News and Info

Hello friends (June 17, 2008)

We had a wonderful visit with Harlan yesterday morning.  To our surprise, we got to take Harlan on a short walk behind the animal clinic.  He didn't seem too interested in the grass.  Once I picked him up and placed him on the grass, all he wanted to do was roll around in it     :-).  I am sure he didn't understand why we would let him do that (just make him itch more which he doesn't need!).  By the way, he does really well on a leash - fast learner.  He is already proving to be such a smart dog.

More good news . . . his heart murmur is gone.  It was what they call "physiologic".  I guess it was a symptom of his body being in such distress and now it is gone due to his health improving.

Monday was spent preparing for Harlan's homecoming:  new collar, dog bed, dog bowls, balls, bones, and of course squeaky toys (the girls picked them out).  His "new room" is all ready for him.  We do wonder what Harlan thinks about cats - since we have two :-). Time will tell. 

This week will consist of continuing Harlan's medication and bath regimen, short walks, socialization, and potty training.  He seems to be a quick learner so we are hoping that will be the case with this!  After another good week of TLC, the plans are to get him started on his heart worm treatment. 

After a few days, I will send out an update with new pictures.  Harlan is doing so well.  I can't even begin to imagine where or what he would be doing right now, if even alive, if we had not met. 

 Have a wonderful day!

Teresa and Devin Packer

 

 

 

 

 
 
 

Harlan Update (a 1 yr. old puppy that we rescued from Oak Ridge North on Wed. June 11, 2008)

Words cannot express the sincerest gratitude we have for all those (friends and even strangers) who have taken the time to email and/or donate money.  No amount is too small!!  Every penny counts and goes directly to Harlan's care.  As mentioned in previous emails, donations can be made through our web site or you can call the animal clinic directly at 281-292-4700.  So far, Harlan has received $385 for his care and treatment.  ALL donations have gone towards his x-rays, tests/screenings, medications (which are many right now), etc. All of Harlan's daily care & lodging is being donated by the clinic or offered at a discount.  When Harlan is well enough, he will receive his heart worm treatment and also be neutered.  He has a long road ahead of him.  However, because of people like you, Harlan's future looks brighter and brighter every day. 
 
Today's Update: 
 
Well . . . what an amazing few days it has been since Harlan entered our lives.  During our morning visit, Devin got to meet & visit with Harlan for the first time.  It was a wonderful visit.  Yesterday, the girls and I got kisses from Harlan and today Devin got his - so sweet!  He also wags his tail when he sees familiar faces.
 
Next, we received news concerning his blood work.  Dr. Giordano said that the results are what she was expecting for a puppy dealing with the variety of ailments he has.  So, in summary - no surprises.  She does want to wait for 7 to 10 days before starting the treatment for heart worms.  The pretreatment requires Harlan to receive steriods which may compromise the progress we are making with the infection, mange, parasites, and severe itching.  She wants to make sure Harlan has some good days of healing before subjecting him to the intense regimine of heart worm treatment.  
 
Lastly, Harlan will begin treatment for the demidex mange he has.  Harlan's body is on overdrive trying to heal literally inside and out.  You can tell that all his energy is being used to get well.  Despite all that he has been through and currently dealing with, he still manages to show you the little "puppy" that is still inside him.
 
Harlan's Future:
 
Heart worm treatment will hopefully begin in a week or so, which has been estimated to cost a little over $400.  A little later down the road, he will be scheduled to get neutered.  The good news is that Harlan will get to leave the clinic for foster care by Monday or Tuesday next weeek.  We will be bringing Harlan home to the Packer Pet Care Resort :-) where we plan to continue all his daily routine of medications, treatment, and baths.  It is expected to take several months before he is ready for adoption.
 
Again thank you for all of your support!

 

07/11/06 NO KILL SOLUTION SEMINAR - to be held July 15 & 16 in The Woodlands

Saving the lives of homeless and stray animals will be the focus of a two-day seminar, "Building a No Kill Community," July 15 and 16 at Congregation Beth Shalom of The Woodlands, 5125 Shadowbend Place in The Woodlands. The featured speaker is Nathan Winograd, president of the No Kill Advocacy Center; a non-profit organization dedicated to helping animal shelters care for and re-home abandoned animals.

The Woodlands Dog Park Club is co-sponsoring the event with Conroe animal activist Bruce Dailey and co-hosting with Montgomery County Animal Services.

In addition to conducting the seminar, Winograd will also visit the Montgomery County Animal Services Shelter, review its expansion plans, and evaluate its animal care and adoption procedures. In addition, Winograd will evaluate the city of Houston's Bureau of Animal Regulation and Control (BARC).

Winograd is a graduate of Stanford Law School and a former criminal prosecutor and corporate attorney. He has helped write legislation at the state and national level, has spoken nationally and internationally on animal sheltering issues, has created successful no-kill programs in both urban and rural communities, and has consulted with a wide range of animal protection groups, including some of the largest and best known in the country.

The term "No Kill" animal shelter means that all healthy animals are placed in homes. Medical care and behavioral rehabilitation are provided to make animals that are not immediately adoptable suitable for placement.

Schedule:
Saturday - July 15:
8:30a.m.-5:30p.m. 

  • Building a No Kill Community: Cost-effective Lifesaving Programs
  • Saving Shelter Dogs: Evaluation, Socialization, Treatment and Placement
  • Feral Cat Care and Advocacy

Sunday - July 16:
8:30a.m.-5:30p.m.

  • Big Dogs, Shy Cats and All the Rest: Finding Homes for All of Them
  • Mending Broken Bones and broken Spirits: Medical and Behavior Rehabilitation Programs
  • Getting the Community to Pay for it All

"We have been extraordinarily pleased at the enthusiasm our local animal control officials have shown at meeting with Nathan Winograd and adopting his philosophies for improving animal shelters," said Laura McConnell, president of The Woodlands Dog Park Club. "We believe there are strong feelings among the citizens of Montgomery County for saving more dogs and cats. We are happy to assist in achieving those goals and helping Montgomery County lead the state of Texas in its care of homeless animals."

The seminar is open to the public, but is most valuable to animal shelter administrators, workers and volunteers, and to people who are involved in dog and cat rescue groups. The event is free of charge but registration is required and donations to defray expenses are welcome.

Space is limited. ( As of July 7th, there is space available.  Please contact Kelly Schlesinger  if you are planning on attending.)  REGISTRATION FORM

 
Contact person for this seminar is Kelly Schlesinger:  kmschlesinger@houston.rr.com
 
For more information about No Kill Solutions, visit their website at http://www.nokillsolutions.com
 
Contributions can be sent to (checks made payable to TWDPC):
The Nathan Winograd Seminar
The Woodlands Dog Park Club
P.O. Box 130175
The Woodlands, TX  77393


04/17/06 MY PET RETRIEVER AND WOODLANDS ONLINE JOIN FORCES

We are excited to announce that MyPetRetriever.com has partnered with Woodlands Online.  Through this new relationship, we will be able to better serve families who have lost or found a pet.  This new site is a work in progress and is currently not in its final format.  We appreciate your patience and your suggestions are welcomed!  This site is a testament to the dedication and compassion of Woodlands residents.  Without your continued support and encouragement, this site and service would not be possible.     


11/29/05 MICROCHIPPING - Give Your Pet the Gift of Identification:

On Saturday, Nov. 12, Montgomery County Animal Control started a new service, Microchipping, for dogs and cats.  The most wonderful thing about this new service is that the fee is ONLY $15!  Zoe, our beloved companion, was one of the first to be Microchipped at the "Grand Opening".  Animal Control is not the only location that provides microchipping .  You can check with your local vet to see if they provide the service as well.   What follows is information about the process and how it works.  

WHAT IS MICROCHIPPING?** 

Microchipping is permanent pet identification.  The HomeAgain ® Pet Recovery Service is a safe, simple and permanent form of pet identification designed to quickly identify lost pets and reunite them with their owners.  Over 10 million pets become lost each year.  1 out of every 3 pets is lost during its lifetime, and only 1 in 10 lost pets is found.  The HomeAgain® Pet Recovery Service is a proven way to successfully recover your pet if it should become lost.  Nearly 10% of pets enrolled in the HomeAgain® Pet Recovery Service have become lost and were successfully reunited with their owners. 

IS MICROCHIPPING SAFE?

Microchipping is safe, simple, and effective technology.  No bigger than a grain of rice, the HomeAgain ® microchip is a small, sterile transponder that contains a unique ID code capable of being read by any ISO standard scanner.  The microchip's biocompatible material is extremely safe for the animal.  The HomeAgain® microchip is a passive device.  It requires no battery and remains inactive until it is scanned.

HOW DO RECOVERIES HAPPEN?

24/7 Database Access

When you enroll your microchipped pet in the HomeAgain® nationwide recovery database, your contact information is safely stored until it is needed to reunite you with your pet.  A professional recovery team maintains the database 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and notifies you as soon as your pet's ID number is called in to the 24-hour recovery hotline.  Animal clinics and shelters scan lost animals and call the HomeAgain® Pet Recovery team to report a found pet.  Currently, with the HomeAgain® Pet Recovery Service, a successful recovery occurs approximately every 6 minutes. 

**Information about HomeAgain® Pet Recovery Service was reproduced from their educational brochure.  


FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Visit www.HomeAgainID.com

 

11/18/2005 COYOTES IN THE WOODLANDS

A number of residents have reported sightings of Coyotes in The Woodlands. Recently many small pets are missing and it is presumed that the Coyotes are to blame. Although we understand that the Coyotes habitat is being encroached upon by us and that they have no other place to go, it is advisable to take some precautions for your pets. If you have a small dog or cat, it is in their best interest to bring them inside your home or garage at night for their protection.

We do not advocate the harming of any animal. If we take these precautions hopefully we can all live harmoniously together. We would also like to offer our sincere, heart felt condolences to those that have lost pets in this way.


11/16/2005 SPREADING THE WORD 

We realize that the only way for a site like this to be effective is if every resident knows about and uses the service.  We have had a tremendous amount of support and encouragement for this cause.  The Humane Society of Montgomery County is including our web site in their quarterly newsletter.  We are currently working with Animal Control to include a link to our site as well.  Also, were working with the Community Relations dept. at Community Associations of the Woodlands to include our site on the Links page of their web site. 

In regards to publications and other avenues of press, The Villager did an article about mypetretriever.com in Thursday 11/17/05's paper.   http://www.hcnonline.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=15591410&BRD=1574&PAG=461&dept_id=532539&rfi=6 

Also, People Scene, a local publication, will have an article about the site in their December issue.  In addition, Woodlands Online currently has an article about MyPetRetriever in the News section under PETS:  http://www.woodlandsonline.com/npps/story.cfm?id=1584.  To spread the word to brand new residents of the Woodlands, we have a flyer included in the Welcome packets offered through Home Town Greetings.

We value your input and suggestions.  If you can think of any other avenues to help get the word out about this site, please submit your suggestions using the "Contact Us" page.  With your support, we can consolidate all of our efforts to reunite families with their beloved companions.  We realize that even the best pet owners can lose their pet.  We can only hope to help find them once they are lost. 

 
 
 





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