Running for the Dogs

I just got back from a 2 and a half mile run. My legs are throbbing, my throat has been hurting for 3 days now (the sore throat that feels like you have a knife lodged right into your glands) but that isn't anything compared to the suffering and pain that the dogs endure while in the county shelters and in the wrongs hands of man kind.

As some of you know my husband recently signed us up for the Denver full marathon on September 22nd, 2012. We have run marathons before but this one will pose an extra challenge as I haven't run more then 2 miles sense before I had Gracie, our 10 month old daughter. In fact, I haven't run more then 5 miles for 1 year and 4 months. I know what you are thinking...

Ha! Good luck with that!!

I know. I'm with you!

Don't get me wrong, I love to run and my favorite part about training for a full marathon are the 2+ hour long runs where I get to spend quality uninterrupted time with Nick, my husband. The last marathon we trained for we came up with solutions for all the worlds problems, planned out our life for the next ten years, talked about our dreams and even about Gracie (a distant dream back then!) and still had time to spare!

Needless to say, the training for this marathon is going to hurt. My legs are going to ache. My mental state will be pushed. My body will have to adapt and turn into the machine that it once was. Yes, this IS going to hurt. Not to mention Denver isn't nicknamed the "Mile High" city for nothing. At 5,280 feet above sea level you better believe our lungs are going to be on fire. The fact of the matter is, running 26.2 miles isn't easy. But this time around I have a changed mindset, in fact I'm not even running this marathon for me.

I'm running this one for the dogs. 1 dog or cat every 8 seconds, yes I said EIGHT SECONDS is killed by euthanasia in the United Stated Shelter system (click here for the source) 


My legs might hurt. My lungs might burn. My mental state might be challenged. But I am alive and free (thanks to the amazing men and woman who serve) and I will not let these animals lives be forgotten and I will not turn a blind eye on what's going on in these shelters and I will not succumb to the people who think that there is nothing that we can do.

For the next 6 months, I will run for these animals.

I will run for Nazier, pictured below, who walked into the shelter healthy and died two days after a good friend of mine rescued him. He died in loving arms at the veterinarians as they were giving him the the fluids and antibiotics that he needed WEEKS before that the shelter could have given him for penny's on the dollar. He died of phenomena and would never feel the warmth of a loving home. RIP sweet boy.

I will run for Phoenix, pictured below. He died alone on a concrete floor with a thin blanket back in December. He also died of phenomena, but this one dog sparked a change. Because of Phoenix's story and how he didn't even have a bed to spend his last days the shelter held a fundraiser and raised enough money to put raised beds in each of the kennels.  This one dog did die but his legacy will live on and help the lives of the thousands of dogs that enter the Pinal shelter each year. RIP Phoenix, you will never be forgotten. 

These are sad depressing stories and I do tend to only share the happy endings because I know how hard it is to look. But these dogs NEED us. And quite frankly, those of us who adopt NEED them.

These dogs endure pain. Most of these dogs don't have air conditioned or heated facilities. They are fed low grade food and often times dirty water. They don't get the medical care they need. They don't get love or attention and if they are lucky they get to go on a short walk and stretch their legs for 30 minutes out of 24 hours a day. Most shelters don't have dog beds and most of the people who work at the shelter are harsh and don't even care about animals, in fact, a LOT of animals are abused in shelters from the shelter staff. That's a sad reality and breed discrimination runs ramped.

Most humans would never trust again after being treated in such a way.

Do you want to know the most amazing thing about these animals? Somehow, after ALL of this, they still wag their tail. They will still push their bodies up against the chain-link gate separating them from freedom and beg you to give them a scratch, even if it is only with the one finger tip you can fit through. They still want to hang out with "us" the "humans" the people who put them behind bars in the first place.

This dog is literally smiling and waging his tail so hard it's a blur in the picture.  He is currently up for adoption in a local shelter and looking for his forever home. (you can see the raised bed, thanks to Phoenix, in the background) 

It's truly amazing. The ability these animals have to forgive. The ability that these animals have to survive. The ability to push through the pain.

So for these deserving dogs, I will run for them. I will wake up at o-dark-30 and put my running shoes on. I will push though the pain and when I feel like giving up, I'll think of the dog wagging his tail not knowing that he is walking into the room that he will take his last breath in. I'll run through the heat of the Arizona summer for the dog in the shelter who doesn't have air conditioning. I might not run fast, but I'll run and run with a purpose.

I know that running won't save any of these dogs lives directly. But with the hours I have of training I'm going to continue to make my business plan bigger and stronger. And hopefully inspire more people to "run for the dogs." Each day I'll pick a dog to run/ workout for. If you have a dog you want me to put some miles in for send me a pic, I'll do it.

Next  I think I'm going to get some t-shirts printed up for my training. Something simple, like:

Let me know if you are interested in ordering something. I'll have the entire line that I am ordering soon and I would be more then happy to share the link so you can order some too! 

                                                                   Be the Change

And then there was one.

On January 23rd I picked up a very special girl per request of a very special boy.

As some of you might remember, Lux was Nick's, my husband, special birthday request. When asked what he wanted for his 28th birthday, which was on January 25th, he didn't skip a beat when he replied, "I want you to rescue another dog for my birthday." 

We all know you don't have to tell me twice! 

Pinal County Animal shelter destroys dogs on Mondays and Thursdays so I always tag on Sunday nights as to save the next dogs on the list from the Monday morning hell. There were many to choose from, but this sweet girl stole my heart. 

The shelter called her Minnie and she was to be PTS (Put to sleep) on Monday because she was too shy. When I called Monday morning to make sure that they had not put her down (this does sometimes happen) Kathy, the shelter worker informed me that she was indeed still there but she proceeded to ask if I was sure I wanted to adopt her because no one could get her out of her kennel and she had to be carried outside to go to the bathroom because she was so scared. I assured her that I was sure and that I would be there by 1pm to pick her up. 

So, Gracie, my then 7 and a half month old daughter, and I jumped in the car and away we went on the hour and a half drive. I had the kennel in the back, some dog treats, and no idea how much I would fall in love with this girl :) After they drug her out of the shelter they asked me once again if I was sure I wanted THIS dog. I didn't even answer as I picked her up and put her into the back of the car. 

Before we started the drive home I posted the above picture of the pup I just picked up on facebook and asked my friends to help me name her. I had a lot of cute suggestions but my friend Tara had the winner, Lux. This is her exact post from January 23rd, Tara Halligan writes,  "Lux, combines luck and light in Latin. Id say that describes the adoption well." Thanks Tara! you were right!  

When we got home it took her nearly 20 minutes to build up the courage to get out of the kennel but we didn't mind, it was worth the wait :) 

She settled in and started to get used to a human actually being patent with her. Allowing her to do things on her own time as she felt comfortable with it. Her first walk took nearly 45 minutes when it would have taken maybe 5 with my other dogs. She was afraid of moving cars, parked cars, trash bins, barking dogs, and even me on the other side of the leash. But day by day, walk by walk, she started to gain confidence. We took 5 short walks a day and at the end of the first week she actually started to enjoy this thing the humans call "a walk." And by the start of the second week I discovered that she had a tail, and that it worked! 

This rescue was extra special for me because not only was this deserving dog, along with my other two fosters, out of the disgusting shelter, but some of my dear friends helped out in very special ways. Allyson Abide and her amazing family Bill and Emma donated THREE bags of dog food, a leash, a collar, a food bowl, and toys and treats. I was in tears when I opened these packages. Even though she is thousands of miles away, she made a HUGE impact on Lux and the other two dogs and on me. You don't come across that kind of true kindness very often and Allyson, I truly appreciate you and what you have done for these pups. Pictured to the right is just SOME of the Abide's donation. There were a lot of wagging tails that day! 

 Another good friend of mine, Cece Harris, was very generous and donated a nice fluffy dog bed for Lux.  At first Lux was weary of this new "thing" occupying her sleep area. But once she took her first step, she never looked back! Thank you SO much Ce for the nice warm bed. It was a big upgrade from the shelters cold concrete floors!  

Lux's first time on a soft bed

I would like to think that Lux learned many things while she stayed at our house but most of all, she learned what true love is. She learned that not all humans are bad and that not all hands will hit. She learned that she loves to be loved :) 

This is Lux's first hug. I'm so glad that it was caught on camera by Nick. I sat on the floor for hours with her before she decided she was ready.  But when she was, she was welcomed with open arms :) (we shared MANY hug after that, at least one a day!) 

And now, after this long journey, I am SO happy to announce.......
 Lux has found her forever home!

Thank you to the Vermilion Family for giving this special girl the home she always deserved!!

This is a picture of Lux's new doggie sister, Lucy, and one of 2 human sisters, Bella! 

Click here for a video of Lux in action!

Thank you to everyone who helped in this adoption and with Lux. 

Tara, you will be happy to know that her new family loves the name just as much as we did and are keeping it! 

Allyson, you will be happy to know that Dino is still using the dog bowl, leash and collar, and is just about to finish up the last of his senior dog food :) and all of your donations will be used for my foster to come! 

Cece, you will be happy to know that your dog bed can now be occupied by my next rescue and that Lux LOVED that bed but now sleeps in bed with her new family :) 

-Britt

In the end, only Kindness matters

Roxy, our first rescue EVER.

In the end, only Kindness matters

The other day one of my good friends asked me a totally legitimate question, “Why do you always listen to the same song on Spotify?” 

Side note- Spotify is a website that allows you to listen to your favorite songs and then logs them onto your facebook profile.

 For those of you who know me well, you know that I LOVE music. I can appreciate almost all genres of music (I just can’t wrap my head around scream-o....) I can rattle off at least 50 songs right off the bat that I would typically look up in Spotify on any given day. So it was totally valid for this particular person to think it’s a bit odd that with the thousands of choices I would continue to pick just one song, over and over again. 

Here’s why. 

The song is “Hands” by Jewel. 

I have always loved Jewel, and I have always been particularly found of “Hands.” But I have recently fallen in love with the song all over again and for an entirely new reason. I think it’s safe to say that we all listen to music for different reasons. Some use it to get pumped up for a workout or a big game, some use it to morn a loss or bring back an old memory. There are those who only listen to the instruments and the melody and completely ignore the lyrics and the true meaning/ inspiration of the song. And then there are people like me, who listen to every word and every meaning. 

I don’t think you decide what type of listener you are, and I think it depends on the mood you are in or the situation and the series of events that you are/have been in. 

 Anyways.... a little background information is necessary. As most of you know I recently took the plunge into animal rescue and have finally opened both eyes to the horrifying realities that the animals in shelters and in the hands of the wrong humans face. Let me tell you. IT IS HORRIFYING. Most people turn a bind eye, and as much as I wish they wouldn't, I understand. Most of the pictures are hard too look at and it is hard to walk into a shelter and not want to rescue all of the animals. 

Let me tell you something encouraging. For every person who can’t look, there are people like me who will.  For every person who abuses an animal, there are people like me who will sign the petitions, look at the horrifying pictures and pass it along to ensure that animals gets justice. For every person who can’t walk into the shelter because they want to save them all, there are people like me who will walk in, grab one, and know that ONE IS BETTER THEN NONE. 

I am not superhuman, I do not deserve an award, and I do not seek any recognition. I loose sleep at night knowing what these animals are going through and some images that I have seen are burned permanently into my brain. I do not wish that on anyone.

Let me tell you how you, the person who can’t look, has a huge impact on these same animals. You are the one who adopts the animals from the rescues, this opens up another spot for the ONE lucky shelter dog who can now be saved. You are the one who donates money, materials, and time to the rescues or non-profits and this gives the rescues/ non profits the ability to keep their doors open for the animals. You are the one that will “share” the picture of the dogs that we rescue on your own facebook page to help us find the ONE shelter dog a new forever home. Did you know that when you rescue ONE dog you actually save TWO. You save the life of the dog you rescued, and you also open up a new spot for the next dog. 

It’s OK if you don’t look. I completely understand, and I know exactly how you feel. I know in my heart, that every human who has an ounce of compassion in them wants to help in some way. And I am here to tell you, you are.

Now you are probably asking how this has anything to do with the song “Hands” by Jewel. 

Here are the lyrics....

If I could tell the world just one thing

It would be that we're all OK

And not to worry 'cause worry is wasteful

And useless in times like these

I won't be made useless

I won't be idle with despair

I will gather myself around my faith

For light does the darkness most fear

My hands are small, I know

But they're not yours, they are my own

But they're not yours, they are my own

And I am never broken

Poverty stole your golden shoes

It didn't steal your laughter

And heartache came to visit me

But I knew it wasn't ever after

We'll fight, not out of spite

For someone must stand up for what's right

'Cause where there's a man who has no voice

There ours shall go singing

My hands are small I know

But they're not yours, they are my own

But they're not yours, they are my own

I am never broken

In the end only kindness matters

In the end only kindness matters

I will get down on my knees, and I will pray

I will get down on my knees, and I will pray

I will get down on my knees, and I will pray

My hands are small I know

But they're not yours, they are my own

But they're not yours, they are my own

And I am never broken

My hands are small I know

But they're not yours, they are my own

But they're not yours, they are my own

And I am never broken

We are never broken

We are God's eyes

God's hands

God's mind

We are God's eyes

God's hands

God's heart

We are God's eyes

God's hands

God's eyes

We are God's hands

We are God's hands

     Jewel wrote the lyrics to this song when she was homeless and sick with Kidney issues, see the entire story here, she’s pretty amazing, but that’s besides the point.

I interoperate this song as, in a nutshell, that we are going to be ok, don’t stress yourself into a frenzy, you might only be able to rescue ONE dog at a time, but thats ok. Someone needs to stand up for these voiceless creatures and we must stand up for what is right. My personal favorite line is, In the end, only kindness matters. That really says it all. 

So when I am feeling like I should be doing more. Or when I feel like what I am doing is so insignificant in the big picture. I listen to this song. It helps me feel more at peace and gives me the hope and strength to move forward. Baby steps are ok. As long as you are moving forward. 

So my friend, this is why you have, and will continue to see “Hands” by Jewel in my Spotify history. But know this- every time you see it, I am moving forward. And thats the direction I want to move. :)

-Britt

Today I saved a life

Today I rescued my first dog from the E list (euthanasia list). I wasn't exactly looking to bring another dog in to foster but I just couldn't say no to this one. 

On I was browsing facebook this past weekend on Saturday afternoon when I stumbled upon a post that had an album named, "Dogs to be PTS (Put to sleep) on 1/9/2011 at 7am unless adopted. This wasn't the first time I have seen an album like this and it won't be the last but this time I decided to take a look at the dogs. It was the typical album of dogs in a county shelter (aka) canine jail. All of the pictures were taken with the chain link fence gate between the photographer and the dog. The dogs where all curled up in the corner laying on cold grey pavement and there wasn't a dog bed or toy in sight, and 80% of the dogs were pit bulls. I continued looking through the pictures with a heavy heart and then I got to this fella.

His eyes were so sad and his blanket was so thin. My heart sank, it looks like this poor guys has never been loved and before he had gotten the chance he was going to be sentenced to death. With a heavy heart I logged out out of facebook and tried to proceed with my day. I am well aware that I can't bring every animal into our home and I know it's not easy pulling animals out of county shelters unless you go in and adopt them which can be spendy. So, I went on with our day. That night when we went to bed I couldn't sleep. It not unusual for me to have trouble sleeping at night knowing so many animals are out there suffering and dying.

 It must have been pretty obvious because after staring at the ceiling for about 5 minutes my husband asked me what was going on and I told him about the dog I had seen earlier that day. 

His response, "Lets go get him then." 

I had to smile. Somehow I got lucky enough to have a man that supports my passion and loves me even though I am a crazy dog lady :) 

That was all I needed and I went on the the website and checked the shelters hours. M-F 9am-5pm and Saturdays 9am-2pm. Sundays CLOSED. I was furious! YOU HAVE TO BE KIDDING ME?! ALL shelters should be open during the weekend. Not only should they be open but they should be open as long as humanly possible so that the dogs can get as much exposure as possible and the people who want to adopt have the opportunity. I understand it costs money to keep the doors open but they could at least take two weeks days off and stay open on the weekends. Anyways thats besides the point. The issue now is that the shelter is closed and this dog was to be killed at 7am on Monday and the shelter doesn't open or answer phone calls until 8am.

I had my work cut out for me. I e-mailed and messaged the shelter and the group that posted the dog on facebook and finally got some shut eye. 

I patiently waited for a reply. By mid afternoon I had managed to get the shelter to put a hold on him and a rescue had agreed to pull him for me, after about 20 e-mails, which waved his $140 fee. FEW! 

There was only one thing left to do, pick up this fella on Monday afternoon after I got off of work. 

Not knowing what to expect Gracie and I drove the hour and a half to Casa Grande AZ to the county shelter with a kennel, a leach and collar and some dog treats. By 2pm we made it, after getting lost and talking to some nice, but slightly strange locals :) 

We got out of the car, walked in, signed some paperwork, they gave him his vaccinations and microchip and that was that. She told us to wait in the parking lot and that she would bring him out. And out they came :)

His description said that he was sad and shy.... not anymore! His tail was wagging a mile a minute when he saw me standing there with a yummy dog treat. I though I would have a hard time getting him in the kennel in the back of my truck but he jumped in it before I had even gotten the gate all the way open. To say the least this dog was happy to be getting he heck out of there. I wish I could have taken all of the other dogs that I could hear crying in the building but I had to keep saying to myself, saving 1 is better then non. 

Before I left, the lady who was helping me told me that this particular dog was found roaming outside of the local Fire House Bar and Grill. Then she joked that he just wanted a nice cold drink and some bar food. I smiled and looked at him and I knew I had just figured out what this beautiful boy's name would be. Chief. Every fire station has a chief and this boy was going to be the Chief of the Fire House Bar and Grill. 

Chief it is. 

We finally got home and I snapped a few pictures of him playing on the lawn. He was SO happy to stretch his legs and be on anything other then concrete. 

Thats one happy boy :) 

And tonight, even though I know the reality of what is happening everyday at the shelters, I will go to sleep knowing that this extremely deserving dog is alive. He is alive and today he was loved for hours and well fed and tonight he has a soft bed and tomorrow morning he will be greeted not by kennel workers, but by a family. The Winkelmans. And we are going to find this boy a home that he can call his own. 

To top off the end of this milestone day, this was Nick and my first rescue of 2012 and Gracie, our 7 month old daughter's first rescue EVER... well while she is out of the belly that is. I am guilty of rescuing a few while 8 and 9 months pregnant :) 

I will keep you posted on his progress! 

If you are interested in adopting or fostering Chief please contact me via e-mail at Brittany.Winkelman@gmail.com 

Keg’s going to save the world and he doesn’t even know it yet!

I’m going to teach Keg a new trick that will allow him to participate in my mission to help the animals. He will play a HUGE role in our efforts and I did some research tonight so tomorrow is his first training day. I’ll document his progress but I don’t want to tell you all just yet what I will be teaching him. Any guesses :) He’s a smart cookie but has a mind of his own and if you know him... you know he’s a pretty stubborn guy but I believe he can do it and make us all proud!

I’ll keep you posted and make a video to share with you all!

Back on track

Those of you that know me really well know that when I talk about my passion, saving animals, my eyes get a little misty. I had put this burning desire to dive into the world of animal rescue on hold because of the overwhelming sense of hopelessness. After attending a conference in 2009 I left with mixed emotions. The attendees were not exactly what I had expected. Although I tried really hard to go into the conference with no preconceived expectations on what the other attendees would be like, I had hoped that they would have the same drive and passion as I did. I mean we all did pay the $300+ to attend this conference, so those 500+ people MUST really want to make a change right? Not exactly... Animal people can sometimes be.... well good with animals and not so great with their own kind :) In fact, most of the participants didn't even have an open mind and a lot of them had lost all hope of a day with no more homeless pets altogether. This was disappointing to say the least and in a way, devastating to MY personal goal to see the day that we have no more homeless pets.

By now you know that I let myself get in my own way of my goal. Now, two years later, I have broken through this shell shock and will take on the task of someday eliminating homelessness in pets. We CAN make this a reality and I WILL do everything in my power to make this happen. I know I can't do it on my own, and I know that it will take time, and as a result lives will be taken (I physically loose sleep over this at night). But I can no longer be selfish and turn a blind eye. Animals do not deserve to be put to death for what mankind has done.

Yesterday I purchased my website domane, Animallifelines.com, and started a facebook page, Animallifelines, both of which I will utilize to my best ability to make an impact. I am still in the beginning stages of planning my attach but you have to start somewhere :)

My quest to save the animals is back on track.

Bring it!

The Ferrell Cat Frenzy

It has always been second nature for me to continuously scan the scenery for stay or lost dogs and cats. On this particular afternoon I noticed a few cats gathering in a field not far from our new house. The field was actually a fenced in lot that was up for sale but looked disgusting, overgrown and abandoned. I took a mental note of it and continued on my way home. A few nights later I drove by the same empty lot only this time it was anything BUT empty. I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw what must have been 50+ferrell cats all gathered in the corner lot. It was a beautiful sight, seeing all of those free roaming felines all in the same place. There were orange, calico, black, white, long hair, short hair and everything in between! After the true state of aw passed I knew, thanks to the great information I learned at the Best Friends “No More Homeless Pets” conference, that I have a challenge or rather a great opportunity on my hands. I knew I needed to perform TNR (Trap, Neuter, and Return) on these cats. I don’t know exactly how yet… but I knew it had to be done. Otherwise the 50+ cats would turn into 100+ cats right before my eyes.

The next day I googled TNR in Phoenix Arizona and was pleased when the Animal Defense League of Arizona popped up. The website said that they perform TNR for Ferrell cats and there was a hotline to call to receive more information. GREAT! Well that was easy… yes I was sooo wrong. I left a message on the hotline with all of the details, where they are, how many of there are out there, when I saw them and all that jazz. Today, a nice lady from the Animal Defense League of Arizona returned my inquiry about TRN for the cats. She explained to me that they lend out the traps and that I can borrow them, trap the cats (somehow), then they will set up a time to perform the neuter/ spay and I come and pick the cats up and return them to their empty lot. I thought, well that’s not so bad…. Then the kicker…. She gently broke it to me that it was $20 per spay/ neuter. This wouldn’t be a big deal if it was a few cats. But we are talking 50-75 cats!! You do the math!! OK I already did it would be over $1,000 L this was definitely NOT in my budget.

Anyone have a grand lying around that you would like to donate so I can kick this corner lot breeding frenzy?! OR would anyone like to donate $20 for 1 cat to be fixed? Anything will help I will do one at a time if I have to. These cats deserve a safe and healthy life as much as your own pets. This will help the human community AND the cat community in so many ways.

I am going to call the humane society tomorrow and see if they have a free spay/ neuter clinic for situations like these. I will keep you posted on my progress. PLEASE let me know if you think of a sponsor for the TNR of if you have any ideas on how I can go about this. The cats need us and I am here to help!!