all4dogs

Life with Gracie  What are some of the favorite times you have with your dog?Do you have a favorite time of day?Or a favorite place to take your walks?Gracie is starting to become an adult(17),so she is slowing down just a little.But,when she is able to run and play at the park for a couple of hours,when she gets home she knocks out for the rest of the day.I have a dog that does not like mornings.The only way to get her up is to get her leash and start towards the door.Otherwise,she'll lay around till 10 or 11 am.Just when I'm ready to lay down is when she finally decides it's time to go out for her morning poop.Sometimes I think she does it on purpose,just to see how fast I can get ready again.I would not change her for the world,I love her just the way she is.She is'nt much of a cuddler,so when she does lick my face or my arm,I know she is saying your the best,and I love you.She makes sure that no matter where I am in the house,she had better be able to see me,or she will get upset.It's nice knowing someone cares.

One of the smartest things I have ever done is adopting Gracie from the SPCA.Although I am not a fan of the local SPCA in my hometown,I have watched episodes of Animal Planets programs on SPCA shelters in HOUSTON AND NEW YORK and also Philly.These shelters not only do great work,they care.Which is more than I can say for the Central California SPCA.I mistaken thought that he would be better taken care of there.Not only were the people lazy and uncaring.The stray dog unit was in deplorable condition.It reeked of feces and urine.I went back 10 days later ready to bail my guy out,I was told by the clerk (her words) that Buddy was dead.She was'nt going to tell me what had happened at first,but I hysterically demanded to know.Apparantly he had gotten sick two days before,so they put him down.All this was said with the attitude of a stump.This woman acted as if I was wasting her time!Her attitude was more of "the dog is dead,get over it!"As I stated before,this SPCA is a mess.When I went in to get Gracie there were kids,kids,doing the showing,opening cages and handling the dogs.I felt as if I was at a high school and not a shelter.I do not have a problem with kids helping out at the shelters,but there should be more than one adult for 5 kids to supervise.Another thing I don't get,other shelters do a medical check up when dogs/cats come in.They also give vaccinations at that time.So that they do not have an outbreak of Parvo or Distemper.All this shelter seems to do is throw them in a cage for 10 days,if they don't die,they then go to another building to be adopted.When the pet is adopted,you are resposible for all shots.Why can't they vaccinate the animals first?Are they so cheap that they do not want to vaccinate an animal that may not be adopted?All animals deserve a life of quality.No animal should EVER be denied vaccines because they might not be adoptable right away or ever. I don't know how the other shelters charge for thier animals.But,the SPCA here charges by the pound.You have to pay for spaying or nuetering if your pick is'nt done already.You also pay for a license.Gracie's total was 135.00 and she was only 4lbs.Is it any wonder some people would rather pick up a puppy from a nieghbor or family?Yes,you should make enough money to support a pet,but that has nothing to do with charging you a huge amount to have a dog.Yes,you should have to fix your animal BEFORE you can take it home,anf Yes you should have your dog licesed.I have no problem with that.It is all the other side charges I do not agree with.You can get a dog fixed for 40.00 and a license is 4.00 for an animal fixed.Oh,they did pay for one (1) shot.You are responsible for the booster and if you do not get the booster within the time limits,you've got to start all over again,thats' 40+ dollars.I do agree with a rabies vaccination,I paid for Gracie's at a dog food store.I have no complaints about the Hospital that is on SPCA land,they are reasonable,caring and great at what they do.I've taken Gracie there for a rash she had and her rabies shot.They do great work at the GEORGE WITTELL hospital.I paid 55.00 for an office visit and medication for Grace's rash.I don't know of any vet that will give you that price.I just wish that the SPCA here were as well run and staffed as the ones I've seen on Animal Planet.