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2008 Pet Hall of Fame Award
A LOT of dog treat$$$$
We’re all sick and tired of seeing our pet-parents mope about gas prices, the economy and real estate slump. Then we read in yesterday’s paper (Palm Beach Post), that Trump sold his property in Palm Beach ~ for $95 million. Yes, ninety five million smackeroos, from a very wealthy Russian. Wonder if they have a dog park on that property?
Conquer Noise/Phobias
Here it is, over a week, after the 4th, and people are still doing crackers, poppers and rockets 
= lots of scared dogs. I (Rudy) had to be kept on lead the whole time, so I would not bolt home, on my walk! Just checked weather and lots of afternoon t-storms coming ~ aarrgghhhh!!
Happy Fourth, everyone. Aside from the yummy bark-be-q, the 4th of July is usualllly not good fun for us dogs. Today’s the day more dogs escape, get lost, get hurt (or worse), due to firework noise. To be extra safe, here’s a few reminders:
1) Right now ~ make sure we have on our collar with ID. The collar should be snug, so we can not slip out of it ~ no more than two human fingers can fit underneath.
2) Get a long walk in; early today, so us dogs will be relaxed. Some doofuses are already setting off rockets and it’s not even noon, here.
3) We usually eat a late lunch, as our main meal (about 3pm). Have your parents feed you a little early today, so you won’t need to go out, later when those blasted (pun intended) fireworks are going off.
4) If you are going to be left home alone, tonite, have your 2LS leave on the TV or radio, a teensy bit louder than usual. This will help mask the terrible booms.
5) Since our temp here in SoFla is in the 90s, our windows are shut and AC is on. If you are in a cooler climate, have your 2LS close the windows. There have been cases of dogs breaking screens and jumping out windows, during fireworks!
6) Make sure you have a nice, calm, dark, cozy place to hide. Rudy & Chloe snuggle in Jack’s crate. Mom will spritz their blankeys with lavendar mist (calming).
7) If you are really afraid of fireworks, Have your mom or dad put a snug t-shirt on you. This acts as an anxiety wrap, and works well, for some. Rudy prefers one of dad’s shirts (with his scent on it) mom knots it on the back, so it is tight.
8) About 6pm, mom will give Rudy (the most firework-phobic) and Chloe a tab of melatonin, then another @ 11pm. It helps calm us. Mom takes one every nite, to help her stay asleep. More info:
http://www.canine-epilepsy-guardian-angels.com/Melatonin_info.htm
We also have tried a Bach flower remedy (get the drops) from the health food store, called Rescue Remedy, but mom drank it all during hurricane Wilma! Now, hurricane Bertha is brewing so we should probably get some more.
And finally, let’s remember what today is about; by keeping in our thoughts and prayers ~ our troops and their families. Be safe!
2LS = two legged slave, aka your human
See more in forum > fun > MDS lingo
News from the Beach!
Good news: we went to Jupiter Beach (a couple Sundays, ago) 
Bad news: Phoebe & Zeke did not meet us 
GN: the weather was lovely. Overcast at first, then cleared up 
BN: mom put yukky sunscreen on our faces (esp Mack) 
GN: we had a blast….we walked a lot, found shells for our pals… Mack sat under the tent, most of the time (when he wasn’t wandering off to get hugs from strangers) 
BN: we eventually had to come home 
BN: There were 2’ waves and we (the red dogs) did not want to venture in, too far
GN: We rolled in seaweed on the beach, and still had lots of fun
GN: We made lots of new friends ~ Griffin, Roxie, Pebbles, Dakota, Simka, Dante, Delilah, Buffy, Ranger, and many we didn’t even get their names ~ but we did smell their butts!
BN: They could not come home with us
BN: Mom would not feed us a THING at the beach. She said we might toss our cookies
GN: Mom was right. Later we stopped for lunch and she shared turkey from her sandwich ~ it was wellll worth waiting for 
BN: Chloe evidentally drank too much saltwater and had an upset tummy, later that nite 
GN: We all got canned pumpkin with plain yogurt 
GN: we love the beach
BN: we wish we could go every day 
Sea Turtle Surprise
Back when there were just four (sans Jackpot), we took the pack to Highland Beach every 4th of July for a beach day and bbq. Until it got demolished, we had access to friends’ vacant old beach house and pool, on a great private stretch of beach.
Rudy frolics in the surf, chases birds and looks for stuff on the beach. Mack is content to make new friends and get hugs. Chloe likes to do her own thing and be left alone, as she’s not crazy about people she doesn’t know. Lacey loves to swim with dad. I (of course) am taking pix ~ we are all enjoying a lovely sunny day.
Rudy runs back to us, then down the beach. Oh, he wants me to follow him. I motion to Bob & Lacey that we are going down the beach. Mack is happily sitting with the people next to us, who say they will keep an eye on our stuff and him. Chloe & I follow Rudy. He starts barking at a pile of seaweed. Since there are blue jellyfish on the beach. I get a stick and poke through the mess. Some driftwood, styrofoam, plastic, a shoe…...and…....a loggerhead hatchling entangled in monofilament. Barely alive, I untangled and scooped him up; telling Rudy what a good find he made! He’s all proud and prancy.
Now, you’re probably wondering, why didn’t I just put him in the ocean? He was weak, it was bright daylight; so most likely he would have become instant lunch for a bird, crab or fish. It was a Saturday, so I knew the nature center was still open. We get back to our stuff, I put the hatchling in a damp towel, with spring water. We get Bob & Lacey out of the water to show them. I only take Rudy with me to take the turtle to the center. There is a drop box out front, so we gently place him in there, with where and how he was found, along with my contact info. On Monday we got a call, thanking us (especially Rudy). He was doing better, and would be released with other hatchlings on the next full moon. Then they asked, if I would like to be there. HECK, YEAH!
Weeks later, I got to see ”Little Rudy” off, on his amazing journey. We had to let them walk on the sand, and redirect them if they went away from the water. I have been hooked on sea turtles, ever since. We are lucky that 90% of all sea turtle nests in the USA are here in FLA. Highland Beach is a favorite spot!
To learn more on what YOU (even if you don’t live on/near the beach) can do to help these marvelous creatures, see: http://tc.yourhub.com/Jupiter/Stories/Non-profit-Organizations/Special-events/Story~484863.aspx
The little fella on our background is Tommy, a leatherback currently rehabbing at the Loggerhead Marine Life center in Juno Beach, FL.
Here, in this House
With all the journeys to the Rainbow Bridge, recently on MDS, we thought this might be comforting.
author unknown ~ lovely, but tissue alert !!
Here in this house ~ I will never know the loneliness I hear in the barks of other dogs out there. I can sleep soundly, assured that when I wake my world will not have changed. I will never know hunger, or the fear of not knowing if I’ll eat. I will not shiver in the cold, or grow weary from the heat. I will feel the sun’s heat, the rain’s coolness, and be allowed to smell all that reaches my nose. My fur will shine, and never be dirty or matted, again.
Here in this house ~ There will be an effort to communicate with me on my level. I will be talked to and, even if I don’t understand, I can enjoy the warmth of the words. I will be given a name so that I may know who I am among so many. My name will be used in joy, and I love the sound of it!
Here in this house ~ I will never be a substitute for anything I am not. I will never be used to improve peoples’ image of themselves.
I will be loved because I am who I am, not someone’s idea of whom I should be. I will never suffer for someone’s anger, impatience, or stupidity. I will be taught all the things I need to know to be loved by all. If I do not learn my lessons well, they will look to my teacher for blame.
Here in this house ~ I can trust arms that hold, hands that touch, knowing that, no matter what they do, they do it for the good of me. If I am ill, I will be doctored; scared, I will be calmed; sad, I will be cheered. No matter what I look like, I will be considered beautiful and of value. I will never be cast out because I am too old, too ill, too unruly, or not cute enough. My life is a responsibility, not an afterthought. I will learn that humans can almost, sometimes, be as kind and fair as dogs.
Here in this house, I belong. I am home.
Blood Bank Needs Help!
It’s one of those thing you don’t know about ~ until you (your dog) need it: an animal blood bank. Now, the good guys need our help!
Good friends and animals lovers at Sun States: Blood Banks for Animals encourage everyone to watch this video http://www.sunstates.org/
Recently, there was a merger between Animal Blood Bank (Dixon, CA) and Midwest Animal Blood Services in Michigan. Animal Blood Bank is the company that tried to put Sun States out of business with a frivolous name change lawsuit. Now, Dr. Anne Hale (of Midwest) is overseeing their operations; they’re looking to expand nationwide.
Animal Blood Bank sedates their donors, then uses a VACUUM EXTRACTION DEVICE to remove a full unit of blood in as little as 90 SECONDS. This poses substantial risk to the donors. Who knows how many dogs and cats die due to this practice? They are VERY secretive. There is no relief in sight for these animals, – donors at Animal Blood Bank facilities serve until they are no longer useful as donors. SCARY.
Some animal hospitals may be REDISTRIBUTING Animal Blood Bank products. They’re underselling your local non-profit blood bank, which relies on volunteer blood donors and the support and generosity of our community to stay alive.
Animal Blood Bank has opened a new facility with over 200 dogs and 350 cats in Tehama County, CA. While the word from those in charge of the blood bank is that the animals are treated well, abuse of these animals was reported by kennel attendants. They were going to the humane society to get their dogs until a protest in Tehama County has temporarily halted that practice. Unless we act they will spring up again elsewhere.
Here’s how to help:
1. Each time you watch the video, it counts as a hit http://www.sunstates.org/
2.
Cross post & email animal loving friends, with the video link.
3) Especially if you are in SoFla ~ let your vet know about this exploitative donor practice, and encourage them to get their blood products from community-supported volunteer donor programs. Sun States is only one of many such programs. We’re glad to provide a list of other blood banks who fit the bill.
Contact your local rescues. Many are not aware that there’s a difference between blood banks. Let them know!
Organize a blood drive. If you don’t live in South Florida, contact Sun States: Blood Banks for Animals for the name of a community blood bank in your area President-Director, Sun States: Blood Banks for Animals
Dogs, Take Your Revenge!!
You know that commercial? Where the guy exuberantly calls to his dog, Mr Barky Von Schnauzer! Mr Barky Von Schnauzer?! Well, now us dogs can finally take OUR long, overdue revenge … Use the last letter of your (the dog’s) full name, from the first list, below. Multiple dogs? Use the last one to become a member of your family.
Like a good stench, spread the “love” around! Name your other owner (spouse/sig other), by using the second dog’s name. In our case, mom’s name will be from Jackpot. Dad’s from Mack. Single dog households: use the dog’s name who preceded you, and if that’s not possible, use any remaining letters of your name.
AlphaDog-NOT
B*tchy
CookieMonger
DryKisser
EgoManiac
FluffyButt
GrufflyMood
HarrassesDogs
IdleThinker
JumpyNerves
KibbleBreath
LotsOfWords
MountsNothing
NonButtSmeller
OopsiePoo
Porkhide
Quirky
Rascal
ScreechyVoice
TreatGiver
Useless (except to feed/walk me)
VoiceOfSqueal
WolfLover
X (just X, like an initial)
Yelper
Zippy
Now, use the first letter of your (same dog, as above) name for their last name:
AirBorneNotMuch
BarkNeverMore
ChaseNoTail
DogLover
Eewwww, don’t lick THAT!
FoodSource
GoofBall
HineyFace
IdleNonTail
Jellybelly
KissyFace
LapOfLove
MooshyBum
Nipper
OoglyFace
PooPatrol
QuirksALot
RoadkillFace
SmellyBun
TwoLeggedSlave
UglyToes
VacuumNoMore
Wigglybutt
XtraNonSmelly
YellowTeeth
ZippyFeet
Best if all ~ ya know all those stupid nicknames they give us (which make ABSOLUTELY NO SENSE)? Well, today, you’re giving them TWO. Use your second and fourth letters. If you only have three letters (ie: Max), use second and first letters.
ArooRooRoo
BlanketHog
CarDriver
DoodlyDooDooDoo
EeeewwwPewPew
FuzzyFace
GoonyGooGoo
HineyKisser
IckyBreath
JigglyJellybelly
KicksWhileSleeping
LoveeKisses
Moocher
NoodleBrain
OctopusHands
Poopsie
QuirkyFace
RovingWalker
ScoopMyPoo
Toss-n-Fetch
U-turner
ViesForMyAttention
WeirdPawPrints
XylophonePlayer
YelpsWhenNipped
ZippyTwoLegs
Now, go curl up near them so they never suspect what you’ve been up to! Leave a bark, of your owner’s newly given name. © Tina Valant-Siebelts
We just got palm cards with this whole thing, send an email if you’d like five, to share with friends!
Tag ~ You're It!
Another fun way to get to know all the new members!
Tell seven things about your human, and seven about the dog(s), on your own page, and title it Tag!
Our mom:
* Is an award-winning photographer
* Is fanatical about what we pets eat
* Assists just about every rescue in FLA
* Shoots/writes for four+ pet magazines
* Raised 13 iguanas from eggs (we have 3)
* Will be married to our dad for 25 yr this fall
* Organizes/consults on dog events from VA to FLA
About the AusSiebelts:
* Mack snores ~ Jackpot yodels
* Lacey loves to go to Lowe’s with her dad
* Rudy does not like to be next to Mack in photos
* Chloe is the smallest & most protective
* We call Mack & Jack “the bears”
* We call Rudy & Chloe “the bookends”
* We call Lacey, Rudy & Chloe “the wolves”
Thanx Doglover360, for this cute idea!
This isn't Kansas, Dorothy ;-)
Welcome, D~phorians. While it is sad you are losing your “home”, at least you had notice and a nice soft spot to land (MDS). Look at how many businesses/online places just close up, and everything is lost/gone!
Here in FLa, it is common to hear “how things were sooo much better back in ….........” (usually, they say NY or NJ). There’s even a funny bumper sticker.
While the two communities have a different look and many different aspects ~ you’ll catch on, quickly, here. There’s help in the forums, or ask a friend (many of us are happy to help). Suggest to the top dog, Hershey (and his 2LS) any improvements you would like to see (forum > general > suggestions).
We are glad you’re here and look forward to getting to know you!
Tina & the AusSiebelts
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