Celebrate Earth Day with a Greener Dog

(c) photo copyright Carrie Boyko

Xena, Tanner and Oliver Celebrate

Earth Day in Suitable Green

Earth Day is here and your dog is eager to help. How can you participate in greening up our planet with your dog? One question....so many answers. Here are a few possibilities; take your pick and go have some green fun!

Go Greener with Your Active Fitness Options

Building a Greener Dog House

See Spot Recycle

The Benefits of Having a Dog

Get out and Volunteer

Lend Me Your Ears: Organic Lawn Care Information

Adopt a Dog Park

Finally, don't forget to choose biodegradable or flushable doggie poop bags.

Comments? Click the comment link at the bottom of this post and let me know what you think. 

 Visit Adopt a Dog Park to learn

what you can do to help protect our precious dog parks.

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Tax Deductions for Pet Owners:

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Now is your chance to become a lobbyist. Wouldn't you love to receive a tax deduction to assist you with the expenses of owning your dog--veterinary care, food, equipment and supplies add up. This, of course, is not to mention boarding when you are away, doggie day care or puppy-sitting for those who cannot leave Fido alone, and training classes for all manner of dog sports.


The ASPCA and a few pet-loving politicians are trying to pass legislation to create the HAPPY ACT, giving pet owners deductions for the care of their furry friends. You can support this by writing to your representative or Senator. They've made it very easy; a sample letter is included in this link, that you can copy and even add your own comments or persuasive wording. With this letter, you can accomplish this small task in just a few minutes. Go for it. What have you got to lose?




Maybe you'll be able to save enough on taxes to buy Cesar Millan's newest book, being released today:

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Animal Pantry's Four Legged Food Drive Energizes the Pet Community

Yes, I am still on vacation.....but this couldn't wait any longer. What a fabulous event this was. Central Floridians and dog businesses united to help families feed their pets:

© photo copyright Carrie Boyko 2009

Pookies Dog Wash Event

Was a Fitting End to the

Four Legged Food Drive

Central Florida Animal Food Pantry is awash in donations. This young charitable organization, whose objective is to keep dogs with their families by providing needed pet food and other supplies, has been embraced by the pet industry in our area with great enthusiasm.

© photo copyright Carrie Boyko 2009

Brent and Tanner Enjoyed the Party

Does this mean that Central Florida Animal Pantry no longer needs donations? Of course not! Pets will always need food, and there will always be families in need. Keep those food and supply donations coming, knowing that you are helping families keep their beloved pets. Imagine if you could not afford to keep your pet. What a sad day it would be if I had to give up Xena, Tanner, Oliver or Patches because of a shortage of funds to feed my family. I can hardly imagine.

© photo copyright Carrie Boyko 2009

Smile for the Costume Contest, Tanner

Oops! You Can't See His Froggy Goggles!

With a costume contest, cookout, vendor booths, gift basket raffles, and much more, Pookies of Winter Park was a great venue for this fund raising wrap up. My dogs can attest to the camaraderie, as we visited, in in full costume for the contest, and enjoyed taking photos to share with you here.

© photo copyright Carrie Boyko 2009

"Snow White" Certainly is Pure

© photo copyright Carrie Boyko 2009

Oliver's Beach Ball was a

Perfect Take-Along for Pookies Party

Free dog baths were also part of the deal for event participants, as well as a couple of cooling kiddie-pools for anyone to take a dip.

© photo copyright Carrie Boyko 2009

Missy is looking Beautiful after her Bath

© photo copyright Carrie Boyko 2009

A Cook's Job is Never Done

...and who doesn't enjoy a grilled burger on a hot, summer day.

© photo copyright Carrie Boyko 2009

Gift Baskets Galore!

© photo copyright Carrie Boyko 2009

Raffled Off Baskets were Wonderful Prizes

These beautiful baskets and more were won by lucky raffle ticket winners. They certainly did give away some great goodies.

© photo copyright Carrie Boyko 2009

More Cuties Show Up--Some in Pairs

© photo copyright Carrie Boyko 2009

Vendors' Tents Covered Pookies "Back Yard"

Drawing Many Interested Dog Owners

© photo copyright Carrie Boyko 2009

Costume Contestants

Made Great Crowd Pleasers

© photo copyright Carrie Boyko 2009

A Cattle Dog Daisy

© photo copyright Carrie Boyko

Bathing Beauties Everywhere

There are more upcoming events at both Pookies and for Central Florida Animal Pantry. On October 10, CFAP will team up with Pookies and the Central Florida Pets Directory for the First Annual Petpalooza at Pookies in Avalon Park. Join the fun for the whole family with food, pet rescue groups, costume contests, music, children's activities and much more.

Tux for Tails, a sit down dinner and fund raiser for CFAP will be held December 5 at the Double Tree at Universal. Dinner, dancing, music and a silent auction will all add to this upscale event to benefit CFAP.

Currently, the Animal Pantry is seeking volunteers to hand out food for a couple of hours each day. If you are able to volunteer, even a small amount of time, please contact them through their website at the links I have provided. Your help will be greatly appreciated by Erica, Zach and their troupe. They are truly grateful for all of the help and support they have received.

Molly is Here to Help Introduce Her Favorite Charity

Tanner's Friend Molly Enjoys Her Pool

Most people I know complain about the amount of email they get each day. I have to admit something. I get excited about reading mine. Reading my email lately has become my favorite part of the day, second only to checking my posts each morning. Why? I'll give you an example.

Today I received a nice note from one of Tanner's doggie daycare friends, Molly, a chocolate lab. They met at Bow Wow Resort, and have become good buddies. Molly's mom sent the two photos in this post. Molly loves her pool as much as Tanner. Maybe we should get them together for a swimming play date.

Even more exciting, Molly's mom wanted to tell me about AnimalPantry.org in our area which helps provide pet food and other items (leashes, collars, etc.) to families in need. The goal is to help the family keep their dog during tough economic times, rather than having to give up their dog to feed their family. Great concept, huh?!!!

I've requested an interview with the people who started the project, and will bring you more information in an upcoming post. This is just a heads up from Molly and me. Clean out your drawers and pet food closets. Anything you have that isn't needed will be useful to the pantry. They have many drop off locations in the area, and I'll bring you a list of these soon. For now, just collect your pet items that are no longer needed and I'll get back to you with where to drop them off.

Molly Enjoys Swimming

with Two Balls at a Time

Hint: Even extra tennis balls or Frisbees (don't we all have extra ones in the garage?) would be welcome. There are probably lots of dogs who would love to play fetch, if they only had a ball or Frisbee. Wouldn't it make you feel good to give a family a great dog toy. There's nothing like a ball to make a dog AND the kids happy.


Oliver and I ( he climbed right into the doggie drawer!) cleaned out our stuff and came up with a collar (Xena grew out of it), a leash (used, but still useful), tug toys (I make them, so they're free. Check out my post of this at the link and the photo below), 2 funky shaped Kong toys, a couple of balls, a store-bought tug toy that didn't go over big with my guys, a dog training DVD, and a bottle of bitter apple spray. Not bad for starters. It feels good to help another dog. Hope you can too. Check back for pickup locations, or see their site at the link above.



Me and my pack wish you and yours a happy Memorial Day. We'll be out at our local dog park, playing fetch, Frisbee and doing a little pile collecting. Hope to see you there!

If you are new to dog parks, check out my 3-part series on visiting the dog park at Central Florida Green Guide. The links to each post are at the bottom of the blog. Just scroll down. You can't miss them.

I Rescued a Human Today

~ by Anonymous

I rescued a human today

? I rescued a human today?

Her eyes met mine as she walked down the corridor peering apprehensively into the kennels. I felt her need instantly and knew I had to help her. I wagged my tail, not too exuberantly, so she wouldn't be afraid.


As she stopped at my kennel I blocked her view from a little accident I had in the back of my cage. I didn't want her to know that I hadn't been walked today. Sometimes the shelter keepers get too busy and I didn't want her to think poorly of them.


As she read my kennel card I hoped that she wouldn't feel sad about my past. I only have the future to look forward to and want to make a difference in someone's life.


She got down on her knees and made little kissy sounds at me. I shoved my shoulder and side of my head up against the bars to comfort her. Gentle fingertips caressed my neck; she was desperate for companionship.


A tear fell down her cheek and I raised my paw to assure her that all would be well. Soon my kennel door opened and her smile was so bright that I instantly jumped into her arms. I would promise to keep her safe. I would promise to always be by her side. I would promise to do everything I could to see that radiant smile and sparkle in her eyes.


I was so fortunate that she came down my corridor. So many more are out there who haven't walked the corridors. So many more to be saved. At least I could save one.


I rescued a human today.

~ Anonymous ~

**************************

If you are a human who would like to be rescued, please see the photos of dogs who would love to rescue you. Their information is in the sidebar at right. Companionship is good therapy. Do you have room in your heart to love and be loved? They do.

The Mothering Instinct is Golden!

© AP Photo/The Daily Reporter, Rob Morgan/Scanpix

This Golden Retriever Took Over Nursing

the Youngsters of a Tiger,

when Mama Tiger Abandoned Them

This is not a current event, nor is it anything we haven't all already heard. But it is a heartwarming image that will remain with me forever. My two retrievers have always struck me as nurturing dogs. This Golden Retriever mama, Isabella, whose own puppies were just weaned, took over for a zoo tiger, when she just didn't have the instinct to take care of them. "Isabella licks them, cleans them and feeds them. Tom Harvey, the owner of Safari Zoological Park said that it's a miracle."


What can you say except Wow! Isn't adoption great? This dog didn't care if the puppies were boys girls, rabbits or monkeys; she just wanted to nurture their little cries and nuzzling mouths. This is the epitomy of motherhood, foster parenting, affection, and social action.

Central Florida Green Guide Feature Story

West Orange Dog Park

Just a quickie here to let you know that Central Florida Green Guide just posted my second article, in a series of three, regarding visiting the dog park. If you're considering a dog park visit for the first time, I would encourage you to read Part I and Part II, and come back at the end of May for Part III. I'll be sure to note it here in my blog.

See you at the park!

Seniors Get More Than Companionship from their Dogs

Joan Enjoys Helping Oliver and Jacque

Learn Socialization Skills

About 6 months ago my mother adopted a Papillon puppy whose owner could no longer take care of him. Never having trained a puppy, she has had her hands full with so many things to learn.
Socialization is at the top of her list, thank goodness, and little Jacque is learning well. She visits the dog park with him regularly and he has proven to be a confident and well-mannered playmate for most of the dogs. He is still working on his vocalization, though. That's a nice way of saying that he needs to bark a bit less.

The many challenges of a new puppy have given mom a new sense of purpose in her life, and she is enjoying this immensely. Many senior citizens who are able to care for a pet, find that this responsibility breathes new life and energy into their days. A host of new tasks and challenges await and each one is a new adventure.

With many dogs available for adoption through shelters, at little cost to the owner, a senior citizen, on a fixed income can often afford to adopt a smaller dog, whose food requirements will be considerably less than my 4-cup-a-day Golden Retriever. A minimum investment of a crate and vaccinations necessary for good health can bring a lonely person a sense of importance in their new job of nurturing a dog.

Adopting a mature dog can often mean that the task of house-training is already accomplished. Even more, that puppy hood trait of chewing everything in sight is often also a thing of the past. With a daily walk, adult dogs can find happiness with a new owner who gives them the appropriate discipline, rules and finally...affection.

The latter is good for both dog and owner, but the whole package is necessary for a dog to become a bonded member of the new family. Take the lead and show your furry friend the boundaries of his new home, and he will become a good companion.

For a bit more information on bringing home a new family member, I like this DVD by Cesar Millan. His approach involves more leadership than training, and is very no-nonsense. Good luck!

Dog Park Greetings

© photo copyright Carrie Boyko

This Brittany Spaniel Puppy

Is Having His First Dog Park Visit

© photo copyright Carrie Boyko

Hi! I'm Handsome

© photo copyright Carrie Boyko

Hey, You Up There!

You're Too Big for the Bench.

Oliver is Always Right in the Middle

of the Excitement

Every weekend is another adventure at the dog park. My pack comes home and sleeps half the day afterwards. There is nothing like working a party to wear out my gang.

If you are a dog park enthusiast, I'd like to invite you to visit Adopt a Dog Park, where you can learn how to help keep our dog parks clean and healthy during this difficult budget-crunching time for our local parks departments.

I collect dog park photos and have displayed many on Care 2 Adopt a Dog Park, where you can also start a discussion with other dog park lovers. We'd love to see your dog park photos, and you can share them there by creating your own photo album. Hope to see you soon.

Late Breaking News: My latest post has just been published on Central Florida Green Guide. I hope you'll find time to stop in and check out Green Family Fun: Let's Visit the Dog Park.

National Clean Dog Park Awareness Day

The first annual National Clean Dog Park Awareness Day brought out lots of canines and their families to my local dog park on March 22. Several of us walked the park and cleaned up left-behind piles and other trash. We left the park looking great, and as clean and safe as possible.

My 12 year old girl, Xena, enjoyed her day at the park too. By keeping the park clean, I know I am doing what I can to provide her with a healthy place to play. You may think that at age 12 she can't be very playful. Wrong! She can put on quite a wrestling match and tag game with Tanner, her trusted playmate.

All sizes and kinds were on hand today to celebrate. To learn what you can do to help care for your local dog park, visit Adopt a Dog Park. You can also join our discussion forum and share your own dog park photos by joining Care 2 Adopt a Dog Park. It's free. There you will find photo albums of my dogs, my dog park photos, and my dogs' doggie daycare photos. You could say all of my favorite dogs are there. Well, almost. I still need to get photos of my dogs' agility buddies. That will come next.

If you would like to adopt your dog park, you can email me at LetsAdoptaDogPark@gmail.com. I'll look forward to hearing from you. Our dogs are counting on us.

Dog Dilemmas, Photo Thank Yous and More

Pounce Herds

Herd, Pound, Herd!

Go Pounce Go!

Let me start today's post by sending a great big thank you to Kim and Nancy for sending photos of their pups. Kim's Border Collie, Pounce, is seen doing his "job" of herding in the photo above. Isn't that just a perfect name for a herding dog?!! Wish our school kids could concentrate that well!

Last week I got a big surprise when Tanner and I received word that he is being "promoted" to the next level of Agility classes. We're so excited! I'm sure I'll make a complete fool of myself next week at the first class, but then, I can laugh it off. After you hit my age, these embarrassments aren't such a big deal any longer.

Oliver, my younger dog, will remain at level 2, still having a long way to go to catch his big brother. That's good though, as trying to train them both in the same level was a tougher challenge than I had anticipated.

I'm giving myself permission to digress a bit today. As you may have noticed, I added advertising to this blog. It was quite a dilemma deciding whether I should jump in or not, yet. In the end, I wanted the blog to offer opportunities for dog lovers to shop for things they can't find at their local pet supply shop. For instance, my mother lives in a small town where there is just one small shop. You either buy it there or drive a long way to find it.

I have found better buys online and often do my shopping that way now. So, I guess that's the reason I took the plunge. I supplied a search box for Amazon in the sidebar, to make it easy to find things. I hope you find some of this helpful, and will offer your thoughts via comments or email at LetsAdoptaDogPark@gmail.com .

Speaking of Adopt a Dog Park, National Clean Dog Park Awareness Week is coming up soon. Feel free to pass this info along to other dog lovers. I welcome park adoptions from anywhere, and would love to receive photos of your dogs at your favorite park. When you write to me to adopt a park, I will gladly display your dog(s) photo on the website.

I'll be here Wednesday talking a bit about discipline and food aggression. This is a topic that has been requested, so I will take a stab, offering what I know on the subject. These are times when I wish Cesar Millan were here to help me through. It's okay, though, my guys are really good examples of this skill. Thank goodness! Although I am no expert, my 3 are well mannered dinnertime companions who know how to wait for permission and "take it" when given that permission. Join me Wednesday for some photos of dinnertime in action at my house. Also on Woofing Wednesday at Organic Journey Online, Oliver will make an appearance in a photo with my mom and her organic orchids. They are spectacular!