The Show: Sad Pibbles and Happy Tails

[Bastet]

I couldn't go back to sleep in the wee hours of the morning, so I turned on Animal Planet just in time to see Tia in absolute tears on the phone, obviously finding out a dog had died.  She was so upset I thought it would turn out to be a personal pet, but it was one of the rescue dogs – either Cheech or Chong (I can’t remember which one died).  I had seen the episode where the other one got a home, so I knew the backstory, but I hadn’t seen it.  I’m glad I didn’t tune in until I did; otherwise, I’d have been bawling along with Tia.

 

I also saw an episode where they got a late-night call about an aggressive dog whose leash was stuck under the wheel of a car.  Tia and the trainer head out expecting to be confronted by a snarling pit and instead find a Chihuahua.  Ha!  But, like Tia said, she’s been bitten by more small dogs than big ones.  What a story that turned out to be, though – the owner had been in town visiting from New York when he got jumped by a group of guys who beat the crap out of him, and the dog – Pizza – ran off in the midst of it.

 

I drifted back off to sleep for a while during the episode about Tania and Perry’s wedding, so I missed some of the mishaps, but I’m glad it came together for them.  They seemed to have a nice sense of humor about their unsophisticated palates - and a desire not to offend when they didn't like something - while doing the tasting.

Edited December 20, 2014 by Bastet

[walnutqueen]

Tania and Perry are SO fucking wrong they just may be right.  I am rooting for young love.

 

Dogs heal all wounds.

[AntiBeeSpray]

In the middle of watching the holiday special right now. Really like it so far. Seeing the dogs makes me smile.

[Bronzedog]

Another good show even if it was on an Hour early and I only saw because I was channel surfing. The pictures were great. I'd buy a calendar. Matter of fact, I'm going to check their website to see if I can order one.

[Linderhill]

you can, I ordered one for a friend who is a fan.

[Bastet]

Some day, I want to have the emotional fortitude to adopt nothing but seniors (cats, in my case).  I’ve only ever adopted adults, but the oldest was eight and they’re usually more like three.  A tech at the animal hospital where I go for emergencies and specialists adopts the ones who get dumped at a shelter at 15+.  She goes through the loving and losing scenario over and over and over, in order for these pets to live out their final days as they deserve.  My hat is off to her, but I’m not that person right now and don't know if I ever will be.

 

Not many are, which is why the senior pets are so hard to adopt out.  So, seeing the dogs that have been there for years on end made me so sad.  Tia and crew are doing the best they can, and the dogs are receiving food, shelter, medical care, some interaction, and lots of love, but like Tania said – they don’t know what it’s like to curl up at the foot of their owners’ bed.

 

They didn’t say what happened with the old dog they were taking to the vet in the beginning of the episode, did they?  Earl saying, “My buddy is sick” and Tania crying that the dog has waited and waited all this time, and now this may be the end of the line without ever getting a home – that’s why I admire these people so much, but it’s also why I resisted watching the show for so long.  I’m crying now, never mind last night.

 

To end on a much lighter note, though, them being unable to pull off the “From our family to yours, happy holidays from Pit Bulls and Parolees” shoot and Tia saying to just use the outtakes cracked me up.

 

Also cracking me up was the revelation Mariah used to participate in pageants.

[zxy556575]

Just a small note, but I thought that a photo, taken from above, of the dog laughing and rolling in piles of stuffed animals would have been a winner.

[Bronzedog]

I thought all the pictures except the one with the twins were great. I didn't think that picture showcased the dogs. It looked like you could only see the side of the one dogs face. But then, there's something about the twins that bugs me, so maybe that's what my problem is with it. Wasn't the dog with Perry one that he and Tania considered adopting?

[gesundheit]

So how early did they celebrate Christmas in order to leave enough time for this episode to be cut, edited, and released? I know Louisiana is a warm climate, but folks were in tank tops!

 

Also cracking me up was the revelation Mariah used to participate in pageants.

Right? She's certainly gorgeous (looked like a pin-up girl in that shot with the lollipop), but I can't imagine anyone in that family ever having shown interest in the pageant circuit! Hilarious. 

 

The photo of Perry and the pup in the body shop was a little odd to me -- everyone freaked about how hot Perry looked, but... wasn't the dog supposed to be the main feature? 

[Bastet]

So how early did they celebrate Christmas in order to leave enough time for this episode to be cut, edited, and released?

 

I liked how in the last Christmas episode they did (the one with the udpates on Roxy Mama and others), they gave a wink to that by putting up a chyron over the footage of Tania and others shopping for decorations saying, "New Orleans has several stores that sell Christmas decorations year round"  and showing the little smile on the clerk's face when they said, "Merry Christmas" on their way out the door.

 

Right? She's certainly gorgeous (looked like a pin-up girl in that shot with the lollipop), but I can't imagine anyone in that family ever having shown interest in the pageant circuit! Hilarious.

 

Yeah, that's exactly what I meant.  I laughed out loud.

 

The photo of Perry and the pup in the body shop was a little odd to me -- everyone freaked about how hot Perry looked, but... wasn't the dog supposed to be the main feature?

 

Quite frankly, I thought all the photos were nothing more than fine.  They intimated more at personality than the standard shots, certainly, and I hope the calendar raises money - and, most of all, finds homes for the featured dogs - but I wasn't overly impressed by it.

 

As for that particular shot, I thought it was one of the best, but agree that Perry took up too much of the frame.  Mariah asking when he became an Ambercrombie model was perfect, though.

 

Wasn't the dog with Perry one that he and Tania considered adopting?

 

I believe so, yes.

Edited December 22, 2014 by Bastet

[zxy556575]

I only started watching this year, but it amazes me that the dogs are, by and large, so good-natured. Even when they go out on a rescue, most of the animals, although frightened, are quite docile. There isn't even a ton of barking in the kennels.

 

Has the show ever discussed their training or handling procedures for aggressive or otherwise problematic dogs?

[Rlb8031]

I've been watching for a while and think I can answer some of the questions raised here about the show.

 

It's kind of strange to me that last season they mentioned Perry's substance abuse issues (the daughter's husband) and now they are running a bar. Between him and the parolees, I'm not sure that's a great combo.

When they did the first show about the bar, all four kids came to Tia and suggested it. However, around the time that the show aired, I remember seeing that the twins were going to be handling the day-to-day operations more while the girls stayed on to help out with the rescue. The division of labor seems to be a little less black and white than that, but as the girls are in almost every episode and the twins only show up less, I'd guess this may be how its working out.

 

 

Perry was shown drinking last year too (on proposal day) , and his vows included ' the beer is cold', so I guess it was drugs? Or a tattoo addiction? :)

I believe Perry was addicted to heroin.

 

 

I know they took two older dogs to a house by the river to live once.  Why not prepare a place in the country that their older dogs and those whose temperament does not allow adoption to live out their days?  I recall that before they left California Tia was complaining that CA would not allow her dog kennels to be inside, and she had a problem with it.  I wonder if CA has good cause for it.

 

The house by the river was supposed to be the twins home. It was destroyed after a hurricane (Gustav??). After Chong died, the show did an episode where the Marines who helped with the original build out of the house came back to clean up and restore it. Tia mentioned that the plan was to use it as a home for senior dogs. I'm not sure if this has already happened and just hasn't been shown yet.

 

 

With that said, I’m sure they do need more volunteers in order to get the dogs more time outside their kennels-- I don’t think everything is ideal at the rescue center, I just think they’re doing the best they can reasonably do under the circumstances.

 

The show has been very helpful in getting lots of volunteers to their doors. I follow them on FB and Tia mentioned that she has moved out of the city and is now living on a couple of acres of land where she is keeping all of the hounds that the shelter has taken in. Evidently, the hounds tend to bray and need room to run so they moved them out of the the shelter. She posted a funny story about chasing a couple of hounds that escaped on Christmas Day.

Has the show ever discussed their training or handling procedures for aggressive or otherwise problematic dogs?

My recollection is that there has never been a specific how-to for aggressive dogs, but Tia has talked generally about some of the methods they use when dealing with dogs they aren't sure of (using two leads instead of one, the use of treats and food, etc) I remember specifically this being discussed in the rescue where Mondo's friend took in a female dog and her pups and then called because the dog was too aggressive to handle. The one shortcoming of these shows is that none of them really give advice on how people that see the same issues can approach them. I'd guess that is to limit liability for the show and the producers.

[nitrofishblue]

Darn, this show had me in tears TWICE. I watched the repeat of the one where the puppy dies in Louise's lap and Tia tries to revive it. Turns out that the pup died from a severe flea infestation. The fleas literally sucked the life out of it.

 

Then the new show had the severely emaciated dog die after they were able to get it to the vet. Harlan was in such bad shape that pravo took him. I get so upset at the stupidity of humans when it comes to how they treat their pets. Neither dog would have dies if it had been properly care for.

 

I get upset but I feel that shows like this need to be shown. Life isn't all lollipops and sunshine for many animals in this world. Their fate shouldn't be swept under the carpet. Nothing would ever be corrected if we just ignore the problem.

 

I liked how Earl stepped forward to speak on behalf of a new shelter at a prison in New York. I am sure that when he first went to work at VRC that he didn't think he would ever make the impact on others that he has. Well done Earl.

[Bronzedog]

Heads Up - Since I thought the show with the dog updates was the season finale, I keep missing new episodes. It looks like a new episode is on tonight.

[nitrofishblue]

New show on the 17th also

[GreyBunny]

Poor Josie!  I wonder what happened with her owners and I hope they got their asses kicked hard.

[nitrofishblue]

That was so sad to read at the end of the telecast that Josie passed away several months after they got her back from California. Her health must have really been compromised.

[Bronzedog]

I don't know what legal recourse Tia would have regarding Josie's adopters. Not much probably but I hope Tia went after those people with both barrels blazing. If they didn't want Josie anymore all they had to do is call Tia.

[nitrofishblue]

I work as a volunteer the local spca. You would be surprised to learn how many dogs that were adopted are picked up as strays. People are very lazy. It is easier to just let the dog loose than take the time to come back to the shelter. The shelter microchips EVERY dog before it can be adopted. That way they know who adopted the dog. Sadly you can't cure stupidity.

 

Tia does her best to insure that the dogs find a good home but she doesn't have a crystal ball.

[gesundheit]

Man, this most recent episode was a downer. I watched with a friend last night and she hasn't seen much of the show and I assured her that most episodes have at least one really happy ending. Not this one! I mean they did save the one Travelers' dog, but it seems like that process had only just begun, so we didn't really get to see him all cleaned up and getting adopted or anything. And then that sibling adoption got returned! I was crying, she looked so sad to be back in a kennel. 

 

Earl's son looked adorable in his tux, though. That was sweet.

[AntiBeeSpray]

Man, this most recent episode was a downer. I watched with a friend last night and she hasn't seen much of the show and I assured her that most episodes have at least one really happy ending. Not this one! I mean they did save the one Travelers' dog, but it seems like that process had only just begun, so we didn't really get to see him all cleaned up and getting adopted or anything. And then that sibling adoption got returned! I was crying, she looked so sad to be back in a kennel. 

 

Earl's son looked adorable in his tux, though. That was sweet.

 

Yea that was a real bummer. Was hoping that adoption would work out.

 

Yea he did. And it was funny how Earl was trying to get him to wear a retro tux XD.

[Bronzedog]

After last week's depressing episode, this was much better. Amazed and impressed by how much traveling they do to provide homes for the dogs.

[zxy556575]

The reunion with the two dogs being transported to their owner was so sweet to watch -- they locked onto the car and become perfectly still and attentive as soon as Joshua drove into the lot. Their tails started going before he even got out of the car, then they began straining against their leashes to get to him.

 

He seemed a bit damaged himself, so here's hoping that with the circle of three being intact again, they can help each other heal.

Edited January 26, 2015 by lordonia

[Bastet]

And then that sibling adoption got returned!

 

For the second time.  I hope that poor dog finds the right home.

 

I was surprised they even considered the sibling adoption; I have cats, but my best friend has both cats and dogs and I frequent a pet forum, so I hear about "littermate syndrome" all the time.  Maybe it's different when they've been raised apart and come back together when they're older?  Tia did mention that sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't.

 

Quite frankly, I was a bit put off by that owner - but trying very hard not to judge based on the brief overview we get of the situation - so it was definitely not a favorite episode.

 

I was out last night so missed the latest one; I'm glad to hear it's a happier one.

[GreyBunny]

I watched an episode called "Freedom Fighters" where Tia is tipped off by a child's email about a dogfighting ring where dogs were left tied up and abandoned to starve to death in the woods.  She rescued a grey pitbull but had to leave a black one behind.  She called the Sheriff but I never heard about any follow-up.  Does anyone know what happened to the black dog?

[Bastet]

That puppy with kneecaps in the wrong place could not be any cuter if he tried.

 

I loved the story with the homeless woman living with her dog in an abandoned hotel.  I love that she didn't want to go to the hospital because she had no one to care for her dog, I love that the outreach organization promised to - and did - take care of that for her, I love that VRC sheltered him and then gave him back, plus offered to take care of his neuter and shots, and I love that the owner accepted and offered to come back as a volunteer to thank them for their help.  The lack of judgment throughout was so refreshing, and Tia pointed out this woman who had next to nothing nevertheless had managed to provide food, water and a bed for her dog.

 

The father, son and dog looking for a new companion after losing their pit buddy in a break-up were great, too.  The dog settling right into the kid's bed was adorable, as was the father tearing up at seeing that. 

[jnymph]

That puppy with kneecaps in the wrong place could not be any cuter if he tried.

I loved the story with the homeless woman living with her dog in an abandoned hotel. I love that she didn't want to go to the hospital because she had no one to care for her dog, I love that the outreach organization promised to - and did - take care of that for her, I love that VRC sheltered him and then gave him back, plus offered to take care of his neuter and shots, and I love that the owner accepted and offered to come back as a volunteer to thank them for their help. The lack of judgment throughout was so refreshing, and Tia pointed out this woman who had next to nothing nevertheless had managed to provide food, water and a bed for her dog.

The father, son and dog looking for a new companion after losing their pit buddy in a break-up were great, too. The dog settling right into the kid's bed was adorable, as was the father tearing up at seeing that.

Agreed. Great episode .... The homeless lady & "Beast" warmed my heart. I do hope she gets the right help to get out of the abandoned hotel. But how wonderful to see how bonded she was to Beast.

"Thumper" (kneecap dog) was beyond cute. What a determined pup... Loved him. Glad to see he ended up in a home.

And yes the dog (can't recall his name) settling right in with the boy while Dad was tearing up. So sweet!!!

God I love this show, Tia, the kids, & Earl !!!

Oh Armando & Ruby too

[zxy556575]

Is Tia's husband still in jail, does anyone know? I only watched sporadically back when the show started in CA, but I remember him being re-arrested.

[Bastet]

Answering in the family thread ...

[Bastet]

I liked how Earl stepped forward to speak on behalf of a new shelter at a prison in New York. I am sure that when he first went to work at VRC that he didn't think he would ever make the impact on others that he has. Well done Earl.

 

I missed that episode the first time around, and just watched it during today's marathon.  I'm a big proponent of such shelters, so I enjoyed seeing that included.  I think Earl's testimony played a big role in approval of the funding.  That tiny, cramped Syracuse shelter, with only two adoption applications in, broke my heart.  But that's the reality in so many places, so it needs to be shown.

 

I also like that, for the audience's education, they showed Tia saying of the extremely emaciated dog they picked up that while your first instinct with a dog who has been starved is to give them a big bowl of food, that can actually be the worst thing you can do; hold off on the food, and get them to a vet post haste.

 

Harlan's sweet temperament despite his condition made me cry as hard as Tony did (I will never stop being moved by seeing the parolees connect with the dogs), and I was so sad when he wound up succumbing to parvo.  Like Tia said, it doesn't seem like much, but at least he died surrounded by people who were trying to help him rather than alone out in the woods.

 

Catching up on another recent episode I had missed: I have a bad habit of anthropomorphizing animals, but even though they don’t have the extent of feelings I sometimes attribute to them, it’s clear animals have emotions.  So Josie’s story is really getting to me, wondering what she’s thinking upon being brought to VRC.  Her owners obviously did not take good care of her, then she spent time in a shelter with total strangers, so does she recognize Tia and crew and feel secure that she’s among good people?  But VRC is new to her, since she had lived at their CA facility the first time around, so is it instead more a sense of, “Here we go again, back in a kennel instead of a home?”

 

That she spent her final six months there just breaks my heart.  I mean, thank goodness she was with people who love her, but damn her former owners for neglecting and then dumping a senior dog.

 

I respect them for showing Josie’s story – I’ve said before I really like the balanced approach they take in their adoption requirements/screening procedures (what I’ve seen on the show and what I’ve read on their website), but nothing is fool-proof.  Here they straight-up showed, “This one got past us.”  But Tia also said she isn’t going to let one bad adopter make her second-guess policies that have been incredibly successful overall.

 

I’m glad I’ve already seen the episode that’s on now, because I need to take a break before coming back for the new ones.  I’m going to go hug my old lady of a cat and shed a tear for Josie.

 

Heads up:  There's an all-new episode tonight, and before that there are two "Tia looks back on her favorites" episodes.  She's doing a live Q&A online (Facebook, maybe?) during those.

Edited February 22, 2015 by Bastet

[Bastet]

Y'all, I may need an intervention; after avoiding this show until last year, I now cannot stop watching it. 

 

I'm a civil rights lawyer in Los Angeles, so I have a pretty good idea of what VRC's relationship with law enforcement was like when they were within the jurisdiction of LA County Sheriff's Dept.  Let us just say, not good.  So I can really appreciate Tia's hesitance and amazement at NOPD wanting to work with them, having someone in authority supportive of not just the work they do with the dogs, but with the parolees as well. 

 

Catching up on old episodes in the mornings (again, with the intervention - I routinely start work an hour later to watch this show), I was rather sad the Tehachapi location didn't work out because it would have been such a great facility, better than the NO warehouse.  But, looking at the big picture, VRC has a better chance in NO of forming the necessary connections - with the community members, with law enforcement, with other city agencies, etc. - to bring about systemic change.  They are in such an uphill battle, and NO certainly isn't some bastion of progressive thought, but despite the overwhelming scope of the problem there, I'm a bit more hopeful. 

 

Anyway, Earl marveling that after twenty-something years in the system, here he is being listened to by police officials ... that was my biggest grin of the night.

 

Followed very closely by the two Hurricane Katrina survivors settling in to spend their golden years together.  My parents have an anxious cat, and it's no joke dealing with that disorder in a pet who cannot just come out and tell you what scares them, what makes them feel safe, what they want of you and the other pets in the household, etc.  I wish that newly-expanded family all the best, and seeing the two dogs together in the update photos was just ... oh, this show.

 

So, yeah -- I need someone to either come disable my TV on Saturdays or make me some food so I can watch even more.

Edited March 1, 2015 by Bastet

[walnutqueen]

Bastet - you're on your own with the Saturday morning feeding.  I can't eat while watching this show because of the lump in my throat. 

 

Loved the Katrina dogs, too - I'm so glad there are still people willing to adopt an older animal, and/or one with issues.  It breaks my heart to realize there are "lifers" who've spent more than a decade at the center and may die without ever finding a home.

[nitrofishblue]

I have been a volunteer at our local spca shelter for 13 years now. I was there to help when our shelter received over 100 dogs from Katrina. I was part of a team that provided support for the families that took in the dogs as foster. I was able to follow quite a few of the dogs as they got on with their lives and it was quite the experience. Watching the show last night brought back memories of that time. Some dogs were able to adjust very well while others were traumatized for a long time. It brought tears to my eyes to see the two dogs getting along just fine. May they enjoy the rest of their lives in peace and happiness.

Edited March 1, 2015 by nitrofishblue

[Bastet]

I can imagine.  We didn't get a whole lot of (human) Katrina refugees in Los Angeles, but I was part of a volunteer legal team that helped some of them, and I at least heard about the trajectory of quite a few.  It was the same thing - some adjusted fairly well, fairly quickly, but some were deeply traumatized by the ordeal in lasting ways.  The one benefit they had was understanding what was happening; for an animal experiencing the same storm, aftermath, refugee interim, relocation, etc. not knowing what was going on or what lay ahead, it must just boggle their little mind.

[Bronzedog]

Ah, Charlie Brown, you little tub of love! I think you found your perfect match! You were loved at first sight.

[walnutqueen]

Charlie Brown sure got lucky - that lady adored him, didn't she!  They looked so cute going for a walk-waddle together, and the pics of them cuddling and napping were precious.  Happy ending!

 

I remember seeing The Daily Show episode with Tia some time ago.  John Stewart really does his part for the breed, and for dogs in general.  I hear his workplace is very dog friendly.

[Bastet]

Yeah, a bunch of the Daily Show staff bring their dogs to work with them.

 

As much as I loved seeing Charlie Brown and Rita find each other, I think my favorite part of the episode was seeing Tia's menagerie of dogs only she can manage.  Especially grumpy old man Arnold.

 

Bloat is scary, and I really hope that tacking surgery holds for him.

 

I feel bad for sweet Brandi who keeps getting passed over.

[GreyBunny]

Oh geez.  Petey the pitbull is not a good breed ambassador.  

 

After the “Lil’ Rascals” ended, Carl Switzer, who played “Alfalfa,” admitted Petey bit a number of people on set including him on one occasion, was uncooperative, nasty-tempered, and the kids dreaded working with him. Thomas Ross Bond, who played “Butch,” agreed and said everyone on the set hated the dog.

 

And pitbulls were never nanny dogs.  

[zxy556575]

I think my favorite part of the episode was seeing Tia's menagerie of dogs only she can manage.  Especially grumpy old man Arnold.

 

I was expecting some shenanigans after Tia kept emphasizing how difficult these dogs were, but all were very well behaved from what we saw. And she did end up leaving the dog with bloat in New Orleans.

 

It isn't the worse manifestation of neuroses, I suppose, but Tia's absolute need to put the dogs above any of her own or even her childrens' needs seems slightly pathological to me. But I feel the same about all Mother Teresa type people. There's selfless and then there's abasement.

[gesundheit]

It isn't the worse manifestation of neuroses, I suppose, but Tia's absolute need to put the dogs above any of her own or even her childrens' needs seems slightly pathological to me. But I feel the same about all Mother Teresa type people. There's selfless and then there's abasement.

I kind of suspected that was a little hyperbolic for the sake of the show. I mean I'm certain her dogs are always taken care of, but there is a team of people for that and I'm sure everybody gets a turn to sleep in or have a human emergency every once in a while.

 

Her personal dogs are all so cute! I'm glad they get to have a home instead of being put down for being unadoptable.

 

Charlie Brown was adorable. And so was Stevie Wonder from last week! I want to know what happened to him!

 

I can't believe this weekend is the season finale. I love waking up to this show on my DVR every Sunday morning.

[jnymph]

Charlie Brown and Rita were adorable !   So cool how Mariah said she was happy since CB was one of her favorites and her "little meatball."     

 

Tia's absolute need to put the dogs above any of her own or even her childrens' needs seems slightly pathological to me

 

 

Tia never gave me any indication she would "put her dogs above her children's needs".    As a matter of fact, I do recall an episode (I can't pinpoint it) where she explicitly said, "Being a Mom comes first."   because the rescue that was in process entailed putting the twins at the risk of physical injury.  

 

I enjoy watching someone on my TV that's so dedicated and passionate about what they do in life.

Edited March 16, 2015 by jnymph

[Bastet]

FYI, since I didn't see this advertised until today:  Tonight, in the time slot before the season finale, is a new "look back at the season" episode, including footage not previously aired. 

[Bastet]

I don't know what it is with Tia's kids getting married so young and after such a short time dating, but best of luck to all of them as they seem like good peeps who are marrying other good peeps.  But if anyone ever proposed to me in public, plus on camera, they'd be passing that ring through their intestinal tract.

 

The whole episode was obviously leading up to a proposal, but - although I didn't look close - I caught a sparkly ring on the ring finger of her left hand while washing Escargot, which supposedly happened before the proposal.  Things are aired out of sequence all the time - witness Tania doing talking heads about her wedding planning with that skull tattoo on her chest while cutting to footage of the wedding planning in which said tattoo does not yet exist - but it tends to stand out.

 

I'm not sure I can fully form thoughts on the abandoned dog the LA SPCA euthanized.  Like Tia, I have much sympathy and support for shelters and the decisions they must make with limited physical and financial resources (I purposely adopted my cats from the crappiest shelter in the area).  Also like Tia, I take great issue with evaluating an animal's behavior over the course of days in a highly stressful situation and using that to make a life-or-death call when there is a QUALIFIED RESCUE ready and willing to assume full liability for the dog in order to do a proper temperament  evaluation.  VRC has proven time and again they will either euthanize or permanently house, whatever is most humane, if a dog is truly unadoptable.  This wasn't some nutjob wanting to take on something she wasn't prepared to handle, this was someone saying, "Not every dog can be saved, or even adopted, but I have the space, ability, and experience to give this dog the proper time and environment to determine what category she falls into."

 

That terrified dog, who didn't make a single aggressive move until she had a tightening noose around her neck ... I freakin' sobbed.  Ten minutes' difference, and Tia could have got there before the authorities, done her crate transfer thing, and given this dog a shot.  I'm going to need another drink.

 

Moving on to happier things, Escargot's transformation just warms my heart!  Talk about a before and after.  May he howl away for many years to come.

 

I laughed at Sugar Hill being among the few who can drive the RV.  I wonder how many of them have actually tried.  Because it seems intimidating, but it's really quite easy.  If you know how to drive, you know how to drive.  There's no crazy clutch system like with an 18-wheeler; you just need to understand you're wider and taller than you are in a car, pick-up, or SUV.

 

The other adoption was quite adorable, too.

 

I enjoyed the look-back episode, too, with the reflections and additional footage.  I thought Tia had a very diplomatic way of saying that kid was a holy terror who needed some damn parenting. 

Edited March 22, 2015 by Bastet

[walnutqueen]

Yes, I saw that sparkly ring when they took Escargot to the vet for her final check.  Reality TV.  Sigh.

 

I totally agree with you about the dog euthanized by the LASPCA, Bastet.  I cried my damned eyes out.  I'll bet the place was getting a lot of flack when Tia put the story out; now that the episode has aired I think the public backlash will be severe (at least, I hope so).  Did you notice the statement at the end of the episode?  It said :

 

The LASPCA is an independent animal welfare organization located in New Orleans, with no affiliation to other local SPCA groups across the country or the national ASPCA organization.

 

[Bronzedog]

I have say that watching this and hearing about the actions of the LASPCA has made me question future contributions to the ASPCA. Seems strange that they can use the name and have no affiliation to the national organization.

[Guest dutronc]

I had mixed feelings about the Rottie mix but mostly because I have a feeling a chunk of the story is missing, like the LAASPCA explaining their policy and legal standing. I don't think Tia is omitting anything, but the LAASPCA were immediately cast as an adversary. I'm not sure how VRC's rescue charter works--I know some rescues can only take animals that have been pulled from a pound and strictly cannot take strays, but VRC shows taking dumped or abandoned dogs and strays all the time. I suppose it was a hierarchy thing (sorry, pre-coffee, can't word) like the difference between a county sheriff and the city police. Tia said they worked as law enforcement, which might be the case in New Orleans. 

 

The disclaimer about the LAASPCA was probably important because the ASPCA seems to be a huge sponsor of Animal Planet, and are also fairly controversial, in part because, as I understand it, local SPCAs have little or no connection to the national one, or at least not in the way that other charities are organized. So, the short answer is, a person who wants to support their local animal shelters is probably much better off donating directly to the local shelter. You can read more on the ASPCA's FAQ, or other websites like Charity Navigator.

 

I feel terrible for Leatrice the dog, and I wish things had turned out differently because she was a beautiful girl who deserved better, in the way so many dogs do. The Escargot story was a great balance, editing-wise. 

Edited March 22, 2015 by dutronc

[Bastet]

I have say that watching this and hearing about the actions of the LASPCA has made me question future contributions to the ASPCA. Seems strange that they can use the name and have no affiliation to the national organization.

 

It's common, just like all the towns in which you'll find a "[City] Humane Society" that has nothing to do with HSUS (Humane Society of the United States).  I'm sure that's why everyone involved made sure that disclaimer was included. 

 

If you support the work the national organization is doing, don't let one city shelter - that has nothing to do with the ASPCA as you know it - dissuade you from donating. 

 

I suppose it was a hierarchy thing (sorry, pre-coffee, can't word) like the difference between a county sheriff and the city police. Tia said they worked as law enforcement, which might be the case in New Orleans.

 

It sounds like they're what many of us think of as Animal Control for the city, meaning they're tasked with rounding up strays, holding them for a period to allow an owner to come forward, and then either placing them for adoption, releasing to a rescue, or euthanizing.  Which is why once they beat Tia to the scene (and if the same person who called VRC is the one who called the LASPCA, in a desperate attempt to get someone, anyone, to come help this dog, they must be kicking themselves, poor soul), they had to be the ones to take the dog; the moment they showed up, they had jurisdiction over the dog, and Tia became subject to their policies and procedures if she wanted the dog.  (Whereas had she showed up first, she'd have been able to take the dog.)

 

But what they do once the stray hold is up is up to them; a policy not to put a dog they'd evaluated as aggressive (no matter how unreliable their methods) up for adoption is commonplace - and common sense - but to refuse to release such a dog to a qualified rescue is where things get really dicey.  It's that to which Tia objected, and I agree.

[GreyBunny]

I had mixed feelings about the Rottie mix but mostly because I have a feeling a chunk of the story is missing, like the LAASPCA explaining their policy and legal standing. I don't think Tia is omitting anything, but the LAASPCA were immediately cast as an adversary. I'm not sure how VRC's rescue charter works--I know some rescues can only take animals that have been pulled from a pound and strictly cannot take strays, but VRC shows taking dumped or abandoned dogs and strays all the time. I suppose it was a hierarchy thing (sorry, pre-coffee, can't word) like the difference between a county sheriff and the city police. Tia said they worked as law enforcement, which might be the case in New Orleans. 

 

The disclaimer about the LAASPCA was probably important because the ASPCA seems to be a huge sponsor of Animal Planet, and are also fairly controversial, in part because, as I understand it, local SPCAs have little or no connection to the national one, or at least not in the way that other charities are organized. So, the short answer is, a person who wants to support their local animal shelters is probably much better off donating directly to the local shelter. You can read more on the ASPCA's FAQ, or other websites like Charity Navigator.

 

I feel terrible for Leatrice the dog, and I wish things had turned out differently because she was a beautiful girl who deserved better, in the way so many dogs do. The Escargot story was a great balance, editing-wise. 

 

The LA SPCA stated that they had veterinarians and behaviorists work with the dog for a week, longer than the normal three days.  Also, if they released the dog to Tia and the dog escaped from her care and attacked someone the LA SPCA could be liable for damages.  On the VRC's own FB page they said one of their dogs had gotten lose and attacked a puppy, plus it's been shown several times on TV that her workers have forgotten to close or lock gates and dogs have gotten out.

It's horrible the dog was tossed away, no animal should be treated like that, but I think the LA SPCA did the best that it could with the resources it had and I don't blame them for thinking the VRC might be inadequate to the task and for deciding to put the dog down.  

[Guest dutronc]

Where was this statement made? I looked on their social media and only saw updates from recent events, and didn't see anything addressing the episode. I want to make sure I get the whole story. I generally really like this show, but sometimes various factors make VRC look like the only rescue group in New Orleans and/or the Gulf South, and that is not the case (and it ultimately harms VRC's reputation, too).

 

ETA: I can see people posting to their FB page but I haven't seen any reply. I'm really getting a weird vibe off this situation, and the super-intense animal people posting hateful things aren't making it any easier. 

Edited March 22, 2015 by dutronc

[jnymph]

It's common, just like all the towns in which you'll find a "[City] Humane Society" that has nothing to do with HSUS (Humane Society of the United States). I'm sure that's why everyone involved made sure that disclaimer was included.

If you support the work the national organization is doing, don't let one city shelter - that has nothing to do with the ASPCA as you know it - dissuade you from donating.

It sounds like they're what many of us think of as Animal Control for the city, meaning they're tasked with rounding up strays, holding them for a period to allow an owner to come forward, and then either placing them for adoption, releasing to a rescue, or euthanizing. Which is why once they beat Tia to the scene (and if the same person who called VRC is the one who called the LASPCA, in a desperate attempt to get someone, anyone, to come help this dog, they must be kicking themselves, poor soul), they had to be the ones to take the dog; the moment they showed up, they had jurisdiction over the dog, and Tia became subject to their policies and procedures if she wanted the dog. (Whereas had she showed up first, she'd have been able to take the dog.)

But what they do once the stray hold is up is up to them; a policy not to put a dog they'd evaluated as aggressive (no matter how unreliable their methods) up for adoption is commonplace - and common sense - but to refuse to release such a dog to a qualified rescue is where things get really dicey. It's that to which Tia objected, and I agree.

Oh my. I'm an emotional mess after watching this episode. I will try to respond coherently tomorrow but I donate to SPCA as well & am so very confused now.

Unlike others I did not see Lizzie's sparkling ring. So I was surprised at the proposal ...... I like those kids very much & am rooting for them ! Go Moe & Lizzie !

Edited March 22, 2015 by jnymph