Saluting The Troops - Dogs Welcoming Their Troops Home - Videos

Marine Maj. Brian Dennis returned from Iraq and was reunited with Nubs, the street mutt he and his fellow soldiers rescued and, with help from friends and family, had shipped back to the United States.

This article is a little different than most that I write. I am dedicating this article to the Troops that have already come home, and to those who will be returning in the near future.


When Troops are deployed, they of course, have to leave their family. Did you know that some of these Troops have dogs and must provide care for them while they are gone… sometimes for months? While it is heart breaking for these Troops to leave their families and dogs…the homecoming is well worth it!

My article consists of several heart-warming videos showing the greetings that some Troops received from their dogs when they returned home. The Troops in these videos are already home…but I am sure that we will see more of these as more Troops arrive.

Looking at these video’s you can feel the love that these dogs have for their Troops, and the Troops have for their dogs! You will need tissues!

Please click on the links below to view these videos. Adjust your speakers, there is a lot of barking love in these videos!

                                     

(This video is really cute. The kid moves out of the way and let's the dog have daddy!)

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10 Reasons Not To Buy Puppies Online

Are you ready to add a puppy to your family? Have you considered adopting one from a shelter…yes, they have puppies too that need good homes.

So you are thinking…I don’t want to take the time to go down to a shelter and look a dogs…I’ll just go on the internet…it will be easier.  Will it?  Please, before you make the decision to go on the internet, take a look at 10 reasons why you should not buy a puppy online.

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) says, Don’t be fooled: the Internet is a vast, unregulated marketplace allowing anyone to put up a website claiming anything. Scattered among the websites of reputable breeders and rescue groups, Internet puppy scammers attract potential buyers with endearing pictures and phony promises.

Before buying a puppy off of the internet, consider these 10 factors:

1. Don't buy from someone who accepts credit cards, that usually means it's their business, and they're just doing it for money."

2. Don’t buy online from a local independent Seller. If so, you must verify the seller's information. Many people posting puppies for sale on Craigslist or other classifieds-style sites are a risky venture. You'll need to take extra steps to make sure the seller is a legitimate person or business, and you can request references if they have sold other puppies from the same parent. Just call the phone number and ask how you can verify their identity before proceeding.

3. Good breeders don't sell puppies online. Puppy mills and some backyard breeders do.

4. A good breeder may have websites. They won't have pictures of puppies with prices next to them; generally, they won't discuss price at all.

5. A good breeder will not always have puppies available, because they breed on or two litters a year, at most.

6. If you buy a puppy online, with no visit to the breeder's home, you have no idea whether the puppy you receive will be the one you thought you were buying, with the cute picture..

7. Before you buy a puppy online from a breeder, obtain the breeder's kennel name, telephone number and exact location. This is important. After you have this information, you'll want to consider finding out if they are legitimate from the Better Business Bureau.

8. Some buyers have waited weeks for delivery, only to find that they had become victims of fraud - being charged hundreds of dollars for a non-existent puppy that will never arrive.


9. Although sellers will invariably ensure a bouncing, healthy puppy, upon arrival puppies have been reported either sick, suffering from a chronic illness, or to have suffered injuries in transit.

10. When you decide to purchase a puppy online, you will not get the opportunity to meet it and see what its personality is like.

According to Francis Battista, of Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, "80% of the people who acquire a new pet buy one rather than adopt one from a shelter or rescue group....If 80% were adopted and only 20% were purchased, there wouldn't be a homeless pet problem at all."

Please listen to what Stephanie Shain, Chief Operations Officer, Washington Humane Society, has to say about buying a puppy online.

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Do You Know The Difference Between A Feral And Domesticated Cat?

Do you know the difference between a  feral and domestic cat? You probably have seen a feral cat, and just thought it was a stray cat.

Feral Cats:
Life-span: 2-3 years

Feral cats are descended from domestic cats, but are born and live without human contact. These are the ones you see running through your backyard. Sometimes you can hear them fighting and making a crying sound like a baby.

Feral cats are homeless cats, some consider them as wild animals.  They are often confused with pets who were abandoned or have become lost.

The moms usually give birth in quiet, unseen spots where the kittens will not be visible for several weeks.  They will hide during the day and come out at night. Since there is no human contact, they will be totally wild. When the kittens begin to romp and play, they are usually noticed by humans, but are not easily captured.

They are usually terrified of humans, and a feral kitten may hiss and "spit" at humans.
The feral kitten is capable of giving you a nasty scratch or bite and will probably try to escape if given the chance. To the kitten you may be seen as a predator; the kitten may think it is fighting for its life.

Feral diet: small mammals (rabbits, mice), birds and carrion.

Domesticated Cat:

Life-span: 15 years

A domestic cat, or house cat is a small furry domesticated carnivorous mammal that is valued by humans for its companionship.

A stray cat is one that has possibly become separated from it's owner. It may have become lost, dumped, or even abandoned when the owner moved or died. These are cats that are used to people, and tend to be somewhat  approachable.

Sometimes stray cats will have on collars with tags indicating that the are a pet.

Domestic Cat Diet:

Dry foods are  very helpful with matters of oral hygiene. Dry food, unlike moist, requires chewing and gnawing of kibble to be swallowed.

Typically, moist food is higher in fat and calories, and therefore more palatable. Many cats that are ill or debilitated will eat moist food because of its taste and ease of digestion.

Failure to control the breeding of pet cats by spaying and neutering and the abandonment of former household pets has resulted in large numbers of feral cats worldwide, with a population of up to 60 million of these animals in the United States alone.




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Yorkshire Terriers, Affectionately Known As Yorkies

The Yorkshire terrier is a small dog breed of terrier type. The defining features of the breed are its small size, less than 3.2kg, and its silky blue and tan coat. Don't let the small size mislead you, they are a terrific watchdogs and have the attitude of a full sized dog when it comes to protecting their territory.

Yorkshire Terriers, are affectionately known as "Yorkies," and offer big personalities in a small package. Though members of the Toy Group, they are terriers by nature and are brave, determined, investigative and energetic. This portable pooch is one of the most popular breeds!

In addition to being very intelligent dogs, they are also very loving and loyal pets. They bond quickly to caring and loving people, and enjoy being a part of the family. They love to be petted and enjoy spending time with humans and are truly a joy to be around. They can be a bit nervous of younger children.

Size: Up to 7 pounds

Colors: Although Yorkie pups are born black and tan, their color changes as they mature. The ideal coat color for adult Yorkies is blue (actually a deep, steel gray; no silver, black, or bronze mixed in) and tan. They can be any of these color combinations: blue and gold, blue and tan, black and gold, and black and tan.

Head: The Yorkie's head is small and slightly flat on top. The skull isn't too round, and the muzzle isn't too long. The nose is black, the eyes are dark, sparkly, and intelligent, and the ears are small, V-shaped, pointed, and erect.

Coat: Yorkie’s do not shed! Like human hair, Yorkie hair just keeps growing. In fact, their coat can grow long enough to drag on the ground. If you don't wrap up your Yorkie's hair, it'll break off and stay at a length about even with the ground. Their coats are silky and hang straight down each side of their bodies.

Yorkies have one long, straight part that extends the length of their bodies, starting at the base of their skulls and going all the way back to the tips of their tails. When you keep the coat long, the part usually falls into place.

Health: Yorkie’s are quite sensitive to many medications. They don't like cold or rain and should wear a sweater in cold weather.


                                                        Click on image to enlarge.
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Have You Ever Adopted An Animal from a Shelter?

Have you ever adopted an animal from a shelter? If so, we would like to hear your story. Please include what type of pet, the pet's name and how long you have them. Let us know how your pet has changed your life and anything about them!

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Patrick The celebrity Pit Bull To Stay In Tinton Falls

Published: Friday, June 03, 2011, 7:30 AM

 By Eunice Lee/The Star-Ledger 

NEWARK — In March, he was an abused dog rescued from a Newark apartment garbage chute. Today, he's viewed as a money maker whose ability to rake in donations for sympathetic causes has three groups fighting over him.

The story of Patrick the Pit Bull has turned into a bizarre tale involving the humane society, the Garden State Veterinary Specialists in Tinton Falls and the city of Newark.

The custody battle landed in a courtroom yesterday, where attorneys representing Associated Humane Societies and Newark dug into each other in a heated debate.

Harry Levin, representing Associated Humane Societies, argued Patrick is the property of the humane society, which initially took in the dog. Patrick's fame has raised an estimated $100,000, he said.

"What happens to Patrick is an important issue. Patrick has become a celebrity," Levin said in his testimony before Superior Court Judge Joseph Cassini III in Newark.

William Strazza, representing the city, argued Patrick technically still belongs to his alleged abuser, Kisha Curtis, who faces animal cruelty charges.

"Patrick didn't wake up one day and decide to become a celebrity. He was turned into one" by the Associated Humane Societies, Strazza said.

Meanwhile, Patricia Smillie-Scavelli, hospital administrator at Garden State Veterinary Specialists, said she hopes to one day adopt Patrick.

Cassini denied the humane society’s request to move Patrick from the animial hospital to the society's zoo. He said Patrick is being "adequately cared for" by the veterinary specialists and will remain there through Curtis' trial.

"Patrick is both the victim and evidence in this case," Cassini said.

"It's really a stretch to say Patrick is like a pound of cocaine that needs to stay in an evidence locker," Levin retorted.

Patrick's publicity has launched national anti-cruelty movements, protests, prayer vigils, T-shirt sales and hundreds of Facebook fan groups worldwide.

Last month, Patrick fans from as far away as Rhode Island and Massachusetts rallied in Newark as Curtis made her first court appearance. The Essex County Prosecutor's Office has been flooded with 3,000 letters from Patrick supporters.

The animal hospital obtained a court order April 26 that Patrick be kept there during Curtis' trial.

Smillie-Scavelli says it's not about the money.

"I don't think it's a question of what we want — it's what we've been asked to do," she said.

Levin accused the city of Newark, which contracts with the humane society and has had a rocky history, of "teaming up" with the animal hospital to exploit Patrick’s fame. Mayor Cory Booker has raised more than $35,000 for a new animal shelter he wants to build in honor of Patrick.

"The city of Newark doesn’t have the money itself, so it’s going to capitalize on this animal," said Levin, who argued the city is in collusion with Smillie-Scavelli, who wants to adopt the dog.

"Nobody has vetted Ms. Scavelli," Levin said. "I’m not saying she’s a bad lady, I just don’t know her."

Smillie-Scavelli, who said she spends eight hours a day with Patrick, said she simply wants to give the dog a home away from the limelight.

"This is about Patrick and about him having a good life going forward," she said.

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Emergency Preparedness For Your Pet – Do You Know What To Do In A Disaster?

Are your prepared? Do you know what to do with your pet in a disaster? In the world that we live in, we are constantly reminded to be prepared for emergencies.  Have you ever thought, what would happen to your pet in a disaster?

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), says to arrange a safe haven for your pets in the event of evacuation. DO NOT LEAVE YOUR PETS BEHIND. Remember, if it isn't safe for you, it isn't safe for your pets. They may become trapped or escape and be exposed to numerous life-threatening hazards. Note that not all Red Cross disaster shelters accept pets, so it is imperative that you have determined where you will bring your pets ahead of time.

The Federal Management  Agency (FEMA), says to take pet food, bottled water, medications, veterinary records, cat litter/pan, can opener, food dishes, first aid kit and other supplies with you in case they're not available later. Consider packing a "pet survival" kit  (Please take a look at the slideshow on the left showing these items), which could be easily deployed if disaster hits. Also, separate dogs and cats. Even if your dogs and cats normally get along, the anxiety of an emergency situation can cause pets to act irrationally. Keep small pets away from cats and dogs.

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Keeping Your Dog Safe In The Summer Heat

The Washington DC area is experiencing the hottest summer on record.  It is important to keep your dog safe in the summer heat. So far this year 3 dogs have died  from heat related illnesses. If you are too hot this time of year, more than likely, your pet is too.  Direct sun, lack of fresh, cool water and concrete can be extremely dangerous to pets left outside. These conditions make it hard for a dog to regulate his body temperature which can lead to heat stroke.

There are several items that can help your dog be comfortable in this heat wave. The portable handi-drink for dogs  provides instant water for your dog when you are out and don’t have access to fresh water.

For the outside dog there is a Contech water dog - motion activated outdoor pet fountain. Another item to help your dog beat the heat is a Cooling bed  This bed offers your pet soothing relief from warmer weather. Finally, there is the cooling fan. This battery operated fan  attaches easily to most crates or cages.

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