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Even after loss, couple wants to help pets – The News Desk

Even after loss, couple wants to help pets – The News Desk.

WARNING: TISSUES ARE NEEDED BEFORE YOU READ !!!

Even after loss, couple wants to help pets – The News Desk

Marye Byrd took in an abandoned beagle with fleas, worms, tick bites and other wounds about two years ago.
She and her husband, Dennis “Sarge” Byrd, restored Little Byrd’s health and put her up for adoption. But then a grass allergy caused the dog to lose fur.
“People didn’t want a dog that had medical issues,” said Marye Byrd, 40.
So they kept Little Byrd.
In fact, the family had 20 cats and seven dogs—all rescues—until a fire destroyed their home in Spotsylvania County on Saturday. All but two cats perished in the fire.

German shepherd leads State Trooper to fire

Alaska State Trooper Terrence Shanigan was responding to a call about a fire.  His GPS had just failed and he was about to make a wrong turn.  Just then, he spotted the German shepherd that led him straight to the burning workshop.  Now Buddy, 5-years-old, is being hailed a hero and is credited with saving his owner’s home from burning down.  To read the entire story, click here.

 

Buddy appears at a news conference in Anchorage, Alaska on Friday, April 23, 2010. The German shepherd was hailed Friday as a hero for guiding Alaska State Troopers through winding back roads to a fire at his owner Ben Heinrichs workshop on April 4. He received a commendation and a stainless steel dog dish from the troopers. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen) (Mark Thiessen - AP)

Buddy appears at a news conference in Anchorage, Alaska on Friday, April 23, 2010. The German shepherd was hailed Friday as a hero for guiding Alaska State Troopers through winding back roads to a fire at his owner Ben Heinrichs' workshop on April 4. He received a commendation and a stainless steel dog dish from the troopers. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen) (Mark Thiessen - AP)

Dog saves cat’s life

A seriously injured cat was saved by a persistent dog in Florida.  Toby, a Schnauzer, led his owner into a wooded area where the cat was discovered.

“When the owners finally followed Toby, they discovered a cat completely infested with maggots. The infestation was so bad that the cat’s face was nearly eaten off, but the feline was still alive. 

The cat was brought to Safe Harbor Animal Sanctuary and Hospital for treatment.”

To read more, click here.   Warning: graphic images.

Pet Rescue Service Helps Veterans to Heal

David Sharpe, a former Air Force senior airman and Iraq war vet, started an animal rescue service called Pets2Vets.  It helps veterans find a homeless animal to adopt by way of local shelters.  Mr. Sharpe believes this service will not only help save hundreds of needy pets, but also help war veterans to heal.

Washington Animal Rescue League Executive Director Dr. Gary Weitzman said the
partnership with Pets2Vets was an ideal fit for his organization, which in the past
has worked with veterans at nearby Walter Reed on an individual basis. Pets can be
matched with vets up to two months before their discharge date and make weekly
visits with them; there also are volunteer opportunities to spend time with shelter
animals for soldiers who can’t yet be matched with pets of their own.

It’s a win-win situation for the shelter and the vets, Dr. Weitzman said: “We
provide them a healing environment, to continue their recovery, but they also help
our animals, many of which are recovering from traumas themselves.”

With the success of its pilot program, Pets2Vets plans to expand early next year to
additional shelters in the D.C. area and then across the country in partnership with
local veterans organizations.

Mr. Sharpe said his long-term goal is to extend the program to police, fire and
rescue workers, and victims of natural disasters and other traumas. While helping
the estimated 10 million to 12 million cases of PTSD in this country, he said,
“imagine saving the lives of that many dogs and cats.”

Of course, Mr. Sharpe would add that it’s not just the animals who are being saved.

“She saved me,” he said of Cheyenne.

To read the entire article, click here.

Dog Saves Unconscious Man

A 15-year-old dog is credited with saving an elderly man’s life after he led his owner to the 94-year-old’s unconscious body.

Police credit a 15-year-old German Shorthaired dog with saving the life of an elderly, unconscious man in Pine City. Brett Grinde said he took Effie out for their usual walk on Monday evening, but within a couple minutes she started pulling on the leash, wanting to go in a different direction.

Effie then took off running, leading Grinde to a neighbor’s house where a 94-year-old man was on face down on the driveway. The dog started licking the man’s face. Grinde called 911, then started CPR.

KARE-TV reported the eldery man, William Lepsch, regained consciousness and is in serious condition at North Memorial Medical Center.

Dog Saves 11-Year-Old Boy From Cougar

Austin Forman, left, was saved from a cougar attack by his 18-month old golden retriever, Angel.

An 18-month old golden retriever, Angel, saved her 11-year-old owner, Austin Forman, from a cougar attack in his backyard.   Austin was outside collecting firewood when the cougar suddenly appeared.

When the cougar charged, Angel ran to protect the boy.

“She intercepted the cougar,” Forman said. “Austin came into the house very upset, and I had to get him to calm down so I could understand what he was saying. Finally he said ‘there’s a cougar eating Angel.’”

Angel and the cougar fought under the family’s deck, while Austin’s mother called 911 for help. A constable was in the area and able to make it to their home and kill the cougar quickly.

Forman said when her nephew pulled the cougar’s body off Angel, who at first appeared fatally injured, the dog sucked in a “big breath of air and then got up.” Ever the protector, Angel “walked to Austin, sniffed him to make sure he was alright, then sat down.” Despite receiving a few deep bites and scratches Angel’s prognosis is good.

To read the entire article, click here.

Shelter Dog Becomes Surrogate for African Painted Pups

The Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium staff were desperately seeking a surrogate mom for nine African painted puppies when they searched the Western Pennsylvania Humane Society‘s North Side shelter and found the perfect match.  Honey, a lab mix, had just given birth six weeks prior and was still able to nurse.

This domestic mixed-breed dog is acting as a surrogate mom for nine African painted dog pups at the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium. The pups mom died a few days after their birth.

This domestic mixed-breed dog is acting as a surrogate mom for nine African painted dog pups at the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium. The pups' mom died a few days after their birth.

“Latching onto nipples is huge for them, much better than latching onto a bottle,” said Dr. Stephanie James, the zoo’s director of veterinary service. “Raising African painted dogs on a domestic dog has not been done before. We’re breaking the mold.”

[...] “[Honey]‘s just been perfect, an absolutely fabulous mom,” Dr. Baker [the zoo's president and chief executive officer] said. “All of the pups are gaining weight.”

It’s too soon to know if all nine pups will survive, but thanks to this local shelter dog they’ve been given a fighting chance.