New Rescue Jethro

This is Jethro,

Mavis, Bailey and Savana

Christmas 2009
date on pic is incorrect

Christmas 2009

Mavis and Bailey

Mavis is now 6 months old and Bailey is turning 3 years old.

Mavis Graduates

Mavis graduates from 4 weeks of puppy classes.

Mavis and Savana

Mavis our new puppy

This is Mavis our new Dalmatian puppy. I drove to Kansas City, MO on Friday, 5/23, and picked her up from the breeder heading back to Minn. She's 8 weeks old. She's a real pistol. Her spots are more developed now since the picture was taken on 5/9.

Chipmunk Killers

Both of the dogs have proven to be stealthy and fast hunters. Both have recently snuffed out an unwitting chipmunk. I have the gruesome task of disposing of the body. I don't know how the CSI people do it. I was having a problem with a tiny little animal.

We also have moles and voles and toads and turtles ....too many creatures and it keeps the dogs in a constant state of alert.

Another Spring Walk

Taking a walk

Stop to look at the creek

April 2008

A real scare

The dogs gave me a real scare the other day. I was on the phone talking with the door open so I could see them outside. I never just let them out unobserved for very long. I saw them run by. I decided I'd better get off and check on them. I ran out and whistled. Nothing. No rustle of leaves on jingle of collars. Well, long story short. About 20 minutes later they appeared running down from the pasture above. All smiles, tired and thisty. And they're back. Relief.

Two Naughty Dogs

Let the 2 dogs out as I normally do. They took off around the back of the house. Only about 5 minutes went by before I whistled for them. No dogs. Anywhere. I got my coat and started to call. It was only 10 degrees. Nothing. I got Bailey's whistle and blew it. Nothing. Suddenly John drives up. No dogs. Blew the whistle again and here comes Bailey finally, out of the woods. But no Savana. I ran in to get gloves. It was really cold. Savana has never disappeared before so now I was concerned. I was going to walk and look but I decided to get the Ford. As soon as I backed out, guess who comes slinking out of the woods smelling to high heaven and snarling like a snake. ....It was upstairs and into the bathtub for this little spotted wonder dog. I had to soap her down really well to get rid of whatever she had been into. Now she is all pure white, not dingy yellow, as Dals get. And acting as an angel. But, she's back. :) There was a black Lab with a blue scarf lurking nearby, so I think I know why they both ran off. Very unusual. Really.

Bailey

Had to take Miss Bailey to the Vet this am. She has a nasty ear infection she probably picked up from her hunting trip to upstate NY in Oct. She had to have the ears flushed and is on antibiotics for 14 days. The Dr. said it was good that I had been cleaning the ears and on top of it because if not treated the eardrum can rupture and be very painful. Bailey knew she was being helped cause she wagged her tail even though it hurt a little bit.
Meanwhile back on the home front, Savana had an attack of the persnickety and ripped up some papers of mine. I left her at home because it was too cold to leave her in the car. So she got even. She's under my feet as I'm typing. A little gem.

Bailey at Christmas

Christmas Time in NC

Savana gets a bath

Savana got a bath this afternoon in the bathtub. To get her in the tub I had to throw a towel over her head and lift her up and in and close the sliding doors. Of course I was in there with her. I turned the water on slowly and started pouring it over her with a pitcher. She sat down and seemed to like it. So I shampooed her and rinsed her off.
John came to help towel her off because by now my back was shot from leaning over to wash her.
She's now no worse for wear and seems to be luxuriating in her after bath glow.

Bailey and Savana

Snuggling

Savana in the sunlight

Savana is catching a little snooze in the patch of sun.

Bonding

Bailey and John on the annual bird hunt in upstate NY this past October. Dad and dog had a great time.

10/25/07

Have been traveling

Have not had the time to post much since I've been traveling to NC to oversee the transition of my 88 year old Mother from her house to an assisted living center. Have left on 3 trips since the end of Oct. Had to leave my doggies. While there I 'd get a dog fix wherever I could. Once it was at a PetSmart with a young, pure white, pit bull female being walked by her owner. Another was a neighbor's dog near my mother's house.
But once home, it was wonderful to be with my own doggies.

Have you ever had this happen to you?

My little Dalmatian, Savana, was snuggled up close to me the other morning. It was just starting to lighten up outside and she decides to sit up, stretch and yawn. The yawn turned into a gag and she bent her head and hacked up a piece of apple and what not onto my chest. I was Oh so lucky, since it was dry. And there was no mess. But this little incident colored the rest of the day. Nothing went right for me.

SpotSavers Dalmatian Assistance League of St. Louis at the Canine Carnival in Tilles Park

Dalmatian Drill Team Demo

A Message From Cesar Milan

Greetings,
I am proud to live in a country where the entire month of October is dedicated to promoting and celebrating the adoption of shelter dogs! Dogs across the nation are abused, abandoned, or neglected and end up in the arms of passionate and dedicated shelter and rescue workers. All too often, these facilities are overcrowded, and, as a result, many of these animals are put to sleep.
Rescuing these unfortunate creatures is a noble cause, but I want to encourage you not to make this decision based solely on emotion. Adopting a dog is a serious commitment. By bringing a dog into your home, you are making a promise to care for the animal for the rest of its life. Particularly with shelter dogs, you may be inheriting issues and problem behaviors. Many of these animals were neglected, abused, or relinquished by frustrated people unable to resolve their problem behaviors. You must be willing to take the extra steps to understand and help this dog that the previous caretakers were not. Be sure that you are ready and able to take on this responsibility.
Having said that, I also want to remind you what a rewarding experience it can be to rehabilitate a wayward dog. Helping a frustrated or anxious animal return to its natural balanced state, and receiving unconditional love in return, is a profound experience.
I cannot imagine life without canine companionship. There is a reason that dogs are brought in to cheer up patients at hospitals and residents at retirement homes. The love, honesty, and loyalty of dogs enriches the human experience. I hope you will find or have found the right dog to enrich your life.
Stay calm and assertive!
Cesar Millan

Taking a walk in Wildwood

Just our everyday walk on a beautiful day. Friday 9/28/07

KirKwood Dog Days

SpotSavers was represented by Debby and Savana at the Kirkwood Farmer's Market Dog Days event, Sat. 9/22. We even got on TV. There were all kinds of rescue groups present promoting adoption of dogs. What energy. Every breed from Huskys, Pointers, Weimereiners, Viszulas, Labs, Poodles, Chihuahuas, Spaniels, Pit Bulls and more.

A Comment from JC

I knew those critters. And, they were very special. Deb & John were lucky to have crossed lives with them.

Julian Corsello

Syracuse, NY

Jolly and Jennine

This is SpotSaver volunteer Jennine with her Dal Jolly. A very small, well trained female rescue.

SpotSavers Dalmatian Assistance League of St. Louis

SpotSavers is dedicated to finding loving new homes for Dalmatians in need. My dog Savana is on the left and she is a rescue from a year ago. This is a picutre of volunteers this past Saturday at a local Petco to spread the word about rescue and to raise money.

Hi Deb,
Not sure if this is the correct way to post to your blog...but here goes.
I can appreciate your love of dogs. We have four beasts who rule the household...each is more psychotic than the it's housemate (with the possible exception of Daisy who appears to be comatose much of the time).
Give 'em all a kiss from me!
Dan

Long Days hunt Nap