Mark Your Calendars!

Some quick reminders before I go to bed!  Mark your calendars!  

• Aug. 3rd at 9:30am -- VOLUNTEER DAY at the shelter! Come on out and help us walk, bathe, brush, and play with the dogs at the shelter.
• Aug. 4th at 8am -- SIDE WALK SALE on Reed Street downtown Moberly, MO.  The Animal Shelter will be there with a booth sat up for an adoption event for some of it's dogs that have graduated the HOUNDS Program.
• Aug. 18th -- VFW RUMMAGE SALE at the VFW Building in Moberly, MO.  The shelter is collecting rummage sale items for the sale.  Please bring your donations to the shelter Mon.-Fri. from 9am to 5pm. 

 Don't forget to check out our TWITTER Page too! https://twitter.com/MoberlyShelter 
Check us out on Facebook too! https://www.facebook.com/MoberlyMOAnimalShelter?ref=hl

We are also looking forward to some new oppurtunities for the shelter! Can't wait to announce them if everything gets a green light! Yay!

Mahala
Shelter Volunteer
Photography
and
Social Media

Dog Days of Summer Adoption Event

Today I had the extreme honor of attending the "Dog Days of Summer" Adoption Event, hosted by the No Kill Coalition, Columbia, MO. 

There were quite a few gorgeous dogs that were there! All kinds big and small, they were all very beautiful and unique!

Willow and Atticus who were with a rescue  group were looking
for their FUR EVER homes today.  Very gorgeous doggies!
Very friendly! Not every day you see a full sized poodle
sitting next to a German Shepered!
Gorgeous dogs like these end up in shelters and
rescue groups more often than you think!!!

This handsome boy kept watching me as I was taking photos
so he posed for a pic.  He's a handsome boy and I hope he
found his fur ever home!

This handsome dog was having fun just lounging about enjoying
the attention from all the volunteers!

This gorgeous little doggy reminded me of my own two gals at home!

Our shelter had been asked if we would like to attend, and fortunately yes we got to go! We took two girls with us, Addie and Gracie.  They are recent graduates of the HOUNDS Prison Training Program (like a puppies and parole type program). 

Gracie says:  "Where were today?  I waited for you for
to come and take me home, but you didn't come for me. 
I'm a good girl, so I will wait for you to come, and
wuv me and make me your doggy"

Addie says "I waited for you to day.  I hoped you would come and adopt me.
I need you to wuv me and make me your doggy.  I will take a wittle doggy
nap and wait like a good girl for my Fur Evers home"

Addied and Gracie did not find their Fur Ever homes today, but we aren't giving up and neither are they.  We have no doubts that there is a great fantastic home out there for each of them.  They are fantastic gals who deserve not just ANY home, but the PERFECT home. 

I was so glad to get to meet several people from other rescue groups today, it was great to finally get to put faces with names of people I talk with on Facebook on a regular basis about the dogs.

I heard a lot of positive comments from these groups about how far our shelter has come in the past several months and they look forward to working with us.  That is a win win for everyone! Especially, the dogs!

We also had the pleasure of seeing Darla and Doug and Chance again! These were dogs that were originally from the shelter, but were rescued from the shelter by a couple of rescue groups.  Dogs Deserve Better rescued Chance from the shelter after he escaped his life of being on a chain.  They had been trying to get him for quite awhile now and when he finally ened up in the shelter they were able to get him.  We were glad to see him go to a great group! Darla and Doug were taken by Second Chance rescue group.  I was so glad to hear the two of them had gone to a rescue group together! We had the funniest little southern love story between Darla and Doug.  While at the shelter Darla just loved Doug and just wanted to sit next to him.  The two of them are actually in a foster home together from what I heard today so that just makes the love story all the more cuter. It was great to see them today and see how well they were doing.  I hope they find their fur ever homes soon!

Little Miss Darla! I know the volunteers at the shelter
miss her! But we're all glad to know she's at a
great  rescue group. 

Mr. Doug the sweet little cutie corgi mix! Unfortunately,
I found out he has tested positive for heart worms,
BUT he is with an awesome rescue group that
will get him on the proper treatment.

Chance is looking amazing! When he came into the shelter he had
sores on his ears from being bitten by flies before he ended up at the shelter.
Now his sores on his ears are healing up nicely and he is just spoiled rotten.

I cannot express to you enough on just how many people there are that are involved with the shelter that care very much about the dogs here.  Many volunteers pay out of pocket to help dogs that need medical care, or to get the shelter items that they need. 

Tina the ACO of the Shelter takes Addie on a little walk around the park.
Yes beach balls were available for the dogs to play with. 

Recently, one of our shelter volunteers donated a MUCH needed dryer!

There are many things that you can do to help the shelter.

Do you have a birthday coming up?  If so then perhaps mention to your family and friends that they could make a personal donation to the shelter in your honor.  Perhaps pledge to pay the adoption  fee for one of the kennels? $25 will cover the adoption fee of a puppy that has been wormed and given parvo shots.  $10 will cover the costs of an older dog that has had no shots. That's about what one might spend on a birthday presents. 

Perhaps if you have a birthday party you could put out a donation can and ask relatives and friends to bring a dollar to put in the can to donate to the shelter, or to bring a dog toy or dog leash to take to the shelter as a donation (BTW that is something my 4 year old daughter is wanting to do for her 5th birthday party in just a couple months, of which my husband and I glady approve of!). 

Back to school is starting soon, why not ask your school or class if they can do a shelter drive?  Encourage children to bring in an item for the dog shelter.  A small bag of dog food, a dog collar, dog leash, cute dog sweater, bag of dog  treats, dog toy, dog brush, dog shampoo...etc etc. Many things could be donated that can be found at the dollar stores. 

Do you have a Church group or other Youth related group?  (Girl Scouts/Boy Scouts) Why not get your group out to the shelter to help out?  We could always use some helping hands! Maybe you could do a car wash or dog wash to raise money for the shelter? 

Funding is vitally needed for the shelter. 

These dogs often times need medical care.  That takes money that the shelter doesn't always have readily available.  It would be wonderful if we could afford to spay/neuter dogs BEFORE they left the shelter.  A lot of shelter/human society's/rescue groups DO get to do this for the dogs that come through there, but our shelter is so small we are not able to do so, but we would love to be able to do this! It is VERY important to spay/neuter your pets, it helps keep the # of "unwanted" pets in the shelter down, which keeps shelters from getting over crowded which is very dangerous!

Speaking of fundraisers and such....

Mark your calendars and start going through your closets and garages! Aug. 18th there is a garage sale at the VFW. The Moberly shelter will have a table and they are asking for people to donate items to the shelter (please drop the items off at the shelter prior to the yard sale, you have from now until Aug. 18th to get your donations in!) The shelter will be selling these items at the yard sale to raise money for the shelter.  We appreciate any and all of the donations!

Also Aug. 4th is Bazaar Days in downtown Moberly.  Look for the Moberly Animal shelter to be there as well! They will have some of their dogs out there from the HOUNDS Program that have graduated and are looking for a FUR EVER HOME! The Bazaar is on Reed Street and starts at 8am on Aug. 4th

If you have any other great fundraising ideas for the shelter, please leave us a message on our FB page! (just search for Dogs for Adoption: Moberly, MO Animal Shelter)

There are also some really cute little leash/collar slip ons that would be wonderful for the shelter to have! They are about $1 a piece unfortunately the web site address I was given for them isn't working so I will have to try and find that later and post it! If someone would love to order some for the shelter that would be great! The covers can be slipped over leashes or onto collars and say "ADOPT ME" they come in plain yellow or pink and blue (for easy gender display for potential adopters!) These would be very useful for the dogs that come out of the HOUNDS Program and are in Foster homes.  When they go out and about around town it would be an easy way to advertise that they are adoptable. 

I would like to thank everyone today that attended the adoption event and helped the Moberly shelter! Thank you for the information you have us today and for the positive feed back.  This was our first adoption event and it was great to see the other groups in action and take pointers from them so we can better help the dogs at our shelter. 

We look forward to participating in more adoption events.

Mahala Dixson
Shelter Volunteer
Photography
Social Media

I Am, A Volunteer

I've tried to let this go, and let it roll right off my shoulders. However, I am no good at doing that.  YES I do have a tendancy to take things personally, but that's just how I've always been.  There are sometimes in life where it just happens and some things, are for good reason.

My name is Mahala.  I'm 27 (ok nearly 28) years old.  I'm a mom to three amazing children.  Kamilah age 4 (almost 5), and twin sons Marshall and Keegan (age 3).  I have lived in Moberly, MO since 2003, I moved here after graduating from high school. Some of you might know me from Kentucky Fried Chicken where I worked for 5 years. I have 2 dogs Molly who is 18 months old and Molly who is 2 years old.  I also currently have a foster puppy named Kolbi who is roughly around 10 weeks old.  And I recently fostered a yorkie named Katie. All of my dogs?  Were rescued.  Rescued dogs, are my favorite.  I've never boughten a dog from a breeder or pet shop.  I also have 2 kittens, a tabby manx named Tobi, who is probably 12-14 weeks old now, and another tabby (with a tail) named Severus who is around probably 10-12 weeks old, maybe.  At one point I was fostering 7 kittens.  Hand feeding 2 of them. 

Two of my 7 foster kittens I had during the spring.

My twin sons with our dogs Karmen and Molly They are
the best of buddies

My daughter with our two kittens in her arms, and our dogs
Molly and Karmen looking at her.

My daughter has a special way with dogs!

A litle Yorkie we recently fostered, her name is Katie. 
She has a wonderful Fur Ever home, and
our little kitten Tobi (they were buddies) Tobi
was one of my 7 foster kittens over the spring.

Kolbi my current foster pup.  She's so sweet and funny! Gonna be hard to give her up.

Severus, one of our other kittens, he was also one of our foster kittens over the spring.

Karmen and Kolbi

Katie lounging about

I have always had a huge soft spot for animals.  I was that girl living in a small country town, who ran around rescuing all the baby birds that fell out of trees.  I rescued baby bunnies who the mama bunny had been killed.  Nursing kittens by hand that had been abandoned by their mama's, helping hurt dogs, and helping any animal in need.  There was never a shortage of animals at my house.  I'm from a long line of animals lovers.  To be honest, I usually like animals a lot more than I like some people. 

There are two things in this world that I am INCREDIBLY passionate about.  One is Childhood Cancer (as my son Keegan was diagnosed with this at 3 months old).  The other?  Is ANIMALS.  I love animals. 

I hate to see animals in pain.  I hate to see them in shelters.  

Around a year ago I met a lady, her name is Jody.  She's an amazing woman that I very much admire.  A little dog, wandered up into my yard one day while my kids and I were outside playing.  He instantly melted my heart reminding me of a dog I had when I was growing up. 

We already had Molly at this time, she was a year old.  We thought Molly needed a friend.  So we wanted to keep the little guy that we named Dodger, but we hung on to him for a few days and tried unsuccessfully to find if he had owners. 

Dodger for some reason or another hated my husband (who absolutley LOVED the dog).  Dodger wouldn't let my husband move.  If my husband moved a centimeter this sweet little dog went off on my husband.  It was very nerve wracking and we tried a million different things to get him to not do this.  To no avail.

I had met Jody briefly a year before, she was at the Rail Road Days carnival downtown with a little booth sat up with info on Neutering/Spaying your pets and adopting dogs from shelters.  We had spoke because I was looking for info on assistance on getting your pet spayed (we wanted to make sure Molly was spayed and didn't ever have puppies I knew how very important it is!  But with 3 kids sometimes big costs like that, can be expensive.  Doesn't mean you don't love your pet or don't care for it, but just like any other medical cost, it can be expensive.  And sometimes you need a little help paying for it). 

So when we found Dodger she saw my messages around on different sites, just trying to find his owners.  We emailed back and forth.  Finally I called her in tears.  Our nerves were shot from trying to help Dodger over come whatever issue he had with my husband (poor dog was fine with everyone else, but not my husband and we have no idea why dogs normally love my husband). 

So Jody being the total sweet hear that she is, she came and got Dodger. She spoiled him rotten until she found him the PERFECT Fur Ever home.  I had taken several photos of Dodger, trying to help him find owners, if he already had them.  I had friended Jody on Facebook, and she saw my photos I posted of Dodger, and photos that I always took of my kids.

One day she asked me to do something wonderful.  Something that changed my life, and ultimately the dogs of MANY MANY dogs, and something that I pray will CONTINUE to enrich my life and save the lives of many more dogs in the future!

Jody asked me to come out to her friend Dee's house and photograph some little foster dogs she has.  Dee is another amazing woman  I admire.  She and her husband are the owners of K9 Kountry Klub.  They groom dogs, and offer kenneless boarding for your dogs when you have to go out of town. 
I met some amazing dogs that first day.   I was scared.  I didn't know if I'd be good enough to help these dogs.  I'm not a professional photographer.  I don't have a fancy camera.  My only "experience" is photographing my children from the moment they were born, and taking photos of friends/family that would allow me to use them as guinea pigs.  I'd taken a few decent photos of my own dogs.  I had neve done anything to this magnitude.  I felt like I had a huge expectation to live up to. 

I remember those first dogs I photographed!

Senor Fuzzy Buns, who had been pulled from the local shelter where he had been picked up as a stray, and he had issues with his back legs.  I enjoyed photographing that very photogenic dog! It wasn't long afterwards that he went all the way to Wisconsin to live in his FUR EVER HOME.  And his photo, helped get him there.

There was Gracie, a beautiful young lab puppy.  I had brought my daughter with me that day too, she is my "assistant" and she has always had a strong connection with dogs.  Gracie was just having so much fun chewing on my daughter and playing with her.  Gracie was a bit head strong and stubborn, but she was only a puppy.  She needed love and affection and training.  Today, Gracie is living with a wonderful family that I personally helped place Gracie with.  Gracie is living with the speech therapist that works with my sons, and her family LOVES Gracie.  She is very much a part of their family. 

Little Buddy was a little wire hair terrier I photographed who had also been pulled from the shelter.  He was a bit of a challenge to place in a fur ever home LOL But we finally got him just the perfect one! Sadly, poor little Buddy darted out of his house one day directly into the path of an oncoming car.  We were all very heart broken to hear of his passing.  He will always be rememebred.

Miss Tuti was also a rescue from the local animal shelter.  She was an owner surrender, her mama had to give her up, she had to move out of state to care for very ill parents, and she had no one to take Tuti for her.  It broke this woman's heart to give up her baby girl.  She could in no way take the dog with her, she was stuck  giving up her dogs.  We couldn't bare to see Tuti at the shelter so we brought her to Dee's.  She took awhile to get placed in a fantastic home, we saw her come back a few times, but we never ever ever gave up on Tuti.  We finally found her the right Fur Ever home a couple of weeks ago, and by all accounts, she is a happy spoiled little lady. 

Those dogs were the first ones I ever photographed. 

Shortly after, Jody asked me if I would be interested in  going to the shelter with her and photographing the dogs there.  Well luck would have it that we ended up there to pick up another small dog they were pulling from the shelter to go into a foster home. And while I was there, I nervously photographed the dogs there. They were nothing fancy.  I again, felt like I had high expectations to live up to! But I am glad I am here and glad I am helping. I realized the only expectations I have that are "too high" are my own! I want to make sure everything is just perfect.  

But two of my favorite loves came together.  Taking pictures, and working with animals. 

Two of the first dogs I photographed at the shelter, were Gracie (not the same Gracie that our speech therapist adopted) and Addie who are now graduates of the HOUNDS Program! They will also be going to the Dog Days of Summer Adoption Event in Columbia, MO on July 29th from 9am-2pm (come on out and meet them!) I'm so proud of those girls! Addie sure has grown since I photographed her originally!

I have been volunteering to photograph dogs since some time late March/early April.  On May 10th I created the Moberly, MO Animal Shelter Facebook page with the go ahead from the heads of the shelter.  Ran on a volunteer basis for the shelter.

Up until now, dogs at the shelter had not been networked very well, if at all.  Bobbi, the previous animal control officer who was with the shelter for almost a year, she was wonderful and bless her heart was trying her best to keep dogs from dying.  But she was the only ACO.  So she could only do so much.

Bobbi left us, and we miss her dearly, but we know she's got big plans for her future! I enjoyed getting to know Bobbi at the shelter while I was there photographing dogs. 

Tina, is the new ACO (That's animal control officer for anyone who doesn't know shelter talk).  Tina is doing a fantastic job, and we are very much enjoying working with her.  She loves these dogs and wants them to be sent to rescue groups, and adopted out, and put in fosters.  She doesn't want to see them sit in the shelter.  NONE of us want to see any of the dogs gassed.

That is the most heart breaking thing to ever have happen. 

I can honestly tell you, that when/if a dog IS gassed it deeply affects us.  We cry.  I know I personally, am devastated.  I feel like I have failed the dogs when one has to die. I don't just walk into the shelter emotionless and snap a few "whatever" photos and leave.

I KNOW these dogs.

I go in every Friday morning along with my 4 year old daughter, and many other wonderful volunteers of various ages from around the community, and we get to KNOW these dogs. 

We worry about these dogs.
We LOVE these dogs.

We get angry about the circumstances that these dogs were brought to the shelter in, we cry happy tears wheneve a dog gets adopted or sent to a rescue.  We are crushed when we hear one died.

We had parvo go through the shelter really bad a month or so ago, and we lost nearly EVERY.  SINGLE.  PUPPY.  It was devastating.  Soul crushing. 

There had been a few dogs that narrowly escaped death, they went to a rescue group just days prior to every pup getting ill.  But sadly, they couldn't take them all. 

Freckles, was the ONLY surviving puppy from all of this. She had been the only one that had not shown any symptoms so we thought she would be fine, but she was pulled from the shelter and into foster care, just in case.  Unfortunately, a few days later she started showing symptoms of parvo.  Thanks to so many wonderful donations from people all over Freckles was saved! Freckles is currently in the HOUNDS Training program! I'm so thrilled for her! She's a beautiful girl, so smart and friendly and loves water and being in the country.  We were so over the moon happy that she survived.  We wish we had been able to save them all.

Our shelter doesn't have a ton of money.  We don't charge huge adoption fee's.  People in our area couldn't afford a huge adoption fee anyway.  If we can't adopt dogs out....then more dogs die.  And we do not want that.

Puppies that come into the shelter receive a wormer and parvo shots.  Older dogs, unfortunately receive no vetting unless they come in, and are in bad shape.  Now, if they are one of the lucky dogs that meet all the qualifications to be in the HOUNDS Training Program, then they are spayed, up to date on shots, and on heart worm prevention meds.  They have $120 adoption fee that covers all of that. We have to work very hard to make sure these dogs are adopted out, and go to very good homes. 

I spend a great deal of my time editing photos of dogs.  Infact when I get home on Friday's after volunteering at the shelter, I feed my kids lunch and put them down for a nap and then I head right in to preparing the photos to post them with the bios for each dog so they can start getting networked. 

Our shelter can be empty one day, and fill up in the next few days.  That's why we have to work so hard to keep dogs moving out all the time into rescues or foster or our ultimate goal FUR EVER homes.  When you adopt a dog from the shelter, you save 2 dogs lives at that moment.  The one you adopted, and the one you just made room for.

I love people who are REPEAT adopters from the shelter.  They make my heart sing! They have no idea how much I love them for coming and adopting ONE dog let alone 2 or 3 more later on down the road.  There is a sweet girl, Caitlyn, who comes to volunteer at the shelter.  She is there every week, and she is only a Junior in high school.  She came out one day when a beautiful boy named Duke was there.  He had been there for a day or two, and she just instantly clicked with him.  After talking to her mom, it was a go that she could bring this gorgeous boy home.   A few weeks later a shitzu came in, that had seen better days.  He was a mess.  He's a senior dog, doesn't get around so well, and just was not the ideal "adoptable" dog.  We were all very distraught over what this poor boys future might have in store.

This is Captain Melman.  He was in pretty rough shape when he came in.
We all feared for him and wanted to get him out of the shelter.

Captain Melman was adopted by the wonderful
Caitlyn one of the shelter volunteers. She had
already adopted Duke a few weeks earlier, and
then fell in love with this guy too. 
Thank you Caitlyn for helping Melman get out of the shelter.

Handsome Duke :)

Caitlyn already had a shitzu at home as well, and her heart really went out to this poor boy.  So, again after talking to her mom, she was given the go ahead to bring this boy home too.  After making a trip to Dee's for some Grooming, Captain Melman, went to his Fur Ever home.  He has been checked over by the vet, and given his shots and is a gorgeous boy again.  He'll have a loving home for the remainder of his life.  Which I think he has several years in him still!

Annie is another repeat adopter! She's adopted pets from the shelter for several years now.  Recently she adopted a beautiful gal named Lucy. 

Lucy was at the shelter the very first time I ever went in, she was one of my first shelter dogs I photographed.  She had been found tied to the door of the shelter.  She was sad. Very depressed.  She didn't want to eat, she moped around.  She was very sad to be there, and didn't understand why she was there. 

We posted her around trying to find her a home, but she was a BIG gal.  We were concerned for her well being.  We feared she might be put down. 

Annie recognized this gal as her neighbors dog, and came to the rescue.  She prepared her home for the arrival of Lucy.  She got Lucy vetted and groomed, and WOW Lucy is not the same sad dog anymore! She's amazing and happy!

Annie wasn't done yet though, she decided her home needed ONE more baby.  Just a few weeks ago the shelter had numerous puppies.  There was one puppy, we had given the nickname Opossum too, since her face looked like that of a little opossum.  She was a DOLL.  We loved her.  She melted every heart that came in contact with her! Annie easily decided that THIS gal had to come home with her.  Opossum has lost her nickname and is now Chrissy, and is very much loved and at home!

Opossum (AKA Chrissy) is one unique puppy! You can't help
but love her! Thank you Annie for bringing her home to live
with you and your group of awesome "possom" dogs ;)

Another Volunteer, Tabitha, who shows up every Friday morning, who is expecting her OWN little bundle of joy in December, she adopted a little gal named Sissy.  Boy, was she in for a big surprise! She found out a few week after adopting Sissy, that Sissy was expecting some furry bundles of joy too! Sissy gave birth to 7 beautiful puppies a few weeks ago.  Tabitha could have brought Sissy back to the shelter the moment she found out the dog was pregnant, but she didn't.  She kept her.  Knowing there would be puppies.  6 girls and 1 little boy (of course it can NEVER be the other way around now can it?).  Nearly all of those puppies have an Elvis themed name, which is absolutely perfect.  These puppies will be available for adoption in a few more weeks, but we are working on getting them into a rescue group so they can all be spayed/neutered BEFORE being adopted out, and getting mama spayed too so no more puppy surprises! These puppies are getting a ton of love, and are doted on by their fur mama and their human mama.  They even adopted the ONE and only cat at the shelter. Cali.  Unfortunatley, Cali DID have to come back because they found out her husband was allergic to cats.  However, Cali still has a happy story! She was adopted out again a day or two later and is living the fat life. 

Tabitha is at the shelter every Friday, and she'll be having a baby
in December! She loves to come out and cuddle the dogs.  In
this photo she is snuggling up with Katie who could really use
that love and attention. 

Stories like the above ones...is WHY I do what I do.  This is WHY I volunteer at the shelter. 

Every Friday I wake up and I'm so excited, because I know I'm going to get to play with some amazing dogs and get to photograph them and spend time with other people who CARE about these dogs.  If they didn't care, they wouldn't be at the shelter every Friday. 
People who don't care about dogs and their fate, don't volunteer to help them, walk them, bathe the, brush them, spend sometimes HOURS picking ticks off of them, combing through their hair with flea combs removing fleas while the dog is in the bath.  People who do not care about dogs do not volunteer to scrub clean the kennels and repaint them.  If we didn't care we wouldn't spend our own money to buy new toys, collars and leashes for these dogs.  We wouldn't show up and walk these dogs all over the place to help them get excercise and stretch their legs from being in the kennels, if we didn't care. 

Shawnda, is at the shelter every Friday.  She paints,
and gives the dogs bathes, and walks some of our
more stubborn and strong dogs

Tina (in the green) is the animal control officer at the shelter,
and she is doing a great job! She really loves having all of the
volunteers come out to the shelter.  She gets right in there
with us and helps us bathe the dogs and walk the dogs. 
She cares about these dogs.

Look at these volunteers! They are out there nearly every Friday,
all ages volunteer out at our shelter.

Some of our senior volunteers hold and snuggle up with
some of the smaller dogs and give them some
much needed attention.

Our younger volunteers enjoy playing with any puppies and smaller dogs 

We name every dog that comes in.  We can't stand them not having names.  We make up silly and cute little conversations and stories about these dogs while we play with them.  What their lives must have been like, what these dogs are thinking, and what kind of owners they are looking for. 

I do not run the shelter. I'm simply, a volunteer.  I take the photos of the dogs, I maintain the Facebook Page and Twitter page for the shelter, and then I run my blog here where I talk about my journey's with these dogs.  I love what I do.  Most of the time.

There are moments when I'm not so happy.

Like when I woke up this morning to find a self proclaimed "animal rights activist" had posted on the wall.  Now, I have several things to say here.  And I'm saying this as an individual.  MY OWN beliefs and opinions. 

To me, an animal rights activist is not someone who sits behind a computer screen posting obnoxious posts saying the same things over and over in an unkind manner on a page.  Anyone can do that.  It takes little effort.  That is not really affective in helping animals, atleast in my mind. 

Sharing and cross posting the dogs, calling and contacting rescue groups about rescuing dogs from your local shelter, THAT is actively helping animals. THAT is animal rights. You can say all you want about the rights an animal SHOULD have.  But saying it doens't do much, SHOW it. 

Telling someone to rent a back hoe and destroy the shelters gas chamber, that isn't helpful.  It isn't as "simple" as destroying city property.  IF we were to do that, we would end up in jail, and the shelter would be destroyed, and possibly injur if not kill dogs that are there.  How would that be helpful?  Where would these dogs end up if someone just decided to bull doze down the "bad room" at the shelter?  These dogs could end up at another shelter that doesn't care like we do.  They could end up back on the streets where they could die of thirst (has anyone noticed how hot and dry Missouri has been here lately?)  These dogs atleast know that while they are at the shelter they get human interatction, a meal that comes every day at the same times, dog treats, a doggy bed to sleep in, a chance to play, they are cool (yep it's air conditioned in there for them in the summer, and heated in the winter).  They get to go on walks, they get a bath.  If they need vet care we do our best to make sure they get it. 

This mama dog and her 7 babies were pulled out from under an
abandoned house.  This mama was scared.  We worked
very hard to get mama and her very young babies out of the shelter
and into a rescue group.  I didn't see any self proclaimed
"animal rights activists" out there pulling her out
from under the porch and getting her into a rescue group.

This is Simba.  He died.  Why?  Because we couldn't get him
into a rescue group. The shelter got very full, very quick, and he Simba
was displaying kennel aggression.  He had been at the shelter for quite
some time, we just couldn't get him out quick enough.  I feel like
I personally have absolutely failed this boy.  He was gorgeous. 
I promised him I would do my very best to get him out. 
He didn't make it out alive.  We were all crushed. 
I didn't see any self proclaimed "animal rights activists" coming
to his aid when we posted him  and posted him.

This is Ashley, one of the several puppies we
lost to parvo at the shelter several weeks back. 
We couldn't get them out quick enough. 
It was one of the biggest periods at the shelter,
puppy season.
We couldn't get them out fast enough, and
they got sick really quick. And died.

Another loss to Parvo :(

And yet another loss to parvo

And another loss

And another loss

Again.  Where were the self proclaimed animal rights people to help these puppies when we were trying to get them out?

Just because you don't like something doesn't mean you rent a bull dozer and take it down.  If the volunteers ended up in jail, who would care for these dogs on volunteer day? Would those self procclaimed gungho animal rights activists come out to the shelter and do all we do for those dogs? I doubt it.  There is only one Animal Control Officer.  Tina can't walk and bathe all these dogs on her own.  Tina has a lot on her plate, and she needs help from volunteers like myself and ALL OF YOU. It's easy to talk a good talk about how you are an animal rights activist and to rant and rave about how much you hate something and want it to end and tell people how you call your legislaturs and picket the state capitol and all, and while yah you may do that, and it's appreciated, you still need to get to the shelters and HELP them physically.   

To everyone who says that people who work at kill shelters or volunteers at kill shelters, that they are monsters....look in the mirror. 

Your negative comments are not helping these dogs at all.  By telling people YOU won't help a kill shelter, or YOU won't adopt a pet from a kill shelter, and you don't think others should either, what do you think happens to those dogs you are neglecting and ignoring in your call to end kill shelters?  You care causing them to die.  By NOT adopting dogs from kill shelters you are signing their death warrant.  If you want to END kill shelters how about you help us keep the dogs OUT of the kill shelters.  Encourage people to spay and neuter their pets, HELP THEM spay and neuter their pets.  Encourage people to foster dogs from kill shelters, encourage them to adopt animals from kill shelters.  Encourage rescue groups to step in and help out more kill shelters.  Get those dogs to safety.  If you don't, they will pile up and pile up and pile up in the shelter.  What do you think will happen to a shelter that is too funn and they can't get dogs adopted out?  Do you think they magically go away?  Do you think the shelter magically grows new kennels so all of the dogs will fit?  That dog food is never ending?  If you think the problem will go away like this, you are mistaken.

I hate the thought of kill shelters.  I hate gas chambers.  Horrible awful way for an animal to die.  I would LOVE with everything in my heart for our shelter to become NO KILL.  And I am NOT the only one who hates the kill shelters.  Every single volunteer that comes, knows the shelter is a kill facility, that dogs can be gassed. They show up because they do NOT want this to happen.  They show up because they want to MAKE A DIFFERENCE.  They sign petitions that come out to ban kill shelters, they too have called and written legislators asking for them to make Missouri a NO KILL state. 

This boy was in VERY big danger of being gassed. 
We did NOT want to see him die.  EVERYONE
at the shelter, volunteers and ACO alike pulled together and
did everything we could, and guess what?
This boy is ENJOYING life because we kept at it,
we didn't give up on Ryder.  We didn't just
see him as another #.  We saw him as an individual dog
worthy of TIME and LOVE.  We contacted many different
rescue groups, and he is living a great life now, thanks to
ALL of the work of our VERY active volunteers! Where
were you other "animal rights activists" when we were
desperately trying to help this guy?

Bruce, was another one that was in danger of being put down.
Again, we worked around the clock to find a rescue group that would take
him.  And we did.  The same group that took Ryder, took Bruce too.  Today BOTH BOYS
are doing FANTASTIC thanks to a great rescue group in Illinois!
THANK YOU GUYS for stepping up and helping us as we tried to
help these boys! It takes TEAM WORK from EVERYONE to save lives!

Spirit is a beautiful pitt that ended up at the shelter for quite some time.
She finally found her FUR EVER home!

But we are doing MORE than that too.  We're being active. 

Where are animal rights activists when our local shelter
does a fundraiser like the dog show they did over
this years Rail Road Days Carnival?  Where the money raised
went to help the shelter and dogs in the HOUNDS program.
Where dogs like this 3 legged beauty won.  Are you there
helping us plan fundraisers to help our shelter?  Are you
out there raising funds FOR our shelter?

How are YOU actively helping dogs in the shelter?  An "activist" needs to be ACTIVELY helping dogs in shelters, ESPECIALLY kill facilities.  If you are against kill facilities, why aren't you IN those places working one on one with those dogs and the ACO trying to get the dogs out?  Where are you?  Why aren't you raising funds for the small town facilities. 

This dog could have used your help

This dog could have used your help as well.

It can cost anywhere from $30-$80 to humanely euthenize a dog.  If you have 3 or so dogs that you "need" to put down, that's a lot for a small town shelter to fork out.  We barely can get the funds sometimes for dogs to go to the HOUNDS Training Progams!

That's where YOU the community comes in.  We don't hide the fact that it's a kill shelter, that dogs can get gassed.  We use that to motivate people.  Get OUT HERE and HELP the dogs, so we don't have to kill any. We do NOT want them to die.

Yes, there are some shelters who don't seem to care, that seem to be kill happy. 

We aren't one of them.

WE DO care about the dogs. 

We have had around 20 volunteers show up some days to work with the dogs! Do you know how amazing that is? And these are volunteers ranging in age 3 to 70 something!  Everyone is welcome, we have something you  can all do. There are several high school students who come out and help and we greatly appreciate them.  They get out there and the dogs up and down the big hill by the shelter, and all around the big grassy field. They wear these dogs OUT.  They get them what they need, some good excercise! The older volunteers love to sit and pet and love on these dogs.  The dogs need that.  They need people to pet them and love them and show them kindness.  The children, love to play with the puppies and smaller dogs.  It teaches the children how to have compassion for a smaller creature that cannot help itself, and it teaches the puppies and smaller dogs how to behave around children.  We get to see how these dogs react around kids, teens, other dogs, older people and it really helps.  It helps us get to know the dog and help tell more about them.  That helps rescues and adopters too!

Most small town shelters are just simply doing the best with what they have.  If you have little support and no volunteers, you aren't going to be able to do too much. 

Our shelter was in that boat once.

We now have more support, and more volunteers. People who care.  We appreciate that so very much.  You are saving furry little lives and that means a lot.  That is good for the dogs and good for you!  Knowing that you are making a difference in the lives of another, whether it be a person or a dog, that makes your heart smile and your soul shine.  Save a life!

My point of all of this is, YES I'm going to take things like someome coming on to the shelter page and saying how we're monsters and that we don't care and that we like to see dogs die, I'm going to take that personally.  Because NO I do NOT like to see dogs die.  YES I know gassing a dog is a horrible way to die.  But, I am JUST a volunteer.  I am doing everything in MY power to help the dogs at our shelter. 

If you are going to call your self an animal rights activist, the least you can do is go to a kill shelter and help the dogs by fostering them, adopting them, or helping transport them to a rescue group.  Sponsor a dog or two and get them spayed or neutered, and up to date on shots.  Help us network the dogs so we can get them "out there" so we can get them OUT of here! Don't just sit behind your computer telling us how awful we are when you do NOT know any of us.  You've never helepd our shelter, and you swear you won't help our shelter.  You aren't being an animal rights activist, you are being a jerk. 

I know I can talk until I'm blue in the face and people like this will never change their mind but I feel it's something that needs to be said.  And this doesn't just go out to all animal rights "activists" I know MANY who treat shelters with respect and know what things they are facing and who are IN THERE trying to HELP the situation from the inside while they also work from the oustide.  This is to the "activists" who actively shout at us through facebook telling us how awful we are when they don't have a clue WHO we are or WHAT we do, and hasn't offered once to lend a helping hand.  Even animals in a kill facility have "rights" and we're actively trying to help them at our shelter.  Where are YOU? If you are going to complain about an animal shelter, how about you show up on a volunteer day or organize a volunteer day and go help your local shelter, there is a LOT you can do to help! This is only aimed at those who bash and go on about a shelter they know nothing about.  That call themselves an animal rights activist and then ignore the dogs that are in a shelter they don't "like" So this post wasn't meant for 90% of you.  To that other 10%, get up and do something to help.

I am a volunteer.  I help my shelter.  I help save dogs.  What do YOU do?

Mahala Dixson
Moberly, MO Animal Shelter Volunteer
Photographing dogs and
Running the Social Media for these dogs to
help them get adopted.

Join Us For Dog Days of Summer Adoption Event!

More details for the adoption event being held in Columbia, MO!

 

When:  Sunday, July 29th

Time: 9am-2pm
What: Dog Days of Summer Adoption Event
Where:  Forrest Rose Park, Near Mojo's Bar, downtown, Columbia, MO! 1013 Park Ave.

Why:  It's a big adoption event! Come on out and meet many adorable dogs that are looking for a FUR EVER HOME! You can meet dogs brought there by several organizations and shelters, including the following:

• Central Missouri Humane Society
• Columbia Second Chance
• ARFFMO
• Dogs Deserve Better
• Moberly, MO Animal Shelter (Dogs from the HOUNDS Program)

This adoption event is brought to you by: www.nokillcolumbiamo.org 

We hope that you will come on out and join us! We'd love for you to meet some of our beautiful dogs that have graduated the HOUNDS Program! We are very proud of these babies! They've come a long way and deserve a wonderful home!

Dogs from the HOUNDS Program have been: 

• Spayed
• Up to date on shots
• Groomed
• On Heart worm prevention meds
• Kennel Trained
• Potty Trained
• and taught basic commands

Mahala Dixson
Moberly, MO Animal Shelter Volunteer
Photography
Social Media

SHELTER UPDATE

Well there are a few updates at the shelter so I thought I'd go ahead and mention a few. 

The shelter was recently looking for a new dryer as theirs had quit working.  Thanks to a wonderful citizen, the shelter has a dryer (pending pick up).  A new washer is the next thing on the agenda, the one they have is still working, for now.  The shelter appliances get a lot of use, and dog hair is none too gentle on washer and dryers! It is important to keep any bedding or blankets clean and dry so the dogs can stay healthy and happy. 

The shelter will also be participating in a big adoption event in Columbia, MO on July 29th.  A few dogs from the HOUNDS Program will be there, and I think a couple of dogs in foster homes will be there as well. Will have more information on that in the next few days!

** UPDATE ** Adoption Event Information

When: Sunday, July 29th
Time: 9am-2pm
Where: Mojo's Bar in Columbia, MO.  This is an outside event.   

Gracie is a gorgeous female (spayed) lab mix.  She is right at around a year old. 
She was such a shy quiet gal in the shelter, and she is still pretty shy today,
and it would be best if she was in a quiet home, with atleast one other dog. 
She is up to date on her shots, and on heart worm prevention meds. 
Gracie is a HOUNDS Program graduate, currently residing in a foster home.

Addie was just a puppy when she entered into the HOUNDS Program,
and here she is all grown up! She is not quite a year old yet.
She is a sheperd/rotty mix we think, but she is absolutely
gorgeous! She loves to play and wants to be your friend! She doesn't
mind other dogs and seems to like children too.  She also loves
to play in water. Addie is a HOUNDS Program graduate currently residing
in a foster home.

Bailey was featured in a blog previous to this one.  He was pulled
from the shelter a few months ago.  Bailey is neutered,
and up to date on shots. He is a sweet boy, a bit head strong.
He is a chihuahua/terrier mix.  Does fine with other dogs as soon as
he gets over his adjustment period.  Make sure you feed him
in a seperate food bowl.  He likes to go outside, and
enjoys the dog park.  He also LOVES car rides! Bailey
has been residing in a foster home, NOT a HOUNDS program dog.

Fox is a 2-4 year old terrier mix.  He has been neutered, and up to date on shots. 
He is potty trained, and doesn't mind other dogs too much. And does ok with kids.
He is a handsome boy! When I have seen him he has always been calm, and more along
the lines of a lap dog.  He is currently in a Foster home and looking for his FUR EVER home.
NOT a HOUNDS Program dog.

Also, you can now follow the Moberly, Animal Shelter on Twitter.  For updates and more!

There will be a new group of dogs graduating from the HOUNDS Program the end of July/beginning of August.  A bunch of sweet hearts!! I am hoping they are graduated in time to be able to attend the adoption event in Columbia!

Roxy is a very sweet girl, I don't know a whole lot about her
circumstances that brought her to the shelter as a puppy.
But I know when I met her she was sweet and friendly and eager
to play.  She has grown since this photo was taken though so she is bigger. 
She will be graduating the HOUNDS Program soon! Spayed, up to date on shots,
on heart worm prevention meds. She is a Sheperd mix of sorts.

This is Rocky, and he certainly has the eye of the tiger! He is
a gorgeous boy! Very loving and sweet and hard working. 
We think he is a chow mix, but is the sweetest boy!
Poor boy sat at the shelter for quite awhile, I was afraid for him. 
When I heard they were sending him to the HOUNDS program, I was absolutely THRILLED!
He just wants to love you and play.  He is graduating the HOUNDS program soon.

Meet Jax, he is actually already adopted, but I wanted to recognize him anyway!
He'll be graduating the HOUNDS Program soon.
Jax came to the shelter on a possible abandonment, and he came with a sweet pup named Sissy.
Sissy was adopted, and they decided Jax would be perfect for the HOUNDS program. 
Little did we know, that Jax, is a Daddy! Little Sissy had puppies almost 4 weeks ago.
That wa quite a surprise for Sissy's new family! Jax looks to be a springer spaniel/Aussie mix.
A total sweet heart, and I'm glad he's already found a home.

Gypsy has been the queen of the HOUNDS Program,
stealing hearts wherever she goes.  She came to the shelter as
a dirty, scared, hungry dog that had been found roaming
a yard sale.  She was chosen for the HOUNDS Program, and look at her now!
She is one gorgeous happy dog.  She is looking for JUST the right FUR EVER home.
Gypsy is spayed, up to date on shots and on heart worm prevention meds. 

As soon as the above group of dogs has graduated, there will be a new group going in, which is always exciting! I'm always so happy when dogs are rescued from the shelter and can go into the HOUNDS Program which ups their chances of being adopted, though it doesn't mean they are out of the woods.

Apollo is a a corgi/lab mix and he is just too cute for words. 
Friendly and loving he wants to play and is eager to learn. 
I think he will do very well in the HOUNDS program!
He is neutered, up to date on shots, and on heart worm prevention meds.
He will be entering the HOUNDS Program the beginning of August
and will be in the program for 8 weeks.

Freckles, is one amazing little pup. 
She has grown since this picture was taken, but she is very adorable
and sweet.
Parvo swept through our shelter killing many of our puppies. 
Freckles was literally our last remaining puppy. 
With a lot of work, dedication, and donations from many kind people,
Freckles BEAT Parvo! She has spent the last several weeks
at a wonderful foster home out in the country. She is now
entering into the HOUNDS Program the beginning of August. 
I know she'll do well! She will be in the program for 8 weeks.
Spayed, up to date on shots, and on heart worm prevention meds.

 Milly, is a HOUNDS Program graduate and she is in need or a rehabilitation rescue, ASAP.  Milly has displayed some agression issues, and deep attatchment and protectiveness to her owners.  I think that the moving around from shelter, to HOUNDS Program, to foster home, to adoptive home, to adoptive home, to foster home....has been very rough on her.  She needs stability and someone who has the knowledge on how to work with a dog like her.  Milly is a beautiful girl, she is a coon dog mix of some sort, very sweet but in need of some extra training that the HOUNDS Program can not give her. 

Please remember, when you adopt a dog from the HOUNDS Program you HAVE to keep up the training, you cannot expect them to come out perfect and that all the work has been done for you.  The work continues, it is ON GOING.  You have to continually reinforce the training and reward good behavior.  If you have questions on how to continue the training at home, ask.   The dogs are trained with verbal, and hand commands.  The dogs at the HOUNDS Program are taught basic commands (nothing fancy) sit, stay, lay down commands.  They are kennel trained (they have to sleep in a kennel at night), and they are potty trained.  They are also trained to be on a leash.  However, that doesn't mean they aren't going to slip up once in awhile. That's where you come in.  Rewarding positive behavior gets the best results. 

These dogs are beautiful, smart, loving dogs.  The shelter chooses carefully on what dogs they want to send to the program.  They only send the dogs they are certain will be the best fit for the program and that will get adopted.  They need to be a pretty calm dog, getting along well with other dogs is a must (since in the HOUNDS Program dogs so often are close together and pass each other in the halls you can't have them attacking each other). 

The $120 adoption fee includes that the dog is spayed/neutered, and is up to date on all their shots, and is on heart worm prevention meds.  This fee also helps send another dog into the HOUNDS Program.  The program takes 8 weeks from start to finish, and the dogs must pass their "graduating" tests. 

When adopting a pet there are several things to keep in mind: 

We always encourage people to adopt a pet from their local animal shelter or humane society, but what people forget to tell those interested in adopting, is what they need to take into consideration before adopting a pet. We encourage people to adopt and be responsible pet owners.

There are a few questions you need to stop and ask yourself before you adopt, and a few things you need to be aware of before adopting that cute little puppy before you at the shelter.

It is a state law in Missouri that all dogs adopted from the shelter/humane society be spayed/neutered by atleast 30 days after adoption. This is to help ensure that more puppies are not being bred and born and end up back in the shelter. It is a state law.

There are programs out there that can help you in paying for your pets spaying/neuturing. Contact your local humane societies and see if they do a special each month where it is a bit cheaper, or if they offer vouchers in your area. There is also the SNaP program that can help you as well. You need to go to the SNaP website and fill out an application to see if you meet the qualifications for their assistance: www.snapmo.org

Things to remember when adopting: Are you living in a place that allows pets? Many times people get an animal and "sneak" it passed the land lord and then get caught and suddenly it's either get rid of the pet or get kicked out, which do you think most people choose? They get rid of the dog they just adopted to be part of their family knowing they were not allowed to have that pet where they are living.

Sure that puppy is little NOW and so very cute, but just how large will it get? It is hard to tell many times just how big a pet will get when you adopt it from a shelter. Just because it's the tiniest puppy in the litter when you adopt it, doesn't mean you won't end up with a 40lbs dog a few months down the road. Are you equipped to deal with a large dog? Is your home large enough? Are their guidelines at your home if you rent, that say you cannot have a dog over a certain weight limit? These are things to check into before adopting a pet. Some places have a 20lbs weight limit on dogs.

Will you be able to afford the medical care for this pet? Cats/dogs need shots atleast once a year, puppies have to go in a few more times for shots (for like parvo especially). Dogs and cats need to be kept wormed, and dogs should be checked for heart worms (it's a slow and painful death), and they need to be kept on heart worm prevention medication. Will you be able to handle the medical part of owning a pet. There are also the emergency vet trips, should say your dog manage to get ahold of something it isn't supposed to, or get injured in some way.

While it is encouraged to have your pet microchipped, you need to atleast have ID tags on your dog, that aren't just rabies tags (though your pet should always wear their rabies shots too!) can you get your pet microchipped and/or get them ID tags to wear all the time? Your pet will need a sturdy durable collar, a sturdy durable leash, some pets need a sturdy durable harness. Will your pet be kennel trained? If so that is another expense you will need to consider.

Will you have the time/patience to handle potty training your dog? Whether the pet be a puppy or an adult dog, if it's coming from a shelter it might not happen to already be house trained. There are many cases of owners relinquishing their pet just because it won't stop pottying in the house. Pets aren't born knowing where to go potty, much like a small child. It takes time and patience and consistency to potty train a child or a pet.

Will you have the time/patience to train your dog? Is this breed of dog a particularly stubborn breed when it comes to training? Do your research when it comes to what kind of dog you are wanting, have an idea of what will work for your family. Do you like high energy dogs? Do you need a calmer more laid back gentle dog?

If you have other pets, introduce them to the new pet in a "neutral" zone, like at the dog park or another favorite walking place.

Realize that large, medium, and small dogs all need lots of excercise. Take your pet to the dog park, take them on walks, play with them, buy them toys and use them. Praise good behavior as well.
If your pet isn't getting the excercise/attention it needs then your pet may develope unwanted behaviorial issues, which many of these can be a fairly simple fix just by upping the pets excercise, and play time with you, or changing their diet.

Can you provide adequate shelter for this pet? Will you be letting your pet live in the house with you? Or will this pet be living a life "on the chain" in the back yard, all day every day for the rest of its life. If your pet has to live outside, please make sure it has adequate shelter, an appropriate sized dog house with blankets or hay to keep it warm in the winter, and a nice shady cool place in the summer, and provide a little kiddie pool for the pet to play in when it is hot to help keep them cool. Keep them in the grass during the summer so their feet do not burn, and keep them in the shade so they do not over heat and have a heat stroke or sunburn.

Will you be able to afford to feed this pet? Many pets have sensitivities to certain foods and can recquire a special dog food. Big dogs have a tendancy to eat a LOT more than a small pet. Can you buy age appropriate food? Kittens and puppies should be fed kitten and puppy foods designed for their little digestive systems.

Can you make sure this pet is socialized? Pets need to be socialized around other adults, children, and other pets whether it be cats or dogs. Other wise you may end up with a pet that is scared to death of or attacks guests or freaks out when you take the pet somewhere.
Do you have time to take your pet on a walk?

A pet is a long time commitment, do you have the time to put in to this pet for the long haul. Can you be there for your pet through thick and thin? Having a pet is much like having a child. Your pet depends on YOU for food, water, shelter, medical care, and love.

Just because you think your pet is the cutest dog in the world, and you think if you take it to the shelter it will get adopted right away, that doesn't necessarily make it so. Your beloved pet can sit in the shelter for days and days waiting for someone to come take it home, not understanding why it is here, where did their owner go, what did they do wrong. If they are not adopted, and they are one of the unlucky dogs at a kill shelter then they will be put down. They will either be humanely euthenized, or they will be gassed, which is an awful death. Can you imagine that sweet pet who has loved and adored you for so long, who you at one time loved and wanted and cared for you and doted on...being in a shelter, and being taken away to die, begging and pleading with it's scared little eyes crying for it's family to come save it.

Those are just a few things to consider before you adopt a pet.

• Would you take your toddler to the pound because it pottied on the floor? No.
• Would you give away your child just because you "didn't have time for it anymore"?  No.
• Would you give away your child because they kept getting in to stuff?  No.
• Would you leave your child tied up outside all day in the hot hot sun with no shade and no water? No.
• Would you leave your child outside all day in the freezing cold and snow and rain with no shelter? No.
• Would you continually deny your child medical care when they are ill? No.

Why should your pet be any different?  You have to teach and train your child as they grow, your dog is no different.  They need to be taught and trained and have boundries sat and you need to be consistent. 

Mahala Dixson
(Shelter Volunteer: Photographing shelter dogs, maintaining the social media for the shelter)