Dog Days Of Summer

Here are a few recent photos from our first month in California. All four of us have been loving our sunny new home!

Miss Ellie Proves That Blind Dogs Can Finish First!

Earlier today at the 2009 World's Ugliest Dog contest, Miss Ellie - a blind 15 year old Chinese Crested - proved that disabled dogs can finish first! Miss Ellie's imperfections, including her cataracts, lack of teeth and abundance of warts, earned her the blue ribbon in the pedigree class.

She traveled all the way from Tennessee to California with her human, Dawn Goehring, to compete in the contest at the Sonoma-Marin Fair. Dawn has 13 other rescue pups at home, and she's eager to to use Miss Ellie as a "spokesmodel for rescue dogs of the 'not so cute' kind." Dawn also told reporters "Miss Ellie hopes that people get the message that there are plenty of wonderful rescue dogs out there just waiting for a chance." Our sentiments exactly!

The World's Ugliest Dog Contest is a renowned celebration of "imperfect" dogs of all stripes. Last year's grand prize winner was Gus, a one-eyed tripod who suffered several bouts of skin cancer (sadly, Gus passed away last November). Our blind friend, Xino, took third place.

Although Miss Ellie didn't win the coveted championship title of World's Ugliest Dog (Pabst, a boxer mix with an unmistakable under-bite took the top honors this year), her status as the winner of the pedigree category is definitely a victory to celebrate. Three cheers for Miss Ellie and blind dogs everywhere!

Gear Up To Take Your Dog To Work This Friday!

Canines of all shapes and sizes will be joining the workforce en masse this Friday, June 26th in honor of Take Your Dog To Work Day. Ten years ago, Pet Sitters International created TYDTW day to celebrate the human-animal bond and promote adoption from shelters and rescue groups. This year's slogan is "Secondhand Dogs Offer First Rate Love." The event has grown with each successive year and is truly something to bark about! As more businesses recognize dogs as vital family members, more pups are showing up in the workplace. Here's a list of the top ten dog friendly companies:

1) PetSmart
2) Google
3) Banfield, the Pet Hospital
4) Diversified Technical Solutions
5) Sur La Table
6) Amazon.com
7) The Nature Conservancy
8) Dartmouth College
9) ValueOptions
10) Roy Talman & Associates

I am lucky enough to have an animal welfare position where Dewey and Greta can accompany me to the shelter on a regular basis, so every day is Take Your Dog To Work Day for us! To find out how you can participate this Friday, hop on over to the TYDTW Day website.

Show About Disabled Dogs In The Works For Animal Planet!

Here's some news to bark about: Two New Jersey women are creating a pilot TV show about disabled dogs with the hope that Animal Planet will turn it into a regular series. Linda Erickson and Barbara Scavello are both passionate dog lovers. After attending the Westminster dog show in February, it occurred to Linda that "there should be a show for handicapped dogs. All dogs become handicapped eventually." She was speaking from experience: last year her beloved pooch, Isabel, went blind. Linda and Barbara envision a show that features a range of disabled dogs and their guardians, veterinary specialists to provide tips about living with medically challenged animals, and animal-loving celebrities. They intend to call the series "Little Champions" and hope to feature a competition that crowns one extra special pup best in show. If you think that your special needs dog has star power and you live in the New York/New Jersey area, drop by the initial taping on Thursday, June 25th. It will take place at the American Legion Hall in Frenchtown, New Jersey at noon. Email Linda Erickson for more details: wigwagproductions.com

A Rescuer's Creed

A RESCUER’S CREED
[Susan M. Pearson]

I shall be a believer of all that is good in man and of all that is deserving in animals. I shall plead for their lives, campaign for their safety and uphold their right to a natural death. I shall seek out the injured and the maimed, the unloved, and the abandoned and tend to them in their last days. I shall not forget their place in the hierarchy of life, nor that we walk in each other's paths. I shall bear witness to the wonder they bring into our lives and to the beauty they bestow upon our souls. I shall renew their spirits when they are waning, bind their wounds when they bleed, cradle them when they whimper, and comfort them when they mourn. I shall be near them in their hour of greatest need - a companion and friend when the time has come. I shall watch over them and console them and ask that the angels gather them in their arms. From the creatures of the earth I shall learn the fruits of compassion and undying love, and I shall be called the beloved of God. In their company I shall indeed be blessed.