The Sneaky Squirrel Swirl

Sneaky Squirrel continues his progress toward becoming a normal dog.  Fewer things frighten him these days, he is less cognizant of strangers and loud noises, he is able to just live his life – most of the time.

Yet there are still occasions in which he inexplicably runs to his little blanket fort in the corner of the bathroom to disappear.  Round and round he twirls and swirls in the pile of soft blankets until there is no more Sneaky Squirrel, there is just a little lump in the corner.

I tried once to remove the pile of blankets, thinking they were no longer necessary.  I thought Sneaky Squirrel had put behind him whatever it was that was chasing him, whatever was keeping his troubled past alive.  I was wrong.  Maybe Sneaky Squirrel will always need his blanket fort, maybe he will always need his safe place.

The truth is, we all need a safe place.  Sometimes I wish I could join Squirrel in his blanket fort.

Top Ten Reasons It's More Fun to Christmas Shop for Your Pets Than For Your Family

A new Top Ten list is posted every Monday. If you have a suggestion for a
Top Ten, send it to petpurri@gmail.com. If we use your suggestion
we'll send you a prize!

1.            Your pets won’t complain if they don’t like the gifts.
2.            Pets are not label conscious (except for poodles).
3.            Pets don’t snoop in your closets.
4.            Pet clothes never go out of style (and they're not wise to
               re-gifting).
5.            The sillier the outfit, the better the Christmas photo.
6.            No need to keep up with the latest electronics (cats
               star in videos, they don't play them).
7.            You can get all your pets the same thing, and they won’t
               care.
8.            Your pets don’t care if you suck at gift wrapping (as long as
               there’s lots of tissue paper and ribbon).
9.            Pet gifts - No Assembly Required.
10.          Your pets will be happy and love you no matter
               what you get them.

And remember the shelter animals over the Holidays ~ donate toys,
sweaters and blankets to your local shelter or rescue

Twink-A-Doodle Doo!

Most mornings the first thing I see is Twink’s face, that little hodgepodge of swirling tortie colors anchored by big yellow eyes - the big yellow eyes that gaze directly into my sleepy morning eyes.

“Wake Up” Twink screams at the top of her lungs.  I would say that Twink’s voice is akin to nails on chalkboard –  if only it was that pleasant.  Twink awakens me each morning - screaming at me and staring at me.  She’s usually close to my face, staring into my eyes.  I used to think she was staring at me because she was overwhelmed with love for me.  Now I realize she's saying, “I’m hungry, get up!”

When my alarm clock of many years finally gave out on me earlier this year, it was of little consequence.  Twink has always done a better job.  Snooze control?  Smooze control.  Twink works on weekends and Holidays, year round, and is immune to power outages.

Some mornings I just want to say, "Twink-A-Doodle-Don't"

Pets as Gifts - Not Such a Gift for the Pet

A puppy under the Christmas Tree - is there anything cuter?  How about a poodle with pink bows for grandma?  While the intention may be good, truth be told the idea of giving pets as gifts is not a good one.

Many shelters now are offering ill-advised discount prices and stores that still sell animals (really?) are having "specials," so people who usually have better sense seem to think it's a good idea to give animals away as gifts.

The reality is that giving an animal as a gift is a terrible idea.  The return rate on gifted animals to shelters is very high, and worse yet is an unwanted animal destined to a life in a backyard with little or no attention, eventually cast aside along with other unwanted gifts - or left to suffer an even worse fate.

It is almost impossible to choose a pet for another person.  The "giftee" may not feel a connection with the chosen pet (or maybe the pet won't feel a connection with them).

Give a shelter gift certificate instead.  All shelters now offer them.  This way the giftee and the animal can feel the warmth and excitement of the choice.  They can start to form a real bond, not a bond forced upon them.  A bond that will last a lifetime.

And that's Wednesday's Woof.

http://www.laanimalservices.com/

http://animalcare.lacounty.gov/

Kick-back Kool Kat "Domino" Needs Rescue

Tabby Needs OUT of East Valley Shelter - Van Nuys, CA

East Valley Care & Control14409 Vanowen St, Van Nuys CA 91405
888-4LAPET1 or 888-452-7381

Domino A1263211 is a Kick-back Kool Kat!

He's a big boy, with a really big head (all the better to head-butt you!

Domino is quite the talker and has lots of interesting stories to tell...he told all to Volunteer Barbara who fell hard for him.

So hard, in fact, that she asked if I could help get him out and into a Rescue or a Home!

He loves to be petted, and will roll over for belly rubs, and gives the occasional "love bite." His current hobbies are chowing down the wet food when Barbara comes in on Sundays and feeds him and plotting ways to get out of this place!.

Domino made friends with the other cats in the cat room, especially a couple of the females!

He's been at the East Valley shelter since November 7, way too long. He needs to be out right away!!

"Something about this one touches my ." --Volunteer Barbara, 2011

If you can save this wonderful Domino, please let me know. (Bail, Transport, Donation to qualified Rescues)

thanks,

cindy

818/605-6873

The World Looks Better in a Christmas Sweater

'Tis the season when even those of us who are not "designer dog" types succumb to the special allure of the colorful, fashionable and absolutely necessary doggie Christmas Sweater. What used to be the laughable domain of the dotty dowager is now a wide open market for designer and everyday pet wear. No longer sold only in pet stores and specialty on-line retailers, pet clothing is readily available everywhere.

Colorful and glitzy, blingy and ring-a-dingy, even big dogs are wearing Christmas sweaters these days. Is there anything cuter than a little low rider sporting a snazzy, patterned sweater? Or a lab wearing a sweater with fluffy snowballs hanging all over it?

Even if you don't go for everyday doggie wear, Christmas sweaters are more fashionable and creative than ever, and getting harder to resist.  Especially with the nights getting colder, and the sweaters ever more affordable (recently $2.50 at Target!).

When our very own Sneaky Squirrel puts on a Christmas sweater, he also puts on his Big Boy Pants.  Even the small are soon walking tall.

Let's face it, most of us dig Christmas sweaters on dogs, even though we are loathe to admit it.  Dogs are adorable in Christmas sweaters.  The world looks better in Christmas sweaters. 

Check out some of the cute Christmas clothes in the links below.  And if you're not keen on putting clothes on your own dog, consider donating a sweater or two to your local shelter or rescue group. 

http://www.thepet-boutique.com/christmas_dog_clothes.htm

http://www.squidoo.com/dogchristmassweaters

 

http://www.trendypuppy.com/dog_clothes/Christmas_dog_clothes.html

http://www.baxterboo.com/search.cfm/dog-holiday-sweaters?gclid=CPS_u--6g60CFWgaQgodRFfcrQ

Top Ten Reasons Everyone Needs a Pom Pom

A new Top Ten list is posted every Monday. If you have a suggestion for a Top Ten, send it to petpurri@gmail.com. If we use your suggestion we'll send you a prize!

10.  Poms come in a variety of colors, from rusty red to basic
      black ... spotted, brindle and even tri-color.
9.   Pound for pound, Poms have more personality than any
      other dog - Paws down.
8.   Poms Poms are fabulicious and fluffilicious.
7.   Beloved by Royals, Poms are bold and spunky – and fiercely loyal.
6.   Poms come in a variety of sizes, from teacup to Jumbo
      - something for everyone.
5.   They share a nickname with a totally awesome drink.
4.   Instant membership in the very cool Pom Posse.
3.   Poms have luscious plush coats that lend themselves to a variety
      of fashionable grooming styles.
2.   Poms get cuter as they get older – who else can say that?
1.   Thanks to back yard and other breeders they are readily
      available at rescues and shelters – Rescue a Pom Pom today!

http://adopt-a-pomeranian.adoptapet.com/

http://animal.discovery.com/videos/dogs-101-pomeranian.html