Category Archives: furry heroes

Back in black

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That’s right… I’m starting you off with an AC/DC reference before the holiday weekend.  Originally, I was thinking that this post might have a Columbus Day theme, but it was not to be…Instead, our focus today is on the one of the less adoptable groups in the pet world – black dogs and cats.  Today (thanks to our friend Lily Danel) I saw a great article about how one shelter is attempting to help black cats overcome their undeserved reputation as bearers of bad luck.  The Loudoun County Animal Shelter in Virginia is hosting Black Cat Weekend on October 16th and 17th (all black cats adopted from the shelter will be spayed/neutered for free).

In honor of this great idea, I dedicate this post to all of the less adoptable black pets out there:

  1. As always, your punny pet name for the week: Blackeared the Pirate.
  2. Pawcurious has the right idea: Black is the New Black.
  3. I know it’s No Frown Friday, but I promised nothing with regard to tears. Check out this moving video about black dog syndrome via Of Cows’ Tails and Chew Toys.
  4. Here are a few lighthearted reasons to adopt a black dog or cat.
  5. Check out the crew over at Life with 5 Dogs… how could anyone pass up cute dogs like these?

Growing up, I had four dogs that would qualify for the black dog club – a German Shepherd (Shadow), a mutt named Pedro, and two Flat-Coated Retrievers (Sparkle and Bourbon).  Here are a few photos of my loves:

Shadow
Pedro

 

Sparkle & Bourbon (during their puppyhood)

Fun fact: while looking for photos for this post, I dug out one of my old photo albums.  When I put the album together (maybe 10 years ago), I apparently decided to ditch any chronological order and organized it by dog photos first, then family. I couldn’t stop laughing.  (To any family reading this post… no offense!)

If you or someone you know is looking for a pet, make sure you don’t overlook the black dogs and cats out there.  (Adopt a less adoptable pet… all the cool kids are doing it.)  Visit the Black Dog Rescue Project, Start Seeing Black Dogs and http://www.blackpearldogs.com/ to learn about other ways to help.  Don’t worry – we didn’t forget about the kitties!  Check out Black Cat Rescue and read about helping black cats here.

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Through a Dog’s Eyes

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Ugh. Yesterday, I had to take a sick day.  It was absolutely zero fun.  The one bright spot was getting to catch up on my DVR.

One of the programs I watched was called Through a Dog’s Eyes.  It’s a wonderful documentary that aired on PBS in April (and again in September), and it follows a group of people as they visit Canine Assistants to meet their service dogs for the first time.  Canine Assistants is a group that breeds, trains, and places service dogs with people who have physical disabilities, seizure disorders, and other needs.  (Canine Assistants provides the dogs free to the recipients through donations and sponsorships.)  The stories of the recipients are moving and interesting – and it gives a whole new perspective on the human-canine bond.

Here’s a preview for the show – if you missed it on PBS, you can watch the entire program on the PBS website.  (Bonus: it’s narrated by Neil Patrick Harris.)

Learn more, after the jump.


PBS has a wealth of useful information and great links on its page dedicated to the program. (There are even outtakes, training tips and a section simply called “More Puppies” – talk about knowing your audience.)

The founding of Canine Assistants is a great story.  Jennifer Arnold was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis at the age of sixteen.  Jennifer’s father suggested she get a service dog.  An organization denied her application, which provided the inspiration for Jennifer to found Canine Assistants.  (The organization is truly a family affair.)

Jennifer’s training philosophy is also a great one – it’s based on the idea that the dogs want to please their people, and it’s about positive reinforcement rather than domination.  (I’m sure our friends at Never Shock a Puppy would approve.)  The program also briefly touches upon the science behind the dog-human bond.  (Through the PBS site, I found a link to the Family Dog Project, which is dedicated to researching this bond.  Interesting stuff.)

Paw Nation is doing a series of posts about another recipient who is getting a dog from Canine Assistants.  The first post appeared earlier this month – I’m looking forward to reading more.  (You can also read an interview with the After-care Coordinator for Canine Assistants.)

If you’d like to learn more about Canine Assistants, visit them here.  I’m also considering picking up Jennifer’s book (also called Through a Dog’s Eyes)… after the documentary, I’m sure it will be good!

Have you seen the documentary?  What did you think?

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Adopt a Less Adoptable Pet Week

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It’s Adopt a Less Adoptable Pet Week.  This week (through September 25), Petfinder and others are raising awareness about the many deserving pets who may be overlooked by potential adopters.

There are many factors that can contribute to that “less adoptable”
label – including age, special needs, or breed (such as pit bulls). 
Some of the factors are less obvious – for example, did you know that black dogs are less likely to be adopted?  I know!  I don’t get it either.

BlogPaws has challenged bloggers to post about a less adoptable pet this week – and a group of sponsors have offered to donate money for each post.  Those donations will be given to Blind Cat Rescue and the Grey Muzzle Foundation.  Pretty cool, huh?

So, how do you participate?  Go to Petfinder’s list of less adoptable pets.  Choose one (you have the option to search for pets near you – see the instructions in the sidebar on that page).  Then write a post and add your post to this list.  (For bonus points, share it on Facebook and Twitter too!  For Twitter, use the hashtags #BetheChange and #ALAPW.)
 

So… now that the intro is out of the way, I’d like to introduce you to Skye the Dachshund.  This little guy is approximately 2 to 4 years old.  He was found dragging himself down a road in North Carolina and ended up in a shelter.  A shelter worker tried to find a rescue to take him – now he’s with Dachshund Rescue of  North America in Virginia.  DRNA isn’t sure what caused the injury to Skye’s back legs.  He was not a candidate for surgery by the time DRNA got involved.  However, he was quite the speed demon after he got a customized cart, and now he’s walking and running!  Maybe this speed racer will roll (or run) right into your home and heart?  For more info on Skye, please visit his Petfinder listing.  You can see more videos and photos of Skye here.

Now it’s your turn… spread the word for a less adoptable pet.  Your post may help someone find the dog they didn’t even realize they were searching for.  After all, less adoptable pets rule!

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OK Dog

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I liked OK Go after that awesome treadmill video.  After watching the video below, I love them:



(via Best Week Ever)

Most of these doggie superstars are rescues, and the message at the end of the video encourages viewers to support the ASPCA.  You can even donate to animal rescue through OK Go’s website.

Apparently OK Go is on Leno tonight… I don’t usually watch, but I may make an exception this one time…

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Remembering

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I wanted to share this great video with you from The Dog Files.  (Have your tissues handy.)  No wordy intro from me today… this video speaks for itself:

If you’d like to read more, The Thundering Herd has also posted some info about heroic 9/11 dogs.  You can also read an account from 2001 about some of the dogs working at the Pentagon.

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Don’t judge a dog by its cover – Part II

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Last week, I shared an article I’d read in Parade magazine regarding the progress of the dogs rescued from Michael Vick’s dogfighting ring.  At that time, I told you a little about the two main rescue groups that took in the dogs (Best Friends Animal Society and BAD RAP).

Now I have an update to share with you… Best Friends Animal Society just released a video providing additional updates on the “Vicktory Dogs,” as the dogs are known at BFAS.  Check it out below:

(via Best Friends Animal Society)

It warms my heart to see them doing well.  (If you didn’t see my post last week, please check it out for more info.)  Until next time…

 

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Don’t judge a dog by its cover

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“He wasn’t a bad dog – he simply didn’t know any better;
he’d never lived in a house.”
from “Can You Teach a Bad Dog New Tricks” by Jim Gorant

A friend suggested I check out an article in this past weekend’s issue of Parade magazine.  So I rifled through my newspaper (I’m still old school on Sundays) and pulled out the insert.  Staring at me from the cover? An adorable dog.  A pit bull, to be exact.  After reading this article, I knew I had to share it with you.

The title of the article is “Can You Teach a Bad Dog New Tricks?”  The “bad dogs” in question are Michael Vick’s pit bulls.  (I think it goes without saying how very, very terrible he is… but we’re focusing on the dogs here, so I’ll save that angry rant for another time.)

We’ve all heard about what happened to Michael Vick after his dogfighting ways were discovered.  But what about the dogs?  Find out more after the jump…

Continue reading →

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Play it cool… real cool…

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Hope you had a wonderful weekend!  I have a few interesting items to share with you this morning, including two great causes and a big thank you to some pet blogging pals.

First, I’d like to highlight this week’s cause at Be the Change for Animals – saving dogs from hot cars.  Last month, I wrote a post about this topic after reading a tragic story about a careless owner and a very unlucky dog.  The title of the post should give you a clue about my feelings on the subject:  Horrible woman does terrible thing… and now I’m angry.I encourage you to check out the ways you can help on the Be the Change for Animals site.  You can also find more information at My Dog is Cool.  It’s important to know the facts, as well as what you should do if you see an animal in distress.

Next, check out Bocci’s Beefs for some information about International Homeless Animals Day, which takes place Saturday, August 21.  The goal is to raise awareness about pet overpopulation.  Personally, I take Bob Barker’s daily advice to heart (I loved the Price is Right as a kid), and always have my pets spayed or neutered.  It’s the responsible thing to do.  Bocci has taken the lead in organizing something among the pet blogging community, and is asking for suggestions regarding how we can help our local shelters and rescue groups.  Swing by and check out the discussion (or add some ideas of your own).

Finally, I want to say thank you to House of Carnivores and Arwen’s Pack for giving us another awesome award – I really appreciate it!  Apparently we are in a mutual appreciation society – I just gave an award to both of them as well.  Thanks again to you both.

This time, I’ll just encourage you to check out my two earlier posts (here and here) passing on awards and highlighting some fun new blogs.  And, as always, I encourage you to check out my blog list at right… I have linked to many fantastic pet blogs in the Puppy Love category for your reading pleasure.

Until next time, fellow pup enthusiasts…

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