A Big Day for Rudy: Getting Neutered

Rudy, totally unaware of his upcoming surgery. 

Snip and Clip.  Nip and Tuck.  The Conehead Cometh.  All titles I considered for this blog post.  I decided to keep it simple:  Getting Neutered.

It definitely is a big day for Rudy, our yellow Labrador Retriever pup.  Rudy is almost 7 months old now.  After doing quite a bit of reading about the best age to neuter dogs, especially big dogs, we've decided to follow our vet's recommendation.  So, Rudy is getting neutered today.

All our dog-boys are neutered.  Tucker at 6 months because that's the age all of our male canines have been neutered in the past.  Jeffie at 8 weeks because the shelter we adopted him from does it that way.  Though we know there's a lot of controversy about the best age to have this surgery performed, we've experienced no bad outcomes in the past.  Even though we think 8 weeks - so far before puberty - is iffy (and we had no choice about that)  Jeffie, now 5, seems fine.

We are big believers in spay and neuter.  Shelter euthanasia is the number one killer of companion animals in our country.  Millions of dollars are spent each year by our communities dealing with stray and unwanted pets.  Even though animal advocacy organizations are doing a great job educating the pet owning public and low cost spay / neuter organizations have sprung up all over the US, there simply are not enough homes for all those unplanned litters of dogs and cats.

Do I think any of our pets will end up in a shelter?  No.  And though it's pretty doubtful any of our dogs could produce any offspring, never say never.  All I have to do is think about Rudy's Labrador Retriever mother who managed to escape a yard just long enough to rendevous with a neighboring chocolate Lab.  'Nuff said.

At For Love of a Dog we subscribe to that old adage:  If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the problem.

So, later today Rudy will be home from the vet, sporting one of those crazy collars, getting sniffed like crazy by the rest of the dog pack, and he'll be minus his family jewels.

Adopt Diva: Beagle German Shepherd Mix Homeless Dog

Diva is looking for a forever home.  A brown and black Beagle and German Shepherd Dog mix, Diva is about one year old.  She's already spayed, housebroken, and loves squeaky dog toys.  If you're in need of some tail wagging doggie love, please consider Diva.

Diva is available for adoption from the Humane Society of Missouri - St Louis City.  You can contact them at 314-951-1562.   Diva's animal ID # is A506014

Spring Fever: Spay and Neuter Your Pets

Rudy playing keep-away

I have spring fever. Yesterday our forsythia bushes promised a yellow blaze of glory for today and temperatures climbed to almost 80 degrees. We all heaved a sigh of relief that the long, unusually snowy and cold, winter seems to be coming to an end. Finally. It almost seems safe now to pack away the dog coats and boots.

All four canines spent most of the day outdoors. Tucker did quite a bit of sun bathing and blissful napping in the ever greening grass. Lucy enjoyed patrols with me as I checked flowers, shrubs and fruit trees. Jeffie and Rudy enjoyed jolly ball and frisbe games both with and without Gary and I. It was a beautiful spring day.

However, this morning I'm mindful that with spring comes the deluge of puppies and kittens at animal shelters. 

About one million puppies are born in Missouri each year according to the Humane Society of Missouri.  In fact, each day, 70,000 kittens and puppies are born in the United States.  Thousands of these end up unwanted, wandering the streets.  Many of them perpetuate the problem by breeding and having babies of their own.  Too many of them end up at animal shelters where they wait, hoping for a forever home.

At For Love of a Dog, all four of our dogs today are products of unintentional breeding.  Of course, I'm glad that they were born.  I can't imagine life without them.   However, from time to time, I wonder about their littermates.  I tend to doubt they all got so lucky.

So, in the midst of delicious spring fever, I'm thinking about spay and neuter.  Rudy will be heading to the vet next month for a bit of a snip to his boy parts.  None of our dogs will be contributing to the homelessness of another generation.

Spay and neuter your pets.  It's the responsible thing to do.

Spay and Neuter Dog and Cat Lover Bracelet from For Love of a Dog Jewelry

Spay Neuter Dog and Cat Lover Copper Bracelet

Promote pet spay and neuter with this dog lover bracelet from For Love of a Dog. 

This handmade pet lover bracelet teamed very earthy deep peach and charcoal Marble ovals with copper.  Hand stamped copper circles are gently domed and proclaim SPAY and NEUTER. All are hand wire wrapped with copper jeweler's wire.  

Perfect gift for any pet lover, pet rescue volunteer or animal rescue foster mom. A stylish bracelet with an important animal welfare message.  Sure to fetch conversations that can save dog and cat lives

Browse more animal advocacy and rescue jewelry at For Love of a Dog.  Gift box packaging and free standard shipping with each purchase.

Labrador Retriever Dog Breed Jewelry at For Love of a Dog

Black Labrador Retriever Dog Breed Bracelet

We're gong with a theme here today of black labs.  If you're heart has been captured by a big black Lab, then you really should check out our one of a kind Labrador Retriever dog breed jewelry.  We offer earrings, necklaces, and bracelets featuring beautiful black Lab dogs.  Plus we also offer artisan sculpture ornaments, too.

The black Lab dog lover bracelet shown here includes a wonderful two dimensional black Labrador Retriever dog breed charm. The dog charm is handcrafted of hand cast resin from an orginal hand sculpted mold, then carefully air brush painted by hand. This Labrador Retriever dog breed charm is true to dog breed standards, highly detailed and absolutely beautiful.

I've hand wire wrapped this little dog treasure with black lampwork dog bones and red Poppy Jasper gemstone beads with gold jewelers wire. Extender charms include a chubby red Poppy Jasper gemstone heart and a little three dimensional gold dog bone Great colors with a gorgeous black Labrador Retriever dog sculpture makes for beautiful dog lover jewelry and a fabulous gift. This bracelet would be great someone involved in black dog rescue work, too.

Fetch more unique artisan jewelry in many dog breeds and mixed breed mutts at For Love of a Dog.  We also offer animal advocacy, rescue, and spay / neuter jewelry.  Gift box packaging and free standard shipping with each purchase.

Spay and Neuter Specials for Missouri Dogs and Cats

Live in Missouri and have a pet that needs to be spayed or neutered? 

The Humane Society of Missouri has a special going on right now:  $9.95 for cats and $19.95 for dogs.  These prices are good for a limited time, so make your appointment today by calling 314-951-1534. 

Spay and neuter procedures will be done at one of the Veterinary Medical Center locations.  These clinics are just one project of the Humane Society of Missouri and are open to the public,.  All pets - not just ones who've been adopted fron the HSMO - are welcome.

The HSMO clinics include:  St Louis Veterinary Medical Center at 1201 Macklind Ave, St Louis;  Westport Area Veterinary Medical Center at 2400 Drilling Service Rd, Maryland Heights;  and the Chesterfield Valley Veterinary Medical Center, 17357 Edison Ave, Chesterfield.  Emergency medical services are also available.  Visit the HSMO veterinary clinics on the web for more information, including hours they're open.

Proceeds from the HSMO vet clinics go towards animal rescue, rehabilitation and finding homes for homeless pets.

Spay or Neuter Your Cats and Dogs - Catch the Bieber Fever

Its Dog Song Saturday at For Love of a Dog and we thought we've give you a double bonus today.  In addition to our usual dog song, we want to share with you this barking good dog video from Best Friends Animal Society. 

Best Friends has a special spay and neuter campaign going on in February and this dogumentary film is a part of it.  Titled Fix the Ones You Love! it reminds all of us that when we spay or neuter our cats and dogs, we're helping keep homeless pets out of overcrowded animal shelters.

Grab a dog or two.  Sit.  Stay.  Relax and enjoy Fix the Ones You Love!

Animal Rescue Advocacy Jewelry: Spay Neuter Dog Bone Bracelet

Spay Neuter Bracelet from
For Love of a Dog Jewelry & Gifts

Because we have a new puppy in the For Love of a Dog household, I've been thinking a lot about spay and neuter lately.  I realize if Rudy's mama had been spayed, Rudy would not be here.  Much as I love him, too many puppies do not find good forever homes.  Rudy will definitely be neutered.

Rescue is a cause near and dear to our hearts at For Love of a Dog, so we're pleased to offer this spay and neuter dog advocacy bracelet. The centerpiece is obviously these ceramic handcrafted alphabet beads that spell, what else, SPAY and NEUTER. Surrounded by Black Onyx gemstone beads and sterling silver. Charms include a cheerful red Brecciated Jasper puffy heart for love and a little three dimensional silver dogbone.

If you are one of the wonderful volunteers who work so hard to find homes for shelter dogs and advocate spay and neuter, this bracelet was handcrafted with you in mind. Sure to spark compliments and conversation. Raise awareness of the plight of shelter dogs and the need for responsible pet ownership with this handcrafted dog rescue bracelet. Save lives and wear one of a kind jewelry all at the same time.

For Love of a Dog offers unique handmade animal advocacy, rescue, black dog, and dog lover jewelry.  We've been in business since 1991 so you can shop with confidence.  Gift box packaging and free shipping with each purchase.  Fetch our dog breed jewelry now.

Animal Advocacy Rescue Jewelry - Great Gifts for Dog Lovers

Dog Rescue Bracelet in Turquoise & Silver from
For Love of a Dog Jewelry & Gifts

If you're looking for a truly unique Christmas gift for a dog lover on your holiday shopping list, we suggest one of a kind, handmade animal advocacy and rescue jewelry.  Perfect for any dog lover, but especially one who belongs to an animal welfare group and believes in advocacy for animals, especially dogs.    If they feel passionate about black dogs, spay and neuter, fostering or rescue, they'd love our advocacy jewelry.  They would definitely collect compliments and start conversations that can save the lives of animals. 

Shown here is just one example of our dog rescue jewelry.  Rescue is a cause near and dear to our hearts at For Love of a Dog, so we're pleased to offer this dog rescue bracelet. The centerpiece is obviously these ceramic handcrafted alphabet beads that spell RESCUE. Surrounded by blue Turquooise gemstone beads and sterling silver. Charms include a antiqued silver dog house representing a forever home, white heart for love, and a three dimensional lampwork dog bone.

Maybe you love a rescue dog or are one of the wonderful volunteers who work so hard to find homes for shelter dogs.  Then this bracelet was handcrafted with you in mind. Raise awareness of the plight of shelter dogs with this handcrafted dog rescue bracelet.

Fetch For Love of a Dog Jewelry and Gifts for handmade artist dog lover jewelry.  Shop now for best selection since our jewelry is one of a kind.  We've been in business since 1991, so shop with confidence.  Gift box packaging and free standard shipping with each purchase.

Celebrate Animal Shelter Appreciation Week

   November 7 - 13 is National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week. 

There are approximately 4,000 animal shelters across the U.S., available to serve the estimated 6-8 million homeless animals who seek refuge each year. While 63 percent of American households include pets, only 10 percent of owned dogs and 18 percent of owned cats are adopted from animal shelters

How do you plan to honor your local animal shelter?  Here are just a few ideas:

• Visit your local animal shelter and find out how you can help.
• Adopt or foster an animal.
• Say thank you with a card, note or other gift to your local shelter.
• Support spay and neuter.
• Donate a dog bed or other supplies your shelter needs.
• ID your pet so they won't find themselves a shelter resident.

In 1996, The HSUS launched National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week (based on an idea from the Capital Humane Society in Lincoln, Nebraska). This campaign was designed to acknowledge and promote the invaluable role shelters play in their communities and to increase public awareness of animal welfare issues and shelter services. During National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week, the first full week of every November, The HSUS promotes and celebrates animal shelters across the country through media and public outreach. 

Hope for Animals Day sponsored by OpSPOT St Louis MO

Hope for Animals Day
Sponsored by OpSPOT
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Sons of Rest Pavilion, Tower Grove Park, St Louis MO
2PM - 4PM
Fetch more information at Operation Spot



$10 Rabies Vaccination
$10 Distemper Combo Vaccination
$10 Microchips
Nail trims and ear cleanings
Blessing of the Animals
"Ask-a-Vet" booth with Dr. Daniel Smith Pet
Related vendors and information tables
Cold drinks and snacks available


Operation SPOT (OpSPOT) is dedicated to eliminating the unnecessary euthanasia of dogs and cats in St. Louis and surrounding areas. They are registered as a 501C3 in Missouri and were founded in 1995

Spay Neuter Dog and Cat Advocacy Jewelry

If you're reading this blog, you probably already know these tragic facts:

• An unspayed female dog or cat and her offspring can produce 67,000 puppies or kittens over a six year period (source: SPAY/USA)
• Fewer than 2% of the stray cats admitted to shelters are reunited with their owners (source: American Humane Association)

 There are lots of forms of advocacy and I've found jewelry to be a subtle and fun way of starting conversations about my own love of animals.

Just one example is this Spay Neuter animal lover bracelet.  The focal is a hand stamped brass oval. Gently domed and proclaiming the message SPAY NEUTER. Beautiful natural Tigerseye gemstone beads are hand wire wrapped with gold jeweler's wire. Perfect gift for any dog or cat lover, pet rescue volunteer or animal shelter volunteer. Wear a stylish bracelet that advocates being a responsible pet owner.

Fetch more dog and cat advocacy jewelry at For Love of a Dog.   Tell the world you're a dog mom, a cat mom, a foster dog mom, or involved in animal rescue.  Great gifts for dog, cat, and horse lovers can be found at For Love of a Dog Jewelry.

Pet Friendly License Plates in MO

Live in Missouri? Then why not tell everyone that you're "Pet Friendly": Pet Friendly license plates are now available in Missouri and all proceeds going to spay and neuter services throughout the state.

This specialty plate is just $25 - and $20 from the sale of each pet-friendly license plate is deposited into a fund that pays for spay and neuter services for dogs and cats across Missouri. This program is administered by the Missouri State Humane Association.

Advocate for Spay and Neuter

You've heard the saying about wearing your heart on your sleeve, but how about wearing your advocacy on your wrist woth a spay and neuter bracelet? This handcrafted pet lover bracelet teams very earthy deep peach and charcoal Marble ovals with copper. Hand stamped copper circles are gently domed and proclaim SPAY and NEUTER. All are hand wire wrapped with copper jeweler's wire. Perfect gift for any pet lover, pet rescue volunteer or animal rescue foster mom. A stylish bracelet with an important animal welfare message. Sure to fetch compliments and spark conversations that can save dog and cat lives. At For Love of a Dog Jewelry we're barking about dog rescue and animal advocacy with wearable art jewelry.

New Bracelets

We have a wonderful new bracelet with coordinating necklace that will leave no doubt in anyone's mind that the wearer loves dogs!

Plus some new Rescue and Spay - Neuter bracelets! See our new items here.

Canine Cupid

Happy Valentine's Day!

(And please remember that this is Spay/Neuter month!)

xoxo,

Lucy