HAPPY NEW YEAR

 My wish for 2011 is that NO animals would need our help. All the animal owners would be more responsible to their animals. And every one would spay, neuter and vet their animals so I could call them their pets.
HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT THIS PAST YEAR. THANK YOU FOR KEEPING US IN BUSINESS. 

I wish for you a healthy, safe and prosperous New Year. See you in 2011.

The City of Chaffee, MO

Big hugs and THANKS to the City of Chaffee MO for the donation of Dog food to our rescue. We help them with their Animal Control dogs and they have helped us back. We applaud you Chaffee for being a City that cares. Jerry Laxton the ACO is so nice and helpful with us. It is our pleasure to help this wonderful town with their animals. They really care and try to save their animals. They installed new Holding pens this summer to improve their facility. Well Done Chaffee.

Dept of Agriculture in MO

The Dept of Agriculture  has started collecting a $100 license fee from MO rescues for 2011 PLUS $1 per dog. You know what he said to me when I called and asked about it. The small rescues only had to pay a small fee while the big rescues would pay more. I informed him that I AM A VERY SMALL RESCUE who will have to pay a very large fee because I move so many dogs.
The worse part of this is it isn't to improve the DOA. It isn't to hire more inspectors. It is to make up for their monatery loss from the Breeders going out of business and they are losing that money. So to make up for it they are passing it on to NON-PROFITS. Holy cow...don't we lose enough money as it is. Rescues spay and neuter their dogs to prevent breeding, we are picky about where the dogs go and we do everything possible FOR the dogs benefit. SO PENALIZE US .... I am in shock. Penalize a non -profit for making it better for the STATE of MO, better for the dogs.  I am ok with the license fee. I am not ok with the $1 per dog. ARE they out of their minds? Isn't it bad enough we struggle to do what we do. Isn't it bad enough we barely get by on donations but now we have to take money that goes for the care and feeding of the dogs and pay the DOA. The MO STATE  DEPT OF AG IS NOT RESCUE FRIENDLY. Such a shame. When rescues have to close because they can't afford to pay the DOA who will pay their fees then?? HIGHER TAXES??  On top of it all, the BAD Breeders still get away with all their shameless, horrendeous ways. The Breeder in Kansas who put down 1200 dogs due to distemper.. does the Doa care about those dogs? Will anything be done to him? 1200 dogs put down .....The fact that dogs continue to be bred and sold in this state is a crime. When so many dogs die, how can anyone be allowed to breed???

HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL

My wish for each of you is a Merry Christmas, good food to eat, a warm home, family all around, for you and yours to be safe, healthy and happy.
THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT OF OUR RESCUE.  YOU enable us to save all the dogs we save here. Without EACH of you it wouldn't be possible.
There are those that send the much needed donations so we can stay in business. There are those that foster  all the dogs we take in. There are those that constantly drive our dogs all over the country. There are the rescues that take our dogs and find them forever homes. There are the transport Coordinators who set up the transports and do so much work to make it all happen and then there are those of you who always care about the dogs and help in so many ways. So to EVERYONE I say Happy Holidays from our house to yours.
I ESPECIALLY WANT TO THANK SARAH AND JEREMY FREEMAN, ALICIA DECKER AND HER ENTIRE FAMILY, LEAH STOGSDILL, LEAH ROBBINS, JESSICA WEST AND HER MOTHER, JULIE ADAMS, TAMMY WYMAN FOR FOSTERING THE DGOS,  KIM OUR TRANSPORT CO FOR GETTING OUR DOGS TO THEIR FOREVER HOMES.
SPECIAL THANKS TO THE DRIVERS WHO MAKE IT THE HEAT AND COLD WITH OUT COMPLAING AND STILL MANAGE TO SMILE WHILE FREEZING AS THEY WALK THE DOGS.
A SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR DONORS WHO WITH OUT YOUR  HELP THIS WOULD NEVER HAPPEN. YOUR SUPPORT IS VITAL TO OUR EFFORTS AND WE LOVE YOU FOR IT.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS ONE AND ALL. I LOVE EACH OF YOU.

Daisy

I got the nicest Card  and donation yesterday from the family that adopted Daisy. They thanked me for saving her so they could love her. It isn't that I don't hear that from many adopters but Daisy was different. She had a home, her and her daughter Diamond lived with their family and other dogs. The family no longer wanted them. I will never forget when I left with them, the little boy grabbed me around the knees and gave me a hug. I wish I could have taken him too.

Daisy was heart worm positive but she went through treatment with no problems. She now has her own doggy treadmill because her mommy doesn't want her to get cold  in the snow. How great is that. Thank you Courtney and Brandon for loving our Daisy and keeping me informed about her.Here's a picture of Daisy.

Alvin and Jake Leave Sat for KC

Lucky Alvin who was in Animal Control for so long had a Angel find him and now he is will be on his way to her to be fostered. Alvin travels tomorrow to KC where he will be boarded then go on CARE to CO. Jake the Basset who was thrown out of the back of his drunk owners truck ( the guy didn't know Jake was gone" and then hit by a car is on his way to KC too. He will eventually end up in NM at a Basset Rescue. Two more lucky dogs going to a better place.

Ohno is Gorgeous and Made a Big Hit at the Vet office.

Ohno got her name when Sarah called me and said "really" ...which to me means, I found another dog. (She must live on THE "Dumping Road " is all I can say).  I replied "@##$$%%" which in translation means OH NO. So Ohno is now at my house. Not only is she beautiful, strikingly so, she is so sweet. Very tall and thin, of course heart worm positive and have you heard the "Sugarland " song "Stuck like Glue" well she is  to me. She loves loving and being in the house. She is great with the other dogs and good with cats. Ohno has a docked tail...go figure...What is she, Yellow Lab mix? Why dock her tail. But it sure makes her unique and that stub wiggles all the time.

Blinky

Here's Blinky our Golden/ Lab that we rescued. Blinky only has one eye due to neglect from his previous owners. Blinky is a friendly loving dog that deserved better. He is enjoying life as a indoor dog now. He has been heartworm treated and altered. When will people ever learn to treat their animals like pets instead of objects.

"I Want To Save A Rescue Dog" By Marti Houge

                 I Want to Save a Rescue Dog

I want to save a rescue dog that no one else would pick.

But please... 

   I couldn't handle one that was too old...or sick.

I want a dog with fluffy hair that's silky to the touch; 

A dog I wouldn't have to groom
  (the work would be too much!).

My allergies are bad, and so the dog must never shed 

   or jump up on my velvet couch

       or sleep with me in bed.

The size is not important, but the dog can't be too tall.

And while I'm not being choosy,

     I'd prefer he not be small.

Cute and cuddly, sweet and smart 

   and one who doesn't chew.
Of course he must be housebroken (my carpeting is new).

A dog who's quiet in his crate (I work twelve hours a day);
A dog who isn't hyper, 

   and yet one who likes to play.

Of course all vetting must be done (it's easier for me).

And I don't want to pay a lot 

   for an "adoption fee".

Ah, yes...it truly warms my heart to save a dog in need.
I'll pick a dog that no one wants:
  a noble choice indeed!

A dog that no one else could love: a homeless dog that's needy....

I only wish those rescues weren't so fussy--

   and so greedy!

       Note by Laura Holloway : Marti wrote this poem to vent and I think it is perfect.. How many times do we hear the words written here. Great writing Marti. Thanks for sharing it with us.

                                        Marti Houge

                                          One Starfish Rehoming Connections

                                          rehome@onestarfish.net

                                          http://www.onestarfish.petfinder.com/

27 Dogs Leave for Their New Rescues on Dec 4 th

27 Lucky dogs leave on the 4 th for their rescues and soon to be forever homes. If you have never driven a Transport you can volunteer where ever you are. There are always transports ( called Ports) criss crossing the US every weekend. Most travel north. Northeast, northwest or just north...some go east and west. From MO they go north usually. Dogs in MO are not always treated well. The really good pet owners take great care of their dogs but in southeast MO there are many bad dog owners. Dogs are chained out on short chains, no water, in the heat or cold. No dog house and if they are lucky enough to have one it is usually in shambles. NO dog should live like that. Many dogs live in pens their whole lives. That is no way for a pet to live either. Dogs are pets, they wants human companionship. They want to please their owners and yet they get stuck in a pen in the back yard. How sad for the dogs. I always want to ask the owners why they have a dog in the first place? What purpose does it serve stuck in a pen?
These are pictures of a few lucky dogs leaving next Sat.

If you would like to help dogs where ever you are you can drive a leg of a transport on the weekend.. it gives you a warm fuzzy feeling and  drivers are the life blood of rescue. Without them I couldn't save all these dogs because they would have no way to travel. YOU can make a difference. Volunteer to drive a leg or two.

Our Beautiful Sweet Gigi is Gone.

Gigi was in horrible shape when Sarah and her husband found her on the farm. Sarah took her home and immediately bonded with this remarkable dog. Gigi was so gentle, undemanding and just so grateful for a soft hand and kind word. Even though Gigi was not in good health she managed a smile and tail wag for all of  us.
Gigi was showing progress in her condition till about 3 days ago. She stopped eating, became thinner, and wasn't wagging her tail. Gigi's breathing had improved greatly but we still didn't think we could heart worm treat her .We knew she wouldn't survive.
Gigi was one of those dogs that grabbed your heart and wouldn't let go.She was so grateful for her food, her warm bed and someone to rub her head and talk to her. She was so undemanding, so happy to be loved.
Today Sarah and her husband came by to get Gigi and take her to the vet for one last effort to save her or end her suffering. Gigi was in Sarah's arms, gave her a last look and peacefully slipped away.
We will never forgot Gigi. She impacted every one that met her and I have received many emails about how her picture affected others and tore at their hearts.
It is with love and sadness that we say goodbye to Gigi. She will always be in our hearts. Sarah and her husband will bury Gigi today on the farm where she was found. Rest well our sweet girl. You are loved. This is how I will always remember her. Smiling and happy.

Look at Finn ( Bogard ) now in his new home.

He had his bath and has settled in comfortably with Mary Kate who loves loves loves Finn his new name. He look pretty happy to me.

Another Picture of Lucy

Lucy After Her Surgery

Here is lucky Lucy. The stray found and befriended at the Sikeston Power Plant. She had to have a leg removed but is doing great. Lucy is one sweet loving dog. She likes cats too.

Sleeping is for the Dogs

I sleep with these dogs everynight..and I wonder why I don't sleep well. In total there are 9 dogs on the bed with 3 waiting for me to get in it. Then they all pile in on me. It is a game for me to get in the bed. I have to push a clear spot then jump in fast...they all want to be right next to me. If they can't get a spot, no problem, they just climb on top
of me.

Bogard the starved Golden.

This gorgeous boy is now in my care. He is so loving, happy and playful. Hard to imagine he has been so mistreated. He is heart worm positive too. Look at this poor guys body and then see his smiling face.

Sad News About a Former Rescued Dog

Her name was Honey when we had her.  The most beautiful Golden with the sad eyes. She was one of my favorites. Honey went to a rescue in the Chicago area and was adopted by Mary Kate. Honey became Tizzie and what a pair these two were. Tizzie lived the life of a princess and got to be a spoiled happy dog while in Mary Kate's care. Here are pictures of them just two weeks ago at the Blessing of the Animals. Tizzie developed kidney problems soon after she was adopted but with medical treatment and a special diet she was living the good life.
 Only a year and a half after she was adopted, Tizzie had to be put down due to kidney failure. We are all saddened by this news. Here are pictures of the beautiful Tizzie and Mary Kate taken at the Blessing of the Animals. Our thoughts are with Mary Kate in the loss of her wonderful Tizzie.

Gone but never forgotten. Sleep peacefully sweet Tizzie. You were loved by many.

13 Dogs left today

13 Lucky dogs left MO today. One was adopted by a GREAT family . One went to a foster to adopt home and the rest went to a rescue where they will be adopted into good homes. I miss them but was happy for them at the same time. I send off 13 and get calls to take in 15 so there is never a dull moment. I sent off everything from a 2 lb Papillion mix to a 70 lb lab this morning. It made getting up at 4 am worth it.

AND THE WINNER IS

DONA THOMAS was our "name the dog " winner with the name Autumn being chosen. Dona won a S.A.R.A. Tee shirt. Dona we mailed it yesterday. Hope you enjoy it.

THE SHELTER CHALLENGE.

TODAY STARTED THE SHELTER CHALLENGE. SEMO is asking for your vote so we can win much needed money to help our efforts to raise money for the dogs. Please vote daily for SEMO.You can follow our progress and vote at The Rescue Site  be sure to confirm your vote and ask your family and friends to vote for us also. You can vote on multiple computers. If we place 1st we can win $10,000 . The challenge runs thru Nov. http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com/clickToGive/shelterchallenge.faces?siteId=3

NAME THE DOG CONTEST.

IF YOU GO TO OUR FACE BOOK PAGE YOU CAN ENTER A "NAME THE DOG CONTEST" FOR A SWEET DOG TAKEN OUT OF ANIMAL CONTROL. WE ARE LETTING YOU DECIDE HER NAME. YOU CAN SUBMIT ONE SUGGESTION FOR HER NAME . The contest closes Tuesday at 5 pm and you might win a SEMO Tee Shirt.

The Tee Shirts Are Here

SEMO received our Tee shirts today. They really look good. If you would like to order one please let me know. I have a few smalls, more mediumns, many large, xlarge , 2X large and a few 3XXL's . Just let me know your sizes and how many. They are $25 each plus the shipping which shouldn't be much. I will find out tomorrow the cost to mail them.
They turned out nice and are tagless & long sleeves because winter is coming up

See the picture of them on a earlier post below.

LUCKY AXEL AND LUCKY SEMO ANIMAL RESCUE

Here is a email I received from Axel's family:

Good evening-

"My name is Amanda Kirk and about two years ago my boyfriend (now fiancée) and I rescued a dog that was found by animal control in your part of Missouri, and then fostered through your organization.  Axel was his name and he traveled from Missouri to Wisconsin and then came home with us to Minnesota."

"My fiancée Teddy and I are getting married in two weeks.  Because we love Axel so much, in lieu of party favors at our wedding we made a $250.00 donation to SEMO Animal Rescue."

"We wanted to let you know where the donation was coming from and why."

"If it weren’t for people like you, many lives wouldn’t be touched with the companionship of a dog.  Thanks for saving his life and impacting our life forever!"

Check out the photo attached – this will be displayed on the tables with a few words about SEMO.

THANK YOU Amanda, Teddy and of course Axel. You are so thoughtful to think of us and include us in your wedding. We wish you three all the best. Keep the pictures coming." We love happy TAILS"

Poor Starved Pregnant Little Gal

This little ( weighted all of 22 lbs) girl is approx 1 yr to 16 months old. She has had litters before.
I picked her up at the shelter today to go to the vet. He only needed one look to see that she was in bad shape. Really bad.
She has been starved. She looks fat when you first see her but when you look closely you realize she is bloated. Her back bones, ribs, neck bones are all protruding. She is breathing very shallow. She is a "hot" heart worm positive. She has guardia, hook, whip and round worms and she is PREGNANT..
So sad. Dr Williams at The Animal Health Center in Sikeston MO isn't sure she can take a heartworm treatment and of course that would only happen after the puppies are weaned. I am concerned she won't survive that long. Her shallow breathing is not a good sign. Do we abort, do we try to save her or the pups? So many questions. I say we save her. Dr Williams thinks she is only half way through the pregnancy. I am betting two weeks away..no more then 3 for sure.
Why do people let this happen to their dogs? Why don't they know that heart worm preventative is very reasonably priced. One lunch out a month will pay for  preventative and save the dog's life. It is so easy and yet so many people in this area choose  not to use preventative on their dogs.

Owning a dog should require a written test . IF you fail , well better for the animal they not be placed in that home. I am all for it.......same with kids.. would cut down on the over population there too.