Snotface & Twiggy

Thankful Thursday on a Friday: Learn to Respect Dogs

So, it's not Thursday. It's Friday. But, I'm thankful none the less. Thankful for all the people out there who actually understand dogs, their language, how to interpret it and teach it to others.

NEWSFLASH! Dogs don't speak human!!! Yes, we can train them to do tricks and follow basic commands, but that does not mean they understand us. Dogs speak dog. And, like humans, not all dogs are fond of things like dog on dog playtime, hyper individuals, lots of mammals in one place at one time who all seem to want attention. As humans we can choose to avoid these situations, or pop some sort of pill that makes handling them better (no offense to anyone who requires this, it's simply a fact that we have options). 

Dogs don't have some of these liberties. Even the pill popping is not the same for them as it is for us. Twiggy has/had separation anxiety. We've tried the pill popping for her. It has mixed results. They just don't respond the same each time - at least in my experience.

So, today, I thank every last one of you who understands dog language. Who takes the time to assess

Wordless Wednesday #75: Just Hanging

National Dog Day...was Yesterday!

Twiggy and Onyx are a bit upset with me for not posting on National Dog Day. Afterall, it's THE most important day of the year! Even though I didn't acknowledge it yesterday we had some fun with the dogs, kinda like any other day!

We hope you enjoyed National Dog Day and maybe did a few things from this list to celebrate!

Help Us Help Animals: Feed the Need

As someone who loves to feed animals, in whatever way I can, I wanted to bring your attention to the latest Facebook campaign launched by Natural Balance. They are teaming up with Angels in Fur Dog Rescue to donate one pound of food for each new "Like" on the Natural Balance Facebook page. That means one click for you and one pound of food for a pet in dire need of that food. Simple.

Since 2006, Angels in Fur has rescued and rehomed approximately 1,000 abandoned dogs from the pound or neglectful owners, many needing orthopedic surgery and months of rehabilitation. The campaign runs through August 31, 2012 and will donate up to 5,000 pounds of food to Angels in Fur. "Everyone here is so beyond happy and our hearts have all been touched by the support of Natural Balance," says Rachelle Lynn, the founder of Angels in Fur. "We're a non-profit organization that is solely supported by donations so we truly appreciate every Like received for this campaign!" 

What can you do?

Thankful Thursday: Summer's End

Yes, it's true. I'm looking forward to the end of summer. This summer in CO has been particularly hot and dry and I'm hopeful Fall will bring cooler weather and maybe some moisture. Fall happens to be my favorite season. I love the weather, the smell, the changing trees and the crisp coolness that follows the summer heat. I think Twiggy and Onyx concur on this. For the most part.

The one thing Twiggy will miss is her pool. She loves that pool, but she loves it when she's hot so without the summer heat maybe she won't miss it so much. Onyx isn't much of a water dog, so he couldn't care less.

Today I am thankful for summer's end and I would like to share this 1 minute slideshow of Twiggy and Onyx after a long walk. This is how they relax - mostly! Enjoy!

Wordless Wednesday #74: Sweet Dreams Twiggy

Greyhounds. Greyhounds. Greyhounds.

I think Twiggy is feeling a little left out lately. I've been so focused on Dre and the Anti-BSL campaign that Twiggy hasn't received much focus. Today I would like to focus on Greyhounds. 

Greyhounds are counting on us to fight the battle to put an end to the racing life that the majority of them are raised in. I can't say that I've ever met a person who races a Greyhound, but I can say I've never heard stories about how well Greyhounds who endure a track life are treated. Nope. I hear about the stats of Greyhounds that get injured and are discarded, about Greyhounds literally disappearing with no trace, about being made to live in a kennel without much human interaction (meaning love and comfort) and other horrific stories about Greyhounds and their plight to exit the racing world.

Organizations like Grey2K USA have succeeded in bringing much light to Greyhounds and the conditions they are forced to endure at tracks. They have led the march to shut down dog racing in several states and they are still fighting to get it shut down everywhere. Colorado shut down its racing back in 2008 and an interesting thing happened. We ran out of Greyhounds to adopt out. Don't get me wrong, this a good problem to have. It allowed Non-profits like Colorado Greyhound Adoption to bring in Greyhounds from other states and get them adopted here. 

States that still have Greyhound racing:

One Win For Dre!!

I sat in the court room today listening to the emergency motion to have Dre moved to a different shelter and I was hopeful. I'm happy to report that hope was not unfounded. Dre has been released from Brighton Animal Control and has been placed in an undisclosed rescue/shelter! He will get the proper food, care for his ears, Vet care in general, his baths with his special shampoo for his skin and some actual outside time and attention. The next court date has been moved to August 28th and Dre will remain at the rescue/shelter for the remainder of the trial, but he will be cared for as he should be that entire time! 

This does NOT mean that Dre's fight is over. This doesn't change the case or the allegations at all. It just means Dre will be happier while his family fights for his freedom. And fight they will! Free Dre!!

It's Black Cat Appreciation Day - Blog Hop Around With Us!

Twiggy and Onyx are not black cats, obviously - although Twiggy often exhibits many cat like behaviors. But, they both love their kitteh friends! Onyx is completely taken by cats. Our resident cat from the BlogPaws office, Pandora, crossed over to the Rainbow Bridge just two weeks ago today. She ruled the roost around the house. Onyx would follow her around, wagging his tail as fast as it would go, hoping that she might give him the time of day. All she ever gave him was a "keep your distance" look, but he didn't care. He loved her and wanted to be near her whenever he could. He did try to get her to play a few times, which always made us laugh!

Today, August 17th, is Black Cat Appreciation Day. In honor of this day I would like to remember my very first cat. I actually have very few memories of him because I was so young when we had him. His name was Merlin and he was a black cat. My memory is that when I was about 4 or 5 Merlin was let out of the house and never came home. I think he tried to come back and wasn't let in for some reason, and then we never saw him again. I've actually never asked the details behind his disappearnce because I like to tell myself he was taken in by another family and loved the rest of his life. I just remember that I loved Merlin. He was my first experience with a pet and he opened a part of my heart that only pets can fill. 

Wordless Wednesday #73: Kitteh Friends Relaxing