Archive for October, 2009

Boris and his humans wish all our furry friends and their humans a safe and happy HOWLoween this 31st of October 2009.

All humans please remember that us dogs have much more sensitive ears and noses than you do and we can find the noise and smell of fireworks quite disturbing.

In order to minimize any negative effects fireworks may have on us, please ask your humans not to take you out to any noisy fireworks displays and to please turn up the stereo or play you a nice, soothing movie so that you won’t be so upset by the booms and whistles you may hear outside in your neighbourhood.

Also, if we are frightened, please don’t pet or cuddle us, as giving affection when we are feeling afraid or nervous can traumatize us even more. When you remain calm and pretend all is fine, we won’t feel so scared because we look to your energy for direction and support.

And when it comes to all those tricky treats, please keep them away from us, because human treats are not usually good for us dogs – especially chocolate which is really toxic to us. Also our dog noses work overtime at Halloween with all those treats everywhere, so please make sure that we can’t get ahold of any gum, candy or food wrappers because we could choke, get an upset stomach or an intestinal  blockage.

Also, those human party snacks can be way too salty for us and as for alcohol, we could die if we get into the booze, so please help us to have a dog safe Howloween,  by keeping all of those human treats far out of our reach.

Happy Howloween!

© DogAboutTown.ca – 2009 – All rights reserved.

Although I don’t know who the original author of this wonderful story is, thank you to Elsie for forwarding it along so that we could all share it here.

“This is one of the neatest stories you will ever hear. You will know precisely what this little girl is talking about at the end (you’ll want to share this one with your loved ones and special friends).

Danielle keeps repeating it over and over again. We’ve been back to this animal shelter at least five times. It has been weeks now since we started all of this,’ the mother told the volunteer.

‘What is it she keeps asking for?’ the volunteer asked.
‘Puppy size!’ replied the mother

‘Well, we have plenty of puppies, if that’s what she’s looking for.’ ‘I know, we have seen most of them, ‘ the mom said in frustration…

Just then Danielle came walking into the office

‘Well, did you find one?’ asked her mom.

‘No, not this time,’ Danielle said with sadness in her voice. ‘Can we come back on the weekend?’

The two women looked at each other, shook their heads and laughed

‘You never know when we will get more dogs. Unfortunately, there’s always a supply,’ the volunteer said.

Danielle took her mother by the hand and headed to the door. ‘Don’t worry, I’ll find one this weekend,’ she said.

Over the next few days both Mom and Dad had long conversations with her. They both felt she was being too particular. ‘It’s this weekend or we’re not looking any more,’ Dad finally said in frustration.

‘We don’t want to hear anything more about puppy size, either,’ Mom added.

Sure enough, they were the first ones in the shelter on Saturday morning . By now Danielle knew her way around, so she ran right for the section that housed the smaller dogs.

Tired of the routine, mom sat in the small waiting room at the end of the first row of cages. There was an observation window so you could see the animals during times when visitors weren’t permitted.

Danielle walked slowly from cage to cage, kneeling periodically to take a closer look. One by one the dogs were brought out and she held each one.
One by one she said, ‘Sorry, but you’re not the one.’

It was the last cage on this last day in search of the perfect pup. The volunteer opened the cage door and the child carefully picked up the dog and held it closely. This time she took a little longer.

‘Mom, that’s it! I found the right puppy! He’s the one! I know it!’ She screamed with joy. ‘It’s the puppy size!’

‘But it’s the same size as all the other puppies you held over the last few weeks,’ Mom said.

‘No not size. The sighs. When I held him in my arms, he sighed,’ she said.
‘Don’t you remember? When I asked you one day what love is, you told me love depends on the sighs of your heart. The more you love, the bigger the sigh!’

The two women looked at each other for a moment. Mom didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. As she stooped down to hug the child, she did a little of both.

‘Mom, every time you hold me, I sigh. When you and Daddy come home from work and hug each other, you both sigh. I knew I would find the right puppy if it sighed when I held it in my arms,’ she said. Then, holding the puppy up close to her face, she said, ‘Mom, he loves me. I heard the sighs of his heart!’

Close your eyes for a moment and think about the love that makes you sigh. I not only find it in the arms of my loved ones, but in the caress of a sunset, the kiss of the moonlight and the gentle brush of cool air on a hot day. They are the sighs of God. Take the time to stop and listen; you will be surprised at what you hear.”

‘Life is not measured by the breaths we take,
but by the moments that take our breath away.’

© DogAboutTown.ca – 2009 – All rights reserved.

Are you aware that Puppy Mills are archaic, inhumane, mass breeding operations that shockingly still continue to thrive because unwitting consumers fall prey to the cute, innocent eyes staring back at them from pet store windows or their computer monitor from a fancy website or pull on human heartstrings from a enticing newspaper ad?

The unimaginable suffering so many of our best friends endure at inhumane puppy mill operations is a very real problem that can only be eliminated through on-going education and public awareness.

Can you help end the suffering by spreading the word to keep the billboard up on the Pat Bay Highway?

“Hello to all,

We just wanted to thank everyone that has helped us in the past year to keep the billboard standing since last November!

Unfortunately at this time we are quickly running out of funds and unless we are able to get 15 sponsors together by the end of October to run another full page color ad in the Times Colonist, the billboard will be coming down at the end of this month.

If you know of any business or individual (it does not have to be dog related) that believes in what we are doing and would like to sponsor an ad in the next couple of weeks please let us know. The cost of a sponsorship is $150. and for this they would have a business card sized colour ad placed on the page below ours.

This $150. sponsorship not only allows us to advertise our cause in the full page Times Colonist ad, but the extra money allows us to keep the billboard up for another month!

Both Wendy and I would like to thank all of the people and businesses that have supported us in the past and made this billboard become a reality. Although with the billboard potentially coming down, we are deeply grateful for having had the  opportunity to keep the billboard standing for as long as we did so that we could inform as many people as possible about the suffering.

We will continue to look at new & all avenues for spreading the puppy mill awareness. We have just recently been given permission to run an ongoing ad in the buy, sell and trade paper and are thrilled with the opportunity to really target a venue that sells a multitude of puppies. BUYER BEWARE! After speaking directly with their staff they agreed to go against their policy because they believe in what we are doing.

Thanks again for all of your support, and let us know if there is anyone you know willing to help to keep the billboard standing.

YES WE CAN SHUT DOWN PUPPY MILLS!“

If you can help, please contact Angella

© DogAboutTown.ca – 2009 – All rights reserved.

Could she BE any cuter? I don’t think so. It’s doggy love for sure.
Don’t you think we make the cutest couple?

Rosee in Red

Boris in Blue

“Rosee’s are red
Boris’ are blue
You are the best
And so am I, too!”

© DogAboutTown.ca – 2009 – All rights reserved.

Red Dragon Bistro became one of the first official Business Members of DogAboutTown.ca and they have a wonderful outdoor patio, complete with watering bowl for thirsty dogs who visit. Help them win a “greening” contest by sending your vote TODAY!

Dear Family, Friends and Acquaintances ;

Vote Red Dragon Bistro

Please Help Red Dragon Bistro win a contest to better itself with Carrot Mob. Carrot Mob is looking to help a local cafe make itself more green by ganging up on a cafe and getting that cafe to commit  a % of the income to help green the cafe. Please Help us be that cafe, just vote at http://smallfeetinc.wordpress.com/ and help us become the greenest cafe in town.  Polls Close on the 19th, so vote Quickly!

Vote Red Dragon Bistro

Thanks!

Gord Randall
Red Dragon Bistro
1480 Government St”