Adopt Darrel a Pit Bull Chick Magnet at Wayside Waifs

This handsome fellow is Darrel and he's a chick magnet!  According to staff and volunteers at Wayside Waifs in Kansas City - where he is a favorite - Darrel is quite the ladies man and loves to give kisses.  

Darrel is a 6 year old Pit Bull Terrier mix.  He was picked up as a stray and is being treated for heartworm and fly bites.  It's a hard life on the streets.

As you'll see in Darrel's adoption video, not only does he love people, he has excellent leash manners and already knows basic commands.

Here's Darrel's adoption message:

Hi there, I'm Darrel. I might just be the sweetest, most loving dog you'll ever have the pleasure of meeting. I know, you've known lots of dogs in your life...but the people I've met here at Wayside say there's just something extra special about me. I make you feel good. I make you feel so loved. I make you feel like the most important person on earth. It's just the way I am and the only way I know how to be. Everyone needs someone like me in their life, don't you think?

I am a handsome and cuddly, 6 year old, 46 pounds of solid love, Pit Bull Terrier mix who came to Wayside as a stray via the Belton, MO animal control people. Life has been rough for me, so it's pretty remarkable how I got to be so sweet and affectionate. I'm a perfect example of how resilient dogs can be. I've already forgotten all the bad in my life and I live for today. I live for all the new friends I've met and the hopeful future that's now in front of me. I've spent the last month or so recuperating and I'm ready for my new life to begin! The scars on my ears from the relentless fly bites during the hot summer months will heal, as will the other sores on my body. And I'll get cured from the heartworm that I picked up along the way, too. Those things will soon be part of my past. I hope that in my new home, I will be loved and cared for the way I deserve, so that I don't have to endure these things any longer. I want to live inside, with you by my side, safe and secure and loved and cared for.

I am sort of a shy and timid boy, at least until I get to know you. Once I have time to warm up to you though, I am the most loyal dog in all the world and I love to soak up all the attention you'll give me. I can't get enough of it! Please just give me time though, especially when we first get home, so that I can learn to trust you and relax with you. Be gentle and patient with me as I learn what you expect from me. Show me when I do good, by offering me your love and praise and a tasty treat every now and then. I will be a devoted companion for you for the rest of my life, once I figure it all out.

I have quickly become a favorite of the volunteers at Wayside! I am calm and affectionate. I love to go for walks and I do just great on my leash, never pulling. I love to be by your side, feeling your gentle touch and listening to you tell me what a good boy I am. I will cuddle with you and give you kisses, if you like that. I am just an all around wonderful dog and total sweetheart!

I do want to meet the whole family before we go home together, including all the kids and any other dogs you have. Truth be told, I would love to be your only dog, but I might get along fine with other dogs who stay calm and laidback with me and who know how to give me my space. I like to keep a big bubble around me where other dogs are concerned. With kids, well, sometimes their quick and unpredictable movements are scary to me. I'll be happiest without kids under the age of 5. Besides, I'm looking for a more calm and quiet home, so young kids don't really fit in with my plans.

I am just a simple and sweet dog. I'm not looking for anything extra exciting in my life. A consistent routine with people I love sounds wonderful to me. I want to feel safe and wanted and loved. I want to show you the joy I can bring into your life, just by having me around. I want to be your best friend and loyal companion for the rest of my life. That's all.
Love, Darrel

Be sure to watch Darrel's adoption video to see just how sweet this boy is and then give Wayside Waifs a call at 816-761-8151.  Darrel's animal ID number is 
23117829.



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!
  

Tuesday's Tails blog hop participants can post any day of the week and link up with a fresh blog hop linky every Tuesday.  Though targeted at adoptable pets, we also welcome blog posts regarding pet adoption, rescue organizations and adoption events.Fetch the new Tuesday's Tails Facebook page and give us a like! Please help spread the word about these beautiful animals via social media and let's find them forever homes!  

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

Adopt Lombardi a Senior Cairn Terrier Dog in MO

This adorable fellow is Lombardi.  He's a 7 year old senior Cairn Terrier mix dog.  With an easy going personality, Lombardi is happy to just be with people.  He loves leisurely strolls and walks nicely on a leash.

According to the American Kennel Club:

Best known as "Toto" from the Wizard of Oz, the Cairn Terrier is a small, hardy working terrier.  Originally bred to aid Scottish farmers in ridding their properties of pests,  Cariens today use their tenacity to excel in obedience, agility, terrier and tracking trials.  Although they learn quickly, they may always have the instinct to dig and chase small animals.

Check out Lombardi's adoption video and then give the Humane Society of Missouri's Chesterfield Valley animal shelter a call at 636-530-0805.  Lombardi's animal ID number is A578287



Since 1870, the Humane Society of Missouri has been dedicated to second chances.  They provide a safe and caring haven to animals - large and small - that have been abused, neglected or abandoned.  Their mission is to end the cycle of abuse and overpopulation, assist in creating lasting relations hips between people and animals, offer world-class veterinary care, plus offer pet obedience and behavior programs.  HSMO operates three animal shelters in the St Louis, Missouri, area, plus Longmeadow Rescue Ranch in Union, Missouri, for abused and neglected horses, cows, goats, chickens and other farm animals.

We are 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!  Please help spread the word about these beautiful animals via social media and let's find them forever homes! 

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

Adopt a Big Beautiful Black Dog from Stray Rescue St Louis

Igneous is a 2 year old male terrier mixed breed dog.  In person he's as solid and handsome as the photo to the left.  He has an amazing head that he loves to have rubbed.  And who could ignore that ear-to-ear grin.

Igneous wants to be a lap dog, even though it would take a big lap to hold his 64 pounds.  He loves people and craves human attention.  He would do best as the only dog in the home.  

A playful guy, he like to release some of that energy through exercise.  If you need a physical fitness buddy, someone who is guaranteed to get you off the couch and into the outdoors, Igneous is your dog.

Igneous is currently living at Stray Rescue of St Louis's Pine Street animal shelter:  2320 Pine Street, St Louis, Missouri.  Call them for more information about Igneous at 314-771-6121.   

Founded by Randy Grim, Stray Rescue's sold purpose is to rescue stray animals in need of medical attention, to restore them to health, and then place them in loving adoptive homes.

View the video below to learn more about Randy Grim and Stray Rescue.  As Randy notes, East St Louis is probably second only to Detroit in being very mean streets for homeless dogs.  50% of the animals rescued have been victims of gunshots.

"Fixing" MO Prop B the Puppy Mill Cruelty Prevention Act

Here we go again.  I'd shoved my soapbox into a closet for the holidays and hoped it might stay there awhile.  I figured I'd take some time off to play with our new puppy and enjoy the holidays with my family.  With recent developments regarding Missouri Proposition B - the Puppy Mill Cruelty Prevention Act - I decided I might as well end the year talking about it.  Again.

Last night in Boliver, Missouri, a forum was held to discuss "fixing" MO Prop B and or repealing it.  According to Springfield's KY3 newsteam member, Mike Landis, the forum was attended by ranchers, farmers and other MO residents.  MO State Senator Robert Mayer claims some things in Prop B need to be clarified.  MO State Senator- elect Mike Parsons thinks it can be "fixed. "

Parsons outlined his ideas at the Bolivar forum and promised to work toward implementing those possible changes.  “When you start limiting the private sector in what they can own and sell, I think that’s a problem,” Parson explained.

Just as they did prior to the election, opponents to Prop B are saying it will cripple the dog-breeding industry in Missouri.   Prop B sets forth new regulations limiting the number of breeding dogs a facility can have (50), and mandates new minimum-space requirements for kennels holding the dogs. Many Missouri dog breeders claim the mandates, which are set to go into effect in November 2011, will force them to invest in expensive new facilities they can’t afford and they will have to go out of business.  Some Missouri farmers and ranchers also say it could lead to a slippery slope situation where rules could eventually be imposed on the cattle, pork, and poultry industry.

I agree with other Prop B supporters:  a vote is a vote.  The Missouri people passed this ballot initiative and their will should prevail.

The Missouri legislative session begins January 5 and there's a battle brewing.  Prop B goes into effect in Nov 2011, so there's plenty of time to tinker with it.  It's hard enough to live in the Puppy Mill Capital of the World.  Now I have to admit I live in a state where elected officials do not respect the will of the people and our state's constitution. 

Will there be a happy new year for the thousands of dogs currently residing in Missouri puppy mills?  We'll have to wait and see.