cananian

...or rather, she is home already! I'll let Jessica tell the story:

So after reading her bio (which of course, I wrote) and a few days of soul-searching, there was just no way to conceive of letting her leave. I'm happy to report that Reb has agreed to stay. Thanks to Andrea for putting the idea in my head.. [...]

Since we CAN NOT keep calling her Reb and stay sane (Rebekah will agree), new name suggestions will be considered. The winner will be rewarded with an endless supply of personal satisfaction. [...]

If you're bored at work, watch the addictive webcam!

http://cscott.net/greycam.html

Jessica, Scott, and Reb (for now).

Our first foster greyhound, Baby Go (racing name "Go Go Baby Go"), was adopted yesterday morning by a charming woman (and her mom) who are certain to baby her as she deserves. =) It's a great feeling of accomplishment to have brought Baby from a frightened ex-racer at the kennel who had never seen stairs, non-greyhound dogs, or windows (!) to the happy well-adjusted crowd-pleaser who will do anything for a treat. =) And now we can devote our full energies to our new(er) foster, the RebDog (aka "Reb's Cannonball"), who still has so much to learn!

Massachusetts' attack on rescue groups (see previous entry) continues unabated -- but on another front, the dogs have carried the day: the efforts of som|dog have succeeded in making off-leash dog recreation once-again legal in Somerville. Previously, dogs were legally required to be leashed at all times unless they were "on the premises of the owner or custodian" or in a vehicle or boat. Last night, city ordinance 13-4 was amended to unleash the dogs.

This is the necessary first step towards our effort to create off-leash dog parks in Somerville. Within two weeks, we hope to have accomplished the second step, which is the estabishment of a municipal revolving fund for these parks... and then we can start raising money for them in earnest. Step by step...

But today: victory!

The headline might be over-the-top, but if they don't want dog rescue to stop in Massachusetts, then they should rescind or modify this "emergency order" ASAP. The emergency order was issued out of the blue without consultation with rescue groups on May 26, 2005 and imposes drastic restrictions on "importing dogs across state lines" which will put out-of-business most rescue groups in Massachusetts by requiring stays in expensive 'state-approved isolation facilities' (only one of which currently exists in MA!) for all imported dogs. Somerville Dog and the Canine Coalition have more information on this surprising and draconian order. It appears that the "National Animal Interest Alliance" is (at least partly) responsible for this undemocratic "order", which was imposed without public consultation or review by appealing to an "emergency" that simply doesn't exist. Poor control of animal health is an issue, to be certain, but the problem is insufficient enforcement resources for the Massachusetts AGR to enforce existing regulations. This new "emergency" adds new regulations which penalize the "good guys" who are trying to monitor their dogs and comply, without addressing the problem of dangerous fly-by-night "adoption" groups at all. If you make it impossible for people to comply with the law, no one will comply with the law. The NAIA seems to be an anti-"animal right" group who is siding with business interests (pet stores and breeders) in trying to stifle competition from rescue groups who save "unwanted" dogs from destruction. It is equivalent to bookstores trying to ban libraries because they suppress the sales of books -- but that's another bee in my bonnet which I'll save for another time.

If you are a Massachusetts resident, contact your state representatives and let them know that rescue groups are an important part of Massachusetts animal welfare. Email me if you'd like more details or pointers on who to write or what to do. Thanks!

I'll post some additional information in the comments to this entry, if you are interested.