Celebrate Halloween by Adopting a Shelter Dog

October is National Adopt a Shelter Dog Month

Hurry! There's still time to fetch a best friend 

from your local animal shelter or rescue!

 

Happy Halloween from all of us

at Talking Dogs and For Love of a Dog Jewelry!

The Heart Knows Animal Shelter Song by Nancy Simmonds | Dog Song Saturday

Those of you who've been with us on Dog Song Saturday for awhile know that we're huge fans of Nancy Simmonds.  We've featured a number of her fantastic dog breed songs over the years.

Today we're thrilled to share with you our favorite Nancy Simmonds dog song of all time.

The Heart Knows (Animal Shelter Song) is another original Simmonds dog song in which she shares her experience of rescuing a number of pets from shelters.  The accompanying video shows some of Nancy's own shelter pets.

Nancy Simmonds has had a successful music career for over 35 years.  In the early 1990's she began composing dog breed songs after discovering no similar music existed.  So far she's written and recorded over 110 purebred dog songs.  You add them to your playlist from iTunes and at Musical Tails  

You might want to grab a tissue before you enjoy The Heart Knows (The Animal Shelter Song) by Nancy Simmonds.  The lyrics are provided below so you can sing along.  Then fetch some more genuine dog song music videos at Talking Dogs.  You'll be surprised at how many we've collected over the past few years. 

The Heart Knows (The Animal Shelter Song)  by Nancy Simmonds © 2011 Soap Opry Music

My life was suddenly so still

So sad I lost my will

No dog to greet me at the door

Empty bowls laid on the floor

My spirit seemed to fall apart

Face to face with my shattered heart

Tears betrayed me one by one

I knew what had to be done

I saw that shelter and breathed in

Time to open up again

I left my car and stepped inside

Let some angel be my guide

The high pitched yelps ran up my spine

I met those eyes as they searched mine

Slowly I passed by each run

How could I choose just one -

Oh, oh, oh

Oh, oh, oh

The heart knows

I read each story as it was told

How can people be so cold

But some lost homes and all they'd saved

Now they too roam the streets like strays

Then through the wire, she was there

I could feel her thoughts so clear

And all the pain I had inside

Melted in her eyes

Oh, oh, oh

Oh, oh, oh

The heart knows

Inside that shelter lives are saved

Just like mine was saved that day

That shelter helps us to believe

There's still kindness in our breed

I led her down the winding halls

But somewhere I still heard a call

So I found that cat, or he found me

And now my life is shared by three

Oh, oh, oh

Oh, oh, oh,

The heart knows

My Shelter Dogs | Wordless Wednesday

Jeffie - Golden Retriever / Border Collie

Rosie - Golden Retriever and ?

We celebrate Adopt a Shelter Dog Month every day here at Talking Dogs!

Rosie and Jeffie are my two shelter dogs these days.  I found both of them on Petfinder, yet neither had photos posted there.   

In Jeffie's case, his brother's photo was on Petfinder to represent all three puppies.  When we arrived at the animal shelter, it was Jeffie who captured my heart.

In Rosie's case, she was a solo puppy and there never was a photo posted.  We adopted her within 36 hours of her being listed there.   They say timing is everything!

Senior Dogs Available for Adoption: Tuesday Tails

Oran - Adoptable Senior Black Lab Mix at Stray Rescue of St Louis

 Oran is 12 1/2 year old, male black Lab mixed breed dogs available for adoption from Stray Rescue of St Louis.  According to shelter staff:

Oran is one of the most loved dogs ever rescued.  He's quite the character.  Very sweet and friendly.  He loves to do for long, leisurely strolls and is a perfect gentleman on a leash.  He would do best in a home where he is the only pet unless it is a dog like his girlfriend, Josephine.

Oran is eligible for Stray Rescue's Seniors For Seniors program. Senior citizens (preferably, but not limited to, those on a fixed income) who adopt an older dog are able to do so without paying the adoption fee.  If necessary, Stray Rescue will provide food and medical care for the life of the dog.

Josephine - Adoptable Senior Shepherd Dog at Stray Rescue of St Louis

 Josephine is a 9 1/2 year old female Shepherd mixed breed dog.  Here's what Stray Rescue shelter staff has to say:

Josephine is one of the sweetest dogs we've ever rescued.  She was found in a horrible area of town with her 3 little puppies.  She had a makeshift home for them underneath a dilapidated house.  She did a wonderful job keeping them safe and healthy. 

Josephine's puppies have already gone to their forever homes, but Josephine is still waiting.

She was a very, very sick girl and under strict orders from the vet that she was not to exert herself in any way.  It was touch and go for a few months, but now she is the picture of health.  She still has a slight cough that she'll probably alwasy have.  This is due to scarring of her trachea.  Since this is a pre-existing condition, Stray Rescue will cover the cost of her medicine.  It's just a pill she takes twice a day.  Put it in some braunschweiger and she'll gobble it right out of your hand.

She has the cutest little nub for a tail.  We've never seen it stop wagging.  You can even bring her home for a few days to see for yourself that she'll fit in perfectly at your house.  Just be prepared for lots of kisses.

For more information about Oran or Josephine, contact the Stray Rescue Pine Street Animal Shelter at 314-771-6121

Founded by Randy Grim, Stray Rescue of St Louis sold purpose is to rescue stray animals in need of medical attention, restore them to health, and place them in loving adoptive homes.  Virtually all of the pets they save have been abused and neglected.  Stray Rescue is a no-kill organization that believes rescued animals often make the best pets.  Given a second lease on life and in return for a little affection and attention, these remarkable animals reward their new owners with a love and loyalty unmatched anywhere.


We're participating in the Tuesday's Tails blog hop hosted by Dogs N Pawz.  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!

Dog Song Saturday: The Animal Rescue Song by Jayne Olderman

It's Saturday!  So, time for a dog song at Talking Dogs!  Today we have a beautiful original dog song for you.

I've Got a Feeling (The Animal Rescue Song) was written by Jayne Olderman and Dwayna Litz.  Included on Jayne's CD In the Moment, I've Got a Feeling is available on iTunes, AmazonMP3 and eMusic.

The music video that accompanies the song was also created by Jayne Olderman.  It tells the story of dog rescue and adoption.  Go ahead and watch - these are HAPPY STORIES!

The opening scene reminds me so much of the day we adopted Jeffie.  Yes, Jeffie was a shelter puppy and so this dog song seemed very appropriate to include in his gala month long birthday celebration.

Grab a dog.  Sit.  Stay.  Relax and enjoy I've Got a Feeling (the Animal Rescue Song).

Fetch more dog song music videos at Talking Dogs and be sure to check out all the party festivities!  There's still time to enter to win some KONG Premium Jerky Treats and our Party Pet Photo Contest!  C'mon, here's your invitation to fun!

Dog Song Saturday: Most Loyal Friend A Dog Rescue Song

  It's Dog Song Saturday at Talking Dogs and we're still celebrating national Adopt a Shelter Dog month.  

Today's featured dog song and music video is a beautiful plea to adopt a dog.  Most Loyal Friend is an original song composed and performed by Judy Calem and Jim Beggs if Paradox Playground.  

The video includes photos of dogs who have found their forever homes and some who may not have been so lucky.

Grab a dog.  Grab some tissues. Sit.  Stay.  Relax for a moment and enjoy Most Loyal Friend.  

Then consider a visit to your local animal shelter.  If you can't adopt a dog right now, see what else you might be able to do to help those souls find a new happy life.  Visit Petfinder or Petango   Social network and share some dogs on Twitter or Facebook and get the word out.

Fetch more dog song music videos at Talking Dogs.  You'll tap your toe; you'll groove to the beat.  You'll laugh and you may cry.  And be sure to scroll down below today's featured dog song and explore some barking good blogs because today is a Pet Blogger Hop! 

Dog Song Saturday: Adopt a Dog Today

It's Saturday, so time to kick off your weekend with a dog song at Talking Dogs.  October is National Adopt a Shelter Dog month and we've found a great song to celebrate!

Adopt a Dog Today is a toe tapping tune with avery important message.  Skip Haynes and Steve Dale wrote this song for the American Humane Society and for use in pet adoption events.  Performed by the Laurel Mountain Animal Company, it's available on their It's All Right if My Dog Sleeps On the Bed All Night With Me cd.   The music video will make you smile as you enjoy photos of shelter dogs, many of which are shown with their new best friends in their furever homes.

Grab a dog.  Sit.  Stay.  Relax and enjoy Adopt a Dog Today.  Fetch more dog song music videos at Talking Dogs.  Explore some barking good dog blogs in today's Pet Blogger Hop.   Then head to your local animal shelter and see what you can do to help some shelter dogs find new, loving homes!

Wordless Wednesday: Hailey is Home

Remember Hailey, the big beautiful black Lab mix dog that had spent almost all of her eight years of life at Dogwood Animal Shelter?   Well, Hailey is home.

After I blogged about Hailey and her situation, I was stunned to receive the next newsletter from Dogwood and see that Hailey still was waiting for a forever home.    I immediately sent an SOS email to Neil over at Life With Dogs.  Hailey's story broke his heart, too, as I knew it would.  I gave him permission to rip any info he wanted from my blog and sent him the Dogwood newsletters, too.

I'm thrilled to report that social media really worked for Hailey.  As reported on Life With Dogs, late last week an anonymous man took Hailey home.  He's reported that other than a bit of anxiety at times, she's settling into her new home well.

Dogwood Animal Shelter was overwhelmed with correspondence from around the world and Hailey's new best friend was selected from a list of applicants.

Thanks to all of you who forwarded, StumbledUpon, shared on Facebook, Twitter, and so on!  And I have no doubt that Hailey thanks you, too.

Long Term Shelter Dogs: Part 2 How Long is Too Long?

My brain is on overload with all the things I want to be able to say in this post, including my response to questions and issues raised in the comments yesterday about Hailey, a long term shelter dog.

First of all, when I read the article about Hailey in my newsletter from Dogwood Animal Shelter, I immediately wanted to know more. I clicked to their website and read more about her.  Then I surfed to Petfinder only to discover no photos of Hailey and another reference to Black Dog Syndrome.

What stunned me about Hailey was that she's spent all but 2 months of her eight years of life in a shelter.  

She's not alone.  Over the years I've read about other dogs who have spent years in various animal shelters waiting for a forever home.  I'm aware of some shelters and rescues that even waive adoption fees after an animal has been with them for over a year.


I'm well aware that if Hailey had originally been taken to a "kill" shelter, she may have been euthanized long ago.


Could Dogwood have done (and still do) more for Hailey in terms of getting her adopted.  Sure.  Of course.  For starters, they could get that Petfinder photo uploaded.  They could do a youtube video of Hailey.  They could network with Labrador Retriever rescue groups to place her.  


They could re-word Hailey's description. "She is particular about what dogs will be her friends." is a yellow warning light blinking in my head.  What exactly does that mean?

What I know for sure is that Hailey is one of 250-300 dogs and cats living at Dogwood.  In 2011 this "no kill" animal shelter took in 664 pets and adopted out 651.  They have an army of volunteers who raised the funds to build a state-of-the-art animal shelter and offer low cost spay/neuter clinics, obedience classes, elementary school education curriculum and much more.  Dogwood is funded solely on donations and funds raised by volunteers at events and their thrift store.  They hold adoption events on site and at nearby shopping locations.


Are they perfect?  Heck, no. Every day they are faced with difficult decisions regarding keeping their facility operating, how to adopt more dogs and cats to good, loving homes and which ones to feature in their adoption marketing efforts.

They are not alone.    Every animal shelter and every pet rescue group needs more resources, more volunteers, better marketing, more networking...   It's a long list.


Thoughts of Hailey consume me.  Yes, she's never known life outside a shelter, so she doesn't know what life could be like. However, how many other dogs like Hailey are out there? Dogs that have spent months, or even years, in a shelter.


Why has Hailey not been adopted?  What more could have been done for her?  Good questions.

For me, though, the real question remains:  how long is too long?  Is there a "too long?"  Is life in a shelter better than no life at all?

My answer is yes, life in a shelter is better than no life.  However, as I watch my own dogs roust at play, patrol their yard, lounge on the sofa... I am haunted by Hailey and the other dogs like her who have been overlooked.

Long Term Shelter Dogs: How Long is Too Long?

Yesterday I received my e-newsletter from Dogwood Animal Shelter.  Dogwood is the no kill animal shelter we adopted Jeffie from after finding him on Petfinder.  They are 100% privately financed through donations and their thrift shop, where we periodically take donations.  

Each Dogwood newsletter highlights cool things donated to the thrift shop and special sales, fund raising events for the animal shelter, and pets available for adoptions.  Which leads me to this blog post.

Like most animal shelters and rescue, Dogwood is coping with more animals than they have space for.  In February they ran an adoption special and have now extended it to include the entire month of March.  

All kennel dogs who have been in an "Adoptable" status for over 90 days will have half-off adoption fees.  Adoption fees include all shots, spaying or neutering, and a microchip.

Take a good long look at Hailey, the dog pictured here.  She's a beauty and those eyes tell me she's a sweetheart, full of fun.  Now, notice that white hair on her muzzle.  At our house we call that "sugar lips" and we insist the kisses are sweeter.

Hailey is celebrating her 8th birthday.  She has been at Dogwood Animal Shelter since she was two months old.  This is the longest a dog has ever been at Dogwood.

As their newsletter notes:  it is a bittersweet birthday.

If I had to spend my whole life in an animal shelter, Dogwood would be one I would wish for.  This is a relatively new physical facility with an virtual army of volunteers, including their Canine Coaches program that works on obedience and sees to it the dogs get exercise.  For all the cat people reading this blog, rest assured, Dogwood's cat rooms are fantastic!

However, Hailey reminded me of other dogs in other shelters that I've stumbled across in the last few years.  Dogs that have spent years and years in a shelter.  I'm a "no kill" girl myself... but how long is too long to spend in a shelter?

Is life in a shelter better than no life at all?  What do you think?

Take another long look at Hailey.  The Dogwood Canine Coaches have taught her well.  Hailey  minds well, is great on a leash and is reported to be extremely sweet and loving.  She loves to roll in the grass, though she doesn't get many opportunities to do that.  She's a bit particular about what dogs will be her friends.  She's spayed, house trained, and weighs 64 pounds.

Hailey is a black lab mix.  Well, black with a bit of white, including that ancestral St Johns Water Dog medallion marking on her chest.  

The good folks at Dogwood surmise that Hailey has been overlooked because she is a black dog.  The plight of big black dogs and Black Dog Syndrome has been written and talked about for years, especially the disproportionate number of black dogs that are euthanized in shelters across our country.

So, Hailey is lucky.  Right?  Any day now someone could come along and adopt her into a loving home.  It's happened.  We've all read a few stories about senior dogs finally finding their person.

However, how many dogs live out their years in a "no kill" animal shelter?

How long is too long to live in an animal shelter?. 

October Adopt a Shelter Dog ASPCA Video Contest

Photo:  ASPCA 

October is Adopt a Shelter Dog Month and the ASPCA is celebrating with a Funniest Dog Video Contest.  Keep those video cameras handy and record your dog when he or she does something that makes you laugh out loud.  It could be that goofy face she makes, simply the sight of his crazy ears, or even some special talent.

Prizes are pretty cool.  The top three winners will be featured on the ASPCA website and receive a special prize pack that includes:  Floppy Moppy Plush Toy, Doggy Donuts Treat Pack, ASPCA Logo Tee, and a Proud to be a Rescue Dog Tee.

The contest began September 29 and ends October 31.  Note: open only to persons who are at least 18 years old.  Visit the ASPCA Facebook page for more information about the contest rules, to enter your video, and to view those already entered into the contest.

Pedigree Foundation: Write a Post, Help a Dog #dogsrule

More than 4 million dogs become homeless each year.  At PEDIGREE Brand, they believe every dog deserves a loving home.  That's why they're committed to the cause of adoption.  For each blog post mentioning the PEDIGREE Foundation throughout the BlogPaws conference, they'll donate 20 pounds of their new dry PEDIGREE recipe food for dogs to a shelter.  You can learn more about the PEDIGREE Foundation at www.PedigreeFoundation.org.

Write a Post, Help a Dog runs until midnight ET on Saturday, September 3.  Your animal shelter can apply for grants at that same web address, plus you can shop Dogs Rule Gear and use the promo code BlogPaws10 to receive a 10% discount now through September 30.  All proceeds go toward the PEDIGREE Foundation to help shelter dogs find loving homes. 

Adopt Delaney: Shepherd Mix Dog Trained by MO Puppies for Parole

Delaney - Adoptable Dog from
Missouri Puppies for Parole Training Program

Do you have room in your heart for another canine companion?  Consider Delaney, a hound / shepherd mixed breed dog.  She's being trained in basic obedience skills by the Missouri Puppies for Parole program at the Crossroads Correctional Center.  Delaney's parole office is TAILS Rescue and she can be adopted through them.  Her trainer reports that Delaney is very happy go lucky. 

Puppies for Parole is a unique Department of Corrections program 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 will be 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 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.

Adopt Gizmo: Golden Retriever Corgi Mixed Breed Dog from MO Puppies for Parole

Gizmo, Golden Retriever mixed breed dog at
Missouri Puppies for Parole

Now here's some good news.  Not only is Missouri Puppies for Parole is about to adopt its 200th dog, but this successful private / public partnership program is set to expand into two more prisons this spring.  That will bring the total to 14 of Missouri's state prisons participating. 

Talk about a winning proposition.  Puppies for Parole operates without the use of any taxpayer dollars.  Dogs from animal shelters and animal advocacy groups are trained by prison inmates and then are available for adoption to the public.  Obviously, the dogs and shelters benefit:  these dogs become more adoptable.  However, the inmates involved in the program benefit as well.

Considering adding a new dog to your family?  Just take a look at the sweet face on Gizmo.  He's a young Golden Retriever / Corgi mixed breed dog.  Gizmo is receiving his training at the Western Reception Diagnostic and Correctional Center;  his parole office is the St Joseph Animal Control and Rescue.  According to his trainer, Gizmo is already a nice dog, but they're working on some anxiety issues due to his recent separation from his owners. 

Pit Bull Terrier / Labrador Retriever Mix Dog Jamison Needs a Home

Surely your couch has room for one more dog.  Especially one as handsome as this guy.  Jamison (ID#A499770) is black and white Labrador Retriever and Pit Bull Terrier mixed breed dog.  He's neutered and animal shelter staff believe he's about 7 years old.  Jamison has been at the shelter since November;  he needs a forever home soon.

Take a closer look at Jamison in the video and if you are interested in more information, contact the Humane Society of Missouri at 314-951-1562.

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. 

Operation Roger Pet Transport

Operation Roger is a non profit organization made up of regional and long haul truckers who volunteer their time to transport needy pets as they deliver freight nationwide. Currently they have around 30 drivers and need more.
If you are a trucker and an animal lover and would like to volunteer contact Operation Roger today.

Petfinder Launches iPhone Application

If exposure is the key to finding homes for dogs in shelters and rescues, Petfinder.com just keeps improving the odds, most recently with a free iPhone / iPod Touch application (at iTunes.com) A streamlined version of Petfinder’s mega-database of adoptable animals, the app emphasizes scrollable photos that can easily be shared via Facebook, Twitter and email. More viewers with busy fingers help spread the word about the overpopulation problem one phone at a time.

Virginia is for Lovers and Dog Lovers

"No dog should be euthanized solely because of their breed."

That's what Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell is trying to legislate in Virginia. When he was Attorney General in 2006, apparently, he issued an opinion stating the same thing. Now that he's governor, he wants to mandate that no public shelter can kill an animal based only on breed. Virginians, you can contact your local assemblyman to let them know where you stand on the Governor's amendment and don't forget to thank Governor McDonnell too.

Black Dog Adoption, Cats, too

Want to adopt a shelter dog or cat? Live in Missouri? The Black Dog Club of the Humane Society of Missouri has a special offer for you.

During September, you can save $50 on adoption fees when you give an adult black dog a new home. And they haven't forgotten about cats! Save $30 when you adopt an adult cat, any color! The Humane Society of Missouri has three adoption centers in the St Louis : Westport, St Louis City, and Chesterfield Valley. See their web site for more details.

Hurry! Time is running out!

For Love of a Dog is a member of the Black Dog Club of the Humane Society of Missouri.