Holiday Gift Guide

Hanukah is next week.  Christmas is a few weeks away.  Whatever your holiday preference, you might be looking for gift ideas for the pet lover.  Here are a few:

1.        Puppia harness.  This is the best harness!  I absolutely love it and own several.  You can find it online at Amazon.com.  Also, you can visit the company’s website and find local pet supply stores that carry the harness.

2.       Solve It Taglong Pet Booster Seat.  I bought the booster seat for Gracie when we travel.  She does better in the car with it and even sleeps in it when I bring into the house.

3.       Ruffwear hands-free leash.  Ruffwear makes really great stuff.  The hands-free leash is very durable, has a “no pull” feature that actually works, and can be converted to a standard leash with a few minor adjustments.

4.       Uggie:  My Story.  I wrote a review recently about this book.  It is a must-buy for any Jack Russell terrier lover on your list.

5.       Gift certificate to person’s favorite pet supply store.  Who doesn’t need food and gear for their furry friend?

6.       Brother Wolf Animal Rescue gifts.  They have really cute wine glasses, pint glasses, and shirts for sale at their Re-Tail store or via their website at www.bwar.org.  All proceeds benefit Brother Wolf.

7.       Martha Stewart grooming supplies at PetSmart.  She has a great line of grooming scissors.  I have a pair of facial hair trimmers  on my wish list.

8.       Dog Tag Art id tags.  The company is based in Asheville, NC.  They make a HUGE selection of dog tags.

9.       Dublin Dog collar.  They have a stink-free collar that is really nice.  I bought one for Gracie to wear at the beach.  It was cute, yet sturdy.

10.   Donation in person’s honor to local pet rescue group.

You can search this blog for product reviews for the Puppia harness, pet booster seat, Dog Tag Art id tags, Dublin Dog dog collar, and book review. 

Happy Holidays!

Rescue Mommy

Tips Would Be Appreciated!!

We were so fortunate that Gracie was already housetrained (or incredibly smart about it) when she arrived.  We could really use some housetraining tips if you have any to offer.

Also, please leave a comment if you have a Schnauzer and can tell us your experience with them.  We have no experience with Schnauzers and would love to learn more about the breed.

Patience, love, and information – that’s what this little guy needs!

Rescue Mommy and Daddy

New Addition

If you follow this blog, you know that we have thought for a really, really long time about adding another dog to our household.  We have had Gracie for three years now and questioned whether or not she would like a buddy.

Last week, we visited Brother Wolf a couple of times and found two prospects.  On Friday, we arranged for Gracie to meet one of them, a miniature Schnauzer.  She was completely uninterested.  We left Brother Wolf without the dog.  We wanted to think about it further.

On Saturday afternoon, I popped out for a quick errand.  I was not terribly far from the house when I spotted a Schnauzer trotting alongside the road.  Now, if you see a hound dog in the country, you think nothing of it.  A Schnauzer, though?  That’s rare.

I stopped the car and coaxed him to me.  He was dirty but had been recently groomed.  His collar did not have an identification or rabies tag.  I placed him in the car, convinced he was someone’s dog who had escaped.

I called around the neighborhood.  To make a long story short, it turns out his original owner was going to have him put to sleep because he was “too much trouble.”  The owner’s next-door neighbor had taken in the dog but had second thoughts.  Her Pomeranian did not like him, and she had already spoken with the local shelter.  So, he is now at our house.

The nice lady who took him in had taken him to the vet recently and made sure he had all his shots.  He was given a flea/heartworm preventative.  He has not been neutered, though, and does not appear to be housetrained.  He is used to roaming free as an outside dog so he does not like being inside.  He howls and cries when he cannot go outside – and then howls and cries when he is outside.  The poor guy seems really confused and depressed.

Gracie seems fine with him.  She growls occasionally but otherwise ignores him.  He will be spending his nights in a crate beside our bed while Gracie can continue to sleep on the bed.  Let’s hope that helps Gracie with the transition.

Kiki has been slinking around the house.  She has been face to face with him on a couple of occasions. 

This change is really discombobulating for all of us.  After all, we had not fully decided whether or not we would adopt another dog.  However, we could not let this poor guy end up in the local kill shelter.  We are hoping that, after he is neutered (ASAP!), he will settle down about the roaming thing.  And, when he has been here for more than 24 hours and becomes familiar with the daily routine, maybe his anxiousness will ease.  It will take time and patience.  Let’s all hope for the best!

Rescue Mommy

Deer Season is Here

Gracie and I were excited for a nice hike Sunday afternoon.  As she raced on the trail, we heard a gunshot that was REALLY close.  We both turned and ran toward the house.  Clearly, hunters were already out and about a day early.

On Monday, November 19, hunters can use guns now to hunt deer.  Archery season had been in effect since September, but it takes a lot more skill and deliberation to kill with a bow-and-arrow than it does with a gun.  In North Carolina, the “gun season” started Monday and ends December 8. 

It is time to break out the blaze orange.  Gracie has a little orange vest.  Last Christmas, Rescue Daddy bought me a very nice and bright orange vest like the ones used by hunters.  Hopefully, you can see both of us from miles around.

If you are out and about, trying to walk off all that pumpkin pie, be careful.  Accidents happen every year where hunters mistake people for deer.  Pull on the fluorescent clothes and make a lot of noise in the woods.  Be careful!

Rescue Mommy

Getting Ready for Thanksgiving

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving here in America.  We spend extra time cleaning the house.  We cram all the clutter into closets and hope no one opens the doors, lest everything spill out.  We spend hours and hours in the kitchen.  It is easy to forget our furry friends.  Here are three tips:

·        Be careful with the cleaning products.  A lot of them are toxic to pets.  For example, I use an eco-friendly floor cleaner because the cats vomited every time I used a particular, national brand I cannot name.  The eco brand cleans just as well as the other one, and the floors stay cleaner longer because the cats are not barfing on them!

·        Watch out for the little hoovers!  Gracie and Kiki stay in the kitchen when I am cooking.  I must be extra careful not to drop food onto the floor, or they will scoop it up in a flash.  (You can search this blog for a list of toxic foods.)

·        If crowds are a problem, give your buddy peace and quiet.  While it is important to give your pet opportunities to socialize, it is sometimes better to lock them in a room by themselves.  Socialization should be done before the holidays, when the situation is less stressful for both of you.  If your friend is too stressed by crowds, let them spend Thanksgiving dinner in a quiet room. 

Be safe if you are heading out today for Thanksgiving travels!

Rescue Mommy

Travelling with Your Pet

Thanksgiving week is upon us.  If you are heading out to Grandma’s house with your little buddy, here are a few travel tips:

·      Secure your pet.  Gracie has a car seat (see recent review) now.  Prior to this purchase, I used a safety harness.  Kiki has a crate.   Fortunately, we have lots of options nowadays for securing our furry family members.  It will give you peace of mind as you travel, and your buddy will have a safe place to chill during the journey.

·       Bring enough food for your friend.  Gracie’s food is hard to find.  Maybe your brand is too.  Don’t count on a local pet supply store having your buddy’s brand of food.  Plus, it will be one less hassle once you arrive.  Who wants to spend time driving all over town, looking for a special pet food?

·       Include things from home.  When you are packing for your pet, don’t forget to include a few items that will remind him or her of your home.  Familiar scents and items can ease some of the stress of being in a new situation.

Most important of all, take a deep breath and stay calm.  You travelled all that way to see those people so enjoy your time there.  And, if you get really stressed, take your buddy for a walk.  I am sure he or she will be as ready as you are to get away from all the family chaos.

Good luck!

Rescue Mommy and Daddy

Uggie: My Story

Book Review

Uggie:   My Story
As barked to Windy Holden

Did you see the movie “The Artist?”  I confess I did not see it until a couple of weeks ago.  What can I say?  A mostly silent, black-and-white movie that was an awards season favorite was not high on my “must see” list.  I really wanted to see it at some point, though, because of Uggie.  Yes, the dog, a Jack Russell terrier, is the sole reason I wanted to see this movie.  Big surprise.

Uggie was fantastic.  He took the movie to another level.  In case you are unfamiliar with the film, it is about George Valentin, a fictional silent film star, and his descent when “talkies” replaced silent films.  I will not give away all the details, in case you have not seen the film.  Suffice it to say, Uggie’s character, Jack, remains loyal to the very end.  He works so well with Jean Dujardin. 

They have a special bond, clearly evidenced in one scene of the movie.  You will read all about it in the book.  It is a shame that scene did not make it into the final film.  There would not have been a dry eye in the theatre – and you have no heart if you do not get a little choked up reading about it.

When I saw that Uggie released a memoir, I had to read it.  The book did not disappoint.  The book is about Uggie’s rough start as an out-of-control JRT who was bound for the pound and his journey in the world of show business. 

As a young dog, he committed a terrible sin.  It was the last straw for his owners – either they would find a home by the end of the week or take him to the pound.  Omar Von Muller is the animal trainer who adopted Uggie.  I love what he said about Uggie when he adopted him:  “Uggie only acts crazy because he’s so smart.”  If more people realized that before adopting JRTs and other active breeds, there would be less of these wonderful animals in shelters today.

The book contains great pictures of Uggie on movie sets, at play, et cetera.  He is head-over-heels in love with Reese Witherspoon, to whom he dedicated the book and spends some time pining over in the book.  One little note, Uggie – Reese is from Tennessee, not Louisiana.

You will laugh out loud at stories of Uggie’s misadventures.  These stories are especially meaningful if you have or have ever had a JRT.  I consider myself very lucky that Gracie was three when she joined our family.  If this is how young JRTs are, I missed out on a lot of mischief. 

The book also has a serious message.  Uggie and his dad are advocates for rescue adoption.  According to the book, approximately 80 percent of the cats and dogs we see on TV and in the movies are rescue pets (page 52).  I had no idea the percentage was so high.  It certainly emphasizes what most of us already know – rescue pets are the best!

I highly recommend this book for anyone who loves dogs.  It would make a great holiday gift, especially for someone who has a JRT.  You could also include a copy of the film too.  I actually want to see it again now that I know so much about Uggie.

Uggie, you have another fan!

Rescue Mommy

P.S.

Search “Uggie” on YouTube.  You can watch a bloopers reel from “The Artist” as well as see Uggie’s appearances on TV and watch him skateboard with his friend Dash. 

 

Martha Stewart's Website

I am not Martha Stewart.  I do not spend hours in the kitchen preparing elaborate meals.  I have never even made a whole turkey, much less put those little white booties on its wings.  I do not spend my weekends making ornate doilies from old candy wrappers.   I do not have all my cleaning supplies organized in alphabetical order, by room, by product, by anything. 

However, this Christmas, I am trying really hard to keep expenses low.  I am making a few Christmas gifts instead of buying them.  I had an idea for something and decided the doyenne of domesticity might be the person to help.  I headed to her website at www.marthastewart.com.

I was surprised to see a section for pets.  I really should not have been because she has a line of pet products at PetSmart.  (They are great!)  Curious, I clicked that section and found lots of great ideas.  She has patterns for dog coats that the average person could actually make.  She had a really cool idea for a simple cat toy – take a baby sock, fill it with catnip, and sew it shut.  How easy is that?

I was so distracted with the pet portion of her site that I never did look for my little craft idea.  Oh, well.  Maybe I will just make everyone cupcakes and call it a day.

Rescue Mommy

Life Long Friends Program at Brother Wolf

We have a local magazine called Critter (www.crittermagazine.com) that publishes articles about animal welfare and events happening in the community.  It has several advertisements for local rescue groups showcasing the wonderful animals available for adoption. 

While reading the November issue, I found an interesting article written by Denise Bitz, the executive director and co-founder of Brother Wolf Animal Rescue.  They have a program called “Life Long Friends.”  In a nutshell, the program “identifies a handful of special needs dogs or cats that have been at (our) shelter for longer than 6 months with no sight of a potential home on the horizon.”  According to Denise, these animals are eligible for free food, free veterinary care, and free training/behavior assistance for the life of the animal once he or she is adopted. 

Obviously, BWAR will be selective when choosing a home for these pets.  However, picking up the expenses for the animal’s care is simply amazing.  All you have to do is commit to providing the emotional support and physical care the animal will need.

One of my favorites, Festus, is on the cover of the Critter magazine this month.  He is a member of the Life Long Friends program.  He has been at the shelter for almost two years.  I have met him on several occasions.  He is a large dog who obviously has a lot of energy to burn.  If you were cooped up in a shelter for hours on end, wouldn’t you be a bit hyperactive too?  Since all the expenses for his care will be paid by BWAR , maybe you could find it in your heart to adopt him or one of the others in the program.

If you are like me, you may want to adopt every animal in the place but, for practical reasons, simply cannot.  You can help with the Life Long Friends program as well as Brother Wolf’s other endeavors.  Please donate money if you have some to spare.  If not, they have a wish list of inexpensive supplies on their website (www.bwar.org).  They could always use volunteers too.  No donation of time, supplies, or money is ever too small when your organization is solely dependent upon the community’s support for its survival.

Good luck to Festus and all the other animals waiting for loving homes!

Rescue Mommy

Asheville Bow-Wowhaus

The AIA Ashevile, Fine Arts Theatre, Asheville Art Museum, Aloft Downtown Asheville, and Brother Wolf Animal Rescue have teamed up for a design/build competition of dog houses.   The dog houses will be auctioned tomorrow (Saturday, November 10, 2012).

The event includes a screening of Michael Miner’s movie, “Romanza, the California Architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright” at the Fine Arts Theatre.  After the movie, you can attend a reception and auction at the Asheville Art Museum.

The dog houses, which have been designed by local architects, will be on display from November 3^rd through the 10^th at Aloft Downtown Asheville.  Aloft is the huge (and controversial) new hotel on Biltmore Avenue, just down from Mast General Store.

Proceeds from the dog house auction will benefit Brother Wolf and Asheville Art Museum.  Tickets include heavy hors d’oeuvres, beer, and wine.  Call Brother Wolf at 828-505-3440 for more information.  You can purchase tickets by visiting their website at www.bwar.org/events.

Rescue Mommy

Full Throttle

When I adopted Gracie, I knew that Jack Russell terriers could be a handful.  She has been very sweet, though.  While she has had her rambunctious moments, she has not been full-on crazy as some JRTs can be.  Well, on Halloween evening, she decided to release all her hidden JRT tendencies.

My next-door neighbor has two horses and a pony.  Angel, their dog of whom we have spoken many times, considers it her duty to harass the horses at every opportunity.  Gracie desperately wants to join the fun but is restrained by either Rescue Daddy or me.  

Our walkie was nice.  I told Gracie about all the kids who would visit that evening and asked her to be on her best behavior.  As we returned to the house, Angel charged toward the horses.  In a shocking move that would make Houdini proud, Gracie whipped around and popped out of her loose harness.  Before I could think “What am I going to do??!” she barked wildly at the mustang horse who stomped the ground in irritation. 

It happened so fast.  I am not sure if the horse actually made contact or if Gracie simply tripped as she moved out of the way.  At any rate, she fell to the ground and rolled underneath the horse.  Properly chastised, she raced back to me.  She had mud on one side of her body.  She had not yelped.

I took her to the house and cleaned the mud from her fur.  We went outside where she “did her business.”  She ate a treat.  She furiously clawed at the ground, trying to catch vicious vermin who (thankfully) escaped.  I knew no harm was done.

Later that evening, one of the trick-or-treaters brought her little dog with her.  She wanted me to see their matching costumes.  Even though Gracie usually gets along well with small dogs, she went nuts.  She barked, growled, and lunged at the dog.  I placed her in the bedroom where she continued to bark and growl until they left.

Gracie ended the evening by scolding Kiki for jumping onto the bed.  Apparently, she felt invincible after the dustup with the horse and little dog who invaded our home. 

As I write this post, she is curled into a ball, asleep in her car seat in the living room.  They look so innocent when they are sleeping.

Rescue Mommy

NPR Interview

On Friday, NPR’s “Fresh Air” program re-broadcasted an interview from a few years ago with Bill Berloni who trains animals for the Broadway stage.   The interview was very interesting – and a little horrifying.  He told a story about how, in the 50s, one production will roast the lambs they used in the play when they became too old.  How barbaric!

Here’s a link if you would like to listen:

http://www.npr.org/player/v2/mediaPlayer.html?action=1&t=1&islist=false&id=164171555&m=164180222

Enjoy!

Rescue Mommy

Give If You Can

If you can spare a few dollars, the people impacted by Hurricane Sandy could use your help.  The American Red Cross is always in need of donations.

Charities in your area may be mobilizing to offer assistance so check around.  If you are familar with any charities in the areas impacted, they could use your donations too.  We love supporting local charities because who knows better what the people need than the people who live in the communities impacted.

We hope they get help soon.  Our thoughts and prayers are with them.

Rescue Mommy and Daddy

Dog House Drive

The local Petco is collecting clean, intact used and new dog houses and other supplies on Saturday, November 17 at their store on 825 Brevard Road in Asheville.  The drive is in memory of Peggy Irwin who founded ChainFree Asheville, a local group that aims to provide fencing and dog houses to needy families. 

I will have more information about the drive on the Event Calendar of www.rescuepetsrule.com.  I wanted to highlight it here because some of you may be reading this blog from other parts of the country.  Not all pets are indoor only.  With winter on the way, wouldn’t it be a great idea to have a similar drive in your area?  Food for thought….

Rescue Mommy