600 Million Dogs

TGIF ! Happy Halloween everyone, please keep your pets safe indoors and of course away from the treats, especially your black cats.

This week we going to share with you about my new job. It is my dream job as I am working for an organization that is doing what I believe in, animal rights, spay and neutering your pets to stop the over population in shelters.

Thank you Catherine Hill for helping me put the wording together.

Who is the founder of the 501c3 nonprofit 600 Million Stray Dogs Need You?

600 Million Dogs founder Alex Pacheco has received many awards such as induction into the U.S. Animal Rights Hall of Fame, The Peace Abbey Courage of Conscience Award, Sea Shepherd Crew Member of the Year; he co-founded PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) and served as Board Chairman for 20 years.

Alex Pacheco

What motivated him to start 600 Million Dogs? In his words:

One of the experiences that motivated me was meeting Baby Bear — a pup I found on death row, while I was volunteering at a dog pound in Mexico. While in Mexico, I desperately wanted to help the swarms of starving strays who were everywhere.

The first morning, I found Baby Bear, alone and cowering in the back of a filthy cage. Shaking uncontrollably. His body covered with the dreaded skin disease mange. Half starved.

He was gentle and weak, as I lifted him … yet somehow, strong in spirit. He was so pitiful, I spent the entire day holding him, trying to ease his fear and loneliness — even though 50 other innocent dogs and cats were also going to die that same day. 50 whose suffering I would never get to ease.

Later in the day, Baby Bear was licking my face, but he suddenly stopped when he felt the sting of the needle going into his vein. The lethal “sky-blue sodium pent” drug was on its way to his heart, to end his life.

He looked me right in the eye, and his face spoke to me, asking, “Why? Why are you doing this to me? I thought you were my friend.”

Then his face fell heavy into my hand, and his soul was gone. I tried to man-up, but I couldn’t. Instead, I broke down and began to cry, while trying to hide it from the other workers.

As I slowly regained my composure, it sunk in — his suffering was even more heartbreaking simply because it was 100% preventable.

In anger I swore that no matter what it took, I was going to find a way to end this suffering.

What is the mission of 600 Million Dogs?

To permanently end the #1 cause of suffering for dogs and cats globally: overpopulation.

We are on track to accomplish this by developing special food that can spay or neuter dogs or cats without surgery. Super birth control food that can end the overpopulation problem without killing.

Our mission is to also save human lives by ending the world’s #1 cause of human deaths from rabies.  Our mission also includes ending the #1 financial burden of humane societies worldwide. No animals are harmed in our work, and all animals are adopted into caring homes.

More about 600 Million Dogs:

Imagine being able to Spay or Neuter Every Stray Dog in the World … by feeding them a cookie. We are developing super birth control cookies to permanently end the global #1 cause of suffering for dogs: overpopulation. The fastest way to stop the cruelty and end the suffering of stray dogs is to develop a lifetime-lasting, one-dose birth-control cookie that will spay or neuter without surgery. Our immediate goal is to bring our work and clinical trials into the U.S. to speed up our progress.

Unimaginable cruelty is inflicted upon strays in up to 60 nations with virtually no laws against cruelty. They are brutally beaten to death, thrown into garbage trucks to be crushed to death, poisoned, shot, electrocuted, fed rotten meat with broken glass in it (to make them bleed to death), etc. We must find the fastest way to end this: we must finish development of permanent Super Birth Control Cookies.

Our studies use birth control formulas that already exist; we are applying advanced technology to modify and super-charge them and to convert them into permanent-lasting birth control. We produce infertility by safely changing the gonads and causing early menopause. No animals are harmed. Our Pilot Pups are adopted into forever homes. Thus far there are no negative side effects. Help us keep the cookies non-profit and free to the poor of the world.

We believe this single project can prevent more animal suffering than any other single animal project in history. Up to 10 billion strays will be born in the next 10 years worldwide. The majority will suffer and die painful deaths. A global solution is needed. It is within reach. A Spay and Neuter Cookie could prevent the suffering of 10 billion strays every 10 years. We must do the same for cats, horses, etc. The exciting news: the science and technology already exist. Help is needed. Join us!

Please visit :  https://www.600milliondogs.org/

So now you all know what I am up to lately with Layla of course stepping up to the plate and speaking out also,

Have a safe Happy Halloween Everyone

With love as always from Layla

 

 

 

 

 

August Pet Holidays and Observances

 

August is here and below is our monthly Pet Holidays to be observed

Month

  • National Dog Month
  • Celebration of raw feeding for pets for the month of August.

Week

  • 1-7: International Assistance Dog Week.
  • 10-16: Give a Dog a Bone Week.  This is hosted  by Pets of the Homeless, where they ask people to donate pet food and supplies to help the pets of the homeless

Day 

  • Aug. 1: DOGust Universal Birthday for Shelter Dogs as we do not know the exact date of their birthdays
  • Aug. 4: Assistance Dog Day
  • Aug. 5: Work Like a Dog Day
  • Aug. 6: Fresh Breath Day
  • Aug. 8: International Cat Day
  • Aug. 10: National Lazy Day
  • Aug. 10: Spoil Your Dog Day
  • Aug. 14: World Lizard Day
  • Aug. 15: National Check the Chip Day
  • Aug. 16: St. Roch’s Day
  • Aug. 17: National Black Cat Appreciation Day*
  • Aug. 21: International Homeless Animals Day
  • Aug. 22: National Take Your Cat to the Vet Day
  • Aug. 23: International Blind Dog Day
  • Aug. 26: National Dog Day
  • Aug. 28: Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day
  • Aug. 30: National Holistic Pet Day

 

 

May is National Pet Month

Friday has arrived and that means weekend, woof. We hope you have a great one.

National Pet Month is observed in May. National Pet Month is a celebration of the benefits that pets bring to people’s lives – and vice versa. It is celebrated here in the USA in May and in the UK in April.

National Pet Month

What are the benefits of having a pet, there are endless benefits but I think the most important ones are as follows:

  • They keep us fit
  • They make sure you’re never lonely especially through hard times and what we have been through the past year
  • They lower our stress levels – I try to stay as less stressed as possible so Layla does not stress out
  • They can help you make friends, so true as by walking your dog, going to dog parks you are meeting people
  • They can improve your immune system – yes they do as keep us healthy in so many ways.
  • They can stop your children from developing allergies which is so important plus they teach children compassion and responsibility.
  • They keep you safe
  • They can provide companionship to children with learning difficulties
  • Pets make us happier
  • Pets help us cope with crisis

I have realized this so much from when I was in the Domestic Violence Relationship how much Baby helped me and I was blessed to have her.

Layla has done the same for me especially the past year – without her I am not sure where I would be. Seeing her waggy tail when I come home from an errand makes my day every day.

As I am typing this I am realizing how blessed I am to have Layla in my life, we are both aging together but loving each day, she makes me laugh, gets me out of the house, and her cuddles in the morning is something money cannot buy.

So our question is what does your pet do for you on a daily basis?

Happy National Pet Month Everyone,

With a woof and love from Layla and Me

 

 

 

Spring has Sprung, Fleas have arrived, Giveaway

TGIF !!!!!!!!! Good morning Fur friends.

We are having a heat wave here in San Francisco and that means those teenie tiny buggers are out and hungry, am sure you know what we mean – the fleas and ticks.

Itchy time has arrived and it is time to keep us safe from them, not only on our body but in our house also and for those that have yards or gardens with grass which are the breeding grounds.

So with the buggers arriving we decided to share with you and do a giveaway of the products from Tropiclean that I have been using on the brat, Madam Layla. They have now come out with a new one which I am really excited about, A flea and tick bite relief spray. All Tropiclean products are natural with no chemicals which is so important as I feel that the less chemicals Layla gets the better.

Tropiclean link : https://tropiclean.com/

Below is what we are giving away, some are for cats also or you can get for cats.

Spot on Treatment is made with natural active ingredients, cedarwood and peppermint oils, and is safe when used as directed to protect and defend against those irritating fleas, ticks and mosquitoes. Our water resistant spot-on treatment is a full body repellent for dogs up to 75 pounds that effectively protects your furry friend. Contains 4 applicators. They have for cats too.   INGREDIENTS : Cedarwood oil 5%, Peppermint oil 4%. almond oil 91%,

Flea & Tick Bite Relief Spray is a medicated solution formulated to quickly stop itching and irritation from flea and tick bites. This relief spray is specially formulated to penetrate the lowermost levels of the pet’s skin, cleaning out their pores and promoting healthy cell exfoliation and replenishment. It effectively moisturizes and nourishes the skin for immediate relief from bites, redness and irritation. Safe when used as directed on dogs and cats 12 weeks or older.  INGREDIENTS : Clove oil, lemongrass oil, cedarwood oil, cinnamon oil, sodium lauryl sulfate (natural), water, isopropyl alcohol, glycerin.

Flea & Tick Home Spray is guaranteed to kill fleas and ticks by contact. This natural essential blend contains some of nature’s most powerful pest-fighting ingredients, maximized with lemongrass and sesame oil, for long-lasting effects.  Home Spray is safe enough to use around dogs and cats.  INGREDIENTS : Clove oil, lemongrass oil, cedarwood oil, cinnamon oil, sodium lauryl sulfate (natural), water, isopropyl alcohol, glycerin.    They also have one for the yard.

To enter click on the link below for the Rafflecopter widget:

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/7d1ec19c53/?   

Tropiclean has sponsored me for this giveaway an it is only open to the USA.

All participants must be 18 years or older.

So we want to wish everyone a Hoppy Happy Easter, do not OD on chocolates LOL, remeber to keep us safe and have lots of fun,

 

Good luck, with a woof and love from

Layla

 

March is Pet Poison Prevention Awareness Month

TGIF !!!!!!!!!


Woof to all my paw friends from my neighborhood.


We have been very busy here so Mom is staying out of mischief.


Last weekend I had a fluffy sleep over, Pierre and Leopold came to spend the weekend with us and their Mom was moving. It was fun to have guests although I did sleep a lot BOL.but best part of it was the treats as Mom was giving to our friends so I was getting also. I was hoping for a midnight feast like you have at sleepovers but mom told me that once my teeth are cleaned the treats are over. I do not agree with Mom.


I also went to the park this week and Mom found out that they have a small dog meet every day at 11.30 so she is going to start taking me to meet small dogs. I am really excited.


Now for something very important for all of us : Mach is Pet Poison Prevention Month, something we need to remember especially with spring around the corner and lots of humans will be spring cleaning and working in the garden. Below you can see all the poisons that can mace us sick.

Hazardous Foods :

Chocolate, Coffee, Grapes, Onions, Garlic, Alcohol, Macadania Nuts, Avocados

Hazardous Chemicals

Insecticides ,Pesticides, Cleaning Products, Fertilizer, Anti-Freeze, De-Ices.

Other :

Fabric Softener Sheets, Raw Hide, Plants (see list below), Children Toys

Plants:

Safe Palm, Tomato Plant, Daffodils, Ivy, Gladiolia and many more. Check on line before you plant to make sure they are safe.

Signs of Poisoning

01. Gastrointestinal signs : Vomiting, Diarrhea, Drooling/ hypersalivating, Nausea

02. Internal Bleeding : Coughing of blood, , Vomiting blood, Pale gums, A racing heart rate, Weakness or lethargy

03. Kidney Failure : Halitosis (“uremic” breath), Vomiting, Diarrhea, Excessive thirst or urination, Absence or decreased urination

04. Liver Failure : Jaundice/icterus/yellow discoloration to the gums, Weakness or collapse secondary to a low blood sugar, Dull mentation, acting abnormally, Vomiting, Diarrhea, Black-tarry stool (melena)

If you think your pet may have ingested a potentially poisonous substance, call (888) 426-4435. A consultation fee may apply.

Have a safe and happy weekend everyone 

With a woof and love from Layla 

Pet Theft Awareness Day

Good Morning Everypawdy and TGIF !

Another week in February is over and it has brought us a very important day and that is Valentines Day.

It is a day that we spread love all over the world, spoil ourselves or our partners or pets with love and special gifts, so what are you going to spoil your pet with ?

My Valentine

February 14th is also Pet Theft Awareness Day which is meant to call attention to the importance of pet identification methods. It is a day to show how much the presence of an animal can enrich a family and also the responsibility that goes with it. It encourages those with pets to take steps to ensure the animal’s security and their own peace of mind.

In 1988 it was started by the Last Chance for Animals organisation, Pet Theft Awareness Day is aimed at educating animal owners to keep their pets safe from thieves. With almost 2 million pets being stolen annually in America the threat is real. That is why it is so important to have pets microchipped,  wear a tag with all your information as it will be easier to find your pet if G-d forbid it is stolen.

Below is a list of tips on how to keep your pet safe.

Tips on what to do if your pet is stolen.

Other important tips 

  • Keep your dog indoors when you’re not home. Outdoor dogs should be kept safely behind a locked gate. It only takes a couple of seconds for a thief to steal your pet from your yard.
  • Walk your dog on a leash.
  • Keep cats indoors. Indoor cats live safer, longer, healthier lives.
  • Make sure  your pets has a collar with an I.D. tags, and licenses. Microchips are also very important also.
  • Report suspicious neighborhood activities and/or missing companion animals to the police and animal control. 
  • Keep recent photos of your pets.
  • Spay and neuter your companion animals. Fixed animals are less likely to stray.
  • Please do NOT tie your dog up outside of restaurants, coffee shops or stores, and never leave any animal unattended in a car.
  • Please do NOT use “free to good home” ads to rehome your pet, they can fall into the wrong hands, if you cannot care for your pet anymore contact rescue organizations in your area.

PREVENT PET THEFT BEFORE IT HAPPENS!  Report any suspicious activity, or animal cruelty and neglect to your local police department and animal control office.

On this note we would like to wish all our friends Happy Valentines Day, we hope you have a wonderful day filled with love BUT also please keep us pets safe,

With a woof and love from Layla

Living with an abuser

TGIF !!!!!!!!!!!!
Friday is here and we are having a heat wave and it’s hot that I am melting so Mom has all the fans going, a cooling mat and lots of cold water. We have not been out much because of the heat.


I am aware that many of you have read about Baby but I wanted to share with you what it is like to live in a Domestic Violence Relationship with a dog (pet) who is your furkid.

We adopted Baby from a shelter, she was the best thing that happened to me when I was in the relationship as I finally had someone who loved me unconditionally and gave me someone to look after plus so much more.

wearing one of the sweaters I knitted

My abuser did nothing for her but buy her some clothes, and I was fortunate to get money to buy her food although when possible I would share my chicken with her. She was a cute little dog, very good and walked off leash all the time. 


The major plus with having her was my ex never walked her so I was able to get out of the house and walk her alone which was a time for me to breathe and try to relax as much as possible without the verbal abuse. She loved those walks as much as I did as there was no tension in the air. 


My ex would hit her with a newspaper whenever possible for no reason, she would be locked out of the house in the heat for no reason (I many times was locked out with her), and I was threatened all the time that if she got sick there would be no vets and she would be put down only.


I was always relieved when my ex was at work as I would do everything to spoil her and keep her as happy as possible, fearing the time when my ex would return home.

When I decided to run, and like many, I could not leave her behind, and that is why I took my time leaving as I wanted to know that she would be safe with me wherever we went. I had even packed a tent just in case and I would have slept on the streets if I had to although we were fortunate. The rest is history and I have shared with you in many other blogs.

Layla for me is a blessing, when I rescued her I vowed our house would be happy, stress free and I feel sometimes out of guilt because what I went through with Baby I spoil Layla as much as possible and have in so many ways become her slave LOL but I have no regrets either.


Last weekend we finally managed to have a little adventure and went to Golden Gate Park with a friend, the weather was cool, I had my coffee and we just relaxed outdoors in the shade which was heaven. Layla of course wandered around a bit and then she did her park thing, lie down and watch the world go by. It was the best gift I could have had just being outdoors breathing fresh air.

What Layla does not know is that we are going for an evening picnic today to the park again and I am so looking forward to it. 


So once again I am telling everyone if you know someone in an abusive relationship, reach out, tell them you are there for them if they need it,  and even if they do not immediately take up your offer, them knowing you are there is very comforting for them.


Here is the link for the National Domestic Violence Hotline :
https://www.thehotline.org/

Be safe, take care and have a wonderful weekend Layla 

Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day

TGIF !!!!!!!


Good morning friends, another week has gone by and this year is going so fast we cannot keep up.


The air quality has been really bad here in San Francisco because of the fires so we have not been out that much, short walks and I think both Layla and I need some real outdoors so tomorrow I might risk it a bit and take her to the park for an hour. 


Today, 28 August is a very special but sad day although for me the memories make me smile too.

It is Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day, a day that we remember all our pets that are no longer with us and are waiting over the Rainbow Bridge. So I am going to share with you some of the pets that are in my heart and have been part of my life.


I was blessed to grow up in a home with many different pets. We had Ceaser, a mutt,  who to this day when I think back about her I chuckle as she was scared of heights and used to go up to the second floor of our house and then howl till my Mom carried her down. She was the size of a Boxer and heavy LOL.

We had in the sewing room/playroom budgies who I loved till they escaped out of the window and were not found, their names were Fritzie and Freddy. In that room were also our little white mouse called Pinky because of her tail and Hammy our Hamster who lived next door to Pinky, we used to close the room door and then let them run around free every day.


In our bedrooms we had Goldfish and two Terrapins, oy. My great aunt told me we had to feed the Terrapins bugs and worms from the garden and she used to collect them and bring them to me to feed them, they were called Ron and Eth after a British comedy.

When the fish and terrapins passed away we buried them under an apple tree we had in our garden and from that day on my Grandmother would not let us eat the apples.


When we moved to Israel we found on the streets a mutt who we called Whiskey, who became a princess. She was living with us during the 1973 war so one of us kids were responsible for carrying her downstairs to the bomb shelter every time a siren went off. 


In those days there were no special regulations for dogs like today and when we left Israel and went to Europe, Whiskey flew back to South Africa where she was met at the airport by a Pet Hotel and stayed with them till we got back. I remember my Dad feeling bad that she had to be crated so he had a big big crate made for her although she was a Chi Mix. It was enormous.


Whiskey lived a very good life with us in South Africa, she would sit on a chair every morning and wait for her piece of cheese from my Father. I still chuckle over this one when going into the dining room and there she was on a chair.

When I went back to Israel I decided to get a cat, well I adopted a cat, thinking Sasha would be cute and small but Sasha grew to be a large cat but I loved him. He kept me amused all the time. A couple of years with Sasha and I rescued Shula, a Persian cat who was afraid of everything but after a couple of months she ruled the house. She was pregnant when I rescued her so decided to keep the kitten also, my Pichevkes (Hebrew for nick nacks). She was my baby and I adored her. All three cats used to get boiled fish every Friday night and were spoiled rotten. 


Sasha passed away at the age of 14, Shula at the age of 11 and Pichevkas at the age of about 9. 


I then came to the States where I adopted Baby, whom you all know about, she was my hero and ran away with me from the Domestic Violence Relationship, was the first to be in a  DV shelter in San Francisco and kept me alive in so many ways. Baby passed away about a year after I left the shelters, she was 6 years old after she contracted IMHA which has no cure.
When she passed away a good friend of mine said to me that She had come into my life for a reason, she knew I was safe so she left me so that I could adopt a new dog.


That is when Layla who is my Boss came into my life and my life would be so empty without her.


I unfortunately do not have many photos but all the memories are etched in my brain, and today being Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day I am smiling now thinking about all of them.


So let us all share some memories, thank all those pets over the Rainbow Bridge for being part of our lives, teaching us so much and I do believe one day we will all meet up again.


Be safe everyone,

With love and woofs from Layla

Helping Pets in need during the Lock Down

TGIF !!!!!!!!!!

Friday has arrived, first Friday in August and we decided to dedicate our blog this week to an amazing organization that has just started,  a Free Pet Food Pantry in San Francisco, in one of the areas where the residents have been hit hard economically.


This organization is called the Latino Task Force. I am sure you will ask who they are ? 

They formed as a clearinghouse of COVID-19 information and resources for the Mission District community. The group has more than three dozen community-based organizations, along with City Government partners, that are working together to meet the needs of immigrants, families, elders, homeless, LGBTQ, youth, and other Latino populations who are experiencing challenging times during the pandemic.

It’s an all volunteer organization that provides boxes of food to 7,000 people a week. SFDOG is working with the San Francisco SPCA to distribute dog and cat food as part of the services operating at the Mission Food Hub three days per week. They are recruiting volunteers to hand out food and raising funds to keep purchasing food for families to feed their pets.


You can see the links for the Latino Task Force and SFDOG below.

This is the link  :     https://www.ltfrespuestalatina.com/contact

This is the link :     https://sfdog.org/blog/help-san-francisco-families-feed-their-pets


The SPCA and Pet Food Express (An amazing pet store where I shop all the time) contributed food to kick off the pantry. And they will purchase food through the SPCA at their corporate partner rate on an ongoing basis. They are at this moment  testing the pantry on a three-month trial, which could be extended and expanded to other locations. As it stands with the Mission Food Hub, they can only distribute pet food that is shipped directly from the manufacturer.

Thank you David from SFDOG for allowing me to share your photos
Thank you David from SFDOG for allowing me to share your photos


I am putting it out here if you manufacture pet food/treats and would like to donate I am sure it will be welcome. Thank you.

Our pets are our family, I always joke that Layla eats better than me but then she is my furkid so there is no question about that, and as I am watching pets unfortunately being dumped at shelters as families cannot afford them at this moment it is a reminder that there are solutions, amazing people out there who are helping in whatever way possible and we must learn to reach out and ask for help.


So Layla and I want to thank these fantastic volunteers for all the amazing work you are doing, you are our heroes this week.


Do you have a free pet food bank in your city ?


To all our furfriends, please be safe, wear masks and remember you are not alone, we are unfortunately all in the same boat today.


With a woof and love from

Layla 

Life is good in the Layla Neighborhood

Woof the weekend has arrived ! I wonder what Mom has planned for me as last weekend I had lots of fun.

Happy St. Roch’s Day which is today – who was he ? St. Roch, The Patron Saint of Dogs. It was the loving care a dog gave that led to St. Roch being named the Patron Saint of Dogs.


Yesterday, August 15th was Check Your MicroChip Day, to remind us all to make sure all our contact information is updated for emergencies and we hope everyone has checked theirs.


Last Friday Harry came to spend the day with us, he is an adorable Westie who like Layla spent most of the day sleeping BOL. She was really good with him, no arguing either HA till he decided to crawl into her box where she was sleeping, and suddenly a growl happened. He just backed away and she turned over and went to sleep. It was quite amusing and Harry’s Mom laughed with me over the whole thing. I hope he will come visit again as it was good for her.

On Saturday I caught up with housework, her weekly food, etc and then took the Madam and went to chill out in the park. It was a glorious day and great to be outdoors relaxing, Madam of course slept on the blanket and ran each time she saw one of her Uncles with treats.

Sunday was adventure day. In one of the neighborhoods they were having the Noe Valley Animal Fair. So backpack came out and off we went. It was a hot day so I made sure Madam had her cooling vest on also. There were goats, different species of birds, cats, rabbits and of course dogs. All the animals were up for adoption. 

LiLou the Therapy Pig was there also, she volunteers at San Francisco Airport and is a well known figure in our city.


For the children there was face painting, games, music and in a nutshell a fun family time for everyone.


Layla met a bunny close up for the first time and she was fascinated but very gentle, it was really cute.

On the way home we came through our park, sat in the shade under a tree relaxing like I love doing, cooled off while she wandered around for a bit, and then came home, where she ate and went to sleep. What a life !


The past couple of days have been really hot so we have been mainly indoors but last night we did something different and met a friend in the park at about 8 or so as it had cooled down and sat there for about 2 hours just chatting and relaxing. It was great to be outside in the cool weather and what was nice was there were quite a few people doing the same with their dogs.  So Layla also met some new dogs which was fun for her.
Have a wonderful weekend everyone,

With a woof and love From Layla