In this eNewsletter issue, read about:

• Voodoo, a special dog
• Our first annual Tails on the Trails husky hike and picnic
• Is your dog overweight?
• Update on the "Hazlet 9" dogs
• Calling all adopters: Have questions? Want to chat?

On June 23, 2003, Paige Bluhm, a TOTTSHR volunteer, made what seemed like a routine pickup of a five-year-old dog that had been turned in by his owners to the Burlington, NJ Animal Shelter. Her plan, as always, was to foster the dog until he could be adopted. However, it soon became apparent that the dog, named Voodoo, was afflicted with a very painful and difficult-to-treat skin disease called Demodectic mange.

While not contagious, this disease causes severe itching and makes the dog’s fur fall out in huge clumps. Because it is caused by mites, steroids cannot be given to relieve the itching, as they actually cause the mites to grow larger and more voracious. As a result, Voodoo would require weekly baths using a special soap and regular shots of special medication. He would also need to wear a tee shirt and a plastic cone at all times to keep him from scratching until he bled.

“Imagine if you had poison ivy all over your whole body,” says Bluhm. “That’s how poor Voodoo feels. I really feel sorry for him because he is one of the sweetest dogs we’ve ever brought into rescue, always ready with tail wags and kisses before the disease devastated him.”

After discussing it with the rest of the rescue group, Bluhm and her husband, Scott, decided that they would do whatever it took to get Voodoo healthy and adoptable. He is currently being kept in a special kennel in the Bluhm’s family room, wearing his shirt and cone. He is beginning to show signs of recovery, and it is expected that he will be available for adoption within a few months.

“When Voodoo first arrived here, he was very affectionate and playful,” says Bluhm. “As we do with all our rescue dogs, we took him to the vet for a thorough checkup. We noticed that he had itchy paws and a slight limp, but because his blood panel came back normal, the vet diagnosed the itching as eczema. He also prescribed Rimadyl for a possibly strained leg and eye drops for his conjunctivitis. He seemed to be doing better, but he started scratching more and more. He also became lethargic and had occasional high fevers. This is when the vet diagnosed the Demodectic mange.”

This mange is caused by a mite that lives on all dogs and is, under normal circumstances, actually beneficial. In Voodoo’s case, however, they proliferated to the point that they overwhelmed him. In older dogs such as Voodoo, there is usually an underlying cause, so he was tested for thyroid deficiency and Lyme disease. Both tests came back positive. The Lyme was causing the limp and the thyroid deficiency weakened his immune system, allowing the mites to take over.

“This dog has been a real trouper throughout his entire treatment,” says Bluhm. “When he’s recovered, he is going to make someone a wonderful pet.”

If you'd like to learn more about Voodoo and check in on his progress, you can visit his website.

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Tails of the Tundra Siberian Husky Rescue, Inc. will hold its first annual picnic on Saturday, September 27, 2003 at Core Creek Park in Langhorne, PA. The event will consist of a fundraising hike starting at 8:30 a.m. followed by a picnic in the afternoon. Activities will include a mushing demonstration, Canine Good Citizen (CGC) test, a silent auction, and more. To date, we have collected some really cool items for the silent auction—a Marlon Byrd autographed baseball donated by the Philadelphia Phillies, coupons for tickets to games during the 2004 season donated by the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Red Barons and the Reading Phillies, a certificate for one 8-week group obedience class donated by the Canine Academy in Penndel, an abstract print donated by caricaturist Sally Chase, a Husky First Aid kit made by Paige Bluhm, and a collectible donated by Lenox.

The hike and picnic promise to be a good time for all. So, whether you're a current volunteer, a past adopter, a future volunteer, a future adopter, or just love dogs and want to have a good time while helping a good cause, be sure to join us on September 27th.

If you would like more information or have something you wish to donate for the silent auction, e-mail Lee or call 215-412-0270 and leave a message in the Events voicemail box.

If you cannot attend but wish to make a contribution, donations may be sent to:

Tails on the Trails 2003
P.O. Box 612
Colmar, PA 18915

You can also donate online through PayPal; see the PayPal link below in the "Hazlet 9" article.

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Obesity is a serious problem in our canine friend society. You may have heard or even may have told yourself... "Oh he is just big-boned," "My dog is always sooo hungry," or even "But she looks so sad if I don't give her more food." While these words may be in your mind, it's important for you to know that having an overweight canine friend can take years off of his or her life.

There may even be an underlying cause for the weight problems in your pet. Conditions can include Hypothyroidism and Cushing's Disease.

Is your dog overweight? Here are some general guidelines you can use to help you determine if your dog is overweight:

• Can you feel your dog's ribs when you gently palpate his or her sides?
• When you look at your dog's back, can you see a "waist" - an indentation in the area between where the ribs end and the hips begin?
• Can you feel your dog's hip bones when you apply gentle pressure?
• Is your dog slow to rise or does he or she have trouble moving about?
• Is your dog reluctant to exercise?
• Does your dog seem to tire easily with activity?

Tip the scales in your favor and make sure that your dog is at a healthy weight. If you are not sure what your dog's healthy weight should be, ask your veterinarian. Get your best friend back on track and add years to your friendship!

Read more about obesity and weight problems in dogs.

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The "Hazlet 9" are continuing to do well in each of their foster homes.

We also have received word from Lorraine Healy (a member of Husky House) that she attended the August 15, 2003 court hearing for this case. She reported that the judge imposed a $250 fine on the previous owner of the dogs for the dead cats found in the house and an additional $250 for the neglect to the dogs. The previous owner is also prohibited from owning any animals for a minimum of 5 years and is subject to unannounced visits during this period by the local SPCA.

The court has also ordered her to pay an additional $1,000, which will be split among the rescue groups involved in fostering the more than 20 huskies that were taken from her home.

We'd like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who made contributions to the auction and general donations to support rescue efforts. Special thanks to many Sibernet-L members including Donna L., Veronica D., Bonnie L., Ursula R., Karen R. and Lois L. of Adopt A Husky. The total winning bids on the eBay auction amounted to over $2,000!

Read more about this incident...

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Have questions? Having a problem? Need answers or just want to talk about the trials, tribulations, or successes of adopting a dog? TOTTSHR would like to hear from you!

If you'd like to reach out and talk about your adoption experience with other TOTTSHR adopters, we've started an e-mail list just for you. E-mail: TOTTAdopters@siberescue.com and ask to be added to the TOTTAdopter e-mail list. You can post about the amazing accomplishments of your adopted husky, brag about his or her exploits, or get answers to some of your questions and share in the adoption experience with other adopters. TOTTSHR volunteers are also members and can help you with problems or questions.

We love to hear success stories! Post a brag, accomplishment, or the story of your adoption on the TOTTAdopter e-mail list and we may select it for the next monthly eNewsletter (with your permission of course).

Have a question or problem, but don't want to share it on the list? E-mail: followup@siberescue.com and get your questions or problems answered by our follow-up e-mail coordinator on our personal, one-on-one help line.

Coming soon: The Adopter Hotline, a phone number where you can leave a message and one of our follow-up personnel will call you back and discuss your question or problem.

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