Tag Archives: #adoptdontshop

Clear the Shelters

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August is a very important month in the lives of dogs, we celebrate many holidays for them but today I am going to highlight one of them that are very important to me.

As you all know Layla is a rescue, she came straight from the shelter to my home and is now living the life of luxury. Unfortunately, the shelters are over flowing

Layla in the shelter

with dogs at the moment as people are so quick to get one, then for some reason or another dump them back at the shelter which is no life for a poor dog, if anything it is traumatic and worse of all some of them land up in High Kill Shelters which means a death sentence for them, which is not their fault but the humans fault and they pay the price with their lives. We need to put a stop to this, have a list of people that dump dogs so that they are blacklisted and cannot get another and most of all put an end to this cruelty.

Another issue we must deal with is putting a stop to Backyard Breeders and Puppy Mills as those poor dogs are like machines churning out puppies for lazy people who do not want to work but the opposite make money off their poor dogs and then when the dog cannot give birth anymore dump them in shelters. We must also put a stop to Pet Stores selling puppies and instead make them get shelter dogs adopted and find homes which will help the overcrowding at the shelters.

Most rescue organizations are working 24/7 to save these poor dogs, have to find fosters to rehabilitate them and the work is never ending and it the human race that is causing these problems not the dogs, a dog is part of your family and if you cannot keep him or her then do not get one to start with.

If you want to adopt a dog, whether pure bred or a mutt which I love, go to a shelter to see what they have, yes it costs money, but you would be paying a breeder a lot more if you got from them, plus your dog is spayed or neutered, up to date with vaccinations and healthy but most of all desperate for a warm bed and place to call home.  We must all do our part by saving them the misery of a shelter cage because of some awful person not thinking of the consequences this poor dog will go through because it was dumped. We need to clear the shelters especially the High Kill ones where the poor dogs are killed to make space for new ones.

I hate being blunt talking about this and it hurts me but this is the reality of shelter dogs and it is time to clear the shelters and get the High Kill ones closed down also as the innocent should not be paying the price with their lives. Let us all spread the word and Clear the Shelters. 

Below are the links of Petfinder and 24PetConnect where you can find listings of shelters/dogs in your areas, this is how I found Layla.

https://24petconnect.com/

https://www.petfinder.com/

Now to something funny, Madam Layla LOL.

Layla has become a treat thief, I cannot leave treats anywhere in the house or park and she finds them, digging through my bag for them and I am very amused with this change in her behavior.  I have started dehydrating fish for her as treats and she is addicted, cannot get enough of them LOL, so when in the park the other day I had a bag with me and she went for the bag, pulling everything out till she got what she wanted. It was cute and funny to watch as it made me realize that at her age 16+ years old she still has it in her to get what she wants, and her nose is going a mile a minute.

Layla in the park sniffing the air for treats

So we are wishing everyone a safe weekend, stay cool and please lets spread the word and clear the shelters,

Thank you with love from

Layla

 

 

 

 

 

12 Year Journey with Layla

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TGIF!!! It is the end of the week, the sun has been shining so we have managed to have some dog park time, fun and of course lots of chicken LOL.

It is Layla’s Gotcha Day on the 31st, she has been with me for 12 years and I still say it was the best online love affair in the world.

Where and how did it begin ? After Baby passed I waited about 3 months and then started searching on PetFinder and PetHarbor for a new munchkin to share my life with me. I had a friend who was in LA at the time working, so he told me to look in the shelters there for a fluffy butt that I wanted, if I saw one his friend who is a rescuer would go and get her and he would bring her to me in SF.  So after 3 days of searching I saw her sitting in a cage in the Carson Shelter, her face said it all although she was a matted mess, I told Cindy that was the ONE, Cindy went on the Saturday to get her, called me to say she was on her lap licking her and that said it all, Cindy took her home and the following day Michael brought her to me and the rest is history.

We have gone through a lot together it has been a wonderful blessed journey and now my goal as she ages is to keep her as happy and healthy as possible which in a way seems to be working.

She gets home cooked food and I have now added some new supplements to her food which seem to helping a lot plus she is sleeping better at night which is fantastic.  Thanks to Dr Harvey’s amazing products she is on his :

  • Kidney Health : A herbal and mushroom supplement designed to help support your dog’s kidneys.
  • Contains Rehmannia Root, Organic Reishi, Organic Shiitake, Organic Poria and Organic Cordyceps (all edible fungi), Organic Astragalus Root which provide overall kidney support and health by tonifying the kidneys.
  • Contains Codonopsis, a herb that works to boost the immune system of the whole body as well as the kidneys. Codonopsis also supports urinary health.

Since she is on this she is not wanting to go out every hour to pee, sleeping better through the night as she does not need to pee as much and in a nutshell I have seen a big difference.

Since getting this in her food she seems to be more awake, full of energy and back to being bossy barker which is my favorite nickname for her LOL.

Golden Years : A proprietary Blend of Alfalfa, Kelp, Flaxseed, Brewer’s Yeast, Lecithin Granules, Spirulina, Garlic, Rose Hips, Fo-Ti Root, Bilberry Leaf, Ginkgo Biloba Leaf, Ginger Root, Licorice Root, Nettle Leaf, Rosemary Leaf, Burdock Root, Red Clover, Suma, Yellowdock Root, Calendula………………………..2.6 grams

Like most dogs, Layla sometimes gets an upset tummy and the probiotics she was getting were not working so I got from Dr Harvey’s his Runs Be Done which is fantastic and I love that it is Natural with no chemicals. It contains : Dr. Harvey’s Runs Be Done is a digestive supplement for your dog. Ingredients : Pumpkin, Bentonite Clay, Slippery Elm Bark, Apple Pectin, Plantain, Marshmallow Root, Fennel Seed, Banana, Ginger Root, Chamomile.

She of course gets Dr Harvey’s Raw Vibrance which gives her all the nutrients she needs I feel she is getting the best of the best food and supplements, there are others she gets, but the plus is all supplements are in powder form so easy to give to her as I mix them all in her food so she does not know she is getting them.

If you want to learn more about his products you can find them on his website : https://www.drharveys.com/

You have a 10% coupon when shopping on his site : Layla10

We were sponsored by Dr Harvey’s for this blog.

So our journey plods along, we growing older together, I am so blessed to have her by my side every day, barking orders, sometimes not sleeping through the night, but would not change it for anything.

To celebrate her Gotcha Day next week I am doing a surprise for her on Sunday and am keeping it that way till you read all about it next week where we will also share our favorite photos of her, I am really excited and curious also.

This is Layla’s weekly woof this week, exciting and happy as always, she is at the moment napping and I  have the Jazz on so the music keeps our house calm.

Have a wonderful weekend everyone, be safe

With a woof and love from Layla

 

 

 

 

January is the month of freedom.

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TGIF !! Rain has stopped, sun is out but it is still cold here.

Many of you do not know but January is the month of freedom for me, it is the month I ran from my ex, and it is the month I rescued Layla so it is her month of freedom also.

So, to celebrate our freedom, and the sun shining today, I took Layla on an adventure to our old haunt or should I say park. It is one I have not been to in ages, and it was wonderful to be there. It was bitter sweet as it was the park I used to go to with Baby who ran with me, and her ashes are buried in the park but it was great also, as it brought back so many good memories and being able to sit in the sun, relax, have a picnic with friends there it was the best medicine.

Baby RIP who died suddenly of IMHA at the age of 6

Lafayette Park is a beautiful big park in the city of San Francisco. It is beautifully kept, the view of the Bay from the top is just amazing, the old trees standing upright are stunning, the green lawns are just beautifully kept and sitting there, listening to the children playing and laughing down the hill in the children’s section is magical. There is nothing like listening to kids laugh and play, pure happiness. Thank you Robin and Roger for this wonderful time.

Where we sat on the hill with a view of the Bay

The lawn where Baby’ ashes were buried

The place Layla used to play when we used to come to this park

Layla wandered around, I had to watch her so she would not hurt herself, but she had so much fun and came home, finished her dinner, and went to sleep. A healthy sleep as I say as she had so much fresh air today it was the best of the best.

I am hoping the rain has stopped finally for a bit so that we can get out more, visit different parks and get lots of fresh air which is so important for both of us. I also notice that if she is out and about she is hungry and gobbles down her food which makes me happy and relaxed.

So that was our adventure this week, who knows what we will do next week but there is never a dull moment here plus Layla loves riding on the bus so it is exciting for her.

I had to pee on the way out so I marked my spot, Layla

Stay safe and warm everyone, have a wonderful weekend

With love from Layla

 

Today is a Special Day

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TGIF!! Friday is here and that means weekend, time to put our feet up and relax.

Layla is still hobbling around so have kept her on bed rest as much as possible this week and her energy level is going through the roof LOL but am doing my utmost to prevent her from walking. I have taken her to the park once or twice to get fresh air but she starts walking so I bring her home although she loves sleeping there LOL.

Wearing my granny jacket cos it was cold but zzzzzzzzz

I phoned my vet today to discuss with her what is happening, and she was so great and told me to relax as Layla is a senior and it could take time for her paw to heal and that I am doing well with what I am doing. We have put her on Galliprant for a week which is an anti-inflammatory and pain killer which hopefully will help her paw, but it is making her sleep LOL, phew.

Now why is today a special day?

Today is National Dog Day is recognized worldwide on August 26th annually. We celebrate all dogs and encourage adoption.

 

It is so important to encourage adoption as there are so many dogs in shelters waiting for homes. It hurts me so much to see all the rescues and shelters posting photos of dogs needing homes and breeders still breeding to make money, we need to put a stop to all breeders till shelters and rescues are empty. I understand there are people that want pure bred dogs BUT you can adopt one from a breed rescue organization or from a shelter as there are so many there.

 

So why we celebrate dogs lets turn today into a day of adoption and celebrate the freedom of those caged dogs who need homes.

 

On this note we are asking to spread the word, help emptying shelters and giving all beautiful dogs a home and freedom.

 

Stay safe everyone, have a wonderful weekend

With love and woofs

Layla

July 21st is No to Pet Store Puppies Day

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TGIF!!! Friday has arrived, that means Mom will be less on the computer and more with me, woof.

Last weekend we went to the TriPawd Meet Up, it was so much fun, lots of amazing dogs, their parents and of course lots of treats. I also got blessed by one of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence which made Mom very happy.

 

Thank you Mark Swanson for letting me share some of your photos

Thank you Mark Swanson for sharing some of your photos

Today, 21st of July is No to Pet Store Puppies Day, a very important day as need to draw the public awareness of puppy mills and their connections to pet stores that sell puppies, kittens, and rabbits.

This is a National Problem and Abusive as thousands of dogs spend their lives in Puppy Mills with no medical attention or proper care of any kind. Female dogs are bred like machines with no break in between each litter and when they cannot breed anymore, they are dumped.

This is not a life it is abuse

Puppies from Puppy Mills or backyard breeders may suffer from behavior, congenital and hereditary problems as a result of irresponsible breeding practices.

How you can help stop this practice and reasons why NOT to buy from a Pet Store:

  1. Do not shop at a Pet Store that sells puppies
  2. Check out this website http://NoPetStorePuppies.com see if your State regulates commercial breeders.
  3. Convince your family and friends not to shop at Pet Stores that sell puppies.
  4. If you want a puppy, go to a Rescue Organization to adopt a puppy as there are many that need homes.
  5. Some Pet Stores have Rescued Puppies so shop at that store and adopt a pup from them.
  6. Puppies from Pet Stores have health problems as they are not bred carefully.
  7. Behavioral Issues as the staff at a Pet Store is not trained and therefore will not see those problems.
  8. They are not socialized as puppies at Pet Stores are taken away from their litters too you and therefore are not developed socially.
  9. Puppies from Puppy Mills or backyard breeders may suffer from behavior, congenital and hereditary problems as a result of irresponsible breeding practices.
  10. Lack of Information – Pet store staff will not have all the correct information for you about the puppy.
  11. Housetraining, pups from Pet Stores do not have the correct instinct from doing their business next to the food and water as they have lived in cages all their lives.
  12. If you are looking for a pure bred puppy, the Pet Store might not have the documentation to prove it is pure bred and therefore you have spend hundreds of dollars on a puppy which is not what you wanted in the end.

So, let’s all take the pledge and adopt don’t shop and open our home to a pup that has been dumped in a Shelter.

Have a safe weekend and please stay indoors from the heat,

With a woof and love from Layla

 

 

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

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

National Mutt Day should be Every Day

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TGIF!!!!!

I cannot believe we are already in December; this year has gone too fast I think but praying 2022 will be a good year for all.

Today is National Mutt Day – This special day is celebrated twice a year, Dec. 2, and July 31. The days help to raise awareness of the plight of mixed-breed dogs in shelters. There are millions of smart and healthy mutts in shelters just waiting for someone to give them a forever home.

There are so many sitting in shelters waiting for homes it is heart breaking and instead of buying from a breeder go down to the shelter and rescue one, mutts are the best, the love unconditionally and I personally think they are grateful daily for having that chance of a home.

Layla is a rescued mutt, and I would not change it for anything in this world and will always rescue.

As most of you know the past week has been Hanukkah, the festival of lights, for 8 days we light candles, eat latkes and donuts and oily food to remember the miracle of them thinking the oil would last for one day but it lasted for 8 days.  So as we celebrate that miracle, I each night when lighting the Hanukkiah I pray for a miracle for all the homeless dogs and cats sitting in shelters waiting to be rescued and adopted.

This is the recipe I make for Layla on Hanukkah but it can be made all year round also

Happy Hanukkah Everyone – May the miracle of lights turn into a miracle with finding homes for all the homeless pets

They do not have a voice, so we need to speak out for them to save their lives.

So, on this note lets all pray that shelters will empty and 2022 will be a better year for all those mutts in shelters

Have a wonderful week all, be safe and hug your furry babies

With love from

Layla

Remember Me Thursday

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What is so special about this day.

 

It is a day when the world will share and discuss the importance of pet adoption, and shine a light on all orphan pets waiting in shelters and rescues. We all come from different countries, religions but one thing we all have in common is the fate of the pets in shelters so we need to be their voice.

https://youtube.com/shorts/LmWXt6iqjuw?si=cdZEvJQWZc0UJ3h2

https://youtube.com/shorts/Md3-hysv1kU?si=PXstcijIvbUnoK5Z

 

Those orphan pets in the shelters need homes, want a warm bed to sleep in, good food, toys but most of all they want to be loved by humans so every time one is adopted you are saving a life.

We can help by spreading the word, changing the minds of people to open their hearts also.

  1. Adopt and open your house to an orphan pets
  2. Donate to a rescue that is saving the pets from the shelter, we are helping one rescue who saves the seniors and disabled dogs that have been dumped in the shelters, they go and live at a Sanctuary in the foothills of California where they will live the rest of their lives with love, warmth, food and comfort.  We are helping this Sanctuary this week financially by asking everyone to donate a couple of dollars which is used for vet bills, food and whatever is needed for these dogs. The name of the Sanctuary is Dreams Disabled R Elderly Animal Mountain Sanctuary 
  3. You can donate by sending your donation via  PayPal : d.dreamsanctuary@yahoo.com

PLUS I think the most important of all is to show everyone all over the world that adoption is the only way to go.

We want to say a special thanks to Mike Arms, President and CEO of Helen Woodward Animal Center, for creating this day to draw the attention of the orphaned pets sitting in shelters and by lighting a candle will draw people to their fate of euthanasia.

So let’s all get together and save the shelter pets and give them the good life they deserve,

Thank you with love from

Layla

 

Puppy Mill Awareness Day

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TGIF phew the weekend has arrived.

Tomorrow is a very important date in our calendar, Puppy Mill Awareness Day.

It is held on the third Saturday in September to encourage those looking for a new dog, to adopt, not shop. An observance dedicated to improving the lives of dogs, the day spreads the word about the poor conditions of puppy mills.

We need to educate people so that they will realize where their puppies come from and the life the mothers of the puppies have.

What is a puppy mill?

It is a place where dogs are kept in cages in the dark, with no medical care, not enough food or water and are treated like baby making machines with no life.

Missouri is considered the leading puppy mill state in the country. Over time, puppy mills have spread to other states, the highest concentration is in the Midwest, but there are also high concentrations in other areas, including Pennsylvania, Ohio and upstate New York.

Dog farming is a large part of the economy for many Amish communities. Lancaster, Pennsylvania, Holmes County, Ohio, and Shipshewana, Indiana are home to thousands of breeding dogs that will spend their lives in puppy mills. This might surprise you given the reputation of the Amish, and is a side of the Amish community of which most people are not aware of and would never knowingly support.

What is a dog auction?

Not many people have heard of a dog auction. Dog auctions are common in the puppy mill industry, and are particularly common in Amish communities. A dog auction is the same as a livestock auction; it is simply limited to selling dogs as well as housing and breeding equipment.

The dogs sold most of them suffer from chronic untreated painful conditions such as ear infections, rotten teeth, urinary tract infections, sores on their feet, mastitis, and more.

Layla speaking out for all those suffering

These dogs have never felt the warmth or love from a human in their lives and need a lot of patience once adopted to adjust to their new lives.

One of the important reasons for speaking out about Puppy Mills is because of the lives the poor dogs live, but also to stop pet stores for selling puppies which most of the time come from Puppy Mills.

So we are speaking against Puppy Mills or any breeder as there are so many dogs waiting in shelters to be adopted and being euthanized because of lack of space. Enough is enough.

To all our readers please do not shop but adopt, save a life as they save ours, and a dog does not have to be pure bred to be perfect, mutts rock and in my house mutts are what I rescue.

Be safe and please spread the word

With a woof and love from Layla