Shelter Shiver Keeps Animals Warm and Safe at ALIVE Rescue

Kick off 2015 by doing something warm-hearted for homeless animals.

Take a dip in Lake Michigan during the 6th Annual Shelter Shiver for ALIVE Rescue at 10 a.m. on Sunday, Jan. 4, at North Avenue Beach in Chicago!

Individuals and teams will participate in either the Shiver Swim, a full plunge into the frigid waters, the Chicken Dip, an ankle deep walk, or the I'll Meet You at the Meltdown, virtual participation. Don't worry. Others have braved a moment in the lake during the winter and survived. And really, what better way to show your Chicago pride?

Prizes will be awarded for Best Costume, Best Team Theme and Top Fundraisers, which will be awarded at a party following the Shelter Shiver at Joe's Bar, 940 W. Weed St., Chicago. Free appetizers, juice and pop will be served and drink specials offered to all participants.

If you don't feel like experiencing a little cold, maybe you'd like to sponsor a team or individual. For more information, check out ALIVE Rescue, http://www.aliverescue.org/, or visit us on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/AliveRescue.

Giving Thanks for Our Pets

See that big lug sleeping on the sofa?

I'm very thankful for that guy, Trout, being in my life. He's been with me almost 10 years, and I wouldn't trade a day of his companionship.

I'm sure many of you feel the same way about your pet. So, when you're counting your blessings this Thanksgiving, make sure you include thanks for your four-legged friend.

My life would not be the same without Trout. He's been a constant through a few relationships that went South, two moves, two cars, career highs and lows and an in-between jobs time. He made the loss of my mom's dog easier for her to deal with, and he welcomed three new dogs into the family.

Trout has made sleeping in the woods easier when I knew there were bears out there. He also patrolled our campsites and chased off other critters he thought were a threat.

Trout remains alert every single night. Who knows what or who he's barking at at 2 a.m. on a Wednesday, but I'm glad he's here and keeping whatever or whoever out there. I sleep a lot better when Trout is around.

Trout's personality is gigantic. I love when he shows up and stares at me early in the morning as I contemplate taking on the day. I'm convinced my friends like me more because Trout makes them feel welcome after his happy dance by presenting them with a gift (usually one of his toys or one of my shoes). He can walk and howl at the same time. He watches airplanes fly overhead. He chases bees. He loves children. Sometimes he rests his head in the crook of my neck. He lets me use him as a pillow sometimes.

There are at least a thousand more reasons why I'm thankful for Trout being in my life. To show my thanks, I'm going to give him one of his favorite things: A long walk and some play time in the park. Your pet will be even more thankful for you if you also spend a little extra time with him or her during this busy holiday season.

I would be remiss if I didn't also give thanks for the shelter that cared for Trout before I met him. The shelter staff kept him in a clean space, treated him well, provided food, water and a comfortable place to lay his head at night. Trout, then Rocky, was a healthy and happy dog when we met.

If you got your dog or cat from a shelter or a rescue, you know how much work goes into caring for these homeless animals. If you didn't get your pet from such an organization, consider the cost and effort to care for your pet, then multiply it by the number of animals at your local shelter or rescue. Plus, the cost of utilities and the time spent staffing and performing the hundreds of other duties involved maintaining the organization.

Let's give thanks that these animals are being cared for and given a home until they get their forever home. Please consider showing your thanks by volunteering, making a donation, fostering or adopting.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Let us know why you're thankful for your dog or cat in the comment section!

Stay Fund is Keeping Families Together

Rescues do more than adopt out cats and dogs. For example, ALIVE Rescue offers several programs that address the needs of pets and owners, and work toward keeping pets with their families and out of shelters. The Stay Fund is a program ALIVE is very proud of.

The Stay Fund, developed by Cisley McPhail, ALIVE’s director of adoptions, is intended to help families with financial limitations who have dogs displaying behavior problems that can’t be easily rectified. Basically, ALIVE pays a trainer or certified veterinary behaviorist, or CVB, to work with the dog and owner to resolve the issue, which can be expensive.

Not long ago, while seeking help for some dogs with serious behavior problems, McPhail realized the average person would have trouble affording the initial visit with a CVB, about $400. And, when some adopters who had dogs with behavior issues called McPhail looking for help, she felt helpless just giving advice, sending them some articles and recommending they contact a trainer or CVB. “I knew they were at the end of their rope with finances,” she said, “and it was unlikely they would end up calling trainers/behaviorists.”

So, she began developing a scholarship program for dogs and owners in this kind of situation. “I feel like that's a major reason pets are relinquished to shelters,” she said, “and there aren't many avenues for help.”

The Stay Fund scholarship is for dog owners who are committed to working with their dog, to make life better for it by resolving his or her behavior problem. The added benefit is that resolution makes life better for the rest of the family, too.

“People qualify for the Stay Fund by demonstrating dedication to helping their pet live a happier life. It's not about getting the pet to do something just to make the owner's life easier, although that's often a perk,” McPhail said. “It's about wanting to help the pet get over his/her anxiety/fear/stress.”

Tiffany and her dog Axle were one of the first recipients.

“Tiffany had already tried things with her vet and another trainer with her dog, Axle,” McPhail said. “She was laid off from her job and needed help. She made it clear she was willing to do whatever it took, so long as it was positive for Axle, to keep from having to relinquish him.”

Success!

A lot of dogs don’t like getting baths, but Roy became downright surly whenever his new owner Erin tried to bathe or groom him. McPhail said determining Roy had fear aggression issues was easy shortly after getting him from Chicago Animal Care and Control and noticing his coat was severely matted. Obviously, he wouldn’t let anyone groom him.

But, Erin was determined to help the little guy deal with his fear aggression. Life for Roy got better after his new family received a Stay Fund scholarship.

“His amazing new mom tried many things to get him groomed, and ultimately had to resort to sedating him and having him shaved,” McPhail said.  “After she was awarded the scholarship, she had two sessions with trainer Lisa Collins, worked very hard with Roy at home, and now he is voluntarily getting in the bath tub!”  

Roy

McPhail added, “Our trainers are amazing and subscribe only to positive reinforcement methods. We've personally met with every one of them and observed their training methods and styles. We select the trainer to work with based on the behavior issue in question, physical geography and availability. For CVBs, there is a very limited number of them in our area, so we would coordinate with whomever had availability and was geographically closest to our applicant.”

ALIVE partners with Applied Animal Behavior, Collins Canine, Anything is Pawzible, Barker Behavior and Sally Bushwaller to provide training and behavior modification.

“We're always looking for more partners, though,” McPhail said, adding any interested positive-reinforcement trainers or behaviorists should email ALIVE at info@aliverescue.org.

Ultimately, the Stay Fund keeps dogs out of shelters because dog owners get the help they and their dog need, but might not be able to afford, and the family stays intact.

“The Stay Fund,” McPhail said, “helps keep owners and dogs together because it gives committed owners a way to get help for issues that just can't be dealt with in a class setting or with books or public resources.”

The Stay Fund, which is just one of the programs offered by ALIVE, relies heavily on donations. If you’d like to help dog and family stay together, please consider donating to the Stay Fund, http://www.aliverescue.org/donate/donate-stay-fund/.

Gonna Bust a Move (and Throw Out My Back) for the Chicago Community Pet Coalition

I'm not a good dancer. Really, I can't dance at all.

When I was a kid in junior high, everyone but me went to dance classes. I wanted to learn how to play the guitar and be the reason everyone was dancing, so I took guitar lessons instead. Bad move. I failed at playing guitar. My teacher encouraged me to quit. Now, many years later, I stand at the edge of the dance floor, watching everyone else twirl, dip, move their feet to the music accordingly, and I think, "Doh! I sure wish I knew how to dance!"

Well, no more! This Saturday night, Aug. 30, is the Hideout Dance Party benefiting the Chicago Community Pet Coalition, made up of ALIVE Rescue, New Leash on Life and One Tail at a Time, and I plan on hitting the dance floor! Don't be alarmed. I'm not having a seizure. Those are my moves.

I've chosen to embarrass myself for a very good cause. The CCPC, http://communitypetcoalition.org/, formed in March 2014 with the aim of keeping pets off the streets and out of shelters by making it easier for low income families to keep their dogs. Food and health care for pets can get expensive, so the CCPC relieves some of the financial strain by offering vaccinations, microchipping, vouchers for spay/neuter procedures, collars, leashes, toys and food — all for free — at the coalition's Community Pet Days.

At its first Community Pet Day, on May 18, the CCPC helped 237 dogs in Humboldt Park in just about four hours! It was an amazing day. Dog owners were happy and grateful and volunteers were happy that more than 230 dogs would be living healthier lives with the families they love.

So, I will gladly pay $20 to attend the dance party at one of Chicago's coolest venues. While I'll receive kudos for my dance moves (which really translate as, "You're an idiot. Keep up the good work"), I'll leave more content that I helped some families and their dogs stay together than proud that I overcame my fear of dancing.

Please consider joining me (but watch your feet) at 8 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 30, at the Hideout Inn, 1354 W. Wabansia, Chicago. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased at the door or at http://www.hideoutchicago.com/event/625605-chicago-community-pet-chicago/

Ride Alive is the Adventure of the Summer

Like a hound hot on the heels of a wayward squirrel, Courtney Prokopas will be chasing down clues in ALIVE Rescue’s 4^th annual Ride Alive scavenger hunt on bicycles in Chicago on Saturday, Aug. 23.

Prokopas said the event is always one of the greatest adventures she takes on every year. For example, two years ago, she found herself stuck high atop a climbing wall at Lincoln Park Athletic Club during a climbing challenge.

“I was so amped to climb the wall that I scurried up as quickly as possible,” she said. “Then, when I got to the top, I realized the instructor hadn't explained how to get down. There I was, frozen at the top of the three story climbing wall, with no clue how to get down. It was hard to hear the instructor that high up, so he pantomimed repelling. I made it down safely and had a good laugh about it all.  Good thing I'm not too afraid of heights.”

As in years past, teams of two cyclists will start from ALIVE Rescue’s Little Barn, 2227 W. Belmont, at 10 a.m., and race their way down to Canine Crews, 1616 N. Washtenaw. A party for participants will be held at 3 p.m. and includes drinks, vegetarian dishes, a raffle and prizes for teams that come in first, second and third place, as well as awards for the top fund raisers.

The money raised goes to support homeless animals.

Participants can never be sure what challenges await them, which is what excites Prokopas. Last year, teams took on dirt bike trails and paddled across the Chicago River in kayaks.

“I'm looking forward to seeing what adventures the Alive team has come up with this year,” Prokopas said. “It will undoubtedly be a great time. My partner and I are trying to defend our title of second place, and have a few awesome costume ideas brewing.”

However, Ride Alive isn’t the Iron Man. Prokopas, a recreational cyclist, said anybody can do it.

“That's the best part about this event!” she said. “You set your own course and your own pace.”

Of course, the ultimate reason Prokopas, a volunteer for ALIVE, does this is for the animals waiting for their forever home. Providing food, shelter, vaccinations, spaying or neutering, and various other medical costs requires capital. But, a close second reason is the thrill of the chase.

“I love ALIVE Rescue, scavenger hunts, and bicycling, so it was a no-brainer for me to participate,” Prokopas said. “It just keeps getting more and more exciting each year!”

Register before Aug. 10 to receive a Ride Alive T-shirt and gift bag filled with loot. Visit http://www.aliverescue.org/events/special-events/4th-annual-ride-alive/ to register.

  

Fourth of July can be terrifying for pets

While we get a kick out of high-pitched screaming bottle rockets and thundering colorful explosions overhead during Independence Day celebrations, our pets are scared.

I had one dog, Zoey, a 40 pound Lab/pit mix, who would wedge herself behind the toilet during thunderstorms and when fireworks exploded. Calming the poor girl down took a long time.

But, some pets become so frightened, they'll run, anywhere, to escape the screeching and booming. As this news report says, this time of year can be busy for shelters with dogs that have run from their owners or their owner's property because they were frightened by fireworks.

So, this Independence Day, leave the dogs at home, inside, where they might feel a little bit safer, and where you KNOW they're safe.

BBQ, some foods pose health risks to pets

Like Yogi Bear, I was drawn to the following information because I saw the word "picnic" in my Google Alerts.

However, the story by WKRC in Cincinnati reminds us that what we grill with is hazardous to our pets, and we should take care to keep charcoal, lighter fluid, matches and even ash away from our cats and dogs http://www.local12.com/news/features/top-stories/stories/medical-edge-pet-poison-12518.shtml

It's easy to be a bit remiss when this summer feels so good after the brutal winter we experienced, especially with a cold beer in hand. We might even be a little careless about where we've placed our cooking material once the grill is going, so it's important to keep this report in mind. I'm always reminded to check harmful materials are out of the way because my dog Trout sometimes attempts sticking his nose in the charcoal ash in the ash catch plate.

Also, keep in mind, not everything we eat, even that which is good for us, is good for our dogs. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals lists the following foods as poisonous to dogs:

Avocado
Bread dough
Chocolate
Alcohol
Grapes and raisins
Hops
Macadamia nuts
Onions
Garlic
Xylitol

You can find out why these foods are hazardous at http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/virtual-pet-behaviorist/dog-behavior/foods-are-hazardous-dogs

ALIVE and Barking shines light on ALIVE Rescue community

Welcome to the ALIVE Rescue community! ALIVE and Barking provides news and features about the ALIVE Rescue community, which — don’t let the name fool you — includes cats. Here, you’ll find more information about ALIVE Rescue events, our projects, our goals, our volunteers and, of course, our animals, which we hope will become your animals. At ALIVE and Barking, you’ll also read tips and reminders for caring for your cats and dogs, you’ll find information on new laws pertaining to pets and changes to existing laws, sometimes you may find a humorous or touching anecdote about our four-legged friends, and much more.

To learn more about ALIVE Rescue, please visit http://www.aliverescue.org/about-us/about-alive-rescue/