It’s National Pet Day!

Today is dedicated as National Pet Day to remind us all to give some extra love, and a hug to our pets. It’s amazing how much joy they bring to our lives.

Therapy Dogs are pets that bring comfort and peace to others whether they are in hospital, senior residences, or even libraries for children to read with. Read about the special work that Joyce Akers does with her Shetland Charity at St. Anthony’s Family Center in comforting families in need.

Set aside some time today to give an extra treat or snuggle to a pet who brings you comfort.

This post is part of the Wordless Wednesday BlogPaws Blog Hop. Check out other bogs using the link below!

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Rescue Dogs Take Over ABC’s The View

On the August 3rd, 2017 episode of The View, rescue dogs from the BARC Shelter in Brooklyn were the stars, along regular co-hosts Whoopi Goldberg, Sunny Hostin, Joy Behar, Sarah Haines, and Jedediah Bilah.

Bill Smith of BARC introduced several adoptable pups of an assorted mix of breeds that would be suitable for all kinds of families.

Bill Smith from BARC Shelter in Brooklyn holding Athena a Doberman-mix on ABC’s The View

BARC’s mission is “to provide a safe haven for abandoned animals and to find permanent loving homes for them. While in our care, we provide them with quality food, shelter, medical attention, and the love they deserve.”

Check out the website for The View to see all of the dogs featured on the episode.

Bill Smith from BARC Shelter showing Whoopie Goldberg an adoptable dog; Teenie.

The View has long been an advocate for rescue dogs. They feature an annual episode “Mutt Show” also featuring dogs available for adoption from shelters across the U.S.

Jill Rappaport with Nicolle Wallace and Mario Cantone on The View’s “Best In Shelter” episode

Jill Rappaport, a long-time animal activist, has made several appearances on the show. She highlights dogs and is an advocate for adption; hosting her own NBC Special “Best In Shelter“.

 

National Popcorn Day

What goes with popcorn like butter and a movie? To recognize #NationalPopcornDay, let’s look back a this post from last year: Rescue Dogs Take The Starring Role that spotlights rescue dogs in the movies and on TV.

This year was another dog-filled movie year with films like Max, and the upcoming A Dog’s Purpose. Not live-action, but The Secret Life Of Pets gave us a look at what happens when the people aren’t home.

Grab a bucket of popcorn and your remote, and get settled in for great stories with our canine friends.

National Pet Safety Day

January 2nd 2016 is National Pet Safety Day and there are a few interesting articles that o want to bring to your attention. First up is one from the Outward Hound blog. It lists the “Safest Cars For Your Pets” and includes the criteria for what makes a car safe for your furry friends.

Outward Bound makes this great PupStop vehicle barrier (link to the chewy.com product page with reviews). I have used this on several trips brining the pups on trips. It has several advantages including: very easily installation, does not impede visibility while driving, and is effective in keeping curious dogs where they belong.

The barrier itself is 15″ wide and 17″ tall. It was installed in a Honda CR-V and fits the gap nicely. The straps are adjustable in length and are the correct length to fit around the top and bottom of the seat back.

As you can see from the picture, this one has seen some use.

Caesar Milan advocates on his blog for the safest way to travel with you buddy, and that is containment either in a carrier or a seat belt.

On trips with just our Shihtzu, who has a harness unlike our Sheltie, he gets buckled in. The Kong harness came with a loop to attach to a latched seatbelt. By extending the seatbelt to its full length, then allowing the belt to retract, the retractor prevents the belt from any slack when it fully retracts. This tension is what is used to keep the dog in place should a sudden breaking situation occur.

Dexter loves car rides and doesn’t mind the harness at all!

Rescue Dogs Take Starring Role

This morning I woke up to an article from BlogPaws asking “Can Shelter Dogs And Cats Be Movie Stars?“. Without even thinking for a second, I came to the conclusion that yes, dogs and cats from shelters can star in movies. While shelter dogs and some breeds have bad labels or are categorized based on the actions of a few, they are just like any other dog; adaptable, strong, loving, and able to do just about anything!

The article went on to talk about a new movie, “P.I. Woof” by filmmaker Larry Kay, and how it involved 35 shelter dogs from the Pet Orphans shelter in California.

This is just one of a handful of movies about (or starring) shelter dogs. Another movie, just released April 1, 2016, is called “Rescue Dogs: The Movie“. The trailer makes it look like a romantic comedy meets Babe (the talking pig). It has sweeping beach shots, humor, evil characters, and (hopefully) a happy ending- with lots of dog kisses.

Making the transition from shelter to set or state is another trainer, Bill Berloni. He estimates rescuing over 150 animals since he started training them for stage in 1977. His animals have been featured in Broadway shows (Annie), tv shows, traveling show productions, commercials and more. He even had a recent show on Discovery’s Family Channel called “From Wags to Riches with Bill Berloni“. It followed his progress from signing a contract, finding a dog for the part (including several shelter visits across the U.S.), training, and even some behind-the-scenes work with the actors. We were even treated to a story of how they ended up with several ducks!

The best part of Bill’s work, is that when the dogs are done their work, they stay a part of Bill’s family; as part of a big forever home.

While the article isn’t clear if the dogs working on the movie “Max” were rescues, here is an interesting story from USA Today about how they were selected and the training involved for the stunt sequences.

“Max” is the story of a dog come home from war. He suffers from PTSD and bonds with the brother of his deceased handler. Through they movie, the bond between the boy and heroic Malinois grows.

The American Humane Association is the group that administers the No Animals Were Harmed certification program when animals are used on film or TV. They also conduct the Pawscars Awards (a twist on the Oscar Awards) which celebrates top animal stars on film or television. Checkout the AHA website here, or my post on the Pawscars here.

 

Thanks to Rascal and Rocco for Hosting this Parade:

Shiver Me Whiskers – ASPCA Winter Safety Tips

With Valentine’s Day round the corner, there is a winter cold snap coming to most of the United States and for 2016 this will be some of the coldest weather we have experienced.

We routinely remember to bundle ourselves up with thick jackets and socks, but what should we do about our furry friends? The ASPCA features the following Winter Safety Tips on their website.

Some of the items seem pretty straightforward – like putting a jacket on  your small or short-haired dog while walking – but others like, not bathing them too frequently as this removes essential oils for healthy skin, don’t seem obvious.

• Never let your dog off the leash on snow or ice, especially during a snowstorm.
• Thoroughly wipe your dog’s legs, feet and stomach after walking in sleet, snow or ice.
• If your large dog spends most of his time outside, take proper precautions during the colder months.
• Bang loudly on the hood of your car before starting the engine to scare stray cats that may be seeking warmth.
• Consider giving short-haired or smaller dogs a coat to wear outside to protect them from the elements and chilly temperatures.

Here are some other tips to keep in mind:

• Look for signs of frostbite and hypothermia, such as shivering, lethargy, depression,
• Monitor your pets diet. Cold weather may increase their food intake as the burn more calories to keep warm.
• Maintain your furnace to prevent deadly carbon monoxide from endangering you and your pet.
• Clean up chemical spills and drips like antifreeze which is poisonous to animals.

Check out the ASPCA website for a full list and a downloadable infographic.

The American Humane Society also has some great advice.

 

Photo credit: Adamr at freedigitalphotos.net

 

Calling all dogs! Nominations open today for the 2016 American Humane Association Hero Dog Awards®

National campaign honoring courageous canines and their handlers back for sixth year;

Winners to be honored at red carpet awards gala broadcast in two-hour special on Hallmark Channel

WASHINGTON, D.C., January 27, 2016 – American Humane Association, the country’s first national humane organization, today announced the official start of the 2016 American Humane Association Hero Dog Awards®, sponsored by the Lois Pope LIFE Foundation. The annual, year-long campaign seeks to identify and honor America’s bravest heroes on both ends of the leash. Beginning on January 27th at 3pm Eastern Time, dog owners across the country are invited to visit www.herodogawards.org and nominate their heroic hound in one of eight categories. The top dog in each category will be flown to Los Angeles and celebrated at the September 10th star-studded, red-carpet awards gala hosted by Beth Stern and James Denton at the Beverly Hilton. One of the category winners will be unveiled as the American Hero Dog of the year – the most prestigious honor a canine can receive. The sixth annual Hero Dog Awards will air nationwide as a two-hour special on Hallmark Channel this fall. 

The eight categories for 2016 are: Law Enforcement Dogs, sponsored by the RIMADYL K-9 Courage Program™ from Zoetis; Military Dogs, sponsored by the RIMADYL K-9 Courage Program from Zoetis;  Therapy Dogs, sponsored by Chicken Soup for the Soul (who is also the official Pet Food Sponsor for the campaign); Service Dogs, sponsored by Modern Dog magazine; Emerging Hero Dogs, a category that pays tribute to ordinary dogs who do extraordinary things, sponsored by Merial, maker of NexGard® (afoxalaner) Chewables;Arson Dogs; Search and Rescue Dogs; and Guide/Hearing Dogs. Following the nominations period, which ends on March 2nd, 24 semifinalists (the top three in each category) will be chosen in a first round of public voting. The second round, featuring a combination of public and celebrity voting, will narrow the field to eight category finalists who will then vie for the title of 2016 American Hero Dog. 

Over the past five years, Americans have cast millions of votes for nearly a thousand dogs, all seeking the coveted title of American Hero Dog. The program reaches more than 1 billion people each year and draws the support and participation of top celebrity dog lovers from all over the world. Hosts, judges, award presenters, and entertainment acts have included Alison Sweeney, Bindi Irwin, Derek Hough, Michelle Beadle, Victoria Stilwell, Betty White, Whoopi Goldberg, Denise Richards, Joey Lawrence, Lisa Vanderpump, Burt Reynolds, Chelsea Handler, Martin Short, Jewel, Wilson Phillips, John Ondrasik, Carson Kressley, Miranda Lambert, Pauley Perrette, Kristen Chenoweth, Naomi Judd, Lori Loughlin, Lea Thompson, Eric Stonestreet, Fred Willard, Danica McKellar, Bailee Madison, and many, many more. 

Winners in each category will earn $2,500 for their designated charity partner and the overall winner’s charity partner will win an additional $5,000 prize. Each charity partner is dedicated to celebrating the role of working dogs in our lives, and like American Humane Association, celebrates the importance of the human-animal bond.

“Every year, hundreds of dogs vie for the coveted title of ‘American Hero Dog’ at the American Humane Association Hero Dog Awards,” said Dr. Robin Ganzert, American Humane Association’s President and CEO. “Dogs do so many extraordinary things to improve and even save our lives, and this contest is our way of saluting our best friends.”

“To me, all dogs are heroes, and we cannot do enough to honor their achievements,” said Mrs. Pope. “It has been my absolute honor to serve as the presenting sponsor for the American Humane Association Hero Dog Awards for five years, and I eagerly anticipate seeing this year’s extraordinary nominees.”

“For the past five years, Hero Dog Awards has been a focal point of Hallmark Channel’s on- and off- air advocacy initiative, Pet Project, and has shone a spotlight on some truly remarkable dogs,” said Bill Abbott, president & CEO, Crown Media Family Networks. “We are honored to once again partner with American Humane Association on this special program and look forward to recognizing this year’s eight finalists and their extraordinary stories of devotion, unconditional love, and bravery.” 

Key dates for the 2016 American Humane Association Hero Dog Awards contest include:

• January 27-March 2: Nominations period
• March 16-April 27: Voting to determine 24 semifinalists
• May 11-June 22: Voting to determine the 8 category finalists
• July 6-August 24: Voting to determine 2016’s American Hero Dog
• September 10: Sixth annual Hero Dog Awards event in Los Angeles

About American Humane Association

American Humane Association is the country’s first national humane organization and the only one dedicated to protecting both children and animals. Since 1877, American Humane Association has been at the forefront of virtually every major advance in protecting our most vulnerable from cruelty, abuse and neglect. Today we’re also leading the way in understanding the human-animal bond and its role in therapy, medicine and society. American Humane Association reaches millions of people every day through groundbreaking research, education, training and services that span a wide network of organizations, agencies and businesses. You can help make a difference, too. Visit American Humane Association at www.americanhumane.org today.

About Hallmark Channel

Hallmark Channel is Crown Media Family Networks’ flagship 24-hour cable television network, distributed nationwide in high definition (HD) and standard definition (SD) to 90 million homes. The country’s leading destination for quality family entertainment, Hallmark Channel delivers on the 100-year legacy of the Hallmark brand. In addition to its signature original movies, the network features an ambitious lineup of other original content, including scripted primetime series, such as Good Witch and When Calls the Heart; annual specials like Kitten Bowl and Hero Dog Awards and; a daily 2-hour lifestyle show, Home & Family. Additionally, in November 2014, Hallmark Channel became the exclusive home to world premiere presentations of the acclaimed Hallmark Hall of Fame franchise. Dedicated to helping viewers celebrate life’s special moments, Hallmark Channel also offers such annual holiday programming events as Countdown to Christmas and Countdown to Valentine’s Day.Rounding out the network’s diverse slate are television’s most beloved sitcoms and series, including The Golden Girls, The Middle, Little House on the Prairie, and Frasier. 

Crown Media Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: CRWN), owns and operates Crown Media Family Networks.

For more information, please visit www.crownmediapress.com

Hallmark Channel on Social Media: Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, YouTube

Photo Credit: Hallmark Channel

Trump Event Donates To K9 Veteran Organizations

Despite what your political slant is, it is commendable when anyone donates to worthy veteran organizations. Three of the 22 veteran related groups slated to receive part of the $6 million raised during his counter-debate event at Drake University in Iowa are service animal related.

The first is K9s For Warriors. The group’s mission is dedicated to “providing service canines to warriors suffering from Post-traumatic Stress Disability, traumatic brain injury and/or military sexual trauma as a result of military service post 9/11. Our goal is to empower them to return to civilian life with dignity and independence.”

Second is Partners For Patriots. They obtain, train, and provide service dogs to disabled veterans. Of note, the group mentions they seek to obtain dogs from shelters and rescues when possible to help two lives. Serve dogs provide several vital methods of assistance to returning veterans including support through PTSD trauima, physical assistance opening doors and retrieving items; and to alert others in case of emergency.

From their site: “We rescue dogs from shelters and rescue groups whenever possible so we are changing two lives for the better. The dogs go through medical and temperament test to assure they are sound in body and mind. These dogs are put through training in many situations so they can accompany the Veteran anywhere they have to go whether it is to a doctors appointment or just out to eat with the family.”

Finally, Puppy Jake Foundation was named as a recipient. The Foundation Puppy Jake is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to help wounded military veterans with the assistance of well-bred and professionally trained service dogs. Veterans’ injuries may be invisible such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or physical mobility impairments. The Foundation advocates for increased awareness and accessibility for those accompanied by a service dog in everyday situations.

Puppy Jake has 32 dogs in various stages of training and has 10 scheduled to be matched with veterans in 2016.

Watch the video from CNN for more details on the Drake University event.

 

photo credit: K9sForWarriors.org

Hilarious Holiday Fest has gone to the dogs (And a cat)

You may see this video going around YouTube but it is hilarious to watch and the Behind The Scenes video of this as well. I can’t believe how well behaved so many dogs are with plates of food (and a TURKEY!) in front of them.

The personification is awesome as each dog (and the cat) has their own ‘personality’ and we can kind of relate that to our own experiences of family gatherings, large and small.

The best part of the video is that most of them are rescue dogs from the Humane Society of Utah.

Visit the FreshPet page here: http://freshpet.com/bringing-joy-holiday-feast-rescue-pets/

See their GoFundMe drive to raise money for the following organizations: http://www.gofundme.com/GivingPawsFreshpet

•  Secaucus Animal Shelter  in Secaucus, NJ
•  Bergen County Protect and Rescue  in Cliffside Park, NJ
•  Prairie Paws  in Ottawa, KS
•  The Humane Society of Utah  in West Murray, UT
•  Sanctuary at Haafsville  in Fogelsville, PA