Winnie's Tales

My friend Laurie is such a party pooper. We went out this morning around 6 am so I could go to the bathroom. She has to come with me to guard me from all the crazy animals who hang out in our yard. I like to smell around the pool first because it seems like there are always so many different smells there. I found one great spot, looked up at Laurie, and jammed my nose under the water. I came out with a great prize! I wasn’t completely sure what to do with at first. Well, Laurie put an end to my fun. I had to drop my prize – a dead mole. What a party pooper.

Read an interesting article today about Dog TV. Yes, a channel for dogs! Not about dogs, but specifically to entertain dogs. Visuals, sounds, colors all altered to be appealing to dogs. For $4.99/mo will this be a worthy investment for those dog owners who have to go to work and leave their dogs alone? Will this be just another thing owners can get to spoil their already pampered pooch?

http://news.yahoo.com/cable-television-literally-gone-dogs-161126606.html

We are back to baseball season. I have been going non-stop for about a week. I just love hanging out at the park greeting all my old friends and making new ones. I get to play outfield and chase the balls that go really far. I’m also losing some of the extra weight I put on over the winter. Just wait until you see my new and improved self.

Some springtime friends who have been visiting my house. I want to play but they all run, slither or fly away!

I guess the days of the dog or cat waiting by the door for you to come home are over.

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – Former “The Price is Right” host Bob Barker is spending $880,000 to fly three elephants to sunny California in style aboard a private cargo plane, he said on Friday.

I’m wondering if they are spayed or neutered???

See Full Story on Yahoo News

Saving Diesel: One Woman and the Power of Social Media

On March 8, Northeast Animal Shelter Adoption Counselor got a special call. A family who owned a 7 month old German Shepherd mix thought he was aggressive and they were scheduling euthanasia two days later.

Hudson deduced that the dog, 70 lbs, was not aggressive but simply fearful. After frantic Facebook postings and phone calls, a foster family was located. An experienced couple with two dogs took him in, and the German Shepherd Resource and Rescue Center began providing aid.

After a short while Diesel’s foster family reported he was much happier, proudly following the other dogs around, wagging his tail.  The other dogs “are teaching him not all humans are bad,” Hudson wrote.

Diesel soon passed an evaluation by Middleton professional dog trainer Mike Citro and went to Citro’s Baystate Kennel and Training Center March 16. Diesel will train with Citro for one month.

Hudson received $200 from the German Shepherd Resource and Rescue Center and needs $400 more to pay for Diesel’s stay and training. Citro has offered a reduced rate for Diesel.

Once Diesel graduates from his training he will be available to be adopted. He’s a handsome dog who was truly rescued through the hard work of one woman and her network of generous supporters.

For more info and/or to adopt Diesel – contact by Cindi’s facebook page.

We were reading a recent article in the NY Daily News about Pocket Dogs – specifically Chihuahuas. Pocket Dogs

I thought I’d share some particular quotes from the article that hit home for me. At Northeast Animal Shelter, about 40 victims of the pocket-dog craze in California arrive to the safety of our no-kill shelter in Salem, MA each month. So many of these dogs arrive with health issues, they would have been euthanized if they weren’t picked for our Saving Pets Across America program.

“Chihuahuas make up 30 percent or more of the dog populations at many California shelters.”

“Chihuahuas are the most popular breed of dog in Los Angeles, so it makes sense it is the most abandoned breed”

“In Oakland, some days, they get 10 of the 5-pound dogs a day,”

“A cute puppy can grow up to have adult health problems or become protective and aggressive. There are less glamorous reasons, too, like the high vet bills Chihuahuas can bring.”

“And the biggest spikes in California Chihuahua populations are probably due to puppy mills and backyard breeders”

These are sad facts my friends but you can help these little guys by donating to Northeast Animal Shelter

Meet my new neighbors. They moved in this morning as far as I can tell. I wonder how long they’ll stay.

I know we’re all gearing up for this weekends Super Bowl but I’d like to share a couple videos of some of my friends who need homes at www.neas.org