Snoopy's One Year Anniversary

It was one year ago (Thanksgiving 2008) that I brought Snoopy home from the Aiken SPCA to join my family .... Snoopy had been at the Aiken SPCA since January 08, I started walking her in April 08. No one else would walk her, she was terrified of a collar, so I got a step in harness. She was terrified of everyone, snapped and cowered, but I worked with her for months ... on my lunch hour twice a week ... and she started coming around ... reading a post I made back in the summer 08 I said 'she was scared to come out of her crate. She has issues with her neck,cant stand a collar, was terrified and wouldnt even walk on leash (just lay there and whined) or let anyone touch her . I have worked
with her 2 days a week on my lunch hour ever since, she now will allow you to pet her, I bought a stepin harness and she will walk nicely on leash, has a good recall, I taught her sit, down, am working on stay. She loves to play fetch and SWIM (in the wading pool). She has come SO far, with the minimal work I've done with her. This is a VERY smart
girl, and very sweet and affectionate if you treat her with respect and kindness. She is still terrified of a crate, and riding in a car, and I'm unable to get her to adoption events successfully.'   I posted her story, tried very hard to find her a home, to no avail ... she was losing weight and I decided to bring her home. She has done beautifully ... she rides in the car with delight, plays with the other dogs, is crate trained (and loves it), is generally a wonderful addition to the pack. I wish I could bring home ALL the Snoopys, but, 4 is enough...

Here's a recent picture of Snoopy

Happy Thanksgiving!

I am thankful for my health, my husband, my four wonderful dogs, my cat, my job, my friends, and the 'mission' given to me by St. Francis when he sent DB and Banshee to me (abandoned under my toolshed in July 2006) which has led me to a wonderful new world of animal rescue and the kind caring people who are 'dog people'.

"Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter " - Martin Luther King, Jr.

Some things that matter ... Noah's Ark Rescue, which provides medical care and treatment for abused and injured animals. All God's Creatures, a wonderful small rescue in Johnston SC. Aiken SPCA, an excellent 'no kill' shelter in Aiken which has allowed me to volunteer in pet therapy to local nursing homes and walking the shelter dogs. The Grey Muzzle Organization, which I joined as an ambassador, to spread the word about helping senior dogs.... and so many more.

Thank you, Lord, for giving me these opportunities! May I be worthy of your faith in me.

Pet therapy at Harbor Chase Tues 24th

I took Banshee with me to CSN meeting (She stayed in car during meeting) then to new pet therapy venue at Harbor Chase (former Eden Gardens). 5 dogs today! Went very well, we had a 'guide' who took us to residents' rooms (the assisted living wings) and then to the Alzheimers Wing... watching a 'light' come on in these residents' eyes when they touch a dog is, well, awe inspiring. Banshee does so well on these outings, I am so proud of her. Afterwards we went to PetSmart to buy food, met a nice young woman and her goldendoodle pup, (Banshee kept rolling her eyes at me 'gee, mom, this pup is a BIT much' ) then did errands and finally went home. Banshee is a great 'passenger', she curls up and sleeps, wakes up when we stop but politely waits to be invited to 'disembark'.

Should we get the kids a puppy for Christmas?

Wonderful 4 part article by Cricket Mara of The Pawsitive Dog; print it out and share with your local rescues and pet stores!

Should we get the kids a puppy for Christmas?

Choosing a puppy, Do's and Don'ts

Preparing for a new puppy

Bringing home a puppy, Tips for success

Pet Soup projects in GA and SC

As the economy worsens, many pets are being surrendered to shelters because the owner can no longer afford to feed them ... there is a growing movement to provide pet food so low income folks, particularly the elderly, can keep their pets in their homes ....Here's a pet food distribution project in Columbia SC, distribution day is Friday, they need volunteers! Pet Soup

Here's another in rural Georgia Daffy's Pet Soup Kitchen

If you know low income folks who could benefit from this, refer them ... if you have time to volunteer, volunteer .... if you have a few extra bucks, donate ... if you're really ambitious, start a local Pet Soup project!

Remember, there but for the grace of God go I ....

Here's a link to a nationwide database, by state of organizations that offer pet food assistance
Pet Assistance Network

Quotes ....

"The bottom line is that as long as people believe that killing homeless pets is one of those “necessary evils” that can never be stopped, then it will never be stopped.~ Michael Mountain

" The time will come when men such as I will look upon the murder of animals as now they look upon the murder of men. " - Leonardo Da vinci

"The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated." - Mahatma Gandhi

Pet therapy day for Banshee

Today was Banshee's day for pet therapy at a nursing home. Small turnout (only 3 other dogs), she enjoyed herself as usual (particularly the nurse who gives out treats and the resident who gives awesome back scratches)... unfortunately, the senior residence we usually visit next had cancelled. And it was such a gorgeous day, maybe some of the residents who don;t normally venture outside would have come out. Oh, well. I've thought of a new answer to give folks who ask 'what kind of dog is she?' ... a racoon mix:-)