Tag Archives: in which I get serious for a moment

Repeat after me: “Hello. May I pet your dog?”

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I happen to be a Jezebel reader. I may not always agree, but they almost always get me thinking. Today’s post is inspired by one of those thinking moments.

Recently, Jezebel published a post about the Yellow Dog Project. (Have you heard of it? It’s a pretty neat concept – for dogs that need space, owners tie a yellow ribbon around the dog’s leash or collar to signal to others that they should not approach the dog without asking. It’s as if the dog is wearing a caution sign.)

The post was actually rather complimentary about the Yellow Dog Project, but there was something about it that kind of stuck in my craw.

(As an aside, what exactly is a craw? Do I actually have one or is it just a figure of speech? Sounds like I’ve found my next Google project.)

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Even a miracle needs a hand…

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Now that Thanksgiving has come and gone, it’s okay to start posting about Christmas, right? I’m not going to lie – it’s one of my favorite times of the year.

Today, I was thinking about challenges and how sometimes wonderful things don’t just happen – that sometimes you have to help them along. (I think Bella and Tavish take this approach to meals – why wait for me to prepare dinner when you can speed things along by doing a food dance? Lucky me – dinner and a show!)

Anyway, it seems like the perfect day to share a song from one of my favorite Christmas specials. Such wise cartoons we had back in the day…

Talk about a lesson I wish I could remember all year long – whether it’s a change in my own life or something I could do to help someone else’s miracle along, it’s all about action. Just watching the world go by isn’t enough. After all, as a famous man once said, “If you wanna make the world a better place, take a look at yourself and make a change.”  I’m trying, tiny mice, I’m trying…

Also, it’s time to talk about holiday specials again – what are your favorites? You know I love any reason to stroll down Memory Lane. I should really just buy a house there.

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I’m thankful for furry faces

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I’m thankful…

  • …for having dogs in my life and for growing up in a family that taught me to love animals. For me, it’s just not a home without a furry friend.

Tavish face!

  • …that I’ve had ten years with my wonderful Bella. It’s been a fantastic decade.

Bella

  • …that Tavish joined our family this year. He and Bella have been getting along famously. One of these days, I’ll convince them to snuggle with each other. 

Tavish

  • …that I have found such a wonderful community of dog lovers. You guys rock.

Bella in a sweater

What are you thankful for today?

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Through Oct. 27, help rescue pets without leaving your chair! #BtC4A

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As you know, I think rescue rocks. (Bella and Tavish are both rescue pups, after all.)

Today, I’ve got an exciting opportunity to share with you – through October 27, you can help rescue pets just by clicking your mouse. Sounds great, right? Read on, dear friend… Continue reading →

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Sticks, stones & words: The power of language

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Words are deceptively powerful. Stringing letters together in just the right order can inspire, entertain, educate, and even wound. There’s truth in many an old adage, and I do believe that the pen (or in this case, the keyboard) is mightier than the sword.

(Wondering where I’m going with this one and why I’m posting it here? I promise that it ties back into puppies at the end. Stick with me.)

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It’s raining on my face: Pilots ‘N Paws

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Three local rescue groups in the northern Virginia area (including HART and FOHA, who you may remember from such awesome dogs as Bella and Tavish) participated in a massive Pilots ‘N Paws event on Saturday.  The event was called the “Dog is My Copilot” Rescue Flyaway, and it helped save over 300 dogs.

As part of this flyaway event, more than one hundred dogs were brought from high-kill shelters in North Carolina to groups in northern Virginia. The dogs have now been placed in foster homes and shelters with no-kill pledges. Pretty cool, huh?

I have a special video to share with you today – it’s from the Asheville Humane Society, one of the groups in North Carolina helping to send these lucky pups on their way to northern Virginia and other destinations. (Insert obligatory tissue warning here.)

Is it raining on your face too?  It just so happens to be a pretty soggy day here, so perhaps everyone will just think I was outside too long.

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Dog math: When three is not the magic number

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Yesterday, I found myself in a position I never expected. I was standing at an animal shelter surrendering a dog. How many times had I wondered how someone could do something like that? Countless. Yet… there I was.

As you may have guessed from the title of this post, our tiny herd is no longer a trio. Instead, it’s now a dynamic duo. (I will, however, still be referring to them as a tiny herd. Old habits – you know, all of two and a half weeks old – die hard.)

How did we end up here? Read on, my friend… though be warned, it’s a long one. Continue reading →

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Adorable adoptables: Uniting for dog rescue edition

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Last week, I told you about a great event happening today – Bloggers Unite for Dog Rescue. So, let’s get to uniting, shall we?

I’m always impressed with those who are dedicated to animal rescue. Local dog rescue organizations count on volunteers who help by fostering dogs in their own homes while they search for permanent placement, taking dogs to adoption events, fundraising to cover medical and boarding costs, and so much more

Many rescue groups do not have the resources to promoting their efforts on a large scale. As such, bloggers can make a big difference by spreading the word to give these unsung heroes and homeless dogs a voice.

I’ve been a bit remiss in sharing adorable adoptables lately, so I thought I would remedy that today. I’ve chosen three pups from three local rescue groups that are near and dear to my heart: Homeless Animals Rescue Team (HART), Friends of Homeless Animals (FOHA), and City Dogs Rescue (CDR).

Why these three? Well, HART is the rescue group where I found my beloved Bella. FOHA is the group I volunteer with right now (attending adoption events and helping with the Twitter account) and where the boys are from. CDR is a great group I discovered quite recently – I’ve been working with them as a volunteer blogger.

(Want to know how you can participate in this event? Among other things, you can blog for dog rescue, adopt a companion, spread the word about animal rescue, or even donate to or volunteer with a local rescue organization. Head over to Be the Change for Animals to find out more about today’s event and to read more from other bloggers participating today.)

And now, today’s adorable adoptables…

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Let’s unite for dog rescue!

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Blog the ChangeWell, another Blog the Change for Animals event is upon us. This time, however, I didn’t have to agonize over choosing a subject. Instead, I’m joining with several other bloggers to promote a great event happening on Monday, July 23.

What event might that be, you wonder? It’s called Bloggers Unite for Dog Rescue – BtC4Animals.com has partnered with Blog Catalog and Dog Rescue Success for a special online global blogging event aimed at bringing attention to dog rescues. As you may know, we recently became a three dog household, and all of our pups are rescue dogs. Accordingly, this cause is very close to my heart.

The only missing ingredient for the upcoming event? You! Join us on July 23 to draw attention to the importance of dog rescues and dog adoption. I hope you’ll spread the word about this great event. For more information about this event (including talking points for a blog post and other ways to participate), visit BtC4Animals.com.

A lot of great bloggers are participating in today’s Blog the Change event – to see what they’re all barking about, check out the list after the jump…

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