Kay Stout

When I Look in Your Eyes

Someone came up to me after a meeting and said they couldn’t do what we do – rescue animals – because they would want to keep all of them.  Most of us develop a coping skill so we do not become hoarders and, for the most part, we all have some dogs (or cats) that just get to our hearts.   

It recently happened to me when two beautiful big dogs with soulful eyes came through our doors.  I looked into the eyes of one on the examination table and it seemed as though he looked through my eyes and into my heart. 

Yes, it’s why I’m in rescue – to save homeless dogs and cats.  I also know I have to be careful to remember the big picture – not just the animal in front of me.  I walked out the door, came to my office, sat down and then had to go back to see if he was okay.  He touched my heart - - I’m glad he did - - and I will celebrate when he finds his new, forever, home.

It also helped, today, because two people came to thank me for the work PAAS is doing.  All of us, collectively, are making a huge difference.  Kinda like religions, we all have a different way of saving the homeless, but at the end of the day/week/year we know we’ve made a difference and it matters to each and every animal who came through our door.

Soooo, when you see someone wearing a rescue t-shirt - - - thank them.  It will bring a smile to their face and give them assurance that their efforts are appreciated.  And if you can donate funds so we can buy dog food, cat food, kitty litter, toys and medicine that is awesome. 

All of us are dedicated, sometimes a little wacky, adults who are drawn to this work. 

We are a special breed of our own.

 

Dog Days of Summer

 

As the temperature climbs from now through August, we will experience the dog days of summer - - and - - for our furry friends - - they will try to survive the heat.

It is critical to remember – dogs do not sweat.  They pant, rapidly, to try and keep cool.  For the most part, though, they need shade, lots and lots of water, and careful attention to be sure they do not overheat.  Black dogs, especially, have a tough time - - the color of their coat causes them to get hot more quickly.  And, if they happen to have a short snout – like bulldogs or French bulldogs - - it’s almost impossible for them to tolerate much heat at all.

Of course, it goes without saying that your dogs should not ever, in any circumstance, be left in your car unless the air conditioning is running and you’re sitting in the car with them.  No – they can’t tolerate the heat if the windows are rolled up and it is really warm outside.  For those dogs who ride in the back of pickups – or are tethered on a flat bed truck - - my heart goes out to all of them.  They’re hot, there’s no shade, and they have no water.  While there’s no law against animals riding in the back of pick-ups or flatbed trucks - - - it’s an accident waiting to happen.  And the loser is always the dog.

Somewhere between the overly protective dog owners who consider FiFi not only a member of the family, but a preferred member - - and owners who look at dogs as disposable companions - - the rest of us try to figure out how to ensure dogs have a good quality of life.

One of the best four-legged friends you’ll ever have is a dog.  But that friend needs to know you will provide the best possible care - - they will never have to worry about water, food, safe place to sleep and someone who understands the importance of staying cool in the summer.

 

 

For the Record - - There are No Miracle Workers

The 4^th of July - - a day to celebrate what it means to live in America.  For those who’ve served our country or lived in a third-world country - - it has a special meaning.  There will be picnics, family get togethers, barbecue, homemade ice cream and fireworks - - lots and lots of fireworks.

For those of us who work in rescue, we also know it is the time, each year, that thousands of dogs are lost.  The loud noises scare them; they’re in unfamiliar surroundings and they bolt; their collars with ID are not on them; their owners forgot to have them micro-chipped; they’re micro-chipped, but their owners didn’t change the registration from the shelter.

And, on July 5^th the phones will start ringing.  People will want to drop off a dog they found in their yard; a dog they rescued running down the street; a dog someone dumped in their neighborhood.  Likewise, all of us will get calls from frantic pet owners, all too frequently, demanding that we find their dog NOW.

 Here’s where the rubber meets the road and it gets interesting.  No shelter, no rescue, no one can take in all the dogs that are homeless in this area.  Why???  Because there are too many homeless dogs already in shelters and rescues. 

There is literally No Room in the Inn.

Soooo - - we will celebrate along with our family and friends, then come to work on Tuesday July 5^th, take a deep breath and get ready.  Tragically, it happens every year and in areas, like northeast Oklahoma, where there are thousands of homeless dogs and cats - - rescuers will bear the brunt of unhappy adults who expect a Miracle. 

And

 There Is No Miracle Worker

 

Collaboration - why is it so difficult????

I have trouble wrapping my arms around the fact that the world "Collaboration" seems to be a foreign concept for many people.  In rescue, I sometimes think it is not a part of of our vocabulary.

More than 350 rescue/shelter personnel attended 1 of 5 workshops sponsored by the Humane Society of the United States.  It was encouraging to see familiar faces as well as new ones when we attended the event in Tulsa.  The information was invaluable and one of the key concepts presented by each professional was collaboration.  I came away with renewed hope. Not unrealistic pie-in-the-sky home, just hope.

Many people got it.  They will be the ones who will save more animals, embrace change, build coalitions and see tremendous changes in the world of rescue.  Thanks to social media, the internet, and cell phones it is easy to reach out, connect and watch the magic happen.  What absolutely causes me to stomp down the hall and vent my frustration are the scenarios that unfold when you're talking with someone and they suddenly dig in their heels, cross their arms and say "yes, but".  From there on - it is a lost cause and the reality is fewer animals will be rescued and/or have a new home.

As the PAAS staff will tell you, when we're faced with a difficult decision the first consideration is the following:

1)     Do you want to be right

        or

2)    Do you want to do the right thing. 

 

Most of the time #2 is the correct answer.  #1 is the preferred answer - just not the correct one.

We've found many wonderful partners to help us and we will continue to reach out to shelters and rescues.  I just hope the word "collaboration" becomes as popular as the "like" which is liberally scattered throughout young people's conversations.

 

Okay - I'm off my soap box.   Stay cool in this hot weather.

 

 

Inmate-trained dogs "graduate" at NOCC

It was a special moment Thursday when inmates at Northeast Oklahoma Correctional Center presented graduation caps to their canine cell mates, marking the  successful trial run of a pilot dog training program that socializes abandoned animals for adoption. The program entails taking dogs from the Peaceful Animal Adoption Shelter and pairing them with inmates who train them in basic obedience skills so that the dogs can be successfully adopted. The program was first green-lighted in February and is funded solely through local donations to PAAS at no cost to the Department of Corrections.

The dogs, who live with their trainers in the cell block, learn basic commands including sit, stay, lay down, come, shake hands, high five, army crawl and more. But more importantly, the dogs learn how to trust people again. Warden Rodney Redman is a strong supporter of the program, as it enriches the daily lives of the inmates. “It’s a win-win for everyone and I think that it’s a wonderful program. It benefits the staff and the offenders, and it benefits the animals and the families of their ‘forever’ homes. We feel good about that,” Redman said.  “It’s good for the inmates to have the responsibility of caring for another. That responsibility is what we’re looking for to rehabilitate them for when they return to the community.  It's something that brightens the day and it's been a great program," Redman said.  Due to the success of the trial run, Redman said that NOCC will be expanding the program, from two to five dogs, when the next batch of pooches arrive in early June.  He related how one dog, a lab-mix named Jackson, was a little wild when he first arrived.  "Jackson was a wild dog but he turned out to be the calmest.  It's amazing to see how their personalities are influenced.  It's been a positive thing," Redman said.   Perhaps no one appreciates the program more than the inmates themselves.  

Two inmate trainers, who cannot be identified due to policy, were allowed to be interviewed about this experience.  “It’s been a fantastic opportunity. I was very excited. Before the dogs got here, I was basically just doing time,” one inmate said. “Since the dogs got here, I’ve had the opportunity to have responsibility and something to care for. It helps with my depression and things like that. I have a buddy, the best friend that you can have here,” the inmate said.

Another inmate trainer agreed.  “I was very excited when the program started. I was hoping to get a dog and have a friend while in the cell and walking around the yard,” he said. “The best part was coming up here to train and teach them new commands. It makes me a better person. It taught me to take responsibility. It’s just like having a young one around the house. It benefited me a lot, and I’m ready for another one,” he said.

“I’m going to miss George. The first one is hard to let go of, but I really enjoy being a trainer at NOCC,” he said. As part of Thursday’s graduation ceremony, inmate trainers presented George and Jackson with graduation caps and also wrote letters to their adoptive families. The inmates also received diplomas and were presented th the tassels from the caps.

PAAS Executive Director Kay Stout brought this program to Vinita based on her life-changing experience with a similar dog training program at the state penitentiary in Lexington. Thursday’s ceremony meant a lot to her. “To see the smiles on the faces of the inmates and the pride of the NOCC staff validated everything. It validates the importance of the value that can come from reaching out to the inmates. I know what this kind of program means. The dogs have a greater chance at having a good life, and the research shows that when you bring humanity into the penal system, it lessens recidivism rates and also lessens the chances of their children offending. We have generations of families in the system,” Stout said.

PAAS has adopted out over 500 dogs since opening the no-kill shelter in 2013, mostly to homes in Colorado. Those dogs were either strays from the Vinita dog pound, from other area shelters, or were surrendered by their owners. “They were either strays or were abandoned by people who didn’t want them,” Stout said.

 

 

 

 

Rewarding Week

It’s been a rewarding week - - a week to look back, reflect and realize we are making a difference.  And, best of all, it’s the week Xavier went to his forever home.  He’d been with us a long, long time. 

I had the privilege of telling our story to the Vinita Rotary Club on Wednesday. I gave them our year in review and the exciting new programs we now have - - -  there are no words to describe the feeling of acceptance and validation I received. 

In a little more than one year, 800+ animals have been touched by PAAS in some way - - - adoption, out-of-state transport, low cost spay/neuter, feral cat Trap/Neuter/Release.  We’re making a difference – and people are taking notice.

Xavier has been with us for a year.  Smart dog, loves people, tolerates cats and accepts other dogs.  For some reason, people just kept walking past him – or not selecting him for transport.  Yes, he has a square face – yes pit bulls have square faces – but so do lots of other dogs.  Then, on Thursday, his new owner walked through our door – looked at our dogs and chose Xavier.  Picture is below.

Also on Thursday, we had our first graduates from the training program at Northeast Oklahoma Correctional Center.  The program is off to an excellent start and the next class will be 5 dogs – 10 inmates will be selected to work/train them.  The pictures show Xavier and his new Dad, and Jackson & George with their trainers.

Yes - - - it’s been a good week.

 

Why We Rescue

This past week, it was clearly brought home to all of us at  --  why we rescue.

Irresponsible people had dumped dogs on an elderly man’s land.  Many of them were females and he suddenly found himself completely overwhelmed with puppies.  He knew he was in over his head and when he reached out to some people, they couldn’t help him.  When he walked through our door, we could tell he was beyond distraught.

The staff rallied, made rescue plans and the next morning were on a mission.  The result was 19 puppies who survived and one very tired momma dog who came to us.  He had done a good job of feeding them which helps tremendously.  Some of the dogs are feral – they stood back - - in a pack - - and growled.  Yes, we know we can’t save/rescue everyone – but we can help a caring person who reached out.

Everyone in rescue has a personal story to tell as to why they chose this profession.  Not all of us agree on everything  - - but we all agree we want to save as many as we can, spay/neuter as many as we can, and find adoptive homes for the hundreds (ok – thousands) of homeless dogs and cats in Oklahoma. 

It is very clear that the more we work together, the more effective we can be when it comes to those magic words rescue and save.  At the moment, we are fortunate to have rescues/shelters out-of-state who want/need our dogs – as well as dogs from other rescues/shelters.  And we’re thrilled for those Oklahoma rescues who’ve reached out to work with us.   It gets crazy, loud and busy every week – and every week we send 20+ dogs to new homes………..then repeat the process the very next week.  In fact, since opening in late April of last year - - here’s our numbers and it speaks volume for an amazing staff. supporters and board members.  870+ animals have come through our facility –  dogs, cats, trap/neuter/release feral cats and low-cost spay/neuter participants.  We had a total of 661 volunteer hours as well. 

And this picture is why we rescue. 

Holy Moly

The last two weeks have been a complete blur.  Thursday, the 5^th, was an example.  The phones were ringing off the hook, our kennel technicians were working on getting the van ready to leave for Denver that evening, volunteers were in the conference room sorting/filing lots and lots of paper, I did a podcast with a former colleague, there were two meetings on key issues, a cat was adopted, a new employee was learning the ropes.  While all of this was going on, the animals were fed, exercised, kennels were cleaned, dogs were walked and the shelter was spotless.

One of the first compliments we receive when someone walks through the front door is “It doesn’t smell like a shelter”.  Early in the morning - - you couldn’t say that, but within two/three hours of walking through the door, the staff has fed/watered the animals, let the dogs outside to exercise and go to the bathroom, started the never-ending laundry and super-cleaned the kennels.  They work hard and it shows.

There is mounting evidence of the emotional toll on those who work in rescue.  Every day, we make tough decisions.  Most of them have happy endings - - but not all.  You have to have compassion to work in this field, but if you’re not careful you will lose sight of where you are and the mission of your organization.  And, too often, passion gets in the way of compassion.  They are different emotions and the results are rarely the same.

When I was faced with a difficult decision, a good friend asked me  “Do you want to me right”, or “Do you want to make the right decision for your company?”.  The latter was the correct decision to make -  but boy oh boy did I want to be right!!!!

I’ve used that guideline thousands of times in my life, and on only a few occasions were they in sync.  The rest of the time, the best decision was Do you want to make the right decision for your company? 

My hats off to everyone who works in rescue.  We’re all in it together and, at the end of the day - - - Holy Moly - - we’ve made a difference!!!!

If there’s a picture with this blog - - they’ve all been adopted in Colorado!!!!!!

 

ASPCA-Subaru Grant saved 125 lives

 

Thanks to a grant from ASPCA-Subaru  - - 125 dogs found new homes in Colorado.  And, yes, saving lives frequently comes down to “Show Me the Money”.  Gasoline is not free, nor are meals for the drivers, and food for the animals.   The per animal cost was $39.47  x 125 = $4,934.24 - Our grant was $4,000.00   - - - money very well spent.

No matter how you look at rescue - - it starts and ends with “Show me the Money”. 

Sometimes, when we’re sitting around kibitzing in general - -we imagine how nice it would be if - - big IF – we could just fill up the van at no cost, buy all the supplies and medications at no cost and - - in a dream world - - because we worked in rescue – we could get our groceries, living expenses covered by some magic wand.  However, that isn’t going to happen - - ever.  So - - Show Me the Money is the only way we can continue to rescue dogs and cats, then help them find new homes.

Individual donations, foundation grants, fund raisers by volunteers, monthly contributions - - - collectively they keep us going.  No donation is too small; planned donations are our lifeblood (similar to paychecks); grants from foundations literally make the difference

We are grateful to the ASPCA and Subaru for their grant  Everyone working together leads to success.  And we know the 125 dogs who now have a good life would give kisses, tail bumps and snuggles as their way of saying “Thanks for saving me”.

 

It's All Connected

 

By now, anyone who’s around me for very long knows I’m passionate about prison dog training programs.  I saw the magic  - - yes magic - - that can happen while at another organization.  Sarge, the snippy, growly Schnauzer that no one wanted – went to the dog training program at Lexington Prison.  Today, thanks to the training by Mr. Miller (an inmate) – Sarge is the resident greeter/therapy dog at the Norman Veterans Center. 

We now have a similar program started at Northeast Oklahoma Correctional Center.  Today, at a luncheon, I had the opportunity to talk about George, Jackson and their trainers. The conversation during lunch centered on the positive effect the dogs have had on everyone who comes in contact with them.  They are changing lives – and in the process the inmate trainers are saving the lives of both dogs.  George was scheduled to be “euthanized/put down” – nice words for killed - - the day he was rescued.  Today, he’s a happy, tail-wagging bundle of joy.  And inmates are asking what do they need to do to be part of this program - - it’s a positive step  - for everyone.  George on the left, Jackson on the right.

More importantly, there’s the undisputed connection between humans and animals. Type www.dogsontheinside.com. Go to YouTube – type in The Dogs of Lexington. Watch the magic unfold.  Then type in: Reaching Out from Within  - inmates changing their lives, making a difference and when they are released – less than 10% of those in the program re-offend.  It works - - it really works.

We rescue/save dogs and cats.   In return they rescue/save us.  Gypsy, our resident entertainer, can sit on my head and make me laugh, watching George and Jackson obey their trainers warms my heart – and if I need a really big boost - - I watch The Dogs of Lexington - - that experience changed my life.