Dear Tammy,
 Animal Advocacy Is Not For Wimps. At
Dogs
Deserve Better we continue to work directly with guardians of
chained/penned
dogs. We educate, build fencing, rescue, train, re-home, spay/neuter,
vet, improve laws, as
well as help caretakers understand how to meet the needs of their pets.
We believe that dogs should be part of the family; a collar, a leash
and a walk would cost less than a chain and a doghouse and make a much
happier
dog and caretaker. DDB's focus remains on the backyard dog because we feel they are the forgotten cause. They are out there,
right now, some in our own neighborhoods; suffering with embedded collars, from
starvation, thirst, illness, the elements, parasites, isolation and often no
one even knows they are there except the guardians who have lost interest in
them. As our Founder, Tamira Ci Thayne
states, "Their abuse is much more subtle, no less insidious. They may not be in
immediate danger of death. But death of the soul is still death to me. And they
are dying out there, piece by piece, hour by hour."
DDB is very fortunate to be the recipient of so many happy endings
due to the dedication of our Reps, employees who go above and beyond
and
supporters like you who make each and every rescue possible. Through
our hands-on community approach with guardians of chained/penned dogs
we constantly come face to face with animal abuse. We do not tolerate
animal cruelty and hope you will continue to help us in our fight
against abuse. We need you. The dogs need you. Compassion isn't for
the weak and strength is
in numbers. Won't you use your
compassion and add your strength today by becoming a card carrying member of Dogs Deserve Better?
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Why My Dog Loves Me, Pepper - Frederick, MD
 First,
I want to say thank you for everything that your organization, Dogs
Deserve Better does for chained dogs. It breaks
my heart to think that humans still believe it is acceptable to leave a
dog chained in all sorts of elements without the comfort of a true home
and the safety of love.
Pepper is a Black Lab/ Chow
mix. 7 years ago Pepper, an abused dog, was at the
Washington County Humane Society and on her last days
there. When I approached her cage, she growled and
snapped. For those reasons, they were having difficulty
adopting her out. Well, what I saw was a broken heart not a
ferocious dog. After meeting with her, I promised her my son
and I would give her a good home with loads of love, and that we would
both be back the next day to take her home.
 When
we would return home each day, she would come to the door and greet us
-- appear to be very happy, but would then squat and
urinate. Our vet finally determined that what Pepper was
doing was letting us know immediately that she was submitting -- it was
a plea for "please don't beat me". He
recommended ignoring the behavior and simply putting her collar
and leash on and taking her out for a walk and, hopefully, she would
realize, in time she would not be beaten.
It
took 4 months of our unconditional love before she finally realized
that we absolutely adored her, she had a forever home, and she was
never going to be beaten again. It is now almost 7 years
later and Pepper is "the baby" of the family. Our life is
richer because of her presence in our home. In fact, it
wouldn't feel like home without our Pepper.
Susan
Beth Jordan, Frederick, MD
"From Our Readers - Why My Dog Loves Me "
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DDB Rep Alicia Schwartz and Friends Erected This Billboard in
South Carolina
Alicia had this to report about the new billboard:
A man visiting from Columbia, SC saw our billboard. They own the
Blowfish baseball team, Yes, Hootie and the Blowfish related. One of
the band members is
from Columbia
and is a board member of the Animal
Mission there. The baseball team has a mascot dog that they found a few years ago. She lives
at the field and comes in the offices during the week. She has a
large fenced in area, but recently she has been escaping. He put railroad
ties around the fence but realized later she was jumping. He was
thinking about chaining her because she kept escaping. She is spayed,
and has tags, but was running through town to all the restaurants.
After seeing the billboard he wanted to thank whoever was
responsible for such a PROFOUND message. While he sat at the light staring
at the picture he realized he would NEVER chain her. He also
offered us VIP seats to one of their games.They Did It! You Can Too!
Dogs Deserve Better will provide billboard art to any area where citizens are able to raise money and negotiate either an
inexpensive billboard space or a free space. We will also provide $100 toward
the billboard art output. If you are able to raise the funds or negotiate a
deal for a board, please e-mail us at info@dogsdeservebetter.org with the
company's contact info, and we will get the art to them. If you're a local
nonprofit sponsoring the billboard, we will also gladly add your name and
contact info at the bottom of the board.
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DDB Offers Reward - Illinois Abuse Case
 When Illinois Dogs Deserve Better Rep, Heather Willis found
a pup on the side of the road she was shaken by the condition the dog was left
in. Only about 5 months old she was
blinded, her back leg was shattered in several places, front leg had been broken
previously and was infected, and her neck was infested from lacerations due to
an embedded collar from chaining.
Dogs Deserve Better Reps raised $1000 to offer as a reward
for the capture of the abuser. Here's
what Heather has to say regarding her tragic experience,
"I passed strangers in the store today and think
to myself,"I wonder if they did this" and I know that is completely
crazy. I haven't slept much because in the quiet of the night I am imagining
the hell on earth this poor little girl must have endured her short 5 months alive.
She deserved to know what trust, love and loyalty were, instead of a sharp
tongue, a boot, a strangling collar, and an empty food bowl. I just
picture her laying there in the dark for hours, unable to see what was around,
unable to walk, in pain, and how I pulled up and spoke kindly to her, and
how her ears perked up and her little tail wagged so fast."
Heather would like to thank DDB Reps and supporters by saying, "We don't hear
this often enough and most people do not have the "understanding" we
do for dogs. I appreciate all of you for what you do, no matter how
little or insignificant you think you are. We are the ones who have to go
behind those who do not care, and "clean up" their messes. We
are the ones who have sleepless nights over dogs we never knew, and we are the
ones who can make differences in the world, one dog at a time." -Sincerely, Heather Willis, IL DDB Rep
Sadly, the Vet concluded the dog could not be saved.
DDB is thankful to Heather for the kindness, love and tears she shed over this
pup that took her across the Rainbow Bridge to a happier and safer place. Please read the press release to help us catch the perpetrator. PLEASE continue to support Dogs Deserve
Better and help us educate, change laws, rescue and stop abuse before it
happens.
Donate to help stop abuse
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Court Date and Information -
Justice For Shepp
March 9, 2009, 9 am, a Corpus Christi, Texas couple, Daniel and Norma Luna will appear in court to answer for the neglect and death of Shepp, a German Shepherd left to starve on the End of a Chain.
For more information on Shepp's story visit: http://dogsdeservebetter.org/justiceforshepp.html
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DDB Helps Diamond Sparkle - Nebraska Success Story
 Diamond
lived chained, like most backyard dogs, as far away from the house as possible.
However, her guardian still walked by her every single day to get to a vehicle.
Diamond was bred at 10 months old, and forced to have a litter of puppies while
she was already emaciated.
Gayla Hausman, Dogs Deserve Better Representative in
Nebraska, reported it was 30 degrees below zero wind-chill factor the week
before Diamond was confiscated. Her doghouse faced north and was not
insulated, it had no door flap, no straw or blanket of any kind, and gaps so
big you could put your fingers through the holes. Gayla had checked for water
for three days straight, but there was never a water dish for her.
Gayla had called the police to check on this dog twice. The
second time she says she 'got lucky' and spoke to a caring police officer and
that is what made the difference in saving Diamond. Gayla tried to get Diamond
to come to the door of her doghouse, but her limbs were almost frozen and she
could barely use her legs. When she did
try, Diamond's chain was frozen in the ice and she could not come out even a
couple of feet.
Thanks to Gayla's persistence, Dogs Deserve Better and the
help of a caring Police Officer, Diamond has been with a wonderful foster
family who has loved her and treated her like one of their own. For the first time she sleeps on
the children's bed or curled up with her foster brother. She has toys, chew
bones, love, stability, and hope.
Read More!
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Having Fun With Your Dog!
 There is nothing that brings us pleasure like watching our
dogs enjoy themselves. Have fun with
your pooch and remember, a happy guardian has a happy dog...so don't forget to
pamper yourself like you would your best friend!
Play with your Pooch!
- Bark!
Ok, your dog probably won't be fooled by your sorry attempt to imitate,
but he may be intrigued.
- Hide
the Treat Game. Hide a treat in a clever spot and see how long it takes
for your dog to find it.
- Mail
Dog- Attach a note to your dog and have him deliver to a family member..."Go
find Daddy!"
- Read
with your dog. Nothing is more
relaxing than cuddling with your best friend and a good book. Curl up with
a dog book, like Puddles on the Floor*, or Every Rescue Dog Has A Tale*
Stroke your dog as you read for a great stress reliever for both of
you.
*These are great books and your
purchase helps dogs needing rescue.
Meet Moses A Funny DDB Dog
With a Family Who Knows How to Have
Fun!
Here's Moses with the Hammer
family's Teddy Bear Hamster! Moses loves his two girls so much
he can't stand to be away from them. He learned to climb the ladder of their two-story playhouse to be with them. On the flip side, Moses' family LOVES HIM so
much when they brought home a crate for him, they all climbed in together to make him feel at home. Mom, Amanda Hammer says that one of Moses'
favorite games is when his girls make a cage out of chairs to rescue him over
and over again.
Moses was one of 11 Lab puppies rescued by Dogs Deserve Better from
a pen in a barn along with both parents during a tornado in Illinois. All dogs,
like Moses were vetted and adopted into loving inside families.
DDB gives two Paws-Up to Moses and
the Hammer family! Thank you for making
us smile.
See DDB Rescues For Adoption!
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They Cannot Kill Truth With Poison
Fighting a System Tolerant of Abuse
February 22, 2009 was the last day of Grimes (now Thayne's) official
probation, for the 'theft' of a dying chained dog. Grimes was
sentenced to 300 hours of community service as part of her
punishment. In court on February 27, 2009 the Judge dropped the
remainder of Grimes (now Thayne's) community service hours, and
released her from probation. The case is still pending appeal.
The private criminal complaint filed by Dogs Deserve Better
against the Arnolds was refused by the DA, in a shocking surprise, with a list
of reasons that have nothing to do with the crime of dog abuse. Grimes and her
attorney Robertson are seeking now to force the DA to bring the case to
court.
SHARK took on the telling of the Doogie story in this compelling narrative, and we are grateful to them for sharing this
important animal rights story.
Grimes (now Thayne) wrote this short essay upon completion
of her year on probation. A year in which, although she had the lowest level
misdemeanor, theft of a piece of property valued at $50 or less, she was still
forced to get permission slips each time she left the state to do her Dogs
Deserve Better work, and was even denied permission to travel during the last
month because she hadn't finished the community service.
This Just In! Recent News On Tamira Ci Thayne
Find Out Why Tami Was Honored With Key to the City and Watch Video
"Woman convicted of dog theft in Pennsylvania Receives 'key to the city' in Fort Pierce Florida for her compassionate act -Tamira Thayne, founder of Dogs Deserve
Better, honored at ceremony in late February 2009" Read!
Watch!
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DDB Billboards - Do A Billboard Project
Just
as in the SC Rep Alicia Schwartz' Billboard story above, you and your
friends can also place a billboard in your area. A few bake sales and
donation cans placed in optimal locations can fund a board that will
make a difference in your area. Read more.
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Dog's Life Magazine
Subscribe to Dog's Life today and 50%
of your subscription fee will be donated to Dogs Deserve
Better! Order Today
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Dogs Deserve Better Checks and Credit Cards!
Help Spread the Word, No More Backyard Dogs!
 
And PLEASE SUPPORT the work of Dogs Deserve Better. Watch
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Make
Your Vehicle a Mobile Billboard for Chained Dogs! Order a Dogs Deserve
Better Large Vehicle Magnet: Mini Mobile Billboards at an Affordable
Cost!
You'll
be educating like crazy just going about your daily business! They
are magnetized, for the doors or back of your vehicle, or any other creative
use you can find for them. Order Yours Today and change the way people in your area see chained dogs!
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Have A Heart For Chained Dogs Frisky Design
Bring happiness and hope to a
sad message by wearing this delightful T!
See in a variety of items!
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Our movement is growing, expanding, making HUGE strides, thanks to your help. Please stick with us, we really CAN change the world for chained and penned dogs.
Sincerely,
Dawn Ashby, Rescue & Public Liaison dawn@dogsdeservebetter.org
1.877.636.1408 · http://www.dogsdeservebetter.org
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