October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month

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Good Morning,

October has arrived and with it the Month of Domestic Violence Awareness. This is a topic that is very close to my heart as I am a proud survivor.

 

I am one of the lucky ones that managed to get away with my little dog, hid at a friend and then moved to a new city where we were both helped.  If I had left her I know my ex would have carried on abusing her so the minute I could run, we ran.

Baby since has passed away, but she was my inspiration, my hero, my trooper and my lifeline through those dark days, and when she passed it was when I was finally in my own home so she knew I was safe, and could then open my doors to a new pup, and Layla arrived to live with me.  Layla wears a tag that says: Shelter Survivor which speaks for both of us. Layla as you know has since crossed the Rainbow Bridge so Nili wears the Shelter Survivor Tag as it speaks for me and for her as she was rescued from a shelter.

Today I am not going to talk about me, but “The Power and Control Wheel” of Animal Abuse and Domestic Violence. This gives us a better understanding as to what happens behind closed doors, and why so many victims stay in the relationships.

  1. Threats – The abuser will threaten to kill or abuse the pet during the relationship or if left behind. (I stayed in mine as to protect Baby.)
  2. Isolation – Refusing vet care for the pet. Isolating the victim that the pet also suffers as it is not socialized with other dogs. It is as if you are living in a cage.
  3. Emotional Abuse – Giving away or killing the pet to take away her source of unconditional love.
  4. Economical Abuse – Refusing to permit her to buy pet food or vet care
  5. Legal Abuse – Custody battles over pets. This is heart breaking as they file charges against the victim claiming theft if she leaves with the pet.
  6. Intimidation – Harming or killing the pet and then saying to the victim “Next time it will be you…..” They do this to family and friends who assist with the victim and pets getting away.
  7. Denying and blaming – Blaming the victim or the pet when something happens.

An abuser will want to control everything, and if he or she does not have that, we, the humans, kids or pets become the victims of his or her anger, although he/she will never admit it.

So when people reach out and talk about wanting to leave a Domestic Violence relationship but cannot leave their pets, these are some of the reasons and I from experience would have rather carried on suffering the abuse to make sure Baby was safe, than left her in a house where she would suffer.

Pets do not understand abuse the way we do and they should not have to suffer at the hands of an abuser of any kind as they give us the unconditional love and loyalty that unfortunately humans do not do.

October is also the National Month of Adopt a Shelter Dog Month so reach out to a Shelter and give a dog a new home, as I always say about Layla – from pound to princess.

Be safe, have a wonderful week, with a woof of love from

Nili

 

October Pet Holidays and Observances

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Month

 

      Adopt A Dog Month

      Adopt a Shelter Dog Month 

           Black Cat Awareness Month.

National Animal Safety and Protection Month.

National Pet CBD Month.

National Pet Obesity Awareness Month.

National Pet Wellness Month.

National Pit Bull Awareness Month.

Small Dog Awareness Month.

World Animal Month.

Domestic Violence Awareness Month

 

 

Week

 

Oct. 1-7: National Walk Your Dog Week

Oct. 5-11: Animal Welfare Week.

Oct. 12-18: National Veterinary Technician Week.

Third week of October: National Wolf Awareness Week

 

One-Day

  • 1:  National Fire Pup Day
  • 1: National Black Dog Day
  • 2: Canine Companion Week
  • 4: World Animal Day
  • 4: Feast of St. Francis of Assisi.
  • 4: Kindness to Animals Day.
  • 8: National Pet Obesity Awareness Day
  • 9:  Catober Shelter Cat Birthdays for those that we do not know their real birthday
  • 10: World Animal Road Accident Awareness Day.
  • 10: Vet Nurse Day. 
  • 11: National Spoodle Day.
  • 16: Global Cat Day.
  • 18: National Fetch Day.
  • 21: National Pets for Veterans Day.
  • 22: National Make Dog’s Day.
  • 26: National Livestock Guardian Dog Appreciation and Awareness Day.
  • 27: National Black Cat Dayin the UK.
  • 28: Plush Animal Lovers Day. This day is dedicated to unstuffing toys
  • 29: National Cat Day.
  • 30: National Treat Your Pet Day.
  • 31: Halloween

 Have a wonderful October Everyone with a woof from Nili 

 

 

Remember Me Thursday

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Hello to all my friends,

Saturday is a special day for Mom, it is her birthday as I am speaking for my sister Layla also wishing Mom a very happy Birthday, I am so blessed to have been adopted by her and spending her special day with her as my sister is over the Rainbow Bridge makes it even more special.

I have always rescued a pet and that is why today, 25th of September is Remember Me Thursday is so dear to me.

What is this day?

Remember Me Thursday is on the last Thursday of September every year when we speak out for the orphan pets in shelters wanting homes, they are innocent and, in many ways, we are to blame.

This is a day when we all get together campaigning for them as no innocent orphaned pet should have to die in a Shelter because someone dumped them there.

 

As Mike Arms, President and CEO of Helen Woodward Animal Center says : We all come from different countries, cultures, and backgrounds, but together, we can raise our voices and share one life-saving message and literally save millions of pets on this one day.”

You can read more about it on their website:

https://remembermethursday.org/about/

How can we shine a light on:

  1. Attend a Remember Me Thursday event near you. – You can find the events near you on Google or on the website above.
  1. Hold a pet food plus other pet related items fundraiser for your local shelter.
  1. Check to see if one of your shelters in your area are having an adoption event.
  1. Speak out, encourage friends and family to adopt and open their homes to an orphan pet.
  1. There are so many ways we can all help, so let’s take one step forward today to do it.

 

I would like to take this opportunity to wish all our friends a Happy, Sweet, Healthy New Year as our New Year 5786 started on the 22nd of September and our prayers are that the New Year will bring homes to all the orphaned pets.

With love and woofs from Nili

 

 

 

A day in the life of a rescued dog

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TGIF! Weekend has arrived and that means time to kick back, relax and forget all the errands and tasks for two days but spend quality time with Nili.  I need to start doing this the way I did with Layla as it is only fair to her. Yup am having a guilty conscience at this moment LOL. So I decided to share with you what a day with Nili is from early morning till we fall asleep at night and how she keeps me on my toes, plus her training that she is getting, which is helping a lot, thank you Dani.

Nili my growling alarm clock, wakes me up at about 5 every morning and does not keep quiet till I am awake and searching for clothes plus to get her out. This for her is the best time of the day as I am sleepy and she is a bundle of energy but off we go. I normally walk her for about 3 blocks for her to potty, sniff and of course burn off energy. Once done and I by then am desperate for coffee, we come home. I normally let her run into the building to burn off more energy, but she will make a bee line for the front door, sitting with a wagging tail waiting for me.

I then take her harness off and feed her breakfast which is air dried kibbles, carrots, blueberries, apples and some coconut oil. She gobbles her breakfast down and then starts squeaking toys or takes a nap. While I drink my coffee finally LOL, she will sit at my feet growling and barking for attention and of course treats but have cut back with them because of her diet.

Breakfast time

 

While I work during the morning she will let me know if she needs to go out which of course we do and then once she is settled, I get back to whatever I am doing. I normally give her YOMP toy or Kong with veggies in plus a bit of salmon which keeps her busy for about a half hour. Then it is nap time for her. If we have been out longer than planned and it is hot I will give her some chopped up watermelon, carrots, blueberries and apples instead.

Yomp time yummmm

In the late afternoons around 4 or so I take her to the park to run and play while I sit back and watch her with my  coffee. She loves that time especially if all the treat people are out although most know she cannot have treats because of her diet.  I am battling to keep her on her diet plus now buying everything for her to munch on that is not more than one calorie which is not easy. If it’s a biscuit she gets a quarter. She is not starving but I do not want her to be obese and the 2 lbs she needs to lose. When we get home from the park in the evenings she gets her dinner, which is the same as breakfast and then the kitchen is closed for her.

Nili and Monkey, I just love this photo

Our last walk at night is around 9 pm when we walk about 4 blocks, she has time to potty, smell and check the p-mails. The other night while walking we came across a racoon which was as big as her, she barked like crazy while he looked at her as if to say what do you want. She thought she was so smart walking home tail wagging it was quite funny.

 

I then brush her out, make sure there are no matts, clean her teeth and she gets half a greenie and it is bedtime. Nili sleeps in different places each night but am relieved she settles down and goes to sleep.

 

So that is what our days are like, of course we do different things on weekends, but she gets lots of exercise, playtime in the park, and most of all she is not starving and goes to bed with a full tummy.

 

Rescuing a stray, is not easy in some ways, but I would not change it for anything, she keeps me on my toes and for a senior that is enough LOL.

 

Have a wonderful weekend, be safe

With a woof and hugs from Nili

National Disaster Preparedness Month

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Woof hello Everyone,

This is Nili here telling Mom what to write as I am carrying on my sisters Laylas Legacy.

September is National Disaster Preparedness Month; it is very important as we must be prepared for any type of Disaster especially with climate change happening all over the world and not knowing what can happen.

Because we live in San Francisco where earthquakes happen, we have a bag ready for emergencies with everything Mom can think of so that we do not have that worry if we must run out of the house. Since I have come to live with Mom, and having been a stray in my past life, Mom has added to the list a carrier for me so she can put me in it and not have to worry about me trying to run away or hurt myself walking on the debris in the streets. The plus with this carrier is that 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.  Thank you Mr. Peanuts for this amazing carrier, you can see their fantastic products on their website :

The bag I have to carry Nili, it expands so when on the ground I can open it up on all sides so it is bigger and more comfortable

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

I am practising to stay in the bag for an emergency, Nili, when I carry it the sides are folded in and it looks like a normal pet carrier

This is what is in our bag which Mom has and it on wheels so it is easier for her to pull as it is heavy: Boxes of Water, 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. 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. Most important and was reminded all vet documents and of course your personal documents also (copies are also great)

Layla and I shopping for items for our disaster bag

 

We are discussing this subject this week as Mom says it is very important to be prepared for all so that we can be safe as we are family, the furkids of the family although I am the only kid here.

Have a wonderful weekend, be safe

With hugs and love from Nili

September 2025 Pet Holidays and Observances

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September has arrived and with it a new list of Pet Holidays and Observances

Enjoying the park while the sun is out, Nili

Month

  • Animal Pain Awareness Month.
  • Happy Cat Month.
  • National Disaster Preparedness Month.  It is so important to be ready for a disaster
  • National Pet Insurance Month.
  • NationalResponsible Dog Ownership Month.
  • National Service Dog Month.
  • Pet Memorial Month.
  • Pet Sitter Education Month.
  • World Animal Remembrance Month.

 

Week

 

  • 14-20:  Adopt a less adoptable pet week.
  • 21-27: National Deaf Dog Awareness Week.
  • 21-27: National Dog Week.

 

Days

 

  • 1: Ginger Cat Appreciation Day.
  • 5: Canine Enrichment Day.(UK)
  • 5: National White Cat Day.
  • 8: National Dog Walker Appreciation Day
  • 9: Happy Dog Day.(UK)
  • 9: Tuxie Appreciation Day.
  • 13: Pet Birth Defect Awareness Day.
  • 13: Scoobie Doo Day.
  • 14: National Hug Your Hound Day.
  • 14: National Pet Memorial Day.
  • 17: National Pet Carbon Monoxide Safety Day.
  • 18: Love Your Dog Groomer Day. (UK)
  • 19: National Meow Like a Pirate Day.
  • 19: National Cat DNA Day.
  • 20: Responsible Dog Ownership Day.
  • 20: Puppy Mill Awareness Day.
  • 21: National Cat and Dog Gut Health Awareness Day.
  • 22: National Walk ‘n’ Roll Dog Day. 
  • 23: Dogs in Politics Day. (also known as Checkers Day). 
  • 23: Adopted Dog Day.
  • 25: Remember Me Thursday
  • 27: World’s Largest Pet Walk.
  • 27: Old Yeller Day.
  • 28: World Rabies Day.
  • 30: Pet Tricks Day.(UK)
  • 30: National Puppy Mill Survivor Day.

 

Happy September Everyone and for our Jewish friends Happy New Year

 

With a woof and love from Nili

 

I have been a busy girl

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TGIF! Phew, it is Friday and I am really looking forward to this weekend, to kick back and relax as I have been very busy and Mom says she needs to put her feet up and relax BOL as I am not going to let it happen as the sun is shining so I want to be outside.

Last Saturday there was music in the park, so Mom packed a picnic for herself, treats for me of course and we went to sit in the park and listen to the music. This was a first for me listening to a band so I was good and did not bark but did run around and of course eat the mud which got Mom angry with me so after an hour or so she packed up to bring me home. She does not understand that I love the mud, it is mixed with fish fertilizer and very yummy but Mom explained to me that it can make me sick so it is a Big NO, so the mud argument started between us and of course Mom won and we came home. I moped and then napped till evening when I decided it was time to go out again, so we went for a long walk, came home and I ate dinner and Mom made hers.

Listening to the music

On Sunday, silly Mommy, she got the days mixed up and thought it was Monday, so we got up early as she had an Eye Doc appointment, but when she sat down after walking and feeding me that it was Sunday and there was no hurry anywhere we went back to bed to nap.

Aunt Alice called at about 10 to ask Mom if she wanted to go see the Dragon Sculpture in Golden Gate Park, so Mom and Aunt got their favorite lunch from Palmyra, a Syrian Restaurant and off we went. It was a long walk to get there so I got lots of exercise but WOW it is a big Dragon and beautifully made. It is 25 feet high and 100 ft long and is called Naga.

WOW it i big and beautiful

You can read more about it on this link :  https://sfrecpark.org/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=2339

There were lots of people so Mom kept me on leash so I could not wander around and sniff a lot but it was so much fun to be in a new place and see and smell new things. Mom says I was a really good girl and gave me an extra treat BOL.

On Monday Mom went early to her Eye Appointment and the rest of the day we played together and went to our park, so I had a good run there and of course rolled in the lawn and got smelly, BOL, it’s the best.

On Tuesday was just regular park day with Mom doing her errands so it keeps her busy but OH I must not forget to tell you there was a chicken wandering around the park which I wanted to eat BOL, Mom put me on leash and called Animal Control, and they came and took him away.

Chicken in the dog park woof woof woof

Wednesday was a slowish day of housework and laundry and then in the afternoon with Aunt Allison I went to get a bath at Pet Food Express, they have a bathing station so as Mom says she does not have to clean up after my bath. I am at this moment smelling of coconut and papaya, hmmm smells yum.

I hate baths, it is torture, Nili

Yesterday I had my first class with Dani who is teaching me to not pull on leash and so much more. She took me to her garden so I would not have any distractions and I was anxious leaving Mom for that hour, but they explained to me I need to know that Mom will never give me away and will always come home. Dani told Mom once I had settled and got treats of course, I was a good girl, so I will be getting more lessons over the next couple of weeks, with Mom too as she needs to be trained.

I went yesterday evening to the park to play with Laser, he is so much fun and maybe he will be my new boyfriend.

 

 

So, friends, as you can see, I am a very busy girl, active, on diet which Mom is now counting calories BOL, but most of all having the best time. This weekend is a long weekend, and we are just going to hang out in the park and relax plus recharge our batteries.

Happy Labor Day Weekend, take lots of photos and please be safe

Angel Layla smiling wish all her friends a Happy Labor Day

With a woof and love from Nili

Let the weekend begin, Happy Labor Day Weekend, Nili

I had a sleepover

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Woof hello friends,

It is Friday and I had such a fun week although Mom is exhausted BOL. My angel sister Layla never met Cash who came to spend a couple of days with me while his Dad went away. It was so much fun having a playmate in the house with me.

Everyone meet Cash

Cash is a funny little boy, a big personality, playful and full of energy like Nili. From morning till night, in between walks they were bouncing on the bed wrestling, catching balls and very busy. It kept them very busy and by night they were both exhausted. The cutest of all is that they did not fight over food or treats but when they finished their meals they would go to each other’s bowl to check to see if there were any crumbs and of course chunky monkey licked Cash’s bowl extra clean. Another thing that amused me is they lay side by side looking out of the window and if one started barking the other would join in, noisy but they were happy and that was all that counts.

Waiting to lick his bowl clean, Nili

Below is a video of them playing.

So that has been our week, and the weather has warmed up so yesterday I took Nili to the park to sunbathe for a bit and of course beg for treats, although no one was there to give her HA.

Exhausted after playing

 

Have a wonderful weekend all, stay and and make lots of memories

With a woof and love from Nili

 

Vet Experience

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TGIF!  Weekend has arrived and they are expecting a heat wave here in San Francisco so we are going to be indoors quite a bit as to not overheat. We have had a cold summer with drizzles and suddenly it has decided to warm up and Mom is happy but I am not, too hot for me grrrr. Thank goodness I have my cooling vest which helps a lot.

As you all know two weeks ago Nili was sick and we went to the vet clinic that Mom has been going to for over 15 years. She always loved them but this time she got fed up. I am going to break down the story here which upsets me as it was one of the best clinics to go to but since it has become private, owned by the vets that work there, has all the modern day equipment,  open 24/7 so much has gone wrong also and we have decided to move to another place, smaller but friendlier.

These are the reasons / red flag that made me do it :

 

  1. When Nili was sick, I made an appointment with our regular vet who knows Mom but was not there so we saw a new vet. A young guy, and during the exam he had another vet there too so we are wondering if he was a student or not, I have no issues with that but feel vets should listen to the dog Mom not force things on her. While checking her he said she needed fluid shots, nausea shots plus dog diet food to help her lose weight. I was astonished that he was deciding all this without discussing with me. Nili had just finished a cup of water so she was not dehydrated, she had been eating so I knew she was not nauseas. Telling me to buy diet food is not an option as I do not believe in them plus in a nutshell he was telling me to have her get a flu shot. I was in shock over it all but kept quiet as I did not want stress at the clinic for the sake of Nili. He also mentioned probiotic dog food which although I hate kibbles decided to give her instead of medications plus so much more. He wanted me to buy the cans but I put my foot down and got the kibble which I must admit helped her. In a nutshell I came home with no answers to my questions but being sold as such things I did not need.
  2. The final straw with this clinic was on Monday I called them to make an appointment for her Leptospirosis vaccine, I told them on the phone that I wanted a vet tech to do it as it is a lot cheaper and they told me they would call with time and date. By 6 that evening I had not heard from them so I called them back, the customer service told me the following : There is no vet tech appointments, He then had the audacity to tell me that for an extra $55 I could have it done with a vet and as I have credit there to cover it there would be no problem. That is when I got really angry and told him he has no right to tell me what to do with my credit, so his reply was well he would give me other places to go. I told him about an article I had read about vets thinking more of money than pets and felt that is what is happening at his clinic, he was not happy that I said that, I also told him I blogged and would talk about it here today, and then put the phone down.
  3. On Wednesday they called me again, LOL, telling me that they had place for a vet tech at the price they had quoted me $98 but I told them thanks as I had made an appointment at another clinic. I know the reason she called me was the other clinic had called them for all Nili’s files so that they would have everything before I went today.

This morning, Nili and I went to get her shot, what a difference, what a great family vet clinic, everyone was smiling, welcoming and the vet was fantastic. Did not push anything on me,  discussed chunky monkey’s weight, what to do and in a nutshell I have found the place to go now. Actually, all my friends rave about this clinic and they are so right. I always say a first impression says it all.

Waiting for the bus to go to the ver, Nili

Mom can we go home please, it is nice and cool here but I do not like vets, Nili

One of the many reasons I am sharing this with everyone is I want pet parents to know there are always other options, and it is sad that some clinics are so money motivated, causing many pet parents to avoid them plus dumping their pets as they cannot afford the vet expenses. I am not wealthy, on a fixed income, am blessed to have certain coverage for Nili but I still must watch what I am spending as to not go over my annual budget for vets where possible and if a clinic is checking my finances as such I am not interested in working with them. Their loss not mine and Nili and my gain having found a fantastic new one.

As always Nili keeps me amused so am going to share our video of the week, as she is such a clown.

Please be safe and have a wonderful weekend, with lots of  memories,

Love Nili  aka chunky monkey and Mom

 

 

 

August 2025 Pet Holidays and Observances

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August has arrived; can you believe it!!! That means a new list of Pet Holidays and Observances – so here we go:

Nili and Monkey soaking up the August sun

Month

  • Clear the Shelters
  • Itchy Pet Awareness Month
  • National Dog Month
  • Rawgust.
  • World Mutt-i-grees Rescue Month.

Week 

  • 3-9: International Assistance Dog Week.
  • 3-9: Give a Dog a Bone Week.

Day 

  • 1: DOGust Universal Birthday for Shelter Dogs. 
  • 4: Assistance Dog Day.
  • 5: Work Like a Dog Day.
  • 8: International Cat Day.
  • 8: National Cat Dayin Canada.
  • 8: National Odie Day.
  • 10: Snoopy’s Birthday
  • 10: National Spoil Your Dog Day
  • 15: National Check Your Chip Day
  • 16 Saint Roch’s Day.
  • 16. International Homeless Animals Day
  • 17: National Black Cat Appreciation Day.
  • 17: National Nonprofit Day.
  • 22: National Take Your Cat to the Vet Day.
  • 23: International Blind Dogs Day
  • 26: National Dog Day.
  • 28: Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day.
  • 30: National Holistic Pet Day

There is lots to celebrate this month so we hope you will enjoy, be safe with a woof and love from Nili