Rescued Dog – Layla's Woof

We went to Tulipmania

Posted on February 19, 2020 by admin — 2 Comments ↓

Woof woof woof,

We went on an adventure on Saturday and it was pawsome.
The weather was warm and sunny so Mom took me on the tram which is my favorite, and we went to Tulipmania on Pier 39 on the Bay.

What is Tulipmania ?

Pier 39 bursts out in bloom with more than 39,000 blooming tulips and seasonal garden favorites come to life. This festival is open starts Feb 8 and ends the 17th although the flowers stay there till end of March.

It was great being out and about breathing the sea air, Layla wandering around although there were times she was in her back pack as there were so many people. The seals were out sunning and in a nutshell just a perfect couple of Mom and Layla hours, something I miss with the cold weather.

I am sharing a collage of photos as there were so many so chose my favorites and we hope you all enjoy them, plus the video of Layla talking to me before we left. She sees the back pack and starts moaning and chatting till she gets into it, pure happiness and excitement.

February 20th is Love Your Pet Day and it’s special day to show your love for your little furry friends. Whether you’re a cat lover, a dog lover or any other pet sharing your home, today’s the day to double spoil them and show them how much they mean to your family.

What is the best way to celebrate this day :
01. Give your pet some new treats, or make them a special meal. 02. Buy them some new toys or a new bed. 03. Give your pet a spa day. 04. If it is your dog take them on a special adventure. 05. See if there is any special event in your area celebrating this day. 06. Invite your friends over with their pets and have a party. 07. Best of all, if you are not a pet owner, why not go to a shelter/rescue organization and adopt a new family member.
So what are you going to do ?

Now I am going back to bed to rest as tomorrow I have a busy day as my friend Gidget is going to be visiting.
Have a wonderful weekend,With a woof and love from Layla

Loving us is keeping us safe

Posted on February 12, 2020 by admin — 22 Comments ↓

Good morning friends,
Love is in the air, can you smell it. Yes that smell of flowers, chocolates for Mom and treats for me, it is Valentines Day.

Valentines Day is a special day as we shower our Mom or Dad with extra love as they are the best and love us all the time.

February the 14th is also Pet Theft Awareness Day.
Statistics tell us that up to 2 million pets are stolen each year and that 1 in 3 pets will go missing at some point in their lives. What we may not realize is that less than 20% of dogs and 2% of cats are ever returned home. Where do these dogs end up? In unimaginable places, from research laboratories to puppy mills, todog fighting rings as bait dogs.
Pure dog breeds are the most likely to be stolen. Toy breeds are the most vulnerable like a Maltese, Yorkshire Terrier or Chihuahua and designer breeds are also common targets. The more expensive the breed the more likely it can be stolen but mutts are also at risk so we must keep the below tips in mind at all times.

How to keep us safe :
01. Keep your dog indoors when you are not home especially, and if you have an outdoor dog make sure the gates are locked so that no one can access them.

02. Do NOT tie your dog outside a store or restaurant as you are looking for trouble. An unattended dog is easy target for thieves.

03. Walk your dog with a leash only, a dog without a leash walking with you is also an easy target for theft.

04. Make sure all information on tags and microchip are up to date and that your pets are wearing collars at all times. Remember a thief can remove the collar and tags but not the microchip.

05. Keep your cats indoors as they are safer.

06. If you think your dog is stolen, report the theft to police right away. Next, let your neighborhood know also.

07. Never leave your pet unattended in a car.

Important Tips to help get your pet home :
01. File a police report so there is a record of theft.

02. Contact your Animal Control, Shelter, Groomers, Pet Stores and file a report with each shelter.

03. Put up flyers around your neighborhood with contact information and a recent photograph.04. Post on Social Media

Most Important beware of scams – people will call you to say they have your pet to get the reward BUT do not give them anything till you have your pet in your possession.

So I am woofing please keep us safe and happy as we do not want to go to anyone else as you are our parents.

Have a wonderful weekend

With woof and love from Layla

February reminders

Posted on February 5, 2020 by admin — 32 Comments ↓

Hello Fur friends,

February arrived, we are already into the 5th day and Mom has decided to change our blog day to Wednesdays instead of Thursdays. You might want to know why but she explained that when we started the blog it was our Wednesday Woof and with a new year, new decade we are going to start it again.

My gotcha day was awesome, I was spoiled the whole weekend and now life is back to normal, or as I should ask, what is normal ? Phew the sun was shining so we managed to even spend some time in the park which means lots of treats from all my Uncles and on the way home met a cat going for a walk – oy vey they scare me.

With February comes a lot of Pet Observances which we should remember to keep our pets healthy and happy and am going to list some below :

01. February is Pet Dental Month, ewww I hate the taste of the dental products but as Mom says it is very important to keep my teeth pearly white and healthy, so another thing to suffer about BOL.

02. February is known as Spay/Neuter Awareness Month or Beat the Heat Month. This is very very important to prevent an explosion in kittens and puppies we should all spay or neuter our pets. There are so many pets being dumped / euthanized or strays because of those that do not do this and we need to draw more attention to this problem to prevent it.

03. February is also Unchain Your Dog Month – No dog should have to live on a chain outdoors, if you have a dog they should be indoors with you off a chain as all dogs are part of your family. If you cannot do that then do not have one as you are abusing your poor dog.

04. February is also Responsible Pet Owner Month. This one is so important as like all the above if you welcome a pet into your family you should take the responsibility of caring for your pet as family like you would do with your children.

Below are some tips on how to take responsibility for your pets so that they are healthy and happy :

So with all the above mentioned please keep your pets safe, happy and most of all healthy and if you cannot then please do not get a pet, it is as simple as that.

Have a great week, With woof and love from Layla

A letter to Layla on her Gotcha Day

Posted on January 31, 2020 by admin — 30 Comments ↓

TGIF !!!!!!!!!!!!!! But most important Happy Gotcha Day to my best friend, my partner in life and most of all to Layla.

Today we are going to dedicate this blog to Layla, who is my Boss, the owner of this blog as I am her secretary.

Dear Layla,

I am so proud to be your Mom, to be able to keep you healthy and happy but most important of all am so blessed to have you in my life.

I am once again going to share your Gotcha Story here so that others will realize rescuing is so worth it and that is why I speak out for rescues, as like you, they all need a home with a warm bed to sleep on.

I remember when your sister passed away, I waited about 6 weeks and then decided my home was too empty without the pitter patter of paws so the search was on. I ran around to all the shelters in the city but could not find a little fluffy at the time, which is what I wanted.

So Uncle Michael introduced me to Aunt Cindy by email, told me that he would be in LA for a week so I had a week to search online for a new fur kid and he would bring her home to me.

I sat 24/7 on Petharbor and Petfinder and was nearly giving up when I saw you sitting in a cage in the Carson Shelter. Your look on your face said to me take me home. I immediately emailed Aunt Cindy with your information and photo and she went to the Shelter on the Saturday to fetch you for me. I remember her calling me from there telling me she had a smelly matted mess kissing her, that sealed the deal.

You arrived on the Sunday evening, the 31st of January 2011, I had got the house all ready for you, bought you a new pink bed and was so excited. Yes, you were smelly and dirty but I did not care as there are washing machines, and for me what was important was you were finally home, safe and sound with a nice warm bed.

Your dumping papers said you had been an outdoor dog, you bit when groomed and in a nutshell everything negative a person can say and OH What A Lie. You are the opposite. I am ashamed to even say what your name had been.

I waited a couple of days and then met a friend of mine, a vet, Dr. Phil in the dog park, he looked at you, checked you and said I had won, and he was so right.

Your first couple of days you slept and ate, I had to teach you to climb the stairs, potty outside and am proud to say you had one accident inside. You did no damage and I did not crate you as I do not believe in crates but as far as I remember you chewed a tissue LOL.

You overcame your fear of men, your fear of so many things but with love and patience we did it together and you succeeded.

You have come a long way Layla, 9 wonderful years with me, we have moved, you have become one of the most happiest waggy tail dogs I know, friendly, full of love and I could not ask for anything more.

So as you grow older with me, nearly 13, and Mom is growing older too, I could not ask for a better way to grow old but with you, you make me laugh, shower me with unconditional love, and even when you are naughty I giggle as it is so seldom.

Thank you for rescuing me Layla, Mommy is so proud of you, so blessed to share my bed with you and most of all, Mommy loves you very much.

Happy Gotcha Day Sweetheart, my Lullybelle (her nickname) and I promise today, we are going to do something special.

Hugs and lots of love Mom

PS. I can honestly say On Line Love Affairs do exist.

January is flying by

Posted on January 24, 2020 by admin — 30 Comments ↓

TGIF !!!!!!!!!!!! We cannot believe that we are in the third week of January, this month is flying too fast.

In the Layla Neighborhood we have been busy dog sitting, Gidget spent the weekend with us last week which was exhausting and she was here yesterday and today Louis is here.

Mom is really working hard looking after all of us and I am sure by the end of the day is exhausted. One good thing I think Mom is losing a lot of weight from all the walking so she will be a skinny old lady now like me.

Last Saturday we went to the Women’s March which was amazing, it was smaller than last year but still awesome to see the women, men, children and of course dogs there all standing up for our rights. We wandered around, listened to the speakers and chatted with different people. We did not do the March as I had left Gidget at home and did not want to be away for too long.

The organizations there were Animal Liberation, Climate Change, Women’s organizations, Domestic Violence and so much more.
Below are some of the photographs from the March.

When we got home, Madam was exhausted LOL, I walked Gidget and spent some quality time with her on the walk and then we all relaxed.

Sunday was a slow day just having fun all of us together, Monday more or less the same and then Gidget went home in the evening.

LOL Tuesday Layla slept all day and I think she needed it.

Yesterday Madam went for a bath and I forgot the camera oy vey but she has a new thing of moaning while being bathed and giving miserable looks as if she is being punished, it is quite funny. I compensated her of course with lots of treats so she cannot complain, I am a softy and actually feel guilty also as I know she hates it.

Tomorrow she is going to get a surprise, we are going to her favorite restaurant for lunch, it is a Syrian place with delicious food and Layla always gets a piece of chicken. They are so great there and when they bring us glasses of water they automatically bring Layla a bowl of water also.
Saturday if not raining we are doing the Shitzhu Meet up which will be good for her and Sunday I am helping at a volunteer program which she will come with me of course. So as you can see we are always busy and Monday my plans are nothing but housework and laundry.

Before we forget : January 24th is “Change a Pet’s Life Day” which was created for nationwide recognition of homeless pets in need of forever, loving homes. Whether you choose to adopt a new friend or even volunteer at a local animal shelter, it will be really appreciated by a homeless pet.

Did anyone else go to the Women’s March ? What did you do over the long weekend, lets hear from everyone ?

On this note, with both dogs now sleeping, I am going to get a cup of coffee and relax a bit,

Have a wonderful weekend all and please stay safe and warm.

With a woof and love from Layla

What a week, I am exhausted

Posted on January 17, 2020 by admin — 14 Comments ↓

TGIF and guess what ? It is a long weekend !

Lots of new happenings in the Layla Neighborhood and I have told Mom I am not really impressed as to what is happening here although I do understand as Mom wants to work more from home than run around and teach.

So this is the news :

Mom has decided to do some dog sitting for different dogs so we now have Gidget on Wednesday afternoons and Louis on Thursdays.

I love having house guests but am having to learn in my old age about puppies and although they are cute and funny they tire me out BOL. I told Mom I am an old dog and do not have the energy for them, so guess what, when the puppy wants to play I go to sleep in my box and it is the best.
As I am sleeping in my box now Louis is squeaking away with a toy and the jazz is playing in the background.

On Saturday Mom took me to the vet as she was worried that I had lost weight but the vet told Mom to stop worrying as I am really healthy. The only thing she did point out to Mom is that my eyes are really dry and that we should put drops in my eyes which Mom is doing. She is concerned that because I have a cataract the dry eyes might start causing some pain and then I will have to go on medications so we are praying the drops will help.

The plus with going to the vet is I came home yummm with a small bag of treats so I was a very happy girl.

The rains have arrived again and it has been freezing cold so we not out and about as we normally are but if there is a drop of sunshine Mom runs to the park LOL or takes me for a long walk.

So that is what is happening in the Layla neighborhood and this Saturday we are doing the Women’s March which will be interesting, we need to stand up and speak out. In next weeks blog you will see the photos.

As we said in our last blog we are going to be speaking out this year to save our climate, the animals and everything else.

**Please look after the climate for us**

Have a wonderful weekend everyone, be safe and warm,

With a woof from
Layla

New Decade New Year

Posted on January 9, 2020 by admin — 18 Comments ↓

TGIF !!!!

We cannot believe it is 2020, a New Year and New Decade and pray that it will be a good year for everyone.

January is very important for me for two reasons, one that I ran from my ex and became a free woman and the other is that I rescued Layla in January, so we celebrate it in many ways.

Last week to celebrate my freedom, and give Layla an adventure we went to my favorite park here in San Francisco and that is Stern Grove Park. It is far from the noise of traffic, peaceful and what I really love about it is the walk along the park to the end where there is a beautiful lake which had ducks in swimming around. Just sitting there, Layla wandering around and doing nothing but staring at the natural beauty was just what the doctor ordered.

It was also great to be away from all the sad news all over the world and forget about everything. I would be very happy living somewhere in the middle of a forest with noise just from the trees, water and animals. Not sure about Layla though LOL.

Layla ambling along happy

Otherwise like everyone this week we have been watching the tragedy unfold in Australia with the awful sad fires which I feel should be an eye opener to everyone as to what happens if we do not look after the climate, care for our water as I am seeing the awful drought in South Africa where some areas have not had water for over 5 years, horrific as there too innocent animals are suffering.

I just feel that each time we put on the TV lately there is another disaster somewhere as I said above it is time for us to step back, look at the damage that is being done and fight for a better planet for future generations.
SO what is my New Year Resolution, find ways to save our planet, stop using plastic wherever possible and try turn things around. I know my contribution will be a small drop in the ocean, but if everyone did one drop things could change.

My other resolution is speak out more about abuse, both Domestic Violence or child abuse but most of all animal abuse and this something we all need to speak out about as they do not have voices. It is time to put a stop to it all.

So on this note, having shared my resolution what is yours ? How are you going to help change the world and make it a better place ?

Look after yourselves, let us pray for all the victims from the fires and drought, be safe and have a wonderful weekend,

With a woof and love from Layla

A week with Gidget

Posted on December 27, 2019 by admin — 10 Comments ↓

TGIF !!1

Good Morning all, WOW we cannot believe it is like 5 more days till the new decade starts and all we can pray is that it will bring peace, love and hopefully stop abuse of all kinds all over the world.

We have been very busy in the Layla Neighborhood as I have been looking after my neighbors year old puppy, Gidget. It has been quite an eye opener for me as I have never had a puppy so am learning a lot LOL. It is one thing reading all about it and another actually spending time with one.

I am loving it but Layla is not that impressed, as Gidget is a bundle of bouncing energy whereas Layla is the mellow quiet dog who just wants to walk, eat and sleep.

So to share with you more about Gidget, she wrote an email to her Mom this morning and am sharing it here as it explains exactly what is happening here.

Hi Mom,

This is Gidget woofing here, how are you ? I am being a very good girl although Auntie got angry with me last night cos I decided to get into the recycle and pulled everything out all over the floor and made a mess. It was fun especially watching Auntie clean up afterwards. She is horrible cos she then sprayed the bag with stinky apple cider vinegar so I did not go close to it again. she is mean LOL.

I also make her chase me to get the harness on cos I do not like it but she will not let me go out without it, not fair.

BUT I am having lots of fun with all the toys, have killed two already LOL, Layla hides from me in her box for peace and quiet but this is the best holiday ever.

I am now resting after a long long walk this morning, lots of new smells and it was exciting but Auntie would not let me eat anything off the sidewalk and the leash she has on me keeps me really away from it all plus cos it is rope it is yucky to chew, Gidget has chewed to leashes, one since with me.

Love from your energizer bunny (Auntie calls me that)

Gidget

So as you can all see she is keeping me on my toes and since the recycle incident she tried climbing into the fridge when I opened it, has pushed Layla off the bed and in a nutshell I am laughing a lot over it all. I think Layla is going to need a holiday after this.

Gidget is going to be with us for another 5 days and then Layla will have her peaceful house back to herself. She is being amazing though and I cannot complain.

Other than that I am once again preparing slowly for the FireWorks night which I hate and wish they would ban, it is not fair to the animals plus a waste of money which could be used on much better causes.

It also concerns me as so many shelters are at this moment over flowing thanks to the lousy humans who dump their pets before a holiday, and then are stuck with an extra load of pets that have fled from fear of the fireworks.

So please please keep your pets safe and make sure their microchip is updated, that they are indoors and most important that they are away from any open door or window so that they cannot escape.

**Please keep them safe – Happy New Year**

Our next blog will be in 2020, Happy New Year Everyone, May the New Year bring you lots of health, happiness and whatever else you wish for.

With a woof and love From Layla

The Howlidays have arrived

Posted on December 20, 2019 by admin — 22 Comments ↓

TGIF !!!!

The Howlidays have arrived and I have been watching everyone scurrying around shopping for gifts for everypawdy. We hope that when shopping you will also get something for Rescue Organizations or Domestic Violence Shelters as there are so many in need of money or donations of food, bedding and of course toys for the kids in the Shelters, both pets and human.
So we are asking everyone that want to help call a Shelter, both Animal or Domestic Violence and ask them if you can give something, it is a time of giving and that would be such a Mitzvah. (Yiddish for good deed).

Last week we went to a Hanukkah party held by one of the Domestic Violence Organizations, they do it every year at someones house where we all meet up, eat lots of latkes, light the Hanukkiah and forgot our problems for a couple of hours. It was a wonderful event as always, Layla was included and loved by all, and I want to thank Shalom Bayit for the wonderful event and especially including both of us.

**The Candles giving light to the past dark days**

So of course if we discussing Hanukkah and I must not forget the recipe for the doggy latkes and human latkes for those that want to make them at home.

Doggy Latkes Ingredients and Method
One sweet potato grated
One egg
Flour to bind it all together
Mix all in a bowl, spoon on to a baking sheet which is covered with parchment paper, bake on 350 Deg till brown on top, flip over and carry on baking till ready (golden brown) Cool and serve it to them with sour cream or cottage cheese.
This recipe makes about 5 or 6 depending on the size of the sweet potato.

Human Latkes recipe Ingredients and Method
5 Russet Potatoes peeled (you can do unpeeled also)
2 Eggs
Breadcrumbs or Matza meal to bind it all together
NOW to make life easier and tastier instead of crying while grating onions I use a packet of Lipton Onion Soup mix.
Squeeze all the water out of the potatoes, add the rest of the ingredients and mix together.
Heat up oil in a frying pan, I use Canola oil, drop a table spoon of the mixture into the hot oil, flattening them a bit, fry till golden brown on each side, drain on a paper towel. Serve hot with either sour cream or apple sauce. Bon Appetit.

Tomorrow Gidget arrives, she is a cutie and will be staying with us for about 2 weeks while her Mom goes away for the holidays. It is going to be fun having two dogs in the house and she is one bundle of energy so she is going to keep Layla on her toes LOL. It is going to be quite amusing.

This weekend rain is expected again oy vey so we are going to be indoors a lot of the time unless there will be a lull in the rain, but we will be doing long walks wherever possible and I am really proud to say Layla is starting to tolerate the rain which is making life so much easier.

I have nothing scheduled otherwise but quality family time with the both dogs, lots of treats and pampering and guess what, am going to try pamper myself also, what a concept, but weather permitting I might take dogs for a walk in the evening around our neighborhood to see the houses with the Christmas lights.

On this note we would love to wish everyone Happy Howlidays, have a wonderful time with your families, both two and four legged, make memories with photographs and please do not over eat.

We also want to remind everyone what is not safe for your pets so you do not have to run to the vet, this is for both Hanukkah and Christmas.

**Hanukkah and Christmas pet safety tips**

With lots of love and licks Layla

The Holidays are nearly here

Posted on December 13, 2019 by admin — 16 Comments ↓

Woof !!!!!!!!!!!

Mom and I have been busy as always and with the holidays creeping up on us it seems as everyone is having Christmas events for us pampered dogs.
So Mom sat with her schedule and all the dates BOL to see what she could do and fit in although there are some on the same day, plus of course Mom wants to do something for herself too, which I am not sure I agree with.

On Friday I was spoiled as Uncle Matthew came to see Mom and brought my Christmas Bag from the Shanti/PAWS project which had yumm treats, and two new toys, one I really love which is a unicorn.

On Saturday there were quite a few events including the Santacon but because the weather was so bad, sheets of rain, we decided to cuddle inside instead. When the rain stopped for a little bit Mom took me to our favorite pet store and stocked me up on my favorite chews, Turkey tendons so I have a stash in the house.

**Shhhh don’t tell Mom I hide them so she will get me more**

On Sunday the sun appeared, so we went for a long walk to the Castro District where they were having the annual Skivvies Santa Run. This is a fun event, a fundraiser for the AIDS foundation in San Francisco. What happens is everyone congregates in skivvies at one point, and then they do a run finishing at the same place where they started. There was band playing Christmas songs and jazzy music, Santa Claus and lots and lots of skivvies with Santa Hats. I even met some dogs there joining in the fun. We took a slow walk home from there through the dog park which was great as I had a good run without my leash.

The rest of the week has been normal BOL as Mom has been doing things and I have been hibernating from the rain, but Mom is really proud of me as I have actually been walking in the rain if I need to go out. It has taken Mom nearly 8 years I think to get me to do it, better late than never. The best part is when I get home Mom doubles my treats so it is worth it.

OH!!! Before I forget one lousy thing happened this week, I got a bath. Can you believe it is raining but Mom still insists I get a bath. How dare she ! I made sure she would suffer when we got home and what I did was rolled all wet all over her bed so she had to change all the bedding. Ha I love that kind of payback.

This coming Sunday, I am going on an adventure, as must not forget that Hanukkah is around the corner so am going to a Hanukkah party with Mom. There are going to be lots of people and children so it is going to be lots of fun. Mom says she will pack my dinner in her bag plus treats so I will not starve BOL.

I will be posting next week our Hanukkah doggy latke recipe for everyone so you can all get your humans to make you something new.

Now am going to relax, just ate lunch as I was not in the mood for breakfast, have walked Mom good today so she is tired,

Have a wonderful warm weekend everypawdy

With love and licks From Layla