As you all know, two weeks back we lost Henry the Basset Hound. My sister, Henry’s Mom, was (actually is) beside herself with grief – you guys know what I’m talking about.

Nothing hits you like the loss of a pet that’s been by your side every day through EVERY THING, whether for a year or 11 – as in Henry the Peanut’s case.

So yesterday Ashly again accepted a foster from Ohio Basset Rescue in Columbus (and did some transport on the way!)

PLEASE WELCOME ROM the BASSET!

As far as we know, here are the details on “Romney:”

- He is about 4 or 5-years-old

- He was abused at some point as he totally cowers, puts his head down to the ground when a voice gets loud or when he hears a loud noise, and he has multiple gashes/scars; he also puts his back end down and drags when he feels scared (tail btwn legs, etc.)

- Took a dog warden in Dayton around 5 months to catch him; he was literally like Duffy on “Pit Bulls and Parolees”

- He weighs just 34 pounds right now – that’s how sick he is… don’t worry, we will fatten him up

- He LOVES Ashly, he loved me, and he loved my parents – so he is ABSOLUTELY a LAMB and will recover from all of the above

- He likes walks already, is good on a leash, is good with cats, and was cozying up to Franklin all day yesterday so he likes other dogs; we believe he will do BETTER with another dog actually and not alone

So welcome Rom with open arms as we have; and say a prayer for him & that Ash (et al) can turn him around like she did with Franklin, the former puppy mill stud Basset, who now runs the show at the Smith House… !

We love you Rom and you are forever safe and loved now Thank you Amy at Ohio Basset Rescue for doing what you do!

Franklin the Dog Park Greeter!

The Friends of Lakewood Dog Park and Subaru sponsored an event yesterday, Super Bowl Sunday, for My Best Friend’s Bowl (MBFB), a local pet food bank-sort of-animal welfare group. (They serve clients of Lakewood Community Services Center from Lakewood, Rocky River and Westlake, Ohio ONLY right now until funding grows…)

The event aimed to increase food donations for cat and dog owners in Cleveland.

MBFB’s founder, Judy Towner, explained yesterday that she started the Cleveland pet food charity while working for a local food bank.

A “client” came to her on the side awhile back and said, “excuse me, you don’t happen to have a bag of dog food somewhere around, do you? I’ve been feeding my dog rice for a week or two now…”

Yes this broke her heart.

(Yes, it broke MY heart hearing it…)

But I have spoken before about the effects of the recession on pet abandonment. I would rather have Judy and My Best Friend’s Bowl put healthy, appropriate pet food in an animal’s bowl than have that particular animal (or multiple Cleveland animals) surrendered to a shelter or rescue that’s already over-loaded, or worse, let loose to run (and/or die and/or reproduce) on the streets.

* Side note: Since 2009, the amount of abandoned animals has skyrocketed. The American Humane Association estimated that in 2009 alone there were 8,000 foreclosures every day and with those – there were 15,000 to 26,000 animals in danger of losing their homes daily. (The ASPCA also issued several statements – one

"Stuff the Subarus!"

here in February 2009. The harm to animals because of the economy and foreclosure crisis problems started affecting household pets as early as the summer of 2008.)

Anyhow, the Subaru station wagons appearing at the Lakewood Dog Park yesterday were quite large…! And, by about 12:45 p.m., which was 45 minutes before the end of the event, they were filled to the brim with goodies, as you can see from the photos.  There were all types of cat food, cat treats, dog food, dog supplies and dog bones there…. Some kind folks from Subaru even made cat nip toys to sell and donate proceeds to the cause. Plus there was a half-full donation jar at the head of the park (at 11:30 a.m., 30 minutes in…)

Needless to say, this event was a rousing success.

Some dog park regulars who came said they were impressed at the turnout. One man, “Skee,” said that he’s a “3 pm regular… but [the event had] brought dog-lovers and animal welfare folks from all around the area as far as [he] could tell.”

I myself talked to folks from as far away as East Side suburbs, a good 40-minute drive.

Again, the Super Bowl Sunday Pet Food Donation Drive was a smashing Subaru success. I waited to post this until today because I wanted to get a final tally – the last count was 1,030 pounds of food! HOORAH!!

Just one of TWO Subarus STUFFED with dog/cat goodies...

Yip-Yip-Hooray!

The ThoughtsFurPaws admins encourage you all to “LIKE” the Lakewood Dog Park and My Best Friend’s Bowl on Facebook to garner more support for them.

*** And if you live here check out the regular dog park pooches including, Peanut, Franklin, Ignacio (who knows Latin and doesn’t stop kissing), Cass (who is a sweet rescue girl just coming around) et al. ***

And, should you be interested in getting a pet-friendly car in Cleveland, Ohio — Subaru has a reputation around town, and they’re famous for being the most animal-friendly car in the country — please contact Laurie at Ganley Westside Subaru, 25730 Lorain Rd. in North Olmstead. You can also call 216-513-9565 with inquiries.

Thanks Subaru and My Best Friend’s Bowl for saving the lives of Cleveland animals –

- and for helping Cleveland families in need who would otherwise have to let go of their beloved four-legged fur friends!

** By the way, if you’re planning to donate to a pet food drive or bring food to a shelter/rescue, PLEASE ensure that your wares ARE NOT EXPIRED. Judy – who is thankfully extremely thorough — received quite a few cases of expired dog food on Sunday  — it is so old it’s considered poisonous…  She told me that “a man brought 15 cases of dog food. I always check dates on them and out of the 180 cans he brought, I found only 12 cans I can use. Maybe … you could advise your followers/readers that if they are going to donate something … to please check the date. His was from 2007-2010 and when I turned the cans to check the date, I actually heard them slosh inside! POISON!!! This also goes for their own food. Sometimes they don’t realize how long it’s been on the shelf!!” **

I know that 99 % of us pet rescuers/volunteers/etc have the best intentions, but you MUST be detailed in your giving or in-kind donating – and ensure the goodness of the food (and other things too – like that your check won’t bounce, causing the organization more for a return fee than the original donation, for example — things like that.) The thought actually crossed my mind that there are malicious and mean volunteers who are only doing it because they are on paper or something.

So please, everyone double-check everything & DO NOT give your dog or cat expired ANYTHING-especially medication (that’s what my vet said on the phone from Avon Lake Animal Clinic in Lorain County, Ohio.).

Current law defines a “vicious dog” as one that, without provocation, has seriously injured a person, has killed another dog, or is of the general breed known as “pit bull.” Among numerous other changes, the bill drops the reference to “pit bull” from that definition.

BUT THE SENATE has PASSED SUB-HB 14 –THEY’VE LISTENED TO US!

They’ve honored constituent wishes and REMOVED PIT BULLS from the VICIOUS DOG LAW!

Watch for yourself near the 45-minute mark here (!):

Courtesy Best Friends Animal Society: a Happy Pittie, as it SHOULD BE

The measure notes that the label doesn’t include a police dog that has injured a person or has killed another dog while assisting law enforcement officials.

OHIO READERS: this is an interesting, fun, sociable way to drive food donations to a shelter and to help local animals! Let’s all come together at Lakewood Dog Park on Super Bowl Sunday (you don’t have to miss the game – just take a half-hour break to come on over…!)

As part of an outreach mission for 2012, Friends of the Lakewood Dog Park, Inc. 501(3)(c) is hosting a pet food donation drive to benefit another dog-loving Lakewood organization, My Best Friend’s Bowl (MBFB).

And what better time to do it than Super Bowl Sunday!

MBFB is part of the PAWS OH Feed the Pets Program.

Simply stop by the Lakewood Dog Park February 5, 2012 from 10:00am to 1:30pm with a donation of dog or cat food. We have a super goal of stuffing a Subaru full of food to fill hundreds of pet bowls.

Representing the event sponsor, Ganley Westside Subaru, Laurie Sekeres, will be on hand showing off a “Dog Tested, Dog Approved” Subaru, with a tailgate wide open and ready for pet food donations. Dry or canned, big bags or small, all will be greatly appreciated. Gift cards to any local pet supply store will be used to purchase food when needed. One gallon zip-lock bags are needed to break down larger bags to smaller.

And because it’s Super Bowl Sunday, we want a win-win situation! Not only will all the pet food collected be donated to My Best Friend’s Bowl, but for every new or pre-owned vehicle purchased from Laurie at Ganley Westside Subaru during the month of February, $100 will be donated to Friends of the Lakewood Dog Park, Inc. 501(3)(c). Half of all Subaru owners own a dog, so we know we’ll see a lot of canine pet parents.

The organization really scored a touchdown with support for the event from the Cleveland Browns. So, be sure to stop by with your pet food donation and see what surprises we have.

Here is why it’s so important to help:

“It is heart breaking for a pet owner to have to surrender a beloved animal because of their economic situation. My Best Friend’s Bowl is dedicated to providing a temporary supply of food to the people in our community and their pets through Lakewood Community Services serving clients from Lakewood, Rocky River and Westlake. It is our goal to keep pets and their owners together and make sure every bowl is full. 25-30 lbs of dry dog food would feed an average dog for a month. 3-4 lbs of dry cat food will feed an average cat for a month.”

◊ ◊ Remember, if you’re not a member of Friends of the Lakewood Dog Park, Inc., you can join the team on February 5th from 10:00am to 1:30pm. The annual fee, ONLY $10. ◊ ◊

*** For more information visit: www.LakewoodDogPark.org or www.mybestfriendsbowllakewood.com ***

The ThoughtsFurPaws admins encourage you all to LIKE both organizations on Facebook. Contact Laurie Sekeres at Ganley Westside Subaru, 25730 Lorain Rd., North Olmstead, Ohio 44070 or Call: 216-513-9565 with questions/inquiries.

And thanks to the Cleveland Browns! Woof! Woof!

DON’T FORGET: Go to the Lakewood Dog Park, 1699 Metropark Drive, Lakewood, Ohio 44107 off Detroit just over the Rocky River Bridge and past of the Emerald Necklace Marina in the Rocky River Reservation of the Cleveland Metroparks.

In mid-December, IAMS and the Home 4 the Holidays (IH4TH) team helped ring the opening bell at the NYSE with some unspeakably adorable four-legged friends from Bideawee, a rescue organization participating in the program that has several locations in New York…!

IAMS, HWAC and Fur-Babies Open NYSE in December

According to the website, Bideawee is “a community of compassionate caregivers, volunteers, and friends dedicated to helping people and animals build safe, loving, long-term relationships.”

Anyhow, take a look at the cute pix from the NYSE day – and also, check out the latest information below about the IAMS Home for the Holidays program — its almost done! Our progress is AWESOME and totally noteworthy…

** 1,074,532 pets adopted since Oct. 1, 2011 – Our goal is to help 1.5 million pets get into loving forever homes…

** 4,998,792 meals donated through Bags 4 Bowls since Oct. 1, 2011 – Our goal is to give 5 million

You, as readers, can continue to help spread the word about the importance of pet adoption, and encourage friends to get involved and make a difference for the homeless animals in our country.

Trader Christopher Carella and Mabel, a dog up for adoption through IH4TH

Here are some easy (and fun) ways to help:

Adoption Announcement & Holiday Cards: 

Visit Facebook.com/Iams and share your creation with your friends… meals will be donated to pets in need.

Badges:

♥ Go to the Iams Facebook page to download and share “Paw It Forward” badges touting whether you’ve donated, volunteered or adopted! ♥

♥♥ In case you forgot, IAMS Home for the Holidays is the world-famous adoption program started by Helen Woodward Animal Center (HWAC) and their President, Mike Arms (my personal hero). Since it’s inception, the program has homed over 5.7 million homeless animals. ♥♥

♥♥ For more information, check out HWAC and IAMS. ♥♥

The new and fun pet food, pet supply and many-things-pet-related website, MrChewy.com is a FAN-FUR-TASTIC site chock-full of pet goodies!

We were invited to try it out by spending a generous $50 gift card using a Promo Code, so of course we got some essentials: cat litter (for a steal – we use Ever Clean and that stuff is SERIOUSLY expensive), Greenies tuna-flavor kitty crunchies, some Nutro Large Breed Dog Biscuits for big’ ol’ Benson’s super-sensitive belly (they are the only kind he can have besides what the vet prescribes), and a case of Eukanuba wet dog food (Chicken/Beef) for the Bassets!

All in all, the ease of ordering was totally smooth. I was not overwhelmed by a million different choices, and the left navigation makes it simple to find the product you are looking for by brand name or type. Mr. Chewy has a great selection of all the essentials and isn’t one of those sites that is constantly sending you pop-ups or asking to send you to different pages… maybe some people like that based on preferences but I don’t.

You can find every brand of food from super premium like Halo and IAMS/Eukanuba to Pro Plan, Wellness, Pedigree and Friskies here…

Anyhow, I highly recommend Mr.Chewy.com if you need to order:

-dog food or dog treats

- cat food or cat treats

- potty pads

- cat litter

- flea and tick meds

- other random pet supplies

Mr.Chewy never charges shipping on orders over $49 and anything under $49 ships for a flat rate of $4.95! How cool is that? You can like Mr.Chewy on Facebook here…

AND — the best part? They partner with and send $$$ and supplies to North Shore Animal League and Best Friends Animal Society! ♥ ♥ ♥

Plus they have these really funny headers at the top of all the pages, ie, the cat litter one says “Princess Stinky needs some cat litter… everybody’s favorite subject…” (I laughed anyhow.)

To order, visit MrChewy.com or call (800) 672-4399, which is (800) Mr –Chewy!

My friend Caroline and her famous cat blogger Romeo, who runs the show around the CB, just told me some kewl news…

Shelters and rescues across the U.S. will be receiving an unusual holiday gift this year – a HUGE donation of healthy, nutritious holiday meals from a 15-year-old girl….and a very well-known talk show host, comedienne, and animal-lover. Who else, but the one-and-only Ellen DeGeneres….?

Some of you might not know this, but Mimi Ausland of Bend, Oregon is the founder of FreeKibble.com, a website she started in 2008 at the age of just 11! (Reminds me of one of a famous BlogPaws founder’s young relative, Chloe D…!, who tirelessly helps out at every conference).

FreeKibble’s visitors answer a trivia question about animals every day; each answer earns 10 pieces of kibble for homeless pets.

As of last check, the site gets 100,000 visitors every day, which is a dream for any blogger or website owner; and keep in mind, this was achieved by a caring, humane, smart 11-year-old whom many of us adult pet bloggers now look up to!

Also, there’s a running tally on the blog, and when I checked it noted that over 675 million pieces of kibble have been donated since the site’s inception.

After learning about the young philanthropist, Ellen DeGeneres and Halo, the pet food company that she partly owns (mentioned earlier here - AWESOME stuff), became the “Official Kibble Sponsor” of FreeKibble.com. HALO and Mimi are now donating the popular Spot’s Stew Formula to pets nationwide.

FreeKibble.com Founder, Mimi

The two organizations are embarking on their first ever FreeKibble.com “Koast-to-Koast Kibble Drop,” where shelters and rescues up and down the both coasts will receive 400,000 meals of all natural Halo Spot’s Stew for the holidays. Ellen’s pet food team and Mimi have chosen 40 shelters and rescues to receive the donations during this 11-city, bi-coastal tour, taking place December 13-22. They’re sending two Semi-Trailer trucks up each coast, each packed with 20k POUNDS of food for pets in need!

Doesn’t everyone deserve anextraordinary holiday supper? The initiative helps rescues and shelters feedthe pets in their care the highest quality food possible. Organizations that have access to all natural food like Halo say they can tella notable difference in their pets’ well-being and demeanor – and even their adoptability (which could be these dogs and cats’ greatest holiday wish of all).

Ellen DeGeneres reflects the company’s commitment to helping pets in need eat the healthiest and most nutritious food possible, saying, “Helping animals has always been a passion of mine. At Halo we want to promote healthy living for pets and eating good food is a big part of that. I mean, imagine, an animal in a shelter, in a cage, lonely – a good meal is kinda all they have to look forward to, until you adopt them!”

Providing high quality, nutritious food to shelters and rescues is also a critical part of the Freekibble.com mission. “I am so excited that we’re delivering two full truckloads of kibble to thousands of homeless dogs and cats this holiday season… I know it will make their holidays a bit warmer and more special,”said now 15-year-old, MimiAusland.

Shelters on the Kibble Drop route were selected from among submissions sent to Freekibble.com and each of more than 40 organizations will receive a substantial donation based on the number of animals in their care. At each designated “Kibble Drop,” several area shelters and rescues will come to pick up their food.

Check out FreeKibble.com to play the trivia game, to read more, and for any other information.

Several Locations Accepting Donations for Homeless Animals…

Be “Santa” to a Homeless or Needy Pet

This is a press release I received this morning that actually disturbed me. **** It’s NOT about brutality or animal cruelty – it’s about animals needing food and supplies… desperately. This is an East Side (Cleveland, OH) organization, and although I’m a “West Sider,” I’m still going to help.

If you live in northeastern Ohio, or if you could be so kind as to mail something in, please read the information below to see how you can help homeless animals this holiday season (aside from the IAMS Home for the Holidays way to help that I discussed…)

A Balancing Touch Wellness Studio, lnc. in Willowick, Best Friend Self-Serve Dog Wash in Euclid, Herchick’sTire Service, Inc. in Macedonia and Pet People in Woodmere are working with Ohio Advocates for Companion Animals (OA4CA) to help homeless pets and families in need.

The goal of OA4CA’s Project Santa Paws is to collect unopened, unexpired dog, cat, bird, reptile, rabbit (etc.) food for families in need. Pet food donations will be delivered to the Emergency Assistance Center food pantry in Northfield, Ohio, which relies on donations from the public in order to offer pet food to those in need, on December 19 at 1:00 p.m.

Many families are forced to give up their beloved pets during this difficult economic time. Your donation can help keep these families and their pets together, and limit the strain that Ohio’s already over-full shelters are experiencing… (this is just one example of the problem in Ohio).

"Santa Paws"

Pet supplies, blankets, towels, cleaning supplies, treats and toys will be donated to a local animal shelter.

*** Santa himself will be making a special delivery to all the homeless pets at the City of Cleveland Kennel on December 22 at 1:00 p.m! ♥ ♥ ♥

Check out this organization’s Facebook page please – and please do anything you can to help. Ohio has been hit REALLY hard by this economic crisis and I have seen first-hand through my volunteering and donating what’s going on…

Your donation of any pet-related gifts will help make these homeless animals’ holiday wishes come true.

Donations can be dropped off through December 17, 2011 at:

A Balancing Touch Wellness Studio, lnc

32417 Vine Street

Willowick, OH 44095

Hours: Tues – Sat: 10am – 3pm, Sun- Mon Closed

Located inside Pat’s Hair World

Best Friend Self-Serve Dog Wash

640 E 185 St

Euclid, Ohio

Hours: Sun-Mon Closed, Tues-Fri 11am-8pm, Sat 10am-5pm

Herchick’s Tire Service, Inc.

854 East Aurora Rd.

Macedonia, OH 44056

Hours: Mon – Fri: 8am – 6pm Sat: 8am – 2pm Sun: Closed

Pet People

(Chagrin location only)

27299 Chagrin Blvd.

Woodmere, Ohio 44122

Donations accepted November 27 through December 10

Hours: Mon -Fri 9am-9pm, Sat 9am-8pm, Sun 10am-6pm

If you cannot drop off your donations at one of these locations, contact Ohio Advocates for Companion Animals for other arrangements. Email oa4ca@yahoo.com or call (440) 382-8983 for more information.

Contact:  Cindy Berman — (216) 952-7510                                                                                  

OhioA4CA@gmail.com

Ohio Advocates for Companion Animals

Guided by the philosophy that all animals should be treated with compassion and respect, Ohio Advocates for Companion Animals (OA4CA) is dedicated to making a positive impact on the welfare of Ohio’s companion animals through research, advocacy, outreach, education, and legislation.

Iams Home 4 the Holidays, one of the world’s largest pet adoption programs, kicked off its annual adoption drive earlier this fall in partnership with the renowned and well-respected Helen Woodward Animal Center, with the goal of finding homes for 1.5 million orphaned pets.

Now in its 13th year, the program, which runs from October 1, 2011 through January 3, 2012, has helped 5.8 million pets find loving homes across the globe.  This year, Iams and Helen Woodward Animal Center (HWAC) will again team up with more than 3,500 animal organizations worldwide to encourage pet adoption.

In addition, Iams is donating 5 million meals to animals in need at adoption and rescue centers through the “Bags 4 Bowls” program. Iams is aiming to give 5 million meals to homeless animals.

“Each year, as many as four million orphaned dogs and cats are euthanized due to shelter overcrowding – that is approximately one pet every eight seconds,” said Mike Arms, founder of the adoption drive and president of Helen Woodward Animal Center. “Since partnering with Iams on the adoption drive 13 years ago, we have really seen the benefit of what this program can do for orphaned animals, and the families who adopt.” (Arms, according to my personal interview with him, started the IAMS and HWAC partnership over a decade ago: in an effort to encourage families to adopt from a shelter or a rescue organization, he began an HWAC adoption drive, quickly bringing Iams on board to help raise awareness.)

***One way you – as a reader — can donate a meal to a pet is to visit Facebook.com/Iams and “LIKE” photos, videos and posts. For every like Iams gets, they’re donating a meal to a homeless animal.

Also new this year, are easy ways to get involved when you’re online socializing! You can customize adoption announcement cards to share with friends and family! To help an animal in need, simply select a template (from the Facebook page), upload a picture and information about your pet and then share! For every card shared, Iams will donate a meal to participating animal organizations!

As a participating blogger for the last few years, I have seen the benefit that Mike Arms described above. TONS and TONS of food has been given to animals in need, and millions of animals who would have otherwise gone unnoticed or perhaps ended up six feet under are now in loving homes. According to Arms, “the alternative (to adoption) is pet overpopulation in the shelters, not to mention the economic impact pet overpopulation is having during already tough financial times.”

While finding loving homes for orphaned pets is critical, the campaign is also designed to provide shelters and rescue centers with much needed food donations. Consumers can lend a hand by:

·         Visiting the Iams Facebook page and clicking to “Like” the page or various messages, photos, videos, etc. For each “Like” comment, photo posted, etc., Iams will donate meals.

·         Becoming a fan of the Iams Facebook page and creating a custom adoption announcement or holiday card to share the news of their new four legged family member or just send a season’s greeting to their family and friends. For each card created and shared, Iams will donate meals.

·         Purchasing specially-marked packages of Iams dog or cat food during the duration of the campaign. For every specially marked package sold, Iams will donate one bowl of food to a participating Home 4 the Holidays organization.

***Arms also told me during my interview with him that the easiest way for you, as readers, to get involved is to “Like” the Iams Facebook page (Facebook.com/Iams) to stay up on the latest adoption numbers, to learn other suggested easy ways to get involved, to get {and hence spread!!} details about pets available for adoption, learn about fun ways to donate meals to pets in need and for quick access to informative content and tips! So be sure PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE to check out IAMS on Facebook!

New to the program this year are campaign ambassadors, NASCAR driver, Ryan Newman, and his wife, Krissie. The Newmans, who founded the Ryan Newman Foundation to educate and encourage people to spay or neuter their pets and to adopt animals from shelters and rescue centers, have joined Iams in their mission to help animals in need this holiday season.

Iams Home 4 the Holidays strives to educate about the importance of adoption so that every pet adopted goes to a permanent, loving home. Those who adopt through the program receive an Iams adoption kit loaded with goodies, including important info about nutrition, training & proper care to ensure their relationship with the new animal starts off on the right paw!

Since its inception, this amazing program has seen almost six million pets find loving, forever homes… !

And on a side note, just to give you a taste of the kind of place HWAC is, Mike Arms told me this:

“I consider HWAC to be the facility of the future, where we do more than just rescue and save pets. We have a therapeutic horseback riding program for the physically & mentally challenged, we have two hospitals: a small animal practice & a large equine hospital, we have a very large education center, where almost 1,500 children go to day camp and the theme is sharing the earth with animals, we have a boarding facility, Pet Encounter Therapy, and an AniMeals program, so we are here for all animals’ needs and to help our community. I do feel that the center is like family. We are all on the same page, doing what we can to enhance the well-being of animals and people.”

♥♥♥ It’s not often that you hear of an organization like this… maybe North Shore Animal League, ASPCA and two or three others have similar facilities, programs and goals… but also, more importantly, the LOVE, compassion, kindness, understanding and general good-warmheartedness…

♥♥ To learn more about how to get involved, including details about pets available for adoption, fun ways to donate meals and quick access to informative content and tips, visit http://www.facebook.com/Iams.

UPDATE: As of November 19th, IAMS DID IN FACT REACH IT’S GOAL of 6 MILLION! The badge on the right is our way of strutting our stuff! CONGRATS TO ALL INVOLVED IN REACHING THIS MILESTONE!

About Iams Home 4 the Holidays (IH4TH)

As one of the most successful pet adoption programs in the world, IH4TH partners with thousands of animal organizations dedicated to finding forever homes for orphaned pets. Founded by Helen Woodward Animal Center and supported by Iams, IH4TH began in 1999 with just 14 participating animal shelters in San Diego County. Since it began 13 years ago, IH4TH – along with more than 3,500 pet adoption centers – has helped 5.8 million families experience the joy of pet adoption, including nearly 1.1 million pet adoptions from 2010. For more information, please visitwww.facebook.com/iams.

About Helen Woodward Animal Center

Helen Woodward Animal Center is a private, non-profit organization where “people help animals and animals help people.” Founded in 1972 in Rancho Santa Fe, Calif., the Center provides services for more than 57,000 people and thousands of animals annually through adoptions, educational and therapeutic programs both onsite and throughout the community.. Helen Woodward Animal Center is also the creator of the international Home 4 the Holidays pet adoption drive and the Animal Center Education Services program, teaching the business of saving lives to animal welfare leaders from around the world.

About P&G Pet Care

For more than 60 years, P&G Pet Care (NYSE:PG), the maker of Iams and Eukanuba, has enhanced the well-being of dogs and cats by providing world-class quality foods and pet care products. To learn more about Eukanuba® and Iams® Dog & Cat Foods or general pet care and nutrition information, call the Consumer Care Center at (800) 446-3075. You can also visit them online at www.iams.com or www.eukanuba.com.

Pet Community Joins Together To Raise Awareness About Pet Adoption:  Organizer Petside.com To Feature Event Hub at www.Petside.com/PetNet2011

Today, Wednesday, November 16, Petside.com, the A-list online destination for pet owners & pet enthusiasts, is dedicating its 4th Annual Pet ‘Net Event to pet adoption awareness. To drive awareness of adoption and its positive effects, the day-long 2011 Pet ‘Net Adoption Event will feature a hub page of related content from a consortium of the web’s top pet-focused bloggers and a social media donation campaign in partnership with Iams^© that will make it easier than ever to support local shelters and pets in need.

“Adoption is a cause near and dear to Petside’s heart,” said Wendy Toth, Editor of Petside.com. “We couldn’t pass up the opportunity to revisit our inaugural topic and dedicate this year’s event to pet adoption, giving it the attention it so desperately deserves.” Since 2008, Petside.com has gathered over 50 pet-centric bloggers to highlight important issues like safety and family with its annual Pet ‘Net Event. Today’s event will draw awareness to pet adoption with the following features:

♦Hub Page – READ AND LEARN about shelter adoption on Petside.com’s comprehensive one-page hub (www.Petside.com/PetNet2011). With links to the web’s top pet blogs/websites, visitors can easily navigate from site to site & read articles on topics ranging from the benefits of adopting a senior pet to personal stories of strength.

♦Blogger Competition – VOTE for your favorite Pet ‘Net article with a new voting tool on the hub page.  The blogger who garners the most votes will receive a $500 donation from Petside to the shelter of their choice!

♦Social Media Campaign – SHARE AND DONATE with Pet ‘Net’s interactive social media campaign.  To show pet lovers that there are many ways to support local shelters, Iams^© Home 4 The Holidays and their Bags 4 Bowls initiative will donate 25 bowls of food to local shelters for every mention of the Pet ‘Net hashtag (#iheartshelterpets) and @IAMS handle on Twitter.  Users can also “Like” Petside’s Facebook page (www.Facebook.com/Petside) for an additional donation of 25 bowls and share a personal adoption experience on Petside’s wall for a chance to be featured on Petfinder.com as a Happy Tail story!

Want to help? Want to donate? DO IT FOR THE  HOMELESS PETS THAT NEED IT MOST!

————————————————–

I’m honored to again be a part of Petside.com’s Annual Pet Net Event – a day in which we pet bloggers come together to call attention to those fur-kids we all so adore, admire and appreciate.

Pet adoption is a highly under reported “tail” in today’s tech-savvy world of “pet purchase” or “obtainment…” So many people turn to the Internet to look for a breeder instead of turning to the Internet to look at Petfinder.com or a breed rescue. So many people are STILL so uneducated about the woes of homeless pets, the outstanding and heartbreaking euthanasia rates, and other classic tales of the homeless pet “trade…”

♥Anyways, the story I’m going to tell you is about adoption of a puppy mill dog and his rescue. I believe adoption and rescue go hand-in-hand; you simply cannot have one without the other. And you may just have heard tidbits about this tale in years past on ThoughtsFurPaws – it’s about Franklin – the rescue Basset Hound. And I’m going to warn you right now that this is a lengthy post because I want you to hear every single detail of one puppy mill dog’s struggle from an abusive, hellish environment to rescue, redemption and rehabilitation.♥

My sister decided back in 2009 she and her boyfriend were going to foster Bassets, as she has always loved the breed – ever since the day an old boyfriend gifted her with a baby Basset in 2000 – his name is Henry. (I have nicknamed him Henry the Horrible because he is always getting into trouble and NEVER listens – typical stubborn Hound!)

I, as a pet blogger and rescue advocate (plus as a writer and frequent donor/volunteer to/for animal welfare organizations) made the drive to Columbus with her and Matt – the boyfriend (at the time!). We first met Franklin at Ohio Basset Rescue – Ohio’s biggest and only breed rescue for these precious, droopy-eared darlings.

Franklin unwillingly came around the corner with his tail between his legs, nose down to the ground, uncertain look in his deep brown eyes. He was pretty much attached to the side of Amy Barnes, the wonderful woman who helps run OBR. Frank was scared to leave her side or look up. We brought Henry along for moral support, figuring Frank might respond better to another dog than to an unfamiliar human. He slowly came around and sniffed us. We stayed in that OBR housing building for an hour before making it outside; we let Frank keep sniffing us and Henry, who was being very gentle the whole time. After HOURS of this, it was time to go, and after getting as much info as possible about Frank, Amy released Frank into Ashly’s foster care.

Amy told us OBR obtained Frank because “a family turned him over.” An Amish family. Most puppy mill owners have their own heartless reasons for getting rid of the studs or females that I won’t get into; regardless, it’s apparent to us now that it was fate that Frank survived and that Ashly decided to start fostering when she did.

Amy and the vets that treated him were able to figure that Frank was born at and lived for his first four or so years at a puppy mill in Amish Country, in Holmes County, Ohio. He was a stud dog. That means he was the “go-to” male; he was used and abused repeatedly to churn out litter after unhealthy litter of Basset Hounds. He was forced – sometimes physically, sometimes even with substances – as well as were the females who carried his litters – to produce puppies. That’s all he was good for. He was forced into mating as many times as possible.

Frank spent this time having no human contact except to be thrown, pushed, forced or otherwise pressed into mating. He lived behind a wire cage that he could barely move in. He was given only enough food and water to eke by most weeks. No one ever pet him, talked to him, scratched his ears, housebroke him, gave him a bone or a treat, or did anything remotely close to an act resembling love. It’s immediately apparent to any rescuer that he was repeatedly bred as his “man parts” were so abused and over-used that they, to this day, hang to the ground, missing it by about two centimeters… (not to be graphic, but it’s true)

Thank God we got to OBR when we did. We took him as soon as Amy gave the okay.

A Demure Franklin at First...

Frank sat on Ashly’s lap in the backseat of the SUV the ENTIRE drive home from Columbus to Cleveland, a 3-hour drive. It took forever to get him in the car. He shook like a leaf. He jerked every time one of us moved or turned or did anything.

When we got home, he wouldn’t walk up the driveway, much less go in the front door. I don’t think he knew what a house was. (OBR had a bigger facility where he was kept.) It was a horrible struggle. We didn’t want to scare him, but he would not budge from the edge of the driveway. He sniffed all around, still with his tail between his legs. After an hours-long struggle in the snow in 22-degree temps, we finally ushered him inside.

That was a whole new experience. He followed Ashly everywhere she went.

When he realized what the doggie door was and that he could go outside, we couldn’t get him to stay in. Ashly and Matt would sit outside for hours while he hid himself behind a picnic table or the shrubs.

After months of coaxing and gentle confrontation, Frank started to come around. We had to hand-feed him every morning and night. If you made even the smallest move during feeding time, he ran and hid, tail between legs. And he wouldn’t come back for more. The first time I gave him a bone – he ran outside and hoarded it until he was done — six hours later!! He refused to have a treat, cookie or anything special in front of his adopted brother. He was afraid it would get taken or that he was being teased with it. It was heart-breaking…:(

Famous Franklin on Halloween 2010 as Elmo

It would be a year before he acted like a regular dog, but despite that, he still has his moments. No one can yell or raise their voice around him, and you definitely cannot make unpredictable or fast-paced movements around him.

Franklin, despite his horrible beginnings, has become a champion rescue model. He is the most popular dog in the neighborhood along with his Basset brother, Henry. They take walks together and every child on the street wants to stop and pet them. Frank loves children. He wags his entire body while getting stroked from ear to end.

Franklin transformed over a period of two years from a fragile, afraid, abused and confused animal into a loving, giving, LOUD and hilarious gift that is cherished every day by all who know him.

We don’t know if he remembers the abuse and neglect he suffered at the hands and heartless beings at that God-forsaken puppy mill. I personally think he does, and that’s what has made him into the friendly, giving, kissy-face, “barrugala,” dog that he is today.

That reminds me, the first time he barked — he scared the crap out of himself. He didn’t do it again for 6 months! But now, thanks to help from his squawking brother Henry the Horrible, Frank has realized that using his howl and Basset-typical “bark-baruuugala” sound, which is a belly-howl that lasts for minutes and can pierce ears, can get him all the attention he wants!

Franklin is the most loving dog I have met. He will unconditionally give and give, follow you and follow you, and absolutely insists on sitting ON TOP of you on the couch or bed… not NEXT to you — ON TOP of you. It’s adorable and you can never push him away.

I have said before that animals that come from hard beginnings have a special way about them.

They have seen humans at their worst. They have seen and felt the worst fear, the most horrible sense of abandonment, the worst type of loneliness.

And then they are saved. Something — or someone — intervenes.

That’s why we all need to support groups and organizations that rescue animals. It’s groups like Ohio Basset Rescue, the Helen Woodward Animal Center, BODA, and the smaller, local groups who take in these animals.

Franklin lives a blissful life these days. But he still has challenges. You cannot make a quick move around him; you cannot suddenly stand up after you put his kibble down — you must sit down on the floor until he finishes. And he requires a bit of extra attention – but of course, NO ONE in the family has ANY problem with that!