The Life and Adventures of a Rescued Dog
Dear friends, followers, and fans,
Thanksgiving has arrived and as I have been doing the past years, I am doing this year my thank you letter although I am blind, I can still bark my orders to Mom as to what to write and share.
I want to start by thanking all my friends who I meet up with in the park, my uncles who give me treats when Mom does not want to and so many more people. My followers on social media you are the best and keep Mom amused but most of all sharing our life with you makes life so much more fun and interesting.
A special thanks to Hindy for being there for Mom when she is freaking out like a Jewish Mom over something, Dr Gervais my vet who is amazing and keeps an eye on me and my health and all the techs at the clinic, you are the best of the best.
A very big thank you to PAWS (Pets Are Wonderful Support) and the Shanti project for helping Mom when needed and keeping her busy and happy but most of all I am included in it all.
I also want to thank some of the suppliers that produce the supplements that have helped me with my health and I am blessed that Mom found you as really it makes a difference to a senior when you getting the right nutrients.
Thank you Vetericyn for keeping this old lady healthy, Layla
https://shop.realmushrooms.com/?ref=488
Yes mushrooms are magic, Layla
They keep me on my paws and make Mom run after me
https://www.earthbath.com/collections/all/
Listen I might be your bum chum but leave my tush alone it is clean, Layla
A snuffle ball is very good for the brain but so so good for your belly when it has yum treats in
Phew I am exhausted with all this barking but please keep us safe on Thanksgiving with the list below which are no no for us and of course do not drink and drive as we are waiting at home for you.
Before I go to sleep I want to say a special thank you to the best Mom in the world, I am so blessed you chose me at the shelter and is doing everything to keep me happy and healthy, I love you.
Happy Thanksgiving everyone, be safe,
https://youtube.com/shorts/PbCWl3nAvzQ?feature=share
With love from Layla
Woof hello all my friends,
I have had a barking busy week with lots of barking. Mom is not impressed but I feel I have the right to give my input.
On Saturday Mom took me to the vet for a senior checkup. The vet was very impressed with Mom for keeping me so healthy and Mom asked her a favor which she was happy to help with. My back leg muscles are slowing giving in, no arthritis phew, but because of it I am falling into my food, so I had some matts. So, the vet tech was kind enough to shave me (Mom says rather I am bare in parts than have matts) which was going well until I got fed up and oy vey snapped at the vet. Mom was in shock as she has never seen me do that but thank goodness the vet was not upset. Can you believe they put a muzzle on me and that is when Mom started to giggle as she told the vet I looked like a duck gone wrong. I was not impressed but at least I am matt free now phew and happy. I got lots of treats from the vet, so it was worth it.
Do I really look like a duck ?
On Sunday Mom took me to my favorite park to get some fresh air, or should I say Mom wanted fresh air but it was great to be outdoors as the weather is changing and getting cold and rainy. Of course, I did my barking in the park as that has become my ritual and if I do not do it I will not be happy. Poor Mom gets a headache but too bad I need to tell the world I have arrived. It was a wonderful couple of hours outdoors, Mom watching the boats on the bay and me wandering around sniffing all the new smells so in a nutshell we were both relaxed and happy.
https://youtube.com/shorts/a7YpAROlyMI?si=cDGPvug_VxW1XfpX
Then the highlight of my week was Wednesday, we went to a Thanksgiving event where there was lots of food, yes Mom shared some with me, I was the only dog there so I got lots of love from everyone, but the best BOL was when they started the Karaoke singing, I did not like the music and voices so I sat in the stroller barking away. I would not keep quiet even when Mom offered me treats to keep quiet, but it did not work. The minute it all stopped I lay back down in my stroller and went back to sleep. Mom won some smelly shower products on the raffle so she was a happy Mom who will now smell fruity BOL.
Do I have a turkey on my back ?
So, as you read, I have been busy barking and Mom is not talking about my barking orders in the house when I want or should I say demand something from her and one of my newest quirks is to stand on the corner and bark for no reason, Mom is not happy with that BOL but I am the Boss.
I am laughing at this post as I think barking is fun BOL
Have a wonderful safe weekend everyone,
With a woof and love from Layla, the Bossy Barker
TGIF!!! The weekend has arrived, which means we can all recharge our batteries and get ready for the new week.
Day light savings has messed with our lives and I am sure you all feel the same. I personally hate it as I am getting less sleep and Layla’s routine has gone upside down which is taking its toll on me. Layla now wakes me up at 5 in the morning to go potty and her routine is to potty, I then put her back in the stroller to come home but Madam stands up in the stroller which means she wants to go again so I take her out and all she does is stand and stare into space till I get fed up and put her back in the stroller and bring her in. She then will bark at me for her snuffle ball with treats, I will crawl back into bed and once she is finished with her treats and then goes back to sleep. Thank you, daylight savings.
Being a Senior Dog Mom is trial and error, adapting your life to theirs and all of a sudden, your life revolves around theirs and you lose a lot of freedom. I am not complaining as Layla is my child, I love her to the moon and back, but I am exhausted 24/7 also and I feel sharing with you will prepare you for the future.
She has a new quirk of sleeping on the floor in front of the front door, which is fine when I am home but when I go out I have become afraid I will squash her when I come back in so I got a baby gate which I put up at the end of the corridor and put her there before I go out so I have no more worries about her now. She has freedom in the entire apartment, so she is perfectly safe.
One of my worries at the moment is when the rain starts what am I going to do to keep her busy, so she does not sleep all day so although she has her snuffle balls I need to find other activities for her to keep her brain active. So, over the next couple of weeks, I will google searching for ideas LOL. Madam does not like plastic, rubber or wood so I cannot get her a puzzle as from experience she will not touch them. She has me trained well LOL.
She has become a picky eater when it comes to treats and I am very fortunate that my pet store allows me to exchange open packets and get credit because I have bought her three different packages of treats this week with fish which she loves and all of a sudden not interested so we have been back and forth to the store to exchange them, thank goodness they know me so they are laughing with me.
As you all know Layla has been having kidney infection and a UTI which are all healed but I have been looking into supplement to help them stay healthy and found one with Cranberry and Blueberries. One of the things I have noticed since she is on it is she more aware and energetic so today when I decided to take her to her favorite park with a train ride I asked her if she wants to go Bye Bye she jumped up wagging her tail like she did in the past and I just grabbed the camera to film it as it made me so happy. For that she could bark as much as she wanted. See the video below.
https://youtube.com/shorts/Dzbichoh7vk?si=LNbj7Gxm1ZAYkr8z
The weather was gloomy and chilly, but we hopped on the train, both of us bundled up and off we went. She was so happy to be outdoors and wandered around happily keeping me on my toes, but it was worth it. There is nothing like sitting on the lawn on a chair watching the boats on the bay, it is relaxing and helps me recharge my batteries. It was a wonderful 3 hours of no electronics just the outdoors and the birds and the bay and of course Layla.
https://youtube.com/shorts/RRGDehtUcmE?si=wnnFckGHEFfjDBDc
They grey skies
Wearing my fancy jacket made from an umbrella
To bark or not to bark today that is the question ?
I am taking each day as it comes this weekend as they are talking rain, and I am praying there will be a break so we can get out.
So now you know what is happening in the senior Layla Neighborhood
Have a wonderful weekend with a woof and love from
Layla
TGIF!!! Woof, hello my friends and how are you?
November has arrived, which is an important month for me as a senior as it is Adopt A Senior Pet Month and there are so many that have been dumped in shelters by selfish humans and are suffering now. Let us open our hearts and homes to a senior so that they can live happily and loved for the rest of their lives. It means so much to me and I cry when I read the stories. Watch the rescuers trying to save them all, find fosters and work relentlessly to make sure all shelter pets have homes especially the seniors.
The excuses that the humans give for dumping is all lies and as I woofed to Mom those humans should not be allowed pets in the future, there is no excuse to do what they are doing and I often woof to Mom may Karma get them.
This is my video I woofed on asking everyone to adopt a senior pet.
https://youtube.com/shorts/GHWR48gsGCw?si=DUv5XxKZ0PTvRVYB
Now another topic we must not forget is on November 1 was Cook for your pet day, yup we need to stay healthy and home cooked food is the best and healthier than the kibbles and cans as your Mom knows exactly what you are eating and there are no preservatives. So I asked Mom to share with you my favorite home cooked food so you can all make it at home, cos sharing is caring.
My bowl of home cooked breakfast
Recipe
Pieces of Chicken and if you allergic to chicken you can use beef.
Filet of Tilapia as fish is very good for the brain.
Chicken Gizzards as they are yum and crunchy.
Veggies: Carrots and pumpkin for fiber which is important for me as I am a senior, if Mom has other veggies like zucchini, cauliflower, peas or green beans she adds them also.
She puts it all in the Instapot, adds apple cider vinegar: Why Apple Cider Vinegar, here are the benefits :
It is a digestive aid to regulate digestion and relieve digestive upset.
Works as a natural supplement for the urinary tract system to prevent urinary tract infections, bladder, and kidney stones.
Mom steams it all till ready, then she lets it cool down. Blend the veggies into a smoothie with the chicken broth. Mix all together and my food is ready. When cool she puts in plastic containers and freezes.
When Mom puts in my plate, she adds the following supplements: Lions Mane and 5 Defenders from this company https://shop.realmushrooms.com/?ref=488 You have 10% off with LaylasWoof coupon. Oops did I forget to tell you I get their calming supplement also and it so yummy plus Mom drinks their Hot Chocolate with Mushrooms which she says is the best.
Muscle Formula from this company https://myospet.com/?aff=852 and finally the All In Senior Supplement from this company https://vetericyn.com/
So, in a nutshell I am eating a very balanced healthy diet and not overweight either.
Another thing Mom does to prevent UTIS or any other infections she wipes my Tush each time I potty with Tushy Wipes from this company so am clean all the time. They have great grooming products and all healthy and safe. https://www.earthbath.com/collections/all/ You have a coupon for 10% off with LaylasWoof15.
The most important thing of all is of course my candy in my snuffle ball, oops did I say candy, I meant treats and they are so good and crunchy from this company and I am telling you it is a must have. https://farmhounds.com/ and you have a 10% discount with this coupon YumTreats0311.
It is now my bedtime and I need my beauty sleep as I am a senior and sleep is very important to me,
My new favorite place to sleep cos I am guarding the door
Have a safe weekend everyone with lots of fun,
Love Layla
November Pet Holidays and Observances
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And we must not forget Thanksgiving, have a great month everyone
With a Woof and love from
Layla
TGIF! Happy Friday all my friends, can you believe it is the end of October and that means Halloween.
Mom is like a child BOL when it comes to Halloween as she loves all the costumes, the fun in the streets and of course the candies, but at the same time she makes sure I am safe and enjoying myself.
This year we are not going anywhere, Mom feels it is getting too much all the crowds so we decided instead to share with you some photos of our past Halloween including a photo of my sister Baby and what Mom dressed her in which still makes Mom giggle.
I am a little ballerina, Layla
My personality, a princess but I can be a devil also, Layla
Baby as a fire hydrant
We hope you will enjoy the photos as much as I am enjoying sharing then with you.
Please remember to keep us safe as there are Halloween hazards for your fur babies and especially make sure your cats are safe inside especially if they are back.
Happy Halloween Everyone, please do not eat too much candy or your dentist bill will be high oy vey and please keep all chocolates and candies away from us.
Lots of love and hugs from
Layla
TGIF, the weekend has arrived, and I am still not sure what our plans will be.
Layla is off her antibiotics; I am praying we kicked the infection and life can get back to normal whatever that Is in this household. Layla rules the house and I jump to attention for whatever she barks about, it is insane but that is how it goes here.
Madam suddenly does not want to eat chicken as I was hiding her medication in it so on Monday we went to the markets and bought chicken gizzards and she is now a happy old lady and Mom is happy also that she is eating but by the photo below you will see who the Boss is.
I want chicken not gizzards, did you hear me Mom
The reason I do adventures with her, trying different parks, going on the train and so much more is to keep her brain going, different places mean different smells and I am always looking for a new place which is easy to get to, I do not drive, so all is on public transport and her being in a stroller I am learning I have to go to easy accessible places as living in San Francisco there are lots of hills and pushing the stroller up them is not easy especially as the princess has a new game, get comfy in the stroller then stand up to walk, and she repeats herself most of the way so by the end of the day my back is killing me. Another reason I do them is I have found if she does not go out for a couple of hours during the day, she sleeps a lot and then in the evenings wakes up and wants to go out every hour, barking to get her own way and it is exhausting for me and I have started eating cold dinners LOL.
So, what we have done the past week, last Saturday we went to the park on the Bay. The weather was perfect and it was just so relaxing to be outdoors by the Bay where I could watch her and the boats on the Bay. Layla was wandering around. All of a sudden, I could not see her, nearly had a heart attack and then turned around on my chair to see her scrambling through a gap in the hedges. She was caught on a branch thank goodness, so I had to untangle her and bring her back to the lawn. Thank goodness the hedge is along a wall so she could not have gone far phew. But once back on the lawn she was happily walking around and of course doing her weekly bark in the park, once she started napping, about 2 hours later, I packed up and brought her home. These outings exhaust her, so she normally naps when we get home and phew I manage to catch a nap also. Lucky me.
I smell something in the grass
On Sunday and Monday, we went to the park around the corner from my building, it was great to just sit outdoors, she do her thing and of course bark and me drank coffee and relaxed. The weather has been perfect for these outdoor days plus good for her. Plus being in that park she knows where the benches are where some of the dog people sit with all the treats so off she goes like a bullet to beg from them. I keep an eye on her and if there are a lot of big dogs there, I pick her up and put her in her stroller and push her there. There are only two people she can get treats from so if they are not there, I just bring her back to the blanket and give her a treat.
Sunshine on my face feels awesome
The video below shows Layla trying to get into my bag to get the treats LOL
Life with a senior dog is not easy, tiring especially when they wake you up in the middle of the night or 4 in the morning to go potty but I would not change it for anything as I am very blessed to have a healthy happy blind senior that is getting me out and exercise.
So, all my friends, as you can see, Fall has arrived, we are busy and each day that it does not rain we are outdoors for a couple of hours each day.
Have a wonderful weekend, Be safe,
With lots of love from Layla
TGIF !!! Good morning all my friends, we hope you are all well and safe.
I have been debating whether to write this week about what is happening in Israel but as an Israeli I cannot keep quiet so all I am asking from my friends is that they say a prayer for all the pets that through the massacres have lost their families, are now orphaned and I pray they all find new safe homes.
I am attaching a link from a newspaper that broke my heart and made me really think about all of them : This is what is said in English as the article is in Hebrew “We just left the slaughter area at the party. We cleared the bodies. The horrors that we saw will never get out of our heads. The only thing that came out of this life is one cute little dog ” Tomer Peretz
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=874483190704433&set=a.258252685660823
We have been very busy the last two weekends so will now share our adventures as life needs to carry on and Layla loves going out so this is what we have been doing :
Two weeks ago we went to a dog event, a place I have never been to which was fun and visited a friend of mine who had a booth there and she has the cutest most well mannered dog so Layla said hi and I sat and chatted with her for a bit. We then wandered around checking the booths and from there walked to our favorite park where Layla was happy to sniff a lot, bark of course and then nap LOL. Her favorite past time. From there we came home as I needed a nap also so we just chilled and relaxed at home the rest of the weekend.
Phew thank goodness my butt is not that fat, Layla
Layla and Musk
Wandering around the cool damp grass
Last weekend was Fleet week in San Francisco. There was a lot going on in our park next to our house but because of her in the stroller and always wanting to jump out I decided not to go but instead took the train to our favorite park on the Bay where we chilled, she wandered and barked of course and after an hour or so fell asleep. I sat a bit longer but when the Blue Angels started (I don’t like) she woke up, seemed to be a bit anxious so I packed up and came home to relax.
Cool as a cucumber in my cooling vest
Me and the sailors
Being on the Bay is the best for me as I totally relax plus do not have to worry about her as there are no dogs so she is safe wandering around sniffing and napping which makes my life more relaxing.
I love this view
On top of all this we did her senior blood panel this week, she has no liver problems, phew but does have a kidney infection and it does not matter how much water she drinks she seems to be dehydrated to am making sure she drinks a lot and I wake her up in the middle of the night to drink more. She is on antibiotics for two weeks and hopefully they will clear it up.
So never a dull moment in our house, but cannot complain because as long as she is a happy healthy 17 year old I am happy.
On this note we are sending prayers to all our family and friends in Israel, please be safe everyone and have a wonderful weekend,
With love and hugs from
Layla
Good Morning,
October has arrived and with it the Month of Domestic Violence Awareness. This is very close to my heart as I am a proud survivor.
I am one of the lucky ones that managed to get away with my little dog, hid at a friend and then moved to a new city where we were both helped. If I had left my dog I know my ex would have carried on abusing her so the minute I could run, we ran.
She since has passed away, but she was my inspiration, my hero, my trooper and my lifeline through those dark days, and when she passed it was when I was finally in my own home so she knew I was safe, and could then open my heart to a new pup, and Layla arrived to live with me. Layla wears a tag that says: Shelter Survivor which speaks for both of us.
Today I am not going to talk about me, but “The Power and Control Wheel” of Animal Abuse and Domestic Violence. This gives us a better understanding as to what happens behind closed doors, and why so many victims stay in the relationships.
An abuser will want to control everything, and if he or she does not have that, we, the humans, kids or pets become the victims of his or her anger, although he/she will never admit it.
So when people reach out and talk about wanting to leave a Domestic Violence relationship but cannot leave their pets, these are some of the reasons and I from experience would have rather carried on suffering the abuse to make sure Baby was safe, than left her in a house where she would suffer.
Today things have changed and there are Domestic Violence shelters that are allowing pets or they will know where your pet can go and be safe.
Pets do not understand abuse the way we do and they should not have to suffer at the hands of an abuser of any kind as they give us the unconditional love and loyalty that unfortunately humans do not do.
Be safe, have a wonderful week, with a woof of love from
Layla
National Domestic Violence Hotline Phone number : 800-799-7233
Red Rover – they help Domestic Violence Victims and their pets https://redrover.org/domestic-violence-and-pets/
Fall has arrived, the weather is cooling down but that does not mean we do not celebrate our pets. October is important to me as it is Domestic Violence Awareness Month and Pets are victims too. We must not forget them.
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Have a wonderful October everyone,
Love Layla
