fido speaksfido’s forever families– the chocolicious duo! by glenna & brian snezek volume 3,...
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Fido’s Focus– “I am Sickened by the Lack of Humanity in our World Today!” by Michelle Reichlin
FIDO Fosters… How Happy Families are Made! By Lori Dubosh
Fido’s Companion rescued Trinity from a dog pound. Not only did she just deliver a
litter of puppies that no one knows what came of, she is terribly emaciated. Her
photo stunned me when I first saw it and I can only be glad we could find a way to
help her. Trinity is now resting safely at our vets and will be there for at least 1
month until she puts on some weight, and can be spayed. She is estimated to be
around 1 1/2 years old and has delivered multiple litters of puppies. We feel she is a
mix of American Staffordshire Terrier. She only weighs 35 lbs. and that is with hav-
ing engorged tits filled with milk. God only knows what she would weigh if she was
not filled with the milk. She should be at a minimum 50 lbs. according to our vets.
She is heartworm negative but loaded with worms that she as been treated for. Trin-
ity is so very sweet and loving with humans and is friendly with other dogs. How
could a dog who has been so abused be so trusting?? All I can say is dogs are resil-
ient and forgiving creatures…...wish I could say such nice things about human kind!
(continued on page 2)
I arrived at West Park Animal Hospital and they brought Sanibel out to me first and I
was amazed at how sweet she looked. The photos that I saw of her did not do her jus-
tice…she was beautiful. We walked around together, and she just looked at me the
whole time. While spending time with her, she just wanted to be cuddled and be
held. She really loved human contact…that was obvious. She was just so loving and
trusting, I was on board to foster her for sure. I brought Sanibel home and had her meet my two labs, Bo and Koal at the fence. She
just kept wagging that silly docked tail. I let her through the gate, and she started
playing with both of them. She adjusted just fine to them, and it was clear that they
liked her too.
When my kids saw her they fell in love with her. She just climbed right on their laps
and held them down to give them kisses. We were amazed at how she fit right in with
her new surroundings and was comfortable and content. In days to come, it was ap-
parent that she really was an awesome dog. We had no problems with her at all –
she was perfect. We just couldn’t understand how someone could lose her, and not
search the world to find her. If she were my dog, I would never stop searching until I
found her.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 2…..
Inside this issue:
Fido’s Focus– Trinity 1-2
Fido’s Fosters 1-2
Fido’s Families 3
Fido’s Fundraising 3
Fido’s Facts 4
Fido’s Advocacy 5
Fido’s Family Fun 6
Fido’s Happy Ending 7
Oriah Needs a Home! 8
FIDO’s Companion Inc. is a small,
closely held non-profit 501(c)3
organization made up of volunteers
who perform vital functions in the
process of rescuing animals. We
operate out of Avon, Ohio. We
primarily rescue dogs from the
Lorain County Dog Pound before
they are put to sleep.
www.fidoscompanion.com
July 2009
Volume 3, Issue 1
FIDO SPEAKS!
Trinity’s Poem...CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
How did my life become this: My life was worth nothing until now.
My life was worth nothing to the people who owned me. I received no basic care, food, wa-
ter and just was used to breed puppies for them to sell.
My life was worth nothing to the people who found me on the side of the road skin and bones
and clearly in need of medical care. They just dumped me off at the dog pound.
My life was worth nothing at the pound. I had to lay on a concrete floor with my poor body
condition and in such discomfort waiting to meet my fate in the gas chamber.
My life was worth nothing to so many, but it was just a few who made my life have some
meaning.
A volunteer at the pound who brought me a soft bed to lie on and gave me treats.
A group of rescuers who took me into their care so I could be treated medically.
My life now has a purpose….I was rescued from the pound and taken to the vets so I could
be cared for.
My life now has a purpose...I was rescued and have a full belly, a soft bed to sleep on, a
constant bowl of food, and a spay scar so I will never be used to breed again.
My life was worth nothing, but now my life has a purpose… I am meant to LIVE!
Continued… FIDO Fosters….How Happy Families Are Made
Page 2 Fido Speaks!
Sanibel and Dagoba play, and saw
how comfortable she already was
with Brian and Glenna. I knew she
would be just fine, and would never
be lost or misplaced again. She
would live her remaining years with them, and would love every
minute of it.
This is what it’s all about…. placing
a great dog in a great forever
home. You miss them, but you
know that they will be taken care of
always. They will be loved and
spoiled for the rest of their lives as
they should be!!!!
See Page 3 for Sanibel’s
Adoption Story by her new
parents….”The Chocolicious
Duo!”
Sanibel was quite the character,
and was very vocal. She just loved
to talk. Everyone that came to my
home thought that she was ador-
able. I kept thinking that this may
be the time that I fail as a foster, and keep her, but I knew that I
wouldn’t be able to help anymore
dogs if I did that. Then the came
the call from Michelle saying that a
great couple named Glenna & Brian
Snezek were interested in meeting
her. All that I could hope is that
they were really special people,
because that’s what Sanibel de-
served.
When we met Glenna & Brian we
were greeted at the door by a 8
month old Chocolate lab named
Dagoba. She was just toooo cute. A typical puppy that was so excited
that a dog was there to play with
her. I sat and talked with Glenna
while Dagoba and Sanibel ran
through the house at full speed.
The two of them were having a
blast. Then Brian arrived home
from work and was just as enter-
tained watching them as we were.
They told me of the recent loss of
their Chocolate lab named Morgan.
Listening to them telling me about
her was just heartbreaking. They
showed me so many pictures of her,
and she was just beautiful. It was apparent that they were devastated
by her loss. Losing her was the rea-
son that they wanted to adopt a res-
cue, they wanted to make a differ-
ence to a dog that truly deserved a
good life.
After spending a little time with Sani-
bel, they agreed that they wanted to
adopt her. I was so relieved to know
that she would be adopted by them.
She would be living the best life
ever with them. She had a big house
with a huge fenced in back yard,
and most of all she would be spoiled rotten!!!
Adoption day arrived and I was
completely amused that Sanibel al-
ready had a brand new Ohio U
sweatshirt, and she looked really
great in it. I felt really good about
them adopting her. She was going
to live a life that dogs only dream of.
I stayed for awhile and watched
Trinity– My life was worth nothing, but
now I have a purpose….to LIVE!
Thanks for bringing Murphy into our
lives and everything you do for all of the
other dogs!!
Fido’s Forever Families– Murphy’s
1 Year Anniversary By: Mary Beth & John Bergenstein
We are just short of 1 year since we
adopted Murphy, so we thought we
would give you an update. It’s hard to
believe he’s the same dog we brought
home last June. He’s become much
calmer and is incredibly more well be-
haved. We took your advice and have
been working with Mel at Paramount
Dog Training to build on Murphy’s train-
ing. We are now able to walk Murphy
with the leash in one hand with abso-
lutely no pulling or getting out of con-
trol. We’ve also been taking him in our
field and working with his stay and come
commands. We take him around a cou-
ple of times to make sure we scare off
any creatures in the woods, and then we
drop the 30ft. Lead, to let him roam.
We’re even able to tell him to sit and
stay we walk to the other end of the field
and call for him. We’ve been using a
whistle as you suggested. He sure does
like to run, and we like it too, since it
really tires him out. We attached a pic-
ture of him shortly after one of his runs.
He really likes to sleep like that! I’m not
sure how it can be comfortable but he
does it all the time!
periences with us. She has become
my running partner, and loves to
snuggle under the covers. She is
great with the neighborhood kids
and does well on and off the leash.
What a girl!!!
My husband and I recently lost our
Chocolate Lab, Morgan. Although
we tried everything we could to
save her, we were unable to. Sad-
dened by losing one of our best
friends and child, we both agreed that we wanted to get another dog,
but this time it had to be a rescue…
we were determined to give a less
fortunate dog the life they deserved.
After checking out several rescues
we came across Fido’s Companion
and Michelle’s story and passion for
starting the rescue...it was then that
we knew Fido’s Companion was the
rescue that we wanted to work with.
Brian and I have always talked about
getting a Chocolate German Short-
haired Pointer, and FIDO’s had one
on their adoptable dog list.
We set up a home visit at our house
to see if “Sanibel” would get along
with our 9 month old Chocolate lab
Dagoba.
We knew she would be a fit as soon
as we opened the front door. Sani-bel was a beauty and so sweet...she
acted as if she had been with us
since she was a puppy, and Dagoba
loved her as much as we did. About
30 minutes into the visit we told
them we’d take her and have been
SO happy ever since. We still ask
the same question that we did when
we met her...how could anyone let
this dog go??? Regardless we are
glad that she is ours!
Sanibel is a well adjusted dog and
made the transition to our home with
such ease. It has been great to see her reaction to her “first time” ex-
Fido Fundraising– How You Can Help!! Give your home and garage a much needed, belated spring cleaning and hold a
garage sale to benefit Fido’s Companion.!!! FIDO desperately needs
funding to save lives!
Fido’s Forever Families– The Chocolicious Duo! By Glenna & Brian Snezek
Page 3 Volume 3, Issue 1
Fido’s Facts– A Guide to Grooming; Care of West Park Animal Hospital www.westparkanimalhospital.com
Page 4 Fido Speaks!
Although it’s often overlooked,
grooming is an important part of
your dog’s health program. Routine
brushing and combing removes
dead hair and dirt and prevents mat-
ting. Because it stimulates the blood
supply to the skin, grooming also
give your pet a healthier and shinier
coat.
WHEN TO START
Start regular grooming when you
first bring your dog home and make
it a part of his routine. Purchase a
good quality brush and comb and
get your dog used to being handled.
Praise your dog when he holds still
and soon he will come to enjoy the
extra attention. Some breeds have
special grooming needs, so ask your
vet or a professional groomer for
advice on particular equipment nec-
essary for your pet.
BRUSHING
Your dog’s skin and hair coat reflect
his overall health and nutritional
status. Many dogs maintain a
healthy skin and hair coat with mini-
mal assistance; others– especially
some long-haired or curly-haired
breeds-require regular brushing.
For most dogs, and good brushing
once or twice a week will do the
trick.
BATHING
The need for bathing depends on
the breed of dog, his skin type and
hair coat, owner preference and just
how dirty your pet gets. Bathing
your dog every month or two isn’t
unreasonable, but some dogs will
need more frequent cleanings. A
good rule of thumb is to bathe your
pet only when his coat gets dirty or
begins to smell “doggy”. When
bathing your dog, make sure to
rinse all of the soap out of his coat. If
he has persistent problems with
scratching or flaky skin, he may
need a special medicated shampoo
or have a skin problem that your
veterinarian should examine.
SKIN PROBLEMS
Skin problems– including fleas, ticks
and mites or allergies and infections
– are common among dogs. Most
conditions are manageable with
early detection and treatment. If
you notice excessive scratching,
hair loss or flaky skin, contact your
veterinarian. If your pet is continu-
ously exposed to fleas and ticks,
speak to your veterinarian about
products to minimize the impact of
these parasites on the skin. Remem-
ber that a consistently poor hair coat
with lots of skin flaking may indicate
a deeper medical problem.
EARS
Ears may also require cleaning, es-
pecially in dogs with oily skin or
allergies. This is a delicate task and is
probably best left to your vet. However,
if your dog is easy to handle (and there is
no chance that you will be bitten), you
can learn to do this chore yourself. To
remove excessive wax and debris from
the ears, consider an ear cleaning every
two to four weeks. Ask your veterinarian
about products you can use at home, and
be sure to ask for a demonstration of
proper ear cleaning techniques.
NAIL TRIMMING
While clipping nails is a painless and sim-
ple process, it takes practice and patience
to master the skill. Ask your vet to show
you the correct technique, then get started
by getting your pet used to having his
paws handled. Once your start using the
clippers, go slowly: try clipping just a
few nails in one sitting. Maintain a regu-
lar schedule and be persistent. Your pet
will eventually develop patience and learn to cooperate.
Oh the Saddest of Sights
in a World of Sin,
Is the Little Lost Puppy
with his Tail Tucked
In…….
“Arthur Guiterman”
“A consistently poor hair coat with lots
of skin flaking may indicate a deeper
medical problem:.
What is a Puppy Mill?
If you are reading this, then you proba-
bly already know the benefits of rescue,
however, there are still many people out
there that don’t understand what it
means to buy a puppy from a pet store.
“Approximately 3,500 pet stores in the
U.S. sell 500,00 puppies a year. A prod-
uct of Puppy Mills, the parents of these
puppies are often forced to live their
entire lives in cruel conditions including
tight, overcrowded and dirty cages with
very limited socialization and poor qual-
ity food. They receive little to no veteri-
nary care and are continually over bred
and inbred until their reproductive ca-
pacity wanes and they are killed. This
cruelty and inbreeding often results in
sick or disabled offspring. In addition to
being sold at pet stores, these puppies
are also sold directly to the unknowing
consumer through the internet, newspa-
per ads and from the mill itself.” (North
Shore Animal League America)
How You Can Help
1. don’t every buy dogs from pet
stores, online or newspapers or
other ads! Instead, adopt a dog
from your local shelter or res-
cue.
2. Encourage family and friends to adopt instead of buying dogs.
3. Learn about puppy mills at www.network.bestfriends.org/truth/
4. Educate others about puppy mills and encourage them to avoid support-
ing commercial dog breeders by adopting, no buying dogs.
5. Write a letter to the editor of your local paper or contact local radio sta-
tions about puppy mills and call on people to adopt not buy dogs.
6. Join a local group that advocates against puppy mills.
7. Organize or join a protest at pet stores that sell dogs. Most pet stores
get the dogs they sell from puppy mills.
8. Encourage local pet stores that sell dogs also to offer dogs for adoption.
9. Learn about and support puppy lemon laws in your state or community.
Many people have purchased puppies at pet stores or directly from
breeders online or through newspaper ads only to find later they suffer
from terrible illnesses, diseases, deformities or behavior problems that
may result in thousands of dollars for veterinary care. The problem is so
widespread that many states and local governments have passed puppy
lemon laws that give consumers right to recover the cost of care for ill-
nesses or problems not disclosed.
10. Many puppy mill dogs are sold at specially held dog auctions, such as
those in Holmes County, Ohio. Organize or join a protest at these auc-
tions. For more information on how to find an auction, contact one of the
anti-puppy mill groups listed in the Resources section of the Best
Friends website.
11. Support legislation to regulate puppy mills. Contact your Congressional
state or local representatives to learn existing laws and how they could
be made stronger and more effective or how they can be better en-
forced. Look for proposed laws to regulate puppy mills and write or call
your legislator and urge their support.
12. Start or sign a petition n protest of puppy mills. (There is a petition lo-
cated on the North Shore Animal League America website).
13. Report all cruel, inhumane treatment you observe at a commercial dog
breeding operation and potential violations of regulations governing
commercial dog breeders.
14. Look for puppy mills that may be just starting and are applying for per-
mits, or those that are renewing permits. Attending hearings on the per-
mit application and write or call local officials to let them know they
should oppose the permit or conditions issuance of the permit on com-
pliance with strict requirements.
For more information on puppy mills visit www.bestfriends.org
Fido’s Advocacy Section– Help to end the Horrors of Puppy Mills!
Page 5 Volume 3, Issue 1
By Julie Piazza-King
Fido’s Family Fun!–
You Simply Ain’t Livin’ Until You Have Adopted 3 Fido Dogs!
Page 6 Fido Speaks!
Yes, you read that right….3
FIDO dogs have now taken
“ownership” of the Fortlage
household in Medina!
The Fortlage Family adopted
their first FIDO dog back in
2007. Sammy was an approxi-
mately 1 year old American
Bulldog who is now all grown
up and 95 lbs. of solid muscle!
He was a strong willed boy
when they first rescued him
but has turned into a gentle
giant!
Now for the final fury or
should I say “furry” who is
fondly being called “JAWS”,
we have Junior a deaf Ameri-
can Bulldog puppy who the
Fortlages wanted to foster un-
til he found a good forever
home. Well that thought
lasted for about 2 weeks be-
fore they knew they could
never give him up.
Needless to say the Fortlage
Family has their HANDS Full!
But what would life be like
without all of those muddy
paws, sloppy kisses, and
wrestle mania in the yard
days??????
DARN RIGHT BORING!
Thank goodness you retired
Paul so you could find another
FULL TIME JOB!
Sammy
Well, the Fortlages wanted
to add a 2nd dog to their
family and so they met Nyah
(now called Darby) at one of
our recent adoption events.
They fell head over paws for
her! Darby is a sweet, love-
able little Spaniel/ Bull Ter-
rier mix who is quick on her
feet and always ready for
playtime! She has made the
Fortlages home a little more
chaotic for sure!
When I started to foster Ozzie (aka Oz-
wald) on May 30, 2009 he was rather frail
looking. His back end was very skinny
and his back legs were more together
than apart. He was introduced to our
clan at what our FIDO volunteers call
Camp Runkle (yes, that’s my home). He
did great with our dogs and cats and he
was fine with everyone. He was slow
moving, struggled up the steps and just
wanted to follow me around wherever I
went. He is such a loving dog and loves
just to lay by your feet. He never has
begged, never got on the furniture and
he sleeps on his bed on the floor at the
end of our bed. We have a trail out back
that I walk him every morning and every
evening on to work up his leg strength.
At first he would just walk along with the
other dogs but usually couldn't keep up
with them and would always stop and
make sure I was coming. Sometimes he
would try to run and keep up with the
other dogs but his back legs would give
out. Now, my little Oz is running with the
dogs, His back end looks much more
filled out, his legs are now separated,
and he goes up and down the steps with-
out issue. He is such a great dog but I
cannot convince my husband on the idea
of adopting another dog. I have even
tried to say we would exchange
him for our lab, but he didn’t go for
it…. Just kidding!
Ozzie knows his basic commands and
he is just an all around great compan-
ion and will make someone’s family
complete. It will be a bitter sweet
goodbye when he gets his forever
home but I just hope that whomever
has him will enjoy and love him as
much as I have.
-Foster Mom Sue Runkle
Morty has finally found his forever
home with Father Mark Hammond of
St. Vincent de Paul Church in Mount
Vernon, and his 12 year old Yellow Lab
– Gabby. Morty lives in the parish
house with Father Hammond and goes
to work with him everyday visiting the
the little school kids and giving kisses.
Fido’s Happy Endings– Once Injured Labs; Now Reliving Their Childhood!
Page 7 Volume 3, Issue 1
Ozzie
“He follows Gabby everywhere and has
fit in so well”- Father Hammond re-
ports. What a success story for our res-
cue! From down and out with injured
legs sitting in a dog pound to living
pain free and happily with the angels
and saints of St. Vincent de Paul Par-
ish…..Way to go Mortimer!
*********************************
***Health Warnings***
Now that summer is upon us, please
keep in mind that pets can suffer from dehydration, heat stroke and
sunburn if overexposed to the heat.
Make sure your pet has plenty of
fresh, clean water and lots of shady
places where pets can cool off.
Also never leave an animal alone in
a parked vehicle. Cars can heat up
very quickly which can lead to fatal
head stroke!
-ASPCA-
There is no therapy in
the world like a
Puppy Licking Your
Face …..
“Bern Williams”
Morty Update: You
Can Call Him Father
Mortimer Now!
Morty with his new family– Father
Hammond and Gabby!
$125.00. Submit an application at
www.fidoscompanion.com on our
adoptables page. Oriah is up to
date with routine shots, house
trained and spayed/neutered.
Oriah was rescued from a dog
pound on death’s doorstep. She was
pulled by one of our volunteers who
felt compelled to help her. Our vol-
unteer named her after an inspira-
tional author whose writings tell us
to follow our heart into a life of
meaning and purpose. Our purpose
with Oriah is Clear… we want her to
feel loved and find a home that will
take care of her for the rest of her
life the way she truly deserves.
After a rough start and some tender
loving care, Oriah is now a normal
weight of 65 lbs. and is spayed. She
has been professionally trained by
the owner of K9 Coaches and lived
in her home for a month learning
how to be a great housedog. She is
great with other dogs and is com-
pletely housebroken and crate
trained. She lives for people’s atten-
tion and will lay her head on your
leg or bury her head in your chest as
a way to get affection. She is an ac-
tive dog and would do best with an-
other dog to play with and must go
to a home with a fenced yard. She is
used to being walked daily. Oriah is
truly a miracle and will be a bless-
ing in any person’s life who is lucky
enough to adopt her according to
her foster mom. Adoption fee
Fido’s Featured Adoptable: Oriah Deserves a Forever Home!
I want to help provide new beginnings for homeless
dogs.
Enclosed is my contribution in the amount of:
$____________________________
Name___________________________________________
Address_________________________________________
City_____________ State______ Zip code_________
Please mail your check to:
Fido’s Companion Rescue, Inc.
P.O. Box 518
Avon, Ohio 44011
For Credit Card Donations:
Go to WWW.FIDOSCOMPANION.COM and click on
the donation button. You can make a secure PAYPAL
donation on-line with your credit card.
A 501 (c)3 Non profit Animal Rescue– Donations are tax de-
ductible
How Can I Help?
Providing quality of life to one
canine companion at a time!
Oriah is waiting for her forever
home!
We need:
foster homes for dogs
transporters to help pull dogs from
local pounds or take them to the vets or
boarding facilities;
donations to cover boarding and health
care costs;
volunteers to walk the dogs that are
currently being housed in our boarding
facilities;
volunteers to plan and assist with fund
raisers
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