Astheworldturns

March 2008 Update

April 2008 Update

November 2008 Update

As the Dog World Turns
March Update

HOMEWARD BOUND RESCUE: The last word from them was an email on March 11, 2008 from their pseudo-attorney Cindy Monaco. Since the 'Cease & Desist' letters also went out to HB board members and a few volunteers, I assume matters will now be in the hands of the attorneys.

CRATES: It seems like this is a popular subject and a question we hear often. No, the crates (that were borrowed by HB volunteers to transport the dogs on March 4, 2008) have not been returned to the Animal House. According to Cindy Monaco, HB's pseudo attorney, "... as to any crates that AH feels it is due, we advise that you check your records. If you are able to demonstrate that these are actually AH property, HB will return them."

Several Animal House customers have come forward and donated new crates. Our heart goes out to you. We could never have imagined such generosity.

CEASE & DESIST LETTERS:
I had been receiving hate mail, some of which was 'spine tingling'. The words psychotic and creepy could not do justice to how disturbed some of them were. However, when I received my first death threat, I was advised to send out Cease & Desist letters. Now, a Cease & Desist letter essentially puts the receiver on notice to stop with the harassment, intimidation, defamation, etc., or face consequences. I sent out about 20 of these letters and received 3 responses. One person sent ME a 'Cease & Desist' letter, one person responded, "Hahahaha", and one person proceeded to quote me their rights under "Freedom of Speech" and to quote law. What is it people don't get about, "Do not contact me in any way, shape or form."

PERSONALIZED GREYHOUNDS INC (PGInc.) POSTING: Several people sent me the latest letter sent out by Peggy Levin & Louise West of Personalized Greyhounds (see below). If the posting and repeated public education announcements concerning Animal House have nothing to do with "personalities", as Levin states in the March 18th letter, why then has everyone associated with Animal House been removed from PGInc's Yahoo group (even though we have adopted several PGInc grey's) and why are all member postings that question the opinion of the 'leader' removed? What has the Animal House done more serious than failed an inspection?

Allow me to educate you on a government inspection, and in my case, a Dog Law inspection. Anyone who has ever gone through one will understand. When any portion of the section is not met, one fails the entire section (so to speak). If they found just one empty water bowl or one dog without a rabies certification, that entire section is failed. It makes no difference what else is in that section. And the reason we did not pass the second time was that the yard was not completed. Ten years of mulch in a yard makes a lot of dirt. We had to have the yard re-sloped and had decided to bring stones in instead of mulch. We had received estimates as far back as January 15, 2008, knowing that this work would be necessary in the spring. The Dog Law inspection came just as the project was starting.

It may also be noted that Doggie Daycare is not covered under Dog Law in any way, shape or form. They are making it up as they go and trying to fit it into the 'kennel' word wherever they can. We failed the shelter portion (Section 21.24a) of the inspection because we did not have dog boxes in the yard. We failed 21.29c Housekeeping/Pests, because we had a gas BBQ grill and some plastic lawn chairs were in a yard that some dogs had access to. I could go on but I think you get the picture.

For those of you who do not know, PGInc and the Animal House has a history. In the past, the Animal House welcomed greyhounds in transport into our facility to be watered, pottied, bathed, and then, to move on to the next phase of their life. And, as many of you know, the Animal House has fostered many PGInc greyhounds over the years. We also took in many bounce-backs (returns) and greys with behavior issues to be assessed and rehabilitated, if necessary. When West and this writer had our disagreement, I had decided it wise to cease all dealings with PGInc also. I find it interesting that a simple disagreement can lead one to such extreme emotions. Foster homes everywhere beware! If they can do this to me, imagine what is in store for you (and your family).

As a side thought, I am just so confused as to why PGInc feels the need to save the public from the BIG, BAD Animal House. Yes, we failed an inspection. We learn, regroup, comply, and move on. I don't get it. And why do women constantly do this to each other?

From: PGINC@yahoogroups.com [mailto:PGINC@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Peggy Levin
Sent: Tuesday, March 18, 2008 12:12 AM
To: PGINC@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [PGINC] RE: An issue that must be addressed and taken seriously

March 18, 2008

Dear Greyhound Friends,

On March 2, an email was posted to our Yahoo Board advising that Personalized Greyhounds, Inc (PG INC) was no longer associated with or recommending the
services of the Animal House of Mechanicsburg. There followed a variety of messages, some posted on our Board, others by way of either emails or telephone calls directly to PG INC, many questioning, even attacking our decision. We did not respond directly to these messages or to the several rambling, defamatory and inaccurate emails sent by the owner of Animal House over the last few weeks. Rather, in response(message posted to the Board on March 5th) we simply urged people not to rush to judgment, pro or con, but to patiently wait for the facts to come to light.

For those of you who might be inerested in facts as opposed to personal attacks, we suggest you click on "FILES" to the left under Messages.

You will see two nearly identical Inspection reports from the State Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement, showing the inspection results (one is for the KENNEL license, the other for the BOARDING license), BOTH resulting in Citations having been issued.

These reports are matters of public record. In all fairness, the Animal House has the right to plead "not guilty" and defend itself through the judicial system, so we don't know what sanctions may ultimately be imposed. But to date, these are the FACTS found by the Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement.

Our only concern was and will ALWAYS be for the safety and well-being of the dogs, Greyhounds and others, and had absolutley NOTHING to do with personalities.

PG INC would have been remiss had we not mentioned to you our concern. It was then up to you after that to draw your own conclusion.

Most sincerely,

Peggy F. Levin ---President
Louise J. West--- Vice President

DISGRUNTLED EX-EMPLOYEES: Animal House has not heard from Carol Line & Jen Richardson in the past two weeks. I can only hope that they have moved on with their lives. History, however, has taught me differently. They like lighting fires and watching them burn.

HUMANE SOCIETY: Two members of the Humane Society had been out to visit the Animal House on March 14, 2008. They have closed their investigation. In spite of anything you may have heard concerning Harrisburg's Humane Society, I found them to be extremely professional, insightful, understanding, and able to see through a set-up immediately. Kudos to our Humane Society.

THANK YOU: I wanted to take a moment to thank you, our customer, for the support, understanding, and love we have received during this time of trial & tribulation. I have tried to answer all of them, however, some may have slipped through the cracks ... I just received so many. A heart-felt thank you to all!

These are some of the things people had to say:

I was at your place with the students from Mechanicsburg Middle School on Martin Luther King Day and I just want to say that I thought you were all wonderful and caring. You knew each dog individually, their personalities, their quirks and their stories. I'm sorry you are going through such a tough time, but please know that there are those who experience first hand the love and caring that you had for each individual dog. Hang in there!

.... there will be a silver lining once the dust settles.

Sharon my heart goes out to you!!!! You are a wonderful kind person and have only wanted the best for these dogs. I can't get over what has happened! If you need anything let me know! I am giving you a big hug the next time I see you!

One day you will look back on this as a learning experience. Without a few bumps in life it would bet boring right!!!

While we haven not adopted a dog from you, but our next door neighbor has. ... They have only said wonderful things about their adoption. My husband and I would have not one problem with leaving our dog with you or adopting any animal which you have there. We know how much you love each and every dog/puppy that comes through your door. As your friend said, "It takes years to build up trust, and it only takes suspicion, not proof, to destroy it."

I hope the worst is over and the recovery isn't tooo harsh. You're a great lady and I think highly of you for all you try to do.

... you are a good person doing a good thing and I have faith that in the end the good will win out over the bad ...

... some people's reality is based on nothing more than twisted perception, ignorance and idiocy.

Animal House being such a helpful and loving place, and you and your employees being so caring and always thinking in the best interest of the animals, it is horrid that people are attacking you this way.

You have many loyal customers that love you and the service you provide and the wonderful job you do.

It is just incomprehensible that anyone that knows you at all could ever think that you could ever do anything to hurt an animal. That says it all!

I know your heart has always been for the dogs and not any recognition or fame for what you do.

... those at AH always were kind, caring, knowledgeable and always professional. I am sure you will, like all strong woman, weather this storm and come out the better and often times wiser woman. Have faith there are good people who know and love you and all the good that you do for those who do not have a voice. Best to you, my thoughts and prayers will be with you.

... karma is such a wonderful thing!

I have always been a supporter of the Animal House and have recommended several people that I know ... they have never said an ill word about AH or its practices.

... I have nothing but fond memories of the Animal House.

You've always taken great care with our ..... and we appreciate you so much. You have a good heart and I've given up trying to understand why people can turn on a dime and become strangers.

I'm really sorry this has happened to such good and caring people.

Keep your head up and your mission to help these helpless creatures always in view.
And many emails ended this way:

Just stay strong and continue to stand up for yourself during this time. It can be too easy to give up and stop fighting when people start bullying you. I can tell from your passionate words that you'll go to extremes to not let them win. Again, we support you fully, so please let me know if there's anything we can do.

... please know you have our support during this time. If there is anything we can do, please let us know.

My family and I are thrilled with the dog we adopted in ..... from you. We never had a problem with our dog.

God bless you, we think what you do and your work is wonderful! Don't know what we'd do without you!

Don't you be disheartened. You always do the right thing, for the right reason - and that's all that matters. Wishing you light and love. We have always trusted you with our ..... and always will. You don't deserve those nut-jobs - your heart if good and big. All will be well, you will see! Time heals all wounds and wounds all "heels".

SPECIAL THANKS: I would also like to take a moment to thank the Hampden Township Police Department for their support. I really do understand how ridiculous this all appears. Thank you for treating it seriously.

PLEASE, SAY A PRAYER: I would like to ask every reader, no matter what your opinion, to say an extra prayer for the dogs who are caught up in this affair. It is not their fault we humans choose to make life difficult.

DOG LAW: The Animal House has now declared war on Dog Law. I think the agency had been set-up and had rushed to make a decision based on adrenalin & previously formed opinion. I think inexperience & naiveté of some of the officers involved may have played a role in the rush to judge & punish. Also, since doggie daycare is not mentioned in Dog Law, the rules are being made as they go, subject to interpretation by the investigating agent. The following letter was sent to Dog Law on 3/28/08 by the Animal House:

Kristin Reed
PA Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement
2301 Cameron St
Harrisburg, PA 17110

cc: Sue West, Director, Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement
Jessie Smith, Special Deputy Secretary
Denise Dougherty, Assistant
Diane Buhl

Ms. Reed,

I have received in the mail yesterday, Dog Law's 3/13/08 recheck of the Animal House. The inspection is confusing to me and I would like some unsatisfactory results clarified. Since I do not understand some of the findings, I will be unable to comply for the 'next' recheck.

When you and Ms. Buhl left the Animal House, Laurie & I were under the impression that all was well. There were a few Daycare rabies cert's that needed to be faxed [to you], we were required to have all Animal House staff dogs current on licensing and that info faxed to you, and our K2 license upgraded. The only thing that we had not complied with totally was the yard. It was being worked on the day of your visit (March 13th) and the 14th. The job was expected to take two (2) days.

2008 K2 License Inspection:

We understand the unsatisfactory in all sections that pertain to the yard. The following are the sections we are unclear about. I would appreciate your response to my questions in writing. I feel as if the Animal House is being over-criticized by you and/or Dog Law and that a time may come in the future where legal intervention may become necessary.

21.29b Sanitation: Unsatisfactory The buildings and grounds of kennel shall be maintained, kept clean and in good repair to protect the animals from injury. Kennel must have an effective program to control ingress by insects, ectoparasites and avarian and mammalian pests. Still some clutter that needs to be removed from the grounds.

I am unclear as to what constitutes clutter in your eyes. When you were here, workmen were currently in the yard with heavy equipment, re-sloping the grade and adding stone. No dogs were permitted in the yard while the workmen were present. Other than the equipment, nothing was in the yard except some temporary fencing.

21.42 Did not view bill of sales/adoption forms for dogs that have been adopted out. Work is being done to repaint walls, reseal floor, and clean up housekeeping/pests. Ventilation was improved: air purifier was running, fan to exchange air-flow was running, and ammonia smell was not as strong.

Why did we fail this section? When you were present, the kennel room only needed the baseboard added (and still does), a very small portion of the grooming room floor needed sealed because of a kennel unit that had been removed, and again, what housekeeping & pests needed addressed (unless you are now inspecting the grooming room also .... in which case, I think we should be made aware of this fact, along with every other grooming shop in PA)? There was absolutely nothing in the kennel room with the exception of two (2) wire kennels. As for the ammonia smell, I think you have an over-sensitive nose. Ever since we have started our 'clean & deodorize' campaign, we have asked customers to let us know if they smell anything offensive. To date, we have not gotten one yes.

2008 B3 License Inspection

21.29b Enclosures shall be sanitized a minimum of once daily and as often as necessary to prevent an accumulation of debris or excreta.

Why did we fail this section?

21.29c Dido the above question ... and please refer to my comments under 2008 K2 License Inspection, above.

455.8 One dog did not have a current rabies vaccination.

You and I spoke on the phone about this situation. According to our phone conversation, the one dog was Reese, who according to estimated records (since exact DOB is/was unknown), he was 3 days over 3 months at the time of your inspection. It was my understanding that you were going to let this infraction 'slide'.

To be perfectly honest with you, I probably would have accepted the entire inspection again except for the rabies issue. I see now, that I am most likely never going to pass and that you are going to continue to nitpick and criticize the Animal House and the way we do things.

We are not a boarding kennel, per say. We are a doggie daycare. We do things differently and that's the way our customers like it. On 2/08/02, I sent an eight (8) page letter to Richard Hess, Director (at that time), explaining my opinion of the differences between a boarding kennel & a doggie daycare. I feel the need has come again to send a letter to the powers-that-be inside the Department of Agriculture to again regurgitate and discuss this subject. Doggie Daycare is not covered under Dog Law and trying to retro-fit it along with the interpretation being left to the individual inspector is unfair & a set-up for failure.

As for the rabies issue, I am at a total loss. Lisa Meade, in response to an article written by [John] Yates, stated, "We do not need to review rabies records for dogs housed at boarding kennels. This point will be clarified for our wardens so that we are sure
they all understand this." Now there is a possibility I am totally misunderstanding her meaning, however, I do feel I (the Animal House) is being singled out for some reason not clear to me. In past inspections, I have never been so scrutinized. Please feel free to enlighten me if I am incorrect.

Sincerely,
Sharon A. Eckenrode
Animal House & Company, Inc.
www.AnimalHouseCo.com
114 S Sporting Hill Road
Mechanicsburg, PA 17050-3057

As the Dog World Turns
April Update

DOG LAW: It seems a war has been averted. The Animal House passed our Dog Law inspection on March 31, 2008.

The Animal House, or more specifically this writer, received numerous citations from Dog Law ... one for each of the sections that was found to be unsatisfactory on the first inspection times two (because we carry two licenses .... one for the rescue & one for daycare. I decided to plead guilty to all citations, essentially wanting to put the whole incident behind us and move on. The Animal House had a sentencing hearing with the local District Justice on April 1, 2008. After a discussion among all three parties (AH, Dog Law, and the District Justice), it was decided and agreed upon to reduce the citation amount by 88%. Needless to say, we were very pleased with the outcome of the hearing. Kudos to the Honorable Thomas A. Placey whom I found to be a fair and equitable person.

PERSONALIZED GREYHOUNDS INC (PGInc.)

If you recall, PGInc. sent out a 'public announcement' letter stating, "For those of you who might be [interested] in facts as opposed to personal attacks, we suggest you click on "FILES" to the left under Messages." The letter continues by explaining that the Animal House failed two Dog Law inspections and how the reader can obtain access to the inspections. As Levin & West so thoughtfully state, "Our only concern was and will ALWAYS be for the safety and well-being of the dogs, Greyhounds and others, and had absolutely NOTHING to do with personalities."

Now that the Animal House has passed the 'inspection', does it mean we are now back in PGInc's good graces and a new letter/email will go out rejoicing and celebrating our acceptance back into the greyhound world of PGInc. No? Well, why not? Oh, I see. It is personalities, after all. Ho hum .........

DISGRUNTLED EX-EMPLOYEES: Well, it seems the Bobbsey twins have not moved on, as I had hoped. The Animal House has heard from Jen Stewart Richardson, and shortly thereafter, from Carol Line. It seems they both have filed for unemployment with the PA Department of Labor. It would be funny if it weren't so sad. Richardson claims "unsanitary conditions at her work place" as her reason. Richardson was the individual whose job it was to keep the place clean. She performed janitorial duties as her main job and groomer apprentice on an as needed basis. Line claimed health reasons for quitting. Both ladies have filed for unemployment in spite of the fact that both have taken new positions with another grooming shop (Angie's Bark Ave) ... a fact which is (by now, it is most likely 'was') displayed on the web site.

As the Dog World Turns
November Update

HOMEWARD BOUND : The Animal House had it's first reminder of our defunct relationship with HB in July. We were contacted by a woman who had adopted a 17 week old puppy through Homeward Bound via the Animal House. She tells us that she had contacted Sue Hollenbach to return her dog to the rescue. Hollenbach refused to take the dog back because the woman had signed an Animal House adoption contract (see notes below discussing this issue). But, the woman argued, the adoption fee check was made out to HB, thus making it an HB dog.

The woman contacted the Animal House and told us her story. When the dog's file was referenced, the adoption contract was from the Animal House but the back of the contract displayed a copy of a check written out to Sue Hollenbach personally for the adoption fee. The dog was surrendered to the Animal House & has since gotten a new home.

You know, ya' can't have it both ways.

Notes: Several Homeward Bound adoptions were done on an Animal House contract. Homeward Bounds web site [& application] is on a site sponsored by RescueGroups.org. The web site was a nightmare to access and navigate. Pages took forever to load. The site would constantly freeze-up making a reboot necessary. Most likely an Animal House contract was used with this particular dog because we simply did not have access to the site yet.

Oh, and PS: The crates still have not been returned. And the beat goes on ......

PERSONALIZED GREYHOUNDS INC (PGInc.)

Remember the saying, "What goes around, comes around"? Sometimes one feels that it doesn't come around fast enough. Sometimes we are unaware that it has come back around. And sometimes we feel as if a person "got away with it". Well, I believe that one cannot escape the consequences of one's actions. Common sense alone convinces me of this. Evil begets evil; negativism begets negativism. With that said, I continue .....

I have learned that Louise West was asked to leave Personalized Greyhounds at the beginning of September. Not just step down as Vice President, but fired, ostracized, banished, blackballed from the organization totally. It's interesting that this is the exact same thing West (and Levin) did to Animal House & it's staff. It's also interesting that West's discharge has been kept so hushed. "What, no official emails proclaiming the banishment," you ask? No announcement as to the reason for the termination?" No apology to the Animal House?" It's interesting that West and Levin felt it so necessary to protect the public from the big, bad Animal House that they felt the need to issue several announcements. I guess West's sin was not as terrible as ours, hence no need to protect the public.

DISGRUNTLED EMPLOYEES:

Jennifer Lynn (McCarty, Stewart) Richardson and Carol Susan Line applied for unemployment in April 2008 and were denied. They then filed a claim with the PA Human Relations Commission (PHRC) against the Animal House claiming discrimination and harassment. Richardson withdrew her claim with the PHRC 5 days before the hearing date and Line withdrew hers, the day before her hearing date. We were told by the person in charge of our case that Line & Richardson had a falling out and are no longer speaking to each other. What was I saying earlier about "what goes around, comes around"?

After a short stint of working for Angie's Bark Ave and Homeward Bound Rescue via Char-lyn Kennels, the dynamic duo parted ways. Recently, Richardson was seen working at PetSmart on the Carlisle Pike, Mechanicsburg, in the grooming department. Line is working at Benny's Pet Depot in the Windsor Park Shopping Center, Mechanicsburg.

DOG LAW:

... to be continued

AS THE [DOG] WORLD TURNSThe Ongoing Saga with Homeward Bound Rescuehttp://homewardbound2u.rescuegroups.orgUpdates - 2008

AS THE [DOG] WORLD TURNS

The Ongoing Saga with Homeward Bound Rescue
http://homewardbound2u.rescuegroups.org

Updates - 2008