Rescuing Lulu (Callie)

At this point transport is a misnomer so I figgered I'd start a new thread.  This touches everything -- health, rescue, general dog stuff, outrage, and puppies!  so ... 'general' still seemed to fit.  Move it Mods, if you think it's better!

She's at foster care -- I just spoke to Rita (while typing this) and she's asking to go out during the night.  Waking the people up for it.

Now that's not bad.  That's perhaps every 3-4 hours.  That's "I wanna" not "I can't hold it longer".  But that also means she does NOT want to soil in her crate.  That is VERY good.  That's a solid indicator of continence and some level of housetraining.  And she's 'telling' them she needs to go out!  whooo hooo!!!!

Apparently she also made it VERY obvious she did not want to be alone.  They had her quarantined off in another room away from the other dogs just as a caution.  SHE DID NOT LIKE THAT.  *grin*

I like that -- it's that sort of determination that has kept her alive.  She would BE in the bedroom with us (that's part of my mission today -- rearranging the bedroom for a FOURTH wire crate!! Oh joy!  *grin*

But another interesting thing raised its head.  They've got her up on the website and apparently they've gotten three emails in particular **demanding** that the rescue PROSECUTE the former owner for abuse.    But specifically, they got a phone call yesterday from the POLICE because someone "in the rescue" had reported this.  They don't know who, it was likely just someone who saw the webpage. 

Ok, this is a huge thing that hopefully won't happen -- first off, Rita's group can't do that.   Nearly every dog they take in has had some kind of abuse.  If they prosecute one, they'd have to prosecute ALL. (they've already been told that)

My heart caught in my throat when she said that because if legal proceedings are brought she couldn't be placed, and obviously couldn't be taken across state lines.  *sigh*

This woman has another pug -- they know that and have already tried to get her to surrender IT as well.  But any sort of charges would put everything in limbo for months and they'd never be able to place animals NOR get owners to willingly surrender them (if the owners think they'll be prosecuted!)  Trying to get a conviction for "cruelty" is VERY difficult and when local laws simply say "food, shelter and water" ... you can't prosecute no matter how outraged someone is.  This is a whole different topic, but people have to realize you can't just 'sue' everyone -- first you have to petition your local government so that things are clear cut enough so that something is reasonably clear so you can get a conviction.

But the cop essentially said before he hung up 'Just call me if you need me' - so HE wasn't going to pursue it. 

We're rapidly coming to a place where we're going to book tickets.  We're likely going to try just to fly her back with us.  That way it stays under our control, it's the fastest -- if we try and drive back it is a three day drive PLUS the day to get there, and that leaves us NO time on either end to be home with her here and I'd have to take a TON of time off.  So will likely be next weekend if we can arrange it.

David's trying to find out now how long after a rabies shot has to elapse before she can fly.  3 days is the 'suggested time' limit on most airlines websites.  It's a federal law for her to have a rabies shot.  I've asked that when they take her to the vet tomorrow for her 'bath' that they give the rabies shot and also that they inquire whether the vet feels they can give her the health certification the State of FL will require for her to come into the Orl airport. 

That's iffy -- it has to state she's not infectious or communicable -- so hopefully that's not a problem.  Because they started to treat her for sarcops when she first came in and they deemed the Revolution to be "the treatment" for that, there's a course of treatment they "require" on two week intervals.  Now they are also giving her ivermectin for the demodex, which if it's classic demodex doses it's WAY over and beyond what Revolution would do (Revolution isn't a good treatment imo for sarcops anyway -- and *they* [vet] want to give her a 2d dose). 

These aren't vets this rescue usually uses, so Rita's not sure what they will and won't do. MY logic says what they've done for the sarcops will have completely treated it (because of the life cycle of the sarcop), but she's not sure *they* will agree.  It was a "possibility" not something that was diagnosed, but still it's up to what they'll put on a health certificate.  And of course, because she was so badly treated, no one wants to be culpable.

So, at this point we're waiting to see if the vets there will agree to do a health certificate, so we can make arrangements.  Seats are rapidly disappearing on airlines (and I'm a big lady so I have to have a first class seat) so that's next.  A lot of airplanes don't have room UNDER the seats for a crate/carrier - 737's don't and another one, so part of our choice of flights has to depend on that too.

Last choice is renting a car and driving home from Austin.  We do NOT want to do that.  It's a 3 day trip to Orlando (I'm just not physically able to 'drive straight thru' like I did when I was younger and more able) and given the day's trip to GET there we will be completely and totally exhausted and this would *have* to be done over the 4th (traffic will be unreal).  It will be unbelievably easier to fly both ways.

I've tried Pilots N Paws, Sky Ark and anything else I can think of -- it's just not happening.  Because of the economy, it is SO expensive to do this, no one wants to volunteer anything. (We've volunteered to pay for fuel, etc.)

Rita says she's got more pictures to send but she's not online over the weekend (only at work) so tomorrow I should get more pics.  They've initially got most of the worst infection under control (at least what shows on the outside -- I'm not at all convinced there isn't ear infection, and the body looks better because she's not on grass/St. Augustine sod)

If you're in mind to send good thots and prayers -- just that we can work this all out legally and logistically.  My husband will *not* do anything iffy or shady.  He just will not.  He won't just 'hope' that we can get her thru -- that's not how he does things and I'm in full agreement.  It will be by regulations or not at all. 

There are a hundred things to do -- including arranging for Luna and Kee's kenneling (Billy's gonna stay with Pirate).  That's another reason to do it this coming weekend, because the week of the 4th will be heck to get them into ANY kennel.  Phew. 

So ... that's the 'short version' here.  Hopefully pics tomorrow.