Sunday, November 23, 2008

3 Howls & a Woof for Good Measure

Congratulations to the Humane Society of Missouri Veterinary Medical Center in Chesterfield Valley for becoming certified by the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA). They join the Humane
Society of Missouri's St. Louis City Center and Westport Area Veterinary Medical Centers in this accreditation that only a very small percentage of veterinary hospitals hold throughout the country.


Woof!
Tucker

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

All Dogs Go to Heaven

My friends know I'm dog crazy (and some of them are, too) so I receive some wonderful emails. Sometimes they're just too good not to share... and this is one of those times.

Get some tissues handy. Here's the story:

This is one of the kindest thingsI've ever experienced. I have no way to know who sent it,but there is a beautiful soul working in the dead letter office of the US Postal Service.

Our 14 year old dog, Abbey, died last month. The day after she died, my 4 year old daughter Meredith was crying and talking about how much she missed Abbey. She asked if we could write a letter to God so that when Abbey got to heaven, God would recognize her. I told her that I thought we could, so she dictated these words:

Dear God,

Will you please take care of my dog? She died yesterday and is with you in heaven. I miss her very much. I am happy that you let me have her as my dog even though she got sick.

I hope you will play with her. She likes to play with balls and to swim. I am sending a picture of her so when you see her, You will know that she is my dog. I really miss her.
Love, Meredith.

We put the letter in an envelope with a picture of Abbey and Meredith and addressed it to God/Heaven. We put our return address on it. Then Meredith pasted several stamps on the front of the envelope because she said it would take lots of stamps to get the letter all the way to heaven. That afternoon she dropped it into the letter box at the post office. A few days later, she asked if God had gotten the letter yet. I told her that I thought He had.

Yesterday, there was a package wrapped in gold paper on our front porch addressed, 'ToMeredith," in an unfamiliar hand. Meredith opened it. Inside was a book by Mr. Rogers called, 'When a Pet Dies.' Taped to the inside front cover was the letter we had written to God in its opened envelope. On the opposite page was the picture of Abbey & Meredith and this note:

Dear Meredith,

Abbey arrived safely in heaven.

Having the picture was a big help. I recognized Abbey right away.

Abbey isn't sick anymore. Her spirit is here with me just like it stays in your heart. Abbey loved being your dog. Since we don't need our bodies in heaven, I don't have any pockets to keep your picture in, so I am sending it back to you in this little book for you to keep and have something to remember Abbey by.

Thank you for the beautiful letterand thank your mother for helping you write it and sending it to me. What a wonderful mother you have. I picked her especially for you.

I send my blessings every day and remember that I love you very much.

By the way, I'm easy to find.. I am wherever there is love.
Love,
God

Sunday, November 16, 2008

New Breeds Available


We have some new breeds available in our dog breed ornaments!

In no particular order: Papillon, Shiba Inu, Gorden Setter, Brindle Cardigan Corgi, Black & Tan Dachshund, English Setter, Great Pyranees and Visla. Right now all our handmade artisan sculpture ornaments are on sale and they make fabulous holiday gifts for dog lovers!

Saturday, November 8, 2008

Keeping Warm!


I don't know about where you live, but here in the Ozarks it's cold! The hawk (that's what Daddy calls winter) has arrived! Today is a good day to just snooze in front of the fire, but I wanted to bark at you just a little bit about keeping your furry friends warm this winter.


You know, even though we have fur coats, dogs and cats depend you you for protection from freezing temperatures. Here are some quick tips for a toasty winter.



  • Limit your furry friend's time outside only for bathroom breaks if it too cold.

  • Provide them with a dry, warm secure shelter out of the wind such as a garage or insulated pet house.

  • Even barkers that normally spend most of their time outside need good shelter in cold weather, even if it is only a garage.

  • Heated water dishes help keep water from freezing.

  • Keep us away from antifreeze. Poisoning takes only a couple of licks. Antifreeze may lurk in your garage or on your driveway so clean up spills immediately. You know, pet safe antifreeze is available at a lot of stores.

  • De-icing chemicals can be hazardous to us. The salt and other chemicals used to melt snow and ice can irritate the pads of our paws. Pet safe ice melt is available. Also, be sure to wipe your feet every time after being on sidewalks.

  • Skeeter says to remind you that cats and kittens often nap on warm car engines and hoods. If your car was recently used, knock on the hood or honk the car horn before starting the engine.

Lucy, Jeffie and I live in the house with Mama and Daddy, but a lot of dogs live outside with their own dog house. If that's what your situation is, then be your dog house is winterized.


  • The dog house floor should be raised a few inches off the ground. Cedar chip can make a fair bedding. Some people use straw. Of course, you should make sure the bedding stays dry.

  • The dog house itself should be turned to face away from the wind, and the doorway should be covered with a flap of heavy waterproof fabric or heavy plastic.

The only other thing I'll say about winter is that it also can be a lot of fun. We all love to play in the snow, especially Jeffie! Lucy and I like to chase snowballs, but Jeffie loves his flippy flier all year round!


Stay warm and woof woof until next time...

Tucker

Monday, November 3, 2008

I want to move to Rabbit Hash, Kentucky

So, I was having a nice little nap yesterday morning when I heard Mama and Daddy whooping it up in the other room. They were watching that Sunday Morning show and usually I'm not much interested. But, get this! It was about a town in Kentucky that is having an election for mayor and the candidates are dogs! Well, not all the candidates... there are a couple of cats and a donkey, too.

What really got to me is that this is not the first time this town has elected a dog as mayor! In fact, their last mayor was a canine who died while in office. They have a website with all the candidates pictures, qualifications, and campaign promises. You really ought to take a look.

I am so jealous. I don't live in a town... so I can't run for mayor. I think I'd make an excellent mayor! I know I've got the looks for it. My security experience would be a real asset. I love company, so I'd make a great goodwill ambassador.

Darn it, I want to move to Rabbit Hash! I'd give those dogs a real run for their milkbones!

Woof!
Tucker

Saturday, November 1, 2008

The Dog Vote

Woof! Have you seen this very cool site about the dog vote? Great blog posts all about how the coming election is all up to us furry four paws! They even have an interactive map of the United States that shows who's leading in each state. Now this puts some weight behind my Squidoo poll about Elephant and Donkey dog cookies! And if you haven't added your 2 cents, yet, I'd appreciate it. So far Jeffie and people cookies are winning :-(

4 paws up for the dog vote!
Tucker