Monday, August 31, 2009

Bark if you love great contests for dog lovers!

My mama subscribes to Bark magazine. We know when it arrives in the mailbox that she's a goner for awhile. First she has to look at the Smiling Dogs, then flip through to see the photography and selection of articles. What we liked in the issue that came this week are the contests!

Jeffie is barking about the Home Away from Home contest. You could win a refurbished lobby or adoption room for your favorite animal shelter. Wow. All you have to do is write a very short essay on why your shelter should win.

Lucy is whining about the Celebrate the Harvest contest. You could win a case of Mutt Lynch wine featuring your dog on the label. What do you have to do? Take an online tour of their dog loving winery. I have to admit, Lucy would look pretty terrific on the label of their finest vintage wine. Don't you think so?

I've been howling about Bark's first Writing Contest. They're looking for the best canine-centric short story they can find. First prize is $500 and publication in the magazine. When I first heard about this contest, I was so excited. Afterall, I'm a writer and I really do have a lot of stories to tell. Then I read their rules. Rule number one says the stories must be written from the human point of view. You cannot have a dog narrate the story. What are they thinking? I just can't help thinking of what that prize could buy me. Oh well... a dog can dream, can't he?

Woof! woof!
Tucker

Sunday, August 30, 2009

Pool Paws for Humane Laws in Kirkwood MO

Pool Paws for Humane Laws in Kirkwood, MO

Tuesday, September 8, 2009, 5:00-7:00pm - Kirkwood, MO Aquatic Center
Thursday, September 10, 2009, 5:00-7:00pm - Kirkwood, MO Aquatic Center 111 South Geyer Road, Kirkwood (Inclement weather phone number 314-984-6972)Rainout date: Friday, September 11, 5:00-7:00pm

These pooch pool party fundraisers offer well-mannered dogs and their families the opportunity to take an end-of-season dip for $10 per dog and one human companion, and $3 per additional friend or family member. One half of the entry fees will be contributed to the Missouri Alliance for Animal Legislation. The Alliance is the only non-profit organization lobbying full time on animal welfare issues in Missouri. Mark your calendar and plan to join us for some good clean fun, while helping the Alliance speak up about puppy mills and other legislative issues involving animals.

Rules:
No aggressive dogs. No pinch/choke collars.
Proof of current vaccination records, DHLPP and Rabies, required before entering pool.
Owners must bring bags or other method to clean up after their dogs before entering pool.
Dogs must be leashed unless swimming in the pool and closely supervised by their owners.
Dogs must be recently bathed.
All children under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
All humans must sign a waiver and are legally responsible for their dogs and any injuries or damage caused by their dogs.

Saturday, August 29, 2009

Free Chocolate for Your Person

Okay, here's the deal. No matter how good it smells... never eat chocolate. Take my word for it, it's just no good for you. However... our two-legged persons love the stuff and, by and large, it doesn't seem to hurt them at all.

I know, I know, you show your love to them with wagging tails, woofs, kisses, and so on. But, trust me, they're really going to love free chocolate!

The Mars company has a shameless advertising promotion going called the Mars Real Chocolate Relief Act. Every single Friday in September they're giving away free chocolate. So, fetch this link for your person.

If your person is a chocolaholic like my mama... who knows, they might be so delighted there'll be an extra dog bone for you!

Woof! Woof!
Tucker

Thursday, August 20, 2009

Karen Pryor, Pet Training Expert, Presentation Sept 22

Have you ever watched dolphins, killer whales or sea lions dive, jump, spin and perform other amazing behaviors on cue? How does the trainer get each animal to respond so willingly? Why doesn’t the animal just swim away? We have someone who can answer this question.

The Humane Society of Missouri proudly partners with the Saint Louis Zoo in sponsoring a presentation by Karen Pryor, author and pet training expert.


Karen Pryor is an author with an international reputation in the fields of marine mammal biology and behavioral psychology. Through her work with dolphins in the 1960s, she pioneered modern, force-free animal training methods, and became an authority on applied operant conditioning - the art and science of changing behavior with positive reinforcement. Zoo and animal trainers will recognize her as the author of Don’t Shoot the Dog, a classic book on animal training. She is the founder and CEO of Karen Pryor Clicker Training.

Karen will be speaking about her new book, Reaching the Animal Mind. She will share the results of her quest to find out from leading neuroscientists why clicker training works and shares her personal experiences training and communicating with a wide variety of species. There will also be a book signing at the event.

Date: September 22, 2009
Time: 7:30-9:00 p.m.
Location: The Living World at the Saint Louis Zoo
Cost: General Public - $25; Humane Society of Missouri Members, Volunteers and Employees - $10; Saint Louis Zoo Members, Volunteers and Employees - $10

For more information visit the Humane Society of Missouri web site.
Proceeds from this event benefit the Saint Louis Zoo and the Humane Society of Missouri Behavior Department.

Monday, August 17, 2009

Dog Fighting Raid Update / Pit Bull Rescue Alliance

Rescue groups nationwide are working with the Humane Society of Missouri to care for the more than 400 dogs rescued in connection with the largest dog fighting raid in U.S. history. The dogs were seized in a multi-state raid by federal and state officers in Missouri, Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas and Mississippi. The fate of the dogs will be decided by the federal courts in forfeiture proceedings separate from the criminal cases.

Several rescue groups that have experience with the breeds of animals rescued have offered their help to care for and eventually receive some of the dogs. Groups involved so far in these efforts include Mutts-n-Stuff, based in Missouri; Our Pack, Broken Hearts, Mended Souls; PBRC.net; Whole Rotta Love; and New Hope Pit Bull Rescue.

While the groups involved in this situation are working independently, there is talk of forming a Pit Bull Rescue Alliance in a collaborative effort to save more dogs from fighting situations in the future. For now, these groups encourage others to join them in coming forward to take in the placeable dogs from this rescue when they are available.

Groups or individuals interested in receiving some of these animals should immediately contact the Humane Society of Missouri at 314-802-5712.

Sunday, August 16, 2009

The Wrong Side of Memphis by Claire Applewhite

We applaud mystery author Claire Applewhite!

St. Louis mystery author, Claire Applewhite and her husband Dr. Thomas Applewhite, of Town and Country, celebrated the May 2nd launch of her debut mystery novel, The Wrong Side of Memphis, at the St. Louis Club with Alice Handelman, Immediate Past President, St. Louis Metropolitan Press Club and her husband Howard, of Westwood.

As a member of the Women's Leadership Council of the Humane Society of Missouri, Claire will donate a portion of the novel sales to the Humane Society of Missouri.

Saturday, August 15, 2009

Some Very Kind Kids & a Dog Mitzvah Party!

It's always nice to be able to pass on good news about animals!

On June 14, 2009, two good friends, Lindsey Ludmerer and Darcy Shulman, packed up the Ludmerer’s mini van with supplies they had collected for the Humane Society of Missouri.

On the afternoon of June 14th, 2009, Lindsey Ludnerer and Darcy Shulman hosted a Dog-Mitzvah party in the Shulman’s fenced-in back yard. Guests were asked to bring something from the girls’ pet wish list to donate to the Humane Society when they came over to play.

Earlier in the week, they had baked special dog treats and stuffed them in goody bags with funny dog sayings, handing them out to their guests. Two hours later they had collected over one hundred pounds of dog food, litter boxes, leashes, collars, tennis balls, grooming supplies, newspapers, towels, comforters, bowls, and various toys that were distributed to the Humane Society of Missouri's Westport Area Center in Maryland Heights.


The girls will have a lemonade stand this month to complete their mitzvah project. The money raised from the lemonade stand will be donated to The Humane Society as well.

Bravo and big woofs to Lindsey, Darcy and their friends!

Friday, August 14, 2009

Charity Polo Match for Humane Society of MO

Humane Society of Missouri Charity Polo Match August 22, 2009

Activities begin at 3 pm. Polo match at 4 pm

The day’s festivities include a world class polo match, music and food, and children’s activities making it a perfect family event for a Saturday afternoon.
Meet Thumbelina, the world's smallest horse and Barn Buddy TV stars
from the Missouri Humane Society's Longmeadow Rescue Ranch like Mama Llama, Petey the potbellied pig, Twister the miracle colt and more

For more information visit the Humane Society of Missouri's web site.

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

International Homeless Pets Day - August 15


Recognized as a holiday since 1992, International Homeless Pets Day calls attention to all the animals that are homeless. There are so many that its tempting to just sigh and give up. However, it's like that old saying... if you're not a part of the solution, you're part of the problem.

What can you do? Here are just a few ideas:
  • Adopt a homeless pet
  • Visit your local shelter or rescue and volunteer to walk or play (socialize) the animals
  • Find out what your local shelter or rescue needs and supply (some of) it. It could be as simple as they need some old towels and blankets and you have that box of them waiting for a tag sale
  • Next time you're at the grocery store, pick up some extra puppy or kitten food and drop it off at the animal shelter
  • If you Tweet, tweet about a homeless pet to help it find a home (easy to find those pets via Petfinder)
  • Do you blog? Blog about the situation.
  • Spay or neuter your own pets and encourage others to do the same

Here at our house Mama has been trying to talk Daddy into one more dog. He says his limit is 2. Well, we already have 3, so what's another woofer? Of the 3 of us canines, only Lucy wasn't homeless before she joined our family. Skeeter, our cat sister, walked the streets before she came here. We know what homelessness is like and it's not a good thing at all.

If I worry about the whole problem, I feel depressed and powerless. My goal is to do whatever little bit I can do every day. If you and I both do that, a group of us can end a lot of suffering.

Woof! woof!

Tucker

Monday, August 10, 2009

American Brittany Rescue Online Auction


In September the American Brittany Rescue is holding an online auction to raise much needed funds. The current economy has brought many more dogs who need help into rescue, while making raising funds to help them more difficult. While adoption donations cover the costs for many of their dogs, others - especially the seniors - often need extra care to bring them back to good health and ensure long, happy lives in new home.

American Brittany Rescue, Inc. (ABR) is a 501 c3 organization founded in 1991. They take stray, abandoned, or surrendered Brittanys into foster care and provide for their needs until a new home can be found. Each year ABR helps nearly 1,000 Brittanys.

Visit their web site in September to bid on all kinds of wonderful things for you and your dog!

Saturday, August 8, 2009

Baa-baa Border Collies

You thought I was going to say, baa-baa black sheep, didn't you?

I'm a little ticked off. Mama let Jeffie do the first real post on the For Love of a Dog Top Sites blog. I mean, just because it was related to Border Collies. Argh... Okay, Jeffie's daddy was a Border Collie, but he didn't even know him! I think the deal is that Jeffie was looking at the Jordyalan Border Collie site trying to get a look at all the male dogs to see if one could be his daddy! Jeffie's so silly, all those dogs are in Australia! I do have to admit they were very handsome, though.

To make up for Jeffie blogging first, Mama said I could do the review of the animal communication site. Now that should be fun. Besides, I'm big on communication!

At the moment, though, it's very hot and sticky outside. I'm thinking I'll go sprawl on my pallet in front of the french doors. That way I can keep an eye out for intruders (those pecky bunnies, mostly) and catch some shut-eye, too.

Woof! woof!
Tucker

Tuesday, August 4, 2009

For Love of a Dog Top Sites List



We've created a new Top Sites list for dog lovers!


If you are looking for the best of the web in dog products, gifts, services and information, this list will (soon) make your search quick!


If you are a provider of those things, we'd love to have you join the list. It's quick and easy to sign up and create your banner exchange.


Hope to see you soon at For Love of a Dog Top Sites.