Happy Halloween

(this picture was found on the internet- it's not us, but it almost could be)

Momma was too busy to make us new costumes so we will show you last years costumes.

Here is a Nikki moose:

And a Buddy Canadian moose:

And a Casper bunny!

Hope you have a Happy Halloween!

PAY IT FORWARD

I am one of the lucky ones to be playing Pay It Forward with a previously blue friend from across the pond who is now a much more colorful Poopsie


So here are the rules.

"The exchange focuses on doing an act of kindness without expecting anything in return other than that the recipient will, in their turn, pass the kindness along and 'pay it forward' in their own way.

This is how it works...

I am going to agree to send something fun, inspiring or uplifting to the first 3 blog owners who post a comment on this entry [please leave your email address if I don't all ready have it].In turn you will then post about this on your blog, link to me, then send something to the first three people who sign up to play along through your blog.

There are no cost restraints, BUT don't go crazy!
The little something you send can be something you made, bought, were given or found.
No biggie, just a gift that will make the person smile.
Maybe something unique from where you live?

And, remember that kindness don't have to involve money; there are untold ways to help others every single day, everywhere you go - just look around."

SO PAY IT FORWARD...

TRIBUTE TO SANDY - MY FIRST FOREVER DOG

I've never written about Sandy on this blog except for the small Rainbow Bridge Tribute on the right side of my blog. I feel the need to write about her now after I have read the recent stories of Booker and Zen at the Zoo Crew . I've been there where you guys are with Booker and Zen.

Warning : this is a very sad post.

Tribute to Sandy- My First Forever Dog
Fall 1994- Sept 22, 2005

After wanting a dog for as long as I could remember I finally adopted Sandy a beautiful 6 month old long haired dachshund / cocker spaniel mix from the SPCA . Little did I know but she came with many issues. I was then a 'newbie’ dog owner and I know I made many mistakes but I do know that I did my best with what I knew at the time. And boy did I have to learn alot with her!

I loved her with all my heart and did everything I could do to work through her various issues (general fear, fear aggression, dog aggression, sudden unprovoked aggression etc). She also developed a seizure disorder which may have contributed to the problems.

As she got older the situation worsened even though I was actively working with her. She was a wonderful dog 95% of the time, but the other 5% was unpredictable, scary, and aggressive. Still I decided to keep her. I was committed to working with her. I was in a situation where I could do that as I lived alone and had no children.

I managed and controlled every situation with Sandy. It took huge amounts of energy and time. I kept her away from all children, and all people she did not know. I crated her frequently to keep visitors safe. I saw different vets, put her on medication, and saw dog behaviourists, worked on behaviour modification exercises. I socialized her with other people and dogs in safe places where the people were very dog savvy and aware of my situation with Sandy.

Basically I did everything I possibly could to manage, control, avoid her triggers and better the situation. Still there were many problems. I was bit many times. Sandy would draw blood but not enough to need stitches. Sandy would immediately be in an uncontrolled rage, bite and then 'come to', realize what she had done and run to her crate being very contrite, knowing she had done wrong.

I did this till she was 10 years old. In the last 4 months of her life she was becoming worse despite all my work with her. I could no longer safely take her out anywhere. Then one day she attacked me after I told her to get off the couch. It was the worst bite ever and I knew it was time.

I euthanized her 2 days later. I wanted her to have a peaceful quiet cross over to the Rainbow Bridge, but it was not peaceful nor was it quiet. She had to be sedated first. I fed her Snausages treats and she was happy as could be while I was alone with her waiting for the sedation to take effect. The plan was to have her fall into a coma from the sedation. She would then be given the final injection. The plan didn't work. Everytime the Vet came into the room Sandy became aggressive. The sedation started wearing off. So then we had to muzzle her for all of our safety, and 2 of us held her down while the Vet gave the needle. The whole time she was viciously trying to attack us. In the last few seconds her eyes were wide with terror. It broke my heart to see her so fearful and so aggressive even at the end, but I knew I had made the right decision. This was 3 years ago and still I am balling my eyes out as I write this.

I grieved for a long time over Sandy. I second guessed myself. I felt I had made many mistakes with her. I thought maybe I could have done more or had done things wrong. Then I thought that I kept her too long as she was clearly dangerous and unpredictable in the last few months.

One of the kindest things was said to me by a friend who also loves dogs. She said “Sandy had a great life with you because you were so committed to her. You were so willing to work with her. She wouldn’t have had those 10 years if she had been adopted by anyone else”. It was true. I felt better after that because I knew I had given her 10 good years and many wonderful times. I had done my best in a very difficult situation. I had worked with her until it was no longer safe to do so. I will always love her and remember the good times with her.

Rest easy, my girl.

Run and play at the Rainbow Bridge.

All is now well.

I will love you forever and I will see you again one day.

New Awards From Mango

Mango the maltese kiddo has sent us some awards. Isn't that nice? We think he is just so happy as he is crazy in love with Crystal It's so cute.

Thanks Mango!

Hummmm. Maybe we should start looking for some cutie doggies out there to fall in love with from afar...

PLEASE Sign Petition Following Microwaving Death Of A Cat

We are totally disgusted that anyone would do such a thing to an animal. However we are even more disgusted that the two 16 year olds who did this were only given community service and a requirement for counselling.

Canada needs to change it's laws in order to protect those who can not speak for themselves and that includes animals!

Please sign this petition at
http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/microwave-killing-of-cat-in-camrose-alberta.html

It will help us to tell our government that we want stronger animal cruelty laws.

Thank- you!

To All Pet Lovers- In Memory Of Ella

We read this sad sad story on one of the Eskie groups we belong to. It is a grim reminder of how easily such a horrific tragedy can happen. We are honoring Ella here by posting this story:

Please share this info with everyone you know, so that no one else suffers the way I have.

PLASTIC BAGS ARE DEADLY TO YOUR DOG!

In honor of our precious Ella's memory, I am crusading an effort to let everyone know that this can and does happen and hopefully I can save someone else from the same agonizing pain!

Our 9 month old Sheltie puppy, Ella, suffered a tragic, sudden, senseless death this past Friday. She suffocated to death on a bag liner that was inside a box of Cheez-its snack crackers. We were out for the evening and someone had left a box of Cheez-its within Ella's reach. She put her head in the bag inside the box to get to the crackers. The bag came out of the box but she couldn't get the bag off of her head.

We came home and found her dead from suffocation. It doesn't seem possible, that a dog couldn't get a bag off their head, but they can't.I have since learned that this occurs more often than you would imagine. There was also a family whose 6 year old Labrador got hold of a Doritos bag when they weren't looking. They found him dead with the bag over his head, having died the same way as Ella. I also learned from the man that is cremating Ella for us that he has had FIVE other dogs that have died like this in the PAST MONTH!

Make sure that ALL PLASTIC BAGS AND BOXES WITH BAG LINERS IN THEM (chips, snack crackers, cookies, cereal, etc.) are WAY out of your pets reach!!!!!! This tragedy has been a tremendous blow for our family! I have tried to be strong, but the whole scenario has played out in my head over and over and I have been a total mess!

I cannot begin to understand the senselessness of this and my heart is absolutely broken! Ella was so young and full of life...an adorable, sweet, smart, loving dog, and her life was cut short way too soon!

Please help me honor Ella, and save someone else from this horrific tragedy by passing this email to as many people as you know!

Thank you!
Anne Mackey
adrycecil58@hotmail.com
Charlotte, NC

CONGRATS ANGUS THE BOXER- DWB'S 1000 TH MEMBER

Have you met DWB's 1000 th member Angus the Boxer ? He's a cutie from Down Under. Be sure to welcome him to our community.

HAPPY CANADIAN THANKSGIVING (on Monday October 13 th)

Hi everydoggie,

Monday Oct 13 th is our Thanksgiving here in Canada.

(It's always the 2nd Monday in October.)

So what are we doing for this long weekend holiday?

Will it involve eating turkey? YES

Visiting the relatives? NO.

(the relatives are non - dog people anyways)

How about doing agility? YES

We think Momma obviously has her priorities right! LOL

Buddy and I ( Casper ) and Momma are going to the "Turkey Trial"

-a 3 day agility event held in a nearby city

It includes 2 dinners - one will definately be a turkey dinner with all the fixings,

lots of agility fun with friends both 4 legged and 2 legged

and we get to stay in a motel too!

Nikki and Meeko are going to stay at a friend' s place.

They both love it there as they have tons of new toys to play with

and all sorts of other dogs to wrestle and play with.

Pawsome!!

Momma is starting to pack right now.

We have to go to supervise.

(MAKE SURE SHE PACKS THE DOG BISCUITS)

See ya!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

When we come back we will post the list of things we are thankful for!

Another Award!

Our friend Siku Marie aka White Dog gave us this award. Thank you Siku!

We will pass it onto whoever does not have this one yet.

MEEKO'S BACK WITH US

Hi DWBers,

Yes, it's me Meeko.
Some of you are very astute and have noticed Casper signing my name once again on the posts he has made on your bloggies. Yes I'm back!!

I am once again hanging out with Casper, Buddy, Nikki and Foster Momma. I was adopted on a temporay basis for a trial period. However it didn't go through for several reasons. Foster Momma does not want to go into all the details here as the internet makes it a small world, but she will let some of you know if you e-mail us directly.

Anyways the rescue group that owns me decided to withdraw the offer to adopt me out to that particular person.

Several things did not go well and now that I am back with Foster Momma she is saying I am quite misbehaved.

What?

Me?

Misbehaved?

Could it be true?

What do you mean ?

Apparently I'm now doing a whole bunch of things that I didn't do when Foster Momma had me before.

What do you mean I'm not supposed to do the following things:

I'm not supposed to pull on the leash?

I'm not supposed to jump up all over people? (Well I used to do that a bit before, you know)

I'm not supposed to ignore Foster Momma when she says 'sit' ?

I'm not supposed to take a flying leap on to the back of the couch and run across the back of Foster Momma's neck then jump down and continue racing on my way? (but it's so fun!!)

I'm not supposed to poop in the house?

Hmmmmmm...........

Okay so this might explain why since I've been back it feels like drill camp!

To end this behavior Foster Momma has implemented the following:

-A crating schedule

-NILIF (Nothing In life Is Free)

-obedience practice

-socialization to other dogs.

Foster Momma, it's just that all the moving from one place to another and different people looking me and different rules have me so confused....

I promise to be a good Eskie and work on better behavior from now on!

Woofs and Eskie kisses from Meeko