Barbara Barth Writer With Dogs

"Awkward Family Pet Photos" Available Today In Book Stores, My Review!

2011-10-31T21:43:00.000-07:00

I was lucky to get an advance copy of "Awkward Family Pet Photos" to review. I am letting the pets speak for themselves and then my review of the book follows.

A new book is available today,November lst, that will steal the hearts of all animal lovers. “Awkward Family Pet Photos” is a must have book for anyone who loves their pets. It is mostly a book of outrageous photos of pets and their owners, mixed in with text and stories about some of the pet photos.

As a pet owner myself, my little darlings are dogs, I am as guilty as the next at dressing my dogs up for special occasions. My chihuahua wears a bunny suit at Easter, my female dogs pose in vintage hats, and my late German Shepherd looked fabulous in a fedora. I love taking photos of my dogs.

We take for granted that our pets love these antics as much as we do. This book proves that most likely they do. Every page is chock full of color photographs of all kinds of pets. We all think of dogs and cats in family photos, this book goes way beyond the normal family pet, to include some extremely unusual critters that just don’t come to mind when you say “pet”. Yet each photo demonstrates the love of the owner for its special animal.

At first glance at this book, my head started to spin. There are so many photos it is overwhelming. This book is a bit kitschy with its brightly dazzling high gloss color images. Each page is chock full of pictures so that you can’t just flip through the book and toss it aside as a pretty coffee table book. The more you look at the pages and photographs, the more you see and the more you laugh. I love that this book will take time to ingest. I have many animal books that I’ve looked at and put aside to browse through later. You can’t do that with “Awkward Family Pet Photos”, because you want to go back again and again to see what you’ve missed!

The chapters cover dogs, cats, birds, exotic pets, farm animals, family portraits, and holidays with pets. I was very captivated with some of the exotic photos, which included a couple who met while walking their sugar gliders, the woman with a opossum in her hair, and the family portrait with the snake intertwined around everyone’s head.

My favorite chapter, however, is the last on Awkward Pets, catching some animals in mighty strange positions! The sweetest in that category is the “bum sniffer” where the dog is sniffing a baby’s butt.

The humor in this book is as amazing as the photos. I went online to check the book out further, and one YouTube video had a young woman reading the book and laughing so hard she kept tripping from room to room as she flipped through the book. You will laugh your bum off too when you start reading this charming, funny look at life with animals.

Kudos to Mike Bender and Doug Chernack for coming up with a winner! The book is available today in bookstores. If you love animals you owe it to yourself to buy several copies of this book. You will want to keep yours and it will make the perfect holiday gift for your favorite pet lovers.

Check out their website for more funny awkward family pet photos!

Check out my previous post on my own Writer With Dogs pet photo contest. The winner will also receive a copy of "Awkward Family Pet Photos" as well.

"Awkward Family Pet Photos" New Book By Hollywood Dog Lovers And Our Own Pet Photo Contest

2011-10-25T06:28:00.000-07:00

Two Bits Of Doggie News! Photo Contest Time For Writer With Dogs Win $100 For Your Favorite Animal Shelter and A Soon To Be Released Book That Will Be A Must Have For Dog Lovers! Dog Contest Rules Follow After Book Info!

I just received an e-mail on a new book of dog photos that will be in stores November lst. The book is titled Awkward Family Pet Photos by Mike Bender and Doug Chernack and features outrageous pet photos, including dogs, cats, birds, rats, horses, pigs, goats, and exotic pets such as reptiles, sugar gliders, ferrets, and monkeys. It is sure to shock and delight anyone who has ever shared that uniquely special relationship with a family pet. Check out their website. You can pre-order the book! Perfect for gift-giving with the holidays sneaking up on us.

Mike Bender is a professional screenwriter living in Los Angeles whose credits include Not Another Teen Movie and the MTV Movie Awards. He is also a regular contributor to Esquire. Mike’s dog, Din-Din, had final approval over his author photo.

Doug Chernack is a professional screenwriter and producer living in Los Angeles who has created and produced shows for E!, Fox Sports, and the Golf Channel. He has been known to take his fish, Porky, on walks around the block.

I will be sharing more on this great book with you soon!

Writer With Dogs Photo Contest

It has been been almost a year since I had a dog photo contest so I think it is time.

Send your dog photos to my e-mail address bb-bjd@comcast.net . Deadline for receiving photos is November 10. Winner will receive a $100 check made out to their favorite animal shelter. Have fun and raise money for a good cause! In submitting photos you agree I can post them on my blog and on Facebook. Photos will be posted on Facebook and everyone can vote for their favorite. I will share the link here to the photos as soon as they are up. There will be a week of voting and on November 18th the winner will be announced.

So here are the rules:

Send me one or two photos of your dog or dogs, include a short bio on them and what makes them special (they are all special, but sometimes there is a great 'tale' behind a dog that isn't always wagging). Please send in jpg format.
Include a short blurb about your local rescue group and a link to their site.
Be sure I have your contact information.

Remember to send to my e-mail address - bb-bjd@comcast.net. Photos will also be posted on this blog as they come in! So keep checking back.

Buy a new dog photo book and enter a dog photo contest to win money for your favorite rescue good. Ahhh, life is good!

The Coolest Dog!

2011-08-28T07:54:00.000-07:00

The coolest dog in the world !

Sorry to my own dogs - but we are a lazy bunch here at this house!

My Interview On "Coffee With A Canine" posted July 20, 2011

2011-07-25T23:13:00.000-07:00

I love this blog, "Coffee With A Canine" and was thrilled when Marshal Zeringue asked me to be a guest. I've reposted the interview below, but you should check out the actual blog site and then keep scrolling down to read all the wonderful dog stories. It is fun to date your dog!

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Barbara Barth & Bray, Chloe, Annabelle, Rascal, and Miss April In Paris

Who is in the photo at right?

photo by http://www.puparazziportraits.com/

That is me, Barbara Barth, with Miss April In Paris, in our professional portrait for my website, Writer With Dogs. I am a writer, a shopkeeper and an events planner. I wrote a book on my first year as a widow, The Unfaithful Widow, doing all those things I never thought I’d do again. It has been called “naughty and cheeky” by an Australian reviewer. Rescue dogs rescued me I like to say. My dogs are a large part of my story and healing process.

In January this year, I opened a small antique/gift shop in Old Town, Lilburn, Georgia, about twenty minutes from my house. It is a shop with a twist. Every weekend I hold book signings and art openings. It is a writers’ guild and an art center. Writing and art classes start this month. The shop is a non-traditional venue for artists to share their work with the community. The historic hub is trying to rebuild. In six months I have expanded from one vintage building to three since my events are growing larger every month. I am president of the Merchants Association and work with the other shops to breathe life into the small hub. Many of the events are fundraisers for my favorite animal shelters.

I am usually on the computer until all hours of the early morning, either writing promotional material for my shop or my own personal writing. Little Chloe [photo left, with Rascal] likes to crawl behind my back and wedge herself between me and back of the chair. It works wonders for my posture.

I am usually on the computer until all hours of the early morning, either writing promotional material for my shop or my own personal writing. Little Chloe [photo left, with Rascal] likes to crawl behind my back and wedge herself between me and back of the chair. It works wonders for my posture.

I write a weekly post for Lifetime Television’s online site for their morning TV show, The Balancing Act. I promote my artists with my blog on the Lilburn Patch.com and like to talk girl talk on Skirt.com. In addition I seem to have as many personal blogs as I have dogs, but who is counting?

What's the occasion for Coffee with a Canine?I’ve been keeping longer hours at the shop and decided the pack and I needed some quality time together. My dogs prefer the indoors to the 98 degree weather we’ve been having in the metro Atlanta area, so our date was in the air conditioned sun room!

What's brewing?I am an old fashioned girl and drink plain, caffeinated, black coffee. Folgers breakfast blend is my favorite. I add a few extra scoops to make it strong. Most people refuse to drink my coffee!

Any goodies to go with the coffee?

A nice cucumber or tomato sandwich with mayo on white bread makes me feel like I am at high tea, although I never drink tea.

Any treat for your dogs on this occasion?

Milk bones minis. They are small and not as fattening. Last year, when I had rotator cuff surgery, and was in a sling for four months, the dogs and I ate comfort food, and we all put on the pounds.

How were you and your dogs united?When my husband died three years ago I had two German Shepherds. When the male died a year later, my old gal Foxy seemed bored. Her job as caregiver was over. I adopted Bray [photo left], my Afghan mix and the rest is history. In nine months I added five dogs to the pack. In addition to Bray, there is Annabelle [photo above right], a portly hound dog mix, my seven pound Chi named Chloe, Rascal, a roly poly bull dog, pit mix, and lastly, Miss April In Paris, a spotted hunting dog. Two months ago Foxy left me as age and health caught up with her. It seems quiet with only five! I am used to counting when they come in after a romp in the yard…1,2,3,4,5…and then I remember there is no number 6. I am working on that now. I like a six-pack at home.

Have your dogs had any influence on your writing?

I write under the name Writer With Dogs and have a web under that name. I launched a one-time online dog magazine with the same name, in December 2010, dedicated to rescue dogs and vintage dog art. I write about dogs, my rescue groups, living with a house full of fur. I have a dog book in the works. When friends say I am crazy being single with five dogs, I say I’d be crazy without them. They are my writing muses. They make every day a riot of fun!

How did your dogs get their names?Each dog kept the name it came with. Only April had hers extended. She was the sixth dog when she came in the house, and like the last child, she was somewhat taken for granted. One day she came up to me while I was on the computer, nudged my arm, and took out part of Outlook. I held her face and realized she needed to feel special. “I shall call you Miss April In Paris!” I started a small blog for her, where she is dreaming of visiting the city of lights. She is in my PR photos and, while she has not made it to Paris, she has been on a blog in England.

Where are your dogs' favorite places for outings?

They love to run my fenced yard, which is very private for being close in the city. The occasional trip to the vet, one at a time, is exciting as they enjoy car rides. Mostly they like to stay indoors. My dogs are couch potatoes. Their idea of exercise is to move from the bed, to the couch, to the food bowl. They don’t really care if they go out, but they do like for me to stay in.

Who are your dogs' best pet-pals?The dogs are all BFFs. They love to lick each other and play well together. They are a united front.

What is each dog's best quality?

Chloe, the Chi, tries to run the household. She sees that as her job since Foxy is gone. Bray is still skittish and when he comes up to bestow a tiny kiss on your hand, you feel like you’ve won the lottery. If Annabelle could talk, her favorite word would be “whatever”. Nothing bothers her, unless you disturb her sleep. She is the oldest at ten. My other dogs are between three and four years old. Rascal is that chubby girl that sits in the curl of your arm with her head on your chest and stares at you with one blue eye and one brown one. Miss April in Paris looks serious with her dark eyes and dark face, but she is a kisser, which differs from a dog who licks your face. She actually plants a big kiss on your mouth. If only there were a man as good with his kisses.

What is each dog's proudest moment? Most embarrassing?

My dogs don’t embarrass, however they have been known to embarrass me! They are happy, well-adjusted, rescue dogs that have found confidence and security at my home. Their proudest moment is when we all run to the bed to sleep at night! They have me sleeping with dogs and I sleep better snuggling with them.

My Farewell To Foxy

2011-05-31T07:52:00.000-07:00

The Rest Of The Story - Wyatt's Prize Winning Moment!

2011-05-01T21:34:00.000-07:00

Wyatt giving his winning check to his favorite shelter!

Sometimes things just slip my mind! This post was one that got away from me - but needs to be here to complete the cycle of the dog photo contest.

Sweet Wyatt, I am so sorry I forgot to post this! I am scratching my head..no not fleas...just confusion...that I overlooked posting you giving your prize money to your favorite shelter.

So, here are the two photos and a short wagging "tale" of good fortune!

From March 23rd : Sue writes about Wyatt!

We took the check down to Project Pooch, with Wyatt in tow. The staff at Project Pooch were very thankful and loved the idea of the photo contest. We gave them an 8 x 10 glossy of his winning photo. They will be including it in their next newsletter. Wyatt was jumping all over and trying to eat the check...not our best photo shoot! Wyatt is getting so used to going into places, shopping and getting treats and hugs from everyone, he needs a refresher course on manners!

This week he was in the front seat of the truck, while I was putting a big bag of dog food behind the seat. He jumped out and ran towards the entrance of the store. I called him, he looked back briefly and then bolted through the front entrance, when the automatic doors opened. When I caught up to him, he was standing in the aisle with the rawhide bones and dog treats. (Everyone in the store was laughing) .......

Wyatt is such a great dog! Visit Wyatt's blog!

Now, as Paul Harvey would have said, 'you have the rest of the story!'

Mr. Pip Dropping Off Check To The Red Door Animal Shelter

2011-03-22T15:54:00.000-07:00

As you may remember, March lst our grand prize winner for the doggie photo contest was Wyatt. Wyatt asked to share his prize money with his bud Mr. Pip. Wyatt is a prince of a pup!

On March 13th, Mr. Pip delivered his check to The Red Door Animal Shelter and wanted to share the photos with us!

A photo of the outside of the shelter and one of Mr. Pip (who was concerned he needed a grooming, but looks swell to me!) and the check.

Thanks for sending the photos! Visit Mr. Pip on his blog and Wyatt on his blog if you are in the mood for some doggie adventures to make you smile!

Remember I always love to see your dog photos! E-mail them to me and I will post them here to share with all my dog lovin' friends!

Dog Portrait Artist Matt Tames And The Sketchbook Project

2011-03-08T23:35:00.000-08:00

Pet Portraits for a Cause

By Matt Tames of little BIG Pet Portraits

As an artist and an animal lover, I’ve always tried to find ways to help animals with my artwork. For example, I would donate my animal paintings to different rescue organizations for their fundraising auctions, and donating to the Humane Society for all the sales on my website.

But I wanted to think of a way to do something more for animals in need of loving homes. So I started my blog, little BIG Pet Portraits, where I feature an adoptable pet of the week. I find a needy pet from a shelter or rescue organization, and I use their photos to paint a pet portrait, which I feature on my blog along with their story and information on how to adopt.

Adopting a dog or cat in need is one of the most rewarding things you can do, and you will receive unconditional love in return. When you adopt from a shelter, you save the lives of two animals, the new friend you adopt and another homeless pet off the streets that now has comfortable, safe shelter in that space you helped to free up. Adoptable pets are not to be pitied, they have so much dignity and love to share, and often, incredible stories of triumph. So I don’t paint them looking sad and homeless, I try to paint them in their best light, usually in whatever environment or activity I think they would be happiest. For example, I’ll paint a herding dog on a farm or a Scottish Terrier in the Highlands.

Last year around this time, I painted an Irish Setter in honor of St. Patrick’s Day, and to raise awareness about setter rescue. It was a scary time for animal rescue workers in Mississippi, because eight Irish Setters were running free in the woods after their owner had died and they were left to fend for themselves in a large rural, unfenced area. Scared and hungry, they were lost in the wooded and overgrown area and the rescuers finally collected all of them after leaving food out for a few weeks. They were glad to be found, but all suffered from anemia, heartworm and flea infestation. They received great care in loving foster homes, and six of them have already been placed in their forever homes. One of their adopters even found my website and contacted me about purchasing the print I did. It’s very rewarding when I hear from the dogs’ adoptive family or foster family; it makes me so glad I started this project.

I recently took on the challenge of illustrating fifty shelter dogs and cats for the Sketchbook Project, a traveling art exhibit that is completing a nine-city tour in 2011. I chose pets from each of those cities and the surrounding areas and featured their stories and adoption information alongside original watercolor pet portraits.

Please visit our blog to see more artwork and current pets for adoption, or “like” us on Facebook. And if you are looking for a new pet, definitely consider adopting from a shelter. You will gain a grateful family member and best friend for life!
***********
Ed. Note: To see if the Sketchbook Project will be on view close to you check their link of places and dates.

And The Winner Is.....Wyatt!

2011-03-01T21:02:00.000-08:00

The comments have been counted and the winner of our dog photo contest is Wyatt! See his original photo and post http://writerwithdogs.blogspot.com/2010/12/contest-entry-3-wyatt.html.

Wyatt is totally pawsome!

What does this winner have to say about all this? When notified earlier today, Wyatt, in his winning crown, had a favor to ask!

"Can I split my prize with Mr. Pip? Could you send him $150 for his cause and $150 for mine?"

Mr. Pip and Wyatt are buddies and Wyatt loves Mr. Pip's cause "Red Door Shelter" as much as he loves his own "Project Pooch". So, there you have it, the $300 prize money will be split between these two pawsome friends.

Competition was stiff, but all the dogs left comments for each other! Wyatt left this comment for Mr. Pip when his photo was added to the mix of contestants.

"Oh, I have some competition now! You should be resting up for the big race, Pip!! I'm going to go comment for you, cuz we are both pawesome!!"

Wyatt came in with 85 comments and Mr. Pip with 65.

Pip was all smiles when he heard about his friend Wyatt's generosity!

"Oh my gosh, that is so wonderful Wyatt. Thanks so much!"

And thanks to everyone who entered their favorite dog into this contest! Every dog is a winner because they are surrounded by love every day! The money from this contest will help two shelters help other dogs find their forever homes.

Want to have some fun? Go back and look at all those sweet dog faces and read the comments! The dogs were voting for each other, looking after their friends, as good friends do.

Thank you all, and thank you Wyatt, for reminding us of the meaning of true friendship!

Visit Wyatt on his blog and then check out Project Pooch. Learn more about Mr. Pip at his blog and read about Red Door Shelter!

*****************************************************
This dog photo contest was part of the online magazine "Writer With Dogs: Where Dogs Meet Art." The magazine was a one-time event that had its premier December 2010. You can link to it at any time and download the PDF and print it for a keepsake. The spirit of the magazine will continue on the pages of this blog, as dog rescue groups are honored. If you have a favorite dog shelter, rescue dog story or something else doggie you'd like to share with us, please contact me at bb-bjd@comcast.net. Sign up to follow this blog and keep up with all the news!

Dog Photo Contest Entry Closed - Voting Ends Feb. 25 - Winner Announced on March lst

2011-02-21T23:25:00.000-08:00

Wow! Fourteen wonderful dogs entered in our dog photo contest. Below is a recap of all the photos and the number by each photo is the order in which they were posted. The entry part of the contest is closed - but you still have until February 25th to vote for your favorite. Do not vote on this post, but scroll back to the entry of the dog you like and leave a comment on that post! The dog with the most comments wins a $300 check payable to its favorite dog rescue group!

We'll start with the first entry and work to the last. I love all these dogs! Don't you?

#1 Cheska

#2 Ruby

#3 Wyatt

#4 Jasmine

#5 Leonidas

#6 Ziva

#7 Mr. Pip

#8 Rookie

#9 Cherokee and Wilbur

#10 Roscoe Brewer

#11 Bently

#12 Gus

#13 Wilson

#14 Cuda

Ready, Set, Vote...........................................

Cuda The Deformed (Yet So Charming) Pit Bull Entry #14

2011-02-14T16:05:00.000-08:00

Cuda

Cuda is an entry in Writer With Dog's photo contest, but Cuda is also in the World's Ugliest Dog Contest. See how you can help. Time is running out to help raise the money needed for Cuda to make this journey to the contest. Check out how you can help Cuda win: http://www.indiegogo.com/Help-Cuda-get-to-the-2011-Worlds-Ugliest-Dog-Contest

And remember to vote for your favorite dog photo here! Contest ends in a few days.

I will let Julie tell you about Cuda:

Our Story

Cuda is a congenital miracle who somehow survived and ended up in our family when she was five months old. She was given to us at a gas station by a couple who had said they rescued her. Upon examination you can see that she bears several obvious traits of an inbred dog, including a fused neck, curved spine, hunched back, hocked rear legs and an exaggerated under bite. She has received a clean bill of health and continues to thrive, playing with our other dogs and cats. Our goal is to promote the awareness pit bull tolerance, inbreeding, line breeding and overpopulation.

The Impact

By taking Cuda to the World's Ugliest Dog Contest in Petaluma California in June 2011 we hope to make the public aware of the ramification of overpopulation of animals, risks associated with Inbreeding and pit bull tolerance.

Visit Cuda's BLOG! http://cudathedeformedpitbull.blogspot.com/ You will fall in love with this sweet dog!

#13 In Our Dog Photo Contest - Meet Wilson

2011-02-01T21:24:00.000-08:00

Wilson

This is my Australian Shepherd, Wilson. He is a wonderful dog and has been my “savior”. During a most difficult time in my life when I felt most alone and on an “island”, I named him after the volleyball in the movie “Castaway” with Tom Hanks. Similar to that volleyball, my Australian Shepherd provided me with companionship and support. Laura

GUS - Meet # 12 In Our Photo Contest

2011-01-26T18:35:00.000-08:00

Feeeeed Meeeeeeeee!!!!
It works for baby birds – should work for me too.
This is one of my favorite photos of my foster puppy Gus.
Gus came into Chicagoland Shepherd Rescue and quickly stole everyone’s hearts -
as well as their newspapers, shoes, coffee mugs and anything else in reach.
He has since rescued a lovely family and a Jack Russell named Alice.

Ginger Gibson

Meet Bentley - Contestant # 11 in Dog Photo Contest

2011-01-25T22:37:00.000-08:00

This is Bentley, my 15 week old puppy! He is a mischievous little thing and gets into all sorts of trouble! Whenever he does something he knows he's not suppose to do he likes to try and hide!

"My name is Bentley and I'm trying to blend in with my mum's shoes...I just chewed her favorite rug! They can't see me, they can't see me!"

Thank you,
Jenny Leach
Woodstock, GA

Roscoe Brewer - Entry # 10 in Dog Photo Contest

2011-01-25T07:41:00.000-08:00

Roscoe Brewer close-up!

Roscoe Brewer:
Woof! I’m Roscoe and I LOVE to play. Some people see me coming and they say “Whoa… a German Shepherd” in a nervous voice while moving way over to the edge of the sidewalk (sometimes they even cross the street!). What they don’t know is that I’m the sweetest guy around and just dying for a chance to smooch them!

submitted by Heidi Brewer

Entry in Photo Contest #9 Siblings Wilbur and Cherokee

2011-01-22T20:59:00.000-08:00

Two dogs on this contest post!

We rescued Wilbur and Cherokee in November 2002. These brother and sister pups were found under the steps of my office. We named the black one Wilbur, because he would grunt like a pig when you were holding him. We named the reddish brown one Cherokee, because they were found on Cherokee St.

Wilbur and Cherokee are the best of siblings. And Cherokee takes very good care of her brother, Wilbur, by cleaning him on a regular basis. As I type, the two are sleeping side by side on their dog beds. Where one goes - the other one must follow.

Thank you for having this photo contest. We'd love to win and have $300 donated to Pick of the Litter, a rescue center near Dallas, GA.

Regards,
Lenore Meeks

Photo Contest Entry #8 Rookie the Dalmation

2011-01-20T22:57:00.000-08:00

Hi, I'm Rookie the Dalmatian and I loooove my next-door neighbor, Savannah. She gives great hugs and love! Whenever I get the chance to play, I make a beeline toward her door and bark until I see her smiling face. I think she looks an awful lot like me - don't you? I think we might be twins!

Sent in by
Cheryl Lewis
Alpharetta GA

Meet Pip - Photo Contest Entry #7

2011-01-19T22:03:00.000-08:00

I was abandoned at a pet store on September 10th, 2001. Some suspect that I may have been used for breeding, but who knows? The past is the past. I was rescued by a local shelter and brought to live with my family. Life has been great ever since!

Likes: cats, green olives, fancy costumes, peanut butter, eating paper towels, barking at deer, watching Oprah, and contemplating life from the safety of my mom’s lap.

Dislikes: stairs, basic commands, hot days, getting my nails trimmed, my prescription low fat dog food, being away from home, and long walks.

I share my home with three cats, one rabbit, and a couple of humans. You can read more about my life and adventures on my blog Pip Gets Back In The Game!

Note from Writer With Dogs: Pip has a great blog! Be sure to check it out! Thanks for the photo Pip and Kristin

Entry # 6 Ziva, The Golden Retriever From Maine

2011-01-17T00:43:00.000-08:00

Hello from Maine,

I'm Ziva, a 2 1/2 year old Golden Retriever from the Coast of Maine. I go everywhere with my Daddy in his truck and I especially love swimming. But living in such a rural area limits my chances to meet other canines from around the world. Fortunately, Daddy lets me use his computer to check out the handsome hounds on some of the Canine Dating sites. We are very careful because we have found out that some of these unscrupulous dogs don't always tell the truth on their profile page. There is no way that a dog can be a multi-millionaire international spy, live in a mansion in Miami and drive a Ferrari.

So a word to all of you pups that surf the web. Better to be safe than sorry.

Sorry, I don't Twitter or Text, no thumbs, you know.

Love to you all,
Ziva Skakle
Stockton Springs, Maine

PS: Here I am with my older sister Baby!

How Bad am I? In my Michael Jackson hat and sunglasses.

You can friend me on Facebook!

Remember Our Dog Photo Contest - Be Sure To Enter!

2011-01-12T22:10:00.001-08:00

This announcements created with Smilebox

Leonidas the Amazing 3 Legged Dog Contest Entry #5

2011-01-02T20:34:00.000-08:00

Picture of our Founder, Little Darling, with Leonidas the Amazing 3 Legged Dog.
Leonidas is a cruelty survivor who as a puppy was hung over a fence as bait for another dog, which chewed off his feet. He was left for dead by his owners and brought to a local pit bull rescue by witnesses, who wished to remain anonymous.
Game Dog Guardian and Pinups for Pitbulls sponsored his surgery and recovery. Today, Leonidas is a Delta Society registered therapy dog with GDG and visits schools, police safety days, VA hospitals, offices, and group counseling sessions.
Learn more about Leonidas and other inspiring pit bull type dogs in our 2011 Calendar.
Buy your calendar now!
Learn more about Pinups for Pitbulls by visiting their website!
Meet Beretta, the amazing Creative Director for Pinups for Pitbulls!

Don't forget to leave a comment on your favorite dog photo. More photos on the way!

Meet Jasmine - Home From Iraq - Entry # 4

2010-12-19T07:28:00.000-08:00

UPDATE: We started with the photos of Jasmine as a pup earlier today, and then Michelle sent in photos of Jasmine today and the rest of her story!

Jasmine now!

From Michelle:

Since coming home to Indiana, Jasmine has been a great dog--crazy and active and interested in everything! She went to puppy classes and did some basic training. She won first place in the sitting contest...although she only sits for treats! She's really inquisitive and plays well with other dogs especially Gussy her brother (a short stocky Lab mix who is 7 years older than her). She also enjoys company and loves to run in the snow. I think this is the first time she's ever seen snow and she just has fun running and being crazy.... crazy is her favorite way to be actually. Some of her antics include chewing up a pillow to get to the fuzzy stuff inside, bringing me a calculator when I needed it...even though she really didn't know what it was and wasn't supposed to touch it, and freeing herself from the backyard to run and find some new neighbors to play with. She is always finding something to get into and running laps around the back yard. I love her dearly and she has become a perfect part of the family. Now Jasmine, Gussy, and I are just waiting for Michael to come home and go for a walk! We thank Operation Bahgdad Pups for all they have done to get her home as well as our local vet and the Indiana State Vets Office for making her trip and acclimation here in the United States as smooth as possible!

Original Post Earlier Today: From Mike

Jasmine as a pup

Jasmine's photo was sent in by Mike who is serving in Aghanistan. Jasmine is one of the pups from Operation Baghdad Pups!

Jas has been one of the biggest highlights in my life. She's full of life and is so curious and loves her new brother Gus, and the next door neighbor dog Rocco. We also got to take her on a family vacation to Hocking Hills. She's so cute on a drive she like to stick her nose out the window when it's not too windy. She has been so happy and it's a far cry from what she was use to in Iraq. Michelle has been the key to getting her home and Jas has kept us all on our toes. I wouldn't give her up for the world.

Note: The photo of Jasimine is when she was a puppy. Stay tuned for a recent photo of her soon.

Thanks Mike for serving your country and for sharing Jasmine with us.

Contest Entry #3 Wyatt

2010-12-05T20:34:00.000-08:00

Wyatt graced the pages of our premier issue of "Writer With Dogs:The Magazine Where Dogs Meet Art". Here he is in his favorite spot - the garden!

Wyatt helped start tomato seeds early last spring. Then Wyatt helped prepare the soil and plant the tomato plants and water the tomato plants.

Little did Wyatt know, that we would have an extremely cold summer and the tomatoes would never get ripe! But Wyatt is a dog and he knows that sometimes the journey is it’s own reward!

Plus, green tomatoes are like tennis balls and make for good fun!

Happy Digging,

Wyatt

Visit Wyatt's blog Gardening With Wyatt.

Remember to vote for your favorite dog by leaving comments. Contest ends Feb. 14th and the photo with the most comments get the grand prize of $300 for the winner's favorite animal rescue group.

#2 Ruby - Second Entry In The Love My Dog Contest!

2010-12-02T20:57:00.000-08:00

Ruby- The Smart Lab - Being Caught On The Furniture!

Entry number two is Ruby! Her person is creative coach, Elizabeth Cassidy. See another great photo of Ruby and Elizabeth on her web, Coaching For The Creative Soul.

Remember the dog with the most comments win. You have til Feb. 14th to leave comments.

#1 Our First Contest Entry From Writer With Dogs Magazine

2010-12-01T12:35:00.000-08:00

Cheska: entry number l in Writer With Dog's Magazine Contest.

(See side bar to link to magazine for contest details. The dog with the most comments on Feb.14, 2011 wins!)

Our dog, Cheska, is a rescue: we found her on PetFinder.com where she was listed by a lady who had gone to the animal control shelter in Harlem, NYC to pick up a golden retriever, and they begged her to take this sweet dog, also, because she was due to be euthanized because of overcrowding there.

We've had her DNA tested and she is at least 25% German Shepherd, at least 25% Chow Chow, and (to our surprise) at least 25% Labrador Retriever.

Since we've had her she's survived cancer (lost one of her back toes in the process), xylitol poisoning (she "counter-surfed" and ate some sugar-free gum while we were out), and anaplasma (tick-borne disease with ultra-high fever).

She may have racked up some hefty vet bills (in the thousands), but she more than justified the expense last year when she prevented our house in upstate New York from burning down:

One morning around 6am she was pacing nervously and woke me up. I assumed that a thunderstorm was approaching (she's terrified of them), so I went downstairs to shut off our battery backup units (so their alarms wouldn't go off if the power went out). Cheska followed me, and stood at the top of the basement stairs staring at the door and doing the classic "Lassie Whine". Curious, I opened the basement door and heard a strange and ominous crackling sound. It turned out to be the electrical panel, which was sparking loudly/dangerously! We called our electrician who told us to turn off the main breaker to the entire panel/house immediately and he'd be right over (on a Sunday morning, no less!). Long story short: due to a badly installed gasket in the electrical meter on the outside of the house (by our local power company), water was leaking in and down the cable directly into the panel. If Cheska hadn't warned us, the entire house could have burned down! (The entire panel/meter had to be replaced.)

So it turns out that we have rescued each other - talk about manifestation of good karma! :-D

Dogs And Thanksgiving: Some Safety Tips To Remember

2010-11-22T22:26:00.000-08:00

Keep An Eye On Fido This Thanksgiving!

Don't find out that your dog has gone through the trash to get a share of your Thanksgiving turkey!

Cooked turkey is safe for your dog to eat, in small amounts. Remember that any change in diet can cause stomach issues for a pooch. So don't go overboard with table scraps as a treat for the holiday season.

Dogs like to snatch anything that smells yummy. Be careful of the things you use and discard after cooking your bird. Even good dogs go bad around the aroma of turkey. Skewers, string, pop-up timers, roasting bags all have that yummy turkey taste and, if left unattended, or disposed of without thought, there is a good chance your dog will grab them. Swallowing such things can cause an intestinal blockage or perforation.

Turkey bones and all poutry bones splinter easily and can lodge inside and also perforate a dog's intestines. Watch when you discard turkey bones and other garbage. Be sure to keep trash away from your dogs and in cans they can't sneak back to and rummage in.

Turkey skin is another treat your dogs will want to snarf up. The fat in poultry skin can cause stomach problems and Pancreatitis, a serious inflammatory condition of the pancreas that causes vomiting and dehydration.

Let your dog join in your celebration by adding a few pieces of boneless, skinless turkey meat to his/her kibble. You and your dog will be thankful you kept safety for fido top on your holiday menu.

Sometimes It Feels Like This At Our House With Six Dogs Waiting To Be Fed

Wishing Everyone A Happy Thanksgiving!

Fashion and Dogs, Art Deco Ladies Artist Giovanni Nanni

2010-11-13T16:10:00.000-08:00

Giovanni Nanni was an Italian painter and illustrator active in the mid 1915 period of Italian postcard designs. Most noted and loved are his fashion postcards of beautiful Art Deco style women in wonderful hats and exotic fashions. This group of six grand postcards show how fashionable women loved their dogs. (Giovanni Nanni 1888-1969). So elegant and stylish each with her own special breed of dog.

Enjoy the view. Feel free to copy any of the images for your personal use.

The StubbyDog Project And A Call For Help

2010-11-10T23:06:00.000-08:00

The StubbyDog Project is working to break down discrimination against these once favored family pets. Pit Bulls are getting a bad rap in the media. The problem is bad owners, not bad dogs.

StubbyDog will be one of the groups featured in my online dog magazine that launches on December lst. Want to get the premier copy for free? Contact me with your e-mail! bb-bjd@comcast.net and put magazine copy in the subject line.

Check out StubbyDog on Facebook.

The Pit Bull Positive Show is putting together a video to show the many faces of American Pit Bull Terrier owners and they need your help! All you have to do is submit a short video of you saying this line " I am (your name and occupation) and I am an American Pit Bull Terrier owner." That's it! Send your videos (an...d any questions about the project) to danmeagher@pitbullpositive.org.

Prevention Magazine Says Dogs Help Stress Management

2010-11-03T13:11:00.000-07:00

I am so relaxed with my little doggie to hug. And I promise this is a faux fur I am wearing.

The December 2010 issue of Prevention magazine (the print issue and online) lists six new stress management strategies. Their article, Everything You Think You Know About Beating Stress Is Wrong, suggests cuddling with pets, instead of talking to friends and family, as the new boost for stress relief. It is number three on the list.

Prevention cites: "Having your pet, whether a cat or a dog, with you during a stressful event turns out to be more soothing than a best friend or a spouse," says James J. Blascovich, PhD, a professor of psychology at the University of California, Santa Barbara."

To read the full article online, visit Prevention magazine by clicking on this link.

No wonder I can nap during the day and sleep for hours at night. My stress level must be zip. I have my six stress relievers living under my roof. Or is that woof?

The ladies and gentlemen in Victorian times knew this too! But I bet that one of these dogs was stressed out by his owner. Can you find which one?

Trick Or Treat!

2010-10-24T21:14:00.000-07:00

Trick or Treat

Dogs and Halloween, now there are two words to scare the bejeezers out of me. It’s a great time to keep your pet safe indoors and watch closely the candy you have placed near your door for little visitors. I have six unruly dogs when it comes to company and food.

My house does not sound goblin friendly when you walk past it. Six dogs sit in the picture window waiting to alert me of any movement they detect on the street. My fifties ranch is nestled behind tall loblolly pines, far from the road, in a quiet area by a dead end street. The window is floor to ceiling, and wide enough for six bodies to squirm, and wiggle past the table and chair immediately in front of it, to sit and watch. Their eyesight is keen. I never know which dog starts to bark, but you can be sure, five follow. I shudder wondering what the neighbors think as the crescendo starts to escalate.

The howling from my dogs on any given night makes the Hound of the Baskervilles seem demure. Halloween is an especially devilish time when my dogs are more aware of the little children that are crossing the street in front of my house. Their small shadows dart back and forth in the glow of the moon. I wonder what monster they fear lies behind my closed door. For they never make the walk up my driveway. They just hear the sounds of my hellhounds echoing into the night and walk in the other direction.

“A hound it was, an enormous coal-black hound, but not such a hound as mortal eyes have ever seen. Fire burst from its open mouth, its eyes glowed with a smoldering glare, its muzzle and hackles and dewlap were outlined in flickering flame.” Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

I still buy candy, but end up eating most of it myself, while whispering to the dogs, shhhh. They pay no attention and bark until I turn off the lights and sit by the soft glow of my TV, waiting for the evening events to subside. Their interest then turns to snuggling down under the quilts I have strategically placed over my leather chairs. Only then can I switch on the lights and breath a sigh of relief.

Halloween is actually a favorite holiday for me. I have just learned to appreciate it behind the scenes, keeping six dogs at bay.

Several thoughts come to mind to make Halloween safer for everyone.

Keep your candy out of reach of sniffing dog noses. Chocolate is toxic to dogs and many candies contain xylitol, an artificial sweetener, than can also be deadly to dogs. Don't leave candy wrappers where your dog can snarf them up. It would be easy for a dog to choke on these yummy castoffs.

I know my dogs are super friendly, but when strangers approach, I err on the side of caution. Even the calmest dog can be startled by a quick move from someone new.

When I was an antique dealer, doing the Lakewood Antique show each month, I was amazed at how many parents allowed their children to just reach out and touch someone else’s dog. As an adult, I still ask permission before I pet a dog I’ve just met. I want to give that courtesy to other dog owners that I would like for myself. Then it is a free for all when I get the OK to approach. Puppy dog tails and kisses fly through the air.

From my collection of Halloweenie doggies! Early postcards to celebrate a holiday that is enchanting and magical.

A Walk Down Memory Lane

2010-10-13T00:13:00.000-07:00

A walk down memory lane with my late dog Jake

I started walking outdoors today. The air had a little snap to it, so I opened up my windows and turned on the attic fan. Oh the heavenly smell of fresh air as it danced around my head. Six dogs took notice of it too. Normally sprawled out on my chairs and couch, six bellies up in the air, six dogs suddenly started to come to life. They watched with keen interest as I laced up my New Balance walking shoes. Bray, my timid black Afghan mix, actually pranced around the living room. Chloe, the Chi, noisy as ever, yapped loudly, dashing back and forth across the floor. Dear Foxy, my old dog, now thirteen, raised her head from the floor. I heard it thump back down as she decided if it wasn't time to eat, she was not moving her thin, frail body. Annabelle, the old hound dog/beagle mix, just yawned and put her head back under the throw pillow. She is a whenever dog. By that I mean, she only moves whenever she feels like it. The air got her nose out from under her pillow. That was the most movement from her since breakfast, when she ate, and crawled back on the couch. Of course Rascal, the bull dog mix, and Miss April In Paris, my hunting dog mix, ran for the back door, tripping over each other, popping out onto the patio in a frenzy of barking. Chloe ran behind them and the three dogs raced for the back yard.

I slipped out the front door. I wanted to take a walk and enjoy a bit of quiet. It was such a glorious afternoon I wanted to drink in all the delights that come with the beginning of fall. I am sure this was a false start, as the weather is due to warm up again. But for today, I was in heaven.

I headed up the street looking at my neighbors yards and a familiar feeling came over me. I remembered walking my old dog Jake on that triangle where the street deadends into my yard. Jake and I would head down the driveway, walk up one side of the street, only a short distance, cross over and come back to the house. The huge Rosemary bush would leave Jake smelling heavenly as he stumbled against it and rubbed his nose on the short spiked branches. I stumbled into it myself today. I must admit, I came home smelling yummy.

Jake. My dog who had to be walked with a rear end sling. I only had two dogs then. Jake, my ninety-five pound German Shepherd, a dog that had showed up in my yard eight years earlier and Foxy, the dainty German Shepherd/Malamute mix who came to the house as a seven week puppy.

Jake's legs were not working well, then not working at all. He had a neurological problem, not hip dysplasia. But he liked to get out and exercise those legs. Some days he'd make it back fine, other days he'd stop and I'd have to put a sling under his hind end, and haul his butt up the driveway. Then there were the days he would just sit and smile at the sky. I had to roll the wheelbarrow down the drive and scoop him into it. A task easier said then done. Jake left me April 2009. A month later, dogs starting moving in from the local shelters!

Thinking of Jake today brought back so many memories. He was a happy dog and loved life. He didn't care he couldn't walk. He just loved to sit and be part of the family. It is amazing how memories can be triggered by the smallest things. Today a fall breeze was all it took.

I pulled out a few old photos of Jake and Foxy. Foxy has aged so in the last year, but I didn't need photos to know that. You can feel her bones when you run your hand across her side. She still holds her own with the new dogs. I remember someone saying to me that month that Jake left, "Maybe you shouldn't get another dog. Foxy is old and it may be more than she can handle."

I am glad I didn't listen to that. But when do I ever listen to advice? The new dogs keep Foxy active. So don't be fooled by that old wives' tale.

Today's walk, the smell of the air, the hint of fall, was more than a walk to enjoy the day. I had a walk down memory lane with my old pal Jake. His smile was as bright in my mind as it was when I hauled his butt up the drive with a sling and a wheelbarrow.

Jake enjoying the ride.

Foxy and Jake on another fall day.

Ghosts Of Dogs Past - Victorian Cabinet Cards

2010-10-09T08:59:00.000-07:00

From Wikipedia:

The Cabinet card was the style of photograph which was universally adopted for photographic portraiture in 1870. It consisted of a thin photograph that was generally mounted on cards measuring 4¼ by 6½ inches.

Do you ever look at old photos of people and their pets and wonder what story is behind a picture? I love the old cabinet card photos. Such proper portraits that show the styles, dress and proper attitude of the

Victorian age. The ghosts of children looking so somber with their favorite pet. How difficult do you think it was for the photographer to get them to sit still long enough for to capture the picture? Don't you know the children wanted to just sit on the floor and hug their dogs!

For your viewing pleasure some lovely time worn old images.

Top Photo From England

Now here is a dog waiting to be kissed!

That Same Old Question, Again

2010-09-04T07:04:00.000-07:00

"You have six dogs?" It was not so much a question as a statement bordering on disapproval.

"Sure do." My chest puffed out a bit, which made my own puppies look larger than I like. Had to make my point, and just a simple yes without the body language did not seem strong enough. "Had my old dog Foxy and then started adopting dogs from my local shelters."

"That's not having pets. That's having a pack. Ridiculous!" The man speaking to me is actually a friend I haven't seen in some months.

"Well, they are my writing muses." I admit I am chicken. Why I just can't say I love sleeping with dogs, I don't know. So I go the other route and make them sound like they are my work in progress. If I think about it, they are. I love dogs. I love to write about dogs. Every time I open my mouth I talk about dogs. My new book, Covered In Fur, is about dogs. I am a dog person.

Make Note: I am not a dog hoarder.

So, yet again, I am defending my position that I chose to bring five dogs into my home in a nine month period. Add in my old gal Foxy, I have a six-pack at home. If I were younger, I could have had a baby in that time frame. But instead, I filled my home with dogs that needed love as much as I did. Now there is a big love fest here nightly.

They eat my chairs, they have ruined my rugs, they have nibbled on my primitive old painted coffee table. They can be like locusts when they are bored and swarm through my living room eating whatever is in their path. I come home and am never sure what my house will be like, but I know it will be full of life. And that is what makes it all worthwhile. Life. A home brimming with it.

Then there is the other factor: unconditional love. My love for them, but more importantly, their love for me.

I have tossed away five rugs, there is one remaining in my living room. Will it last? I hope so. But if not, I will stencil in big letters on my old and gently worn hardwoods, I used to have rugs, but now I have dogs.

Life. What would it be like if it were neat and tidy? I like mine spiced with dog kisses and wagging tails. While my pack gets a little roudy when I am gone, the minute I step through my door they are my well behaved children. The Leader Of The Pack has returned and they know who is in charge.

Hard to say that about kids. But then most kids don't pee on your rugs, or so I am told.