Collected from license applications - take your time, gotta think twice on a few.

Westminster Terrier
Rhode Island Ridgeback (Rhodesian)
Palmeranian
Copper Spaniel
Cocker Spaniard
@!#$ Sue (Shih Tzu)
Dorky Terrier
El Paso (Lhasa Apso)
Lopso Apso
Highland Heeler
Alaskan Malibu
Belgian Manawa
Belgium Malenoise
Basket Hound Bagel
Wild Haired Terrier
Carrion Terrier
Wineamimer
Rockwelder
Rockwilder
Rottenwiler
Great Pekingese (Pyrenees)
Great Pyramid
Miniature Datsun
Irish Settler
Jack Daniels Terrier
German Police Man
Chesapeake A Retriever
Borderline Collie
Chevy King Charles (Cavalier)
Government Pinscher

Comments from original sender: They should have added the Masteef or Massive. I have been asked many times if I know how to groom a Tissue (Shih-tzu). A few people have proudly claimed ownership of a Lost A--HOLE (lhasa apso). Today, a woman came in and proudly told me her dog was a licensed AKC Miniature German Shepherd and she paid $800. for it. We also had the St. Bernard Beer Dog once - quite rare! Then there was the Boopier pronounced Boo-pee-a (Bouvier), and we groom quite a few Bitchin' Frizzies (Bichon Frise).

People always asked if Buster (Boston) was a miniature boxer. I answered Lib's background inquiries wth momma was a cock-a-poo and poppa a traveling man. The verdict is still out on Scoopy.

Sue contributed Lopsy Obo (as Bobo gets older, he becomes more lopsy, I have to say). Send your bloopers too: LibbyK9@aol.com

My sentiments exactly ...

1. The dog lives here. You don't.
 
2. If you don't want dog hair on your clothes, stay off the furniture.
 
3. I like my dog a lot better than I like most people.
 
4. To you, he's a dog. To me, he's a child who is short, hairy, walks on all fours and doesn't speak clearly.

Graphic by Janna
http://www.geocities.com/cottontailgraphics/

Dogs are better than kids. They eat less, don't ask for money all the time, are easier to train, usually come when called, never drive your car, don't hang out with drug-using friends, don't smoke or drink, don't worry about buying the latest fashions, don't wear your clothes, don't need a gazillion dollars for college, and ...

They won't get pregnant or be the cause of such condition because they have been spayed or neutered. Enlightened animal guardians know enough not to believe ridiculous myths and old wives tales (one litter will calm her down - sure, surrounded by a pack of whining brats - there's the perfect picture of bliss and tranquility). Intelligent people also know every new birth means one more death, at the rate of thousands per day, in shelters and pounds.

OK, you've all seen that list and know I fiddled with the last line. I know you wouldn't have stuck this far if you didn't care about animals - now I need your serious attention.

Recently a dog made national news by surviving the gas chamber. Quite remarkable, no details are necessary. According to one report more than 700 hundred adoption offers came in. That's wonderful and I'm sure the rescue group will do their best to make sure the new home is as permanent as any can be.

So what's the problem? Read my e-mail to media:

This is to suggest/request taking advantage of Quentin's celebrity by following up with the inhumane facts about gas chambers. There is no excuse for any shelter or animal control facility to practice that form of euthanasia. Usually the excuse is lack of trained staff to administer lethal injections. However, according to an AP article reproduced on Mr. Grim's rescue site (http://www.strayrescue.org/quentin.html), "Rich Stevson -- the program manager for the city's animal center"  ... injection is used on puppies and kittens ... "because their lungs are too small to really breathe in enough carbon monoxide."

Why is the gas chamber still used for adult disposal if trained staff is available?

In one word, any type of gas chamber is barbaric. Unfortunately there are even more gruesome practices still in use. Please see link and quote below for details if necessary.

One would assume backwoods conditions would exist only in backward areas, not a supposedly sophisticated metropolis. But then why would I be surprised when I have yet to see even one animal abuse case appropriately prosecuted?

Thank you for your attention to this matter, please use my comments as a letter to editor or any other possibly useful way. 

Martha Jones

From the Killing with Kindness campaign, http://www.crean.com/kindness/letter.html - "We have shelters and pounds in America where animals are placed in metal or wood boxes or used oil drums, and hot, lung-searing (or sometimes pre-cooled) carbon monoxide fumes are pumped in; or they are suffocated with carbon dioxide; or they are placed in decompression chambers; or given painful lethal injections jabbed directly into the heart; or placed in freezers while still alive; or they are drowned, or shot, or electrocuted. Some are dragged clawing and screaming to their deaths. Some are kicked and choked on the way to the killing. When multiple animals are gassed together, they injure themselves and each other in their terror. These horrors have often been documented, and some local groups and governments have been successful in eradicating these cruel practices. However, these practices are so epidemic that it could take decades to purge them with local or state-by-state efforts."

More info/press release available on campaign link.

"Killing With Kindness" - An Act of Compassion
One campaign. One goal: A U.S. Federal law for the humane euthanasia of surplus, homeless companion animals. One result: Putting an end to the cruel killing.

If I've had no replies by next week, I will follow up the e-mails with snail mail. Please use anything on this page as you see fit. Unfortunately, I don't foresee a national law going into effect any time soon, if ever. Bottom line, not enough people care to push. As stated above, some local efforts have been successful. I also know of one case where fighting the good-ol'-boy attitude worked a few months ago after months and months of letters, calls, posters, rallies and use of every other tactic and ammo available. Find specific suggestions for starting a campaign at end of page.

I was shocked St. Louis Animal Control was still operating in the dark ages. Never even occurred to me to question - at least 25 years ago lethal injection was standard in one of the worst set-ups possible (combo pound and shelter in Florida).

Anybody with half a brain knows the killing will continue as long as puppies and kittens can be found on every corner. The least we can do is try to help make sure death is as painless as possible.

Don't just hope the problem is going to go away, decide to do something.

Thank you on behalf of those unable to speak for themselves,

Martha Jones
MarthaJones1@aol.com or LibbyK9@aol.com
Please use gas chamber as subject line.

I apologize, somewhat, for the nightmares several friends have already blamed me for causing. Crying and hiding from reality accomplishes exactly nothing. I suggest thinking of people you can send this page to instead. That would count as doing something if that's all you can handle.

I do not apologize for using the funnies to haul in unsuspecting readers. I've done it before and I'll do it again.

Be assured I could have caused a lot more upset with a whole lot worse than I chose to include. Be very glad you are not the ones dealing with the facts and consequences of human stupidity every day.

From Helen, who is extremely well-qualified on all of the above:

I have told ya, and told ya and told ya, to them it makes no difference, out of sight, out of mind. I can send to my folks, those who give a damn already care, and are trying their best to do what's right. Those who care, but chose to ignore the truth of such horrific proportions, will never do one damn thing to make a change. They won't even read it~!!!!! I'VE TRIED~! I get back things like, "You know I just can't read that, it makes me sad." Soooo, say I, what can you do? Then, and this is true, often they will actually make a donation* to the humane society in their area, thinking this in some way makes a difference. They can't even conceive the possibility that maybe, just their voice protesting this archaic method of disposal if joined by other voices, might make a difference if they accepted the truth as it is, and did something about it.

Pick a brick wall, but stay away from mine, my head is accustomed to it after all these years.

*That reminds me of what I told a friend who sent the Animal Rescue site feed link (http://www.theanimalrescuesite) a few days ago. She was happy that it checked it out to be true (feed animals in need - no cost to you, sponsor supported). I already had it linked on several other pages. Yes, that is nice - miniscule help though it is - but again, doing something. Taking a bag of food to a local shelter and making a donation for spay/neuter while you're at it would do a helluva lot more good.

Great news! http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/bizarre/2047890 - "In Defense of Animals will donate $5,000 to begin a fund to eliminate the gas chamber as St. Louis' primary way of euthanizing stray dogs ... "

This is progress, but only the first tiny step. From the same article, "The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals estimates between 5 million and 9 million companion animals are euthanized each year."

Notice the article did not explain how the donation would be used or exactly what "primary way" means. No surprise, and in fact typical of the usual incomplete and/or misleading style of reporting practiced by all media. In other words, nothing is actually settled yet.

Campaign tips that worked in the case mentioned above

HSUS ( http://www.hsus.org/ace/457?searchstring=euthanasia ) will send you a copy of their printed "General Statement Regarding Euthanasia Methods for Dogs & Cats." They say straight out sodium pentobarbital is the preferred agent for animal euthanasia. And they have lots of info about what happens to the body during carbon monoxide euthanasia, how long it takes to die, etc.

Then check the "2000 Report of the AVMA Panel on Euthanasia." They say the same thing in essence and you can pull some really good quotes to support your belief from that report. Always be sure to say where you get your information. Both of these sources are well respected and will add weight to your presentation. 

The AVMA report also has some strict guidelines that 'should' be followed IF the carbon monoxide method is to be the way they continue to euthanize. From the recent incident with Quentin, it is more than obvious that they do NOT follow these guidelines. However, remember that these are suggested guidelines - NOT law! Still, exposing the public to what these two organizations say is the best way to euthanize and what the AVMA says should happen IF the chamber is to continue the chosen method will at the very least raise awareness.

The American Humane Association ( www.americanhumane.org ) will also send you their statement about what is considered the preferred method.

I believe it is the American Humane site, too, that has an audio (if you really want to listen) of animals that are dying in the gas chamber. It does not do the "live" event justice.   It's much worse when you hear it yourself.

When you write or contact these people, be sure to send links or copies of the articles written about Quentin. That should help them see the need to help you ... and they will anyway.

Another thing you might do is search for towns or states that have outlawed the use of the chamber. I found some very interesting reading about Augusta, Georgia's struggle to get the chamber abolished in the Augusta Chronicle archives from 1998; Sylvia Cooper was the reporter, and when we were fighting the chamber here, she was still at the paper. The citizens finally won.

Another place is Abilene, TX and the entire state of California (there are LOTS of states now that outlaw it. Look for those and for strategies that they used)

I'm going to try to scan an article from The Times & Free Press that reports the death of an animal control officer when the chamber was not operated properly. Some people are indifferent to animals, but will give consideration to stopping something that might be dangerous to humans.

PETA ( www.peta.org ) has information that you might find useful without having them come in to do protests.

NEVER doubt the change that one person can bring about!

http://www.therealmartha.com/spayneuter/index.htm - Printable graphics, links and more
http://www.therealmartha.com/adopt/index.htm - Meet the Shelter Sweeties, includes most complete link list, on and off site