Gray sky, cold air, leafless trees desperate for green, sunny, warmth.
Spring hesitant to make its debut.
Winter weather lingers in spite, waiting for its last attack before giving into the changing of the seasons.
Just one of those days.
I have fallen into a down mood. Stress builds by the volume. My hope to keep going in every day. . .my sweetheart cat, Darby. Pets have a mysterious way of creating a smile from a frown. Pets have a mysterious way of knowing when their love is needed the most. Pets have a mysterious way of bringing a sliver of happiness to the most depressed. Cats and dogs are odd creatures. They simply know. They simply know what to do.
I encourage readers of this post to share experiences with pets. How has your pet changed your down days? How has your pet brought love when love is needed the most? How has your pet impacted your life in any way?
Share thoughts. Share experiences. Puppy Love is here to listen.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Friday, March 18, 2011
Headline Edition : A Dog's Perspective
The Yahoo News quote you will see below in "Headline Edition : Update" is in real time. Animals in Japan have sorrowfully been severely stricken by the devastation.
The YouTube video you will see below is the reality of what animals are facing on their own. This video shows strength, bravery, loyalty, and unconditional love for one's own kind. This video is from a dog's perspective.
Yahoo News has since reported that the critically wounded dog is receiving care at a vet clinic in the city of Mito and that the protective dog is receiving care at an animal shelter in Mito.
"It is amazing how they survived the tremendous earthquake and tsunami. It's just amazing that they survived through this all." - English translation, Yahoo News
The YouTube video you will see below is the reality of what animals are facing on their own. This video shows strength, bravery, loyalty, and unconditional love for one's own kind. This video is from a dog's perspective.
Yahoo News has since reported that the critically wounded dog is receiving care at a vet clinic in the city of Mito and that the protective dog is receiving care at an animal shelter in Mito.
"It is amazing how they survived the tremendous earthquake and tsunami. It's just amazing that they survived through this all." - English translation, Yahoo News
Headline Edition : Update
- Puppy Love Headline Edition -
Update
The single worst natural disaster in Japanese history and a ranking record in global history.
Consider this devastation from an animal's perspective -
"There will likely be thousands of pets orphaned or involuntarily abandoned due to the catastrophe in Japan." - Yahoo News
Update
The single worst natural disaster in Japanese history and a ranking record in global history.
Consider this devastation from an animal's perspective -
"There will likely be thousands of pets orphaned or involuntarily abandoned due to the catastrophe in Japan." - Yahoo News
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Inspired by Puppy Love
Over the course of the past few months, I have felt incredible creative pressure desperately seeking an outlet. I created and customized a personal blog on Tumblr. This was not enough. I looked to the niche blogs I currently maintain - Set List and Puppy Love. I saw nothing. . .until I saw something.
My mother designs cards as a hobby. I am taking this hobby concept and creating card design as a business. Her designs are general in nature (but always breathtaking). My designs are themed in nature.
Inspired by Puppy Love, I am envisioning and creating handmade cards with a puppy theme. Each design in this theme is unique with title. My hope is to plan a minimum of three designs and create a portfolio with stock. This portfolio will be taken to local pet stores where owners will have the option to sell my work if they like what they see.
I am not done at this point. My puppy theme is two designs in thus far. Inspired by Set List, I am doing the same by handmaking cards with a rock n' roll music theme. Each design is unique with title. I have three designs within the music theme thus far, with a fourth on the way. My portfolio for the music theme is nearly set and I am ready to prepare stock. This portfolio will be taken to local relevant stores where owners will have the option to sell my work if they like what they see.
My creative pressure has been released. I am in love with card design, especially based on theme inspired by Puppy Love and Set List. Design as a business is still conceptual in nature. My business name is currently tentative. I am still in stock creation mode. Price has yet to be set with each design under puppy and music. My ultimate goal is to sell really well in stores to then justify creating an online presence. If (strong hope) I get to this point, I will share web link and samples here on Puppy Love. Both themes have been getting rave reviews thus far, so one can only wonder and hope. . .
While I take some time away from Puppy Love to focus on my card design venture, I encourage viewers to keep up with the Daily Puppy. If there is a breed you are curious to know more about, follow my research tracks by entering the breed name in Google and look for Dog Breed Info and/or the American Kennel Club. I always go to PAWS Chicago or The Anti-Cruelty Society if a Daily Puppy breed matches an adoption availability at these shelters. You can do the same in your area.
As always, Puppy Love gives a warm pawfive.
My mother designs cards as a hobby. I am taking this hobby concept and creating card design as a business. Her designs are general in nature (but always breathtaking). My designs are themed in nature.
Inspired by Puppy Love, I am envisioning and creating handmade cards with a puppy theme. Each design in this theme is unique with title. My hope is to plan a minimum of three designs and create a portfolio with stock. This portfolio will be taken to local pet stores where owners will have the option to sell my work if they like what they see.
I am not done at this point. My puppy theme is two designs in thus far. Inspired by Set List, I am doing the same by handmaking cards with a rock n' roll music theme. Each design is unique with title. I have three designs within the music theme thus far, with a fourth on the way. My portfolio for the music theme is nearly set and I am ready to prepare stock. This portfolio will be taken to local relevant stores where owners will have the option to sell my work if they like what they see.
My creative pressure has been released. I am in love with card design, especially based on theme inspired by Puppy Love and Set List. Design as a business is still conceptual in nature. My business name is currently tentative. I am still in stock creation mode. Price has yet to be set with each design under puppy and music. My ultimate goal is to sell really well in stores to then justify creating an online presence. If (strong hope) I get to this point, I will share web link and samples here on Puppy Love. Both themes have been getting rave reviews thus far, so one can only wonder and hope. . .
While I take some time away from Puppy Love to focus on my card design venture, I encourage viewers to keep up with the Daily Puppy. If there is a breed you are curious to know more about, follow my research tracks by entering the breed name in Google and look for Dog Breed Info and/or the American Kennel Club. I always go to PAWS Chicago or The Anti-Cruelty Society if a Daily Puppy breed matches an adoption availability at these shelters. You can do the same in your area.
As always, Puppy Love gives a warm pawfive.
Friday, March 11, 2011
Headline Edition
- Puppy Love Headline Edition -
I am nearly positive that by now - 10:00a.m. CST (U.S.) - the entire globe has woken to the news. . .Japan suffered historic devastation through an 8.9 magnitude earthquake and 23-foot (possibly greater) tsunami. This natural disaster is beyond record books at the worst in Japanese history and the fifth worst in world history - world history. The strength of the earthquake is such that a literal ripple affect is traveling right now through the entire Pacific Ocean. Hawaii, the entire United States West Coast, and 19 other countries are on high alert for waves. Kauai, Hawaii was the first U.S. land to be hit. Devastation is unknown at this time, as is the all clear. All other Hawaiian islands have already been hit, again with unknown devastation. California is due next. . .actually California is due now. Northern California and bays off of the upper West Coast are due to expect the worst of any incoming waves.
I have family in Kauai. My aunt, uncle, cousin, and close family friends luckily live well inland on the island.
I have family in Southern California. My grandmother and godfather luckily live a couple miles inland and upwards in elevation.
I have extended family off of Seattle, Washington. Their status is unknown.
As I pray for their well-being, I think of the many pets and shelter animals equally as affected by the horrors of nature's wrath.
My grandmother can easily bring her newly adopted dog inside her home from her backyard. The same can be said for my godfather's pet dog. My aunt, uncle, and cousin own a cat and a dog. These pets cannot be brought inside as, obviously stated, they must go with their family to higher ground. I wonder as I write this blog post what runs through an animal's mind when fear is running through their owner's mind. The animal(s) does not understand. When in fear, a domestic animal anyway is naturally inclined to hide and be secluded away from the source of fear and danger. So does the owner stay out of unconditional love and protective instinct for their pet or do they leave for their own safety?
The Kauai Humane Society is located in what would be considered a basin. When I volunteered some years ago, my aunt and I drove down into a valley surrounded by mountains. The Kauai Humane Society, then, is naturally protected from any large wave or tsunami (I imagine within reason). The animals, too, are protected because of the natural positioning of their location. Yet, staff and volunteers at KHS have to abide seriously by the warning as real and warning as a test. So the animals are left alone. The warning that sounded at 10:00pm their time was very real. What happens to the animals? Is there a protective measure set in place for these occasions?
I am helpless when my cat is in fear. When she is scared, she hides under my mother's bed. I cannot reach her. I cannot calm her down. I cannot help her. Imagine trying to calm down a building full of scared cats and dogs. And KHS is constructed into multiple buildings - one for kittens and cats and one for puppies and dogs.
This planet has seen too much devastation in a very short period of time. I would never guess that I would post a headline edition of such magnitude ever. Things must change. We must change. Our beloved animals - as pets, as shelter animals, and as wild animals - have done nothing to live in the crumbling world we are creating. All animals need us. We need our Earth.
I am nearly positive that by now - 10:00a.m. CST (U.S.) - the entire globe has woken to the news. . .Japan suffered historic devastation through an 8.9 magnitude earthquake and 23-foot (possibly greater) tsunami. This natural disaster is beyond record books at the worst in Japanese history and the fifth worst in world history - world history. The strength of the earthquake is such that a literal ripple affect is traveling right now through the entire Pacific Ocean. Hawaii, the entire United States West Coast, and 19 other countries are on high alert for waves. Kauai, Hawaii was the first U.S. land to be hit. Devastation is unknown at this time, as is the all clear. All other Hawaiian islands have already been hit, again with unknown devastation. California is due next. . .actually California is due now. Northern California and bays off of the upper West Coast are due to expect the worst of any incoming waves.
I have family in Kauai. My aunt, uncle, cousin, and close family friends luckily live well inland on the island.
I have family in Southern California. My grandmother and godfather luckily live a couple miles inland and upwards in elevation.
I have extended family off of Seattle, Washington. Their status is unknown.
As I pray for their well-being, I think of the many pets and shelter animals equally as affected by the horrors of nature's wrath.
My grandmother can easily bring her newly adopted dog inside her home from her backyard. The same can be said for my godfather's pet dog. My aunt, uncle, and cousin own a cat and a dog. These pets cannot be brought inside as, obviously stated, they must go with their family to higher ground. I wonder as I write this blog post what runs through an animal's mind when fear is running through their owner's mind. The animal(s) does not understand. When in fear, a domestic animal anyway is naturally inclined to hide and be secluded away from the source of fear and danger. So does the owner stay out of unconditional love and protective instinct for their pet or do they leave for their own safety?
The Kauai Humane Society is located in what would be considered a basin. When I volunteered some years ago, my aunt and I drove down into a valley surrounded by mountains. The Kauai Humane Society, then, is naturally protected from any large wave or tsunami (I imagine within reason). The animals, too, are protected because of the natural positioning of their location. Yet, staff and volunteers at KHS have to abide seriously by the warning as real and warning as a test. So the animals are left alone. The warning that sounded at 10:00pm their time was very real. What happens to the animals? Is there a protective measure set in place for these occasions?
I am helpless when my cat is in fear. When she is scared, she hides under my mother's bed. I cannot reach her. I cannot calm her down. I cannot help her. Imagine trying to calm down a building full of scared cats and dogs. And KHS is constructed into multiple buildings - one for kittens and cats and one for puppies and dogs.
This planet has seen too much devastation in a very short period of time. I would never guess that I would post a headline edition of such magnitude ever. Things must change. We must change. Our beloved animals - as pets, as shelter animals, and as wild animals - have done nothing to live in the crumbling world we are creating. All animals need us. We need our Earth.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
No Kill Society 2011
In recent weeks, I have noticed a trend in topic theme in the Pets Category on Examiner. The issue of no kill and humane treatment of shelter animals - cats and dogs - has skyrocketed in published articles. In this post, I will voice my opinion on the concept of no kill.
No Kill Society 2011
By Lauren Hovis
"The number of homeless pets killed in 1997 in Chicago was a staggering 42,561."
In the Fall/Winter 2010 edition of PAWS Chicago's Angel Tales Magazine, an article was published on the reality of a no-kill society. Animal shelters around the United States found themselves boldly named in "When is No Kill truly No Kill?" for labeling "adoptable" animals they were in fact killing. In Los Angeles, one animal shelter was cited for killing half of the dogs it was saving. In 2009, 4 million pets were euthanized in shelters in this country alone. Perhaps more sickening is this - "Nationwide, 60% of dogs and 70% of cats entering animal shelters never make it out alive." These statistics should not be.
I recently spoke to Irene Brown, an Adoption Counselor at PAWS Chicago, to gain insight as to whether or not Chicago has made progress and will be a true no kill city in this year, 2011.
Q. Define the concept of "no kill."
A. Members of the no-kill movement, like PAWS Chicago, believe that each animal has value, and that they should not be killed simply for lack of space. Instead of the traditional method of sheltering which involves trapping and killing cats and dogs to keep the homeless animal population under control, the no-kill movement promotes spaying and neutering, adoption, and educating the public on the plight of homeless pets. For more on the no-kill movement, check out our website: PAWS Chicago.
Q. Is there justification for putting down a shelter animal?
A. On rare occasions, no-kill shelters will euthanize when an animal is a danger to other animals or people (and does not respond to training), or when it is too sick for medical treatment. However, this makes up a very small percentage of the pets that are admitted to no-kill programs.
Q. How many shelter animals in the United States are put down for unethical reasons, that you know of?
A. It is hard to say exactly how many homeless pets are killed across the country. At PAWS, we focus on the homeless pet population in Chicago. The number of homeless pets killed in 1997 in Chicago was a staggering 42,561. If traditional methods worked, pet overpopulation would not continue to plague our country's homeless pets. In contrast, since PAWS Chicago took the No Kill message public with Angel Tales in 1998, and with the help of all the wonderful Chicagoans who have rallied to help homeless pets, the killing has been reduced by more than half with 19,288 pets euthanized in 2008. That number continues to drop every year.
Q. In any given year, how many dogs does PAWS Chicago rescue?
A. PAWS Chicago's goal for 2010 was to reach 4,000 adoptions. We surpassed our goal in December and hope to save even more lives in 2011. Roughly about 2,000 of the adopted pets were dogs, and the rest cats.
Q. What is the fate of a dog that is not rescued?
A. Dogs at Animal Care and Control that are not rescued by PAWS Chicago are either reunited with their owners (if they were strays), adopted directly from Animal Control, transferred to other rescue groups, or euthanized.
Q. How can individuals help save dogs in Chicago?
A. There are many ways to help save homeless dogs in Chicago. By adopting a dog, instead of purchasing one from a breeder or pet store, adopters are saving a life. PAWS Chicago is 90% volunteer-run, and could not exist without our many dedicated volunteers. There are many different opportunities for people looking to volunteer, and each one helps us get closer to the goal of a no-kill city. Also, PAWS Chicago runs without any type of city, state, or federal funding. We rely completely on the support of generous individuals who donate to fund our programs.
Q. Define an ideal world for shelter dogs.
A. An ideal world for shelter dogs would be one in which animals are not killed simply for lack of space, where dogs are valued and given a chance to find their forever homes. PAWS Chicago has made a lot of progress, yet there is still a lot of work to be done. By spreading the word about the no-kill messsage, and promoting spay/neuter initiatives, adoption, and humane education, we hope to one day make Chicago a no-kill city.
Make Chicago a no-kill city today, not someday. Dogs provide unconditional love and content happiness. Look into their eyes. Listen to what they say. Consider the statistics and ask why? Make Chicago a no kill society in 2011 and beyond.
No Kill Society 2011
By Lauren Hovis
"The number of homeless pets killed in 1997 in Chicago was a staggering 42,561."
In the Fall/Winter 2010 edition of PAWS Chicago's Angel Tales Magazine, an article was published on the reality of a no-kill society. Animal shelters around the United States found themselves boldly named in "When is No Kill truly No Kill?" for labeling "adoptable" animals they were in fact killing. In Los Angeles, one animal shelter was cited for killing half of the dogs it was saving. In 2009, 4 million pets were euthanized in shelters in this country alone. Perhaps more sickening is this - "Nationwide, 60% of dogs and 70% of cats entering animal shelters never make it out alive." These statistics should not be.
I recently spoke to Irene Brown, an Adoption Counselor at PAWS Chicago, to gain insight as to whether or not Chicago has made progress and will be a true no kill city in this year, 2011.
Q. Define the concept of "no kill."
A. Members of the no-kill movement, like PAWS Chicago, believe that each animal has value, and that they should not be killed simply for lack of space. Instead of the traditional method of sheltering which involves trapping and killing cats and dogs to keep the homeless animal population under control, the no-kill movement promotes spaying and neutering, adoption, and educating the public on the plight of homeless pets. For more on the no-kill movement, check out our website: PAWS Chicago.
Q. Is there justification for putting down a shelter animal?
A. On rare occasions, no-kill shelters will euthanize when an animal is a danger to other animals or people (and does not respond to training), or when it is too sick for medical treatment. However, this makes up a very small percentage of the pets that are admitted to no-kill programs.
Q. How many shelter animals in the United States are put down for unethical reasons, that you know of?
A. It is hard to say exactly how many homeless pets are killed across the country. At PAWS, we focus on the homeless pet population in Chicago. The number of homeless pets killed in 1997 in Chicago was a staggering 42,561. If traditional methods worked, pet overpopulation would not continue to plague our country's homeless pets. In contrast, since PAWS Chicago took the No Kill message public with Angel Tales in 1998, and with the help of all the wonderful Chicagoans who have rallied to help homeless pets, the killing has been reduced by more than half with 19,288 pets euthanized in 2008. That number continues to drop every year.
Q. In any given year, how many dogs does PAWS Chicago rescue?
A. PAWS Chicago's goal for 2010 was to reach 4,000 adoptions. We surpassed our goal in December and hope to save even more lives in 2011. Roughly about 2,000 of the adopted pets were dogs, and the rest cats.
Q. What is the fate of a dog that is not rescued?
A. Dogs at Animal Care and Control that are not rescued by PAWS Chicago are either reunited with their owners (if they were strays), adopted directly from Animal Control, transferred to other rescue groups, or euthanized.
Q. How can individuals help save dogs in Chicago?
A. There are many ways to help save homeless dogs in Chicago. By adopting a dog, instead of purchasing one from a breeder or pet store, adopters are saving a life. PAWS Chicago is 90% volunteer-run, and could not exist without our many dedicated volunteers. There are many different opportunities for people looking to volunteer, and each one helps us get closer to the goal of a no-kill city. Also, PAWS Chicago runs without any type of city, state, or federal funding. We rely completely on the support of generous individuals who donate to fund our programs.
Q. Define an ideal world for shelter dogs.
A. An ideal world for shelter dogs would be one in which animals are not killed simply for lack of space, where dogs are valued and given a chance to find their forever homes. PAWS Chicago has made a lot of progress, yet there is still a lot of work to be done. By spreading the word about the no-kill messsage, and promoting spay/neuter initiatives, adoption, and humane education, we hope to one day make Chicago a no-kill city.
Make Chicago a no-kill city today, not someday. Dogs provide unconditional love and content happiness. Look into their eyes. Listen to what they say. Consider the statistics and ask why? Make Chicago a no kill society in 2011 and beyond.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Sick day
There is something about March that renders a sick day for me. Last year at this time, I was down for two weeks with a most terrible flu. Today I am down with a slight fever and zero energy. The world around me is silent. I do not like this feeling.
I wonder what a sick day for a dog is like. I have been receiving a great deal of emails from Daily Dog Tips on how to care for a dog who is under the weather.
- No sugarless snacks for dogs -
Xylitol is an ingredient found in sugarless chewing gum. This ingredient is harmless to humans but is toxic if ingested in dogs, primarily causing liver failure.
*Tip provided by Helen Fazio, Travel Dog Blogger (http://www.traveldogbooks.com/)
- Dogs really REALLY can't eat grapes or grape products -
Grapes, raisins, grape juice, wine. . .anything grape is out of the question
Any grape product in large quantity (one single grape product is relatively harmless) is highly toxic when ingested, inducing vomitting and diarrhea and leading to kidney failure within 24 hours.
*Tip provided by Helen Fazio, Travel Dog Blogger (see website above)
- How to make the vet appointment less stressful -
If an owner has more than one dog, bring all of them along to a vet appointment.
Reason one : The dog who is the patient will feel the support of his or her canine family.
Reason two : The other dogs will not feel as intimidated or scared when their time to go to the vet comes up. The vet will be just another place to go.
*Tip provided by Tracie Hotchner, author of The Dog Bible
Perhaps a fever and lack of energy isn't so bad!
I wonder what a sick day for a dog is like. I have been receiving a great deal of emails from Daily Dog Tips on how to care for a dog who is under the weather.
- No sugarless snacks for dogs -
Xylitol is an ingredient found in sugarless chewing gum. This ingredient is harmless to humans but is toxic if ingested in dogs, primarily causing liver failure.
*Tip provided by Helen Fazio, Travel Dog Blogger (http://www.traveldogbooks.com/)
- Dogs really REALLY can't eat grapes or grape products -
Grapes, raisins, grape juice, wine. . .anything grape is out of the question
Any grape product in large quantity (one single grape product is relatively harmless) is highly toxic when ingested, inducing vomitting and diarrhea and leading to kidney failure within 24 hours.
*Tip provided by Helen Fazio, Travel Dog Blogger (see website above)
- How to make the vet appointment less stressful -
If an owner has more than one dog, bring all of them along to a vet appointment.
Reason one : The dog who is the patient will feel the support of his or her canine family.
Reason two : The other dogs will not feel as intimidated or scared when their time to go to the vet comes up. The vet will be just another place to go.
*Tip provided by Tracie Hotchner, author of The Dog Bible
Perhaps a fever and lack of energy isn't so bad!
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