Who Rescued Whom?...............by Lisa of OBXPuparazzi

Stormy was a dog I rescued from a horrible living situation.  Her owner neglected her terribly and kept her tied outside, with an extension cord that was plugged in and was wrapped several times around a post, to keep her from escaping.  The owner fed it whenever he remembered to, which was apparently not often, and never groomed her.

When my favorite dog, Navajo, had to be put down, I was devastated at his loss.  Stormy's owner offered her to me, and I couldn't say no to her.  She was supposed to be a Golden Retriever and Collie mix, but she was muddy, matted and emaciated.

She patiently tolerated being bathed and clipped nearly bald to release her from a felted mass of fur that encased her like armor.  I nursed her through a very tough heartworm treatment that I wasn't sure she would survive.  Stormy slowly recovered from the treatment, and filled out from a scrawny 46 pounds to a healthy 75-pound dog with flowing golden fur.  You could see both the Golden Retriever and Collie in her then.  She learned how to play with dog toys and developed a sly sense of humor.

Nearly two years later, she returned the favor when I found out I had cancer.  It was found late, totally by accident, and the doctors were concerned that it might not be treatable.  Stormy stuck to me like Velcro while I cried my way through the first few days after the diagnosis.

After my surgery, which was successful, she stayed next to the recliner or laid next to me on the bed as I slowly recovered.  She grew to hate Wednesdays, which were my chemo days.  She would pace and huff when I was getting ready to go, and glare sternly at my husband.

When I returned home, with often barely enough energy to crawl off to bed and sleep until the next day, she would give my husband the most disgusted looks, as if to say, "I knew I shouldn't have trusted you to keep her safe!" and she would curl up next to me, giving Dave "The Look" every time he came to check on me.  If I was restless at night, she was up to follow me around the house.  She took to laying on top of my slippers, to make sure I didn't sneak off without her knowing.  Several times, when I woke up feeling very ill, she would wake my husband.  He and I both appreciated her attentiveness and her good nurse instincts.

Having Stormy's company made a tough time in my life a lot easier to bear, and I like to think she was paying me back for rescuing her from hell on earth.  Stormy had been 9 years old when she was rescued, and lived to the surprising age of 19.  I've always thought that the Lord gave her a whole other life to make up for the first part that was so awful.

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Written by Lisa of OBXPuparazzi on ArtFire where you will find many handmade dog bandanas sewn by Lisa (the crazy dog lady!) and delightful wooden toys made by Dave who is a self-taught woodworker whose intarsia pieces are sought out by galleries in their local area. Be sure to check out these items and more in Lisa's studio and contact her with any questions.

Great Dog Story..............by Debra of Sleepy Cat Designs

We all know how wonderful dogs and cats, as well as other pets, can be to us personally in our day to day lives because we see their special qualities. But there are many things we never see and which can inspire us even more when we read or hear about these things.

This happened to me recently. I was doing some research for something else in an online current events encyclopedia and came across this interesting little report in a 1/22/87 issue of "Awake!" magazine in the section "Watching the World" (yes, 1987, and there was no link available to get to the original story). This is a direct copy of the little news item in that current events report:

Baby’s Best Friend
A newborn infant abandoned in a “weed-choked, bottle-strewn alley in 60-degree weather” was kept alive by a stray German shepherd, reports the Detroit Free Press. According to one of the police officers who discovered the infant, the animal had “curled [itself] around a baby that was holding onto a little twig. And the baby was being licked by the dog.” This bizarre discovery came about three hours after the officers had learned that a woman suffering from severe bleeding due to childbirth was admitted to a hospital. When no baby was found and the woman claimed she had never been pregnant, the police went to her apartment and followed a trail of blood to the alley where the child had been abandoned. The six-pound, four-ounce baby boy is listed in stable condition after suffering from hypothermia. (end of article)

(Graphic from classroomclipart.com)

Isn't this an amazing thing to think about? An abandoned baby and a stray dog, both without homes or families to love them, the baby entirely helpless and the dog not quite as helpless but without anyone to guide it or take care of it as well. Somehow this dog knew that this baby needed warmth and support. The dog could not provide much more than that, but it was enough in this situation since the baby was found in time. I surely hope the stray dog was given a home too as a reward for being a hero and lifesaver.

Sadly, I do not know what happened to either the child or the dog. But just picturing that event brought tears to my eyes. And since deciding to write about this, I did some more research and found several more stories about dogs who did similar things with children and babies, saving their lives! No wonder we cherish our animal companions so much!

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Written by Debra of Sleepy Cat Designs and Sew Bizzy Gifts, her two online shops where she sells handmade items for pets and the people who love them. Debra is also an active member of the Crafting for Animals Guild on ArtFire.

Responsible Pet Owners Month.....by Jobi of WatercolorYourWorld

February is Responsible Pet Owners Month. As a dedicated animal lover and owner of a pet or two, you may ask why. Unfortunately, not all pet owners are responsible. The high number of pets in shelters and foster homes today is overwhelming. But, what does that have to do with you?

You are responsible for your animals and love them as members of your family. You walk them, feed them, skritch their ears, and give them a comfortable home. Is anything missing in their lives? This month is a reminder to pay attention to things you meant to do for your pet, but time races on and busy schedules keep you occupied. What might your pet have to say about that? Read on:

The 10 Commandments From a Pet's Point of View

by ©Stan Rawlinson

• My life is likely to last 10-15 years; any separation from you will be painful for me. Remember that before you buy me.

• Give me time to understand what you want from me; don't be impatient, short-tempered, or irritable.

• Place your trust in me and I will always trust you back. Respect is earned not given as an inalienable right.

• Don't be angry with me for long and don't lock me up as punishment; I am not capable of understanding why. I only know I have been rejected. You have your work, entertainment, and friends, but I only have you.

• Talk to me sometimes. Even if I don't understand your words, I do understand your voice and your tone. You only have to look at my tail.

• Be aware that however you treat me, I'll never forget it, and if it's cruel, it may affect me forever.

• Please don't hit me. I can't hit back, but I can bite and scratch, and I really don't ever want to do that.

• Before you scold me for being uncooperative, obstinate, or lazy, ask yourself if something might be bothering me. Perhaps I'm not getting the right foods or I've been out in the sun too long, or my heart is getting old and weak. It may be I am just dog-tired.

• Take care of me when I get old. You too will grow old and may also need love, care, comfort, and attention.

• Go with me on difficult journeys. Never say, "I can't bear to watch" or "Let it happen in my absence". Everything is easier for me if you are there. Remember, regardless of what you do, I will always love you.

Author: Stan Rawlinson, Professional Dog Behaviourist and Obedience Trainer. Visit his website for more articles and training information. (Note: "The Ten Commandments From a Pet's Point of View" was reprinted here with the author's permission.)

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Written by Jobi of WatercolorYourWorld where you can arrange for a custom portrait of your favorite pets. Jobi is a member of the Crafting for Animals Guild and works as a writer as well as an artist. Be sure to check out her work and consider her whenever you need custom artwork of your beloved pets or those of friends and family which make wonderful gifts.

New CFA Guild Collection by Pam of bagsandmorebypam

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Heroes on Four Legs ..........by Debra of Sleepy Cat Designs

I always enjoy reading articles about dogs or other animals that help humans in so many different ways. Some even do things that are quite heroic!

And that is exactly what guide dog Roselle did for her owner during the horrible attack on the World Trade Centers on 9/11/01. This dog guided her pet owner, Michael, down 1463 steps and out of the building and into a subway,  saving his life.

Photo from www.prweb.com

Recently, 10 years later, Roselle was given the 2011 American Humane Association Hero Dog Award posthumously for her efforts. Roselle died earlier this year,  but she will never be forgotten by Michael or anyone else who knew her, I'm sure.

Inspiring stories like this make all of us animal lovers appreciate the pets in our own lives and spur us on to do what we can for other animals who may not be so fortunate.

You may read more about this story at these links:
http://www.prweb.com/releases/2011/6/prweb8608483.htm
http://www.herodogawards.org/
http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/44615382/ns/today-today_pets_and_animals/#


Written by Debra of Sleepy Cat Designs and Sew Bizzy Gifts, small variety shops on ArtFire where you can find all sorts of unique, affordable and handcrafted items for pets and their people. Debra is a member of the Crafting for Animals Guild on ArtFire, a group of animal loving artisans who make things for animals and to support animals the world over.

Make a Difference - Foster an Animal in Need....by Lisa of OBXPuparazzi

Fostering an animal is a fantastic way to help special needs animals find their forever home.  The process of fostering, which is usually done through a shelter or rescue organization, buys time for an adoptable animal that needs a little help becoming a better companion.  Some dogs also need to be away from the stress of living with so many other animals at a shelter, and they are happier and more ready to meet their forever family outside of the hectic shelter environment.

I have fostered several animals over the years and have enjoyed having them in my home.  I tend to work with special needs animals as we seem to have a good environment to assist them.  In addition to our foster dogs, we have a very stable pack of our own dogs, which helps in working with dogs that are not used to people or have been mistreated by and fear people.

At one time, including fosters, we had nine dogs in the house - all lab mixes of some variety!  My current pack consists of four dogs. Scamp is a white Labrador mix rescued at age 3 weeks with a broken leg. Five weeks later, we adopted her sister, Corky, a black lab mix who was in danger of being abandoned Dusty is my handsome red merle lab/Aussie mix adopted from my son - the Army told him he could only take one of his dogs to his new duty station!  Finally, there is Occy, a lab/Husky mix who is all white, whose owner had health problems and could no longer keep her and her sister. Occy’s sister Xena passed away unexpectedly this summer.

Scamp is the “momma dog” who takes fosters under her wing and teaches them the rules of the house.  She will show them how to use the dog door and how to sit for a treat!  The other dogs let them see that behaving earns rewards, that they can trust people to be gentle, and how to play with toys.

Some of our foster dogs have needed some work on basic skills like asking to go outside when they need to go do business, others have needed to learn the basics of living indoors with people, and a couple have come from abusive homes, and have needed extra time to learn how to trust people again.

Missy

Missy was a memorable foster who had been abused.  A kind-hearted person rescued her from the situation, but couldn’t keep her.  Over the course of 6 weeks, she blossomed into a very playful girl.  She found her forever family on the Outer Banks, where she lives with an active young couple and another dog to play with on the beach.

Mercy

Mercy was a pit bull/Boston terrier mix who was thought to have been used as a bait dog for dog fighting.  Once she settled in, her personality blossomed into a character with a sly sense of humor.  If you told her to sit, she would - on the sofa!  She liked to be busy, and she found a forever home to live out the remainder of her days with a family with a young son.  True to her pit bull roots, she was a self-appointed “nanny dog” to the child and was happiest following him around, cleaning up the Cheerios he dropped.  Sadly, she died 6 months later from complications from the treatment for heartworms.

If you would like to make a difference in an animal’s life, fostering is a way to make a big difference. If you have room in your home and heart to help, the best way to start is checking with your local shelter or rescue groups.

Submitted by Lisa of OBXPuparazzi, her online studio full of wonderful products she has made especially for dogs and the people who are crazy for them! Lisa is also an active volunteer with the Crafting for Animals Guild on ArtFire.

HOWL-O-Ween Pawty…………by Deb of Howlin' Hounds

Over the years, beginning in 1993 till now, I've been "Mom" to nine rescued Basset Hounds.

Each one that now resides at the Bridge, has left their paw print on my heart, and taken a piece of it with them. They've also left behind a wealth of funny stories.  This is one of my favorites.  Sophie and Mabel are both gone now, but will never be forgotten.

It was several years ago, a few days after Halloween. We had a bowlful of hard candy left over from Trick or Treaters....lollipops, tootsie pops, blow pops, jolly ranchers...that sort of thing.

Hubby and I went out for dinner thinking the candy bowl was far enough back on the counter that neither Sophie nor Mabel could get it.

Wrong! When we returned home, my jaw dropped, and I didn't know whether to laugh or cry, when both dogs greeted us at the door completely covered in candy bits, wagging their tails proudly!  It was all over their faces, their ears, paws, bellies, and even in their armpits.  Wrappers and lollipop sticks were scattered from one end of the house to the other.

Then, as I stood there in a total state of shock, Mabel waddled off to the living room, then soon returned, and placed one absolutely pristine Charms Blow Pop at my feet, then looked up at me as only Mabel could, with an expression that said, "I saved one for you, Mom." All I could do was cry and give her a great big hug!

Mabel

Submitted by Deb of Howlin’ Hounds, an online studio on ArtFire where she specializes in making fabric snoods for dogs, as well as useful accessories for people. Deb is a life-long dog lover and loves to sew, a great combo for expressing her creative talents. Deb is also an active member of the Crafting for Animals Guild on ArtFire which works together to help homeless and abused animals everywhere.