2014 started with the sad news that 2 elderly Shibas – Levi & Paloma, needed to be rehomed after their owner died. With swift collaboration between the breeder and JSIR, both dogs were taken to their new forever home within a few days by the breeder. Thankfully, staying together and avoiding the need to be kennelled during the winter months.
Throughout the year there have been numerous 'dodgy' Internet adverts to which we have been alerted. Bibi's advert was particularly worrying - she was clearly being advertised for sale at a premium for a breeding bitch, complete with instructions to potential buyers on how to bypass the No breeding endorsements! Further investigation revealed that Bibi has a heart condition and skin issues therefore should definitely not be used as breeding dog . Our contact with the breeder requesting help was to say the least, disappointing. She was not remotely concerned with the situation and refused to contribute to Bibi’s vet bills when she was rescued. Quite shameful behaviour from a member of the Kennel Clubs Accredited Breeder Scheme, who really should know and behave better. Bibi was eventually rescued by JSIR volunteers and now lives happily with another Shiba.
March saw Archie needing rescue as he had been found by a dog warden up North. He’s no youngster and appeared to have been fending for himself for some time. It’s sad for any dog to be made homeless but for the oldies it’s even more distressing to see them disorientated and stressed.
Another heart breaker came our way in May, a Facebook plea from an all-breed rescue down in Kent, alerted us to a blind, deaf 17 year old Shiba from a council pound. The same day we heard about Buddy, volunteers were on the case and quickly rescued him. A vet exam revealed that this poor old guy had a host of additional health issues, including advanced dementia and tumours. The decision was made to release Buddy to the Rainbow Bridge. He touched a lot of hearts in his short time with us. Our lovely volunteers brought a Japanese Acer tree in his memory. It was a very sad, emotional situation but at least his final days were filled with love and comfort.
Two dogs – Kit and Hoshi, were surrendered to rescue during the summer months as having issues with children. Kit is an elderly dog who really was in a lot of discomfort due to an untreated ear infection, coupled with gradually losing his sight due to cataracts. It really came as no surprise that the poor dog was intolerant to a young child around him. Sadly, after 11 faithful years he was discarded by his owners. A similar story for Kobe, with a new baby coming along, despite being nothing but the perfect dog around the child, was no longer required.
September brought further heart ache when our long term rescue dog - Stewie, died suddenly. It appears he had a heart attack. IIt's a shock when they leave us so suddenly and I still miss him dreadfully . Stewie was a difficult dog to live with, he’d been seriously neglected, but he had made a lot of progress in the 2 yrs he was here. Although, he was deemed as unadoptable due to his aggression issues, I’d expected to have him for many years yet; he was only 7 years old when taken away.
October brought a call from an owner needing to home a 9 year bitch with glaucoma, having lost one eye already, sweet Suki was facing losing her home, friends and her other eye. Again, our wonderful network of shiba lovers produced the perfect home for Suki, and now she’s living the ‘happy ever after life’.
As of the beginning of December, we have two dogs in rescue – Vinnie and Harmony, both surrendered from the same owner. These dogs had been obtained as older dogs from responsible breeders under contract. Another ‘dodgy’ internet advert discovered the owner trying to sell the bitch, hence breaching her contract with the breeder. This owner was on our ‘radar’ as it seems she obtains quite a few dogs via free ads, rescues etc. and then neglects them. As I write the dog has concerning eye issues and may need patella surgery. He has clearly been underfed, under exercised and not given much needed vet treatment. Thanks to caring volunteers he is now getting the best vet treatment as we endeavour to do our very best for him.
So as 2014 draws to an end, it’s time for me to give my heartfelt thanks to the wonderful network of shiba lovers that continue to support JSIR, those caring people who in their own way to keep our breed safe. Some will, at a moments notice jump in the car and go rescue a dog from a pound, there are amazing people who offer homes to the dogs – most less than the ‘perfect’ dog. Strangely enough the dogs which might appear to have the least chance of a home are often the ones who get the most home offers. However, your help it’s all very much appreciated and every rescue is a team effort. Thank you, team JSIR !!
Have a very Merry Christmas everyone and a Happy Peaceful New Year. I hope many of our supporters can join us for our ‘Tinsel Walk’ on December 30th, 10.30 am meet up at Chase Water Visitor Centre.
Throughout the year there have been numerous 'dodgy' Internet adverts to which we have been alerted. Bibi's advert was particularly worrying - she was clearly being advertised for sale at a premium for a breeding bitch, complete with instructions to potential buyers on how to bypass the No breeding endorsements! Further investigation revealed that Bibi has a heart condition and skin issues therefore should definitely not be used as breeding dog . Our contact with the breeder requesting help was to say the least, disappointing. She was not remotely concerned with the situation and refused to contribute to Bibi’s vet bills when she was rescued. Quite shameful behaviour from a member of the Kennel Clubs Accredited Breeder Scheme, who really should know and behave better. Bibi was eventually rescued by JSIR volunteers and now lives happily with another Shiba.
March saw Archie needing rescue as he had been found by a dog warden up North. He’s no youngster and appeared to have been fending for himself for some time. It’s sad for any dog to be made homeless but for the oldies it’s even more distressing to see them disorientated and stressed.
Another heart breaker came our way in May, a Facebook plea from an all-breed rescue down in Kent, alerted us to a blind, deaf 17 year old Shiba from a council pound. The same day we heard about Buddy, volunteers were on the case and quickly rescued him. A vet exam revealed that this poor old guy had a host of additional health issues, including advanced dementia and tumours. The decision was made to release Buddy to the Rainbow Bridge. He touched a lot of hearts in his short time with us. Our lovely volunteers brought a Japanese Acer tree in his memory. It was a very sad, emotional situation but at least his final days were filled with love and comfort.
Two dogs – Kit and Hoshi, were surrendered to rescue during the summer months as having issues with children. Kit is an elderly dog who really was in a lot of discomfort due to an untreated ear infection, coupled with gradually losing his sight due to cataracts. It really came as no surprise that the poor dog was intolerant to a young child around him. Sadly, after 11 faithful years he was discarded by his owners. A similar story for Kobe, with a new baby coming along, despite being nothing but the perfect dog around the child, was no longer required.
September brought further heart ache when our long term rescue dog - Stewie, died suddenly. It appears he had a heart attack. IIt's a shock when they leave us so suddenly and I still miss him dreadfully . Stewie was a difficult dog to live with, he’d been seriously neglected, but he had made a lot of progress in the 2 yrs he was here. Although, he was deemed as unadoptable due to his aggression issues, I’d expected to have him for many years yet; he was only 7 years old when taken away.
October brought a call from an owner needing to home a 9 year bitch with glaucoma, having lost one eye already, sweet Suki was facing losing her home, friends and her other eye. Again, our wonderful network of shiba lovers produced the perfect home for Suki, and now she’s living the ‘happy ever after life’.
As of the beginning of December, we have two dogs in rescue – Vinnie and Harmony, both surrendered from the same owner. These dogs had been obtained as older dogs from responsible breeders under contract. Another ‘dodgy’ internet advert discovered the owner trying to sell the bitch, hence breaching her contract with the breeder. This owner was on our ‘radar’ as it seems she obtains quite a few dogs via free ads, rescues etc. and then neglects them. As I write the dog has concerning eye issues and may need patella surgery. He has clearly been underfed, under exercised and not given much needed vet treatment. Thanks to caring volunteers he is now getting the best vet treatment as we endeavour to do our very best for him.
So as 2014 draws to an end, it’s time for me to give my heartfelt thanks to the wonderful network of shiba lovers that continue to support JSIR, those caring people who in their own way to keep our breed safe. Some will, at a moments notice jump in the car and go rescue a dog from a pound, there are amazing people who offer homes to the dogs – most less than the ‘perfect’ dog. Strangely enough the dogs which might appear to have the least chance of a home are often the ones who get the most home offers. However, your help it’s all very much appreciated and every rescue is a team effort. Thank you, team JSIR !!
Have a very Merry Christmas everyone and a Happy Peaceful New Year. I hope many of our supporters can join us for our ‘Tinsel Walk’ on December 30th, 10.30 am meet up at Chase Water Visitor Centre.
RSS Feed
