Yesterday morning, just before I left for work, I let Sampson, Ruby and Danny Boy out side. Sam & Ruby flew around the side of the house which was followed by quite a ruckus. The two of them had caught a fox. I got everyone back in the house and checked them over; no obvious injuries. I watched for a while as the fox continued to breath but not move. I called Animal Control and they came to take care of the fox.
What I learned from this is that whenever my pups have a physical altercation with a wild animal (especially skunk, fox, or stray dogs), calling Animal Control is the right thing to do. Animal Control will work with the Health Department to determine whether the wild animal had rabies or any other type of virus. We should get a call within the next few days. The other thing I learned from the vet is that I should have bathed Sam & Ruby right away to wash away any saliva which may contain viruses etc.
I don’t know how the cute little fox found its way into our back yard since it’s completely enclosed, and I don’t know why it didn’t run like crazy when Sam & Ruby chased after it. It is nice to know that Sam & Ruby will protect us … and I hope they never have to prove it again.

We recently decided to offer help to some goldens from the Southern States. There are “rescuers” who identify dogs in need and try to arrange for a rescue to take them in Northern states where dogs are more likely to get adopted rather than euthanized.

Dogs are posted on Facebook and via email lists with the date they are scheduled to be “PTS.” It is not unusual for some shelters in the South to kill 40+ dogs every week. Multiply that by all the shelters, referred to as “the pound,” in the South and I quickly became overwhelmed.

What I have learned is that the purebred goldens generally get rescued by their local rescue group on the day they are going to be killed as I’ve gotten several messages about purebred goldens I have offered to take being saved at the last minute.

I have, however, committed to a handful of golden mixes….Sandy and Moose are two of these committments, and this guy, if he doesn’t have the contagious type of mange is another.

I have committed to a one year old in SC who may be flown to us to Fredericksburg, VA on Sunday, free of charge, by “Pilots N Paws,” a group of small plane pilots who fly dogs for free.

I also committed to a 4 month old, very sick puppy. We’re not sure if she is going to make it, but a kind woman is fostering her until she is healthy enough to be vaccinated, spay and transported to us.

We may also be bringing in two pups from Miami Florida….but that’s it. I promise!

The pictures are often small and it’s hard to tell if they are really goldens. Their little faces are pitiful and the notes that they will BE PUT DOWN TODAY if a rescue doesn’t step us is heartwrenching.

Well, I’m a soft touch apparently and have offered to take some goldens that may be golden in personality, but are clearly blends.

I’m asking for help fostering or helping these dogs get placed.

Mr. Moose arrived at our house at 3 a.m. today. He may not be a pure bred, buy OMG, he’s got a golden personality. He’ll be going to stay with Marial and Adam this evening and is available for adoption. If all of these “designer goldens” are a nice as Moose and Ms Sandy, who is being treated for heartworms, they’ll make wonderful family members.