Tag Archives: adorable adoptables

Lessons from the Second Chance Photos workshop

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You may remember my earlier post about Second Chance Photos, a non-profit that encourages people to donate their time to take personalized photos of animals in need of a forever home. (Check out these amazing before and after photos… you’ll be a convert, I promise.)

Watching Seth…

Have you considered taking photos of shelter pets but weren’t sure where to start?  You’re in luck.  Last week, photographer Seth Casteel (the founder of Second Chance Photos) did a workshop at the Washington Humane Society (WHS) here in D.C.  I was able to attend, and I have plenty of tips to share with you.

The workshop took place on Wednesday afternoon at the Washington Humane Society’s New York Avenue location.  I had already taken the day off from work to prepare for Thanksgiving… when I learned that Seth would be in town and would be conducting a workshop, I was thrilled!

As I hopped in the car that day, I was a tad concerned about the weather. Although the temperatures reached the low 70s over the weekend, Wednesday was a cold and windy day.  I even felt some sprinkles, but nothing was keeping me from that workshop. After dealing with standard D.C. traffic, I arrived at the shelter.  I knew I was in the right place when I spotted the gaggle of eager photographers waiting inside.  Seth joined us, and our workshop began.

I learned far too much to share in one blog post (I’m wordy enough as it is), but I wanted to share a few highlights.  (To see some of the photos I took, click here.)


ACCENTUATE THE POSITIVE

Before the photo session began, Seth did a brief introduction and told us a little bit about his approach to photographing shelter pets.  In a nutshell, Seth is a big believer in positive photos. You won’t find any sad, depressing photographs designed to inspire crushing guilt and depression. Instead, Seth aims to take photos that are happy, warm, and welcoming.  (I have a feeling Edie from Will My Dog Hate Me – the queen of uplifting adoption videos – would approve of that approach as well. I will admit that I was dying to make a joke about Sarah McLachlan.)

NO PHOTOGRAPHER IS AN ISLAND

I want to stress the importance of teamwork here. At a minimum, you’ll want to have a duo on photo duty – it’s important to have a helper/handler working with the dog while the photographer snaps away.  Photographing dogs is not the
sort of activity that lends itself to being solitary.  In fact, Seth
noted that three people would be even better. If possible, have a third person responsible for bringing dogs to and from the shooting area – this will minimize waiting time (because you can start shooting the next dog while this person takes the dog you just finished working with back to the kennel) and allow you to photograph more dogs while you’re there.  (If I recall correctly, Seth mentioned he could photograph 30 dogs in a few hours – I need to pick up the pace!)

TIPTOE THROUGH THE TULIPS

So, you’ve got your team (be it a duo or a trio) – now what?  You’ll need to find a location to take photos.  Fortunately, WHS has a nice outdoor area that we were able to use.  (No tulips, but I couldn’t get the song out of my head once I thought of it. Seth recommended including some natural elements in your photographs if possible.)  There was even bamboo growing in one corner, which provided some greenery to work with.  However, if there’s no space like that available at your shelter, scout around… you can probably find a space that will be better than just taking photos in the kennel.

LOOK AT ME

Not my best… but, that face!

Once you’ve gotten the logistics (personnel, location, etc.) figured out, then it’s time to actually take some photos!   You’ll probably want to take some time to get acquainted with your canine model – the dog may be fidgety or excited and may need some time to relax.

After the pup feels comfortable, how do you get him to look at you?  Seth recommended bringing along some treats (checking on each animal’s dietary restrictions, of course) and the squeaker from a squeaky toy (apparently you can order these on Amazon… or, if you live with Bella, she’ll happily remove these from all of her toys for you).

Seth photographed four dogs and walked us through his process.  It was really educational – seeing him in action made it easier to envision applying these tips in my own life.  (In fact, I employed several on Saturday while taking photos of Bella for our Christmas card.)

TRICKS OF THE TRADE

In addition to the basics I discussed above, Seth shared a plethora of other tips. I wish I could remember them all right now, but I was too busy listening and snapping photos to write everything down. Here’s what really stuck with me:

  • Continuous shots are your friend.  Set your camera to take multiple photos with each click – this setting will increase your chances of capturing that perfect moment.
  • Don’t try to photograph a dog in direct sunlight – the sun right in his face will just make him squint.  If possible, use indirect light or position the dog with the sun behind him.
  • Resist the urge to use the flash – avoid the dreaded green eye!
  • Try to get a nice close-up shot (looking into the camera with a happy face is what we’re hoping for here).  While full-body shots are great too, it’s important to get that close-up.
  • If the dog looks sad or unhappy, it might be a good idea to let the dog play or run around for a bit if you can.  The panting face that follows will likely translate as a happy one in your photographs.
  • Embrace Photoshop (or the photo editing software of your choice).  Sometimes a few tweaks can take a photo from good to amazing.
  • Cats are sometimes a tougher assignment – you may want to experiment to see what works for you here. Consider location, lighting, and trying to highlight each feline’s unique features. (We spent some time in Kitty City as well – I need a lot more practice on that front.)

You can find many more tips on the Second Chance Photos website, including information about equipment, photo shoots, and – most importantly – how to get started.  If you’re interested, there’s also information on upcoming workshops (including Chicago in December and Phoenix in February).

(While you’re clicking around, pop over to WHS and check out the adoptable animals… perhaps one of them is perfect for you?)

Have you ever taken photos of shelter pets?  If not, are you considering giving it a try?  Also, if your friendly neighborhood blogger had the chance to interview Seth, what questions would you want her to ask?  (Hint, hint… help me out here!)

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Adorable Adoptables in Northern Virginia: Violet & Allie

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Every Sunday I’ll be featuring adoptable pets from local rescue groups.  This week, I’m sharing adorable adoptables from the Humane Society of Fairfax County (HSFC) and A Forever Home Rescue Foundation (A Forever Home).

November is Adopt-a-Senior-Pet Month, so I’ve got some lovely senior pets to share with you today.  You know I think that senior pets rock, so let’s find them some homes!

First up, meet Violet!  This cute cat is approximately 8 years old.  Here’s her bio from HSFC:

“Violet has the mischievous and frisky kitten in her that never grows up!
The female counterpart to Dennis the Menace, sometimes! So lovable
but looking for trouble. I think she is very smart and gets bored
easily. SHE thinks it fun to startle causing a cat stampede! It is
hysterical when she plays with her own feet! She expects fresh water
sips from the faucet. Very nosy about everything and every cat,
whatever is going on, she also knows what I am thinking when I am going
to get her in a carrier. She can be very sweet and wants to come to you
for affection but not too much handling, when she is in the mood. Not a
pushover and can lose her temper if provoked. So, not good for small
children.”

 

Is this frisky feline the one for you?  If so, visit the HSFC website for more information.  To view the other pets available for adoption at HSFC, click here.

Up next, meet Allie!  This Hound mix is approximately 8 years old.   Here’s her bio from A Forever Home:

“Allie is a beautiful, regal, very loving lady. Her face is very
expressive, she looks you right in the eyes and holds your gaze. I
think she was crated way too much because she came to me not house
broken and really did not want to go up and down the stairs. It looked
like it hurt her to do so and she even limped a bit. She’s been with me
for about four months and now, she is doing great. She is working on
being house broken and goes up and down stairs. She’ll even beat you up
there! She even plays with her 3 month old foster sister every now and
then. Her crate is still her ‘safe’ place and she will need one in her
new home. Allie is spayed and up to date on her shots. She is an
older girl who loves to go for walks and does very well on a leash. She
gets stressed out on car rides. She doesn’t get sick but does drool
and sheds a lot, showing her stress. She loves to lean against you when
she wants to be pet and will put her head in your lap if you are
sitting in a chair. She will lay on the bed with you for a while but
prefers to sleep on the floor or in her crate. If you are looking for a
laid back, loving, engaging older dog to love, Allie is your girl!
Please let her teach you what unconditional love is.”

If you think you have the perfect home for Allie, visit A Forever Home for more information or email Info@aforeverhome.org.  To view the other pets available for adoption at A Forever Home, click here.

A Forever Home also has a weekly adoption event at the PetCo in Chantilly.  For the address and to find out more info, click here. 
(If you have your eye on a specific pet, please email for information
first – not all pets will be at the weekly event.  However, there are a
lot of awesome pets in need of homes, so if you’re in the neighborhood,
stop by and meet some of them!)

Do you have room in your home (and your heart) for one of these lovely ladies?  Then contact HSFC or A Forever Home.  If you know someone else who might be in the market for an awesome companion, please share this post.  Let’s find some homes for Violet and Allie!


Bios and photos used with permission from HSFC and A Forever Home.
 

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Adorable adoptables in Northern Virginia: Alice & Ernie

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Every Sunday I’ll be featuring adoptable pets from local rescue groups.  This week, I’ll be sharing adorable adoptables from Friends of Homeless Animals (FOHA) and A Forever Home Rescue Foundation (A Forever Home).

November is Adopt-a-Senior-Pet Month, so I’ve got some lovely senior pets to share with you today.  You know I think that senior pets rock, so let’s find them some homes!

First up, meet Alice!  This Beagle/Dachshund mix is approximately 8 years old.   Here’s her bio from A Forever Home:

“Hi, my name is Alice. I am beagle/dachshund mix. I am housebroken,
crate trained and moderately active. My favorite past time is spending
time with my foster mom and my foster sister who I am laying with in the
picture. She says I am an angel because I don’t chew on anything and
she can trust me when I am out of her site. I am not good with young
children as they make me nervous so I would do best in a home with no
children under 12 years of age. I prefer to be the only pet so I can
get all the hugs and kisses. I walk nicely on a leash and am not a big
barker.”

If you have lots of hugs and kisses for Alice, visit A Forever Home for more information or email Info@aforeverhome.org.  To view the other pets available for adoption at A Forever Home, click here.

A Forever Home also has a weekly adoption event at the PetCo in Chantilly.  For the address and to find out more info, click here. 
(If you have your eye on a specific pet, please email for information
first – not all pets will be at the weekly event.  However, there are a
lot of awesome pets in need of homes, so if you’re in the neighborhood,
stop by and meet some of them!)

Up next, meet Ernie!  Ernie is one of the wonderful dogs I met when I took photos at FOHA.  Here’s his bio from FOHA:

Ernie 22
“Sweet Ernie is losing his sight and hearing and would truly benefit
from a quieter environment. He was one of many stray dogs who end up on
the PTS list in a rural pound. His rescuer said that he would dig holes
and sleep in the corners of the pen instead of sleeping in his house, as
if he had no concept of shelter. He even had to learn to eat out of a
bowl.

FOHA must seem like Heaven to Ernie. He has shelter, heat in the
winter, a/c in the summer, nutritious food, a full water bowl, a bed,
and TLC from his favorite volunteers. But we know Ernie’s life could be
even better if he had a family and home to call his own.

Ernie loves going for walks. He is great on the leash and pretty
low-energy. After all, he is in his twilight years. Ernie is very
affectionate and would make a great addition to any family.

Ernie 24
Ernie has won the hearts of the volunteers with his mild manners and
trusting personality, won’t you give him the chance to win your heart
too? Email Cheryl at fosteradog@foha.org.”

If Ernie sounds like the guy for you, visit Friends of Homeless Animals for more information, call 703-385-0224 or email doginfo@foha.org.  To see the other dogs (or cats) available for adoption at FOHA, please click here.

Do you have room in your home (and your heart) for one of these pups?  Then contact A Forever Home or FOHA.  If you know someone else who might be in the market for an awesome companion, please share this post.


Bios and photo of Alice used with permission from A Forever Home.  Photos of Ernie by me.
 

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Help senior dogs by voting for The Old Dog House

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I have a treat for you today… a guest post from my pal Chandra of Daley’s Dog Years, a fantastic blog about senior dog life.  Enjoy!

Every day of the year, amazing humans known as animal rescuers save the lives of homeless senior dogs. November is Adopt-A-Senior-Pet Month, offering all of us who know and love senior animals an opportunity to pitch in by encouraging adopters to choose a grey muzzle. Today, I’m thrilled to share an additional way this month that you can help homeless senior dogs, with just one click of your computer mouse per day!

The Old Dog House, a nonprofit senior dog rescue and sanctuary in Jacksonville, Florida is currently in the running for $25,000 in funding from the Pepsi Refresh Project.

When older dogs find themselves homeless, their health and wellness needs have often been neglected and those issues contribute to the several months time it can take for senior dogs to get adopted. The Old Dog House is seeking $25,000 in funding to build a warm water therapy pool on its property, a fantastic idea for the health and wellness of the dogs in its care.

The project directly speaks to The Old Dog House’s mission to rehome the senior dogs it rescues and rehabilitates. “A warm water therapy pool will give the dogs the opportunity to exercise without any impact on their joints, allowing muscle development and improving overall health,” writes Kim Siegmund Stordahl, president of The Old Dog House. “If we’re funded, we will share the wealth with other rescue groups in our community by allowing them to utilize the pool for their dogs.”

Meet Sam, one of the residents

Currently, the closest warm water therapy pool is a two-hour drive away so a win for The Old Dog House is a win for all senior dogs in the area—in addition to those in local rescue, The Old Dog House would like to make the pool available to senior dogs in the community.

So how do we help make this great project idea a reality? Vote every day, through November 30, online here or text the code 109539 to Pepsi (73774). Each day you have five votes to spread among all the great ideas up for funding!

Seven times a year, people and organizations submit their project ideas to the Pepsi Refresh Project. The ideas are organized into categories and voted on by funding amount—$5,000, $10,000, $25,000 or $50,000. The Old Dog House’s idea is in the “We Heart Animals” section of the $25,000 Communities category.

Muttley, another one of the adorable residents

Only the project ideas voted into the top 15 slots in each category are eligible for funding. Right now, the Old Dog House’s project idea is ranked #32 in its funding category so we need your vote and those of all your friends!

Learn more about The Old Dog House at its site here and find it on Facebook here. Currently, The Old Dog House has nine dogs in its care—three permanent residents due to physical/medical issues, five adoptables and one who will be available for adoption once medical issues are treated. See all their adorable photos here.

Photo caption quoted from The Old Dog House:

“Every dog at The Old Dog House is viewed and treated as part of the family. We do not have kennels, runs, or cages, rather they live in a true home environment with all of the comforts of home. Since establishing the rescue in 2006, foster homes, besides our own, have been few and far between, limiting the number of older and senior dogs we are able to help. So, we did a little brainstorming and turned our attention to our old, dilapidated 1930’s detached garage. The only thing it was housing was bugs and some moving boxes! In 2010, down it came and in its place stands The Old Dog House, equipped with all the comforts of a home – heating and air conditioning, a bathroom, cable TV, WIFI, radiant heat floor (yes, it does get cold in Jacksonville!!), stereo, couch with a chaise lounge – well, you get the idea! We can comfortably house 4-6 dog-friendly dogs in The Old Dog House. Also, it is a comfortable place for volunteers to come hang out with The Old Dogs to keep them happy and socialized.”

Thanks to Chandra for sharing this great cause.  I’m heading over to vote for The Old Dog House right now.  How about you?

 

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Adorable adoptables in northern Virginia: Dulci & Elizabeth

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Every Sunday I’ll be featuring adoptable pets from local rescue groups.  In particular, I’ll be sharing adorable adoptables from the Humane Society of Fairfax County (HSFC) and A Forever Home Rescue Foundation (A Forever Home).

November is Adopt-a-Senior-Pet Month, so I’ve got some lovely senior pets to share with you today.  You know I think that senior pets rock, so let’s find them some homes!

First up, meet Dulci!  This cute cat is approximately 9 years old.  Here’s her bio from HSFC:

“Very playful. Would make a great friend for another cat that needs a ‘perpetual kitten’ playmate. Likes to sleep on the foot of the bed or
your feet at night. Other than ‘hard play,’ her favorite past time is
eating!”

 

Think this perpetual kitten is for you?  If so, visit the HSFC website for more information.  To view the other pets available for adoption at HSFC, click here.

Up next, meet Elizabeth!  This Chow Chow mix is approximately 11 years old and weighs 36 pounds.   Here’s her bio from A Forever Home:

“Hi, my name is Elizabeth and I am looking for a new home. AFH rescued
me from an awful life where I had to live outside all of the time. No
one really cared about me when I lived outside and I developed heartworm
and had all sorts of infections and parasites. The doctor said I have
the worst arthritis that he has ever seen. All of my infections are now
gone. My heartworm has been treated and I have been eating good food so
I look and feel much better. I would love to live in a home with
carpet so I can walk around and follow my mom or dad or go into the
other rooms to check things out.

Oh, I am supposed to tell you that I am
completely house trained, so no worries there. It would also be nice if
there were only a couple of stairs to go to the back yard. Right now, I
have to be carried down a flight of stairs. And, sometimes when my
foster mom is busy in the yard, I start to walk up the stairs by myself.
Since my balance is not so good, she runs over to help so I do not fall
down and really hurt myself.

My foster mom says I am tenacious with a
high spirit who does not like to give up. She also says I try to frolic
and it makes her laugh. She really loves me, but thinks there is
someone who can offer me more that what she can provide and really wants
me to find the perfect forever home. I am so much better off now, but
my foster mom says I deserve the best since things were so bad for so
many years. And, who am I to argue? Be sure to contact AFH if you
would like to meet me. Thanks, Elizabeth

P.S. Be sure to watch my
video!”

If you think you have the perfect home for Elizabeth, visit A Forever Home for more information or email Info@aforeverhome.org.  To view the other pets available for adoption at A Forever Home, click here.

A Forever Home also has a weekly adoption event at the PetCo in Chantilly.  For the address and to find out more info, click here. 
(If you have your eye on a specific pet, please email for information
first – not all pets will be at the weekly event.  However, there are a
lot of awesome pets in need of homes, so if you’re in the neighborhood,
stop by and meet some of them!)

Do you have room in your home (and your heart) for one of these lovely ladies?  Then contact HSFC or A Forever Home.  If you know someone else who might be in the market for an awesome companion, please share this post.  Let’s find some homes for Dulci and Elizabeth!


Bios and photos used with permission from HSFC and A Forever Home.
 

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Shelter employee fired for taking non-crappy photos of dogs

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Ernie 24
Shameless plug – adopt Ernie!

You know I’m all about the notion that better photos can help dogs get adopted.  It’s logical, after all.  I’m always drawn to a photo of a pup with more personality.  (Speaking of personality… at right, you’ll see a photo I took when I volunteered at a local shelter last month.)

Anyway, today I’m here to share a story about something that strikes me as completely illogical.  Let’s say you’re a shelter… you have a crappy camera and have some crappy photos of adoptable dogs up on your website.  An employee decides to use her higher-quality DSLR to snap some photos of dogs scheduled to be euthanized and shares them in hopes of finding a rescue group or potential adopter who could save the dogs.

This woman displayed initiative, saw a problem, and took steps to improve the situation. Sounds like Employee of the Year material to me.  In reality, she joined the ranks of the unemployed.


According to the New York Times, Emily Tanen was fired from Animal Care and Control of New York City for taking photographs of animals scheduled to be euthanized.  Why?  Her photographs apparently violated her employer’s rules regarding photos – specifically, who can take photos, how the animals can be photographed, and how the photos can be used.  (One rule precludes showing humans in photos with the animals – apparently this extends to body parts such as a hand.  Even with my limited experience, I can tell you that it’s not always possible to get a photo of a nervous dog without a human’s arm or elbow somewhere in the frame.)

Emily took some lovely photos of the dogs that put the official shelter photos to shame.  It sounds like those photos helped some animals escape death row. Instead of seeing the potential here, the shelter fired her.  (Another former volunteer has also expressed displeasure with the fact that the shelter wanted to tightly control any of the photographs he took instead of allowing him to post them on his Facebook page.  Since when is wider exposure for an animal in need of a home a bad thing?)

Don’t get me wrong – I realize that not all shelters have the time or resources to devote to getting some truly fantastic photographs of adoptable animals.  They may not have enough volunteers to do so – in fact, the article suggests that there are only a handful of volunteers to take photos for the entire city shelter system involved here.  In addition, I’m sure there are sometimes valid legal reasons that an organization like this one would want to control the use of photos or set forth standards.

However, why not try to find a middle ground?  Perhaps the shelter could have taken this opportunity to revisit its policies and come up with a plan for getting photos of the animals that would both be acceptable to the shelter and would increase the animals’ chances of adoption.  (Similarly, in the case of the other volunteer I mentioned above, perhaps agreeing to a reasonable way that the photos could be circulated while noting that he did not officially represent the shelter would have been an option.)

This story isn’t about a lack of resources – you have an employee who is willing and able to help take better photos of the animals.  Perhaps she violated the policy, but wouldn’t a reprimand would have made more sense than firing her?

You can read the full New York Times article here.

UPDATE 11/15/11: There appears to be an online petition circulating to get Emily her job back.  If you’d like to learn more, click here.

 

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Adorable adoptables in northern Virginia: Belle & Buddy

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Every Sunday I’ll be featuring adoptable pets from local rescue groups.  In particular, I’ll be sharing adorable adoptables from the Humane Society of Fairfax County (HSFC) and A Forever Home Rescue Foundation (A Forever Home). 

November is Adopt-a-Senior-Pet Month, so I’ve got some lovely senior pets to share with you today.  You know I think that senior pets rock, so let’s find them some homes.  Let’s get to it!

First up, meet Belle the Beagle!  This lovely Beagle/Dachshund mix is approximately 11 years old.  (She looks a bit like my Bella, don’t you think?  With that resemblance, she’s obviously 100% adorable.)  Here’s her bio from A Forever Home:

“Belle is a sweet dog in search of friendship, love and comfort. She
tends to enjoy being a super loyal friend to mainly one person and
doesn’t want to have you out of her sight. Belle warms up quickly to
women and those who are soft spoken. Hanging out in the yard, going for
car rides, or just hanging around the house are all things Belle has a
good time doing if she is in your company. She would do well as an only
dog or as a part of a dog pack. Belle enjoys the company of her many
foster dog friends, but also craves to be the center of her loyal
friend’s attention. Belle is fully housetrained and crate trained. She
is a very smart lady dog and can do several fun tricks, including ‘What
up dog?’ (fancy shake), ‘Roll Over’, and even balance a treat on her
nose. If you think you could be Belle’s best friend and provide a
loving, calm home for Belle please send us an email and come meet her.”

If you want to be Belle’s best friend, visit A Forever Home for more information or email Info@aforeverhome.org.  To view the other pets available for adoption at A Forever Home, click here.

A Forever Home also has a weekly adoption event at the PetCo in Chantilly.  For the address and to find out more info, click here. 
(If you have your eye on a specific pet, please email for information
first – not all pets will be at the weekly event.  However, there are a
lot of awesome pets in need of homes, so if you’re in the neighborhood,
stop by and meet some of them!)

Next up, meet Buddy the Basset Hound!  (Apparently I’m all about the alliteration today.)  Isn’t he handsome?  Here’s his bio from HSFC:

“Don’t let Buddy’s age keep you from coming out to meet
this adorable purebred Basset Hound. He is such a sweet boy. At 8 yrs.
he still has lots of spunk and is always ready and willing to go for
long walks whenever you are. He’s great with other dogs and loves people
of all ages. He’s housebroken, loves attention, and will be a really
good companion for someone who doesn’t want to play fetch all day and
night. Give Buddy a chance to show you he can be the best pal you’ve
ever had. 

Attributes: Best Friend you’ll ever have!”
 

Think this young at heart pup knows the way to your heart?  If so, visit the HSFC website for more information.  To view the other pets available for adoption at HSFC, click here.
Do you have room in your home (and your heart) for one of these sweethearts?  Then contact HSFC or A Forever Home.  If you know someone else who might be in the market for an awesome companion, please share this post.  Let’s find some homes for Belle and Buddy!


Bios and photos used with permission from HSFC and A Forever Home.
 

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Adorable adoptables in Northern Virginia: Shea & Bonnie

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Every Sunday I’ll be featuring adoptable pets from local rescue groups.  In particular, I’ll be sharing adorable adoptables from the Humane Society of Fairfax County (HSFC) and A Forever Home Rescue Foundation (A Forever Home).  (In light of the holiday, perhaps I should have saved Boo for today!)

Let’s get to it!

First up, meet Shea!  This Lab mix is approximately 5 years old.  I just want to snuggle with her!  Who could resist that face?  Here’s her bio from A Forever Home:

“Shea is a beautiful, loyal black lab mix. She is
very laid back and loves relaxing around the house while lying on her
back. Nothing makes her happier than greeting you when you come home
and letting you rub her belly. Snuggling in bed is also at the top of
her list of things she loves, as are car rides and walks around the
neighborhood. Shea is very relaxed and can be good around other dogs
once she gets to know them better. Shea spent the last 4 years being
best friends and house mates with her fellow lab–mix friend, but did
take some time getting used to him. Shea would do better in a house
without young children.”

If you want to be Shea’s snuggle buddy, visit A Forever Home for more information or email Info@aforeverhome.org.  To view the other pets available for adoption at A Forever Home, click here.

A Forever Home also has a weekly adoption event at the PetCo in Chantilly.  For the address and to find out more info, click here. 
(If you have your eye on a specific pet, please email for information
first – not all pets will be at the weekly event.  However, there are a
lot of awesome pets in need of homes, so if you’re in the neighborhood,
stop by and meet some of them!)

I’m changing it up a bit this week… I’m adding a cat into the mix!  When I saw this beautiful black cat, I just knew I had to share her with you.  So, without further ado… meet Bonnie!  Here’s her bio from HSFC:

“Bonnie’s a real beauty. Her white socks and the white tip on the end of
her tail, sets her apart from other black long hair cats. She knows
she’s beautiful and walks proudly strutting her stuff. She needs a home
of her own so her true personality can shine.”
 

Do you have the perfect home for this gorgeous gal?  If so, visit the HSFC website for more information.  To view the other pets available for adoption at HSFC, click here.
Do you have room in your home (and your heart) for one of these sweethearts?  Then contact HSFC or A Forever Home.  If you know someone else who might be in the market for an awesome companion, please share this post.  Let’s find some homes for Shea and Bonnie!


Bios and photos used with permission from HSFC and A Forever Home.
 

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Adorable adoptables in northern Virginia: Buddy & Marty

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Every Sunday I’ll be featuring adoptable pets from local rescue groups.  In particular, I’ll be sharing adorable adoptables from the Humane Society of Fairfax County (HSFC) and A Forever Home Rescue Foundation (A Forever Home).  Let’s get to it!

First up, meet Buddy!  This Border Collie/Spaniel Mix is approximately 6 years old.  Could this handsome guy be the one for you?  Here’s his bio from A Forever Home:

“Buddy and Boo lost their home due to their family breaking up. Buddy is
a lovebug. He gets along with other dogs and loves everyone. He is
housebroken and would just like a lap to sit in.”

If you have a lap for Buddy, visit A Forever Home for more information or email Info@aforeverhome.org.  To view the other pets available for adoption (including his pal Boo) at A Forever Home, click here.

A Forever Home also has a weekly adoption event at the PetCo in Chantilly.  For the address and to find out more info, click here. 
(If you have your eye on a specific pet, please email for information
first – not all pets will be at the weekly event.  However, there are a
lot of awesome pets in need of homes, so if you’re in the neighborhood,
stop by and meet some of them!)

Up next, meet Marty!  This little cutie weighs approximately 15 pounds.  Here’s his bio from HSFC:

“This little fella is not only cute as a button, but
about as sweet as you can get. He’s only 4 yrs. young, super small,
loves everyone and everyone loves him. Marty was neglected and wants
desperately to find someone who will love him. As much as this boy has
been though, he is still full of sweetness. He has a beautiful grey and
white coat and is a purebred Shih Tzu. Come and make Marty’s biggest
wish come true…a family who will love him forever!


Attributes: Incredible Little Fella!”

 

If you’re interested in meeting Marty and loving him forever, visit the HSFC website for more information.  To view the other pets available for adoption at HSFC, click here.
Do you have room in your home (and your heart) for one of these pups?  Then contact HSFC or A Forever Home.  If you know someone else who might be in the market for an awesome companion, please share this post.  Let’s find some homes for these great pups!


Bios and photos used with permission from HSFC and A Forever Home.
 

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Hello… is it a doggie you’re looking for?

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13

I’ve got lots of linky goodness for you today.  Before we get silly, however, I have some cool information to share with you in honor of Pit Bull Awareness Day, which just so happens to be tomorrow.

Our pals over at love and a six-foot leash have put together a special adoption event with the Montgomery County Humane Society.  For a select group of lovable wonderbulls known as Little Zee’s Fabulous Four, all adoption fees will be sponsored.  Once a dog in the Fabulous Four is adopted, a new one will take his or her place on the list.

If you’re in the DC area, check out the details on how you can bring one of these adorable pups home.  (Even if you’re not looking for another dog right now or aren’t in DC, you can still help by spreading the word!)  For bonus points, head over to Peaceful dog, where a donation will be made to the Washington Humane Society for each comment.  Pretty cool, huh?

Now, back to your regularly scheduled puns…

  1. Your punny pet name: Lionel Itchy.
  2. Remember how much I loved that Lionel Richie teapot?  Well, here’s an awesome flyer to go with it. I don’t know why he fascinates me so… perhaps I’ve been wooed by his grammar skills.
  3. On a related note, I saw the sign below one day, and it was the highlight of my week.  I’m sure the people who saw me taking this photo thought I was nuts – however, anyone who gets the reference below scores instant awesome points.  (I’m beginning to think I need to join Lionel Richie Fans Anonymous.  Their motto?  “Hello… is it therapy you’re looking for?”)
    4. Lionel Richie crossing
  4. Um… moving on… looking for a treat to make for Halloween? Check out these creepy eyeball cake pops from Bakerella.  (Continuing on that theme… there photos of animals’ eyes up close are pretty cool.)
  5. If that didn’t satisfy your sweet tooth, try these awesome cakes inspired by Tim Burton.  (There might even be some new eye candy on my baking blog… head on over and check it out.)
  6. Last week, I highlighted some dogs in Halloween costumes.  This week, cats get their due.  (Speaking of cats, this diagram should clear up what all the fuss is about.)
  7. Also… I think this might be the best costume ever (although I doubt it’d translate into a pet costume).
  8. Want to see more cute pet costumes (and vote for your favorite)?  Go to All Things Dog Blog to vote for the Most Original Costume, and swing by DogTipper to vote for the Cutest Costume.
  9. I wish I’d read this article about pumpkin carving tips before I tried to carve mine last weekend.  Nonetheless, maybe it’ll help you in your carving endeavors.  (Are you a pumpkin carving savant?  Then you might want to enter this contest.)
  10. This photo looks like it came from some sort of horror movie.

The video below, however, looks like it came from the best movie ever.

It’s like a remake of 8 Seconds only much more fun and without Dylan McKay.

Oh, and I know it’s No Frown Friday, but I want to keep you posted on what’s up with us today.  Bella had to go in for surgery to have a lump removed this morning, and I’ll be picking her up this evening if all goes well.  That being said, we’d appreciate any healing vibes you could send her way.

I’m hoping that it’ll turn out to be nothing, and that the worst part of the whole ordeal will be her displeasure regarding the cone of shame.  (At least we don’t have a doggie door, I suppose…)

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