Hound Dog finds Heaven

Posted on January 22, 2012 by dogkarma

Two Montana artists, Margaret Graziano and Glenn Swanson (very dear friends of mine) live in Columbia Falls Montana and were up in the woods on a cross country skiing adventure. They were going back to their car when they noticed a logging road with the gate left open. They decided to venture up the road. As they started up the road, they came across a female hound dog that had obviously not eaten in a very long while. She appeared to have had babies from the looks of her breasts, so they
looked around, but did not see any signs of puppies. They pulled up beside the dog and opened the door and lo and behold the hound dog jumped in the truck. hound dog

They took the dog home with them and immediately had her checked out at the vet. The vet said that it had been quite awhile since she had her puppies. I am sure this put their minds at ease knowing that they had not left little baby hound dogs up in the woods.

They have been checking around to see if anyone is missing a dog and, of course, no one will claim this poor dog. There is no doubt that someone dropped this dog off.

How could you abandon an innocent living creature that depends on you and think that is O.K. Well, it is not. You do not domesticate a dog and think that when you drop it in the middle of the woods that it will be able to fend for itself. This poor dog was probably in the same vicinity that she was dropped thinking that her human would come back. It is heartbreaking! starved hound dog

This story has a happy ending because two people care so deeply for animals.

What on earth has happened to our morals when we can dump man’s best friend in the woods and sleep with a clear conscience?

I am so grateful for people in the world that go the extra mile to help one of God’s creatures.

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Samoyeds in the Snow ~ The Good Life

Posted on November 4, 2011 by dogkarma

A friend whom has been living in Atlanta for the last eight years in hopes of returning out West to the landscape that he loves finally achieved his goal. While he was living here he adopted two Samoyed dogs from dog rescues and always looked forward to the day he could return to the mountains with his new buddies. Atlanta is brutal to dogs with thick coats. The summer humidity has to be unbearable for them.

He emailed this picture and it was too precious not to share.snow dogs

The dogs are Dylan on the left and Chako, (whom I like to call Chako-latte), on the right. Notice Dylan’s smile. Have you ever seen a happier dog?

Well, in this down economy it is wonderful to see someone reach their goals and even better to see two ecstatic dogs.

I am grateful that people take a chance on rescue dogs and live happily ever after.

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Should Dogs Wear Goggles?

Posted on August 2, 2011 by dogkarma

This picture is way too adorable not to share. Rocket is wearing “doggles”, which are basically “doggie goggles”. He wears them on boat rides. Are they fashionable or are they functional?doggles

Dog’s eyes are no less sensitive than ours. They just don’t tend to whine
as we do if something gets in them.

I found a picture of a military dog wearing doggles, also. That is definitely functional. The doggles protected his eyes, as a helicopter kicked up dust and debris taking off during an air assault operation.

Then, there is the story of a dog that was diagnosed having a visual sensitivity to sunshine when she was still a puppy. She has worn doggles ever since.

They have been recommended to people who have dogs that ride in the side car of their motorcycles, people whose dogs have cataracts and dogs with allergies.

Now, I am just visualizing riding down the road with my dogs, heads out of the window, ears flapping in the breeze and wearing doggles. Yes, they would keep bugs and debris out of their eyes, but my thought is how cool they would look wearing them :)

I am just grateful that someone cared enough to invent something to protect his best friend’s eyes.

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Dog Days of Summer

Posted on July 27, 2011 by dogkarma

I woke up yesterday morning to a lukewarm house. It is mid-July in Georgia and my air conditioner has been running non stop until now. Well, it is time for a new air conditioning unit and it can not be installed until tomorrow morning.

Oh, I can tough it out, but I can not bear to see my dogs suffer. I realize that a dog pants to cool itself, but the poor dears look so miserable and it is non stop panting! It is making me a little crazy.

To help us sleep last night, I placed a big shop-style blizzard fan in my bedroom. I already have a ceiling fan, but that is not enough in this humidity.  Well, as hot as it is my dog Scarlett slept right up against me with her thick chow-like fur. Is that the ultimate in devotion?dog in front of fan

It made me think about my poor doggies overheating (which is hardly going to happen with a blizzard fan blowing on them). I am a little extreme in my thought process. :)

Tip about heatstroke in dogs:

Dogs do not sweat through their skin like humans – they release heat primarily by panting, and they sweat through the foot pads and nose. If a dog cannot effectively expel heat, the internal body temperature begins to rise. Once the dog’s temperature reaches 106 degrees, damage to the body’s cellular system and organs may become irreversible. Unfortunately, too many dogs succumb to heat stroke when it could have been avoided.   

by Jenna Stregowski, RVT, About.com Guide

Just a few days without air conditioner and I realized how lucky I and my furkids are. We think air conditioning is a necessity. No, it is a luxury and we are lucky to have it. There are people living without it.

I shudder to think of those dogs that are left out in the hot summer temperatures.

I am so grateful that my dogs and I are blessed enough to have a cool house on a hot summer day.

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The Calm After the Storm

Posted on May 31, 2011 by dogkarma

cracked treeIt is easy to get lost in our own daily lives…trials and tribulations. But we are immediately brought back to reality when we witness a whole town losing everything near and dear to them in a horrific tornado.

In our world of trying to control life around us, it can spin out of control in mere seconds.

Hearing of the devastation that was caused by the tornado, it makes the heavy lightning thunderstorms that we are having look so trivial. Although, when they were happening they didn’t seem trivial at all.

I have three dogs that are petrified during thunderstorms. Actually two of them shake and drool and pant while one of them, Scarlett, normally wants to run out in the back yard during the thunder booming. Just recently during a storm even Scarlett was trembling and not wanting to leave my side. The winds were incredibly strong with lightning and torrential rains. girl kissing dog

After the storm as I stepped outside the smell of pine was very strong. A tall pine tree about twenty five foot from the back of my house was split halfway up the tree. Thank goodness it fell away from my yard and my neighbors, as well. I am sure that the crack of the tree is what scared Scarlett.

We did not get much rest that night. I do the opposite of what you are supposed to do with dogs during a storm. I coddle them like babies. I want them to feel safe. I have heard of something called a thundershirt to dress your dog in during a storm. Evidently it hugs to their body and creates a gentle constant pressure which is very soothing. For now, I will be their thundershirt.

Well, we made it through the storm and woke up happy to see the sunshine the next day. We are so lucky…a few limbs to pick up, a tree that might eventually have to come down, but no worse for the wear.

I am so grateful for a roof over my head and a home filled with fur.

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No, No Puppy by Margaret Graziano

Posted on April 30, 2011 by dogkarma

I have to share the work of a wonderful Montana artist, Margaret Graziano. In this art bronze she has captured the playful nature of a puppy.no no puppy art

“One of the things I love about living in Montana is the exposure to the many cultures and traditions of the people who call it home.
puppy art
The people who touch my heart the most are the original ones: the Native Americans.I live near the Blackfeet Reservation and enjoy attending their Indian Days celebration each July.

“No, No Puppy!” was inspired by attending these pow-wows. Besides the excitement of the official dancing I love to watch the side lines, and the antics of the little ones.
There’s usually a dog or two, or three, thrown into the mix, and as depicted in this bronze, they can cause mischief. But there are no hard feelings! Such encounters are met with amusement and accompanied by lots of laughter!
Dogs hold a very special place with the Native Peoples of Montana, and me too!”

~Margaret Graziano~

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“C” for Create ~ Create Canine Comfort

Posted on March 30, 2011 by dogkarma

c for create
Dog rescue groups that rescue, house and often times rehabilitate stray and homeless dogs are nothing but angels on earth.

Dog rescuers often have fairly strict policies when adopting out their dogs. Many of the dogs have come from bad situations and a rescue worker wants to spare the dog going through that again at all costs. An abusive or neglectful home is no better than being homeless.

A lot of times dogs that fall into the care of a rescue group don’t have a very pretty past and may have a lot of issues because of it, ranging from behavioral issues to fears and health problems. It is imperative that the rescue worker finds the right person to deal with these kinds of dogs. This ensures that the dog and owner will be a good match and also the dog will not be returned. Rescue groups will often take the dog back if it doesn’t work out.
great pyrenees

There are a million dogs that you can buy, but you will never feel the gratitude that you will experience from a dog that you have rescued.

It is said that you create your own destiny. Well, homeless and stray dogs from unfortunate situations never deserved the abuse or neglect that they came from, but are paid back tenfold when they find themselves in the heavenly hands of a dog rescue group.

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“B” for Believe ~ People Are Compassionate

Posted on March 15, 2011 by dogkarma

b for believeWe generally believe the best in people unless we are proven otherwise. It is kind of like innocent until proven guilty. We have to believe that people will do the right thing.

This reminds me of something that happened last year. I was driving home down an access road and happened to see a little dog running behind me. It then darted across the road and started chasing behind another car. I was completely traumatized.

As I slowed down I noticed the car that it was chasing had pulled over to the side of the road. Well, because of the fact that I have three large dogs at home that I adopted for the exact same reason, I found them as stray dogs, I tried to believe that the other car would pick up the little guy.lucky stray dog

I continued on my drive home thinking of the dog and praying that the car I had seen picked him up. After I was home for about an hour, a neighbor called to tell me that he and his wife had just picked up a dog on the road. Amazing! My prayers were answered. This couple, whom are not really animal people and have no animals themselves, stepped out of their comfort zone and felt compelled to pick up this little guy.

Well, they made the extra effort and put up signs that within days were discovered by Socks’ (the little dog) owner. He was safely returned home.

This story had a happy ending only because someone stepped out of their zone to try to make a difference.

It’s times like these that make you believe the best in people.

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“A” for Attitude ~ It Is Your Choice

Posted on February 20, 2011 by dogkarma

a for attitude
Attitude is everything. You can respond to everyday’s trials and tribulations in a positive nature or just be mad at the world because everything is not going as you would like. It is totally up to you. Your attitude can make a difference in your whole environment and the people around you.

A dog’s attitude is “Yippee, it is another wonderful day”. They are happy with life’s simple pleasures… food, shelter and even a little attention or acknowledgement. We could learn much from our furry friends. miniature pinscher snapping at a large docile blonde dog

Be grateful for the food you eat and the roof over your head and acknowledge someone with a smile or a simple gesture…it could change their attitude.

A miniature pinscher is a perfect example of a little dog with a big attitude.

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Alphabet Soup by Rocky Jacobson

Posted on February 4, 2011 by dogkarma

alphabet soup by rocky jacobsonI was recently shopping and had the good fortune to find a very inspiring piece of art. A man named Rocky Jacobson created a very artsy alphabet with motivational words for each letter.

Born in the beautiful Delaware River Valley, Rocky Jacobson began painting in elementary school. His teachers saw a natural talent and encouraged him to continue throughout his life. Rocky won a scholarship to the Savannah School of Art and Design and has exhibited his artwork throughout the country. His inspirational alphabet, lovingly entitled “Alphabet Soup” is a tribute to his former mentors who taught him the value of pursuing life’s passion. A quote, Rocky shares with his collectors, sums up his sentiments regarding art. “If you do what you love, you’ll never work a day in your life”. Rocky lives with his beautiful wife Ilana and their two yellow labs, Lill and Zard.

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