GrouchyPuppy® Blog | Dog Lovers Source

Nurse Mollie the Border Collie Saved By Good Samaritan

via www.thisisbath.co.uk

Woman's joy after stranger saves dog from river

A four-year-old dog has been reunited with her grateful owner after a week-long trek across the city and a dramatic river rescue.

Border collie Mollie went missing from the back garden of her home in Newbridge Road earlier this month. ​

Her 62-year-old owner Lesley Hobbs was distraught and feared the worst as she put up posters appealing for sightings. But she was overwhelmed by the level of support she received, which saw strangers spreading the word and combing the streets searching for Mollie.

The lucky dog was pulled out of the river near the Dolphin pub, at Locksbrook Road, a week later by Good Samaritan Ashley Bailey.

All the sightings were reported on the Dogs Lost website, and Mrs Hobbs followed them all up.

Owner and animal share a deep bond, with Mollie being one of the last links to her husband Chris, who died of lung cancer last January.

Mollie was nicknamed Nurse Mollie, after her refusal to leave Mr Hobbs during his illness.

Mrs Hobbs said: "She gave Chris so much comfort in the final stages of his illness. When he died Mollie was so depressed, she used to lie on the sofa bed on his pyjama jacket."

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Loving Old Dogs | Lily's Legacy

Senior Dogs are Natural Teachers

Puppies are adorable. They are soft, often sleepy, bundles of awww. But, there is something extra special about senior dogs. Is it the white muzzle that makes them seem worldly? When I look at my senior dog, she either calmly returns my gaze with her Buddhist-like manner, or smiles and leans in for a quick sweet kiss. Since we have been together, my dog has shown me the human-animal bond is real, and since she moved into her elderly stage, our bond is as strong as ever. I'm forever grateful to her for giving me real world exposure to this debated topic.

Spending most of our days together, from sunrise to sunset, has proven to be the best education on all things dog. Now that our lessons together revolve around senior dog life, I'm extra appreciative. With aging parents who've never liked talking about themselves, my own elderly dog is helping me understand what they must be going through.

Senior dogs have so much to give us. It's why I support Muttville Senior Dog Rescue here in San Francisco. Recently another local group focused on senior dogs contacted me to help spread the word about their sanctuary.

Pinups for Pitbulls Launches 2013 Calendar Model Search!

 

via www.houstondogblog.com

The deadline to submit an application is April 2, 2012 and more information on how to do so can be found here. Women of all ages, races and sizes are encouraged to apply and no previous modeling experience is necessary. The submission is fee is $50, and those chosen to be featured in the 2013 calendar will be photographed in Philadelphia, PA by the award winning pinup photographer Celeste Giuliano.

Pinups for Pitbulls, Inc., a national non-profit animal advocacy group, is currently accepting submissions for their 2013 calendar model search. The group’s biggest fundraiser of the year, the calendar will feature 12 pinup-inspired women posing with pit bull type dogs.

Pinups for Pitbulls raises funds throughout the calendar year to host, sponsor and participate in educational events and seminars across the country, where they present on a variety of topics – including responsible pet ownership, Breed Specific Legislation and the history of the American Pit Bull Terrier and pit bull type dogs.

 

Amazing Story: UK Basset Hound Saves His Own Life

George, this sweet Basset Hound dog, got himself into trouble but had a guardian angel watching. 

via www.thesun.co.uk

COPS who raced to a house after hearing desperate heavy breathing during an emergency call found a DOG had rung 999 while strangling itself with the telephone wire.

George, the two-year-old Basset Hound, had knocked the phone to the floor and got entangled in the wire — winding it round his neck.

And he panicked so much he incredibly managed to ring 999 as he pawed at the phone trying to free himself.

The emergency operator alerted police who dashed to the empty home of driving instructor Steve Brown and his daughter Lydia, 18 on Saturday night.

They were preparing to smash down the door when a family friend from a nearby house ran out with a key to let them in.

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Dogs make natural therapists

So many reasons why dogs are natural therapists in this sweet story. In this case, shelter dogs are also brought to visit residents at a nursing home.

via m.commercial-news.com

Dogs are good therapy for everyone

At some places, the most popular visitors have four legs. When Beau walks into a room, all eyes turn toward the chow-mix and hands reach out to pet his soft coat. Beau is one of several dogs being used by a newly formed group to bring a bit of joy to nursing homes, group homes, the Key Club and other places.

Pam Hamblin of Danville, Beau’s owner, and Sally Grubb of Hoopeston are the driving force behind the pet-therapy group. The group doesn’t have a final name yet, but the leading contenders are Paws to Remember and Caring Companions.

Just a handful of people are involved in taking dogs to nursing homes right now, but Hamblin and Grubb hope to get more people interested.

If you don’t have a dog of your own, you can “borrow” one from the Vermilion County Animal Shelter. That’s what Grubb does — one of her dogs, a husky, is too young and another dog, a Lab, is too old. So, she takes a shelter dog for visits.

The volunteers try to go twice a month, and the visits last 30-35 minutes. They’re asking volunteers to donate a couple of hours a month.

The people and pets visit residents at nursing homes and assisted living communities, and go to the Key Club (adult day care). They’re trying to arrange for visits at the Veterans Affairs Illiana Health Care System, as well.

Grubb goes to Logan Health Care once a month with Schlarman Academy students from the Walnut Street campus. They spend about 45 minutes going room to room. During a recent visit to the Key Club, Beau was a hit.

“He’s a wonderful dog,” 97-year-old Thelma Richards said. She has had dogs and cats of her own, and would like to see more pets visit the center.

Loyd Perry, a retired teacher, stroked Beau’s hair, saying, “He’s a good one.” He also has had dogs in the past. The sight of Beau prompted Richard E. Hale to talk about his 4-pound Pomeranian, Zoe, who’s 6 or 7 years old. The spoiled dog likes to sleep under the covers, he said.

Robert Watson of Danville said he used to have dogs before he had a stroke. He especially enjoys seeing the dogs at the center, adding, “I like it. It makes you feel better.”

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Buford a Rescued Labrador Now Certified Pet Therapist

I love this story: a dog from an unstable background blossoms, when given a chance to contribute to a community or pack. Buford the Labrador, shows us how dogs give fearlessly to us humans if we let them. His positive influence over these seniors is sweet. How can you doubt the human-animal bond?

via www.beloitdailynews.com

Jim and Irene Pollard look forward to 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. each day, knowing their visitor will soon come.

Like clockwork, a wet nose pushes their door ajar and lovable Buford, tail wagging, says hello and readily accepts a treat.

“He will sit there and argue with me if I don’t give him one,” Jim Pollard said, chuckling. “This guy and I get along real fine.”

Though he’s not the first dog that Beloit residential nursing facility Pioneer Court has been home to, residents and staff say Buford is in a league all his own.

“He is so lovable and the residents absolutely adore him,” said Diquashia Byrd, a CMAA at the facility.

Exceedingly gentle and accepting of hugs, pats and ‘pawshakes,’ Buford’s demeanor is surprising when considering that his life has not always been so peaceful.

In the past Buford was a homeless dog in Rockford, spending his days wandering around vacant homes with another furry friend.

It wasn’t until a good Samaritan called the Winnebago County Animal Services that his life took a turn for the better.

“After being picked up and taken to the animal shelter he was placed with a foster family through the Labrador Education and Rescue Network (L.E.A.R.N.),” said Tammy Bailey, Director of Administration and Support Services at Pioneer Court.

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Help Find Buddy: North Dakota Dog Missing After Saving Family Member

Buddy is an Australian Kelpie, with a white chest. He has pointy ears, and weighs about 55 pounds. If you see him, the family says he will not bite and you can easily warm up to him. There is a $500 dollar reward. You can reach Rich Stanley at 701-720-4310.

via www.kfyrtv.com

It was an emotional scene Friday morning as the family who lived on 1405 Appoloosa Way returned to what is now ashes and debris. Rich and Katy Stanley, along with Katy`s son Adam Gauthier were there, but the one member missing, was their dog Buddy.

"Buddy saved my life and he`s been missing since the fire," said Richard Stanley.

Wednesday afternoon, Rich came home from work, jumped in the shower and then was going to relax for the rest of the day. However, during his shower, he heard his dog barking.

Something was wrong. The house was smoking, and the fire was spreading. Richard and Buddy ran out of the house together but when Rich ran back in the house to grab the car keys, he came out and Buddy was gone and has been missing since.

"He`s so a part of our lives, there`s no words to describe it," said Katy Stanley. 

Family members say they`re confident he didn`t go back into the house. They believe he`s alive and roaming the prairie of Ward County and they`re asking for help in finding him.

"If you have a tracking dog or something, I mean we have a blanket with his scent on it," said Gauthier. 

Since Wednesday they have received several phone calls from people who believe they may have seen Buddy. Katy believes he`s confused because the house that Buddy knew is no longer there.

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Soldier Dogs Book Review: Human-Animal Bond is Alive in the US Military

The Grouchy Puppy motto is "give fearlessly and influence positively" and comes from my own amazing experiences with dogs. The working dogs of my childhood were the first to teach me to believe in the human-animal bond. My adopted large blended dog from the San Francisco SPCA has continued what they started, with her devotion and influence. Dogs have shown me how they all fearlessly give of themselves and positively influence us humans -- asking for so little in return. The human-animal bond is real and it's spectacular.

Proving that the human-animal bond is alive in our military, is Maria Goodavage's new book Soldier Dogs: The Untold Story of America’s Canine Heroes. She had me nodding my head with each story about these amazing military working dogs [MWD] and their handlers. The MWD demonstrate in a military setting: they know good people when they smell them, and they'll let you train them to do any task - if they trust you.

Lars, the Jack Russell Terrier being handed down into a submarine to do his duty as a sniffer dog.   Photo credit: US Navy Photo by Petty Officer Second Class Paul D. Williams

June 2 Muttville Fundraiser at Jordan Vineyard & Winery 40th Anniversary Bash

 

Jordan Vineyard & Winery is celebrating its 40th anniversary by hosting a Causes.com fundraiser benefiting three Bay Area charities - including Muttville!

Muttville will be a beneficiary for Jordan Winery's 40th anniversary and annual benefit in beautiful Healdsburg.

Red Cross therapy dogs healing soldiers at army hospitals

Do dogs even know how wonderful they are?

"We had a lady tell us one day, 'I was having a really bad day and then you guys came in and I got to be with the dogs, so thank you,'" Vesely said. "So, it gives them a little break too."

via www.army.mil

Dog-gone good medicine: Four-legged volunteers lend a helping paw

FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. (March 21, 2012) -- Each month, the General Leonard Wood Army Community Hospital receives two special visitors. Both visitors would rather lift spirits than play fetch -- Paisley, a Great Dane and Lela, a Labrador retriever, are Red Cross therapy dogs.

Lela's owner, Kelly Howley, therapy dog volunteer, said Lela knows when it's time to make a therapy trip to the hospital.

"Lela knows -- we get in the front gate and we jump in [General Leonard Wood Army Community Hospital] -- and she is literally ready to go," Howley said.

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March 22 FLOR Inc. Carpet Tiles San Francisco Store Opening

Like lots of San Franciscans, we have hardwood floors in our home. We also have an older dog. While searching for creative solutions to give her traction, while protecting our floors, we found FLOR. Their pretty squares come in lots of colors, patterns and textures. They are easy to install too.

March 22 FLOR is opening a new store in San Francisco

Come to the Pacific Heights grand opening and see for yourself!

Wordless Wednesday - Canine Bio Energy or Turn Grass into Gas

Iraq Hero Adopts Her Military Working Dog after 4-year Battle

I'm in the middle of reading Soldier Dogs, by my dear friend Maria Goodavage. She writes about canine heroes like Rex. Miltary Working Dogs [MWD] like Rex, in this instance, have my deepest respect and I'm so glad to read that he is going to be reunited with his handler and buddy Corporal Leavey. 

via www.dailymail.co.uk

Reunited at last: Woman bomb disposal expert saves her dog from death-row after they were both blown up in Afghanistan

A military dog handler is set to be finally been reunited with the dog she served in Iraq with after launching a high-profile adoption campaign.

Former Marine Cpl. Megan Leavey survived a road-side bomb with her loyal canine Sgt. Rex and was devastated when it was announced that the German shepherd was to be put down by the Marine Corps.

Leavey, 28, completed over 100 missions during two six-month tours in Iraq with the military service dog Rex.

The pair finished their deployment together in 2006 and then spent almost a year rehabilitating from the injuries they had suffered together.

Since being discharged in December 2007 Leavey has campaigned to adopt the bomb-sniffing canine so he could enjoy a civilian life with her in Rockport, New York.

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April 3 Join P.L.A.Y. and Petfinder Foundation for #WarmBellies Twitter Party

April is National Pet Month and P.L.A.Y. Pet Beds in San Francisco is celebrating with a party -- a #WarmBellies Twitter Party!

Help P.L.A.Y. and the Petfinder Foundation Give Homeless Pets Warmer Bellies!

Because P.L.A.Y. believes that every dog deserves a warm place to sleep, they’ve partnered with The Petfinder Foundation for their Warm Bellies Initiative.

For every Artist or Original Collection pet bed purchased on their website (or at participating retailers) P.L.A.Y. will donate a Special Edition Chill Pad to a pup in need.

Using Animal Assisted Therapy Grows in Australia

via www.smh.com.au

Caring canines provide a new breed of therapy

The use of four-legged counsellors to treat young and old is spreading.

THESE medical professionals come with a coat — blue, not white — and with a bedside manner guaranteed to win you over. They dispense confidence, comfort and lessons in life, and their expertise is broad, putting their training into practice with everyone from troubled kids to the old and frail. And they’re often as effective as any wonder drug.

They’re therapy dogs, and increasingly these four-legged counsellors are being given a front-line role in the treatment of patients whose situations demand something beyond the standard fare of chemical intervention or old-fashioned human-to-human counselling.

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