Collie or Sheltie Dog Bracelet Unique Dog Lover Jewelry Gifts

Collie or Sheltie Dog Bracelet
For Love of a Dog Jewelry and Gifts

This handmade dog lover bracelet includes a wonderful two dimensional Collie or Shetland Sheepdog dog breed charm. The dog charm is handcrafted of hand cast resin from an orginal hand sculpted mold, then carefully air brush painted by hand. This Collie / Sheltie dog breed charm is highly detailed and absolutely beautiful.

I've hand wire wrapped this little dog treasure with white Snow Quartz gemstone beads with silver jewelers wire. Extender charms include a chubby Picture Jasper gemstone heart and a little three dimensional silver dog bone.

Great neutral colors with a gorgeous Collie / sheltie dog sculpture makes for beautiful dog lover jewelry and a fabulous gift. This bracelet would be great someone involved in Collie or Shetland Sheepdog dog rescue work, too.

Shameless self promotion by For Love of a Dog - Art Jewelry for Dog Lovers since 1991.  Gift box and free standard shipping with every purchase.

Black Cat Necklace Unique Cat Lover Jewelry Gifts

Cat Lover Necklace
For Love of a Dog Jewelry

Absolutely wonderful hand carved three dimensional cat heads of Bone (from India). You won't believe the details and the cute expression on the face of this sly boots. Just in case people don't catch on immediately that you're a cat lover, there's a nice puffy Black Onyx heart freely dangling from the kitty.

Necklace is composed of lots and lots of genuine natural Black Onyx gemstone beads from big to small beads. Combined with big fat hand carved Bone rondelles. Incredibly charming! handcrafted necklace that is a perfect gift for a friend or yourself. At For Love of a Dog Jewelry we believe that cat jewelry never goes out of fashion.

Shameless self promotion by For Love of a Dog Jewelry - Art Jewelry for Cat Lovers since 1991.  Gift box and free standard shipping with every purchase.

Happy Halloween from For Love of a Dog Jewelry

All of us at For Love of a Dog Jewelry wish you a fun filled Halloween holiday!

Old English Sheepdog Bracelet Handmade Dog Lover Jewelry Gifts

Old English Sheepdog Bracelet
For Love of a Dog Jewelry

This handmade dog lover bracelet includes a wonderful two dimensional Old English Sheepdog dog breed charm. The dog charm is handcrafted of hand cast resin from an orginal hand sculpted mold, then carefully air brush painted by hand. This Old English Sheepdog dog breed charm is true to dog breed standards, highly detailed and absolutely beautiful.

I've hand wire wrapped this little dog treasure with big fat white Snow Quartz and sleek metallic gray Hematite gemstone beads with silver jewelers wire. Extender charms include a sweet Hematite gemstone heart and a little three dimensional silver dog bone Great neutral colors with a gorgeous running Old English Sheepdog dog sculpture makes for beautiful dog lover jewelry and a fabulous gift. This bracelet would be great someone involved in Old English Sheepdog dog rescue work, too.

Shameless self promotion by For Love of a Dog - Art Jewelry for Dog Lovers since 1991.  Gift box and fast free standard shipping with every purchase.

Dog Song: Dog Beach Boogie

It's Saturday, so it must be time for a dog song.  Most of us at For Love of a Dog Jewelry would like to be with these folks at the beach!  (Well, Tucker really hates water, so him not so much.)  This will get your blood pumping and might be a bit of a relief from all the Halloween doings.  Grab a dog.  Stay.  We left out "sit" because we think you may want to do some dancing with your dog to this one.

Westie Bracelet West Highland White Terrier Dog Breed Jewelry

West Highland Terrier Bracelet
For Love of a Dog Jewelry

This handmade dog lover bracelet includes a wonderful two dimensional West Highland White Terrier dog breed charm. The dog charm is handcrafted of hand cast resin from an orginal hand sculpted mold, then carefully air brush painted by hand. This Westie dog breed charm is true to dog breed standards, highly detailed and absolutely beautiful.

I've combined this little Westie dog treasure with white lampwork dog bones and jet black crystals with silver accents. Extender charms include a chubby Black Onyx gemstone heart and a little three dimensional silver dog bone Great neutral colors with a gorgeous West Highland White Terrier dog sculpture makes for beautiful dog lover jewelry and a fabulous gift. This bracelet would be great someone involved in Westie dog rescue work, too
 
Shameless self promotion by For Love of a Dog - Art Jewelry for Dog Lovers since 1991.  Gift box and fast free standard shipping with every purchase.

Stop Puppy Mills - Adopt from a Shelter or Ethical Dog Breeder

Jeffie was adopted from Dogwood Animal Shelter

At For Love of a Dog Jewelry, we're partial to adopting pets from an animal shelter or rescue organization.  We prefer mutts, but you can find that perfect pure breed pup there, too.  If you're determined to purchase a purebred canine, we urge you to avoid the products of puppy mills and work with an eithical, responsible dog breeder.  Let's face it.  Puppy mills are about money.  We live in a supply and demand culture.  Don't patronize the puppy mill breeders.  If there are no buyers for their product, they will go out of business.

Here's what the Humane Society of the United States has to say:  f you've decided you're ready for a dog, follow The HSUS' top five puppy buying tips and you'll be far more likely to secure a healthy, well-socialized dog who doesn't drain your emotions or your pocketbook. One, in other words, who doesn't come from a puppy mill.



1. Consider adoption. Adopting a dog instead of buying one is one of the surest ways to strike a blow against puppy mills. To find the perfect match, you'll want to choose the right one for you and your lifestyle. Animal shelters have dozens of dogs, many of them purebreds, just waiting for homes. There are also breed specific rescue groups for every breed of dog, including "designer" or "hybrids" like Labradoodles and Puggles. Mixed-breed dogs also make wonderful pets.

2. Find a responsible breeder and visit their premises. Responsible breeders provide a loving and healthy environment for their canine companions, one that they will be proud to show you. Never buy a puppy without seeing where they and their parents are raised and housed with your own eyes. 

3. Don't be fooled by common claims made by pet stores when pushing their puppies. Despite what they may tell you, pet stores do sell puppy mill puppies.



4. Don't be swayed by a great website or ad. Just because a website says great things about their "home raised" or "family raised" puppies doesn't make it true. Many puppy millers pose as small family breeders online and in newspaper and magazine ads. For many years The HSUS has aided local authorities in the rescue of puppy mill dogs across the nation. In almost all cases the puppy mills sold puppies via the Internet using legitimate-looking ads or websites that made claims that couldn't have been farther from the truth.


5. Avoid the temptation to "rescue" a puppy mill puppy by buying him. Even though your intentions may be good, don't buy a puppy with the idea that you are "rescuing" him or her. Your "rescue" opens up space for another puppy mill puppy and puts money into the pockets of the puppy mill industry. Pet stores won't leave their cages empty and websites won't leave their pages blank. The money you spend on your puppy goes right back to the puppy mill operator and ensures they will continue breeding and treating dogs inhumanely. If you see someone keeping puppies in poor conditions, alert your local animal control authorities instead of buying.


6. Do your part: Pledge to help stop puppy mills! Choose not to buy your next pet from a pet store or Internet site, and refuse to buy supplies from any pet store or Internet site that sells puppies.

Collie or Sheltie Bracelet Handmade Dog Lover Jewelry



Collie or Sheltie Dog Bone Bracelet
For Love of a Dog Jewelry

 This handmade dog lover bracelet includes a wonderful two dimensional tri color Collie dog breed charm that could also represent a Shetland Sheepdog. The dog charm is handcrafted of hand cast resin from an orginal hand sculpted mold, then carefully air brush painted by hand. This Collie / Sheltie dog breed charm is highly detailed and absolutely beautiful.

I've hand wire wrapped this little dog treasure with white lampwork dog bones and highly polished Black Onyx gemstone beads with silver jewelers wire. Extender charms include a chubby Black Onyx gemstone heart and a little three dimensional silver dog bone

Great neutral colors with a gorgeous Collie / Sheltie dog sculpture makes for beautiful dog lover jewelry and a fabulous gift. This bracelet would be great someone involved in Collie or Shetland Sheepdog rescue work, too.

Shameless self promotion by For Love of a Dog - Art Jewelry for Dog Lovers since 1991.  Gift box and fast free standard shipping with every purchase.

Adopt a Dog from Missouri Puppies for Parole

Humphrey, a Beagle mix
Photo courtesy of
MO Dept of Corrections
Puppies for Parole

Adopt a Shelter Dog Month is almost over, though any time is a good time to adopt a dog from an animal shelter or rescue.  You might want to consider adopting a dog that has completed one of the programs at your state's correctional facilities.  Yup, you read that right.  Many have wonderal training programs that benefit both the dog and the offender.

Here in Missouri, we have the Puppies for Parole program.  The MO Department of Corrections is partnering with animal shelters and animal advocate groups statewide. Selected offenders have the opportunity to become trainers to rescue dogs in the program. Offenders work with the dogs teaching them basic obedience skills and properly socializing the animals, making them more adoptable. Once the dogs have successfully completed the program they are be sent back to their original shelter to be placed up for adoption.

The Puppies for Parole program web site has photographs and information about each dog that is available for adoption.  The information includes the dog's breed, sex, the institution where the dog completed the program, the animal shelter partner, and a progress report of the dog's training.

Last year in Missouri, more than 46,000 homeless canines were euthanized. Puppies for Parole hopes to reduce that number by producing loving, obedient, adoptable dogs.  Visit the Puppies fr Parole program on the web to select your new best furry friend.

Tips for Halloween Pet Safety

Halloween is not Tucker, Lucy or Jeffie's favorite holiday.  In fact, they find it pretty scarey.  All those loud, strange looking folks ringng the doorbell, plus all that tempting sweet stuff to try and snatch.

The Humane Society of the United States offers these tips to keep pets from gettng spooked on Halloween.  The best place for pets on this occasion is a safe, quiet spot, well out of the way of the activities, says The HSUS.  To help people keep pets safe and happy on Halloween, The HSUS recommends taking the following precautions:


* Keep pets safely inside; away from trick-or-treaters and other Halloween activities.



* Cats, black ones in particular, often fall victim to pranksters. Keep cats safely indoors. Visit: humanesociety.org/safecats for more information.


* Make certain that all pets are wearing collars with ID tags. Frequently open doors provide perfect opportunities for escape, despite an owner's best efforts.


* Keep candy out of your pet's reach. Candy can be harmful to pets and chocolate is toxic to dogs, cats and ferrets.


* Decorations should be kept away from pets. Candle flames can potentially set fire to a pet's fur. Dangling decorations should be kept in high places to avoid pet entanglement, choking and other potentially life-threatening hazards.


* The only costume most pets want to wear is their own furry birthday suit. Costumes and masks can increase their risk of injury by causing them to feel confined and restricting movement.


* If trick-or-treating is the name of your game, leave the family dog at home. Dogs can be difficult to control amidst all the commotion. A lost pet or dog bite will quickly end your Halloween fun.


* Use fake cobwebs sparingly outdoors on your trees and bushes. These may adversely affect both pets and wildlife. Small birds are especially vulnerable and can easily become entangled in the webbing.
 
Let's have a fun and safe Halloween!

Borzoi Russian Wolfhound Dog Bracelet One of a Kind Jewelry Gift



Borzoi Russian Wolfhound Bracelet
For Love of a Dog Jewelry


This handmade dog lover bracelet includes a wonderful two dimensional tri color Borzoi / Russian Wolfhound dog breed charm. The dog charm is handcrafted of hand cast resin from an orginal hand sculpted mold, then carefully air brush painted by hand. This Borzoi dog breed charm is true to dog breed standards, highly detailed and absolutely beautiful.

I've hand wire wrapped this little dog treasure with white lampwork dog bones and highly polished Black Onyx gemstone beads with silver jewelers wire. Extender charms include a chubby Black Onyx gemstone heart and a little three dimensional silver dog bone Great neutral colors with a gorgeous tri color Borzoi / Russian Wolfhound dog sculpture makes for beautiful dog lover jewelry and a fabulous gift. This bracelet would be great someone involved in sight hound dog rescue work, too.

Shameless self promotion by For Love of a Dog - Art Jewelry for Dog Lovers since 1991.  Gift box and fast free standard shipping with each purchase.

Dog Trot-A-Thon Halloween Costume Contest

Jake

7th Annual DOG TROT-A-THON & HOWL'OWEEN COSTUME CONTEST
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Highway 13 Public Use Area  (Port of Kimberling) Near Reeds Spring, Missouri

Trot starts at 11:00, (registration at 10:30)

Lunch served at 12:00

Costume Contest starts at 1:00

(registration at 12:30)


Entry fee for Costume Contest $10.00, 1st dog

aditional dogs - $5.00 each
Sponsorship (pledges) are entry for trot-a-thon.


Howl'Oween Costume Contest - All contestants will be judged in 5 categories:  Cutest, Funniest, Most Original, Most Halloweenish, Pet / Person Look-Alike.  There will be one overall points winner.  Put on your thinking cap for that winning costume!

For more information or a "Trot" package please contact the Humane Society of the Branson Tri Lakes Area.


This howling good dog event is a benefit for the Humane Society of the Branson Tri Lakes Area in Reeds Springs, MO.

Boxer Dog Bracelet New Dog Breed Jewelry at For Love of a Dog

Boxer Dog Bracelet
For Love of a Dog Jewelry

This dog lover bracelet includes a wonderful two dimensional Boxer dog breed charm. The dog charm is handcrafted of hand cast resin from an orginal hand sculpted mold, then carefully air brush painted by hand. This Boxer dog breed charm is true to dog breed standards, highly detailed and absolutely beautiful.

I've hand wire wrapped this little dog treasure with white lampwork dog bones and Mahogany Obsidian gemstone beads with gold jewelers wire. Extender charms include a chubby Black Onyx gemstone heart and a little three dimensional gold dog bone
Great colors with a gorgeous Boxer dog sculpture makes for beautiful dog lover jewelry and a fabulous gift. This bracelet would be a great gift for someone involved in Boxer dog rescue work, too.

Shameless self promotion by For Love of a Dog - Art Jewelry for Dog Lovers since 1991.  Gift box and free standard shipping with each purchase.

Meet Jack and Jill - Adopt a Shelter Dog Month

Jill on left;  Jack on right

Jack and Jill don't know they aren't the cutest dogs in the house, but they know they are two of the sweetest.  They were abandoned to starve with their littermates and were attacked by another animal, but managed to survive it all.  A nice lady found them and nursed them back to health when they were only 3 months old.  She had to move recently and couldn't take them with her, so she took them to Tri-Lakes Humane Society. 





Jill

 Jack and Jill are 1-1/2 years old, neutered and spayed.  They are really sweet, loving dogs.  Jill is the friendliest, Jack is a little shy around new people.  The folks at the Tri-Lakes Humane Society want Jack & Jill to be adopted into the same home, so they have set their adoption rate to a "two for".  You know you get two (great dogs) for the adoption fee of one.  After all they have been through, it would be a shame to separate them.  So if you can make space for them and want unconditional love, please come to the Tri-Lakes Humane Society and meet Jack & Jill, you won't be disappointed.

Jack

The Tri-Lakes Humane Society is located at 102 Washboard Hollow Road, Reeds Spring, MO.  Their hours are 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.  Phone Number: 417-272-8113 Email: orphanzrus@netzero.net

Affiliated with the National Humane Society, they provide shelter to over 2,000 pet each year.

Australian Shepherd Bracelet Handmade Dog Jewelry for People

Australian Shepherd Dog Bracelet
For Love of a Dog Jewelry

This dog lover bracelet includes a wonderful two dimensional Australian Shepherd dog breed charm. The Aussie dog charm is handcrafted of hand cast resin from an orginal hand sculpted mold, then carefully air brush painted by hand. This Australian Shepherd dog breed charm is true to dog breed standards, highly detailed and absolutely beautiful.

I've hand wire wrapped this little dog treasure with tan lampwork dog bones and Black Onyx gemstone beads with gold jewelers wire. Extender charms include a chubby Black Onyx gemstone heart and a little three dimensional gold dog bone Great colors with a gorgeous Australian Shepherd dog sculpture makes for beautiful dog lover jewelry and a fabulous gift. This bracelet could also work for a tri color Border Collie

Shameless self promotion by For Love of a Dog - Art Jewelry for Dog Lovers since 1991.  Gift box and free standard shipping with each purchase.

Puppy Mills and Prop B - The Shame of Living in Missouri



Photo courtesy of the HSUS
Beverly Fields / B & B Kennel

 I've said it before and I'll say it again:  I am ashamed to live in Missouri, the puppy mill capitol of America.  With the November elections looming on the horizon and Prop B on the ballot, I'm bombarded from all sides about the Puppy Mill Cruelty Prevention Act.

Sunday brought the (nearest city) editorial from the Springfield News Leader:  Proposition B well-intentioned but not in the state's best interests.  Their bottom line:  Prop B would "burden ethical breeders."

Huh?   Give me a minute while I try to compose myself.  Ethical dog breeders already comply with the proposed regulations of Prop B and, in fact, do much more than Prop B would require of them.

Ethical dog breeders already make sure their dogs have food and water, shelter from the elements, vet care, space to turn around and stretch in, exercise, and rest between breeding cycles.  That's what Prop B would require.  Does it seem unreasonable to you?  Does it seem like it would place any burden on a dog breeder?  Would you want to adopt a puppy from anyone who does less?

Furthermore,  ethical dog breeders make sure their dogs and puppies are socialized with humans.  Ethical dog breeders keep health records and do not breed dogs which do not contribute to an improvement to the breed.  Ethical dog breeders throroughly screen potential puppy adopters and frequently follow those puppies throughout their lifetimes.  Ethical dog breeders are more than willing to have potential puppy adopters visit their breeding kennels, in fact they encourage it.

Planning to adopt a puppy?  Visit your local shelter, develop a relationship with a responsible, ethical dog breeder.  And if you live in Missouri, vote Yes on Prop B.

Puppy Mills in Missouri - Who Opposes Prop B the Puppy Mill Cruelty Prevention Act

Who are the groups and individuals opposing Prop B? Some of the worst of the worst in the puppy mill industry, with a track record of being knee-deep in animal cruelty.

The leading opponent of the ballot measure is the Missouri Federation of Animal Owners (MoFed), a special interest lobbying corporation that benefits from Missouri's multi-million dollar puppy mill industry. The group has never met an animal welfare measure it liked. They not only oppose reasonable regulations on large-scale puppy mills, but in recent years have also:


Opposed legislation that would require people to have their pets vaccinated against deadly rabies by a licensed veterinarian.



Opposed a bill that would create a specialty license plate with proceeds going to spaying and neutering programs and emergency animal care. MoFed's president Karen Strange wrote that "this does nothing but further the animal rights movement" and "anytime the government gets involved it sends the wrong message to the public."


Opposed legislation that would crack down on cockfighting and bear baiting.


Opposed legislation designed to crack down on dog fighting, including provisions that would require a disposition hearing within 30 days of a dog fighting raid to decide what should happen to the dogs seized. With regards to charging a two-time spectator at a dogfight with a felony, MoFed's president, Karen Strange, told the St. Louis Beacon: "Our prison systems are full now. There are things we think are of much greater importance." MoFed's lobbyist and board member, Kim Krohn, said it was a "waste of tax dollars" to crack down on dog fighting
 
MoFed formed a political action committee (MoFed PAC) in December 2009 and its earliest contributors include some of Missouri's worst puppy mill operations. Many puppy mill operators associated with MoFed have been cited repeatedly for violating the federal Animal Welfare Act by failing to provide the most basic protections for up to hundreds of dogs in their care.
 
Information courtesy of Yes! on Prop B, a coalition of individuals, venterinarians, dog breeders and animal welfare organiations individuals and animal welfare organizations, including the Humane Society of Missouri, the Missouri Alliance for Animal Legislation, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Best Friends Animal Society, Animal Rescue Foundation, and The Humane Society of the United States.

Black Lab Bracelet Labrador Retriever Dog Jewelry

Labrador Retriever Dog Bracelet
For Love of a Dog Jewelry

This dog lover bracelet includes a wonderful two dimensional black Labrador Retriever dog breed charm. The dog charm is handcrafted of hand cast resin from an orginal hand sculpted mold, then carefully air brush painted by hand. This Labrador Retriever dog breed charm is true to dog breed standards, highly detailed and absolutely beautiful.

I've hand wire wrapped this little dog treasure with black lampwork dog bones and red Poppy Jasper gemstone beads with gold jewelers wire. Extender charms include a chubby red Poppy Jasper gemstone heart and a little three dimensional gold dog bone Great colors with a gorgeous black Labrador Retriever dog sculpture makes for beautiful dog lover jewelry and a fabulous gift. This bracelet would be great someone involved in black dog rescue work, too

Shameless self promotion by For Love of a Dog - Art Jewelry for Dog Lovers since 1991.  Gift box and free standard shipping with each purchase.

MO Prop B Puppy Mill Cruelty Prevention Act - Vote Yes

Election day is rapidly approaching and there's a lot of attention on Missouri to see what voters will do with Prop B - the Puppy Mill Cruelty Prevention Act.  There's quite a bit of misinformation out there and, in the interests of full disclosure, we are voting YES on Prop B.  Not only are we in favor of this legislation, we don't think it goes far enough.

The Puppy Mill Cruelty Prevention Act is a measure that will improve the lives of dogs in commercial breeding operations in Missouri.  Specifically, the measure will require large scale dog breeding operations to provide each breeding dog under their care with the basics of humane animal care including:

Sufficient food and clean water;  necessary vet care;  sufficient housing including protection from the elements;  sufficient space to turn and stretch freely, lie down and fully extend their limbs;  regular exercise;  adequate rest between breeding cycles.

Prop B would limit the number of breeding dogs to 50 per facility, but does not apply to breeders with 10 or fewer intact female dogs.  The 50 breeding dog limit will help ensure the operations do not become overcrowded, but will still allow individual breeders to sell hundreds of puppies each year.  Prop B does not affect individuals who raise hunting dogs, livestock facilities, or animal rescue and shelter operators that are not involved in commercial sale of puppies.

Missouri is home to an estimated 3,000 puppy mills, breeding hundreds of thousands of puppies, far more than any other state in the US.  Dogs at puppy mills typically receive little to no medical care, live in squalid conditions with no exercise, socialization or human interaction, and are confined inside cramped wire cages for life.  Dogs at puppy mills must endure constant breeding cycles.  Puppies from puppy mills are sold in pet stores, online and directly to consumers with little to no regard for the dog's health, genetic history or future welfare..

Pit Bull Pin - American Staffordshire Terrier Dog Breed Jewelry

Pit Bull Pin - American Staffordshire Terrier Dog
For Love of a Dog Jewelry

This is a wonderful handcrafted black and white Staffordshire Terrier Pit Bull pin (brooch). Beautifully handcrafted by an American artist. Molded from an original design clay sculpture and hand cast in resin. Then it is carefully hand painted, airbrushed and hand detailed.

This Pit Bull brooch is true to dog breed standards and truly wonderful. If you love a special Pit Bull, wear him or her to show the world what beautiful and lovely dogs of the bully persuasion really are.

Shameless self promotion by For Love of a Dog - Art Jewelry for Dog Lovers since 1991.  Gift box and free standard shipping with each purchase.

Adopt Pete an Adoptable Pitbull Dog Trained by MO Puppies for Parole

Pete the Pit Bull dog
Photo courtesy of the MO Dept of Corrections
Puppies for Parole program

Not only is it Adopt a Shelter Dog month, it's also Pit Bull Awareness Day.  For Love of a Dog would like to introduce you to Pete, a pitbull dog available for adoption.

Pete is a male pit bull who is receiving his training at the Missouri Eastern Correctional Center through the Puppies for Parole program.  His parole office is Mutts 'n Stuff (which means that is the Puppies for Parole shelter / rescue partner for Pete.)

Pete became homeless when his owners could not afford to keep him. According to his trainer, Pete came out front for a visit to the administration building this past week. Although most people are leery of Pit Bulls, Pete showed staff just how loving the breed is. Pete showed off for staff by sitting on command, laying down, and giving high five. The staff members in the administration building were cooing over him.

Puppies for Parole is a program of the Missouri Department of Corrections made possible through partnerships with animal shelters and animal advocate groups statewide. Selected offenders have the opportunity to become trainers to rescue dogs in the program. Offenders work with the dogs teaching them basic obedience skills and properly socializing the animals, making them more adoptable. Once the dogs have successfully completed the program they are sent back to their original shelter to be placed up for adoption. Last year in Missouri, more than 46,000 homeless canines were euthanized. Puppies for Parole hopes to reduce that number by producing loving, obedient, adoptable dogs.

Dog Song: Pit Bull Blues by John Shipe in honor of National Pit Bull Awareness Day

It's Saturday, so time for another dog song from For Love of a Dog Jewelry.  This one is in honor of National Pit Bull Awareness Day.  Pit Bull Blues written and sung by John Shipe.  If you're like me, after you've seen the video and heard the song, you'll want to read the lyrics.  So, scroll down below the video for the lyrics to Pit Bull Blues.



Pit Bull Blues by John Shipe



People see me walking down the street, they all run and hide.
I used to take it personally, now I take it in stride.
I got nothing against no one, I wouldn’t hurt a fly.

But people seem to think I’m mean, and here’s why:



I’m a Pit Bull
A big brown, red-nosed pit bull.
A tooth-bearing, muscle-bound Pit Bull.
I look like I could tear the steel off a locomotive freight train.
 People park three spaces when I’m waitin’ in the car.
All the kids in the neighborhood, they never walk through my yard.
There’s a rumor floating ‘round the county that I ate three cats.
But I swear from the bottom of my canine heart that I didn’t do that, no I didn’t do that

But I’m a Pit Bull,
A tooth-bearing, muscle-bound Pit Bull.
A big brown red-nosed Pit Bull.
I looks like I could dig a hole through a concrete wall.
I got these Pit Bull Blues,
All I wanna do is sniff your shoes,
I ain’t no killer hound.
No, I’m the friendliest dog in town.

The sheer sound of my barking could break through arctic ice.
But deep down, I’m a pussy cat; I’m just trying to be nice.
In case you didn’t notice, I’m wagging my tail at the speed of light.
But no matter what I do, I’m accused of looking for a fight.


‘Cause I’m a Pit Bull,
A tooth-bearing, muscle-bound Pit Bull.
A big brown red-nosed Pit Bull.
I look like I could crush a cannonball in my jaws.

But I couldn’t do any of those things.

Puppies for Parole Missouri Department of Corrections Program Update

Photo courtesy of the MO
Department of Corrections

Congratulations to the Missouri Department of Corrections Puppies for Parole program!  On Wednesday they were awarded the Governor's Award for Innovation.  What a great acknowledgement for the hard work of all involved in this terrific program.

According to George Lombardi, Director of the MO Dept of Corrections, the Puppies for Parole continues to evolve and expand beyond his initial expectations and vision.  There are already nine (9) Missouri correctional institutions with the program in place with another five (5) ready for implementation.  The MO Dept of Mental Health will be using the program to adopt dogs for use in some of their facilities to aid the adjustument of the mentally iss and developmentally disabled.  The Veterans Administration has voiced interest in doing the same for combat vets with PTSD.  Plus, a psychiatrist from a hospital in St Louis may utilitze the Puppies for Parole program dogs for use with children with autism.

Puppies for Parole is a unique program made possible through MO Dept of Corrections partnerships with animal shelters and animal advocate groups throughout Missouri. Selected offenders have the opportunity to become trainers to rescue dogs in the program. Offenders work with the dogs teaching them basic obedience skills and properly socializing the animals, making them more adoptable. Once the dogs have successfully completed the program they are sent back to their original shelter to be placed up for adoption. Last year in Missouri, more than 46,000 homeless canines were euthanized. Puppies for Parole hopes to reduce that number by producing loving, obedient, adoptable dogs.

The MO Dept of Corrections maintains that the benefits of this program are three-fold. Puppies for Parole gives offenders the skills necessary to support successful rehabilitation, reentry, ultimately improving public safety. At the same time, this is an opportunity for the offenders to re-pay Missouri communities and repair some of the debts caused by their crimes. MO DOC has seen this program have a profound effect on the inmates and staff, increasing the safety and security of the correctional facility, as well.

According to MO Dept of Corrections Director, George Lombardi, "The dogs have a remarkable impact on MDOC offenders, improving offender behavior and giving offenders incentive to maintain excellent conduct records. Offenders not directly involved in the program are showing responsibility and selflessness by donating to support our efforts. Staff morale is also enhanced by the presence of the dogs."

MO Puppies for Parole uses no general revenue funds and operates solely on donations.

Stray Thoughts About MO Prop B Puppy Mills Cruelty Prevention Act



Photo courtesy HSUS

 The title of this post is accurate:  stray thoughts.

So, yesterday someone in my husband's office asked him what he thought about MO Prob B, the Puppy Mill Cruelty Prevention Act.  Gary told them he is in favor of it and plans to vote yes on Prop B.  Their response:  :"But what about all the dairy farmers?"

Dairy farmers? 

The conversation that ensued made Gary feel like he was in the twilight zone.  Prop B is about puppy mills.  About humane standards for commercial dog breeding.  It has nothing to do with dairy cattle and dairy farming.  Prop B will simply strengthen the requirements that breeding dogs receive sufficient food and clean water, adequate space to turn around and stretch their limbs, adequate housing, protection from the elements, regular exercise, and necessary veterinary care, to ensure that dogs in mass breeding facilities are treated more humanely. It will prohibit the harmful practices of using stacked cages, which encourages overcrowding, and of using wire flooring, which causes discomfort and often injures the dogs' feet. It will also limit a commercial breeder to 50 adult breeding dogs 

Dogs.  It's about DOGS.  Not cattle.  Not pigs.  Not horses.  Not cats.  DOGS.

Last week we were stunned to see the humongous billboard at our local MFA urging everyone to vote no on Prop B.  After talking to the local MFA manager we contacted their home office.  Sure enough, they've come out officially against Prop B.  They view commercial dog breeders as agricultural businesses and are "supporting their customers."

As we told them:  we will never spend a penny with them again.  Taking our business away from MFA will surely not bankrupt them.  However, in this economy every penny counts and we hope they'll feel the ouch.   We'll be buying our hardware odd and ends; birdseed;, garden seeds, plants and supplies; and our horse feed elsewhere from now on.

Yes, we're boycotting MFA.  And it's on my list today to review the members of the major groups fighting passage of Prop B.  I'll be making notes of what businesses to add to our boycott list.  We refuse to support any business that is publically, officially, in favor of animal cruelty, because that's what this is all about.

The other day someone told me they were surprised that I'm for passage of Prop B.  Afterall, my For Love of a Dog jewelry is sold to some folks who breed dogs.  They wanted to know if my customers knew I was against dog breeding.   Here we go again into the twilight zone.

I'm not against dog breeding.  I'm against the inhumane treatment of animals.  I'm against cruelty.  I'm against puppy mills that churn out hundreds of puppies each year that are produced in sub-humane conditions.  No ethical, responsible dog breeder is raising puppies in the kind of situations that have been reported here in this blog, by the Humane Society of Missouri, or any number of national news reports.  Read those reports.  Read the reports of the US Department of Agriculture.  Take a look at this summary of the Dirty Dozen report on some of Missouri's worst puppy mills. 

You know that old figure of speech:  "some of my best friends are..."   Well, some of my best friends truly are dog breeders.  I've helped whelp puppies.  I've helped socialize puppies.  I've cared for the dogs when my friends were out of town and gone along to shows and agility events to help handle the dogs.  There's a day and night difference between responsible dog breeders and puppy mill operators.  Responsible dog breeders have absolutely nothing to fear and, in fact, they're FOR Prop B.

Prop B - it's about preventing cruelty to dogs.  

Tomorrow is National Pit Bull Awareness Day

National Pit Bull Awareness Day is a day to showcase the affectionate bully dog breeds.   Please be aware that "pitbull" is not a breed of dog. It is a term the public uses to describe a canine with certain traits resembling a American Pitbull Terrier, Staffordshire Terrier, or any other bully dog breed.

To anyone who shares their life with a "pit bull," the need for a national day of awareness for these misunderstood dogs is clear. Constant negative media attention and sensationalized hype that surrounds pit bulls has the breed in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons. The media and public have stereotyped and judged an entire group of dogs, as well as their owners, based on the actions of a few.

National Pit Bull Awareness Day was established as a day to educate and foster positive communications and experiences in the communities in which we and our dogs live. It is a day to focus on these incredible dogs and their devoted, responsible owners. A day to change perceptions and stereotypes.


Visit Bless the Bullies, founders of National Pit Bull Awareness Day for more information on scheduled events.
 
If you can not make it to an event please keep in mind it is National Pit Bull Awareness day and this beloved dog breed needs our help. Donate money, leashes or collars, food or treats, or just your time if at all possible to a rescue. When a city hall meeting has the bully topic up for discussion go to the meeting and make your voice for bully dogs heard. 

Pit Bull Awareness Day is October 23

This coming Saturday October 23 is Pit Bull Awareness Day.


If you live in the San Francisco bay area, You're invited to join Bad Rap in Berkeley for an Open House that includes up-close-and-personal howdies with K9 celebs Jonny Justice, Audie and Uba and their adopted families.  They plain to auction off autographed copies of The Lost Dogs by Jim Gorant.   Take someone who doesn't currently own a pit bull and they'll give you a free gift for the favor (your guest can have one too.)

Bad Rap Open House
Saturday, October 23
11:30 am to 1 pm
Bad Rap training grounds - Second Ave and Addison, Berkeley, CA
Bring your camera (but please leave your dog at home for this one.)

Doggie Trick or Treat At Hawthorne Plaza, Kansas City Area

HAWTHORNE PLAZA HOWL 



Saturday October 30th, 2‐4pm
Hawthorne Plaza,   SW corner of 119th and Roe Ave   


Wag your tail on over for a Doggy Trick or Treat and the Pet Costume Contest.  Begin your parade at Hawthorne Animal Hospital where you can pick up your treat bag and enter the costume contest.   Walk your pet around to the participating merchants to receive a treat for your pet.  (Candy for the two legged kids, too)   Wayside Waifs Mobile Van will be there, too.




Costumes encouraged.  Leashes required.  Rain or shine event.

Hot Tails of Kansas City Virtual Pet Photo Contest

Harley is one of the contestants

Hot Tails of Kansas City is the hottest online pet competition in the metro Kansas City area.  Vote for your favorite in a month-long contest. 

All proceeds benefit Wayside Waifs, Kansas City's largest no-kill animal shelter, which cares for more than 6,000 abandoned, abused and homeless animals every year.Each candidate is campaigning for votes. Each dollar raised equals one vote. At the conclusion of the contest, the candidate with the most votes will be crowned the winner.

The Hot Tails winner will be featured in the 2012 Wayside Waifs calendar, will receive year long recognition on the Wayside Waifs website and of course wins the highly coveted title of "Hottest Tail in Kansas City."Candidates encourage you to vote as often and as many times as you can. You can also vote in bundles (20, 50, 100 or whatever amount you wish). It's all about the animals!


Voting will close at noon on October 21, 2010. So hurry to cast your votes!

Rover-ution Love a Bully Dog Adoption Event

Make plans now to attend
Rover-ultion Luv a Bully Adoption Event
Saturday, October 23, 2010
12 - 5 pm
Mill Creek Park on the Country Club Plaza
Kansas City, MO
for more info kcluvabully@yahoo.com

Adoptable bullies and other breeds of dogs *  Low cost microchip clinic * Hot dog bobbing * Costume contest * BSL protest march * Prizes *  Help make Kansas City no - kill by 2012

Hosted by Kansas City Dog Advocates,IncrediBulls, Wayside Waifs, No More Homeless Pets KC, Animal Haven, Spay Neuter Kansas City, Halfway Home Adoption, Furry Kids Refuge, and the Missouri Pit Bull Rescue.

Colorado Wild Horse Roundup BLM Lawsuit Hearing

Animal advocacy groups trying to stop the removal of wild horses from northwest Colorado will make their case in court.  The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) says a hearing is scheduled Wednesday in U.S. District Court in New York on a lawsuit seeking to halt the roundup that started earlier this month.

The New York-based group, the Colorado-based Cloud Foundation and two Colorado residents have filed a lawsuit claiming the plan by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management to remove an estimated 138 horses violates environmental laws and the federal Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act. 

The Cloud Foundation also claims a horse was roped, kicked, dragged and then euthanized during the roundup. Makendra Silverman of the foundation said Friday that observers, including a Colorado veterinarian who is among those suing, reported the horse wasn't having problems before it was roped Tuesday.  Contractors roped the horse when it went around a net fence leading to the corral. The horse then fell and didn't want to get back up. The horse was rolled onto a truck and shot two days later.  Two more horses died Friday. A 7-month-old colt whose legs were broken when it was roped was euthanized. A 3-year-old mare also died after being roped.

The BLM has said the horses being rounded up are outside a 190,000-acre area of public land designated for wild horses. Horses not sold or adopted will be taken to long-term pastures in the Midwest.  So far, 28 horses have been caught and corralled. A helicopter is used to herd the animals.

Animal advocacy groups have filed lawsuits trying to stop wild horse roundups across the West, calling them inhumane and unnecessary.  The lawsuit claims the Colorado roundup violates the 1971 wild horse act's requirement to preserve the horses in their range and the requirement under federal environmental laws to consider reasonable alternatives.

Add Aventure to Your Life: Adopt a Black Dog

Spanky Doo, a black dog
adopted from an animal shelter

My fix for heartbreak was a black puppy.  I'd lost my heart dog, Benji, to liver failure and the grief was palpable.  Our young dog, Sherman, was a huge comfort, but I wanted a second dog.  Two dogs just seemed right.  Sort of double the pleasure, if you know what I mean.

Though I checked the message board at our vet's office, I was more inclined to adopt from an animal shelter and save a life.  We headed to the Humane Society of Southwest Missouri in Springfield. 

There we found the leftover from a litter of lab mix puppies.  He'd been the only black puppy and it was love at first site.  12 weeks old and most of that time spent in a cage, I was afraid house breaking and socialization might be a challenge.  Not so.  One accident in the house.  Spanky was smart as they come. 

We couldn't leave a ladder out for more than a moment;  Spanky would climb it.  We learned that the hard way when were having new shingles put on our roof.  Curious about everything and fearless, he was an adventure packed into a silky, lean, black body with a curly tail.

Looking to add some adventure to your life?  Visit your local animal shelter and adopt a dog.  You'll be ever so glad you did.

If you live in the southwest Missouri area, we recommend the Humane Society of Southwest Missouri.  Founded in 1956, they are the only open-admission humane society in this are.  (No  limits are placed on the number or type of dogs or cats accepted at their shelter.)  They now have a brand new state-of-the-art shelter building to enhance their efforts.

Dog Song: Me and My Dog by Parachute Express

It's Saturday, so it must be time for For Love of a Dog Jewelry to share a dog song and video.  So, without further ado, here's Me and My Dog by Parachute Express.  Take a breather from your busy schedule.  Grab a dog.  Sit.  Stay.  Relax.  Enjoy.

Oprah's Puppy Mill Expose - October is Adopt a Shelter Dog Month

If you've ever considered buying a puppy from a pet shop or over the internet, you owe it to yourself to learn more about puppy mills.  A couple of years ago Oprah Winfrey devoted her show to exposing the horrible truth about puppy mills.  Unfortunately, not much has changed since that time.



When you decide to add a puppy to your family, be sure you are buying from a reputable dog breeder.  Better yet, visit your local animal shelter or rescue and save a life.

Missouri Puppy Mill Art Exhibit Final Viewing St Charles October 30

October 30 will be your last chance to see the Misery in Missouri Dogs Can't Vote...You can Art Exhibit. 

October 30, 2010
10 am - 6 pm   Free Admission
St Louis Pet Expo
St Charls Convention Center, 1 convention Center Plz
St Charles, MO

This art exhibit, designed to raise awareness about Missouri's puppy mill industry, has been traveling the state and will wind up in St Louis.  Sponsored by the Missouri Alliance for Animal Legislation (MAAL) it contains artwork by Missouri artists. The goal of the exhibit is to shed light on the Missouri puppy mill problem through a visual means.  All of the artwork in this compelling exhibit was created by Missouri artists and includes artist comments, adding even more depth and emotion to the overall effect.

The Best Things in Life: Adopt a Shelter Dog

Benji
Photo by Uncle Mike

Some of the best things in my life were free;  some weren't.  There was a small cash outlay for acquiring one of my most precious relationships.

I was just going along with some friends who planned to adopt a shelter puppy.   Risa and Bill had made elaborate and detailed plans for a canine addition to their living arrangements.  I had no such plans and was truly just going along for the ride.  But there was this gangly German Shepherd Doberman Pinscher mixed puppy and the tag on his cage gave him less than a week before he was a goner.  I had no business having a dog right then.  Afterall, I was a fulltime KU student living in an apartment of an old Victorian house. 

However, something about this pup grabbed hold of me and wouldn't let go.  I called those poor folks at the Lawrence Humane Society every day.  At the "midnight hour" there I was adopting this lovable, goofy, smart-as-awhip 3 month old pup.  My life would never be the same.  What a character he was and what adventures we had.  A three time cancer survivor and amputee, my dog Benji lived to the ripe old age of 14. 

It turned out that this was one of the best things I ever did in my life.  If you're thinking about adding a puppy or dog, you have lots of options.  Visit your local animal shelter first. 

Don't Shop. ADOPT! October is Adopt a Shelter Dog Month

The last time you were in a pet shop and stopped to check out the puppies, did you wonder where they came from? 



Are you considering adding a canine to your family?  Why not adopt from a shelter or rescue?  October is Adopt a Shelter Dog month. 

Adopt a Shelter Dog from Wayside Waifs in Kansas City Missouri

In 1983 we were urban pioneers in midtown Kansas City and had just purchased a farm in the rural Missouri Ozarks.  We had one dog (my Benji) and decided to celebrate our new farm with adding another.  Off we went to Wayside Waifs where we found Sherman, a yellow lab mix puppy. 

Today Wayside Waifs is the largest pet adoption center in Kansas City.  They place over 5,000 animals in loving forever homes each year.  They are a no-kill shelter and do not euthanize adoptable animals.  There are no time limits for the animals at Wayside Waifs.  Only animals suffering from significant medical issues or animals that pose a danger are humanely euthanized.

Founded in 1940, Wayside Waifs is located on 44 acres.  A state of the art shelter facility was built in 1999. The 32,700 square foot building can shelter up to 800 animals. The Top of the World Pet Cemetery (now known as Wayside Waifs Pet Memorial Park) was founded in 1946. Wayside Waifs offers other services to the community including humane education for children and adults, an anti-violence humane education program for grades 3 - 5, a volunteer program, a half price adoption program for seniors, shelter for the pets of women in domestic violence shelters, and more.

Benji & Sherman

Wayside Waifs is a non-profit humane society and animal shelter. It is not endowed or supported by local, state or federal funds, or national humane organizations. It is financially supported primarily from memberships, bequests, the pet cemetery, adoptions, and gifts from the public, businesses and foundations.

October is Adopt a Shelter Dog month.  If you live in the Kansas City area visit Wayside Waifs today.