K-9 LifeSavers

Happy Responsible Pet Owners Month!

Three cheers for all Responsible Pet Owners! This month celebrates all of us who are responsible pet owners and all who take the care of animals seriously. During the month of February we celebrate our pets with love and kindness, not just for this month but for our whole lives. They love us unconditionally.

During this month you are encouraged to pass on to others the importance of being a responsible pet owner and join in teaching the public how to be responsible for the sake of our pets well-being. So during the month of February, help the world celebrate Responsible Pet Owners Month by support a happy life for all pets by spreading the word on how to be a responsible pet owner.

If you happen to need a party buddy, allow us to introduce Fritz! This gentleman is happy and full of energy, but a perfect example of the need for Responsible Pet Owners Month. He was adopted as a puppy, but returned because his family no longer had time for him. Fritz is house trained, great with kids and would thrive in an active family where he had a running partner. If you're ready to celebrate with Fritz, give us a call, we'll bring the party favors!

Did you know that 75% of all dogs in shelters are mutts? And that black dogs are the least likely to be adopted than any other color of dog?

December 2 is National Mutt, originally created by Pet Expert and Animal Welfare Advocate Colleen Paige to embrace, celebrate and save mixed breed dogs. Unfortunately the largest percentage of dogs euthanized every year are unwanted medium to large breed dogs.  The public's desire for "designer dogs" has led to over-breeding and puppy mills that often produce ill and horribly neglected animals. 

National Mutt Day is intended to raise awareness of the plight of mixed breed dogs in shelters around the country.  Interestingly enough, despite the desire for purebreds, mixed breed dogs tend to be healthier, better behaved, live longer, and are just as able to perform the duties of purebred dogs - search and rescue, drug sniffing, guiding the blind and agility work.

K-9 LifeSavers embraces all dogs, but we have a special place in our hearts for the mutts and we'd like to introduce you to a few that are currently looking for their forever families:

Angel

Annabelle

November is Adopt a Senior Pet Month and in honor of older dogs everywhere we wanted to remind you of some the reasons that senior pets rule:

• You know what you’re getting. Older dogs are often easier to read as their personalities will be fully developed.  You’ll already know their grooming requirements and how big they get when fully grown.
• It’s easier to train them. That saying about older dogs learning new tricks is a myth. Older pets are calmer and better at focusing and impulse control. They are also more used to humans and it’s easier for them to understand what you’re asking.
• You’ll have fewer messes to clean up. It’s much more likely a senior dog will be housetrained, so you won’t need to worry as much about your floors or furniture.
• They aren’t as energetic, so you won’t need to be dragged along on a leash every time you go for a walk.
• They’re easier to handle. Grown-up pets don’t need constant attention, so you have more freedom to attend to your kids or do other things.
• They’re more adaptable and easier to incorporate into your family.
• After being at the shelter awhile, they will likely be very appreciative to have a home of their own.
• You could save a life. Older pets are often the least likely to get adopted and the first to be euthanized. They’ll pay you back every day in love.

We'd also love to introduce you to two of our favorite seniors:

If you can open your heart to these, or any of our other K-9s, give us a shout!

It's October, which is one of our favorite months of the year, why you might ask? The leaves are falling, pumpkins abound, but most of all October is Adopt a Shelter Dog Month!!  Though we think about anytime is a good time to bring four legs of love into your life, October sees groups across the country working together to find 10 million animals a home, and raise awareness about what it means to bring home any animal.

A study commissioned by the ASPCA asked why people would surrender a dog found the following reason:

• 29% cited behavior problems
• 29% cited the family's housing situation
• 25% cited incompatibility with the family's lifestyle
• 15% cited lack of preparation of not meeting expectations

We know that these guys are awfully cute, and we would love to play match maker, but before we do, we do ask that you consider a few things:

• Are you ready to make a long-term commitment (up to 15 years)? Adopting a pet means being responsible for its health and happiness for the rest of his or her life.
• Is the animal I'm looking at right for my household? Energetic or strong dogs may not be a good fit for households that include young children or an elderly person, yet a small pet may be too delicate for children to play rough with. 
• Who will be the primary caretaker for the animal?  Making sure there is someone responsible for the pet helps ensure the pet's needs do not get lost in the shuffle of busy lives.
• Can I afford the animal? Not just the adoption fees, but vet bills, food, toys, and even training.

If you can confidently answer yes to these questions, then we have dogs of all ages, shapes, and sizes that we would love for you to meet including Bingo!

Today is a holiday you can't help but love, All American Pet Photo Day.  As if you needed help remembering just how cute your K-9 can be! But it's a great day to break out those memories of that funny time when.... or catch your pooch looking cute today and snap a new pic!  We'd love to see your favorites, so please share them with us!

We can't help share one of our favorite photos of Patches today.  This little guy is not only photogenic, but a wonderful puppy! He is outgoing and playful, but gentle enough to be a good addition to any family.  Patches is currently living in a foster home, working on his manners and house training which will ease the transition into his forever home.  If you're ready to add Patches to your family album, give us a shout!

Though many of us celebrate Pet Appreciation Week throughout the year, it is officially commemorated this week. The goal of Pet Appreciation Week is to celebrate the furry (or scaly or feathered) friends in our lives. Take the time to celebrate your pet and the human-animal relationship you share this week!

Though many of you may be wondering how you would possibly show your K-9s more love, if you are in need of inspiration, allow us to suggest Jerky Cake:

Jerky Cake

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 cup soft butter
• 1/2 cup corn oil
• 1 jar strained beef baby food
• 4 eggs
• 2-3 strips of beef jerky

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
• Grease and flour an 8x5x3 inch loaf pan.
• Cream butter until smooth. /li>
• Add corn oil, baby food, and eggs. Mix until smooth.
• Mix flour and baking powder into mixture until batter is smooth<
• Crumble beef jerky and fold into batter
• Pour batter into prepared loaf pan.
• Bake 1 hour and 10 minutes.
• Cool on wire rack 15 minutes.
• Frost with plain yogurt, cream cheese or cottage cheese.
• Crumble another strip of beef jerky and sprinkle on top of icing.
• Store in refrigerator.

If you thought you had heard of every strange holiday out there, we have a new one for you - International Pooper Scooper Week, April 1-7.

Though it is April Fool's day, aPaws says dog waste is no joke!  The Association of Professional Animal Waste Specialists (aPaws) founded the holiday in 2002 as a group of pooper scoopers who believe every dog should have its day.  The week is aimed at educating pet owners on the importance of cleaning up after their dogs, the lack of which has created a growing problem pet waste in our communities, environment, and water tables.  They have even established a network of Professional Pooper Scoopers to help you clean up!  For information about aPaws, the Find-A-Scooper Directory, check out www.apaws.org.

Though Piglet will do her best to be neat, this little puppy is full puppy goodness and love.  This little girl has had a tough start, having to be rescued from a fire, but she would love a home filled with smiles & laughter.

February 23 is International Dog Biscuit Appreciation Day, one of those fun holidays that we don't know where it came from, but basically your dog gets a treat simply for being your dog.  Since he gets off so easy today, we thought we'd give you a super simple dog treat recipe that should please everyone!

Homemade Bacon Biscuits

• 2 eggs beaten
• 3 Tbsp molasses
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1 cup rolled oats
• 3/4 cup wheat germ
• 1/4 cup flour
• 1/2 cup artificial bacon bits

Mix everything together and drop by teaspoons on a lightly greased sheet. Bake for 15 Minutes at 350 degrees.

Today is Spay Day! For 17 years, Spay Day has been a sponsored by The Human Society of the United States in order to inspire people to save animal lives by spaying or neutering pets and feral cats. Unfortunately nearly 4 million dogs and cats (that’s nearly one every eight seconds) are put down in shelters across the country each year. 

The Spay Day campaign strives to raise awareness about the need to spay and neuter pets to reduce the number of animals that are left homeless and end up in shelters.

While donations are welcome at K-9 LifeSavers at any time, please consider donating in honor of Spay Day to help with the cost of spaying and neutering the K-9s up for adoption.

Despite the tough start, Lady is still a friendly dog that loves all other dogs and happily plays fetch.  This girl deserves a happy ending in life.  Will it be with you?

If the snow this week didn't give you enough of an excuse to throw a sweater on your dog, here's another one, January 14 (Friday) is National Dress Up Your Pet Day! We haven't been able to track down the origin of this very important holiday, but it's a great day for owners and pets to come together in style.

A couple tips:

• While you might love pink, you're doberman may not.  Try to match the outfit to the dogs.
• Just like humans, badly fitting clothes can be irritating. Outfits that are either too tight or too loose will lead your dog to be an unhappy participant in the affair.
• Though every fashionista knows that accessories are key, dogs can be a little sensitive about things on their heads, especially if it blocks their vision.  Be aware of how your dog is reacting to the dress up game and adjust the outfit accordingly.

So plan your costume and share your pictures with us!

Ziggy doesn't have a costume yet, but with a name like that, we think he oozes style.  Ziggy is a Pomeranian between 1-2 years old that loves to love and needs a fashion partner.  If he seems like your muse, give us a shout!