A sampling of the many rescues that Dori has
been involved with. Dori's passion is animal welfare
and has been helping animals in need all her life.
Fudge with Desilu (both not thrilled)
Fudge
Siberian Husky, 1-2-90 - 10-14-05
Fudge came into my life on December 13, 1991. He was bought as puppy
for a Valentine's Day present. Being a Siberian husky, his previous owners
believed he should be an 'outside dog' and, at just 8 weeks of age, tied
him to a tree in the yard. For the next year and a half, every day and
night, the dog was left alone outside. When he would bark or whine for
attention he was either yelled at or beaten. Disgusted with the continued
abuse, concerned neighbors called a friend of mine who was also a husky
breeder.
Upon witnessing Fudge's situation, she told the owners she was taking
him and they did not argue. The owners gave her his pedigree papers
and all (his father was classified as a grand Champion
in the show ring for purebred Siberian Huskies). I
think they were actually happy to not have to deal with
him anymore. While trying to free the dog she was bitten,
as all human contact in his life so far had been painful, he was naturally
defensive. She brought him home. I took him on, put him
through basic and advanced obedience training and he
slowly turned around. He was extremely food
aggressive and was an alpha personality, which made him
a hard case to train. He finally accepted me as
the alpha in his life and I was able to use him in
demonstrations, expos and other events (many of you
probably met him). He was used in many
advertisements (on my brochure, on this web site,
newspapers).
Fudge passed away at almost 16 years old. We had some tough times but, as he learned what love was,
he responded with leaps and bounds and had become an unending source
of joy in our lives.
Siberian Huskies are one of the most beautiful breeds
but also the most highly intelligent and stubborn.
This breed is NOT for everyone and I would not
recommend this breed as a first dog. It is highly
advised to do ALOT of research on this breed. Talk
to many owners, breeders and rescue leagues of the
Siberians. Get as much perspective BEFORE
obtaining any pet but especially a Siberian. They
will ALWAYS be my favorite breed (Fudge was my third
Siberian). Many Siberians are given up because
they were left as outside dogs and became bored.
This breed needs alot of interaction as a family member,
obedience training and does quite well, when this
happens. If they are left alone alot, they are
very good at becoming escape artists from fenced in
areas (either jumping or climbing fences or digging
under) or if tied, they will chew or break most ropes or
chains. They LOVE to run and have been known to
end up miles from home in a short time, that is what
makes them good sled dogs! They are also,
unfortunately great hunters. They are almost as
good, in some cases maybe better then cats, at killing
mice and other rodents. Most Siberians do not bark
at things they are hunting, they stalk quietly until
they are right behind. If they are left to roam
freely, they may find fun in killing other small
animals. It is NEVER good to let any pet roam, but
especially not a good idea to let a Siberian roam
freely. Most Siberians do shed quite literally,
year round. Shedding winter and summer coats, they
have a double coat for insulation in both winter and
summer. They should be brushed as often as you
can. Even with all that, in my opinion, Siberians
are the most amazing dogs, with baby blue eyes and soft
cuddly coats. The Siberians, I have come to love
have the personalities of little people. Their
intelligence makes them great obedience candidates, but
their intelligence also makes them stubborn enough to
decide NOT to do something. You need to make it
fun and interesting for them. Many Siberians do
have Alpha personalities, so it is best to not let them
get away with too much. they do best with consistency
and boundaries with some fun mixed in.
If you are thinking of a Siberian as your next pet,
feel free to contact me or Click on
Siberian
Rescue for more information. |
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Rescued Cats
- Ricky, Lulu & Spanky
April, 2002
In April 2002, I was made aware of approximately 32 cats and
kittens inside a building and informed
that they may have had no food and water for a few days. I called our pet sitter
in that area who also happened to be the Animal Control Officer. We both went to
check it out and were saddened by what we found. This little house had no heat -
in April it was still very cold - and there was no running water or food. Feces and
urine were everywhere throughout the entire home (which was later condemned and destroyed).
When the cats saw us, they all piled up at the front door, where the Animal
Control Officer kept them occupied. I entered through the
side door which allowed me to get inside without any cats escaping. As soon as they
saw me, they swarmed and I had to tear open the 25 pound bag of cat food. They just
climbed right into the bag, scrambling over one another because they were so hungry.
We had brought bags of litter and large cardboard boxes to provide clean bathrooms,
and were able to obtain several jugs of water from a neighbor.
The cats were friendly and seemed healthy. Unfortunately none of them were neutered,
so it is assumed they had interbred. The range of ages were 5 weeks to approximately
5+ years. I made some phone calls and many people jumped to assist us: the Merrimack
Valley Feline Rescue donated distemper vaccines, feline leukemia/FIV combo tests
and worming medication. The Feline Friends Rescue volunteered help, and a few of
my Veterinary Technician friends volunteered their time. We gave them physicals,
vaccines, tests (all negative, thankfully), and wormed them. The Animal Rescue League
in Bedford, NH was gracious enough to take all the of cats and adopt them.
I chose to take a 6 month old white with black named Spanky. He was petrified of
people and literally climbed the walls to get away. I knew
he would not do well in the shelter. I balanced him out with an overly-friendly black with
a bit of white littermate, named Lulu. I have found that animals take cues from
one another, and I knew that Spanky would be looking at Lulu for
comfort and learning in new situations.I also adopted a 5 week old kitten named Ricky,
who was diagnosed with congenital cataracts and was expected to be blind by the time
he was a year old, may possibly have distemper, etc. He also had a mysterious
black yeasty substance all over his face, eyes and in his ears.
I had taken him to 4 different veterinarians, who were not
familiar with whatever he had. After 4 years, I finally
found, Dr. Holub who does help with Tufts Animal Hospital.
He explained that Ricky (who did not have distemper, nor
cataracts and was not blind), had allergies. Allergies in
animals do not manifest like they do in humans, with itchy
watery eyes, congestion and sneezing. In animals,
allergies usually manifest in skin conditions. In Ricky's
case, his allergies manifested in an over production of black
yeast in the hair follicles, known as Malazizia Pachydermitits.
With the help of Dr. Anne Johnson, we did a blood allergy test. Poor Ricky is allergic to
numerous grasses, tree pollen, black ants, 2 types of dust mites
and a slew of other things. He now gets an allergy
injection every 14 - 21 days and a monthly bath to keep the
yeast at bay. I love all my cats, but Ricky is so
completely special. He and I have this amazing connection,
he is my "Soul Kitty".
All three kitties (Lulu, Spanky and Ricky) acclimated into my home as if they had never been anywhere else
and are doing fine with my other 7 cats! Lulu is
still loveable and Mr. Spanky is an insatiable cuddle bug!
I am so lucky to have them in my life.
Dori Whynott
Owner/President, PPSE |
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