this boy. My friend at the shelter named him Walter. That did me in, to have him finally be given the honor of a name. Walter, I hope you are sleeping on a warm couch and eating cheeseburgers right now. You deserved so much more and humans failed you.


I am posting a blurred image so you do not have to see fully what I saw today. I feel you need to see him in a way though to understand that we need to be a voice for the voiceless. Take action! Even though I did everything I thought I could for Walter it just wasn't good enough and that will haunt me forever. I am sorry Walte
r.

A INCREDIBLE STORY ABOUT A CAT AND A DOG …..


My mother's friend adopted this lovely dog after he was abandoned by his previous family. His name is Shaun. 
Shaun had always been very good at eating all his food. Every last bit that was, he ate it.
One day he started leaving a little bit behind. He wouldn’t eat everything, no matter what. He always left a little behind. Every morning when my mother’s friend checked Shaun’s bowl, the food was gone. That was very strange, because Shaun always spent the night by her side. 
One night she decided to investigate the food situation. She waited quietly by the food bowl and then, in the middle of the night, a cat came through the window and ate the remaining food. She noticed the cat was actually pregnant. She realised that Shaun had been saving his food for the mummy cat. A week or so later the cat came into her house and gave birth to 6 little kittens. Shaun took care of them as if they were his own babies. My mother’s friend adopted the cat too (her name is Meow) and they took care of the kittens until they all found a loving home.
Nowadays Meow and Shaun live happily together as a family and they each have their own bowls of food. ♥♥♥

Friday, January 3, 2014

Diana Grove Rescue and their connection to Dians's Grove Mystery School and Their Followers …...

Priestess Community[entries|archive|friends|userinfo]
Priestess Community

[userinfo|livejournal userinfo]
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Diana's Grove: Selling the land[Nov. 10th, 2009|08:23 pm]

shauna_aura
 I was shocked to find an email in my inbox last night that Diana's Grove will be selling the land after the 2010 Mystery School year ends. I'm still kind of sad and angry, and feel like I've had a metaphysical punch in the gut.

Having lived at Diana's Grove for several months, and having spent a lot of time there, this news doesn't come as a complete surprise. I know what many of the challenges Cynthea and Patricia and other staffers have faced with making Diana's Grove possible.

But it still hurts. And my heart hurts not just for me, but for all my friends who are part of the Diana's Grove community.

---
In 2010, Diana’s Grove Mystery School will be working with the story of Persephone. It is a story of cycles, and as we all know, part of the wisdom of cycles is that all things come to an end. While it is our intention that Mystery School will continue, Diana’s Grove Center, as you and we have known it, is coming to an end.


Collapse )
Cynthea Jones and Patricia Storm founded Diana’s Grove on January 17, 1994, and for 15 years their work of myth, story and transformation has grown and deepened on this land. The Grove has been a sanctuary where people could come to experience the world of nature free from the distractions of modern city life, a place to be in touch with the natural elements and to honor wind, fire, water, and earth. A community has grown here as well – a community of people striving to find ways to heal self, world, and relationships that includes the more than 41 people who have lived and worked here, over the years, the Mystery School community, well-known guests such as Starhawk, T.Thorn Coyle, Margo Adler, Ubaka Hill, Trebbe Johnson and Steven Forrest, and the many who have come for other events or simply to experience the magic and healing to be found here.While blessed with these wonderful supporters who have given so generously of their time, energy, and money, Diana’s Grove Center has nevertheless been suffering under the current economic climate. It’s founders no longer have the energy and stamina required to support their dream, in it’s current form, in these challenging times. They have decided to make major changes before major changes are forced upon them, and will be selling Diana’s Grove. It is their intention, and the intention of the residential and Mystery School staff, to make this transition with as much positive energy and integrity as we can.
What will that look like? Some questions will have to wait for answers as this transition unfolds, but some things we do know. We plan to continue our programming here on the land through 2010. Cynthea and Patricia anticipate sale sometime during 2010 or 2011. If the sale happens in 2010, they will ask for a closing date in late November or early December so that we can complete all Mystery School and non-Mystery School events scheduled here next year.
Mystery School will continue and… next year will be the last in this form, on this magical land. If you’ve been waiting for the right time to join Mystery School, to visit again, visit for the first time, or to introduce friends and family to this land and our work, this could be that time. We will make every event in 2010 a special one. We are planning a grand “reunion” Fall Equinox event, September 17-19, that will be open to everyone. We hope to see many old friends and familiar faces there.
For 2011, we are looking at other locations where we can gather for weekends and week-long events. We will continue seeking out the natural world as our stage for Mystery School, and working with myth, story, and transformation. Cynthea and Patricia plan to stay in the Ozarks, and continue providing a more limited Dog Rescue service. They will travel to Mystery School events and be open to doing workshops in other locations as well.
Here are a few more questions we’ve anticipated:
What happens to the land investors?
Investors in the project will be refunded any monies invested less contributions made. We are unable to refund contributions, as they were reportable as tax-deductible funds. Those who have invested in the land project will be receiving additional information shortly.
How much will the Grove sell for?
That’s one question we also share. We will know more after appraisal by a local realtor. Originally we had 102 acres (more or less). We added 40 acres last year with the land funds. Since moving here we have added the Great Room to the main house, built 15 cabins that house 62 people, added a commercial kitchen, finished the barn to include a 2-room apartment, added 2 pavilions as well as 2 large and 2 small storage buildings, lovely outdoor showers, 6 outhouses, a kennel house, a 2nd sewage lagoon, a decorative pond, a hot tub, 4 decks, and many lovely outside areas. There is no way to put a price on the magic, energy, and memories that live here.
What will happen to the trees?
We have no intention to sell to a logger.
What will happen to the dogs?
We are working diligently to find placement for many of the dogs currently at the Grove. We expect to reduce numbers by not taking more large dogs or dogs requiring long-term care. We have a resource list of alternatives for people needing shelter services. About 50 dogs will move with Cynthea and I. If you would like more information, please contact us.
What can you do to help?
Continue to support us in our transition. Come as often as you can. Recommend our work and let people know this may be the last opportunity to experience a very special and unique place and people. Do magic for the future of the Diana’s Grove philosophy and land. If you or anyone you know is interested in continuing the work here, contact us. We would dearly love to see Diana’s Grove continue in the same or similar environmental/magical tradition.
Next year we will be working with the story of Persephone. It is a story of cycles, and a fitting end to this cycle of an impossible dream, made manifest for so many years. We plan to re-tell and live out this rich, ancient story through the year, in full and reverent awareness that a beloved form is ending, as well as in joyous celebration of our years together, on this land. We anticipate a year of profound, deep and healing work, intentional farewells, glad welcoming of new Mysteries, and laying the foundation for the continuation of this community, this philosophy, this dream that has touched the lives of so many.
Please join us.
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October 17, 2012 7:00pm-7:30pm PDT on LINKTV 


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