My Mother’s Day Letter to Mom

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TGIF !

Hello, my friends and how are you?  This Sunday is very important as it is Mother’s Day and I am blessed to have an awesome Mom, so I dictated  her a letter.

Dear Mom,

Happy Mother’s Day. I tell you every day with my wagging tail what an awesome Mom you are and how blessed I am to be with you and grow old with you.

We have our up days and down days, but you are always there for me, take good care of me, make sure I eat, drink, poop and pee and what more can a fur kid want but that. It is the unconditional love you shower me that I am so grateful for.

You keep me safe in my backpack when we go on the busses, you make sure I get good walks even when you are tired, you take me on adventures to different dog parks, the promenade to see the sea lions and sea gulls, dog events where I get spoiled with lots of treats, and so much more, we are always doing something exciting so our lives are not boring.

 

I am so blessed you adopted me from that lousy shelter, you always tell people that I have come from pound to princess, and I know you think I am a Diva but that is because of you and I would not change anything in this world.

So, woof woof woof thank you for everything, you are the bestest Mother on earth and I am one happy dog,

With a woof and love from Layla

 

This Sunday is not only Mother’s Day, but it is also Mayday for Mutts,” a day to celebrate our mixed breed pups (as well as seniors and special needs dogs) and kick off a month-long promotion of shelter and rescue adoption.

 

So as Mom calls me her Shmutter Mutter BOL, who is joining us to kick this promotion off this month, there are so many mutts desperate for homes.

To all the Moms that are Moms to fur kids, Happy Mother’s Day, have a wonderful day and we hope you all get spoiled,

Woof with love from Layla

 

 

 

May 2022 Pet Holidays

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Month 

  • National Pet Month. (US)
  • National Foster Care Month.
  • Responsible Animal Guardian Month.
  • Lyme Disease Prevention Month.
  • Pet Cancer Awareness Month
  • Chip Your Pet Month.
  • National Service Animal Eye Exam. 

Week

  • May 1-7: American Humane’s Be Kind to Animals Week.
  • May 1-7:National Scoop the Poop Week.
  • May 1-7: Dog Anxiety Awareness Week.
  • May 1-7: National Pet May
  • May 2-7: Puppy Mill Action Week  

Day

  • May 3: National Specially-Abled Pets Day.
  • May 8: National Animal Disaster Preparedness Day 
  • May 14: National Dog Mom’s Day.
  • May 14: Pick Up the Poo Day.(UK)
  • May 20: National Rescue Dog Day.
  • May 29: National Dog Friendly Day. (UK)
  • May 30: International Hug your Cat Day

Have a safe wonderful Month Everyone

With a woof and love from

Layla

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

April is over and May is arriving

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Woof all my friends,

Can you believe it is the end of April, this year is going so quickly. We had a busy last weekend which was pawsome but tiring.

On Saturday we went to DogFest. It is an annual Dog and Kid event held in the park not far from where we live. It is an annual fund raiser for one of the Elementary Schools in our area. A fun filled day, chaotic with lots of booths selling dog products and other items.

Layla with age is not doing well at events anymore, she has become afraid of all the chaos plus her sight is going so with all the people and dogs I carried her on my back in her backpack. She is happy sitting in it and very relaxed They were handing out samples of different treats which she was very happy to snack on especially the different jerkies LOL.

I was very surprised that there was only one Rescue Organization there this year as there is normally all of the Bay Area Rescues, but I think a lot of people are still getting back to normal lives.

On Sunday we went to chill in my friends’ garden which was great. Layla loves going there as she is alone wandering around, sniffing, and exploring plus she feels safe as there is no one else there. It was wonderful sitting outside in the sun, drinking tea and chatting. It was a fantastic morning and just what I needed.

Saturday is a very important day in the National Pet Holidays, it is National Adopt a Shelter Pet Day. I have always adopted from shelters as they need homes and will not support Puppy Mills or Breeders. I am aware that people will argue that there are some very responsible breeders, but you cannot change my mind as too many pets are dying in shelters because of the over population.

So, Layla is woofing to everyone please #adoptdontshop and open your home to a shelter pet. They have been let down by humans and deserve a second chance. Share this with your friends, family or co-workers to go to a shelter on Saturday and adopt a new fur kid.

Have a wonderful weekend, be safe

With a Woof and Love

From Layla

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Life is returning to normal

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Hello, all my fur friends today is an important day, it is Earth Day, This day is so important for all of us as we need to keep our planet clean, look after the environment and make it safe for the future generations.

Before it is too late we need to keep our oceans clean, the wild life safe both in the ocean and on the land and most important is to keep our air clean so that we can all breathe which means leaving forests alone.

So we are asking all our friends to work with us keeping our planet clean like we keep our houses clean.

 

Life here in San Francisco is slowly getting back to normal, events are slowly starting with the weather warming so weekends are becoming busy for us.

 

Last Sunday we went to Easter Sunday in the park which is held every year by the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence. It is a fun filled day in the park with many wearing costumes, a show and so much more. This one was the first in three years so it was extra fun.

 

The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence are an organization of queer and trans nuns. They believe all people have a right to express their unique joy and beauty.

 

The Sisters devote themselves to community service, ministry, and outreach to those on that need it.  They promote human rights, respect for diversity and spiritual enlightenment.

 

They use humor and wit to expose bigotry, guilt that chains the human spirit.

 

So, we spent a couple of hours there walking around, Layla was in her backpack because of the crowds and she was happy that way. It was fun to be out with others and just laugh at all.

 

This Saturday is one of my favorite dog events, DogFest in the dog park near where I live. I am so looking forward to seeing all the dogs, people and the vendors and of course see what is new on the market.

 

I will be taking Layla with me of course but once again she will be in her backpack as she is safer there at her age especially.

 

As I said life is slowly getting back to normal and it is such a wonderful gift, sun shining, mask on and off we start our fun this year.

 

Have a great safe weekend everyone

With a woof and love from Layla

 

 

 

 

Let us shop to help Ukraine

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TGIF !!!!

Hi from San Francisco, it is hot here at the moment so we are hibernating inside so that we will not melt LOL.

We are going for walks in the shade and yesterday we went for tea and kvetch time in the garden for a couple of hours which was great especially as there is shade.

 

 

NOW do you know what day the 8th of April is? Today is a new awareness holiday that I have not heard of before, National Dog Farting Awareness Day LOL and below you can see what Layla must woof about it. Out of the mouth of babes.

 

As you all know I have been working social media in my spare time for Ukraine animals especially Transform a Street Dog Organization which is in San Francisco and who is doing amazing work there saving the animals.

To support and help them financially two businesses have made wonderful items which all profits go to Transform a Street Dog. I have bought Layla the bandanna and am getting a t-shirt for myself.

Below are the designs and website links.

 

The design on the t-shirts

Link : Dachshund Delights :  https://www.dachshunddelights.com/NEW_c_79.html

Thank you April for supporting Transform a Street Dog and allowing me to share your design here.

 

The Bandana that I have ordered for Layla

Link :  ProtestPups :   https://protestpups.square.site/

Thank you Nata for all the work you are doing and allowing me to share your photo here.

Transform a Street Dog :   https://transformastreetdog.org/

 

So, with Easter around the corner how about getting a bandanna for your dog or cat (yes there are for cats) and for Mother’s Day get yourself a t-shirt. You are getting something new and giving back at the same time.

Layla woofs thank you so much.

Have a wonderful weekend and please be safe

Layla

 

April 2022 Pet Holidays and Observances

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April has arrived and let the adventures and fun begin, Layla

 

 

Month 

  • Canine Fitness Month
  • Dog Appreciation Month
  • National Adopt a Greyhound Adoption Month
  • National Heartworm Awareness Month
  • National Pet First Aid Awareness Month
  • Prevention of Animal Cruelty Month
  • Prevention of Lyme Disease in Dogs Month

Week

  • International Pooper Scooper Week – April 1-7
  • International Pooper Scooper Week – April 1-7
  • National Animal Control Appreciation Week – April 10-16, 2022 (Second Full Week in April)
  • National Animal Control Officer Appreciation Week – April 10-16, 2022 (Second Full Week in April)
  • National Dog Bite Prevention Week – April 10-16, 2022
  • Passover – April 15 – 23
  • Animal Cruelty / Human Violence Awareness Week – April 17-23, 2022 (Third Week in April)
  • National Pet ID Week – April 17-23, 2022 (Third Week of April)
  • National Raw Feeding Week – April 1-7
  • National Scoop the Poop Week – April 24-30

Day 

  • April 2 : Every Day is Tag Day – (First Saturday in April)
  • April 4 : World Stray Animal Day
  • April 6 : National Siamese Cat Day
  • April 7 : National Pet Health Insurance Day
  • April 8 :  Dog Farting Awareness Day
  • April 8 : National Dog Fighting Awareness Day
  • April 10 : ASPCA Day (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals)
  • April 10 : National Hug Your Dog Day
  • April 11 : National Pet Day
  • April 17 : Easter
  • April 18 : Pet Owners Independence Day
  • April 19 : Pet Owners Day
  • April 19 : National Cat Lady Day
  • April 22 : Earth Day
  • April 23 : National Lost Dog Awareness Day
  • April 24 : National Pet Parent’s Day – (Last Sunday in April)
  • April 26 : National Kids and Pets Day
  • April 27 : Free Feral Cat Spay Day
  • April 27 : International Guide Dog Day  (Last Wednesday in April)
  • April 27 : National Little Pampered Dog Day
  • April 29 : Hairball Awareness Day  (Last Friday in April)
  • April 30 : National Adopt a Shelter Pet Day
  • April 30 : National Animal Advocacy Day
  • April 30 : National Therapy Animal Day
  • April 30 : Pet Tech CPR Day (Last Saturday in April)
  • April 30 : World Veterinary Day (Last Saturday in April)

Happy April Every One, love Layla

 

 

Life is slowly changing

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TGIF!!! Spring is here and the weather is warming up slowly which means us being outside more.

I am really looking forward to getting out of the house more now that we can although I am still wearing my mask, events are starting to pop up and life is slowly getting back to normal.

This Saturday I am going to the Ballet, something I have not done in so long and really looking forward to getting out of sweatpants and putting some normal clothes on, what a concept, Yes I will be wearing a mask but it is really exciting.

This month also Dog Fest is happening, one of my favorite Dog Events which is exciting although Layla does not enjoy events anymore but thank goodness for the backpack which she loves we will be going.

I took Layla to the Shi Tzu meet up last week and she did not enjoy herself unfortunately, she was ready to go home the minute we got there and in the past she always walked around all the fluffs but this time she tried running out of the park so I put her in her back pack and she relaxed and was happy, so was I relaxed and did not have to worry about her.

 

We had brunch with a friend last weekend also which was great and of course Layla was begging for something LOL.

Update on her health, her vet emailed me the lab results today which I am trying to decipher but am relieved 95% is good, her heart is good for her age.  I emailed the vet with some questions which hopefully will get her answer within the next few days. Layla also went to the Eye Doctor and her left eye does not have an infection but because of her cataract her eye is not making tears so its dry and therefore the redness in her eye. The vet will not operate at her age but has put her on new drops which seems to be helping, phew.

So that is what is happening in the senior Layla Neighborhood, we both aging gracefully.

Have a great week and be safe

Layla

 

 

 

 

 

Senior Wellness Check Up

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TGIF!!!  The weekend has arrived and that means Mom and Me time, I am so excited.

Last week we went on adventure to Lake Anza. It was a long ride there and of course Mom and Aunt Alice had to stop at their favorite Deli for sandwiches for lunch, but it was worth it. The weather was beautiful and being outdoors near water, although it is covered in poisonous algae but was just so relaxing and best of all I could wander around with being held on a leash. It was so much fun as I had so many new smells to sniff plus leave my mark of course everywhere so other dogs will know I was there.

 

Mom said she needed the break from computers, noise and so much more and came back with so much more energy. I wish we could do it more often, but I cannot complain as Mom really does try to take me somewhere every week. Thank you Aunt Alice for the awesome day.

Watch my video playing follow my leader, following Aunt Alice over the bridge, I leave the leash on her just in case something spooks her and I can then catch her quicker. I love the way she looks back to make sure I am coming LOL.

https://youtu.be/5pX7Hi713Rs

Today I had my Senior Wellness Check Up, I hate the vet, they scare me and there are too many other dogs and cats there so the vet tech was so sweet when we arrived there, and after checking in, she let Mom and Me wait in a room for the Vet. I love her vet; she is so thorough and when I leave there I am always relaxed.  Layla has an eye infection, so she told me to make an appointment with the Ophthalmologist which I am at this moment trying to do, she did shave all the hair around her eye so there is nothing irritating it. She has lost a pound, but the vet is not concerned as she is eating well, taking her supplements, and doing her business like clockwork, plus she is full of energy.  We did blood work to check her liver and am now waiting for the results which will take a couple of days.

I am concerned about her eye but will keep putting the drops in it that she has been getting for six months or so till we get to see the Ophthalmologist.  I always say if the Vet is not really concerned then I can stay relaxed.

So that is what is happening in the Layla Neighborhood, our plans this weekend is to go with the flow, weather permitting might go out for an adventure or garden time to visit Uncle.

Our prayers are with the Ukraine animals and people, praying they will be safe,

Stay safe everyone, With a woof and love from, Layla

 

 

 

Humanity at its best

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TGIF! It has been a busy week, Boss keeping me on my toes as the weather has been fantastic so I cannot complain here. Boss was groomed last week, and she looks so cute, clean, and happy.

I have been following the Ukraine crisis online both on Twitter and Facebook and it is horrific what is going on there. It has brought back so many memories to my days in Israel when I lived through the 1973 Yom Kippur War as a teenager, running every night to the bomb shelter with out little rescued dog, Whiskey, up and down four flights of stairs each time, scary but having faith in the IDF I knew we were safe.

The second time during the Gulf War, when I had 3 cats and every night trying to catch them when a siren went off to get them into the sealed room, put my gas mask on and make sure we were all safe. There were no cell phones then or internet and it was frightening. I lived in Tel Aviv at the time which was hit the most by Scuds although TG there was never Chemical warfare although we had to stay in our sealed room till the okay signal came on and then we could leave.

So, watching the Ukraine Crisis, refugees running with their pets, children and whatever else they can carry breaks my heart as although I went through wars I never had to flee. That is where social media has become such an important tool for everyone.

The Facebook page that is set up to keep people posted as to what is happening with animal shelters there, what they need, the help that is needed, pets getting lost and landing in the streets and so much more.

Below is the link of the Facebook page I am following:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/317825230407855

In San Francisco there is a nonprofit called Transform a Street Dog, they rescue strays in Ukraine and bring them to the USA. Below is their link:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/TFASDog

How Europe has come together to help everyone just amazes me, countries opening their borders for the refugees, people offering their homes to families and pets, and the list can just go on. What also is so amazing is watching the people with cars or vans or trucks from all over Europe offering services, yesterday I saw how a bus tour company in Ireland has sent three busses to help, and the list can go on.

But in my eyes the true heroes are those that are staying in Ukraine to save the animals in shelters, those going into Ukraine risking their lives to get food to the shelters, to save the pets off the streets, to search for lost pets, these people all deserve medals.  Unfortunately there have been some victims also, those wonderful angels who were delivering food to shelters and were killed, it just broke my heart to read their stories, or the man that refuses to leave his 100 plus dogs in a shelter, and the stories just go on and on.

So how can we help here in the USA. I have spoken to IFAW and they are only taking money donations as shipping is so expensive and slow that the pet product donations will not get there fast enough but they did mention that for every donation we make some of the pet companies are matching the donations. Every penny counts.

 

https://www.ifaw.org/

So please lets all step up, help where possible, the more we help the less worries for all those risking their lives.

Before I log off I want to point something out to everyone, this is a lesson for us as pets are family and should not be left behind, something that all shelters all over the world should have posters up saying so as this lesson is being taught to us now.

Please be safe, send prayers to Ukraine and all its civilians and animals,

Thanks for helping

With a woof and love from Layla

 

 

 

Poison Prevention Awareness Month

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Good morning, everyone,

I cannot believe it is March already, the months seem to be flying by.

March is a very important month as it is Poison Prevention Awareness Month and being Pet Parents, we need to keep our babies safe.

I am aware that before every holiday we remind ourselves how to keep our pets safe, but it is always good to be reminded so that we can keep an eye on our fur kids and keep them safe and avoid vet bills.

 

Each food can cause a different symptom, and some can cause death so rather be safe than sorry and if your pet digests any of these please call your vet immediately or the ASPCA Poison Hotline: 888 426 4435.

I have not included garlic in the no list as there is so much discussion about it, I decided to leave it out as there are some vets that say in small doses it will not do any harm and I have been putting small amounts of garlic powder on Layla’s home-made chicken jerky with no problems and my vet approved it. Every pet parent must do what they feel comfortable doing with garlic.

We are also going take a moment to pray for all the animals in Ukraine, how amazing it is to see the pet parents taking their pets with them, something so many can learn from and we hope you will join us saying a prayer for Peace and Freedom.

Be safe and have a wonderful week

Layla