Tag Archives: #blog. #dogblog

Welcoming a new Rescue into my life

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TGIF!!! Friday has arrived and I need to put my feet up and relax a bit, I am exhausted from a crazy hectic week that thank goodness turned out well in the end. This blog is going to be in two parts, the first one is today.

 

Since Layla passed, my home has been empty and cold, and I realized two weeks ago the time had come for me to rescue a new fur kid, to speak out Layla’s legacy in so many ways. So, I started searching for a new fur kid. I will not buy as you all know and love black mutts so that was my goal to find another black mutt. Why black? Because they are the hardest to get adopted.

Nili in the shelter

 

The past two weeks I have spent hours searching on every FB page, website plus so much more and it horrified me to see the number of dogs sitting in shelters, owner surrenders, lost dogs that had not been claimed and so much more. What upset me most was seeing how many seniors have been dumped, poor babies, what a way to spend their golden years. I did not want a senior but middle aged to grow old with and then, one morning, while perusing one of the FB pages, I saw my new fur kid.

She was in the Los Angeles Animal Control, a stray that had been picked up and not claimed, about 4 years old and immediately asked this friend, a rescuer if she could get her for me. It is impossible to get anyone on the phone to put a hold on the dog, you must go there when they open and adopt the dog if it is still there, a Catch 22 situation and I hit the jackpot and got her.

My nightmare with all this started when my friend last minute could not go so through the help of my ex-Boss, he introduced me to a good friend of his, and I was very blessed as Jonathan went there and adopted her.  So now we had her, we had no one to foster her as I am in San Francisco and my friend could not, so Jonathan took her to groom her and get her food and although he could not do this he agreed for one night, took her to his house. (he has two dogs) The following day, Friday, a week ago, Shai, one of my boys that I used to tutor, drove from Palm Springs to Los Angeles to fetch her and take her home to Palm Springs to his home, (my ex-bosses moved there from San Francisco a couple of years ago) and that is where she has been since. Nili is house trained, walks well on a leash so I think she was very well cared for in her past home but not being microchipped and having a collar they had no way of finding her owners.

 

Her name in the shelter was Gladys, oy vey, but I have renamed her a Hebrew name Nili. She has settled in there, happy, playing with their dogs and we now have finally arranged for her to come home on July 25th, which I cannot wait.

Nili is not spayed as the shelter said she had a chest infection, so Avi is taking her to his vet to have her checked up and I plan to have her spayed here in San Francisco, I am blessed that the SPCA has free spay and neuter clinics.  She is now microchipped so I am at ease also.

 

 

So, friends I would love for you to welcome Nili and there will be many adventures and fun time to share with you once she has been spayed and settled proper in her home with me.

The second chapter of her rescue you will be able to read next week, but before I go a special thanks to everyone who were my rocks, my glue who kept me together mentally and came together to get her and keep her safe, I owe you all big time and so blessed to have you in my life.

Have a wonderful safe weekend and please hug your pets

 

Layla’s and Nili’s Mom

 

 

 

Happy Pride and 4th of July

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Good morning, everyone,

For those celebrating Happy Pride, we hope you have a wonderful safe weekend with lots of fun.

I am slowly getting used to not having Layla by my side to celebrate as she always came to all the events with me, it is not easy, and I am shedding tears here and there, but I know she would want me to go out and enjoy myself. San Francisco is all colorful with the Rainbow Flags everywhere, people are already dressed up in rainbows plus so much more and the atmosphere is wonderful. We are putting it all aside and enjoying this weekend with so much happening.

The Pink Triangle is up in its usual place, and for those that do not know, during the Holocaust the Gays had to wear a pink triangle to show they were gay and many were sent to the gas chambers so this triangle symbolizes the hatred and reminds us that WE MUST NOT FORGET, NEVER AGAIN.

 

Last week I went to a Pride Party and cried as Layla was with me last year, I called her my mini dyke LOL, and today I am doing a double decker bus tour of the LGBT history of San Francisco which I am really excited to do. It is organized by the Perpetual Sisters of Indulgence which is an amazing non-profit organization that helps LGBT youth and others who are homeless get on their feet, which I think is fantastic.  They are all drag queens.

The Sign announcing the Bus Tour

Sister Roma

I am taking a rest for the rest of the weekend, it is too much for an old lady like me LOL.

Layla sitting on a bike at the Dyke March a couple of years ago

Waiting for the Dyke March to start, another memory of her

 

With all the events going on we must not forget what is happening next week, as that is so important. The 4th of July is around the corner and that means the nightmare starts for our fur kids. The fireworks grrr. I hate them. Please make sure your fur kids are safe in the house, tags are up to date, microchip is up to date and most of all they are safe inside. Shelters unfortunately will be filling up with strays who have fled from fear and if your pet does not have the correct information on them, they will never be able to get home. I am listing below what I used to do with Layla plus the 4th of July hazards to keep them safe and healthy when you are celebrating.

 

Please keep them safe

Happy Pride to those that celebrate, and we are blessed we can celebrate in this country and are not persecuted like in some other countries PLUS have a happy safe 4th of July to all and enjoy your long weekend.

One of my favorite memories of Layla

 

With love from angel Layla and Me

 

 

 

 

 

 

Preparing for goodbye

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Good morning friends,

It has been 13 days since Layla crossed the Rainbow Bridge, the house is empty and cold without her, she was so part of my life. I keep looking at her bed to see if she is sleeping peacefully.

I miss seeing this daily when she was asleep under her blankie

I am going to today share with you how I was preparing for that awful day as I thought I was prepared but am realizing now you are never prepared although I am at peace that she is not suffering anymore.

About two plus years ago I realized that Layla, with going blind was aging quickly and I so wanted to make it as easy as possible for her, a stress-free life especially when she started with Dementia. She became more withdrawn, sleeping more but although blind I was determined to have fun, keep her nose going instead of her eyes and keep the routine we had been in for all these years.  While preparing mentally for the awful day I started researching, finding ideas, and praying each time I found something it would keep her happy. It is a catch 22 as such but I did not give up. I started giving her new supplements, got her a stroller to ease her walking, especially on adventures and then got her the stroller that she was in towards the end. You can see on the below link the supplements I gave her plus the treats I used for her snuffle toys which she loved and kept her busy. I am listing the link to the list of what she got. th

https://laylaswoof.com/?page_id=19

https://youtube.com/shorts/qx9SZorr6Eo?si=1vvs9cdfqNepcouf

The stroller was and is in my eyes the best invention ever and I highly recommend senior dog parents to get one, your life is so much easier and your pet can enjoy being outdoors sniffing the air and all the new smells. I got it from a company called Mr. Peanuts it was light weight, roomy for her to sleep in, a big basket underneath for shopping plus I kept a water bowl there all the time for water and would put a bottle there every time we went out. Another thing I loved about it was it has two straps to clip them in on either side so that she was safe, and I had no worries. That was the stroller I rocked her in on her last night, walked her to calm her down covered in a blanket and although it did not help much it eased it a bit for her while she was fighting her last breath.

Sleeping in her stroller comfortably

This is the link from where I got it : https://mrpeanutspetcarriers.com/?

Another thing I did was got in contact with an animal communicator as I wanted to know what was going through her mind so that I could work with that, I know it sounds crazy, but I was reaching out for every answer as it mattered to me as a Dog Mom.

I am sharing the session I had with Cherokee Billie so you can hear how helpful it was as I want others to know that it eases your life also in many ways.

https://youtu.be/XJF5eG9pX4c?si=tjSmi3gbeHK3pPQL

I am also going to share with you how bossy she was in the good old days, and she knew how to work me for treats, and this is something I really miss in the house now, I keep imagining I am hearing her bark ☹

https://youtu.be/daBKHvJbsfg?si=4HWJOoSugSePKhOK

On Saturday the 4th of May the awful day arrived, it was a day etched in my memory like it was yesterday but I am at peace as she is not suffering anymore and I know in my heart that I did everything I could to make her life as happy as possible but when the quality of life is not there it best to release them to cross over to the Rainbow Bridge. It is traumatic to hold them when they pass, a nightmare in some ways BUT it is important to be with them and show them your unconditional love the way they have given you all their life. I was blessed to do it at home, but it was my choice to keep her as relaxed and comfortable as possible with all the familiar smells she knew.

I cannot and will not accept people that dump their seniors at shelters to die in a cold cage because they do not want to deal with their senior passing or at a vet telling the vet to euthanize their pet and leaving. That is cold disrespectful and unimaginable what the pet must be feeling as they pass. A pet has a soul, has feeling and emotions and to put them through that is unforgivable. Your pet is scared, frightened and if they were part of your family, they should be honored by you being with them when they pass. I often feel people that do this would do it to other family members also. They should not be allowed to have pets again.

I was surprised last week as I received an email from a friend who had had a tree planted in her name in Israel through the JNF Memorial fund This is an non profit organization that plants trees in Israel in a human or pets memory which I was so thankful for as being Israeli she is now part of me in my country plus a tree is a symbol of life and what could be a better memory than a tree growing with your name on, her name/legacy will carry on forever.

Her Memorial in Israel

 

Please hug your fur kids as much as possible, life is precious, we are blessed to have fur kids in our lives and we must treasure that daily, make memories that will make you laugh and cry but those memories are in your heart forever

With love from

Layla’s Mom

 

 

 

 

Dogfest is over and it was fun

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TGIF!!! Good morning friends, wow what a weekend last weekend and thank goodness we had a sort of quiet week.

 

Layla is still not well, we have a good day and then a bad day so we taking each day as it comes and as my vet said to me she is over 18 years old so it takes time to heal from infections but what is worrying me is she is not eating the way she did in the past. I have been giving her Entyce which stimulates an appetite but it is not working so she is now on Nutrical which is a gel full of nutrients so am hoping it will build up her immune system again. Time will tell.

So, let’s get on with some fun, DogFest. As I told you in my last blog this is an annual fundraiser for an Elementary School, it is a day full of fun, dog costume shows, Lots of booths with dog food, treats, accessories and then so much more. As you all know I ran the booth for Real Mushrooms and yes Layla was with me. I had borrowed a pen from a friend and put a blanket in it so she was comfortable, able to move around plus have her water and food there. She munched on  lots of treats instead of her food but I decided as long as she is eating that is all that matters. I had big baskets of the table with Relax Chews and Immune System Chews for your pets. Bless San Francisco you always have the weirdos also like some that asked me if the mushroom chews were psychedelic mushrooms LOL or the best of the best was a woman walking around with a shopping cart, stopping at my table, picking up the basket to put all the samples in her basket, and when I stopped her and told her she could only have on of each she cursed me and on top of it does not even have pets. In a nutshell it was an exhausting day and by the time I got home I needed to take my shoes off and put my feet up. Layla and I slept all Sunday to recharge our batteries.

Layla in her pen, I put my jacket over to give her some shade as it was warm

THe red carpet for the dog events

Even a cat came

The food truck with treats and other goodies for the dogs

Love this hat

The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence always volunteer

Fun in the park this week

So that has been our week, taking it slow, going to the dog park to enjoy the sun and of course all the every day things also.

And before we go to bed we must not forget this Sunday is Mayday for Mutts – Mayday for Mutts is a special holiday celebrated on the first Sunday of May to spread love and acceptance for mixed-breed dogs.

My beautiful happy Mutt, Layla

We hope you have a wonderful week, be safe as always

 

With woof and love from

Layla

 

It is Give Away Time

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Good morning Friends,

We have had a crazy week. Layla has been sick with a Colon infection poor old baby. I took her to the vet, and she is on antibiotics and seems to be slowly getting better, I am just relieved she ate today for the first time in two days which for me is a good sign. So, we have been taking it slow. Of course, Madam embarrassed me by pooping all over the vets office LOL, they put pee pads down but she would walk around and do it on the floor. Thank goodness the vet understands and said to me at least she did not have to do a stool sample as she saw her poop all over the floor. The good news is for her age her heart and lungs are good so am relieved. The antibiotics are making her sleep, which is all she is doing unless she needs to go out to potty. On the way home from the vet Madam started howling in her stroller and I learnt when she does that she needs to potty, I kept apologizing to the driver but she laughed and said it was better than listening to a baby cry nonstop. I suppose I need to see the funny side to it all and just breathe a sigh of relief that she is going to be ok. So, no park this week for her.

This Saturday we are doing DogFest in the park, which is a fund raiser for an elementary school in my area, it is an annual event with lots of booths of dog’s thing, fun children’s activities and so much more. I will have a booth there for Real Mushrooms and will be handing out samples of the mushroom relaxing chews plus. Am immune system chew for your pets. I have managed to get a pen for Layla so she will sleep under the table safely on a blanket and I will be able to work. I am looking forward to this event as it is so much fun, noisy but its also great to see if there is anything new on the market. The weather is going to be cool which will also make it easier to work and overheat, this is San Francisco. So, if you are in the Bay Area come visit and meet us.  We will have all the photos in next week’s blog to share with you.

For those that are interested this is the Real Mushrooms link, letting you into one of my secrets, I love love their Hot Chocolate with mushrooms, it is so good and chocolaty you cannot even taste the mushrooms.

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

Now, let’s have some fun with a new give away as our dogs or cats always need quality treats to keep them happy. I am doing this giveaway for one of my favorite companies, a small family-owned business called Raw Paws Pet Food. (I love supporting small family businesses) Their products are fantastic, they have great raw food, supplements and so much more and what I love is their treats are for both dogs and cats so everyone can enter.  This give away is for Freeze Dried Smelt Minnows which Layla cannot get enough of Freeze-Dried Chicken Breast Which Bossy Barker barks for all the time, now finally Freeze-Dried Chicken Hearts which she gobbles down so fast am scared she will choke. I think they are all moreish and a must have in the Treat Jar for our dogs or cats as they are fantastic plus healthy. They all have only one ingredient, which is something I love about them.

Hmm they smell good which one first

 

Mom makes me work for them grrrr

Yes my nose is working and I can smell them yum

You can read more about them on their website :

https://www.rawpawspetfood.com/Default.asp?sscid=51k3_szat

As Layla barks, she approves of them and wishes everyone who enters good luck.

I was sponsored by Raw Paws Pet Food for this giveaway, and it is for the USA only.

The link for the entry form is below.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/baa88aa66/?

 

Have a wonderful weekend everyone, please be safe as always with a woof and love from Layla

 

 

I got an ice cream

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Good morning, Friends,

This is me Layla dictating to Mom what to write as today I feel like the Boss and she, my slave. So today we are going to discuss me aging as I am now over 18 years old and that means in human years, I am older than Mom and therefore I have the final word in everything.

This past week has been great, we have been going to the park daily and the minute the idiot arrives we pack up and go home but at least we are getting at least two hours there if not more. Today we sat in a different area which was so good as I had so many new smells I did not sit or stand for a minute but walked about happily doing my thing and of course barking at my slave to be served water when I was thirsty. It was really warm there and my favorite Aunt joined us so Mom was chatting away while I was sniffing. We both had a fun relaxing time but Mom for once forgot the camera at home so no pics sorry, bad Mom.

Aunt was saying to Mom how she could not believe my age and how good I am looking but the main issue Mom has at the moment with me is my back legs are slowly giving In so I sloop when I potty and have problems getting up but thank goodness my slave, she helps me plus having the stroller helps on long walks.

The one exciting adventure we had this week was to get ice cream from Ben & Jerrys as they had their annual free scoop day which was so good. Mom got of course for herself a coffee ice cream and she got for me a cup with vanilla ice cream in, I could not eat it fast enough before it melted and it was so yum, I wanted another, but Mom said no more sugar for me, I thought then she was horrible although I know she is keeping me healthy. After eating the ice cream, we went to the park to hang out for a bit and that was fun as my tummy was full and the weather was perfect but when the wind started we packed up and came home.

Waiting for the bus

I am smiling cos it was so so good, Layla

Park time on the way home

So, my friends, as you can see, I am aging gracefully but enjoying life to its fullest as we must take each day as it comes and treasure the memories.

This weekend starts the Jewish Holiday Passover, the story of the book of Exodus when Moses led the Jews out of Egypt, it is an important story as means freedom for those that were slaves in those days plus today and we must pray for freedom for all animals or people that are being abused as everyone deserves love.

As we say before the Holiday Chag Sameach, which Is Hebrew for Happy Holiday,

Stay safe and have a wonderful week

Love from Layla

 

 

 

 

Hoppy Happy Easter

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When Spring arrives, Easter arrives, and everyone is hopping for chocolates plus some parents are busy buying bunnies for their kids. This is a sore subject for me as so many bunnies, like other pets, are bought for a holiday and then dumped in a shelter or as some do which is so stupid is let them loose in the fields where they cannot survive.  So if you want a bunny for your child get them a toy, one that does not need care and will not be thrown out as such when your child is bored with it. Bunnies, like so many pets are family, and you do not want to be dumped by a family member then please do not do the same to your bunny.

Layla at a pet event a couple of years ago

 

Easter can also be hazardous to your pets; I am listing below the hazards to keep your pets safe especially when it comes to chocolate or candies with Xylitol.

 

Happy Easter to everyone, we hope you have a wonderful fun weekend with your family, please be safe

 

With a woof and love from

Layla

 

 

Spring has arrived

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TGiF! Woof hello friends, we hope you are all excited that Spring has arrived as I am. This week has been sunny and warm here so Mom has been trying to get me out to the park for a few hours each day. I am loving it, the sun on my fur makes me feel really cosy and sleepy BOL.

Enjoying the sun on my face

So each day when Mom is finished her important stuff she packs me up and off we go, so this week am going to share the photos Mom has been snapping of me of course and one or two of wall art oh the way home. We decided to do a photo blog this week with happy photos as that is what Spring is doing for us.

I still remember to go under the chains from the lawn to the pathway

Wandering around enjoying the sun

The mural on the petstore not far from our house

A garage door on the way home, all bright and cheery

And then as Mom says this was the highlight of her week, me snoring and sleeping in the dark so you cannot see me but BOL you can hear me – I was so tired from the sunshine and the park.

https://youtube.com/shorts/GLti2DvIhb8?si=unybZEXesVc39Tdz

What are your plans this weekend, the first weekend of Spring, here grr they expecting rain so am not sure what we gonna do but Mom has promised me some fun phew.

 

Have a wonderful weekend,

With a woof and love from Layla

 

 

March is here and we have had some sun

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Woof to all my friends,

March has arrived and we have had some sun, phew. A break from the rain which is driving Mom crazy BOL. She wants to sit outside and get fresh air plus I want time to wander around and smell all the new smells.

We have had a slow week this week because of the rain, but Mom took me to the park near our home and it was pawsome to see my friends and of course get lots of treats from everyone, that is the best part BOL.

Today, Thursday, Mom cancelled all appointments to be with me and we went to the park. The sun was shining, it was a bit chilly but everyone was there and it was great just to hang out, wander around, beg for treats BOL and of course after all that I took a nap on the cool damp grass which was muddy. It was the best medicine for both of us as Mom was off all electronics, just chilling and drinking her favorite drink, coffee of course. We came home relaxed, which was really great as being outdoors does so much for us.

The lawn feels so so good on my paws

Wandering around

With age, I am becoming a very picky eater, and it does not matter what Mom makes me I always want something else and it is worrying Mom big time, that is the Jewish side of her. Like today I did not want to eat my dinner so she boiled up some chicken for me which I ate part of and snacked on some freeze dried kibbles which as Mom says it is not real food but at least I got something in my tummy. She warned me if I do it again no treats in the park as I need to eat properly. I think that is unfair but sometimes I let her be the Boss BOL.

Our weekend plans are going to depend on the weather plus Mom’s Dentist appointment in the morning so we are going with the flow as she says. I will just have to do the same although she does take me out to potty so I should not complain, and I bark when I want to go and she jumps to attention.

Today is a very important day, Happy International Women’s Day to all the fantastic women out there that speak out against abuse, violence, equal rights and so much more, you are all amazing and please carry on the good work you are doing.

Have a wonderful weekend, be safe with a woof and love from Layla

 

It is always good to get a second opinion

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TGIF! Friday has arrived and that means weekend and fun. Mom took a break from social media last week so we could spend some quality time together and it was pawsome.

On Presidents Day I had an eye appointment at the eye dogtor, she was very nice to me and told Mom my eyes are the same although I can see shadows which made Mom excited that not all my vision has gone. It was a crazy morning cos all public transport was on Sunday schedule, so it took more busses and time to get there and home and we were both exhausted when we got home. Mom fed me, then crawled into bed and took a nap and I joined her on my giraffe bed, so Presidents Day was sleeping and eating and of course walks.

Napping on my giraffe

What you did not know was the day before my birthday I went to the Dogtor for my annual check up and when we got home Mom was not happy with the checkup  because she put in my chart that I have a serious illness with no explanation, that I have a mass on my side with no explanation, and the vet tech told Mom I had lost 5 lbs which was a mistake.  The Dogtor told Mom to give me this awful Purina stuff for dehydration which made me really sick.  So, for a couple of days Mom was cleaning all the time although she stopped it the minute I got sick from it. The Dogtor told Mom to give me less which did not help, my tummy was a mess from it. Mpm, blessher even cancelled her Dentist appointment for me. So, with a lot of thought, Mom decided to take me to another Dogtor at another clinic which my friends rave about, and wow was he a nice man. He checked me, told Mom not to worry about the mass phew, my dehydration is not serious and discussed  all with respect and Mom walked out of there relieved and happy as she finally had all her answers to her questions and a happy Mom is a happy me.

So, on the way home Mom bought me a Puppacino to celebrate, ewww I do not like them and told Mom she never has to get me another BOL.

Yuck this stuff is awful

 

On Saturday we had a fun adventure. It was the monthly Shi Tzu meet up, so we went to this great park to have some fluffy fun. Mom was really tired, but it was great to be out in the sun, perfect day, and we walked around the park and enjoyed the fresh air, views and of course all the dogs. I really enjoyed myself, got lots of treats and we both came home exhausted and ready for a nap.

Meeting a new friend

Playing with my snuffle after the meet up

So, as you can see it is so important to get a second opinion when you are not getting the correct answers from your vet, it makes a big difference as Mom is now relaxed and I am a happy camper again. The Dogtor also told Mom I do not need a Rabies vaccine anymore as I am too old for it. Mom hates vaccines so she was happy to hear that as she does not want poisons in my body.

 

As you can see, we have been busy, it has been raining here also so we have not been out that much although Mom does take me with her when she goes on errands in my stroller which makes me happy as I am not home alone but napping away while my chauffer pushes the stroller, it is a good life and I am very blessed.

Rolling in my stroller

 

Have a wonderful weekend everyone, stay safe and warm

With a woof and love from Layla