In the third story on the theme of rescue, Dani from Helping Pets for Little Paws shares how a foster-based rescue program helps animals who would otherwise be at risk in shelters. There are many options when looking to adopt a pet. One option is to adopt from a foster based rescue group. A foster based rescue group is a typically a group of volunteers that open their home to animals that have been owner relinquished, pulled from a shelter or found as a stray. The goal of foster based ... Read more »
Blogathon 2010
The love of a dog
In the second rescue story, Kathy Powelson shares the love and lessons she has learned from her two Australian shepherds, Jazzy and Blue. I feel like I have spent my entire life searching. Searching for what, I do not know. If I knew, I may have an idea of where to look. If I knew, there might be some goal, some direction for which I knew the path to follow. But when you are lost, the paths are not visible. Not even visible enough to see any road blocks or detours. They simply, are not ... Read more »
Cinder’s Story
Over the next hour I have three stories to share, about the theme of rescue. We rescue each other. They rescue animals. We rescue them. It's funny how often a big concept manifests itself right under our nose. Joanie C. from Colorado shares how she came to realize that for her, Be the Change was taking place right in her own home with the adoption of her dog Cinder. I've read Cinder's story several times now, and it makes me misty eyed each and every time I read it. It's not that ... Read more »
Your Questions Answered: Funniest Exam Room experience (and giveaway!)
It's late and dark, so I'm going all Blair Witch on you. Your turn! It's time for another FETCHING TAGS giveaway! To enter, you can either: 1. Tell me a funny experience from your own work or 2. Ask another question for me to answer. ... Read more »
Taking the big step
As you all know, BZTAT is busily painting as we speak in service to several animal related causes. The tie between art and charity is strong- both come from the heart, so that should be no surprise. Guest poster and animal artist Sue Steiner speaks to the bond she has with her beautiful horse Ricco: Ricco is my yearling. One of the great pleasures of the past year has been to watch this amazing creature grow and develop. I had to laugh the last couple days when something ... Read more »
Biscuits by Lambchop: Where’s Lambchop?
Biscuits by Lambchop were created for "Lambchop" after he become ill because there were no treats out there that met all his special dietary needs, including many food allergies and sensitivities. In honor of this lil' guy, this scavenger hunt is titled "Where's Lambchop?" - you know, like Where's Waldo?! So find Lambchop! We've hidden this cute drawing of Lambchop on 4 webpages! (Note: THIS is not the hidden one!) Go to Biscuits by Lambcchop's Facebook page to see which ones and then post ... Read more »
The Tree of Life: memorializing a lost pet
Memorializing a pet is a regular topic of conversation here on the blog, and in this post, family therapist Laurel Lagoni from Vet Wisdom Cafe shares a great idea for one way to keep our memories of our loved pets alive: Planting a Tree In Memoriam "I'm confused about what to do now with my dog's ashes. He was cremated and I received his remains a couple of weeks ago. I don't really want to keep them, but I also don't want to scatter them around and then have nowhere that I can "visit" him. ... Read more »
Giveaway: Smiling Frog Penguin Plushie
Check out this adorable handcrafted penguin plushie from the Smiling Frog Pets! I'm not sure which is cuter, the penguin or the model. :) In order to win, just take a look at the Smiling Frog store and tell me what your second favorite item is (you still just get the penguin but window shopping is fun, right?) ... Read more »
Animal Assisted Therapy: Helping Kids Succeed
Kathie Meier shares her experience as an animal assistance volunteer in Marin county, bringing animals and kids together in that perfect synergy that you have to experience firsthand to truly understand. Pair together an undying love for dogs and the desire to help and make a difference, and you have the perfect combination for animal assisted therapy. I thought my interest was limited to visiting seniors, that is until I was introduced to the Marin Humane Society Education and SHARE ... Read more »
WE HAVE VIDEO!! Iron Chef Pawcurious is LIVE!
We now interrupt our regularly scheduled blogging to bring you the long awaited infamous CAT LITTER EATING POST. I ate cat litter. I made up recipes. I filmed it on video since Ustream wouldn't work. In hi def (ugh) I had to edit it because YouTube won't load anything over 10 minutes. It still needs more editing, but that will take several days. I even added a jingle. A JINGLE! If that isn't worth a couple bucks donation I don't know what else to do. I am too old to go for ... Read more »
All in a dog’s work
Over the next hour, I have two wonderful guest posts on the topic of Animals Helping People: first, the story of a rescue dog turned therapy dog from Petfinder. The second is the story of a volunteer who, along with her therapy dogs, has reached people with disabilities and helped children learn to read for the past 15 years. All in a Dog's Work: One Poodle mix goes from throwaway dog to therapy dog Guest blog by Joan Banks, Happy Tails editor, Petfinder.com It takes a special pooch ... Read more »
Giveaway: Speaking for Spot!
Random.org has selected lucky number FOUR! Kellee, I will get your info after the blogathon and Dr. Kay will send you the book directly! I know this is the giveaway a lot of you have been waiting for- an autographed copy of Dr. Nancy Kay's Speaking for Spot! Speaking for Spot was a labor of love for Dr. Nancy Kay, fueled by her passion to teach people how to be effective medical advocates for their four-legged best friends. With warmth, candor, and humor cultivated over 20-plus years of ... Read more »
Biscuits by Lambchop Giveaway 2 is live!
Scavenger Hunt 2 is Live! For the clues and details, check out the Biscuits by Lambchop facebook page and follow the instructions you find there. From Annette: "This is near and dear to my heart because Lambchop used to get seizures, so I know how upsetting that is and how not knowing when it will happen can be so worrisome. Bradyn will be so much safer if his family, and as he grows - he himself, would be if he had a dog that could warn them when a seizure is coming on." Truer words were ... Read more »
Late night haiku
I ate cat litter. It was gross but not too bad. Please donate money. My dog is patient. No fun during blogathon I owe him a walk. I sometimes worry This is unprofessional But then say "Oh well." Blogging: lots of work Though I'd still pick it each time Over anal glands. ... Read more »
Jennie B Goode Giveaway!
OK, I am about to film the Cat Cookery Segment that can't be streamed since the computer is being a huge pain. That means we have to fil it then upload it, so it will take a little bit. In the meantime, I have a lovely giveaway of one collar from Jennie B. Goode. So while I'm slaving away over an open bag of cat litter, feel free to peruse the site and tell me which collar you would like. Or donate to Bradyn! Or both!! ... Read more »
5 Insider Tips for Picking Pet Insurance
People ask me about pet insurance all the time. And I honestly don't always know what to tell them. From my perspective, it's fantastic: I don't have to do anything, except maybe fill out a short form, and in return I see more pets getting the care they need. People who actually have pet insurance, however, tell different stories. Some companies rival human insurance companies when it comes to red tape navigation; others reimburse pennies on the dollar spent. Still others are actually very ... Read more »
Giveaway: Clay Paws Holiday kit!
This fits in rather well with the discussion of how we honor and love our pets. Vet Wisdom Cafe has donated a Clay Paws Holiday Gift Kit for one lucky winner. To win, simply comment below and tell me about your heart pet. All About ClayPaws® Prints You’ve probably seen paw prints of animals made in clay. Did you ever wonder how to make one for yourself? Well, that’s what ClayPaws® kits are for! Each kit includes just enough specially formulated clay to make a print of almost any pet. Many ... Read more »
The heart dog post: it never goes away
It's funny how grief works, isn't it? After my grandmother died, I was devastated. But I also felt kind of numb- her illness had been going on for so long, and her suffering so great, that it was both a blessing and a terrible sadness to see her go. I was in the card section of the store looking for something to give to my grandfather. I can't figure out how a piece of paper could possibly contain a lifetime of memories, envelop what she has meant to me in a piece of cardboard that I then ... Read more »
