Tag Archives: rescues

Meow mix

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It’s National Donut Day, people.  Let us rejoice, and bask in the sugary glow.  It’s also time for another No Frown Friday – feel free to bask in its non-sugary but still lovely glow.

This week’s NFF has an unlikely (and non-donut related) theme… cats!  That’s right… even a self-proclaimed puppy fan can appreciate our feline friends.  After all, I’ve always had a soft spot for Garfield.

  1. First up, your punny pet names:  Madelion Albright and Gerard Leopardu.
  2. These photos of a tiny lion being raised by tiny humans have my
    cute-o-meter going crazy.
  3. Kitty parents and puppy parents alike should be able to appreciate this lint roller cat.
  4. Check out this heartwarming tale of three kitties who were rescued by a U.S. Marine.  Rumor has it these cats will only agree to live in places that begin with the letter J.  Cats are always so finicky.
  5. Here are some shots of the National Zoo’s new clouded leopard cubs.  I think they broke the aforementioned cute-o-meter.
  6. Finally, are you wise to the wonder that is Winston the cat?  Allow me to introduce you to this banana connoisseur:

(Via fourfour.  If you want to see more Winston – and I know you do – go here.)

Although today’s post is dedicated to cute kitties, I would be remiss if I did not include some safety tips.  Behind that cuteness lurks the heart of a warrior.  (Tigers and lions and tabbies, oh my!)  Is your cat trying to kill you?  Know the warning signs.

Have a good weekend, and be careful out there.

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Remembering human and canine heroes on Memorial Day

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It’s Memorial Day… a time to honor those who have sacrificed so that we can be free.  On days like this one, my thoughts go to friends and family who have served our country.  Words aren’t enough to thank them for the sacrifices they make and have made to keep each of us safe and free.  We are truly lucky that these dedicated and amazing individuals have given so much in service of this country.

On days like today, my thoughts often go to the poem “In Flanders Field” by John McCrae.  Those words never fail to move me – I urge you to take a moment to read it and reflect on those who made the ultimate sacrifice in times of both war and peace.

Now, on to some puppy/Memorial Day synergy.  First, if you like to cry (and who doesn’t?), watch these videos of dogs welcoming home their soldiers.  I originally saw this link around Veterans’ Day, but it affects me just as strongly now.  It serves as a poignant reminder of the sacrifice made by the families (furry and
non-furry members) of those who serve our country.  (Given my beagle
bias, the third one is my favorite – sound is essential.)

In addition to sacrifices on the home front, many dogs have served our country and have toiled along side our human heroes… I think that the K-9 Promise is a beautiful representation of their bravery and service:

K-9 PROMISE
(Author Unknown)
My eyes are your eyes to watch and protect you and yours.
  My ears are your ears to hear and detect evil minds in the dark.
My nose is your nose to scent the invader of your domain.
And so YOU may LIVE, MY LIFE is also yours.

 

This link pays tribute to some heroic rubble dogs of WWII.  These dogs helped rescue people trapped in rubble in London during WWII.  (More photos of these furry heroes can be found here.)

For a comprehensive history of heroic dogs here in the United States and plenty of other interesting information, you might want to check out the United States War Dogs Association website.  (This organization and others have been pushing for a national memorial for War Dogs here in the U.S.)

Finally, here is some additional information on Military Working Dogs. In addition to some general background, this site relates the story of “Sergeant” Stubby, a remarkable bulldog who served his country in WWI.

And remember… when it’s time to retire, Military Working Dogs will need homes in which to enjoy their golden years.  If you might be interested in adopting a retired Military Working Dog, please go to MWD Adoptions for more information.

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Family, flowers and puppies – a winning combination

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Had a lovely weekend… the in-laws are in town for a visit, so we have been enjoying spending time with them.  The weather this weekend was beautiful, although perhaps a bit too hot.  I took advantage of the nice weather and spent some time walking in the yard with Bella.  There are a few flowers in bloom already.  One of the interesting things about moving into a new home is that we’re not quite sure what has already been planted.  Each day presents a new challenge (“I can name that flower in three petals!”) and often a pleasant surprise.  Here are a few quick shots from the weekend:

One of several lilacs in the yard – a VERY pleasant surprise, given that they are my favorite flower.
This little guy is all over the back corner of our
yard… sadly, I’m not sure of his name.  Anyone?
I must say thank you to these hard-working ants – I can’t wait until the peonies are in bloom!

All in all, a very nice weekend with family, enjoying the lovely weather.  And if you’re wondering… we did make it to the Pet Fiesta.  It was a fun time, although Bella elected not to take a car ride and go with us.  It was a hot day for puppies to be outside (around 90 degrees), so Bella stayed indoors and took a nap.  However, there were plenty of dogs in attendance (including many in need of homes.  I can’t say it enough – adopt a rescue pup!).  The pup at right had a novel way to beat the heat.  I don’t know his name, but to me he will always be Joe Cool.

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Bella needs to work on her hostessing skills

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This past weekend, Bella had the opportunity to play hostess. My dad and sister came to visit and brought along their pup, Roscoe.  Bella and Roscoe had not met before, and Bella hasn’t had any puppy sleepovers in the new house.  We weren’t sure how it would go – Bella was definitely not happy when a strange puppy arrived at her house on Friday night. After Roscoe got used to Bella and being in our house, he was able to relax. He’s a pretty sweet guy.

The photo at right photo sums up Bella’s initial reaction to having an intruder in her house.

We achieved a shaky peace on Saturday, and by Sunday Bella was even letting Roscoe play with some of her toys.  Like Bella, toys are no match for his powers of destruction.  (Speaking of vigorous chewers, there’s an interesting discussion going on at PetSugar regarding the best toys for chewers.  We’ve had a great deal of luck with these Tuffy Toys.  Bella loves them, and they last much longer than any other toys we’ve tried. At left is a shot of her with her current favorite, the sting ray – or as the hub calls it, the bicycle seat.)
She has a number of these toys… and she gave Roscoe quite the look when he was playing with one of them.  Bella was a bit wary of his presence, but she eventually adapted.  However, she did seem pretty happy when she was once again the only dog in the house.

The end.
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At least Bella won’t need a college fund, right?

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Being a pet owner can be expensive at times, but the little monsters are totally worth it.  This article offers up some tips on how pet owners can save money.

Of note – tip #4 (shop around for vet care).  We tried out a number of vets before we found our current one – the practice is great.  Although it’s not the closest vet, it’s worth the drive even though that means having to try to keep Bella from getting carsick.  I believe that when it comes to vet care, finding a vet you I can trust is more important than finding the lowest bidder.  However, I recognize that I’m lucky enough to be able to afford whichever vet I choose – and I appreciate that this article is providing some alternatives for those who may not be in such a fortunate position.  In any event, I have learned that sometimes it’s wise to shop around for medications – for example, Frontline is a lot cheaper at Costco than at the vet’s office.

My favorite tip?  Tip #1 (start by rescuing a pet).  I still remember finding a picture of Bella on Petfinder and convincing the (now) hub that we just had to meet her.  We adopted her from HART, and it was definitely one of the best decisions we ever made.  How could we resist this face?

Vintage Bella photo from the vault, circa 2008.

 
Given the dreary day outside, I thought a sunny photo was the best defense.

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