Adopt Sally #LabradorRetriever Mix Dog @WaysideWaifs in #KCMO #ChocolateLab

 

Meet Sally!  Sally is  a 4 year old Labrador Retriever mix.  She's a beautiful chocolate with a touch of copper color.  Sally is small for a Lab at only 52 pounds.  

Sally is an owner surrender who's looking for a snuggle buddy who also likes talking walks.  Here's her adoption message:

Hi, I'm Sally! I'm a happy, adorable Retriever, Lab mix weighing about 52 pounds and I'm looking for my fur-ever home. I was brought here by my last owner who could no longer care for me which made me pretty sad at first, but now I see that here I have the best chance at finding my perfect peeps and I've been shown so much love as a Waif! I know it won't be long until I find the right place for me. 

I'll do grrr-eat in home with children or other furry friends but let's meet before heading home to get an idea of how I might do. I have a pretty moderate energy level so I'll be the perfect companion to snuggle up with for a relaxing night in. I'm a big girl who will still need her exercise so when we do get active let's get out and explore the world on a walk! The peeps here say I do pretty well sticking right by your side on my leash. I'm eager to learn all the new things you have to teach me and know it won't take too long because I'm super smart. 

With some training and extra motivation from praise or yummy treats, I'll learn exactly what you expect from me in no time! I can't wait to show you how much love and affection I have to offer. I hope you'll come by soon to see how great I really am!

Tail wags, Sally

For more information about Sally, 

contact Wayside Waifs at  816-761-8151. 

Sally's adoption ID number is 30750036. 

Wayside Waifs is Kansas City’s largest no-kill animal shelter.   They are an independent, 501 (c) 3 not-for-profit humane society and animal welfare organization established in 1944.  Wayside Waifs is committed to finding homes for all adoptable pets. Wayside is the largest pet adoption center in Kansas City, placing over 5,400 animals each year in loving forever homes. Wayside does not euthanize adoptable animals, and there are no time limits for animals in our care. Only animals suffering from significant medical issues or those that pose a danger are humanely euthanized. Wayside Waifs is proud to be a part of Kansas City's no-kill community. 

Talking Dogs blog is participating in the Tuesday's Tails blog hop hosted by Dogs N Pawz and Talking Dogs. This is the blog hop that features shelter pets.  Find a pet at your local animal shelter or rescue and join us!

Dog Art - Holiday Gift Guide for Dogs and Dog Lovers

We are art hoarders.  We'll probably never have enough wall space to display the original and print art we've collected over the years.  Not all feature dogs, but some do.  Here are just three of our favorite artists who feature dogs and other animals in their work.  We chose these three for our gift guide because they offer high quality, affordable pieces that are perfect for gift giving. 


Pet Art by Ron Krajewski

Ron Krajewski is a self-taught artist in Gettysburg, PA. In addition to his art prints, he also does commissioned pet portraits.  Krajewski wants everyone who looks at one of his dog art prints to think it is an original watercolor.  That's why each print is printed on 100% cotton, heavy weight textured watercolor paper.  

These print most definitely have the look and feel of an original watercolor and each is hand signed by the artist on the front border.

After discovering his Dog Art Studio work on Etsy, I was thrilled to find two prints I had to have.  

Shown at left is my black dog art print which looks so much like my Rosie that it's hard to believe it is not a custom portrait. 

My yellow Lab art print from Dog Art Studio looks just like Rudy.

Here's my gorgeous Ron Krajewski art print that reminds me of Jeffie.

These are absolutely gorgeous in person and rival pieces I've paid much more for.   Retail prices vary.  My 8 x 10" art prints were $12.50 each. Shop Dog Art Studio now.
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Pet Art Prints by Todd Young Art

The image at left is an art print I purchased to remember my beloved dog, Tucker.  

Entitled The Clearing, it reminds me my good boy is waiting for me on the other side.

I came across Todd Young 's art work while browsing Etsy and am so glad I did.  Young is another self-taught artist who loves dogs and they show up everywhere in his work.

My 8 1/2 x 11" print is hand signed, numbered and titled. Retail price  $19.95.  Shop Todd Young Art now.

 Pet Art Prints from Tiny Confessions
Ever wonder what your dog is thinking?  Why is your cat looking at you that way? 

Christopher Rozzi is providing some answers with his Tiny Confessions.

Tiny Confessions are handcrafted prints of original paintings of dogs, cats, and other creatures.  In addition to the very charming artwork, Rozzi provides a few secret thoughts and a few guilty admissions!  A wide selection is available at his Tiny Confessions shop on Etsy.

We love these high quality, very creative, art prints, especially our own yellow Labrador Retriever print.  Rozzi was reading our Rudy's mind!

Prices vary, but our 8 x 10" yellow Lab print retails for $20.  Shop Tiny Confessions now!

Be sure to enter our Holiday Gift Guide Giveaway!

Talking Dogs has reviewed many different dog products and you can find our recommendations in our product reviews. 

* Though we may have received samples from these companies in the past, none sent us anything for this article.   Talking Dogs only shares information we feel is relevant to our readers and the companies mentioned here are not responsible for the content of this article. Please also note that Talking Dogs is the official blog of For Love of a Dog Jewelry.

For Dog Lovers - Holiday Gift Guide for Dogs

With the growing popularity of pet products, there are lots of shopping options for pet lovers.  However, these products and the companies who make them are some of our very favorites.  We wear them ourselves and have given them as gifts.  You'll be a very popular Santa Claus with something from any of these companies under the Christmas tree!


Righteous Hound

Righteous Hound offers very cool dog breed apparel for people.  

Their products are 100% made in the USA and 10% of their products profits directly support rescue and pet adoption.

Though I'm a big fan of their dog breed items, I also love their mutt and "non-breed" t-shirts and hoodies.


My own Peace, Love, Woof long sleeved t-shirt shown below.   Its priced at $28.  

Jeffie and I both love my Peace Love Woof t-shirt from Righteous Hound

Dog Is Good

Dog is Good creates barking good gifts and apparel for dog lovers.  Located in Los Alamitos, CA, they give back to animal welfare organizations including: Greater Good, Victoria Stilwell Foundation, Leader Dogs for the Blind, and The Emma Zen Foundation.

Choose from clothing, mugs, totes, magnets, decals and much more in pawsome dog loving designs.  They even have some great cat and horse themed products, too. 

We have a special Dog is Good discount code for Talking Dogs readers.  Shop at Dog is Good using this discount code at checkout to receive $10 off any purchase of $25 or more:  SAVE10

Among our favorites is their Dog Mom tote bag which retails for $29.99.

Dog City and Co

 Dog City and Co is committed to being 100% USA made.  Though the t-shirts they offer were manufactured abroad, all of the printing is done in Chicago using eco-friendly inks.

Their dog breed text art t-shirts are fantastic, but they also create other clothing items, phone cases, mugs, pillows, magnets, decals, totes and even art prints.  

In fact, you can even design your own custom text art pet portrait item using their easy peasy web form.  Now, that's a personalized Christmas gift idea!  Retail prices vary per product.  Our Labrador Retriever t-shirt (shown below) is priced at $32

Aqua Lab test art t-shirt from Dog City & Co

Shaggy Chic Apparel

Shaggy Chic Apparel offers sassy, super fun and fashionable t-shirts for pet lovers you won't find anywhere else.  

A portion of all Shaggy Chic sales to directly to animal rescue groups. This holiday season $5 from all t-shirt sales benefit Don't Forget to Feed Me, a pet food bank.

We love their T-Shirt of the Month Club so much that we're giving away a 6 month subscription!  (See below) Shop Shaggy Chic Apparel with a 25% discount with this code:  WOOF   They also offer free gift wrapping!. 

We love the Rescue in the House T-shirt at Shaggy Chic

For Love of a Dog Jewelry

For Love of a Dog Jewelry has the perfect unique piece of art jewelry for the dog lover on your shopping list.  They've been creating jewelry and gifts for dog, cat, and horse lovers since 1991 in their home studio.

Fetch your favorite dog breed, celebrate your mutt, spread the word about rescue, honor your pet at the Rainbow Bridge and do it with jewelry created to collect compliments and start conversations.

Prices vary per piece, but standard shipping to US addresses is free at For Love of a Dog. Shop For Love of a Dog Jewelry with a 10% discount using this code at checkout: FLDNEW

My favorite Dog Mom dog bone bracelet at For Love of a Dog Jewelry

Be sure to enter our Holiday Gift Guide Giveaway!

Talking Dogs has reviewed many different dog products and you can find our recommendations in our product reviews. 

* Though we may have received samples from these companies in the past, only Shaggy Chic Apparel sent us a gift certificate for this article.   Talking Dogs only shares information we feel is relevant to our readers and the companies mentioned here are not responsible for the content of this article. Please also note that Talking Dogs is the official blog of For Love of a Dog Jewelry.

Tennessee Tails by Kathryn Primm DVM | Book Review

Over the holidays, I had a chance to read a few good books.  One of them was Tennessee Tails:  Pets and Their People by Kathryn Primm DVM.

If you're reading this blog, then you love pets.  So, I suspect you'll enjoy this book.

Tennessee Tails is a series of short stories about events that really happened in the author's veterinary practice.   

How many times have you wondered about the stories your vet could tell about his pet patients and their people?  Well, here is a behind the scenes peek.

As the author says:

"Walk with me and be a fly on the wall for these funny and moving stories from my life as a veterinarian."

Obviously told from the heart, Tennessee Tails is charming and often humorous.  Primm writes in a chatty, personal style.  Almost immediately, you'll feel you're having a conversation with a friend.

The stories are fairly evenly divided between cats and dogs, so devotees of either should be pleased.  Though ailments and diseases are involved, Primm does an excellent job of making sure we understand the situation without unnecessary, detailed medical lingo.

Some stories will make you cry; some will make you laugh.  You may come away from this book wishing you lived near Chattanooga and could avail yourself of Dr. Primm's services.  I say that because throughout the book, her concern for her patients and respect for their human caretakers, shines through.

I highly recommend Tennessee Tails: Pets and Their People by Kathryn Primm DVM and look forward to more of her tales from the heart in the future.

If you need another good reason to grab a copy of this book, here you go:

100% of net proceeds for the first year will benefit The Pet Placement Center in Red Bank, TN and Humane Educational Society in Chattanooga.

Tennessee Tails was awarded Runner Up in Memoirs for the 2013 Animals, Animals,Animals Book Festival in Chicago.  It also received an Honorable Mention in the competitive General Nonfiction category in the 2013 London Book Festival.

Available in paperback and kindle on Amazon and at Barnes and Noble
150 pages; ISBN-13: 9781484906149

Dr. Kathryn Primm owns Applebrook Animal Hospital in Ooltewah, TN. 

She is a practicing small animal veterinarian and veteran blogger. She has consulted on articles for national magazines and has done numerous radio interviews.  Dr. Primm will be featured in the February issue of Woman's Day magazine for their Ask a Veterinarian column.

Dr. Primm is a veteran blogger and has spoken with students and other veterinarians about effective communication.  She maintains a social media presence on Twitter, Facebook and Google+ and enjoys interaction with others about her passions, animals and communication.  Tennessee Tails is her first book.   . 


* I received a Kindle edition of Tennessee Tails from the author in exchange for my honest review.  I received no other compensation.

Talking Dogs is the official blog of For Love of a Dog Jewelry.

Keep Your Dog Safe on Halloween #Infographic

Halloween is fun, but it can also be frightening for our pups.  The Uncommon Dog put together this barking good infographic with their top Halloween safety tips.  Great ideas to keep our dogs safe and stress-free this Halloween!

Talking Dogs is the official blog of For Love of a Dog Jewelry.

Best Dog Ever | Dog Song Saturday

It's Saturday, so time for a dog song at Talking Dogs.  Though we really prefer to feature original songs that really are about dogs, sometimes we just have to let loose and have some fun.  Today is one of those times.

Best Dog Ever by Pup Direction is a parody of the One Direction song, Best Song Ever, produced by The Pet Collective.  It's dog-gone cute and we're sure you'll enjoy it.  In addition, this song encourages adoption and this is Adopt a Dog Month!

So, grab a dog to cuddle.  Sit.  Stay.  Relax and enjoy the music video Best Dog Ever.

Fetch more dog song music videos at Talking Dogs.  You'll be surprised at how many we've collected over the past few years!  And be sure to scroll down below today's featured dog song to explore some barking good blogs in today's Pet Blogger Hop.

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On the Road Again: Tips for Traveling with the Whole Family | Guest Post by Joe Laing, El Monte RV

Thinking about hitting the road with your dog?  Then settle back and enjoy today's guest post:  On the Road Again: Tips for Traveling with the WHOLE Family   By Joe Laing, El Monte RV

There’s no place like home for the holidays! But perhaps you are most at home out on the open road. No matter which setting you prefer, one thing is clear: the holidays are a time for family. The WHOLE family includes, of course, our furry children. Now it’s easier than ever to realize what fun it can be for you and your pups to travel together. By observing a few simple tips, holiday travel with your pets becomes an adventure, rather than a chore. So let’s pack up the car, the RV, or the U-Haul and get to where we’re going!

First and foremost, make sure your pets are “up to date.” This tip applies all the time but especially when you are traveling away from home. Current tags and contact info are crucial. Make sure Ginger’s collar tag has her name, your cell number, and her veterinarian’s name and number clearly visible on it. If the tag is old or the engraving has been “loved off,” have a new tag printed out and attached before you leave. Also, make sure Ginger is current on all of her shots (rabies, etc.) and that you have her prescription medications on hand for the entire length of your trip.

Play it safe while in motion. There are a few tips that can be overlooked beforehand, but seem like no brainers after the fact. Before you encounter an entirely avoidable unfortunate situation, observe the following regarding car safety:

First, like babies and small children, pets do not belong in the front seat. Air bags are not designed with them in mind and in the event of an accident, not only are they not protected, they can also be killed by the force of the deployment.

Second, Max may be better off in his crate or carrier. While the go-to place for a dog is usually right out the window (also dangerous, by the way), some smaller dogs find security in the driver’s seat in their mom or dad’s lap or under foot near the pedals. The quickest way to run into trouble is to be unable to turn the steering wheel or hit the brakes because Max is in the way. Besides, Max may simply be more at home in his “home” while traveling – just make sure it is secured in the back and cannot slide around.

Finally, if the crate is out, a body harness should be in. Neck collars provide unique perils to pups in moving vehicles. In the event of an accident or a sudden stop, if you have attached Tiger’s neck collar to anything in the car he can be choked or even strangled.

Comfort is key. We all know how exhausting it can be to sit still for hours and do nothing in a car. Ease this burden by packing Champ’s bowls, his favorite toys/bones and a soft blanket. Make sure you have plenty of fresh, cool water available for him and that you make frequent stops for potty/stretch breaks. Most importantly, never ever leave him alone in the car for any length of time for any reason!

Observe common sense rules of safety and etiquette when you make stops. You know your pet best. Take that knowledge with you when you travel. For example, you know that the minute you open the front door at home, Trixie’s first instinct is to leap out without looking. Translate that to a vehicle: make sure Trixie is buckled in or her collar and leash are attached and someone has a firm hold on her whenever the car door is opened.

Likewise, when you stop for potty breaks at rest stops, gas stations, restaurants, etc., make sure Trixie is never off of her leash. Not only is this the law, but it is also just good common sense. The last thing you need is for Trixie to make a break for it on the side of the highway or attempt to make a new friend with another road warrior stopping for a break who just happens to be deathly afraid of dogs.

Now that we have covered the “how” of traveling with pets, let’s look at the “where!” There are many fabulous destinations that will welcome your whole family, including sweet little Lucy.

Camping Out. For the outdoorsperson in many of us, chestnuts roasting on an open fire are pure heaven. If you are traveling in an RV, you can literally pick anywhere on the map with an RV park and…park. Just observe the above guidelines and any park-specific regulations and you can begin creating holiday vacation experiences to last a lifetime.

For the City Mouse. Luxury has reached new heights in big cities like New York, Beverly Hills, Atlanta, New Orleans, Scottsdale and Nashville where select hotels cater specifically to Lady, offering massages, spa treatments, and other amenities for you to enjoy together.

The Great Compromise. Finally, if you have made plans to attend Disney World or Universal Studios over the Christmas/New Year’s holiday, you can still bring Tramp and register him for Day Camp at Disney’s Best Friends Pet Care Facility in Orlando, Florida.

Whether your idea of a vacation is S’mores over a roaring campfire, 5-Star room service, or theme park thrills, there are more pet-friendly options than ever. By putting safety first in your travels, you can ensure magical memories for your whole family this holiday season!

About the Author
Joe Laing is the Marketing Director for El Monte RV Rentals your nationwide source for RV rentals. El Monte RV also sells used motorhomes through eight different locations across the United States. For more information on purchasing a used motorhome see http://www.elmontervsales.com/.

Foster a Pet for the Holidays

This holiday season, open your heart and your home to a pet from a shelter or rescue group.

Volunteer to foster a shelter cat or dog this holiday season and you'll be giving two gifts:  one to the pet who gets a home for the holidays, and another to the shelter workers and volunteers who take care of these pets year-round.

Learn more about Petfinder's Foster a Lonely Pet for the Holidays Program at

www.petfinder.com/fosteralonelypet

Black Friday: Dog Cat Horse Lovers Jewelry Gifts

Hurry!  For Love of a Dog jewelry and gift items for pet lovers are mostly one of a kind.  When they're gone, they're gone!

Fetch For Love of a Dog for unique handmade jewelry for dog, cat, and horse lovers.  Over 80 dog breeds in our specific dog breed jewelry.  Lots of mutts and mixed breed dogs, too. Don't miss our dog bone jewelry!  Cat lovers and equestrian horse lovers have some surprises waiting for them, too.

We even have a few of our handmade dog breed Christmas ornaments still available!

You can shop sale items now or simply fetch For Love of a Dog and select your favorite pet theme.  There are sales in almost every category!

Enjoy fast free standard shipping.  We ship daily!

Happy Holidays from all of us at For Love of a Dog

Thanksgiving Holiday Gift Pet Jewelry Event

Fetch For Love of a Dog for special jewelry and Christmas gifts for dog lovers! 

Choose dog breed jewelry and gifts in over 80 dog breeds, 

Mutt / mixed dog breed jewelry, 

Dog bone jewelry, 

Rescue and adopt pet jewelry

 Rainbow Bridge pet memorial jewelry for dog and cat lovers, 

Cat lovers jewelry, 

horse and equestrian jewelry

 and much more!  

Necklaces, bracelets, earrings, pendants, pins - all one of a kind and handmade! 

Free standard shipping, too!

Shop our Sale Now!

And be sure to come back for our Black Friday Sale for more special bargains!

Hurry - Third Annual National Pet Food Drive Ends Sunday

Petco and the Petco Foundation are partnering with Best Friends Animal Society and Hill's Science Diet to host the annual National Pet Food Drive through November 11, 2012.

Donations of dog and cat food are being accepted at every Petco and Unleashed by Petco to help families have a nutritious and happy Thanksgiving with their pets.  Each store is partnering with a local food bank or animal welfare groups to see to it that the donations go directly to the folks who need it most.

Best Friends Animal Society is helping supply the volunteer manpower in the stores to educate the clientele about the mission and help garner donations.

Once again, Hill's Science Diet is committing to match every bag of Hill's Science Diet dog and cat food donated, up to 80,000 pounds.  This year's goal is to get a half-million pounds of pet food donated.  People can donate whatever brand they'd like, but they maximize their donation by making it Hill's Science Diet.

Volunteer for the third annual Pet Food Drive:  http://www.petco.com/petco_Page_PC_foundationvolunteer.aspx

To find your local Petco or Unleashed by Petco, go to petco.com:  http://www.petco.com/