Blog the Change: Protecting people and their pets

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Blog the Change

The post below originally appeared on this blog on August 4, 2010.  While trying to choose a topic for today’s Blog the Change, I kept coming back to this issue.  Victims of domestic violence may delay leaving a dangerous situation for fear of leaving their pets behind.  The Pets and Women’s Shelters (PAWS) Program is an effort to create opportunities for victims of domestic violence and their pets to be safe and stay together.  I think it’s a really important cause, and it seemed worthy of posting again.  In addition, National PAWS Day was October 5, so it seemed like the perfect time to resurrect this post.

At the end of this post, find out how you can participate in Blog the Change (sponsored by our friends at Be the Change for Animals). You will also find links to all of the other blogs participating in Blog the Change.  I encourage you to check out these blogs – many great causes out there.  Finally, if you’re interested in reading my July entry for Blog the Change, check it out here: Share the Love & Rescue a Pup.

Your regularly scheduled No Frown Friday will return next week.

Update (1/16/11):  The PAWS Program is no longer at American Humane.  However, you can read up on its current status here.

Bella’s serious face

Every now and then, I get serious for a moment.  Today is one of those days.

When you give your heart to a dog, you get so much in return.  In addition to unconditional love, a furry friend (like my Bella) provides companionship, comic relief and so much more.  Seeing my pup after a long day always makes me smile, and snuggling with her while sharing my troubles helps melt away the stress of the day. 

We always talk about rescuing animals, but sometimes an animal rescues its person.  I read a moving story yesterday courtesy of the lovely folks over at FIDO Friendly Blog called “The Dog Who Saved Me From Abuse.”  The author tells the story of how adopting Baby (a Chiweenie – great breed name, right?) changed her life.   She was stuck in an abusive relationship with no way out – at first, Baby gave her an excuse to get out of the house, and then Baby’s unconditional love helped the author survive and find the strength to leave.  It’s an inspirational tale, and I hope you will take a moment to read it.  Grab some tissues.  In fact, you may want to have your pup handy – I know I needed a Bella hug when I finished reading.

The post also contains information about a great program that I want to share with you.  It’s called the Pets and Women’s Shelters Program (aka the PAWS Program).  American Humane developed this program to encourage domestic and family violence emergency housing shelters to allow residents to bring their pets with them.  (This post is getting a bit long, so you can find the remainder after the jump.  I have lots of info to share with you today.)

Allowing residents to bring their pets with them to these shelters recognizes both the comfort that pets provide and the importance of the human-animal bond.  Further, it removes one more obstacle that might discourage people from getting out of abusive relationships – if they can bring their pets to the shelter with them, then they don’t have to worry about leaving their furry friend behind.  (There is often a link between domestic violence and pet abuse – both human and furry family members may be in danger.)  Keeping domestic violence victims and their pets together is an important mission – I encourage you to learn more about the PAWS Program and what you can do to help.  

The United States Humane Society also has a program to help victims of domestic violence and their pets – it’s called Safe Havens for Animals.  This program aims to provide temporary housing for victims’ pets when a shelter cannot accommodate them.  The goal is the same – to give people and their pets a way out of abusive situations.  As noted above, animal cruelty and human violence often go hand in hand.  The more options out there, the better.

If you want to read more about this issue, I’ve rounded up a few other links:

This concludes today’s serious interlude.

To find out how you can participate in Blog the Change, go here.  You can also add your BtC post using the list below.  While you’re at it, visit some of the other blogs participating in Blog the Change:

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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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Puppy Woof Woof

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I don’t have words… I found the video below oddly addictive:



(via Best Week Ever)

It took me forever to figure out why the song sounded so familiar.  Did you figure it out?

I also wanted to say a quick thank you for some recent awards we received.  Big thanks to:

and

Instead of passing these awards along, I would like to encourage you to visit the wonderful blogs who gave this award to us, and then check out our other friends listed in the blogroll at right. Lots of awesome reads!

His name is Puppy, he goes woof woof, woof woof woof…

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In the mood for food

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It’s been pretty dreary and rainy lately, and that’s got me thinking about comfort food.  So… today’s No Frown Friday is food-related.  (And pet-related, of course.)

  1. Your punny pet names for the week are inspired by famous chefs: Tom Colickio, Barko DiSpirito and Woofgang Puck. (Cat Cora needed no alterations.  My favorite chef?  The Swedish Chef, of course.)
  2. Check out this dog named Dumpling… eating a dumpling.  Very meta.
  3. Quick math lesson: tiny kitten + tiny hat + tiny ice cream come = awesome commercial. (Congratulations! Simply by reading the preceding sentence, you’ve passed Cute Math 101.)
  4. Remember when Bella ate ice cream?
  5. Cats and dogs eating popsicles and peanut butter. (Serious Eats really has all of your needs covered when it comes to cute animals eating.)

Hmmm… not a lot of healthy foods in that list above.  Might I recommend you stop by Gardening with Wyatt?  The gorgeous photos of Wyatt the dog and the yummy food from his garden will inspire you to get that diet back on track.  In addition to eating better, you’ll need to hit the treadmill:

No, not like that! Try it this way:


(via Cute Overload)

Seriously though, if your pet is overweight, that’s not a good thing.  Bella’s had her battles with weight in the past, but on our vet’s advice we reduced the amount we were feeding her.  These days she’s slim and trim.  (Don’t get me wrong… she still licks the empty bowl – repeatedly – and looks at me forlornly when she finishes her meal.  She’s like a canine Oliver Twist.)

Given her druthers, I’m sure Bella would eat until she couldn’t move.  Luckily, our dogs have us to exercise self-control on their behalf – they can only eat what we feed them.  (Unlike humans – the blame for that extra cookie is all mine.) Hope you have a happy and healthy weekend!

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Be like Bella

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Time for a brief PSA (Pup Service Announcement)…

Humans aren’t the only ones who should buckle up in the car.  Dogs should too!  You know your dog wants to be cool like Bella – pictured below in her “flight suit.”  (Travel drugs optional.  Not optional for Bella though.)

Bella models the Travelin’ Dog Harness from the Good Pet Stuff Company

For more info, check out Be Smart Ride Safe, this week’s cause at Be the Change for Animals.  If you have any traveling recommendations or tips, feel free to share them in the comments!

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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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Oh, baby…

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The combo of kids and dogs seems to be everywhere I turn lately.  Accordingly, they provide the inspiration for today’s post.   

  1. Today’s punny pet name:  Furry Cruise.
  2. Pop quiz, hotshot: can you tell the difference between dog toys and baby toys?  Give it a try – I’ll wait.
  3. Puppies are just baby dogs (or babies are just human puppies… take your pick).  Thus, this video of Marshmellow the white pug puppy (courtesy of The Dog Files) is totally in keeping with the theme.  It’s just two minutes of utter cuteness.
  4. A boy and his dog… epically adorable.
  5. Lots of baby animals in the news lately: lion cubs, komodo dragon hatchlings, and snow leopard cubs have made headlines, just to name a few.  (For breaking news about adorable baby zoo animals, I recommend you check out ZooBorns.)

If you don’t smile while watching the baby and dog below, I’m concerned for your emotional well-being:


(Via The Dog Files – it’s a gold mine.  While there, check out this baby & hungry dog, a dog teaching a baby to high five, and a dog giving a baby crawling lessons.)

Dogs and babies go together like peas and carrots, right?  So… get that kid a pet!  If nothing else, it’s something to consider if you have a child.  Beyond the cute factor, kids with dogs are more active and might even have less trouble with allergies when they get older.  As a kid who grew up with pets galore, let me tell you – having a house full of furry playmates is the best.

In any event, I have a feeling that many of the readers of this blog would have the opposite problem – how to introduce a baby to a house that’s already accustomed to the pitter patter of furry feet.  You’re in luck!  Fido Friendly has some great tips here and here.  Want to learn more?  Check out Dogs&Storks, a program that is all about creating harmony between your furry and non-furry offspring.

Just sticking with dogs?  Then check out Nico & The Bandit for a weekly reason that dogs (and cats) are better than babies.

*Disclaimer: despite the focus of this post, the title of this blog still controls. I just want more puppies. Happy weekend!

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