tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35009181.post9101934242254547522..comments2024-02-28T23:27:13.346-08:00Comments on BAD RAP Blog: Olive, interrupted. When a shelter's mission loses sight of its dogs.Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17654993049959218916noreply@blogger.comBlogger80125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35009181.post-84514555989444154782016-08-17T18:07:16.377-07:002016-08-17T18:07:16.377-07:00A mere thank you for all the work that you do to i...A mere thank you for all the work that you do to improve the lives of the animals in your care seems inadequate. So many lives would have been lost without your unwavering commitment to prevent that from happening. All of your blogs have been so incredibly educational & beneficial, not only to the general public but to those of us in the rescue community as well. However, your blog about Olive deeply touched my heart. Sadly I've met a few Olives who will never have the opportunity to truly live. Exist, yes. But still shackled to their emotional pain, with no serious course of action to help free them from that anguish. Olive's 'recovery' is a testimony that the mental well-being of all animals should be a much higher priority in rescue. Please continue reminding all of us do-gooders that we have much more to learn about animal rights & welfare. PTSD isn't just a human diagnosis... Katehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14579939147750308499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35009181.post-5039936946338862732016-01-13T19:00:16.540-08:002016-01-13T19:00:16.540-08:00I volunteer for a small non-profit animal shelter ...I volunteer for a small non-profit animal shelter (no-kill) and while we are making it financially and taking care of the animals, we don't have adequate volunteers to do all the extras for the dogs and cats, such as regular walking and cuddling. <br />Animal lovers....PLEASE consider volunteering at your local shelters. There are many, many jobs that need doing, and posting a comment on a blog or on facebook is just not enough. A few hours a week can really help!Louise K.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35009181.post-41336941311780474692013-09-22T07:19:18.078-07:002013-09-22T07:19:18.078-07:00great blog .. interesting post .. thank yougreat blog .. interesting post .. thank youMemory Foamhttp://memory-foam-dog-bed-web.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35009181.post-63236413859388130022012-10-04T08:32:53.528-07:002012-10-04T08:32:53.528-07:00Great news for Olive and Zoolander. I never doubte...Great news for Olive and Zoolander. I never doubted Bad Rap would "rehab" her and bring out her strengths. I'm partial to the mama dogs - after all the puppies and the macho boy dogs go HOME the mamas are the last to go HOME. Celebrating Olive's new HOME.Diannehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02304293013670093540noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35009181.post-84987632152895802852012-10-04T06:45:19.028-07:002012-10-04T06:45:19.028-07:00My heart sings for Olive and Zoolander. I must adm...My heart sings for Olive and Zoolander. I must admit that the mama dogs are my favorites - as the puppies and macho boy dogs get adopted and the girls are left behind. Thank you so much for believing in her - I always believed in you and that you could give her a good outcome.Diannehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02304293013670093540noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35009181.post-63920246016348455892012-10-03T22:27:20.822-07:002012-10-03T22:27:20.822-07:00how lucky for olive and sad for all the other dogs...how lucky for olive and sad for all the other dogs. you would think the shelter learned something from olive. it has always bothered me how they get labeled aggressive when they are in a high-stress situation and no telling what they came from. i am not a behaviorist but i have common sense and a great love for dogs especially pits because they are so misunderstood, like me. :) can you tell me the name of the <br />shelter, i live in so cal.dogwalker8https://www.blogger.com/profile/15334111630636716347noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35009181.post-68755101549748693292012-10-03T22:26:28.357-07:002012-10-03T22:26:28.357-07:00how lucky for olive and sad for all the other dogs...how lucky for olive and sad for all the other dogs. you would think the shelter learned something from olive. it has always bothered me how they get labeled aggressive when they are in a high-stress situation and no telling what they came from. i am not a behaviorist but i have common sense and a great love for dogs especially pits because they are so misunderstood, like me. :) can you tell me the name of the <br />shelter, i live in so cal.dogwalker8https://www.blogger.com/profile/15334111630636716347noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35009181.post-73700146296583110842012-10-03T12:28:26.939-07:002012-10-03T12:28:26.939-07:00Thank you so much for posting this story. Our 92-l...Thank you so much for posting this story. Our 92-lb Moose is 12.5 yrs old, and while we are going to enjoy every day we have left with her, we're also weighing options for her successor.<br /><br />Moose came to us at 6 years old. She was raised as a single pet in a house with teenagers, and while she had been to obedience classes, she was spoiled and had acquired an attitude. When she was 5, the owners brought a teacup chihuahua into the house, and let it eat Moose's food and chew on her ears. Moose was punished if she defended herself or her food. She became leash reactive, and was no longer taken to dog parks, just kept at home with the new small dog. When she bit a neighbor's dog that had been her friend for years, Moose's owner decided to have her put down. My proposal for letting her be placed with a rescue organization was rejected, so two hours later, I had a Moose in a very small cottage.<br /><br />Moose moved into a much smaller house with 2 cats and a housebunny. There was no room for a crate, so we leashed her in a section of the living room for an intensive course of "Nothing In Life Is Free". She responded beautifully. Her leash manners were excellent after a few months of consistent sit-stay and down-stay practices. She even learned to stay when squirrels or geese were walking nearby.<br /><br />Once settled in, Moose accepted the cats and bunny. We are very proud of her, as this was all new to her. <br /><br />She does remain somewhat leash reactive with dogs, and I wanted to share our "solution" that suits our time constraints/resources. We don't walk on the crowded rec trail that has tons of dogs. We cross the street well ahead of passing other dogs to increase the chances of Moose successfully "looking at me", and we walk in the late evening when the other dog-walkers seem more responsible and fewer extendable leashes are seen. We don't walk near playgrounds with small children. I don't have small children, Moose has never been near small children, and she has a nervous personality...so avoidance is a win-win.<br /><br />There are a lot of senior citizens in our area, and Moose is recognized and well-liked. I guess what I'm saying is that she does get to see other people and other dogs, just within her boundaries. It is possible if I had more time to devote to working on her issues, that she could be even better dog-socialized and maybe even adapt to small children. However, I think she has a pretty good life with lots of belly rubs, walk-n-sniffs, occasional cat/bunny nose touches, and a memory foam bed. Her 3-person herd loves her!<br /><br />Olive was lucky to get such great socialization, and it's wonderful she responded so well. It also reminded me that not all dogs are so fortunate, yet can thrive in the right situation. --a good reminder!Stripehttp://www.facebook.com/lisastripe.demarestnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35009181.post-38736772352236298152012-10-03T11:23:21.593-07:002012-10-03T11:23:21.593-07:00I'm so thrilled for Olive! She's gorgeous ...I'm so thrilled for Olive! She's gorgeous & such a sweetheart, it's wonderful that she was given a chance to shine! It brought tears to my eyes to see her playing after I read her story. I hope & pray that she is showered with love & is treasured in her forever home! We have a rescue dog & he has required a lot of work & patience, but it's so worth it because he's my heart. I hope Olive's family remains patient so she can continue to blossom!<br /><br />I live in Houston, TX & I'd like to take a look at the sanctuary you mentioned. I don't know if they take volunteers, but I'd like to get inside somehow (legally, of course!) & document the conditions the dogs are kept in & let you all know. My email is puppyluv122507@yahoo.com if you'd rather not publicly name the sanctuary.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35009181.post-27523119010624000512012-10-03T10:44:13.408-07:002012-10-03T10:44:13.408-07:00You can see through the series of pictures and the...You can see through the series of pictures and the story, Olive coming out of her shell. What great work you do! Utmost respect and praise for Bad Rap and the great people you have making lives better for dogs like Olive. Could not be happier that she has finally found a home, as shown on your Facebook page. She is a lucky dog.Richard Angelo, Jr.https://www.blogger.com/profile/15760430015982960243noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35009181.post-34386477718767398722012-07-31T10:34:36.712-07:002012-07-31T10:34:36.712-07:00Hi Anna. I'm grateful that Olive's story h...Hi Anna. I'm grateful that Olive's story has reached you and so many others.<br /><br />As far as we know, there was no criteria for selecting Olive as a good rescue candidate from the group of six dogs deemed to be 'un-adoptable.' Olive was simply lucky in that a couple of volunteers felt enough attachment that they were willing to stick their necks out and make a plea to us for a transfer. It's certain that she would be in the pen in Texas today if we did not have a spot in our program. <br /><br />Our entire team has thought of the other five dogs often. What if they had recv'd a chance to be re-evaluated after some decompression time? It's almost certain that some or all of those dogs would have shown some ability to bounce back from the stress of their shelter, but sadly, resources for dogs who need a little TLC are still slim in this country. We hope that Olive's story can help change that some.Donnahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05881171300084907158noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35009181.post-24064329939073890762012-07-24T08:01:38.074-07:002012-07-24T08:01:38.074-07:00Thank you for this thoughtful blog, and for this p...Thank you for this thoughtful blog, and for this post specifically. <br /><br />I am relatively new to the animal welfare community, so please forgive me for any ignorant questions. <br /><br />I understand from the post that out of 6 dogs, Olive was the only one chosen to go to a 'halfway house,' and the other 5 were sentenced to 'life in prison' at a sanctuary. How was this decision made - what criteria were used? The research I've done so far, about rescue work just generally, paints a picture of processes that are subjective and arbitrary. Often it depends on sheer luck and one person making the right plea to the right person ... not a standard evaluation, consistently applied.<br /><br />This is not to point fingers at anyone. Only with a view to trying to figure out how to help more dogs. I appreciate very much Bad Rap's commitment to documentation and developing best practice approaches and case studies. I'm just wondering how these can be scaled up, replicated - to give more dogs a better chance.Annanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35009181.post-2329637980625938312012-03-14T09:08:43.435-07:002012-03-14T09:08:43.435-07:00I am a volunteer for the organization who partners...I am a volunteer for the organization who partners with Olive's original shelter. I would like to say that this is the perfect example of why change is necessary and Donna was spot on in her blog. Donna's words may sting for some but I personally know that Olive was treated like a prisoner on death row.<br /><br />The shelter in which Olive was residing is not a rehabilitation facility. It is a city shelter that houses animals until they are adopted. The establishment and it's volunteers were doing the best that they knew how. Olive pulled at many people's heart strings at a time when most of the pit bulls were being isolated. She exhibited a look in her eye that was so sad and it was obvious she was traumatized and deserved a better environment in which to recover. <br /><br />As volunteers, we are there as guests of the city and have to abide by their rules. The city has it's own legal obligations and rules to follow. They will suggest an animal be taken elsewhere or dealt with and they depend on the volunteer group to find a way to handle this. Olive was one of those dogs and it took one key volunteer to make Olive's life change forever. Now this was really like winning the lottery for Olive, but it took one person's determination to make it happen. As an organization that helps keep the shelter a no-kill establishment, we are obligated to advocate for the animals we care for. Currently we are providing food and medical for the shelter animals and do help other animals in the community. The organization does some amazing things. But the point of this story is that if you can do all that successfully, why not do more? Donna's words may not be received well by some but it is our job to put forth the effort for change. Who else will do it? The change Donna speaks of would enrich the animal's lives. It will not hurt or hinder anyone. Only good can come of it. If someone's ego is bruised, then so be it. That bruised ego does not belong there if they can't get past their own pride for the better good. I cannot imagine any human who loves animals would not want some positive change. So I hope that anyone who reads this from Olive's shelter that may feel hurt or angry, please let it sink in and realize that not one person is at fault. It was a group effort. The system can change and you can be a part of it. <br /><br />I believe we need to provide options to those who felt they "had no choice". This blog was an avenue in which Donna could express WHY we need to do better and step up. Humans have the luxury to learn from their mistakes and do better. This is what Olive was put on this earth to do. To teach a lesson to those who cross her path and hear her story. Wouldn't it be amazing if Olive were the reason so many people banned together in her honor to make her shelter a better place? We know some people will learn, some will be angry, and some will be bitter. But as an organization who helps animals, I believe it's time that we evolve. It's a different generation, a different world and it's an opportunity to do better. Thank you, Donna and those who led Olive to you.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35009181.post-34551480247704532612012-03-10T07:10:29.181-08:002012-03-10T07:10:29.181-08:00Anonymous - I understand why you'd be sensitiv...Anonymous - I understand why you'd be sensitive about this blog post. <br /><br />One of the things your shelter is very good at is taking meticulous notes, and those 18 months worth of notes, photos of her environment and information provided by her caretakers were very helpful in understanding Olive's history at the shelter and especially, her behavior. <br /><br />To reiterate: Based on information that was provided as a condition of our rescue transfer, Olive was not one of the shelter dogs that was allowed to be viewed by the public, have toys in her kennel, attend adoption events or exercise out of her kennel for more than 15 minutes a day (as instructed by notes on her kennel door). I have no interest in bashing any shelter or we might've chosen to reveal the shelter's identity - My intent is to use Olive's story to bring quality of life issues to a public forum. This is a hot topic in shelter circles as more and more shelters move away from the catch-and-kill model of sheltering and commit to longterm kenneling.<br /><br />It's a tired myth that "pit bulls don't kennel well." With few exceptions, NO dogs kennel well. Kenneling is by nature a stressful, unnatural experience. Knowing this obligates every single shelter - mine included - to constantly evaluate each dog's situation so improvements can be made and stress can be minimized. In some cases, shelter staff needs to be trained to recognize signs of stress in a dog first. It doesn't help anyone but the people to make excuses for why improvements can't be made. And blaming a breed when dogs start to disintegrate is just more stereotyping. <br /><br />When an organization is not able to meet its dog population's needs, then something needs to give. Either the number of dogs accepted into the program has to be drastically reduced and/or the staff needs to look at changing personnel so creative and compassionate solutions can be found and implemented. None of this is comfortable - None of this is fun. But for the sake of the animals who we've all committed ourselves to, we need to want to do a better job. I hope that you can agree with at least that one sentiment - We ALL need to do a better job.Donnahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05881171300084907158noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35009181.post-51587843493875033362012-03-09T13:54:14.998-08:002012-03-09T13:54:14.998-08:00I am saddened after reading this article to see ou...I am saddened after reading this article to see our shelter portrayed in such a derogatory manner!<br /><br />Olive was not isolated in some far off corner..we have no off limits areas. She was played with and worked with every day, not just for 15 minutes.We are a small city shelter and have 40 other dogs on a daily basis to also care for. We are not permitted to take most dogs off site due to liability issues. We have dedicated kind volunteers and staff who do the best we can with the dogs that come to us. We live in an area where pits have been poorly portrayed and they are now banned from our military bases...thus many of them are dumped on us. They receive daily exercise, training and lots of love. But,as any one familiar with pits knows, they do not kennel well.We try to provide stimulation like kongs and nyla bones to reduce their stress while in their runs.<br />I am one of the volunteers who worked with Olive and am thrilled that she has had this chance to have a new life. <br /><br />There are not too many places set up like BadRapp who can handle and rehab these dogs. We do the best we can and I think we do a pretty good job.<br />Our adoption rate for even hard to place dogs is great ..we do home visits and follow ups<br /><br />We did send a few dogs to a couple of sanctuaries and they were both visited and investigated before we would allow our dogs to leave our property. Their living conditions far surpass those at any shelter and to say they were just dumped there is cruel and untrue. We receive regular updates and photos from the administrators to let us know how they are doing. <br /><br />I wish each of our great dogs could find a forever home, but know this is unrealistic. We do not pretend to be Best Friends etc and are trying to give the dogs in our care happy lives while they are with us.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35009181.post-162210812939921492012-03-08T08:57:15.503-08:002012-03-08T08:57:15.503-08:00Donna, I tried to read your interspersed comments ...Donna, I tried to read your interspersed comments and I found all of them just as enlightening and important as the actual story.<br />I don't think you painted Olive in any light other than what she is - this was a great write up. I loved the video as well.<br />By sharing these examples, word and ideas will spread. Here's hoping many more dogs will benefit from Olive's story, no matter the outcome.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35009181.post-66966145889356406442012-03-08T08:18:46.397-08:002012-03-08T08:18:46.397-08:00I adopted my pitbull from a no-kill shelter. When...I adopted my pitbull from a no-kill shelter. When I went to meet the dogs there, I was shown the outside kennels. As I was about to leave, I overheard someone say that one of the dogs in the inside kennels hadn't been walked. When I inquired, they said they don't take visitors to the inside kennels (I fear what the conditions were like in there). I volunteered to walk the dog in need. They brought out an emaciated, dirty pitbull who, despite her condition, wagged her tail and looked me right in the eye. We had a nice (though not very proficient from her end) leash walk, and then she gave me a big sloppy kiss. I fell in love immediately. <br /><br />Sadie had been in the shelter for two weeks. What I know of her history is that she was found by the side of the road, and looked so terrible that some good samaritans took her right to the local shelter. I don't know what kind of care she got in those two weeks, but I suspect not much. I couldn't crate train Sadie, because even if I left her for a very short period of time, she would relieve herself in her crate, and then huddle in a corner to try to get away from her own waste. I understand this is a sign that she could have been kept in a crate-sized kennel and had been forced to "go" there because she wasn't taken out of it. <br /><br />If I hadn't been there when someone just happened to mention this dog needed a walk, I don't know what would have become of her. Would she have been in that cage for a year, slowly going mad? It's inconceivable to me that this sweetest dog, held up as a paragon of a great dog by my friends and family (really not kidding -- people LOVE my dog), might have ultimately been tortured (harsh, I know, but what else is it) into insanity, ironically by well-meaning people. <br /><br />That shelter ultimately was closed when the state did an evaluation and determined there wasn't enough care for the number of dogs they had. I believe the people there cared a great deal about those dogs and were trying to do the right thing, and I believe the dogs needed a place to go, but I wasn't sorry to see the shelter close. <br /><br />Thank you for bringing attention to this issue, as it needs to be discussed any time no-kill shelter situations are addressed. And thank you for everything else, because I just really, really love you guys.Jillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17758904388247623976noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35009181.post-68782143278660580192012-03-08T07:32:57.133-08:002012-03-08T07:32:57.133-08:00Olive's story is very similar to the story of ...Olive's story is very similar to the story of a dog volunteers are trying to save at another socal shelter. Please watch Bree's video and share her story!<br /><br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QYM7Da4WEYU&feature=youtu.beAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35009181.post-70069670890312501762012-03-08T07:32:19.526-08:002012-03-08T07:32:19.526-08:00What the "no kill" shelters and everyone...What the "no kill" shelters and everyone needs to realize is dogs live in the moment. They don't fear death. The don't regret the things they never got to do. They're either enjoying life or not. <br /><br />The problem is human attitudes towards their own lives and death. Look at how we treat our elderly. It's not about giving them a dignified end to their lives but how many pills, surgeries, and tubes can you shove down their throat till prolong their "lives" for another week, month or however long. <br /><br />Once we accept that our death is inevitable and that quality of life is truly more important than quantity then we will start to treat dogs with the dignity and respect they deserve.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35009181.post-61701322761682216122012-03-08T07:30:45.101-08:002012-03-08T07:30:45.101-08:00And how many of you would give a person this amoun...And how many of you would give a person this amount of leniency and benefit of the doubt? The five freedoms mentioned above apply to people as well. If we could provide those things to everyone in our communities the world would be a better place.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35009181.post-71582242127462356892012-03-08T05:49:40.521-08:002012-03-08T05:49:40.521-08:00Sad but true.Sad but true.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35009181.post-13959537849032435342012-03-08T05:14:35.003-08:002012-03-08T05:14:35.003-08:00That collar clashes horribly with that outfit!!! B...That collar clashes horribly with that outfit!!! But seriously, this is an awesome article that I am sharing with everyone and all my dog rescue groups. One major rescue where I live did the same thing to a dog I absolutely love. After 4 years she just found a furever home! But right before that, she did great at a home visit with my granddog in there fence yard. She was fine with another dog as long as she wasn't cooped up in a noisy kennel. In the end, she went to a family who doesn't have other dogs and is crazy about her!obeytheDOODLEnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35009181.post-62808348281063363052012-03-01T14:58:24.522-08:002012-03-01T14:58:24.522-08:00Wow, Olive is such a lucky dog that she didn't...Wow, Olive is such a lucky dog that she didn't get sent to the "sanctuary" and instead ended up with you. She is a darling dog who deserves a good home. Thanks for this great post. It is very inspiring!Food Fan Frankhttps://plus.google.com/115905747160601191846/postsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35009181.post-859513629374627472012-02-26T21:38:09.037-08:002012-02-26T21:38:09.037-08:00Olive was SO lucky to find Bad Rap. But I can'...Olive was SO lucky to find Bad Rap. But I can't help but wonder how the other dogs who were sent to Texas are faring.Torihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06365867197560454886noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35009181.post-74212404300456400172012-02-11T20:38:32.571-08:002012-02-11T20:38:32.571-08:00Thank you, thank you, thank you for posting this. ...Thank you, thank you, thank you for posting this. I needed to read it as I struggle to find my own words for the type of "sheltering" I believe in. You are my faraway mentors for dogs of every stripe. Dog bless and happy weekend.kirstennoreply@blogger.com