Operation: Rescue Jasmine

Jasmine is one of 14 dogs and 44 cats rescued from a rescue shelter in Driggs, Idaho forced to close due to mismanagement and poor operations that threatened the welfare of several animals. In the midst of a behind the scenes political scandal, Jasmine, a 2 1/2 year old female pit-mix, became a scapegoat for the shelter’s myriad issues.

In May, a vet tech came to the shelter under instructions to euthanize Jasmine. When asked who authorized this, the reply was, “A Board Member.” One phone call proved this to be false.

The inexplicable plan to destroy this lovable dog was the first of many attempts to take control of the shelter — attempts involving authority figures in a small community where politics run deep.

After more threats were made against Jasmine, I was allowed to remove her from the shelter. Together we visited an organization in Kanab, Utah, nationally renowned for rescuing and rehabilitating 22 dogs having once belonged to Philadelphia Eagles quarterback, Michael Vick. There she received a wonderful evaluation before we drove to upstate NY and Vermont, where she remains in temporary foster care.

Jasmine is a happy girl despite spending nearly a year in a shelter. She is playful, loyal, and super affectionate with men, women, and children.  She desperately needs a permanent home — ideally with a fenced in yard to run and play fetch with her owner and perhaps one other dog, but NO cats!  Please contact me if you‘re interested in bringing Jasmine into your life.


Copyright © 2011 Alyssa Polacsek & Latté News

Non-stop play - everyday!

Otis and Jasmine have officially been introduced.  It happened accidentally but worked out well - as I thought it would.  There was an early morning knock at the door.  I got up to answer.  Jasmine had spent the night in the bedroom with me.  Otis spent the night on the couch (not because he was bad).  Anyway, in my sleepy haze I answered the door and there next to me were both dogs side-by-side, heads poking out of the screen, tails wagging.  I reacted quickly.  Slipped.  Fell.  They both stood over me and when I finally managed to recover they looked at one another as if to say, "Oh.  Hi.  I didn't notice you standing there.  Do you think she's all right.  Should we call for help."  Then, they played.  They have been playing non-stop since about a week or so ago.  They LOVE one another.  Otis even shares his toys with Jasmine.  

Louis - Bear Spray in his mouth!

UPDATE: Louis is still at Dog Logic.  He is playing with other dogs and having fun!  He is a very handsome boy and would love to find a good home.  
Louis is an amazing Yellow Lab who is the poster child of abuse.  While at the shelter in Driggs, ID he was sprayed directly in his mouth with BEAR SPRAY to break up a dog fight.  The shelter was forced to close due to financial strain but the poor judgement made by the Operations Manager endangered this dog as well as other animals.  Louis NEEDS a home sooner than later!  He was moved to Bitter Root in MT - BUT they transferred him to DOG LOGIC in Missoula, MT.  Please arrange to meet him.  He is a good boy!  He can jump over tall fences - so it is best not to leave him unattended or he will jump over and wander off.  He is very social!

Redford NEEDS a home!

ADOPTED!!!

Redford - a handsome Pyrenees /Labrador Mix was one of 6 dogs moved to Hamilton, MT when the shelter in Driggs, ID was forced to close due to financial strain and mismanagement.

Redford desperately needs a home!  

He does not like other dogs BUT is SUPER affectionate with people and he's good with cats and kids.  

If you would like to learn more about Redford, visit Bitterroot and make arrangements to visit with him.  

You will be happy you did and he will appreciate you more than ever.

Tiger Needs Some Training

ADOPTED

Tiger is a very handsome Catahoula Leopard Mix - another dog moved to Hamilton, MT.  He is about 10 months old - still a puppy and needs some training to be the best he can be.  He is GREAT!  Very playful.  Lots of energy!  He would do best in a home without children - a little too much energy perhaps.  He will entertain you to no end.

Jasmine DRINKS the lake!

Jasmine LOVES to play in the water!  She enjoys drinking the lake as well as swimming in it although you MIGHT need to go into the water too - to coax her.  She simply wants to stay near her human.  

Jasmine & Otis - United!

Krissi, an amazing dog trainer, came by today and we worked w/Otis (Black Lab/Pointer Mix) on his recall.  He was a champ!  Hot dogs are his new favorite thing in the world!  

We also worked with both dogs - Jasmine (as seen in most of the pictures on this page) & Otis - walking them around the living room - each had a half of the room - we fed them lots and lots of treats.  Their tails wagged.  They looked at each other with curiosity but both were  more interested in the treats.  Yay!  

Lastly, we tethered them in the living room on opposite sides of the room with about 4 feet between them when stretched.  We gave them treat filled kongs.  Otis doesn't like peanut butter - Jasmine does.  They both enjoy chicken, hot dogs, duck & potato, and dog food infused with all of those above mentioned flavors.  They did great!  

We have a long, slow road ahead but I can work on tethering when eating dinner and such and the rest seems very doable.  Yay!!!  THANK YOU KRISSI!!!  Oh!  Krissi also gave Otis a bike ride.  :)  That was such a wonderful sight!  When you consider how often he wants to chase bikes, cars, moose, birds, anything that moves - WOW!!!  What a good boy!  I'm impressed and proud of him.  

FYI - looking for a place to live back east in NY, VT, or Western MA - pet friendly, obviously.  Need to have access to the Capital District, NYC, the Berkshires, and the Green Mountains.  Okay, the last one is for playtime but I LOVE VT and cannot live without its positive effects.  Anyway, if you have any leads on a place - preferably on a dirt road with a yard - fabulous!!!  Of course, month-to-month is fine too provided I'm on the ground floor.  Don't want to disturb the neighbors with the footsteps of dogs.  

To be continued...

Training

Jasmine is getting some training along with Otis, my dog.  The two of them have not been introduced YET but will be soon.  Right now they are becoming familiar with one another's scents and receiving yummy treats when they see one another from a distance or through the door - positive association.  Both of these dogs are "dog selective" - meaning they don't get along with ALL dogs but they have their friends that they enjoy playing with until the sun goes down.  Both dogs have dominant personalities but they are opposite sex so that is in their favor.  Looking forward to introducing them soon.  Managing them - rotating them throughout the day so they get my attention is quite exhausting.  I also have a cat - don't think Jasmine should be around cats.  She gets excited but I'm not sure I trust her - she may want to play but she may want a treat.  Otis and the cat on the other hand get along swimmingly.  Otter (the cat) keeps Otis in line.

Thank you Best Friends Animal Sanctuary and everyone else who is helping out with Jasmine's welfare.

Love, love me do!

Still needs a good home but in the meantime she  is well-cared for.

All Smiles!

Life is good!

Jasmine's 2nd day out of the shelter - after being there for almost a year.  

She just woke up from a good night's sleep.