Tag Archives: #pets

Why we speak out against Animal Abuse

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TGIF! End of week and our weekly blog is here. This week we going to discuss the animal abuse in the world and say a thank you to Betty White for speaking out.

As you all are aware Betty White passed away a week ago, she was an amazing woman, her comedy was brilliant but her legacy for speaking out for animals is something the animal world has lost. The animals have lost an amazing advocate and we all need to speak out for those that don’t have a voice.

There are so many issues when it comes to animals, a circus or zoo which are prisons for those poor animals and have not chosen that kind of life. The circus animals are beaten and mistreated just to entertain humans which is so wrong, each time a circus closes and the animals are set free I celebrate as they should all be free roaming the land where they come from. Animals in zoos should have that same life of freedom, not sitting in cages or enclosures seeing the same thing every day – that is not a life, that is a prison. It is time that zoos close down also.

Breeders are just as bad, they breed animals especially in puppy mills or cat mills, where the dogs and cats do not have lives, they are baby making machines, living in deplorable conditions and when they cannot breed anymore they are dumped like garbage. Puppy or Cat mills should be closed down and made illegal. I here too rejoice everything a law passes forbidding the sale of pets in pet stores as the pets do not have deserve to be there but like every living being, should be free to live their lives as they do not have a say in their lives and therefore it is abuse.

Hybrid cats or dogs that are bred like Cockapoos, etc are all mutts and should not be labelled as a breed, they are mixed breeds.

That is why Spay and Neuter is so important to keep the over population under control, by doing that less animals would land up in shelters or become feral/homeless, but would have homes to live their lives. If everyone spayed or neutered there would be no euthanasia as the shelters would not have all these poor animals hoping for a rescue.

Betty White spoke about all the above, her voice was heard by so many animal advocates and that is why we are all mourning today her loss and the start of the Betty White Challenge is a brilliant idea to remember her as with all the rescues working day and night to save the animals from shelters they will be able to raise more funds to help them carry on their wonderful work.

Will you be donating to a rescue organization in memory of Betty White ? Layla and I will be doing it to one of our favorite rescues who saves the disabled, seniors and sick pets dumped in shelters and is a hospice so they live the rest of their lives in comfort with love.

Pets are family, the reason shelters are overflowing is because of the selfish inconsiderate humans who think that when they do not want to be responsible anymore they dump them in shelters. A pet should live his or her life in comfort as part of your family.

On this note we are praying that 2022 Shelters will be empty, pets will have loving homes and the abuse will stop.

Thank you Betty for all you did, you will be missed by many, hug your pet,

With a woof and love from Layla

 

 

 

January 2022 Pet Holidays

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Best time of year to smell and pee on the Christmas Tree

Month 

  • National Train your dog Month
  • Walk Your Dog Month.
  • Adopt a Rescued Bird Month.
  • Unchain a Dog Month.

Days

  • 2: National Pet Safety Day
  • 2: Happy Mew Year for Cats
  • 14. National Dress Up your Pet Day
  • 22. National Answer your Cat’s Question Day
  • 24. Change a Pet’s Life Day
  • 24. Peanut Butter Day – most dogs will that day
  • 29. Seeing Eye Guide Anniversary

 

Have a safe 2022 Everyone with a woof and love from Layla

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanksgiving is around the corner

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The weekend has arrived, Thanksgiving and Hanukkah around the corner plus with no rain in the forecast we are trying to get adventures in before the rain arrives.

So last week we went to the Embarcadero to look at the Bay, breathe some sea air and just be outdoors. It was chilly but sunny and a perfect day to be outdoors.

Madam was happy running around, watching the seagulls and Pidgeon’s and of course eating some treats because how could I let her starve. I had taken a coffee with me and it was just perfect, relaxing and just what the Doctor ordered.

Sitting on my Aunts lap

https://youtu.be/07zQskd54ZE

As we all know, Thanksgiving is around the corner, shops are full, everyone stocking up with food, sales are starting and the city is slowly going crazy. I have no plans for Thanksgiving this year, lying low which I love to do and just relax. I will make Madam some turkey for definite with veggies, so she does not feel left out.

Thanksgiving treats for Layla

Thanksgiving pet safety :
  1. Keep the food on the table 
  2. No pie or other desserts for your dog
  3. Yeast dough can cause problems for pets, including painful gas and potentially dangerous bloating.
  4. Put the trash away so your dogs cannot find it
  5. Be careful with decorative plants.
  6. Quick action can save lives.

So on this note Layla and I want to thank everyone for helping her stay healthy, Dr Harvey’s, Vetercyn, Her vet Dr Gervais, Vet Vision Clinic and so many more who have spent the last year with us, BUT Layla would like to say a special thank you to everyone reading our blog, following us on social media.

BUT before we forget please please if you are shopping on Black Friday put on your list food, treats or toys for the pets that are in the shelters so that they can be spoiled also, thank you

Have a fun family Thanksgiving with lots of laughter,

With love from Layla

 

 

 

 

600 Million Dogs

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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

 

 

 

 

 

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 ran, 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.

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

Layla

 

September is National Disaster Preparedness Month

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Good Morning, TGIF !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

September has arrived and with it just chaotic weather everywhere, natural disasters that has made me think about how precious life is, how important it is for us to look after the environment for the future generations and at the moment it feels as if there is one disaster after another as if there is no time to breathe in between.

So with this lets all step back and look at what is happening in this country:

  1. Hurricane Ida, the devastation is horrific, the lives lost both humans and animals, what people are having to face today and slowly get back on their feet again. Rescue Organizations running around trying to save every animal from drowning, endless hours of work which I so admire, emptying the shelters to make space for all those poor displaced animals. If only people
  2. The fires burning all over California and the loss of animal life, vegetation and it hurts me so much to see this on TV.

And then I go back to saying September is National Disaster Preparedness Month and what else will happen this month? Are we really prepared in our house for one? What do we really need? It worries me as I wonder what if I am not home when an earthquake happens. Will Layla be ok? Do any of you think of this?

I always worry that the items in my disaster bag which is next to the door is not enough.  I recheck once a month but I then say will I have time to pick up and run when an earthquake hits, and the more I think about it I think to myself maybe I should try a trial run this week. It might sound crazy but would rather be safe than sorry.

So this is emergency bag :

Water / flashlight / batteries / radio / change of clothing / food for Layla and me / her supplements / poop bags / dog treats / blanket / toy for her / first aid kit / copies of documents / cash / usb drives of all my computer files / my beach canopy that I could use as a tent and other sentimental items of mine.  It sounds a lot but I still wonder if it is enough. I also have a collapsible pet carrier to put her in so she will be feel safe plus her backpack to carry her out of the house in so she does not walk on the sidewalks in case there is debris and could get hurt.

I also say that I can live off bread and water but her food is extremely important.

So when all these disasters hit us, and however much we are prepared we all lose material items which for me is as I say, something that can be replaced, but the lives of the animals and birds cannot so it is so important to do as much as possible to protect them.

On this note I am asking everyone to be safe, prayers going out to those that were hit by the hurricane and most of all a big thank you  to all those that step up and help those that need the help, you are all angels.

Most important our pets are family and should not be left behind to fend for themselves as you are serving them a death sentence.

Have a great safe week,

WIth a woof and love from Layla

 

 

 

 

 

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September Pet Holidays and Observances 

 

Month 

  • Happy Cat Month.
  • National Service Dog Month.
  • National Pet Insurance Month.
  • Responsible Dog Ownership Month.
  • Pet Sitter Education Month.
  • Animal Pain Awareness Month.
  • National Disaster Preparedness Month.

Week

  • Sept. 20-26:  Adopt a less adoptable pet week
  • Sept. 20-26: National Deaf Dog Awareness Week.
  • Sept. 20-26: National Dog Week.

Day

  • Sept. 1: Ginger Cat Appreciation Day.
  • Sept. 8: National Dog Walker Appreciation Day.
  • Sept. 12: National Pet Memorial Day
  • Sept. 12: National Hug your hound day
  • Sept. 13: Pet Birth Defect Awareness Day.
  • Sept. 18: Puppy Mill Awareness Day. 
  • Sept. 18: Responsible Dog Ownership Day.
  • Sept. 22: National Walk ‘n’ Roll Dog Day. Honoring dogs in wheelchairs and with mobility challenges.
  • Sept. 23: Dogs in Politics
  • Sept 23: Remember Me Thursday – One of the most important days of the year
  • https://remembermethursday.org/
  • Sept. 28: World Rabies Day.

 

 

They just amaze me

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Last Saturday we went to the 10th Tripawed Meet Up in our dog park. These dogs just amaze me and I always say we humans can learn from them.

Some of the dogs at the event

Madam watching what is going on

Most of the dogs are rescues and unfortunately have been dumped in shelters because of their disabilities but it does not bother them as they are happy dogs, some hopping on two legs, others with three legs and they just playing around, begging for treats and absolutely adorable.

It was a great day to have a picnic in the park with all dog parents, with lots of laughter and forget all the world problems.

This Saturday, August 21st is International Homeless Animal Day – Every year on the third Saturday of August, International Homeless Animals Day is celebrated to draw attention to the issue of pet overpopulation.

To raise awareness spay and neuter clinics are held, adoption fairs are held, unfortunately because of Covid a lot of these events will not be happening but we can all do something to stop the over population of pets.

We must remember that worldwide there is an over population of pets and if we do what I listed below these poor homeless pets will not face euthanasia and will live happy healthy lives in homes.

How can we help with over population of pets :

  • Spay and Neuter
  • Foster a shelter pet
  • Microchip your pets
  • Become an animal rescue advocate

So Layla is begging everyone to spay and neuter your pets, do not buy from breeders but open your heart to a homeless pet who desperately needs a safe home,

Thinking of all the homeless pets

Be safe everyone, with a woof and love from Layla

August Pet Holidays and Observances

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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

 

 

Pets are Family

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TGIF !!!!! It is the end of July wow, weekend has arrived.

There are so many pets sitting in shelters at this moment it is heartbreaking.

I have been watching on social media lately how people who adopted pets at the beginning of the lock down are now returning them to shelters as they go back to work.

My question to these dumpers, are you going to dump your kids or other family members now you going back to the office ? What are you teaching your kids? This is not educating them but the opposite, never mind putting a pet into a miserable cage.

I personally feel that those that dump their pets at shelters should be blacklisted and not able to adopt again, there should be some penalty to pay.

Rescuers run around looking for fosters, looking for homes for these poor pets and as a cage empties it fills up again thanks to the dumpers.

When I rescued Layla, I knew in my heart it was for life, she is aging and so am I but with all the expenses that there is I would never ever give her up, she is my fur kid till the end and nothing will make me change my mind on this.

I will not go into stores that sell pets, I am not interested in breeders and will not support them on social media and puppy mills need to close down.

And for those wanting a pure bred pet you can find one at a pure bred rescue organization on this website.

https://www.petfinder.com/

So as I watch daily these poor animals sitting in cages, my heart breaks as we as humans have let them down and they are paying the price for our selfishness.

Let us pray for all the animals in shelter that they find new homes where they will be cherished and live the rest of their lives, and a big thank you to all rescuers and fosters who are working hard for these animals, you are our heroes.

Have a safe weekend

With love from Layla