I AM A DOG

Hello Dear Readers,

This was on my Facebook wall this morning and I felt the need to share it.

You can find it here: http://www.examiner.com/dogs-in-national/i-am-a-dog-not-a-thing

Then sign up for e-mail updates.

Please read this carefully and send it along...Let us bring awareness to those people who don't know or understand. Thanks. ^..^ '

"I am a dog. I am a living, breathing animal. I feel pain, joy, love, fear and pleasure. I am not a thing. If I am hit - I will bruise, I will bleed, I will break. I will feel pain. I am not a thing.

I am a dog. I enjoy playtime, walk time, but more than anything, I enjoy time with my pack - my family - my people. I want nothing more than to be by the side of my human. I want to sleep where you sleep and walk where you walk.

I am a dog and I feel love...I crave companionship. I enjoy the touch of a kind hand and the softness of a good bed. I want to be inside of the home with my family, not stuck on the end of a chain or alone in a kennel or fenced yard for hours on end. I was born to be a companion, not to live a life of solitude. I get too cold and I get too hot. I experience hunger and thirst.

I am a living creature, not a thing. When you leave, I want to go with you. If I stay behind, I will eagerly await your return. I long for the sound of your voice. I will do most anything to please you. I live to be your treasured companion.

I am a dog. My actions are not dictated by money, greed, or hatred. I do not know prejudice. I live in the moment and am ruled by love and loyalty. Do not mistake me for a mindless object. I can feel and I can think. I can experience more than physical pain, I can feel fear and joy. I can feel love and confusion. I have emotions. I understand perhaps more than you do. I am able to comprehend the words you speak to me, but you are not always able to understand me.

I am a dog. I am not able to care for myself without your help. If you choose to tie me up and refuse to feed me, I will starve. If you abandon me on a rural road, I will experience fear and loneliness. I will search for you and wonder why I have been left behind. I am not a piece of property to be dumped and forgotten. If you choose to leave me at a shelter, I will be frightened and bewildered. I will watch for your return with every footfall that approaches my kennel run.

I am a dog - a living, breathing creature. If you choose to take me home, please provide me with the things that I need to keep me healthy and happy. Provide me with good food, clean water, warm shelter and your love. Do not abandon me. Do not kick me. Do not dump me when your life gets too busy. Make a commitment to me for the entirety of my life, or do not take me home in the first place. If you desert me, I do not have the means to care for myself. I am at the mercy of the kindness of people - if I fall into the wrong hands, my life will be ruined. I will experience pain, fear and loneliness. If I wind up in an animal shelter, I have only my eyes to implore someone to save me, and my tail to show you that I am a friend. If that is not good enough, I will die.

I am a dog. I want to give and receive love. I want to live. I am not a thing. I am not a piece of property. Please do not discard me. Please treat me with kindness, love and respect. I promise to repay you with unconditional love for as long as I live."

That says it all...Many thanks to Penny Eims, for writing this.

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Safe Pet Toys and Christmas Joys

One of my favorite times during the whole year is playing with the pups and kitty on Christmas morning.

We wake up and, after taking care of the usual bathroom trip outside in the frosty wonderland, go to the tree, wondering what Santa Paws has brought for them. Since dogs are naturally curious, I put their favorite chew inside their stockings and let them dig and bury their noses inside- enjoying the "chase," until they "catch" their treasure and settle down to chew in front of the Christmas tree. This way, they're included in the tradition and are quietly engaged in holiday merriment.

Of course, their favorite dog biscuits are included. I buy them anyway but somehow, being in their stockings makes it more fun for them. It's so easy to do simple things that will ease their stress and help them feel part of it all. Remembering dogs are very social and are pack animals, they need to feel part of the group- in this case, your family equals their pack.

Many pet guardians will buy new toys for Fido and Fluffy this holiday season. A word of advice goes a long way, so here goes... if you wouldn't put something in your mouth or your child's mouth, don't give it to your pet to put in theirs. Be careful with dyes and fake furs and toys that have small parts on them. Animals are just as sensitive to toxins as we are. I'm even careful with the laundry detergent and fabric sheets I use because chemicals never fully rinse out! Animals can have allergic reactions that can be very painful or even life-threatening- not fun and too expensive!

If you do get some new toys for them, try to get them something that will keep their curiosity, get them one to carry like trophies (Dovi gets ALL the toys and takes them to his den under the bed...cute). Both cats and dogs like to carry and dogs specifically like to shake things. Cats like to wrestle, though they're pretty creative so toilet paper rolls are always great.

If you can go organic, that's always best.

Whatever you do, always remember it's up to you to keep your pets safe. They're counting on you.

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Getting Ready For The Winter and Christmas!

I can't believe it's been almost 3 months since my last post. Many Life Changes have happened since but the good news is that Scully, Dovi and Whiskers are all happy, healthy and safe.

We hope your animal companions are, too.

As a member of ROAR (Rescue Operations for Animals of the Reservation), I'd like to bring you some tips on being a responsible pet guardian/owner, with my own additional comments...and please remember ROAR in your annual charities. The homeless animals on the Reservation count on us for food, clothing, shelter and medical care.

1. Spay and neuter your pets. Help prevent needless euthanasia of healthy animals.

2. Take them to the vet for annual wellness check-ups.

3. Protect them from the elements, pests and other animals- especially human predators.

4. Give them plenty of drinking water and feed them daily on a regular schedule...and feed them enough. They will eat more now that the weather is colder.

5. Give them plenty of exercise and playtime with other dogs or cats (they need friends just like people do). It's good for them and it's good for you. Make sure they have adequate clothing for colder weather. Dogs get pneumonia easily and if it's cold enough for your nose to run, Fido or Fluffy need a jacket or coat!

Remember that the holidays bring added stress for them, too. Unexpected guests and any changes to their routine will bring them stress and may cause unseemly behavior. Be patient with them and remember they don't understand what all the commotion is about.

Enjoy this time of year with them- it's over so soon.




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