Potcake World Blog

2009-09-01T09:48:00.003-04:00

Getting Ready to Go to Abaco!

2009-06-25T11:13:00.002-04:00

and to get in the mood, we are listening to Seawall Radio Show: "fine Bahamian and Island music for de whole crew!"

http://www.seawallradio.blogspot.com/

2009-06-12T09:45:00.001-04:00

Puppy feeding time at Nancy's house, with assistance from our mom. The boxer mix puppies are the little ones (one has blue eyes). You can also see Peanut, and Potcakes Jammy & Julep. All available for adoption! The other dogs are Nancy's keepers.

2009-06-11T19:46:00.002-04:00

One of the best things that we’ve realized as we’ve gotten deep into the rescue world is the cost savings on various drugs/low cost spay and neuters/low cost vaccinations and we love to share the information with others because really this information should be readily available to everyone. Surprisingly we have gotten this information from vets we’ve worked with over the years, but it may be that some vets do not know about the low cost services/products out there because they have no need to. We firmly believe that all animals should go to the vet for injuries and sickness but there isn’t the need to go there to get flea and heartworm preventatives and annual vaccinations when there are so many cheaper alternatives for you. There are also places you can get low cost spay/neuters along with some basic services (rabies, heartworm test, etc.) and lately there are some animal controls that are doing free spay and neuters. Looking for ways to help with feral cat colonies? Lifeline Animal Project loans out traps and charges a negligible amount to Trap-Spay/Neuter-Release and there is tons of info out there on the benefits of controlling a cat colony.
Low cost vaccinations: www.animalhealth.cc
Low cost spay/neuters and TNR help: Lifeline Animal Project
Low cost flea & tick meds: Deadfleaz.com

2009-05-29T22:45:00.010-04:00

Reflections On My First Year by Sir Cooper Potcake

As I look back on my first year on this earth, I am so grateful to the wonderful Potcake Rescue Group and my new parents for giving me a wonderful life. I was born April 30, 2008 and was found on a chicken farm in Abaco, Bahamas. I was first named Freckles by the rescue group. I liked riding in Janie’s boat with her when I was so little. I always like to see what is going on around me! On August 24, 2008 I came to live with my new parents, Marty & Michelle. When they first came to meet me, I trotted up to Michelle and put my paws around her neck and gave her a big hug. It was love at first sight. She had lost her pointer-lab mix in July and that left a big hole in her heart. I was more than happy to help her through that. It was that day that I became known as Sir Cooper Potcake.

I have been on many trips and seen many things this year. I’ve been to Blue Ridge, GA where we got to stay in a cabin that was on a stream…

Then, I got to go to Nashville to meet my Mom’s mom. She really liked me. They think it’s funny that I when I play I HOP around the yard and then POUNCE on my toys. They wonder if all Potcakes do that, but I’m not telling them.

For Thanksgiving, we went to Harpers Ferry, WV where my Mom’s brother and sister-in-law live. That drive took me through the wonderful states of South Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia. My parents say that I’m a very good traveler. I’m happy to go in the car anytime that they give me the chance, which is frequent. While we were there I got to go on a hike with my parents and my Uncle Chris. It was fun! I saw some deer and other wildlife that I wanted to chase. We also got to go to Annapolis, Maryland one day. That’s when I learned that I was a US Naval Academy fan … Go Navy, Beat Army!

For Christmas, we went to visit my dad’s family in Binghamton, NY. That was a trip I’ll never forget. I added to my list of states to visit Pennsylvania and New York. As we got closer, it got colder, but I liked it! When we got to the house, there was this white stuff on the ground. I later found out that it was snow, but I wasn’t scared of it. We even found me some fenced in areas where I could run free in the snow. I will have to admit that even though I’m an island dog, I am a big fan of playing in the snow.

Since then, I have been on many trips – some just to run errands with Mom and some to Nashville to see my Grandma. One trip that I didn’t enjoy too much was when I had to have a little eye surgery at the vet. I did not like that cone around my head but it didn’t stop me from trying to play!

I’ve made some wonderful friends that helped me to celebrate my birthday. They also come over and see me for play dates. One is a lab-chow mix named Lacey. She’s a few months older than I am, but she’s my girlfriend. The other is a 7-year-old Weimeraner named Max. He is trying to teach me to be obsessed with the tennis ball like he is, but it hasn’t caught on yet.

All in all, I’ll have to say that I have a very wonderful life and I’m so happy to have been adopted! Now my days are filled with playing, chasing birds and squirrels, disemboweling stuffed animals, and naps!!!

2009-05-26T19:24:00.002-04:00

Saw a huge copperhead in the street yesterday, smushed by a car. Watch out for your pets, and learn how to recognize the signs of a snake bite! Our dog Gracie was bitten about 5 years ago, and we didn't know what to look for. (She's fine now, after antivenin, 3 nights at the emegency vet and $1500.) At first limping, then the snake bite area starts to swell. Then there's a dark red oozing of blood. At first I thought she broke her leg, but the oozing blood alarmed me! Rush to vet immediately and tell them you suspect a snake bite! And always, always, always know where your nearest emergency vet is located, because these things always happen after hours! Our nearest one is DeKalb-Gwinnet Emergency Vet located on Mountain Industrial and Lawrenceville Highway. http://dekalbgwinnettanimalemergency.veterinarycenterassociation.org/

Ambulance service gets sick pets to emergency care

2009-05-11T11:51:00.004-04:00

By JAMIE GUMBRECHT
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Monday, May 11, 2009

Andrew Zbeeb’s ambulance will never be mistaken for those diesel-powered boxes flying toward Grady Hospital, lights blazing, sirens howling. It’s smaller, first of all, a Chevy Tahoe with the words “Emergency Vehicle” painted in red. Andrew Zbeeb started the service for owners unable to drive their pets and vets moving patients. His van has an amber light like wreckers’. And then there are his patients: Roxy, with her bum shoulder, and Oliver, bloodied and woozy after an attack. Stymie could hardly breathe on his own and little Peanut just couldn’t stop vomiting. The pit bull, the Chihuahua, the one-eyed Solomon Island Eclectus parrot and the short-haired gray cat all needed Zbeeb’s speed and equipment. His ambulance is animals-only. The survival rate on those four: 100 percent.

He started the service for owners unable to drive their pets in times of need, for vets transferring patients into specialized care and animals who might need more than a soft blanket and a chew toy. Things furry, feathered and scaly are what Zbeeb knows best. He’s 28 and has been running Frogs to Dogs, a pet-sitting and training service in Kirkwood, for six years. In the span of a few weeks in 2007, two dogs in his care needed emergency treatment. Pemba, a 13-year-old shepherd mix with white fur and a twisted spleen, lived. Rocky, a boxer with a similar malady, got stuck in Atlanta traffic. As the dying pup whimpered in his back seat, he thought, “I can do better.” She survived only an hour after arriving at the vet.

“Better” cost Zbeeb $20,000, plus emergency vehicle insurance. He bought the Tahoe and retrofitted it with a mastiff-sized steel cage, muzzles, first aid supplies, GPS, oxygen tank and animal-shaped masks. His team doesn’t administer drugs but is trained in CPR and first aid, and veterinary technicians are available to ride along. He’s on-call around the clock, at $50 to $150 per hour.

Among his clients so far: a dog hit by a car, a cat fallen ill while its owner was stuck at work and Stymie, the parrot with an upper respiratory problem. He needed steady oxygen to make it from a Cobb County ER to an avian vet in Decatur. They realized a cat-sized oxygen mask fit nicely on his green feathered face. “We’re all learning,” Zbeeb said, “even the vets.”

Nobody has exactly asked for animal ambulance service but local veterinarians have long struggled with home-care and pick-up requests from car-less pet owners or older clients who couldn’t lift their large animals. So far, Zbeeb says it’s gotten four to 12 calls per month. “Quite honestly, I didn’t think there was going to be much of a niche for it,” said Will Draper, a veterinarian with Animal Emergency Center of Decatur. But he was surprised by the number of clients they have referred to the ambulance and the variety of ways pet owners found it useful.

One Saturday night last summer, Anthy Petropoulos walked her Chihuahuas, Oliver and Elvis, a few blocks from home in Kirkwood. She spotted a loose pit bull moving toward them at a fast clip and within seconds, the larger dog snatched Oliver by his neck and shook him like a toy. Petropoulos screamed and smacked the big dog but it wouldn’t let go. Zbeeb, who lived nearby and heard the commotion, ran outside to help. After they caught the frantic little black dog in a towel, Zbeeb drove to the nearest vet’s office while Petropoulos held an oxygen mask on Oliver’s white snout. “Meltdown,” is how she describes it but she remembers that Zbeeb stayed calm. Her dog was in surgery for hours, as a surgeon cleaned eight puncture wounds to his 10-pound body. “I was in no shape to be driving. I didn’t even know where the emergency vet was,” said Petropoulos, who now keeps the ambulance number in her phone. “It just happened so quickly, there was blood everywhere. When something like this happens, you don’t have common sense.”

At the time, Zbeeb had a temporary emergency light permit, which allowed him to roll through intersections and speed through traffic, just like an ambulance for humans. Then-DeKalb County CEO Vernon Jones signed off on the permit, certifying he believed it was in the community’s best interest. The state commissioner of public safety subsequently denied it. Instead, Zbeeb got a permit for an amber light, a caution signal also found on wreckers and salt trucks. “I’m sure it’s a good cause and I know people love their pets but at the end of the day, it’s a dog or it’s a cat. It’s not like another human being,” Georgia State Patrol Lt. Paul Cosper said. “It was not a proven need. They don’t just give these things out willy-nilly.” [Not very compassionate, Lt. Cosper -- ed.]

Few animal ambulances exist in the United States and owners said they’d be surprised to find even one that’s classified like a human ambulance. Andy Berg owns 12 ambulances that serve Southern California’s dogs, cats, llamas, miniature horses and once, a dead Sumatran tiger. Expenses and state restrictions prevent him from seeking out a emergency vehicle permit, he said, and it’s not necessary most of the time. Ben Brainard, an assistant professor of critical care at University of Georgia’s College of Veterinary Medicine, said it’s not clear yet whether time spent finding a veterinary ER, loading an animal into the car and driving can mean the difference between life and death. “Until [more ambulance] services exist, we may not have a good idea,” Brainard said. “In the context of … having a trained driver getting you there 15 or 20 minutes faster, veterinary studies are too sparse.”

Zbeeb hasn’t appealed the state’s decision but still believes his experience and equipment keep pets and their owners safer — they don’t have to handle injured animals, drive frantically along unfamiliar routes or find hospitals they’ve never seen. “We’re talking about life, a form of life,” Zbeeb said. “I did prove a need — the state doesn’t agree with my need.”

http://www.frogstodogs.com/

2009-05-11T09:58:00.001-04:00

The Potcake Formerly Known as Avalon

2009-05-08T12:22:00.002-04:00

We have not spoke in awhile, not since we saw you at Christmas time, and I wanted to update you on Gussy Mae [Avalon]. She is doing great and has definitely grown up. She is about 50 pounds right now but I think she is at full size now. Her health is great and she is doing fine. She is slowly getting adjusted to the heat, however, I believe Atlanta can actually be hotter than South Florida along the coast. Again, since I work part-time out of the house she is usually inside with me and the A/C during the day. She comes and go as she wants but I have to open and close the porch doors for her. We have a doggie door off the porch but not into the house.

We are slowly getting her used to our boat. She loves the ride and her face into the wind but doesn’t like getting picked up on the dock into the boat. I guess she is afraid of being dropped. The interesting thing on the boat is that after about 15 minutes she falls asleep like a baby. We are planning to take her to the Bahamas on the boat this summer when we go. We have applied for the paperwork for her to come with us. We will be there in late July for a week.

Oh, I almost forget, I have included a recent picture of her. This was taken at the house my wife is temporarily renting in Ft. Myers while she is working out of town. We don’t allow her on the furniture but she got up there when we weren’t looking. Also, she seems to know the difference between our house and the rental.

I will try to continue to keep you updated as she is a sweet girl.

Douglas & Carine Bullock

2009-04-09T20:44:00.001-04:00

Spring has sprung and kitty season is starting up with a vengeance. As I write this, Judy already fell for an abandoned kitty story and took in two little 4-week old kittens (just two so far). Just as we even think about it, they appear on our doorstep – must be karma. If you haven’t had a chance to get a warm fuzzy baby kitten fix, check out this picture of the “stubbular stage” (and read how people dissolve into baby talk). http://cuteoverload.com/2009/01/18/rule-of-cutenes/

2009-04-03T18:58:00.002-04:00

Lately I’ve seen so many emails pleading for help with overflowing shelters – it is just so sad. Especially for the babies who haven’t even had a chance to know anything outside a cage. But then what about those senior citizens who get booted out without a look back and are so confused and frightened at the shelter? We only have so many foster homes and openings to take them in – the same boat as every other rescue operation. We could save more if we had more foster homes – perhaps you would consider this if you are reading this. Foster homes are so important for the puppy or kitten/dog or cat because the experience makes them more adoptable. They are happier and healthier and are more inclined to be housebroken and a bit more “settled” because they haven’t been cooped up in a cage. People tell us all the time that they don’t know how we can foster so many and not want to keep them all – well, if you can see all the emails and the happy faces of those who just adopted one of your “special fosters”, it is just so worth it. Plus the puppy kisses! The short term nature of fostering also can suit your lifestyle especially if they are little ones that only require your love and regular meals and perhaps a lesson in housebreaking. Also if you have two legged little ones, it can be a great educational experience as well as a social one. Children need to be taught early to contribute to the community in a positive way so they can be great adults. (We have three teens that help us out regularly at Pet Smart who all want to be vets but volunteering is a blog entry for another day.) Please consider fostering for us or another rescue group – we promise that you will be hooked just like we are and you can really make a difference for one little dog or cat.

2009-03-31T18:49:00.005-04:00

So I’m halfway through the Beginner training class for my little Hershey Bar and what can he do? Sit, Down and sometimes Leave It. We need to practice more! Something totally unexpected is the way he “speaks up” in class just to get a little more attention! It is a peculiar whining vocalization that I never hear him do anywhere else. What a showoff! He also seems to like the down position and rolls over on his own, so that may be an easy trick for him to learn after class. I really advocate clicker training and although you might not always have a treat and/or clicker around, these are tools that you eventually do away with. But to see a dog all of the sudden “get it” is amazing. Then the sky's the limit! My sister and I once attended a weekend seminar about clicker training given by an English woman, and one of the exercises was to see how long it took for humans to “get it” – to respond correctly to the clicker. The final goal was to flip a light switch, but there were successive steps to get there. Click and treat for each right step (our treats were M&Ms). Every time, the dogs got the idea quicker than the humans! I’ll post a picture of Hershey’s graduation photo soon – he is just so darn cute! And his fur is like velvet.

ABC Nightline Investigates Puppy Mills

2009-03-26T18:26:00.000-04:00

Well friends, once again, the cat is out of the bag - or should we say the dog out of the hutch! This Friday night, March 27, ABC's Nightline will be investigating puppy mills! ABC Correspondent Sharyn Alfonsi and investigators from Nightline travel the byways and back roads of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania - visiting numerous puppy mills and filming Main Line Animal Rescue's volunteers as they rescue breeding dogs and puppies from Lancaster County's notorious Amish commercial breeding facilities. This promises to be a very special program. If you are involved in rescue, advocate on behalf of the millions of puppy mill dogs interned in our nation's commercial dog breeding facilities, or if you just simply love animals, you will not want to miss this. Sharyn Alfonsi interviewed, on camera, an Amish breeder while touring his facility - a first for network television. With approximately 500 dogs housed on his property, this commercial breeder speaks openly about an industry cloaked in secrecy and suspicion - the cruel factory farming of man's best friend. PLEASE tell your friends, your family, your coworkers - ABC Nightline investigates puppy mills - this Friday at 11:35 pm (Eastern Standard Time). Please take the time to forward this to all the rescues, shelters, and legislators in your area. It has been almost one year since Oprah's puppy mill show aired. That program received the highest viewer response of any Oprah Show in years. Now we need to spread the word about this very special Nightline. Only by educating as many people as we can, will we be able to help these animals. And after you watch the program, please don't hesitate to contact ABC and Nightline to thank them for casting such a strong light on the plight of our nation's puppy mill dogs.

2009-03-19T23:18:00.002-04:00

We had another good adoption weekend, but as soon as one goes out another comes in. It is so hard to take a break from the torrent of needy animals – how can we say no? Especially to little Caramel who supposedly was 6 weeks old on the phone, looked more like 3 months old when we got her, but she's actually closer to 6 months when we checked in on Monday with Dr. Ruth of Whiteway Animal Hospital. Caramel is evidently so malnourished that her growth stunted, plus she has old and new injuries – a back leg she can barely put weight on (old), a bit up broken tail (new), and a couple of scabbed-over bite marks. Yes, she is a pit bull but she is a love -- now so happy she wags her stump, and has shown no ill feelings to anybody. My pack has already accepted her and is taking care not to hurt her. She is also starting to play a little but decided her tail is something to chew on... so back to the vet today for a clean amputation.

Meanwhile I just read about another good rescue – do any of you know Abigail Breslin of “Little Miss Sunshine”? Apparently she was in Roswell filming a movie and it just so happened the filming took place near the Southern Hope rescue facility who happened to put cute little puppies outside to get some sun. The cast and crew came over to make friends… and Abigail went home with one of the puppies! Check out the story and pictures in AJC: http://projects.ajcpets.com/gallery/view/pets/adoption/abigail-breslin-dog/?cxntlid=aa-movies-rtr

Little Caramel:

Calypso & LIbby Say Hello!

2009-03-18T22:51:00.002-04:00

Hi Royal Potcake Rescue!
Calypso (Captain) and Libby (Bianca) got to visit with each other during my spring break a few weeks ago. They love each other, and play nonstop... when they get tired, they kick us off the couch to watch TV. They like being together so much that Calypso snuck inside Libby's not-so-spacious crate while she was in it! They definitelyknow they are potcake cousins, and they are depressed for days when they have to leave each other. We love our potcakes, and Calypso and I can't wait to come visit y'all at Petsmart whenever you get new potcake puppies. Thanks for such great pups!
Marcy

2009-03-13T18:36:00.002-04:00

Not too long ago, I discovered that some of my dogs' favorite soft chews has sugar added! Why is that? Dogs don't have a sweet tooth, they just love to eat. So now they only get an occasional soft chewy treat and the rest of the time they get frozen carrots and marrow bones. Now I know why dogs need dental cleaning - for cavities! Then what did I see the other day while treat shopping & reading labels - 50 calorie snack pouches for dogs with lean beef and 90% Fat Free! Had to get that, of course, and they can't tell the difference!

Check out this website for some cute, cute pictures!
http://www.dailypuppy.com/

2009-03-11T18:41:00.001-04:00

Fox5 Story on Low-Cost Veterinary Care at WellPet Humane
Tune in tonight to Fox5 and see a report on low-cost veterinary care provided at WellPet Humane. Reporters interviewed Dr Amy Orlin, and answered questions about the critical need for affordable veterinary care in our community. They also talked to clients. Wellpet's nonprofit veterinary services are there to help pet owners who are experiencing financial hardships. WellPet was launched in August of 2008 to end "economic euthanasia." WellPet's affordable, low-cost service is needed now more than ever. WellPet serves low income pet owners, rescues, feral cat caretakers and referrals from veterinarians as well as students, retired and those living on social security. Everyone can take advantage of special pricing on vaccinations, spay/neuter. Often we get pet owners who were given estimates for surgery or treatments from clinics or hospitals that they just could not afford. It's a tough situation. We are proud to be able to respond to those needs. Most of all we the staff takes great pride in sending an animal home, fully recovered from it's life-threatening situation. If you know of anyone who lost their job or has a current financial hardship please tell them about the WellPet program. Any support you may offer would be welcomed! Go to www.wellpethumane.com for more information.
Regards,
Bob Christiansen
President

2009-03-09T22:36:00.001-04:00

Hello! I just wanted to let you know how well Firefighter Teddy is doing.. We renamed him Leo (short for Leopold) and he already responds to his name. He is doing great with housetraining and crate training (he is only crated overnight, from 10:30-6 or 7 when he wakes up). The first few days with a puppy and 3-year were a bit chaotic, but everyone has settled in very well over the past week. Oso [black lab] and Leo get along very well... they are starting to play together. The cat has introduced herself to Leo very, very slowly over the past few days (she finally got tired of hiding upstairs by herself and has ventured downstairs on her own a few times). Leo is a lot of fun, and a smart little guy. We are enjoying him very much! We'll try to bring him by Petsmart for a visit soon.

2009-03-07T21:18:00.004-05:00

A good day at Petsmart today! The weather was spectacular, and lots of people were looking at all our cuties. Noah had a fun cart ride on the way to his new home....

2009-03-05T21:05:00.002-05:00

I thought I'd share what I learned about at my neighborhood meeting last night. Rob, a librarian from the DeKalb County Public Library, told us about all kinds of things about our library system including the huge new building they are building in Tucker. Wow - it not only has meeting space for non-profits like us (150 seats), but they offer computer classes, book clubs and authors' talks, three times as many computers, new DVDs and free magazine subscriptions. Even self check out is coming! A new feature of their webpage is a list of subject guides, and I suggested Pets would make a great category. Check out the new and improved website at www.dekalblibrary.org. They even have their own blog (perhaps I'll see what they have to share for next time)!

2009-03-03T23:53:00.001-05:00

One of our young volunteers, Veronica, is good with Photoshop & created this image of our foster puppy Amos:

2009-03-03T00:21:00.003-05:00

We had a very busy weekend (8 dog adoptions!!!) topped off with snow! It was quite the first time experience for our Potcake puppies or any of the puppies for that matter!

I wanted to briefly touch on two important meetings coming up Tuesday and Thursday this week if you can attend (and please give us a report). Often folks ask how they can help support animal rescue and don't have the means to foster or adopt - well, check out these events where you can make a difference in a BIG way.

· The Humane Society of the United States is hosting a free grassroots meeting in Atlanta on Tuesday, March 3. Please join in to learn how to make a tremendous difference for animals in Georgia. Go to the website https://community.hsus.org/humane/events/meeting_AtlantaGA_March3/details.tcl to R.S.V.P., or just SHOW UP! Cheryl McAuliffe is the Georgia State Director of The Humane Society of the United States and is eager to meet other animal advocates in our state. These events are an opportunity for you to engage in the many exciting efforts to improve life for Georgia's animals. Please attend this meeting to become part of the grassroots movement for animal protection in Georgia. And feel free to bring friends and pass this information on to others who might like to join. Location meeting is to be held: Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta - website for directions: www.uuca.org 1911 Cliff Valley Way, NE, Atlanta, GA 30329 She will be discussing current issues affecting animals. The meeting will provide attendees with citizen lobbying techniques and ways to take action for animals, and aims to enhance Georgia's growing grassroots efforts to promote animal protection. Current animal protection legislation in front of the Georgia state legislature will also be discussed.

· ATTN Fulton county residents – Fulton is one of the last counties in the metro area that still allows chaining of dogs 24/7. Denise Pajak and her group have worked tirelessly for a year to bring this issue to the commissioners and this coming Wednesday, March 4th, at 10am there will be a vote (Place: Fulton Co Govt Bldg, 141 Pryor St, Atlanta 30303//Parking at Underground ATL at Martin Luther King Dr. and Pryor, $4). Numbers show force, so if you are interested in this issue, please attend the meeting if possible. There will be VOCAL OPPOSITION from distorted-thinking dog owners at this meeting. Wear something red and there will be signs to hold. If you can speak, contact Denise at 678-799-4167 or denbhl@yahoo.com. Another way to help if you cannot attend the meeting -- contact your Fulton County Commissioner and express your concern. Chaining is not only cruel to dogs, it is dangerous for humans because it causes aggression. This is also an issue of PUBLIC SAFETY as well as animal cruelty.

THANK YOU in advance for being a voice for those who cannot speak.

Wilbur Adoption Report

2009-03-02T08:44:00.003-05:00

Judy and the Potcake team,

We just wanted to let you know how much we have fallen for little Wilbur. We decided the name Wilbur best suited him, so Sir Wilbur the Magnificent it will be!

Today, we introduced him to our horses and others in the barn with great fun! The horses were quite enamored with him—I was surprised! He enjoyed visiting there, but the snow—oh the snow absolutely thrilled him!

He begged to go back out all afternoon. He ran a played and truly enjoyed himself.
Thank you so much for all you do for the forgotten animals.

May God bless you and keep you,
Cyndi, Allen, Caitlin and Nicholas Simmons

PS: We’ve attached a couple photos

Adoption Reports

2009-03-01T10:32:00.002-05:00

Potcake Rescue Team,

We just wanted to share some pictures of Mia (now Roxi) during her first day/night with us...we are so glad we found her through your rescue. She's fitting right in just as we knew she would!

Thank you for allowing us to adopt her!

Debra and Gary and Family

_______________________________________

Judy and all at RPR,

Our new puppy "Irish" is enjoying his new home after 24 hours. He is very inquisitive, playing with everyone and everything, gets along wonderfully with Josie our Border Collie and even the old cat.

Kids love him as you can see from the pictures. Did his brother find a home yesterday?

God Bless the Potcakes and the we pray for homes for all fosters.

The McGregor family

From Carol, now a 2-Potcake Owner:

2009-02-21T20:39:00.010-05:00

Carol adopted Abaco (now Abby) a year ago, and adopted Polly Potcake (now Cooter) on Feb. 7. They also own Boomer, another rescue dog:

"Well, I had been protesting that the name Cooter was a tad redneck for an island dog. But I went to a gym meet on Saturday afternoon and when I came home David announced that she liked the white bread/mayo tidbit from his sandwich, loved licking beer off his fingers, and had figured out two ways to escape from the front yard. So, Cooter it is . . .She seems to be fitting right in. By the way -- hasn't Abby grown up to be a beauty???"

Cooter and Boomer:
Boomer's new chew toy:
The gang:

Abby Potcake:

2009-02-19T09:40:00.001-05:00

From the latest edition of the Abaconian:
www.abaconian.com

Guest Blogger

2009-02-18T19:22:00.005-05:00

A note from Susie McCarthy (cat foster parent, cat trapper, and pet rescue organization volunteer):

Recently, Best Friends Animal Society hosted a special meeting in Atlanta for its members in Georgia and for other animal lovers and supporters. Although I’m not a member of Best Friends – yet – I went to the meeting to learn more about the organization and its work. I thought it would help me in my work as a foster home for cats, as a proponent of TNR (trap, neuter, return) programs for wild cats, and as a volunteer for Royal Potcake Rescue. I couldn’t have imagined just how beneficial the meeting would be for me personally, though! Being in an auditorium of like-minded people who believe in the mission of Best Friends -- that “kindness to animals builds a better world for all of us” was amazing. Even though it was a weeknight and the meeting took place after a long day of work, I left the meeting feeling so invigorated and inspired, and I couldn’t wait to play with my houseful of animals: one dog, four adopted cats, and six foster cats!

Best Friends Animal Society is celebrating its 25th anniversary, and at the meeting one of the founders told the story of how the huge sanctuary that is home to about 2,000 animals in Kanab, Utah was founded. He said that Best Friends is unique not only for the animals but also for the volunteers who visit from all over the country and world. When it began 25 years ago, Best Friends’ “No More Homeless Pets” campaign created a new vision of reducing the number of unwanted pets and animals who are euthanized. The good news is that this number has dropped from approximately 17 million animals euthanized yearly in the 1980s to about 5 million animals currently euthanized each year. The bad news is that this number appears to have leveled off.

At the meeting I learned that Best Friends has four major initiatives going on now to break through the stagnant number of euthanized animals. These campaigns are:
1) Educating people about so-called “bully breeds” and fighting breed-specific legislation, such as passing stronger legislation against dog fighting. Visit http://www.fightdogfighting.com/ for more information.
2) Promoting TNR programs to prevent feral and outdoor cats from breeding, along with helping people to begin to look at outdoor cats as “community cats” that are beneficial rather than as feral cats that are a nuisance.
3) Putting an end to puppy mills: http://www.dontbuypuppies.com/
4) The First Home, Forever Home campaign to help people overcome problems with their animals and keep them instead of turning them in to shelters or abandoning them.

Best Friends works with members and humane groups to set up spay/neuter, shelter, foster and adoption programs throughout the United States. Soon the Society will launch “Go Local” pages to help people connect with local shelters and rescue groups, like Royal Potcake Rescue! Visit http://www.bestfriends.org/ to learn more about the great work of this organization, becoming a member or giving the gift of membership for only $25, or just to feel the inspiration that comes from sustained kindness to animals.

Susie is pictured below with "Obama" during Inaugeration Day!

2009-02-17T19:18:00.004-05:00

We had another successful adoption day last Saturday, with 3 pups finding new homes and our rescue buddy Dana adopting out four of her “foundlings”! Because we had such a lovely group of highly adoptable puppies, folks gathered around all day to cuddle and love on them. Although I took my two little adult foster dogs, Lil Sprout and Edgar Allen Poodle, they were mostly overlooked -- which is a shame since they are little lovebugs and only want a warm lap to snuggle in. Both have such sweet personalities and both are housebroken – a big plus! Hmmm, I might just have to keep one… don’t we all need a little dog fixture in our lives???

I am so glad Rusty Potcake and Ashley (one of the firefighter pups) found great homes with two new families who had another dog for them to play with -- they love to play.

I want to tell you about Dana and her in-home businees. Since she lost her job, she has thrown herself fulltime into dog sitting in her home/dog walking/full-time fostering! She comes out most every Saturday to put in a full day of volunteering and brings her foster pups. If you live in the Smyrna/Vinings area and need to board your dog, give her a call! Dana's Doghouse, 404-275-7446

"Conchy" Nancy

2009-02-14T23:23:00.006-05:00

Rusty Potcake was adopted today! After he picked out his new doggie bed, he promplty fell asleep in it while it was still in the shopping cart! What a cutie.

2009-02-12T15:01:00.001-05:00

I'm sending a link to the photo I took of Petunia (AKA Morgan Le Fay Potcake - adopted 11/08) and Milo (AKA Tom Tom Potcake - adopted 2/08). We met on the trail at Stone Mountain last weekend randomly! The pups LOVED each other immediately and ran around like Tasmanian Devils, so the fact I was able to take a photo is a miracle.

--From Michele

2009-02-10T16:27:00.001-05:00

We had a very successful adoption day on Saturday -- adopted out 4 Potcakes and two of our long term foster cats! Check out the pictures on the website to see the lucky families. Now how is it that I've added another one to my pack? Judy and I find it really hard to say no when it is a very adoptable animal. Tiny little Edgar Allen
Poodle has taken up residence on my bed and after the initial scuffling, has fit right in. Also take a look at the Inauguration Day photo Judy took of two of our chocolate lab puppies visiting with President Obama - he dropped by Pet Smart the Saturday before! ;-)

2009-02-06T19:09:00.002-05:00

Wow – my ‘cakes are doing so well! I don’t trust them on carpet but they are bouncing in and out of the doggy door with no problems and I didn’t have any accidents at all last night when I left them alone at dinner and during the night. They are all now piling into my bedroom and sleeping on various pillows. Just an occasional house shoe is taken outside. We are supposed to have a mob at Pet Smart tomorrow so I’ll report on Monday as to how many went to their new homes.

On Sunday, I am going to a memorial service for my two dogs that crossed the Rainbow Bridge this past year – Rascal passed in August at 14+; he had a stomach tumor and rapidly deteriorated. And then Sadie passed in her sleep in October. She was only 6 but had problems since she was born and I think I was lucky to have her for as long as I did. I had them both cremated at Paws, Whiskers, and Wags on Ponce de Leon, and they hold an annual memorial celebration to honor all pets that passed. I will be attending with some friends of mine who also lost their beloved companion. I also want to commend the DeKalb-Gwinnett Animal Emergency Clinic for their care and concern when I took Rascal there. They provided plenty of privacy and time while Judy, her husband, and I got to say goodbye and hold Rascal while he slipped away peacefully. And when I left, they also gave me a little clay imprint of his paw to take with me. Very sad but it provided closure. I sincerely believe all my companion animals that have passed are still around me and help me choose the next. One of my favorite quotes is “Saving just one dog won’t change the world… but surely the world will change for that one dog” and I intend to keep rescuing until the day I cross over.

2009-02-05T16:51:00.001-05:00

2009-02-05T16:42:00.002-05:00

Hi! I’m Nancy, Secretary for RPR, and instead of writing a weekly newsletter or report, I thought I’d blog (almost) every day to keep you updated on current events and other items that I think you might be interested in. Judy will add in the pictures, too. Feel free to also send your contributions especially if you want to give us an update on one of our rescued animals! I’m also a foster mom and currently I am fostering 5 dogs and puppies and 3 cats at my house including the latest two potcakes, Rusty and Rosie, brought back this past trip. My animals include Poochi (rescued from PAWS), Gypsy (found neighborhood dog), and Hugo (permanent foster as he is a special case), then Lil Sprout, Hershey Kisses, Ashley and 2 cats, Max and MS Gator Bait. I am really leaning towards keeping Hershey, he is so sweet and smart and is good with all the other animals (very important).

Judy and Jennie spent a somewhat restful week (Jan 24 – Feb 1) on Tilloo Cay on a pet sitting gig with Janie’s crowd (saying how many animals they took care of would make it really scary), and then brought back three little ones on the plane with them and shipped 10 older ones via Delta Cargo, two per crate. The folks in Abaco are trying to get the moms spayed. The first night, Judy kept 8, I took two, and Al & Sandra took the littlest three (Jennie took 4 of Judy's 8 after they were spayed yesterday). As of today already, they have all been spayed (and one neutered) so we are looking for these potcakes to go like hotcakes this Saturday. My two 'cakes have already learned to navigate the doggy/kitty door and are well on their way to being housebroken. Rusty has a little food aggression and picks a little on his sister so he would probably do better by himself or go with an older dog, but he is very trainable. They are also both on Albon as they’ve both been stressed and had a food change. Rusty sure hates the taste of that! They are very sweet and friendly. And I’m very happy to say that they seem to have adapted to the cold weather fairly well (although I can provide sweaters).

Today is Judy’s birthday! She is my sister, and since we're only 11 months apart, we are now twins for a month! I won’t say the age though; we like to say we are ageless…

2008-10-29T20:18:00.002-04:00

Charlie (formerly known as Clayton) had fun this weekend! His new mom dropped him off on the way to Church Sunday for a grooming session, then picked him up on the way home. He remembered Ashley from the time she gave him his first bath. But Charlie would not let her groom his front and back legs & paws too much... he kept growling so she let him be.

After grooming:

Going for a walk: The raincoat outfit is before his grooming session -- he's not butt-sniffing! Noth that there's anything wrong with that! His buddy just walked by when the picture was taken.

Augusta or Busta!

2008-10-02T23:23:00.004-04:00

Augusta, Georgia. Many home foreclosures have filled up the local animal control shelter, forcing them to euthanize owner turn-ins. A plea went out to rescue 5 little puppies turned in by their owner because they had ringworm (a very treatable fungus) and she didn't want to bother with the treatment. This owner had allowed her cocker spaniel breed with her chihuahua, resulting in these 5 adorable puppies. I have 3 words for her: SPAY, NEUTER and IRRESPONSIBLE. Those are my nice words...

We quickly evaluated space & foster room, and decided to drive to Augusta and pull these pups from certain death. And off we went, on Sunday, Sept. 14. It's about a 140 mile, 2 hour drive from Atlanta to Augusta. We figured we'd drive there in the morning, pick up the puppies, and drive back, arriving in Atlanta by 1 p.m. Ha! Little did we know....

First hurdle: Augusta traffic construction. Jeez, ya think they could put SIGNS on their EXITS! What a concept. So after passing our exit not once, not twice but 3 times, we finally exited correctly. By the way, nice canvas covers on all the informational signs. Thanks.

OK, we finally made it to Animal Control, just before noon, after passing by a TRACTOR SUPPLY COMPANY (on one of our wrong exits). So I said, Hey! Let's stop there on the way back to get a few bags of pine pellet horse bedding. For those of you in the kitty rescue biz, it may "behoove" you to know that pine pellet horse bedding is.... Feline Pine! Yup, it's the same thing and it costs a mere 6 dollars per 40 pound bag at the feed store. It makes GREAT kitty litter!

So we get the puppies loaded up in the car (not too difficult since they're so tiny) and head back to the Tractor Supply Company. I find a semi-shady spot (it's only 100 degrees in Augusta) (at least that's what it felt like) and park. Nancy stays with the pups while I shop. After loading up 4 bags of horse pine pellets, and other miscellaneous supplies -- what a great store -- I jump in the car and get ready to go.

And..... it won't get out of Park. No matter how hard I press the brake, jam the shift stick, or turn off/on the car, open/shut doors, etc. It will NOT get out of Park. I cannot shift the car. OMG, what do we do??? We're 140 miles from home, we know no one in Augusta, it's 100 degrees, and we have 5 puppies!

After futtzling around a bit, I decided to go back into Tractor Supply Co. and ask around. "Ummm, hello. I was just in here and got in my car and can't get it out of park. We're from Atlanta, we've got rescue puppies in the car, and don't know who to call. Do you have any ideas?" The bright cheerful cashier checks her watch, and says, "Well, if you can wait for 10 minutes, John is coming in, and he's a mechanic!" Yes, I can wait 1o minutes. "And, you can bring the puppies in here while you wait!"

Wow. We LOVE Tractor Supply Company!

After John arrived and checked out our car, while sweating profusely (it was really hot), he called his mechanic friend, who headed over to fix the car for us. All this on a Sunday afternoon when everything was closed. All for strangers. And puppies. Two women stranded in a strange city, and everyone was so helpful.

So I am here to tell you: If you ever need a mechanic in Augusta, go to Hinson Automotive. If you ever need farm or pet supplies, go to Tractor Supply Company (they have many locations throughout the southeast).

As for those 5 puppies: Ringworm treated, spayed & neutered, and all adopted now. See our website for the pics: Moki, Tallulah, Pakuna, Tavo (and Mukki the runt will be adopted this Saturday).

CLICK FOR SPAY/NEUTER CLINIC GRANT!

2008-09-30T20:30:00.002-04:00

Help RPR win a $25,000 grant so we can host a free spay/neuter clinic in Abaco! All you have to do is click to help rescued animals, and then vote for Royal Potcake Rescue at the top of the page. No registration, absolutely free and you can vote once a day, every day, from September 29 through December 14, 2008. Every time you vote, or tell a friend to vote, you are making a huge difference for us. Vote today!Visit: http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com/

Potcake Puppy Goes Boating!

2008-08-21T23:43:00.004-04:00

Just got back from Abaco, and brought back 3 potcake pups with us this time. One of them, Freckles, loves to go boating! He's already been adopted, too!

2008-07-28T22:03:00.003-04:00

An update from our Miranda Puppy, adopted on the 4th of July:

Thing are going very well. We have named her Sachi (pronounced Sah-chee), it’s Japanese for joy and she is so joyful! Sona, our other dog, lets her cuddle (see pic) at times, but also still puts her in her place if she gets too rambunctious! We were at the vet last week for the next round of shots and got the stitches out, no problems there. She had tapeworms and we got that addressed as well and also got her (and our older dog) micro chipped.

Sachi has got to be the smartest dog I’ve ever had. She figured out the doggie door in a day and can go up steps, but not down. She watches me all the time and picks up on cues. She has dinner time all figured out, I feed Sona first and then her. Sachi waits till it is her turn and then gets all excited. She does not like being confined, but has accepted her crate at night, as long as we are all sleeping. When she’s in the crate during the day and people are around she is not happy. But I think that is because she is a real people dog. We are still working on house breaking which is to be expected. She goes all night without needing to go out, so that is a relief. She had a hard time getting used to a collar and a leash and will still back away from me when I pick up the leash to take her for a walk, but she is starting to get used to it.

There is one other funny thing that she did. I discovered that we had an issue with bees in our backyard. So I called Critter Patrol to get it taken care of, but it turned out they were carpenter bees and did not sting. Well, every once in a while one of these bees will die and fall to the ground. Sachi bats around the bee’s body, playing with it like a cat toys with a mouse. At least she didn’t try to eat it. Anyway I had critter patrol spray the tree to make the bees go away and we’ve been fine ever since.

I hope her sisters are doing well and her brother too. She has been a great addition to our family. Thanks for rescuing her and letting us adopt her! ….Mary

2008-07-22T20:45:00.002-04:00

Check out this great article in the local Dunwoody Crier newspaper:

http://www.thecrier.net/articles/2008/07/22/front/dogstory.txt

2008-07-21T21:45:00.003-04:00

The potcake transfer has been completed! On Saturday, the pups flew into West Palm via Bahamas Air with Chris & Molly Roberts. Then Chris & Molly rented a minivan and drove to Gainesville, Florida, to spend the night at the pet-friendly LaQuinta Inn. Sunday, I jumped in our minivan and drove down to Valdosta, Georgia, where Chris & Molly drove up to meet me. We met at Exit 29 and completed the puppy transfer. I drove back with 5 pups in the van, and not one of them made a peep (or a poop). Upon arrival in Atlanta, they were "released" into my backyard for exercise and exploration. Then Al & Sandra came by to pick up the 3 brown ones that they are now fostering. I'm fostering the 2 white ones. All are doing well!!!

My friend and fellow potcake-lover, Jacq Marie, had magnetic signs made up for the minivan... Thanks to Diirga the Laughing Dragon! (a local Atlanta artist who drew them up)

Me with the sign:

Chris & Molly with the puppies:

2008-07-08T21:16:00.002-04:00

From Taffy's new owners, with pictures of her after her eye surgery (for cherry eyes)....

Just a quick update on Taffy; she is still doing just great and fitting into our lives so well, we can't remember life without her! We discovered a hidden talent the other day...she "sings" when you do - it's really quite a show! :) Her eye surgery is scheduled for next Thursday (both eyes); this is the same vet that did both of our other cockers; I have know him since 1991 and have complete faith that it will go just fine. I will send some pics online after they have healed. She had her first grooming today since coming to live with us; that went well and she looks beautiful! I hope you are doing well and that many adoptions have taken place in the last month; I will check your site tonight!

We Are Not Alone!

2008-06-04T23:36:00.004-04:00

The following article was published in St. Catharines Standard in Ontario Canada (1 hour south of Toronto and 15 minute north of Niagara falls):

Puppy love: Woman brings strays back from Bahamas
By DON FRASER
Posted 4/24/08
Jill Gandza took one look into the row of glistening puppy-dog eyes and was hooked. She knew there was no turning away from these helpless mutts. During the March break, she and her family travelled to the Bahamian island of Great Exuma, where she stayed at a home co-owned by her friend Donna Baer and Baer’s mother, Flora. Great Exuma is known for its stunning Caribbean beauty and mixed-breed dogs called potcakes. Many of those pooches are strays, whose lives are shortened by starvation, disease or run-ins with cars.

“When I was near our house there, I noticed this mother dog running around with all kinds of puppies,” she said. “We stopped our car, saw one run underneath an abandoned van and there were 12 little heads peeking out. Because I’m an animal lover, I was upset and started to cry. It was very disturbing,“ said Gandza, who lives with her family in west St. Catharines.
“I knew there was no life for them.”

Last week, the nurse at St. Catharines General Hospital returned to the island to bring those pups that had stolen her heart back to Niagara for adoption. To her dismay, she learned all but five had been killed by vehicles along Queen’s Highway, which runs the length of the 60-kilometres-long island.

Because of airline restrictions, only four dogs could be brought back. So Gandza decided to take the four females of the litter and leave the male pup, in an effort to help control the breeding of the island strays.

In all, she and her son Greg, 13, took about an hour and a half to round up the dogs. The pup’s mother could not be caught. The puppies were deloused and de-wormed on the island. They will be immunized and will be spayed.

On Thursday, a day after their flight from the Bahamas in two crates, the pups were seen safe in Gandza’s garage, sniffing around their temporary home. A moment later, all four — Flora, Potcake, Santana and Bahama — flopped on top of each other like a canine layer cake.

The four animals are not the only ones to be rescued from the island, thanks to the efforts of Donna Baer and her business partner Dale Halsey. The two co-own the Pet Valu store at the Pendale Plaza in St. Catharines. Aside from the latest animals, two dogs and five kittens have been rescued from the island in the past five years, Baer said. All now have homes.

“It started when I found a stray dog that was so skinny and eating garbage,” said Baer, who has since adopted that pooch, and named her Potcake. “Last year, I went down and found one living under a hut.” That dog’s name is Mango and she also found a home with Baer.

Baer and Gandza say people have asked them why they’re concerned about animals in a foreign country, when others in Canada need adopting. Their answers are the same.

The stray pups are in jeopardy. The women come face-to-face with them. It’s a circumstance that compels them to do something. Baer tells these questioning people, “Well, these animals cross your path, you’re there and see it and you can’t just turn your back.”

Gandza also describes a gut reaction. “I saw the puppies. The image I saw remains, and I have to go back,” she said, as her rescued babies drifted off to sleep inside their cage.

Meanwhile, Gandza said she’s trying to convince her husband, Ron, to let the family keep one of the potcakes. Their house already has four rescued animals.

The other three animals will be adopted through the Pendale Pet Valu, with a charge for each animal to cover the cost of spaying. Donations for further rescues and efforts to spay and neuter stray animals in Great Exuma will also be accepted at the store. A donation from a Pet Valu customer helped defray some of the costs of the Gandza mission.

“We’re all hoping to continue the potcake rescue missions,” Gandza said. “There is a problem on the island, so if we can help, we’ll do it.”

Caption: ST. CATHARINES, APRIL 24, 2008 -- Four puppies, Potcake mix were brought from a Bahamian Island looking for good homes. The puppies were brought over by the Gandza family and will be at the Pendale Plaza Pet Value. Front are Greg and Jill Gandza with Donna Baer and Dale Halsey. Staff photo by Bob Tymczyszyn

P.S. Jill did keep one for herself and calls her Flora!

2008-06-01T22:48:00.000-04:00

Hi, my name is Caroline and I was one of the girls that donated the proceeds of our lemonade sale to help your foundation grow and especially to help your dogs. From left to right in the photo are Anya, Myself, Connelly, and Anna. We all are very passionate about animals and all want to do every thing in our power to help them. I was especially fascinated by the fact that you rescue a lot of these dogs from the Carribean islands because one of my dog's names is Flea. We think Flea was the runt of the family and so she couldn't get to her mom's milk and got kicked out of the litter. My mom and I were driving around Grenada, West Indies and she popped out onto the road. We took her home and washed her (she had worms, mange, fleas, ticks, etc.) and took her to the vet. After my brother and I had begged so much my parents said we could take her home, and we did. Now she's a healthy dog with her best friend our lab Sunshine. Thanks to you guys more dogs can have better lives in nice comfy homes in the U.S.

Sincerely, Caroline

2008-05-31T21:38:00.008-04:00

Wow!!! We had an incredible group of young ladies come into Petsmart today to present us with their earnings from lemonade sales! They decided to donate their earning to help homeless pets, and we (and the pets) were the lucky recipients! It is always so great for us to see young people who care for animals, and you can see that our animals benefitted from their extra loving today! Thank you very much!!!

Fortunately for us, we were very busy, but unfortunately we did not get the names of these girls. So if you know these girls, or you are these girls, please drop us an email so we can acknowledge you personally!

Another Update!

2008-05-11T11:01:00.004-04:00

Updates are so important to us. When we adopt our dogs out, we miss them very much and we often wonder how they are doing. Please send us a photo of your Royal Potcake baby!

Here's one from Avis (formerly known as Trixie) who we adopted out in August 2007:

Just wanted to update you a little on Avis. (Not the car rental place- we named her after a song) She is doing great! She is full of love, likes camping, playing disc golf, and hanging with her best buddy Cooper- the white fluffy thing in the last picture. She is also very good at playing by herself- throwing a ball around etc. We get left out of the game quite often!
She is very smart- knows a lot of commands and after a little training, has become great on a leash. She loves stuffed animals- some get the stuffing taken out in about 40 seconds, and others she keeps for months! Still trying to figure out what makes her choose the ones to keep.
There was an occasional shoe or cell phone charger that was eaten, but now she is almost always well behaved. She goes everywhere with us- not sure how she is going to handle being left at home more when it gets really hot out.
Well, enough of the proud mommy stuff. Thank-you for the blessing of our baby. She makes our world a better place. You couldn't possibly know how much we love her. You do a wonderful job going and getting these babys. Let us know if you want to see her sometime.

Jay wants another one. I want a bigger house! We'll call you once we have more room.
Take care!
Jay, Amanda, & Avis

Report from Treasure's Mom:

2008-05-07T21:23:00.003-04:00

We love hearing from our adopters! Here's a report from Treasure's Mom -- Treasure was the first potcake we ever rescued!!!

Hi Judy, I took Treasure to the beach last weekend and he loved the sand, did not like the water at all, you'll see in the one photo he is actually running from the water. They were having a dog walk on the boardwalk to benefit the local shelter, so we signed him up, got a bandanna and walked with the other dogs, he loved it. And this week I'm going to start taking him to doggie day care 1 or 2 days a week, we checked out the place Friday at their "Yappy Hour" and he made so many new friends. Can we say spoiled!??!!
--Roni

2008-04-15T21:53:00.002-04:00

2008-04-11T23:00:00.004-04:00

We now have a litter of 4 kittens, just a week old today, along with their momma. Sandra , the lady who's been feeding momma wants to keep her (indoors) so at least momma has a home when she's done with these little ones (after we spay her!)... Momma's sister also just had 3 babies, and Sandra will also be adopting her too. So needless to say: kitten season has officially begun, and we'll have kittens available for adoption in a couple of months! See one 7-day old kitten:

Franz & Cainin Make the AJC!

2008-04-08T09:58:00.007-04:00

These sweet boys made the Lifestyle section under the Petdish column. Sandy Eckstein has featured them as an example on caring for your pets in the event of your death or incapacitation. Hopefully this article will help get them homes. Dottie has been great as a foster mom but they need to find a real home! They graduated a week ago from a 3-week intensive training program from Man's Best Friend -- kindly donated by Jon Bolander, the owner. Anyone who adopts them gets a free lifetime of training for them (and for you)! They also come with Heartguard and Advantix. Please tell your friends to check them out in the AJC!

2008-04-07T22:50:00.003-04:00

Kitten season has officially started! Yikes -- please get your kitties spayed and neutered! Here's the latest product -- a formerly feral mom and her 4 babies. Today they are 4 days old. Mom is hiding, but I got a picture of the little ones.

The Story on Roo by Nancy Foster Mom

2008-04-05T20:57:00.002-04:00

Roo, short for Kangaroo, earned her name right on the spot when she came home with me on March 23rd. Judy and I had already rescued and adopted out her two pups (Pearl and Ella), the Norcross family that found them adopted the third (Bear Bear), and now it was her turn. Roo hung around the Norcross house where she was appeared as a stray, but could not be contained by a newly installed chain link fence. We all assumed that she dug out as her puppy tried to do. So we didn’t think too much about that when she came home to my house. She initially seemed to fit in and got along with everyone. But as soon as I turned away to do a few chores outdoors, she took the 4’ fence in a single bound and was gone! Eek! She didn’t know me, she didn’t know the neighborhood, she hadn’t even eaten anything – how much worse could it be? So I called Judy, who had just left; she turned around and came back and we then searched for the next two hours in my neighborhood. Finally Judy spotted her heading over to another neighborhood behind a cul-de-sac but she wouldn’t even look back. We both went home to make posters and I headed over to the other neighborhood later on in the evening. I had to go 2 miles all the way around to get there – I never knew my neck of the woods was literally so woodsy and had these pockets of homes. I posted a few signs and then saw her! She looked at me from about 50 yards away, then turned and went in the other direction – darn! Now what? I lost sight of her, put up a few more signs and went out to dinner. After dinner, I came by again, saw her again but she just wouldn’t come to me. I was off on Monday so I went looking for her a few more times and didn’t see her at all, but the folks I talked to said they saw the posters so I suppose that was good. I widened my search a bit and put up a few more posters, but still no luck. On Tuesday on the way home from work, I went all over the neighborhood again, talked to a woman walking her dog who hadn’t seen her, and headed across the bridge to Stone Mountain Middle School -- and there she was at the edge of the woods and parking lot -- looking longingly at the woman walking her dog! Was she hungry? Lonely? Tired? I think all of the above because when I put down a little wet food, walked away and held the rest out, she gradually crept up to me to finish the meal. Then I got her! And now she is never without a leash or lead. Needless to say she needs a privacy fence and would love some agility training to be the perfect companion. She also sits, shakes hands, and is crate trained and housebroken. I think she wouldn’t run away now that she knows me, but I just can’t take that chance. Look at her sweet innocent face! Ha!

2008-03-25T19:19:00.002-04:00

I found a really cute website the other day. I mean, really really cute! If you like some cute pictures, check it out:
http://www.cuteoverload.com/
Yes, sometimes I do have a small amount of time to troll the internet...
Thanks for the comments!

2008-03-24T19:11:00.003-04:00

Wow, I am so bad at this blog thing. It's because I don't know if anyone is reading it! If you are, please leave me a comment so I'll know to continue!!!

The latest is that we've been getting in a run of heartworm positive dogs! Some aren't on our website yet since we're waiting to see how they do. But two are on the website: Trixie Potcake and Ralph. They had a low infestation and are doing great. Already adopted are Bambi and Little Rascal, also treated for heartworm. Please keep your pets on Heartguard or Ivomec!!!

Meanwhile, my dog Cookie says: Hoppy Easter!

A Potcake's Progress

2008-03-12T22:16:00.005-04:00

Tupelo Honey Potcake

......From tiny little potcake found in Freeport, Bahamas

Travelling to Florida and then to Atlanta....

and finally finding her perfect FOREVER home!!!!!!!!

2008-03-11T22:57:00.002-04:00

Little dogs, little dogs, little dogs! We have little dogs! And boy are they cute! I'm not usually much of a little dog fan, but I have to say that these 3 that I'm fostering have a lot of personality. Unfortunately for them, they all have (or I should say HAD) heartworm. They've all been treated now, so I have to keep them calm -- ha! Have you ever tried that with a little dog???

The best things about these little dogs is that they're quiet (no yappers!), housebroken (yay!!!) and friendly -- tails waggin' a mile a minute. They all get along too, so I've got them corralled in the kitchen to keep each other company.

They're up for adoption, so if you've been looking for a little dog, check out our Available for Adoption page! They all came from a local Georgia animal control.

2008-03-02T09:00:00.002-05:00

All the potcake puppies have been adopted! It must be a record -- 8 puppies in 16 days! Everybody loves their potcake. Bongo is now in Massachusetts in the snow, and his family bought a coat for him so he'll stay warm. They report that he loves to stick his nose in the snow! And Tambourine is in Virginia Beach. The rest were local adoptions. Don't forget, we still have Dinky Potcake, who is shy with people but loves dogs -- he's a dog's dog, and needs a playmate!

Some more good news: the mom & dad dogs of the white puppies have been spayed & neutered in Abaco. So that's the last of that line of pups! Yay!

Yesterday we picked up a little chihuahua mix from Animal Control, and today we're off to check on some puppies in Norcross. We want to see about getting the momma dog spayed from these puppies too.

2008-02-22T10:55:00.004-05:00

The eight new Potcakes have been named with drumming-related monikers in honor of a great drummer who recently lost a long time pal. Seven of them have now been "fixed" (....not that they were broken!) -- except for Ludwig, who has an undescended testicle (yikes!) so has to wait a bit before being neutered. He's still available to be adopted, we'll just get him back to neuter once his manlihood drops in. A couple potcakes have already been spoken for.... Tympani goes home TONIGHT! and Bongo goes to an Abaco-lover in MASSACHUSETTS next Thursday! Another application is pending.... The three 'cakes being fostered here at RPR Headquarters are confined to the greenhouse/foster inn, since it's raining cats and potcakes here! We are sure they will all be popular at Petsmart this weekend, and will find forever homes really soon. Be sure and check out the 'Potcakes Frolic' video on our homepage!! Next update after the weekend adoptions!!

Puppy Potcake Video!

2008-02-17T18:16:00.004-05:00

http://s90.photobucket.com/albums/k280/fans-on-the-run/PotcakePool%2008/?action=view¤t=c0dd7db3.pbr

Only 8 puppies arrived, because one was adopted while still in Abaco, and one was met at the airport in West Palm Beach to be adopted! Yay! They all flew in via Delta Air Cargo, with no problems.

2008-02-13T21:04:00.003-05:00

The Potcakes are coming, the potcakes are coming! Ten puppies from Abaco are arriving tomorrow at 6 p.m. We'll soon have a bunch of new pictures, and maybe some video too!

The new Blog

2008-02-08T18:04:00.001-05:00

This is the new Blog website, to save precious space on the potcake.org website!

We had an interesting run of conversation on the Abaco Bulletin Board http://abacomessageboard.com/, with people posting pictures of their puppy potcakes and then all grown up! So cute! Everyone loves their 'cake! See some of the pictures:

Oscar Potcake:

Sophie Potcake:

Rosie Potcake:

Sammie Tippy Potcake:

Electra Potcake:

2008-02-08T17:58:00.000-05:00

See the old blogs here, with pictures:

http://www.potcake.org/6.html

December 22, 2007

2008-02-08T17:56:00.000-05:00

Today was a busy day at the pet adoptions, lots of lookers but we only did one adoption -- Tupelo Honey Potcake. And what a great home she went to, we've already received emailed pictures of her enjoying her new life. This is what makes it all worthwhile! She has come a long way, from Freeport to Florida, from living in a dark crate to snuggling in a new bed with a corgi friend to play with. We took in 2 puppies today that we could not turn down. Someone found them in south Atlanta and they're only about 4 weeks old. Fortunately they're eating on their own so I don't have to bottle feed! One is black and one is brindle, look like little lab mixes. It's a regular revolving door around here!

December 21, 2007

2007-12-21T15:06:00.001-05:00

Well, this morning I had to separate Woody from Norma. Norma is just too laid back for him! He needs another very playful kitty -- so if you have one at home, you might consider adopting Woody!I just ordered the book "Scared Poopless" about caring for your pet, feeding and other health issues. I ordered it because our dog Gracie scared us this past week with bright red bloody vomiting, lethary and diahrrea. After blood work, fecals and other various exams, the vet could not really specify what was wrong with her, and suspects an ulcer. We did some internet research and have decided to change her diet to a raw, dehydrated, human-grade food diet (our other dog Cookie will benefit too) from Honest Kitchen. I'll keep you all posted on the diet and the book!

December 20, 2007

2007-12-21T15:04:00.000-05:00

Today Woody the kitten has come to stay at my house for the holidays. He's pretty spunky, and needs someone to play with, so he's in the bathroom with Norma, our sweet laid-back kitten who is going home on Christmas eve as a surprise present for their 10-year old daughter. Hopefully, in the next few days, Norma will teach Woody all about respecting human hands & not to play-bite so hard! Meanwhile, I hear a lot of thumping going on in there.... I guess I'll check in there in a few minutes to assess the damage to the toilet paper roll.

More news on the kitten front! Three of the Moe's kitties, who you may have noticed are on our Available for Adoption page, are still pretty wild. They were born to a feral behind Moe's on Peachtree, and have not tamed down as nicely as we would have liked -- ie., they're not very adoptable. We have found a horse barn in NW Georgia for them! This is very exciting news for us, because it is very difficult to place feral cats. Cat overpopulaiton is such a problem. Please, please please spay and neuter your pets!