Oklahoma Tornado Dogs and Cats Find Homes at Hope After The Storm

A few weeks ago I share information about the OK Humane Society's Hope After The Storm adoption event.  Adopters from across the country were able to pre-register on their website for a chance to attend the event and see if they would fall in love with a new best friend.

60% of the animals displaced from the May tornadoes were reunited with their owners.  Most of those not returning to their homes were placed into foster homes after a 30 day waiting period.  When reunions slowed to a standstill, the OK Humane Society organized Hope After The Storm, a private adoption event on July 13.

Some of the dogs and cats were adopted by their foster families and the majority of all the refugee pets found homes during the event.  Those animals not adopted at the event will be cared for in their adoption program until the right family comes along for them.

Have an inside look at the Hope After The Storm adoption event in this video:

Follow-up Friday: Steve King, Farm Stories and More

I'm happy to be joining Heart Like a Dog in the follow-up Friday blog hop this week.  This is the blog hop that lets you wrap up your week and leads you right into the weekend.  Hosted by FUF creator, Jodi at Heart Like a Dog and co-hosted this week by Jodi Chick of Kol's Notes.



First, something that just didn't seem to warrant a whole blog post.
Thankfully, Representative Steve King's proposed amendment to the US Farm Bill went down to defeat.  The amendment would have repealed existing state laws and halt future state efforts to mandate humane standards of care for animals.

It was aimed at California's recent law requiring all eggs imported into that state come from hens provided the same protections as California hens:  enough living space to move around, lie down, stand-up and extend their limbs.  [Most egg producing hens are crammed into cages with 3-4 other hens and only provided enough living space equal to an 8 1/2" x 11" sheet of paper per hen.]

Ironically, the United Egg Producers, which represent the ownership of 95% of US egg-laying hens, was not even in support of King's amendment.

You may remember Steve King.  He's the same Congressman (from Iowa) who defended dogfighting and opposed a federal law to prohibit attendance at dog fights.


Now, for some follow-up...
Hope After the Storm - Oklahoma Tornado Pet Adoption Event July 13
This morning is the last chance to register for this event.  OK Humane will be drawing names for invitation recipients today at noon.

 

My Fox Trotter mare, Lady, with her newborn - hours old - foal, Ditty.

Cowboys and Rodeos: Dog Song Saturday
This song selection reminded me that a long time ago, I promised some farm stories here on the blog about our horses, cattle, ducks, geese, etc.  

Unfortunately, most related photos are either in another pc which refuses to transfer the jpegs to a zip drive or are not digital and I'm too lazy busy to scan them.   At any rate, stayed tuned.  Farm stories are coming with or without photos.

Cat Jewelry on Sale  and  New Dog Breed Pins
Thanks to all of the folks who took time to leave such lovely comments about my work.  I appreciate it!
I haven't blogged about my jewelry for awhile.  However, you'll see more posts like this in the near future.  Not only have some told me I don't talk about my For Love of a Dog jewelry enough, it is a mistake on my part not to, because it is a good marketing tool for my business.  So, expect to see an increase in shameless self-promotion here.

Monday Mischief: Vole Hunting with Rudy and Rosie
This was one time I actually had the camera ready and the good sense to use it.  What you're seeing here really is the relationship of these two at work.  Rosie is the queen.  She has Rudy wrapped around her little paw.  If Rudy was out there alone, as soon as he knew he'd been caught, he'd have slunk away.  

Rosie wants to hunt voles and "play" with them?  Fine by Rudy!

Keeping Cool
I have to say... Emma is right.  First ice cubes are something only dog moms can appreciate :-)

There will be Jolly ball involved in our 4th of July celebrating!

It is the early morning of July 4 as I write this.  Given the dog daddy's invalid status health issues, we're planning a quiet, lazy day.  I'm hoping it will be warm enough to swim because Rosie has a new float (which I'm hoping will work to induce her to leave the safety of mama's arms.)

When our neighbors begin World War III  shooting fireworks, we'll be in the house with the dogs, music or TV on to cover up the noise, draperies closed and filling Kongs.  I've got a stack of books I want to read, so I can hardly wait to start my holiday.  Hope ya'll had a good one!

That's my follow-up for the week.  Join the hop and let us know what you've been up to!

Follow-up Friday: Dog Treats Toys Tornadoes

I'm happy to be joining Heart Like a Dog in the follow-up Friday blog hop this week.  This is the blog hop that lets you wrap up your week and leads you right into the weekend.  Hosted by FUF creator, Jodi at Heart Like a Dog and co-hosted this week by JoAnn from Sand Spring Cheseapeakes.


The really big excitement this week - well, for the dogs, anyway - was that their prizes arrived from Pooch Smooches giveaway.  Jeffie, Rudy, and Rosie received 3 package of KONG jerky treats.  Thanks, Jackie & Rita!
 

Rudy has very good manners.  Good boy, Rudy!

Rosie has no time for manners when mama is holding a KONG jerky treat!

Jeffie was especially thrilled because the KONG treats arrived via FedEx.  Jeffie becomes a raging madman when UPS and FedEx deliver packages.  I think he believes it is his mission in life to guard us from them.  Rita really turned Jeffie's head at his birthday party.  He was pretty sure she was flirting with him.  When I told him we'd won the giveaway, he confessed he had a thing for Rita.   When Rita sent Jeffie the FedEx man...  it was LOVE!

Rosie's new swimming pool toys arrived from Chewy.com.  They're very cool!  The KONG Wet Wubba is such a bright yellow!  And the ChuckIt duck really does bob in the water and stay upright.

Unfortunately, there are only two chances you'll ever see them in action:  slim and none.  There's no way I'm taking my camera anywhere near the pool.  Plus, Rosie is not actually swimming yet.  Wearing her new Kyjen life preserver for safety, she's only comfortable when she's in her mama's arms.   Hopefully, she'll mellow out with the whole thing and I'll be able to take some pictures later in the summer.

In the meantime, we have to keep dog towels near the doors.  Every time she goes out, she throws herself into her doggie pool!

Monday Mischief: Monkey Murder Follow Up
I should have repeated what I've said before... we call all dog toys at our house "monkeys."  Obviously, this was a football.  It has now gone to that place where dead monkeys go.  The trash.  Yes, we do have a monkey hospital.  I love being the surgeon because all the dogs gather around to watch the procedure.  They all dance with happiness when the surgery is successful.  Note:  our cat Skeeter would not be caught dead playing with any monkey.  Playing with toys is waaaaay beneath her!

Believe it or not, we have lots of "vintage" monkeys - some as old as 15 years.  They are well loved, but not torn up.  Our dogs single a few out, now and then, but for the most part they're soft mouthed.  It's a retriever thing.  It is always the puppies at our house who make sure that monkey heaven is populated.

Wordless Wednesday: Puppy Eyes Follow Up
Believe it or not, absolutely no treats of any kind were involved in this shot. When they update the dictionary this year, they'll be adding one word to the definition of Sweet:  Rosie

Oklahoma Tornado Pet Adoption Event  Follow Up 
When the big tornado hit nearby Joplin and I read Hanah's story (which I continue to follow), it scared the you-know-what out of me.

When the tornado warnings are issued, my dogs are with me when I take shelter.  My dogs are microchipped and when we go to the vet's office, I have them scan them just to make sure they're still easy to find.  My dogs wear their collars and tags at all times since then (Joplin.)  There is no doubt in my mind that - God forbid - if we were wiped out... among the immediate things I would do, is make sure I've got my dogs.   If we lived in a flood area, I would not evacuate without my dogs.

All that being said... if my house and everything in it, my car and everything else was gone... I don't know how long it would take for me to locate the emergency shelter to claim my dogs.  If I had no cell phone anymore, no computer, no nothing.   If someone near and dear to me were taken by the storm.  I don't know....    

I do know that there are millions of people who do not value their pets like I do.  (If they did, the shelters would be empty.)   Do I wish all the Oklahoma tornado victim pets had been claimed?  You betcha.   But I haven't "walked in their shoes" and I don't want to.  And I'm going to shut up now.

Except to say:  please spread the word about this event so that these pets can find new, loving homes. 


That's my follow-up for the week.  Join the hop and let us know what you've been up to!

Oklahoma Tornado Pet Adoption Event July 13

The Central Oklahoma Humane Society has announced a special adoption event for homeless animals displaced by the May tornadoes that devastated areas of central Oklahoma.  These are pets who are victims of the tornadoes who have not been claimed by their owners.

Hope After the Storm is a private - invitation only - adoption event to be held on Saturday, July 13.  They will be selecting 100 potential dog adopters and 50 potential cat adopters at random for the event through their online forms at okhumane.org/hopeafterthestorm.  Applications will be accepted until Friday, July 5 at noon.

When you follow that link (okhumane.org/hopeafterthestorm) you'll be taken to their website and two Rafflecopter forms:  Dog Ticket Entry and Cat Ticket Entry.  You'll need to complete the Rafflecopter if you hope to be selected as a potential adopter.

To be eligible, you must include your full name, phone number and email so they can contact you if your name is drawn, as well as give you further information about the event.

OK Humane says they have chosen this method to help keep the adoption process as smooth as possible, while putting the least amount of stress on the animals.

Step by step instruction for submitting your information:

1. Check your calendars and make sure you will be available to be in the Oklahoma City area on July 13.
2.  Enter your information in the applicable form here - we will be pulling separate names for dogs and cats, so make sure you fill out the correct form.
3. We will stop accepting entries at noon on Friday, July 5.
4. Invitation recipients will be chosen at random for the adoption event. OK Humane will contact these people directly using the information provided. Invite recipients will be notified on the afternoon of Friday, July 5.

  

Note:  All attendees will be required to check in at the adoption event.  Adoptions will be performed in the order of check in.  All adoption fees will be waived.

They are accepting only one entry per household. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us at 405-286-1229 ext. 4 or info@okhumane.org. 

NOTE:  OK Humane Society has scheduled this event for July in order to give pet owners time to claim their family pets.   In addition, this event is by invitation only and limited in numbers to avoid the thousands of folks that have shown up at other disaster adoption events around the country.  Many traveled from far away only to find a congested venue and no pets left available for adoption.

Follow-up Friday: Hummingbirds, Deer, Dogs in the Bed

I'm glad to be joining Heart Like a Dog in the Follow-up Friday blog hop again this week.  This is the blog hop that lets you wrap up your week and leads you right into the weekend.  Hosted by FUF creator, Jodi at Heart Like a Dog and co-hosted this week by Pup Fan from I Still Want More Puppies.

Those of you who follow For Love of a Dog on Facebook, already know about this.  So if it is repeat... move along.   I'm referring to my hummingbird incident.  I went out to the studio to get some packages ready for shipping and as I walked in the door, I saw something out of the corner of my eye.  I realized a hummingbird had come in with me.


Poor panicked hummer!  With 10 foot ceilings out there, I knew it would not be easy getting him/her out.  After an afternoon of periodically trying various ideas with the door wide open, the light bulb in my brain finally glowed.  Snatched one of our hummingbird feeders from the deck and hung in in the open door.  

"My" hummer was tired, slow, and totally freaked out.  Not sure he/she saw it until another hummingbird - who was outside - came to check it out.  Thankfully "my" hummingbird did, too, and escaped to freedom pronto!  Silly as it sounds, I was exhausted!  LOL

Our deer herd came to visit the other day.  We couldn't help but wonder if they were checking to see if we still had a good hiding place to stash their fawns.   Of course, we'd love to babysit their babies like we did last year.  Especially since we seem to have finally scared off the coyotes.




Dog Song Saturday:  It's All Right If My Dog Sleeps All Night With Me
 

No matter where you do it... sleeping is bliss.

Oh, how I wish I'd thought to do a survey with this post.  I loved all the comments.  Had a giggle at the thought of all five dogs in the bed with tubby3pug.  Jeffie was thrilled to hear that Gambler has his own pillow on the human bed.  Plus, he's hoping that Cadwaladr will be getting a pillow, too.  Our dogs think that 2brown dawgs really should get a larger bed!

Our pack rarely all sleep with us at the same time.  There are several dog beds in our bedroom (Dog Daddy says way too many) and they can choose where to sleep.  With a puppy, we keep the door closed.  Eventually, that will change and our pack can sleep wherever they want to in the house.

That said,  Emma is not alone.  The only other furniture our dogs are allowed on is the (big) doggie sofa in the family room.  Well, Rosie keeps jumping into "my" chair in there, but she doesn't stay for long.

And if anyone loves Dachshunds, don't miss our Dog Song Saturday tomorrow - Wiener Dog Song!

Pit Bull Dog Baby Girl Needs a Forever Home

Baby Girl is still homeless and the only real follow-up I have is to ask you to share her photo and/or adoption video via social media.

Well, and to suggest you consider joining the Tuesday's Tails blog hop hosted by Dogs N Pawz .

Monday Mischief:  First Doggie Pool

The doggie pool is a big hit with Rosie.  More often than not, we need a dog towel when she comes back inside the house.  Pretty sure a larger pool is in the Talking Dogs future.

Kirby asked if we tried a lake.  Jodi made a good point about how you just never know what a dog will do. Same point was made by Shiner who swims in the lake, but never tries to get in the kiddie swimming pool.

Neither Jeffie nor Rudy have been interested in our pond or creek, other than just to get their feet wet.  We're going to give Rudy another chance with this soon.   Though Rosie hasn't been offered that chance, yet, I suspect she'll like it.  We'll keep you posted.

Previous dogs of ours who liked the doggie pool also liked large bodies of water.  And those that thought the doggie pool was a giant water bowl?  They didn't want anything to do with swimming any where.  

The exception was my tripawd Benji.  Though he only cared to stand in the doggie pool (and didn't do that very often), he loved to swim.   He even had his own raft to lounge around on when he got tired. 

You Can Help Oklahoma! Blogger Disaster Response Network in Action

This is a bit contrary to my own blog post and maybe I shouldn't share this.  However, we chose to financially support the efforts of the Central Oklahoma Humane Society for the tornado relief efforts.  You can read more about those efforts on their blog.

Our little dog pack is looking for long weekend adventure!

 Happy Memorial Day!

You Can Help Oklahoma! Blogger Disaster Response Network In Action

As a member of the Blogger Disaster Response Network, I'm happy to tell you that BlogPaws, Pet 360 and World Vets are teaming up to help Oklahoma and you can help, too.

By now we've all see the news, images and videos of the devastation from the Oklahoma tornadoes.  Right now the greatest need is for cash.  Donations are being collected via World Vets and these monies will go where the greatest needs are - on the ground in Oklahoma.

Click this image and you'll connect directly to the World Vets donation page. Donations will be collected by World Vets through 11:59pm Tuesday, May 28.



Plus, you can also help without spending a cent!  Freekibble is donating 100% of the Halo Kibble raised today to homeless dogs and cats impacted by the tornado in Oklahoma.  Visit www.freekibblekat.com to answer the trivia question and that's all you need to do to add to the tally.

Looking for more ways to help?   VetStreet has pulled together a fantastic list