I once read to write about what you know, so for me, it must be dogs. They are just the best part of my life, well besides my sweetheart, wine, chocolate, my kids, flowers, and cheese (in no specific order).

People who aren't animal lovers don't get it, and I find that sad. I don't mind the fur, the wet noses, the balls on the stairs.

With fostering and rescue it's much like baseball. The game isn't over until the Fat Lady Sings. Sure things, are sometimes not as sure as one would expect.

We thought Pete had a great home lined up in Omaha. But then, as sometimes happens, the prospective adopter faded into the sunset. Next the potential adopter in Minnesota sounded great. And they are, but at the last minute they went with a local dog needing a home.

This is a fantastic idea that I'm surprised no one has come up with before!

St. Vincent's Hospital in New York is launching a program that will allow them to take care of patients' pets while they are undergoing Read More »

Well, that's one way to pick a candidate!

Check out the videos from Lilly Boxer, the 'official' Obama dog who's devoted her time to campaigning for Barack.

Fancy liked my shoes. Fancy was my daughters doberman. She liked to take my shoes from the closet, or where ever I stepped out of them. Not both shoes, just one. And she liked to bury that shoe under her blanket.

Of course, she stands on the blanket, then tries to move the blanket (with her nose) enou Read More »

Many years ago I took Abby-the-Labby to a Blessing of the Animals. I can still remember the minister who administered a special blessing on her. Mind you, as a young lab, she needed all the extra blessings she could get.

He said, "may your ears always be open to your master's voice, and may you never bite the hand that feeds you". I thought that blessing was sheer genius, no doubt he'd owned a dog or two him Read More »

Training. What is acceptable in training and what can be deemed abuse? A tap on the nose? A loud yell? Shock collars? 

Any form of discipline can technically be called abuse, but the line is definitely crossed when a trainer goes from strict handling to completely out of control.

This is one California law I can agree with - it may soon be illegal and cost you a $35 fine to drive with a pet on your lap.

It's another sad tale of pets abandoned in the wake of a natural disaster.

This time we turn our attention to Chile where the town of Chaiten is covered in volcanic ash and pets are struggling to survive without their owners.

Do something extra good this Mother's Day and sponsor an orphaned pet from Best Friends for your mom!

For just a small donation (and lots of good karma!) you'll be helping one of the many homeless pets who are now finding love and happiness at the Best Friends Sanctuary, but still looking for their forever home.

Despite debuting at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show earlier this year, the Plott Hound is still relatively unknown to most dog lovers.

A horse, running for the sake of running and because that’s all she’s ever known, crosses the finish line as fast as she can. She’s done. She did well. She can stop now. But what some are calling her genetically-weakened ankles aren’t up for it. They both snap. She goes down.

For all of you who have read my blogs about Pete - I'm sending a few new photos of this delightful pointer boy.  He has been a challenge, and a hoot from day one!

There are the usual things they bring in, balls, bones, kongs, a stick or two. There were a few birds too, once in a while. They drag in lots of mud on the muddy paw days. They drag us out and in, and in and out.

Maddie, who is a very small English Springer Spaniel, brings us rocks. Either they are the ones that fall out of her head, or they are ones swiped from the landscaping. Heck, she'll fish them Read More »

Thanks to daisysmile73 for clueing us in to some totally cute Read More »

After six months of having the furry grandkids at their house, my parents are trying to repair their yard this spring. But they also want to adopt a dog of their own. We didn't think they could do both, but I recently came across a book that might help!

Or in this case, the first draft of her novel! Try explaining that one to your publisher!

"It seems somehow appropriate that a mischievous dog helped stop Roald Dahl's granddaughter from making a big writing mistake."

I never cease to be amazed at the reasons dogs come into our rescue program. Sometimes there are legitimate reasons, the death of the owner, divorce, illness, unemployment. Some people give their dogs up in order to offer them a better life. Others treat them simply as a disposable commodity. They are gun shy, they lift their back leg when pointing, we got the dog but then realized how active they are, we don't hunt on foot anymore, they won't behave. Helloooo?? How many of these reasons are the dogs fault???? None.

It's been a while since Pete joined the family. Almost three months. If I asked the other dogs what their consensus of his stay has been here this is what they would say. Read More »

Ever look back at things you have done in life and say "wow, I didn't know I could do that"? And when you do, I believe you also have to give thanks for whatever forced you to move into those new realities.

There was a time when I had no dogs. I was told "we are not home enough", it wouldn't be fair to the dog. Hmmmmm......for a long time I believed that. Funny how far Read More »

It may sound odd, but the Poop Whisperer is my new nickname. Hmmm, I've have many nicknames, but this one really piles it on.

Anyone who has ever trained a puppy, or a dog, knows you are supposed to praise the bejebbers out of them when they do their duty. And training them to potty on command is a good Read More »

On rainy days you have to pull out all the stops. I mean, what's a dog to do? All that energy, and no where to run without wearing hip waders.

I pulled out the good bones today. The raw meaty leg bones we get from the store and keep in the freezer. Oh ya, some serious gnawing there.

Have you had a chance to check out our new photo galleries - starring YOUR pets? A sneak peak below, but you can see so much more on our gallery pages!

Traveling with a pet has always been difficult and confusing. What happens to a pet when the airport officials carry it out of site? What are the conditions of the cargo hold where the pet is being held? What are the rules for a particular state or country?

Miracles never cease! Read all about Lulu who survived for eight days by drinking melted snow after the building she was in exploded last week.