Letting Sleeping Dogs Lie as I type

Well, it's quite a rainy and cold day today and as I sit here and type, my pack is asleep and snoring away like they have just worked a double shift. (More like they just made ME work a double shift, actually!). This morning two of my permanent canine residents went to the vet for their annual check up and to get their shots updated. Two of the most rambunctious members, I might add.

Doug (left picture) and Gertie (in her babuska on the right).

Gertie was friendly with the vet techs and the vet (she's always friendly with new people and animals); but Doug -- not so much. A little disappointing since he is a sensitive and gentle soul and I really wanted him to feel happy and safe visiting the vet this time, but his reaction was not altogether surprising. When he's fearful, he tends to act out a bit, getting barky and snarly. (Part of the reason why he became a foster failure and my 4th permanent dog). So we had to put a muzzle on him, to be on the safe side. He has never been muzzled before so he was pretty upset with me for doing it.

Once Doc was done examining him, giving him his updated distemper shot and taking blood for his annual heartworm test, we took the muzzle off. When Doc gave him a dog cookie, greed overtook fear and he took it and hungrily ate it, in spite of the fact that he as still eyeing doc with that "I'm-not-so-happy-with-you" look and the slightly chattery teeth. As we got ready to leave and I was paying the bill, however, he was back to his "happy as a clam" self and ready to join Gertie in dragging me through the parking lot to the car like a couple of championship mushers headed for the finish line.

So, thankfully, he was not permanently scarred by his traumatic visit to the vet, and he got a clean bill of health (although he has gotten rather fat, and will need to go on a bit of a diet to regain his boyish figure!). And I now know I will have to work a little more with him in the socialization department so that by next year he will be happy to go see the vet....or at least not so fearful.

A really good site for people who have fearful or shy dogs is (appropriately named) "Fearful Dogs" at www.fearfuldogs.com

Check it out. There is a lot of helpful and interesting information that will help you to understand your pup and its foibles.

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Our Chance at Rescue

We have made some significant changes over the past few months. We are no longer affiliated with any one rescue, but, instead, are broadening our vision to include any legitimate rescue effort where we can.

We are hoping to be up and running as soon as possible, so feel free to stop by from time to time.

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Hello!

Well, it's been quite some time since we have had the opportunity to blog and here we are now about to enter the Autumn of 2009!

The summer was a little slow with intakes and adoptions but long on work to get done. If not caring for our current fosters, it was attending rescue functions like L'oreal's "Your Dog is Worth it, Too", day. It was hot as blazes that day, but we met many nice people and had an opportunity to show some of our All Star Pets to people looking to adopt their furever friend. (In the photo above is our Little Man Jake who was enjoying a swim in one of the many pools provided for the pooches on "Your Dog is Worth it Too" day! He absolutely took to the water like a little fish!)

We had a couple of fundraisers at local Restaurants and were able to raise a nice little bit of cash to defray some of our vet and food expenses. We are now looking forward to a few more fundraisers - one at Wendy's of Linden at 709 S Wood Avenue (right off Rt. 1 & 9), on Sept. 24th between 5pm - 8pm. We will get 20% of the proceeds.

Also, we will be doing a fundraiser with Macy's for a 20% off coupon on Oct. 17th. The coupons cost $5 each and you can use them for your shopping that day.

For information on the Wendy's Fund Raiser or the Macy Fund raiser and/or on obtaining tickets, please contact Val at "vegan_girly@yahoo.com".

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Because Your Dog is Worth it, Too!

We are reprinting an older post to remind everyone that L'Oreal's 6th annual "Because Your Dog is Worth it, Too" Day is fast approaching on Saturday, August 15, 2009 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. It will be located on the grounds of their facility in Cranbury, NJ.

There will be many activities to enjoy with your pooches, many great rescue groups to visit with, and many vendors to visit while supporting Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure of Central and South Jersey. To date, this event has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars to help fight breast cancer. For 2009, they are preparing to organize new events, refine well-loved features, register guests and welcome supporters.

Please note that our friends from Companion Critters will be holding a microchip clinic as well. Here is the link to their website for more information:

>http://www.critters.petfinder.org/

And the link to L'Oreal's "Because Your Dog is Worth it, Too" website for information about the day as well as directions:

>http://www.yourdogisworthittoo.com/

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Pit Bull-palooza - June 7, 2009!!

Hear yee, hear yee!

All pit bull moms/dads and/or lovers of pit bulls!!!

Come join us for a fun time at the Pit Bull-palooza!

When: Sunday, June 7th, 2009

Time: from 11am - 3pm

Where: Nomahegan Park, Springfield Avenue, Cranford NJ

Features:

*Vendors (rescue, educational, dog-related items)
CGC testing
"Ask the Trainer"
Mini-Lecture & Q andA period on the breed
DJ playing a modern array of tunes
Plenty of informative material on Pit Bulls
Raffle
Weight pull demo

The Pit Bull Hoax

The Pit Bull Hoax is an educational DVD. Its intended purpose is to remove existing Breed Specific Legislation (BSL) from the law books and prevent any cities, counties and states from enacting BSL.

As of 2009, 41 states have BSL or are considering it in its legislature. Additionally, various insurance companies, housing authorities and other groups have a list of "dangerous dogs" that totals 75 breeds.

Featuring interviews with: Dr. Nicholas Dodman, Jean Donaldson, Dr Ian Dunbar, Diane Jessup and Jane Berkey.

Copies of The Pit Bull Hoax DVD are offered free of charge to legislators, media and anyone who is attempting to educate people as to why BSL is not effective in reducing dog bites or human fatalities related to dog bites.

To order your copy, please click on this link. You will be directed to the website of Pit Bull Guru and will be able to place your order:

http://www.pitbullguru.com/hoax.html

This is a wonderful testament to the fine character of a much maligned breed. Get your copy of this DVD and watch it and pass it along to help educate others. Please help us to help them.