ACSPCA

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The Power of Pretty

They say clothes make the man and every woman knows the value of smart accessorizing.  As you know, we recently ran a promo with Sirius Republic which resulted in some great Adopt Me collars and accessories that went to the Allen County SPCA. 

Whenever Ray dons one of his fancy collars and especially if he wears a bow tie, he gets a ton of attention and compliments, so why should any other dog be different?  Well, they’re not.

The other day, I posted a photo collage of Glamour, an adoptable Pit Bull mix at the SPCA.

I had spent some quality time with her and towards the end of the visit, I snapped some pictures and tried to snaz them up a bit then posted them to Facebook.

Over 200 people saw this picture, 8 people liked it and no one shared it in the first 24 hours that it was posted.

When I came back for another visit with Glamour, I grabbed one of the new collars and flowers so I could take a few…Glamour shots and when I had a few moments I made another collage to post on Facebook.

Same dog, different collar, add a pretty accessory and voila  6 shares within the first half hour. 

That’s the power of pretty.

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Dog Selective

I bet you think I’m going to talk about Ray…

Self-Discovery
While I do consider myself an animal lover and I love my little menagerie, I have come to discover I’m a bit dog selective.

Macho Joe

While I do love those animals called dogs in general and I know it isn’t a secret that I gravitate toward a certain “type,” I’ve realized that there are some that while I don’t actively avoid them  I certainly don’t seek out their company.  Because I walk dogs at the shelter so often on my lunch, there are certain limitations I’ve found.  Obviously, I can’t walk everyone in just an hour, so that usually narrows down the field to anyone who may not yet have been walked.  Also, since some dogs are kenneled together as roommates, I usually avoid that.  Because I am there in dress clothes, entering a kennel with two pooches is just that much harder in heels and/ a dress.  Then there’s fur.  The super shedders get a bit less attention as well because although I do have a lint roller in the truck, I just generally prefer hair.  Our last dog, Bam Bam was a chow chow and during shedding  season she  literally dropped small animals from her body on a daily basis.

Size Matters
It may or may not be surprising to know that the Rottweiler is one of my favorite breeds.  When I was a young adult living in Chicago, we had two.  I loooooved them and when I started whining pushing to adopt a dog a couple of years ago, I started looking for a Rottie.  I like big, muscular dogs with short non-furry hair, and blocky heads.  I eventually came to want a Pit bull type and resigned myself that I would have a “small dog.”  You know, 40-55 pounds.  Small.  I’ve handled other dogs way smaller and have become smitten with them but I still wouldn’t normally gravitate there.

 adoptable Glamour

I might be one of the few people who would call a Pit Bull type dog small, but there was a criteria to follow.  I always swore I would never have a dog smaller than my cat. I have three cats and the largest, Miko, weighs twenty pounds so with that starting point, 40 pounds is still “small.”  

Barney

It’s ironic and a happy circumstance that when I resolved that a Pit Bull type (smallish) dog would be fine and I adopted a puppy born of a 39 pound Pit Bull, that I would end up with an 85 pound dog. 

No Schedule
Several other volunteers that I’ve been chatting with have pretty set schedules with certain days and times they come.  I know it’s good so to have that to count on but with work and other things that pop up, I’m not able to commit to specific days or even times.  There are weeks I’ve found myself driving to the shelter as if my sheer will of the truck steering there and other weeks when I find I’m only able or for some reason willing to go one or two days.  Yesterday I may have hit me as to why.  I took the Glamour girl out for a walk and as we strolled and chatted about being girls and wearing pretty things I realized how much fun I was having with her.  We found a patch of long, cool grass under a shady tree where she promptly rolled and wallowed in a most ladylike fashion while I sat and babbled on to her about pretty collars and Sheila E.

Today, I have a ton of errands to run but the call of the short haired block heads reverberates in my mind.   I imagine that has something to do with my lunch plans.

*All photos credit: Allen County Spca.

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Sirius Winner

The Vote is in
We’d like to thank everybody yet again for all the love and support for our likes for collars for the adoptable dogs at Allen County SPCA and to Eriesistibulls and Sirius Republic for their help.  Also you may remember I asked for some votes on what new summer collar Ray should be rocking and we had a very clear winner.  Waterloo was the winner in a landslide.  We loved the timeless sophistication and the patriotic colors.  This collar just felt so The Hamptons to me.  Very classy.

Photo: Sirius Republic

Class Clown
Unfortunately, Ray is not sophisticated or classy.  He is sweet, funny, goofy and whimiscal.  Asia, just like the majority of voters, opted for Waterloo.  Until I said, “For Ray-Ray?”  “Oh, no, Ray is more Blue Lagoon.”

Photo: Sirius Republic
 

And of course, that was really the one I had in mind for him the whole time.  So, the Waterloo was included in the group going to the SPCA and Blue Lagoon came to Ray.

It’s really just so Ray. 

Of course we had his name embroidered on it as well and though it goes without saying, we’ll say it anyway.  We love Sirius Republic and their fabu products. 

Oh and we’ll leave you with this collage of some of the adoptables at SPCA rocking their new finery.

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Head Over Heels

Ray-Ray and I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their support of our Sirius/Dollars for Collars Campaign.  Because of you, the adoptable pooches at the Allen County SPCA will be sporting some Sirius-ly gorgeous “Adopt Me” collars.

Head over heels!

I’ve been thinking, though, that Ray needs a summertime collar as well, so we are going to ask for your help again.  My husband says I always pick “girly” collars for Ray so these are (in my humble opinion) non-girly, pro-summertime collar selections. 

Lil Crabs

Blue Lagoon

Seahorse



Waterloo

*All above collar images: Sirius Republic

We would be thrilled to get your collar vote, just leave us a comment with your fave.

*For every new like on our page we will donate $1 towards a Sirius Republic fabric martingale for our shelter up to $300 or 10 collars, whichever is more.  Remember to leave a comment saying who sent you to earn a prize for our biggest supporter.  This promotion ends Sunday May 5th at 9:00 pm EST. 

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Flirtatious Dude

Ray has been a flirter since way back, but it wasn’t until recently that we made a real one and started using it correctly via the instructions at BAD RAP.

For our pole, I purchased a 5 foot by 1/2″ pvc pipe at Lowe’s for $1.06, I had a new clean rope clothesline from another project and one of Ray’s squeakie stuffies.  I ended up also purchasing some washers for each end like our friends at Erie-sisti-Bull suggested.  I ended up spending seventy-five cents for each washer which brought our  project total to a whopping $2.56.  The fun and training we received?  Priceless.

The rules of the game are that your pooch sits, looks, and waits for the signal.  Ray isn’t actually looking at me in this picture, but after the first non-wait, he learned pretty darn fast that if we don’t play by mom’s rules, we don’t play at all.

Ray’s release word is a simple “ok” so upon that word, he chases the squeaking like it’s his job.  I quickly discovered that Ray loves the chase, so we haven’t needed a super sturdy toy.  He is even much better at the “drop” with this game because he wants to chase more than he wants to catch.  That’s a good thing, since he’s a bit portly at the moment and could use the extra activity.

The  mental activity of listening to and executing the commands combined with the physical activity of the chase make for one tired pup.

And a tired pup is a happy pup.

We love our flirt pole so much, we decided to make one for the shelter as well.  So tell us, do you flirt?

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Northern Indiana Pet Expo

I spent this weekend volunteering at the Northern Indiana Pet Expo and on this Monday morning, while fighting the aches that come with this middle-aged body am feeling so mentally and spiritually energized.  I don’t think I can adequately express how great this weekend was.  I know that the staff worked extremely hard to pull all of this together and there were volunteers stuffing media bags for weeks prior to the event. 

I requested and got Indy to handle on Saturday.  He and I perused the displays, chatted with people, showcased his good looks and great manners while answering questions about where to fill out an application to make him a permanent family member.   I guess other volunteers switched out dogs throughout the course of the day, but honestly not only did I not want to, but it didn’t really occur to me until I got some ribbing from the staff. 

One of the best things about the weekend, other than the mountain of applications the dogs received, was seeing past temporary residents of the shelter.  Remember these beautiful babies?   Yep, one of them came to the Expo with her family.  She is growing into a darling gal.  Each visit was like acelebrity sighting.  Franklin, a special guy was nearly mobbed by groupies, happy to see him so well-loved and cared for.  Then with less fanfare, towards the end of the second day, I saw him.  Everydog walked by with his parents.  I was able to chat with them for a few minutes and learned that he has a ton of toys, a big fenced back yard, neighbor dog playmates, and doting parents.  It was a great way to cap off a successful weekend. 

Because I spent so much time away this weekend, I decided to have a staycation this week.  On tap today for Ray-Ray and his mama is a trip to green Dog Goods.

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Instant Pick-Me-Up

This week has been long and a bit more stressful than usual.  When things get busy like this it is hard to get away at lunchtime and by Thursday I start feeling really…lacking.  I believe I would work much better in an environment where I could have my dog or at least A dog near me throughout the day.  I had to get away today to get some puppy lovin’ and recharge my batteries.

There’s absolutely nothing in the world like happy little puppy kisses to make all of your troubles recede for a short while, except for maybe double the puppies and kisses.

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The Luck of the Irish

I spent a rewarding and sober St. Patrick’s Day with some wonderful people who were willing to forego the green beer to showcase some great adoptable pooches from the SPCA.  I was escorting the available and handsome Valentino to the festivities at Deer Park Irish Pub.  Do you remember his Sweetheart of a sister?  Well she along with the other littermate, Cupid, have been adopted so only the debonair Valentino is left to find a love match.  We spent some quality time with Gunner as well.  Mr. Gunner was returned to the shelter because his original adopters were moving.  Apparently …well, don’t get me started on that.

Valentino and Gunner
 

That cutie above was dressed to the nines and howling for treats, so I had to snap a picture.  She was just too stinking cute.  (Not adoptable and obviously well loved and cared for by her doting Mama.)

There was a parade as well, but as we were lined up to start, I could tell that Mr. V was getting a little freaked out by the crowds and noise, so he and I sat out the parade and headed back to the SPCA tent.  The little guy is only 14 weeks old and has spent nearly half his life in the shetler and is probably the last man standing from his litter because he is just a little more reserved than the others. 

By the  end of the day, he was more than ready to chill a bit on the ride back to the shelter and dream of the life he and his wonderful ears may have in store someday. 

What fun things did you do for St. Patrick’s Day?  Did you or your pooch dress up?

If Valentino or Gunner is the dog of your dreams, head to the Allen County SPCA and fill out an application today!


 

 
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The Heart of the Matter

“I got the call today
That I didn’t wanna hear
But I knew that it would come
An old, true friend of ours was talkin’ on the phone
She said you’d found someone…”  ~Don Henley

My Dearest King, My Darling Boy,

I never expected to fall so deeply in love with your big headed, tender-spirited Royal Highness.

But I did.  And now I have to let you go.

Maybe it was destined, after all I’m “the bully girl” around here, so it just stands to reason that I would take a liking to you.  But it was more than that.  You came to the shelter and you were confused.  You were without you family and without your little chihuahuas and in a kennel all by yourself;  next to others in kennels all by themselves.  Your first week was hard but so many of us…and yes I was a part of that…tried to make your stay more bearable.  You needed your people and I was determined to be a reasonable substitute until you were united with your new family.  A family that will love you and be devoted to you.  The family you deserve.

As our outings together became more and more meaningful, I found it hard to leave but when I was able to pull myself away, I obsessed thought about you and how we could make you ours, at least in the short term.

On our walks you were a good listener and darned near the best leash walker I’d seen in the kennels.  You pulled a little but were easy to correct with a stop and a sound.  You sat for treats and offered your sit as a “please” when you thought you might score some tasty tibits.  I’m surprised that you are so treat motivated and yet so immune to the call of a bully stick.  And stuffies?  Stuffies lasted simply ages in your kennel.  You’re a sweet soul.

You kept your Royal name, King, but I joked with “Daddy” that I have another one picked out for you.  For a brief amount of time you were Herman…until the day when your true name revealed itself.  King.  For so long, Ray has been known as the Little Prince and you?  You are the King.  The King of Hearts.  The King of my heart.

As more than a fortnight passed and your family didn’t come back for you, you grew sad. 

You kept to your bed and didn’t come so eagerly to the front of the kennel so I took you out for a few field trips.  “Checking you out of the library” is how we jokingly refered to it.  Again, you were the best.  Ride in a truck?  Check.  Sit nicely?  Check.  Work in an office?  Check.  Ride in an elevator?  Check.  Share a lunch?  Yep…with the softest mouth ever, even though I know you were excited about the fries.

I went from smitten to in love.  Nobody was fooled.  Except maybe me a little.  Fooling myself.

You big headed lug.  You passed all the tempement tests.  And then you did it again, and again.  You were cat tested with the Big Meanie, just for us.  Mama heard someone say that you were their favorite at the shelter…and such a good boy “especially for a pit bull.”  Only you aren’t  good for a Pit Bull.  You’re a good dog.  Period. 

My darling boy, my King of Hearts, continue to be a good pup and a great ambassador for all block heads everywhere.  Show your new family every day how awesome The King is. If you think of me, remember how much I love you and how proud I am of you.  Remember me fondly as a friend who tried to help make your stay a little more comfortable as you wait to embark on your new life.  I hope you get lots of the Colonel’s potato wedges that you love so much.

The REAL Goodbye

“Mama” will always love you.  Goodbye.

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A Monday Mini Me-ow

Those who give of their time and talent know how rewarding that can be, especially if it is an area that you are passionate about.  I daresay if you are reading this, your passion in some way involves animals, probably dogs, probably pit bull types and probably rescue in some way.

When my daughter was born, I had a grand idea that each year we would go and buy a toy together to donate for Toys for Tots or some similar organization and hopefully set her on a good path of a giving life.  I’m embarrassed to admit that happend exactly zero times.  On the other hand, I’m not embarrassed at all because maybe that was never my passion, but just a popular foundation that does good for a group that I thought I’d like to help.

What I am so proud of is that Asia has decided to lend her time and talents to a group that I am very supportive of, ACSPCA.  We drove together to the shelter on Saturday so she could attend orientation and I could walk some dogs, specifically You-Know-Who.

Though she likes dogs, Asia’s passion is cats.  She is actually very cat-like herself and we joke that when we adopted Miko, the two of them spent his transition period in her room so he probably thinks they were adopted together.   I’ve spent time in the cat rooms as well, and am fascinated by the different ways people interact in there.  Some people walk around the perimeter of the room, greeting and petting each cat before settling in a chair.  I usually walk in and sit on the floor and wait to see who will approach me.  I wondered what Asia’s method would be, although I had an inkling that I already could make a pretty good guess.

She and I are both pretty quiet and reserved, so I wasn’t at all surprised when she told me she sat on the floor and waited for kitties to approach her. 

I think she made quite a few new friends.