Help us literally save these dogs’ lives.
Have you ever wondered if you could really directly determine whether a dog lives or dies?
Dorothy was contacted several weeks ago by a representative of a breed rescue here in Michigan. She asked if SASHA Farm was willing to temporarily house a few dogs for the rescue. The dogs were coming from a situation where they were being bred and horrifically neglected, and upon hearing the details, she couldn’t say no.
Yesterday, just moments prior to their arrival, we were informed that three of the four dogs had tested positive for heartworm disease, and it is the policy of the rescue the euthanize heartworm positive dogs. They simply do not have the funds to treat them. The only reason they are here, alive, and not already dead is because there was no vet available to euthanize them along the route to the sanctuary.
As they were unloaded, we were all reduced to tears. No creature should ever be treated with so much disregard. When they weren’t being bred, they were ignored. The youngest, a nine-month-old pup, cannot even be touched. He is too afraid to even take an offered treat. The four of them have reverted to wolf pack-like behavior, fending off the others for every morsel of food, yet they haven’t shown any aggression towards us. The older three are very sweet dogs despite what they’ve been through at the hands of humans.
Heartworm disease is quite treatable, and we believe that these dogs deserve a chance to try to fight it. They may have other strikes against them, of course, but we believe that without a complete evaluation of their health by a veterinarian, it is unfair and unethical to euthanize them.
Their care, even before they see the vet, will be expensive. They are filthy and so matted that before they can even be thoroughly examined, they will need hours of tedious grooming. They have external and internal parasites. If they need to be shaved, they will need protective jackets to shield their light skin from sunburn. In addition to the heartworm treatments needed, they have some bone and eye concerns that need to be investigated. At least two of them will likely need dental work. Of course, since they were breeding stock, they will all need to be neutered. Every aspect of these poor dogs’ health and welfare has been neglected. Three of them have never even had names.
It is our hope that rather than kill these dogs, the rescue will be willing to allow us to treat them if we can provide the necessary funds. This could easily run into the thousands of dollars. Can you please help? We realize that these are not farmed animals, but we know that many of you love dogs as much as we do.
I apologize that these pictures are bad, but these dogs are not used to being given so much attention and they were distrustful of the camera. Keep in mind that these are Great Pyrenees dogs. They are supposed to be white, not gray and black.
Scooby is 3-4 years old. He is the only one who was given a name. He’s huge, but we’re not sure how huge he actually is because his hair is so filthy and matted. He is calm and laid back, but appreciates a kind scratch behind the ears…if you’re careful not to touch the mats that pull painfully at the his skin.
This is the oldest male, about 8-9 years old. He wasn’t given a name. He is amazing sweet and gentle. He is considered unadoptable by the rescue because of his age, but he seems to believe he has a lot of life left in him. We’d like him to live out that life in comfort and happiness.
The only female, also nameless, is the most friendly of them all. Notice her different sized eyes? This could be a problem, and we need to have that evaluated as well. She is the mother to at least the youngest dog, and probably somehow related to the others.
The youngest is so unsocialized that I was only able to get pictures of him on the run. He is the middle dog in this picture. He has never know a kind touch from the human and has grown up fighting older, larger dogs for his meals. However, he is the only one not heartworm positive and is likely safe.
It’s up to us to make sure the other three get a fair chance at living out their remaining years in happy homes. It’s very likely that all they’ve known for their whole lives is living in a kennel with little human contact and scarce food, being exploited for the puppies they could produce. Can you help us show them that not all humans treat dogs that way?
Please go to our donation page and give what you can spare. In the comments box, note that your donation is for the heartworm positive dogs. You can also send a check. We’ll keep you updated on the fight for their lives.
Published by Amanda on July 4th, 2008 | Filed under Take Action for Animals, Announcements and Events, New Arrivals | Comment now »
A Lamb Named Sasha
Not since the original Sasha, Dorothy and Monte’s wonderful rescued border collie from whom the sanctuary took its name, and Sasha’s unnamed feline best friend who inherited her name after Sasha passed away, has there been another animal on the farm who Dorothy felt deserved the name Sasha. Not until she learned the story of this lamb and spent time with her.
The weekend before Easter, a Detroit resident looked outside into his neighbor’s backyard and was horrified to see four boys beating a young lamb with baseball bats. The poor creature was surely destined to become Easter dinner, and apparently, they thought it might be fun to torture her before she was slaughtered. The neighbor called authorities who were able to seize, and save, the poor little lamb, but not before her leg was severely broken.
She was treated for the break, which required pins to be inserted into her bones to stabilize them while they healed. After a few weeks, the local humane group who had her began looking for a safe place for her to live, and their search ended with SASHA Farm.
Sasha is a sweet, social little lamb. That she still seeks out human affection after the abuse she endured is truly amazing and a testament to her gentle, friendly nature.
Published by Amanda on June 27th, 2008 | Filed under Around the Farm, New Arrivals | 1 Comment »
Bella’s Battle
The last time I addressed the topic of Bella on the blog was probably when she was returned to us by her third adoptive home. A few weeks later, it was clear to us that she had finally realized that the sanctuary is not such a bad place to be, and we stopped searching for another home for her. Most of her problem behaviors have disappeared or diminished, and we’ve learned to work around the ones that haven’t. She has bonded strongly to the other dogs, and while she is no friend of the pigs or chickens, she’s working on it. She is home.
During a routine tummy rub last month, I discovered a lump on one of her breasts. The vet found one more during a follow-up exam, and both were surgically removed. The lab results came back, and though Bella shows no symptoms now, she has mammary cancer.
Her prognosis is good, though, and she had her first chemotherapy session on Wednesday. Two more will follow in the next few weeks. Please keep her in your thoughts as she fights (and wins!) this battle.
Chemotherapy has not affected her appetite, as evidenced by the giant loaf of Zingerman’s bread she stole from the pigs as we were prepping for feeding time.
Published by Amanda on June 27th, 2008 | Filed under Around the Farm | 3 Comments »
Goodbye, Godfather.
Godfather passed away yesterday, much too soon. His mind would have carried him through another decade, but his poor body just wasn’t able.
Godfather came to SASHA a few years ago as part of a group of pigs who had been abandoned in winter to die in a field in New York and left without food, water or shelter. Luckily, they were discovered and saved, but only after many had perished. Godfather was one of the lucky ones, and along with a few of his friends, he came to live at SASHA Farm.
Time is not kind to pigs, though. At least, not the farm pigs who humans have genetically manipulated to grow so big, so fast. Godfather’s legs could no longer support his immense body. He had severe arthritis. He was no longer able to get up on his own to seek out food, water, or relief from the heat or cold. We made the difficult decision to end his pain.
Published by Amanda on June 27th, 2008 | Filed under Around the Farm | Comment now »
Noodles!
Mark your calendars! On Monday, July 14th from 3 to 9 pm, Noodles and Co. in Ann Arbor will give 25% of the proceeds from your meal to SASHA Farm when you present them with one of these coupons!
Published by Amanda on June 19th, 2008 | Filed under Announcements and Events | Comment now »
Goodbye, Mabel.
A couple of weeks ago, we learned that Mabel was nearing the end of her life.
Monday evening we sadly said goodbye to her. Her body just gave out, and though she tried to put on a brave front, it was clear that she was no longer comfortable. Our only comfort is knowing that since we had a couple of weeks’ warning that the end was near, many of her friends had a chance to say goodbye to her. She was very loved, and we all miss her dearly.
Published by Amanda on June 19th, 2008 | Filed under Around the Farm | 4 Comments »
Manicure Day for the Goats!
A few times a year, we enlist some brave volunteers to help us with routine hoof care for the goats. This time around, volunteer Ann Goodman documented the day for us! Here’s her report!
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Did you think that pedicures were only for the human species? Well, many others receive them as well — including goats. Yes, it was pedicure Tuesday for the lucky goats at SASHA Farm. You may wonder, like I did, just how a whole herd of goats could be coaxed into having their hooves trimmed.
The process began when Amanda called the goats as she brought some yummy hay into the small outside enclosure next to the people barn. Since the goats are curious and friendly, they all rushed to see what treats awaited them. Once the goats were all inside the enclosure, the gate was shut.
The volunteer pedicurists were given instruction on trimming, a milking stand was carried into the enclosure to serve as a trimming stand, and the goats rushed to jumped on the stand to be the first customer.
“Me first, me first!” Stripes and Percy try to go first, but Galaxy beats them to it.
Other goats preferred to add a soothing massage. No restraint was necessary for Petey, who preferred a less formal approach to the whole process. What, no fruity beverage with an umbrella?!
A good brushing was part of the spa experience for Galaxy.
One happy customer leaving the goat spa with trimmed hooves and a shiny coat.
Published by Amanda on June 4th, 2008 | Filed under Volunteer Journal, Around the Farm | 2 Comments »
Mock Egg Salad
This was another hit at the last Work Day. Recipe by volunteer Ann Smolinski of Grand Rapids.
Ingredients
1 water packed extra firm block of tofu
1/2-3/4 c. Vegenaise
1/3 c. relish
2 green onions, chopped
1/8 tsp paprika
1/8 tsp tumeric
1 T nutritional yeast
1 stalk of celery, chopped (She uses 1/2 tsp celery salt instead of celery and salt)
1/2 tsp salt
Instructions
Drain tofu. Pat dry with paper towel. Mash with potato masher.
Mix everything together. Place on bread or in pita with lettuce.
Published by Amanda on June 4th, 2008 | Filed under Recipes | 1 Comment »
Mushroom Stuffed Filo Parcels
This recipe was a huge hit at our last Work Day. It was made by Charlie Day, a volunteer visiting for the summer from the UK. She says this is a traditional English Christmas recipe. Charlie will be leaving to go home in a month. We’ll miss her! But when we eat this, we can think of her. If we ever figure out that darn metric system, that is. 
Ingredients
6 medium sized field mushrooms (flat)
Oil to fry mushrooms
225 g packet fresh or frozen filo pastry
25 g melted vegan margarine
30 ml cranberry or red currant sauce
Extra cranberry or red currant sauce for topping
1 packet veggie stuffing mix
1 small onion, finely chopped
1 stick celery, finely chopped
15 g vegan margarine
25-50 g chopped roasted hazelnuts
Soya milk for binding
Instructions
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F
Fry mushrooms 3-4 min each side until tender, then cool.
Make up stuffing mix. Fry the onion and celery in margarine, then add stuffing mix and hazelnuts. Add a little soya milk to bind. Leave to cool.
Fill each flat field mushroom with mix.
Take 3 sheets filo pastry at a time. Cut in half so you have 4-5 inch squares. Take a square and brush it with melted margarine. Place a second square at an angle and brush again. Do the same with the third square.
Place stuffed mushroom on pastry and top with one teaspoon cranberry sauce. Bring edges of pastry together and pinch to form parcel (money bag shape).
Brush with melted margarine and place on greased baking tray. Bake in oven 15-20 minutes until golden brown. Add extra sauce to serve.
Serves 6.
Published by Amanda on June 4th, 2008 | Filed under Recipes | Comment now »
Aging Mabel
This is a copy of the article I submitted yesterday for the column I write for the local newspaper. There’s an update after the article. (Photo by David Lewinski for Hour Magazine.)
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Mabel doesn’t get around as well as she used to. Her pace has slowed. She’s unsteady on her feet. She has fallen more in the past month than she probably has in her entire life. She spends quiet days sleeping, but when visitors come, she feels obligated to accompany them around the sanctuary, and by the end of those days, she is often too exhausted to make it up the hill to her bedroom, and she has to be carried. Luckily, Mabel isn’t one of the sanctuary’s resident cows or pigs. She’s a 45-pound
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Mabel’s vet visit today didn’t give us the hope we were looking for. Her vet has given her less than two weeks with us.