Last week, though, I accepted a two-month, full-time, on-site copywriting gig. On-site. Not in my house. So not only did I have to ditch my yoga pants and fuzzy slippers, but I had to deal with leaving the boys home for nine hours a day for the first time in their little lives. To top it off, John is out of town for two weeks, so I was sort of stuck with some evening meetings I already had scheduled.

So bring on the best pet sitters I could’ve imagined!

Thanks to all of you and your helpful hints, I was armed with questions for our first meeting. Turns out, these ladies are fantastic, and I am so happy and relieved I found them through my awesome neighbors. As someone who is obsessed with making sure my pups are happy and healthy, these ladies totally deliver. They leave little notes every day that are just adorable, follow all the rules we have for the boys, and give them lots of exercise and affection.

They took the time to go through a number of questions and our household routines. Although, I feel like I forgot to mention a million things: our backdoor sticks, sometimes Lucas doesn’t do on-leash greetings so well, Emmett is a counter-surfer and doesn’t chew his treats, and on and on. Guess I should leave some notes!

Anyway! Monday was the first day they came, and they so thoughtfully emailed me pictures of their visit – including a play session with Cady, the pup next door! (Click on the thumbnails to enlarge.)

So, again, thank you all for your encouragement and suggestions! This turned out to be far less stressful than I thought.

But I’m wondering: What do you do with your pups if you work outside the home? How did you get him/her accustomed to being home alone? Do you use a pet sitting service?

Lucas and Emmett, my darling shelter pups (who can't look the same direction EVER in any picture!)

I looked at all the caged animals in the shelter… the cast-offs of human society. I saw in their eyes love and hope, fear and dread, sadness, doom and betrayal. And I was angry. “God,” I said, “this is terrible! Why don’t you do something?” God was silent for a moment and then He spoke softly. “I have done something,” He replied. “I created you.”
– “The Animal’s Savior” by Jim Willis

I saw this on Rescue Ink’s Facebook page. In light of Monday’s post, I found it to be both moving and inspiring. Hopefully it inspires you, too!

At last count two weeks ago, we were at 409, so this has been a huge leap forward. Keep up the momentum, everyone!! Have you posted the campaign on your Facebook page yet? Here’s the direct link to the postcard instructions: http://ohmydogblog.com/campaign-to-end-bsl-operation-denver/

I am so proud and so excited! When I launched the campaign, the mile-long stretch of postcards was sort of this crazy idea, albeit a little gimmicky. After I posted the first post about the campaign, I remember turning to hubby and saying, “Oh.my.gosh. What if I don’t get a single one?”

So the fact that you have made 568 postcards ready to be a loud voice for these animals… I consider this a humongous success already!

We have SEVEN WEEKS left until BlogPaws, the postcard deadline. If we all work together, I think we can double that number. What do you say?

Here are some ways you can help:

• Make another postcard! I’ll be making 10 this weekend!
• Share the campaign link on your Facebook page.
• Blog about BSL and encourage your readers to ACT!
• Tweet with the #endBSL hashtag.
• Any other ideas? Anything I’m forgetting?

And, once again, thank you so much for all your help and support and everyone’s time in creating postcards and spreading the message. We are definitely going to get Denver’s attention!

Where do I even begin?

***

We arrived to the hospital early on Friday and hung out with some little girls in the waiting room. They patted Emmett, rubbed his belly, got high-fives, and squished him with big bear hugs.

Little girl: He’s so sweet! (pause) Until he turns on you.

She gave me this knowing look, a look that told me she knew dogs and knew that dogs would turn. That look broke my heart.

Me: Oh no! Emmett would never turn on you. He’s very well trained, he’s a therapy dog, he loves people, he’s well socialized. You can feel safe patting him!

Little girl: Well, my dog was really good, but one day she bit my fingers so my dad hit her head with a hammer so she died.

I wish with my whole entire being that I knew the right response. But I didn’t. My jaw dropped, my stomach sank, and I mumbled something about training, socialization, and exercise. Then we got called back for our pet therapy session, and I staggered away, gripping Emmett’s leash, saying a silent prayer for that little girl and that poor dog.

***

On Saturday, we went to the county fair. Emmett and I staffed a booth for our local humane association that was filled with educational materials, adoption promotion, and a lucky duck game for kids. The game was a big hit, and we were kept pretty busy doling out prizes. Most of the people who stopped to chat were polite and friendly and kindly asked if they could pat Emmett. A few people, though, proved why we were there…

One woman came over and said she never had her outdoor cat spayed because she thought it was unlikely she’d get pregnant. But just last night the cat came to the door with a kitten in her mouth. Then she went and got a second kitten. She birthed a litter of kittens, but those two were the only survivors. The woman wanted to know what she should do with the kittens and whether or not she should spay her cat.

Another woman reported that she knew that a man on her street hosted dog fights in his basement. She called the police – along with several other neighbors – but the police didn’t go into the house, just questioned the guy at his front door and left. She was afraid for her children’s safety – one of the guy’s dogs had gotten out one day and ripped around the neighborhood – and wanted to know if there was anyone to call other than the police.

Later, a man walked up to us and asked, “Is your dog a pit bull?” I gave him my spiel about “pit bull” being a generic term, Emmett was a Staffordshire Bull Terrier mix, therapy dog, and all-around cuddle bug. The guy proceeds to tell me that he knows pit bulls have an unfair reputation because he has a pit bull, and she’s just the best dog he’s ever had. She’s great with his kids, and she loves to go for walks or nap on the couch.

I was smiling at this point. Finally! A happy story!

Then he says, “She’s so well trained I can sic her on anything, but now she’s killing all my neighborhood’s cats. How can I get her to stop killing cats?”

***

For every 10 people who stopped by the booth, we got at least one of those types of stores. It was aggravating and disheartening. The whole way home, I fumed. I was all ready to write this big huge blog post about how overwhelmed I was and how I didn’t know what the hell else to do.

And then somewhere along the way I remembered… duh… that that was exactly why Emmett and I were at that booth. To talk to those people. To help educate them and advocate for the animals who don’t have a voice. It’s why we visit those kids, to help instill compassion and understanding, and to help them understand just how much love can pour out of an animal you’re taking good care of.

So even though it was rough in the moment, we basically achieved the goals we set for participating in those types of events. And if I focus on that, then I can sleep so much better at night.

I’d love to hear from you. What messages of education or compassion or advocacy do you try to pass along to these types of folks? Any tips or words of wisdom for those of us who are passionate about animal welfare?

Gobble, gobble!

Today’s question is inspired in part by the flurry of questions I’ve received on my last few dog food posts.

What do you feed your dogs?

This is such a hot topic with strong opinions on all sides. I’d love to hear what you feed your dogs – you don’t have to mention brand names if you’re not comfortable. Kibble? Home cooked? Raw? Something I haven’t even thought of?

I can’t wait to read all your sure-to-be-insightful answers! Hopefully we can inspire and educate each other on this incredibly important topic. In the meantime, have a great weekend!

When you start researching, really digging into commercial dog food, the situation is both overwhelming and disgusting. For a variety of reasons, I’m not willing to put my dogs on a raw diet, so I work really hard to piece together the most appropriate, healthy meals that I can – which, of course, means that commercial dog food plays a large role for us.

Recently, Proportions reached out and offered to let Emmett and Lucas taste-test their food. After thoroughly reviewing their website and ingredients listing, I thought it was worth a try!

Here’s how the food works:

You receive your dog’s customized food in the mail, and you mix together three parts (kibble, stew, and freeze-dried veggies). I tried the photograph the whole experience Pioneer Woman style, but Lucas was drooling so much after I opened the bag of stew, I skipped a few steps!

The custom packages. (Emmett's bowl is the slow-down feeder.)

Mix the packets to create the stew. Lucas actually started whining, he was so excited.

The boys gobbled it up!

Then Lucas checked to make sure there weren't any crumbs left over.

Emmett and Lucas loved Proportions. They licked their bowls clean in no time at all. The food is pretty healthy with a lot of high-quality ingredients, and their website is fantastic. Definitely click over to check out all the resources they have – not only about dog food, but about dog breeds, too. The only drawback is the cost – at about $1.50 per meal, it’s a pricier dog food, especially if you have multiple dogs. However, the nutrition is great, and from what I could tell from their reactions, the flavor is, too!

Emmett watches out the window

“Dogs are miracles with paws.”
– Susan Kennedy

Earlier this week, I started a two-month contract at a client site, which is why things have been a little off around here! Thanks, everyone, for stopping by and being patient while I work out my new schedule!

In the meantime… Any tips for interviewing a dog walker? For the first time in four years (four!) the boys will be by themselves during the day. I want to arrange for a dog walker to come by and give them snuggles, a bathroom break/walk, water, etc. mid-day, but I’ve never done this before! Any tips? Questions I should be sure to ask??

Tired Lucas.

So for today, I thought I’d share a couple links to recent BSL-related media.

First up, education is key! New University Study in to Dog Bite Prevention

Also, I got to write a guest post for Grouchy Puppy’s Dog Days blog! Why BSL fails our dogs

And, lastly, I got to interview Nichole, a board member for Indy Pit Crew – an AWESOME pit bull advocacy group – about how they use social media.

Thanks for your patience with the recent lack of posting. Lots more to come as I get back on schedule!

A bully available for adoption in Salt Lake. Flickr image with adoption details: http://www.flickr.com/photos/just_steph/4389189964/

I have a confession.

It’s sort of embarrassing.

Here goes.

Prior to late 2006, I had no clue what a “pit bull” was. None. No idea. If you had shown me a lineup of 50 dogs and asked me to pick out the bully breed, I would’ve had to guess. And, here’s the worst part, I probably would’ve thought… Hmmm. Which one looks the meanest?

And then Emmett came into my life. One look at the shelter, and he was it. We fell in love right there on the spot. As soon as we got him home to our little condo in DC, on our very first walk with our brand new dog, this guy on our block came over and asked, “Is that a pit bull?” I recoiled. No way! Emmett is sweet and silly, and we just love him.

But then a lot of people asked us if he was a pit bull. So I looked up pit bull. Hmm. Maybe he is?? And for a moment, for a split second, I looked at him out of the corner of my eye and thought… Are you waiting to eat me?

I’m glad I was clueless. Had I thought that I was bringing home a pit bull, I may have thought twice. Or even thrice. But I didn’t. And now I have Emmett. And he has truly changed our lives.

My former ignorance is probably why I now work so hard to combat bully prejudices. Because now I know that my previous bully education was limited to only the things I saw on the evening news. Because now I know that I was so wrong and that the media is so sadly biased. Because now I know Emmett, and now that I’ve seen Emmett literally change lives – mine and the kids’ he works with as a therapy animal – I am so attuned to these wonderful dogs.

The reality is that the traits that make bullies such amazing family dogs – loyalty, courage, determination, dedication to their people at all costs – are the exact traits that make them exploitable. We who love these dogs owe it to them to educate others, to spread positive bully love, to keep them from dying senselessly, whether its at the hands of a misinformed, reactive city government or at the hands of dog fighters.

These dogs desperately need our help. They are literally dying because of misinformation. As animal lovers and as members of the animal welfare community, we have the power to be the voice for these animals and to enact change.

So here’s my call to action:

• Create a postcard to end BSL in Denver. It’s but one city, I know, but it’s a start.
• When you come across a positive bully-related story, tweet it. Facebook it. Email it. Call your mom and read it to her. Spread positive news!
• When you see misinformation posted on news sites, blogs, wherever, post polite comments correcting facts. It really does help!
• Adopt a pit bull! Then once you have the little love bug, train him, socialize him, and take his big, smiling face wherever you can to introduce people to your ambassadog!

I love this quote – and the postcard! Perfect little bit of inspiration for today!