February 13 th
What keeps me going- good news & gratitude
By · CommentsIf you want to know what keeps me going, it is being able to help people and animals. It is especially nice when someone sends good news & gratitude . Yesterday, I was ready to have a meltdown when a Facebook friend admonished me for running a sanctuary in the desert. He suggested I pack up all 25 animals and move to Oklahoma where hay is cheaper. Well, hay here was 1/3 the price just a few years ago. Az. grows plenty of hay, but is exporting too much to Asia. Americans are competing with Asia & the Middle East and they are willing to pay up to $500 a ton for hay that cost us $140 a ton just a few years ago. In fact, hay in Texas is even higher than here, due to the drought.
I can’t even go out in public with my severe MCS, never mind move. Furthermore, our animals ( and myself) are safe here from ticks, mosquitoes and fleas. Almost all the horses tested for Lyme antibodies in the midwest come up positive. Our Kola came from Ok. with Lyme and other problems and it took me years to get her healthy. We don’t have to use any pesticides (which would kill me, anyway) nor do we have to use heartworm prevention or vaccinate for mosquito or tick-borne disease. THIS is where JERAS belongs!
On top of that, I have been struggling with flare ups of several conditions and dealing with extra pain and malaise. So, having someone tell me to move the entire operation really did not make me at all happy. I was pretty angry.
However, this morning I received the following messages on Facebook, which made me realize I cannot stay away from my Fb contacts, even though a few can be really annoying. Most of my Fb friends and JERAS supporters are intelligent & compassionate people and I am grateful for that. Here were the messages:
“Just want you to know – you may have saved my female coon dog’s life. She has been a raving bitch for 6 months. We were going to put her down this Weds. but now we are going to have her tested for thyroid problems. She has several of the symptoms. We just thought she had a stroke and was nuts. So lucky for her I found you! “– Judy Cubel
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“Catherine, This is an update on the hounds. Whisper has been rescued by a rescue in another state – Louisiana I think. I’m going to take Katie. The Humane Society will hold her until Friday for me. So many people responded to your plea for help that I doubt I will have any problems finding a ride for her to Lubbock. I can meet a transporter in Lubbock. Now it’s just a matter of my being able to get away from work long enough to get her “bail out” money sent. None of this could have happened without your help and I sincerely thank you”. - Denise Elaine Auchmoedy-Bundy
So, it looks like I helped save a couple of hound dogs and I am happy I was able to do so. “Katie” was emailed to me and I posted her and another Texas hound all over Facebook. When Denise said she wanted her, I did all I could to help find transport to her in New Mexico.
I am sure Judy’s dog will come up as low thyroid, and if she does, fixing her temperament problems will be as easy as two pills a day. Praying that it will be the answer for them.
Katie
February 9 th
Low Thyroid Kills Dogs!
By · CommentsI cannot believe we got another email from someone wanting us to take a fearful dog today.
They have seen vets, trainers and called even one famous animal sanctuary who referred them to us! Well, that sanctuary takes in ~ 34 million dollars a year, so I was a bit shocked, but I am glad they did, because now this dog owner has the info which may save their dog’s life and allow her to stay with her family.
Here is a Facebook note I wrote a long time ago and share often:
LOW THYROID KILLS DOGS! PLEASE GET EDUCATED AND SHARE THE INFO.
My sanctuary got a call from a gal in tears because her rescued dog has gotten progressively more aggressive over time. She has been to vets, she called rescues and sanctuaries trying to place him. NO ONE ASKED ABOUT THE DOG’S HEALTH. I did. He also has skin allergies and digestive problems.
SKIN, DIGESTIVE, BEHAVIOR – ALL LOW THYROID SYMPTOMS!
She is now going to have Hemopet (http://www.hemopet.org) do a thyroid panel and I am very sure they will discover thyroid disease. A pill twice a day will probably “cure” all his problems and save him from being put to sleep.
Please, get educated and SHARE THE INFO. Please read Dr. Jean Dodds’ new book- The Canine Thyroid Epidemic
http://www.amazon.com/Canine-Thyroid-Epidemic-Answers-Need/dp/1617810169
Other symptoms:
Clinical Signs of Canine Hypothyroidism
Alterations in Cellular Metabolism
weakness / stiffness / laryngeal paralysis / facial paralysis / tragic expression / knuckling or dragging feet / muscle wasting / megaesophagus / head tilt / drooping eyelids
Neuromuscular Problems
seizures / mental dullness / exercise intolerance / neurologic signs / polyneuropathy / lethargy / weight gain / cold intolerance / mood swings hyperexcitability / stunted growth / chronic infections
Dermatologic Diseases
dry, scaly skin and dandruff / coarse, dull coat / bilateral symmetrical hair loss / rat tail, puppy coat / hyperpigmentation / seborrhea or greasy skin / pyoderma or skin infections / myxedema / chronic offensive skin odor
Reproductive Disorders
infertility of either sex / lack of libido / testicular atrophy / hypospermia aspermia / prolonged interestrus interval / absence of heat cycles / silent heats / pseudopregnancy / weak, dying or stillborn pups
Cardiac Abnormalities
slow heart rate (bradycardia) / cardiac arrhythmias / cardiomyopathys
Gastrointestinal Disorders
constipation / diarrhea / vomiting
Hematological Disorders
bleeding / bone marrow failure / low red blood cells / low white blood cells / low platelets
Ocular Diseases
corneal lipid deposits / corneal ulceration / uveitis Keratococonjunctivitis / sicca or dry eye / infections of eyelid glands (Meibomian gland)
Other Associated Disorders
lgA deficiency / loss of smell (dysosmia) / loss of taste / glycosuria / chronic active hepatitis / other endocrinopathies adrenal, pancreatic, parathyroid
February 5 th
Suggestions / Donate To Animal Charity
By · CommentsWhen not caring for our 25 animals, I spend a lot of time networking animals and advocating for animals, especially on Facebook. It is very disturbing to discover there are some illegitimate rescues and some people prospering by pulling on the heartstrings of others. So, how can you protect yourself when you decide to donate to animal charity?
First, just because an organization is huge and well known, don’t assume they will spend your donation wisely. Many people are deciding to give to smaller organizations in hopes that their hard-earned donation money will do more good and not be spent on corporate offices, high salaries and national advertising. However, now you must decide on how to find worthy, smaller organizations when you decide to donate to an animal charity.
This is what I would suggest you do when investigating an animal charity:
1-Do they have 501(c)3 status, or are they, at least, registered in their state as a non-profit corporation?
2-Are they willing to disclose their yearly financial reports? Is most of the revenue spent on actual caring for the animals- ie: food, veterinary care, needed supplies to make the animals comfortable?
3-Do they pay salaries, or are all the workers volunteers? You may not mind if salaries are paid, but you may want to see how much is being paid.
4-Are you welcome to visit the facility? If you can’t visit, do they post photographs and videos so you can do a virtual visit? Is the organization willing to speak to you by telephone to answer your questions?
5-Do the animals look happy and as healthy as possible?
6-Does the organization have a veterinarian willing to make a positive reference?
7- Feel free to ask for references from others- other donors, the feed store, the neighbors…
8-Does the organization have the proper permits to operate? I have seen quite a few “rescues” in a panic, needing to get rid of many animals, because they were not “legal” to begin with.
9- What is your gut feeling about the organization? If something seems “fishy”, investigate more. They may be legitimate and worthy of donations, but do your homework, so you can be sure and feel good about your choice of an animal charity.
There are many small animal charities in dire need of help. JERAS gets daily emails and calls wanting us to take in more animals, but we are not getting enough funds to do so right now. We have recently taken in 3 burros & a horse, but 2 of the burros came with sponsorship. We are getting a grant to install shelters, fence and a hay storage shed, but money to purchase feed must come from donations. We have a county kennel license and are a licensed Equine Rescue with the state of Arizona. You can visit out “Kudos”page for references, too.
http://www.jersanctuary.org/about-jeras/kudos/
I work 16 hour days to care for 25 animals and do the office and computer work. I know other people who work just as hard running their small rescues. We need your help, so please don’t be afraid of supporting us….just do your homework beforehand, so you can feel you made a good decision when choosing to donate to animal charity.
Knickers, won't you sponsor a horse?
When you’re looking to buy, 
