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Guess What I'm Holding in My Hot Little Hands? The DDB Calendar, That's Right!
I love Calendar Time.
I get so excited just holding them in my hands, turning every page and
smiling at the dogs, re-reading their stories, and noticing how great
they look in their after pics. I burst with pride at the work our area reps and volunteers do each year to make this happen.
I'm praying we
haven't given you another extra day like two years ago, or an extra 27th
like last year...but hey, that's part of the fun, right? It's like a
treasure hunt. And, it makes our calendars collectors items. Uh-huh.
We're human, we're
dog rescuers, and it's ok that we're doing our best and we don't always
get our stuff straight! We have love in our hearts. So start your search
for our screwups now, but don't blame me when you find 'em. I was chained up the whole time this was going down.
We've only got 2000
Calendars, and we sold out last year, but we ordered the same amount
this year, of which 400 of them are already accounted for! So
get yours early, and most definitely make your holiday shopping
easy: give them as gifts to all your friends at the Holiday Season.
54 Days Spent Chained in Harrisburg...Only to Return Home with Nothing for PA Dogs
I
came home empty-handed from the Capitol, as the session ended and our
bill died without even getting out of committee. We have to start over
in January. I apologize to the chained dogs of Pennsylvania on behalf of
the legislators, who spend their days in the most luxurious Capitol in
the U.S., yet refused take the time to give you even 8 hours of freedom
from your hell. Now you will suffer through another winter before we can
even hope to bring you help.
I'm not gonna lie
and tell you I wish I was still out there, for those 52 days I spent (we
did 54 in total, but others stood in for me two days) were the
hardest of my life.
I'm actually in
heaven cleaning my house after almost three months, and trying to catch
up on the rest of my DDB work, even though I'd much rather be on a beach
somewhere sipping one of those fruity beachy drinks. But most anything's better than life on a chain!
I learned a lot while I was out there, not the least of which is that chaining is a miserable way to live.
Chaining is So Yesterday.
But you all knew this already.
I learned I have
reserves of strength I never knew I had. I was not successful for the
dogs of PA, but no one can say I didn't give it my all. And sometimes
that's all one can do.
I created this video of
my last day out there, and I really hope you watch it. It will make you
laugh, it will make you cry, and it will make you want to do more, I
promise you that.
Read the daily blogs and view pics here, or donate for the work of Dogs Deserve Better. Please help us keep these campaigns going.
I've created four videos of my chaining, on Day 54, Day 44, Day 9, and on Day 35. Don't Miss Them!
Make Your Voices Heard at
the Polls this November
Wherever you live, what does your state or local rep think about dog chaining? If he/she is not animal friendly, vote for someone who is. It's that simple.
If you live in Pennsylvania and wrote
to your representative about SB1435, and you got the generic blow off
letter sent back to you, PLEASE DO NOT VOTE FOR THAT REPRESENTATIVE
AGAIN. Many of our reps came right out and said they are in support of this law. If your's didn't, that means he/she is either waiting to see which way the wind is blowing OR is not in favor. Get rid of them. We
have more power than we know, and we must continue to push them for
better laws which will help Man's Best Friend. That's our job; these
dogs cannot speak, we must speak for them.
Is the person you DON'T want to vote
for running unopposed? Then do what I did when the local DA who
tormented me over the Doogie case was running unopposed: I voted for myself. It was very empowering, you should try it, it's great fun! If you are in Pennsylvania and you don't want to vote for yourself, put my name in, Tamira Ci Thayne. Maybe I can get 20 votes across the state, which will be the biggest laugh I've had all year!
Get the "Happy Dog" Coloring Books
in Our Schools!
Schools are back in session, and NOW'S the TIME to get our Happy Dog Coloring books into the schools! Are you a teacher of students in grades K-4 who would like to receive the coloring books? Sign up to be sponsored FREE here. Are
you a supporter who believes that children hold the key to an
animal-friendly future and want to play a part in making a difference? Sponsor a class of needy students.
As we all know, most schools do not have funding for 'extras' such as
coloring books. Most teachers cannot afford to continue spending their
own money on educational supplies. So we match donors who care up with teachers who care, and continue the process of creating kind kids!
New Videos from National Rep Coordinator Marie Belanger and National Rescue Coordinator Shannon Allen Celebrate DDB Rescues
There's truly nothing like the Happy Ending story, and we all know they are too few and far between. But
check out these videos from our very own special ladies, and help us
celebrate not only our rescued dogs, but the wonderful reps who give so
tirelessly of themselves for this cause.
DDB has a new CHANNEL on You Tube that we plan to put all our videos on, although we'll still keep my channel at http://www.youtube.com/tammyddb
for mostly chained dog videos too (we've uploaded 124 videos to my
channel!): There's only three on "chained dogs" right now, but in the
future it will grow quite vast. It's easy to remember, you can reach it
anytime by going to: http://www.youtube.com/chaineddogs
Watch the New Videos at These Links:
Maybelline Unchained
Summer 2010 Rescues
Virginia Fighting Dogs
DDB is Also Featured in this Great Video from The Harmony Fund, one of only THREE U.S. nonprofits chosen to participate!
Where Heroes Roam
Don't Forget Your Auction Items
Send
in those items for the Annual DDB Holiday Auction to begin in
mid-November ASAP. We've got to get them logged and photographed, so get
them in now and help us raise some great funds for chained dogs. Mail
to: P.O. Box 23, Tipton, PA 16684. Thank you!
One World Tour Benefiting DDB is Rolling, and Song "Goodbye" Gives Proceeds to DDB
Astrum Lux Lucis
(formerly Cheryl Hill) performs a kick butt live show, you don't want
to miss it! And she's begun her tour, supporting DDB with her idea of
combining music and recycling for a greener planet. Visit her page at http://www.oneworldrevolution.us/index.php?p=682 to learn more! Download this beautiful song, "Goodbye" and all proceeds benefit DDB!
Her next tour date is: Denver, CO: Mercury Cafe, Tue, October 26, 9:30pm – 10:30pm, 2911 California St., Denver, CO 80205
Heffie's Helpline is LIVE.
DDB
Rep Joan McKenna was heartbroken when her rescued chained dog (featured
in our calendar, which was at press when he passed) died of bloat
before they could save him.
His legacy lives on
in Heffie's Help Line, where he will continue to help other chained
dogs. See the news story at:
http://www.fox2now.com/ktvi-pet-hotline-abuse-heffie-102010,0,1131308.story
American Dog Magazine Article and Contest
We
love the American Dog Magazine, because they don't forget about the
chained dogs! Tamira's Harrisburg chaining is featured in the latest
edition, make sure to subscribe today. Plus, here's a link to the article online:
http://www.bluetoad.com/publication/?i=49772&p=72&pn
Nominate DDB in the American Dog Magazine Contest for Voice for Chained Dogs!
An Update on Chamberlin in North Carolina
We
brought you a link to Chamberlin's story last time, and we want to say
KUDOS to the Guilford County Animal Shelter for what they have done for
this dog. If you don't remember, the first link is below, and here's the
updated link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HHbl4i7Jm7k&feature=sub
See Chamberlin's story here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FuPtQaoLf18
Lucky in WA Has Not Been So Lucky
Kudos
to our DDB Washington State Reps, especially Kelly Page, who has
diligently worked to free a dog named Lucky from his life trapped alone
in a basement.
She
has hit all the normal stumbling blocks, the AC ignored her until she
got media involved, then they DID finally step in and take the dog,
before releasing him back to the family, making it sound like the dog
was being cared-for. These are the times it really stinks to be out
there fighting for these dogs...when you lose and lose and lose, but
Kelly vows she's not done yet! Keep all our reps who are on the front
lines and dogs like Lucky in your thoughts. Below are some article links
as well as a link to the AC page discussing his return, and the
directive from above saying the cruelty laws must be reviewed because of
Lucky's case.
http://shoreline.komonews.com/content/neighbor-dog-neglected-left-alone-dark-basement
http://shoreline.komonews.com/content/owner-agrees-surrender-lucky-abandoned-dog-Wednesday
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2013019613_dog29m.html
http://www.king5.com/news/pets-and-animals/Dog-left-alone-in-basement-could-soon-be-freed-103954404.html
http://www.king5.com/news/pets-and-animals/Owner-has-left-dog-alone-in-basement-for-months-say-neighbors-103907959.html
http://kingcountynews.wordpress.com/
Letting Radio Personnel Know Your Thoughts
It
takes all of us to make a difference in this issue. No one can be
everywhere, no one person can do everything, and below is a letter I
loved lately from a DDB supporter to a local radio personality who
dissed the county chaining ordinance. Way to go, Vicky!
Dear Mr. Core:
I enjoy
your regular editorials on WTOP, however, I believe your comments about
MC's proposed legislation to restrict dog chaining were ill-informed. I
have two adopted dogs, and I've been involved with a large rescue league
since 2003.
At first glance, chaining looks like a
non-issue because you're imagining responsible dog owners using it on a
limited basis when it is not practical to walk their dogs. But the
reality is, in Maryland and all over the US, dogs are chained for long
hours and in many cases continuously. Most regularly chained dogs
are neglected to at least some degree: left without adequate food,
(especially) fresh water, and protection from the elements; living in
their own filth; lonely, bored and unsocialized. Dogs are pack
animals, and they do not fare well living in isolation. Furthermore,
there is evidence that dogs who live a chained existence are more likely
to develop aggression problems (partly out of self-defense, as they
have no way to escape attacking animals or tormenting children).
The
formerly chained dogs we see in our rescue league almost always have
medical issues including heartworm, fleas/parasites, bad skin
conditions, arthritis in the older dogs, nails grown into the pads of
their feet, and sometimes a chain collar embedded in their neck.
To address the serious risk of strangulation in improperly-tethered
dogs, Montgomery County previously passed legislation specifying what
types of collars and chains are acceptable. Now - like many other
progressive localities - the County is trying to build in some
protection against dogs being abandoned at the end of a chain in their
own backyards.
There are many excellent Web-based
resources on chaining. The group I most admire is Dogs Deserve Better
(www.dogsdeservebetter.org) and their Website could give you a very
helpful overview of the issue. If as a result of doing some research,
you reconsider your stance about MC's anti-chaining legislation, I hope
you will say so on WTOP. You have a great deal of influence, and
the need for this type of animal welfare law should not be minimized or
discounted. Thank you for hearing my concerns, and best regards.
Sincerely, Victoria Balenger, MD
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