Loving for a living...

Disability is only in OUR heads - not those of the disabled

2013-10-30T08:53:00.002-04:00

♥Please cross your paws in PURRayer for darling Remington Steal♥

2013-02-08T18:51:00.000-05:00

Our hearts are unbelievably sad to find out that a friend of ours is now 'fighting the good fight'. Please put your paws together in PURRayer for Remington. It goes without saying that he is too young to be facing the completion of his Circle of Life.

♥Mango, larger than life, gone too soon♥

2012-09-26T09:40:00.000-04:00

Mango Relentlessly Huge

May 4th 2005 - September 26, 2012

You may have already read about the untimely passing of dear, funny and much-loved Mango of Mango and Dexter's Great Adventures. Mango was a huge presence in the world of dog blogging for many more reasons than his size. It is with great sorrow that we add our names to those who mourn.

Mango, sometimes the very best leave us too soon, completing their Circle of Life before what mortals consider to be 'their time'. You are counted among them. Your star will shine bright in the midnight sky. Tonight Scout, Freyja and I will seek out your star and will remember you with great fondness.

The Hero Dogs of 9.11 - May they all rest in peace at the right hand of God

2012-09-11T02:30:00.000-04:00

This says it all - perfectly

2012-08-10T21:14:00.000-04:00

If you've seen this photo before but not the video, you are in for a treat. If you haven't seen this photo and read the remarkable story of this man and this beloved dog - you are in for a treat. Either way, if you love your dog - you will be immeasurably moved.

S. Korean dogs stolen and on their way to a dinner table or coat collar near you

2012-07-23T10:21:00.001-04:00

I am not fond of any culture - any - that takes an animal that serves mankind with love and loyalty only to serve it up on a restaurant dinner plate or to put its pelt on a coat collar. The Asian culture, to me, is vile and has no redemptive qualities. If you don't agree with me, that is your right, I respect that. I have the right to find ALL of the Asian countries barbaric and without morality of any kind.

[긴급] 이 개들의 주인 안계신가요?
정황상 제주도에서 개들을 훔쳐 나가는 트럭인것 같지만, 피해자가 없는 이상 조사가 쉽지 않다고 하네요.
[Urgent] S. Koreans: Do you know anyone of these dogs?
Given the circumstances, looks like a truck smuggling stolen pets out of Jeju Island but without a victim, investigation is unlikely.

토요일 저녁 제주에서 목포항으로 가는 여객선입니다.
제주여행을 마치고 돌아오시던 여객선에 탑승하신 분이 직접 목격하시고 제공해주신 사진입니다.
너무 비참한 상황이지만, 꼭 자세히 보시고 제주도 사시는 분들 중 최근 개를 잃어버리거나 도둑맞으신 분 있다면 꼭 적극적으로 신고해주세요.
This is a cruise ship traveling from Jeju Island to Mokpo last Saturday evening. A vacationer coming back from vacation in Jeju Island took these photos and provided to KARA. This is a horrific situation but please take a look and if you know someone who lost their pet dogs recently, please contact us immediately.

여객선에서 이런 개트럭을 아무런 제재없이 태웠다는 점 또한 간과할 수 없는 부분입니다.
일단 주인을 찾는 것이 급선무입니다.
The fact that a cruise ship loaded a dog truck without any sanction can not be overlooked. But the urgent matter is to find an owner.

보시고 견주되시는 분이나, 이런 상황을 아시는 분의 제보 꼭 부탁드립니다.
카라 사무국 02.3482.0999
If you find your dog or if you know these dogs, please contact KARA Office at 02.3482.0999 or info@ekara.org
세인트 버나드, 레브라도 리트리버, 골든 리트리버, 진돗개, 그레이트 피레니즈, 허스키 등 뿐 아니라. 요크셔테리어 등의 소형견들도 눈에 띄었다고 합니다.
St.Bernard, Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever, Jindo dog, Great Pyrenees, Husky and even the Yorkshire Terrier is seen.

골든 리트리버와 그레이트 피레니즈입니다.
Golden Retriever and Great Pyrenees.
골디는 좌측 눈 아래 작은 검정 혹이 있다고 해요.
Goldie had a small black tumor underneath his/her left eye.

앉지도 못하고 배 안에서 종일 저렇게 서 있었다는 아이.
This one could not even sit down and was standing the whole time.

탈진으로 구토를 심하게 한 아이. 고통스러운지 철근을 물고 있다고 하네요.
Vomiting from exhaustion. Must be in a lot of pain. He was biting the wire cage.

아무것도 모른 채 천진난만한 아이의 표정을 보니 가슴이 더 미어집니다.
Innocent face of this dog is breaking our hearts.

여기 저기 더위에 탈진한 아이들. Exhausted from the scorching heat.

전혀 미동이 없는 아이의 두 발, 사체로 추정됩니다.
Two paws of a dog with no movement. It must be already dead.

아직 어린 강아지. A young puppy.

운전기사들에게 훔친 개가 아니냐 물었으나 회피하며 대화 거부했다고 하네요
제보자께서 차량 번호와 운전자 얼굴 사진을 다 확보하고 계십니다.
애써 외면하지 마시고, 제주도에서 개를 잃어버리거나 도둑맞으신 분들,
관련 차량을 보시거나 행방을 아시는 분 등.
적극적인 제보 부탁드려요.
The witness asked the driver if these dogs were stolen and the driver refused to talk. The witness obtained the vehicle license number and the driver’s photo.
Please don’t look away. If you lost your dog in Jeju, know this vehicle or the whereabouts of these dogs, please contact us with information.

한 아이라도 꼭 살리고 싶습니다. 카라 사무국 02.3482.0999로 제보주세요.
We want to save even one dog. Call KARA office with information at 02.3482.0999.

Source: http://ekara.org/board/bbs/board.php?bo_table=community01&wr_id=384

PLEASE, PLEASE whatever you do, PLEASE WATCH THIS VIDEO. PLEASE!

2012-07-13T17:03:00.003-04:00

The WWII Veteran who made this video is very, very ill. He had always hoped that his effort on behalf of PETS FOR PATRIOTS would be seen by many, many more folks than are represented as of today's date. PLEASE watch this lovely, sensitive little movie. Not only will you fall in love with the old gentleman and his dog, you will make someone who served our country very happy. PLEASE SHARE on your blogs and pass the word around far and wide. Thank you so much in advance.

♥In honor of those who gave everything to give us everything♥

2012-05-28T09:31:00.001-04:00

When we left Vietnam we left our war dogs behind to suffer at the hands of the Viet Kong. They were shot and starved and skinned alive and used for target practice and boiled and eaten. NEVER AGAIN! Legislation has been passed that designates our war dogs as military members and not military equipment. They will NEVER be left behind again to suffer fates worse than death, itself.

Sgt. Stubby, the most decorated War Dog of WWI

My father, V. Joseph Korzecki, WWII Pacific Theater

I have no doubt that all of our fallen warriors since 1776, both human and K-9, are in Paradise.

Wanna feel GREAT? Watch this and smile☺

2012-05-26T09:05:00.005-04:00

They may not look all fancy. They may not be your idea of a 'dream dog'. BUT, shelter dogs (and cats) never, ever forget who rescued them and ALWAYS give back more than they have received. (Be sure to turn off the music on the sidebar.)

♥Unbelievable loss - two beloved pets die within two days, Kudzu and Pixie♥

2012-05-23T10:05:00.000-04:00

Those of us with more than one beloved furry baby living with us know that we will experience the pain of loss more than once. However, Kudzu and Pixie's PAWrents have faced the unimaginable - they have had two of their loved ones complete their Circle of Life within days of each other. If you have the time, please stop by their blog to offer your sympathy. Their ♥s must be broken in half.

Rest with the angels Kudzu and Pixie. Maybe our good Lord wanted both of you to see a familiar face at the Bridge.

Win a FREE, PAWtographed copy of MAXDOG of South Africa

2012-05-20T20:18:00.005-04:00

Extra, extra read all about it. Living Life to the MAX is having a giveaway. The winner will receive a FREE PAWtographed copy of MAXDOG which will be sent to that lucky person all the way from South Africa by none other than MAXMOM.

If you already have your own, personal copy - enter anyway and get a head start on your Christmas list for that animal lover in your family.

So, rush on over, read the rules and leave your comment. This coming weekend you might find yourself doing the happy dance of joy☺

Don't overlook the priceless treasure in your own home town

2012-05-10T09:17:00.000-04:00

Scout holds my ♥ with his gentle paws

I think one of the best things I've ever done for myself was adopting Scout from my local shelter. No, he wasn't a puppy and I don't think he could have been considered a 'youth'. He was somewhere near three years old. But there was just something about him. Something in his eyes and something in my heart that told me to take him home. No, he wasn't pretty. He was nearly 20 pounds underweight and his hair was horribly thin but his eyes - his eyes had a kindness in them that told me everything was going to be OK.

Scout will be (I think) twelve this summer. He's slowing down a bit. His activity has decreased but his love - his love for me has increased a hundred fold. My love for him? I don't think there are enough numbers in all of the Universe to measure how I feel about him - he's priceless.

Please, the next time you think of adopting, take a look at the grown dogs and cats. There are some real treasures to be found that will continue to rise in value as each and every day goes by.

HERO Pitbull loses leg for her guardian. There are NO bad dogs!

2012-05-09T09:07:00.001-04:00

You will cry. You will cheer and you will get warm fuzzies.
(Be sure to turn off music in right sidebar.)

L♥ve her and care for her, she's the only Mother Earth we have...

2012-04-22T11:48:00.002-04:00

We've been partying like it's 1999 for decades. Scout, Freyja, their momma and the fambly kittens think it's time to turn out the lights on the festivities, send the guests home and get down to the business of cleaning up our beautiful planet for our future generations.

Imagine no whales, no tigers, no Rhinos, no redwoods, no clean rivers, no breathable air - imagine, and then look into the eyes of a child knowing that their children and grandchildren will have to live with our miserable legacy if we don't pull up our pants and get busy cleaning up the monumental mess.

My Scout, my friend, my partner, my buddy - my ♥

2012-04-19T01:20:00.000-04:00

My Scout, my friend, my partner, my buddy - my ♥
A dog that loves me more than I could ever deserve.

He is my other eyes that can see above the clouds; my other ears that hear above the winds. He is the part of me that can reach out into the sea. He has told me a thousand times over that I am his reason for being; by the way he rests against my leg; by the way he thumps his tail at my smallest smile; by the way he shows his hurt when I leave without taking him. (I think it makes him sick with worry when he is not along to care for me.)

When I am wrong, he is delighted to forgive. When I am angry, he clowns to make me smile. When I am happy, he is joy unbounded. When I am a fool, he ignores it. When I succeed, he brags. Without him, I am only human. With him, I am all-powerful. He is loyalty itself.

He has taught me the meaning of devotion. With him, I know a secret comfort and a private peace. He has brought me understanding where before I was ignorant.

His head on my knee can heal my human hurts. His presence by my side is protection against my fears of dark and unknown things. He has promised to wait for me... whenever... wherever—in case I need him. And I expect I will—as I always have. He is just my dog.

This will touch your ♥. No explanation required...

2012-04-18T11:31:00.000-04:00

Remembering the 12 dogs aboard the Titanic

2012-04-12T01:31:00.000-04:00

From the collection of J. Joseph Edgette

By Tanya Mohn, msnbc.com contributor

There were 12 dogs aboard the Titanic, including these three shown tied to a deck railing who did not survive the ship's sinking.

For the 100th anniversary of the Titanic’s sinking, just about every aspect of the storied liner – from safety issues to class differences among passengers – is being explored, analyzed and celebrated.

But little attention is being given to another group of Titanic travelers: the 12 dogs that made the voyage.

A new exhibit at the Widener University Art Gallery, in Chester, Pa., that opened Tuesday hopes to change that by including photographs and stories of the dogs and their owners who sailed on the Titanic, said J. Joseph Edgette, professor emeritus of education and folklorist emeritus at Widener University, who produced and curated the exhibit.

“I wanted to include things that people don’t normally run across,” Edgette said, noting that there were no Titanic-related exhibits that he was aware of that focused on the famed ocean liner’s canine passengers.

“Everybody knows about the iceberg, how the ship went down, and the heroic stories, but it doesn’t go beyond that, yet there are hundreds of other aspects that we need to give attention to,” said Edgette, who based much of his findings on eyewitness accounts of the evacuation, ship’s records and his own research. “Until recently, most scholarship has not covered the dogs.”

Only three dogs survived, he said.

Those that were saved included a baby Pomeranian named Lady, owned by Margaret Hays of New York City, who kept the puppy in the cabin with her, Edgette said. When passengers were evacuated, Hays wrapped it in a blanket. Crew members allowed her to get in a lifeboat with the puppy. “Because they assumed it was a baby, it survived,” he said.

Others that lived were Sun Yat-sen, a Pekinese belonging to Henry and Myra Harper (of Harper & Row publishing fame), also of New York City, and a small Pomeranian owned by Elizabeth Rothschild from Watkins Glen, N.Y.

All surviving dogs were small and were kept in the first-class cabins of their owners, Edgette said. “The crew was very respectful of first-class passengers and usually gave them what they wanted to make them happy.” The nine dogs kept in the onboard kennel perished, though the kennel was well-kept and the dogs were well taken care of, he said, by crew who fed and walked them.

Of the 12 dogs on board, four were from Philadelphia families. Two of those that perished were owned by William Carter, a coal magnate. Carter’s children were worried about their pets, but their father assured them the dogs were safe and encouraged his children to get in the lifeboats, Edgette said. The family survived, and later received insurance reimbursement from Lloyds of London in the amount of $100 for daughter Lucy’s King Charles spaniel and $200 for son Billy’s Airedale.

One century after the Titanic sank during its maiden voyage, the historic day is being commemorated around the world. NBC's Stephanie Gosk reports.

Other dogs that died included two Airedales named Kitty and Airedale, owned by John Jacob Astor IV and his wife, and a fox terrier named Dog, owned by William Dulles, an attorney from Philadelphia.

Perhaps one of the saddest stories is that of Ann Elizabeth Isham, who was already in a lifeboat when she got out to go to the ship’s kennel to retrieve her Great Dane. She never made it back.

“Two to three days later, a passenger ship’s crew member, not too far from the site of the sinking, found her,” said Edgette. “She was clutching a Great Dane.” Isham’s body, along with 326 others, was retrieved from the water, but no dogs were, he said.

The exhibit features photos of the dogs and their owners, some supplied by the families involved and others taken onboard, including a group of dogs tied to the rail on the Titanic’s deck, which perished, and a photo of crew members walking several dogs.

One photo shows the Titanic’s captain, Captain Smith, holding a Russian wolfhound called Ben, named for industrialist Benjamin Guggenheim, who gave the captain the dog as a gift for his daughter. But Ben never made the journey, as he disembarked before the ship sailed.

In addition to the dogs, the exhibit will focus predominately on the 68 Philadelphia-area families who sailed on the Titanic, including the Widener family, for whom Widener University is named. Three family members sailed on the Titanic, but only one survived. (Peter A.B. Widener was on the board of trustees of the parent company that owned White Star Line).

The show also includes displays about the company that built the Titanic, details about the ship, information about the recovery of bodies after the sinking, how local families memorialized members who lost their lives after the tragedy, as well as Titanic’s impact on popular culture.

READ YOUR PET FOOD LABELS! Don't feed your pets ANYTHING from China!

2012-03-14T01:20:00.002-04:00

I STRONGLY suggest that you follow this link and read each and every article concerning Chinese manufacturing, canine chicken jerky treats sold in the United States and the inherent risk you, as a pet owner, take when you purchase and feed ANYTHING made in China for consumption by ANY living being - canine, feline or human. Our pets are becoming ill (some are dying). Our children have become ill (some have died).

Celebrate K-9 Veteran's Day - hug a veteran and give him the honor he deserves

2012-03-13T10:51:00.000-04:00

Used with permission from the site K9VeteransDay.org

First in Florida ... then in San Diego, and most recently in New Jersey.

No one doubts the heroic actions of both dogs and their Working Dog Handlers both in peace and in war throughout the years. Only recently, however, have these military dogs gotten recognition as something other than army surplus in a bill signed by President Clinton in 2003. While this has been, in part, a significant recognition to people and dogs in the military, many believed that it did not go far enough in giving dogs the credit due them for their efforts and bravery under fire as well as other service dogs who have worked within the country to protect its borders and recuse victims of distress. K9 Veterans Day movement founder, Joseph L. White (recently deceased), "pioneered a national effort to recognize March 13 as K9 Veterans Day." March 13 was the date chosen because the United Sates Canine Corp was established on March 13, 1942.

The quest to honor working dogs does not discriminate against working dogs that are not in the military. K9 Veterans Day is intended to cover both military dogs as well as police dogs, customs dogs, border patrol dogs, and other working dogs whose mission it is to protect the homeland and people within it. The K9 Veterans organization believes that all these dogs deserved to be rememberer and honored on this day, saying "Dogs have bled, suffered, and died while serving in all our wars, to include the war on terror, and they have done so in ways that do us all proud."

Several cities, including Jacksonville FL and San Diego, and the State of Florida have signed proclamations making March 13 K9 Veterans Day. Most recently, the State of New Jersey will be designating Mach 13 of each year as K9 Veterans Day. This organization has many supporters, including the Illinois Police Work Dog Association. Hopefully other cities and States will follow suit to recognize these working dogs.

Henry the Peanut has taken his easy chair in Heaven

2012-02-17T20:14:00.000-05:00

Sadly, that evil, rotten disease - C - has claimed another valiant soul. Dear Henry the Peanut has completed his Circle of Life and is now resting his paws in Heaven. We bet that his Heavenly easy chair feels like he's on 'cloud nine'. If you would, please take a stroll over to express your sympathy and kindness to the people he left behind. He is mourned completely and deeply. Henry's special person is taking his passing especially hard.

Westminster, I've got news for you, my dogs are PUREBRED and they came from a shelter!

2012-02-16T09:08:00.002-05:00

Westminster's decision to shield audience from misery of shelters

Mr. Scout's note: I heard momma say that she is gonna write to the folks at Westminster and tell them to stick their dog show 'where the sun don't shine'. Uhm, is that the Pacific Northwest☺☺☺?

Leslie Smith, Editor in Chief, Dogtime The 2012 Westminster Dog Show came to a close yesterday, but the hubbub around the split with longtime sponsor of the show, Pedigree Dog Food, isn’t going away. Westminster announced earlier in the week it would be dropping Pedigree, contending that the images of shelter dogs featured in their ads are too depressing and a turn-off for their audience.

Westminster spokesperson David Frei explained the decision this way:

"Show me an ad with a dog with a smile. Don't try to shame me. We told [Pedigree] that and they ignored us."

Must feel terrible to be ignored and forgotten, Mr. Frei. Almost as if you don’t have a voice at all.

He goes on to say: "Our show is a celebration of dogs. We're not promotingpurebreds at the expense of non-purebreds. We celebrate all dogs."

If by “celebrate all dogs,” you mean “let only purebreds enter the show,” I totally get it.

Frei clarifies: "When we're seeing puppies behind bars, it takes away from that. Not just because it's sad, but it's not our message."

Dude, yes! Euthanasia isn’t only a big-time buzz kill, it’s soooooo not what we want to think about as we endorse the breeding of more and more dogs in search of the perfect hind quarters and ideal withers while thousands die each day in shelters!!!!!!

Call me cynical, but I just don’t believe this is an argument over how to talk about dogs. It’s a question of whether we talk about dogs: shelter dogs. And scenes of unwanted innocent animals spliced between images of dogs with hundred dollarhaircuts and pristine pedicures — the contrast is stark. It might even make you feel like your priorities are a bit skewed. And no one wants that.

Even more surprising than the WKC’s “Let them eat cake” attitude are its various supporters. Pet columnist for the San Francisco Chronicle Christie Keith points out in her blog “Dogged” that Ad Council researchers found images of suffering animals don’t inspire people to adopt. They do something much more sinister: they inspire people to give money.

I have to admit, I’m not sure what the objection to giving money is. Few shelters I’ve worked with have been over-resourced or cash saturated. The majority need all the financial support they can get — and are fairly savvy about stretching their dollars. If Pedigree wants to give a chunk of change to my local shelter with the goal of making it shiny and inviting, by all means, I’m for it.

That’s not to say every ad needs to be doom and gloom. I love the spots of happy dogs in clean, modern shelters surrounded by enthusiastic volunteers. I know that approach is extremely successful with some audiences — it lets people see that a shelter can be a great, uplifting place to get a dog. But it's certainly not representative of the scene at most shelters. And that story needs esposure too.

Nor am I saying that dog shows are inherently bad or that we can’t enjoy showing off and admiring beautiful dogs. I peek at the show footage with the same guilty pleasure I do the Miss America contest. It’s fun to ooh and ahh over gorgeous physical specimens. And while contestants of the dog pageants probably come away with less emotional baggage than the beauty contest entrants, I have a hard time seeing much real value in either.

Bottom line, shows like these are entertainment for humans. Dogs couldn’t care less about their measurements falling into some pre-determined range. And when the AKC (of which Westminster is an affiliate) won’t even acknowledge the harm its standards impose, it’s not about love for a breed. It’s about prestige, bragging rights, and genetic engineering.

So, Mr. Frei, I would argue that Pedigree is not shaming you. Heck, the name of the brand is Pedigree. What it is doing is presenting an accurate portrayal of the fate of millions of companion animals. If you experience shame, those feelings originate with you, and the responsible thing to do is evaluate your actions rather than look away and pretend it doesn’t exist.

And if your audience chooses to turn the channel when those images are presented, and continue to support widespread breeding, that choice will not have been made in ignorance.

Pillars of Strength - we stand in solidarity with a courageous K-9

2012-02-14T11:04:00.002-05:00

Today we stand in solidarity with K and her loving human, KB, a furry special canine who is fighting the good fight against the most hated disease on our planet - cancer. That rotten scourge has taken too many lives and too many loved ones and too many futures away from all living beings whether they walk on two feet or four.

Today we ask that you put on your best collar, grab your leash and tell your momma or dadda that you would like to take a walk over to Romping and Rolling in the Rockies to tell them that you stand with them as they put on their armor and wage battle against 'the evil one'.

A new bright star in the midnight sky - sweet boy the Bleu

2012-01-27T11:11:00.003-05:00

He fought the good fight and he fought hard with his the Mom FURever and always by his side. But sometimes the Universe pulls harder on a soul than we would like and someone we l♥ve is called to complete his Circle of Life. That is how it was for the Bleu. He left us physically, but what he left behind is testament to the impact he had on so many when he paw'd this earth along with us.

♥Darling the Bleu, you are now in Heaven with your brofur, the Luke, because your the Mom loved you so deeply that she was willing to experience monumental pain to give you the freedom to run free of pain♥. I salute your the Mom for her courage and for her passionate love and commitment to you. It's NEVER good-bye, sweetheart, it is ALWAYS 'see you later'. All my l♥ve, your the Mimi

Please, if you have the time, would you travel to his blog to leave a word of comfort for his the Mom and for his brofur, the Reufus. They are in deep mourning.

"We who choose to surround ourselves with lives even more temporary than our own, live within a fragile circle, easily and often breached. Unable to accept its awful gaps, we still would live no other way. We cherish memory as the only certain immortality, never fully understanding the necessary plan." ~Irving Townsend.

A 'feel good' cry if there ever was one...

2012-01-02T19:18:00.002-05:00

I know it might sound sappy, but when I see videos like the one above it makes me proud to be someone who shares her life with these wonderful animals. No, not all dogs will lead the blind; however, within each and every K-9 ♥ is a love for mankind that cannot be duplicated or surpassed.

From our home to yours...

2011-12-31T18:43:00.000-05:00

Be sure to turn off our music on the right before you listen and watch. It's worth every minute!