Layla crossed the Rainbow Bridge on 4 May 2024 but her sister Nili will carry on her legacy speaking out against Animal Abuse, Domestic Violence, Breeders and how to keep your pet healthy, happy and living a good life.
December 5 is Celebrate Shelter Pets Day
TGIF! The weekend has arrived and today, Thursday we celebrated Shelter Pets Day. As the mom of a rescued dog, and only having rescued all my life, a Mutt lover, today is a very important day for so many reasons. It is a day dedicated to pets that were originally from the shelter and pets that are still in the shelter.
Millions of cats, dogs, and other animals enter shelters annually, through no fault of their own. Because they were abandoned, surrendered, or lost, these pets deserve a second chance at life in a loving home. Celebrating Shelter Pets Day shines a spotlight on the remarkable companionship and unconditional love these animals can bring us.
Adopting a shelter pet transforms the life of an animal but also changes the lives of the adopters, enriching our lives and making us better people, helping some combat loneliness, health issues and so much more.
My first rescued dog was when I was a child, his name was Caesar, a big goofy mutt who we had to rehome when we left South Africa. Then we found Whiskey on the streets in Israel, this was the days before microchips, and she came to live with us and when we went back to South Africa she came with us and lived a good life till the age of 14.
I then went back to Israel and rescued 3 cats, Sasha, Shula and Pichevkes, they all lived long good lives with me each passing a year in between. My late father used to call me the Crazy Cat Lady and that was the days before internet.
Since in the States I rescued Baby, who ran with me from the Domestic Violence Relationship and when we were free and living in our own home, she unfortunately got IMHA and passed away within 48 hours. I waited 3 months in January 2011 I rescued Layla and the rest is history. Layla taught me so much that opened my eyes to the problem of shelters being overcrowded with Shelter Pets, which breaks my heart. When Layla passed away in May without even hesitation I in July rescued Nili who is settling beautifully and my new fur kid.
My beautiful Baby
Layla in the shelter
Nili in her cage in the shelter
Why celebrate today, we must celebrate the lucky pets that have found homes, the shelters and rescues that give the pets a second chance at love, they deserve awards for the amazing and tireless work they do
How can we celebrate daily:
- Adopt a Pet
- Supporting a Shelter
- Share a story
- Foster a Pet
- Advocate for adoption
Now you all know why I am against Breeders and Puppy Mills, there are so many beautiful pets in shelters waiting for homes, and we must speak out for them as they do not have a voice.
Have a wonderful weekend and please be safe
Nili and her mom
December 2024 Pet Holidays and Observances
WOW can you believe December has arrived, end of 2024 and 2025 is just around the corner. Lets see what is happening this month so we do not forget anything.
Month
- National Cat Lover’s Month.
One Day
Dec. 1: National Twin with Your Dog Day. Created in the UK by Leo Charley & Me, this day encourages dog owners to match their outfit to their dog’s! #twinwithyourdogday
Dec. 2: National Mutt Day. Also see July 31.
Dec 4: World Wildlife Conservation Day
Dec. 5: Celebrate Shelter Pets Day. Humane Society of the United States. Always the first Thursday after Thanksgiving.
Dec. 9: International Day of Veterinary Medicine.
Dec. 10: International Animal Rights Day.
Dec. 11: Holiday Food Drive for the Needy Animals Day.
Dec 13 : National Day of the Horse
Dec. 15: National Cat Herders Day.
Dec 25: Christmas Day
Dec. 25 : Hanukkah starts in the evening
Dec: 31: New Year’s Eve
Have a wonderful December everyone, stay warm and safe
Nili and Me
Thank you Everyone
Dear Friends,
As you know Thanksgiving was today, and like my sister Layla did every year, I would like to thank so many for being so kind to me the past five months for following my new journey with Mom, my quirks, mischief and most of all watching me grow, build up confidence and keep Mom on her feet.
I also have a special thank you for the fantastic pet products that are keeping me healthy. I am still a young dog, but eating healthily with the correct supplements and food will only pay off in the long run as they are all keeping me happy and healthy.
Yumwoof
Your airdried food is so good, I positively think all my friends should eat it plus your Perfect Dog Food Mix is the best as Mom adds the eggs and protein in and I do not know I am eating all the veggies and fruits so am getting a balanced diet.
You can read more on this link : https://yumwoof.com/?ref=nbmzrsze
Plus have a 5% coupon YumNili when shopping.
yum yum yum
Real Mushrooms
Mom calls them the magic mushrooms as she has noticed a positive health change in me since I am taking them. I get the immune chews in the morning before breakfast and when needed I get their relax chews also.
You can find more about them on their website: https://www.realmushrooms.com/
You have a 10% coupon with LaylasWoof
Vetericyn
This company has fantastic wellness products for hot spots, wounds, ear wash and so much more which Mom uses on me when necessary. Their one product that Mom is really happy with is their ALL IN Adult Supplement. This supplement keeps all my insides healthy and oy vey am pooping good, BOL. I get one each morning in my food and it is working wonders.
Coco Therapy
Organic Coco Nut Products for dogs and cats which are fantastic, and I have seen a big difference in Nili especially with her skin and fur.
This I add to her food daily and she loves their treats
Mr Peanut Pet Carriers
Nili arrived in their expandable pet carrier which fits well on the back seat of a car and very safe. We used it to transport Nili from Southern California home to SF. I also used their stroller for Layla and highly recommend their products.
The pet carrier Nili arrived home in
Yomp Products
Great sturdy safe products for your pets, Nili loves the ball she has from them that can be filled with treats and keeps her busy for hours.
You have a 15% off with coupon LaylasWoof
Big Defences
All-natural healthy dog treats which Nili approves.
https://digdefence.com/pages/premium-treats
I want to eat them all
So, as I finish this letter I want to thank a very special lady, my Mom for putting up with all my nonsense, bratty moods, waking you up at dawn, hogging the bed and so much more BUT most of all for rescuing me with a special thank you to my Uncles in Southern California for making the rescue happen, you are all my heroes.
Back to squeaking have finished my blog
Happy Thanksgiving friends, please be safe and have a wonderful weekend,
With love from
Nili
We have had a busy week
Woof hello friends,
The week is over, and it is cold and rainy here. We have had a busy week, or should I say Mom has been crazy busy here while I eat, sleep and bark boss her around. My sister Layla told me that I must bark at Mom to get her going so I am following my sister’s advice, and it works. I bark to wake her up in the morning, then jump on her to make sure she gets moving so I can go for my morning walk and have breakfast and then I normally nap while Mom has her coffee and gets her business done.
When I arrived at home Mom had done some organizing in our home, which is a small studio but cozy and comfy. Over the past months Mom realized one of my favorites is to look out of the window and I would jump on her to get to the window BOL and stand on the edge of the bed. So, Mom this week did some rearranging of the little bit of furniture we have so that I could sit comfortably and look out of the other window and not bother her. WOW did she make some changes which really look nice, and I have more space to play plus she put my bed next to the cane box so she is not tripping on it all the time, and yes she did fall more than once but thank goodness did not hurt herself, phew.
My new place to sit or lie and look out of the window and my bed is here right next to Mom’s desk so I can nap comfy next to her
She also did a big clean while moving things around so for two days she was crazy busy and now we are all happy and getting back to normal whatever that is in our house. I also have all my toys in two baskets, not one and that collection seems to be growing and really fun as I love squeaking my toys and playing. I love playing fetch with Mom whenever I can so I cannot complain life is good here.
Last Sunday I went to the park. It was chilly but great to be out and I made a new friend, she is also a rescue and her name is Tess. I was on a long leash this time so had more freedom although I was tied to the bench as always but having that freedom made the park even more fun. I am really trying to be a good girl although I forget sometimes and nip Mom for attention or play tug of war with my leash and I tangle Mom with she nearly falls down, she keeps explaining to me that that has to stop before she really hurts herself and her wrist is already black and blue, but what can I say it is fun. When we get home now, as our building is secure, she lets me run around the corridors to burn off energy and when she says inside, I run to our door which she opens and I run inside, this part of our walk is really fun.
My new friend Tess
Watching the stairs to see who is coming
Mom I am watching you, Nili
So that has been our week, of course Mom has been doing other errands and this week she even took me with her to the supermarket where there were lots of yum smells but I was not allowed to touch anything, that is not fair, but I must admit it is fun just to be with Mom.
This weekend we are going to hibernate as the weather is going to be cold and rainy and I do not like the rain, but the best thing is I have the window to people watch and bark orders when I think necessary plus my bed to nap in.
Life is good when you have a comfy cosy bed to nap in, Nili
Stay warm everyone, be safe and make lots of memories
Love and woof from Nili
Today is Shop with your Dog Day
TGIF, Good Morning Friends, Friday has arrived, and I am not sure about you but I need to put my feet up and relax, I am exhausted although Nili is always ready to go out, her batteries are always ready and do not need to be recharged.
Winter has arrived, it has been cold and raining here and I have learned something new about Nili, she does not like the rain BOL but is very good when I put the raincoat on so am relieved that she will wear it and stay dry.
This raincoat belonged to Layla, it is made from a broken umbrella (a friend made for her) and I just love it and so happy it fits Nili as I love recycling
The holidays are around the corner and did you know today is Shop with your Dog Day. Like we need to be reminded LOL but it is a good excuse to go shopping with your dog and of course spoil him or her at the same time. I am sure we all have a list of what we need plus the extra list of what we want, especially for our dogs so let’s go shopping
It will be Nili’s first holiday with me, and I celebrate Hanukkah so am going to spoil her rotten, although she is not spoilt enough already. I was looking at her pile of toys that she has accumulated in less than 4 months and the toy basket is overflowing already plus her can where I store treats if full to the top also but hmmm, I know me I will buy more cos of my guilty conscience.
Mom I want some more toys, Nili
Are you going shopping today or this week? We cannot wait to hear what you bought for your dog or cat. You can look at this link to get an idea of what you can buy plus there are coupons so you can save some money also. Plus don’t forget the shelters who are always needing something, thank you.
https://laylaswoof.com/?page_id=19
Happy Shopping and have a wonderful weekend
Nili
Let’s play
TGIF!!!!! Phew, is it Friday and I need this long weekend, do you?
Nili is doing all the talking today although Layla of course approves what she says as she is learning well to listen to Mom and what to dictate when it comes to our blog.
Winter is around the corner and that means being indoors more than normal, so I have once again been searching the internet for things to keep the Madam busy with and as she is, so food motivated (she gets veggies most of the time as treats) LOL I found this amazing ball which I had to get for her.
Where are the treats Mom
This is fun, Nili
It is from a company called Yomp, their toys are great, safe and not made from plastic. They are sustainable for both cats and dogs which is double awesome as us as pet parents can give them to play with and have no worries. The one I got for Nili is Snackin Ball. It is Food grade silicone, BPA and Latex free, gentle for the teeth, dishwasher safe, unique chewy texture and of course great for hiding treats. You can stuff it with Greek Yoghurt or Peanut Butter and freeze it, or just put regular treats in it although I have been putting cut up pieces of carrots and apples.
It bounces so well it nearly knocked Nili on the head when she was playing with it, but it keeps her busy all day, and that is so important as she is getting exercise which is what she needs especially now that winter is arriving, she needs a way of burning off energy and calories. I sit and throw it for her, and she fetches it, although big it is easy for her to carry as it has the ridges for the treats which help her hold it.
I am in love with this ball, plus it does not squeak so there is a bit of silence in the house LOL plus she cannot kill it which is great as up till now every toy I have bought her she has killed them within a couple of hours plus best of all it cannot get under the stove like some of her others and then I have to move the stove to get them.
This is one toy I would really recommend you get if you have an active dog, especially as it will keep them busy with or without the treats or halfway through play time add the treats.
They have some fantastic toys on their site, a must look especially with Hanukkah or Christmas around the corner – great stocking stuffers.
Their link for shopping is : https://glnk.io/r5rm4/ruth15 and you have 15% off with the coupon LaylasWoof.
Yomp sponsored Nili by giving her this ball as a gift.
I am now off here as I need a nap from playing all day,
Have a wonderful long weekend and be safe
Nili
November Pet Holidays and Observance
November has arrived WOW, the year has gone so fast I cannot believe it. As usual there is lots going on for our pets and below is the monthly holidays and observances.
To celebrate Adopt a Senior Pet Month Layla is having her say this month
Month
Adopt a Senior Pet Month. By ASPCA.
National Senior Pet Month. Created by National Association of Professional Pet Sitters (NAPPS).
National Pet Cancer Awareness Month. Sponsored by Veterinary Pet Insurance (VPI) and the Animal Cancer Foundation. (Also see May events.)
Pet Diabetes Month
K9 Epilepsy Awareness Month – #NEAM Sponsored by the Epilepsy Foundation and K9 NEAM by the FiveSibes #LiveGibsonStrong #Paws4Purple Initiatives
Week
Nov. 3-9: National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week. From The Humane Society of the United States. First full week of November.
Nov. 10-16: Human-Animal Relationship Awareness Week. Created in 2016 by the Animals & Society Institute, this week (always the 2nd week in November) is also known as HARA Week.
Day
Nov. 1: National Cook for Your Pets Day.
Nov. 1: International Pet Groomer Appreciation Day.
Nov. 4: Blog4Peace Event – The theme this year is HOLD THE LIGHT.
Nov. 7: National Canine Lymphoma Awareness Day.
Nov. 12: World Animal Enrichment Day.
Nov. 15: National Shop with Your Dog Day.
Nov. 16: National Slobber Appreciation Day.
Nov. 17: National Black Cat Day.
Nov. 17: National Take a Hike Day.
Nov. 18: National Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP) Awareness, Research and Education Day.
Nov. 19: National Get a Pal For Your Pet Day.
Nov. 23: Wolfenoot. This annual holiday, started in New Zealand, celebrates the Spirit of the Wolf and “is about celebrating our pack – human and animal – helping where we can, and making the world a better, kinder place.”
Nov. 23: Thankful for My Dog Day. Founded in 2020 by M.Y.O.S. Canine Muscle Formula, this pet holiday gives thanks for all that our dogs give us each and every day. (Nili gets MYOS daily in her food. Here is the link https://myospet.com/?aff=852)
Nov. 28: Thanksgiving
Nov. 30: World Pet Day
Have a wonderful November and please be safe and warm
With Woof and love from Nili
Finding the Right Food for your Dog
Good morning, we hope you had a fun Halloween and did not overdose on treats and chocolates and your pets were safe. We stayed home and watched all the people from our window, Nili favorite past time BOL so she was a happy girl. Of course, she had to bark now and then to let everyone know she was there.
Adopting a new dog, after losing your previous baby, Angel Layla, whom you had cooked for over 14 years is learning to change things, adapt to the new fur kid and her needs and each day is a learning experience as you only want the best for her so she will live a long and healthy life. As most of you know I am against kibbles and will not feed them to my pets, each to his own and we can argue about this subject for hours, but I will not relent and give Nili lousy kibble. So, I started searching on the internet for a good raw kibble with all the goodness in preferably air dried and came across this company YumWoof.com.
I have been researching air dried so that I can be prepared for an earthquake with good food in the bag and not have to worry and that is another reason I decided not to home cook so much.
There are many reasons I said wow to them but before I do I want to discuss the difference between air dried and freeze dried.
Freeze Dried Dog Food :
- Low moisture content: Contains very little moisture, typically around 2%, making it lightweight and with a longer shelf life.
- Ingredients are rapidly frozen, then the water is removed through sublimation (turning directly from ice to vapor).
- Can be crunchy and crumbly, often rehydrated before feeding.
- Preserves most nutrients, good for travel due to compact size, can be a good option for picky eaters when rehydrated
Air Dried Dog Food :
- Retains more moisture than freeze-dried, closer to the moisture content of raw food.
- Ingredients are gently dried with low heat airflow, allowing for more natural nutrient preservation.
- Denser and chewier than freeze-dried.
- May be easier to transition to from kibble due to texture, considered a good option for dogs with sensitive digestion.
The products I tried with Nili are:
- YumWoof Perfect Dog Mix: Ingredients : Coconut Flour, Vitamins and Minerals, Organic Inulin, Pumpkin, Hemp Hearts, Blueberries, Cranberries, Carrots.
My favorite as it is versatile as you add the protein to it so it can be changed every couple of weeks but they are still getting a healthy balanced diet, affordable and low in carbs. They have recipes on their website also for ideas.
I am being a piggy as I should be modelling with the food but had to gulp some down, Nili
- YumWoof Perfect Super Food: Grain Free Low Fat Turkey: Ingredients: Turkey Meat, Turkey Organs, Tapioca, Carrots, Apples, Organic Coconut Oil, Cumin, Thyme and Rosehip.
- YumWoof Perfect Kibble Beef Pot Roast Recipe: Ingredients : Fresh Meat, Whole Eggs, Organic Coconut Oil, Organic Flaxseed, Carrots, Gluten Free Oats, Blueberries, Cranberries, Chia Seeds, Seaweed, Beef Liver and Pumpkin.
If you touch these bags I will be angry, NIli
So, as you all can see I am learning daily also but making sure Madam gets a healthy diet as I say food might be a big cost but it’s still cheaper than vet bills and if we start early long term we have a healthy happy fur kid and that is all that matters to me.
YumWoof was kind enough to sponsor this post and I am happy to share with all of you.
You can find all further information on their products on their website : . https://yumwoof.com/?ref=nbmzrsze
There is 5% off all purchases with this coupon YUMNILI
Have a wonderful weekend, be safe
with a woof and love from Nili
Three months with Mom
Good morning Friends,
It is me Nili here as I am celebrating three months with Mom, learning a lot and I hope my Angel sister Layla is proud of me as I am trying to be as good as she was and it is not easy cos I have a mischievous side to me which Mom laughs at BOL.
I am sure you have been waiting to see if I have been on adventures but I have been so busy trying all the goodies for reviews I have not shared with you my adventures so today as a three month celebration I am going to.
My first adventure was on Mom’s birthday when Aunty Alysha took Mom to one of her favorite places in Golden Gate Park with a picnic. It was a beautiful day and they found a bench to sit on next to Heron Lake and the ducks. Mom cannot let me off leash yet so she tied leashes together so I would have a long enough one to wander around and then tied it to the bench so she could relax and watch me. It was so much fun, I barked at the ducks who did not care about me, can you believe that? I then climbed the rocks to see what else I could see, sniffed a lot and of course barked at the dogs that were walking on the path as I was protecting the humans. Mom had her favorite lunch; Syrian food and she gave me a little piece of chicken. It was a fun time, and I cannot wait to do it again.
Look am on a rock Nili
Can you believe the ducks ignored me, Nili
If I look cute I get treats, Nili
Another new routine we have is every day we walk about 6 blocks up the road to a tiny park that Mom loves, lots of flowers and very peaceful, very few dogs also so Mom can relax, she makes my leash long so I can wander but am tied to the bench so I cannot go too far. I cannot wait for one day to be able to get off leash but as Mom says it is my fault as I do not want to listen to her. The walk there and back tires me out so by the time we get home I am sleepy and need a nap. It is good exercise for both of us plus the fresh air is very healthy.
Watching what is going on
Where the treats Mom
Nili Barking like a lunatic in the park : https://youtube.com/shorts/GuMTaYoM8H8?si=2ny7l22SSKku_YWy
So my three months with Mom have been great, I do not try to run out of the apartment anymore which has made Moms life a lot easier, I still have quirks we working on like me nipping Mom when she puts the harness on, her hands are covered in band aids BOL, playing tug of war with the harness when we leave the apartment which Mom has fallen once cos I got her tangled, and the worst of all lunging at big dogs mainly when I am in the street walking although that I am slowly stopping to do plus when it is little dogs if ok Mom lets me say hello to them which is fun.
I love my life here, am very happy, hog the bed, kill the squeakers and bark at everyone through the window so cannot complain, life is good.
This is my best video of her this week ROFL : https://youtube.com/shorts/AYOE8RwZqOY?si=7Hwibl-DNlyN7Pjo
Have a wonderful week and thank you for reading about my life
With love and woof from Nili
Coconut Oil Part Two – Approved by Bossy Barker, Nili
Hello friends,
This is Nili here, the new official reviewer for the blog which was started by my sister who went over the Rainbow Bridge, and I am really working hard to be as good as she was although I have a long way to go.
Last week we discussed all the benefits of Coconut Oil which is yum, you can read all about it on our blog link : https://laylaswoof.com/?p=3143
As Mom was checking out the Coco-Therapy Website she came across these products which looked good and decided to get for me also as I want her to eat well treat wise also.
Raw food and these looked great for treats as they are healthy and I am sure you could feed them as food also.
Coco-Carnivore Meatballs – 100% Raw Freeze-Dried Beef, Oranges and Coconut
Open the bag I am the official taster
Coco-Carnivore Meatballs – 100% Raw Freeze-Dried Turkey, Spinach and Coconut
These smell so so good hmmmm
Organ Bites – 100% Freeze-Dried Turkey Organ Meats plus Pumpkin and Coconut
Stop teasing me with the goodies Mom
Organ Bites – 100% Freeze-Dried Chicken Organ Meats with Beets and Coconut
And we cannot forget the chicken hmmmmm
What I love about the above is that they have very few ingredients, all organic and filling so I can fill the Kong with them which keeps her busy but when she gets them she gets less food at meals. Nili of course approves of them.
Since Nili has been on the coconut diet she has lost weight, her fur is shining, and her skin seems to have improved itchiness wise plus she just in general seems healthier so I am hoping we can carry on this way. I would rather start at a younger age, so her immune system is ready for aging.
Website : https://www.cocotherapy.com/
A very special thank you to Coco-Therapy for sponsoring this post.
Nili also got her first groom last week, yes she had her hair cut and this really concerned me as she has become a nipper and you should see my hands, covered in band aids I am so ready for Halloween LOL. The groomers said she was really good, sat and let them do what was needed plus for safety sake they put her in a crate when finished so she could run away which is one of her traits which I am working on. She got as a gift from the groomers a new squeaky toy so she was one happy little girl and I think she looks adorable.
I do not like baths, Nili
walking home from the groomers all pretty
On this note we are going for a walk to burn off energy, and then it will be play time for Madam.
Have a safe weekend and don’t forget to make memories,
With a woof and love from
Nili