I was just alerted to this situation by Ally Cat Allies. Please spread the word.

Yesterday, the “pet-friendly” hotel Loews Portofino Bay in Orlando announced that 23 cats living in a model TNR colony on the property will be “relocated” to a local animal shelter.

The hotel failed to mention that just like all feral cats entering shelters, these cats will likely be killed unless other arrangements can be found for them.

Don’t fall for this fairy tale. Loews is sending these cats to their deaths.

Contact Loews now and tell them you don’t support their decision and won’t support their business in the future.

Loews is marketing themselves as “pet-friendly” while uprooting healthy, neutered and vaccinated, happy cats from the only home they have ever known and taking them to local animal control. The hotel made this hypocritical decision in the face of repeated offers from Alley Cat Allies and others to help work out a humane solution, as well as thousands of pleas from compassionate vacationers.

Don’t let Loews Portofino Bay in Orlando off the hook.

(This is such bullsh**. This hotel needs to know how we feel guys.)

Contact Loews to let them know you won’t support a business that claims to be pet-friendly while handing cats a death sentence.

Tell them that if the cats can’t stay, neither will you.

The ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) today announced that it has been awarded more than $1.4 million in funding from Subaru of America, Inc. as a result of its participation in the Subaru “Share the Love” event.

Sixty-two percent of the donation the ASPCA received has already been earmarked for the ASPCA’s “Share the Love” Grant Program for shelters in all 50 states.

To-date, approximately $884,000 has been distributed to local shelters.

“Year after year, we’re honored and overwhelmed by just how much Subaru customers care about their pets,” said Elysia Howard, vice president of marketing & licensing for the ASPCA. “In 2011, the ASPCA was able to distribute more than $15 million in the form of 1,300 grants to 740 animal welfare organizations in all 50 states. The funding from the “Share the Love” event will enable us to save more animals through our national programs and give even more to shelters and rescue groups across the country in the coming year.”

* Note that Subaru has been heavily involved with animal charity and animal welfare here in Ohio — they had an event a while back, remember? Read it here

During the “Share the Love” event, which ran from November 19, 2011 to January 3, 2012, Subaru pledged to donate $250 for every new Subaru vehicle sold or leased to the customer’s choice of one of the following five charities: the ASPCA, American Forests, Make-A-Wish Foundation®, Meals On Wheels Association of America and Special Olympics.

Subaru Dogs! Photo Courtesy Facebook/ASPCA.com

“Our new car owners helped us give more than $5 million to charities in just six short weeks of Share the Love,” said Dean Evans, senior vice president and CMO, Subaru of America, Inc.

“We’re proud to have donated more than $20 million to worthy charities over the last four years, helping them carry out the vital work they do every day.”

ASPCA Rescue Dog: Photo Courtesy ASPCA.org

As part of “Share the Love,” the ASPCA also worked closely with Subaru dealerships across the country to help them partner with local animal shelters and host a range of events including pet adoption, food donation drives, holiday pet picture-taking, pet ID-tagging and micro-chipping.  As a result, approximately 100 events took place, more than 1,000 dogs and cats – and even two horses – were adopted, and $121,000 was raised for local shelters. (See above link…)

The ASPCA also held a shelter incentive contest during “Share the Love,” and the following winners were selected to receive a total of $35,000 in grants from the ASPCA, awarded as follows:

• 1st prize (winners of a $20,000 grant): Protection of Animals in Wakefield Society (PAWS) – in partnership with Subaru of Wakefield in Wakefield, Mass.

• 2nd prize (winners of a $5,000 grant): Friends of Sangamon County – in partnership with Green Family Subaru in Springfield, Ill.

• 3rd prize (each winner of $2,000 grants):

-          Spokanimal – in partnership with Appleway Subaru in Spokane, Wash.

-          Irvine Animal Care Center – in partnership with Irvine Subaru in Irvine, Calif.

-          Charlotte Mecklenburg Animal Care & Control – in partnership with Subaru South Blvd in Charlotte, N.C.

-          Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region – in partnership with Heuberger Subaru in Colorado Springs, Colo.

-          Kent County SPCA – in partnership with Dover Subaru in Camden, Del.

In addition to supporting the ASPCA through its annual “Share the Love” event, Subaru supports other key ASPCA initiatives including Team ASPCA, the upcoming ASPCA Mega Match-a-thon event and the National Spay/Neuter project.

*** In addition to this wonderful ‘partnership’ that’s blossomed, the ASPCA recently announced that it will provide more than $340,000 to 15 local municipal shelters, animal control agencies and non-profits throughout the state of New York to create and expand low-cost spay/neuter programs!

ASPCA Kitty: Photo Courtesy ASPCA.org

“By providing grants that specifically fund low-cost spay/neuter projects, the ASPCA hopes to directly impact the number of homeless animals in New York, as well as help pet owners who are most in need of assistance,” said Michael Barrett, vice president of grants management for the ASPCA. “We encourage local animal shelters to apply for these grants, which will not only help expand their spay/neuter efforts, but could greatly impact their work to eradicate animal homelessness in their communities.”

Increased spay/neuter programs can help to prevent litters of homeless kittens and puppies from entering the sheltering system, in addition to reducing the number of free-roaming cats in communities when Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) is practiced. Spaying and neutering not only helps reduce animal homelessness but has numerous behavioral and health benefits for dogs and cats as well.

About the ASPCA®

Founded in 1866, the ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) is the first humane organization established in the Americas and serves as the nation’s leading voice for animal welfare. One million supporters strong, the ASPCA’s mission is to provide effective means for the prevention of cruelty to animals throughout the United States. As a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation, the ASPCA is a national leader in the areas of anti-cruelty, community outreach and animal health services. The ASPCA, which is headquartered in New York City, offers a wide range of programs, including a mobile clinic outreach initiative, its own humane law enforcement team, and a groundbreaking veterinary forensics team and mobile animal CSI unit. For more information, please visit www.aspca.org. To become a fan of the ASPCA on Facebook, go to www.facebook.com/aspca. To follow the ASPCA on Twitter, go to www.twitter.com/aspca.

About Subaru of America, Inc.

Subaru of America, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. of Japan. Headquartered in Cherry Hill, N.J., the company markets and distributes Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive vehicles, parts and accessories through a network of approximately 600 dealers across the United States.  Subaru boasts the most fuel efficient line-up of all-wheel drive products sold in the market today based on Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) fuel economy standards.  All Subaru products are manufactured in zero- landfill production plants and Subaru of Indiana Automotive Inc. is the only U.S. automobile production plant to be designated a backyard wildlife Habitat by the National Wildlife Federation. For additional information, please visit www.subaru.com.

Cat Saved from Fla "Sanctuary:" Photo Courtesy ASPCA

PetSmart Charities® (PC in my easier typing case…) and ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) have teamed up in an effort to save the seriously endangered lives of cats and kittens in Madison County, Florida.

The below info is from both a PC press release and the ASPCA’s website:

PC dispatched three Emergency Relief Waggin’® vehicles, each stocked with $80,000 worth of crucial supplies, to the scene of an alleged animal hoarding situation. Hundreds of cats (and two dogs) are in need of emergency assistance and medical care after being discovered in the overcrowded and unsanitary cat sanctuary known as “Caboodle Ranch” in Lee, Florida.

According to ASPCA, “Many of the cats show signs of severe neglect and appear to be suffering from upper respiratory conditions and eye infections, among other medical issues. Responders are also uncovering numerous deceased cats on the property.”

As a result of an investigation spanning more than a year, a search warrant was executed Monday morning for the removal of the animals.

The ASPCA, the lead on the rescue, is collecting additional evidence on the property for the investigation and has a blog story on it.

*** HALLELUJAH – The founder of Caboodle Ranch, a mean-looking Craig Grant has been arrested and multiple animal cruelty charges are pending. Check his ugly mug out man… Thank GOD. This person should be behind bars and beaten up if you ask me. (I know violence does not beget violence but to abuse and neglect a host of helpless animals is something I simply do not stand for and feel there is no excuse for– if you are a regular reader you know my feelings on this. It’s like beating a child — you deserve to be beat back worse…)

According to the sheriff there, the cats were living outside in overcrowded and unsanitary conditions with various medical issues that were left untreated. Many of the cats exhibited… signs of neglect & appear to be suffering from upper respiratory conditions and eye infections, among other medical issues. Several cats were in critical condition.

Responders discovered numerous deceased cats on the property.

“This is a tragic situation—Caboodle Ranch was clearly overwhelmed with hundreds of cats in dire need of medical treatment,” says Tim Rickey, Senior Director of the ASPCA’s Field Investigations and Response team. “The sanctuary had no adoption or spay/neuter program in place to manage its… population.”

The 53-foot PetSmart Charities’ Emergency Relief Waggin’ trailers and their 48-tons of cargo departed the PetSmart® Distribution Centers in Newnan, Ga. and Ottawa, Il., bound for the scene, where animal-rescue teams will operate an emergency animal shelter. The vehicles are stocked with crucial supplies, including pet food, wire crates, plastic carriers, litter, litter boxes, bowls, fans, a generator, a battery charger and lights to aid the animal rescuers on scene.

“PetSmart Charities also dispatches a team of specially trained volunteers to the scene,” said Susana Della Maddalena, executive director of PetSmart Charities, Inc. “The volunteers are able to unload supplies and set up the temporary shelter very quickly, enabling on-the-ground rescuers to immediately attend to the animal victims. We are happy to be able to assist in this way to help give these cats a second chance at finding a lifelong, loving home.”

And according to the ASPCA blog post: “We’re at it again… At the request of the Madison County Sheriff’s Office and Madison County Animal Control, the ASPCA is on the ground in Florida managing the rescue of hundreds of cats. The animals were found living in overcrowded and filthy conditions at a non-profit cat sanctuary known as Caboodle Ranch.

“This is the largest number of cats the ASPCA has ever had to remove from one location in the course of an animal cruelty investigation.”

These groups need our help guys – please, even if you can only muster $10, go ahead and donate. PLEASE.

Cases like this are tragic, the ASPCA said on its website; although that’s the common notion really…

*Fortunately, with your support of PetSmart Charities’ Emergency Relief program or/and

*ASPCA’s specific efforts to this case

–The animals will have a second chance

Members of the public can support the PetSmart Charities’ Emergency Relief program by making a donation online, by email at gifts@petsmartcharities.org or via phone at 623-587-2826, to help more pets like these find the loving homes they deserve.

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!

It is the feeling of not only ME, but many animal lovers, rescuers and welfare advocates across the entire U.S., no matter what part, that there are far too many Americans who are TOTALLY unaware of puppy mills.

I mean, not only unaware of what they are, but blithely unaware how inherently dangerous, problematic and cruel they are. My fellow Up For Pups Boardmember, Chad Darwin says “they place an incredible strain on the animal welfare community.”

He’s so right.

That’s just part of the reason that I sit on the board of the non-profit, Up for Pups – partially also because the founder is brilliant, super-talented, generous, caring and because I was drawn to her the moment I saw the “Don’t Kill Bill” show at BlogPaws/Columbus in 2008 because of our common interests.

Kyla Duffy dedicates more than most people I know – time, funding, etc., to animals in need.

So it’s all I can do to (not only serve on her board, but also) share this important announcement:

* Her awesome show is coming up in Denver; she’ll be performing March 10th in Lakewood *

Kyla Duffy at "Don't Kill Bill"

“Our show offers children, teenagers, and adults of all ages a unique twist and spin on humane education in a fun, safe and entertaining environment,” said Kyla Duffy, show writer and producer. The show aims to “educate as well as dazzle the eyes,” according to Darwin.

“Puppy mills continue to be a despicable source aiding the already challenging problem of pet homelessness, and we firmly believe education is essential.”

Duffy created “Don’t Kill Bill” to raise awareness about puppy mills and encourage people to get involved with animal rescue organizations. I — being the anti-puppy mill maven that I am – was immediately taken with her when I first met her, and I can tell you the show is amazing.

Local organizations that work a multitude of breeds will be present in the lobby to answer any questions, according to the press release.

Up for Pups will be promoting adoptable dogs during the show as well! Tickets are $19 per adult and $15 per student/senior. Tickets are available at http://upforpups.org/events

I hope that if you live even within an hour or so that you can go.

Why?

I GUARANTEE that you will be blown away when Duffy, the founder of Happy Tails Books as well as Up for Pups, swings like an ape (I mean she’s limber and acrobatic, not monkey-like people – it’s a compliment!) through the air in her aerial show, “Don’t Kill Bill: A Celebration of Adopted Dogs.”  The show combines short films, live storytelling and music coupled with Duffy’s personal aerial acrobatics skills to celebrate rescued dogs’ resilience and highlighting rescuers’ compassion.

IT’S AWESOME; you will be so impressed, you’ll laugh and cry with delight and emotion, I promise. Remember, tickets are available at http://upforpups.org/events

*Proceeds from the show will be used to further Up For Pups animal advocacy efforts. In addition to enjoying this wonderfully unique theater production, attendees will have the opportunity to win a gift basket full of dog products as well as a $500 donation for the dog rescue organization of his or her choice (rescue must be present in the lobby to win). Each attendee will get one free drawing ticket at the door with a chance to buy additional tickets during intermission. Drawing ticket sales benefit local rescue organizations.

“Don’t Kill Bill: A Celebration of Adopted Dogs” Event Details:

Saturday, March 10th, 7:00 p.m.

Lakewood Cultural Center

470 S. Allison Pkwy

Lakewood, CO 80226

*** Tickets are available at http://upforpups.org/events ***

Yesterday our family’s beloved Basset Hound Henry, who just successfully finished the Eukanuba Challenge, had to cross the Rainbow Bridge – he had a huge tumor behind his liver – the size of a golf ball – that was cancerous and inoperable. He would not have made it long.

My sister Ashes (my personal sisters-only nickname for her), Henry’s forever Mu-ther (our family ‘animal word’ for mom), made the world’s hardest decision (or one of them) to put The Peanut down so he would not suffer any pain or discomfort. (He had already been throwing up blood that morning.)

* Ashes, like me with Theodore, had barely been over the passing of Tucky the Pittie mix three years ago. *

** Keep in mind this is at 7 am the morning after our mother had SERIOUS Rotator Cuff surgery; Mom was in the worst condition we both had EVER seen her in in our ENTIRE lives – we were already hysterical at one hospital Wednesday and practically inconsolable. (No one should have to see their mother cry or in that kind of pain.)

Henry in His Fave Chair - Graphic Courtesy Zoolatry

Anyhow, Ashes slept at our house with my Mom Weds night so my Dad could get some rest – she was up all night taking care of her, rubbing her feet, putting lip balm on her, getting her throat lozenges, moisturizing her face, getting water, and everything else you can think of that someone needs in the immediate PAIN after a surgery that serious. She’s naturally caring and giving like that – always worried about everyone else…

◊ Ashes returned home at 7 am Thursday am to find Henry in horrible condition – barely able to move. I had JUST SEEN HIM Wednesday myself while we were waiting for Mom to get into recovery — I chocked his slowness, labored breathing and odd behavior up to typical stubborn Peanut/Basset behavior and/or old age/tiredness/laziness – imagine the uselessness (and mis-education – yes that’s a word) I feel right now (but this is not about me).

Ashes is in horrible condition. I wish I knew how to help my sister. I cannot explain how awful it feels to not be able to do something.

She came over with Franklin, the rescue Basset she saved from Ohio Basset Rescue (thanks to Amy B., who saved him from a puppy mill in Ohio’s Amish Country – the WORST offender), all day yesterday and “Mr. Frank N Beans” wouldn’t leave her side.

He knew something was wrong…. like all animals do when something of this magnitude happens.

Peanut was one of the first animals I wrote about when I started ThoughtsFurPaws — I nicknamed him “Henry the Horrible” because he was comically stubborn, slow, LOUD and obstinate – similar to Marley, the proclaimed World’s Worst Dog!

You could not train it out of him – neither Cesar Milan nor Victoria Stilwell (spelling?) could have… ♥ ! And we loved him for it

Henry inspired me beyond words, and I have many a poem and short story about him that I will slowly share in a series over the next couple months.

♥ ♥ Henry:

Your family will love and cherish you and our blessed memories of your “hilarities” forever. We will always think of you when we see a Hound of any type. You adopted your Mother as much as she adopted you and you will never know how much you gave to her — or how much you enriched all of our lives. I feel at ease knowing you were greeted at the Bridge by your older brother – Ashly’s Tux – plus our family’s Nickodemus and Gibson and my Theodore…. all of whom have passed from cancer.

♥ We also know that all of our pet friends in the blogosphere who have lost a beloved animal to cancer OR ANYTHING are greeting you, sniffing around, letting you follow your nose as you always did, romping and playing, doing your famous squawk, and jumping around like you are 1-year-old again, probably stepping on your own ears like you did on your first few walks (remember — Ashes carried you halfway through Long Beach because you got tired and kept stepping on your ears!) ♥

Henry our “Perpendicular Peanut,” our Rebellious Basset, our first family Hound who started a forever tradition –

♥ ♥ we will forever miss you and can’t wait to see you again ♥ ♥

Ash, my sister in blood and water, love and friendship, and in every other way possible:

I LOVE YOU ALWAYS AND FOREVER, AND WILL DO ANYTHING –

- I WILL MOVE THE HEAVENS, GO TO THE ENDS OF THE EARTH, OR REACH UP AND GRAB THE MOON AND STARS -

“You want the moon? Just say the word and I’ll throw a lasso around it and pull it down”

TO HELP YOU THROUGH THIS HARDEST OF TIMES IN YOUR LIFE…

We are so excited because (the big-hearted and animal welfare-aware) Lawrence Kasdan, Academy Award-nominated director of films like “The Big Chill” and “Wyatt Earp” is bringing audiences the bacon this spring with a full-length feature film about –

guess what-?

A DOG RESCUE! Hooray!

(Well it’s about other things, too, but of course we wanted to focus on the rescue aspect and the reward of that part. Even the director has feelings about that — see below section*)

“DARLING COMPANION” is a Sony Pictures film starring Academy Award winners and nominees up the ying-yang –big-time stars like Diane Keaton, Kevin Kline, Dianne Wiest, Richard Jenkins, Elisabeth Moss, Mark Duplass, Ayelet Zurer, Sam Shepard, and…. BUM BUM BUM…

Kasey the Dog!!!

Diane Keaton and Kevin Kline with Kasey the Doggie Star

“Darling Companion” is a movie that’s about something my family would do– and probably yours too if you frequent ThoughtsFurPaws.com. Check out the preview here.

… It goes like this:

—-

This is where the film takes a turn: the preview, obviously, won’t give you ending details — but does portray the awesome ensemble cast seriously turning up the humor, heartache, & heartiness in the feature film.

In a nutshell, the Sony Pictures rep told me: “On the side of a busy freeway, a woman finds the love, devotion, commitment, and courage she needs – all wrapped up in a bloodied stray dog who becomes her “darling companion.” When the beloved canine goes missing, a ‘shaggy-dog’ search adventure plays out, drawing together friends and family and rekindling a lifelong love.”

Watch the preview and you’ll be hooked! It’s classic Diane Lane – she’s at her best with emotions, laughter and that sassy yet classy ‘tude she always carries on-screen (a la “Something’s Gotta Give”) that we ladies all love and respect!

Kasdan, in the press kit, had this to say about the dog rescue-aspect of the film… I think it’s something I will forever respect, remember and know him for, and something that we ALL can relate to:

“Anyone who’s ever had a dog knows they live in the moment. That fact of their behavior can have a revivifying effect on the people around them. While humans worry about the future and mull over the past, dogs bring us back to the present with the uncomplicated joy they take in the here and now – getting outside with us for a walk, having their meal, being stroked.”

* “The movie probably began the day my wife Meg and I rescued a mutt named Mac from a cacophonous dog shelter in Los Angeles. After taking that dog into our lives and affections, he was lost during an outing in the Rockies. We spent three weeks searching, calling his name up and down mountain trails, enlisting our friends and family. The whole town was on the lookout. Just at the moment we had given up hope, a stranger who had seen our flyers found Mac playing with her dogs by the river. Mac was dirty and thin, but uninjured. Friends and searchers around town and across the country celebrated his recovery,” he said.

“We converged in Utah to shoot our movie with a limited budget and a tight schedule, helped along by some very remarkable dogs and their equally remarkable trainers… “Darling Companion” became one of the most gratifying film-making experiences I’ve ever had,” Kasdan added.

Crying yet?

Kasey the Dog, "Freeway" - Image Courtesy ExpoSay.com

You will in the movie – I can guarantee it. You’ll even cry happy tears in the preview!

Another notable tidbit about this movie… featuring our four-legged furry friends? (The doggie actor is Kasey – beautiful and smart, typical movie star right? – According to edhat.com, he was the only star at the premier that “drew ahhs from the hardened and professional press on the sidelines. He is one very cute pup.”

♥ ♥ On that note – for the record: ThoughtsFurPaws.com WHOLE-HEARTEDLY disagrees with the poo-poo review on the Montreal Gazette website’s blog “Cine Files” here saying, “the trailer is not at all promising.”

Growl, grrr, boo-hiss to that writer.

After all, filmmakers took inspiration not only from Mac’s three-week-long, outdoors-lost-rescue “tale,” but also from his sister-in-law’s very dramatic rescue of a dog on a busy Detroit freeway.

“She pulled over and scrambled up the embankment, just like Diane in the movie. It’s amazing how the instinct to protect an animal can galvanize you,” says Meg Kasdan, wife of director Lawrence. Her sister named the dog Freeway, and the name stuck to the movie’s canine character.

Another cool tidbit: the involvement of an entire mountain town in the search for a dog is true, including the participation of a friend who offered psychic clues to Mac’s whereabouts!

The “Darling Companion” movie opened at the  Santa Barbara International Film Festival and opens in LA and NY on April 20, 2012; it’s rated PG-13 and is just over an hour-and-a-half.

Living in the Front Range of Colorado is a special thing. I know: I did it from 1997-2001 in Fort Collins and from 2004-2005 in Denver.

In this very special area of the country is a very special family. And K is their very special animal. His people are beautiful people.

If you don’t know of K’s blog, Romping and Rolling in the Rockies, K is a faithful canine companion on all of her owner’s adventures.

Unfortunately, today K is now facing some extremely challenging health issues… her next round of chemotherapy is this Friday, February 17. 

K belongs to KB, a blogger who does amazing work chronicling her life in the Rocky Mountains. KB posts videos and pictures of mountain lions, bobcats, elk, my personal fave – the Canadian Lynx (which I worked tirelessly to re-introduce to the area when I lived there with NRDC), and other Rocky Mountain wildlife, plus some of the most amazing mountain views we’ve ever seen. If you have never found her blog, we strongly recommend going to visit it.

Any animal lover who has faced cancer or a similar situation knows what a difficult time it is. It’s a time you can’t even put into words really…

So a group of us bloggers have “conspired” (not my words but those of one of my fave pet bloggers who is ALWAYS helping others…) to be “KB’s Pillars of Strength” — as her family goes through this tough time.

We hope you all – whether readers, writers, media or fellow blogger can join us in a BlogHop there.

Do any of you have any experience with how awful cancer is?

Have you had experience with a successful recovery in a pet (or person)? What about your dog?

Please join us in offering prayers or tell us what your fave part of KB’s blog is. Please offer some pleasant form of prayer or wish or banter – or another pillar of strength — to offer strength to KB – thus the name of our trek and the KB Pillars of Strength BlogHop.

Here are the most recent entries to the Valentine’s Day Dog Photo Contest on ThoughtsFurPaws.com!

If you do not see an accompanying story, it’s because you did not send one! You are NOT required to, but if you would like to tell voters/readers why to vote for your Valentine-pooch, please do share some info about the picture and/or the pup!

Mr. Beaner

Please remember the rules: the rules for the Valentine’s Day Dog Photo Contest MUST BE followed or you will be disqualified.

1. CONTEST ENDS NOW: NO MORE ENTRIES WILL BE ACCEPTED  
2. No more than two votes per person (per email address if you email your vote and per name/email if you “comment in” your vote). *** If you leave a fake email address on your comment and/or otherwise attempt to comment-stuff the voting, your votes will be completely discounted entirely.
3. No more than three persons PER IP ADDRESS – and we HAVE BEEN and WILL CONTINUE TO test emails.
4. Send your readers HERE to vote in their comments; you, of course, are free to post your dog’s featured pic on Facebook, but any votes on Facebook are not counted. Again, votes must be left in comments section on the actual post or emailed to thoughtsfurpaws@gmail.com.
5. You have until next Monday night at 5 pm EST to vote.

See original Announcement post here…

Benny

See Feb 7^th entrants here...

See Feb. 9^th entrants here...

See last night’s post here...

Mr Beaner: Mr. Beaner will be 8 weeks old on the 20th . He’s a very curious puppy that loves the company of other dogs. “Beaners” is the best Blue Merle Chihuahua out there; I wouldn’t trade him for the world. Happy valentines Day, Beaner and to all you puppies

Benny: THIS IS BENNY. WE PUT A NEW MAILBOX UP IN OUR YARD. THEN TOOK A PICTURE OF HIM IN IT… SPECIAL DELIVERY!

Hi every-doggie! Hooray for puppy love because we have some more wonderful, adorable puppy and dog pictures to show you – some posed just for doggie Valentine cards or Valentine dog photo contests like ours!

We also must immediately give you a MAJOR pup-date as there have been MAJOR pup-dates emerging in the voting for the contest entrants this past 36 or so hours! We wanted to show and tell you who the latest entries are &, respectively, who the leaders are! Right now, here are the current ties and/or leaders:

Calvin/Chance – TIED

1. Sandy

Bailey /Scout  – TIED

Simba – Welcome to the running Simba!!!!!!

*Not in order (or are they?) of the ThoughtsFurPaws Doggie Photo Val Day Contest*

** FYI — there will not be Honorable Mention if the now TWO ties aren’t broken before voting ends.

Here are the most recent entries to the Valentine’s Day Dog Photo Contest on ThoughtsFurPaws.com!

If you do not see an accompanying story, it’s because you did not send one! You are NOT required to, but if you would like to tell voters/readers why to vote for your Valentine-pooch, please do share some info about the picture and/or the pup!

Please remember the rules: the rules for the Valentine’s Day Dog Photo Contest MUST BE followed or you will be disqualified.

1. 

   2. Frankie

   CONTEST RUNS NOW thru Feb. 13th, 6 pm EST. Please send a dog picture accompanied by a brief story about the dog or photo, explaining why he/she should win, why you chose this particular photo, etc. It should obviously be one of your funnier/cuter dog photos ♥

2. No more than two votes per person (per email address if you email your vote and per name/email if you “comment in” your vote). *** If you leave a fake email address on your comment and/or otherwise attempt to comment-stuff the voting, your votes will be completely discounted entirely.
3. No more than three persons PER IP ADDRESS – and we HAVE BEEN and WILL CONTINUE TO test emails. BE HONEST!
4.  YOU MUST ENTER A DOG! (Kitty contest coming this Spring:)
5. Send your readers HERE to vote in their comments; you, of course, are free to post your dog’s featured pic on Facebook, but any votes on Facebook are not counted. Again, votes must be left in comments section on the actual post or emailed to thoughtsfurpaws@gmail.com.

See original Announcement post here…

See Feb 7^th entrants here...

See Feb. 9^th entrants here...

1. Sandy: Sandy is my Golden-Doodle that has kept me full of life.  She full of personality, like wanting to chase the Volkswagen that drives pass the house beeping.  She has had two litters, each time she pre-warned us by

3. Maddie

walking around with a stuffed toy in her mouth for days prior to us actually realizing that he was pregnant. One of her lovely pups flew all the way to Massachusetts to his new home.  The other ones were part of a Golden-Doodle rescue and flew across the states.  She even had two of her most recent pups get in the local news of Wilmington.  Sandy’s so special, it’s catching.  She like burping after eating, just to get an extra nibble.  Most of all, she a bundle of love, and can’t wait to jump down the stairs and cling to my thighs as she’s doing in the picture.  We love our “Sandy.”

2. Frankie: This is my Yorkie Bishon mix, Frankie.  He is the love of my life. He is a thief… he stole my heart and he will steal yours, too. Here he is on my bed – nestled among the rose pedals, hearts, and roses.  Frankie is a pint-sized Casanova who loves playing with his friends at the dog park, greeting  everyone in the neighborhood (both canine and humans) during his daily walks and snuggling with me…his mommy.  Watch out…Cupid’s arrow has just struck!

3. Maddie: This is a photo I took of my dog, Maddie, to make homemade Valentine’s day cards this year.  I arranged some of my Valentine’s decor for her to sit with.  Maddie always

4. Murphy

makes people smile and lift their spirits if they are sick or having a bad day and I thought taking a photo for the cards would be extra special.

4. Murphy: This is Murphy my Old English Sheep Dog.  This photo was taken when he was 16-weeks-old; he is now 1-year-old.  This is my favorite picture of him because he just looks so sweet and innocent.  Murphy is the most loving and pure-hearted dog I have ever had.  He loves to give kisses and snuggle. He is a true joy!

5. Huntley: Huntley is 14-weeks-old and was adopted from a rescue just one week ago. This is Huntley’s first Valentine’s Day in his forever home! WELCOME HUNTLEY

5. Huntley