150 Dogs Up For Adoption

It's hard to imagine 200 dogs in one location. Yet that is how many were taken from a puppy mill in Missouri. Of the 200, 150 are up for adoption. While many are pure bred, it's also true that many of these have lived their entire lives in cages and are not even house broken. If your heart is set on a pure bred and there is nothing wrong with that. Make sure the breeder is reputable and don't ever knowingly buy from a mill.

Many Languages

Arabic...أحب بلادي الكلب
Dutch...Ik hou van mijn hond
French...J'aime mon chien
Greek...Λατρεύω τον σκύλο μου
German...Ich liebe meinen Hund
Hebrew...אני אוהב את הכלב שלי
Italian...Amo il mio cane
Japanese...私は自分の犬の愛
Portuguese...Eu amo meu cachorro
Russian...Я люблю свою собаку
Spanish...Yo amo a mi perro
Swedish...Jag älskar min hund

English... I LOVE MY DOG

War Hero Remembered

During World War II a stray named Rip was credited with saving more than 100 bombing victims- locating them amid the rubble. After himself being rescued from starvation, Rip, a terrier mix, began searching bombed out buildings and locating victims. He won a Dickin Medal- a British medal of bravery given to animals. His medal was recently auctioned and fetched over $14,000.

Dogs have often served with man during times of war- during WWI and II carrying supplies and medical aid. During ancient times dogs were bred to fight.

Long Distance Adoption

According to NBC News Connecticut, 45 street dogs were flown in from Puerto Rico overnight to the SPCA in Stamford, CT. They will be available for adoption this weekend. This is a great example of doing whatever it takes to get these dogs adopted rather than the alternative. To view the story follow the link below.

http://www.nbcconnecticut.com/news/local/Street_Dogs_Arrive_in_Connecticut_Hartford.html

Or got to the CT SPCA site www.spcact.org for more information.

Money Matters

The current economic times are tough; more so with six dogs. One of the highest recurring expenses we have is the monthly flea and tic treatment. We use Frontline Plus and have been buying it from our vet. While our vet does have a good competitive price I spent last night comparing prices on the internet.

I chose to look at one product, Frontline Plus Blue (23-44 pound), 3 month supply. I would have thought the prices for the exact same product would be very close. In fact the price ranged from $22.99 to $53.99.

The $22.99 price as of today is from: Thriftyvet.com. Shipping to my house in CT is $4.00. A very close second is $25.00 from: Vetmedsforpets.com. Shipping for orders over $40.00 is free making this actually cheaper.

Over 30 on-line sites were searched. Don't just go to the first ones that pop up on your search and don't believe it when it says, Cheapest or Best price. There are likely better if you look.

Check back for more price checks.

Animals Amaze Me

A Break From Tradition

Each week on ABC News with Charles Gibson they have a "Person of the Week" feature that runs on Fridays. This past Friday the Persons of the Week were about the people who created and support the Wish Upon A Hero site. The idea was born from wanting to support charities but not knowing where the money went and the desire to support individuals as well. Here people post their wants and needs and others may elect to grant a particular wish.

It's a great idea. The ABC news story highlights the success. Its even more powerful in today's tough times. Please check it out.
www.wishuponahero.com

Thanks

Penny -The Grand Dog

If our daughter and her boyfriend have a dog, doesn't that make her our Granddog? I think so even though I am too young for a grand anything...

Penny is a dynamo. She has many of the qualities of other Grandchildren. She comes over when we say and leaves when we are done. She is a great dog and is one of the few dogs that our terminally shy dog Sissy will play with. And she's cute too.

Lyme

You've previously been introduced to Hobo. He is one of our older dogs. Having older dogs we realize that every new day is a gift. One day I noticed that Hobo could barely get up our one step into the back door. It got to the point where I helped him up and down so he could go to the bathroom. That evening things just seemed worse. I was sure that we were nearing the end of our time together. I held and petted him while we called the vet.

We got into the vet first thing the next morning. All sorts of tests were done including blood work to test for Lyme disease. The good news is that it was Lyme and Hobo responded immediately to his prescribed drugs. All the dogs are treated monthly with flea and tic protection. But if a tic gets in and is infected with Lyme..

If your dog suddenly gets limp, comes up lame, seems suddenly old, has sudden joint pain consider Lyme and get your dog tested. The fact that you don't see a tic is no guarantee- get them tested. Deer tics are small and in long haired dogs nearly invisible.

Off to the Park

Saturday March 7th. Great weather. Well almost. A huge thaw and the local dog park was a HUGE mud pit. Not that any of the dogs were complaining. Sunday the 8th. Rather than return back to the pit and the subsequent required bath I opted to go for a walk at a regular (non-dog) park.

What a great day and the park was packed. So many great dog intros- they love it. Met several people who were new with dogs, new to introducing dogs to other dogs and kids and people. I asked several if they had ever been to the local dog park- none had. One went so far as to say she was afraid there would be pit bulls there. I assured here there would and labs and retrievers and shepherds etc. For the most part people who go to dog parks, are responsible owners, who have socialized theirs dogs. My experience is that the dog park is a 97% positive experience. Would enjoy hearing from others about their dog park experiences.

Why, Jack?

I've been asked why I posted such an ugly photo of Jack. Here is another photo. Sometimes you just have to work with what you have.