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Mid
Michigan Cocker Rescue was founded in 1989 by Hyer Luv Kennel and Groomers Staff and Hyer Luv's
Cockers breeders Sam and Fred Hyer. A substantial portion of the profit from grooming and boarding and the
limited sale of Hyer Luv's pups fund this worthwhile
venture. Also we have several ways you can painlessly assist that
take no funds from your personal wallet if you
would like see information under donations. However donations of time, supplies or funds are
gratefully accepted. And when not
needed by this organization, when donations are shared with
us, they are given to other cocker rescues or the local humane society with dogs in
need!
This site is growing, consider telling us of
great cocker or general dog information links to add or
making us a link. The site is constantly being improved
as change equals excitement, check back often. This site
is to benefit cockers that is true...but I hope that all
companion owners, luv-ers, and those in search of their
dream dog will find help, information and inspiration
within these pages.
Michigan is getting better about disposing of their companions and
not as many cockers are as available as before THANK GOD. There are
several of us (organizations) working together to make it possible to
have actual weeks where we have NO PLACEABLE COCKERS! But often we
each have several cockers need homes...some due to
actual rescue situations and some due to re-homing
because of the owner's situation. Please email
us to give a
second chance, a second home, to a companion who never
should have been treated as second class! WHEN MMCR
does not have dogs available there are other organizations
that we work with that may so contact us anyway to help
save lives.
If you
order ANYTHING ON LINE you can help yourself and cocker rescue.
Recently I ordered 6 printer cartridges for the cost of purchasing
"1" locally at a box store and
that company donated $14.00 to rescue. It is safe and fast and
easy. Name brand stores you probably already shop on line they
are not only willing to give rescue a donation in your name...but they
offer discounts to those clients that order thru the IGIVE site. Please take advantage of it for you and secondarily for
us. Here is how: At the request of one of your
supporters, we've created a join Link
for your cause. Now the trick to helping Mid-Michigan Cocker Spaniel
Rescue is
to let your fellow supporters know that there's an even easier
way to join iGive and begin helping.
http://www.iGive.com/MMCR
Yet
another way to help that is PAINLESS: Save the UPC codes found at the
bottom back of the bags from IAMS and Eukanuba bags. From the Purina
corporation on all varieties of their products on the upper side of
each bag is a weight circle. These companies will, in exchange for
these label portions, send us discount coupons for pet food.
PLEASE Send to:
MMCR/Sam Hyer 7995 Myers Lake NE Rockford
MI 49341-9634
The above address is
also able to accept your donations if you apprecated our
assistance in rehoming your best friend or for accepting a best
friend thru our organization. Or if you just have a generous
heart.
Any questions please
email us at mmcr@wmis.net with any
questions you have regarding placing your cocker or applying for a
cocker. We can no longer accept phone calls due to the volume
increase over the years.
Site originally created for Michigan
Cocker Rescue on October 24, 1997
by John Lawson-Bradfield, Rick Riessen, and Sam Hyer.
Recreated:
April 11,2003 by Sam Hyer
|
How
Could You?
By
Jim
Willis ©
2001
When
I was a puppy, I entertained you with my antics and
made you laugh. You called me your child, and despite a number
of chewed shoes and a couple of murdered throw pillows, I
became your best friend. Whenever I was "bad," you'd
shake
your finger at me and ask, “How could you?" -- but then you'd
relent, and roll me over for a
belly rub.
My
housebreaking took a little longer than expected, because
you were terribly busy, but we worked on that together. I
remember those nights of nuzzling you in bed and listening to
your confidences and secret dreams, and I believed that life
could not be any more perfect. We went for long walks and runs
in the park, car rides, stops for ice cream (I only got the cone
because "ice cream is bad for dogs," you said), and I took long
naps in the sun waiting for you to come home at the end of the
day.
Gradually, you began spending more time at work and on your
career,
and more time searching for a human mate. I waited for
you
patiently, comforted you through heartbreaks and
disappointments,
never chided you about bad decisions, and
romped
with glee at your homecomings, and when you fell in
love.
She, now your wife, is not a "dog person" – still I welcomed
her
into our home, tried to show her affection, and obeyed her. I
was
happy because you were happy.
Then the human babies came along and I shared your
excitement.
I was fascinated by their pinkness, how they
smelled,
and I wanted to mother them, too. Only she and you
worried
that I might hurt them, and I spent most of my time
banished
to another room, or to a dog crate. Oh, how I wanted to
love
them, but I became a "prisoner of love."
As they began to grow, I became their friend. They clung to my
fur
and pulled themselves up on wobbly legs, poked fingers in my
eyes,
investigated my ears, and gave me kisses on my nose. I
loved
everything about them and their touch -- because your
touch
was now so infrequent -- and I would have defended them
with
my life if need be. I would sneak into their beds and listen
to
their worries and secret dreams, and together we waited for
the
sound of your car in the driveway.
There had been a time, when others asked you if you had a
dog,
that you produced a photo of me from your wallet and told
them
stories about me. These past few
years, you just answered
"yes"
and changed the subject. I had gone from being "your dog"
to
"just a dog," and you resented every expenditure on my behalf.
Now, you have a new career opportunity in another city, and
you
and they will be moving to an apartment that does not allow
pets.
You've made the right decision for your "family," but there
was
a time when I was your only family. I was excited about the
car
ride until we arrived at the animal shelter. It smelled of dogs
and
cats, of fear, of hopelessness.
You filled out the paperwork and said, "I know you will find a
good
home for her." They shrugged and gave you a pained look.
They
understand the realities facing a middle-aged dog, even one
with
"papers."
You had to pry your son's fingers loose from my collar, as he
screamed,
"No, Daddy! Please don't let them take my dog!" And I
worried
for him, and what lessons you had just taught him about
friendship
and loyalty, about love and responsibility, and about
respect
for all life. You gave me a good-bye pat on the head,
avoided
my eyes, and politely refused to take my collar and leash
with
you. You had a deadline to meet and now I have one, too.
After you left, the two nice ladies said you probably knew
about
your upcoming move months ago and made no attempt to
find
me another good home. They shook
their heads and asked,
"How
could you?"
They are as attentive to us here in the shelter as their busy
schedules
allow. They feed us, of course, but I lost my appetite
days
ago. At first, whenever anyone passed my pen, I rushed to
the
front, hoping it was you that you had changed your mind –
that
this was all a bad dream ... or I hoped it would at least be
someone
who cared, anyone who might save me. When I realized I
could
not compete with the frolicking for attention of happy
puppies,
oblivious to their own fate, I retreated to a far corner
and
waited.
I heard her footsteps as she came for me at the end of the
day,
and I padded along the aisle after her to a separate room. A
blissfully
quiet room. She placed me on the
table and rubbed my
ears,
and told me not to worry. My heart
pounded in anticipation
of
what was to come, but there was also a sense of relief. The
prisoner
of love had run out of days. As is my nature, I was more
concerned
about her.
The burden which she bears weighs heavily on her, and I know
that,
the same way I knew your every mood. She gently placed a
tourniquet
around my foreleg as a tear ran down her cheek. I
licked
her hand in the same way I used to comfort you so many
years
ago. She expertly slid the hypodermic needle into my vein.
As
I felt the sting and the cool liquid coursing through my body, I
lay
down sleepily, looked into her kind
eyes and murmured "How
could
you?"
Perhaps because she understood my dogspeak, she said, "I'm
so
sorry." She hugged me, and hurriedly explained it was her job
to
make sure I went to a better place, where I wouldn't be ignored
or
abused or abandoned, or have to fend for myself -- a place of
love
and light so very different from this earthly place. And with
my
last bit of energy, I tried to convey to her with a thump of my
tail
that my "How could you?" was not directed at her. It was you,
My
Beloved Master, I was thinking of. I will think of you and wait
for
you forever.
May everyone in your life continue to show you so much
loyalty.
The
End
A
note from the author:
If
"How Could You?" brought tears to your eyes as you read it, as it did
to mine as I wrote it, it is because it is the composite story of the millions
of formerly owned pets who die each year in American and Canadian animal
shelters. Anyone is welcome to distribute the essay for a noncommercial
purpose, as long as it is properly attributed with the copyright notice. Please
use it to help educate, on your websites, in newsletters, on animal shelter and
vet office bulletin boards. Tell the public that the decision to add a pet
to the family is an important one for life, that animals deserve our love and
sensible care, that finding another appropriate home for your animal is your
responsibility and any local humane society or animal welfare league can offer
you good advice, and that all life is precious.
Please
do your part to stop the killing, and encourage all spay & neuter campaigns
in order to prevent unwanted animals.
FINDING A
TRUE QUALITY BREEDER
A reputable breeder feels
responsibility toward the breed itself, toward the dogs he or she breeds and to
the people who own dogs from their kennel. He or she spends time and money on
matters they think are for the best interests of the breed.
It is this passion and
responsibility that divides the true breeder from the "puppy-raiser".
The breeder is motivated to create perfection; the puppy raisers and the dog
dealers are motivated to make money.
Reputable breeders will
carefully screen potential new owners, often sells with a contractual agreement,
and will ALWAYS take a dog back at any point in its life if the owner cannot
keep the dog.
When selecting a puppy,
the reputable breeder may show you the pedigree and explain the selected
bloodlines. You should be allowed to see the puppies and the mother in their
kennel.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR WHEN
YOU ARE AT THE BREEDER:
1. Cleanliness.
Normal dog odors are unavoidable, but dogs and facilities should be clean. Ask
about sanitation practices. A sanitary environment is usually a healthy
environment!
2. Attitude. Happy, healthy, well-cared for animals are bright-eyed,
energetic, and curious about strangers. Lethargic, bleary-eyed dogs that hardly
look up when a stranger is present is likely a sign of ill-health.
3. Appearance. Are the dogs clean? Well-groomed? Remember that puppies
can be quite messy, but extensive filth on the dogs is a sign of neglect.
4. Behavior. Also a health factor; unhealthy or injured animals will
always behave differently than the rest of the litter. Don't select the puppy
that is "sweet" and "quiet". If the rest of the litter is
wrestling, romping and vocalizing, a non-participant may not feel well. The
breeder should already have noticed and be willing and able to tell you about
each puppy.
5. Information. The breeder should supply all information on the puppy's
pedigree, not just show a display of ribbons. The mother should not be overbred;
find out how old she is and how many litters she's had. Reluctance to provide
this type of information may be a warning sign. Make sure the breeder provides
you with written feeding instructions and a feeding schedule. The puppy should
also come with a pedigree of past three or more generations. The breeder should
provide you with the puppy's immunization record and schedule, listing the dates
and types of vaccines used. Remember that a pedigree and registration papers do
not guarantee health or quality.
6. References. Ask for a list of other families who have dogs from the
breeder. A reputable breeder should gladly give you several names and numbers.
Call all of them. Ask if they would purchase another dog from the same kennel.
7. Written Contracts
The written contract should include names and addresses of parties involved,
price, terms and breeders support, date of transaction, signature of buyer and
seller and witnesses if required by state law.
Be sure to ask what are
the terms of the contract?
What guarantees do they
offer?
What penalties are imposed
for violation of contract?
The pup may come with AKC
registration (but this varies upon breed - the puppy you are thinking about
purchasing may be a breed that is not recognized by AKC) The form should be
completed and signed. Some breeders will only give you this slip/papers after
all fees have been paid, or once spaying/neutering is proven, etc. This depends
upon the contract. Find this out in advance!
What are the conditions of
the sale? Do you only get the dog's papers after spay/neuter obligation
fulfilled? (If dog is sold as a pet)
A reputable
breeder will allow some time (min. 48 hours to 30 days) for return of pup/dog,
in the same condition as time of sale, for any reason with full refund of
purchase price. This allows you time to have your pup examined by your own vet,
too. Some will allow 24 or more months for OFA certifications since OFA only
tests dogs once they reach 2 years of age.
1. Carefully interviews prospective buyers and has specific requirements that
prospective owners must meet, such as spaying and neutering pets, housing the
dog in an enclosed yard, agreeing to never let the dog off lead in an unenclosed
area.
2. Sells by written contract.
3. Sells puppies with a health guarantee.
4. Insists upon getting the dog back if the buyer is no longer able to keep the
dog.
5. Does not have more litters than they can keep well groomed and well
socialized.
6. Does not have more litters than they can keep housed long term if unable to
sell the puppies.
7. Spends individual time with each dog under their care every day.
8. Tests her breeding stock for known hereditary diseases and breeds with the
aim of decreasing the incidence of such diseases.
9. Is very concerned with producing puppies with excellent temperaments and
health.
10. Can identify each puppy and chart its growth and development from birth.
11. Is willing to help educate the novice buyer and happily answers any and all
questions about his or her breed and his or her individual dogs
12. Is willing and able to show the prospective buyer the health certificates
and test results on the sire and dam of the puppies.
13. Wants to be informed of any health or temperament problems that his or her
puppies develop through out the lifetime of each puppy.
14. Is available for help, advice, and education to the buyer through out the
life of the puppy.
15. Is willing to allow a minimum of 48 hours for you to return the puppy, for
any reason, and give you a full refund of the purchase price. This time allows
you to have the puppy examined by your own veterinarian.
