tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-89661530192888280912024-03-05T22:28:19.392-08:00Rebound HoundsA blog devoted to disabled dogs, shelter dogs, and the people who love them!ihearthoundshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11263860130800201212noreply@blogger.comBlogger262125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8966153019288828091.post-40964460938572589092012-10-03T19:06:00.000-07:002012-10-03T19:06:28.560-07:00RENO, Nev.— This summer's Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival has produced an unlikely star: a deaf pit bull named Michael who narrowly escaped euthanasia.<br />
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The 6-year-old American Staffordshire terrier has turned out to be a hoot in his role as Crab the dog in the Bard's comedy, "The Two Gentlemen of Verona," festival organizers and audience members said.<br />
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Michael plays a miscreant of sorts who doesn't care to please his owner, they said, and his varied spontaneous reactions to his owner's laments on stage frequently prompt laughter. Among other things, Michael has scratched his head, chewed on a foot or thrown apathetic glances at the audience when Crab's owner, Launce, played by Kevin Crouch, pours his heart out.<br />
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Joan O'Lear, of Tahoe Vista, Calif., remembers the night she watched as Michael spotted a tiny service dog in the front row. "He honed in on her and whined at the perfectly timed monologue that the actor was giving about how even the dog didn't care about his plight," she recalled. "It was so funny. The Shakespeare play was good, but Mike added the crowning touch."<br />
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Michael's real owner, Michelle Okashima, of Incline Village, told the North Lake Tahoe Bonanza there's "a great chemistry between Mike and Kevin that makes their stage time together electric and believable."<br />
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Not bad for a dog who was scheduled for euthanasia in July 2006 in Reno after he was found running loose and no one claimed him.<br />
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Okashima said she's grateful for his last-minute rescue by Nanette Cronk of the Humane Society of Truckee-Tahoe and his selection for the play. Michael and another dog were chosen to play Crab out of 11 dogs that auditioned. Michael appears in two or three plays a week, performing in three scenes for a total of about 15 minutes each night.<br />
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"What are the odds they would pick a pit bull?" Okashima told The Associated Press. "All the time they face rejection in our society. I was shocked he got the part. I really appreciate the fact they gave him a shot."<br />
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Michael has posed no problem other than the time he jumped offstage in dress rehearsal because a woman smuggled a Shih Tzu in her purse inside the theater, she added.<br />
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Michael also is a registered therapy dog who visits hospitals, schools and veteran's homes. He also has been used to raise money for cancer research.<br />
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"He got a second chance, and I believe in giving back," said Okashima, an employee at Scraps Dog Bakery in Kings Beach, Calif.<br />
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Unlike his role in the play, Michael aims to please people in real life. "He's a wonderful guy, real sweet. I call him my big lump of brown sugar," she said.ihearthoundshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11263860130800201212noreply@blogger.com51tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8966153019288828091.post-36327473784880506222012-06-30T11:49:00.000-07:002012-06-30T11:50:18.366-07:00A Vet's List Of Top Poisons The Affect City Dogs<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ1KcwmBJBlzpGuVvkVYwTGzQ2fwFB1lohofAV5Yx50OC5f5fh6f3EFie0LIwKgSYWMQuj3ix9xAiUtE4OweXA9_bJvc8tGKUpn74K7HL2OxFlRprq4NCqk96kFh68SM-6WKBiwzB0PjA/s1600/Oscar+-+Bay+Woof+Cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ1KcwmBJBlzpGuVvkVYwTGzQ2fwFB1lohofAV5Yx50OC5f5fh6f3EFie0LIwKgSYWMQuj3ix9xAiUtE4OweXA9_bJvc8tGKUpn74K7HL2OxFlRprq4NCqk96kFh68SM-6WKBiwzB0PjA/s320/Oscar+-+Bay+Woof+Cover.jpg" vca="true" width="320" /></a></div>
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<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">Top Poisons Plaguing City Dogs</span></em></strong><br />
By Sarah Hughes, DVM<br />
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Toxic ingestions account for a significant portion of the cases seen in animal emergency rooms. Our canine companions are regularly exposed to the foods we eat, the drugs we take, and the chemicals we bring into our homes, garages, and yards. Following are some of the most common toxicities we see in the urban (vs. rural) veterinary emergency department:<br />
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<strong>Rat poison</strong><br />
Rat bait ingestions cause life-threatening changes in our pets. If caught within a few hours, treatment can be relatively straightforward and may have a good outcome. If not caught immediately, rat bait ingestion can be critical, and the outcome is far more grave. If you notice or suspect rat poison ingestion, immediately take your pet to the closest emergency room. Bring along the substance and its packaging. There are several types of rat poison that work in different ways, and each type is treated differently.<br />
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<strong>Antidepressant medications, amphetamines, and other medications</strong><br />
Ingestion of these substances can cause “Serotonin Syndrome,” in which serotonin receptors are overstimulated. Signs include mental abnormalities, vomiting, difficulty breathing, drooling, seizures, arrhythmias, and tremors. Usually these reactions begin within minutes and can progress to death within a few hours. Seek immediate veterinary care, as early treatment improves the prognosis.<br />
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<strong>Grapes/raisins, onions, and xylitol</strong><br />
Raisin/grape toxicity can cause acute kidney failure in dogs. Vomiting is the most common initial sign. Onions (along with leeks, shallots, and garlic) can damage our pets’ red blood cells. Xylitol, a commonly used sweetener in gum, toothpaste, etc., causes low blood sugar, liver failure, and abnormal coagulation.<br />
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<strong>Non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs)</strong><br />
Ingestion of these common over-the-counter medications can threaten many interior organs, including the liver, kidneys, and intestines. NSAIDs produced for both human and animal use can be toxic. If you believe your pet has ingested such medication, try to establish how much and at what time, and take along the pill container with you and your pet to the veterinary hospital.<br />
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<strong>Chocolate and coffee</strong><br />
While humans can savor a chocolate dessert or a morning coffee without worry, our companion animals cannot. In addition to chocolate, caffeine stimulants, energy boosters, and cocoa bean mulch contain theobromine and caffeine, which adversely affect the central nervous system, gastrointestinal tract, heart, and kidneys in dogs. The darker the chocolate, the greater potential for serious problems, including death. <br />
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<strong>Marijuana</strong><br />
Signs of marijuana ingestion in dogs include lethargy and incoordination, as it affects the brain. It is possible for pets to consume toxic doses, so do not delay treatment.<br />
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<strong>Antifreeze</strong><br />
Though it is colorless, odorless, and sweet-tasting, ethylene glycol (antifreeze) is a serious toxin. Even in small doses, it can cause severe kidney damage. According to the American Association of Poison Control Centers, ethylene glycol ingestion in animals is the second most common cause of fatal poisoning, but prognosis for recovery can be good if treated soon. This is a serious medical emergency!<br />
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<strong>Tremorgenic mycotoxins (found in spoiled food) or metaldehyde (slug bait)</strong><br />
Sometimes people do not think of mycotoxins in an urban setting, but a dog with dietary indiscretion and access to the compost pile may be at risk. Clinical signs are mostly anxiety, restlessness, and tremors and can progress to more serious neurologic signs. Slug bait can be toxic to animals though skin contact, inhalation, and ingestion. Early and aggressive treatment is needed for a favorable recovery.<br />
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Warning: You may have heard about using hydrogen peroxide to induce vomiting at home as a way to deal with poisons, but this is not always recommended. Your pet should first see a veterinarian to assess if it is safe for the pet to vomit up the toxicant and to determine if vomiting is appropriate for a particular toxin (sometimes it causes even more damage)<br />
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In the event that you notice your pet eating something he/she shouldn’t, or if you aren’t sure, do not hesitate to call your regular veterinarian or the closest emergency clinic. Be prepared to discuss what, when, and how much your dog ate. Any information you can provide (including labels/packaging) will be helpful.<br />
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Depending on the situation, your veterinarian may recommend that you bring your pet in immediately, carefully monitor your pet at home, or call the <strong>National Animal Poison Control Center</strong>. The NAPCC is a call center staffed with veterinarians who have additional training in toxicology. They are available 24/7 to answer calls about any potential toxin ingestion by pets. The phone number is <strong>888-426-4435</strong>. Please post it in a prominent place. You never know when it may be a life-saving phone call.<br />
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<em>Sarah Hughes, DVM, is part of the 2011- 2012 intern class at VCA San Francisco Veterinary Specialists. She received a B.S. in animal science and her DVM from the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana. This article is based on a continuing education lecture presented by Heidi Houchen, DVM, VCA Northwest Veterinary Specialists, in February 2012. It appeared in the June 2012 issue of <a href="http://www.baywoof.com/index.php">Bay Woof</a> featuring Oscar the Dachshund, shown above.</em>ihearthoundshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11263860130800201212noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8966153019288828091.post-68443278681530261402012-04-07T20:18:00.011-07:002012-04-08T21:47:23.086-07:00Sweet Small Dogs Waiting For Their Forever FamiliesGood dogs can come in little packages! All of these five small sweethearts are waiting patiently for their forever families at <a href="http://oaklandanimalservices.org">Oakland Animal Services</a> where I volunteer. I have gotten to know these little guys, and each one has a distinctively charming personality. If you live in Northern California, or you know someone who does, send them over to OAS to get <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">acquainted</span> with Mr. Big, Crystal, Rocky, Scooter, or Trixie!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjILsppqxr-nxAF8NRKmFosj29j85SQLnrZve4PkPdne7k39xK-27_NJoC75pOD7j-Q6Ijdd5-hPlMgqcoEKLzX2unWDGdQYotY0_DPfNdCu5ypiOv9DRfsMM3Drmw26UBYlTg8aJ7-TbM/s1600/Mr.+Big.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 357px; height: 400px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729253369133704594" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjILsppqxr-nxAF8NRKmFosj29j85SQLnrZve4PkPdne7k39xK-27_NJoC75pOD7j-Q6Ijdd5-hPlMgqcoEKLzX2unWDGdQYotY0_DPfNdCu5ypiOv9DRfsMM3Drmw26UBYlTg8aJ7-TbM/s400/Mr.+Big.jpg" /></a>I'm Mr. Big and as you can see, I'm a very handsome little Chihuahua. I came to the shelter in early March as a stray. I'm about three years old and I'm very good-natured and have gotten along well with other dogs that I've met here at the shelter. I'm already learning to sit for treats. I walk nicely on a leash and would be a good walking companion with you around your neighborhood. I really enjoy sitting in laps and just relaxing, like watching TV or enjoying the sun. Write down my ID (#04838) and come meet me at Oakland Animal Services!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2yRJG3iZ03xPLTArJJhPveoi_xFQ67Ik-nvS0IiE7eJDcsx03GeXx6o_1126GwSQRNtbYmYcX-QEceg1NHuG2tpp2cQdkI5RUh5xe7JgO_EZWO0S4ld5I8U-CbYLpZlRdsgv4rNMvn0Q/s1600/Crystal.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 255px; height: 400px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729253540244759554" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2yRJG3iZ03xPLTArJJhPveoi_xFQ67Ik-nvS0IiE7eJDcsx03GeXx6o_1126GwSQRNtbYmYcX-QEceg1NHuG2tpp2cQdkI5RUh5xe7JgO_EZWO0S4ld5I8U-CbYLpZlRdsgv4rNMvn0Q/s400/Crystal.jpg" /></a>Hi, my name is Crystal and I am a beautiful girl who can not keep my kisses to myself! In fact, I can't think of any better place to be but on your lap. I can sit and walk pretty well on leash. I have experience living with a family so I am sure I will blend with yours very well, if there are no children. What can I say, I would love to be your center of attention. I am already fixed so I can go home with you as soon as the adoption is approved. Isn't that great? Please come and meet me soon. I will have a kiss waiting for you! Crystal's ID is #06043 at Oakland Animal Services.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg08yeihkkIHZRnF8FoPRGQrf3MbtFgqzMTOYxjan0fp3EwcX1Yx6u6C7P3HTcR19rvd1hGr_epzkbC-1sdoYq39CO6zUbhzAHki0sxU9kM1kZ-RhXNcsljI8NTUFcFIZjrvWX6MEZzKnA/s1600/Rocky.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 400px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729253801947773586" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg08yeihkkIHZRnF8FoPRGQrf3MbtFgqzMTOYxjan0fp3EwcX1Yx6u6C7P3HTcR19rvd1hGr_epzkbC-1sdoYq39CO6zUbhzAHki0sxU9kM1kZ-RhXNcsljI8NTUFcFIZjrvWX6MEZzKnA/s400/Rocky.jpg" /></a>I'm Rocky - a very handsome, happy and friendly little guy. I came to the shelter as a stray on 2/6/12. I'm about 2 years old and I already know to sit for treats. I also love to play fetch! You can see from my picture that I'm very eager to learn more from you. I will be a great companion on your walks, playing in the park, watching TV, cuddling, or whatever you want to do! Come to meet me soon at Oakland Animal Services. Rocky's ID is #06044.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis0ntuDTeUMf3y-QbJB6mkc-EO6IeyMxGkyEEFh7kDvxJvQOniGqFKFdT0NzTJI0JB3T9G2XpWk2AD6g9PrJcx_K0wixU0I4U03eVl3DWo1g87J4CWadALSrUhf5lz8uEaBOUhCfscWkE/s1600/Scooter.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 378px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729253964151881682" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis0ntuDTeUMf3y-QbJB6mkc-EO6IeyMxGkyEEFh7kDvxJvQOniGqFKFdT0NzTJI0JB3T9G2XpWk2AD6g9PrJcx_K0wixU0I4U03eVl3DWo1g87J4CWadALSrUhf5lz8uEaBOUhCfscWkE/s400/Scooter.jpg" /></a>Hi, my name is Scooter. I am a great guy who loves to sunbathe and be around good friends. I am about 3-years-old and was found as a stray, so I have a few tricks up my sleeve. I am looking for my forever home where I can enjoy walks, being petted and playing. I am a fun-loving dog who you must come in and meet! I am already fixed and I am ready to go home! Scooter's ID is #04826.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh48WX5O1-AxhOY2Mx_muAGlR5ENclye5bU6QN-NJz-SurKdlz3rQVi8CJd8PrsjkJqT5BIbR4_HX71qbUwsFarmw1oG6XVu2uVvjfPmhJguM2qNWUe_bL-CV-FrDOlpz9Uwv_jfVVehyI/s1600/Trixie.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 400px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729254368599004338" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh48WX5O1-AxhOY2Mx_muAGlR5ENclye5bU6QN-NJz-SurKdlz3rQVi8CJd8PrsjkJqT5BIbR4_HX71qbUwsFarmw1oG6XVu2uVvjfPmhJguM2qNWUe_bL-CV-FrDOlpz9Uwv_jfVVehyI/s400/Trixie.jpg" /></a>Hi there! My name is Trixie, and I'm a small, 1.5 year old chihuahua mix with a beautiful, distinctive striped tail. I get compliments on it all the time! I came in to the shelter as a stray at the end of February, and despite all that I've been through, I'm still a gentle, affectionate lady. I walk very, very nicely on my leash and when we're done taking a stroll, I'd love to cuddle up on a warm lap. The shelter environment is a little stressful for me, so I'm looking for a nice, calm home without children under 12 years old to settle down into. Will you come be my lifelong best friend? Write down my ID (#08766) and come ask for me at Oakland Animal Services!ihearthoundshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11263860130800201212noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8966153019288828091.post-67370154158460411042012-04-01T17:59:00.005-07:002012-04-02T21:45:11.085-07:00Hand-knit Sweaters Help Shelter Pups Stand Out<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRS_Z6CXhoU8cs4ynPA9k1aSVAnnVgMAuFB4slAQQC0OSkG1ZckJFxy-w2T93OPJryB8GPQFJimV10D6OTyCztJyO2YGDA1x2mb-Q6h591ysoscq69CVw-PP3_om9l7JLhljHTLj-Sq60/s1600/dog-in-sweater3-e1331752328560-225x300.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 225px; height: 300px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5727029767761314786" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRS_Z6CXhoU8cs4ynPA9k1aSVAnnVgMAuFB4slAQQC0OSkG1ZckJFxy-w2T93OPJryB8GPQFJimV10D6OTyCztJyO2YGDA1x2mb-Q6h591ysoscq69CVw-PP3_om9l7JLhljHTLj-Sq60/s320/dog-in-sweater3-e1331752328560-225x300.jpg" /></a>Reading about this wonderful initiative on the Oakland Animal Services website made my day. What a fantastic idea! Check it out...<br /><br /><em>Aki James, an Oakland Police Department employee, received her call to action after reading a story about animals rescued by </em><a href="http://oaklandanimalservices.org"><em>Oakland Animal Services</em></a><em> (OAS). As fate would have it, she ran into OAS Director Megan Webb just after having read the story, and, in talking about the animals at the shelter, Megan told her about our small-dog population and how so many of the Chihuahua mixes look similar. Aki offered to knit sweaters for the rescued animals waiting in the shelter for their chance at a new home.<br /><br />“Individual sweaters could really help the dogs stand out to potential adopters,” Megan told Aki. And Aki was sold.<br /><br />After speaking with Megan, Aki decided to take it upon herself (and her knitting group, City Stitchers, a knitting group made up of city of Oakland employees) to knit thirty sweaters for the small breed dogs at OAS. A fellow knitter from City Stitchers, and Aki delivered thirty doggie sweaters to Oakland Animal Service on Valentine’s Day. As OAS staff and volunteers brought out several small dogs to try on the sweaters, an impromptu fashion show was under way.<br /><br />Aki told us that as she knits doggie sweaters, she thinks of the day when every adoptable dog will have a home. It is her dream for animal cruelty and over-breeding to come to an end.<br /><br />“I dream, stitch by stitch, that my sweater will get each precious little dog adopted,” Aki said. “I am like Kevin Costner in Field of Dreams. I didn’t hear the magical voice though, but this is my Needle of Dreams. If we knit, they will come . . . to adopt dogs, that is.”</em>ihearthoundshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11263860130800201212noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8966153019288828091.post-52695741210553562672012-03-24T14:23:00.000-07:002012-03-24T14:24:01.150-07:00The Secret Snuggle Society<div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFieyZJlZ-0xcPKpHna_2TS1SuLEQN60gqm-TnvO7eHZpUZ7usdZlnvHE1Pr24GAdaJYX6J_xRLlxGYtQaNyllL6c-yIcEe0I9nszPjkSEopyx2B1tP3s6mFdGbI0d5IItZ05YO5v0lA0/s1600/August+2011+006.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 300px; text-align: center; display: block;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5720990981665611842" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFieyZJlZ-0xcPKpHna_2TS1SuLEQN60gqm-TnvO7eHZpUZ7usdZlnvHE1Pr24GAdaJYX6J_xRLlxGYtQaNyllL6c-yIcEe0I9nszPjkSEopyx2B1tP3s6mFdGbI0d5IItZ05YO5v0lA0/s400/August+2011+006.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0h3RsWFgmfjtf8A7ajGTS_MyYXu3SxIZwkt51XmRGRNU2L10BV4ina5tuNPNHGPO0YUnwdo-i7-hK1eGa8Ln6pntkS9TcJprJ8NDhQp3lx60NNJZtE7qVfbXD1mPp77kR_uePSWPncEg/s1600/Tulip+004.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 300px; text-align: center; display: block;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5720990876935215330" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0h3RsWFgmfjtf8A7ajGTS_MyYXu3SxIZwkt51XmRGRNU2L10BV4ina5tuNPNHGPO0YUnwdo-i7-hK1eGa8Ln6pntkS9TcJprJ8NDhQp3lx60NNJZtE7qVfbXD1mPp77kR_uePSWPncEg/s400/Tulip+004.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh56UNFkXRO51TRcwwKa-vBqTpkgvAzKqUTfg593DVFFu3wvUBs6wxX1VLnuxpAr9BM2sK4g-WSrMGszhMVEB4mLUO9n8yC30QxhQmgZ7vKfSIEDQZ8Dwp51pFc_b1aUPS4Ws-2gqxqtyM/s1600/cuddlers+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 300px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5720966998112059986" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh56UNFkXRO51TRcwwKa-vBqTpkgvAzKqUTfg593DVFFu3wvUBs6wxX1VLnuxpAr9BM2sK4g-WSrMGszhMVEB4mLUO9n8yC30QxhQmgZ7vKfSIEDQZ8Dwp51pFc_b1aUPS4Ws-2gqxqtyM/s400/cuddlers+2.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih9MoczOxO9HvYx_TTdnCkczkDxeWaur4jBzWun93ju3vgQwMtPNFMFdz_qlq4CToOtQzjHl9WRoB8y69rWrxicqqzzVsRE7G9NLj2IAgMtSZfK-BukcnxJbzyKyNd-zGw1p040E2jbz0/s1600/cuddles.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 300px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5720966854846984594" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih9MoczOxO9HvYx_TTdnCkczkDxeWaur4jBzWun93ju3vgQwMtPNFMFdz_qlq4CToOtQzjHl9WRoB8y69rWrxicqqzzVsRE7G9NLj2IAgMtSZfK-BukcnxJbzyKyNd-zGw1p040E2jbz0/s400/cuddles.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6tZbn1oJzNLXjPfb2E9VfHKO-Twx2R1muI7ywX2IOQJJexVJuTQRmJ_SuTBwF1OpLRbpmro6RmjpaminMPdZNKHslC6oxvd8PX66EYbed0FBVJbP53cJQILg_7ZZeZNOBVLoSROnF0nU/s1600/August+2011+007.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 300px; text-align: center; display: block;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5686598584038101442" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6tZbn1oJzNLXjPfb2E9VfHKO-Twx2R1muI7ywX2IOQJJexVJuTQRmJ_SuTBwF1OpLRbpmro6RmjpaminMPdZNKHslC6oxvd8PX66EYbed0FBVJbP53cJQILg_7ZZeZNOBVLoSROnF0nU/s400/August+2011+007.jpg" /></a>There's no doubt about it: Dewey and Tulip are an odd couple. Our little three-legged guy has at least ten years on his rambunctious adolescent sister. While Dewey is content to sleep the day away (with the exception of his all-important meal breaks of course), Tulip has an insatiable appetite for fun and adventure. She adores swimming and playing fetch, and it takes a LOT to wear her out. So, where do these two opposites find common ground? It appears that the answer is snuggling. I will come across them cuddled up together, but once the camera comes out, the spell is usually broken. Here is documentation of their secret snuggle society...</div></div>ihearthoundshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11263860130800201212noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8966153019288828091.post-3969297459160210192012-03-20T22:03:00.000-07:002012-03-20T22:46:38.815-07:00Homeless Rabbits Need Your Help!<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0QayUo7dnhd41QFyTz2p9xjOg_ZPrR2CEqVzBxdbvntDB5tdjjzOVuZ_Hsn2ArEZDLprjItoyvifi8l3qvL5njy8QwbLTzWg5uApa_327AAAuzbNIgNOq_SgCWS4ox46FYn-09-AcJCo/s1600/thelma-and-louise.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 348px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5720201739407474322" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0QayUo7dnhd41QFyTz2p9xjOg_ZPrR2CEqVzBxdbvntDB5tdjjzOVuZ_Hsn2ArEZDLprjItoyvifi8l3qvL5njy8QwbLTzWg5uApa_327AAAuzbNIgNOq_SgCWS4ox46FYn-09-AcJCo/s400/thelma-and-louise.jpg" /></a>There are dozens of homeless rabbits in Oakland, and they need your help! Oakland Animal Services, the shelter where I volunteer, has been inundated with abandoned bunnies like Thelma and Louise pictured here. The San Francisco Chronicle recently ran an article with more info...<br /><br /><em>Oakland Animal Services takes in any animal that comes through its doors, but staff members are short-handed after a sudden wave of rabbits filled the shelter with long ears and twitching noses.<br /><br />The city-run shelter has received more than a dozen bunnies in the last two weeks, including 10 from one family, said Amy Jones, the shelter’s volunteer program manager.<br /><br />The Oakland family had started to breed the bunnies but the situation “got out of control,” Jones said.<br /><br />“People don’t realize that rabbits have a gestation period of only 30 days,” she said. Rabbits are also ready to breed at six months and can have a dozen babies per litter.<br /><br />The most recent arrivals pushed the shelter’s total up to around 50 rabbits, which is “far, far more” than the shelter is equipped to handle, Jones said.<br /><br />Local groups like Save a Bunny and House Rabbit Society took some of the rabbits off the shelter’s hands, but the shelter still has 31, one more than its maximum capacity, Jones said. The shelter prefers to keep its rabbit numbers around 15 or 20.<br /><br />About six rabbits have been adopted in the past couple weeks, but an upcoming holiday will only add to the shelter’s problems.<br /><br />“We need to get our numbers down before Easter comes around,” Jones said. “People think it’s cute to buy a baby rabbit for their kids for Easter, but they don’t realize rabbits are sensitive and are prey animals. Kids can often scare them.”<br /><br />The shelter usually gets another wave of rabbit drop-offs a few weeks after Easter.<br /><br />People interested in adopting a rabbit for an indoor pet can visit the shelter and pay a $35 adoption fee, Jones said. All the shelter’s rabbits are spayed and neutered before adoption.<br /><br /></em><em><em><ahref="http:><a href="http://www.oaklandanimalservices.org">www.oaklandanimalservices.org</a> </ahref="http:></em></em></div>ihearthoundshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11263860130800201212noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8966153019288828091.post-9450699925619594622012-03-16T11:23:00.001-07:002012-03-16T11:24:57.168-07:00Open Your Heart To A Muttville Senior Dog<div><div align="center"><strong>Axl<br /></strong></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGzOPYsVGLbzx8BcpTEKpdVZKafJimp5nCs3Mfhk1PlrXsLwQ-8qquU9rLoMj5uO2VpNFLdlT66-io1FpiHSurx32wm3xE9B0uw6pzGsnWOaOGyfv_uTih1fpZbsRMqNa3eG3aWPoZLIk/s1600/Axl.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 267px; height: 400px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5719478922252334738" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGzOPYsVGLbzx8BcpTEKpdVZKafJimp5nCs3Mfhk1PlrXsLwQ-8qquU9rLoMj5uO2VpNFLdlT66-io1FpiHSurx32wm3xE9B0uw6pzGsnWOaOGyfv_uTih1fpZbsRMqNa3eG3aWPoZLIk/s400/Axl.jpg" /></a><strong>Coco</strong><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeY-hLlHD6_t1HgGMensbqfEV4CxYj74uduohfjywnskh1cxREyOsMnA1fsPX-MXIy0N1sredBNEGY4SnAyon4sKC_gCURjWDPAtk3yYI0TJl40DYiaLYcsP13SViHu3Qc4XA7KDK72IU/s1600/Coco.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 267px; height: 400px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5719478848898482866" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeY-hLlHD6_t1HgGMensbqfEV4CxYj74uduohfjywnskh1cxREyOsMnA1fsPX-MXIy0N1sredBNEGY4SnAyon4sKC_gCURjWDPAtk3yYI0TJl40DYiaLYcsP13SViHu3Qc4XA7KDK72IU/s400/Coco.jpg" /></a></div><div align="center"><strong>Bumper</strong></div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBEnl6NcqfzGB4Ly0ZoTS9CBfYmhDqgkVZk3LsShjneO-vC_KUmFFrAniZK9RZpROfjxEJJyYTHD2SR9UCBwVb_rSLdkpoirQmiNM3uGT2IYML1ComDqzVvx9r86gLGnWq4vbHtttmk8I/s1600/Bumper.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 267px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5719478609501098002" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBEnl6NcqfzGB4Ly0ZoTS9CBfYmhDqgkVZk3LsShjneO-vC_KUmFFrAniZK9RZpROfjxEJJyYTHD2SR9UCBwVb_rSLdkpoirQmiNM3uGT2IYML1ComDqzVvx9r86gLGnWq4vbHtttmk8I/s400/Bumper.jpg" /></a><strong>Mintey</strong><br /><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 371px; height: 400px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5719478534121087266" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2HPC3ZCyuMGjNrjhqGTATL19j8vk2hjmoaHi4Y2JoCkyVX1vykWNSy1Pc5ZYJi5HdyCrRUnPUoJKsDKkiJyk9z9-fWptp_3LA4a1KhyCPvSnW2a91zCJqONpwnNmGc0IBNz3GFJFslgg/s400/Minty.jpg" /><strong>Annie</strong><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYwMVvVw7MpDs1cO2hWlbNjpjgVUI0E5TI6MN8qXogjw7_llFwQ7LgMq_jz7PIb52tcKfjS2tljnkTxDlBroxyLh-V-QpsuezrzoacpbRzYoa3KvJHWIlYpIKpym8eMqNFHD1Kau9r59Q/s1600/Annie.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 267px; height: 400px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5719478285999069170" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYwMVvVw7MpDs1cO2hWlbNjpjgVUI0E5TI6MN8qXogjw7_llFwQ7LgMq_jz7PIb52tcKfjS2tljnkTxDlBroxyLh-V-QpsuezrzoacpbRzYoa3KvJHWIlYpIKpym8eMqNFHD1Kau9r59Q/s400/Annie.jpg" /></a><strong>Blackie</strong><br /><div align="left"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 267px; height: 400px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5719478212856038466" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjybK4kaBoSunIy0DeFG7tXTRyPQOVatW3hqt_Uy_8ciEzWiAQYzMiHZid92nYTIloFer8a2B3gA-V-iJWL9CpAnUhxvv3KUuhcYKQqicvfKil-POYk2uWmrM5YjmbFu4hWGOq1R-9TycY/s400/Blackie.jpg" /></div><div align="left"><br />If you're like me, you are searching the sweet, soulful faces shown above and wondering about the many stories they suggest. Homeless senior dogs have often been through so much - rejection in favor of a younger pet or new baby, abandonment due to medical reasons, displacement because of an owner's disability or death - and yet they ask for so little.<br /><br />When we adopted three-legged Dewey in 2008, he was thought to be at least ten years old. The only background information we had about him was that he had been picked up as a stray in Spokane, Washington. It was a mystery how he had come to have an amputated hind leg, and we knew nothing about the first decade of his life. None of this stopped Dewey from settling right into our family as if he had always belonged. <br /><br />In my experience, senior shelter dogs just want want a peaceful "retirement" in a loving home where they can relax and be adored.These six old souls, Axl, Coco, Bumper, Mintey, Annie, and Blackie, are patiently waiting for families who will give them a second chance. They are available for adoption through Muttville Senior dog Rescue, based in San Francisco: <a href="http://www.muttville.org">www.muttville.org</a> </div></div></div></div></div>ihearthoundshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11263860130800201212noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8966153019288828091.post-13274519370636467112012-03-13T12:31:00.003-07:002012-03-13T19:55:08.375-07:00Why Mixed Breeds Make Great Companion Animals<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNm7TYphJ_Ho_VWygtYRTewsDBk_3FWwnGD_eoa8p1rgvl02978nnQqVs0EQn4FM6Ym8QPApDJAklaGz8BBKpAE8ELrPExvjTD-eI5-9xCvT7vpu7XbKrlfvPYZbgDtQno5-LHHkyAIfs/s1600/MixedBreedFace1_wb.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 200px; height: 183px; float: left; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5719467108574474162" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNm7TYphJ_Ho_VWygtYRTewsDBk_3FWwnGD_eoa8p1rgvl02978nnQqVs0EQn4FM6Ym8QPApDJAklaGz8BBKpAE8ELrPExvjTD-eI5-9xCvT7vpu7XbKrlfvPYZbgDtQno5-LHHkyAIfs/s200/MixedBreedFace1_wb.jpg" /></a>While I adore dogs of all types, I definitely have a soft spot in my heart for mutts. Not only are mixed breed pooches amazingly diverse in appearance (ever seen a Corgi/Husky mix?!?), many studies have shown that they tend to be healthier and longer-lived on average when compared with their purebred counterparts. The Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA states the case for mutts on their website:<div><em></em><br /><em><strong>Why Mixed Breeds Make Great Companion Animals</strong></em></div><div><em></em><br /><em>Each breed is descended from a limited number of dogs. Because breeders have sought to create animals who have certain fixed attributes, purebred dogs today are very inbred. Genetically this means that, while all purebreds do not have significant health problems, they are predisposed to a range of hereditary and congenital diseases, including skin and eye conditions, allergies, various cancers, cardiac problems, and abnormalities in the kidneys and other organs.<br /><br />A 1994 Time magazine article on the effects of overbreeding reported that as many as 25 percent of the 20 million purebred dogs in the US are afflicted with a serious genetic problem.<br /><br />Mixed breeds, on the other hand, have something called hybrid vigor. When you mix two or more separate gene pools, the recessive genes that carry the health problems are buried. As a result, you get a healthier animal. Simply put, mixed-breed dogs are, in general, healthier than their purebred cousins and typically require fewer visits to the veterinarian.<br /><br />Mixed breeds are also more temperamentally sound than purebreds. Not all chows are aggressive, not all cockers have a nervous tendency to bite and not all retrievers are gentle, but generalizations about breed temperament often hold true, at least to some extent. Mixed breeds are typically less extreme temperamentally. Character and behavioral traits do manifest in mixed-breed dogs, but in a diluted form.<br /><br />There is a final, compelling reason to adopt a mutt rather than a purebred. Our shelters are filled with primarily mixed-breed dogs in need of good homes. With the tragedy of pet overpopulation still far from being solved, I can't see perpetuating a market for yet more dogs.<br /><br />In the Time magazine article cited above, syndicated animal columnist Mike Capuzzo noted, "Mutts are the Hondas of the dog world. They're cheap, reliable and what nature intended in the first place.</em></div>ihearthoundshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11263860130800201212noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8966153019288828091.post-33551568302161142362012-03-06T12:42:00.003-08:002012-03-06T12:48:45.164-08:00A Tale Of True Love: How An Orangutan Befriended A Stray DogHere's a story that will make you smile...<br /><br /><iframe height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/P3SbjjMChqw" frameborder="0" width="420" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>ihearthoundshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11263860130800201212noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8966153019288828091.post-49737722899250991462012-02-16T20:26:00.000-08:002012-02-16T21:45:34.383-08:00HSUS & The ASPCA Versus Local Animal Shelters<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_crQn5LpywV9nRcHgNDegaTfm9et-9IWrSXGgS45lv15nG_DWo2exW4cMQlj4K91T-MwvxEgFiD3k-u4cQcUr9RivX1fymbgXiMjIjcHWONm8iUXJKZOpi_WxkW7-Ga1YCD9FzQDz2S4/s1600/Humane-Society-main_Full.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 267px; height: 400px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5709974075430631218" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_crQn5LpywV9nRcHgNDegaTfm9et-9IWrSXGgS45lv15nG_DWo2exW4cMQlj4K91T-MwvxEgFiD3k-u4cQcUr9RivX1fymbgXiMjIjcHWONm8iUXJKZOpi_WxkW7-Ga1YCD9FzQDz2S4/s400/Humane-Society-main_Full.jpg" /></a>Seeing an ASPCA commercial with Sarah McLachlan on TV today prompted me to write this post. There is so much confusion about the role of HSUS (the Humane Society of the United States) and the ASPCA (the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals), and many animal lovers mistakenly believe that their local shelter, for example, "Anytown SPCA," is a chapter affiliate under the umbrella of a larger organization. In fact, "Humane Society" and "SPCA" are generic terms, and do not connote a connection to the ASPCA or HSUS at all!<br /><br />Don't get me wrong: both of these organizations do good work and raise awareness about important animal welfare issues, however, they do not have any affiliation with the thousands of shelters, rescue groups, and animal control agencies across the U.S.<br /><br />The reality is that HSUS doesn't operate any permanent shelter facilities, except for five wildlife rehabilitation centers and horse sanctuaries. The primary mission of HSUS, which is based in Washington D.C., is to advocate for issues such as farm animal protection, and lobby against puppymills, horse slaughter, and seal hunting in Canada.<br /><br />The ASPCA differs only slightly since they do run one adoption center in New York City. If those sappy commercials with the mournful Sarah McLachlan songs get the best of you and you wind up donating to the ASPCA, it's important to know that your dollars are going to a shelter that's headquartered in Manhattan. Although you are led to believe otherwise with the heart-breaking images of sad pets behind bars and pleas to help stop animal cruelty, you are NOT supporting animals in your community by making a contribution to the ASPCA. If there's any doubt in your mind, take a look at the "Contact Us" section of the ASPCA's website by <a href="http://www.aspca.org/About-Us/contact-us.aspx"><strong>clicking here</strong></a>. As you will see, this organization only offers services in the New York metro area.<br /><br />So, what's a well-meaning animal lover to do???<br /><br />The only way to help abandoned, abused, and unwanted pets in your area is to contribute your time and money directly to your local shelter. While the ASPCA and HSUS get a lot of the lime-light, individual nonprofit shelters and municipal animal control agencies across the country rely on support from local community members to survive. The homeless cats and dogs in your town will thank you!ihearthoundshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11263860130800201212noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8966153019288828091.post-78856062814189221822012-01-31T17:27:00.000-08:002012-01-31T20:54:02.946-08:00Ready, Set, Score! Puppy Bowl VIII Is Coming!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG9LCHU4GL2-6vqyaWqRjQleZcG6eG3u1EG-Qt3i7McwSfmt4dNPmbHT7JZvPBkDNx_s0DcsFhk_iFUJxIpyVdgCcvWA0iWDxEyZxySkHDgoTvYOD2QOdb_qgptr4WK_98-r5rPgP0VhY/s1600/Puppy+Bowl+-+Playtime.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 267px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703974442430151794" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG9LCHU4GL2-6vqyaWqRjQleZcG6eG3u1EG-Qt3i7McwSfmt4dNPmbHT7JZvPBkDNx_s0DcsFhk_iFUJxIpyVdgCcvWA0iWDxEyZxySkHDgoTvYOD2QOdb_qgptr4WK_98-r5rPgP0VhY/s400/Puppy+Bowl+-+Playtime.jpg" /></a>It's that time of year again! Forget about the Super Bowl; Animal Planet's annual Puppy Bowl promises to be as irresistible as ever this Sunday, February 5th. Best of all, the game will feature an all-rescue line up. The puppy players, plus the kittens in the kitty half-time show and the new piggy pep squad team members, are from a range of more than 20 animal shelters and rescue groups, including Furever Dachshund Rescue, NYC Animal Care & Control, the Pennsylvania SPCA, and Go Boxer Rescue. Get all the details about the game by <a href="http://animal.discovery.com/tv/puppy-bowl/">clicking here</a>. Go puppies!ihearthoundshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11263860130800201212noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8966153019288828091.post-77510648832845765932012-01-28T18:27:00.000-08:002012-01-28T20:08:36.042-08:00Onyx The Hero Dog Embraces Life On Three LegsAfter unimaginable suffering, Onyx is on the rebound. The one year old lab was found by Kern County Animal Control last September, tied to a wooden post with a bloody severed hind leg.<br /><br />"It literally looked like it had been chopped off with garden shears," recalls Dr. Daniel Slaton, a veterinarian at Los Angeles' Westlake Village Animal Hospital. "I remember it distinctly, the night he got here. I didn't think he was going to make it. I thought he was going to pass before I could even go to surgery. He was just so dehydrated, septic, his body was in shock because of the infection on his leg. I had never seen anything like it."<br /><br />In fact, Onyx had endured a horrific home-amputation at the hands of his former owners after he was purportedly hit by a car. The couple was charged with felony animal cruelty and sentenced to jail time and three years of probation.<br /><br />Thankfully, Onyx's harrowing story has a very happy ending. He made such a deep impression on Dr. Slaton that the vet adopted him. With lots of TLC, Onyx has made a full recovery and he is now a happy-g0-lucky tripod. His latest hobby is surfing in the pool at the Barkley Pet Hotel & Day Spa.<br /><br />"He's a whole new dog. You couldn't even imagine that this dog went through what he went through," Dr. Slaton told reporters.<br /><br />Since Onyx's tale of survival and perseverance is so inspiring, he is training to be a therapy dog for children and adults with disabilities. "We thought he would be a good story for kids who have lost limbs and are handicapped. There is a brighter side and you can actually live and have a good quality of life," said the tripod's proud dad, Dr. Slaton.<br /><br /><object id="video" data="http://www.wwlp.com/video/videoplayer.swf?dppversion=16926" width="420" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" height="374"><param name="movie" value="http://www.wwlp.com/video/videoplayer.swf?dppversion=16926"><param name="FlashVars" value="&skin=MP1ExternalAll-MFL.swf&embed=true&adSizeArray=1x1000,2x40,3x1000&adSrc=http%3A%2F%2Fad%2Edoubleclick%2Enet%2Fpfadx%2Flin%2Ewwlp%2Fnews%2Fdetail%3Bdcmt%3Dtext%2Fxml%3Bpos%3D%25pos%25%3Btile%3D2%3Bfname%3Dvideo%2Dthree%2Dlegged%2Ddog%2Dhangs%2Dten%3Bloc%3D%25loc%25%3Bsz%3D%25size%25%3Bord%3D97825975081733570%3Frand%3D%25rand%25&flv=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Ewwlp%2Ecom%2Ffeeds%2FoutboundFeed%3FobfType%3DVIDEO%5FPLAYER%5FSMIL%5FFEED%26componentId%3D23494129&img=http%3A%2F%2Fmedia2%2Ewwlp%2Ecom%2F%2Fphoto%2F2012%2F01%2F20%2FVideo%5FThreelegged%5Fdog%5F8efc2c44%2D8d9d%2D417c%2Da059%2Dc9ef107af6920000%5F20120120150252%5F640%5F480%2EJPG&story=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Ewwlp%2Ecom%2Fdpp%2Fnews%2Fvideo%2Dthree%2Dlegged%2Ddog%2Dhangs%2Dten&category=local%5Fguide&title=Video%3A%20Three%2Dlegged%20dog%20hangs%20ten&oacct=dpsdpswwlp,dpsglobal&ovns=fim&headline=Video%3A%20Three%2Dlegged%20dog%20hangs%20ten&toggleVideoCode=3"><param name="allowNetworking" value="all"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></object><p style="width: 446px;"><a href="http://www.wwlp.com/dpp/news/video-three-legged-dog-hangs-ten">Video: Three-legged dog hangs ten: wwlp.com</a></p>ihearthoundshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11263860130800201212noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8966153019288828091.post-66178637935147842502012-01-25T21:02:00.000-08:002012-01-25T21:47:32.678-08:00New Year, New Resolutions: Ten Things You Can Do In 2012 To Help Animals<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF-vFYgxdA0r4860lNtGHKVKWQHuCt2OYuE672mE1qWU420b4uT69HJDl1LDJHcacX-O2McW22HQII48PtMcDw5iZFf-dE5M108vPvFe9Zm2o8fV8o26JpAbu2AJfFiiSfGDZgwRAR7gI/s1600/dog%252520with%252520leash%252520in%252520mouth.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 269px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5701812661764578482" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF-vFYgxdA0r4860lNtGHKVKWQHuCt2OYuE672mE1qWU420b4uT69HJDl1LDJHcacX-O2McW22HQII48PtMcDw5iZFf-dE5M108vPvFe9Zm2o8fV8o26JpAbu2AJfFiiSfGDZgwRAR7gI/s400/dog%252520with%252520leash%252520in%252520mouth.jpg" /></a>Hello and Happy New Year everyone! I was feeling inspired to share the list of New Year's resolutions for animals that I made a while back. Feel free to add your own!<br /><br />1) Adopt your next furry friend from a shelter or rescue group. With millions of homeless cats, dogs, and critters in our country, you are certain to find the perfect companion. Petfinder (<a href="http://www.petfinder.com">www.petfinder.com</a> is a great place to start; you can search by zip code and narrow the results by breed, age, gender, etc. There's even a feature that allows you to find special needs pets, which is an option we always encourage!<br /><br />2) If you encounter a stray dog or cat, consider stopping to help if the circumstances are safe enough. You could very well save a life. The Humane Society of The U.S. has some good guidelines for rescuing strays: <a href="http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/resources/tips/what_to_do_stray_pet.html">click here </a>to check them out.<br /><br />3) Please don't patronize pet stores that sell puppies! The overwhelming majority of these dogs originate in puppy mills, inhumane breeding kennels that sacrifice canine health and comfort for profit. Remember, reputable pet shops and supply stores don't sell puppies!<br /><br />4) Turn your trash into treasure by donating items to your local animal shelter. Old towels and blankets, baby gates, bedding, and even cardboard paper towel tubes can all be put to good use helping homeless animals.<br /><br />5) Make 2012 the year that you microchip your companion animals if you haven't already. Although microchips are not entirely foolproof, they significantly increase the odds that your pet will be reunited with you if he or she becomes lost.<br /><br />6) Report cruelty. Because animal cannot speak for themselves, we must advocate for them. Trust your instincts - if you suspect that an animal in your community is being neglected or mistreated, speak up by contacting animal control.<br /><br />7) Do your part to reduce pet overpopulation - spay and neuter your companion animals and encourage others to do the same.<br /><br />8) Forgo fur. The Majority of fur sold in the U.S. comes from unregulated farms in China where animals like foxes and raccoon dogs are kept and killed in agony. If you don't want to support cannibalism, electrocution, and commercial cruelty, choose faux or forgo.<br /><br />9) Be an advocate for a chained dog. In far too many circumstances, dogs are kept chained outdoors, ostensibly to guard the home in which they should live. Dogs are pack animals by nature, so depriving them of companionship, exercise, and interaction is especially inhumane. Furthermore, chained dogs often end up becoming anxious and aggressive. If there is a chained dog in your neighborhood, please consider sharing a letter from <a href="http://www.dogsdeservebetter.org/">Dogs Deserve Better</a> with the owner. You can also contact animal control to see if they can intervene. In some parts of the U.S. (such as California), it is actually illegal to keep a dog chained or tethered for prolonged periods of time.<br /><br />10) Sign up to volunteer or foster with your local animal shelter. You can have fun, meet other animal lovers, and get lots of puppy love while helping orphaned pets find loving homes!ihearthoundshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11263860130800201212noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8966153019288828091.post-4313871687040912222011-12-28T20:36:00.000-08:002011-12-28T21:28:27.137-08:00A Priceless Christmas Gift For CasparHere's a heartwarming story from <a href="http://www.peoplepets.com/">www.peoplepets.com</a> that really exemplifies what the holiday spirit is all about...<br /><br /><em>For Caspar the dog it will be a merry Christmas, indeed.<br /><br />Generous gifts from thousands of strangers has helped pay for life-changing cataract surgery that restored the dog's sight, according to the U.K.'s Express.<br /><br />"We've been overwhelmed by the generosity of people," said the dog's new owner, Sally Baker, a volunteer with the charity Dogs Friends which initially rescued the puppy in April. "Caspar has touched everyone's hearts. I can't thank everyone enough."<br /><br />Baker distributed fliers around town in Bristol, England, seeking donations to pay for the dog's $3,000 eye surgery and in a matter of weeks over $10,000 flowed in. The leftover cash has helped fund procedures for three other dogs.<br /><br />Among the contributors were children who sent in pocket money and a 93-year-old man who shared a portion of his pension, the Express said.<br /><br />If Caspar could, he'd probably thank each donor personally. "It's completely changed his life," said Baker. "It's gone from one of total darkness to one of light and happiness."<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8MZtnXHLLjebq7DngbuuKCz7Hwz5kxQY-3PiKD_h1pTZu1-tv5_LHu-0vrmMEfrKKDP6P4WuzfX8QEiWrIwaUPFHTm3uQKT_5nyUidVCl6Q6NTnB51JV9ScRd294uLwhXQjkAPXt5kek/s1600/Casper.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 338px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5691415956188447506" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8MZtnXHLLjebq7DngbuuKCz7Hwz5kxQY-3PiKD_h1pTZu1-tv5_LHu-0vrmMEfrKKDP6P4WuzfX8QEiWrIwaUPFHTm3uQKT_5nyUidVCl6Q6NTnB51JV9ScRd294uLwhXQjkAPXt5kek/s400/Casper.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5P3TfuLrjZGnvmUYYZH_4KUMaW5s3F4b6VftexGX2bMTUYd6a2QQwxDno8tLi1bdynPecrDON9hXO-302aYKTkA8RA6OwyExY1g4Sw1_1hu9jftLBY43WyVs7dPTJuW-vzgQbvjtPzO8/s1600/Casper+2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 256px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5691415881917587698" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5P3TfuLrjZGnvmUYYZH_4KUMaW5s3F4b6VftexGX2bMTUYd6a2QQwxDno8tLi1bdynPecrDON9hXO-302aYKTkA8RA6OwyExY1g4Sw1_1hu9jftLBY43WyVs7dPTJuW-vzgQbvjtPzO8/s400/Casper+2.jpg" /></a></em></div>ihearthoundshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11263860130800201212noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8966153019288828091.post-19808569241115409932011-12-24T13:02:00.000-08:002011-12-25T11:32:35.794-08:00A Rebound Hounds Christmas!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBZaKX0jZJZsb8gXlMwb0kX6hgaOfRnQNGZiZi2oIejxrMSsEoQPYsgcr9bUHScyvX5QS3PO_50TQtWGE3atvx1rk_mJvyD1Y1yMV5iwHPHSkSfdlJIbW9uDJ_2ZfSmz2qvhU3ubXbyEE/s1600/Christmas%2521+025.jpg+resized.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 329px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5690149991345472386" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBZaKX0jZJZsb8gXlMwb0kX6hgaOfRnQNGZiZi2oIejxrMSsEoQPYsgcr9bUHScyvX5QS3PO_50TQtWGE3atvx1rk_mJvyD1Y1yMV5iwHPHSkSfdlJIbW9uDJ_2ZfSmz2qvhU3ubXbyEE/s400/Christmas%2521+025.jpg+resized.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxCX4bBC09F7qSgdla3Z4ybAO0Bq_aQzCqUxTCMcrvWlZ8KLdouO7d-ZquyzhGk9nr1WVb7vIb_M5Kt_DMNMrpimNGWCfK2SiEqf-40ZZ81id4SltE5sna-pn0nGNEaVRXneDsgXDHbYY/s1600/Christmas%2521+046.jpg+resized.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 399px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5690149860711245906" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxCX4bBC09F7qSgdla3Z4ybAO0Bq_aQzCqUxTCMcrvWlZ8KLdouO7d-ZquyzhGk9nr1WVb7vIb_M5Kt_DMNMrpimNGWCfK2SiEqf-40ZZ81id4SltE5sna-pn0nGNEaVRXneDsgXDHbYY/s400/Christmas%2521+046.jpg+resized.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfszhHraWOxX6TObBsklkYUmvpeN4_1bk_x6Ih7yCx2421709CuiaKdOwjyUKzNpSm93lJ_ItaTa2bbxB4Y1STkUnVQMmt18n1OHbqjeb_y96GxU8lumTuKm7PtcabQm1imjs-1LKb0G4/s1600/Christmas%2521+138.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5690149532199509346" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfszhHraWOxX6TObBsklkYUmvpeN4_1bk_x6Ih7yCx2421709CuiaKdOwjyUKzNpSm93lJ_ItaTa2bbxB4Y1STkUnVQMmt18n1OHbqjeb_y96GxU8lumTuKm7PtcabQm1imjs-1LKb0G4/s400/Christmas%2521+138.jpg" /></a><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#cc0000;">Season's Greetings from Dewey and Tulip! May your Christmas be merry and bright!</span></em></strong><br /><br /><div></div></div></div>ihearthoundshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11263860130800201212noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8966153019288828091.post-86908709667522893362011-12-15T23:05:00.000-08:002011-12-15T23:06:09.186-08:00Pit Bull Myths DebunkedFrom the beginning, we knew that having Tulip, our little Pit Bull/American Staffordshire Terrier mix, would mean having to confront negative stereotypes. Nonetheless, it has been surprising to realize just how much misinformation about Pit Bulls is out there. People's reactions to Tulip range from joy to fear, or worse, outright hostility.<br /><br />There are times during our walks when she is decked out in her hot pink hoodie, tail in full-on wag mode, ready to greet anyone and everyone with a smile, and people will still cross the street to avoid passing her. Other dog owners will forbid playtime or socialization at the park (an elderly man went so far as to attempt to attack her with his cane when she tried to play with his dog). Colleagues in my field (social services) have expressed their concern about Tulip's ability to safely interact with kids, citing their inaccurate belief that Pit Bulls have "locking jaws" and "attack children." Someone from a different regional office actually told me point blank at a conference, "there are people here who would quit if Pit Bulls were allowed in our office."<br /><br />My husband really hit the nail on the head recently when he came to the sad conclusion that Tulip will always be guilty until proven innocent in many public situations.<br /><br />Even though it often feels like an uphill battle, I am personally determined to debunk as many myths about Pit Bulls and Bully Breeds as I can, not just for Tulip, but for all of the wonderful pitties that I have met through my animal welfare work. These dogs simply don't deserve the stigma!<br /><br />BADRAP, a fantastic Pit Bull advocacy organization based here in the San Francisco Bay Area, addresses a list of the most common "monster myths" on <a href="http://www.badrap.org/">their website</a>. Here are some of the common ones that we have encountered, along with <em><strong>accurate </strong></em>and <em><strong>factual</strong></em> information to disprove them:<br /><strong></strong><br /><strong>Aren't Pit Bulls MEAN and VICIOUS?</strong><br />No more vicious than golden retrievers, beagles or other popular dogs! In yearly tests of over 240 dog breeds by the American Temperament Test Society (ATTS), pit bulls consistently achieve a passing rate that's as good or better than the other most popular breeds. How did your favorite breed do? Check here: <a href="http://www.atts.org/">www.atts.org</a> <br /><br />In the ATTS test, a dog is put through a series of confrontational situations. Any sign of panic or aggression leads to failure of the test. The achievement of pit bulls in this study disproves once and for all the old tired belief that pit bulls are inherently aggressive to people. Like any breed of dog, a healthy pit bull that is properly raised will reflect the good care his owners have invested in him.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_7IZpXVBqTh_DLHaXH15dxFCCX8EeXNkUFlex2hj1aEXZVB-KTCSFjcNLt7SKHOMSXqmbWGzPDko8vmhVUxlP5HvlWJ2-20KRnECOi_LpA5BNahaomwZRSn-qLUUAr9KzgDFzsJUTX4w/s1600/Katy+Perry.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5686609703537429410" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_7IZpXVBqTh_DLHaXH15dxFCCX8EeXNkUFlex2hj1aEXZVB-KTCSFjcNLt7SKHOMSXqmbWGzPDko8vmhVUxlP5HvlWJ2-20KRnECOi_LpA5BNahaomwZRSn-qLUUAr9KzgDFzsJUTX4w/s400/Katy+Perry.jpg" /></a><strong>Don't Pit Bulls eventually TURN ON THEIR OWNERS?</strong><br />No. Healthy pit bulls with stable temperaments are succeeding in countless homes across the continent. Dogs that bite people are typically troubled individuals, set up to fail by irresponsible and/or reckless owners who've ignored or disregarded the classic warning signs that come with nearly any dog bite. In general, biting dogs have been set up to fail by improper handling, abuse and/or damaged genetics. Profiling dog breeds works against the goal of reducing dog bites. Bite prevention education resources such as these offered by the AVMA can help build safe, humane communities without resorting to the kind of ineffective paranoia that comes from targeting select breeds. For a well researched source of information on canine aggression, visit The National Canine Research Council by <strong><a href="http://www.nationalcanineresearchcouncil.com/">clicking here</a></strong>.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3TKDG1yfyLqlGk6TWWA77sDXNHnhZmx6B3NouIi4vKk7C_nxA1jw4HaeulAw1MReDvC548trI4_0A-0nsjSThWElJjagTERRadf84Rdf8LBbhbKM8dgdxvSxmmQNXzZD0lyi4ADjioQ8/s1600/Kissy+Rodney.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5686615546875239170" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3TKDG1yfyLqlGk6TWWA77sDXNHnhZmx6B3NouIi4vKk7C_nxA1jw4HaeulAw1MReDvC548trI4_0A-0nsjSThWElJjagTERRadf84Rdf8LBbhbKM8dgdxvSxmmQNXzZD0lyi4ADjioQ8/s400/Kissy+Rodney.jpg" /></a><strong>Don't Pit Bulls have LOCKING JAWS?</strong><br />Don't be silly. A pit bull's ability to "lock on" with its jaws is one whopper of a myth that refuses to let go. There is no 'enzyme,' no special mechanism that would make a pitbull's jaws 'lock.' They're DOGS, not alligators. Need proof? After research, Dr. I. Lehr Brisbin, University of Georgia concluded, "We found that the American Pit Bull Terriers did not have any unique mechanism that would allow these dogs to lock their jaws. There were no mechanical or morphological differences..."<br /><br />The same silliness shows up with myths about bite pressure. Don't buy into media hype... it'll steer you wrong every time. Find bite pressure fact checking, reported by The National Canine Research Council (NCRC) by <strong><a href="http://nationalcanineresearchcouncil.com/resources/no-fact-checking/">clicking here</a></strong>.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjohNPWmIOsyf7SSCZ-ZI6kS8vZezkVFNg_YVT3CkB4_6wc5DItCzEt95fTwa3WL59dBlP_gkEdbbaT2sBYoOP9rs_2-bVc6598AOJ4BHYw6KxmBGhe5PcDh3CyDk2xDUXHqgcFGW7GQFE/s1600/Molly.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5686617135808830738" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjohNPWmIOsyf7SSCZ-ZI6kS8vZezkVFNg_YVT3CkB4_6wc5DItCzEt95fTwa3WL59dBlP_gkEdbbaT2sBYoOP9rs_2-bVc6598AOJ4BHYw6KxmBGhe5PcDh3CyDk2xDUXHqgcFGW7GQFE/s400/Molly.jpg" /></a><strong>Don't Pit Bulls have to be TRAINED TO FIGHT?<br /></strong>NO! Pit bulls are terriers, and terriers tend to be scrappy with other animals if unsocialized, poorly managed or otherwise left to their own devices. Just as farmers have used Jack Russell Terriers to do battle with badgers, foxes and other animals, unscrupulous people have exploited the terrier drive in pit bulls against other dogs for 'entertainment' purposes. Like any breed of dog, pit bulls can run the gamut from very dog aggressive to exceptionally dog friendly and each dog shares some potential to fight other dogs if mismanaged. Avoiding dog fights involves understanding terrier traits and basic canine behavior in general. More info:<br /><br />• Dog-Tolerance Levels: <a href="http://www.badrap.org/node/97">Dog/Dog<br /></a>• Living well with: <a href="http://www.badrap.org/node/96">Multitiple Dogs<br /></a>• Socializing your pit bull: <a href="http://www.badrap.org/node/98">Socializing</a><br /><br />A properly socialized, well managed pit bull should never find himself in a dogfight because he's accustomed to the presence of other dogs and - IMPORTANT! - he has a smart and responsible owner willing to keep him safe from situations that could invite the unhappy possibility of a scuffle.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivsKHuP0EC9H7wnn-we6iHYlTMAlLog1hlpW8iV-zjhUU4VsPfdIlhXTApFfUjxMw7qgcrkiMetLR-YlV8gvvCf6bEIbhkBcwtdHOUsUWKZZ4zsmR92MAv2cZq6w0BSEItWXMUuVurC1g/s1600/Babe.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 378px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5686618045105536818" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivsKHuP0EC9H7wnn-we6iHYlTMAlLog1hlpW8iV-zjhUU4VsPfdIlhXTApFfUjxMw7qgcrkiMetLR-YlV8gvvCf6bEIbhkBcwtdHOUsUWKZZ4zsmR92MAv2cZq6w0BSEItWXMUuVurC1g/s400/Babe.jpg" /></a><strong>Are pit bulls unpredictable around CHILDREN?<br /></strong>Pit bulls have enjoyed a long history as favorite children's companions and family pets. When well socialized and properly raised, they're the perfect breed to tolerate the rough and tumble play that kids can dish out. Pit bulls tend to be drawn to the joyful optimism of children and love to meet them with tails a'waggin! Some dogs may not be suitable with young children because they could knock them down in their exuberance. Common sense dictates that children should be taught how to properly interact with dogs (of EVERY breed) and should never be left alone with a dog unsupervised.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhscMq_-iNbOjTOGjGRTAJRrW12AmcU8W50sKyS6csAw-y1ILfXIbMAeg9T9N93unKF6LfU4g10sztUNRs2-uRHdjYjNGWDpVqvWeTo90zRRkW0NDDsCXDCBRZvkjQ8JBJI_Bz91EkWXI/s1600/Small+Cristina+with+Tulip.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 371px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 311px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5686614271565738642" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhscMq_-iNbOjTOGjGRTAJRrW12AmcU8W50sKyS6csAw-y1ILfXIbMAeg9T9N93unKF6LfU4g10sztUNRs2-uRHdjYjNGWDpVqvWeTo90zRRkW0NDDsCXDCBRZvkjQ8JBJI_Bz91EkWXI/s400/Small+Cristina+with+Tulip.jpg" /></a>ihearthoundshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11263860130800201212noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8966153019288828091.post-85578611496615792212011-12-12T22:30:00.000-08:002011-12-12T22:37:51.030-08:00Tulip's Amazing TransformationWhen I first brought Tulip home at the beginning of April, she was suffering from a terrible case of advanced <a href="http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/dog-care/dog-care-mange.aspx">demodectic mange</a>. Found as a stray, she didn't even have a name, just a number: 01527. The sad reality is that she was never going to make it out of the shelter in the shape she was in. Here is our first picture of Tulip, taken a week after we began fostering her...<br /><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8AM7IkDxSqKro4AG5ZTDu6sKd8iVRqSPsJobgPiNaLQSa6B37Uod7LZHYtnxJi7dnDlt-IRDaq9iD4Bgy5KGk2iiMzdC1W9aAUWYqobKweoMEb4EdkZF4kufwsizQ7gZd3kqgSQ6DpM4/s1600/Baby+Tulip+-+Cropped.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 360px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627117037533797730" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8AM7IkDxSqKro4AG5ZTDu6sKd8iVRqSPsJobgPiNaLQSa6B37Uod7LZHYtnxJi7dnDlt-IRDaq9iD4Bgy5KGk2iiMzdC1W9aAUWYqobKweoMEb4EdkZF4kufwsizQ7gZd3kqgSQ6DpM4/s400/Baby+Tulip+-+Cropped.JPG" /></a>She spent the first few weeks sleeping almost around the clock. The poor thing was so weak from the mange and the secondary infections that had invaded her body, that she hardly had any energy to play. It's easy to forget how lethargic she was back then, considering that we can barely keep up with her now!<br /><br /><p>Our first impulse was to name her Rosie since she was so pink. We even called her Rosie for a few days, but it didn't seem exactly right. I always think that Pit Bulls and Pit mixes benefit from soft names, so we tried out a few more floral monikers including Lily and Violet. At the time, we had just moved into our first house, and an unexpected cluster of tulips popped up in the front yard. Our mangy little friend paused to sniff them one day, and we suddenly had the perfect name...<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvkJ7SXgXp-9jVLqjGN1QRn7W_JjRmuJe1GSLK4uX6lXkmQUPYyYUOdZiqI331_MQSIOTc0D5wkgUDU_H69-YyvMFbSiIbN71i526MVj8qCZxqadBNDxDXbrWZBAxSkyeg2vhaA03gUq8/s1600/April+2011+056.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5685474343254749714" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvkJ7SXgXp-9jVLqjGN1QRn7W_JjRmuJe1GSLK4uX6lXkmQUPYyYUOdZiqI331_MQSIOTc0D5wkgUDU_H69-YyvMFbSiIbN71i526MVj8qCZxqadBNDxDXbrWZBAxSkyeg2vhaA03gUq8/s400/April+2011+056.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFIrwwoP7y26rT5RAZD3_NN7AKFLGfIXV2Ciu8MXCbGYla6TEqzEsBYqGeXM4cuL8YSENQZzVh19Sq7y3AOmkJtPY8q5tCM1imZHWkxljM8cOBkeFC6knYHOHWCK7LG0RrmlH8uRfjuzo/s1600/April+2011+065.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5684729426773968834" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFIrwwoP7y26rT5RAZD3_NN7AKFLGfIXV2Ciu8MXCbGYla6TEqzEsBYqGeXM4cuL8YSENQZzVh19Sq7y3AOmkJtPY8q5tCM1imZHWkxljM8cOBkeFC6knYHOHWCK7LG0RrmlH8uRfjuzo/s400/April+2011+065.jpg" /></a>The mange treatment involved medicated baths several times a week, and Tulip was an extremely good sport. She has always been very stoic, and this quality is something that I genuinely love about her.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinlFf939ebAmF70ScWWnUPDU6Ne5woozqjSiSKrdR1DUK9braUDCTdA-OkhJ1N9In7SW2oBncDC3XLfDaeB-ovNHFemLjfznSJOC4klP8Px-4Vgp77ZWJa2jTQ_GTWrbd4kMfrfhtwXho/s1600/April+2011+017.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5684738292067795826" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinlFf939ebAmF70ScWWnUPDU6Ne5woozqjSiSKrdR1DUK9braUDCTdA-OkhJ1N9In7SW2oBncDC3XLfDaeB-ovNHFemLjfznSJOC4klP8Px-4Vgp77ZWJa2jTQ_GTWrbd4kMfrfhtwXho/s400/April+2011+017.jpg" /></a> By the end of May, Tulip began to noticeably improve. Her playful spirit started to shine through and we enjoyed getting to see her personality emerge. Her immune system improved enough so that we could start visiting dog parks and beaches and letting Tulip have a normal doggie social life.<br /><br /><p>After several months of providing foster care for Tulip, we needed to make a decision: would we adopt the spunky little pound puppy who had wiggled her way into our hearts, or would we let the shelter find her a loving home and continue to foster other dogs. It was difficult to choose, but ultimately we just couldn't imagine life without our Tulip. </p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx5x63J2G0COgIXkbk6qUwakwAW6lInCqdzT5K2zPe4uM3O5L9D8Z8qdF196pm4uyIVuUVSlCTF3j1aRi8E-F-qeqMP3dmpl0Hx4BGfQsswrY_Dp7lNxM-DFJ_ojlN3O9jsLbzauD-uSQ/s1600/May+2011+057.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5685486368863151666" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx5x63J2G0COgIXkbk6qUwakwAW6lInCqdzT5K2zPe4uM3O5L9D8Z8qdF196pm4uyIVuUVSlCTF3j1aRi8E-F-qeqMP3dmpl0Hx4BGfQsswrY_Dp7lNxM-DFJ_ojlN3O9jsLbzauD-uSQ/s400/May+2011+057.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzFEu3pgSsBM36MujVgI6syCfkOjxS9x5r_LUYSAyNdbVA1JjQhPzWSwqn-6kzsnmJXeiaMFOAY3s4ATwAoj3uauYGUcRDWj1fP12W4V29v92PzQq7T1hf7iWcdt_O04vbIcmX1hrcLvg/s1600/July+2011+060.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5685487000638574034" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzFEu3pgSsBM36MujVgI6syCfkOjxS9x5r_LUYSAyNdbVA1JjQhPzWSwqn-6kzsnmJXeiaMFOAY3s4ATwAoj3uauYGUcRDWj1fP12W4V29v92PzQq7T1hf7iWcdt_O04vbIcmX1hrcLvg/s400/July+2011+060.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicTCcBYFpKAKHkRtk-6x1jOjm8eI7jFv92kuZGpOnRo5n4Wo72DgbnUidhVbZt3PalZI9gVvj4v-_3fTCgugFY27SsxbmXvYd2QOO9nG3zMLlqgBHH9ln23RTO8F7DILVTSECkDdwFMqc/s1600/July+2011+027.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5685488170854134290" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicTCcBYFpKAKHkRtk-6x1jOjm8eI7jFv92kuZGpOnRo5n4Wo72DgbnUidhVbZt3PalZI9gVvj4v-_3fTCgugFY27SsxbmXvYd2QOO9nG3zMLlqgBHH9ln23RTO8F7DILVTSECkDdwFMqc/s400/July+2011+027.jpg" /></a>We went back to the vet for one final mange check-up last Friday. After more than eight months of treatment (antibiotics for her secondary skin infections, Mitaban dips, medicated shampoo, and daily doses of Ivermectin), she was officially diagnosed as being mite-free!!!<br /><br />To remind myself how far our girl has come, I took a look back at all the pictures from the spring and summer. It's really amazing to see how Tulip has transformed since we first met her as a scared, sickly pup. She is a true joy with a thirst for fun in all forms, from frolicking at the beach to chasing sticks at the park, and her infectious good-nature can't help but rub off on us.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpNlkKcjsfVpi3s8yEH646VP74VYlqRny3OvnmHBOVH5gPwXPzpEIfv1KvLyBkwhZGPzlizO-8gEmlLOm3qtom3YpG3f_yDPuzOXygt3y4FqHt8LPUy5SzBRlcusOHORg-m3oNRtIBm94/s1600/August+2011+089.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5685494040005883362" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpNlkKcjsfVpi3s8yEH646VP74VYlqRny3OvnmHBOVH5gPwXPzpEIfv1KvLyBkwhZGPzlizO-8gEmlLOm3qtom3YpG3f_yDPuzOXygt3y4FqHt8LPUy5SzBRlcusOHORg-m3oNRtIBm94/s400/August+2011+089.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsrKzCyYbcSCtNmpdCPOZGiLRi5ALv8E9JakSasFHDPqqI2ioWGTlvOJ8JXjjH4xwVTaJlYf8kCNjP-gSNVEGL6AFl1_vibuN4EfzZph2udbNi6LK0CeYBAiYYiPeddiwrv99hrCmQ1uI/s1600/September+pets+043.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5685494444421538898" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsrKzCyYbcSCtNmpdCPOZGiLRi5ALv8E9JakSasFHDPqqI2ioWGTlvOJ8JXjjH4xwVTaJlYf8kCNjP-gSNVEGL6AFl1_vibuN4EfzZph2udbNi6LK0CeYBAiYYiPeddiwrv99hrCmQ1uI/s400/September+pets+043.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwBGaO0mKVW7-JUuu65Rg9Bl5urdI0J5jKpNLf0M-sC0AbwKVyQD-m56OtYX3FTgfPCZ_HxNMp7Wkb66qTjcLnaMfQUE4Iyyg_ndJQCY197i0CUolXFWrUEFiJ6TUfCqnqir2SaeSjbJ8/s1600/June+2011+059.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5685496452129961890" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwBGaO0mKVW7-JUuu65Rg9Bl5urdI0J5jKpNLf0M-sC0AbwKVyQD-m56OtYX3FTgfPCZ_HxNMp7Wkb66qTjcLnaMfQUE4Iyyg_ndJQCY197i0CUolXFWrUEFiJ6TUfCqnqir2SaeSjbJ8/s400/June+2011+059.jpg" /></a>ihearthoundshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11263860130800201212noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8966153019288828091.post-70588310999691610912011-11-30T20:27:00.000-08:002011-11-30T20:27:31.650-08:00A Thanksgiving Rescue<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2QJ1Q7XPZ2CHbEBXnOMZ5khZ05SGhAf2a6Uie6tTci6rLy2DEjqokpbzGk11Ul7PIy-UQjgbH66ZiGZP0I5L81L30IRv3Q_tyOz9nv3VaAeY8cFzFdZaYzcLE5ffHEtSO-ltoR7O5W-U/s1600/german-shepherd-300x224.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5681011170213223154" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 224px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2QJ1Q7XPZ2CHbEBXnOMZ5khZ05SGhAf2a6Uie6tTci6rLy2DEjqokpbzGk11Ul7PIy-UQjgbH66ZiGZP0I5L81L30IRv3Q_tyOz9nv3VaAeY8cFzFdZaYzcLE5ffHEtSO-ltoR7O5W-U/s320/german-shepherd-300x224.jpg" border="0" /></a>An Oakland police officer found this injured Shepherd mix on the side of the road late on Thanksgiving night. It appeared that he had been hit by a car and left to die. The OPD officer immediately rushed the pooch to an emergency animal hospital, where the veterinarians on duty determined that he had two badly broken legs. <a href="http://www.oaklandsanimals.org/">Friends of Oakland Animal Services (FOAS)</a> was contacted, and agreed to help cover the pup's medical expenses, including his x-rays. When <a href="http://www.savegsd.org/">German Shepherd Rescue of Northern California</a> stepped in and offered to provide foster care and find him an adoptive home, the lucky boy's fortune turned yet again. What a wonderful expample of human kindness at work, with folks willing to pitch in on Thanksgiving night in order to save a deserving dog's life!ihearthoundshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11263860130800201212noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8966153019288828091.post-59592709156430652352011-11-20T20:58:00.000-08:002011-11-20T22:04:00.493-08:00Old Souls In Need Of Forever Families<div align="center"><strong>Fluffy</strong><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgygI_Pz3w5fQr11B4VX22zt7d3V6eK_tr-NQRui6p3zlRywuXuImFMl8-mGIBBq8XYnksHV_5Dzfh061bkxKRfnxFXEK1d-eIwjPnn_mrkj2AdSdAIJeYqXASEo0piXJxgy_IQ_MwK7E8/s1600/Fluffy.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 398px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5674730615880350738" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgygI_Pz3w5fQr11B4VX22zt7d3V6eK_tr-NQRui6p3zlRywuXuImFMl8-mGIBBq8XYnksHV_5Dzfh061bkxKRfnxFXEK1d-eIwjPnn_mrkj2AdSdAIJeYqXASEo0piXJxgy_IQ_MwK7E8/s400/Fluffy.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div align="center"><strong>Cider</strong><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3JJzgWHIoyvjt8m5RYGPY9E8zJWOOX8uhim08Ul8KlEF3eBXID6qv99C9tly0zyCHb2MEJ-LkUPtlxPg9zzQWZttqOhzF821PQ3-BVDSEQJrOOrWy-uWTx7TCTXixuWAfd-ofiPmk9Ww/s1600/Cider.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5674724972423824498" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3JJzgWHIoyvjt8m5RYGPY9E8zJWOOX8uhim08Ul8KlEF3eBXID6qv99C9tly0zyCHb2MEJ-LkUPtlxPg9zzQWZttqOhzF821PQ3-BVDSEQJrOOrWy-uWTx7TCTXixuWAfd-ofiPmk9Ww/s400/Cider.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div align="center"><strong>Precious</strong><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtra9IlQLXWzwAWE80uop5iB7oSsQrBQv7b0m5W6yT1ophHU4KxedfKRi1Aiq0GiRN11y-qGRWREPDAvUxWnY1Ow5pD8BKkZqSKrKPTW3MDpSy-_dQCVZvkXnQRZGTfXPnUSL3IBQ4QFw/s1600/Precious.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5674715328945279970" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtra9IlQLXWzwAWE80uop5iB7oSsQrBQv7b0m5W6yT1ophHU4KxedfKRi1Aiq0GiRN11y-qGRWREPDAvUxWnY1Ow5pD8BKkZqSKrKPTW3MDpSy-_dQCVZvkXnQRZGTfXPnUSL3IBQ4QFw/s400/Precious.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div align="center"><strong>Meika</strong><br /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5674713630580782818" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeJxZQSNKNLWYY7fxSALDaSYE4jRrae2MBiQRh7735zBJFxKXVKrbhKsIvsnLldN3KgygCi9iiygTVKUATwFSneNSurNfHYwjx9Y3lGwZBUcJoavTNLYDuwMRZFHirQLF9AGjdQxW7MA4/s400/Meika.jpg" /><br /><br /><p align="center"><strong>Casper</strong><br /></p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5674714980306730402" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjANBuKfFjT6bk4E3Z7WfvlVKk8TDuvxl-7Y476YgOHZAkaM1kXGJ3aoQHYno-QnUeBezW7TcPG6G_BISZA7WxZskn5L-zCELZdwm_q-2GeaKRr0ceY8hw6g9ethfDFjGmPnDVTRqLjZEU/s400/Casper+-+large.jpg" />Between the tough economy and the pet overpopulation crisis, animal shelters across the country are overflowing with dogs, cats, and critters of all shapes and sizes. While all homeless animals are worthy of adoption, senior pets are often the ones at greatest risk in shelters. November is Adopt-A-Senior-Pet Month, and I wanted to share some compelling reasons to open your heart and home to an old soul. The five dogs shown here - Fluffy, Cider, Precious, Meika, and Casper - are all available for adoption through <strong><a href="http://www.muttville.org/">Muttville Senior Dog Rescue</a>. </strong>If their portraits aren't quite enough to convince you that you could benefit from having a senior canine in your life, here is <strong><a href="http://www.olddoghaven.org/">OldDog Haven's</a></strong> list of ten reasons why adopting a mature pooch is a great idea:<br /><br /><br /><li>Older dogs, especially those that come to us, settle in easily and are more than ready and willing to bond with you and your family.<br /></li><br /><li>What you see is what you get with older dogs. They’ve already grown into themselves in all ways. </li><br /><br /><li>An older dog probably won’t need a great deal of exercise, and will really appreciate quality time with you and a good nap. And of course, your socks and underwear will remain intact. </li><br /><br /><li>Older dogs generally like to watch the same programs on TV that you do, so you won’t have to learn to enjoy cartoons. </li><br /><br /><li>Many older dogs have already experienced rides in the car and walking on leash, so they’re instant companions and ready to continue those activities with you. </li><br /><br /><li>Older dogs have figured out what humans are all about and are willing and eager to add new information to their knowledge of human behavior. Old dogs can absolutely learn new tricks! </li><br /><br /><li>Older dogs are very grateful for the second chance they’ve been given and are very good at giving and receiving love. </li><br /><br /><li>There’s absolutely nothing like the smile you get from older dogs—especially dogs that haven’t felt like smiling in awhile, but now have reasons to smile because you love them. </li><br /><br /><li>Older dogs are looking for human companions who will value their wisdom and their slow pace. They have their very own special appeal. </li><br /><br /><li>When you adopt older dogs, you can erase any unpleasant past experiences that they’ve had by loving them and caring for them. It doesn’t get any better than that! </li>ihearthoundshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11263860130800201212noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8966153019288828091.post-36921863627061620382011-11-13T20:03:00.000-08:002011-11-13T20:24:13.167-08:00Sparky The Deaf Dachshund Finds A Home Among Deaf Students<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzu9TmyW_gHkbujRyCIlfoEbUYHxIisboVlECW5WC_C5QFLFrvK2r3MHpkPOgSWelYf5Gwd4Rac_yJumzO1kWSWrLh50n2KwqkH1uIPiVpdJDDG8a6kL1HnCdQ9Frya6vDL_pYdZF0rXg/s1600/Sparky.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5674697586467396370" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 257px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzu9TmyW_gHkbujRyCIlfoEbUYHxIisboVlECW5WC_C5QFLFrvK2r3MHpkPOgSWelYf5Gwd4Rac_yJumzO1kWSWrLh50n2KwqkH1uIPiVpdJDDG8a6kL1HnCdQ9Frya6vDL_pYdZF0rXg/s400/Sparky.jpg" border="0" /></a>The students at the Missouri School for the Deaf know what it's like to be ostracised due to a hearing impairment. That's why Sparky, the resident Dachshund, fits in so well. He's deaf, too.<br /><br />Before Sparky came to live at the school earlier this year, he was in danger of being euthanized because he was born without the ability to hear. Fortunately, Sparky made it into the Puppies for Parole program, an initiative of the Missouri Department of Corrections where inmates train rescue dogs in order to make them more adoptable. When the eight week prison training program was complete, the inmates decided they wanted Sparky to live with deaf youth.<br /><br />The superintendent of the Missouri School for the Deaf, Barbara Garrison, jumped at the chance to introduce Sparky to her students. "He fits perfectly here," she told the <em>Fulton Sun</em>. "Because these kids hear all the time what they can't do. We try to tell them what they can do. He likes his new deaf family here."<br /><br />Sparky responds to commands in American Sign Language, and knows "sit," "stay," "lie down" and other basics as well as any pooch. With help from the students, he is learning more all the time.<br /><br />Sparky has made such a positive impact at the school that another deaf four-legged friend from Puppies for Parole may be joining him in the near future.ihearthoundshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11263860130800201212noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8966153019288828091.post-55949290785672855892011-11-07T19:06:00.000-08:002011-11-07T19:24:44.835-08:00Helping Your Dog Rebound After An Amputation<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJKKph-3gAI7_ov-CBMwTx0xMm3sKuwKPt2igopSNhb7RVzV3nntJw1xPIz2O8kKqVuf8v4d04FU4VREWh2PmY6-LCo04Reya7pZSjKuzxkUe8MlAEozMm5Kqi60UoYV7_Vw4QJJKV6-8/s1600/Standish_3Legged_Collie242x350.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 221px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5672458316280108674" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJKKph-3gAI7_ov-CBMwTx0xMm3sKuwKPt2igopSNhb7RVzV3nntJw1xPIz2O8kKqVuf8v4d04FU4VREWh2PmY6-LCo04Reya7pZSjKuzxkUe8MlAEozMm5Kqi60UoYV7_Vw4QJJKV6-8/s320/Standish_3Legged_Collie242x350.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>Keeping Your Three-Legged Dog Healthy<br /></strong></span>by Dana Standish<br />Originally appearing in <a href="http://www.thebark.com/"><strong>The Bark</strong></a>, Issue #37, Jul/Aug 2006<br /><br /><strong>Three legs to stand on<br /></strong>A really expensive car can go from zero to 60 in less than six seconds, but that car would have nothing on Harvey, a seven-month-old Mastiff/Husky mix, who went from being an $85 dog to a $2,000 dog in less than four hours. That’s how long it took Harvey to be adopted from the Tacoma Humane Society, perform a cursory inspection of his new home on the fourth floor of an apartment building in Seattle, race out onto the outside terrace to check out the dog house and vault over the surrounding hip wall. Harvey hit an awning, landed on the sidewalk and ended up in the emergency room with a badly broken right rear leg that later had to be amputated. “The vet said they usually try to pin the leg first,” says Lindsey Votava, who had fallen in love with Harvey on Petfinder.com, “but with the extent of Harvey’s injury it would have been like trying to put together a bag of potato chips.”<br /><br />Votava and her husband, Leif Dalan, were clear that having Harvey’s leg amputated would give him the best chance of recovery. Trying to save the leg would have doubled their vet bill and meant they would have had to immobilize Harvey for up to eight weeks, which would have violated several of the laws of physics. “Harvey walked up the stairs after his surgery,” recalls Votava, and never missed a beat. He maintains a wicked Frisbee schedule at the dog park and does everything a four-legged dog does, except “he can’t scratch his ear.” They give him glucosamine for his joints and try to keep him from overexercising so that he doesn’t injure his remaining limbs. “We have to think for him,” Votava says. “That jumping off the roof was how he is. He’s a totally go, go, go kind of dog.”<br /><br />It’s not unusual these days for a dog to lose a leg, generally for one of two reasons: they suffer some sort of accident or trauma, like Harvey’s, or they develop bone cancer or other bone disease. The latter is what happened to Bernie, an eight-year-old Rottweiler whose left front leg was amputated in January. Bernie was recovering nicely from surgery to her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) when her guardian, Tom Tilden, noticed she was limping and not bouncing back as quickly as he had expected. An X-ray showed bone cancer. “The first vet we consulted suggested giving her painkillers until the pain got to be too bad and then having her put down,” says Tilden. “We found another doctor.”<br /><br />Bernie’s situation is completely different from Harvey’s. Harvey is lean and lost a rear leg while he was still a puppy; he was able to adjust immediately. Bernie is a stockier breed and lost a front leg relatively late in her life. “The front leg accounts for approximately 70 percent of the dog’s strength and balance,” says Sheila Wells, a hydrotherapist in Seattle who works with Bernie several times per week. “That is why front-leg amputees often have a more difficult time adjusting to their new state. The rear can follow but the front has to lead.”<br /><br /><strong>Keeping the Tripod Dog Healthy</strong><br />Wells, who has been operating her canine hydrotherapy studio, Wellsprings, since 1995, has a special fondness for three-legged dogs. When she was a child, her uncle had a Border Collie, Trixie, whose front leg had to be amputated after she got into a jam with a poisonous jellyfish in Sooke Harbour, British Columbia. “My uncle’s veterinarian told me, ‘Swim her,’” says Wells. Wells saw the benefits of this type of therapy, and a career was born. “Trixie lived another 10 years, during which she raced around like the wind.”<br /><br />Wells says that in her experience, most three-legged dogs are “very highly functioning.” Some dogs do better than others, depending on their size (smaller dogs have an easier time), age and other physical problems. “The biggest challenge a dog faces when it loses a limb,” says Wells, “is that it has to relearn proprioception, which means it needs to get a new idea of where its body is in space and how to balance; it’s like the bubble in a level.” The most important challenge for tripod-dog owners, she says, is to protect the remaining limbs; often people will let the dog overdo it, and that ends up putting undue stress on the dog’s joints, which can lead to injuries and arthritis. She recommends that owners observe the following checklist to keep the three-legged dog healthy for as long as possible:<br /><br />• Protect remaining limbs<br />• Put a sock/pad on the “elbow” of the remaining leg (to prevent calluses and pressure sores)<br />• Keep the dog’s weight down<br />• Take care of the dog’s skin and pads<br />• Exercise the dog regularly (walking is good; swimming is best)<br />• Assist or monitor the dog on stairs<br />• Monitor the dog’s activity level and don’t let him or her overdo it<br />• Give glucosamine, fish oils and other anti-inflammatory supplements<br />• Maintain a good diet and good overall health<br />• For front leg amputations, use a car seat harness with wide chest bands<br />• Invest in a “wheelchair,” if necessary, to help with mobility<br /><br /><strong>How Many Tripods Are There?<br /></strong>It would be impossible to determine how many tripod dogs there are in the United States, says Sally Wortman, hospital administrator of Pets Unlimited, a major veterinary hospital and shelter in the San Francisco Bay area, though she estimates they do two to three amputations per month. Pets Unlimited treats approximately 50,000 animals per year. “We take in animals from other shelters, animals that don’t have many other opportunities,” says Wortman.<br /><br />One of those animals was Wortman’s Clover, a one-and-a-half-year-old Pointer/Border Collie mix who arrived at the shelter with a badly broken right front leg that had to be amputated. “She was up and running the day after surgery,” says Wortman. “She’s a very athletic dog. She keeps up with the Greyhounds at the park. She’s inspiring to everyone who sees her.” Wortman says that she has noticed that people’s acceptance of three-legged dogs is growing. “Before, perhaps, people would have thought it was sad that she was missing a limb. But that has changed. I was recently at the dog park and met a couple whose baby had a paralyzed right arm. They said to me, ‘I wish we could get a three-legged dog so our child could grow up to think it was okay to be missing a limb.’”<br /><br />“We always try to save the limb first,” says Thomas Mason, director of veterinary services at Pets Unlimited, “though sometimes this is much more expensive and requires more rehabilitation.” An amputation typically costs $1,200, while it may cost up to $3,000 to try to salvage the limb.<br /><br />Before doing an amputation, a vet must decide if the dog is a good candidate. “We assess the animal’s overall physical condition. If the dog has arthritis in the other legs, for instance, he wouldn’t be such a good candidate. Amputation causes wear and tear on the other joints.” Many times, says Mason, a vet will end up taking off a dog’s entire leg, even if the trauma or the cancer is low down on the “ankle” joint. “Because of the way dogs walk, you end up with a lot of problems if you leave some of the limb. It would just get in the way. Most of the time, amputation is more cosmetically acceptable.”<br /><br />Martin Kaufmann would like to see a change to this type of practice. Kaufmann, of <a href="http://www.orthopets.com/"><strong>www.OrthoPets.com</strong></a>, makes prosthetics and orthotics for both “two-legged and four-legged animals and any variation in the middle.” His goal is “to get the animal world up to speed with what we’re doing with humans.” He began his practice with animals four years ago, after a cousin’s Schnauzer suffered a stroke and lost the function in its right front leg. Kaufmann began studying animal anatomy books and learned that the muscle and bone terminology in dogs is almost exactly what it is in humans. Now, 30 percent of his practice is making artificial limbs and braces for animals, mostly dogs. “When three-legged dogs are brought to me, when they are amputated way up at the joint, there aren’t many options,” he says. Too often he sees animals who had cancer in the “wrist” joint.<br /><br />“The vets tend to think of it as a useless limb and amputate way up at the top. That makes it almost impossible to build a prosthesis. We need at least one joint in order for the animal to be able to operate” with a prosthetic limb. Kaufmann explains that since this is a new field and he is one of only a few people doing this type of prosthetic work, not many vets know of this option. But he is trying to spread the word. “For limb preservation, it’s important to salvage as much of the limb as possible, or as many joints as possible.” If the limb has already been amputated at the top, he recommends having the dog use a cart to maintain the weight distribution on the leg that’s left. “Compounding forces on the remaining leg can cause arthritis from overuse. If the animal loses the remaining leg, what does it have left?”<br /><br />Whether a dog loses a leg due to trauma or disease, most often he or she will bounce back and learn to adjust. As Sheila Wells points out, dogs don’t have the same stigma that we would have about losing a limb. “Some don’t ever notice their leg is missing,” she says. “Usually a leg that has been taken off has been painful for a long time and the dog is already used to not using that leg. When they get it removed, their whole demeanor changes because they can run around without being in pain. There’s no reason a three-legged dog has to be disabled.”ihearthoundshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11263860130800201212noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8966153019288828091.post-73480500033973616102011-11-02T19:42:00.000-07:002011-11-02T19:47:24.075-07:00Pets With Disabilities Shine In Portrait Series By Photographer Carli Davidson<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6jRYxcbWaNs6Y79yDgHQKVxJO2Tl3D4JcTDs557zj811jf-kqnC0M_kNU1_dmKWjwSy56o9txxcoyLFG_QgxbG3tqVD0NbEyNLuO3ZErOyfwqmmudcZU9iKh76xKnbj1rl3NsNc5uerU/s1600/handicap-dogs-300.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5667494454644721122" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6jRYxcbWaNs6Y79yDgHQKVxJO2Tl3D4JcTDs557zj811jf-kqnC0M_kNU1_dmKWjwSy56o9txxcoyLFG_QgxbG3tqVD0NbEyNLuO3ZErOyfwqmmudcZU9iKh76xKnbj1rl3NsNc5uerU/s400/handicap-dogs-300.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipbOtIuqIUE-cmNT0EVjNHRWWX5hOBwnpE_TDJcacdzfj-PHus_VuT9Paym_K3YwZ08v-6_amEyOXBDCtm6a6ahepnuEE3GuvaG7oaSUw8jauj4UmG55_kk18pypDTmgGOrEy6l_A20NE/s1600/handicap-dogs-1-440.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5667494361290778658" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipbOtIuqIUE-cmNT0EVjNHRWWX5hOBwnpE_TDJcacdzfj-PHus_VuT9Paym_K3YwZ08v-6_amEyOXBDCtm6a6ahepnuEE3GuvaG7oaSUw8jauj4UmG55_kk18pypDTmgGOrEy6l_A20NE/s400/handicap-dogs-1-440.jpg" border="0" /></a>From <a href="http://www.peoplepets.com/">www.peoplepets.com</a></div><br /><br /><div><em>Photographer Carli Davidson was hanging out at an Oregon beach a few years ago when she saw a German shepherd playing fetch with his owner. The dog also happened to be in a wheelchair.<br /><br />"The dog seemed perfectly happy, and they were happy hanging out with each other," Davidson says. "It gave me the idea that I could create something that showed people we should keep animals around."<br /><br />So Davidson, whose work centers around animals, began the Pets with Disabilities Project, taking portraits of Portland-area pets that are blind or in wheelchairs, but are 100-percent happy.<br /><br />"Aside from how I personally anthropomorphize these animals as being inspiring, they don't really act different than other animals," she says. "They're totally just cats and dogs. It's amazing to see how little they're affected by their disabilities." </em><em>___________________________________________________</em></div><br /><div>To learn more about Carli Davidson's Pets with Disabilities photo project, visit her website: <a href="http://www.carlidavidson.com/">www.carlidavidson.com</a> </div>ihearthoundshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11263860130800201212noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8966153019288828091.post-79473188381371270142011-10-31T16:53:00.001-07:002011-10-31T17:32:50.362-07:00Happy Halloween From Tulip & Dewey!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQK9LRI9JtNHutNT2a66m7CbztCq61wx-haXfv7jPQbJVhvh2PhN-Eu_WwytaDq6cNxLZkgKv7ql3TzVLaKyako6H2S5U2_bQ7spVMImBlrSLj4zCxQED88EALWmXxjpdhEwGmMRYlMiY/s1600/Halloween+2011+027.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669811986877769234" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQK9LRI9JtNHutNT2a66m7CbztCq61wx-haXfv7jPQbJVhvh2PhN-Eu_WwytaDq6cNxLZkgKv7ql3TzVLaKyako6H2S5U2_bQ7spVMImBlrSLj4zCxQED88EALWmXxjpdhEwGmMRYlMiY/s400/Halloween+2011+027.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTFYQJkDMuFf9g7HVc36M9gjYfEXn09HCkxkg3W1H4ggSz8veW8jFwn4bXQdTWa2nOX-9h4uk1Ss0-Lkh5DEknhxjJxWAdqY1ueWrzBsPWr7CCGQDH1zMpOfhA1EjWKV0grpEIYtY4zKs/s1600/Halloween+2011+031.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669811603978524738" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTFYQJkDMuFf9g7HVc36M9gjYfEXn09HCkxkg3W1H4ggSz8veW8jFwn4bXQdTWa2nOX-9h4uk1Ss0-Lkh5DEknhxjJxWAdqY1ueWrzBsPWr7CCGQDH1zMpOfhA1EjWKV0grpEIYtY4zKs/s400/Halloween+2011+031.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF63i9m_U5oxRHccnnbBLHFd77zJwS7AdhklfoBokyhNXvRi0qm9j4IuBVcBwUBxxvxtLxVn-yTaOud8_9qyaCeFCvH_c1nuSKSbUuHrJSccff-ZvqgkE1wrXXCsmYrFUjyH0GfYhfxT4/s1600/Halloween+2011+007.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669808892281460610" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF63i9m_U5oxRHccnnbBLHFd77zJwS7AdhklfoBokyhNXvRi0qm9j4IuBVcBwUBxxvxtLxVn-yTaOud8_9qyaCeFCvH_c1nuSKSbUuHrJSccff-ZvqgkE1wrXXCsmYrFUjyH0GfYhfxT4/s400/Halloween+2011+007.jpg" /></a> What good is Halloween if you can't take the liberty of dressing up your pets?!? This evening Tulip and Dewey will be greeting trick-or-treaters as a banana split and Lord Dracula. Happy Halloween from your friends, the Rebound Hounds! </div></div>ihearthoundshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11263860130800201212noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8966153019288828091.post-34669551704274472972011-10-25T21:15:00.000-07:002011-10-25T21:20:13.350-07:00Bark All About It! October Is National Adopt-A-Shelter-Dog Month<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmsMG_-B3OlFN4QhRlj_2DtvA-saxVeB61qz524_ZhUTfooanAUi4f3AjznRIBBVfx-ggIz3XS104lL0EUFHqvgfMtEz8w-jiI10c7pKH3S2wJqaPgYo7VX88ACmLI7yFt1QyizV8x5Sg/s1600/adopt-dog-month.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 158px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5666768732902231426" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmsMG_-B3OlFN4QhRlj_2DtvA-saxVeB61qz524_ZhUTfooanAUi4f3AjznRIBBVfx-ggIz3XS104lL0EUFHqvgfMtEz8w-jiI10c7pKH3S2wJqaPgYo7VX88ACmLI7yFt1QyizV8x5Sg/s400/adopt-dog-month.jpg" /></a>When was the last time you visited your local animal shelter? Chances are that you may be pleasantly surprised! One of the concerns that I commonly hear when I people find out that I'm a shelter volunteer is that it would be "too depressing" to see all of the cats, dogs, and critters waiting for homes (yes, Mom, I'm referring to you!). On the contrary, I want to spread the word that a trip to an animal shelter can actually be incredibly heartwarming. Not only do you get to encounter passionate volunteers and staff who are dedicated to rescuing animals, you also have the opportunity to find a new adoring friend! Adoption fees are often reduced for senior pets and animals that may be typically overlooked, so the cost of adopting from a shelter is usually very reasonable and much more affordable than purchasing an animal from a breeder. Also, it's unlikely that you need to worry about the fate of the pets you don't adopt. In most shelters, once an animal is cleared for adoption, it will almost always be held until it is adopted into a new home. Adopting from a shelter is really a win-win situation: you can help make room for more homeless pets to be housed safely, and you can add a huge dose of four (or three) legged love into your life. Your new best friend may just be waiting at the local SPCA, Humane Society, or animal control facility in your town! Check out <a href="http://www.petfinder.com/">www.petfinder.com</a> to browse the profiles of adoptable dogs like Lovey, Gloria, Ragoo, Romeo, Katy Perry, Franklin, and Tanya. </div><br /><div align="center"><br /><strong>LOVEY</strong> </div><br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilK10A92xTp_Gn-ET0eV1reyQvCxTvgj0DrWJ659ehgr0mzSllpW1zbfMFJ6GbI58082EJ6qIBSHXmGl1fD4Yt2apgPe6sqR4p-ST9G4qudeqIeSkyq4262AAQ6MfrR_2nk0YF3DVftnI/s1600/Lovey.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 389px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5667643220051869874" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilK10A92xTp_Gn-ET0eV1reyQvCxTvgj0DrWJ659ehgr0mzSllpW1zbfMFJ6GbI58082EJ6qIBSHXmGl1fD4Yt2apgPe6sqR4p-ST9G4qudeqIeSkyq4262AAQ6MfrR_2nk0YF3DVftnI/s400/Lovey.jpg" /></a><br /><strong>GLORIA</strong><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEWK1Sxbxe3pA3ZJxbx72AmF4XI2ReYa7oDG6Rc93KzN2K4WtA1EdWVpkOGKoNhrmSSRqehW-9uGtmj3cmNL-ik72dGYdMwySuLjXFrwx443JVmzcsOA0ynNIEc9r7KSIalxOxWLSKXf4/s1600/Gloria.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5667643034128180290" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEWK1Sxbxe3pA3ZJxbx72AmF4XI2ReYa7oDG6Rc93KzN2K4WtA1EdWVpkOGKoNhrmSSRqehW-9uGtmj3cmNL-ik72dGYdMwySuLjXFrwx443JVmzcsOA0ynNIEc9r7KSIalxOxWLSKXf4/s400/Gloria.jpg" /></a><br /><strong>RAGOO<br /></strong><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig1PP5o2Y6N7p1koE11GWIOWBZfaJAiYWtrn1gN6DN4337JEYGKZIrqu6fEy-zbgG-PDyUXt4yffDf8km7hkpPdh5jbSVfw2oHPGdino-fFx9bAdpDA_3TXM27ZTUIaycgj3nxczvpeWQ/s1600/Ragoo.jpg"><strong><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5667643145156584082" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig1PP5o2Y6N7p1koE11GWIOWBZfaJAiYWtrn1gN6DN4337JEYGKZIrqu6fEy-zbgG-PDyUXt4yffDf8km7hkpPdh5jbSVfw2oHPGdino-fFx9bAdpDA_3TXM27ZTUIaycgj3nxczvpeWQ/s400/Ragoo.jpg" /></strong></a><br /><strong>ROMEO (AKA "MIGHTY MITE")<br /></strong><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjtJewchnLyLeXbBPNRFNrz4OZdJp71V5jOtq2W_qu4D4eK0uZ7Ssg5CmmAiS-CtVi9cTdNgjDCbKi7gtD7gThBhKpDXrD5MFQF51EG3XgWcsIOiab5sTVNF7So9YfZo5ZWljnvn_gv6g/s1600/Romeo.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 382px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5667643822730386786" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjtJewchnLyLeXbBPNRFNrz4OZdJp71V5jOtq2W_qu4D4eK0uZ7Ssg5CmmAiS-CtVi9cTdNgjDCbKi7gtD7gThBhKpDXrD5MFQF51EG3XgWcsIOiab5sTVNF7So9YfZo5ZWljnvn_gv6g/s400/Romeo.jpg" /></a><strong><br />KATY PERRY<br /></strong><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiMMEodT8Xpx6BuwhV4xtgl7UqVQpixVqrRXNhO9jb5ciSsNUmNCJZNYhWYLr0sQmZETRJdKbMr9-LI9WX6dVbbT27CSiSJOXkB4XekcnZMSgDyx4mssro2l_6F_8a_l9H7R6lK5j0npo/s1600/Katy+Perry.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5667645482351423010" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiMMEodT8Xpx6BuwhV4xtgl7UqVQpixVqrRXNhO9jb5ciSsNUmNCJZNYhWYLr0sQmZETRJdKbMr9-LI9WX6dVbbT27CSiSJOXkB4XekcnZMSgDyx4mssro2l_6F_8a_l9H7R6lK5j0npo/s400/Katy+Perry.jpg" /></a><strong>FRANKLIN</strong><br /></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBTsc49W-33yCmCt53EsDw8PPbLyzk0YHIAkWST1QbUFGh-59-ZKRD-9cMbsMP-WuRRVEyFCo09ZIELru5Hk5dcMkpwZ4Nq2xuTEaJAAXxoFYtsRiAYJu6bn3aSsaQiabT_gNJ3Evdxv0/s1600/Franklin.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 393px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5667645714204373106" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBTsc49W-33yCmCt53EsDw8PPbLyzk0YHIAkWST1QbUFGh-59-ZKRD-9cMbsMP-WuRRVEyFCo09ZIELru5Hk5dcMkpwZ4Nq2xuTEaJAAXxoFYtsRiAYJu6bn3aSsaQiabT_gNJ3Evdxv0/s400/Franklin.jpg" /><br /><br /><p align="center"></a><strong>TANYA<br /></p></strong><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNBZvU5MFx4e5lnVWJnfUBCYPSyEjkKSA0-20ds8MYCjKOBF_fRs2aJTfm_aJ-4xu4cbhEI7suASpuzkUxu_bjN0lzmjTMS0SE-SorWbmBnUVVUJ3CDcYsNb9sK_VZE773ka5Nsbbzp9E/s1600/Tanya.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5667648145238494242" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNBZvU5MFx4e5lnVWJnfUBCYPSyEjkKSA0-20ds8MYCjKOBF_fRs2aJTfm_aJ-4xu4cbhEI7suASpuzkUxu_bjN0lzmjTMS0SE-SorWbmBnUVVUJ3CDcYsNb9sK_VZE773ka5Nsbbzp9E/s400/Tanya.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><p align="center"><strong>WINNIE<br /></strong></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivbUzuK5DLxRW9-rfqrykMDHehqHptPrzkkajk2TxvgDGG5bM5Ip8NaqMOpOlXSXI8TNnH65ZNOHT1TKQrTKqwqu23uhwoYuO2ZMGA62G7DHTw2QLhSTrhn3-vfTFzg5-VCZf9956QUXM/s1600/Winnie.jpg"><strong><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5667649465400095234" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivbUzuK5DLxRW9-rfqrykMDHehqHptPrzkkajk2TxvgDGG5bM5Ip8NaqMOpOlXSXI8TNnH65ZNOHT1TKQrTKqwqu23uhwoYuO2ZMGA62G7DHTw2QLhSTrhn3-vfTFzg5-VCZf9956QUXM/s400/Winnie.jpg" /></strong></a>ihearthoundshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11263860130800201212noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8966153019288828091.post-31421316430463561442011-10-23T11:12:00.000-07:002011-10-23T11:21:11.287-07:00Healing Harper<iframe height="329" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/xH6xeeYx2_w" frameborder="0" width="425"></iframe>ihearthoundshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11263860130800201212noreply@blogger.com1