The Collie Nose

Volume 1, Issue 2, July 2012

Anyone who’s been following Collie

Rescue of Greater Illinois knows what

extremes are taken to rescue a collie.

CRGI frequently rescues difficult cases

involving heartworm, hip dysplasia,

broken bones and broken hearts.

When

a collie needs rescue, our vol-

unteer network acts quickly to provide

transportation, fostering and financial

needs. And when it comes time for

adoption, the perfect adopter always

seems to come along, giving the story

a happy ending.

Sadly, these are not our most difficult

companions to place. It is often senior

collies that come into the system

through no fault of their own. Senior

dogs typically do not come to us be-

cause they are problem collies, but

because of family problems. They

come to CRGI for many reasons, but

the common denominator is that after

a lifetime of loyalty, they are now fac-

ing confusion and uncertainty in their

golden years.

Senior collies are typically

well-behaved

with extensive obedience. They are

often well-socialized and easily fit into

family life, quickly learning family rou-

tines. It’s the mature collie that can

read your mood, knowing when to lay

his/her head in your lap and knowing

that a pat on the head helps heal your

heart.

So consider the mature collie because

you can bring the senior collie the

best years of their life and yours.

By Ellen Keirnan

Did you know?

- A single flea can drink 15 times its weight in blood each day.

- You can buy 11 years of heartworm prevention and pay less than the

cost of treating your dog one time for heartworm disease.

- Up to 15 percent of commercial potting soil contains roundworm eggs.

Dogs love to spend time outdoors and are great jogging and walking

companions. But whether you are hiking in the woods or visiting the

park, there are unfortunately parasites waiting to hitch a ride. Not only

can fleas and ticks cause your dog great discomfort, they can cause seri-

ous illness and even death. Some dogs develop extreme allergies to fleas

and that can lead to infection. Ticks can carry diseases, such as Lyme

disease or canine ehrlichiosis. Heartworms, transmitted through

mosquito

bites, are also potentially fatal to both dogs and cats. (Even indoor cats

can become infected.) Once fleas and ticks enter your home, they can

multiply until you have an infestation. And once they have multiplied,

they can be very difficult to exterminate.

The good news is there are many products that can repel or kill those

parasites. But collie owners need to be aware that certain medications

cause severe problems for collies carrying the mutation in the multidrug

resistance gene (MDR1 gene). According to Washington State University,

one out of four collies carries the full defect; two out of four carry at

least a partial gene defect; and only one out of four is free of the defect.

Only those collies free of the mutation can take certain medications with-

out concern. On its website, the WSU College of Veterinary Medicine lists

drugs that cannot be tolerated by dogs with the MDR1 mutation. And if

you want to know your dog’s status, a DNA test is available on request

from the veterinary college: P.O. Box 609, Pullman, WA 99163;

509-335-

3745; vcpl@vetmed.wsu.edu. They will send you a kit so you can swab

your dog’s cheek and submit the sample. You can also request your vet-

erinarian’s assistance to run the DNA analysis. The site includes lots of

research on the MDR1 gene defect.

As most collie owners know, Interceptor® has been the heartworm pre-

ventive most recommended by Collie Rescue of Greater Illinois, Collie

Club of America and other herding breed organizations because it does

not contain ivermectin. Unfortunately, it is unavailable because of the

temporary closing of the Novartis manufacturing facility in Nebraska last

November. Novartis closed the plant due to quality control concerns after

an adverse report by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration was issued

regarding its human drug manufacturing. The company had expected to

The Battle Against Parasites

See PARASITES, page 2

Dixie, age 7

Collies in Need

First-Place

Winner!

PARASITES, from page 1

At the 2012 Naperville St.

Patrick’s

Day Parade, hosted by the West

Suburban Irish, Collie Rescue of

Greater Illinois took first place for

the best animal entry.

Our Scottish collies, adorned with

green attire, marched as the bag-

pipers played through the streets

of downtown celebrating their

proud British Isles heritage. Great

weather drew a record number of

spectators, and our beautiful

dogs

wowed the crowd.

Dawn Gluszek and her collie,

Rufus, accepted the trophy at

Quigley’s Irish Pub. Thanks to all

of our four-footed and two-footed

marchers, and congratulations!

By Dale Mohr

The operation of puppy mills is a severe, disturbing problem in Chicago-

land and the Midwest. In fact, it is a national disgrace since more than a

half million puppies are raised each year in these commercial kennels,

according to several animal rights organizations.

What is the difference between a puppy mill and a reputable, honest

breeder? It is stark – the puppy mill breeds mass-produced pups, purely

for monetary gain. A common definition of a puppy mill is a breeder that

sells to research groups, animal brokers and pet shops and breeds more

than three females. These mills regard puppies as "livestock" to be

raised

as a cash crop. For American Kennel Club registration of a litter, a U.S.

Department of Agriculture breeding is required for two AKC-registered

parents of the same breed. The AKC registration of puppies from puppy

mills is estimated to comprise 80 percent of its business. The AKC does

not inspect kennels nor guarantee the health of any puppies.

Puppy mills are distinctively inhumane and their breeding practices re-

sult in an excess of unhealthy and genetically defective dogs because

they breed dogs solely for profit. This is in contrast to reputable breed-

ers who strive to improve bloodlines and reduce genetic defects within a

given breed. Conditions in puppy mills are often horrific. Dogs are kept

in small wire cages without being let out to play or run on solid ground

or grass. The food fed to these dogs is generally cheap, low in nutritional

value and sometimes obtained from disreputable dog food companies

who may include floor sweepings.

As seen on the news or on Animal Planet’s various humane society res-

cue series, when a mill is subjected to inspection and enforcement of

local laws, often the dogs are found covered with matted hair, their

teeth rotting and their eyes infected with ulcers. In extreme cases, even

their jaws are rotting because of tooth decay. Since the cage floors are

wire, many dogs lose feet and legs when they are confined for extended

periods. There is often no heat in the winter and no air conditioning in

the summer, so they may freeze or die of heat stroke. At around 5 years

old, the overbred females (bred up to eight times in close succession)

can no longer produce large litters and are no longer considered profita-

ble. They are often put down by the cheapest means available. Reports

of death by bashing with rocks to the head or by gunshot are not un-

common.

There are too many reports of pups and their mothers kept in unsanitary

and cramped cages. At 7 weeks old, the pups are taken away, packed

See PUPPY MILLS, page 3

Dogged Protest Against Puppy Mills

Vicki Wilder’s puppy, Bobbie,

waits for kisses at this year’s

first annual vendor fair.

Shadow, Michelle Hirsch’s

collie, admires the trophy.

reopen in January, but it remains closed and may not resume production

of veterinary lines until November. While Novartis shipped out its inven-

tory of Interceptor® in February to address shortages, no production

has resumed.

What is the next step if you can’t find Interceptor®? You need to work

closely with your veterinarian to find a safe treatment and make sure

she’s aware of the extensive research available. CRGI warns that some

options, such as Revolution® and Trifexis®, are not considered safe.

into crates and transported in trucks or airplanes across the nation. Sick pups are shipped with healthy pups

that are sold to brokers or directly to pet shops.

Why is this practice so prevalent? Unaware customers fall for the puppy in the window and often pay thousands

of dollars for unhealthy and unsocialized dogs. The pet shop generally pays $100 or less for each pup. More

than 3,500 pet stores in the U.S. sell puppies. It is estimated that 99 percent of them buy from puppy mills,

making this a multimillion dollar business in the U.S.

Customers are deceived when pet stores falsely state that their puppies come from local quality breeders that

are USDA-approved. When asked, however, often the store cannot provide adequate paperwork about the

breeder, lineage of parents and vaccination status. The next problem is that frustrated owners often incur large,

unexpected vet bills not covered by the limited warranty of the seller. They may then abandon their defective

pup to dog shelters, which tend to be overcrowded and may not have no-kill policies.

Seven states are known as "puppy mill states" – Missouri, Nebraska, Kansas, Iowa, Arkansas, Oklahoma and

Pennsylvania. A federal law (the Animal Welfare Act) and several state laws that should help regulate puppy

mills are poorly enforced. Dogs, like most animals, cannot defend themselves against exploitation and abuse.

Important groups are working in their favor, including the Companion Animal Protection Society, the National

Humane Society, the Puppy Mill Project and the Animal Legal Defense Fund. The latter has attracted a quarter of

a million Americans to sign the Animal Bill of Rights.

In Illinois, the Pet Store Disclosure Act became law on Jan. 1, 2011. It mandates that pet stores must now post

breeder information on the cage of the animal for sale. Although that is a good step, in that it provides better

information to buyers, it is also a perpetuation of a cycle since the store replaces a purchased pup with another

from a puppy mill. Remember that one is NOT rescuing a dog when buying a puppy from a pet store. When pur-

chasing from a pet store, all you are doing is making room for them to bring in another puppy mill pup to fill

that cage. That does not help these pups; it just keeps the puppy mills producing in large quantities.

If you want to help, don’t purchase dogs (or cats) from pet stores. Rather, adopt a dog from a rescue group or

dog shelter. There is no reason for mass production of dogs and cats while shelters are overcrowded and

animals

are put to sleep. If a puppy mill or pet shop is disobeying the law or abusing animals, sound the alarm through

friends, humane societies, news media and animal advocacy groups. Locally there are two notable examples of

pet stores making a transition to animal rescue: the Three Fish Bowl in Evanston and The Dog Patch Pet and

Feed in Naperville (see the Puppy Mill Project below). This demonstrates the effect of positive persuasion, cour-

age, persistence and fact checking by devoted animal lovers and advocacy groups.

PUPPY MILLS, from page 2

The following websites were used as sources for the article:

 Chicagoland Tails, www.tailsinc.com/?s=puppy+mill+project

 The Animal Legal Defense Fund, www.aldf.org/puppymills

 American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, www.aspca.org/puppymills

 The Humane Society of the United States, www.humanesociety.org/issues/puppy_mills/

 The Oprah Connection, www.citizensagainstpuppymills.org/oprah.php

 The Scoop — Dogster, www.dogster.com/dog-breeds/puppy-mills-and-backyard-breeders

Vendor Fair Proceeds to Help Pay for Medical Bills

Fifty-six vendors participated in “Lazy Dayzies Dealer’s Dayze,” the first CGRI vendor fair, held

in June at Eastside Community Center in Batavia. The event was a vendor fair, craft show, bake

sale, raffle and fun fair rolled into one festive event.

Michelle Hirsch, event coordinator for CRGI, orchestrated the event. With increasing costs to rehabilitate collies,

Michelle says, this fundraiser will help pay for medical bills and will directly benefit homeless collies.

Michelle thanks all who helped. Special thanks to the Batavia Park District, Eastside Community Center, Pattie

Bowman, Gail and Art Diedrichsen, Vicki Wilder, Caroline Lewis, Kim Nelson, John Cymerman, Michelle Rogers,

Tina Kiselka and Paul Hirsch.

Foster Home Workshops

This year CRGI has started to have regular meetings with our foster homes to make sure we have the best

foster

program possible. CRGI is growing and the number of foster homes is increasing. We currently have around 28

active foster homes in various stages of use. We have some that foster for us any time they are needed, some

that help out during certain seasons, and some that do overnights or serve as temporary homes if our regular

fosterers need to go out of town. We even have some fosterers who help us with transports to groomers or for

vet visits. This is a far cry from the past when CRGI was a small organization and maintaining and communi-

cating with a small group of homes were simpler procedures.

CRGI always looks for more foster volunteers at all levels and wants to grow that resource, while maintaining

high quality. So when Susie Moncek took over as foster home coordinator in January, she noticed that there

seemed to be a need to further develop the knowledge of the foster homes in all aspects of fostering. Since she

has found that the best way to train a group is to start everyone off on the same foot, she sent out question-

naires to the fosterers to see what areas of care giving and training they felt was needed. The responses were

overwhelming! She then organized the first CRGI foster home meeting and had an amazing turnout. Eighteen

foster families attended the meeting, which was hosted at the home of Kathy Stodgell, a foster volunteer.

A review of the updated Foster Home Guide for 2012 was first priority. It explains what is expected from our

foster homes as they care for CRGI dogs. This guide covers the entire process from the day a rescue comes to

CRGI until the final adoption.

The topics included:

 Proper dog introduction to current pets and a new environment

 How to handle feeding issues and proper nutrition

 What are approved and unapproved places to take foster dogs

 What things to look for while fostering, such as counter surfing, bathroom habits, food aggression,

leash training, car rides, etc.

 General CRGI rules

Then Michelle Rogers, adoption coordinator, spoke with the group to explain the adoption process. She demon-

strated how to talk to potential adopters and what to look for during an adoption meeting, including interviewing

a potential adopter. She also covered the step-by-step process once an adopter and dog have been deemed a

“good match.”

For the future, Susie is working to develop a mentor program that will consist of a core group of fosterers who

will be highly trained and who agree to be available to handle special situations, questions or assistance to other

foster homes in their designated area. This will be a huge benefit to Susie and CRGI since our foster homes are

growing and are spread over a very large area. Under Susie’s direction, the mentors will offer

support

for other

foster homes. More will follow as Susie begins to look for volunteer mentors. Be sure to let her know if you are

interested. There will be more to report on the mentor program in the coming months once mentors are

selected

and training has begun.

The next foster home meeting will be a seminar with Marc Goldberg, dog behaviorist and owner of http://

www.chicagodogtrainer.com/. CRGI is fortunate enough to have Marc as a registered foster home. He has al-

ready fostered and “failed” with Lucky, now known as Laddie, one of our CRGI dogs. He works with dogs that

have behavior issues. And for CRGI, he often helps to evaluate behaviors and teach the foster “parents” how to

deal with them. The seminar is scheduled for July 22 at his amazing training facility, called “The Little Dog

Farm.” More detailed information will be sent to the registered foster homes.

The topics will include proper dog introduction, reading body language in your foster dog, as well as resident

dogs, and proper handling of common behaviors.

Marc is highly recognized as a behaviorist. CRGI is very fortunate that Marc is donating his facility and

knowledge

to us. He is a huge asset to CRGI, and we greatly appreciate all he is doing for us. Please feel free to share his

website with any dog owner who may be looking for solutions to behavior issues.

When Paths Cross, Good Things Happen

By Gail Diedrichsen

Paths, which we serendipitously cross, shape our lives. This

could not be truer for Brody. When Brody’s path intersected

with those of kindhearted humans, it was his good fortune.

Brody was a sad stray traveling along the shoulder of a busy

highway when Jefferson County Animal Control picked him up.

This is where he met Ruth Hughes, a 20-year employee of

JCAC. During Brody’s evaluation, Ruth found a collar embedded

in his neck and a very nasty infection that was quickly treated

with amoxicillin.

Ruth found this handsome collie to be as sweet as they come.

“I see lots of dogs, but this one had that look. It was as if he

were saying, ‘I’ve been put out, nobody cares about me, and I

need help.’ He got to me,” Ruth says.

Ruth knew his visible wounds would heal, but she also wanted

to heal his spirit. Determined to see this collie get a second

chance, she contacted an adoption organization. Initially the group agreed to help, but then found out that he

had heartworm and could not accept him. Ruth was disappointed, but not surprised when he was rejected.

“Nine out of 10 organizations will not take a heartworm-positive dog,” Ruth says.

The odds were not good for Brody, and Ruth was back to square one. With his pleading eyes and unrelenting,

persuasive conversations, Brody continued to tug at Ruth’s heartstrings. Brody must have communicated just

the right thing at the right time because Ruth heard him and understood. She contacted Collie Rescue of Greater

Illinois. Without hesitation, we agreed to help.

Brody was back on the highway, but this time he traveled comfortably in a transport with Dane instead of on

foot. Dane’s job is delivering pets from one location to another so they are more likely to find adopters. Dane

delivered Brody to Caroline Lewis of CRGI. She chauffeured and escorted Brody to Glen Ellyn Animal Hospital for

a complete physical, dental cleaning and spa treatment.

Brody is now at a rest area on his journey, living with Dale Mohr in foster care while he recuperates. Dale is a

CRGI volunteer with lots of compassion. His home is the ideal place since Brody’s rehabilitation will take a bit

longer than expected. It turns out Brody has Lyme disease. Dale, a retired reactor analysis engineer for Argonne

National Laboratory, now has a full-time job of caring for Brody. Over the years, Dale has fostered more than 50

collies. He is an invaluable, experienced volunteer who specializes in long-term care for foster collies with special

needs like Brody’s.

Brody has settled in with his foster dad and has learned to be a house pet. According to Dale, he is a quick

study. “Brody has proven to be a loving and easygoing boy,” Dale says. “I think Brody understands that he is

one very fortunate dog, and he aims to please.”

This is not the end of Brody’s journey. This former hobo still has a long, bumpy road ahead of him. He needs

treatment before he reaches his final destination. Brody continues to improve under Dale’s watchful eye. He is

everything one would want a collie to be.

Thank goodness Brody met Ruth, Dane, Dale and all the good Samaritans along the way. It is his good fortune

that his intersecting path led him to CRGI.

Brody’s story is an example of how important and fulfilling CRGI’s work is. But saving him is not without cost.

Thanks to your support and continued interest in helping dogs like Brody, CRGI can help him find his final desti-

nation – a home. Please help us help Brody by sending an earmarked donation to CRGI. Simply write “Brody

Fund” on your check or write a short note (if you donate electronically). Any donation is greatly appreciated!

Brody and Dale Mohr

By Gail Diedrichsen

CRGI’s participation in a Two Bostons adoption event brought Barb Mittelstadt’s family and Leinie, formerly

known as Laddie, together. The relationship that developed between Barb and Leinie is a testament to what’s

possible with time and dedication.

Barb remembers that fall day clearly. She was feeling a little down. She was a

recent empty nester, her baby had left for college, and Buster, her companion

dog of 16 years, had passed away.

Her daughter, Jane, insisted “Mom, you need another dog; you’re a wreck!”

Coincidentally, they were shopping at the same location as the adoption event.

As they pulled into the lot, Barb’s daughter giggled, saying, “Look what’s in

the parking lot, Mom!”

Barb admits she didn’t put up much of a fight when her daughter suggested

that they check out the available dogs.

“Love at first sight” is how Barb describes her introduction to Leinie. “He had

such a sweet face, and we connected,” she says. ”We could tell he liked kids

and other dogs. We knew he would be a good fit, so we adopted him.”

Leinie’s training began at home and at school. “Leinie went straight to inter-

mediate level because he had learned so quickly at home,” Barb says. “We

were a team.”

Barb enjoyed their time together, and Leinie, also devoted to Jane, was eager to please. Laughing, Barb ex-

plains, “He would look at me as if he were saying, ‘What do you want me to do now, you crazy human?’ He

came home exhausted, but happy.”

Barb ultimately earned the prestigious Canine Good Citizen Certificate. Qualifying is not an easy task. For ex-

ample, Leinie was required to obey a sit-stay command while Barb walked away, came back, touched him and

walked away again, without having him follow until she gave the command, “Come.” He also needed to obey

the sit-stay command when she left the room.

“Leinie is such a momma’s boy that he cried when I left. That was the only problem,” Barb says. “We worked

on his separation anxiety issue and he passed!”

Leinie and Barb also earned a Therapy Dog Certificate, which allows him to enter schools and hospitals. Leinie

visits an after-school YMCA program located in a trailer. Many of the children live in apartments and can’t have

a dog of their own.

“Leinie has become their part-time pet. His paw is always ready for a handshake,” Barb says. “The kids love

him and think he’s a wolf. What could be cooler than shaking hands with a wolf? ... Reading to a wolf! He’s a

very patient and good listener.”

“We also visit nursing homes, and this is where gentle Leinie really shines. He inspires memories and encour-

ages communication,” she says. “I remember one resident in particular. Her visiting daughter shared with me

that her mother had advanced Alzheimer’s. Her mother had always loved dogs, so she reached out. One touch

to his head lit up her face with a huge smile. Her daughter looked at me and said, ‘Thank you. I have not seen

my mother smile for a very long time.’ That moment was meaningful.”

Barb proudly says, “Working with my Leinie is so rewarding. We both know our jobs. We feel good about our

accomplishments. We have mutual respect. And I can tell he understands our give-and-take relationship. It

takes time and work, but developing this bond is worth it.”

Kudos to this compassionate duo for “paying it forward” and making a difference in so many lives.

Dynamic Duo Gives Back to Community

Wellness Clinic Draws Crowd

John Cymerman, President

Vicki Wilder, Vice President

Tina Kiselka, Treasurer

Caroline Lewis, Secretary

Robert Olson, Webmaster/IT

Kim Zandstra, Chairperson

Michelle Hirsch, Event Coordinator

Michelle Rogers, Adoption Coordinator

Susie Moncek, Foster Home Coordinator

Collie Rescue of Greater Illinois, Inc., is a nonprofit corporation

established in 1995. We provide shelter and care to purebred collies

which have been abandoned or turned in to shelters. Email

info@collierescue.org, call (630) 415-1206 or visit the website

www.collierescue.org.

Board Members

Something’s Missing

There’s something missing in my home.

I feel it day and night.

I know it will take time and strength

Before things feel quite right.

But just for now, I need to mourn.

My heart – it needs to mend.

Though some say “it’s just a pet,”

I know I’ve lost a friend.

You’ve

brought such laughter

to my home

And richness to my days.

A constant friend through joy or loss

With gentle loving ways.

A companion, friend and confidante.

A friend I won’t forget.

You’ll live forever in my heart,

My sweet forever pet.

— Author Unknown

Dedicated to Cookie and other lost loved ones

This year’s Wellness Clinic was held at Glen Ellyn Animal Hospital in April for the first time. More than 50 fami-

lies and 62 dogs took advantage of this opportunity for discounted vaccinations and other care.

“We conduct the Wellness Clinic each year at the end of March or the beginning of April. This is the best time to

take a heartworm test and get the required shots and vaccinations for the year,” says Tina Kiselka, co-founder

of Collie Rescue of Greater Illinois.

Collie Rescue does not profit from this clinic; it is simply an opportunity to see all pets in the Collie Rescue fam-

ily get preventive care at an affordable cost.

The concept of the Wellness Clinic started five years ago with the assistance of Dr. Jeremy Buishas of Glen

Ellyn

Animal Hospital. The clinic was originally held in the Sycamore area.

“He felt a central location would encourage pet owners to get their pets appropriate testing, inoculations and

heartworm medications. He offers a discounted rate. This is available to all breeds of dogs and cats also,” Tina

says. “The purpose of the Wellness Clinic is to make it convenient and more affordable for people. Dr. Buishas

offers all inoculations, including rabies. Also available at the clinic were heartworm testing, senior blood panel,

thyroid testing and other blood work.”

We would like to thank Dr. Buishas, Amanda and his staff for working with us to make this possible.

To better meet the needs of

the CRGI community, we’d like

to hear your comments about

this newsletter. We’d also like

to hear your suggestions for

future articles, such as

personal

experiences in adopting or fos-

tering collies. Or if you have a

topic, but don’t feel

comfortable

submitting your own article,

we’ll set our intrepid reporters

to work on it! Contact us at

info@collierescue.org.

Your Voice Counts