Operation Straw

MARCUS:  HEY!  HEY, UP THERE!  I'm down here.  Remember this picture?  It's the time Jan stopped to talk to someone and I removed my harness and leash while she wasn't paying any attention to me.

PERCY:  Why are you yelling?  We're not deaf.  But we are in the dark about why you told us you want to do a post.

MARCUS:  I wanted to do a post on that new program Jan told us about after the Humane Society meeting last night.  They had a couple of ladies there to explain what they are doing.

RUSTY:  It would have helped if Jan had given us the correct information so we didn't waste time searching Facebook for "Operation Hay". There is no "Operation Hay" page.

MICAH:  It's actually called Operation Straw.  How could Jan confuse the two?  She was very happy to learn it's coming to Upson County too.

BUDDY:  A lady named Jennifer started it in Griffin.  Her local friend Becky has been helping her and now Becky is going to head the project locally.

MERCI:  Here in Georgia, there are so many dogs who live outside in weather, many without a doghouse, that Jennifer asked some of her friends to help her buy hay and doghouses for those who need them.  Word spread and now she has a group who go out with her, as well as doghouses and supplies coming in from a growing list of supporters.

CYNDI:   These nice ladies are not judgmental. They do this to help the animals and the humans too. Many humans have very little for themselves but they do their best for the dogs in their care, so the help is appreciated.

TAYLOR:  It's would be great -

MARCUS:  Other areas might have something similar.  If not, wouldn't it be wonderful if outside dogs everywhere had a warm shelter to huddle inside for the winter and shelter from the sun in the summer? Taylor, why are you holding up your paw?

TAYLOR:  I was about to say the same thing but you interrupted me.

MARCUS:  I did?  I didn't hear you say anything.  You have been here since November.  You should know by now we are a noisy crew and you have to jump in and speak up.

TAYLOR:  OKAY, I"LL TRY!

BUDDY:  He said to speak up, not yell.  Is there anything else you would like to add, Taylor?

TAYLOR:  Oh, I guess I'd like to say I hope Operation Straw continues to grow in supporters and workers and keeps spreading to other areas.

CYNDI:  Operation Straw is a good theme for today's Thankful Thursday.  We're thankful Jennifer started it and word is spreading.  

MARCUS:  Okay, Funny Farmers, that takes care of this post.  Over and out.

PERCY:  *whispers to Merci*  How did Marcus come to be in charge today?

MERCI:  *whispers to Percy*   I think his head swelled when he squeezed out of his harness.

We are joining Pepi Smart Dog for the Thankful Thursday blog hop.

Merci and the Royals

Hey, Merci here.  Do I look cold to you?  I feel cold.  I'm so glad winter will soon be over.   The wind is really blowing today, but at least it isn't snowing, as it is in some areas.

Buddy asked me to tell you he's feeling much better that he was, even though he was stabbed ... uh, vaccinated Monday.  His skin is healing well.  He does have the occasional itch and scratch or chew, but nothing like what he was going through!   Buddy was even playing with a tennis ball the other night, something he hasn't done in 6 years. He was only two when Miss Mother (our name for Jan's mother) died but he grieved - and aged.

We love good news and this definitely qualifies!  We are so glad the Royals will soon be safe and headed to their new homes. 

You can read the update on them - CB Update on Emily, Brutus and Marigold.

We'd sure love to hear some news of how ML is doing and any progress on Rose's final arrangements.  She's had two falls so news is scarce.

And speaking of the Royals, this was posted by Dorian Wagner on Facebook.

UPDATE:  Sorry, we forgot to post this update yesterday. The last leg was filled when two drivers offered to drive an extra hour each.  Bless them for this generous gift to all the kitties riding the transport Sunday.  But drivers are always needed.  Sign up today, if you would like to participate.

Anybody know anyone around here? We need ONE little leg covered for an insanely fabulous kitty-saving transport this weekend -- that includes The Royals! ♥

**Savannah, GA to Manning, SC - Saturday, March 9 in the afternoon**

Please share far and wide! Ask them to fill out this form if they can so I see: http://bit.ly/cutetransport

THANK YOU!

This is the link for the form to fill out -
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?fromEmail=true&formkey=dGJVbnhoNERoUlRuUnZTbkpHNlRTTFE6MQ

They can always use a reliable transport driver and the Royals are very dear to the CB's heart.

CEO Clooney & Sec Neytiri Chat

We Funny Farmer Felines are pleased to have Clooney and Neytiri of Clonney's Num-Num Fund as our guests today for our Mousebreath interview.  If you want to know what secrets they divulged, go by and read their interview CEO Clooney, Secretary Neytiri & Assistant Duckie.  And then stop by their blog to say hello.

Oh, and we don't want to forget to remind you all that voting for the Tabby Cat Club Halloween contest will be available until midnight Sunday.  There are 2 categories - Real and Photoshopped.  One vote per category.  You had to be a TCC member to participate, but you don't have to be a TCC member to vote.  Voting polls are in the upper right sidebar.

Our Percy, Rusty & Micah weren't given computer time to participate so we were all thinking of doing our own Halloween post.  Last year we made Jan a bag lady.  This year we are thinking about making her a witch since she's not good about sharing the computer time.  But then she's the only one who around here that can pop the tops on the food cans, so we'll have to do some more thinking on that.

All of us Funny Farmers have a question.  Many of you are involved with either a no kill shelter or some form of rescue, so even though you don't live in the state of Georgia, you might know someone who does live here and is familiar with the specifics of rescue laws in the state of Georgia.  (An attorney familiar with this subject would be nice to ask but we don't know one and we have some questions.)

We don't mean just someone familiar with the laws on the Dept of Ag site.  Those laws are for all shelters in the state, but local shelters can add to them. We are interested in the specifics of legally pulling animals from any Georgia shelter.. We're not going to explain, but we hope if you can think of anyone, you'll let us know. There's a mailbox in the sidebar with our email address.

Have a good weekend!

Escaping Chihuahua and Shelter Pets

Oh, we just have to share this funny video with you.  We figure this is the dream of every shelter animals so in that regard it relates to today's post. But who cares if it doesn't relate?  It made us laugh so we'll post it.


If the video doesn't play, click here.


These are pictures of the dogs and one cat Jan posted to Petfinder and put on the rescue list for the shelter today.  This is an unusually short list.  You can find them on the Upson County, Georgia Petfinder site. They are all friendly, sweet and energetic.  There seems to be something about being released from a cage that energizes an animal.


Hart Brothers
Catahoula Leopard Dog/Labrador Retriever Mix:
Medium • Young • Male
1 tan & white male Lab mix puppy. 1 male Catahoula mix puppy. Very energetic and playful. Came in together. Owner turn in. Need home or rescue ASAP!
Pet ID: 12-1138, 1139

Ty
Pit Bull Terrier Mix:
Medium • Young • Male
Male brindle pit mix. Young, friendly, energetic. Available for adoption on 7/27.
Pet ID: 12-1140

Peaches
Wirehaired Terrier Mix:
Small • Young • Female
Brown & white female Wirehair Terrier mix. Loves attention. Lapdog. Needs a good home. Available for adoption on 7/26.
Pet ID: 12-1127

Sexy  (Actual dog's name.  We didn't name her)
Pit Bull Terrier:
Medium • Adult • Female
Female black & white Pit Bull Terrier. Loves to ride. Very sweet. Friendly. Available for adoption on 7/27
Pet ID: 12-1137

Wild Bill
Pit Bull Terrier:
Medium • Adult • Male
Black and brindle male Pit Bull Terrier. Loves to run. Energetic. Available for adoption on 7/27.
Pet ID: 12-1134

Chloe
American Shorthair:
Small • Baby • Female
Baby black & white tuxedo kitten. Purrs and kneads a lot. Very loving and sweet. Available for adoption on 7/27.
Pet ID: 12-1135

Thanks to You and to Connie

We had a good day yesterday, despite Jan running off so she wouldn't have to wait on us.  We did a lot of this.

And a little of this.  Well maybe a lot of this too. Except the poor dogs.  They don't get to graze; they get meals.  Unless they can snatch something to make a snack.

And then Jan came home and did a lot of typing to make a list of photos and info from our local Petfinder site for Connie the coordinator to send to rescues. Most of our shelter animals have very limited time.

Fortunately, she did not come home to this.

If the video doesn't play, click here.

Note from Jan:  Many thanks to ML and Zoolatry for their sneaky planning - and to each of you who stopped by yesterday to leave a birthday wish.  I will be around to thank each of you individually, but it might take a while to work through the list.  :)  Special thanks to ML for remaking our graphic to remember Cotton.  She is so missed!   I'll give the Funny Farmers back their blog now.

These are our latest local shelter pets on Petfinder.  So if you're a rescue or just an individual looking for a new pet anywhere in the Georgia area, there are some sweet adoptables on the list.  We are so happy that Connie continues to coordinate with rescues and do whatever necessary to move some animals to a new life.  She has managed to find a place for a number of cats and dogs in the few weeks she's been coordinating with Upson.  And she lives 2 1/2 hours away.  Awesome job, Connie! 

Jourdan's Lovely Smile

We haven't been posting much in a while for a variety of reasons, including health and transportation problems.  Guess you could call it a discouraging time.  But two weeks ago Jan was asked to come back to the shelter to take photos for Petfinder one afternoon a week.  Last week a woman came in to pick up 2 Beagle pups for rescue and Jan took on another volunteer job, that of mailing out the photos she takes.

Our local shelter is high-kill and it's been hard for rescuers to get a foot in the door to pull dogs in the past.  But things appear to be changing  

This is where the woman Jan met last week enters the picture.  Her name is Connie and she is a rescue coordinator who lives about 2 1/2 hours from here.  She networks with rescuers, emails out photos and information, drives long distances to shelters to pick up for rescues, takes animals to a vet - whatever is needed. 

Most of the animals at the shelter have no name, so Jan uses the random name feature on Petfinder to "name" them.  She was amazed to find Connie knew the name of every dog on the shelter Petfinder site. That's how hard she works to find a place for them; she'd memorized their information. 

Jan had to be at the shelter today for something unrelated and was fortunate to still be there when Connie and a rescue friend arrived in separate vehicles to pull some animals.  This was a day Jan had thought would never come.  Multiple animals of various breeds (4 dogs, 2 cats and 7 kittens) at one time left the shelter alive for a better life.  She came home feeling happy but teary.

"Placid"  - young English Bulldog

"Road Rash"  -  young Lab. He wanted his photo taken on his back, so it was.

"Saquera" - adult Lab

"Dot" - Dot is actually 2 female Siamese and their 7 kittens with goopy eyes.

Plus a young husky mix. Jan would have taken his photo tomorrow but now she won't need to.

Now if only someone would adopt "Jourdan" of the lovely smile   ...

the adorable flappy ears of "Freeze" ...

the wistful charm of "Snowdrop" ...

Any of our local dogs or cats on Petfinder would make a great pet.  We hope, with Connie and however many will be helping, that more of these great animals will find a home.  They offer unconditional love in exchange..

Life of Rusty

This was Rusty this morning. The photo was not taken today but this is what he loves best about being outside in the pen - sunpuddles and rolling in the leaves and grass. At such times he is quite vehement about not wanting to come back inside.


For those of you who commented on the photo of Jan's ripped jeans at the bottom of Wednesday's Yummylicious (dog biscuits) post, we especially enjoyed the advice to not tell Jan if she forgot to change between walking with the dogs and going to Bible study.  Unfortunately, she did remember to change out of her hole-y (thanks for the new word) jeans.

For those who said duct tape would solve the problem, we assure you that if duct tape was the answer, she wouldn't have lost so much blood or so many clothes to the Car Seat Ripper.  Duct tape does not fix everything!  Neither does beating a spring down with a hammer!


We have written several times on Dogs in Brazil, a rescue run by Jan & Carlos who have lost just about everything but are still helping dogs.  They are working on non profit status so they will be able to help more. 

We saw an article by Jan (not our Jan) today on Care2.  It's Guga's story.  We remember how worried Jan and Carlos were about him, an old dog living on the street and in need of medical care.  They  rescued him just days before the horrible mudslides destroyed villages and killed so many humans and animals a year or so ago. 

Guga has a new life.  And we're hoping things will soon turn around for Dogs in Brazil.  Stop by Care2 and read Guga's story..

And we hope you will stop by Dogs in Brazil blog occasionally and leave a comment.  They've had a long hard road and they haven't given up or abandoned the dogs in their care.   That says a lot!


Well, Jan is headed out the door to hike on some errands.  The car seat attacked her Monday while her brother was working on it and then yesterday she and the car had to be rescued.  The car is sitting on the front lawn but she says she'd rather hike and haul than drive and shake.

She's so thankful someone was willing to come help her with the car .  There was a very nice older lady across the street who kept crossing the street to check on Jan.  Before Jan left, the lady crossed the street again and shook Jan's hand, saying, "I know who you are." 

Jan was surprised.  "You do?"

"Yes, you live over by (she named our next door neighbors) and you have dogs in your back yard." 

Well, Merci, Buddy & Sam are walking around with swelled heads now because they're so famous strangers know where they live.  A pawtograph, anyone?

Tucker and Caboodle Ranch

 

Hey, Cameron here.  We finally figured out why Buddy was testing his pipes the other day.  He was practicing for a duet with Tucker.  

Tucker likes to sing and play the piano several times a day.  We are of the unanimous opinion Tucker could use a few more piano lessons.  His vocals, though, are perfect - great rhythm, good vocal range and clear enunciation.  :)


If the video doesn't play click here.

Many of you have heard of the recent raid on Caboodle Ranch which used to have a reputation for being clean and well-run.  It is sad and scary to read such accounts because it tells us that those who are working hardest to make a difference for animals are being targeted for prosecution and destruction, not just by those who oppose animal rescue efforts but by alleged animal rescuers and protectors.  We disagree with PETA, their agenda and their methods! 

Stop by the Caboodle Ranch blog and read Caboodle's side -  the top two post.


On the other hand, Craig is being accused of being a hoarder, even though the cats had a 30-acre property to roam.  How did the numbers grow to 700?  There were reports prior to this that neighbors were shooting cats on Caboodle property. 

In Georgia, a rescue must be a non profit registered with the state.  They are subject to the same state regulations and unexpected inspections as any other shelter. We assume it is the same in Florida, so we wonder how this could happen to Caboodle Ranch or any other rescue.  If conditions were as bad as written about, where were the safeguards and / or the inspectors?  . 

We are reserving judgment on this subject, but we have questions.  Many questions.  And we wonder which rescue will be targeted next?

Melting Pot and Paws

Hey, Cameron here.  Yep, we're still here, despite Jan trying to kill us all.  Yes, we know it wasn't really all her fault, but we are fortunate we're still alive. Here, this is what happened.

We were all lying around snoozing prior to bedtime Thursday night while Jan used the computer, when eyes began to open and heads began to pop up as we furries started to panic.   Sniff, sniff, what's burning? Are we all going to die?  We can't see through the smoke.

**Note from Cotton - There was no smoke!  Cameron got a bit disoriented since he had tucked himself into a white sheet to take a nap. He's just being dramatic.**

Jan jumped to her feet, not knowing where to check first, then headed for the most logical source - the kitchen.  Did she leave something on the stove?

Oh, you bet she did!  She worked on the computer while waiting for water to boil for a cup of hot chocolate.  We think she waited a bit long to check on it cause this is what she found.

Yep, that used to be a tea kettle. A brand new tea kettle.

Actually, this is what is left of Jan's Christmas gift tea kettle.  Jan's new stainless steel  whistling tea kettle.

Does this look like it whistled?  Nope, not a screech or a peep. This whistling tea kettle croaked without so much as a whimper.  And because Jan had only used it a couple of times while she was standing by the stove, she didn't realize the whistle didn't work.

The non-whistling whistling tea kettle had no offspring so it leaves nothing of value behind, just an empty mug and an unused hot chocolate packet on the kitchen table. Sadly, it died far too young.  There will be no funeral service.

In lieu of flowers, you can send cards and donations to the Melted Tea Kettle Revival Fund we've set up in its memory.

** Note from Cotton - I think Cameron means the Melted Tea Kettle Replacement Fund.  He's still a bit rattled from the other night.**


We were very happy we stopped by Rumpydog's blog last night.  He had posted an interview with our PAWS cat shelter volunteer friend, Kevin, aka Meowmeowmans. Stop by Rumpy's to read A Visit with a Shelter Volunteer Pt 1

Part 2 will be posted today and it will be an interview with a PAWS volunteer who works with shelter dogs..  Meowmeowmans' blog is Animal Shelter Volunteer Life.

Well, this was supposed to auto post at 12:30 AM.  Guess Blogger is related to Jan and doesn't remember to read the calendar either.  Aha!  We found the problem.  They have a DIFFERENT calendar!  Their week ends on Sunday instead of Saturday.  This might be why some others have been complaining Blogger doesn't auto post under the new dashboard.