So here are two BIG Super Bowl ads you simply cannot miss this Sunday as they have our four-legged friends as the main attraction…

Funny Super Bowl ads from years passed featuring dogs and cats (or other animals as the main performers) have always been big hits! The past performers have always big big passed performers!!

So you must check out the just-released video link to the highly anticipated follow-up to the Darth Vader VW commercial:

“The Dog Strikes Back” (had tears of laughter from this one – first part is WAY funnier than second part)

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VW Super Bowl Dog Ad [Image Courtesy DesignYouTrust.com

According to Todd Wasserman’s post on Mashable Business, where I got it: “A chubby dog gets in shape to chase a Beetle in Volkswagen’s long-awaited sequel to its “The Force” Super Bowl ad from last year.

“And don’t worry, there’s a shout out to Star Wars as well.”

Is He a Bit Chubby? YES. Adorable? YES. Wanna Take Him Home? YES. Hilarious? YES!

Keep in mind, the #1 Most Shared Super Bowl Ad this year is “The Barkside:” VW’s 2011 Tribute: “The sequel to the most-shared ad of last year’s Super Bowl, and of all of 2011 for that matter, is leading the pack this year. Volkswagen released this video last week showing dogs barking to the tune of Star Wars’ “The Imperial March.” So does that mean there will be dogs in this year’s ad? More Star Wars? We’ll know soon enough,” Wasserman said on Mashable.

——- ***** ——-

♦ ♦ ◊ ◊ Now there is also THIS hilarious (and SUPER-CUTE!) one to watch out for – from the animal-loving ‘wilderness’ car company, Suzuki ◊ ◊ ♦ ♦

For the second year, Suzuki is throwing its ad/marketing hat into the ring during the Super Bowl with “Sled.”

The stars of Suzuki’s commercial (in addition to its Kizashi sports sedan, of course) this year, however, are of the four-legged variety Our favorite kind ∞

The sled dog team featured in “Sled” are actual snow dogs that Suzuki found at a touring company in Alberta, Canada, near where the ad was shot. The actor dogs were coordinated/handled by Flo Krisko, one of the most respected animal coordinators and trainers in the Motion Picture Association of America. All dogs were securely harnessed in while in the vehicle and a representative from the American Humane Association’s Film and Television Unit attended the “Sled” shoot.

“Sled“

2012 Super Bowl Spot Suzuki Dogs

American Suzuki Motor Corp. today premiered the final version of its 2012 Super Bowl commercial – entitled “Sled” – on its Facebook (www.Facebook.com/SuzukiAuto) and YouTube pages. After previewing its big game ad last week, Suzuki upgraded the music in its television spot with a music track by well-known rapper 50 Cent. The artist’s song “Movin On Up” is fitting for Suzuki’s “Sled” advertisement, which illustrates the exhilaration one can receive from upgrading their ordinary daily driver with a more entertaining mode of transportation. In the ad, an Eskimo trades in his dog-powered snow sled for an all-wheel-drive 2012 Kizashi sport sedan. 

Developed by El Segundo, Calif.-based advertising agency Siltanen & Partners Advertising, Suzuki’s “Sled” television spot is set in an isolated mountain location. “Sled” opens with an early morning scene where an Eskimo and his dogsled team ride off into the horizon. As the landscape changes from morning to evening, the quiet still of the frozen tundra gives way to vibrations and a hint of something new in the distance. A Kizashi – accompanied by 50 Cent’s “Movin On Up” – comes driving into view with one of the Huskies’ heads sticking out of the front passenger window enjoying its owner’s new mode of transport. The spot then cuts to the interior of the vehicle, revealing the other sled dogs buckled into the back seat and the Eskimo behind the wheel of the Kizashi – all of whom are digging the lavish accommodations and warm interior of the car, while bumping their heads and tapping their paws to the song’s beat. The Eskimo pulls up to his igloo and his wife comes out to greet him. With a puzzled look on her face, and in her native Inuit tongue, she asks, “Where’s the sled?” The man replies, “I traded it in,” (the conversation is subtitled in English).

A Suzuki Super Bowl Pup Enjoying a Pooch Pastime!

Suzuki’s 2012 Super Bowl spot will air both in 60-second and 30-second formats in the company’s top retail locations across the U.S. “Sled” will continue to run following the Super Bowl in conjunction with a new Suzuki advertising campaign scheduled to debut in March.

In addition, starting on Super Bowl Sunday, Suzuki will give away BARKCODE® tags to the first 1,000 consumers to register on www.KizashiKicks.com/sled.

Each personalized pet identification tag has a scannable 2D code, making it easy for pet owners to be reunited with their four-legged friends when they are lost or even misplaced during a natural disaster.

COOLEST PART????

— With each tag that is ordered through the Kizashi Kicks website, BARKCODE®, on behalf of Suzuki, will donate $3 to the American Red Cross for disaster relief and preparation to help people and pets!!!!

* For additional information on BARKCODE®, please visit www.barkcode.com/.

** A PUPDATE with more previously unseen commercials with pets on the way tomorrow **

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. ♥♥

This is borrowed from a few friends on Facebook, but was originally posted by American Humane Association awhile back….

VOICE OF THE VOICELESS

I am the voice of the voiceless,
Through me, the dumb shall speak;
Till the deaf world’s ear be made to hear
The cry of the wordless weak.

From street, from cage, and from kennel,
From jungle and stall, the wail
Of my tortured kin proclaims the sin
Of the mighty against the frail.

For love is the true religion,
And love is the law sublime;
And all that is wrought, where love is not,
Will die at the touch of time.

And Science, the great revealer,
Must flame his torch at the source;
And keep it bright, with that holy light
Or his feet shall fail on the course.

For he who would trample kindness
And mercy into the dust –
He has missed the trail, and his quest will fail,
He is not the guide to trust.

Oh shame on the mothers of mortals
Who have not stopped to teach
Of the sorrow that lies in dear, dumb eyes,
The sorrow that has no speech.

Oh, never a brute in the forest,
And never a snake in the fen,
Or ravening bird, starvation stirred,
Has hunted his prey like men.

For hunger, and fear, and passion
Alone drive beasts to slay,
But wonderful man, the crown of the plan,
Tortures, and kills, FOR PLAY.

He goes well fed from his table,
He kisses his child and wife,
Then he haunts a wood, till he orphans a brood,
Or robs a deer of its life.

He aims at a speck in the azure,
Winged love, that has flown at a call,
It reels down to die, and he lets it lie;
His pleasure was seeing it fall.

The same force formed the sparrow
That fashioned Man, the King;
The God of the Whole gave a spark of soul
To each furred and feathered thing.

And I am my brother’s keeper,
And I will fight his fight,
And speak the word for beast and bird,
Till the world shall set things right.

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!

*** This is my second official post on the fabulous and fantastic We Are Pet Nation. Please guys, come and check it out: awesome site, no bull**it, real news, funny stories, and lots of great animal welfare updates via, who else… ME?! *** Here goes….

——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————-

Animal welfare advocates should pick a passion when it comes to fighting for our favorite four-legged friends… I guess a better way of saying “pick a passion” is, “choose your battles.”

Yes, I mean battles– plural.

Fellow bloggers and I (on right) at BlogPaws, learning to advocate!

One step at a time, you can do it.

Whether you are waging a campaign to overturn BSL, are arguing with Council for stiffer animal cruelty penalties, or are going to a state /national level with a fight like the one I discussed about puppy mill legislation, you have to focus on one thing; it’s imperative to do this first. As much as we want to run out and change all the laws, save all the animals, get every pet “fixed,” and put every cat and dog into a home, we must take small steps if we want to change the world. (And I firmly believe that one person can change the world because I have seen it.)

Call me a believer; call me an optimist. But if you’re going out there to fight the “fat cats” (no pun intended), particularly ones with deep pockets, you should be, too. Otherwise, you may get knocked down the first week… So – hone in on one thing to achieve first. Also – set realistic goals, even if you take baby steps.

And remember – always, always believe in yourself. Do not yield. To anyone. To any statement made against you. To anything. Carry courage in conviction everywhere you go. Now read on and then you’re ready to roll…

To be successful in advocating for animals in your city or area:

1. Find supporters who are willing to walk the line… find some who are super-intelligent and can talk politics, some who have connections (and, if you’re indeed trying to pass/overturn legislation, find some who are willing to strongly voice opinions to ANY audience). You’ll need volunteers and campaign coordinators willing to stand in the snow carrying signs, getting signature on petitions, and some to “pester” locals by handing out brochures, getting more signatures on petitions, and approaching people who are attending pet shows, conferences, & gatherings or going into pet stores/malls.  (Please see number 4 before completing this.)

To read the other nine tips, and some more great information about animal welfare advocacy and how to achieve success in doing it locally where you live, check out this link.

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.

This is a guest post generously written by Danae Matthews, a writer for the online women’s health resource, Women’s Health Base. Where I felt necessary, I have inserted my own thoughts in purple text.

A year ago while staying with my parents in the suburbs, I noticed that our next-door neighbors had gotten a puppy for their youngest daughter. In the ensuing months, it became quite obvious that the little girl’s affection had started to wane for the dog. This happened around the same time that a “For Rent” sign cropped up on the house’s lawn…

(It’s well-known in the world of rescue and adoption that puppies are given as gifts and oftentimes either “returned” or surrendered soon thereafter when they are fully grown and, “not cute anymore.” Nothing is more infuriating when you work at a rescue center if you ask me. Nonetheless, this is quite common…)

One day when I was going out to my car I noticed my neighbors carrying out a dog kennel and various accessories. I asked them what had happened to the puppy and they told me they had left her. Slightly shocked I asked where they had “left her.” I assumed they were talking about dropping her off at a shelter or a friend’s house for safe-keeping.

In fact, they had driven the dog to an abandoned parking lot and left him there.

I was stunned.  (And pissed off??!)

I had always heard stories like that, but never suspected that I would see it firsthand. How could someone be so cruel?

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 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.)

The numbers are astonishing, more so when you consider that there are also a percentage of people who aren’t surrendering their animals, but simply leaving them in abandoned foreclosed homes.

(There was a story about this on the blog when the housing bubble busted…)

But, surrendering is almost no better. Pets willingly given up by owners are almost always immediately euthanized. Situations like the one I witnessed are becoming all too familiar. People make the decision to get pets, and when the bottom drops out, those sweet, innocent, loving and loyal animals are simply left to fend for themselves.

It’s disgusting when people do this.

The American Pet Products Association estimated that the average cost of owning a dog is $1400, and $1000 for a cat. When simply taking only this information into account, it probably makes it easy for families to make the (BAD) decision to give up their pets, especially when eviction, foreclosure or downsize is on the near horizon.

The numbers don’t lie.

And what they are saying is that we need to be more conscious of our decisions to buy and keep pets. Of course sudden economic hardship cannot be overlooked, but we need to be more cognizant of the risks involved with pet ownership. This means, if you are barely making ends meet, don’t go out and get a high-maintenance animal that you aren’t going to be completely dedicated to. If you can barely take care of yourself and/or your family, you have absolutely NO BUSINESS rescuing or buying a house pet.

The truth is – my neighbors should have never rescued/bought a house pet in the first place. Their economic situation at the time obviously wasn’t so unclear to them, ie, they must have had some clues that they couldn’t afford a dog. (So is it their fault or is it the puppy breeder/broker’s fault for letting them have the dog and not properly ‘vetting’ them?? Something to chew on… no pun intended.)

It is important that people look at the facts of owning a pet before making the decision to have a pet.

1. Can you afford healthcare for your pet?
2. Are you aware of proper housing and food needs?
3. Do you have someone who can watch your pet while you’re away, or in a personal crisis?
4. Are you prepared for the long haul? Are you ready to devote a good 10 years (at least) to caring for this animal and meeting all their needs?

Lastly, although making the decision to surrender your pet to a shelter is hard, the answer is never abandonment. Leaving a beloved, innocent animal to starve to death in an unfamiliar place is cruel, heartless, callous and needless.

Animals are our responsibility and to betray that responsibility is irresponsible, reprehensible and just flat-out unthinkable.

For the first year, American Pet Products Association will accept poems from students in 3^rd-8^th grades;

kids can win scholarship dollars and other pet prizes!

Calling all creative kids!

The American Pet Products Association (APPA) President, Bob Vetere, announced recently that the organization will be accepting poems for its 4^th Annual Pets Add Life Children’s Poetry Contest.

“The last three years have not only been successful, but fun,” Vetere said. “We are overwhelmed, year after year, by the number and creativity of poems we receive from kids across the country. This is a great opportunity to get and keep kids excited about pets in a fun and educational way. It was only natural for us to expand the contest in its fourth year to allow for more students to have the opportunity to participate.”

For the first year ever, students in grades 3^rd-8^th are invited to write a unique poem about their pets, what they love about them, the joys they bring, and then post it online at www.PetsAddLife.org or mail their final poem and submission form to:

Pets Add Life

661 Sierra Rose Dr.

Reno, NV 89511

Deadline for submissions is January 31, 2012 at 5:00pm EST.

In addition, teachers within our contest grade levels are welcome to incorporate this national contest into their lesson plans, and submit poems in one entry, on behalf of his/her classroom.

One student from each grade level (6 total) nationwide will win a $250 gift certificate for pet products, and a “by-line” in a nationally circulated publication! (As a published poet myself, I can tell you that this is a big deal!)

*** In addition, the six winning students’ classrooms will each win a $1,000 scholarship to spend on pet related education.***

“In past years, winning poems have featured pets from hamsters and birds to dogs that are best friends, kittens and fish,” Vetere said. “And, it has been wonderful to receive updates from our winning teachers who have spent the scholarship dollars on classroom fieldtrips to the zoo, a classroom pet and supplies, and educational materials regarding pet and animal wellness.”

To learn more about the Pets Add Life Children’s Poetry Contest, read previous winning poems, upload your submission, or download a printed submission form, please visit www.petsaddlife.org or contact Kerry Sutherland at The Impetus Agency, 775.322.4022 or Kerry@theimpetusagency.com.

More info on PAL: Pets Add Life website, or PAL on Facebook

** See my other Pets Add Life posts here and here!