Talking Dogs at For Love of a Dog

Animal Lover Fun at PetsLady.com

noreply@blogger.com (Sue Kottwitz) — Tue, 29 May 2012 07:30:00 +0000

Thanks to Pinterest and BlogPaws, I recently discovered PetsLady.com and I'm glad I did. Among other things, I'm pretty sure I need a set of puppy dog corn on the cob holders, but more about that in a moment!

PetsLady.com is a fun and informative website for animal lovers. A team of folks focus on providing the latest news and interesting articles about pets, including unbiased reviews and recommendations on everything you need for your pets. They also feature cool, unique gift ideas for animal lovers.

The main sections of the PetsLady.com web site are:

PetsLady.com is an easy to navigate site that is simply chock full of information. Begin exploring and you'll find it hard to stop. On a recent visit I learned about Barn Owls inhabiting the Smithsonian, enjoyed seeing the rare site of a pair of white deer, cheered about the legislative ban of private possession of exotic animals in Pennsylvania, and smiled a lot at beautiful animal photographs, as well as good pet advocacy news.

I also added quite a few things to my personal shopping list.

Here's where those puppy dog corn on the cob holders come in. You see, I couldn't help myself from click, click, clicking to read more in this treasure trove of fun and funny gift ideas for pet lovers and barking good dog (and cat) products. I'm thinking I might need to follow up on the toaster that adds paw prints, too.

PetsLady.com obviously scours the web for the best. They then tell you all about it and where you can go to purchase it. Dog and cat beds, wormers, toys, and so much more. I took one look at the Go-Go Dog Pal and now am trying to convince the Dog Daddy that we need one for Rudy. [It's remote-controlled chipmunk on wheels for a dog to chase at up to 35 miles per hour.]

Fetch PetsLady.com right now, bookmark it, then take some time to explore and enjoy. You'll also find a pretty fabulous feature article about my For Love of a Dog Jewelry which came as a complete surprise to me!

What's not to love? PetsLady.com - news, information, tips and just dog-gone fun!.

Gifts of the Heart: Pooch Tags

noreply@blogger.com (Sue Kottwitz) — Mon, 28 May 2012 15:25:00 +0000

Jeffie, Rudy and the Dog Daddy recently gave me some late Mother's Day gifts and I know you want to see them! They were late because they were custom made by Saltville, VA artist, Serina Jones.

They were worth the wait.

A custom large dog tag of Jeffie, complete with a name tag.

Sweet little portrait earrings of Lucy and Tucker.

Serina's custom pet tag portrait of Rudy is a masterpiece!

However, it's this one that made me cry.

Custom portrait tag pendant of Lucy, my own Queen of Hearts.

Serina is an animal lover and has 3 Dachshunds, including one cart dog, plus a rescued Pittie. She developed a "tag fetish," began collecting unique dog tags for her boys and when really good ones were hard to find... she began making her own.

Each dog tag is handcrafted from metal ( aluminum, copper, brass, nickel, bronze and white metal) and assembled with rivets, studs and metal accents. Hand cut using no laser or high tech dies, each is unique and one of a kind.

In her Etsy shop, Pooch Tags, Serina offers a wide variety of ready made dog breed tags, as well as some amazingly creative shapes and sayings.

Custom orders are welcome and the process is easy. In our case, several head shot photographs were submitted to Serina via email and just look what she created!

Give your dog a new, stylish look with a specially designed dog tag from Pooch Tags. I think Jeffie and Rudy are going to look pretty handsome in theirs. I follow Pooch Tags on Facebook now just to see the new tags available and the customer submitted photos of happy Pooch Tags wearing dogs.

I love handmade. I love dogs - especially my own. I love gifts of the heart. And I am one very much loved and happy dog mama!

Support Retired Military Working Dogs

noreply@blogger.com (Sue Kottwitz) — Sun, 27 May 2012 07:30:00 +0000

Photo: en.wikipedia.org

Though we usually feature an adoptable shelter dog or two on Sundays, today we feature a dog adoption issue for a whole group of dogs. Retired military working dogs.

In celebration of Memorial Day, we want to call your attention to a bill now before Congress. The Canine Members of the Armed Forces Act would ensure that our nation's military working dogs (MWDs) are respected and cared for in their retirement.

This bill reclassifies military working dogs as "canine members of the armed forces" instead of "equipment," and ensures that responsibility for the health and well-being of the dogs continues after their retirement from service.

The bill has three major provisions:

standardizes practices for adopting retired MWDs
directs the Department of Defense to designate a nonprofit entity to establish a system of veterinary care for retired MWDs
establishes a formal means of recognition for courageous and meritorious dogs

In addition, it's important to note that no additional federal funds would be used to provide the dogs' veterinary care.

This legislation recently passed the US House as part of a larger military policy bill. Please contact your Senator and ask them to cosponsor S.2134, the Canine Members of the Armed Forces Act. You can do this very easily at the ASPCA Advocacy Center (www.aspca.org/militarydogs).

Military working dogs help keep us safe and perform important work around the world. We share this tribute to military working dogs and their handlers and wish you all a peaceful Memorial Day.

Dog Song Saturday: Snuggle Puppy

noreply@blogger.com (Sue Kottwitz) — Sat, 26 May 2012 07:30:00 +0000

It's Dog Song Saturday at Talking Dogs! Time to take a break and enjoy a bit of music featuring our favorite subject: dogs. Today's selection is Snuggle Puppy by Eric Stolz - available on Amazon and iTunes. It's a sweet, simple song that's accompanied by an adorable puppy music video.

Be prepared to smile, sigh, and fend off that puppy fever! You know, that overwhelming urge to add a puppy to your dog pack... NOW! If you give in to that urge, may we suggest a visit to your local animal shelter or to Petfinder?

Grab a dog. Snuggle. Sit back, relax and enjoy Snuggle Puppy. Fetch more Talking Dogs songs and have a barking good weekend! Be sure to scroll down below today's dog video to explore some great pet blogs because today is a Pet Blogger Hop.

Giveaway: Wise Up Pet Care Workbooks

noreply@blogger.com (Sue Kottwitz) — Fri, 25 May 2012 07:30:00 +0000

Win a Wise Up Workbook! Last week we reviewed the Wise Up Workbook, Organizing the Care of My Dog by Morgan T. Orr and Penelope Orr Spry. You can read our full review here.

Now we've teamed up with Wise Up to offer you a chance to win your choice of Wise Up Workbooks.

Thanks to Rafflecopter, you have several ways to enter, so be sure to come back and enter each day to increase your odds of winning.

Three (3) winners will be selected on Friday, June 8 and each may choose one (1) workbook from the following:

Sisters Penny and Morgan were faced with an overwhelming information void when their father died suddenly and, at the same time, their mother battled dementia. Their experience led them to develop these easy-to-use workbooks to collect, organize and document vital information about your pets.

These workbooks make it easy to insure you and your pet are ready for anything. Organize vital pet information that is essential for the care of your cat, dog, bird, fish, reptile or any other pet. Each workbook is designed to help you gather and maintain the information and records you need for both foreseen and unexpected life events. No matter what happens, you'll be ready with your pet's medical history, medical records, care instructions and more.

Wise Up! Workbooks are perfect for:

gifts for pet lover friends
guides for pet sitters
reference books for new pet caretakers in an emergency

Enter Now!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Review: The Fitzy Resolution by A.D. DeSena

noreply@blogger.com (Sue Kottwitz) — Thu, 24 May 2012 07:30:00 +0000

If you enjoy political thrillers and think it might be fun for dogs to be the central characters, here's a fun read!

The Fitzy Resolution by A.D. DeSena and published by Dogged Publishers, had me hooked on the very first page with the description of the story's heroine, Casey.

Casey is a three year old yellow Labrador Retriever who happens to be a Senator in the Central Canine Government and the head of the Committee of Inter-Canine Communication.

Yes, you read that correctly. Set aside reality for a moment. Open this book and you are plunged immediately into a world of dogs that is, quite possibly, like none you've imagined.

De Sena notes in the Prologue:

The world of dogs has been obscure despite the fact that they live in plain sight of their human counterparts. The following story reflects my efforts in piecing together various canine historical documents over a period of many years...

What follows is a tail of mystery and political intrigue old from the animals' points of view.

The storyline:

As conflict builds between the Central Canine Government and the Wilds, Senator Labrador-Casey is called to investigate the mysterious disappearances of canines in her district. Meanwhile, Juniper, a shrewd veteran Senator, seeks to exploit every political opportunity, including Casey's investigation, for his own personal gain. As her investigation leads her snout to snout with disturbing facts about her government and her world, Casey must race against time to stop Juniper from achieving his ultimate political goals. The result is a battle that pits two political philosophies against one another and threatens the very existence of canine society!

A serious read, don't think you'll breeze through The Fitzy Resolution. With it's highly detailed plot narrative, you'll want to pay attention to the details. As you discover the story is a creative tale about animal welfare, you'll truly appreciate the conclusion.

Though I usually am not fond of stories written in the voice of dogs (or other animals), the heroine, Casey, was immensely appealing to me. More importantly, DeSena's story is a very detailed and highly nuanced serious read. Think: Tom Cruise movie (with Tom Cruise as a female yellow lab) or Margaret Atwood's The Handmaid's Tale (with dogs, rather than women, as the central theme.)

Spend some time with Casey as she discovers the humans to whom dogs have been so loyal are also a great danger to them. Celebrate with this yellow lab when the Fitzy Resolution is passed and canine oppression is ended.

We're pleased to recommend The Fitzy Resolution as a good read for all dog lovers, including older teens. You'll find The Fitzy Resolution available for purchase at major book retailers Amazon and Barnes and Noble. You may also enjoy following The Fitzy Resolution on Facebook.

Lost Pets Get Free Ride Home in Kansas City

noreply@blogger.com (Sue Kottwitz) — Wed, 23 May 2012 21:36:00 +0000

Kansas City, Missouri recently launched their new pet licensing "Free Ride Home" program. What a barking good idea!

Licensing your pet increases the chance that you'll be reunited with your pet if he/she is lost. Licensing a pet in KCMO is only $10 and has the following benefits:

Licensed lost or stray pets will be taken home instead of to the animal shelter - Free Ride Home!
One time per year - no ticket for running at large.
No shelter fees if the owner is home when the pet is returned, half fees if the owner cannot be located and later reclaims their pet from the shelter.

For more information about Free Ride Home in KCMO fetch www.petdata.com

Wordless Wednesday: Just Being a Dog

noreply@blogger.com (Sue Kottwitz) — Wed, 23 May 2012 09:59:00 +0000

Time for a bit of leisurely, relaxing, grooming...

What the heck is that?!

Oh... it's Rudy...

just being a dog.

Product Review: Fromm Nutritionals Dog Treats from Mr. Chewy

noreply@blogger.com (Sue Kottwitz) — Tue, 22 May 2012 08:00:00 +0000

All of us at Talking Dogs love home delivered pet food retailer, Mr. Chewy, so we were very pleased to be offered a taste test of some Fromm dog treats.

Based in Wisconsin, Fromm Family Foods is a family owned and operated company that creates gourmet natural pet food and treats for both cats and dogs. In business since 1904, they are the world's first and oldest family-owned and operated premium pet food company.

All of Fromm's dry pet food and treats are made in their own USDA inspected plant in Wisconsin. Their canned foods are made at a USDA inspected plant in South Dakota. All of Fromm ingredients are sourced in the United States.

We chose to try Fromm's grain-free Salmon with Sweet Potato treats for dogs from Mr. Chewy. Ingredients:

Fresh wild salmon
Pea flour
Potato flour
Tapioca
Whole peas
Chicken fat
Tomato pomace
Fresh cranberries
Fresh sweet potatoes
Fresh carrots
Fresh apples
Fresh split peas
Fresh green beans
Fresh green bell peppers
Fresh celery
Fresh beets
Fresh parsley
Fresh lettuce
Fresh watercress
Fresh spinach

Guaranteed analysis: Protein 12% min, Fat 5% min, Fiber 5% max, moisture 12% max. Calories per treat are approximately 8.5.

Other varieties of Fromm grain-free dog treats include: Lamb with Cranberry, Parmesan Cheese, Low Fat Liver, Carrots and Peas Recipe, Low Fat Cranberry Liver Recipe, and Low Fat Cheese. Fromm dog treats come in 8 ounce bags with a built in zip lock for $4.99.

As always, shipping from Mr. Chewy was super fast. Jeffie especially appreciates the fact that orders from Mr. Chewy are delivered by FedEx, which gives him a chance to bark! Both he and Rudy are always thrilled when the package delivered is for them. I love Mr. Chewy deliveries because shipping is fast and free on all orders $49+.

Our Fromm Four-Star Nutritionals Grain Free Salmon with Sweet Potato Dog Treats came nicely packed, in attractive packaging with clearly marked ingredients and information about the company.

The treats themselves had a clean, country smell to the humans and we think they look like little round biscuits.

Our taste testers really did not care how the product looked. It was pretty obvious the treats smelled good to them and our testers were eager to get to work!

Their verdict? Paws up! Jeffie and Rudy loved these Fromm dog treats.

We highly recommend these Fromm dog treats at Mr. Chewy. We know you'll find the Mr. Chewy web site easy to navigate. Ordering online is easy and it is so convenient to have our pet food and treats delivered to the door! Mr. Chewy carries a nice selection and offers live chat customer service. Talking Dogs especially likes the Mr. Chewy Refer Your Friends Donation Program.

We also encourage you to follow Mr. Chewy on Facebook to learn about new pet food products available, plus enter to win great prizes! Check them out and you'll quickly find out why we love Mr. Chewy!

A Happy Ending for Buddy - Video

noreply@blogger.com (Sue Kottwitz) — Mon, 21 May 2012 12:45:00 +0000

Over the last year, Wayside Waifs animal shelter in Kansas City, Missouri, has partnered with over 30 other animal shelters and animal welfare agencies to rescue thousands of animals.

In the video below you'll meet Buddy. He was one of 27 dogs rescued from a hoarding situation near Savannah, MO. Scared and living in filth, Buddy experiences a transformation. Buddy learns to trust humans and finds his forever home.

More Diamond Dog Food Recalled

noreply@blogger.com (Sue Kottwitz) — Sun, 20 May 2012 10:41:00 +0000

Diamond Naturals Small Breed Adult Dog Lamb and Rice Formula dry dog food manufactured August 26, 2011 is being recalled. This recall applies to samples, 6 pound bags, and 18 pound bags of Diamond Naturals Small Breed Adult Dog Lamb and Rice Formula.

The product was distributed in Colorado, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, and Wisconsin.

Production codes for the latest recall cover the following production codes and best-before dates:

DSL0801, 26-Aug-2012
DSL0801, 27-Sept-2012
DSL0801, 18-Oct-2012
DSL0801 (samples)

Diamond Pet Foods is voluntarily recalling these products because of potential exposure to salmonella, according to The Associated Press.

Pets with Salmonella infections may have decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain. If left untreated, pets may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever and vomiting. Infected but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans. If your pet has consumed the recalled product and has these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian.

Individuals handling dry pet food can become infected with Salmonella, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with surfaces exposed to this product. People who believe they may have been exposed to Salmonella should monitor themselves for some or all of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever. According to the Centers for Disease Control, people who are more likely to be affected by Salmonella include infants, children younger than 5 years old, organ transplant patients, people with HIV/AIDS and people receiving treatment for cancer.

Pet owners who are unsure if the product they purchased is included in the recall, or who would like replacement product or a refund, may contact Diamond Pet Foods via a toll free call at 1-866-918-8756, Monday through Sunday, 8 am – 6pm EST.

Missouri based Diamond Pet Foods has issued a massive recall of dog food made at its Gaston, SC plant, after salmonella was found at that facility.

Other brands that have been recalled include:

Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover's Soul
Country Value
Diamond
Diamond Naturals
Premium Edge
Professional
4Health
Kirkland Signature products
Costco's private label
Taste of the Wild
Natural Balance Pet Foods
Candide Pet Foods
Solid Gold Health Products for Pets
WellPet LLC

Adopt Popcorn a Terrier Mixed Breed Dog

noreply@blogger.com (Sue Kottwitz) — Sun, 20 May 2012 07:30:00 +0000

What's not to love about Popcorn?! Popcorn is a beautiful black and white terrier mixed breed dog. She's 2 years old and 57 pounds of love.

Popcorn was surrendered to Stray Rescue of St Louis when her peop0le said they were "done" with her. As Stray Rescue notes: Dogs definitely understand rejection. Now Popcorn needs to know that not all humans are so cruel. She's finding lots of love and attention in the Stray Rescue Pine Street animal shelter, but what she really needs is her very own forever home.

Since Popcorn was living with a family, she already has good house manners. If you're thinking about adding a dog to your family, how about giving Popcorn a chance!

For more information about Popcorn, contact Stray Rescue of St Louis at 314-771-6121. They're located at 2320 Pine Street, St Louis, MO.

Dog Song Saturday: Ya Gotta Quit Kickin' My Dog Around

noreply@blogger.com (Sue Kottwitz) — Sat, 19 May 2012 07:30:00 +0000

It's Saturday, so we think it's time for a dog song song to get the weekend started right. Today we have a real oldie for you. Gid Tanner and the Skillet-Lickers recorded Ya Gotta Quit Kickin My Dog Aroun in 1926. this old time bluegrass tune is accompanied by an animation video from Walt Disney's Alice and the Dog Catcher from 1924 (pre Mickey Mouse).

Grab a dog. Sit. Stay. Relax and tap your toe (slowly) to Ya Gotta Quit Kickin My Dog Aroun. Fetch more dog songs and music videos at Talking Dogs. And be sure to scroll down below today's dog song to explore some great dog blogs because today is a Pet Blogger Hop.

Hailey and Her New Human

noreply@blogger.com (Sue Kottwitz) — Thu, 17 May 2012 14:09:00 +0000

Remember Hailey, the dog at Dogwood Animal Shelter who had been there almost all of her 8 years of life? Many of you shared her story via social media, yet the next month Hailey was still homeless.

In a fit of frustration, I shot off an SOS to Life With Dogs, asking that they put the power of their thousands of followers towards getting this sweet girl adopted.

Last month I told you that thanks to Life With Dogs and social media sharing, Hailey had found her forever home.

She's settling in nicely and I knew you'd like to see a photo of Hailey and her new best friend. I'd say they both look very happy!

Book Review: Organizing the Care of My Dog

noreply@blogger.com (Sue Kottwitz) — Tue, 15 May 2012 10:45:00 +0000

When my mother was recently rushed to the hospital and began what turned out to be an extended stay, she was lucky that we lived nearby and knew her dog very well. With a myriad of health problems and the peculiarities common to older dogs, Andy requires quite a bit of specialized care.

Though our own dogs are healthy, they, too, have their own special needs. And, lately, I've contemplated what would happen to them if something happened to me and my husband.

That's where the Wise Up workbook, Organizing the Care of My Dog, comes in handy. Morgan T. Orr and Penelope Orr Spry have authored this workbook to organize important information about caring for you dog - just in case. In addition, the information is essential for your pet sitter.

Just as the title states, this is a workbook. You fill in the blanks. Sections include emergency contact information, health data about your dog, feeding and exercise information, your dog's daily routine, location of grooming and other supplies.

In addition, you'll find good basic information about making financial arrangements for you dog, including the establishment of a legal trust. As the authors note, Organizing the Care of My Dog acts as a lifeline document for your dog if someone other than yourself must provide your dog with care.

A few months ago I might have thought such a workbook silly. As a DIYer, I know I could put together a file of information like this for my dogs. However, having experienced a family emergency, I'm painfully aware this workbook could make things so much easier for someone who has to step in with pet care.

I highly recommend Organizing the Care of My Dog and the companion workbook, Organizing the Care of My Small Pet. Keep all of your pet's vital information and your personal instructions in one very convenient place.

View the table of contents, a sample chapter and purchase your copy of Organizing the Care of My Dog from the publisher, Wise Up.

Ryan Gosling Copper Dog Bone Bracelet from For Love of a Dog

noreply@blogger.com (Sue Kottwitz) — Mon, 14 May 2012 07:30:00 +0000

Photo courtesy Hollywood.com

Yes, you read that right. Ryan Gosling! And we're excited! Ryan Gosling will soon be receiving one of For Love of a Dog jewelry designs, and so will his dog, George!

I created a handmade copper dog bone bracelet especially for acclaimed actor and dog lover, Ryan Gosling. The bracelet is hand hammered copper link chain with a two dimensional flamed copper dog bone. I dangled a sweet modern copper heart which I hand stamped: ADOPT.

When I finished this dog lover's special bracelet, I couldn't resist creating a couple of dog tags for his best friend, George. One I enclosed in the bracelet box; the other I used to decorate the For Love of a Dog packaging.

Keep a watch on For Love of a Dog Jewelry and Gifts because I'll be adding some of these unisex copper dog lover bracelets available for purchase soon. Barking good gifts for those dog loving men in your life!

For Love of a Dog is a proud member of The Artisan Group, which makes this kind of opportunity possible for handmade artisans.

Happy Mother's Day from For Love of a Dog

noreply@blogger.com (Sue Kottwitz) — Sun, 13 May 2012 07:30:00 +0000

Our gift to all you dog moms is this barking good Busy Bee Dogs Mother's Day video greeting.

Grab your fur friends and enjoy!

Dog Song Saturday: Where's Your Mom

noreply@blogger.com (Sue Kottwitz) — Sat, 12 May 2012 07:30:00 +0000

It's Dog Song Saturday at Talking Dogs and today we're thinking about dog moms since tomorrow is Mother's Day. What happens at your house with the dog mama is out of the house? Here at the For Love of a Dog farm, when I'm gone, Jeffie stations himself at the front door to intently watch for my return. Rudy? Rudy is either having adventures with the dog daddy or napping in our bed.

However, at Libby's house, the fellows get together with ukuleles and sing! Libby, Where's Your Mom is dedicated to Libby the dog, who sings the chorus! Jeffie and Rudy love the chorus!

You know the drill: grab a dog! Sit. Stay. Relax and enjoy Libby, Where's Your Mom. Fetch more dog song videos at Talking Dogs for your listening pleasure. And be sure to scroll down below today's dog video to explore some barking good dog blogs, because today is a Pet Bloggers Hop.

Wordless Wednesday: Sweet Jeffie

noreply@blogger.com (Sue Kottwitz) — Wed, 09 May 2012 10:09:00 +0000

So much sweetness.

All rolled up into one Golden Retriever / Border Collie dog.

Important Pet Food Recall Expanded - Please Read and Share

noreply@blogger.com (Sue Kottwitz) — Mon, 07 May 2012 20:01:00 +0000

Photo courtesy Dinovite

My inbox is being flooded with messages from pet food companies about the recent pet food recalls.

This week, Diamond Foods, the manufacturer of several popular brands of food has issued a voluntary recall of several lines of product. The full details of the recall as well as ways to identify if you are in possession of recalled products are on the FDA website. You can click http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm303034.htm to see the full details.

The products involved are the following:

For full details please Click http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm303034.htm ucm303034.htm

If you are in possession of any recalled products, please discontinue feeding them to your pets, and you may contact each respective company to obtain a full refund/replacement.

Adopt a Pit Bull Dog in Missouri

noreply@blogger.com (Sue Kottwitz) — Sun, 06 May 2012 07:30:00 +0000

Wilbur - an adoptable Pit Bull in KCMO

May 6 - 12 is Be Kind to Animals Week, sponsored by the American Humane Association. Celebrate by adopting a dog, foster homing a dog, or supporting a rescue organization.

Why not consider adopting a Pit Bull dog from the Missouri Pit Bull Rescue (MPR).

Wilbur, shown above and below, is a neutered male Pit Bull about one year old. Wilbur was pulled from a shelter in a municipality with a breed ban. According to MPR, Wilbur is a silly goofball, outgoing and always ready to have some fun. He'd make a wonderful running or jogging partner.

Though he didn't have much training when he arrived at MPR, he's very smart and a fast learner. Wilbur appears to be housebroken.

If you have room in your heart and home for an adorable little clown of a dog, consider Wilbur. For more information about Wilbur, contact the Missouri Pit Bull Rescue at MPR@mprgroup.net

The Missouri Pit Bull Rescue is an all volunteer non-profit group dedicated to rescuing any Pit Bull that needs help. They regularly pull Pit Bull dogs from "death row" and sometimes take dogs who are losing their homes due to breed bans. MPR does not have a shelter and use both boarding and foster care. They keep the dogs as long as it takes to find each one the perfect home. Learn more about the Missouri Pit Bull Rescue at www.mprgroup.net

Dog Song Saturday: Pit Bull Blues by John Shipe

noreply@blogger.com (Sue Kottwitz) — Sat, 05 May 2012 07:30:00 +0000

Clarabelle - an adoptable dog in KCMO

It's Dog Song Saturday at Talking Dogs and we're doing something we've never done before: an encore presentation! Way back in October 2010, we featured Pit Bull Blues song and dog music video in honor of National Pit Bull Awareness Day.

We decided, in light of all the Pit Bull dog news of late - like the recent Maryland Court of Appeals ruling declaring all put bulls (and pit bull dog mixes) "inherently dangerous" by virtue of their looks alone and that crazy Baltimore columnist, Dan Rodrick's uninformed comments declaring pit bull dogs "four-legged time bombs" that should not be allowed in public - to take a few minutes to visually and audibly, remind folks what great dogs are called Pit Bulls.

Even if you've heard Pit Bull Blues by John Shipe before, take a moment and enjoy it again. Then pass it along as learning tool for those who are not informed. And while you're at it, take a look at this blog post from Oh, Corbin: You call me a Pit Bull like it's a bad thing. Then pass that along, too.

Grab a dog. A Pit Bull if you're lucky enough to have one, though any dog will do. Sit. Stay. Snuggle with that dog. Relax and enjoy Pit Bull Blues written and performed by John Shipe.

In need of even more Pit Bull dog musical treats? Then fetch our August 2011 Dog Song Saturday blog post: Pit Bull Rescue Woman - another original song by John Shipe that celebrates real life Pit Bull rescuers from around the world.

Inspired to add a Pit Bull dog to your family? Check out Clarabelle (above left). She's a Staffordshire Bull Terrier / Pit Bull Terrier mixed breed dog and available for adoption for the Missouri Pit Bull Rescue in Kansas City, MO.

Want to keep your toe tapping and a smile on your face? Fetch our collection of Dog Songs at Talking Dogs. Be sure to scroll down below today's dog song video and explore some awesome dog blogs because today is the Pet Blogger Hop.

Dog Book Review: Guardians of Being by Eckhart Tolle and Patrick McDonnell

noreply@blogger.com (Sue Kottwitz) — Thu, 03 May 2012 16:56:00 +0000

A guest blog post by the Dog Daddy at For Love of a Dog - Guardians of Being: Spiritual Teachings from Our Dogs and Cats - Book Review

A number of years ago I learned about Eckhart Tolle and began following his writings. The first book I read was “The Power of Now”. This book changed the way I see myself and the world.

I have since read numerous books by Tolle and am amazed by his insight. So, I was thrilled when my dogs, with the help of my lovely wife, gave me “Guardians of Being” for my recent birthday.

The full name of the book is “Guardians of Being, Spiritual Teachings from Our Dogs and Cats” The words are by Eckhart Tolle, spiritual teacher, and the art is by Patrick McDonnell, creator of the comic strip MUTTS. These two are truly inspired and work wonderfully together.

In Tolle’s writings he often speaks about dogs and how they can teach us to be in the Now, so I was excited to read this book. I have already read it 3 times. It will definitely be one of those books I keep close and re-visit.

Anyone who has ever loved a dog or a cat will love this book and as you read you will find yourself saying YES! I know that! I knew that! I feel that!

Tolle teaches that all animals - dogs and cats specifically - as we live and love so closely with them, are in the original state of consciousness and are not encumbered by the human mind and ego which keeps us locked in the past or present and not in the now, where dogs and cats reside. So by observing our animals and being in the here and now with them we can learn to better experience the joy of life.

“It’s so wonderful to watch an animal because an animal has no opinion about itself. IT IS.” Tolle

“The vital function that pets fulfill in this world hasn’t been fully recognized. They keep millions of people sane.” Tolle

“I have lived with many Zen Masters, all of them cats.” Tolle

“Love is a deep empathy with the other’s Beingness. You recognize yourself, your essence, in the other. And so you can no longer inflict suffering on the other.” Tolle

The quotations above are just a sample of the great wisdom in this book and the great wisdom of our pets. The art by McDonnell which accompany Tolle's words, go along with these teachings to highlight the words and the wisdom. I would encourage all pet owners to read this book to remind you of the spiritual wisdom they possess and to assist them in doing their job of being Guardians of Being.

Spiritual teacher and author Eckhart Tolle was born in Germany and educated at the Universities of London and Cambridge. At the age of twenty-nine a profound inner transformation radically changed the course of his life. The next few years were devoted to understanding, integrating, and deepening that transformation, which marked the beginning of an intense inward journey. Later, he began to work in London with individuals and small groups as a counselor and spiritual teacher. Since 1995 he has lived in Vancouver, Canada.

Eckhart Tolle is the author of the New York Times bestsellers The Power of Now (translated into 33 languages) and A New Earth, which are widely regarded as two of the most influential spiritual books of our time. In 2008, A New Earth became the first spiritual book to be selected for Oprah's Book Club as well as the subject of a ten-week online workshop co-taught by Eckhart and Oprah. Learn more at his web site www.eckharttolle.com

Patrick McDonnell is a New York Times best-selling author. He received the National Cartoonists Society Reuben Award for Cartoonist of the Year in 1999, and Mutts was named Strip of the Year in 1997. A dedicated animal advocate and Genesis Award recipient, McDonnell regularly lends his talents to animal protection groups and issues, including the Humane Society of the United States, where he serves on the national board of directors. McDonnell was also recently elected to the board of directors of the Charles M. Schulz Museum. He is a native of New Jersey. Learn more at his web site www.MuttsComics.com

Wordless Wednesday: Enjoying Spring

noreply@blogger.com (Sue Kottwitz) — Wed, 02 May 2012 10:36:00 +0000

A little color at the bird feeder.

The hummingbirds have returned.

Lots of rain & rainbows. This is a double one right over the For Love of a Dog studio.

Jeffie loves spring!

Dog Daddy Birthday Gifts

noreply@blogger.com (Sue Kottwitz) — Tue, 01 May 2012 15:16:00 +0000

The Dog Daddy at our house had a birthday recently and his favorite gifts were from the dogs! In fact, he liked a couple of them so much that I thought I'd share them with you.

This yellow Labrador Retriever / Golden Retriever dog soap was a bit hit, especially since it came from Jeffie and Rudy! This soap is beautiful and would make a fabulous gift for any retriever dog lover. A great hostess gift, too.

Handmade by Tricia Samundsen / Scentability, each soap is hand poured using a detergent free glycerin soap base. She offers her dog soap bars in black Lab, chocolate Lab and Golden Retriever. You pick the scent from a long list of available scents. The Dog Daddy's soap is Intuition for Men and smells great!

Golden Retriever handmade soap from Scentability

These soap bars are generous in size - almost 3" x 4" - and very reasonably priced at $5.75. We love supported small artisan businesses and are definitely partial to handmade goods. Fetch your own beautiful dog themed soap from Scentability at their Etsy Shop. Scentability also offers soap for dogs in lavender cedarwood scent and soaps in goat, lamb and pig themes!

Eckhart Tolle and Patrick McDonnel's book Guardians of Being was another favorite gift from the dogs.

With words by Tolle about the spiritual teachings from our dogs and cats, and illistrations by McDonnel, creator of MUTTS comic strip, how could this book not be a favorite?! Watch for a guest blog post book review soon from the Dog Daddy who has some pretty good dog shoppers!