Laurel Hunt Books

I’m especially grateful for organizations that help homeless senior pets. All rescue work is difficult and heart-wrenching, but those who go the extra mile for senior, disabled, or otherwise difficult to place animals deserve extra support and acknowledgment. Thus I was pleased to learn about the charity of the month at The Honest Kitchen, a company that makes nutritious, “human-grade” dehydrated dog food. The Honest Kitchen has a “Pawlanthropy” program in which they select a charity  to benefit from a percentage of online sales that month. September’s charity is the Compassion program of Just A Dog, a pit bull rescue in San Diego, CA. The Compassion program takes elderly or ill pit bulls who would otherwise be euthanized in shelters, and ensures that their final days are spent in a loving and caring home environment. I’m sure it is difficult work, but what a wonderful way to make a difference in an animal’s life, even if only briefly.

Kids and dogs. The essence of long, lazy summer days and childhood memories. This week, more vintage photos from my collection to celebrate the enduring bonds that we form with pets, which often begin with a special dog with whom we shared adventures, and who provided play, comfort, and love. Which one reminds you of your childhood dog? What kinds of things did you do with that dog?

This week, some images from my vintage photo collection of dogs in the yard and garden.Enjoy!

Here are a few more photos from my collection, of dogs enjoying summer. This week, dogs out boating! Enjoy and let me know your favorites!

In the process of editing my book, Angel Pawprints, I stumbled upon a new hobby as I was searching for a way to illustrate the poems and stories in the book. At the suggestion of an antiquarian book dealer, I discovered old postcards and snapshots of dogs at flea markets, estate sales, and paper collectible shows. Long after the book was finished, I continued to collect these evocative images of the human-animal bond, and I never tire of looking at them.

The ancient Romans associated the hot weather with the star Sirius, the “Dog Star”, because it is the brightest star in the constellation Canis Major (Large Dog). Sirius is also the brightest star in the heavens besides the sun. During these dog days of summer, I would like to share a few favorite vintage photos with you. Here are dogs enjoying the beach. Which one is your favorite?

If you want to view something truly uplifting, check out the Nevada Humane Society’s Adoption Dance video. At this shelter, they have a tradition of ringing a bell whenever an adoption occurs. In this fun video, the staff do a dance parody of the wedding video where everyone dances down the aisle. Must admit I had tears in my eyes at the end! Loved it and the message it conveys about lifetime commitments and forever homes. I hope Cooper has a wonderful new life!

I love stories written in the dog’s voice, so when I came across this gem, I had to share it! Have a kleenex handy…

I Rescued A Human Today

by Janine Allen

Her eyes met mine as she walked down the corridor peering apprehensively into the kennels. I felt her need instantly and knew I had to help her.

I wagged my tail, not too exuberantly, so she wouldn’t be afraid. As she stopped at my kennel I blocked her view from a little accident I had in the back of my cage. I didn’t want her to know that I hadn’t been walked today. Sometimes the overworked shelter keepers get too busy and I didn’t want her to think poorly of them.

As she read my kennel card I hoped that she wouldn’t feel sad about my past. I only have the future to look forward to and want to make a difference in someone’s life. (more…)

Sophie

Okay folks, here is another springer damsel in distress. I’ve been thinking a lot lately about the plight of older dogs who end up in shelters through no fault of their own – often due to changing family circumstances. Their lifelong guardian dies, or becomes ill, or moves into a nursing home, or can no longer afford to care for them. They are likely to be passed over for adoption in favor of the younger dogs. A lucky few, like 8 year old Sophie, are saved by rescue groups. As part of Be the Change For Animals, a group of pet bloggers are posting on causes important to them, and I am choosing to spread the word about the plight of older dogs like Sophie.  (more…)

I’ve written before about a very moving Blessing of the Animals service that Alex and I participated in. Now, Calvary Church in Danvers, Massachusetts has started Perfect Paws Pet Ministry, a half-hour service for people and their dogs on the third Sunday of each month. The service includes Communion,blessings, and dog biscuits for the dogs at the end of the service. The service also includes prayers for animals who are ill, and for those who are deceased. (more…)

One of the traditions we look forward to is the annual pet and golf cart parade, part of the July 4th festivities in the community where our mountain cabin is located. The theme this year was “green,” and golf carts (and a few dogs) were decorated with recycling themes. Everyone parades past the clubhouse, and judges vote on the best designs. All the dogs, including Alex, were well-behaved and seemed to enjoy this unusual parade!

Alex watches the parade

Here is a fun contest for a holiday weekend. The Bark is hosting a photo contest sponsored by West Paw Design (makers of eco-friendly dog beds, crate mats, apparel, and toys) for pictures of dozing dogs. Photos are posted on Facebook where you can vote for your favorite. Winner receives a dog bed! Napping is one of Alex’s favorite sports, so here are some pictures of him snoozing. Which one do you think I should submit?

Dozing off

Sleeping with toy

Curled up

Alex and his brothers napping

One of the ripple effects of the Gulf oil spill is not only endangering wildlife, but family pets. According to this story, out of work fishermen are surrendering family pets to local shelters, including the Plaquemines Animal Welfare Society (PAWS), because they cannot afford to feed and care for them. PAWS is completely full and has a growing waiting list of pets needing a safe haven. How can you help? Make a donation or offer to sponsor a pet in need. PAWS is also providing free pet food on a first come, first serve basis, in an effort to keep pets and their families together. Please help get the word out of the plight of these pets, especially to pet food companies who might donate pet food to help with this crisis.

Here’s a fun contest but it ends soon. The Bark Magazine and Greenies are having a Healthy Dog Smile contest. Check out all the smiling, happy dogs entered and vote for your favorite! The dog with the most votes will be photographed by The Bark for its cover, and will win a year’s supply of Greenies. The dog with the most votes at the moment has over 60,000 fans, but there is a cute spaniel among the top contestants that I’m voting for. The dog pictured here is from iStockphoto.com. Don’t you just love his smile?

I’m back from presenting a workshop on starting and funding a pet therapy program at the American Holistic Nurses Association Conference in Colorado Springs. In future posts I will share some of the fund raising tools that have worked for us at Paws with a Purpose, but I wanted to say a special thanks to the two Delta Society pet partners who participated in our workshop. Both dogs had interesting stories. Lacey, a lovely golden retriever, was originally trained as a hearing assistance dog by a prison inmate, in a program where prisoners teach dogs basic obedience skills. Although Lacey did not become a service dog, she found her calling as a therapy dog and became registered with Delta. She works with American Humane Association’s Animal-Assisted Therapy and the American Red Cross K-9 Therapy programs, visiting a variety of military and health care facilities, and is especially gifted at working with disabled military veterans. The other pet partner, Ladybug, is a cute-as-a-bug Yorkie. Ladybug came from a puppy mill situation and had no idea how to act like a normal dog. She simply froze, if asked to do anything. She spent an entire obedience class standing in one spot, refusing to move or react in any way. Her new family worked hard to bring her out of her shell, and discovered that she loved children and also loved agility work. Through much patience and love, Ladybug learned to trust and love back, and became a registered therapy dog, also serving with the Red Cross K-9 Therapy program. At the conclusion of our workshop, both Lacey and Ladybug were the center of attention as attendees crowded around to meet them. It was heartwarming and inspiring to see these two dogs spreading smiles, comfort and love to a room full of strangers, and to think of the hearts that they heal every day.  (more…)

Here is a clever contest from the folks at Veterinary Pet Insurance (VPI). Go to Thatsagoodhuman.com and complete a few simple steps to take the vow to be a good human to your pet. You can upload a photo of your pet to the site, and personalize your vow, such as, “I vow to teach Alex more tricks.” Then vote for your favorite charity, choosing between the American Animal Hospital Association Helping Pets Fund, the Animal Cancer Foundation, Canine Companions for Independence, or the Helen Woodward Animal Center. For every 5,000 votes, VPI will make a $1,000 donation to that charity!