TGIF with May Arrival

TGIF Furfriends,


WOW we cannot believe that May has arrived, summer is nearly here and that means all the fun, events and adventures start.


Last weekend was DogFest – one of our favorite events and is a fundraiser for an Elementary School and was chaotically fun as always. The last I heard they raised about 95,000.00 Dollars which is just amazing.

There was lots to see, dogs in costumes, children playing different games, food of course and then the section of all the Pet Supplies and Rescues. 

I put Layla in her backpack this year as it was a lot easier to wander around and not worry about her being stepped on. Also BOL to keep her away from begging for too many treats although she did get and came home I think with a sore tummy but survived it all.

The Madam
Some of the fun pics

Different pics plus a dog wearing one of the Bandanas from Transform a Street Dog’s Organization


While wandering around I came a across an Organization called “Transform a Street Dog”,  I had never heard about them and me Ms. Curious had to know more so I spoke with Amanda the founder.

Transform a Street Dog’s Mission:

Their website to read more :http://whatgoesarounddogs.org/?from=%40


They work with different volunteers in Ukraine (in Kiev mostly now) and try to find them shelter (volunteer or profit), homes or medical care for dogs they find since there is nowhere like a Humane Society or something like that to bring them. They also donate to a program at a shelter that offers free sterilizations. That is difficult though, because many believe it is unethical to sterilize animals and deny them the right to reproduce.  


What They do: Right now, they manage 3 different foster homes with American ex-pat volunteers, and sponsor 2 others in for-profit foster homes called “perederzhkas.” Generally there are not any volunteer foster homes in Ukraine. So they use different ex-pat sites to recruit them. They also work with 2 different shelters and recruit ex-pats to go there weekly to socialize dogs so they can add them to their adoption list.


They also sponsor local adoption ads, but it is a difficult situation in Ukraine with the financial crisis and war in the east. Finding good homes is difficult. That is why they created an adoption program – just to give the dogs more hope. 


They also did a very clever idea and that was hand out free doggy bandanas to all the dogs to draw people to their booth and share the information. 
On their website they have some really great t-shirts, each sale helps the organization.

I know some of you are going to think why help other countries as we have so many up for adoption here but unfortunately there are so many countries that do not have the organizations like we have here and I believe we must be their voice and speak out so that they are not forgotten.


The other two rescue organizations that were there was Muttville who I spoke about in my last blog and Family Dog Rescue, another really great rescue organization here in San Francisco.

The Rescue Organizations and Animal Control


Sunday we just relaxed as Mom was tired LOL plus Monday means work day, so we just lay low and took it easy.


So as you can all see we have been busy as always although Madam has it good being carried around in her backpack and I become the slave. 
Have not decided what we are doing this weekend and will plan on Saturday morning,


Have a great weekend all, 
With a woof and hug from 
Layla



Helping those that do not have voices

Woof to all my fur friends,

We are woofing this Wednesday because of many reasons but the main one is because of Easter and Passover this weekend.


Last weekend we had fun as usual BOL and on Sunday Mom took me with her to my favorite restaurant Palmyra which is a Syrian place that makes yummy food especially the chicken. That was my payment for modelling for her with the bunny ears which I did not like on my head, but for Mom I have to do things sometimes whether I like it or not.

We also met with my favorite Aunt Barbara, so it was double fun and of course Mom gave me some of her chicken and I put my head on Aunt Barbara’s lap so it was really a fun afternoon. We came home and I just went to bed to sleep while Mom did housework.

Now as we all know holidays are upon us, Easter for the Christians and Passover for the Jews. It is a special time when families get together and eat themselves sick, that is what Mom told me. She only gives me a little to taste but it is the best as that means I get yummy food and not my food, BOL.

So today as we are talking about the Middle East as both Holidays originate there, we are also going to talk about a wonderful woman who is battling and doing her utmost to save all the stray dogs in Bethlehem. She rescues the strays and then they go to a rescue organization in Israel which helps to find the stray dogs homes.


You can read about her in the link below.

https://www.timesofisrael.com/palestinian-ex-banker-devotes-her-life-to-west-bank-dogs/?fbclid=IwAR1LsQztdXvw2CbRmftDMbOh4uYmGWKpg5SMa0AOIdIuDQa5kG5104vV_B8

http://basau.org/


The reason we talking about her and the wonderful work she does, is at the moment and it being holidays where our food is plentiful, she is struggling to feed all the stray dogs and reaching out to everyone for help. So I, Layla as a rescue, thought if we each helped with like 5 dollars, it would all add up, and the dogs would have food to eat, that is what we call a Mitzvah which means a good deed done from religious duty. So who is going to step in and help.

I am attaching all the links here, from the Facebook pages, paypal links and go fund me links and we hope everyone will help and share the story.

https://www.facebook.com/Rescuing-the-animals-of-Bethlehem-2076920852606252/

https://www.gofundme.com/animal-rescue-amp-no-kill-shelter-fund?fbclid=IwAR36935i5zQZzIYXbU8ERaxou6Py9qp5fvNmigTL0PVB58nIV3-7Slalpgw

PayPal George6706@hotmail.com
I heard about her plight through a friend of mine who volunteers in the shelter that is working with her and reached out to me to share the story.


Now that we have shared with the plea, everyone please have a wonderful Easter or Passover, and make sure your pets are all safe from the hazards of these holidays.


Thank you for reading the story about this amazing woman, Diana, sharing and helping

with love and woof from Layla 


It is Layla’s Gotcha Day 31 January

Wednesday has arrived and tomorrow is Layla’s gotcha day. I cannot believe she has been with me for 8 years WOW, it seems like yesterday she arrived a matted mess from the shelter.
I am not sure how many of you know her story, but she was one of the unlucky ones to be dumped by her family at the age of about 6 for the same reason everyone else dumps their pets, no time.

I saw her online sitting in the shelter, the photo said it all, my friend rescued her and another brought her to me and the rest is history.  Layla has come a long way from being a scared shy dog and I am blessed daily to have her in my life.

This is one of the reasons I think I am so paranoid when she does not feel well whether upset tummy, allergies or anything else and I am doing my utmost to keep her as healthy as possible.

She has always hopped with her left back leg up and the vets have never worried about it, but with aging I have become more concerned so have been doing research on different products which will make sure she is not in pain or uncomfortable.

Through my research I came across this company, Restorative Botanicals that make Hemp products specifically for pets plus humans and contacted them as their products sounded exactly what I was looking for for Layla.

They were kind enough to send me their 4 Paws Hemp Oil Extract which  supports Weary Muscles and Joints, Calming Disposition and Overall Health. It is made with Certified Colorado hemp, cod liver oil and cold pressed organic, virgin hemp seed oil, in a well balanced nutritional blend designed to keep your companion feeling calm, healthy and comfortable.

Since I have been using it on Layla I have noticed her to be calmer, especially with me starting a new job and not home in the afternoons, when she walks she is not hopping as much unless she starts running which is not that often. It is something I have been looking for and so happy I found.

Another product I received from them and I am so happy with this is their 4Paws PET Hemp Extract Topical Relief Balm. As you all know Layla suffers from allergies and then of course it causes hot spots. I am so against all the topical sprays so when I saw this I thought to myself WOW, perfect for her.

You all know from my last blog we went to the beach about 10 days ago and Madam has been scratching since. Between that and the warm weather last week and park, Missy started a little hot spot and I immediately rubbed the balm on her. It worked wonders, she stopped chewing on herself, calmed down and I found that within one day the hot spot was nearly healed. It was so great to see that and not have to worry about her getting an upset tummy from licking it, as the Hemp Extract Topical Relief Balm is safe and relaxes her, in a nutshell a must in a persons first aid box.

The company also surprised me with a gift of Muscle & Joint Cream which I have been using on my ankle and feeling so much better plus a bottle of Spice Flavor Restore Calm Hemp Oil Supplement which is really helping me to stay calm.

I want to say thanks to them for making our lives calmer and mine more relaxed for sponsoring us with these products.

If you want to learn more about them, below is their link:

https://www.restorativebotanicals.com/?rfsn=2263342.782237

The difference I have found with Layla when it comes to CBD oil or Whole Plant Hemp Oil, I am more and more preferring the Whole Plant Hemp oil as I am finding she is calm but not sleepy, eating better and much more herself. I personally think in the future I will be using Whole Plant Hemp oil with her and not CBD oil.

With the research I have also learnt the difference between Whole Plant Hemp Oil and CBD Oil and am happy to share here so we all understand it better.

Within the hemp plant, there are numerous cannabinoids and other phytonutrients.  A good full-spectrum hemp oil will include all of this material in the same proportion that occurs naturally in the plant – and that’s our belief – for maximum effectiveness, you need a full-spectrum, whole plant extract.  Plus, when all of these materials work together in the body to support the endocannabinoid system, it’s known as the “entourage effect”. (Thank you Rick from Restorative Botanicals) for the explanation.

“CBD” (CBD isolate) products contain only the CBD cannabinoid without all of the other beneficial materials – and therefore may not be as effective as the full spectrum whole plant extract.

So the question now is what am I going to do for her gotcha day LOL. Madam is spoiled all year round so decided for her birthday am going to get her her favorite for dinner, chicken livers and gizzards mixed with chicken, she will be in heaven from that.

I am now off to work, Layla is sleeping, everyone please stay warm in these freezing temperatures, take care and be safe

With a woof from us

Middle of January already

Morning Everyone from rainy San Francisco,

Today we are expecting a major rain storm which means me getting wet but BOL Mom has to go to work so she will be swimming there while I sleep cozily in my bed. This is the life, Mom working, I have food, treats and a warm bed while she is out there suffering, I like that and call it Karma as she makes me walk in the rain.

It will be soon my gotcha day and Mom and I were discussing how I was dumped in the shelter and how lucky I am today especially when she sees the amount of dogs that have been dumped, it breaks our heart and she told me she wish she could afford a brother or sister for me. I am not sure if I want one though as I love being the only child.

Since I took Layla off the dog food and only cooking at home including her veggie smoothies I have noticed she has lost some weight. She was never over weight so this is worrying me a bit. I was talking to a friend of mine yesterday about it as he only cooks for his dogs and has a senior, a little older than Layla and he told me that the same thing happened to him and I must not worry. He did suggest I only use the brown meat of the chicken as it is fattier and add a little brown rice to her food for carbohydrates. So as I got a Power Cooker as a gift from friends I made up some brown meat chicken for her yesterday with a little brown rice and of course all the veggies. When I made the smoothie of the veggies, zucchini, carrots, spinach, parsley, peas and green beans, plus some apple and blueberries, I added the rice so she would not know she is eating it as she spits the rice out LOL. She ate all her food yesterday and today so I am hoping this will help solve that problem and if not her annual vet visit is next month so will ask the vet. She is not drinking more than normal which I am relieved about.

I am finding it hard to find in some ways the perfect balance as I am always worried that I am doing something wrong so if anyone has any input am open to it. She is also getting a teaspoon of goats milk in her food, plus green lipped mussels and coconut oil.

This past weekend was basically most of the time indoors because of the rain and next weekend I think it is going to be the same. The Women’s March is on Saturday and I am debating whether to go or not, Layla in her backpack of course but will decide on Saturday when I see the weather forecast.

So life has not been that exciting this past week thanks to the rain and I think we are going to be stuck inside till the weather changes.

For those that are in the snow or colder weather, stay safe and warm

Woof with love from Layla

What has been happening in the Layla Neighborhood

Good Morning all,

It is the middle of the week and that means its my weekly woof, life is so hard having to keep up with this schedule so have asked for a pay raise in treats and my slave is debating about it. She can be so mean sometimes.

We have had a quiet week here as the weather has been San Francisco weather, cold, gloomy and foggy so every opportunity that the sun comes out Mom grabs me and the park things and off we go. But chuckling, I have a new game and that is to hide in my box and refuse. It then becomes an argument but in the end Mom wins but this game is fun.

Over the weekend Mom and I just relaxed, did not do any adventures and decided to take it easy and spend quality time together. It was awesome having her to myself although in the afternoons we would meet our friends in the park, freeze a bit in the sun and just chomp on treats, Mom her coffee and chat with friends.

Let me introduce to two of my friends, Lucy who I love to play with and CJ who is very shy. He is a rescue and adorable and what is funny is now he knows Mom has treats in her bag he tries to get them out, sticking his long nose into the pockets. It is really funny to watch.

Tomorrow, Thursday they are having a movie in the park which will be fun, it is Best in Show, so we going to bundle up and go watch it. There are going to be food trucks with all kinds of foods and the best part is all dogs are welcome. I have never been to a movie before so am really excited.

Mom also told me that we are invited to a BBQ on Saturday evening, yumm where there is food I am happy although Mean Mom watches what I eat.

So that is the happenings in our Neighborhood at the moment, never a dull moment but happy times which of course is the best.

Am now going to whine and mope and work on Mom to hand over some treats, have a wonderful rest of the week,

With woof and love
Layla

Lets Woof this Wednesday

Wednesday has arrived which means my weekly woof. It has been a quiet fun week in many ways with lots of Mom time.

First of all because of the smoke and weather I had a bad allergy attack and poor Mom was so worried. I would go to the park and come home looking red like a tomato so she was wiping me down, doing everything she could think of but the itchy would not go away. What was worrying her was I was hopping with my left back leg in the air and she got concerned that I might hurt my back next. She had not changed my food, nor my treats but a lot of my dog friends are going through the same so we knew it was something from the park. In the end she went to the vet to get some Apoquel ewww which I am taking and it is easing slowly phew. Am now sleeping through the night again and letting Mom sleep too.

The weekend was busy as always as Mom says that is the time to be outdoors as the weather is fantastic for San Francisco so on Saturday we met one of my favorite Uncles in the park and just hung out, chatting, being petted and spoiled while Mom drunk her tea. It was a great couple of hours with Travis my Uncles Dog taking over the blanket so I went to visit our park neighbors and lay on theirs. They were very happy I did it and got lots of love from them.

On Sunday was a special event in our dog park – It was the the 8th Annual Three Legged Dog Picnic! WOW we got there to see so many dogs, both three legged, on wheels and regulars also. There was music going, lots of people and they gave Layla a new toy, she was spoiled.

Tri Pawed Dogs who organizes it does events once or twice a year. Everyone brings their own food and we all hang out together with our pets and families. A really fun time.

There were different rescues there which was fantastic and always makes the events extra special.

01. Nobody’s Perfekt Dogs : They rescue imperfect dogs from local shelters and find them homes with loving families who tolerate the imperfections. What an amazing Rescue Organization and one I did not know about till Sunday.

Nobodysperfektdogs

02. Muttville Senior Dog Rescue : Muttville is an organization focused on how the world thinks and treats older dogs, aged seven years and older, and creating better lives for them through rescue, foster, adoption, and hospice.

Muttville

03. Family Dog Rescue : Their mission is to save family friendly dogs from High Kill Shelters in California and after screening and vetting, they are then adopted by suitable families.

Family Dog Rescue

Oh and we must not forget that we met Michael from DogParks.Tv and he took a photo of me which is on his Instagram so I am now famous woof.

It was a really fun Sunday, when we got home I just went to sleep zzzzzz.

I want to remind everyone that this coming Sunday Layla and I are doing the 6 mile AIDS Walk, as I am saying the two old ladies are doing it LOL and we will have lots of photographs to share next week.

I must remind everyone that the heat is here big time and we all need to keep cool, once again thanks to CoolAid for my awesome cooling vest which is making my life so much more pleasurable when I am out.

Have a wonderful week all,
Woof with love from Layla

Wednesday Woof with Memories

May has arrived !!!
Spring is here I hope for everyone and the flowers are blooming, the chill is disappearing and everyone will be able to spend more time outdoors with our dogs. What a wonderful feeling.
May also brings back memories for me, not good ones but ones that I can say I am blessed to have had and those are with Baby R.I.P.
I will never forget going to the shelter to choose a dog, my ex told me to choose and then like anything else in an abusive relationship it was what she wanted or nothing so Baby came to live with us. That was 07 May 2006.
She was a cute little chiweenie, full of love and I could not have asked for a better friend through the hard times. Because of her I was able to escape the daily abuse by taking her for long walks, sometimes sitting under a tree and watching the world go by with her in my arms, she kept me alive in many ways during that awful period of my life.
She was the reason I stayed in the Domestic Violence relationship as I was not prepared to leave her there but the minute I had the chance I ran with her. It was hard, stressful but I would do it all over. She was my hero.
Many Domestic Violence victims to this day say I stayed in the relationship because of my pets and I so fully understand them, they are your children and you would not leave them behind to be abused so would rather take the abuse to protect them.
So as those May memories go through my mind I am blessed to have had her, we had a couple of years of freedom together where I over spoiled her with no regrets, when she passed which was one of the hardest days of my life, I waited and then adopted Layla.
Layla is my rock, she keeps me amused, makes me smile, and is blessed to have not gone through those dark days with me but instead has had the chance to have sunny ones and this month brings the sunny days to us.
So let us all count our blessings, say thanks for what we have, material items are great but they cannot measure the unconditional love of a pet and if I had to choose between the two i would go for the pet.
Layla is now off to sleep as usual while I carry on working,
With love and woofs
Layla