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It’s never easy to lose someone dear to you. Loss is an unfortunate part of sanctuary life and we cope with it far too often, but our loss January 3, 2010 has really hit us hard. BJ, our precious, endearing Russian Boar came to us nearly 9 years ago. He was orphaned by a hunter, but rescued by someone who couldn’t leave him behind.

A Memphis woman embraced the orphaned and bottle fed him along with pups she was caring for. Because the woman lived in the city she was unable to keep BJ. A couple of calls around and she learned of our sanctuary.
When BJ arrived he was just a couple of months old. We already had several pigs so we knew he’d fit in.

As he grew he endeared himself more and more to us. His bright amber eyes were captivating. He loved belly rubs and wallowing in the mud. He received bananas and apples regularly, but adored watermelon and watching him eat watermelon was like watching a child dismantle wrapping from a present.

BJ shared his space with Mary Grace. He loved her, but she annoy him at times with her high pitched and prolonged demands for food. Sometimes he’d butt her with a strong, ”shut the heck up!” What he didn’t realize was Mary Grace’s disturbances got them fed first every time.

BJ determined which house was his and how it would be kept. As winter approached BJ would begin gathering dried grasses for bedding. Season after season it was me who’d have to clear BJ’s abode of packed hay as he stood by vigorously protesting.

BJ was amazingly gentle with children. Our dear friend, Debbie Young, brought her grandson, Austin, whenever her rescue and adoption efforts allowed free time. Austin and BJ were real pals. BJ willingly cooperated with Austin’s inspections of his ears. Austin and his brother, Ackerly, visited us just a few weekends ago and BJ really enjoyed their visit.

BJ’s appetite started to decline and Dr. Abernathy was called. BJ was now lying down, apparently in discomfort. Doc wasn’t able to determine what was wrong. He planned to come back out, but let us know he didn’t have the equipment to x-ray BJ. BJ began eating again so we believed he might have ingested something he’d expelled. Two nights later BJ died. BJ appeared to have gone peacefully in his sleep. He was in his house, blanketed in his hay, and there were no signs of distress.

We miss him dearly.

Canton, Mississippi Animal Control Officer, Alonzo Esco, has been fired for allegedly shooting to death over a hundred dogs that were in his care. It’s speculated that Esco had also been selling dogs he picked up for bait in dogfighting. What is clear is that after an investigation by the Canton Police Department was that Esco had shot and illegally dumped over 100 dogs in a Canton waterway.

Because the crimes were not a felony, the case would have to be taken up in a lower court. And the Mayor of Canton said that because it was a misdemeanor, the city would not take up the case.

“We will not let go of this,” said Doll Stanley, director of IDA’s Project Hope. “It is absolutely appalling and disgusting that an animal control officer working for any municipality would take it upon himself to violate city policy by shooting animals entrusted to his care. We know this goes on in different communities in Mississippi, and we’re hoping that when these same communities see that Mr. Esco is prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law that they will wake up and smell the coffee.”

Esco is facing at least 100 counts of animal cruelty for shooting the dogs. IDA is also looking into the fact that he used city property to act illegally.

Sources revealed that Esco was let go from the Canton Fire Department for stealing gasoline and “demoted” to animal control.

“What is very disconcerting is that a city employee would be demoted to animal control. It is really disturbing is that an animal control position is not considered respectable. Sadly, here in the Mississippi, animal control is often viewed as a gateway to the police or fire department. As an auxiliary policeman, Esco did have a police weapon and this is the weapon he used to kill these animals.”
Check out the news reports :

WLBT

WAPT

for more information on this breaking case.

J.R.

From time to time we hear from families who’ve adopted dogs from our animal sanctuary in Mississippi, Project Hope. Here are a few recent updates we’ve received from happy guardians of dogs adopted from Project Hope.

J.R.’s Update:

Eddie and Robbie are the proud parents of J.R., short for Jacob Robert. They adopted J.R. from an Every Creature Counts event at  Petsmart in Denver when he was just 4 months old. J.R. was initially adopted and returned a week later by his first adopters. Eddie and Robbie stepped up and now J.R. is in his permanent forever home.
J.R. is a smart boy, having completed Intermediate Training at Petsmart – skipping over Puppy Training completely. He enjoys running like crazy at the park, playing ball with his daddies and just hanging out at home with his four cat buddies, Sophie, Galactica, Phoenix and Sugar.

Eddie, Robbie, J.R. and the rest of the gang now reside in Arizona and J.R. loves being back in a warmer climate where he can spend more time in the great outdoors year round.
Eddie sums it up best, “we couldn’t ask for a better dog, he is a very loyal and loving companion and is very much loved (and spoiled) by his family. Thank you for bringing this wonderful animal to ECC, and giving us this wonderful loving little man!”

Thanks Eddie and Robbie – we’re so happy you adopted J.R. and are giving him the life he so deserves.

Rene

Rene’s  Update

Rene was dumped on Project Hope several months ago by her previous guardian who simply couldn’t care for her any longer. Doll and the staff fell completely in love with her and the idea was tossed around to let her live out her life at Project Hope, but Doll decided to give her a chance at a good home and Rene transported her to Every Creature Counts in Denver. Her new family adopted her from a Petsmart event in September. Rene, now named Sophie has a wonderful new life and spends her days with her new family.

Sonya & Lillian

Sonya and Lillian’s Update:

Lillian was rescued after having been abandoned and starving and was with us for months, close to a year when some dear friends, who’d adopted from us previously called to say they were ready to adopt another dog. They wanted to save an older dog who was less likely to be adopted. Lillian came out to say hello and immediately latched on to the children and actually climbed into their van. They then spotted Sonya, was also rescued starving on the side of the road. I told them her story and she came out to meet them. The choice was too tough to make and the family was on the verge of tears. They left to think things over and within days called to say there was no choice to make, both girls would come home. We were ecstatic.

Ellie’s  Update:

We updated Ellie’s story back in April, but we love hearing from folks who’ve adopted dogs from Project Hope and Ellie’s mom, Susan, e-mailed us a brief update, so we thought we’d share.

Susan writes, “She is absolutely the perfect addition to our family. She is so very smart and wants to please. Ellie and our four year old yellow lab, Miles, are the very best of friends and spend most of the day chasing around the yard and chewing on their bones.  I so made the right decision that day in Petsmart when I saw her in that kennel. Thanks for rescuing her and giving us the chance to enjoy her company. She is a great dog and deserved a second chance. I have to tell you she is just on the edge of being a very spoiled puppy and she loves it.”

Thank you Susan for the update. Ellie had a rough time and we’re thrilled that she’s found such a great home.

Wilson prior to being rescued.

This past Friday morning Doll called me in tears, Wilson had died. He was one of the dogs Doll rescued from squalor and misery in Carroll County, Mississippi. Doll would later file charges and win custody of Wilson and 11 other dogs. Wilson was Doll’s favorite—she had come upon the black and tan hound when first arriving on the property and his sweetness and soulfulness and marvelous temperament immediately drew her to him.

Read the rest of this entry »

IDA was proud to host the first annual Ride To The Light, Three Sanctuary Century, which was a very fulfilling Saturday of cycling more than 100 miles to benefit three awesome sanctuaries, Out To Pasture, Lighthouse Farm Sanctuary and our own Project Hope.

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What is an animal rights activist to do when a zoo association conference, the Ringling circus, and Veg Fest all converge in Portland in the same week? At IDA, we got busy! Thanks to all the amazing volunteers who came out and helped make this a fabulously successful week of outreach for the animals!

Eric confronts a conference attendee.

Applon being seized from the property in Carroll County.

On Monday, Doll was back in a Carroll County courtroom fighting to win the freedom of 12 dogs kept in squalid conditions. This was Doll’s third trip to court for this case and the judge finally awarded Doll custody of all 12 dogs. Project Hope seized the dogs back in August with the help of the Carroll County Sheriff’s Department and the dogs have been convalescing at the Sanctuary ever since. They are all doing well, despite all having been infected with numerous parasites and being way under-weight. Once healthy these dogs will be sent to Every Creature Counts in Denver to start a new life in a loving home. Read the rest of this entry »

Doll hugs Miracle just before placing her on the transport to Denver.

Nobody actually enjoys driving for 48 hours of 60 hour trip – I mean come on. But when you’re driving animals, who for the most part have lived their lives mostly unwanted, to a place where they are not only wanted, but are treated like little celebrities, it’s totally worth it. Of course, it doesn’t hurt to be highly motivated and I’ve never met anyone more motivated to give animals a fighting chance than Doll Stanley. Read the rest of this entry »