Chapter 1 Just A Dog excerpt, featuring Debra Tosch & Abbey searching the 9-11 tragedy

9-11-2001, Janet and I walked into the clubhouse at the Shadow Hills Golf Course in Canon City, Colorado. There on television was the first airliner crashing into the twin towers. Shocked would be an understatement, knowing at that very moment our country was being attacked. Being involved in aviation most of my life, this was especially difficult seeing these airliners crashing into giant buildings. I knew the pilots were dead or they would never allow this to happen. Hopefully no one will forget this day where thousands perished, both in the air and on the ground. During the days that followed I watched as the search and rescue efforts began. Seeing the dogs was especially intriguing for me. I researched everything I could find about these handlers and their incredible animals. Later in the spring of 2002 I contacted the Search and Rescue Foundation in Ojai, California. I inquired about their work at the 911 tragedy, and if I could visit them. Janet and I traveled there in May where we spent the day observing the dogs training with two teams in rubble piles of twisted steel, concrete boulders and other search areas.
Debra Tosch provided me an interview after the day’s training was completed. At that time she was the program manager for this organization. Today she is the executive director. The bold print are my questions and comments.
Please tell us about your experience in New York.
I am a part of the LA City Task Force and we went with the San Diego Task Force during the second wave, 10 days after 9-11.
We worked 12 hour shifts, day and night. We began at 4:30 am. We would eat and catch a bus that took us as close to the site as allowed, then we walked 10 blocks to ground zero with all our gear and dogs.
What were you feeling as you made this walk?
First I could smell the smoke as I got closer and closer and then more and more damage. I began to see broken windows in buildings that were still standing and suddenly the search site appeared. TV coverage could not begin to convey the magnitude of destruction. It is impossible to comprehend the indescribable devastation; it was overwhelming to say the least. Immediately I realized there is no training for this type of thing for the dogs. Every type of dangerous and harmful object imaginable was there. We set up a tent and then Abby went to work like it was no big deal, as if it was just a place to play. Abby and I started our search in the pile of debris looking for survivors, body parts, etc. Although Abby’s previous FEMA certification training consisted of things like climbing ladders, crossing a wooden plank eight feet above the ground and searching all types of rubble piles, in New York there was only twisted steel and beams with 20-40 foot drops. Even though it was difficult for me, Abbey negotiated it with ease with her four-wheel-drive.

What about the dogs and their response to bodies that were being found? Interview continues in book.

Chapter 2, Miracle, Tragedy or Coincidence

Sammy Ray
On a warm day in 1988 my owner decided I was too much trouble! I was a cute puppy but now a year old, I guess my new had worn off and was no longer wanted. Along a busy highway in East Texas near the town of Celeste I was dropped off like a garbage bag. I noticed a stop sign nearby so I thought maybe, just maybe my owners would change their mind and return. There I sat watching cars go by for days.

Then a woman came along one day and stopped. She gave me food and water, loved on me and then left. She returned the next day and I suppose she figured out what had happened so she invited me to come live with her. Her farm was just a short distance away. There my life really began because of this angel of compassion and love. I learned in the next year that she would bring numerous animals home that were not wanted.

Roadie the Walker Hound
I couldn’t move! Two of my legs were nearly severed! It was dark and raining and I was cold and covered with oil and grease. I tried to move but couldn’t. I hurt real bad and then I heard it coming, an awful noise like thunder, the ground a shaking and the rails vibrating! Then it was over top me, this train with the loud engine dripping hot oil and grease all over me. My legs hurt somethin’ terrible! Finally it was gone and it was dark and quiet. I wanted out of here, I tried my best to get up but couldn’t, my legs just wouldn’t work no more. There was lots of blood. It was raining and I got real cold and tried to sleep but the pain was too bad. I was lonely and scared.

No telling how long I laid there a hurtin and then that sound again, in the distance I could hear it coming. I tried to move but couldn’t and then it was on top of me again, another train dripping more hot oil and grime and dirt into my wounds. This went on for days, every hour; I think I counted 50 of them loud, noisy, dirty trains!
My front left leg and my right back leg wouldn’t work at all so I was stuck. I was a real mess with blood a leaking from my injuries. It was so bad I couldn’t even lick my wounds to help ease the pain. Roadies miraculous story continues in book


Where there is great love
there are always Miracles
Willa Cather

Chapter 5, The Wonderful World of Cats and Birds

I love cats because I enjoy my home; and little by little, they become its visible soul.
Jean Cocteau


We were born out of wedlock during the spring of 2000. Our mom was a bit careless and began running with the wrong crowd. Next thing you know she got pregnant and here we are, my brother and I. No one wanted us so we got dumped at this shelter. Now don’t get me wrong, it’s not a bad place, they fed us well and gave us a warm cage to sleep in. However, it’s not like a home. The worst part is the crowd, there are just too many of us in one place. My brother and I had to entertain each other as we didn’t get much attention. Lots of people came in and looked around, sometimes they stopped by our small cage and said, “Aren’t they cute”. Then they’d walk on and leave us. My brother and I were getting worried cause they only keep you here for so many days then they take you to “the room”. Once you go to the room, you never come back. They call it euthanasia.

Bunny, she is solid white with long silky hair, one blue eye and one green eye. That should have told us she was a little weird, those strange eyes. She camps out in Mrs. Janet’s bedroom and you best not go wandering in there. This cat can spit like a camel and if you’re too close you will get your face washed! Territorial is too nice a word for this white ball of fur!

There are no ordinary cats.
Colette

Chapter 6, Our Equine Angels

And God took a handful of southerly wind,

blew his breath over it and created the horse.

Bedouin Legend

Hippocrates was the first to describe the benefits of the horse for rehabilitation purposes, calling horseback riding a universal exercise. In the time following Hippocrates, medical professionals in Germany, Italy, Austria, and England, and eventually the United States, used horses in the rehabilitation of people with disabilities of many different types..

Many children with disabilities have spent a lot of time hospitalized, sometimes tethered to machines.Many of them come to dislike their therapist, at least in a traditional setting.“Put kids on a horse, though, and they light up,” says Ellen In, a physical therapist at EquiTherapy.

Since my brother began riding a few years ago, he has better motor control, vocalizes more often, and always has a huge grin when he gets on the back of a horse. He now participates in the equestrian events for the Special Olympics, and each week you can see his smile when the riding helmet comes out, and the car ride to the horses begins.

Time spent in the saddle is never wasted

.

Judge OKs $24M for cats, dogs sickened by pet food

CAMDEN, N.J. (AP) — A federal judge, on Tuesday, October 14,2008, approved a $24 million settlement for owners of dogs and cats who were sickened or died after eating pet food contaminated with an industrial chemical.

The ruling by U.S. District Judge Noel Hillman clears the way for U.S. pet owners with claims to start receiving checks next year. A Canadian judge has scheduled a hearing for Nov. 3 to determine whether the settlement can also apply in that nation.

Under the deal, pet owners have until Nov. 24 to file claims.
To date more than 10,000 owners have filed claims.

XYLITOL GUM SWEETENER LETHAL TO ANIMALS

Animals have nearly died when ingesting this toxic chemical found in many varieties of sugarless chewing gum. It drops the blood sugar level to dangerous levels. Once again our FDA approved a dangerous chemical to be used in human food disregarding it's toxicity in animals. Check out the web site below for more detailed information and read every ingredient label when you purchase any food products!

http://www.snopes.com/critters/crusader/xylitol.asp

Promeris up date

Fort Dodge,the manufactures and distributor promised to supply me with their effacy reports on this product. To date that has not happpened. This speaks volumes about their credibility and service to the public not to mention the pets involved. Since my first notice (see article below) I have observed several of our cats with a spot at the application site of Promeris. The area looks as if it were burned by a cigarette(we don't smoke). Due to the high number of on-going complaints regarding this product I would avoid it at all costs. Use natural products, your pet will stay healthy longer.

CAUTION PROMERIS FLEA & TICK PRODCUT CAN BE HARMFUL

Recently I experimented and applied this new flea and tick product to 3 dogs and 5 cats.Within 8 hours Dixie our 70 pound collie became sickened and lethargic. After three days I had a complete blood analysis and physical completed by the vet. Nothing was abnormal and I can only assume this product was the culprit. She has never been sick in her 8 years with me.

Poppy, weighing 10 pounds had a different reaction with swelling at the application site. The third dog showed no side effects.

All 5 cats are normal with no apparent reactions.

This topical liquid is represented as something other than an insecticide. It smells toxic exactly like a garden insecticide. The side effects I have seen and read about tell me this is not a good product.

I phoned Ft. Dodge, the manufacturer. They were most helpful and are sending me the complete study of this product which was tested on more than 400 dogs.

My only comment is why use this product producing known side effects when natural products are available with only beneficial effects. Diatomaceous earth works on both fleas and ticks and has no restrictions. Animals can safely ingest it with no harmful effects,contrary to these drugs and insecticides.

Horse Slaughter ends in the U.S., Now What

The horse slaughter facilities located in Illinois and Texas have announced they will relocate to Mexico. In 2006, according to the USDA, 100,800 American horses were slaughtered in three foreign-owned slaughter houses in Texas and Illinois and another 30,000 were sent to Mexico or Canada. In 2007, 45,000 horses were slaughtered in the U. S. In 2008 these animals face a far worse and longer ride to their death. The cruel- inhumane captive bolt used by U.S. slaughter houses will seem pale compared to what waits them south of the border.

The wild mustangs are being systematically eliminated due to a lack of range land, yet the horse industry continues to produce more and more UN-wanted animals.
Isn't it time this industry stop these practices of greed and irresponsible breeding?

I think it improper to ask others to make changes without doing so myself.
The pretty filly pictured above is our last foal we will produce at our thoroughbred farm in Kentucky. We have suspended all future breeding and open our farm to any and all UN-wanted horses we have produced during the past.

It seems time to begin giving back rather than always asking for more.

FDA Reacts to Pet Food Poisoning

KANSAS CITY, Mo. Two Chinese businesses and a U.S. company were indicted Wednesday in the tainted pet food incidents that killed dozens of animals last year and raised worries about products made in China.

Xuzhou Anying Biologic Technology Development Co., Suzhou Textiles, Silk, Light Industrial Products, Arts and Crafts I/E Co., and Las Vegas-based Chemnutra Inc. were charged in two separate but related indictments. The U.S. attorney's office in Kansas City said the tainted food led to the death and serious illness of pets in the U.S. last year.

One of the indictments charges Xuzhou Anying Biologic, located in China's Jiangsu Province, and Suzhou Textiles, in Suzhou, China, with 13 counts of introduction of adulterated food into interstate commerce and 13 counts of introduction of misbranded food into interstate commerce.

ChemNutra and company owners Sally Quing Miller, 31, a Chinese national, and her husband, Stephen S. Miller, 55, were charged with 13 counts of introduction of adulterated food into interstate commerce, 13 counts of introduction of misbranded food into interstate commerce and one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud.

DIAMOND PET FOOD SETTLES LAW SUIT

If You Purchased Recalled Diamond Pet Food Products in 2005, You May Be Entitled to Payment from a Legal Settlement

This company has a long and storied past of producing poor quality pet food. Finally the truth emerges as a settlement has been reached in a class action lawsuit regarding recalled Diamond Pet Food products. A settlement fund, worth up to $3.1
million, will be established and pay consumers who purchased recalled
Diamond Pet Food products, and compensate dog owners whose dogs were
injured as a result of eating recalled Diamond Pet Food products.

People who reside in the following states and purchased recalled
Diamond Brand or Country Value Brand Pet Food products in 2005, and did not
return the food for a refund are included in this settlement: Alabama,
Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Maine,
Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Jersey,
New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina,
Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, and West Virginia.
1-800-960-6651, http://www.RecalledPetFoodSettlement.com