Tag Archives: furry heroes

BlogPaws Episode 2: Say hello to my not-so-little friends

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After the welcome reception on Thursday evening, I was feeling pretty good about returning to BlogPaws on Friday.  I wasn’t disappointed.  The day started out with a pretty great keynote speaker.  Or, more accurately, a duo of speakers:

Meet the men of Rescue Ink.  These are some pretty tough customers from Queens. If you’re looking for peaceful conflict resolution, they may not be your guys.  (Although I have a feeling they’re the type that can solve problems without knocking heads together if the situation allows it.)

In any event, they’re tough customers who care about animal welfare, as the dedication on their website makes clear.  They’re extremely committed to stopping animal abuse – you could really feel the emotion behind their words and their passion for this cause was evident.  That commitment was inspiring.

Rescue Ink is an international animal welfare organization dedicated to defending the defenseless.  (They joked that their lawyers wouldn’t let them go into too much detail about how they actually do that.)  Our two speakers are actually two of the founding members of the group.

Joe Panz (bio)
Big Ant (bio)

Rather than give you an exhaustive recap of their speech, I just wanted to share a few of the quotes I jotted down during the keynote:

  • “A rescue isn’t a rescue until you take it out of a bad situation and find it a better home.”
  • “You don’t send Boy Scouts to get rid of bad guys.  You’re gonna run out of Boy Scouts real quick.”
  • “They say that animals don’t have a voice.  We don’t mind speaking for them.”
  • “It takes 5 puppy mill puppies for one to survive long enough to make it to the pet store.”
  • “Money shouldn’t get between you and your animal.  Your animal is family.”
  • “We defend those that can’t defend themselves.”

You can learn more about the guys from Rescue Ink at their website, including some of their success stories.  I also recommend checking out this post at Kahuna’s K9s – Eryka did a great interview with them after their speech.  This recap at the Pet Health Care Gazette is also fantastic and perfectly describes how I felt listening to these two.  Finally, here’s a video of the interview that Miah from Start the Change did with Joe and Big Ant.

A shot of their logo on the big screen at BlogPaws

Up next: the sessions begin, I learn some stuff, more friends are made, and a puppy movie is screened.  In short… good times.

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Child leaves dog on doorstep to save him from the pound

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It’s quite the story.  It’s the stuff you see in movies and cartoons – a baby in a basket, left on a doorstep by a mother who cannot take care of him.  A note penned to the basket hoping that a benevolent stranger will take the orphan in and give him a better life.  Take that familiar tale… and replace it with a dog.  Rather than let his beloved pet go to the pound, a child essentially left his dog on the doorstep of a neighbor.  Engage tear ducts…
The dog is named Mr. B.  He was waiting in the driveway of a man in Washington state with a scribbled note stashed in a bone-shaped compartment attached to his collar.  The note stated that the child’s parents were getting divorced.  It indicated that Mr. B was to go to the pound, but that the child thought the dog would have a better life with this man.  (Side note: Isn’t divorce hard enough on this poor kid without getting rid of the dog too?  Obviously there’s no way to know the full story or if the parents were really going to take Mr. B to the pound, but still…)  To help take care of the dog, who was described as being “used to kids – not other dogs,” the child included his birthday money.  Among the many heartbreaking lines in the note (found here), the final few are truly heartbreaking: “He’s a good boy.  I know God will take care of Mr. B. – Everyone loves him… especially me.  Thank you.”
Wisdom from the mouth of babes.  Although leaving your dog on a neighbor’s doorstep may not be the best plan, you can’t deny the powerful emotion behind the action.  Ending up in a pound is a death sentence for many dogs… and even if it’s not, finding a new home isn’t easy.  Had Mr. B been dropped off at the pound, he’d likely be scared, confused, and utterly heartbroken.  Fine way to treat a creature you’ve brought into your home as a family member.  My heart breaks for this child.  If only everyone felt this way about the furry beings they’ve taken into their homes.  It’s a responsibility that far too few take seriously.

On a happy note, the neighbor took Mr. B to work and the pup has already found a new home.
For more, watch the story here.

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I’m so excited… I’m so excited…

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I’m all over the place today… I feel like Jessie Spano on a caffeine pill bender.  (I know, Jessie.  I’ll never get into Stanford at this rate either.)   Anyway…

  1. Your punny pet names:  Jessie Spaniel and Elizabeth Barkley.
  2. Shameless self-promotion time again!  Go visit my cupcake blog and enjoy some chocolate chip and mint chocolate chip cupcakes.
  3. Penguins graduating are adorable.  I hope the penguins went retro and played the Bayside High song during commencement. 
  4. The Canadian Prime Minister adopted a kitten.  This kitten is adorable.  That is all.
  5. For your consideration: this pup is gunning for an Oscar nom with his dramatic interpretation of playing dead.
  6. A chimp bottle feeding a tiger cub?  All in a day’s work.  If that’s not enough cute for you, go check out these Animals with Stuffed Animals.  I have a feeling that’ll do the trick.
  7. Add to your wish list: Dog Lips!

Finally, it’s not quite the Zenniest moment of Zen ever, but it’s pretty close:


(via Best Week Ever)

I'm going to BlogPaws 2011 badgeIn other exciting news…. I’m going to BlogPaws!  Who else will be there?  I can’t wait…

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    Another hot dog story… with a twist!

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    Item I saw in today’s Washington Post:

    I love this for multiple reasons:

    1. It’s just darn funny.
    2. I was just skimming the Metro section of the paper and stumbled across it.
    3. I started to read the item and get angry… until I got to the twist.
    4. Even though it’s funny, I’m glad that someone called the authorities when they thought a dog was in distress.  Better safe than sorry.

    That being said, remember that dogs of the non-wooden variety won’t fare so well in this terrible heat.  So make sure to keep your dog cool this summer!

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    Blog the Change: Happy birthday, Petfinder!

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    Blog the ChangeIt’s that time again… another installment of Blog the Change for Animals!

    I’ve focused on a variety of issues in the past (for my earlier posts related to Be the Change for Animals, click here), but today I want to keep it short and sweet.

    As you know, Bella’s a rescue pup.  I found her using Petfinder… I’ll forever be indebted to that wonderful website for making these last 10 years of puppy love possible.  With that in mind, I’d like to dedicate today’s post to Petfinder… it’s Petfinder’s 15th birthday this weekend, after all.  Synergy!

    Yesterday, I read an article about animal shelters and how both adoptions and donations have been declining due to the economy.  That’s why all I want to say to you today is this: if you’re thinking about getting another pet, adopt. Consider donating your time, money, or resources to your local shelters and rescue groups.  Petfinder has a wealth of info… read about how you can help and then find a local rescue group.  I’ve donated food and other items in the past, but I’ve decided that I want to do more.

    Today, I renew my own commitment to helping animals and will be contacting at least one local group to donate my time.  I hope you’ll take a few moments today to think about what you could do to help animals in need.  (If you’re already involved with a rescue group in any way shape or form, I want you to know that you are my hero and I want to be like you when I grow up.)

    Like I said, short and sweet.  (As short as I’m capable of anyway.) 

    To read more fantastic Blog the Change entries, check out the list after the jump.  To participate in the blog hop, visit Be the Change for Animals for more information or add your link after the jump.


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    Everything really is better with puppies

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    The amazing and wonderful Pamela from Something Wagging This Way Comes (don’t you just love the name?) recently highlighted my humble blog as one of her favorites.  (Pamela had the brilliant idea to encourage her readers to visit some other fun dog blogs out there – including another of my faves, 24 Paws of Love – while she was on vacation… I just may have to “borrow” this idea one day.  In case you can’t tell, I want to be like Pamela when I grow up.)

    Anyway, I’d like to take this moment to return the sentiment.  I highly recommend you swing by and check out Something Wagging This Way Comes to meet Pamela and her Golden Retriever, Honey, whose cuteness is off the charts.  Threre are so many fun and interesting things on Something Wagging – one of my favorite regular features is “The Puppiness Project.”  It’s a twist on Gretchen Rubin’s Happiness Project (which I also loved), in which Pamela attempts to learn how to be happy by studying Honey.  It’s an absolutely brilliant concept, and it will really get you thinking.  (A small sample: the merits of cuddling, learning to eat with gusto, and trying to expect the best from people.)  Maybe we’d all be better people if we followed our dogs’ examples!

    However, my favorite post title has to be this one: “Everything’s Better with Puppies.”  If I didn’t already have a blog title, I’d be begging Pamela to let me borrow that one! 

    So, in honor of Pamela and Honey, I suggest we all embrace our inner puppy and enjoy life without worrying about who is watching or if we look absolutely ridiculous, like this guy:


    (via Best Week Ever)

    The happiness is just radiating off that video in waves… it’s a nice a reminder to enjoy the simple things, try not to take everything too seriously, and have some fun.  Now get out there, tell Monday you’re going to have fun in spite of it, and enjoy your week! 

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    Cat scratch fever

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    Although the blog has a very pro-puppy name, I love all sorts of animals (cats included… you may recall my weakness for sleeping kittens).  So, today’s No Frown Friday post is dedicated to the big cats out there…

    1. As always, we begin with a dose of punny: Leopardo DiCatrio, Cheetah Rivera, Jaguar-ren Beatty and Puma Thurman.  (P.S. Apparently my punning abilities qualify me for a job naming crappy wine. Who knew?)
    2. Those big cats must be born with good PR skills.  They know how to make the rounds on the talk show circuit and ambush us with epic cuteness.  Don’t believe me?  Check out this fuzzy leopard cub on Letterman… and this baby cheetah (with bonus puppy BFF) on the Today Show.
    3. Speaking of cheetahs, this little guy could have quite the career on the talk show circuit doing bird impressions.
    4. The cheetah cubs at the National Zoo make me smile.  That is all.
    5. Baby tigers!  Lion cubs! A dog named Lion!  I’m swooning.
    6. Tigers plus lions equals… ligers!  Liger cubs adopted by a dog equals more cuteness than you can shake a stick at.  (Where did that expression come from?  Who is going around shaking sticks at everything? I had to find out.)

    Never fear, I saved the most ferocious for last…

    Hmmm… I guess I let the roar fool me.  Or perhaps the fact that the kitten decided to hang out in a boot just wiped out my ability to think logically.  Either way, I can’t fight the cute.  Besides, I bet most house cats think they’re king or queen of their “jungle” anyway.  (Seriously though, if you want to learn more about big cat conservation, go here.)

    I’ve got a busy weekend ahead, but I do plan to catch the Tony Awards on Sunday.  Anyone else?  Whatever your plans for the weekend, I hope you’re more successful than this guy.

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    A different kind of rescue dog

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    There’s some synergy in the air, it seems.  We were just talking about Jack Russell Terriers on Friday… and today I have a very special JRT story to share with you.  Meet my new hero, Steve Porter.

    For more on this amazing story, go here.  You can also see photos of the rescue.  Although Jessie ended up with a cone of shame, this story has a pretty happy ending.

    As you may know, JRTs are very brave and are built for hunting below ground.  Some JRTs even compete in events called Go-to-Ground, which simulate and test a JRT’s ability to hunt underground. 

    When I was a kid, my Toy Fox Terrier (Scotti) would show off these skills as well.  She’d chase squirrels and other animals all over the yard, including chasing them through a small drainpipe that was back there.  We were lucky – she never got stuck, although the habit did result in quite a few baths for my muddy mutt.  The frequent baths never proved to be a deterrent, however.

    It appears that Jessie’s ordeal hasn’t stopped him from following his instincts either.  Those terriers are incorrigible.  In a good way.

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    On Memorial Day…

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    Memorial Day… a time to remember those who have given their service to our country.  Words really aren’t enough to describe this sacrifice and to truly honor those who have made it so that we can be free.  So these simple words will have to do instead: thank you.

    Last year, I shared my tribute to human and canine heroes alike.  (I hope you’ll take a moment to revisit that post if you haven’t read it before – and even if you have – as it contains some fantastic links and information about War Dogs and Military Working Dogs.  Also, if you are in the market for something to make you cry today, I have a feeling that post will provide what you need.)

    I did want to share some links with you today:

    • As you probably know, a dog helped in the raid on Osama bin Laden’s compound.  This amazing dog, a Belgian Malinois named Cairo, has received quite a bit of press (and even met the President).  Ever since, it seems like hero dogs have been all over the news.
    • Countless dogs have served our country over the years.  Check out the history of war dogs in these two amazing photo . (Thanks to and Phetched for the tip.)
    • As always, The Dog Files has a moving and visually stunning saluting Military Working Dogs.
    • I also urge you to visit FiveSibes for a touching tribute and some fantastic videos that are just perfect for today.
    • Check out this great post from Bocci’s Beefs about dogs of war and what would have happened if cats were helping us out instead.  (Just kidding… after all, there are some truly patriotic cats out there too.)
    • Last year, the National World War II Museum honored some four-legged heroes in an exhibit.  You can learn about some of these heroes here.
    • Can’t get enough of these fabulously furry heroes?  Read about five more here or watch a movie about some heroic dogs or horses..
    • Not all heroic dogs are on official duty, as illustrated by this tale of a unit in Afghanistan that was saved by some local strays.

    As I mentioned last year, when these hero dogs retire from service, they need homes.  After Cairo’s participation in the bin Laden raid,  inquiries about war dog adoption have increased, but these heroes will need homes even after the initial rush slows.  If you are interested in giving a home to one of these retired heroes, learn more at Fido Friendly and then head over to Military Working Dog Adoptions.  (You can also check out the Department of Defense’s Official Military Working Dog Adoption Website.)    

    If you have any stories about Military Working Dogs (either in action or in retirement), click on over to Dogster and read about Maria Goodavage’s new book project, Soldier Dogs.

    Take a moment to remember today…

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