100% of the purchase price of this item will be donated to Pumpkin
From my Etsy shop. Collaged book cover pendant. $12
Filed under fashionsplatter, Etsy | Comment (0)Cat shot with arrow — Emergency donations needed (warning: disturbing pics)
Crossposting is appreciated!
Poor Pumpkin was brought in to the Ashtabula County APL with a hunting arrow through his side. He was found down the street from the shelter. A local vet will treat him, but we need to raise money immediately for his treatment. He will need surgery to remove the arrow, and supportive care for the infection and maggots that have already set in. He is eating and appears alert, so the odds of his survival are good.
Donations can be sent via PayPal to ashtabulaanimaladvocates@gmail.com or via this donation button
or called in to Country Doctor vet clinic at 440.576.9440.
Estimates for Pumpkin’s treatment range from $200 to $500, but it’s hard to say without knowing the extent of his injuries. Although the arrow entered and exited on the same side, it is still possible that there could be internal damage. Any funds collected over the amount needed for his care will be applied to other APL animals in great need.
This comes at a time when the APL is already at more than double its capacity for cats, so if we’re not able to raise the money for Pumpkin’s care he will be euthanized. Any amount you can spare will help *so* much!
Again, donations can be sent via PayPal to ashtabulaanimaladvocates@gmail.com or via this donation button
or called in to Country Doctor vet clinic at 440.576.9440. Please indicate that your donations should be used for Pumpkin’s treatment.
Thanks for all you do to help the animals!
Dawn
Filed under Ashtabula Animal Advocates | Comments (2)sewn collage = fun
Okay, I’m just a little too obsessed with this collage I just made. I’m stuck on the idea of words as stitches and I just want to sew with words…create with words in other ways besides writing. I’ve been experimenting with sewn collage techniques, and I’m really happy with what I’ve come up with. Looks like I’m going to be sewing a lot of paper!
Attention!
Wow. I am proud to say I scored the right to put this icon on my blog:
alt="Serious ADHD Likely!" width="200"The exclamation point is the best part. Like I am soooooo happy about it. I did, after all, score 99 points on a 100 point scale. I guess that’s…ummm….something.
The reason I even took such a test to begin with was because I finally realized, at the tender age of 35, why it is so hard for me to get things done. I mean, I always knew on some level and would joke about my woefully non-existent attention span, but it’s suddenly become much more clear to me. I realized that I always seem to have this inner resistance to doing things that are really not unpleasant or difficult at all, like weeding the garden, or in some cases that are things I really enjoy, such as writing. I’ve never been able to understand this resistance, and it’s caused me really immeasurable stress and frustration over the years. Somehow it finally made sense to me this morning, though. The resistance does not come from the difficulty of the task, but from the difficulty in paying attention long enough to complete the task. Once I realized that, a lot of other pieces could be fit into the puzzle. Such as why I tend to gravitate towards jobs or duties which require me to do a lot of small tasks, such as answering emails, even though these duties don’t give a great sense of fulfillment. They don’t require me to *focus*. It’s like I’ve been at war with my brain for my entire life….on one hand I want to spend my time learning and creating and doing things that require sustained attention and focus, and at the same time my brain is saying “Nope, sorry, can’t do it.”
So, what to do, what to do? For one thing I’ve been realizing that if I give my brain a *constructive* distraction to focus on, it can help me give adequate attention to the task at hand. For example, while I’ve been writing this post I’ve been listening to a violin concerto by Joseph Joachim, and I’ve been forcing myself to really concentrate on the music as I write. That seems to quiet enough of my brain to focus on actually getting the words out. Another good distraction is crochet, though of course that’s difficult to do while writing. But it’s good to do while reading, watching films, or talking to people (which has always been difficult for me as I lack the attention necessary to carry on a conversation). So, yeah, I will work on positive ways of distracting myself. But I’m actually finally going to consider meds as well. Reading over a list of ADHD symptoms I realize now that it’s likely been affecting every area of my life in a negative way, and I think I’m ready to be done with it.
Filed under Uncategorized | Comment (0)I finally listed a new item!
Finally listed something new in my Etsy shop. This pendant is a favorite of mine b/c it reads “I was the first one” but right above the text is the ghost of a previous poem. Ah, deception. Ah, irony. Made from the cover of a Harlequin romance novel. I really have fun making these and need to make more!
Gutter, senior lab with seizures, needs donations and rescue
Crossposting is appreciated!!!
Gutter (unfortunate name, I know) is a super sweet senior lab. He
arrived at the Ashtabula County APL with severe eye entropian, which
was corrected with surgery. It was noted that his eyes appeared
rather sunken in his skull. Due to the extreme overcrowding at the
shelter, Gutter went to stay in the home of an employee, since he was
a good candidate for a house with cats, kids, and other dogs. Shortly
after arriving at the employee’s home it was discovered that the poor
old boy has seizures as well. We need to raise money to get blood
work done and get him on appropriate medication.
For $200 we can get a full blood panel and a year’s worth of
phenobarbital, which will hopefully allow poor Gutter to be adoptable
and spend what time he has left in a forever home. Any amount you
are able to spare will help us get closer to this goal to get him the
treatment he deserves.
We would also love to find a rescue for Gutter who could find a great
home for him.
I’ve attached a picture of Gutter, which can also be seen at
http://www.petfinder.com/
Please note that the pic was taken before his entropian surgery and
the PF listing has not been updated to reflect his current health
status.
This is what the employee fostering Gutter has to say about him:
“11 yr old Black Lab (mix I think). Male, Having seizures in his sleep.
Foster home has
4 kids, 6 months,3 yr,7 yr and 9 yr
4 Foster Kittens under 3 months.
2 other dogs. Both around 6 months.
Potty trained, Sits, Speaks, Lays, and Is leashed trained. Love to go
for walks. Curls up next to the bed at night. Gives a low growl when
rubbing his ears cause it feels just that darn good. He lays around
most of the day as any older dog does.
He has been pacing for what seems like forever, cause he associates
his seizures with his sleep. When he wakes up from it, the first
thing he does is check on everyone else in the house to make sure
everyone is oki. Bumping into just about everything. He seems very
determined to check on everyone. Then he just walks around and “walks
it off”.”
If you can donate any amount, even $5 would be *such* a huge help,
please PayPal to ashtabulaanimaladvocates@
And if you might be able to rescue this sweet old fellow, *please*
contact me at ashtabulaanimaladvocates@
Thanks,
Dawn
On Slowing Down
Ahhh, the irony. I wrote the post below a couple weeks ago, but haven’t had time to post b/c I’ve been so involved with the APL! I made the decision consciously, though, to help out more for a few more weeks until the new director started, with the awareness and understanding that it would be temporary. And that temporary period is now over. It’s taken me a few days to decompress after the chaotic weekend, but now I’m recommitting myself to this new lifestyle…..
****************
On Slowing Down
We moved out to the country two and a half years ago. My dreams included having lots of time to care for animals, and lots of time to be work on creative pursuits. A simpler life, although I’m not sure I knew at the time what that meant. I’d been stuck for so long in the go-go-go cycle, the only time I was able to “slow down” is when I’d get slammed with a depressive episode and had no other choice. Moving to the country was supposed to fix that.
Well, it didn’t. The last several years have been some of the most stressful of my life, and I’ve been hit with nasty depressions almost as often as when we lived in the city. Dave and I routinely work in front of computers in separate areas of the house from the time we get up early until the time we crash in front of the the TV around midnight to scarf down some dinner and fall asleep on the couch. Not exactly the lifestyle I had in mind.
Last week I guess I reached my breaking point. To get some clarity I took a drive down to the Ohio River by myself. For some reason I find that that river really brings me peace. While I was there I looked at the houses for sale and dreamed of a different life, one where I would spend my days in a studio with river views, working on crafting and building a little business that would support our family in a small, sustainable way. But something about the views that day changed me, the large low rolling clouds continually altering the quality of the light. When I got home I realized, river or not, that where I live is just as beautiful. Low hills, long views, and green green green. And plenty of land to carve out a life right here, if I can tear myself out of the stress mentality.
And I think I can. Since my river trip that day I’ve decided that I belong right here, with occasional river trips to help my focus. The fact is, if I can’t routinely appreciate the beauty I have here, I’m not going to appreciate the river either. I’m not ready for the river. Besides, I have a studio with foil butterfly wallpaper! How many crafters can say that?
So, I’ve recommitted to a slower style of life. This will mean doing less with the APL for now. I will continue to focus on finding rescue for the special needs animals, but the hours and days in front of the computer are going to stop. If I felt they were working, I would continue to make that sacrifice. But to spend all week in panic mode to get out 11 dogs over the weekend, only to have 11 new dogs come in in one day, that system is not working. I am committed to *changing* that system, but I can’t do it while I am so embroiled in it. I need some perspective. And I also need to set us up a lifestyle here at home, which I should have done *before* I threw myself head first into rescue.
I am committed now to the lifestyle we wanted when we moved out here. Tasks for the recent future involve creating a more frugal budget, having an *enormous* garage sale and giving lots of stuff away, doing lots of research on gardening so as to make the most of what is left of this growing season and get a jump on the next, learning a few more useful crafts (rag rugs are next!), trying to get involved in some sort of barter economy, and working with the bunnies to create more enriching lives for them. Also, Etsy Etsy Etsy…putting time into my existing shop and getting my vintage shop open, promoting like crazy, and participating in teams. Living out here I really desire a sense of community with fellow artists…but that’s a whole other post!
Filed under APL, Etsy | Comment (0)Ashtabula OH — FREE fully vetted dogs and cats — 256 animals in a shelter for 48 dogs — no air conditioning
Crossposting is greatly appreciated!
The Ashtabula County Animal Protective League in NE Ohio was built to house 48 dogs. Currently they have about 150 dogs and over 100 cats. Dogs are 3 and 4 to a kennel, and some are being housed outside. There is just nowhere to put them. I know it’s bad for everyone right now, but the APL Board of Directors has finally been persuaded that as desperate as they are, they need to let me offer fully vetted animals to rescue for free to approved rescues until things get a little better.
Because of the desperateness of the situation, highly adoptable animals will for now have to go to whoever can get them out the quickest. I usually go by first-come, first-served…whoever asks first has the option of putting a hold on an animal. But for now, we just need to get the animals out as quickly as possible. There are always transport options available, so don’t hesitate to ask about *any* animal, even if you are far away.
All animals come fully vetted. This includes spay/neuter, UTD on shots including rabies, heartworm tested, and current on flea and heartworm preventative . For the duration of the free special, we would ask that *if* you are a rescue or shelter that has your own vet and can get the animals spayed/neutered at a low cost that you consider taking unaltered animals. The shelter is still way behind on surgeries, so more than half of the animals at the shelter aren’t available for public adoption yet. This puts a strain on the shelter, but does open up the possibility for rescues who can spay/neuter themselves to get first dibs on the most adoptable animals. If an animal’s listing says “not yet available” in most cases this just means the animal has not been spayed/neutered yet, but can still go to rescue for free.
This is a shelter that aspires to be no-kill, and truly does have the best interests of the animals at heart. But it is the only animal shelter in the largest county in Ohio, in a very poor, rural area. They have to take in every animal the city and county dog wardens bring them…this can be hundreds of dogs in a month. When numbers get up, as they are now, they have to euthanize if we can’t get the animals out. The Board of Directors has decreed that euthanasia for space should start at 80 dogs and 70 cats, so dozens of animals could be killed at any time.
If you see anyone you are interested in, contact Ashtabula Animal Advocates at ashtabulaanimaladvocates@
Please note: I’ve been having serious problems with my gmail addresses. I *always* answer rescue inquiries within 24 hours, even if it’s just to say that a dog is no longer available. So if you email me and don’t hear back in a day, I didn’t get your email. Please also try me at dawn.shimp@hotmail.com (hotmail.com) You can also contact Tina Hayes at for dogs rescues or Jeremiah Sabol at jsabol@wtfwebdesign.com (wtfwebdesign.com) for cat rescues if you’re not able to get in touch with me.
Transport help is available!
Our Petfinder page: http://ashtabulaapl.petfinder.
Our rescue policies: http://members.petfinder.com/~
Our Website: http://acapl.net
Our blog: http://ashtabulaapl.blogspot.
Our MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/
Our Animals:
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Lenny | Domestic Short Hair Baby, M |
Ashtabula County Animal Protective League Ashtabula, OH |
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Lilly | Domestic Medium Hair Baby, F |
Ashtabula County Animal Protective League Ashtabula, OH |
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Leslie | Domestic Medium Hair Baby, F |
Ashtabula County Animal Protective League Ashtabula, OH |
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Mark | Domestic Short Hair Baby, M |
Ashtabula County Animal Protective League Ashtabula, OH |
| Heaven | Domestic Short Hair Young, F |
Ashtabula County Animal Protective League Ashtabula, OH |
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Hummer | Domestic Short Hair Baby, M |
Ashtabula County Animal Protective League Ashtabula, OH |
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Hoffman | Domestic Short Hair Baby, M |
Ashtabula County Animal Protective League Ashtabula, OH |
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Gavin | Domestic Short Hair Baby, M |
Ashtabula County Animal Protective League Ashtabula, OH |