South Florida Husky Howl
4th Quarter -  2007
"Saving the Life of one dog won't change the world, but the world will certainly change for that one dog." Shop online at our SFSHRI Husky Store! Located on our website, you’ll be able to order all sorts of SFSHRI products such as tshirts, sweatshirts, baby crawlers, kid size tshirts, messenger bags, cups, and MORE!  SFSHRI gets commission from all sales. SFSHRI EVENTS: Be kept up to date on the latest events by checking out our online calendar located on our website under ‘Upcoming Events’.  All of our volunteers are kept up to date via email; if you’re interested in volunteering, please fill out a volunteer application located on our website. MICROCHIPPING YOUR HUSKY: Unfortunately, we are finding more and more stray huskies that are not microchipped.  Microchipping has become a popular alternative to tattooing and an added bonus to having current tags on your dog.  Many shelters check for chips when tags are absent from stray dogs.  If the owners are not found then they are adopted or put to sleep. Don’t let this happen to you’re cherished companion.  Microchip and assure them a safe return home. SFSHRI WISH LIST: Large Dog Crates Heartguard (green/brown box) Frontline (40lbs+) A Look From The Other Side.... Submitted by: Michelle Rivera He woke with a startle could not figure out where he was. Why am I warm, why am I safe, why is the world suddenly soft? Oh yes, the lady that talks so sweet she rubs my ears and cooches my belly. I like it here wonder if she'll send me back? It is quiet but I can hear life about me it is a calm, safe feeling. One I have never known but have dreamt of. I have only been here a day wonder if they'll let me stay? Maybe if I'm good and sweet they won't put me on the street. I'm so confused the lady talks so nice all the time. I got my own dinner last night without a fight. I hear some noise wonder if she'll send me back? She is calling my name how sweet she sounds. I am here, right here waiting for my ear rub. Better wag my tail let her know I like her a lot. There she is, she is so soft wonder if she'll let me stay? Time to go out she says better not do it on the floor. Out side with all the others they seem happy here too. I hope she lets me stay. Wow food again and all my own! She just rubbed my head and said 'what a good boy.' Me a good boy wow me a good boy! Oh that smile of hers hope she lets me stay. Looks like play time hey I can play too. She is laughing I remember that sound. They used to do that when I was little and they liked me. You know the other people then they just stopped laughing. Please don't make me go back. She is on the phone thought I heard my name. She is looking at me she is smiling. Better get over there and get one of those ear rubs. She is talking about me Please don't make me go back. Still talking about me Wonder what she meant. She said 'looks like a keeper to me.' I hope she'll let me stay. I was never allowed to give kisses wonder what she would do? Think I'll try. Oh my, she's got tears in her eyes! Oh what have I done? A big hug, maybe she'll let me stay. She said I'm home now talks to me a lot, real nice. Wow, what a day and it's only just begun! Imagine having many days like this all together. Oh, Please let me stay! Thanks to all the rescue volunteers for all you do! South Florida Siberian Husky Rescue, Inc. 4846 N. University Dr. Box# 333 Lauderhill, FL 33351 ((954) 540-7373 Fax  (954) 721-3795 *info@sibrescue.com www.sibrescue.com	A Note From the Founders Bill & Linda Koontz Can you believe that SFSHRI was founded almost 7 years ago in 3/01?!? We have helped find over 400 homes for abandoned & abused Huskies in Florida! Our newsletter will now become a source of information and keep everyone updated on issues/activities going on within the Rescue. Rescue is a never ending job, it never sleeps and runs 24/7. There are a few volunteers working around the clock to insure the rescue runs smoothly and consistently. We are looking for more hands-on volunteers to assist with daily tasks. If you have a special talent that can help us, an idea, a suggestion, fundraising ideas, etc., please email rescue@sibresue.com. There is so much each of us can do if we put our minds to it. 2007 has been one of our roughest years to date getting busier as we become bigger and more well known. The rescue finds itself dealing with vast number of unwanted huskies. At times, it feels like they are literally falling out of the sky! Foster volunteers are stretched to the max, as already overworked fosters take on more dogs and new foster homes are running extinct. Making our boarding facilities our only option to save the lives of Siberians coming out of all the kill shelters. We are charged by the day to board, this mounts up. Fundraising is more and more critical as we have experienced higher rescue dog costs in 2007. Our vet bills to date are $16,000. Yes, you read that amount right. These higher costs are due to more and more dogs needing rescue, not enough foster homes. Not to mention the need for treatment of neglect cases and other unexpected medical conditions over and above the routine vetting procedures of spay/neuter and shots. This is why we need to come together and start finding ways to spread the word about becoming a foster family and to find ways for donations or grants to help pay our veterinary costs. This is a never ending task that can only be accomplished with your assistance. There is so much that goes on behind the scenes. Get involved helping out with fundraising, educating the public at our events, helping with transport, and FOSTER…If you know of anyone that would like to help out, please refer them to our website to fill out an application. Thanks to all of you for your hard work dedication and support for our mission. VOLUNTEERS BEHIND THE SCENES… Bobbie… Rescue Program Administrator oversees our Rescue Statewide and makes sure it runs as smoothly as possible and it’s been a very bumpy ride. bobbie@sibrescue.com Sharon… processes adoption applications… many careful steps are taken to insure our rescue dogs go into a well-loved, husky-educated, forever home. Phone interviews, reference checks…lots of phone calls. johnshar@comcast.net Ronda…makes sure we have sponsor donations, and monetary funding & raffle prizes for our many events. She puts in hours to try and get people to help us out financially with the larger donations. This is not an easy job. Terry & Tom … their home is open for all meet and greets with potential adopters, fostering many many dogs at a time, many many home inspections and transporting and taking care of the medical needs and issues of our foster dogs. Kim…our long-distance SFSHRI volunteer and adopter in Louisiana who is our rescue’s ‘database guru’; making sure that all of our volunteer, foster, adopter, dog databases and adoption websites are up to date and easily accessible. Kim goes to show you that you don’t have to live in the state of Florida to help with rescue duties. Phill, our newest SFSHRI volunteer and foster parent, for taking on the challenging task of Fundraising Coordinator…He has set in place a Fundraising Committee ready to kick things into high gear with lots of fun-filled events! Keep track of all upcoming events by clicking on the Events Calendar and or Coming Events on our website and mark your calendars! If you’d like to be a part of our fundraising team, or have any ideas and or suggestions, please contact Phill at. Phil@sibrescue.com Together we can make a tremendous difference! Thank all of you for your love and generosity. I hope that together we may be able to save hundreds more Huskies in 2008 and beyond. Bill & Linda Koontz From the Fundraising Committee I would like to thank each and every one of you for all the help and support you’ve given the rescue. Your time and dedication has helped this rescue survive. The year has been a trying one. We have had many challenges and still have a long way to go. The number of surrenders, abandoned and shelter dogs are up requiring an unusual amount of medical attention, soaring our vets bills to an all time HIGH. As coordinator of fundraising it is my goal to bring our funding back to the levels it once was. I have been working closely with the committee to come up with new and exciting ideas to help expand the exposure of our rescue. In order for the events to be successful we need to ensure they are well organized and staffed. I ask everyone to please take an hour or two out of our very tight schedules to make these events happen. All these events provide education about the breed as well as financial support. Together they give us the opportunity to help many more Siberians. I thank all of you who have helped in the past, and look forward to working with you in the future as well as hearing from and seeing new faces at our events… Plea for Foster Homes!!!  If interested in becoming a foster parent/family for a homeless husky, please fill out a Foster Application off of our website – should you have questions prior to filling it out, you may contact our Rescue Program Administrator, Bobbie for more details. We have unwanted sibes coming in almost everyday via owner surrenders, Good Samaritans who find strays, plus there are almost always a couple of huskies in the local kill-shelters - We’d like to take in all these cases, however we need your help! Foster Parents offer the guidance, training and most importantly… love to these beautiful furry souls in order to make them adoptable. A foster home is the best gift that you can donate to our organization! Please spread the word; we are in DIRE NEED NOW. FOR PICTURES OF ALL FOSTER DOGS PLEASE GO TO OUR ADOPTION PAGE the following are in our Rescue program, however are being boarded at our Rescue vet or they are being held by Good Samaritans that cannot hold onto the dogs for much longer. : Lola is a owner surrender. She is currently being boaed by our vet in FTL.(photos on our website) Boris was rescued from a kill shelter just days before he was scheduled to be put down, and brought to us. He is currently boarding with our vet in FTL (photos on our website). Health Tips For Your Furry Companion My husky came home with a tick in his ear how do I get rid of it? When a tick attaches itself to it’s host it actually buries its head under the surface of your skin, so it is very important that you do not just try to yank it out. This could leave is mouth parts and head under your skin which can lead to infection. Once you have found a tick, you will want to take a pair of tweezers and put them around the tick, as close to the surface of your skin as possible. Grab onto the tick and pull straight back. You might have to wiggle the tweezers a bit to get the tick to come out. Pull slowly but firmly. Once it is out, you can either burn it, or wrap it up in tissue and flush it down the toilet. Don’t simply throw it in the trash, as it will likely climb out and bite you again. You also do not want to crush it with your hand or feet as that can release any toxins present inside the ticks body. Once the tick is removed, carefully wash the site of the bite with soap and water. You should also clean it with some alcohol or betadine and consider placing it into a sealed container and storing it in your refrigerator for a month in case you develop any symptoms. Having the tick that bit you could help doctors diagnose your disorder. Although there are many home remedies for removing ticks such a putting petroleum jelly, nail polish, alcohol or a hot match on the tick’s body, there are NOT recommended. While they are usually successful in removing the tick, it will be under a great amount of stress and is more likely release toxins into your body before it’s removed. Using one of these methods can increase your chances of getting a tick borne illness. What to do when your dog bites a toad? Bufo toads (Bufo Marinus) were introduced into Florida years ago to control insects. They reproduce very efficiently and have become endemic in South Florida. The Bufo or Cane toad produces toxins from the parotid glands located behind the head. The toxins contain high concentrations of hormones such as adrenalin and others such as bufotoxins. The toxins affect two major organ systems: the cardiovascular (heart and blood vessels) and the nervous system (brain). Due to the slow and awkward movement of the Bufo toad, dogs readily will attack them. When attacked, the toads release the toxins and dogs become affected. Common signs of intoxication include the following: foaming from the mouth, drooling, pawing at the mouth, vomiting, stumbling, falling, tremors, rigid legs, and seizures. If your dog is exhibiting signs of toxicity, is conscious, and not seizuring then: Rinse the mouth with running water: place a garden hose or faucet along the side of the mouth and run the water. Rinse the mouth for 3 to 5 minutes at a time for a total of 3 times IMPORTANT: Do not force water down your pet’s mouth or try to make your pet swallow. Do not give any oil, milk, or other substance besides water. IF YOUR PET IS SEIZURING, HAVING TREMORS, CANNOT STAND THEN SEEK VETERINARY ATTENTION IMMEDIATELY!! If you have a question that you’d like to find an answer to, please ask and it may be printed in our next newsletter.  Email: rescue@sibresue.com Available Sibes The following dogs are in need of permanent homes.  With your help in forwarding this information to your family, friends and co-workers perhaps they or someone they know may be interested in giving one of these dogs a second chance at getting the family they so desperately want and we think they deserve.  If interested in adopting, please fill out an adoption application from our website. Below are only a few of the sibes available for adoption; please view others on our website under ‘Adoptions’. Maya is a blue-eyed sweet natured little girl. She if playful, energetic and loves children and having people around. She suffers from separation anxiety and needs to be in a home with another dog(s). She loves to run and needs a nice big yard to release some of her puppy energy. She would do best in an active household. She needs work with her housebreaking and does not like the crate. Maya needs a home that is ready to give her lots of love she will return ten-fold. As a puppy she loves to chew and the previous owner kept a large supply of bones to keep her occupied. A FOSTER HOME IS NEEDED FOR THIS BEAUTIFUL GIRL ASAP Juno, a handsome blue-eyed boy, was rescued from the animal shelter by us, and he would love to make your home his. He loves other dogs and likes to romp around. He still has a lot of puppy in him. He will make a wonderful addition to any home. He may need a housebreaking refresher course, but open your heart and give this great boy a new life with a family to love him forever he will be forever grateful with the love he will return to you. Bagira, a blue eyed sweetheart was surrendered by her family that could no longer keep her. She has to have a refresher course in house manners, but just wants to be loved and played with. She is ready to give you kisses and thanks for giving her a forever home. Bagira’s unusual name comes from the Jungle Book. She walks well on a leash and loves to play with other dogs. A wonderful disposition, a winning personality, and a sweet temperament, she just needs you to take her into your heart and home. Luke is a blue-eyed grey and white charmer.  Luke was surrendered to us along with his best friend Blake.  He is a very social guy with a winning personality. He is a laid back boy who enjoys being around people and other dogs.   He walks well on a leash and is housebroken.  His foster family says he is one amazing dog.  Blake is a handsome bi-eyed boy, was originally surrendered with his best friend Luke.  He is housebroken and walks well on a leash.  We do not know if he is cat or small animal friendly, but he does get along with other large dogs and loves to play.  He is now missing his friend Luke and could really use a family with another dog.  Blake is in need of a family to give him all the love he needs, and believe me he will give it back to you 10 fold. Zepher is a really handsome blue-eyed boy who stops people in their tracks.  He is smart, very alert, and an easy going boy.  He is not cat friendly!  He can be somewhat on the timid side at times, but is a very lovable boy.  He is very playful and loves to meet other dogs and play.  He is also very good with children.  He is housebroken and walks well on a leash. He sometimes gets a finicky about his food, but that is a husky trait. Rocky is a bi-eyed boy whose family had to downsize and could not take him and Buddy with them.  He walks well on a leash, and loves the water.  He had his own little kiddie pool which he loved.  He is a well-mannered boy who is crate trained, housebroken and loves kids and is sociable with other dogs.   He is not cat or small dog friendly.  He will do well in a family with kids and other large dogs. A FOSTER HOME IS NEEDED FOR THIS HANDSOME BOY. Kaycee is a very sweet blue-eyed girl who was found in a shelter in Tampa.  She had been neglected and had some trust issues and she is really doing much better with it. We feel she might have been kept outside 24/7 with very little human attention and a very poor diet.  We are in the process of socializing her with other dogs and so far she is doing well.  She is crate trained, housebroken and somewhat laid back, however she is Vet aggressive due to improper care & treatment and is thriving to be loved. She needs a special home with a knowledgeable husky family to work through her minor problems. This special little girl has come a very long way from when we first got her into the rescue.  She is now ready for her forever home with the right family. Dreamer is a blue-eyed boy who is housebroken, crate trained.  He loves to play and do his tricks.  He sits, speaks, gives paw, lies down, and plays dead.  He loves attention and loves children.  Dreamer is like most huskies, and can be stubborn.  His foster family has a Yorkie and another husky and Dreamer gets along well with everyone.  He is happiest when he is by your side.  For a middle aged husky Dreamer is still full of energy and would love to be a part of your family. Alex is a handsome brown-eyed boy with a rich grey and white coat.  He is housebroken, but not crate trained. His owner has to surrender him due to his job status changing and right now Alex is alone most of the time.  He has once lived with a cat, but is not necessarily cat friendly.  He walks well on a leash and is good with children and likes people in general.  As far as liking other dogs, well, Alex is discriminating with whom he likes to associate.  Alex needs a forever family to bestow him with the love and attention that he needs.of your family. Winter Photo Contest! Coming Soon… Enter our Winter Photo Contest that is appropriately themed, ‘Happy Howlodays’. To win a prize, snap a photo of your favorite husky/s within our theme (could be a Sibe dressed in a Santa hat or a Siberian Reendeer, ok no more hints!)  Start submitting your photos on Dec. 1^st through our Photo Contest page of our website and keep track of all the contestants thru this page.  Voting will start on the 27^th and end midnight on Dec. 30^th.  The prize winner will be chosen on Jan 1^st.  Good luck to all contestants!

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