Saturday Pet Blog Hop!

It's time to meet new blogger friends through the Saturday Pet Blogger Hop!

• Add your blog name and URL using the Linky Tool below. Add your name once and be seen on ALL participating Blog Hops for this week!
• Grab the “Saturday Pet Blogger Blog Hop” button at the upper left of Life with Dogs (a blog you'll definitely want to follow if you're not already!) and include it in your Saturday Blog hop post so that your readers will know what is going on. *Note – posting is optional. Feel free to just link and follow.
• Follow your co-hosts listed in the first 3 slots of the Linky Tool.
• Follow as many other blogs on the linky as you’d like.
• Comment on the blogs listed telling them you’re from the blog hop.
• Follow back when you get a new follower through the Saturday Pet Bloggers Blog Hop!
• Have fun!

Almost Wordless Wednesday

Someone certainly sleeps better now that she has a new little brother to play with!

It's Saturday, and That Can Only Mean...

... Blog Hop!

The Jig is up

He's joined my crew and his name is now Oliver! Have I mentioned that I love him to pieces...

I am such an Oliver.

Oliver, formerly Padre, came very close to crossing the Rainbow Bridge just a few weeks ago. He contracted an upper respiratory tract infection which, on top of being just about the skinniest little dog I've ever seen, pulled my heart from my chest and almost the life from his. I mean, I've had to care for many animals, but sticking a needle into this teeny tiny pup to get some fluids into him was about the hardest thing I've ever had to do. Then, when he was at the vet's for several days and things weren't looking good... There were a lot of sleepless nights.

When he recovered and we started showing him to possible adopters, my heart started to flinch a little. The thought of having FIVE dogs was pretty ridiculous. But the thought of someone else having this little kid was too much to bear. Where would he end up? Would they love him as much as I do? Would they take care of him and make sure he never suffered again?

A week passed and his three surviving brothers, Beanie, Njord, and Preacher, all went to great homes (you'll remember that two didn't pull through, Luther and Nereus, who had even more serious issues). Why wasn't anyone interested in this little guy, with the corkscrew tail and huge inkpot eyes, all wiggles and kisses and happiness when he sees you? 

Pardon me bum, miss.

You're getting sleepy - and falling hopelessly in love with me...

You cannot possibly resist me.

Part of me didn't want to adopt him because I knew he'd find a great home eventually. I mean, it's not like he'd been waiting for months.

But look at his little feet. They're perfect. And he has a HUGE personality. And that crazy tail. Probably tied off or caught in a door or something awful.

Oh well, what's five dogs? A house full of love (and dog hair), that's what it is!

Was that a mani-pedi or a pedi-pedi?

It's my floppy ears, isn't it?

Or is it my gentlemanly pose?

However you look at it, I'm irresistible!

Spotted Recently in My Neighborhood

Charlicious Monstricus. CM sightings are rare, but this monster still exists among us. It hides in bushes and undergrowth, moving quietly and deliberately. It pounces on small animals and stuffed toys. The outcome is always the same: They squeak. And usually pounce back.

I Want This Dog

Padre

From YesBiscuit!: Shelter in Dallas, Georgia Desperately Needs Help!

YesBiscuit is reporting that Paulding Humane Society in Dallas, GA has a severe rat infestation and must clear out all of its animals ASAP to address the problem.

If you know people in the area and/or can help spread the word, please do! All adoptions are $20 as of Thursday, May 13, which includes microchips on all altered pets.

Join the Saturday Blog Hop and Meet New Blogging Friends!

Have some fun with us today! 

Visit and follow people on the list, and hopefully, they'll find and follow you, too. Most importantly, have fun and make some new friends!

It's Padre's Turn

Don't you think? This little fella deserves a great home. Well, they all do, but he's extra special. He survived the virus that took two of our six puppies, and he's the only one who hasn't been adopted! Tell me why? Just look at that face!

Time for Fun: Blog Hop!

After a rough week, it's time for some fun! My friend, Nigel Bugger has introduced me to the Pet Blogger Hop, so follow along, if you'd like.

It's a great way to find other blogging pet lovers, just click on "Click here to enter," then "Get the code here," and you're off!

Visit and follow people on the list, and hopefully, they'll find and follow you, too. Most importantly, have fun and make some new friends.

I Thought Trouble Came in Threes

Well, not this week. 

I'm sorry to say that this adorable, cuddly, sweet, peanut-sized, puppy who was just about 10-weeks-old passed away today. A, our director, was faced with the difficult decision when Nereus developed complications associated with the same virus that took the life of Little Luther this past Sunday. 

A held him in her arms as he was euthanized, and he slipped quickly and peacefully into a deep and final sleep. Right now, I picture him romping with forever young Mr. Bill and Princess Zoe, and Little Luther, all just over the Rainbow Bridge and welcoming the tiniest of all, Nereus.

This week has been horrible; I don't know how A does it. Four dogs have left us and she has had to make the decisions of when to call it, when to decide that everything that could be done has been done. I don't think there is anyone I respect more. A never takes these decisions lightly; I know she spends sleepless nights worrying about all of the animals in her care, as if each one were her very own pet.

I can only hope that a week like this will bring us closer as an organization. As I said in my note to our volunteers:

This has been a truly difficult week for everyone at PAWS. Sometimes we forget that someone has to make the difficult decisions when these terribly young or sweet elderly lives have to end. Now is the time to support each other and the animals; it’s why we chose to be here in the first place and these rough times remind us that rescue does have its “downs” as well as its “ups.”

Ah, sweet Nereus. You'll be missed so much!

  

We'll Miss You, Princess Zoe, Luther, & Mr. Bill

It's been a tough week at the shelter. And it's only Tuesday.

On Sunday, we lost one of our 12-week-old pups to a virus. He fought so hard! He and his brothers came in to the shelter with it, but Luther just couldn't shake it. He spent the last week at the vet's getting round the clock care.

Such a tiny pup, just starting out in life; it's so unfair. He seemed to rally mid-week last week, but by Sunday morning he had passed peacefully. He was so playful and noisy when he first came in - I can't believe we lost this fantastic little pup.

Also on Sunday, Mr. Bill had to be let go. This lovable old man was obviously someone's pet at one time or another, but he went unclaimed at the pound. We thought he had kennel cough or canine influenza because he was hacking so badly, but tests showed a thyroid tumor. He was such a handsome Boxer, about 12-years-old, and he loved everyone he met. He was only at the shelter for a short time, and boy, did we fall in love with him!

And today, Zoe (below), our 17-year-old princess, let us know it was time. She couldn't get comfortable, yet her legs were too weak for her to constantly move around as some dogs do when their time has come. Our director had to make the difficult decision to let Princess Zoe cross the Rainbow Bridge tonight.

I can only believe that there's a better place, where Luther, Mr. Bill, and Zoe are together. They're no longer suffering, they're happy and playful and enjoying each others' company as dogs should. And someday, we'll all meet again.

I'm gonna miss you guys!

From Pit Bull Patriarchy...

If you've never visited Pit Bull Patriarchy, you're not only missing some beautiful and expressive embroidery, you're missing informative and blatantly honest posts about dogs from an insider's point of view. (Spotted Dog Farm (the writer) works at an animal control facility and also attends grad school.)

This post will give you an idea of what happens in Spotted Dog Farm's neck of the woods if/when a dog should bite. Or nip, or even scratch. Not much leeway for a dog in her world, unfortunately.

It underscores (and highlights, in bright yellow) the need for owners to be much more responsible about their dogs, and also the need for a change in laws. Is it truly a bite? Is it an aggressive bite meant to hurt? Or is the dog using its mouth to explore its world, something dogs do.

Anyway, read on. It's worth your time.