Big thanks to Elizabeth, who sent me the link for Unleashed’s website - www.unleashedindoordogparks.com. According to the website, the park should be open in February so we don’t have long before I can get in to do a tour. I did read on another website that this will be a pay-to-play park, so visitors can expect to pay about $7.50 to enter. The park will also include a day care, which will range from $20-25/day. Liz did pose an interesting question to me about whether or not I thought dog parks are safe. Read the rest of this entry »

You would never believe how much information you can find when googling “canine ruptured disc”, or what is more commonly referred to by veterinarians as “degenerative disk disease”. I’ve learned a lot since Dr. Paine first told me that Chewy had a ruptured disc. One, his back was already in a state of degeneration or else the disc would not have ruptured. Two, Chewy is a GREAT actor. I’m not saying that he’s not in pain because I know that he is uncomfortable at times. But he has learned what a sucker I am for his big, sad, brown eyes and has used this to his advantage many times over the holiday. Read the rest of this entry »

I’m sure it must seem as though my dogs have the worst luck in the health department, but I really do take care of them! This time it’s Chewy with the ailment. It all started the day of our icy freeze on December 16. I decided to spare the DFW Metroplex yet another panicky driver on the highways and I worked from home that day. While my Chihuahuas were not at all happy about the cold weather, Chewy was in doggy heaven. He stayed outside for most of the day, playing in the thin layer of snow that covered the backyard and happily enjoying the cool temperatures. The next morning when it was safe to return to work, I took the dogs for a walk and noticed that Chewy was walking extremely slowly, sometimes stopping altogether. When he finally stopped walking completely, I assumed he was just trying to prolong his walk (as he sometimes does) and decided to pick him up so we could hurry and get home. As soon as I picked him up, I knew something was wrong. Read the rest of this entry »

According to a Dallas Morning News article, Animal Services has launched a 5-week long campaign to round up stray dogs in southern Dallas where loose dogs are constantly roaming the streets, often going hungry, biting people and other dogs, and being hit by cars. This round up has been going on for 2 weeks, and since then over 900 animals have been collected. NINE HUNDRED. Read the rest of this entry »

It’s like a dream come true! According to an article in the Dallas Business Journal (and a tip from my good friend Monica who saw the construction signs), Dallas will be getting a new state-of-the-art INDOOR dog park! I know that sounds counter-intuitive to some people but I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve wished that I could walk my dogs in less dangerous temperatures, especially in July and August. My little Pekingese Chewy can only walk for about 5-10 minutes before he starts showing signs of heat distress when the temperature is above 85 degrees. Read the rest of this entry »

I received an email today from Rebecca Poling of Companions for Life with an announcement about a wonderful fundraiser. For a $5 donation, you can honor your pet (or the pet of a loved one) with a photo or written ornament which will decorate a Tribute Tree at one of two local Starbucks locations. They will hang the ornament with a red ribbon for those pets who are still touching lives, and a white ribbon for those pets who have passed on. Your donation helps them achieve their goal of No More Disposable Pets by providing humane education and shelter outreach programs for the Metroplex.

You can find more information about Companions for Life and this fundraiser on their website.

There is a great article in QuickDFW.com about the Search One Rescue Team, a Coppell-based volunteer organization that assists government agencies in finding missing persons. Check it out to learn more about how this local team of generous volunteers has been helping law enforcement for the past 25 years - at no cost to the government!

Today I got a text from the Humane Society of the United States saying that an 8-month investigation had found that Petland stores are a leading seller of puppy mill dogs. Read the rest of this entry »

Today in his first speech since being elected our 44th President, Barack Obama addressed an issue that has been debated quite a bit in recent weeks. Mr. Obama promised his two daughters, Malia and Sasha, that they would get a puppy, regardless of the election results. Mr. Obama again stated that he would like to get the puppy from a shelter; however, he acknowledged that it would be difficult to find a hypo-allergenic puppy as a rescue. I’m sure shelters all over the country will be keeping their eyes open for any puppies who will meet our President-Elect’s unique requirements.

Sometimes you can’t believe that you’ve done something until much later, especially when it goes against your natural instincts. This week, I had another confrontation with someone’s dog who was off-leash and not happy to see my pups. But this time, instead of panicking, I shocked myself with my reaction. Read the rest of this entry »