Why a Dog Park Is Important

I recently read a letter in the the Detroit Lakes paper from a couple that bemoaned the fact that the city was (finally) going to build a dog park.  They didn't like the park near them, and didn't want to drive or walk to the city park so that their kids could play ball.

So let me tell you why a dog park is good - for humans.

1. At dog parks, pets serve as a safe way to meet new people and engage in conversation.  Normally shy, socially awkward  people come to life when talking about their dog.


2. You learn a lot about people based on how they treat their dog and how their dog interacts with people and other dogs.  Kids can learn ways to better train their dog (adults too) simply by interacting with experienced dog owners.


3. Dog parks provide a place for owners to get information about local veterinarians, groomers, shelters, and more.  Let your dog run and play and network!


4. Relationships made at the park are oftentimes extended outside the park.  It's a community of like-minded people, and you might find that you have more in common than being a dog lover.

So the advice I would give to the family opposing the dog park is this. Get a dog.  And bring the whole family for an afternoon at the park.  You might just enjoy yourself!

No Judgement Here

Animal rescue is stressful.  It's full of long days, with joy sprinkled in among the heartbreak.  Sometimes, no matter what you do, you can't save that precious life.  Sometimes you can, but your Facebook feed is full of comments about how everyone else would do it differently.  Or with judgment on the humans that caused the misery to begin with.

Yesterday, a family surrendered a 5 year old dog because he was "sick".  They downplayed the illness, so the shelter thought that it was something simple, like worms perhaps.  The family couldn't afford medical care for Sheba, so they brought her to The Marshmallow Foundation in Detroit Lakes.

It was soon apparent that Sheba was much more seriously ill.  Large blood clots were coming out of her rear, and she was vomiting.  And the smell was horrendous.

The Marshmallow Foundation is in a rural area, where the closest after hours emergency hospital is in Fargo.  But emergency services are very expensive, and the shelter is barely hanging on with donations as it is.  Luckily, a group of dedicated folks got a local Vet to see Sheba after hours, and she's being treated for rat poison and heartworm.

When the shelter manager asked the rescue community for help and advice, some responses were helpful.  Some were not.  All sorts of judgement creeped into the comments; everything from what Vet she should be taken to, to "you know she's dying, right?".

And of course, it's hard not to judge the family that surrendered her.  It's very hard.  But in the moment, Sheba needed immediate care, so my hero, the shelter manager, gently reminded someone on Facebook that we needed to focus on what we could do rather than judging the humans.

This morning I read a post about dogs and puppies frozen to the ground in the Turtle Mountain reservation; the rescue folks there, instead of getting badly needed help, got all sorts of judgement.  I thought it worthwhile to quote some passages here.

"This is not a reservation problem. This is not a native problem. This is a geographical economic problem. We are the second poorest county in the state and have the highest jobless rate. It's hard for people to find work when there are not enough jobs. Our nearest big city is 2 hours away. When affordable vet care isn't available, how do people get their dogs spayed or neutered? When they don't get spayed or neutered, they breed, and continue to do so."

"For those that choose to criticize or complain, that is your right. All I ask is that before you do, please look in the mirror and ask what you have done to help the problem."

So our constant plea for donations and volunteers is because we don't have the same resources as larger communities.  Please withhold your judgement.  The job is hard enough.  "There but for the grace of God" is a phrase I repeat to myself often.

And despite the lack of resources, Sheba was not left to die.  Sheba was not euthanized because the shelter couldn't afford to treat her.  The shelter manager didn't go home after 8 hours and assume someone else was taking care of it. That is the beauty of a small rural community.  People band together to help.

For updates on Sheba and more ways you can help, like and follow us on Facebook or go to the website to donate or see the adorable dogs and cats ready for adoption.  Our next fundraiser, Hairball,  is at Zorbaz in DL on April 2nd 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm if you want to have some fun while donating to a good cause.  If you can't make Hairball, dress up in your best Bonnets and Bowties and come watch the Kentucky Derby at The Speak Easy in DL.

New Year, New Goals, Give Back

It's a new year, and many of you might have written resolutions for 2017, like lose weight, pay off bills, or get in shape.  Here's a thought for you.  How about adding some volunteering to that list?  The only thing it costs you is your time, and what it gives back is absolutely priceless.

If you're parents, what a great gift to give your kids.  If they're old enough, they can volunteer too, and learn a lifetime of lessons.  Just an hour a week playing with the cats (we call it socializing), means that we have information to give a prospective adopter, like does it get along with other cats?  Is it a lap cat?  Playful, or a 'sit in the sun' kind of cat?

At  The Marshmallow Foundation in Detroit Lakes, our volunteer needs are many.  There always seem to be folks that want to work with the dogs, but the cats struggle, as they do in shelters all over the country.  There's the manual labor of cleaning the kennels of course, but there is so much more needed.  For example, we need a list of foster parents, who are willing to take a kitty home with them that otherwise won't survive in a shelter environment.  Someone that we can teach to administer fluids if necessary, syringe feed, or just give love and warmth.  When we get a cat that has been injured or is obviously sick, we seek out a rescue to take them, and have transported as far as Wisconsin to get them the necessary care.  But this time of year, the rescues are as full as we are, and sometimes have to say no.

Maybe you want to help, but are afraid of getting attached, or have an allergy.  Another volunteer opportunity that we struggle with is grant writing.  We miss out on thousands of dollars simply because we don't have the time to research the available grants and apply for them.

Maybe you're a sales person - how about helping us fund raise?  We are ALWAYS raising funds.  It might be as simple as selling raffle tickets or calendars, or more involved like organizing one of our fundraisers or putting together our annual calendar for 2018.

Are you creative?  We'd love to sell t-shirts, but again, who has the time?  I took a stab at designing one, using the Bonfire.com service.  I KNOW you can do better than I can!

Now see, I just gave you a bunch of great New Year's resolutions, and none of them cost a cent.  If you're in the Detroit Lakes area, please check out the website for The Marshmallow Foundation, and fill out a volunteer application.  Call or Facebook us to set up a time to have a tour of the facility, or talk about volunteer opportunities.  We'd love to have you on the team!

The Cat's Meow

Interesting fact - adult cats don't meow to other cats.  They only meow to humans!  Tiny kittens, with their "mew", signal to their mother that they want food, but once they leave Mom, they normally won't ever meow again unless a human enters their life.  Instead, cats communicate with each other through scent, touch, and noises other than a meow.

So why do they use it with us?  Simple answer, because it works!  How many cat owners out there will drop everything if they hear their cat meow?  We instinctively know that they're calling for us, and we respond by petting, picking them up, feeding them, or with kitty kisses.  We humans are well-trained!  I also think that because a cat learns to communicate with us, it makes them a lot smarter than we think they are.  Remember, cats rule, dogs drool.

The shelter I volunteer at, The Marshmallow Foundation in Detroit Lakes is having an open house this Saturday, December 5th.  Patriot Assistance Dogs (PAD) is co-hosting the event, so even if cats aren't your thing, come by with your pet for pictures with Santa from 10 am until 3 pm.  We'll also have calendars available for sale.  The calendars themselves, although cute, aren't the cool thing.  $30 will buy a raffle ticket with chances to win prizes throughout 2016.  Prizes are valued between $50 and more than $500, and if your name is drawn for a prize, your name goes back in for another chance!  Prize examples include:

January 1, 2016: Astrostart 721 ($500 value) donated by Webber Family Motors

February 5, 2016: $500 cash, donated by Foltz Trucking

March 22, 2016: $50 Zorbaz gift certificate

May 6, 2016: 2 reserved lawn chair admissions to WE Fest

December 2, 2016: $500 gift certificate to I'll Tile and Stone

Some important rules:

• You must be over 18 years old to purchase a calendar or win a prize


• Checks or cash only


• Winners will be notified on the date the prize is awarded, when you'll receive instructions on how to claim your prize

So come see me and the crew this Saturday.  If you're interested in adopting a cat or dog, fill out the adoption application on the website and submit for approval first.  We take making sure our animals go to a good home seriously, so it takes a few days to get approved.  In the meantime, come on in during normal business hours and meet the animals.   You may think that you want a specific dog or cat based on their photo and bio, but then find that there just isn't that spark of connection between you.  No worries; once you've been approved you can adopt an animal that you truly bond with.  Tell 'em The Crazy Cat Lady sent you.