A Happy Ending - Tick-infestied Leo is found!

"Happy ending": It's not exactly Disney, but the tick-infested Leo is found nine months later
by Kimberly A.C. Wilson, The Oregonian
Thursday April 16, 2009, 9:40 PM



Before going missing for nine months in southern Oregon, Leo spent a day at the beach with his owners, Marisa Davis and Jason McNichols. Leo was reunited with them Thursday.

Nine months and $2,000 after he disappeared in the wilds of southern Oregon, Leo the border collie is heading home to Northeast Portland.

He may appear a bit wolf-like now, shaggy and a wild look in the eye. But he was a well-groomed 2-year-old herding dog last Fourth of July weekend, when Jason McNichols, 30, and fiancee Marisa Davis, 29, left him with friends while they rafted for an hour on the Rogue River.

Agility-course trained and keen at playing Frisbee, Leo had never given the couple a reason to worry. But on that summer afternoon, he suddenly bolted when a friend pulled up to the Graves Creek boat landing to await McNichols and Davis.

"We were heartbroken," said McNichols.

The pair posted lost-dog fliers in Galice, the closest hamlet, six miles upriver, and in other towns to the north, where they were camped. Given Leo's distinctive brown, white and black coloring, they figured it wouldn't be long before someone spotted the 50-pound pup. But despite days spent hiking the area during her summer break from teaching at a Beaverton middle school, Davis couldn't find Leo.

So McNichols hired Longview, Wash., tracker Harry Oakes, whose corpse-sniffing dog tipped off investigators seven years ago to the buried remains of two murdered girls in the yard of convicted killer Ward Weaver.

The search dog pointed out one of Leo's trails, McNichols said, suggesting that the dog had at least survived a week on his own. But after no more news for the next eight months, there came Nanette Martin's phone call in early April.

On a break during a motorcycle ride through Galice, Martin spotted one of the Leo fliers. She recognized him at once as a stray that appeared now and then on her property 25 miles south of Galice in Wilderville.

"And when I saw the sign I thought, 'Oh my God, that's that lost dog,'" Martin said.

Turns out, Wilderville residents had been seeing the border collie with a patterned collar darting around town since November. Skittish around humans, he wandered through the woods, pilfering cat food.

"Everybody saw him but nobody could get close to him," Martin said.

After the call, McNichols and Davis took last Friday off and drove south to resume the search. More than once, they spotted Leo at a distance but he would flee. Finally, McNichols called Bug's Inc., a pest control company in Grants Pass that uses cages to trap cougars. He and Davis had to return to Portland, but on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday nights, Martin helped workers set a trap for Leo on a neighbor's property.

Finally, on Wednesday night, Martin called McNichols and asked if he wanted to speak with Leo, who sat nearby, scared but wagging his tail. Tempted by a can of cat food, dog kibble and a breast of chicken from Albertsons, the dog had walked into the cage.

Thursday morning, McNichols and Davis were reunited with Leo. Shaggy and covered in ticks, he seemed to be the pet the couple had lost.

Before heading for their home in the Rocky Butte area of Portland, they took Leo to the Wilderville Store to formally introduce residents to the dog who wandered through the area all those months.

"It's such a happy ending," a giddy Martin said Thursday afternoon.

McNichols agreed.

"Nine months later, and he's fine," he said, after taking the dog to a Eugene vet for a checkup. "All muscle. He only lost three pounds in the whole ordeal. We can't wait to get him home."

April 2009 Portland Animal Events

This is something I'd like to do for each upcoming month. It also helps me to remember some fun upcoming things to go do and gives me outlets for volunteering with animals in Portland. Please contact me if your event is not included - as I'm just pulling these from the local shelter websites and other websites + Spot and the other Portland area animal magazines. So feel free to submit your event to me to put on the calendar for each month!

APRIL 2009 Animal Friendly Events in the Portland, Oregon area:

April 1st: Fuzzy, Furry & Feathered Friends Photo Contest Opens
April 1 - May 31

Have a favorite photo of your pet? OHS is looking for great photos of cats, dogs, birds, rabbits, horses, and other pets for its 18th annual photo contest. Entry forms available here April 1st. Wonderful prizes provided by Pro Photo Supply. For more information visit the OHS Photo Contest Webpage: http://www.oregonhumane.org/news/photo_contest.asp

April 14th: Klamath Falls, OR Magpies Trip
When: Apr 14, 2009 08:00 AM to Apr 17, 2009 05:00 PM

Look for Snow and Ross’s Geese, ducks, raptors and more in the Klamath Basin. Courting Clark’s Grebes are possible. Base of operations is Klamath Falls. Contact Dick Demarest, 503-407-7912 or Don Stein, 541-765-7567 for details.

Nature Night: Arctic Dreams and Nightmares: Wildlife Conservation in a Changing Arctic Alaska
When: Tuesday Apr 14, 2009 from 07:00 pm to 08:30 pm
Heron Hall, 5151 NW Cornell Rd, Portland, OR
Nature Night is free and open to the public

*Please note there has been a change in speaker*

Steve Zack, Wildlife Conservation Society

Arctic Alaska contains one of the world’s great migratory spectacles with birds migrating to breed there from every continent, every ocean. The most important Arctic wetlands are in western Arctic Alaska, home of the biggest single piece of public land in the United States. The Arctic’s climate is changing more quickly than anywhere else on earth, risking to transform this region and its wildlife in dramatic and diverse ways. Further, expanding energy development is displacing species and causing other challenges to wildlife conservation. The Wildlife Conservation Society has been on the ground in Arctic Alaska since 2001, attempting to understand wildlife amid such changes and seeking protection for key areas of wildlife importance. Steve Zack will present an overview of this dramatic region in transition, with emphasis on migratory shorebird conservation concerns.

April 15: Wood Warblers of Oregon
When: 07:00 pm to 09:00 pm
Contact:
Steve Engel
sengel@audubonportland.org
971-222-6119

Join us for a multi-media presentation by Doug Robberson on the wood warblers of Oregon. In addition to pictures and songs there will be video of birds in their natural surroundings. This is a good time to become familiar with Oregon warblers such as MacGillivray’s, Wilson’s and Orange-crowned Warblers as they have just begun to arrive from their tropical wintering grounds. The common wood warblers of Oregon will be the focus with some not so common species included.

FEE: $10 members / $15 non-members
FREE to volunteers!

April Wed 15: Free Seminar: Becoming the Leader. A Pawsitively Pawssible Approach.
Description: This free seminar teaches you the vital basics of dog training, including an intro to positive reinforcement training, how to teach your dog self control, patience, acceptance and most importantly to respect us. Everyone receives a free clicker and those who enroll in Super Dog will receive a free Easy Walk harness. This is a humans only class that is free to the public, not just Super Dog students. Although walk-ins are allowed register today so you don't get turned away!
Location: Pawsitively Pawssible, 1500 NW 18th Ave., Suite #105 Portland, OR
Time: 6:45pm
For more info visit: http://www.pawsitivelypawssible.com/Dog_Training/Home.html

April Fri 17: Indoor Dog Park Fun at PetUtopia

Learn how to keep your dog safe at the dog park. Bring your puppy or small dog in for supervised socialization. Bobbie Lyons will teach you about appropriate body language for play and what to watch for to keep your dog safe. This is a great way to socialize your dog and start them off with good habits when greeting and playing with other dogs. Class starts April 3, 2009 running every Friday from 1:00 to 2:00 on a drop in basis. Cost is $10 per session.
Location: PetUtopia, 8670 SW Scholls Ferry Rd., Beaverton, OR
Time: 1:00 - 2:00pm
For more info: Visit http://www.petutopia.com


April Sat 18: Wapato Access Greenway State Park
When: 08:00 am to 11:00 am
Contact:
Backyard Bird Shop - call first!
503-496-0908

Co-sponsored with Backyard Bird Shop. Meet at Wapato Greenway Access State Park on Sauvie Island for a leisurely walk around the small lake. We’ll look for songbirds, sapsuckers and waterfowl. From Portland take Hwy 30 West towards St Helens. Take Sauvie Island Bridge onto island and head north. Stay left at the Y with Reeder Rd. and continue for 0.5 mile to Wapato parking lot on left. An island parking permit is not needed at this site. Meet at 8am, bring binoculars and dress for weather. Beginners welcome! 8am-11am


April Sat 18th: Problem Pooch
12:30 - 1:30 pm at the Oregon Humane Society
(Ehmann Classroom, AMLC)

Find out why your dog does that at a round table discussion of animal behavior problems with an OHS expert. Please leave your pets at home. No RSVP required; $30 suggested donation.

Sat & Sun April 18 & 19: Northwest Pet & Companion Fair
9:30 am - 6:00 pm Saturday, 9:30 am - 5:00 pm Sunday at the Portland Expo Center, Hall E

Admission: $7 each, $5 for students and seniors
The Expo Center also charges for parking.
Bring your dog and check out Portland’s largest pet fair! More than 250 exhibitors are on hand to introduce you to the latest in pet care, food, toys and fun. Stop by the DoveLewis booth to play cool games and win fabulous prizes!

The two-day event provides both human guests and pets with a variety of activities, educational materials, entertainment, as well as over 150 retail and nonprofit groups. For more information visit the NW Pet Fair Website: http://www.petfairs.com. Discount Coupon available here: http://www.oregonhumane.org/news/images/PetFairCoupon_2009OHS.jpg

April Sunday 19: Legacy Society Inaugural Event
DoveLewis Community Room—1945 NW Pettygrove, Portland
4:00PM to 6:00PM

DoveLewis invites you to join us in celebrating our newly established Dr. Richard Werner Legacy Society. This social gathering honors our visionary supporters who share a belief in the power of Estate Planning and know the legacy they leave will grow and support the human–animal bond for future generations. Meet Richard Werner, veterinarian and DoveLewis’ founding father and hear his first hand stories about how the DoveLewis vision became reality back in 1973. Enjoy appetizers, wine and dessert, take a behind–the–scenes tour and get an up–close look at our newest life saving equipment.

All who have committed to supporting the future of DoveLewis through Estate Planning or those who simply want to learn more about it are invited to attend. The Dr. Richard Werner Legacy Society is strictly honorary in nature and involves no dues, obligations or solicitations.

RSVP is required - please RSVP to Lori Warner–McGee,
lwarner@dovelewis.org or 503.535.3382.

April Monday 20: Bay Ocean Spit Magpies Trip
When: 08:00 am to 03:00 pm

Join Leader Juergen Mueller for a trip to Tillamook Bay, Cape Meares and Netarts Bay. We will be looking for waterfowl on the way to their breeding grounds. Meet at the McDonalds in North Plains at 8am or the new Safeway in Tillamook in the Northwest corner of the parking lot at 9:15am.Bring a lunch and dress for the weather. For information call Juergen at 503-742-2464.

April Tues 21: Light-Fingered Five Goes to the Dogs - a benefit for OHS.
7:30 pm at Theatre! Theatre!, 3430 SE Belmont St.

Make your laughter help dogs in need at OHS! Enjoy an evening of improv comedy by Light Fingered Five, and 100% of net proceeds from the event goes to OHS. Tickets on sale at the door for $10.

Intro to Dog Training Class
5:30 - 6:00 pm at the Oregon Humane Society
(Ehmann Classroom, AMLC)

A prerequisite for Basic Manners classes for dogs. Learn about Basic Manners classes, requirements (spay/neuter & vaccinations), our positive philosophy, and ask questions. Free to attend; no registration required. Visit the OHS Training Webpage for more information about OHS Dog Training Classes: http://www.oregonhumane.org/pet_training/class_offerings.asp

April 22: Save the Frogs with Dr Kerry M Kriger
When: 05:30 pm to 06:30 pm

Amphibian declines and extinctions: where to from here?
A FREE Earth Day Lecture

Frog populations worldwide have been declining at unprecedented rates, and nearly one-third of the world's 6,468 amphibian species are threatened with extinction. Amphibians are faced with an onslaught of environmental problems, including pollution, infectious diseases, habitat loss, invasive species, climate change, and over-harvesting for the pet and food trades. Dr. Kriger will discuss these threats then detail his vision for SAVE THE FROGS!, the new nonprofit organization he founded and directs.

Dr. Kriger holds a Ph.D. in Environmental Science from Griffith University in Gold Coast, Australia. His research into amphibian declines has been supported by the National Geographic Society and other philanthropic organizations throughout the world. His current research focuses on the amphibian disease chytridiomycosis.

Location:
5151 NW Cornell Road
Portland, OR 97210
Phone: 503.292.9453
Email: store@audubonportland.org

April Sat 25: Intro to Dog Training Class
2:00 - 2:30 pm at the Oregon Humane Society
(Ehmann Classroom, AMLC)

A prerequisite for Basic Manners classes for dogs. Learn about Basic Manners classes, requirements (spay/neuter & vaccinations), our positive philosophy, and ask questions. Free to attend; no registration required.

April Sat 25: Gabriel Park Veterinary Clinic Open House
Gabriel Park Veterinary Clinic is celebrating their clinic's new expansion. They will have adoptable cats from Animal Aid, adoptable dogs from Golden Bond Rescue, Beaverton Police K9 units (doing a demo!), food, prizes, and raffles!
Location: Gabriel Park Veterinary Clinic, 4421 SW Vermont St., Portland, OR
Time: 12:00 - 4:00pm
For more info: http://gabrielparkvet.net/ or call 503-245-7275

April Sun 26: Dr. PAWS Educational Lecture Series
Dr. PAWS is a monthly lecture series presented by a variety of pet care specialists about specific pet topics. The series is meant to help pet owners make informed decisions regarding different pet issues. Parasites: Fleas, Ticks, Giardia, and Hookworms and different methods of prevention will be discussed on April 26th. This event is sponsored by VCA West Linn Animal Hospital and The Dog Club of West Linn. Cost: Free.
Location: The Dog Club of West Linn, 18675 Willamette Dr., West Linn, OR
Time: 2:00 - 3:00pm
For more info: Brianne at 503-635-3523

April Wed 29: Yappy Hour
6-8 pm at Paragon Restaurant, 1309 NW Hoyt St., Gallery Room

Join Lexi Dog Boutique & Social Club, the Oregon Humane Society, and Bishop Creek Cellars for a social hour for both you and your dog. Yappy Hour was voted best place to hang out with your pet by readers of Portland Monthly. Meet OHS dogs available for adoption, and enjoy food and wine, of which a portion of sales will be donated to OHS!



Upcoming May Events:

May Fri 1: Dog Massage for Owners Class
Rubi Sullivan, a certified animal massage therapist, will be offering a 'Dog Massage for Owners' class. Bring your four legged friend in and learn basic massage strokes to use on them at home. Heal provides dog beds for the class, take-home information and doggie bags. Please sign up at the location before the day of the class. Cost is only $40. And don't forget to bring your dog with you!
Location: Healthy Pets Northwest in SW Portland (http://www.healthypetsnw.com)
Time: 6:00 - 7:30pm
For more info: http://www.healnw.com

May 5 & 6: Magpies Birdathon
When: May 05, 2009 07:00 AM to May 06, 2009 04:30 PM

Join Denny Graham and Mike Skinner for the Magpies Birdathon. Tuesday we meet in the Mt. Tabor Volcano parking lot for birding Mt. Tabor then Ridgefield NWR. Wednesday we meet at the Tualatin Hills Nature Park Interpretive Center, 15655 SW Milikan Way. We will spend the early morning looking for songbirds at THNP, then proceed to Tualatin NWR, Gotter Prairie and Jackson Bottoms. Bring a lunch and water both days. You may attend one or both days. For information contact Denny Graham @ 503-659-1245 home / 503-351-8706 cell or Mike Skinner @ 503-590-3963 home /503-686-5126 cell.


May Sat 9: Festival of the Birds
When: 10:00 am to 03:00 pm
Contact:
Karen Munday
kmunday@audubonportland.org
503.292.6855 x122

Join Audubon Society of Portland, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the City of Portland for a Celebration of Migratory Birds.

Oaks Bottom and other natural areas in Portland are important to migrating birds for nesting, wintering, resting and re-fueling. Come and see birds hailing from as far away as Argentina in Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge, the City of Portland’s first designated Migratory Bird Park.

This is a free festival for the whole family to celebrate International Migratory Bird Day. No registration is required.

* Guided Bird Walks from 9 am – 2 pm. Come enjoy bird walks led by local naturalists. You will be amazed by the large variety of migratory birds that use Oaks Bottom and other Portland natural areas during their migratory route.

* Children’s Activities. Kids will love the bird related hands-on activities for children aged 3 – 11.

* Storytelling and Live Music by local storytellers and musicians. Come hear songs and stories about migratory birds in the Portland area.

* Education Birds from Audubon Society of Portland’s Wildlife Care Center. Meet in person Finnegan the Peregrine Falcon, Julio the Great Horned Owl, Hazel the Northern Spotted Owl, Jack the American Kestrel, Ruby the Turkey Vulture and Aristophanes the Common Raven.

* Interactive Displays. Visit with local partners of the Migratory Bird Treaty Program and find out what is happening locally to protect and enhance our bird populations.

Portland's Favorite Pet Event - Coming in May 2009!

Downtown Portland goes to the dogs on May 9th for the 22nd Annual OHS Doggie Dash. Help us raise $245,000 for animals and have a great time doing it.

Please note: Cars will be banned from Naito Parkway for the 1.5 mile walk for pets and people (dogs not required!). We've also added a new 2.5 mile bridge-to-bridge loop for runners and walkers.

We'll transform Waterfront Park into a huge "barking lot" for for an estimated 5,000 people and almost as many four-legged friends, plus vendors, live music, and contests to show off your dog;'. The 2008 Doggie Dash was voted Portland's favorite pet event by readers of Spot magazine!

Here are the details:

When: May, 9th, 2009. On-site registration opens at 7:30 am; runners leave at 9:00 am; walkers begin at 9:15 am. Online registration is now open.

Where: Tom McCall Waterfront Park in Portland. The main registration tent is located in the park near the intersection of SW Naito Parkway and SW Pine St. (close to the Battleship Oregon monument). Vendor booths and demonstration areas will stretch along the park from Pine St. to the Morrison Bridge.

The Course: The 1.5 mile course begins on SW Naito Parkway near Stark St. You'll proceed down a car-free Naito Parkway to approximately the Hawthorne bridge, then turn north along the park's seawall, then return south again on Naito Parkway.

Bridge to Bridge Option: Our new 2.5 mile route uses the same stating and ending points as the 1.5 mile route, but now takes Dashers over the Hawthorne Bridge, down the Eastbank Esplanade, over the Steel Bridge, and back to Waterfront Park. It's dog friendly and has great views of the city. Runners go at 9:00 at 2.5 mile run, followed by walkers on the 2.5 mile route at 9:15, followed by walkers on the 1.5 mile loop at 9:30.


Contests & Activities: Doggie Dash activities continue until 1 pm with fun for all:

-Doggie contests such as Best Kisser, Musical Chairs, Strangest Mutt Mix, Best Dressed Dog, Best Singing Duo, and more (full list).

-Frisbee clinic and demonstration by Greg Gustafson of Border Collies International. You can enter your dog in the Frisbee contest.

-Free dog examinations by Banfield, The Pet Hospital.

-Vendor booths with pet products and services.

-Live music by the Lost Creek bluegrass band.

-Pancake breakfast for all registered Dashers.


Vendors

Waterfront Park will be lined with vendors who support OHS efforts to rescue, shelter and find homes for animals. Watch this space for a complete list of vendors who will be offering pet-friendly products and services.


Raise Donations and Earn Prizes: See more information here: http://www.oregonhumane.org/doggiedash/Collect_Donations.asp


Getting There by Tri-Met: Bring Your Dog!

Although dogs are usually not allowed on TriMet, TriMet is making an exception for Doggie Dash! Riders can bring their dogs to and from Doggie Dash on any TriMet MAX train until 2 pm on May 9th. Riders with dogs should bring their Dash registration receipt and/or their Dash race “bib” as proof they are going to Doggie Dash. Regular fares apply to riders, but dogs ride free!

Dog owners need to follow these rules:

* Dogs must be under the owner’s control - leash or in a crate - at all times.
* Dogs must be wearing a head collar such as Gentle Leader or wear a muzzle.
* Dogs need to be wearing an ID tag that includes the owner's contact information.
* Dogs and riders must use only the rear car only of a two-car train.

Parking

Smart Park Garages at:

SW 1st & Jefferson
SW 3rd & Alder (closest to registration tent)
SW 4th & Yamhill
NW Naito & Davis

For more information and forms, click here: http://www.oregonhumane.org/doggiedash/Doggie_Dash_Event_Information.asp

Happy, happy news for the day! :)

Moose saved from icy lake

April 7, 2009 05:21 PM

April 7, 2009 07:55 PM
Also See:
Moose saved from icy lake
Story by:
Melissa Luck / KXLY4 Executive Producer

SPOKANE -- It may be warming up, but some lakes in our area are still frozen over, and a moose in Newman Lake found that out the hard way.

The animal fell through the ice this morning and it took a valiant effort to try and save him

"We got a 911 call, something out on the ice," said Bob pool of the Newman Lake Fire Department.

The ordeal began shortly after 9:00 Tuesday morning out in the middle of Newman Lake.

"He was about two football fields out in the middle of the lake," Spokane County Sheriff's Deputy Wade Nelson said.

It is not uncommon to see moose out here this time of year, but this was a first for Marshall Peterson who lives near the lake.

"First time I've ever seen one on the ice being rescued," said Peterson.

This rescue would not be an easy one because by the time rescuers got to the moose, he was helpless.

"When he first went in, he was getting out up to his chest and falling back in, but when we got out there he was so tired he could barely keep his head out of the water," Deputy Nelson said.

The water rescue team and the Newman Lake Fire Department had to get creative to save the animal.

"We got a rope around his chest, got a three-one system out on the ice with ice anchors," said Deputy Nelson.

The pulley system seemed to work, and the moose showed signs of life, but the rescue was not without its challenges.

Aside from battling to get the moose free, rescuers had to battle to keep themselves safe on the soft ice beneath them.

Finally, after hours of work, they pulled him in and onto shore.

With a little sunshine and a lot of oxygen, they hoped to bring the moose back to his feet.

"When we first pulled him out, he couldn't even move. He was taking a breath every 30 to 40 seconds, now he's getting some life back into him, so, I think he's gonna make it," Deputy Nelson said.

Peterson was happy to see the moose safe, but he was also in awe at something he will likely never see again.

"Those guys are exhausting, but they do so great! They've been out here two to three hours. Look at that baby feeding off the oxygen," Peterson said.

Click here for the website where you can view the rescue video!! http://www.kxly.com/Global/story.asp?S=10147165

:)