February 2025 Pet Holidays and Observances 

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February 2025 Pet Holidays and Observances 

February is Black Dog Awareness Month, Nili, that is why Mom adopted my sister Layla and then me

Month

  • Beat the Heat Month.
  • Black Dog and Cat Syndrome Awareness Month.
  • Dog Training Education Month
  • Feline Fix by Five Month.
  • National Cat Health Month.
  • National Prevent a Litter Month.
  • Spay/Neuter Awareness Month.(Humane Society of the United States)
  • Pet Dental Month
  • Responsible Pet Owners Month.

 

Week

  • 7-14: Have a Heart for Chained Dogs Week.
  • 16-22: National Justice for Animals Week

 

One-Day

  • 2: Sled Dog Day
  • 2: National Brown Dog Day.
  • 3: Doggy Date Night
  • 5: World Animal Reiki Day
  • 12: Safety Pup Day.
  • 14: Pet Theft Awareness Day.
  • 14. Valentine’s Day
  • 20:National Love your Pet Day (which is every day)
  • 22: Marie Day. Designated by Walt Disney Japan, this day celebrates Marie of TheAristoCats!
  • 22: Walking the Dog Day.
  • 23: International Dog Biscuit Appreciation Day and National Dog Biscuit Day.
  • 25: World Spay Day.  Very Important Day

 

Have a pawsome February friends,

With love and woofs from Nili

 

 

 

Angel Layla’s Gotcha Day

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TGIF!!!!!!!!!!!!!! But most important Happy Gotcha Day to Angel Layla.

Dear Layla,

I was 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 had you in my life. You taught me so much and I was so blessed.

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, and that is why I opened my home and heart to Nili.

I remember when your sister (Baby) 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 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 Sunday evening, the 31st of January 2011, I had got the house 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 for laundry, 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 was.

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.

During 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 an 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.

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You overcame your fear of men, your fear of so many things but with love and patience we did it together and you succeeded and we did many adventures together, you riding in your backpack, went to different lakes, different events in San Francisco, and our life was full of fun.

 

You came a long way Layla, 13 wonderful years with me, we moved, you became one of the most happiest waggy tail dogs I know, friendly, full of love and I could not have asked for anything more.

 

As you grew older with me, Mom is growing older too, I could not ask for a better way to grow old but with you, you made me laugh, shower me with unconditional love, and even when you were naughty I giggle as it is so seldom. In your last years when you lost your sight, ability to walk, you still loved to be outdoors, sniffing around, riding in your stroller like a princess, nothing stopped you. Your last birthday last year is something I will never forget especially when you got into mischief finding your Uncles pocket of his jacket to search for your favorite chicken jerky but in the end unravelling the roll of poop bags all over the floor. We all had a good laugh and you wagged your tail, then went and lay down and went to sleep.

Napping at her birthday party

She loved riding in her backpack

 

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

Happy Gotcha Day Sweetheart over the Rainbow Bridge, my Lullybelle (her nickname) and I promise you are always with me in my heart, I miss you terribly and I know you would have loved Nili, thank you for sending her to me.

Hugs and lots of love Mom

I can honestly say Online Love Affairs do exist.

I have become a park fan

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TGIF!!!!!!!!! Good morning, Fur friends, we hope you are all safe and staying warm.

I have become a member of the dog park; we have been going daily as the sun was out and it was really warm and although I am still tied to the bench, I am having so much fun meeting new dogs and playing. I still have a lot to learn but I am getting there and Mom is very proud of me which makes me happy.

Playing with Isloo

 

This week I got a new harness from MrPeanuts, a pretty pink and it fits me perfectly and is so comfortable to wear, it came with a pink leash so I cannot pull Mom anymore as it shorter than the one that I had. I am also playing less tug of war with the leashes which Mom is so relieved with as her shoulder is not hurting that much.

https://mrpeanutspetcarriers.com/?rfsn=7819747.8b3521&utm_source=refersion&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=7819747.8b3521

Do I look pretty in pink? Nili

 

So that has been our week, busy as always, Mom leaving me alone when she runs errands which I don’t like but love the treats when she gets home BOL as there is a price to pay for leaving me here. Mom says as soon as I learn to ride in the backpack and not eat all the junk off the street she will take me with her so that is my next lesson.

Our life is busy, but happy and I am one lucky rescued dog living the best life now and pray others have the same luck as me.

Have a wonderful long weekend,

With love and licks

Nili

His words are what I live by, Layla RIP, Nili and Me

 

Are you prepared?

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TGIF!! Good Morning Everyone, we are a little late with our blog this week as the chaos in California has taken over our lives, the worry for our friends and family in Los Angeles who are thank goodness safe, the sharing all the information on social media non stop has kept me really busy although I have taken Nili to the park daily to get off electronics and give her a break.

Are you prepared for a Natural Disaster? That is my question for the week.

Climate change is really happening, I know there are people that do not believe it but it is happening. I am looking around the world as to what is happening and it worries me and we should be doing everything in our power to save the planet for future generations.

I look at California, in the past month we have had tornado warnings, tsunami warnings, the horrific fires in Los Angeles and this morning we were woken to an earth tremor here in San Francisco. I think it is the third or fourth in the past month.

So, we should all be preparing especially as our pets depend on us and make sure we have an emergency bag to go with everything needed. This is what I have in mine and am always worried I do not have enough for Nili. I have started vertigo so my balance is off especially when stressed so have put all in a light weight suitcase so I can push or pull it which will help my balance plus Nilis’ carrier fits on the handles as I do not want her to walk on the debri an hurt herself.

The plus with this carrier is that it expands so that I will have room to stretch out plus Mom can put a water bowl or food in it. She would keep it closed for carrying but once in a safe place she would expand the sides and front. It also has a strap in it so she can strap me in, and I cannot run. It would give her peace of mind.  You can see it on this website plus all their other products :

https://mrpeanutspetcarriers.com/?rfsn=7819747.8b3521&utm_source=refersion&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=7819747.8b3521

I personally think this is the best as they are comfortable and not cramped

In our bag we have Boxes of Water, Poop Bags,  Food for both of us, Treats, Flashlights with batteries, sleeping bag for Mom, toys for me of course, Leash and harness with ID tags on, and BOL some coffee for Mom, and most important a first aid kit for both of us. Passport or some form of ID, Medications, my supplements including my Relax from Real Mushrooms; you can find them on this link and are fantastic, you have a 10% discount with coupon LaylasWoof.

https://shop.realmushrooms.com/?ref=488   

Nili gets both and the relax is in the bag also

The food Mom has for me is air dried kibbles with all the nutrients from YumWoof, you have a 5% discount with coupon YUMNILI

https://yumwoof.com/?ref=nbmzrsze   

mine mine mine, you cannot have, Nili

We also have a wallet with cash in just in case ATMs are not working so I feel Mom has covered everything.  If you think she has forgotten something, please tell Mom so she can add it to our bag.  I also keep my phone charged so that it will be charged if I must grab it and go out.

We are praying for all our friends in Los Angeles, praying for the safety of all the wild animals and strays, please join us in these prayers as everyone needs them at this moment,

Take care and be safe

With a woof and love from

Nili

 

Disclaimer : We have not been sponsored for this blog post, all coupons will not increase the prices on the website and we do get a percentage from sales which helps us keep the blog going and Nili healthy.

 

January 2025 Pet Holidays and Observances

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January has arrived, a new year, new calendar of holidays and observances, let’s get started.

Nili reading the list to you so you don’t forget LOL

 

What I love about this month is that for all new dog parents this month is dedicated to training and walking your new dog.

Month

  • Unchain a Dog Month.
  • Walk your dog month
  • National Train Your Dog Month 

Day

  • 2: National Pet Travel Safety Day.
  • 2: Happy Mew Year for Cats Day.
  • 6: National Standard Poodle Day.

Jan. 13: Dress up your pet day

  • 19: National Conservation Dog Day.
  • 22: National Answer Your Cat’s Question Day.
  • 24: Change a Pet’s Life Day.
  • 24: Peanut Butter Day.  Dedicated to all the yummy peanut butter treats for dogs.
  • 29: Seeing Eye Dog Anniversary
  • 29: Tuxedo Cat Appreciation Day.

 

Have a safe January everyone

With a woof and love from Nili

 

Why i speak out against Animal Abuse

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2025 is here but we must not be quiet as so many animals need our help.

Layla the first spokesdog on this blog

There are so many issues when it comes to animals, a circus or zoo which are prisons for those poor animals and have not chosen that kind of life. The circus animals are beaten and mistreated just to entertain humans, which is so wrong, each time a circus closes, and the animals are set free I celebrate as they should all be free roaming the land where they come from. Animals in zoos should have that same life of freedom, not sitting in cages or enclosures seeing the same thing every day – that is not a life, that is a prison. It is time that zoos close also.

Breeders are just as bad, they breed animals especially in puppy mills or cat mills, where the dogs and cats do not have lives, they are baby making machines, living in deplorable conditions and when they cannot breed anymore, they are dumped like garbage. Puppy or Cat mills should be closed and made illegal. I here too rejoice everything a law passes forbidding the sale of pets in pet stores as the pets do not deserve to be there but like every living being, should be free to live their lives as they do not have a say in their lives and therefore it is abuse.

Hybrid cats or dogs that are bred like Cockapoos, etc are all mutts and should not be labelled as a breed, they are mixed breeds.

Mutts are the best an I love mine to the moon and back

That is why Spay and Neuter is so important to keep overpopulation under control, by doing that less animals would land up in shelters or become feral/homeless, but would have homes to live their lives. If everyone spayed or neutered there would be no euthanasia as the shelters would not have all these poor animals hoping for a rescue.

Pets are family, the reason shelters are overflowing is because of the selfish inconsiderate humans who think that when they do not want to be responsible anymore they dump them in shelters. A pet should live his or her life comfortably as part of your family and not get the death sentence as they have been dumped in a shelter, That is the stark reality of what happens and it is sickening.

This is Layla in the shelter before she came home to me

Nili leaving the shelter

On this note we are praying that 2025 Shelters will be empty, pets will have loving homes and the abuse will stop.

Please hug your pets as they are blessed to have you in their lives,

With a woof and love from Nili

 

 

 

 

 

Five months home

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TGIF!!  Good morning all my friends,

 

It has been five months since Nili arrived home,  my life has changed in so many ways, from living with Layla R.I.P. who towards the end slept and went for rides in her stroller which I miss big time, to a new rescued pup who is young and full of energy, keeping me moving all the time.

Nili is a handful, a bundle of energy, full of quirks, loves saying hello to everyone in the street or park but I would not change it for anything. She eats well, not picky at all, takes her supplements with no problems and is one happy girl, more and more relaxed on a daily basis and a bed hog big time LOL.

So today as it is five months since she came home, I decided to share with you some of our fun times in the park, her playing and killing her toys and how she keeps me amused daily. Her new quirk is trying to take a toy with her when she goes for a walk, which is cute but I do not let her especially with the rain and mud in the park. She loves balls and fetch them with all her toys, she barks for attention or when she wants to go out and loves looking through the window and barking at everyone.

Here we go with some of my funny times with her.

https://youtube.com/shorts/hhQjUyWBqqY?si=-W4V6lLROKvHi4Z8

https://youtube.com/shorts/39SG34gi4WE?si=B98l_jay2QRJjsWE

https://youtube.com/shorts/AYOE8RwZqOY?si=9NoaNlN3YeOZsVTa

 

I am ready with my toy to go for a walk Nili

If I lick my lips that means treats in the park, Nili

I love when she sleep like this

Which toy should I play with, Nili

On this note we would love to wish everyone a Happy New Year, may 2025 be full of health, happiness and memories and most of all please keep them safe on New Years Eve.

 

Love and woofs from Nili

 

 

 

The holidays have arrived

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Happy Holidays Everyone, this is my first holiday without Layla, she is sorely missed but I know she is at peace today. Nili is part of my life today but I think of her daily especially with the Holidays here.

Next week we celebrate Hanukkah and this year it falls on the same day as Christmas. For Nili it will be her first with me and I plan to make it very special. She already got her Christmas presents and her Hanukkah present she will get on Hanukkah. We celebrate Hanukkah for eight days so I am going to do the way I did with Layla, give her something new or extra yum every day. For those of you that do not know Hanukkah is the festival of lights and we light a candle each night till our Hanukiah has all 8 candles lit.  The story about Hanukkah in short is that the Maccabees found oil for one day, but it lasted for eight days and that is why we light the eight candles.

The lit Hanukkiot at the party last week

Hanukkah Sameach Everyone with love from Nili

Nili killed her Hanukkiah BOL

Another tradition is to eat oily food, so we eat Sufganiyot (Hebrew for Jelly Donuts) and latkes (potato pancakes) so I am going to share with you the latke recipe I used to make for Layla but I have adapted it this year using oat flour instead of regular flour. See the recipe below, they are very healthy and I bake them as it so much healthier thank frying for the dog.

One of my favorite memories of Layla, eating a latke from a Dreidel (spinning top) plate, we play them at Hanukkah

I have switched to Oat Flour instead of regular flour

I have another Hanukkah party today which I am looking forward to, am going to get fat LOL the rate this is going as I over ate at the one I went to last Sunday and am sure am going to do it again today, oy vey I need to go back on diet.

We must not forget Christmas

Why peanuts ? Pets can choke on shelled peanuts

 

With all the happiness going on we must not forget the pets in shelters as they deserve the love and warm home our lucky pets. January is one of the worst months in shelters as they will be overflowing with pets that have been dumped for a new puppy or have got lost. I am once again saying those that dump their pets should be blacklisted so they cannot have another pet.

On this note I want to wish everyone Happy Holidays, please be safe and remember not to drink and drive as your fur kids are waiting at home for you.

One of my special memories of Layla

 

With love, licks and woofs

From Nili xxx

 

 

 

 

Phew it is the weekend

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TGIF!! Hello friends, the weekend has arrived, and Mom and I have been crazy busy but with lots of fun. I am sure my sister over the Rainbow Bridge is giggling as she used to do the same with her and never stopped.

Last weekend the weather was chilly but sunny, so Mom took me to our little dog park, hooked me up on my long leash and I wandered around, sniffed lots and then relaxed in the outdoors. While Mom was drinking her coffee of course this awful man sat on a bench next to us and started harassing Mom about having a dog in the park, threatened her with pepper spray if I got too close to him, and did not shut up. When he told Mom that dog owners smell like dogs Mom replied to him that a fox smells his own tail, he looked at her not understanding, so she said google it BOL. He was not impressed and I got so mad I started barking at him. So Mom packed up our things and moved to another bench, when he said goodbye, Mom replied she has not patience for toxic people and the air was cleaner at the other bench. He said nothing and we sat down again, Mom tied me to that bench for safety, got out her coffee and just relaxed. It turned out to be a perfect day for us till we decided to come home. Can you believe the audacity of that person, he must be one unhappy man and as Mom says she has no sympathy for him as he was rude to her.

Mom that man is scary, I do not like him, Nili

 

On Monday we decided to try out the park Mom used to go to with my sister. She has been scared going there because of my leash reaction but thought maybe if I am on a long leash I will be a lot more relaxed and guess what it worked. I had so much fun there, smelling new dogs, playing with some and wandering around. It was just what I needed never mind Mom BOL, plus I learned a lot there also. I met one or two of my sister Layla’s Uncles and they spoiled me with treats, yum, so I cannot complain I want to go there again. I actually did not want to go home BOL.

Watching everyone

 

On Wednesday was crazy day, very busy with lots of fun. I went to the park and then we met Uncle, and he took Mom out for lunch at her favorite place Palmyra. It is Syrian food which Mom loves, and they make a garlic sauce called Toum which Mom cannot get enough of, she smells of garlic afterwards BOL. The owner was so nice and brought me a bowl of water and I of course climbed on the booth seating and tried pinching some of Uncles food, he said NO, and I was not happy but he did spoil me with a Hanukkah present, my first, a Star of David chew toy so I had something to play with while they ate and chatted. It was really fun and we walked home through the park and both of us

Waiting for the food

Trying to get food off the table, do I look innocent ?

When we got home I got another surprise, a goody bag for Christmas with lots of treats and a new squeaky giraffe, I love him and am squeaking and playing with him also all the time. Mom explained to me it is that time of the year for giving gifts and me likes that. My toybox is overflowing and I think Mom is going to need to get me a new one BOL.

I got a goody bag woof

My Star of David new toy

Today it rained, but as soon as there was a break in the rain Mom took me to the park where I sat in a puddle, got my butt wet, and played with some dogs, Mom was very proud of me as I behaved so got some extra treats when we got home.

He even played with me it was fun

The weather is yuck and everyone has gone home

I am not sure what Mom has planned for this weekend, but she told me she is going to a Hanukkah party on Sunday and I am going to have to stay at home, it is not fair but I will be good and guard the house with lots of barking, woof.

So as you can see Mom is a very busy senior BOL and I am keeping her on her toes as much as possible to keep her young, she is also baking me treats once a week for my kong to keep me busy so I am a very lucky happy rescued fur kid. I will share recipes next week for your pups.

Have a safe wonderful weekend and week everyone, stay warm and dry

With woof and hugs from Nili

December 5 is Celebrate Shelter Pets Day

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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:

  1. Adopt a Pet
  2. Supporting a Shelter
  3. Share a story
  4. Foster a Pet
  5. 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