Adopting can be Rewarding!

Great Dog Story and  well worth the reading!!!!!

They told me the big black Lab's  name  was Reggie
as I looked at him lying in his pen.  the shelter   was
clean, no-kill, and the people really friendly.
I'd only been  in  the area for six months, but everywhere
I went in the small  college  town, people were welcoming and open.  Everyone waves when  you  pass them on the
street.

But something was still missing   as I attempted to
settle in to my new life here, and I thought a   dog
couldn't hurt.  Give me someone to talk to.
And I had  just  seen Reggie's advertisement on the local
news.  The shelter  said  they had received numerous
calls right after, but they said the  people  who had come
down to see him just didn't look like  "Lab
people,"  whatever that meant.  They must've
thought I   did.

But at first, I thought the shelter had misjudged   me
in giving me Reggie and his things, which consisted of a dog pad,   bag of toys almost all of which were brand new tennis
balls, his   dishes, and a sealed letter from his previous
owner.  See,  Reggie  and I didn't really hit it off
when we got home.  We  struggled for  two weeks (which is
how long the shelter told me to  give him to adjust  to his
new home).  Maybe it was the fact that  I was trying  to
adjust, too.  Maybe we were too much  alike.

For  some reason, his stuff (except for the tennis
balls  - he wouldn't go  anywhere without two stuffed in
his mouth) got  tossed in with all of my  other unpacked
boxes.  I guess I didn't  really think he'd  need
all his old stuff, that I'd get him new things  once he
settled  in.  but it became pretty clear pretty  soon
that he wasn't going  to.

I tried the normal commands the  shelter told me  he
knew, ones like "sit" and "stay" and
"come" and  "heel," and he'd  follow
them - when he felt like it.  He never  really seemed  to
listen when I called his name - sure, he'd look in  my
direction  after the fourth of fifth time I said it, but  then
he'd just go back to  doing whatever.  When I'd
ask  again, you could almost see him sigh  and then  grudgingly
obey.

This just wasn't going to  work.  He  chewed a
couple shoes and some unpacked boxes.  I  was a  little
too stern with him and he resented it, I could  tell.
The  friction got so bad that I couldn't wait for the two
weeks  to be up,  and when it was, I was in full-on search
mode for my  cellphone amid  all of my unpacked stuff.  I
remembered leaving it  on the stack  of boxes for the guest
room, but I also mumbled, rather  cynically,  that the
"damn dog probably hid it on  me."

Finally I found it,  but before I could punch up  the
shelter's number, I also found his  pad and other toys
from the  shelter..  I tossed the pad in  Reggie's
direction and he snuffed  it and wagged, some of the  most
enthusiasm I'd seen since bringing him  home.  But
then I  called, "Hey, Reggie, you like that?   Come
here and I'll give  you a treat."  Instead, he
sort of  glanced in my direction -  maybe "glared"
is more accurate - and then  gave a discontented sigh  and
flopped down.  With his back to  me.

Well, that's not  going to do it either,  I
thought.  And I punched the shelter  phone  number.

But I hung up when I saw the sealed envelope.    I
had completely forgotten about that, too.    "Okay,
Reggie,"  I said out loud, "let's see if
your  previous  owner has any  advice."....  .....



____________ _________ _________  _________



To
Whoever  Gets My Dog:
Well, I can't say  that I'm
happy you're reading this, a  letter I told the  shelter
could only be opened by Reggie's new  owner.
I'm not even  happy writing it.  If you're
reading this,  it means I just got  back from my last car ride
with my Lab after  dropping him off at the  shelter.  He
knew something was  different.  I have packed  up his pad
and toys before and set them  by the back door before a  trip,
but this time... it's like he knew  something was
wrong.   And something is wrong... which is why I  have
to go to try to  make it right.

So let me tell you  about my Lab in
the hopes  that it will help you bond with him and he  with
you.

First, he  loves tennis balls.
the more the  merrier.  Sometimes I think  he's part
squirrel, the way he hordes  them.  He usually  always
has two in his mouth, and he tries to get  a third in
there.   Hasn't done it yet.  Doesn't
matter  where you throw them,  he'll bound after it, so be
careful - really  don't do it by any  roads.  I made
that mistake once, and it almost  cost  him
dearly.

Next, commands.  Maybe  the
shelter staff  already told you, but I'll go over  them
again:  Reggie knows the  obvious ones -
"sit," "stay,"  "come,"
"heel."  He knows hand  signals:
"back" to turn around  and go back when you put
your hand  straight up; and "over" if you put  your
hand out right or left.   "Shake" for shaking
water off,  and "paw" for a high-five.   He
does "down" when he feels like  lying down - I bet
you  could work on that with him some more.  He  knows
"ball" and  "food" and "bone"
and "treat" like  nobody's
business.

I  trained Reggie with small  food
treats.  Nothing opens his ears  like little pieces of
hot  dog.

Feeding schedule:  twice  a
day, once about  seven in the morning, and again at six in
the  evening.  Regular  store-bought stuff; the shelter
has the  brand.

He's up  on his shots.
Call the clinic on 9th Street and  update his info  with
yours; they'll make sure to send you reminders  for when
he's  due.  Be forewarned:  Reggie hates  the
vet.  Good luck  getting him in the car - I don't
know how  he knows when it's time to  go to the vet, but
he  knows.

Finally, give him some  time.
I've never been married,  so it's only been Reggie
and me for  his whole life.  He's gone  everywhere
with me, so please include  him on your daily car rides  if
you can.  He sits well in the  backseat, and he
doesn't  bark or complain.  He just loves to  be
around people, and me  most especially.

Which means  that this transition is
going to  be hard, with him going to live with  someone
new.

And that's  why I need to share
one more  bit of info with you....

His  name's  not
Reggie.

I don't know what made me do
it, but  when  I dropped him off at the shelter, I told them
his name was   Reggie.  He's a smart dog, he'll
get used to it and will respond   to it, of that I have no
doubt.  but I just couldn't bear to  give  them his
real name.  For me to do that, it seemed so final,   that
handing him over to the shelter was as good as me   admitting
that I'd never see him again.  And if I end  up
coming  back, getting him, and tearing up this letter, it
means  everything's  fine.  But if someone else is
reading it, well...  well it means  that his new owner should
know his real name.   It'll help you bond  with
him.  Who knows, maybe you'll  even notice a change
in his  demeanor if he's been giving  you
problems.

His real name  is Tank.

Because that is  what  I
drive.

Again, if you're reading this
and you're   from the area, maybe my name has been on the
news.  I told the   shelter that they couldn't make
"Reggie" available for adoption until   they
received word from my company commander.  See,  my
parents  are gone, I have no siblings, no one I could've
left  Tank with... and  it was my only real request of the
Army upon my  deployment to Iraq,  that they make one phone
call the   shelter... in the "event"... to  tell
them that Tank could be put up  for adoption.  Luckily,
my  colonel is a dog guy, too, and he  knew where my platoon
was  headed.  He said he'd do  it
personally.  And if you're  reading this, then
he made good  on his word.

Well, this  letter is getting to
downright  depressing, even though, frankly, I'm  just
writing it for my dog.   I couldn't imagine if I  was
writing it for a wife and kids and  family.  but still,
Tank  has been my family for the last six  years, almost as
long as the Army  has been my family.

And now  I hope and pray that  you
make him part of your family and that he  will adjust and
come to  love you the same way he loved  me.

That unconditional love  from a dog
is what I took with me  to Iraq as an inspiration to  do
something selfless, to protect  innocent people from those
who  would do terrible things... and to  keep those terrible
people from  coming over here.  If I had to  give up Tank
in order to do it, I  am glad to have done so.  He  was
my example of service and of  love.  I hope I honored
him  by my service to my country and  comrades.

All right, that's  enough.
I deploy this  evening and have to drop this letter off  at
the shelter.  I don't  think I'll say another
good-bye to  Tank, though.  I cried too much  the first
time.  Maybe I'll  peek in on him and see if  he
finally got that third tennis ball in   his
mouth.

Good luck with Tank.  Give him
a good   home, and give him an extra kiss goodnight - every
night - from   me.

Thank you,  Paul
Mallory

____________  _________ _________ _______


I  folded
the letter and  slipped it back in the envelope.  Sure  I
had heard of Paul  Mallory, everyone in town knew him, even
new  people like me.   Local kid, killed in Iraq a few
months ago and  posthumously  earning the Silver Star when he
gave his life to save  three buddies.   Flags had been at
half-mast all  summer.

I leaned forward  in my chair and rested my elbows  on
my knees, staring at the  dog.

"Hey, Tank," I said  quietly.

The dog's head whipped  up, his ears cocked and  his
eyes bright.

"C'mere  boy."

He was  instantly on his feet, his nails clicking on
the  hardwood floor.   He sat in front of me, his head
tilted,  searching for the name he  hadn't heard in
months.

"Tank," I   whispered.

His tail swished.

I kept  whispering his  name, over and over, and each
time, his ears lowered,  his eyes  softened, and his posture
relaxed as a wave of contentment  just  seemed to flood
him.  I stroked his ears, rubbed his  shoulders,  buried
my face into his scruff and hugged  him.

"It's me now,  Tank, just you and me.
Your old pal  gave you to me."  Tank  reached up and
licked my cheek.  "So  whatdaya say we play  some
ball?  His ears perked  again.
"Yeah?  Ball?   You like that?
Ball?"  Tank  tore from my hands  and
disappeared in the next room.

And  when he came back, he  had three tennis balls in
his   mouth.

stand by me video

A must see video; Share with the entire Family
http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=2539741

#here's-a-sign You need professional Help!

If you have ever uttered these words or heard someone else whom has,
She bites me when I feed her!
He keeps running off!
He's dragging me along!
thats the reason you have landed here. As humans we are accustomed to being in control, and control, is taken for granted until animals are brought into the picture. Hunters, Guards, Companions, or Terrorist? Classifying Dogs in today's worlds isn't so simple. Do you know the communications lines between these types of dogs if you are trying to convince a German Shepherd to be a lap dog, or turning a Chihuahua into a police dog. (not to give away my script); But you must be able to train the breed to change his normal behavior. Possible? Absolutely! But; at what expense? The bigger dog requires additional activity in order to live a long and Healthy live. The couch potato effect on a German Shepherd is an early Death Sentence. The Chichuahua? It could work in a Elementary school! Imagine a High school Principal with a doberman at each heel. How many students would get out of line? Now imagine the same principal with a chichuahua in his doggie bag hanging on his side! You get the picture.
To get along Go along! Choose a pet that goes along with your Personality, Space, Time, Activity Level. Never choose a pet because it's "cute". Cute can be a killer if your not prepared. Expect to give, give and give some more. Boredom is the largest weakness of any Creature and explore we will explore we do in order to overcome boredom. Exploration got us here, and is the key to the future. Without it we would not exist. As humans we are in control, we have attempted to domesticate every creature on earth that doesn't eat us first. Our influence upon the dog world requires us to think differently and acquire additional knowledge every time we approach another breed ( http://tinyurl.com/yw3op6 ). No one can be expected to be an expert on all Breeds of dogs, and some are better than others. If you find a dog handler that is familiar with your breed, get all you can from them. Keep in touch.
A reputable Breeder will assist you for the life of the animal in the hopes of selling more dogs and promoting his bloodline. You will come back in 16 years for your next pet of working dog. There is a big difference between Puppy mills and dog breeders. The local flea market offering one choice of breed every month may provide a better quality pet than a pet store that attempts to market a variety of breeds, large and small, followed with a receipt and 30 day money back guarantee. As time goes by, only the Qualified long term, committed Breeders survive. This is why the AKC was organized and has survived for over 100 years. Seek Scientific opinions any time you, a family member, or a friend, needs pet training advise.

What is your Pet's Vocabulary?

All creatures communicate in one form or another and dogs even deaf, are no exception. The thing to understand is, the ability of an animal to develop habits! There are good habits and there are of course bad ones. I spent my entire childhood after being removed from an Orphanage at the age of 3 with my brother Randy, working around horse's and dog's. cat's, and hog's. Mom had a yearning to breed and raise chocolate toy poodles and dad just had his horses as part of the Tarrant County Sheriffs Posse. One evening we were notified that 12 of dads 16 horses got out. We saddled what was left and went on a herding mission to retrieve the loose Equine. In the hunt we rode upon the perfect ranchette on 5 acres on the edge of town.
Dad sold enough horses to put up the down payment and we moved in by the time I was 6 and Randy was 7. Randy and I assisted dad in building stables as there was already a beautiful 2 story barn with built on chicken coup on the property. Mom's "dad"; (Pappy), had his third stroke and couldn't run his meat market downtown by the stockyards, so mom sold the store and moved Pappy into the room with Randy and I. Pappy added hogs to the already crowded ranch of 3 steers, 2 milk cows, 6 horses, mom's poodles (which I could never keep count of as they came and went so fast), 20 or so chickens, 2 homing Pigeons and a pet skunk. Eggs and milk paid for pet grooming and 2 gallons of milk w/dozen eggs paid for the Beauty shop on Thursdays.
Randy didn't make it too well in school and was sent back to the Orphanage by the time he was 9. Mom and dad pushed forward with my adoption completing it by the time I was 10. The chores and school were all I had as I attempted to hide the pain of missing my brother. I spent many, many hours hiding in the barn, sharing with, observing, and working with the animals. What evolved through this interaction with them is best described through a book. Un-fortunately I hadn't read it yet! Mom use to say "He's a natural." Dad would just smile. Besides playing baseball in the spring and football in the fall I participated in the Lone Star Riding club in Playdays and Parades all over the state of Texas and assisted my dad in the afore mentioned T.C.S.P. .
My older sister, the youngest of three, was featured on the front cover of Western Horseman Magazine in the Fall of 1969. That same year, I won the Presidential physical fitness award for Tarrant county Tx.
The repeated twice a day chores were a responsibility I took with little thought of what I was learning or how I was adapting with the animals. Until I read "the book"! "Beautiful Joe", by Marshall Saunders. Reading this book was an awakening. It made me realize that my ability to work with these horses and dogs, wasn't just a gift, but I had earned the respect of these creatures as they relied upon me twice a day for food and water, shelter and comfort. They relied upon me and could tell me from 50 yards away, through a window, to come outside and break the ice in the water trough, so that they could drink in the dead of winter. They would call me if I had overslept napping though feeding time.
These animals had there own unique way of communicating with each other, and ways of shareing there thoughts with me on a daily basis. These animals were giving me something for all my troubles and time spent for them. It became there way of paying it forward. Animals like people, have thier good days, and there bad days. They tell you when they are sick from eating too much, or that they are developing a cold. They tell you if they want to play, or simply want to be left alone. They communicate through body language that is unique to each species, and each species has its own individual characteristics. No two horses are the same, anymore than any two dogs are. There-in developed an the ability to communicate with these animals that no one person taught me, but rather these animals taught me.
We had a horse named "Sun" that was an enormous American Standard that was featured on the cover of the Western Horseman Magazine with a handful of "His" most prestigious Trophy's and ribbons he had won. And yes, I say "He" won. Not my sister won, because that horse won as many awards for me, and I didn't even ride him near the number of years that my sister did. This horse was ridden so many times, by so many family members, in so many events, in so many playdays, on so many weekends, that he needed no reigning, just hold on.
I would be loading the horse trailer each weekend with the necessary tack, prior to traveling to the next playday, while my sister and my dad were chasing the horses around the pasture to get ready. They would eventually get tired and send me after the horses with one rope and a small bucket. Rather than give chase, I would walk out a few yards, whistle, and within minutes Sun would allow me to swing up on his back, or he would kneel down so I could get on. The other horse's and one goat (Patches) would fall into an orderly line behind and all of the other horses would follow Son and I, all the way to the trailer. Son's intelligence led me to look deeper into the vocabulary he had by the time he was 12 years old. Talking and working with this horse was something I took for granted until reading the book "Beautiful Joe". it was then that I had an awakening. I began to look seriously into Sun's behavior as well as that of a pet pig (Tiny), my dog, Sparky (a deaf Dalmatian), and my mom's prize poodle, Tootsie. The vocabulary of the horse exceeded that of the dogs, but Tiny (because he was the runt of the litter), at 1 year old, was rapidly catching up. We ate him by the time he was 2. (that's just the way it is on the farm).

Tiny's vocabulary was well over 100 words and commands and his behavior was more like that of a puppy than a pig. Tiny followed me every where I went and he would squeel himself to sleep If I locked him up and left him alone for any period of time. Sparky, because he was deaf was kept in the backyard at all times. Even though he was deaf I would catch him howling as most dogs would when a siren went off in the neighborhood, only exception was is wasn't sirens he was howling at, but rather helicopters. He could feel the vibrations in the ground. I lquickly learned that by clapping my hands or stomping the ground I could get his attention and hand signals did the rest. The cows seemed to understand an exceptional amount of words but like cats tend to ignore you and walk away unless it benefits them. They like to play stupid. I like to think it helps them to avoid un-nessary work. Ask them if they want a brushing, feeding, or milking, and they will respond quickly! Ask them to get up and go out of their way, to come to the gate so friends can pet them? Forget about it. Only if you are bribing them with food. If I raised my voice one level they would jump, otherwise, its leave us alone and mind your own business!
I observed many people abusing their animals, on many different levels, over the next few years as a result of all of the activities we frequented, Horse's, cow's, and dog's. These abuse's were the result of human mistakes in handling, and no fault of the animals. Unfortunately as a child you dare not say a word to anyone. I actually witnessed a horse run away with a man beating him over the head repeatedly as though this would encourage the horse to stop. The horse didn't stop, but rather, ran harder and faster until he ran head on into a steel pipe fence breaking his own neck instantly. The man went through the second row of bull pens at the end of the arena, breaking a few fingers, a rib, and resulting in several cuts and bruises, as a result of his own ignorance. The horse? Lets just say, is in a better place.
Sun died at the age of 21 just before my 16Th birthday, making it the second sadest day in my life, second only to the day my brother Randy was sent away, and I was told that I would never see him again. I buried Sun under his favorite Tree where he always waited for me to come home from school and feed him. He waits there to this day.

One summer day, I wanted to get away from the house for awhile, so I saddled Sun. It was early in the morning shortly after the chores of feeding and milking the two cows. We set off on a ride several miles cross country. We swam together in a river along the way and discovered new trails and circled back home in time for a late lunch. I re-saddled Sun an hour later and we went back to the river for a few more hours until milking time. After dinner, things weren't much better around the house so I decided to escape the chaos with Sun once more. Only this time, Sun had different ideas. He refused to be ridden for a third time on that hot summer day, and I refused to acknowledge his discontent. I did manage to get the saddle and blanket on him and cinch it. All the while ignoring his repeated hints of not wanting a third trip out. He wouldn't stand still for me to mount him. Since he was so tall (and me so small) I couldn't get my leg up and into the stirup, so after several attempts I asked him to kneel or lye down (which at any other time he did willingly) , but this time he refused. I led him to the horse trailer and climbed up on the fender to gain a height advantage and just then Sun reached out and with his teeth, clinched my shuolder and slowly, gently lowered me to the ground. We came to an understanding that day as I removed the saddle and bridle and released him. It was a moment in time I shall never forget, and I have never achieved the level of respect for human nor animal since that day, as I realized that that animal could have torn me to shreds and done serious damage, but instead took gentle care and precision to get his point across, without leaving so much as a scratch on me. Son you are dearly missed.
With 2 words I could accomplish more with an animal, than most, with a rope, a whip, and a two hour argument. Those two words were "Good Boy", "Atta Boy" ,"Wayta go" and "Yea Baaaby." Praise can generate an excitement within an animal that encourages them to work for "free", just to hear more Praise.

I was driving to school each day during the next couple of Winter months when I spotted a horse standing under the same lone tree at the top of a hill in the distance. She was what seemed to be, at least a half mile away, and I couldn't see her very well, but she was there every day, morning and night. There was no grass on the property she shared with several hundred head of cattle. One evening I made a point of circling the pasture by turning up a side dirt road for a closer look, and discovered from a side view, that this mare was starving to death. Her head looked as though it was disproportional to the rest of her body because she was so thin. Her hip bones protruded profusly giving outline to a skeleton. I immediately turned around and drove up the drive past the home, directly towards the barns, spotting the rancher headed towards several long troughs designed to hold hay in the top and grain in the bottoms. He was filling them with hay and grain.

PART II The Negotiations
At this point in my life I am 16 years old and reflecting back on all of the animals I have raised is far from my mind, I see a starving animal that needs immediate care. Sun has been gone for about 3 months now, and while he is still on my mind I don't care that I still have more pets than any one man should be allowed, all I see is an Animal in need. The mare approached the troughs first as quickly as her frail frame could carry her as the Rancher poured the feed. He then proceeded to blast the horn on the pick-up truck which is a familliar dinner bell for cattle. Within minutes there were several hundred head of cattle filling the area fighting there way to the troughs. The mare barely got two of three bites of the cotton seed hull mix down before the cattle utilizing there horns started prying their way in closer and tighter to the trough. Within seconds the cattle had her backed away and were on the troughs like fly's on a dead carcass.
A dead carcass is what I thought of as I stood there in awe looking at the mare. Her eyes were glazed over and streaks stained her face from the discharges. Every bone in her body tried to protrude through her skin, she was scared and her coat was dull and she was coated in mud from the knees down. Her hoofs were dry and splitting with chunks chiped away leaving gaps. As the Rancher approached me I contained my self enough to give a proper introduction and inquire about the possibility of buying the mare. (He apparently had no use for her). He promptly replied that the mare "was of no use" because she had thrown his daughter the day he brought her home after being assured (by the horse's seller) that the mare was "green broke".
He went on to explain to me how he had found her at the local horse auction, how much he paid, and that the mare was papered; but, he saved several hundred dollars by not buying the papers. ( A common practice in horse trading at the time)
He replied that he returned to the horse auction barn where he had purchased the mare on the next Friday night, only to find that the seller wasn't there to give him his money back. The only reason he kept the mare was in the hopes that this daughter would change her attitude since her first riding attempt, and begin working with the mare again. I explained that by the looks of the mare, it didn't appear to be likely that anyone here was going to care for the animal. I moved the conversation forward and asked if he would sell the horse. His answer came as no surprise to me, when he asked for the $800.00 he had given for the mare at the auction. I responded that I could give him $800.00 for the mare if she were in the same condition as she was the day he bought her at auction, but in her persent condition, she wasn't worth a plug nickel. I offered $175.00 for the mare. After 10 or so minutes of haggling I finally got down to brass tactics and assured him that I would not pay more than $250.00 today since I knew I could surely buy her for $175.00 tomorrow from the Humane society. What he didn't know, was that I had spent many Friday evenings in that same auction barn, with my dad, riding and demonstrating the reighning and handling charasteristics of horses, for many sellers and buyers, both inside and outside of the "North Fort Worth Horse and Cattle Auction" where he had bought her, just a few months back. Probably around the same week-end as I was burying and mourning Sun's death.In the mean time, the rancher refused my generous offer, resented my suggestions of reporting him to the authorities, and I was promply dismissed from the property.
It was a hard thing to do, to leave there that day, without that horse, but I knew that while time was not on her side, it was on mine. I retreated to my uncles ranch a few miles away where by now I am assisting him with his daily milking chores each morning and evening to earn extra money and to pay for my room and board. Later that evening he could see that something was troubling me and I explained the mares deleima. Due to the small world of Ranchers and Dairymen, my uncle new the gentleman. We picked up the mare the next day. I named her Penny since for all practical obvious reasons she wasn't worth a cent. It took almost an hour to coax her into the trailer even with feed but it was well worth the wait. I drove her directly to the veterinarian and had her quarantined for two weeks to get her strength up before bring her home to the ranch.

Finding The Right Type of Dog

Feb. 12 2009 Finding the Right Type of Dog for You; Now that you’ve determined that you have the time, money, and necessary resources for dog ownership, it’s time to choose what type of dog is right for you. Before you persue shelters and adoption websites in search of the perfect pooch or purchase a dog that is of your "favorite" breed, keep in mind that the breed, size, age, coat type, and energy/activity level of a dog may contribute to his or her ability to fit into your lifestyle. Here are some guidelines. *Coat Type –The type of coat of the dog you choose can be a blessing or a curse, especially if you are opposed to dog hair on your furniture. Long haired dogs as a rule shed more, need more coat care and can also become very dirty when exposed to grass, weeds, brush, and dirt. Keep in mind that dogs with specialty coats will require frequent trips to the groomers, which will cost money. If the dog is going to spend time in the backyard on somewhat cold days, you may need to sacrifice the money of upkeep or choose a dog with a thicker coat for warmth. Dog owners with allergies would be benefited by a dog of a breed with very short hair. *Size – Small dogs are typically energetic, needing more space to run in the house. This means that potential owners of small dogs must be prepared to provide sufficient exercise options to their small pets and will be able to keep them mostly indoors. Large pets need exercise too. A person living in an apartment must be prepared to take their dog for daily walks and to the park. Another thing to consider is that larger dogs cost more for food and supplies such as bedding and toys. When it comes to medications (they’ll need to consume larger dosages). Note that larger dogs have a shorter lifespan than that of smaller dogs. *Breed – If your mind is set on a purebred dog, learn all you can about the traits of that particular breed, seek dog training for your new pet as soon as possible. Some mixed-breed or curr dogs often have less health problems, such as hip dysplasia, which is far too common in purebred dogs as well as breathing problems that are frequent dogs (such as Pugs and Bulldogs). A stray Curr dog can be just as enjoyable as purebreds, and many have the advantage of a unique appearance. *Energy Level – Sure, a Border Collie is adorable, but thier high energy levels are way off the charts. They will require multiple daily walks and never ending games. For a young child, this breed may be the perfect pet. For a senior citizen whose level of activity is limited, this breed would be way too much to handle. The laziness of a Norwegian Elk Hound could be of use to the seniors who are most likely looking for a dog to lie at thier feet while they cook or sew. When researching a breed, make sure one whoses energy level fits your energy level. *Age – Puppies playful,and most people looking to get a pet are searching for a puppy.However, puppies are far more responsibility than older dogs. Puppies do not have any training. They must be potty trained, socialized, and taught that they cannot chew up everything. A professional dog trainer may need to be hired, especially for inexperienced dog owners. They will need to be spayed or neutered and vaccinated. The disadvantage of adopting a puppy over an adult dog is that you do not know how they will mature, adult dogs already show some personality traits. For a new dog owner without the proper time an adult dog may be a better choice. Usually, adult dogs have already undergone some obedience training and probably even have some house training. One of most important factors to remember, is what type of dog will work for your lifestyle. Make sure you have enough time and money for your new pet and that you are able to complete all veterinary examinations. Before purchasing a pet, go to adoption shelters and rescue missions.You can view potential pets in cages or through glass enclosures. Remember that non-papered or Curr dogs can be or are just as good a companion as purebreds. With careful planning and a little effort, you can find the perfect dog . www.pamperedpetsandpals.com

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Choosing a pet for life

Choose a pet for life; Recently while assisting an elderly woman in finding a new companion we met a young volunteer from a local shelter and this is what she had to say about people adopting pets they can't keep! You can read my article on selecting the Right type of dog for your family at;http://www.ehow.com/how_4833687_select-right-type-of-dog.html Here's her sad, but true story; So how would you feel if you knew that there's about a 90% chance that your dog will never walk out of the shelter it is going to be dumped at? Purebred or not! About 50% of all of the dogs that are "owner surrenders'"or "strays", that come into my shelter are purebred dogs. The most common excuses I hear are; "We are moving and we can't take our dog (or cat)." Really? Where are you moving to that doesn't allow pets? Or they say "The dog got bigger than we thought it would". How big did you think a German Shepherd would get? "We don't have time for her". Really? I work a 10-12 hour day and still have time for my 2 dogs! "She's tearing up our yard". How about making her a part of your family? They always tell me, "We just don't want to have to stress about finding a place for her, we know she'll get adopted, she's a good dog". Odds are your pet won't get adopted & how stressful do you think being in a shelter is? Well, let me tell you, your pet has 72 hours to find a new family from the moment you drop it off, sometimes a little longer if the shelter isn't full and your dog manages to stay completely healthy; if it sniffles, it dies. Your pet will be confined to a small run/kennel in a room with about 25 other barking or crying animals. It will have to relieve itself where it eats and sleeps. It will be depressed and it will cry constantly for the family that abandoned it. If your pet is lucky, I will have enough volunteers in that day to take him/her for a walk. If I don't, your pet won't get any attention besides having a bowl of food slid under the kennel door and the waste sprayed out of its pen with a high-powered hose. If your dog is big, black or any of the 'Bully' breeds (pit bull, rottie, mastiff, etc) it was pretty much dead when you walked it through the front door. Those dogs just don't get adopted. If your dog doesn't get adopted within its 72 hours and the shelter is full, it will be destroyed. If the shelter isn't full and your dog is good enough, and of a desirable enough breed, it may get a stay of execution, not for long though. Most get very kennel protective after about a week and are destroyed for showing aggression, even the sweetest dogs will turn in this environment. If your pet makes it over all of those hurdles, chances are it will get kennel cough or an upper respiratory infection and will be destroyed because shelters just don't have the funds to pay for even a $100 treatment. Here's a little euthanasia 101 for those of you that have never witnessed a perfectly healthy, scared animal being "put-down". First, your pet will be taken from its kennel on a leash, they always look like they think they are going for a walk, happy, wagging their tails. Until they get to "The Room", every one of them freaks out and puts on the breaks when we get to the door; it must smell like death or they can feel the sad souls that are left in there, it's strange, but it happens with every one of them. Your dog or cat will be restrained, held down by 1 or 2 vet techs depending on the size and how freaked out they are. Then a euthanasia tech or a vet will start the process, they will find a vein in the front leg and inject a lethal dose of the "pink stuff". Hopefully your pet doesn't panic from being restrained and jerk. I've seen the needles tear out of a leg and been covered with the resulting blood and deafened by the yelps and screams. They all don't just "go to sleep", sometimes spasm for a while, gasp for air and defecate on themselves. When it all ends, your pets corpse will be stacked like firewood in a large freezer in the back with all of the other animals that were killed, waiting to be picked up like garbage. What happens next? Cremated? Taken to the dump? Rendered into pet food?http://www.theveterinarysecret.com/?hop=0 You'll never know and it probably won't even cross your mind, it was just an animal and you can always buy another one right? I hope that those of you that read this are bawling your eyes out and can't get the pictures out of your head. I do everyday on the way home from work. I hate my job, I hate that it exists, I hate that it will always be there unless people make some changes and realize that the lives you are affecting go much farther than the pets you dump at a shelter. Between 9 and 11 MILLION animals die every year in shelters and only you can stop it. I do my best to save every life I can but rescues are always full, and there are more animals coming in everyday than there are homes.You, your family, and friends can save hundreds of dollars each year in pet care by shopping on line. Spay or neuter your pet to prevent unwanted offspring. Make sure your pet is Micro-chipped for easy identification should he/she wander away. If the cost of maintaining your pet are too high whether its the food or the on going vet bills, visit http://www.pamperedpetsandpals.com/ before taking any futher action! See how much you can save each year in Veterinarian costs with a full Library both on video and in print. If you can't find the Answer to your question, there is a place to submit questions for quick answers.Don't give up on your pet because it would never give up on you!

The "Work from Home" Schemes continue

The latest Scheme involves banks that are trying to re-coup funds by scamming the un-employed stay at home Mom. These banks will contact you with names you do not recognize as major bank because they have a new department that focuses on selling their credit cards and services to Merchants. They will ask for a "small" set-up fee of approximately $250.00 up front and promise you they will do all the work. They promise to provide all the leads, They promise to provide you with a web site. They promise to provide you with all newly published phone numbers in your area to generate leads of your own. They promise that you do not have to do anything at all, except; answer an occassional call, and the cash will roll in. Month after month.

Now the rest of the story;
These are Independant Sales Organizations for Visa and Mastercard! Approximately 3 days after you recieve your welcome package you will recieve another call from a different "Rep" whom will ask for another $500.00. This is to cover the cost of your web site and contact phone numbers that will be forwarded to you, at a later date. These phone numbers will come from "anyone" filling with the local Exchange service for a new number. Whether this number is adding a line to an already existing business, or someone adding a line for internet dial up, or fax machine or whatever! Most of these "leads" will prove useless to you. You will be provided with a couple of cd's to learn about the World of finance and how Credit cards evolved from 1963 to today. These credit sellers (marketers) will provide you with half a dozen "generic" business cards for you to write your affiliate number on and pass out to your prospective clients. You will have to produce the rest. Wait a minute!!! I thought this was work from home! NOT!
You are expected to learn all of the various atm and credit card prossesing machines on the market and sell, sell, sell, business to business door to door.The selling point is that they will reduce the interest rates and fees a Merchant currently pays to thier bank for the use of such processing equipment. Much of which is under a scheduled contract with their local bank.
If you have a few thousand dollars, Reliable transportation and an understanding of credit card prossing this is the job for you, Good luck. If you are struggling to pay your bills and are cutting expenses to keep afloat, HANG UP the phone when you hear the words Bankcard Empire!

****Here is the latest Scam Via the mail; Rush my reserved copy of "COMMON SENSE" 3rd edition 2009 by Dr. John Pulaski !!! Go to this link and read the feeds. It explains it all; My letter says to send the money to Troy Chaisson 723 Napoleon Ave. La. 70584 Do you think he exists? http://en.allexperts.com/q/Urban-Legends-3056/f_4657780.htm

The new Health Reform Bill is creating Insurance Scams
           Don't fall for these scams get the information you need to protect yourself. Log into the BBB site and investigate any company's history before committing. It's free and worth the small amount of time it takes to get a FREE report;  read more...http://links.assetize.com/links/91cfc8

Don't be scammed by ripoffs in this Economy

As people are becoming more and more frustrated in this Economic "slump"and emotions run wild in an to attempt to keep households together, more and more scam artists are being born. These Scams are preying on the fact that hittng a nerve with key words like Money, Love, Riches, Fortune, Fame. These are all trigger words to get you to buy into something that is no more than smoking mirrors. Mail-outs promising hundreds of thousands of dollars for a $20.00 bill are bogus. If 10,000 people across the Nation fall for this scheme they have made $200.000.00 dollars.
You see it everyday on the web and in your mail boxes if you have ever opened one e-mail from one of these solitations. "If you will send Not $195.00, Not $129.95, Not $79.95 but "only" $19.95 we will throw in 3 Bonus gifts for free!" These solicitors are auto mailing you with every "Trigger" word they can stuff into a quick e-mail response, and for another $39.95 they will teach you how to do the same to others. These are all ways to trigger your Emotions and send the first of what will be many, many more lucrative offers to make you rich quick. These are not the quick answers for anyone to get rich except for those you are sending $19.99 to finance there houses and cars.

Before entering into any scheme on line or off, check with the
BetterBusinessBureau http://www.bbb.org/us/Find-Business-Reviews/ and sites like this one reporting RipOffs.http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/0/396/RipOff0396136.htm

You can and should report any Scammers you may have encountered, and don't worry if someone else has already reported it because the more of us that do something positive about these Scammers the bigger the EAR we are yelling into! Shre other investigative offices you may know about! Don't let Scamers get you down. Put your thoughs here and get it off your chest!

Here are some of the latest Scam's On-line!

The "Truth in Marketing" originally shared this post:

Experts at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) say interest rates are so low that buying a $1,000 two-month CD from the bank will only earn you 83 cents more than if you buried the same amount in your yard for two months.
Better hope you find Gold while your burying that Money!

Where To Put Your Money In 2012

financial experts suggest buying a house is a good investment

The "Truth in Marketing"  -  Yesterday 8:09 AM (edited)  -  Public

What is the Lowest form of scum? If you said those who prey on grandmothers through the Grandkids..Your right!* Read about the latest scam on line!

Consumer complaints about Great American Baby Photo

The "Truth in Marketing"  -  Jan 25, 2012  -  Public

I've said it once and will say it again...Do not deal with these Loan Shark's!

Payday & Title Loans
Consumers who borrow money from so-called "payday lenders" end up paying $4.2 billion in excessive fees, the Center for Responsible Lending estimates.

The group's study finds that across the nation payday borrowers are paying more in interest, at annual rates of 400 percent, than the amount of the loan they originally borrowed. "Americans who think they're getting a two-week loan and end up trapped in debt," the report says.

This is an understatement, judging by the complaints we have received and those filed with Consumer Affair's, The Attorney general's office and the BBB!

The "Truth in Marketing"  -  Jan 19, 2012  -  Public

The Marketing Scams continue! Be Aware

Stevan R. Grimes originally shared this post:

Advanced Golf Design
Limited Edition Sports
Professional Golf Products
RA Sports, Inc. ALL have a Scam for you!

90-Day Free Golf Club Test