A two days old kitten flushed down the toilet

I know, I know, it's not about dogs. BUT, it is a story that will make you smile. Well, it's end will.

Two days-old kitten

When her mother, Ammie Crofts, asked 3 years old where was the kitten, little Alannah Merleto, of Syndey, Australia, answered : "Down the toilet". The mother was immediately worried because her daughter have a history of flushing things down the drain.

After looking for the kitten everywhere, the family heard tiny cries coming from the pipes, under the house. The family called the fire department, and eight of them came to the rescue of the little kitten. Using a camera on a 80 feets long chord, they were able to see the kitten on a small monitor.

Part of the rescue operation

What the camera saw

Thankfully, one of the fireman was once a plumber and was able to direct his coworker as to where and how
to go to save the kitten. After four hours, they retrieved a tiny kitten, scared but alive.

The kitten is named Cain, after the fireman that lead the rescue operation.

Cain's mommy and her kittens

I am afraid to say that, the moral of this story is.... not everything is good to be flushed? and... Check what your children are flushing?

REF : Check the original story here

Well, if that's not loving your dog...

When you think that nothing can surprise you... something inevitably comes up.

Joseph Guiso loved his dog Honey so much, that he married her in ceremony at Toowoomba's Laurel Bank Park. You think he is crazy? What about his 30 friends and family members that witness the unique event?

Mr. Guiso was quick to assure everybody that it wasn't "sexual" : His vows were "You’re my best friend and you make every part of my day better." A self-described 'religious guy,' he said he could no longer stand the guilt of living with the canine cutie out of wedlock.

Crazy, or not crazy?

Check the link here

The Story of Bella or How we rescued a dog and How it made us happy

As many of you know, we have two dogs. Jake, a chocolate Lab of 2 and Bella, a … mixed breed and she will be one in December, or January.

Last July, when we rescued Bella, we were told that she was a Doberman/Weiramaner mix and that she was about 7-8 months. She had been found in the streets (where she most likely lived all of her life) and was alarmingly thin.

The rescue named her Nervous Nelly, because she was a nervous wreck. But before even having her, we wanted her to have a new name, since she was starting a new life. So, after A LOT of discussion (we have a very strong minded teenager. ) about names, something happened. At the same moment, us, known as The Parents and the Teenager, came up with a name... Bella, at the same time.

So Bella it was.

After our adopting application was accepted, we had to wait one week before picking her up, because she had to be spayed. And I have to be honest here. I shamelessly called them, the rescue, more time than I care to remember, to ask them for updates on Bella. They never lost their patience with me though. They only said that it was nice to see people caring so much for a dog that was not yet theirs.

So, one very sunny Saturday, we left Jake at home and drove to the rescue, ready to pick up the new addition to our family.

Yep. That's love!

That's trust

It wasn’t easy, to gain a stray dog trust. But with the help of Brown Lover, a.k.a. Jake, and lots of food, we were able to do it in a week or so.

We also came to realize that adopting a stray dog makes you feel so good. Today, I love my skinny girl as much as she loves me. Although, because dogs have this endless capacity of love without EVER expecting something back, I think she loves me so much more than I could.

I see a proof of this love every day. From the way she wants her head to be in my lap when she naps to the way she lets me know when it’s time to go potty. From the way she is so protective of her family to the way she runs toward me when I whistle for her. From the time she spends on her back, wishing for a scratch to the way she sneaks in bed with my daughter.

There is a difference between my dogs. Jake, whom we adopted when he was only 8 weeks, adores us. And he expects us to feed him (he will let us know, by crying, if we are late feeding him), to put him outside for his business (again, those cries). He expect me to scratch him behind his ears and to let him sleep in my lap when I watch TV. But I am not complaining. He is a brat, and he is MY brat. When I don’t feel good, he knows it before me. He is always there for me. Bella, on the other hand, doesn’t expect anything. She stays in the back, waiting. She lies down on the carpet, in front of the sliding doors, her head high and her front legs crossed. Very Nefertiti-like.

But there is something I am very curious about her. I want to know, very selfishly, what she is exactly. It won't change the way I love her, but I want to know. She obviously has some Dobbie in her. The markings on her face tell as much. Her big Minnie Mouse could also mean Weiramaner (or Doberman. What does a Doberman look like without his ears cut?).

As I am researching to know more about her, I remembered a dog Jake went to training with. Look at this picture:

I don't remember the dog's name, but he is a Louisiana dog.

And then, look at Bella:

But then, look at a Greyhound and at a Whippet (not for the face, but for the body) : 

Greyhound

Whippet

 And then, look at Bella :

I know, she is skinny. This is the day we brought her home.

 To say the least, I am confused. But what is Bella?

A dog for Christmas. Bad or good idea?

Adopting a dog for Christmas is the ultimate present for a lot of kids. They beg for it for months and in the end, parents give in. Next thing you know, under the Christmas tree, there is a box with crude holes poked in it that makes funny noises. But, is it really a good idea?

To offer or not a puppy for Christmas really depends of the reasons beyond the gift and if you really have reviewed all of the pros and cons of adopting a dog.

A dog is a lifetime commitment. It needs time, resources and love. When offering a dog for Christmas and expecting a kid to be in charge of all of the above is simple unrealistic. Sure, Junior will take care of the dog for the first few days, but as soon as the holidays vacations are over, who takes care of the new addition to the family? Too often, a few weeks after the holiday, pounds and rescues are overflowing with unwanted puppies that are too much work for the family that first adopted them.

To DO IT THE RIGHT WAY, if you really want to surprise somebody with a puppy, made sure you discuss it through with the person that will be responsible of the pup. And yes, sometimes, that person is yourself. The subjects that needs to be discussed are the expenses related to a dog (food, accessories and veterinarian visits, shots, surgery and drugs), the necessary training in order to have a well behave dog and the fact their life will be changed for the next 10-15 years. No more impulsive ski week-end or long vacations without first planning a good kennel stay.

Don’t forget, if you are the one offering a puppy as a gift, you have the last word and can ultimately decide if offering a puppy is a good idea.

If after reflexion, you decide that a dog is a good idea, please DO NOT do these:

-         -  Wrap the puppy in a box under the Christmas tree. A puppy is a living being that needs air. Also, not only are you risking suffocating the dog, but you might un-wrap a pup that will have urinated and/or defecated and/or vomited on himself while waiting for you to unwrap him. Not quite the welcome you were expecting. And since a puppy is not a toy or a thing, don’t treat him as such.

-         -  Get a puppy from a pet store. Never, ever, ever buy a puppy from a pet store because those pups comes most likely from a puppy mills where dogs are kept all their lives in a cage and they are as good as they can breed. If you are serious in the search of a puppy, go to the pound, to a rescue. Find a reputable breeder or ask around you. 

-         -  Buy a puppy because of his look only or because it’s a popular breed. Each breed of dog is part of a group (work, sporting, hunting, terrier, herding, etc.) and if you choose the wrong group for your family, your life WILL be miserable. I can guarantee it. Imagine this. You just adopted a Labrador after seeing Marley and me but you are a very sedentary family that doesn’t do a lot of outdoor activities. Not only will you be overwhelmed by the work a Labrador needs, but your dog will be miserable and will act up. Check the site of the AKC (American Kennel Club) for more information about which breed is the perfect fit for you and your family or for the family you will be offering a puppy to.

An alternative

As I have mentioned above, since a puppy is not a toy or a thing, why not, instead, visit the pound as a family and adopt a dog that needs a new home? If you are specifically looking for a breed, look out for rescue groups across the country. Here are a few examples: 

a)      a) You are looking to adopt a Labrador. With a few clicks, you can find for “rescue Labrador new York”:
http://www.rudysrescue.org/ ;
http://www.tenspider-pets.net/pet-adoption/labrador-retriever-rescue.html ;
http://www.rescueforlife.org/.

      b)   You are looking to adopt a Yorkshire terrier. Enter : “rescue Yorkshire terrier new York” :
http://adopt-a-yorkie.adoptapet.com/ ;

http://www.yorkierescue.com/need.html ;
http://www.netpets.com/dogs/dogresc/breeds/dogyork.html.

Not only adopting from a rescue is a good thing, but the dogs coming from there are usually already fixed/spayed and/or have their shots and their behavior are assessed, making it easier to find a good fit, maybe for you and your family.

And if you wish to, not, if you feel as if you have to wrap something up, think about these necessary accessories:

-        - Leash and collar

-        - Food and water bowl

-        -  Toys

I can promise you that if you adopt a dog for the good reasons, whatever are your reasons, you will have a happy family, of humans and fur-balls.

Funny Picture

The Green Dog just got a new camera and can't help himself but take pictures (tons of them, really) of Jake and Bella. Here is what Jake thinks of the non-stop taking pictures: