Remember Me Thursday

Happy Thursday Everyone!!

Some of you might already know, but today is Remember Me Thursday, a day that has been set aside to bring awareness to all the animals who have been and currently are sitting inside of shelters and rescue groups across the country (and world) just waiting for their forever home to come and pick them up!

All across the nation today, people are coming together virtually or in person for candle lighting ceremonies!

Even though lots of cities and counties are now turning towards the "no kill" shelter movement, over 3.4 million animals are still euthanized each year...just waiting...(Source: The Humane Society of the United States 2013) :-(

Just look at those adorable faces!! ;-)

Here are some of the adorable pups that Domeek has worked with, in the past, at shelters!

Considering that there are over 164 million different pets in the US, but only 30% of them come from rescue facilities, we need to start to bring awareness to all the pups and kittens that are spending each night in a shelters and not in warm and loving homes!

Can you help and get this movement rolling?

The Helen Woodward Animal Center invites you to take part and spread the word - from Facebook to Twitter to Pinterest! :-D I encourage you to take a few minutes, light a virtual candle, and dedicate the rest of today to all those shelter animals lost and waiting!

I just lit my candle...will you join me? :-D

PeeS...for those of you who don't follow me on Twitter, due to the incredible generosity of a few people, I have surpassed my fundraising goal!! WhooPee!! All the pups and kittens at the Humane Society will be sooooo grateful! Thank you all!

Wordless Wednesday - We...Just...Can't!!

Happy Wednesday Everyone!! I hope that you are having a pawesome week so far!

So, normally I follow the rules of the whole "Wordless Wednesday BlogHop" but this week, I just can't! I'm sorry! I have too much to say, well Domeek says that this is normal for me, but bare with me!

While we were at Bark in the Park last weekend (huddled under the semi-shelter of a tree), we happened upon a volunteer from the Humane Society of Silicon Valley. This poor woman was being sent out in the downpour to tell everyone about an upcoming fundraiser and event that they were hosting and trying to find people and pups to sign up! Well, as you all know, I wasn't going anywhere fast...so she had a captive audience with Domeek and I!

Needless to say, after a few minutes, we were both excited and happily signed up!

Walk 'n Wag is an annual 5K walk/jog and festival that the Humane Society puts on at Hellyer County Park in San Jose. The park not only has 354 acres, a creek, hosts tons of half marathons, but also has a fantabulous dog park that lots of people and pups love! :-D

Borrowed from the HSSV website

Now, there are a ton of rescue groups and shelters in the San Francisco Bay Area that all need love and support...but let me tell you why the Humane Society of Silicon Valley totally and utterly rocks ;-) :

1. Some of my bestest friends in the entire world found their forever homes through the Humane Society of Silicon Valley!

2. HSSV finds homes for over 3,000 animals each year...that's a load of pups and kittens that needed lovin'!! 

3. HSSV takes in an additional 1,000 animals each year from other rescue groups in the area that need help!

4. They believe in helping out the community! 

• They provide spaying and neutering for over 7,000 animals each year.
• They offer discounts to military families and seniors in the county that want to adopt a new family member.
• They teach humane education to over 8,000 kids per year and have even created a program aimed at the underserved youth in the area!
• AND they provide free pet food to families in need that want to keep their pets in their homes!!

These are just a few of the pawesome facts about the Humane Society! :-D Feel free to buzz along their website or Twitter to discover more fab information about them!

Now, the real question becomes...how can you help out?!

Well, let's see...you can spread the word about them, their event, or even your own local Humane Society on social media (cause, that's just easy!!)!

If you live in the area...you can always join a team or register as an individual and walk alongside us!! ;-) The more the merrier after all!!

Of...if you feel incredibly generous and want to help out...

You can support Domeek and my 5K!!! 

(Click on the link to read our personal story!)

We only have 11 days before the event, but are trying to raise as much money as possible for all those pups and kittens that need fantastic homes and all of the other wonderful programs that the HSSV offers to the community...but remember that we can only do so with your help!! ;-)

Either way, Domeek and I will be at Hellyer Park on October 5th with our bells on...ready to cause some ruckus on that journey!! 

Thanks to everyone's support and we can't wait to show you the photos!! :-D

My Buddy...My Buddy

Happy Monday and Tuesday Everyone!!!

I can't believe it, but Domeek and I met almost 2 years ago! I like to say that it was love at first sight...however she sees things a bit differently.

She likes to reminisce about being kept up all night long for 3 months (it wasn't my fault at all, I swear, it was my siblings), having to clean up our messes all day long, and constantly having to give tons of love to each of us (where's the problem?).

Now, as you all know, we can't get enough of each other!

Of course, my friends over at the Uncommon Dog have another perspective on how humans became BFF's with their pups! They recently contacted me regarding a fantabulous info-graphic that they just created called "How Dogs Became Our Best Friends".

Research and scientific findings have recently defined how we became an integral part of human society...I'm personally a big fan of how they refer to us as rescuers, trackers, watchers, and guides! Yep, I can definitely see it!!! ;-)

Thanks to the Uncommon Dog for creating such a beautiful and interesting graphic!

Have a great day everyone and take a little time to give some lovin' to your BFF!!! :-D

Pet First Aid Twitter Party

Happy Wednesday Everyone!! :-D

I'm opting out of the regularly scheduled Wordless Wednesday Blog Hop today due to the unforeseen yet amazing information that I received last night on my very first Twitter party! :-) I saw a couple of you tweeting, but just in case you missed any and all of the crazy tips let me catch you up!

First up, let me tell you, those Twitter parties sure are confusing to begin with! Holy cannoli, I haven't concentrated that hard in a really long time! ;-) 

We spent quite a bit of the event discussing tips and suggestions to do with evacuations and natural disasters. Since I live in California, the possibility of earthquakes is always on my mind (especially after being in the 1989 quake...haha, not me, but Domeek), but we received a ton of information on tornadoes, hurricanes, snow storms, and earthquakes!

Here are a few general key points that the attendees brought up:

• Familiarize a friend/neighbor/relative with your pets in case of a sudden absence or inability to return home during a disaster.
• Designate a room or closet as a "safe room" and put all of your evacuation/pet first aid/supplies there!
• Set aside an old duffel bag or suitcase and place all supplies inside, for quick and safe evacuation (I have three: 1 small for the car, 1 small for the house, and a large evacuation kit...anally retentive much? Haha).
• If you evacuate, do so early. Natural disasters are frightening, so this will appease your pets and minimize stress.
• Make a list of all pet-friendly shelters and hotels, that are outside of the disaster zone, and their requirements.
• If you don't have a kennel available in a pinch, zip tie together two laundry baskets for makeshift kennel.
• Keep all pets in sight and be calm, animals read their humans' energies! 
• Have an evacuation plan prepared ahead of time and Practice, Practice, Practice!

I've always been petrified of tornadoes, so I was incredibly interested to hear these tips!

• Have a kennel at the ready; many animals have been found (after a tornado) safely inside their kennel!
• If caught unaware, place kennels underneath heavy furniture and away from windows.
• Make sure that you and your pet practice listening and responding to a tornado warning, especially since the warning signals can be very frightening to hear.
• Consider training your dog or cat to go to a specific "safe" zone when they hear a tornado warning siren.

Of course, there were a lot of discussions regarding general pet first aid as well! Since Dr. Emmo was the sponsor of the party, I learned quite a bit about their first aid products that sound amazing! 

• I always forget, but a great reminder about keeping hydrogen peroxide on hand and in your first aid kit: 1 tablespoon per 25 pounds of pet, repeated every 10 minutes, in case they ingest something bad!
• Put toxic chemicals and household products away from pets, if you live in a high wind or earthquake area, consider using childproof locks on cabinets as well (we do!).
• If you are traveling with your pets, remember to keep up-to-date photos on hand (either hard copy or on your cell phone) in case of an escape! 
• Never pull a string out of the mouth (or the tush) of a pet, it can cause internal injuries...this goes for Christmas tinsel as well!
• To easy your pet's anxiety, make sure to place a personal item with your scent on it, inside of their crate/carrier.

Overall, this was an incredibly interesting and time worthy event, so I'm glad that Domeek was able to attend! If you're interested in hearing more, just search #Pet1stAid in Twitter and read all about it! :-D 

Dr. Emmo is giving away their First Aid Travel Packs to everyone interested, including: 2 oz travel containers of both wound care wash and wound care gel, all you have to do is pay $3 in shipping charges. They are also offering 30% off all orders between now and September 30th, with the coupon code: pet1staid at checkout. :-D It's never too early to get an evacuation or emergency kit together...this might be a great start! 

I was so impressed with the doxies from You Did What With Your Weiner and their car emergency kit...you might want to check their list out too! :-D

So, do you have any tips or suggestions to add and do you have an emergency plan prepared?! 

Have a great day everyone!! :-)

PS. Just in case you forgot what I looked like! ;-)

"Stopped they must be; on this all depends."

Happy Labor Day Everyone!! :-D

And again I quote "Stopped they must be; on this all depends"...who said this quote? If you guessed Yoda from Star Wars, you'd be correct! ;-)

Alas, after seeing all of your pawesome posts about BarkWorld and the new Petco Star Wars collection, Domeek was inspired to stop by and check out their new stuff...that's when this happened!

Good Dog! Nooooooo...

Hurumph...then this happened!

I'm soooooo embarrassed! :-/ The Yoda ears...really?! Urg! (Hehe, this was the last time Domeek got the ears on me and managed to take a photo!) For the record, Petco is giving away the Yoda ears for free when you buy anything from their Star Wars collection, Domeek didn't buy them (cause she knew I'd say "Hell no!"), hehehe!

She loved the shirt's saying "Judge Me By My Size, Do You?" - So Me!!

To make things worse, she waited until I had a bath to give me the shirt! :-/

This is my "Really?" face! ;-) Hehehe!

Little Bit however loved their new kitty toys! Domeek got her the Yoda and Chewbacca mice! They're really cute, so I hope that she knocks them on the floor, cause I'll steal them then! Hehe, that's Chewbacca's butt in the photo!

Okee dokee, while I try and find my manhood again, you guys go out and enjoy the rest of your Holiday vacation! :-D

Friday Finds

Happy Friday Everyone!! :-D

I hope that most of you have today and Monday off...Domeek's at home right now!! Yeah (of course I'm celebrating this long weekend by napping the entire morning, hehehe)!

For some reason I've been seeing a ton of different dog related products on the internets this week, some of which are really nifty, so I thought I'd share a few with you guys!

I know that a bunch of your pawrents are crafty types, so how about a fantabulous origami dog book? Apparently even those who are new to paper folding art can figure out how to create your best friend's image! :-D

Paper Pups by Hiroshi Hayakaw contains 35 different dog breeds and only costs $9.87 on Amazon (Domeek is putting this one on the Christmas remember list)! :-)

Most of the artwork in our house is dog or cat related (hahaha, I make sure of it), so when we saw this clean and simple typography image, Domeek and I got a little excited!

If you're not in kindergarten or don't want the entire alphabet, WeaversofSouthsea on Etsy also has each of the individual letters and dog breeds on their own print as well! :-D Me gusta!

Dog Alphabet Poster by WeaversofSouthsea is available on Etsy for $19.00!

This one is for the quilters and sewers among you! ;-) Emily Bond of England has an entire collection of dog related linen fabrics, housewares, and wallpaper inspired by her own beautiful pups!

From setters to terriers, dalmatians to dachshunds, and spaniels to labradors, each has their own whimsical design!

Emily Bond of England fabrics, accessories, and wallpaper aren't cheap, but they are absolutely beautiful. Be sure to check her website out!

Finally, I'm sure most of you have heard about the phenomenon that is Maddie On Things, but I have to put her book here! I just found out that the Maddie Book Tour is coming to San Francisco on September 9th so Domeek and I will be heading out to see both Maddie and Theron then! Luckily they are hosting the event at a dog-friendly bookstore, so all pups are welcomed with open paws!

Their current project (partnered with PurinaOne) is called Why We Rescue, it's a documentary that travels across all 50 states highlighting how pets and rescue animals have transformed human lives for the better! They will be focusing in on one shelter/rescue pet per state and guess what? They need more stories (mainly on the central and west coast)!! :-D Make sure you click on the link above and check out the project, then if you are interested in telling your story click on the Sign Up tab!

I can't wait to hear all about their adventures and meet Maddie!

Maddie on Things by Theron Humphrey is available at Chronicle Books for $15.95

See how many pawesome items people are creating and selling that have been inspired by dogs?! It's pretty incredible! :-D I posted these and more on Pinterest, so make sure you follow me there for more creations!

Have an excellent long weekend everyone! Enjoy the end of summer weather and some quality time with the family!

Bring Your Dog To Work Day!

Happy Monday Everyone! I hope that you all had a fantabulous weekend!!

Last Friday was "Bring Your Dog To Work Day" and by the look of all my Facebook and Twitter friends' status updates...lots of pups participated!! :-D Did any of you get to go hang out with your peeps at work?

Going to work

We've participated for two years now...and it is sooooo much fun! :-D First we get coffee in the morning, then it's off to the work where I get to sniff, say "Hi" to lots of people, and enjoy a good naps! I personally think that humans complain far too much about "going to work!"...they have it way better than up pups! ;-)

Come on, Let's go

Time for some paperwork

My desk for the day

Checking email

Hm, nap time

PeeMail time

All in all, a wonderful and busy Friday!! :-D 

If you guys are interested in bringing your pups to work with you, I created a fun recommendation list last year, so make sure to check it out beforehand! 

Have a great day everyone!!

~CPO Goose out (that's Chief Puppy Officer Goose)

Put 'Em...Come On, Put "Em Up!!!

Grrrrr...ruff!!!

Happy Friday Everyone!

As I'm sure you are all aware, today, Blogville is coming together to show encouragement and support to a dear friend Benny - the Frenchie!

And in honor of the pawesome dude, we have decided that today...Friday, June 21st is Fight Like A Frenchie Day!!! (The crowds are going wild!!)

Poor Benny has been diagnosed with that no good, very bad C-Word, which is pretty hefty to financially treat...so, if you have a few extra buckaroos and want to help a frenchie out...check out their Chip-In and see what you can do!

But today is his day, so make sure that you  drop on by and give a shout out to that feisty frenchie!!

We're here for you dude!!!!!

GRRRR...RUFF!!

OMD...June 7th Is A Magical Day!

TGIF Everyone!!! :-D

Well, I was perusing Facebook this morning, when I discovered that today...June 7th...is the happiest day on Earth!! Have you heard the news???

Hecks Yeah!!!

Can you believe it? There's actually a day that is completely and utterly devoted to all things Doughnut!! :-D Que Delicioso!!!

So, now that you are all absolutely starving and salivating over the keyboard, how can you celebrate this fantastic day?!

As most of you know...it's probably not the best idea to shove an entire box of human doughnuts down your throat (whether you are a dog or, come to think of it, a human), but there are a couple of really great pup recipes and ideas on the market!

I was given a pup doughnut from Petco for my last birthday, it was fabulous, and relatively inexpensive at only $4.99 for the entire container!

But, if you want a treat that's a little healthier...or one that you actually know what the ingredients are, then I suggest taking a look at Dr. V and Brody's doughnut recipe! :-D

There's only 7 ingredients needed for this fantastic (and beautiful) recipe and I'm pretty sure that you have most of them in your pantries already! Brody gives them 2 GIANT paws up...so how can you say "No"?

Borrowed from Pawcurious Facebook page

I'm going to try and convince Domeek to make me and cousin Pippi some this weekend...better late than never! ;-)

Well, I'm going to relax at Starbucks for a bit and then hit the doggie park...try to stay out of all this crazy heat, especially if you live in California!! 

Have a great weekend everyone!

Wordless Wednesday - Mmmmm...BarkBox

Yes, I said that in Homer Simpson's voice! ;-)

Happy Wednesday Everyone!!

Well, as you can tell from the title, I got this month's BarkBox! I'm not saying what's in it, since some of you might not have received yours...but I was meh on about half of it! I think that they were reusing a lot of the contents! :-/ Oh well, a treat is a treat!

Have a great day everyone!!

PeeS: My heart goes out to everyone who was affected by Oklahoma's tornado! :-( It's just not fair! If you know someone who has lost or found a pet, please visit the Lost and Found Animals of Oklahoma's Tornadoes Facebook page!

Thankfully there are small miracles that are occurring though, including the doggie that was found buried under ruble while his Mom was talking on live TV!