Gone To The Dogs....

Petland Uses Puppy Mills

2008-11-21T03:59:00.001-08:00

The Humane Society released a report yesterday detailing their lengthy investigation into puppy mills. They've discovered that Petland Incorporated is the nation's largest retail supporter of puppy mills. Watch the following video and let your voice be heard.

Stop Puppy Mills

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Wordless Wednesday...

2008-11-12T11:58:00.001-08:00

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Election Victories!

2008-11-07T10:10:00.000-08:00

There were two landmark victories for animals in Election 2008. Massachusetts put an end to commercial dog racing and that's reason to celebrate! Read more below...

Victories For Animals

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2008-10-29T09:34:00.001-07:00

Ridley At Sundown...

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Top 10 Medications Dangerous To Pets

2008-10-17T06:34:00.000-07:00

You might want to check out this list from the ASPCA which tells of human medications that can be very dangerous to our beloved pets.

Top 10 Dangerous Medications

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Spread The Word About Rescue Chihuahuas

2008-10-15T06:34:00.000-07:00

The movie Beverly Hills Chihuahua opened on October 3rd. We all know what happens when a new “dog movie” comes out....lots of people decide they must have a dog just like the one in the movie. But what people might not realize is that shelters and groups across the country have plenty of Chihuahuas, for ADOPTION. In fact, Chihuahuas are the 5th most-posted breed of dog for adoption on Petfinder (after Labs, Shepherds, Pit bulls and mixes of those breeds). Please watch this video and encourage others to adopt a shelter/rescue dog!

Beverly Hills Chihuahua

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Wordless Wednesday...

2008-10-01T11:09:00.000-07:00

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Latest Pet Food Recall

2008-09-26T06:35:00.000-07:00

Source: ASPCA

The ASPCA is advising pet parents to discontinue the use of certain dog and cat foods manufactured by Mars Petcare US. On September 12, the company issued a nationwide recall of certain foods due to potential contamination with a Salmonella serotype called Schwarzengrund. The recall includes several widely distributed brands of dry pet food, including Pedigree, Special Kitty, Paws & Claws, Natural Dog Food, Red Flannel, Country Acres, Buju & Ziggie, Member's Mark, Natural Cat Food, Retriever, Bruiser, Doggy Bag, PMI Nutrition and Pet Pride.

“Pet parents should wash their hands after handling any potentially contaminated pet food,” says Dr. Steven Hansen, the ASPCA’s Senior Vice President of Animal Health Services, “and immediately consult with a veterinarian if any signs or symptoms are noticed in their pets.”

For more information on the recall and affected brands, please visit our website. If you suspect your pet has eaten contaminated food, please call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center’s 24-hour hotline at (888) 426-4435.

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Follow-Up On Animal Cruelty Case

2008-09-17T06:52:00.000-07:00

Some of you may remember the story I brought you about Panda, the Saint Bernard, who ended up chewing off her own leg to escape entanglement. The case was finally heard by a grand jury and I have to say I'm not pleased with the outcome. This was a horrifying case of animal neglect which occurred in my county and it caught nationwide attention. Since it was such a high profile case, I thought surely appropriate punishment would be meted out. I was wrong...I feel this man merely got a slap on the wrist. I'm also appalled by the fact that he is to have no animals while on probation...how about no animals EVER? I absolutely see red when things like this happen. What do you all think? Did the punishment fit the crime?

Published: 12:53 PM, 09/16/2008

Author: Staff Report
Source: The Monroe County Advocate

A Madisonville man pleaded guilty to cruelty to animals after his dog chewed off its leg to escape entanglement in a lead line.

Adolfo Lopez, Hoyt Sutton Road, was charged after the Monroe County Animal Shelter received a tip about the dog’s condition in March.

At a hearing in May, a neighbor testified he saw the Saint Bernard “Panda” “hobbling around on just three legs with what looked like the bone sticking out.”

Shelter director Vicki Morgan, the shelter’s animal cruelty investigator, Dr. Nancy McIntee, and the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, went to Lopez’s home. Morgan testified the dog was “hobbling” and added the dog had a foul “rotting meat” smell. She said the stump of Panda’s leg was covered in maggots, which she estimated were at least three days old.

Morgan and McIntee took photos of Panda’s living conditions, which included an empty water bowl, an empty automatic feeder and a bowl of wet, molded dog food.

Dr. Erica Murphy, the veterinarian who treated Panda and eventually amputated the dog’s right hind leg testified Panda appeared to be in mild shock, was a little dehydrated and not at the ideal level of nutritional condition.

She estimated Panda’s leg had been chewed off for five to seven days before it was reported. She said she could not estimate the amount of time the leg had been entangled. But she did say the entanglement cut the circulation off, which allowed the leg to lose feeling. The loss of feeling made Panda see it as a foreign object and enabled her to chew it off in order to free herself.

In Criminal Court Monday, Lopez received an 11-month, 29-day suspended sentence and will be on probation. He is not to own any animals during that time period. He was also ordered to serve 100 hours community service, pay a $100 fine and pay restitution of $535.33 to the Monroe County Animal Hospital.

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Interested In Pet Astrology?

2008-09-10T04:04:00.000-07:00

The Animal Planet website now has a new feature..... Dog Horoscopes! You'll find both weekly and monthly "dogscopes". I think this is a sweet, entertaining feature.

Check Out Your Dog's Horoscope Today

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Wordless Wednesday...

2008-09-03T00:15:00.000-07:00

My photogenic babies :)

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Don't Miss Animal Planet Sunday, 8/24

2008-08-23T20:37:00.000-07:00

Don't miss Animal Planet's important special Animal Witness: the Michael Vick Case premiering Sunday, August 24, and featuring experts from the ASPCA.

"The ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) today announced that its experts will be featured in the August 24 premiere episode of a new program on Animal Planet called Animal Witness: the Michael Vick Case.

The hour-long special which will feature interviews with Dr. Melinda Merck, senior director of Veterinary Forensics for the ASPCA and Annemarie Lucas, Supervisory Special Investigator for the ASPCA’s Humane Law Enforcement team will focus on one of the most talked-about stories of 2007 the Michael Vick case."

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First-of-Its-Kind Animal Abandonment Law Passed!

2008-08-17T18:11:00.000-07:00

Source: www.aspca.org

The subprime mortgage crisis that has devastated homeowners and the economy has brought with it a troubling trend: pets abandoned after home foreclosures. Those who assess deserted homes are often directed to leave property—including pets—untouched until the foreclosure process is completed. As a result, many pets have been left to die.

The ASPCA would like to congratulate the California Legislature for addressing this issue with the swift passage of Assembly Bill 2949, which amends California’s Civil Code to require property owners—including banks or other corporate entities—to immediately notify animal control officials when animals are abandoned at foreclosed properties.

AB 2949 was born out of California State Assemblyman Mark DeSaulnier’s annual “There Ought to Be a Law” contest. Contest winner Sheri Kuticka recognized this tragic consequence of the housing market downturn, and suggested that something be done to help abandoned animals. She, along with the ASPCA and the California Animal Association, cosponsored the legislation, which was signed into law by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger on August 4.

“While pets are mere ‘property’ in the eyes of the law, the difference between a cat and a stereo is self-evident,” says Californian Jill Buckley, ASPCA Senior Director of Government Relations. “Before this law, a lot of well-meaning people’s hands were tied when they found pets in empty homes. Of course, the most important thing is for folks not to abandon their pets in the first place—but at least now, these unlucky animals will have a chance to get the life-saving care they need.”

If you might be facing foreclosure, please plan ahead to find suitable solutions for your pets. And if you live in California, visit the ASPCA Advocacy Center to send Governor Schwarzenegger an email thanking him for approving AB 2949 so quickly.

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Wordless Wednesday...

2008-08-06T01:00:00.000-07:00

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Let's Put A Shelter Dog In The White House!

2008-07-23T06:30:00.000-07:00

Barack Obama has said that his family plans on getting a dog once the election is over, win or lose. Best Friends has started a petition to urge Senator Obama to consider getting a shelter dog versus a pure bred dog from a breeder. Please take a moment to sign this petition.

Let's Send A Shelter Dog To The White House!

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Wordless Wednesday...

2008-07-02T12:00:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite puppy pictures of Ridley :)

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Cassie & Her DogPause Bowl

2008-06-29T12:00:00.000-07:00

Cassie received her DogPause bowl that I won over at the The Chocolate Dog Blog ! I'm quite pleased with it. I think this bowl does slow her down a bit more than the Brake-Fast Bowl since it has four separate compartments. Cassie is just too funny...I've found that she'll eat a bit from once section...and then just move around the bowl. I'm thankful that products like this exist as my girl eats insanely fast and I worry about bloat....and weimaraners are well known for developing bloat.

P.S. That's a little bit of cottage cheese mixed in her food if you're wondering what the white stuff is!

We're sold on the The DogPause Bowl!

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June 20th Is Take Your Dog To Work Day!

2008-06-19T05:26:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow, 6/20, is "Take Your Dog To Work Day"!
Here, then, are some etiquette tips if you're planning to do so....

Taking Your Dog To Work?

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Have You Heard Of The DogPause Bowl?

2008-06-15T21:25:00.000-07:00

I recently blogged about the Brake-Fast Bowl and what a great product it is if your dog eats too fast....it has really helped Cassie Jo slow down and not inhale her food.

I was happy to learn today that I won a contest over at The Chocolate Dog Blog and will be receiving a DogPause bowl, a similar product designed to slow down fast eaters. Don't you just love when you win something?! I'll be posting a review on the DogPause bowl as soon as Cassie gives it a try. In the meantime, you can read up on this great new product!

The DogPause Bowl

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Please Vote For Cassie!

2008-06-02T19:57:00.000-07:00

You may recall that I joined a website called Animal Attraction a while back and it's a great social network site for animal lovers. They have a pet photo contest each month and this month I entered my weimaraner, Cassie. I would really appreciate you all rating her picture. If I win, $250 in prize money will go to Best Friends Animal Society...my favorite animal charity :)

Vote For Cassie!

I encourage you all to join Animal Attraction. When I joined Animal Attraction, they made a $1 donation to Best Friends Animal Society, and they will donate another $1 to Best Friends Animal Society for every one of my friends who joins too....another .01 will be donated to Best Friends every time you log into Animal Attraction. How cool is that?

If you join, please feel free to add me to your pet pals list at Animal Attraction. My ID there is: julie1366

Demand Spikes At Pet Food Banks

2008-06-02T18:57:00.000-07:00

I had noticed that the price of Purina One, which I feed to my dogs, went up several weeks ago and remembered thinking at the time "oh please, not this too." I can handle the additional expense, but I know a growing number of people cannot...and the animals pay the price. Then, of course, I read this today....

Demand Spikes At Pet Food Banks

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Update On Animal Neglect Case

2008-05-30T06:01:00.000-07:00

We had a very sad animal neglect case right here in Tennessee a couple of months ago...right here in my own county. I've been following this situation because this case was particularly horrifying. I'm sick and tired of those guilty of such cruelty getting a slap on the wrist. The case recently was heard in court and will be going in front of a grand jury. You can read all the details right HERE

Here's a video featuring Panda shortly after her rescue: Panda's Journey

The good news is that Panda, the Saint Bernard, is doing great right now in her new home! Here's a picture of Panda today with her new owner.

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Animal Cruelty Is A Serious Crime....

2008-05-21T20:49:00.000-07:00

I sign quite a few online petitions concerning animal rights and environmental issues on a regular basis. I received the following petition this evening urging animal lovers to make their voices heard in ensuring that animal cruelty is treated as the serious crime that it is. This petition is generated at the Care2 Petitionsite. This petition's goal is to lend support to the Tracking Animal Cruelty Crimes Act of 2007, which would require the FBI to add animal cruelty as a separate category in its National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS).

Please click on the following link to learn more and to sign the petition. Simply fill in your name, etc. and the Petitionsite will send the form letter on the site to your respective senator.... it's so simple and will only take a moment of your time :)

Sign The Petition!

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Georgia Gets Tough On Dog Fighting

2008-05-14T20:09:00.000-07:00

Saying that dog fighting is “an activity we will not tolerate here in Georgia,” Gov. Sonny Perdue signed into law a bill Best Friends helped engineer that provides tougher penalties for individuals involved in dog fighting, including spectators.
State Sen. Chip Rogers, who had pushed for the legislation since 2004, was at the signing ceremony on May 6.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank Best Friends Animal Society for all their work behind the scenes when we were first crafting this legislation,” Rogers said. “Without the help of Best Friends, our task of taking this legislation from a bill to the governor’s desk would have been much more difficult.”

Georgia’s previous dog-fighting law was among the worst in the country.

“It is a big win for the dogs in Georgia and a good day for any of us who are working for a kinder, more civil society,” said Paul Berry, Best Friends’ chief executive. “The old law was very vague and was of little help to local law enforcement agencies working to stop dog fighting in Georgia. This new law gives law enforcement better tools to prosecute people who fight dogs, as well as those who participate as spectators of this cruel, violent enterprise.”

The new law makes it a felony to train, transport, sell or own a fighting dog, or to advertise, promote or bet on fights. Attending a dogfight will be a high and aggravated misdemeanor on the first offense, a felony on subsequent ones.

Perdue, a veterinarian, called dog fighting a "repulsive, senseless organized crime.”

“Over the past year there has been a bright spotlight shining on a sad situation ... the bloody, brutal world of dog fighting,” he said, referring in part to the conviction and imprisonment of Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick for dog fighting. “It’s not a sport, it’s really barbarism.”

Berry praised Rogers for his years of work on the legislation.

“Long before dog fighting became the hot issue of the day, Sen. Rogers was working hard behind the scenes on behalf of the animals. Best Friends salutes his major contribution to this new law.”

In addition to the governor and Rogers, others at the signing ceremony were State Rep. Bobby Reese, who sponsored the bill in the House, State Rep. David Knight, State Rep. Rich Golick, K-9 law enforcement teams and representatives from animal welfare groups such as the Georgia Canine Coalition and outdoors groups such as the Georgia Wildlife Federation.

“This is a big step in closing a legal loophole in Georgia, and I hope this deters future violence against dogs,” Reese said.

Rogers said the new law “sends a loud message to those who would torture man’s best friend for their own sick enjoyment.”

“Dog fighting will be prosecuted and those taking part in this heinous act can expect to go to jail,” he said. “No longer will Georgia be a haven for these depraved dog fighters.”

Written by Michael Rinker

How Tough Is Your State's Animal Cruelty Laws?

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Best Friends' New Puppy Care Center!

2008-04-29T10:31:00.000-07:00

Regular readers here already know what a huge fan I am of Best Friends Animal Society in Utah. I received news today that they will be building a NEW Puppy Care Center. Best Friends has fought hard to end puppy mills nationwide and the effort is paying off. With the crackdown on puppy mills comes the new challenge of finding a respite for the mothers and their puppies. The Puppy Care Center will be an amazing resource for those animals rescued from puppy mills.

The eBay Foundation has pledged $330,000 to Best Friends to build the Puppy Care Center...and eBay challenges all of us to raise even more money to make the Puppy Care Center a reality.

I've posted a "Community Gives" widget below my posts so you all can monitor the success of this fundraising effort. I encourage all of you to learn more about Best Friends and all of their heroic efforts (on a daily basis!) to save ALL animals. Please give if you can :)

Only Here For A Short Time....

2008-04-21T20:24:00.000-07:00

I stumbled across a beautiful article in Country Home magazine in which a writer, Karen Weir-Jimerson, shared a gem titled "Old Dog, Timeless Tricks". She wrote about her 15 year old border collie, Rose, and how time has slowed her gait. Rose was an energetic puppy and no dog could beat her on the farm when it came to herding. But with the passing of time, it was becoming harder to recognize the slower-moving Rose. Karen went on to say...

"Sharing your life with a good dog is a wonderful thing. And because of the odd inequities of life spans, humans have the opportunity to live their lives with many dogs. Every connection that you make in life...even with a dog...teaches you something."

I always appreciate good writing and the power of words. Her article was no exception. Ironically, moments before reading this article, I had been sitting outside watching my two dogs play and remarked to my husband that it still seems strange (after all this time) watching the two of them romp around in the backyard that was once the home, and stomping grounds, of our three pooches that passed on just in the last few years. Kan will have been gone for four years in June....Shiloh for two years next September...and we just lost our Dandelion in October 2007. And yet, they're still here. The grief can still be so fresh at times.

Karen's dog Rose is a border collie and 15 years old. Our Dandy girl was a border collie mix ....and 15 years old when she left us in October. I miss my ol' girl.

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Do Dogs Feel Guilty For Misbehaving?

2008-04-16T19:14:00.001-07:00

This question was pondered over at Animal Attraction. You can read more below...

Do Dogs Feel Guilty?

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Know The Dangers of Certain Plants

2008-04-11T04:00:00.000-07:00

With the weather getting nicer and our pooches spending more time outdoors (I know mine are anyway!) we need to be extra vigilant about what plants can be dangerous for our beloved pets. I didn't know that English ivy could be toxic until about a year ago....that was when Ridley, our German Shorthair, started yanking at it when he was a pup. Geez, what am I saying? He's 19 months old now and still very puppy-like!

17 Common Poisonous Plants

Does Your Dog Eat Too Fast?

2008-04-10T06:52:00.000-07:00

Okay, so I know that many dogs enjoy their chow and will eat with gusto. But I've never had a dog that ate so insanely fast that you started to worry about the consequences of doing so....until we adopted Cassie two months ago. This girl literally inhaled her food in about 20 seconds, that is no lie! Since weimaraners are prone to bloat, I was really concerned about her eating behavior. The folks at the rescue, where we adopted her, suggested inverting a small bowl into her dish so that she would have to work around it, hence slowing down. That worked okay, but she still ate pretty fast.

We wondered if her eating behavior evolved from being a homeless pooch at one time and not knowing where her next meal would come from. I thought she would eventually slow down....but she didn't. Then I discovered this great product online while searching "dog eats too fast" on Google. It's called the Brake Fast bowl and it's solved our dilemma. What's great about this bowl is that by design the dog is forced to slow down to get their food. It also slides more on the floor than your typical bowl, causing the dog to move after the bowl to get their food, again slowing them down. What used to take Cassie about 20 seconds to eat (and scaring the daylights out of me) now takes about 3 minutes. Whew, thank goodness for this product.

Here's Cassie enjoying her chow....much more slowly!

Learn More About The Brake Fast Bowl

Know The Risks Of Flea Products

2008-04-02T07:12:00.000-07:00

Oh yes, it's getting on that lovely time of year again when fleas and ticks abound and we have to worry about protecting our animals from these pests. I hate the additional expense of having to buy flea protection products, but about 10 years ago I experienced a horrific flea infestation in my home, with the three dogs I had at the time, and I swore "Never Again"!

I used to use Hartz flea products that you can purchase at Wal-Mart. That was until I learned about this company's liability in the deaths of many animals. To this day, I will NOT purchase ANY product from this company. You can read all about the Hartz horror stories at Hartz Victims.

Not all flea products are safe for our animals. The main culprit/ingredient that seems to cause the most harm to animals are organophosphate insecticides. Several of the lower-cost flea products contain these particular insecticides. You owe it to your animals to do your homework before purchasing flea protection products. The following article contains very useful information to help you make an imformed decision about what to avoid!

I've had great luck with Frontline over the last few years, but I'm willing to pursue natural remedies to prevent fleas. Do any of you have any tips you would like to share?

Free Ground Shipping on Flea and Tick Products at Drs. Foster and Smith!

P.S. Thanks to all you who have signed up at Animal Attraction

Check Out Animal Attraction!

2008-03-26T06:41:00.000-07:00

Some of you already know that I'm a big fan of Best Friends Animal Society in Kanab, Utah. I learned today that they partnered up with a super pet-friendly website called Animal Attraction. Animal Attraction is a community forum where members can learn and share everything about their pets and is definitely worth checking out. But, here's the best part.....

When I joined, Animal Attraction made a $1 donation to Best Friends Animal Society, and they will donate another $1 to Best Friends Animal Society for every one of my friends who joins too....another .01 will be donated to Best Friends every time you log into Animal Attraction. How cool is this?! I just love it when we can all work together and support great groups like Best Friends :)

Feel free to add me to your pet pals list at Animal Attraction: Julie1366

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Amazing Dancing Dog

2008-03-24T17:42:00.000-07:00

I first saw this video a few years ago when someone emailed it to me. As with all things on the internet, that tend to trickle into your inbox time and time again, this video was no exception. I watched it again today and it still brings a smile to my face. This is one amazingly talented dog .....and I hope it brings a smile for you as well.

The Vicktory Dogs...

2008-03-14T19:12:00.000-07:00

In my previous post, I mentioned the Vicktory Dogs that are being rehabilitated at Best Friends in Utah. You all might find the following article quite interesting as it addresses the issue of aggressive dogs...and if they can be adoptable. This is one issue that Best Friends Animal Society and PETA disagree on....

The Vicktory Dogs

Ever Heard Of Top Tag?

2008-03-13T20:48:00.000-07:00

I was just reading the latest newsletter from Best Friends Animal Society. They were given care and custody of some of the dogs seized from Michael Vick. Many of these dogs stand a good chance of finding forever homes thanks to Best Friends...they've named these dogs the "Vicktory Dogs"...and rightly so. They mentioned how they're now utilizing a new pet product called Top Tag for the Vicktory dogs, to more efficiently track each dog's medical and behavioral progress. Top Tag is basically a digital pet ID that contains useful information about your dog....you can put whatever you need to put on the tag,everything from medical history to important care information. I think this is one genius idea...and not a moment too soon :)

AKC Celebrates Irish Dogs

2008-03-12T09:13:00.000-07:00

Source: AKC.Org 3/11/08

New York -- It's no surprise that Ireland has produced many immortal writers, poets and musicians, but did you know there are several dog breeds that hail from the Emerald Isle? In honor of St. Patrick's Day on March 17th, the American Kennel Club® celebrates the breeds of Ireland.

"The histories and legends surrounding these breeds of the Emerald Isle are as rich and vibrant as the Irish culture," said AKC spokesperson Lisa Peterson. "Owners of these unique breeds can attest to the joy that their devotion and fun-loving personalities bring to their lives."

Glen of Imaal Terrier—Glen of Imaal, which is a valley in the Wicklow mountains, is the region in Ireland after which this hardy breed is named. Longer than tall and sporting a double coat of medium length, the "Glen" possesses great strength and conveys the impression of a dog of good substance. This is a working terrier, who must have the agility, freedom of movement and endurance to do the work for which it was developed. Like its Irish counterparts, the Glen is also courageous, and always ready to give chase. When working it is active, agile, silent and intent upon its game. Otherwise, the Glen can be docile and a companion for families with older children. Recognized by the AKC in 2004, the Glen of Imaal is one of the newest AKC breeds.
For more information visit the Glen of Imaal Terrier Club of America at: www.glens.org

Irish Setter—Green may be the color of the Irish, but deep mahogany is the color of this four-legged beauty. The Irish Setter was recognized by the AKC in 1878 and is part of the Sporting Group. Irish Setters have rollicking personalities and require a good amount of exercise to satisfy their breed instincts; they are tough and tireless field retrievers. They are also loving companion dogs who enjoy the company of children. It takes about three years for this breed to fully mature into adulthood, so if you're considering bringing an Irish Setter into your home, you should be prepared for an active, fun-loving dog.
For more information visit the Irish Setter Club of America at: www.irishsetterclub.org

Irish Terrier—This breed was featured in the 2007 movie "Firehouse Dog," where it was cast as a canine hero. Not surprising, considering that Irish Terriers were used to transport messages between troops on the front lines in World War I. Their bravery and spirit make them incomparable pals, and they possess great tenacity. Loyal and friendly, Irish Terriers hardily adapt to any situation, and they are deeply committed to their owners. Irish Terriers served as longtime mascots for the Notre Dame Football team, providing halftime entertainment for adoring crowds. The Irish Terrier was first recognized by the AKC in 1885.
For more information visit the Irish Terrier Club of America at: www.itca.info

Irish Water Spaniel—This breed has been referred to as the "Shannon Spaniel," the "Whip-Tail Spaniel," and the "Rat-Tail Spaniel." Distinguishing characteristics are a topknot of long, loose curls and a body covered with a dense, crisply curled liver colored coat, contrasted by a smooth face and a smooth "rat" tail. First recognized in 1878 by the AKC, this ancient breed is a natural water dog. Irish Water Spaniels are devoted to their family and cautious around strangers. They are impressive dogs and possess an endurance quality which makes them equally agile in the water and in the field.
For more information visit the Irish Water Spaniel Club of America at: clubs.akc.org/iwsc/

Irish Wolfhound—While Irish literature refers to this ancient breed in many ways, including "Big Dogs of Ireland," Irish Wolfhounds were documented in Rome in the year 391 A.D., where they were presented to the Roman Counsel as gifts, which "all Rome viewed with wonder." No wonder-- they are the largest and tallest of the galloping hounds. Males should be a minimum of 32" tall and weigh 120 pounds; females should be a minimum of 30" tall and weigh 105 pounds. This is a swift breed which hunts by sight, and needs an ample, fenced in yard to accommodate its full gallop. As in early times, Irish Wolfhounds possess an extraordinary social temperament, as well as the intelligence to separate friend, family and foe.
For more information visit the Irish Wolfhound Club of America at: www.iwclubofamerica.org

Kerry Blue Terrier—The "Kerry Blue" hails from the Irish county of the same name; he had been pure-bred in that section of Ireland for more than a hundred years. Known for his superior working and hunting skills, the Kerry Blue is used for hunting small game and birds, and for retrieving from land as well as water. Size doesn't matter, for he is an unsurpassed watch dog and herder of flock. In some instances in England, he has even been used for police work. The breed was first recognized by the AKC in 1922, and came into the national spotlight when CH. Torums Scarf Michael won best in show at the 2002 AKC/Eukanuba National Championship.
For more information visit the United States Kerry Blue Terrier Club at: www.uskbtc.com

Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier—A truly Irish breed, the "Wheaten" has a special connection to St. Patrick's Day, having first appeared in the show ring at the Irish Kennel Club Championship on March 17, 1937. The name of this breed describes the characteristics of the coat—soft, silky, with a gentle wave, and of warm wheaten color. Underneath is a formidable dog that enjoys plenty of exercise every day. Most Wheatens are natural greeters towards people, and extremely alert in their surroundings. They are quick learners and love to travel with their owners. The Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier was first recognized by the AKC in 1973.
For more information visit the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier Club of America at: www.scwtca.org

Irish Red & White Setter--An up and coming Irish breed in America is the Irish Red & White Setter, which is currently listed in the AKC's Foundation Stock Service (FSS) and eligible to compete in AKC shows from the Miscellaneous Class. The FSS records the pedigrees of dogs applying for AKC recognition. This breed is thought to have emerged at the end of the 17th Century in Ireland, and is red and white in color, as opposed to the solid red Irish Setter.
For more information visit the Irish Red & White Setter Association at: http://www.irishredwhitesetterassociation.com/

Dog Logic

2008-03-07T07:13:00.000-08:00

The reason a dog has so many friends is that he wags his tail instead of his tongue. ~Anonymous

There is no psychiatrist in the world like a puppy licking your face.
~Ben Williams

A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself. ~Josh Billings

The average dog is a nicer person than the average person. ~Andy Rooney

Dogs love their friends & bite their enemies, quite unlike people, who are incapable of pure love and always have to mix love and hate. ~Anonymous

Anybody who doesn't know what soap tastes like never washed a dog. ~Franklin P. Jones

If your dog is fat, you aren't getting enough exercise ~Unknown

My dog is worried about the economy because Alpo is up to $3.00 a can. That's almost $21.00 in dog money. ~Joe Weinstein

Women and cats will do as they please, and men and dogs should relax and get used to the idea. ~Robert A. Heinlein

If you pick up a starving dog and make him prosperous, he will not bite you; that is the principal difference between a dog and a man. ~Mark Twain

Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole. ~Roger Caras

If you think dogs can't count, try putting three dog biscuits in your pocket and then give him only two of them. ~Phil Pastoret

Do Your Homework Before Getting A New Pet

2008-03-07T06:07:00.000-08:00

Many of us seasoned dog lovers already know the importance of doing your homework before bringing a new dog into your home. They are not only a huge emotional commitment, but a financial one as well. Do not make the mistake of seeing a certain breed and deciding you must have one of those. This is something I did years ago before we got our first weimaraner. I just knew that these were very unique-looking, beautiful gray dogs.....and I wanted one! Little did I know at the time that weimaraners are very high-energy dogs, prone to separation anxiety, needing lots of exercise, strong-willed, the list goes on and on! I absolutely adore weimies and we just adopted our second one, Cassie, but when we got our first one fourteen years ago, it would have been smart to study the breed before making the commitment....trust me!

Xin Lu over at Wisebread posted this week about things to consider when getting a pet. This post hits on many of the important things you need to look at when getting any new pet.

Tammy Grimes Is My Hero!

2008-03-05T11:53:00.000-08:00

I don't know how many of you are familiar with the following case that's been going on in Pennsylvania since September 2006. In short, Tammy Grimes, founder of Dogs Deserve Better, came to the rescue of an abused dog which was literally dying on a chain. She was arrested for coming to the rescue of that dog, named Doogie. A lot has happened since she rescued Doogie and you can read all about it below. It saddens me that animals continue to be marginalized in our court systems and that outright cruelty and abuse of animals is tolerated far too often.

Tammy gets 2 paws up for her amazing efforts and perseverance!

The Case Of Doogie

Dog Rules...

2008-03-05T11:22:00.000-08:00

Newspapers: If you have to go to the bathroom while playing in the front yard, always use the newspaper that's placed in the driveway every morning for that purpose.

Visitors: Quickly determine which guest is afraid of dogs. Charge across the room, barking loudly and leap playfully on this person. If the human falls down on the floor and starts crying, lick its face and growl gently to show your concern.

Barking: Because you are a dog, you are expected to bark. So bark--a lot. Your owners will be very happy to hear you protecting their house. Especially late at night while they are sleeping safely in their beds. There is no more secure feeling for a human than to keep waking up in the middle of the night and hearing your protective bark, bark, bark...

Licking: Always take a big drink from your water dish immediately before licking your human. Humans prefer clean tongues. Be ready to fetch your human a towel.

Holes: Rather than digging a big hole in the middle of the yard and upsetting your human, dig a lot of smaller holes all over the yard so they won't notice. If you arrange a little pile of dirt on one side of each hole, maybe they'll think it's gophers. There are never enough holes in the ground. Strive daily to do your part to help correct this problem.

Doors: The area directly in front of a door is always reserved for the family dog to sleep.

The Art of Sniffing: Humans like to be sniffed. Everywhere. It is your duty, as the family dog, to accommodate them.

Dining Etiquette: Always sit under the table at dinner, especially when there are guests, so you can clean up any food that falls on the floor. It's also a good time to practice your sniffing.

Housebreaking: Housebreaking is very important to humans, so break as much of the house as possible.

Going for Walks: Rules of the road: When out for a walk never go to the bathroom on your own lawn.

Couches: It is perfectly permissible to lie on the new couch after all your humans have gone to bed.

Playing: If you lose your footing while chasing a ball or stick, use the flower bed to absorb your fall so you don't injure yourself.

Chasing Cats: When chasing cats, make sure you never--quite--catch them. It spoils all the fun.

Chewing: Make a contribution to the fashion industry...Eat a shoe.

Meet My New Baby Girl...

2008-03-05T08:28:00.001-08:00

Alright, this new baby girl is of the canine variety, but I'm still one proud momma! We adopted Cassie on February 1st from a local weimaraner rescue group and she's just the best pooch you could ask for! We had a weimaraner for twelve years and lost him a little over a year ago to cancer....we've always known we would get another some day. Cassie is around two years old and was found wandering around Christmas with no place to call her own. She is so good-natured and just the sweetest little girl. We are so happy to have her. She's getting along famously with our german shorthair, Ridley. They are already the best of friends :)

If you're looking for a pet to join your family, I encourage you to consider adopting animals from your local shelter or a rescue group...so many amazing dogs and cats are simply looking for a place to call home.