Snotface & Twiggy

Thankful Thursday: @WildTngFoxyLady #SecretSanta

Secret Santa's are most fun when you truly have no idea who is buying you a gift, and I got to experience that for the first time in a long time this year.

I actually don't even quite remember how I found out about the Furry Friends Secret Santa. I'm pretty sure it was during the big Surprise #BlogPawty. It was definitely during a Twitter pawty. I got a tweet from @ff_secretsanta letting me know about the event and inviting me to find out more. I did just that and a handful of other anipals did too.

It was fun and I think more anipals should participate next year. We gave our Twitter handles and we could even provide a little list of things on our wish list and/or things to avoid. For me it was anything made in China. No China for us please. We ended up with treats, toys and handmade bandanas - pawesome!!

The Santa Paws Drive Is In Full Swing

I believe in Santa Paws. Do you?

I'm also thankful for the Santa Paws Drive and all the elves that make it happen!

The Santa Paws drive is a cause that "is dedicated to helping shelter animals have a happy holiday season! These furry friends are often overlooked during the holidays, and it is our goal to make sure they get the love, attention and gifts that other pets are lucky enough to get." 

Thankful Thursday: Dre Settles Back into Family Life

I know it's not Thursday, but this is something I'm thankful for, so this is Thankful Thursday on a Friday!

One month ago today we were all celebrating Dre's release to his family. After 49 days of being retained, 25 of them in the small kennel at the Brighton Animal Shelter, Dre got to feel the welcoming love of ALL of his family. He got to smell the familiar scents of his home and his brother, Machomoto. He got to run in his backyard and play with his toys. He got to go home.

Today, I am thankful that the Judge on the case supported Dre's release and put him where he belongs, with his family. And while there are stipulations to his release that the family must follow, they have him in their arms and they won't be letting go!

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

Thankful Thursday: Governor Deval Patrick Changes Animal Laws For The Better!

It's about time something positive happened to benefit animals with the law. So much has been circulating lately about victims of BSL and breed discrimination and animal abuse and neglect, it was refreshing to hear that Governor Deval Patrick of Massachusetts singed into law Bill S.2192 today. This bill is going to benefit every pet in Massachusetts and is a huge step for Anti-BSL activists. (Like me.) And if you haven't heard the asinine spewing of Congressman Steve King regarding his pro dog fighting stance, you can get caught up on that over on Blog Four Paws. But, for now, let's stay on the positive focus!

Some bullet points of MA Bill S.2192:

• It actually states, "No City or Town shall regulate dogs in a manner that is specific to Breed" - It's about time! It does strengthen dangerous dog laws, WITHOUT targeting specific breeds.
• It prohibits the use of gas chambers for euthanizing dogs and cats.
• It creates a spay/neuter program designed to reduce the number of homeless animals using a voluntary tax check off.
• It includes pets in domestic violence protection orders.

Thankful Thursday: Pets Add Life

It's possible that I am addicted to my dogs. I'm spreading the word about the Pets Add Life campaign, or PAL as it's referred to, and it got me thinking about my "addiction". The whole purpose of PAL is to talk about how amazing it is being a pet parent and how it brings great things to your life and to encourage others to be pet parents. I can get on board with that! And, according to Dr. Phil I'm definitely addicted to my dogs. His 10 signs of addiction are:

1) Recurrent failure (pattern) to resist impulses. Guilty. I'm constantly faced with impulses to give my dogs treats and love and attention, and I always give in.

2) Frequently engaging in those behaviors to a greater extent or over a longer period of time than intended. Guilty again. "Oh, don't give me that look...ok, ok...here's another treat! Yes, I love you!"

3) Persistent desire or unsuccessful efforts to stop, reduce or control those behaviors. Yup. That's me. I constantly tell myself that I'm caving in to cuteness, but I always do it anyways.

4) Inordinate amount of time spent in obtaining the object of addiction and/or engaging in or recovering from the behavior. Well, I definitely go out of my way to give my dogs attention, which only makes them throw me the 'treat' eyes, which ends up with me giving them treats. However, I'm not sure I will ever recover from this action and I'm not sure I want to! 

5) Preoccupation with the behavior or preparatory activities. Since my husband tells me I like my dogs more than him due to giving them my constant attention, I believe 'preoccupation' applies to me. Hold on, Twiggy need me...be right back! :)