BDT Inspiration

HELPING MY FRIENDS AT RATBONE RESCUES

Fri, 20 Aug 2010 19:08:19 -0400

She is a beautiful 8 month old pup, and weighs about 13 pounds. Located in NY, Little Bitty has survived Parvo; she is all well now! She has a docked tail and, I’m told, is very sweet.

I’ll report more later on the experience and adventure!

“DOG TALES” IN STAMFORD, CT

Thu, 10 Jun 2010 06:32:51 -0400

http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/local/article/It-s-Reigning-Cats-and-Dogs-in-downtown-515075.php

STAMFORD -- Long before lines of cars crowded downtown streets Monday morning, a crew from the city's Traffic and Road Maintenance department were out, dressed in bright green shirts and driving a yellow forklift down a nearly empty Bedford Street.
Starting at 5 a.m., the crew began placing the first of 40 animal statues that make up "Reigning Cats and Dogs," this summer's Art in Public Places exhibit in downtown Stamford.
Lynne Collatrella, of the Downtown Special Services District, supervised the movement of art, lending a keen eye on placement and perspective of each statue as it was dropped carefully onto the sidewalk.
"We've got to tweak this, no?" Collatrella said, examining the angle of the "Cat Amphora" as it was lowered by forklift onto the Broad Street, across from the Ferguson Library. She stepped across the empty road and stood on the traffic island to examine the effect from afar, then deemed the statue to be perfectly placed.
The process of moving the statues will take at least a few days, though Collatrella said she was optimistic about finishing the job quickly. The exhibit is set to officially open next week, and the launch party will be held June 16.
Each statue is placed on one of three different types of concrete bases and heavily drilled into place. The sculptures weigh a hundred pounds, while the bases are about five times as heavy.
"Hopefully this keeps them from any fun-loving person who might want to take the pet home with them," Collatrella said.
Statue locations are determined by aesthetics and the wishes of sponsors, which include a range of local companies. Many of the firms who sponsored statues have placed them on or near their property, while sponsors without land downtown have opted to display them in artistic or strategic spots.
Such is the case with the "Dog Tales" statue, whose sponsor, Juner Properties, is based in North Stamford. The turquoise-painted dog, covered with book titles and literary puns, has been chosen to reside, appropriately, outside the Ferguson Library's main branch. Elements of the dog's design, though, reflect the sponsor's personality.
"June Rosenthal (founder of Juner Properties) is known for her love of the color turquoise," Collatrella said.
Near the parking lot across from Macy's, the team planted the base for "Puss in Boots" directly into a patch of dirt and grass by the crosswalk. The statue, a dapper feline dressed in a plumed hat and lace ruff, was maneuvered onto the flattened surface of the dirt and inched meticulously to fit on its base by Dennis Surmaccewicz, who deftly operated the forklift. The crew from Traffic and Road Maintenance included Ralph Socci, Eddie Whitehead and Rodney McDonald, headed up by operation supervisor Doug Hoyt.
Also overseeing the movement of the statues was Andrew Munce, the exhibit's technical director from the DSSD, whom Collatrella jokingly referred to as "the vet."
"This is the most amazing team in the city," Collatrella said, "They're the finest art movers."
By 6 a.m., the team had already moved seven statues into place, and Collatrella said she hoped to complete another 10 or 12 before the morning was over. She held a handful of numbered index cards with the name of each dog on it, as well as the type and size of the base needed.
As passers-by began to trickle onto the pavement -- dog walkers, joggers in sweats, early commuters -- a few heads turned curiously at the sight of the statues.
"Oh, it's a puppy!" said one pedestrian with a grin as he passed "Hot Dog," a statue coated with black paint and orange flames, in the midst of its arrival on Forest Street.
Collatrella said the morning's atmosphere made the task of moving the artwork particularly enjoyable.
"It's actually one of my favorite things to do in this job, bringing out the statues, " she said. "You see a different part of the world. It's fabulous."

DOG RESCUE VIDEO FROM HOPE FOR PAWS

Fri, 14 May 2010 17:43:08 -0400

With the show in its last few installments, I wanted to include this bit of her wonderfulness. AND she is all about the animal shelters / rescue orgs so Bonnie ROCKS!

Should we do a Facebook campaign to keep it on the air? Who’s with me?!

TRUST THESE DOGS MORE THAN METAL DETECTORS AND MINE SWEEPERS

Sat, 30 Jan 2010 08:11:06 -0500

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20100128/lf_afp/afghanistanunrestusmarinesdog_20100128063959

“SELLA” IS NOT MY GIRL

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 06:25:45 -0500

I met the coolest dog. She was sweet and submissive but warmed up very naturally in short order, and I thought she was going to be a great companion for a single lady. The way it happened was I have some old friends who live in New Jersey and they have three dogs, two of which are Rat Terriers. They also have become my buds as I was the honored dog-sitter while the family went on vacation, and once you’ve fed them you’ve wed them, in a dog’s mind, don’t you agree?

I learned of Ratbone Rescue through this couple, who adopted their puppy, Pi from them. I started studying the website, and as I was unemployed this summer, I thought it would be an ideal time to adopt a dog.

In the end, I decided I’d better establish a routine with my new job before bringing her in.

Recently checking on RatboneRescue.com, I saw that she is being adopted in Easton, PA. Oh, well, Sella, all the best to you!

REMMY GETS A LIFE

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 20:37:16 -0400

In July 2009, in the Dearborn, Michigan “House of Horror” with the neatly trimmed hedges and newly cut lawn, over 100 live (chihuahuas and chihuahua mix) dogs were found in the home of a ‘hoarder’, a man suffering from obsessive-compulsive disorder. Unspeakably tragic, it was found that at least as many dead dogs were in freezers in the home, as well.

For many days, the overwhelmed Dearborn Animal Shelter removed dogs and treated them for the usual afflictions from such an ordeal (fleas, malnourishment, skin irritations and infections from abhorrent lack of hygiene).

Hearing of the tragedy, Paula and her husband put in an application to adopt one of the dogs once they became available. Their application was accepted and they picked a young male dog, estimated to be about 2 years old. Paula patiently worked with him through the expected problems, taking weeks before he would walk into his new home without hesitation...but she had never met a dog with a sweeter disposition. He loves to romp in his new yard, (having never been outdoors before!) and he is still working on the housebreaking bit. But the family can't believe such a sweet, loving dog could come from such a horrible place. He is now a part of their family, and they love him so!

He has a very elegant name, offically being known as “Chance Remington Harmon”, or Remmy for short.

(Hoarding story from WXYZ.COM television news website:)
http://www.wxyz.com/news/local/story/Dearborn-Dog-Hoarder-Charged-with-Cruelty/RfMPpq-l1U-9Lf45P-uiAw.cspx

CHAMBA

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 20:36:21 -0400

When Michelle and her colleagues of Recycled Paws Dog Rescue of Peekskill, NY received the filthy van containing “Chamba”, they were nearly knocked off their feet. The pup was given this name as a play on “chubby” which they worked into “Chumby” but that seemed to be a male dog name, so they settled on Chamba - very unique and fitting. Chamba was in good hands.

Michelle grabbed hold of “that little girl” and immediately noticed a large bump on her belly, which she referred to her colleague, Lisa-Maria. It appeared to be an umbilical hernia. Michelle was smitten with the pup, and held her tight, wishing she could take her home. Michelle’s soft heart had indulged another rescue puppy recently that had many viruses and illnesses, which she had hand-fed baby formula to get him to eat. “Dezzie” is now a robust 70 lbs, and so loving he wouldn’t hurt a fly. Along with (adopted) a 15-lb “muggin” called Kenzie, it wasn’t practical for Michelle to take another needy puppy into her home. So Michelle made it Priority One to see Chamba when she arrived every morning at her job in the animal shelter.

As is, sadly, very routine with rescue dogs and puppies, Chamba needed surgery and would also be spayed. The surgery was very hard on Chamba but Dr. Haims brought her through it. Chamba carried the Parvovirus, which kills hundreds of canines every year. Parvovirus infection is a serious, highly infectious, disease that affects the gastrointestinal or cardiac systems of dogs. These vets bills, however, were stacking up, reaching $1200 in her first weekend in the shelter.

The volunteers at the shop were devastated, especially Michele’s 11-year-old daughter Madison. A few of her girlfriends got together via phone calls late into the evening, discussing how they could help pay the vet bill, as well as pray that Chamba would make it through another night. These diligent, thoughtful and organized young ladies raised enough money to pay for the puppy’s hospital stay - mostly in single $1.00 bills - by doing a bake sale! Michelle was touched with their hard work and determination, overheard on the phone “O.K., I will make cookies, and you can make cupcakes, and, “ etc.

For the bake sale merchandising, Michelle’s daughter Madison put together a wonderful and effective poster of Chamba’s adventures in her brief exposure to her family, showing how much she meant to all of them. Madison was so proud of herself, and Michelle was, too!

Michelle’s family’s experience with Chamba is typical of the hard, heart-wrenching work she does as a volunteer at Recyled Paws Rescue. Chamba, sadly, did pass away from the Parvovirus. But, Michelle says “...So, my story is that I am constantly reminded every day why I volunteer here and the back breaking work it takes, let alone money, to try to save these puppies, and old dogs too. I love them all just the same as my Chamba.”

The team had Chamba’s remains cremated, and her ashes sit on the shelf in their shop next to those of another very sad case of theirs. Thank you Michelle, Madison and Lisa-Marie for your dedication in this difficult, unsung job you do.

MUFFY PICKED US

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 20:34:03 -0400

Jason has a dog named Muffy, or perhaps it is that Muffy has Jason?

Muffy was a stray that was terribly malnourished, so Jason’s family took him in and fed him. As he got better and stronger, the family decided to keep him, as he proved his eagerness to please them and his loyalty to them. The dog made a home with Jason’s family and took the job quite seriously.

Any stranger that walks down their country road, or any other dog, for that matter, that tries to come onto their property, is warned by Muffy to stay away. He has kept away one particular dog that Jason knows bites and growls.

He will walk the full, one-acre property line, on all four sides, scanning for danger. He is particularly diligent in this duty when their 6 year old son is outdoors playing.

Muffy picked a home and keeps it safe!

FRYE CARRIES ON

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 20:32:51 -0400

NIKKI BOUNCES BACK

Tue, 6 Oct 2009 11:05:34 -0400

On an ordinary late summer day in July, Maria was poolside, looking in on her sister Joanna’s two dogs at their beautiful home on Long Island, NY. Joanna and her family were out attending a funeral.

As was her routine, and greatest joy, Nikki, the seven-year-old American Eskimo, stood at the end of the pool and performed her trick of standing on hind legs and pumping her front legs in the air a few times before taking a joyous leap into the pool. Nikki then commenced a lap around poolside for another little performance, when Maria noticed she suddenly looked as though she were choking. Her left fore leg crumpled out from under her, and she slid into the pool. She sank under water and Maria leapt in to rescue her. Nikki was completely limp, and her tongue, lolling out of the side of her mouth, was turning progressively more blue - even a purplish hue. Maria was fearful that she had caused her sister’s dog harm. She couldn’t contain herself from screaming the dog’s name to somehow keep her alert, and she had trouble holding back her rising hysteria. Contributing to the surreal atmosphere, the other dog, a golden retriever, thought Maria was playing, so dashed back and forth playfully during the height of the crisis.

Maria, being trained in CPR for humans, adapted her knowledge to perform CPR on Nikki, and improvised ‘mouth to snout’ resuscitation. While the dog became more conscious, her eyes still had a very blank look. Maria bolted to her car with the animal, sopping wet swimsuit and all, and got on the road. She phoned a family friend, Diana, who managed to convey to a very agitated Maria where the nearest vet’s office was located, but, unfortunately, she responded by taking the wrong direction. Flying by a nearby police station at nearly 85mph, Maria got her directions sorted out and brought Nikki in to Ellen Leonhardt, ironically Nikki’s regular vet (at Animal General in Syosset)! Just then, Maria’s sister phoned and, through tears, she struggled to tell her what had happened. The doctor gave her all the details, and Joanna rushed over.

Within 30 minutes of the incident, Nikki was transferred to The Center for Specialized Veterinary Care in Westbury, NY. They learned that Nikki had incurred a ruptured disk at the base of the brain and may be able to walk, with treatment, in 6 months. Nikki’s play habit of leaping into the pool had likely been contributing to the condition of her disk for some time. But, had Maria not been the caretaker of the dogs at that moment, with her knowledge of CPR, they might never have known of the spinal injury, would have lost Nikki, and thought it an accidental drowning. Another twist of luck was Maria’s knowledge of the placement of the internal organs of cats, which she assumed would be comparable to that of dogs, such that her application of CPR was effective as well.

Nikki’s recovery was amazing:
She spent time in a raised baby crib to allow them to easily turn her from side to side while she was paralyzed. Her treatment, including hyperbaric chamber, swimming physical therapy with Diana, (in photo below, in the pool with Nikki) and her determined spirit got her up and walking within 3 months, although she tired easily and could only maintain this for a short time before keeling over. But, to the surprise and delight of her doctor and owners, she continues to recover and gain strength.

Regrettably, an unfortunate outcome of the event was that the dog is now fearful of Maria, her lifesaver, and avoids her when she visits!

CHARLIE HAS HER EYE ON YOU

Thu, 24 Sep 2009 14:03:56 -0400

The story that Abby related to me of Charlie, the (extra-petite) miniature Schnauzer, doesn’t take long to tell, but the look in Charlie’s eyes in the photos, above, communicates the profound experience she faced with her ailing owner and her resolve to do her best to protect him and contribute to his comfort with every bit of her special energy.

Abby’s husband, Mert, had been disabled by MS for many years, and then faced a heart attack in January 2009. Charlie had always been a very loving, cuddly dog to Abby and Mert and their friends, but during Mert’s convalescence, she would stay by his side constantly. Subsequent to a hospital stay, since his nursing home allowed dogs to visit, Abby brought Charlie every day for visits, and she wouldn’t leave his side.

When Mert eventually was released to come home, and physical and occupational therapists came on the scene to work with him, Charlie stepped it up a bit: with Mert lying in bed, Charlie would lay across his chest, to cover as much of him as her little body could in an effort to protect him from perceived danger or harm. If these therapists would raise his arm up and around in the course of the therpy, the little dog would push their arms away with her head.

Mert passed away in July 2009, but Abby is comforted by how much it meant to her husband to have Charlie’s TLC, knowing she was needed, and doing her duty; “I’m here for you.”

This story is testament to the kind of support and loyalty that dog owners often talk about; “They just know” when they are needed and what kind of comfort will help.

Charlie and Abby live near Baltimore, MD.

ANIMAL AIRLIFT GIVES DOGS A SECOND CHANCE

Mon, 14 Sep 2009 11:21:10 -0400

http://abcnews.go.com/video/playerIndex?id=8554710

FLAK JACKETS FOR DOGS?

Fri, 4 Sep 2009 18:24:25 -0400

Reuters report about flak jackets for dogs which accompany military troops.

TIMMY FROM THE LASSIE SHOW

Tue, 1 Sep 2009 08:10:10 -0400

Great interview for us Lassie fans!

Jon Provost (“Timmy” from the Lassie Show) is involved with Canine Companions for Independence. With their National HQ is in northern California, they provide service dogs for people with disabilities other than blindness.

Learn more: http://www.cci.org/site/c.cdKGIRNqEmG/b.4010977/k.C959/About_Us.htm

1-800-572-BARK

Jon Provost is also a contributing writer for Fido Friendly magazine.

REAL PLACES

Sun, 30 Aug 2009 15:19:29 -0400

I rode a horse yesterday. It was a big deal, because I had maintained a fear of horseback riding for years. But, if it weren’t for the novelty of my ‘new’ $15 paddock boots from the consignment section of The Horseman’s Outlet in Lebanon, NJ, the whim may not have struck me at all to give it a try.

It occurs to me there is no place to equal a horse barn in earthiness and realness, where you can get very muddy and mucky and not even care. The horses are like enormous dogs that you can pet and hug and play with (mind your pick up your feet). And the calm place you go to in order to communicate with them whilst up 10 feet (it seemed like) in the air riding them is just a good place to be! It’s healthy for the head. There are dogs about the place, too, and they have a remarkable ability to dodge big hooves as they dash around.

I’m still in a glow 24 hours after my empowering riding lesson at the Center Line Farms in Tewksbury, NJ.

I think I may do it again.

ATTA GIRL, LASSIE! YOU’VE GOT YOUR OWN POSTAGE STAMP! (UPDATE)

Fri, 28 Aug 2009 09:58:52 -0400

Now available nationwide, in sheets of 20, the stamps also commemorate ‘The Adventures of Ozzie & Harriet’; ‘Alfred Hitchcock Presents’; ‘The Dinah Shore Show’; ‘Dragnet’; ‘The Ed Sullivan Show’; T’he George Burns & Gracie Allen Show’; ‘Hopalong Cassidy’; ‘The Honeymooners’; ‘Howdy Doody’; ‘I Love Lucy’; ‘Kukla, Fran and Ollie’; ‘The Lone Ranger’; ‘Perry Mason’; ‘The Phil Silvers Show’; ‘The Red Skelton Show’; ‘Texaco Star Theater’; ‘The Tonight Show’; ‘The Twilight Zone’; and, ‘You Bet Your Life.’
 “All of the classic television shows represented on these stamps represents the collective memory of a generation well deserving of entertainment,” said U.S. Postal Service Board of Governor member James C. Miller III in dedicating the stamps. “It was a generation that survived the Great Depression and fought World War II. They were pioneers — creative geniuses — who brought television shows of the 1950’s into our homes, breaking new ground to provide entertainment for everyone.”
As reported in the New York Times.

For more info:
How to Order the First-Day-of-Issue Postmark
Customers have 60 days to obtain the First-Day-of-Issue postmark by mail. They may purchase new stamps at their local Post Office, at The Postal Store® website at www.usps.com/shop, or by calling 800-STAMP-24. They should affix the stamps to envelopes of their choice, address the envelopes (to themselves or others), and place them in a larger envelope addressed to:

Early TV Memories Stamp
Postmaster
North Hollywood Post Office
7035 Laurel Canyon Blvd.
North Hollywood, CA 91605-9998

TRAVEL WITH YOUR DOG? YES YOU CAN!

Thu, 27 Aug 2009 11:04:47 -0400

“At last, a voice for the traveling canines of the world. Until now, few have taken pooches on-the-go seriously. After all, who appreciates warm shelter and a comfy bed more than a dog?
Your call for help has been answered with Fido Friendly, The Travel Magazine For You & Your Dog, a complete guide to Fido-friendly accommodations across the United States and Canada.
We know it’s your life’s goal to put a smile on your pet’s face and in these pages you’ll find everything you need to do just that. If Fido’s not happy, ain’t nobody happy. So dig in and find out for yourself, what an incredible and fun resource Fido Friendly, The Travel Magazine For You & Your Dog can be.
“Fido Friendly is the only magazine dedicated to the travel lifestyle of man’s best friend, and the one magazine your dog will thank you for.”

NEW YORK PET FASHION WEEK

Tue, 25 Aug 2009 08:10:52 -0400

According to Fetch-a-biz’ Sheryl Matthys, who’s been covering Pet Fashion Week, it has gone a bit out of this world. It`s a huge display of pet fashions and its one sure way to be the cat`s meow without being feline. Sheryl, creator of Leashes and Lovers and FetchaBiz also talks with designers about how their fashions influence relationships between human and pooch and the dog business world as well.

SNOOPY FASHION SHOW - BETSEY JOHNSON

Sat, 22 Aug 2009 09:45:37 -0400

Two of my favorite things (Betsey Johnson and Snoopy) together! Awesome.

LOST DOG

Fri, 21 Aug 2009 15:02:25 -0400

http://french-word-a-day.typepad.com/motdujour/2009/06/chien-perdu.html