Tag: Pets

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Letter From The Editor Opinion

In Loving Memory of My Best Boy

Shara and Doogie, October 2011 | Photo: Elle Forte Ramsey

In loving memory of Doogie (the dog) Howser (January 1 6, 2010-December 27, 2023)

I wish I could say Happy New Year. But I’m starting 2024 with one less set of muddy paws to clean up after when it’s rained. One less bowl to fill in my morning and evening routine. One less wagging tail following me around the house. One less load of laundry — doggie diapers for my old man who marked his territory on every appliance and door frame or anything new that was placed on the floor.

Photo: Justin Fox Burks

Just over a week ago, my long-haired dachshund Doogie Howser let out his chirpy bark demanding breakfast. When the bowl was empty, he commenced his daily ritual of licking it clean as its steel bottom clanged across the tiles. He then made the rounds on the grounds of his kingdom — our backyard — hiked his leg on everything in sight and yapped big-bad-dog borks at the neighbors’ pups through the chain-link fence. Just over a week ago, he sat at my feet as I stood at the sink doing dishes, gently licking my bare ankle, as he always did.

Doogie Howser was our cover boy for the July 2019 “On the Clock” issue. (Photo: Justin Fox Burks)

But a week ago, I laid next to him in bed, rubbing his ears, petting his head, and kissing his face, telling him I loved him more than anything, he was the best boy in the world, and that everything was okay. I stayed awake awaiting a moment I’d been dreading for more than 13 years. At approximately 12:45 a.m. on Wednesday, December 27th, Doogie took his final breath, his heart beat for the last time, three weeks shy of his 14th birthday.

Without going into more detail than I can comfortably relive, the end came both gradually and suddenly. A yearlong battle with chronic bronchitis and a more recent but brief bout of neurological issues led to what we think was a stroke or massive seizure. I was out of town when the latter happened, and by the time I returned, he was fading fast. I spent those last hours alongside him, keeping him as comfortable as I could, loving on him until his little body shut down.

I never wanted to write (or say) these words. I knew this day would come, of course — and that I wouldn’t able to handle the grief. Having never had human children, Doogie was my first “child.” When looking at a litter of puppies in early 2010, I knew that the itty-bitty chocolate nugget with big ol’ eyes and tiny legs and a head he’d have to grow into was mine. A few weeks later, I brought him home. He was so very small, I put him into my coat pocket just because I could. So very fragile, this miniature cuddly creature. I jokingly said, “How am I going to keep this thing alive?” But I did, for as long as I could.

Doogie’s first night home with me, February 2010

As most dog parents do, I took him on car rides, road trips, and park outings, and to work with me on occasion. He was a star no matter where we were. Everyone who met him spoke of how handsome he was, his impressive mane and feathered tail that waved like a flag as he pranced. “Regal” and “majestic” were common descriptors. He’d sit in anyone’s lap and lick wet spots on their pants; it was his way of showing affection, or more likely, asking, “Could you pet me more now?” After we welcomed two more pups (his offspring) in 2015, there was less of that. Three were harder to manage in public, taking just one wasn’t fair, and his son and daughter were not the docile dogs Doogie had always been. So, I have regrets. Were there enough walks? Enough outings? He loved people, and we didn’t have as much company after the pandemic. We didn’t have an office to go to. But he did get a lot of love and cuddles and my constant presence, especially working from home, which I have to tell myself was just fine for him. And even with all the vet visits, did I do enough to manage his health? Could I have saved him, given him more time? I think I did my best but cannot dwell on the what-ifs. Even as he aged, until his last day on Earth, he was the happiest boy, excited to wake and eat and run around the yard and climb on me like a mountain goat to get to my face for kisses. He comforted me through my worst days, loved me when I felt unlovable. Just as they say about children, you blink and they’re grown. I wish I could rewind time. I’d do anything to wash those pee diapers now. Just one more ankle lick.

My pocket-sized buddy, February 2010

Losing Doogie, my Grinch-toed 8-pound shadow, my constant companion, who was under foot or in my lap day in and day out for nearly 14 years, is the biggest hurt I may have ever endured. But to have raised him has been my biggest gift.

Doogie Howser had many names — Doogers, Dougles, Bo, Sugar Prince, Love Boy, Hims, the list goes on. But above all, he was my son, my greatest love — my heart. And a piece of it now has gone with him over the rainbow bridge.

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News News Blog

Four Locals Look to Make Pawsitive Impact at Puppy Bowl XVII

CREDIT: Charlie's Crusaders Pet Rescue

On Sunday, February 7th, four local competitors will line up on one of the grandest stages to compete for one of the biggest prizes of them all.

Charlie’s Crusaders Pet Rescue

(l to r) Puppy Bowl competitors Pluto, Vinnie, Tank, and Jiffy

That’s right; Memphis will be represented by some talented and furry friends aiming to emerge victorious in this year’s Puppy Bowl XVII. Jiffy, Vinnie, Pluto, and Tank of Charlie’s Crusaders Pet Rescue will go paw-to-paw with other dogs from animal shelters around the nation for a chance to lift the CHEWY “Lombarky” trophy.

Charlie’s Crusaders Pet Rescue squad will see its representatives lining up for two separate Puppy Bowl teams. Jiffy will suit up for Team Fluff, while Vinnie, Pluto, and Tank will compete for Team Ruff. Tank will also be repping Memphis in the PUP-ularity contest, and is counting on some Bluff City support to do his hometown proud.

Every year, the Puppy Bowl brings together canine competitors to celebrate adoptable pups and showcase rescues, shelters, and the staffers who dedicate their lives to helping animals find homes. So far, the Bowl has a winning record in its previous 16 iterations, with 100 percent of featured puppies (and halftime show kittens) having been adopted.

This year’s three-hour event will air on the Discovery+ streaming service, and Animal Planet, at 1 p.m. Central. Puppy Bowl XVII will see some changes to the format with the inclusion of special “Adoptable Pup” segments (hosted by rufferee Dan Schachner, overseeing his 10th consecutive Bowl), spotlighting available pups from 11 shelters around the country.

More information about participating shelters, rescues, and organizations can be found on the Puppy Bowl website.

Charlie’s Crusaders Pet Rescue has been operating out of Germantown and North Mississippi for a little over four years, and so far has placed more than 1,000 dogs into forever homes.

Charlie’s Crusaders Pet Rescue

Tank

Charlie’s Crusaders Pet Rescue

Vinnie

Charlie’s Crusaders Pet Rescue

Jiffy

Charlie’s Crusaders Pet Rescue

Pluto

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News News Blog

Fire Department, Memphis Animal Services Partner to Bring Lost Pets Home

CREDIT: MAS

MAS

If you find a lost pet here, you can now take it to any of the Memphis Fire Department (MFD) stations around the city to help them be reunited with their owner.

Through the Fire Finders program, a partnership of Memphis Animal Services (MAS) and MFD, each of the city’s 58 fire stations will now be equipped with a scanner to detect microchips, the small electronic chips that are implanted into pets to help locate them when lost.

MFD personnel will be trained to scan pets and identify their owners. Once identified, the owner will be contacted and reunited with their pet.

Alexis Pugh, MAS director, said before the program, when pets were lost, they would have to be taken to a vet clinic or an animal shelter to be scanned for a microchip, but there are a number of areas here that are “veterinary deserts,” where one might have a hard time finding access to a microchip scanner.

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“Every pet should have a microchip, but what we found was that not all of our citizens had the same access to getting microchips or scanning found pets for microchips,” Pugh said. “We’re solving half of that problem with the Fire Finders program, and we are working on a solution for bringing more microchip access to the community in the future.”

MFD director Gina Sweat said that the fire department here is one of the few in the country to offer a microchip scanning service.

“We’re thrilled to continue partnering with MAS to bring innovative solutions like this one to Memphis, without increasing the taxpayer burden,” Sweat said.

The program is funded by a grant from Maddie’s Fund, a foundation that provides resources to organizations around the country in an effort to create a “no-kill nation, where every dog and cat is guaranteed a healthy home or habitat.”

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News News Blog

MAS Offers $19 Dog Adoptions After Cruelty Case Yields 40 Intakes

CREDIT: MAS

MAS

Officials with Memphis Animal Services (MAS) say the shelter is in “crisis mode” after 40 dogs that were subject to cruelty were brought to the shelter Thursday.

MAS removed the dogs from a cruelty case Thursday night. The dogs were living in “horrific conditions,” said Katie Pemberton, community engagement specialist for MAS.

“Even though we were full, we could not in good conscience leave them there despite the fact that we only have four open kennels,” Pemberton said. “As you hear us say all the time, we are always full in our adult dog kennels. Every day is a scramble for space in those areas, doing everything we can not to euthanize for space.”

Pemberton said MAS had to do “a lot of shifting around” to temporarily make space for the 40 dogs.

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In order to make more room for those dogs, MAS is offering $19 dog adoptions through Sunday. A number of dogs will also be available to foster. Those interested in fostering or adopting can stop by MAS any day between noon and 4 p.m.

“If people can foster for a few days or a few weeks, it would save lives,” Pemberton said.

The dogs that were removed from the cruelty case are not yet available for fostering because they are on a forensic hold. Pemberton said all of the dogs will receive forensic exams by the shelter’s veterinary medical director to assess their injuries and illnesses, ahead of starting the necessary treatment for each.

MAS is also accepting supplies donations. Some of the items the shelter is in need of are pet toothbrushes, dogs toys, and dog food. See the full list here.

As Memphis’ only open-admission animal shelter in the city, MAS never turns away any pet due to age, injury, or sickness. The shelter reports taking in more than 8,000 pets each year.

In May alone, MAS took in 808 dogs and 274 cats. The total save rate for that month was 89.5 percent, compared to 90.1 percent during the same time period last year. Last year, MAS achieved an all-time high save rate of 88.2 percent.



MAS Offers $19 Dog Adoptions After Cruelty Case Yields 40 Intakes

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News The Fly-By

In the Dog House

In two years, the Memphis animal shelter will be just as convenient — and probably more so — than Wolfchase Galleria.

Plans for the new Memphis Animal Services facility, to be located at Appling and I-240, were unveiled at a City Council committee meeting last week. The current shelter, located on Tchulahoma Road near the Memphis airport, has long been criticized for being isolated and inaccessible.

“Increased visibility and a larger site will hopefully lead to more adoptions,” said city architect Mel Scheuerman. “We’ll be right there by the interstate, near the Bellevue Baptist complex.”

The 40-year-old shelter on Tchulahoma is 15,000 square feet, but the new $11.1 million shelter will be more than double that size and have 30 percent more dog kennels. Scheuerman estimates it will be complete in about two years. The new shelter is expected to meet the city’s animal-control needs for the next 40 years.

In addition to more space for dogs, the design incorporates a larger feline adoption area. Outside the shelter, dog runs will allow the public to get acquainted with adoptable dogs. Sound-proof walls will separate rows of cages to prevent multiple dogs from barking at the same time, and a “real life” display near the public entrance will simulate an actual living room with a couch and play area for dogs.

“It’s a warm, fuzzy room that, when people come in the door, they see a nice, clean shelter. And they see a very adoptable dog,” Scheuerman said.

The new facility will also contain multiple ventilation systems to help prevent the spread of airborne illnesses, such as distemper.

“That’s one reason the cost of animal shelters across the country is so much higher than building a library or community center. You’re basically building a mini-hospital,” Scheuerman said.

Artist rendering of the new 32,000-square-foot shelter, which will be located off Appling Road.

The new shelter will have space for exotic animals, such as birds, ferrets, and snakes. A barn and pasture behind the facility will house large animals.

“If a truck overturns and six cows get out, we’ll have somewhere to put them,” said Keenon McCloy, director of public services and neighborhoods.

The area where animal-control officers unload captured animals will be covered to prevent dogs from escaping.

“There is no cover over the area where officers unload animals now, and dogs can escape,” McCloy said.

In recent months, Change Our Shelter, a grassroots group of animal advocates, has been speaking out about the high rate of euthanasia at Memphis Animal Services. In 2006, 81 percent of the animals taken in by the city were euthanized.

Though Change Our Shelter member Sylvia Cox is pleased with the new design, she thinks it is a smokescreen for current problems.

“Keenon McCloy is announcing plans for a new shelter, which is still years away from being a reality, to try and deflect attention away from the current, acute shelter problems that need to be addressed now,” Cox said.

As a long-term solution, McCloy hopes that the addition of a low-cost spay and neuter program at the future facility will address the euthanasia problem. Currently, the shelter does not provide this service to the public.

“We need the expansion, and we need the additional level of service,” McCloy said. “It’s going to be a much healthier, more sanitary, friendlier environment. Hopefully, that will attract new adopters and encourage folks to come in for vaccinations and spay and neuter services.”

The City Council approved the proposed design, and construction firms will soon begin bidding on the project.

Categories
News The Fly-By

Less Pay To Spay

“We’re not helping pampered pooches and cuddled kittens,” says Catherine Powers, president of the local Animal Protection Association (APA). “These are animals that have probably never been to a vet.”

With the opening of the APA’s new clinic at 854 Goodman Road, the nonprofit provides the most basic pet-care need — spay and neuter services — for people on government assistance and low-income families earning less than $30,000 a year. The APA has operated in Memphis since 1978, but, until recently, had to partner with local veterinarians.

The nonprofit opened the clinic in October of last year, and it has already spayed or neutered over 700 cats and dogs. According to Powers, the clinic is the only one of its kind in the area.

“Most cities are light-years ahead of us in this effort,” says Powers.

People who bring proof of government assistance pay only $10 for spay and neuter services. Those with a total household income of $30,000 or less can receive services for $30 to $65, depending on their animal’s sex and size.

Operating with one veterinarian, the clinic can treat 25 animals daily. However, the facility will accommodate 50 animals when they can hire another vet.

Volunteers fill other positions, such as vet techs, post-surgery caretakers, and check-in receptionists. Powers says the clinic is currently in desperate need of volunteer assistance.

Because their time at the APA clinic may be a pet’s only vet care, volunteers give the animals extra attention.

“We have one or two people who monitor the animals after surgery. They check their respiration, how quickly they wake, and look for seepage [from the surgical incision],” says Powers. “Most vet offices don’t even provide that service.”

Currently the clinic is only open Tuesdays and Thursdays but plans to operate five days a week in the future.

The clinic also offers — and will continue to offer, as long as funding is available — free spay and neuter services for feral cats.

“There are people out there who take care of cat colonies, and if they can trap the cats and transport them here, we’ll provide spay and neuter services and post-op care,” says Powers.