Happy Howl-oween!

 

Happy Howl-oween!This is Carlos, the happiest Frankenstein’s monster that we’ve ever seen. Thirteen years ago as a tiny puppy, a crying Carlos found his person during a late night snowstorm on Christmas Eve, but he has been smiling ever since. What makes Carlos smile the most? Walks, car rides, snuggling, dinner, and singing ("Happy Birthday" is his all time favorite). He shares his good times with 3 other canine buddies, a rabbit and guinea pig. Carlos is a real character and keeps his family laughing all the time!

Happy Monday!

 

Attention-loving Queno constantly has a smile on his face. Whether it’s from running along his person’s mountain bike, riding in his cargo bin with the wind in his hair or gnawing on his favorite squeeky toys, his cheery disposition rubs off on his person. “My life is forever changed because of his graciously smiling face,” beams his faithful companion. Big smiles can come in small packages!

How many of you heard of puppy mills? Do you know what they are?

Puppy Mills are where dogs are kept in cramped cages, they arent allowed to go outside, socialize with anyone and are forced to breed litter after litter so the puppies can be sold in pet stores. The dogs are treated very badly, made to sleep and stay where they relieve themselves. Once they are unable to produce litters they are killed. It's a terrible thing and it needs to be stopped. Below is a piece I found from my favorite animal sanctuary where they are working to put an end to puppy mills. Please read and spread the word!!

Putting the bite on puppy mills!

As public awareness grows regarding the cruelty inherent in puppy mills and the pressure that puppy sales place on shelters, there is a welcome trend that is putting the squeeze on commercial breeding operations from both the supply and the demand side of this rotten business. Public sentiment is turning against the mills and their pet store outlets, pointing to the inevitable end of puppy mills.
Last November, Missouri voters passed Proposition B, which put previously unimagined constraints on puppy mills in that state. Passing such a regulation in the year of the Tea Party was an indication of how animal cruelty issues cut across all party boundaries. The proposition was reversed and replaced by compromised legislation under pressure from the agriculture lobby in Missouri, but the fact remains that voters in the state that is home to more puppy mills than anywhere else in the country stood up to say no to the abuses of commercial breeders.
Likewise, a Best Friends–sponsored bill in Nevada, the puppy mill bill (Senate Bill 299), has been signed by the governor.  This impactful piece of legislation sets in place a statewide breeder permit system that includes inspections and fees, and also requires all dogs to be microchipped and vaccinated.  Breeding dogs cannot be bred under the age of 18 months and are restricted to one litter per year.
While puppy-producer states are slowly making incremental improvements in their commercial breeding standards, consumer communities are taking matters into their own hands by banning the sale of puppy mill dogs in pet stores altogether in favor of shelter and rescued pet adoptions. The 2006 ban on the sale of dogs and cats in pet stores in Albuquerque, New Mexico, has led to a huge increase in shelter pet adoptions and a decline in shelter killing. El Paso, Texas, passed an ordinance banning the sale for profit of any dog less than one year of age. To date, nine cities have passed such bans, including Austin, Texas; Lake Worth, Florida; Toronto, Canada; and most recently, Fountain, Colorado.
In Southern California, Best Friends has led peaceful protests against pet store puppy mill sales for three years, resulting in the conversion of several stores to a humane, “rescue only” model, while some of the most egregious promoters of puppy mill sales have shut their doors for good rather than switch to humane sourcing of pets.
Recently, following the public outcry against the sale of pets from high-volume breeders, the city of Los Angeles and the neighboring city of Glendale, California, have passed motions approving the drafting of ordinances that will ban the sale of mill-bred animals. Longtime friends of the animals Paul Koretz and Tony Cardenas put the L.A. motion forward (Councilman Cardenas helped launch Best Friends’ local Puppies Aren’t Products campaign in 2008 through several public appearances and press conferences).
Don’t get me wrong — we still have a long way to go — puppy mills still crank out around 4 million dogs a year, and in some communities 25 to 30 percent of shelter dogs are believed to be from commercial breeding operations. Mills are a huge problem both for the cruelty that takes place within their operations and because each puppy mill pet sold represents a home that might otherwise have adopted a shelter pet.
Still, the news and the trends are favorable. The public is waking up, and that’s what matters because public demand is what drives the very nasty business of puppy mills.
For a glimpse at a pet store in Glendale, California, that changed its business model to a humane sourcing of pets with the help of Best Friends, click here.
For more information on how you can help make a difference in your community please check out: How to Organize a Peaceful Pet Store Demonstration and join the Voices for No More Homeless Pets to receive animal legislative alerts. Check out the puppy mill initiatives from Best Friends for further inspiring stories, legislative updates and resources.

A little tid bit about what your dog feels when it is HOT out!

A little test that was done that I found on Petsit USA's page...

"Stormee used a temperature gun to help others understand what the animal feels outdoors and what the temps are on the ground the dogs pads walk on. At 4pm the drive way read 127 degrees, grass 111, and garage floor 95. She held the temp gun about "dog level", hoping this helps them understand to be careful with animals in this heat."

Please be careful with your doggies, they dont know when to stop so we have to be the ones to tell them, you need a break!!

Louie Louie oh no, me gotta go. Aye-yi-yi-yi I said Louie Louie, oh baby Me gotta go!

 

Meet Louie!!

 

 

Louie’s ecstatic expression is a result of his favorite activity, cruising down the open road in his person’s convertible, awaiting his next adventure. In fact, it was traveling from Mexico to Arizona that helped him find his #1 pal, who documents their road trips. This vibrant Miniature Poodle may be a free bird on the open road, but he also holds a job as a therapy dog. And with a smile like that, who would be surprised?

I hope Louie brings a smile to your face this Monday!!

Dogs 101 - Ever see the program?

Dogs 101 is a program that airs on Animal Planet and provides people a lot of information about breeds of dogs, their health, grooming, family friendly, easily trainable and much more. It is a great program that will help you if you are looking to adopt a dog. A lot of people will adopt a dog because of how they look and then find out that the dog doesn't quite fit into their lifestyle and then the poor dog heads off to the shelter.

A few examples of cute puppies that when grown up turn into a handful if you aren't expecting it!

Welsh Corgi - they are cute, small and look like a cuddle dog. I call them the "low riders" because they are a little longer and low to the ground. They fall into the breed category of the Herding Dogs. Did you know that these little  dogs were used to herd cattle? This breed was used back in the day and could very well still be used as herding dogs. They would nip at the cattle heels and drive them as far afield as desired. Since this was something that they did, people today bring these little guys home and wonder why they do the same thing to them! They have a bold outlook, but are kind. They are far from shy!

Jack Russell - What a cutie pie! They are a fox hunting breed. They are buoyant and intelligent, determined and relentless. They are endowed with an inability to quit and no capacity to feel fear, regardless of the odds or consequences. They are very independent and energetic and they require his due portion of attention. They can be aggressive towards other dogs. That sounds like a lot of work for such a cute face!

These are just a couple examples of dogs that are small and cute as anything but once you get the home, they are more than a couple hands full! So if you are looking for a dog to adopt, check out Dogs 101 and see what kind of dog would work for you! Too many dogs are brought home and then shortly brought to the pound because that cute face was more than people could handle. The dogs get older and are stuck in shelters not trained and then their time runs out. Do your homework before bringing your dog home and make sure that you can provide them their forever home!

Holiday and Summer Tips

Read Your Dog’s RightsCelebrate Independence Day by reflecting on your dog’s rights and freedoms. Dog Sense author John Bradshaw lends voice to our four-legged citizens with his “Bill of Rights for Dogs.” Read it—and Bradshaw’s book—for more insight into your dog’s mind

 

I haven't read Bradshaw's book yet, but a client of mine has and has good things to say about it!

 

 

Tips for Happy Trails
Looking to spend some quality time hiking with your pup? The Mountaineers Books helps you prepare for a day hike—or an even longer trek—with articles on safe and friendly interspecies hiking. Gather the essential hiking gear for you and your dog; then brush up on your  hiking trail etiquette.

 

 

 

 

Have a Safe Fourth of JulyFireworks and barbeques are fun, but they can also be hazardous to your dog’s health. The ASPCA reminds you to keep a special eye out for fire hazards and scary noises, and to watch what goes into your dog’s mouth during the Independence Day festivities.

 

 

Happy Fourth of July!!