Tag Archives: working group

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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Jack of all trades

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Although Bella’s exact specifications are unknown, I suspect (and many of you agreed) that she has some Beagle and Jack Russell Terrier in there (sometimes known as a Jack-a-Bee), and maybe a little Corgi too.  Since we’ve done No Frown Friday tributes to Beagles and Corgis, it’s time to complete the trifecta!

  1. First up, your punny pet name:  Jack Russell Crowe.
  2. Speaking of names, do you know how the Jack Russell Terrier got its name?  Once you know its origin story, click over to Dogster to learn more about this feisty breed or watch this clip from Dogs 101.
  3. In the epic battle of JRTs vs. sprinkler, who wins?  We do.
  4. Sprinkler defense aside… prepare for your heart to melt when you watch this video of a JRT mix nursing some abandoned kittens.
  5. JRTs can also play soccer and fly through the air with the greatest of ease. They really can do it all – remember Jesse?  (Sometimes, perhaps, they should be a bit less ambitious.)

The video below reminded me of Bella… she does this every morning and often additional times throughout the day:

(via The Dog Files)

It seems like I’m always seeing JRTs in pop culture – which famous cutie is your favorite?  I’m partial to Wishbone (portrayed by the awesomely named Soccer), followed closely by Eddie from Frasier (played by the equally awesome Moose).

Think you could handle one of these adorable balls of energy?  Then get out there and rescue a Jack Russell!

 

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Postage due

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Speed Bump
via Comics.com

Busy week, but I didn’t want you to think I forgot about you… I saw this comic today and it cracked me up.  I think Bella’s head really would explode if this were to happen.  As I was driving Bella to the vet this weekend, it occurred to me that, like the Simple Dog over at Hyperbole and a Half, Bella does not process the world well – sensory overload is always just around the corner.  A mailcat delivering squirrels would probably push her over the edge.  Though I suppose it would push me over the edge too… so let’s just hope the scene above never happens in real life.  It would be like that Futurama episode where we learn why the cats really put up with us.  I, for one, welcome our new feline overlords.


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Thank cuteness it’s Friday

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Happy Friday!  Let’s get to it: 

  1. Shannen Doherty turned 40 this week.  I already punnified the names of the main characters, but that doesn’t mean today’s punny pet names can’t still have a 90210 theme!  There’s one for the birthday girl, of course: Shannen Do-birdy.  Why stop there?  I give you Chasin’ Priestly.
  2. Baby rhino.  ‘Nuff said.
  3. Remember our roundup of animal odd couples?  The mismatched cuteness continues with a deer and a goose, as well as a cat and a dolphin.
  4. What’s awesome?  Dogs with jobs. 
  5. Those dogs have to get to work somehow.  Check out these photos of 50 dogs at 50 miles per hour.

I’m sure that after a long week at work, those dogs want nothing more than to relax with a round of golf.  Observe:



 Want more videos of Dash the puppy?  Ask and you shall receive.

Have a puptastic weekend!

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Flashback: Head of the Class

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I realized this week that it’s almost the one year anniversary of I Still Want More Puppies.  With that in mind, I thought I’d spend the week sharing some of my favorite posts from the past year.  This post originally appeared on September 17, 2010 (one of the many No Frown Friday installments).  An interesting update related to item #2 below – Yale now has a therapy pup on staff after all.  Guess I was just ahead of the curve.  Hope you enjoy!

Speed Bump
(via Speed Bump)

It’s September… which means school is back in session.  I haven’t been a student in quite some time.  Neither has Ms. Bella.  She did take one obedience course… seven years later, she does sit when asked (most of the time). 

We’ve been lucky – Bella’s a fairly low-maintenance gal who doesn’t get into much trouble.  When we eventually adopt dog number two, we’ll have to be much more diligent! 

If you haven’t already guessed, the topic of today’s No Frown Friday is… school!  Let’s hit the books:

  1. This week’s punny pet names are based on some famous names that chose the School of Life instead of a college degree: Drew Hairymore, Nose-Anne Barr, Roarin’ Beatty, and J.K. Howling.
  2. During college, I often found myself suffering from doggie withdrawal.  Earlier this week, I read that Yale Law School had recognized this epidemic, and offered a solution: if you needed a boost, you could check out Monty the pup for a 30 minute play date.  The circulation listing quoted in that post is so cute it’s out of control.  (A sample… “Subjects: Dogs in libraries; Stress reliever for law students.”)  It turns out that Monty might not have been available, but that’s okay.  A girl can dream.  I would have owed so much in overdue dog fees.
  3. Who needs obedience school? This “” has a college degree!
  4. You may (or may not) remember those great literary punny pet names I shared back in June.  In any event, there’s a second installment – quite a treat!  (Be sure to take the pun-filled quiz… I’m still giggling about Captain A. Lab.)
I’ve pulled today’s video out of the Internet archives, and dusted it off for your amusement.  I remember when I first saw this video last year. It quickly earned a place on my list of favorite things:


Reactions: (1) I would have been so much better at science if it was taught by puppies.  (2) I would like to open a school where all lessons are taught with the help of puppies.  (3)  I’ve already got a foolproof plan for the drama program.

Speaking of smarty pants pups, sometimes well-educated service dogs school others in the Americans with Disabilities Act.  If you want to learn more about the valedictorians of the doggie world – those amazingly smart service dogs – check out Canine Companions for Independence.  CCI spoke at Blog Paws West last weekend, and by all accounts it was amazing!

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Paws for Japan: How to Help

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Paws for JapanAs you know, the images and stories from Japan in the wake of the earthquake and tsunami are haunting and heartbreaking.  The tragedy has had a devastating effect on both people and animals.  For that reason, I ask you to take a moment today and learn how you can help with animal relief efforts in Japan. 

Today has been dubbed Paws for Japan Day.

What can you do? Please visit Pawcurious and BlogPaws Be the Change for Pets for information how you can donate to World Vets to support its animal relief efforts in Japan.  Huffington Post also highlighted World Vets in this list of ways to help animals in Japan – there are 5 other organizations mentioned as well if you’d like to learn more.

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And the award goes to…

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As you may know, I love awards shows.  Therefore, there could only be one theme to this week’s No Frown Friday: the Academy Awards!

  1. Your punny pet names are based on some of this year’s nominees:  Jesse Eisenbark, Colin Furth, Bark Ruffalo, Catalie Portman, and Helena Bone-ham Carter.
  2. Not sure the Oscars are for you?  There’s always the Dogscars instead.  What do you think are the best dog movies of all time? (You know I like to be inclusive, so here’s a quiz about movie cats and a movie filmed by cats.  Yup, you read that right.)
  3. Speaking of favorite dog movies and favorite dogs in movies, here are a few lists of dog movies to get you started.  Some of my favorites?  Best in Show, Lady and the Tramp, and The Fox and the Hound.  That’s by no means an exhaustive list of my favorites, however.  Put your thinking cap on and  tell me yours in the comments – I’ll meet you there!
  4. There have been some great movies featuring animals over the years.  How much do you know about them?  Take this quiz, and then learn more about animal stars, including shelter animals who ended up in show business.
  5. The American Humane Association makes sure that onscreen animals are kept safe and treated well.  AHA publishes some interesting behind the scenes stories on its website, like this one about the horses on the set of one of this year’s Best Picture nominees, True Grit.  AHA also publishes reviews regarding how each movie performs on AHA’s rating scale.  I looked up two more of this year’s Best Picture nominees, both of which received an outstanding rating: The Fighter and The Social Network.

So, which film do you think should win Best Picture?  I’m pulling for The King’s Speech – I promise it’s not just because there were Corgi cameos throughout.

Interesting note: apparently the AHA was very unhappy that The King’s Speech used its trademarked phrase, “No Animals Were Harmed” because the AHA was not involved in monitoring or rating this British production.  However, the issue was resolved – sounds like the real problem was use of the trademarked phrase, and all animals were treated humanely.

Serious interlude over… let the debate about the best dog movies ever begin!

 

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Happy Presi-Pets Day!

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If you’ve been studying your presidential pets, you probably know that President Franklin D. Roosevelt had a Scottish Terrier named Fala.  By all accounts, FDR and Fala were inseparable.  (In fact, Fala even appears next to his master at the FDR Memorial in DC.)  At one point, there were rumors that FDR accidentally left Fala behind during a trip to the Aleuitian Islands.  During the 1944 presidential campaign, Republicans contended that FDR had spent taxpayer money to send a destroyer back to retrieve Fala.  These accusations resulted in the famous “Fala speech” – you can read the full text here, but I’ve found a clip of the portion dealing with Fala and I thought it would be perfect to share with you today. 

Happy Presidents’ Day!

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