This time we Name Names

This time we Name Names

This week's Dick of the Week is a little bit different. 
How? 
Because this week I am going to NAME NAMES!
Unusual for us, I know, but in this case, I am so incensed that I could give a toss, and secondly, it's easy to check as this piece of $hit has been in the news for what she did. 
Intrigued? I hope so. So, without further ado, let's get down to it....
Hands up who loves them a poodle?
Yup, us too! 
For years regarded as a bit of a 'girlie's dog', this brilliantly intelligent and athletic hunting breed, loyal to the core, has been the victim of groomers cutting them like 15th Century French Aristocrats, and dyeing them like rainbow popsicles, making them a laughing stock to the uninformed. That alone could be 'Dick of the Week' worthy, but nah, this one is so much bigger.
A few weeks ago, a friend of mine, Lara, who runs a really good all-breed rescue, rescued a poodle from a shelter. This woman has a habit of taking dogs that are difficult to place, due to medical or, sometimes, behavioral issues and works with them, vets them and gives them a chance that they would not otherwise get. Frankie and Andy's Place have taken senior dogs from her rescue and we have always been impressed with the level of care afforded to the dogs she saves. 
Well, apparently, the lady who runs Georgia Poodle Rescue did not agree with Lara's requirements for this particular dog's ideal adoptive home. Lara had worked with the dog extensively and knew that the dog needed a specific type of home based on what she had learned since fostering her. 
Georgia Poodle Rescue got all antsy on social media with their 28 thousand followers and questioned Lara's requirements for this dog and her ability to know anything as she is not a specialist poodle rescue. 
"Meh...social media arguments, yeah, yeah, ten a penny, so what?" I hear you say.
Well, wait, there's more. 
Georgia Poodle Rescue's owner, Deborah Blatchley, was arrested in February last year on 56 charges of felony animal cruelty. 65 animals were confiscated from her Milton, Georgia, home...2 horses, 2 cats, five chickens and 56 dogs, some of whom were emaciated but most of whom were suffering from neglect resulting in serious medical issues. I have seen the pictures and they aren't pretty, many of the rescues we know and work with took in the poodles she abused and worked hard to get them healthy and find them good homes. 
This woman is currently not allowed to even own an animal, let alone adopt one out! The press reports online make for chilling reading.....
And yet, she still maintains a Facebook page where she puts up posts telling folks how to care for their dogs as if nothing ever happened and STILL has a website with a DONATE button pleading for donations! I personally have, since learning about who she is and what she does, posted many comments to her Facebook page asking if people know her history of animal abuse, but sadly have now been blocked. I will keep going under different monikers so that as many people as possible know what she did. Block away, Blatchley!
We love poodles as much as we love all dogs. We love rescuers, too, they are our very favorite kinds of people. 
This woman, though? Oh no, no, no. 
Please know that just because someone says they are a rescuer, or runs a rescue, it doesn't mean that they are good people. Twenty eight thousand followers doesn't guarantee someone is good people either, so before you adopt from a rescue check their credentials on Guidestar.org. Do your due diligence and check out rescues in the press, because dear God, there are enough of them in the media lately, running scams, abusing dogs, posing as rescues when they are just nasty hoarders, dog flippers or puppy mill operators. 
We will be singing it from the rooftops, trying to make sure that as many poodle lovers are aware of this woman and trying to stop them having anything to do with her. 
Deborah Blatchley from Georgia Poodle Rescue, you are my Dick of the Week. 
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