Dear Southwest Ranches Friends and Neighbors:
Good Morning, Good Afternoon, Good Evening and if I don’t see you later…well then…Good Night!
The subject line of this missive has two schools of thought. Is the phrase “every dog has its day” a good thing or a bad thing? I’ve Googled, I’ve Hulu’d I’ve canvassed the public…and the winner is…it’s a good thing!
With that said, the Town of Southwest Ranches is set to honor its own resident celebrity K-9 with an ordinance named “Nikki’s Law.” On Thursday, June 18th 2009 at 7:00PM shortly after the pledge of allegiance, The Town of Southwest Ranches will execute the second reading and subsequent passing and adoption of an anti-tethering law for our town. “Nikki’s Law” shall, from that day forth, protect any Southwest Ranches resident K-9 from ever having to live its life at the end of a chain.
For those of you who have followed Nikki’s story you may recall that her life’s road has been a bumpy one; from her rescue in 2004, to her re-homing as a resident here in Southwest Ranches, to her Animal Planet documentary segment, to becoming the poster dog for the highly successful Humane Society of Broward County “Break the Chain” educational campaign, to her registered educational K-9 status, to her unwitting role in the political arena, to now witnessing the 13th Broward County municipality becoming a more “humane” place for dogs to live with the passage of “Nikki’s Law.”
Rumor has it that Nikki will be in attendance on Thursday, June 18th 2009 at 7:00PM at the Town Council meeting, 6591 Southwest 160 Avenue (Dykes Road) Southwest Ranches, Florida 33331. The sleek black and tan Doberman is a little older but a whole lot wiser. Rumor also has it that Nikki’s owners will also be in attendance to witness the passing of the anti-tethering ordinance named after their beloved pet and companion; both of them older and wiser as well.
Let’s mark the calendar folks and show up and show our support for a dog whose life has indeed made a difference for the future treatment of any and all of our resident K-9’s.
Congratulations Nikki … I have met you and I can say with authority, joy and reverence … you deserve this honor. To Nikki’s owners all I can say is your efforts on behalf of this ordinance for our town and the 12 other Broward County city’s that previously passed similar ordinances, may have been a tough road to hoe, but you hoed it well. I tip my Gnome hat to you.
That’s All Folks!!!
Wanch Waggler
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6 comments:
I have to respond with a great big thank you! As one of Nikkis care takers, or as she thinks, her subjects---I am sure she is very happy with her town passing the first reading and the anticipated passing of the second reading on the 18th of June--All kidding aside-Nikki is just one of many dogs that have been subject to inhumane conditions-Thank you Mayor Jeff Nelson, Vice Mayor Steve Breitkreuz, Councilmen Doug Mckay, Aster Knight,and Freddie Fisikelli for your support
Scott Christensen
Way to go Nikki! Way to go Broward County Humane Society! Way to go Town of Southwest Ranches CURRENT town council! Way to go Town of Southwest Ranches Legal Counsel!
Nikki has a great long life ahead of her as do the pets you may have, but you have done a great thing here Southwest Ranches and Nikki considers each and every one of you her special friends; but when the time comes that you have done everything you could have possibly done "good" for your pet and it's time for good bye's remember the following because not only have you done good by your pet you've done good by many others as well.
Rainbow Bridge
Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.
There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.
There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.
All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.
You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.
Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....
Author unknown...
Southwest Ranches about to embrace 'Nikki's Law'
Town joining cities with laws to protect dogs from cruel chaining
By Susannah Bryan
South Florida Sun Sentinel
6:59 PM EDT, June 17, 2009
SOUTHWEST RANCHES
She bounds into the room and jumps into a stranger's lap, tail wagging.
No fear. No bark. No bite.
It's hard to believe Nikki the Doberman pinscher spent her early years at the end of a rope. The chain that bit into her flesh is a distant memory, but the scars remain.
Nikki, adopted by Southwest Ranches resident Tony Vincent after her rescue five years ago, is the poster dog for the Humane Society's "Break the Chain" campaign sweeping Broward County. At least 10 cities have passed anti-tethering laws, including Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, Pompano Beach, Deerfield Beach and Parkland.
On Thursday, Southwest Ranches is expected to join them during a town hall meeting that begins at 7 p.m. Vincent and Nikki, whose story was featured on Animal Planet, will have ringside seats.
"It's all about making sure dogs don't live their lives at the end of a chain," said Vincent, 52, an animal lover whose six rescue dogs are never, ever tethered. "This is a tiny little step to try to protect dogs."
In Southwest Ranches, the new ordinance will be known as Nikki's Law. Violators will face up to 60 days in jail and fines up to $5,000.
The town considered adopting the law last year, but rejected the original proposal because it applied to animals other than canines. The revised ordinance regulates only the tethering of dogs.
Long-time resident Dee Schroeder applauded the change of heart.
"I think it sends a loud, clear message," Schroeder said. "Some of these animals out here are abused and treated like hell. They live their lives on the end of a rope. The town will have strong legs to stand on now [to fight animal cruelty]."
Nikki became the "Break the Chain" poster dog for good reason.
In 2004, Miami-Dade County animal control officers found her tied to a tree, her collar embedded in her neck. For company she had only an empty water bowl and a food dish blanketed in green mold.
Her collar had to be surgically removed. The choker chain, slipped on while she was a puppy, had cut 2 inches into her flesh. Emaciated, she weighed only 57 pounds.
"She was just a stick," Vincent said of his "movie star ham" as she lounged queenlike on a nearby couch.
Now a hefty 85 pounds, Nikki has healed, although the hairless ring around her neck is a reminder of her cruel beginnings.
The Doberman has embraced her new life in her new home, a 5-acre ranch with room to roam.
Here, she can run freely with friends of all kinds. There are four cows, four ostriches, five fellow canines, lots of chickens and a potbellied pig named Bacci.
The only drawback: No cats to chase.
Wanch, you SUCK.
Wanch, mind your own friggin business, you busy boy.
I was just going through some of your older post's Wanch ... Great Stuff!
Who are the two previous posters? Sounds like you are not their favorite author!
Keep up the good work!
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