Please Don't Keep Me...I want to Go Home

I have been thinking a lot about missing dogs since I posted Hanah's picture here yesterday. As I sit and look at my own two little guys I have to wonder how crazy I would be if they were missing for two years and I had no idea what had happened to them. How would you feel if it was your dog?

You wouldn't find a lost child in your yard and decide to keep him or her would you? To many, losing a beloved dog is just as painful as losing a child. They miss that dog every day. They stress and worry if the dog is okay, is he being fed and cared for, is he hurt and lying in a secluded spot somewhere...or even worse.

 Even if the dog has passed over the Rainbow Bridge, the original owners have a right to know that! It would be painful to hear, but it would give them closure. They would then know it is time to stop the search, time to give up all hope that their pet will ever be found.

I have even heard folks say, "Well, I found her and I am keeping her. If the owners really loved her she wouldn't have gotten away from them." What a bunch of bull! They are just trying to appease their own guilt at keeping something that is not theirs. You have no idea what circumstances led to the dog being lost.

Take Hanah for instance. Her owner did everything she could to protect her. She immediately began the search the minute the tornado quieted, even though she was surely dazed and disoriented herself. Kari has continued her search since that day. Many others have lost pets through no fault of their own.

If you have found a dog or cat and taken it into your home, that is great! But please do not just assume it is okay to keep that pet. He or she has a family that is desperately searching for them. Do your part to make sure you are doing all you can to find out who the dog or cat belongs to. It may take months or even years. Don't just say, "Well I posted a flyer on the pole out front and nobody responded." That's just not good enough!

Contact vets, animal shelters, put a post on facebook, an ad in the paper...anything you can think of, and please keep doing it. These lost pets WANT to go back to their original owners just as badly as their owners want them back. Have a heart and let them!

My name is Hanah and I am lost. Can you help me?

Hanah lived in Joplin MO with the Wilkes family. She was very loved and very happy. On May 22, 2011 an F5 tornado devastated the town. Kari Wilkes was hiding in a closet with Hanah and the winds ripped the large white American bulldog right out of her arms. We know Hanah survived because she was photographed two days later by a gentlemen who saw her standing by a pile of rubble. He called for help and says that a dark colored SUV arrived and picked Hanah up.

Hanah's facebook army has spent nearly two years searching shelters, craigslist and anywhere else they can think of. I have been following Hanah's story since she disappeared. Everytime I see a white American bulldog, I look closely to see if it is Hanah. Hanah has very distinct eyes. Her right eye is blue and her left eye is hazel/brown. She also has a dark spot under her left eye.

Hanah was 5 years old when she went missing. It will soon be the 2nd anniversary of the Joplin tornado and Hanah's disappearance. Kari Wilkes and her family have not given up on searching for Hanah. Kari says they will never quit looking until their "fatgirl" is found. There is a 2500.00 reward for Hanah's safe return.

Someone, somewhere knows where Hanah is. Perhaps they don't realize that she is missing from Joplin. If you know anyone who might have gotten a white American Bulldog from a shelter, a friend, or even just found one, please look closely to see if it might be Hanah.

For more information about Hanah check out her Facebook page: Bring Hanah Home

Meet the Little Lions

Welcome to the little lions den! That's Gizmo, up there top right (okay, the whiter dog) and the smaller one is Stormy. Though they descended from pretty much the same blood line, they are as different as night and day. Gizmo, is bigger and older. He is five years old, but he has always been a very quiet, well mannered little guy.

Stormy Sky...well, let's just say he has an appropriate name because he is as wild as a southern storm brewing on the horizon. He is just over 7 lbs, but he sure comes on with brute force, and packs the bark to go with it! He gives Gizmo a run for his money around the house. Gizmo enjoys it, even though he acts all old and grumpy when Stormy attempts to play.

So, you ask, what exactly is this blog about? Are you just going to read about the antics of my two little Shih Tzu? Cute as they may be, no, we have much more to talk about then that, even though I may tell you about an occassional tug of war or other cute tricks they pull.

In the Little Lions Den will try to help keep you informed about all things related to dogs. We will tell you about dog food recalls (as scary as that is) and lots of other dog news.

We also have to admit that we practice a very natural, holistic approach in our house. I don't use any of the harmful chemical junk when I bathe or tend to my little lions. Perhaps you'd like to learn more about that?

I read and research a lot, so I will probably tell you about some really good pet related books I have read, or even about some pet related articles I have written myself.

If you have something you'd like to see me write about, you can send me an email at alternativepethealth@gmail.com and I'll see what I can come up with. I promise it will be interesting around here, so check in often or follow us, so you don't miss any of the fun.

Until next time, the little lions and I wish you happy pawing!