Hello, my name is Janie. Animal Control in Manteca, CA, wanted me to be killed. I was picked up after I had been hit by a car and taken to an animal clinic for observation. It was observed that I am a wonderful girl who loves everyone-I was even their greeter at the clinic! The nice people at the clinic knew I deserved to live and called the folks in Redding to see if they would consider taking me. Unfortunately, I have a fractured tail and pelvis which sometimes makes me a little cranky when touched in those areas. The only thing that can be done for me is to let me rest and let these fractures heal on their own. I am already able to pick my tail up and wag! I am a beautiful black bearcoat-somewhat rare I am told. I really do get along with everyone but need to stay in Redding until my injuries heal and I can be spayed. Please keep me in mind if you will be ready for a wonderful new companion in about a month.

Now for the rest of the story. The reason I was out running and got hit by a car is that my previous owners decided they no longer wanted me, or my two companions, and opened their door and turned us all loose. Both my four legged friends are also Shar Pei and thankfully were not injured before they were caught. There is my friend Jasper, also a black bearcoat who looks just like me, and my friend Otis, who is a black horsecoat. What is wrong with you humans? Some of you think that turning us loose is better than taking us to a shelter. Let me tell you it is not! We run the risk of being hit by a car, which I can tell you is a very frightening and painful experience. I'm just lucky I was found and not left to die on my own. There is also the chance of starvation-we are domestic animals and cannot fend for ourselves and find food. Most humans don't want stray dogs around and will try to scare us off by various means-most not so pleasant. We cannot fight off wild animals who may want us for a meal of their own. There are so many things that can and do happen to dogs whose owners set them free. Humane euthanasia would be better than the other alternatives. Anyway, that is our sad story, and we all deserve better. Remember, Jasper looks just like me and is looking for a home now, and as soon as Otis gets to Redding and is neutered, he will be available also. Their pictures will soon be posted. Thanks for taking the time to read this, and if you are able to donate to our vet care while we are here in Redding, it would be much appreciated.

Calling ALL Chinese Shar-Pei.

Please participate in a study being conducted by the University of Colorado. Researcher Anne Avery states, “This study will be measuring proteins in the blood that are associated with inflammation. In people with Familial Mediterranean Fever, there are elevated levels of these proteins, even when they are not having (fever) episodes. This is not necessarily to develop a test for the disease, because I think a group at NIH (National Institutes of Health) is close to identifying the gene(s), but to understand how those genes make dogs sick, and perhaps to use the levels of some of these proteins to monitor therapy, for example colchicine therapy.”

Researchers are looking for blood samples from all Shar-Pei – no pedigree is necessary. They are more interested in the medical history behind your Shar-Pei, so rescue dogs are very welcome to participate in this study. They prefer at least a year’s documented medical history (can be combination between the rescue organizations records and personal history after adoption) on non-fever dogs. If your Pei’s medical history is less than a year but the dog has had two documented fever episodes, they can participate. The minimum age requested is one year old.

There are two ways to participate: First, I have arranged to hold a DNA draw Sunday afternoon, September 30, 2007, at my home in Fremont, CA. Please e-mail CSPCNC@yahoo.com or call (510) 795-9456 to make an appointment for that day. There will be two licensed veterinary techs who are very familiar with Shar-Pei doing the blood draws. I will gather all that day’s samples together and cold ship overnight. Or you can go to your own veterinarian to have blood drawn and then you can cold ship overnight via UPS (on U C’s prepaid account). Most veterinarians will do this at no charge for research purposes. Contact me at the above e-mail address or phone me for all the particulars.

Please consider participating in this and/or any future research project that will benefit our breed. One needle stick can possibly reduce or eliminate future pain and suffering from disease for our breed. Over the past 30 years, we have gone from a life expectancy of six to eight years to 12 years. Let’s see if, through research, we can add a few more precious years to that.

Hi Folks

We’re happy to report that the growth has been removed from Eileen’s eye and she has been spayed. She had her heartworm treatment last week and is recovering from that now. It is a difficult procedure for any dog and has slowed her down a little. She now has to remain calm for the next several weeks. That won’t be difficult for her since she has always been a laid back kind of girl. I want to apologize to those of you who made a donation in her name. Because her photo and bio were not up on our webpage you were listed as Guardian Angels for various other dogs. Please know that your very generous donations are continuing to be applied to her medical needs. We very much appreciate you coming forward to help Eileen, and I know she’s thankful too. She’s another Pei who suffered from terrible neglect at the hands of her previous owners. Now she will have the opportunity to know a loving home thanks to all of you. She will be going up as a “New Kid”, and we will get a new photo as soon as her eye is completely healed. She is such a beautiful girl with a very loving and gentle spirit. She deserves all we are able to do for her to make her whole again.

Summer is almost over, and we don’t know about you, but we are ready for some cooler weather. We (both two and four legged) have had enough of these triple digits! As always, we can’t keep up with the number of Pei who continue to need our help. If you know of anyone who would give one of our kids a great home, please send them our way.

We’ll be doing a few fundraisers in the upcoming months and will let you know more about them as the time gets closer.

Anna and Rich