When I got my first dog, I was conscious of the poor quality of commercial dog food. I went to Petsmart and found a bag of Purina's Beneful dry dog food. It looked decent, with the bag covered in recommendations and nutritious content. When I adopted Cloe from Anti-Cruelty, they sent me home with a bag of Hill's Science Diet, something she was being fed during her stay. I didn't know which food would be better for my growing pup.
I went online to research it. I found that both were extremely high in wheat and corn grain content, which has no nutritional value to dogs. This food was full of filler material. It was cheaply made of bad things, including all the parts of a chicken that we find illegal to eat ourselves. So I talked to a dog rehabilitator, who suggested I go to a nearby pet store that sells organic, healthy dog food and treats.
Sit! in Lincoln Square is a pet store that carries only all-natural dog food. Their focus is on healthy pet nutrition. I asked for the best and was given Orijen dry dog food: "Nourish as Nature Intended." It is made in Canada and has different requirements not imposed by the US. It's made from farm-raised chicken, eggs and fish. I have noticed that Cloe's coat and health has generally improved since we got her on this diet.
I was also pointed towards Old Mother Hubbard's natural dog biscuits, Meyer Country Farms organic Bellyrub liver treats, and Merrick beef tendon Flossie chews. Cloe has enjoyed her all natural diet, sometimes taking it upon herself to supplement with twigs from outside.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Dog Rescues
My love for dogs started when my father's household acquired two dogs about three years ago. They are the sweetest little Cocker Spaniels you have ever met.
Freckles, a beige freckled pup, was a year old when we got him. Since that December, he has filled out and grown into a lovable family dog, who loves a good belly rub and eagerly defends his home against invading squirrels and rabbits. He likes any excuse to go for a car ride, even if the vehicle is parked.
Dutchess is a perky, almost reddish streaked dog who was only about 8 months old when we picked her up from an event in Evanston. She was more excitable than Freckles due to her younger age. Her name was changed from Precious to Dutchess because my Dad thought it was less feminine. Okay. She doesn't quite realize that she is smaller than Freckles, and still manages to walk around like she owns the place. She is definitely the "princess" of the family.
Rescue. We went to a rescue agency in Harvard, Illinois called Illinois Cocker Rescue. It is a rescue led by Ally Posner, who was once a businesswoman in the Chicago Stock Exchange. She traded her life to saving dogs from puppy mills.
Puppy mills. Many of her rescues are terrified. They have lived a horrible life, locked in a crate, never touches the ground. They just breed these dogs over and over again until they can no longer successfully reproduce and then they kill them.
Doggie Rehab. Ally rescues these rejected dogs and rehabilitates them back to health. She then adopts out these desperate dogs to homes that she trusts. The adoption process is long and extensive to make sure that these dogs, who have already gone through so much pain, get a good home. It costs about $500 to adopt, more depending on how much medical attention they required.
Adoptees. It takes a special person to adopt a dog who really needs extra work. Most people who look into purchasing a pet often go to pet stores and pick the cutest puppy they can find. These pet owners are dedicated to dog rights. They promise to take care of the pups in the way they should have been cared for from the beginning.
Luckily, my father adopted two dogs who were merely lost for too long. Stray dogs often find their way to Ally's ranch because she hears about the dogs who are going to be euthanized by local shelters. Freckles and Dutchess have great personalities partially because they were never abused at puppy mills.
Many people have organized against puppy mills, including the Humane Society.
Chicago locations that support pet adoptions from abandoned dogs are:
Chicago PAWS (Pets Are Worth Saving), a no-kill animal shelter
Chicago Anti-Cruelty Society, one of the largest humane societies in the country
Chicago Animal Care and Control, a city department that adopts out animals and will often have your lost pet waiting for you
All of these places offer a variety of pets of all ages that need a good home. I recently adopted Cloe, a 6 month old flat coated retriever mix, who made the trip to the Chicago Anti-Cruelty Society from Tennessee after spending the beginning of her life waiting in a pet store where she wasn't sold and was going to be put down. I feel so honored to have rescued her life. She is a great dog and I can't imagine anyone NOT wanting her.
Freckles, a beige freckled pup, was a year old when we got him. Since that December, he has filled out and grown into a lovable family dog, who loves a good belly rub and eagerly defends his home against invading squirrels and rabbits. He likes any excuse to go for a car ride, even if the vehicle is parked.
Dutchess is a perky, almost reddish streaked dog who was only about 8 months old when we picked her up from an event in Evanston. She was more excitable than Freckles due to her younger age. Her name was changed from Precious to Dutchess because my Dad thought it was less feminine. Okay. She doesn't quite realize that she is smaller than Freckles, and still manages to walk around like she owns the place. She is definitely the "princess" of the family.
Rescue. We went to a rescue agency in Harvard, Illinois called Illinois Cocker Rescue. It is a rescue led by Ally Posner, who was once a businesswoman in the Chicago Stock Exchange. She traded her life to saving dogs from puppy mills.
Puppy mills. Many of her rescues are terrified. They have lived a horrible life, locked in a crate, never touches the ground. They just breed these dogs over and over again until they can no longer successfully reproduce and then they kill them.
Doggie Rehab. Ally rescues these rejected dogs and rehabilitates them back to health. She then adopts out these desperate dogs to homes that she trusts. The adoption process is long and extensive to make sure that these dogs, who have already gone through so much pain, get a good home. It costs about $500 to adopt, more depending on how much medical attention they required.
Adoptees. It takes a special person to adopt a dog who really needs extra work. Most people who look into purchasing a pet often go to pet stores and pick the cutest puppy they can find. These pet owners are dedicated to dog rights. They promise to take care of the pups in the way they should have been cared for from the beginning.
Luckily, my father adopted two dogs who were merely lost for too long. Stray dogs often find their way to Ally's ranch because she hears about the dogs who are going to be euthanized by local shelters. Freckles and Dutchess have great personalities partially because they were never abused at puppy mills.
Many people have organized against puppy mills, including the Humane Society.
Chicago locations that support pet adoptions from abandoned dogs are:
Chicago PAWS (Pets Are Worth Saving), a no-kill animal shelter
Chicago Anti-Cruelty Society, one of the largest humane societies in the country
Chicago Animal Care and Control, a city department that adopts out animals and will often have your lost pet waiting for you
All of these places offer a variety of pets of all ages that need a good home. I recently adopted Cloe, a 6 month old flat coated retriever mix, who made the trip to the Chicago Anti-Cruelty Society from Tennessee after spending the beginning of her life waiting in a pet store where she wasn't sold and was going to be put down. I feel so honored to have rescued her life. She is a great dog and I can't imagine anyone NOT wanting her.
DePaul Journalism Program
I have been at DePaul University since Fall 2006, right out of high school. I started out in the Liberal Arts and Sciences program, entering with a major in Biological Sciences. The Liberal Arts curriculum had a wide range of subjects. I took Biology, Philosophy, History, and any other subject that appealed to me. The classes all focused on the need to write. It was because of the minimum of 20 pages of written work in each class that I became so interested in journalism.
It was only after my first semester that I decided to change my major to Journalism. I have taken a variety of courses, all taught by knowledgeable professors who have years of experience. I have retained my personal interest in Biological Science by making it one of my minors. My other cultural interest in my Irish ancestry has motivated me to complete another minor in Irish Studies. Now, three years later, I am finishing up my undergraduate degree and entering the Journalism Graduate Program at DePaul. I plan on pursuing a career in editing publications, be it newspapers, magazines or books.
I am currently trying to find a way to finance my graduate career. I am asking around for different scholarships, grants, and stipends that would help me carry the financial load I have decided to take on.
DePaul's College of Communication: http://communication.depaul.edu/
Or if you're on my level,
DePaul's Five Year M.A./B.A. Program in Journalism:
http://communication.depaul.edu/Programs/Five_Year_BA-MA_Prog/Five_Year_BA_MA_Journ.asp
It was only after my first semester that I decided to change my major to Journalism. I have taken a variety of courses, all taught by knowledgeable professors who have years of experience. I have retained my personal interest in Biological Science by making it one of my minors. My other cultural interest in my Irish ancestry has motivated me to complete another minor in Irish Studies. Now, three years later, I am finishing up my undergraduate degree and entering the Journalism Graduate Program at DePaul. I plan on pursuing a career in editing publications, be it newspapers, magazines or books.
I am currently trying to find a way to finance my graduate career. I am asking around for different scholarships, grants, and stipends that would help me carry the financial load I have decided to take on.
DePaul's College of Communication: http://communication.depaul.edu/
Or if you're on my level,
DePaul's Five Year M.A./B.A. Program in Journalism:
http://communication.depaul.edu/Programs/Five_Year_BA-MA_Prog/Five_Year_BA_MA_Journ.asp
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