In an email this date...

Dear Ohio Dog Friends,

We are pleased to tell you we have our 2nd consecutive hearing scheduled for the Senate on Wednesday, April 30th, beginning at 2:30 pm.

We had great testimony this week and feel optimistic the puppy mill bill will continue to move forward in the coming weeks. We are gaining momentum because so many people have been active in the process. Thank you for your calls, emails and personal stories to the senators and representatives. They are listening and they are becoming more aware of how many people are watching the bill...

...Several of you have asked for directions. Our friends at State Street Consultants have the best map of the State House area. There are also street directions from all directions as well. www.StateStreetOhio.com/map.cfm

Thank you for being a voice for the dogs that linger in the mills.

For the Dogs,
Kellie
ColumbusDogConnection.com

Received in an email this date...

Hi Everyone,

The note you see below is from Meagan and the gang at RASCAL.

RASCAL is a low cost, mobile, spay/neuter service. They are looking for
either a laundry service or some volunteers to assist w/ towels.

RASCAL does great work addressing Ohio's dog and cat overpopulation problem. They travel to rural areas and are really nipping the problem in the bud.

Meagan and Dr Gonzalez just shared this story with me. A woman here in Columbus was helping with the feral cats in her neighborhood. She was doing the best she could, but could only afford to s/n a few each year...so as you can imagine, the numbers of cats in and near her home was increasing rapidly. The RASCAL Unit heard of this situation and literally, arrived on the scene.

In one day, they s/n over 50 cats for this woman. Lucky, grant funds were available, so cost to her was not an issue. So any help you can lend them, helps the little old ladies and all of us helping the homeless cats and dogs on the streets.

Thanks,
Kellie
ColumbusDogConnection.com

Hi Kellie,

Some time ago we talked about needing laundry service for our towels since we don’t have a washer/dryer at our location. Maybe one of the kind-hearted pet lovers on your list would volunteer to help us out on this issue?

RASCAL Unit is in need of help with laundering towels as we are not able to put a washer and dryer at our location. For two years (has it already been that long?) our staff has diligently taken the towels home and washed them, but now we are doing so much volume in surgeries that there are just too many. We would need someone to pick them up at our office and launder them twice a week. (Maybe like a Monday/Thursday pickup) Keep in mind there are probably going to be 5-7 bags of towels in each pick up. We would, of course, provide the detergent and bleach.

If anyone knows of an actual service that does that would also be helpful. You can e-mail me at meagan'at'rascalunit.com or call our office at 614 791 7729.

Thanks so much!

Meagan Pandey
Manager, RASCAL
6365 Old Avery Road
Dublin, Ohio 43016
Office: 614 791 7729
FAX: 614 389 3407
www.rascalunit.com</blockquote>

Received in an email this date....

Dear Ohio Dog Friends,

We will have our next hearing on the Puppy Mill Bill on Tuesday, April 22 at 10am in the South Hearing Room of the Senate Building. This 2nd hearing has been a long time coming, but hopefully now, we will move more quickly to the finish line.

You've heard from me many times regarding mills and the legislation. I will keep my part brief. Below you will see a heartfelt note from Martha Leary. Martha lives in the heart of where many mills are found in Ohio. She has been saving mill dogs and sick puppies for years from the deplorable conditions they live 24/7.

Martha mentions the recent Oprah story on puppy mills. If you were able to view the entire show, you may remember that Ohio was mentioned as one of the worst puppy mill states in the country.

Our reputation as one of the worst puppy mill states is something we can finally do something about.

Please take one moment to email your state senator and representative and those listed below. It can be as simple as asking them to pass the bill now. For more bill information, new puppy mill pictures and a detailed rescue experience about the attached papillon from Martha, visit our site, www.ColumbusDogConnection.com

Thanks for being a voice for the dogs lingering in puppy mills in Ohio.

Kellie
ColumbusDogConnection.com

And here's a sample letter...

Dear Senator and Representative,

Please pass Senate Bill 173/House Bill 223 to improve conditions found
at the thousands of high volume breeding kennels in Ohio.

Ohio has a disgraceful repuation around our country as being one of the worst puppy mill states. We have the opportunity to improve conditions.

Will you take part in making Ohio a more Humane state? Please push for the puppy mill bill to pass as soon as possible.

Your Name
Your Address

your state rep & senator (found at these links)
http://www.senate.state.oh.us/senators/by_name.html
http://www.house.state.oh.us/jsps/SearchbyName.jsp

I received an email from this group today. They currently have 5 puppies that are growing and which they need to adopt out soon. Also, when I stopped by their website I found they are collecting money to cover vet bills for a rescued dog apparently starved by a previous owner. If you may be able to help, please visit their website directly at:
http://www.columbusdogconnection.com/

Here's a story out of LA on a rescue effort for blind dogs. Looks like a cute cattle dog mix in the video. The story does a good job of pointing out that even dogs with handicaps (like blindness) often function very well in a home. And yes, you can train a blind dog....