Sharpei Family

That's Bird on the left, and her mama, Kennedy, on the right - former shelter dogs (dumped in a box) that were adopted by a really nice woman and her boyfriend.

They are wrinkle-tastic.

Conversations On a Walk

Could you carry your own bag, Arthur? Yes, this one that I'm holding. I know you see it. THIS. I mean, it's no big deal, but maybe once in a while you could carry the bag? It would only be fair, right? I always carry it. You could hold it by the edges like I'm doing right now.

Hello?

I don't get any respect.

Pet Family Yearbook - Spanky

Last Christmas, my cousin's boyfriend surprised her with a miniature pinscher that had been rejected by a breeder. They named him Spanky, and he has the biggest ears ever (and the smallest leash).

Welcome to the family, little man!

Today's Rescue - Community Board Favorites

BROSKA
Female German shepherd mix
9 years old
ID#: A935262
East Valley shelter

Poor Broska! She was dumped in the shelter after her owners had a baby. Now she is very depressed and cries a lot, but the volunteers love her. Donation for Broska available to qualified rescues. (Contact: pd53@sbcglobal.net)

TWINKLE
Male German shorthaired pointer
2 years old
ID#: A934940
East Valley shelter

Twinkle looks serious and austere, but he's actually very playful and very sweet. He also has a urinary tract infection, which is treatable, but doesn't help his cause when L.A. Animal Services is making their hit list. And he's still a youngster! Donation for Twinkle available to qualified rescues. (Contact: pd53@sbcglobal.net)

BO
Male Rhodesian ridgeback/Anatolian shepherd mix
1 and 1/2 years old
ID#: A944415
Harbor shelter

Bo is big (64 lbs), but just look at that happy face! He would make a great hiking partner and body pillow.

SUGAR
Female labrador retriever mix
2 years old
ID#: A946538
South L.A. shelter

How Sugar didn't get adopted at the Walk for the Underdog event is beyond me. Apparently, she is close to perfect: gets along great with other dogs and people, sweet and relaxed, very smart. Plus, she's very smile-y. What more could you want?

For more information, call L.A. Animal Services at 888.452.7381 or go to www.laanimalservices.com

R.I.P.

You were too young, Sydney Pollack.

Filled Out, Grown Up

My sister recently dug up an old Polaroid of Arthur when he was 6 or 7 months old, all big paws and skinny legs. We'd been told by his rescuers (the Bill Foundation, who'd pulled him from the South L.A. shelter) that he'd grow to about 40 lbs. He was about 25 lbs at the time.

Well, he grew and grew. And now, even though he's only 50 lbs, he's very tall and long. Gigantic, my sister says. I took an "after" picture of the two of them to compare to the Polaroid, just for reference.

See for yourself.

Today's Rescue

Today's L.A. Animal Services available dog total: 916 dogs
Today's L.A. County Animal Care and Control available dog total: 363 dogs

UP FOR IMMEDIATE ADOPTION AT L.A. ANIMAL SERVICES SHELTERS:
(Clockwise from top left; click to view larger)


1: JUNIOR
Male shetland sheepdog/chow chow mix
2 years old
ID#: A941050
West L.A. shelter

2: SHAGGY
Male American staffordshire terrier
8 years old
ID#: A948787
West Valley shelter

3: SASSY
Female German shepherd mix
3 years old
ID#: A937455
West L.A. shelter

4: CHIEF
Male akita/shepherd mix
2 years old
ID#: A943941
North Central shelter

5: DORIA
Female cardigan Welsh corgi mix
10 years old
ID#: A529709
South L.A. shelter

6: MALE MASTIFF
2 years old
ID#: A947892
East Valley shelter

For more information, call L.A. Animal Services at 888.452.7381 or go to www.laanimalservices.com

Artsy

Homage to Gregory Crewdson, photographer.

Today's Rescue - Cheeto

This sweet girl (formerly Colline at the West L.A. shelter) was rescued by Much Love in April and adopted earlier this month. Unfortunately, she took to nibbling on children's ankles, so she was returned. What's the big deal? Obviously that family didn't realize that little children taste like peanut butter.

Anyway, Cheeto, as she was renamed, is back at ML, and I got to hang out with her a few days ago. She'd just come back from a morning of exercise and was pretty tired, but her foster mom tells me that even when dogs get in her face, she doesn't react at all. It's more like, I really don't have time for this. She is one mellow girlfriend.

She's also very, very overweight, and judging by the fact that she refused a meaty treat from me, I'm guessing she was fed her meals at her former home straight off the human table. A little filet mignon, perhaps? Some scalloped potatoes? But she's getting a fresh start at Much Love, and is on the road to a healthier life.

Such a nice girl.

CHEETO
Female Jack Russell terrier/Welsh corgi mix
5 years old

Much Love Animal Rescue

Circle of Friends Memorial - Pooka

This past weekend, my friends Gavin and Sandra said goodbye to their beautiful senior Siberian husky, Pooka, the matriarch of their doggie household. I'll always remember her as the girl with the taste for English tea (with milk and sugar, please), reserved and proper, but also capable of holding her own against the alpha-wannabe advances of Gavin and Sandra's other dog, Toby. She was a real lady.

R.I.P. Pooka. You were the nicest husky I'd ever met.

Today's Rescue

Today's L.A. Animal Services available dog total: 933 dogs
Today's L.A. County Animal Care and Control available dog total: 349 dogs

UP FOR IMMEDIATE ADOPTION AT L.A. ANIMAL SERVICES SHELTERS:
(Clockwise from top left; click to view larger)


1: FEMALE LABRADOR RETRIEVER MIX
Unknown age
ID#: A946275
West Valley shelter

2: MARIA
Female German shepherd mix
3 years old
ID#: A944839
West Valley shelter

3: HILLARY
Female rottweiler mix
7 years old
ID#: A942309
South L.A. shelter

4: TIGER
Female American staffordshire terrier
1 year old
ID#: A921702
West L.A. shelter

5: LASARO
Male pointer
6 years old
ID#: A948965
South L.A. shelter

6: WARREN
Male pit bull terrier
3 years old
ID#: A945910
South L.A. shelter

And look at these sweet seniors!


ZION (left)
Male labrador retriever mix
12 years old
ID#: A942384
West Valley shelter

JACOB (right)
Male labrador retriever mix
12 years old
ID#: A942385
West Valley shelter



WIND (top)
Male lakeland terrier
10 years old
ID#: A945792
South L.A. shelter

MALE GERMAN SHEPHERD (bottom)
8 years old
ID#: A946303
East Valley shelter

For more information, call L.A. Animal Services at 888.452.7381 or go to www.laanimalservices.com

Charitable Giving

A few months ago, my boyfriend's beloved Subaru wagon broke down coming home from a trip to Big Sur leaving us stranded in Santa Clarita, two-and-a-half hours away. (We had to rent a car to get back to L.A.) Instead of having it towed to his mechanic with unknown problems (possibly big ones), my very awesome boyfriend contacted Cars 4 Causes and donated the Subaru to charity.

Here's how it works: Cars 4 Causes picks up your car, fixes whatever issues it might have and then puts it up for sale. A percentage of the proceeds then go to the cause of your choice.

Well, I didn't know it at the time, but my aforementioned awesome boyfriend designated Much Love Animal Rescue as his charity. And he recently received a letter stating that the Subaru sold for $1900, all of which will go directly to the rescue.

Note to men (or women) with dog-loving partners: If you want to score MAJOR POINTS with your girl, this is the way to go.

CHRIS RULES

Cars 4 Causes

Waste Not

I'm generally not a squeamish type of person, and I've never been one to get girly about picking up Arthur's poop, so it's hard for me to understand a product like this one.

Dispoz-a-Scoop (which I've posted about before, but can't remember when) utilizes a wasteful piece of cardboard and thick metal wire so your hand never has to touch poop, whether it's shielded by a layer of plastic or not. All this nonsense so you're a bit further away from the pile. Whatever.

My biggest gripe, all waste aside, is that the bag is just too small. I mean, Arthur's not a giant, but he can lay down a pretty sizeable coil. And even though I'm not skittish about picking it up, if there's a chance it's going to spill out of the bag and onto my hand, I'd rather just reach for a second bag.

Sorry Dispoz-a-Scoop - you lose on all counts.

Signage

Two posted signs that I saw over the weekend - "FOUND DOG" near the Otis campus off Lincoln and "PLEASE HELP" near Montana and 15th.

Today's Adoption - Dino and Sam

Straight out of the shelter by an individual!

Today's Rescue - Dino and Sam

Man, oh man - is there anything cuter than doggie best friends? Dino (a shepherd mix, left) and Sam (a shepherd/chow mix, right) were picked up together as strays last November and have been at the shelter (together) ever since. Both are super mellow and happy, know how to walk nicely on leash, get along with all dogs and all people of all ages, and are obedient and well mannered. This after 6 months at the East Valley shelter!

So why haven't they been adopted, you ask? The sticking point, I would imagine, seeing how these dogs are PERFECT, is that they are both around 10 years old. A lot of potential adopters want puppies. But Dino and Sam are perfect examples of the good life to be had by adopting senior dogs: all of the love with so little of the work. All of the companionship without any of the housetraining. It's like having a 40-year-old child vs. an infant.

But more than just the convenience, the act of rescuing and providing for older dogs who may have lived hard lives or experienced less-than-loving care from their previous owners is a good deed that keeps on giving.

Or, as The Senior Dogs Project sums it up:

By adopting an older dog, we can make a statement about compassion and the value of all life at all ages... Just as a puppy has his whole life ahead of him, so does an older dog. You can give that older dog the best years of his life.

Indeed.

DINO
Male (neutered) shepherd mix
10 years old
ID#: A915863

SAM
Male (neutered) shepherd/chow chow mix
10 years old
ID#: A915861

note: Dino and Sam have been transferred to the West L.A. shelter

West L.A. shelter
11361 W. Pico Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90064
310.207.3266

Google map

For more information, go to www.laanimalservices.com

The Senior Dog Project

Yesterday's Arthur - Oct 05

Back in the days when he still fit in my lap.

And Now, For a Commercial Break

Don't you just love pharmaceutical advertising? Okay maybe not, but this series of ads for Otrivin nose spray (by ad agency powerhouse Saatchi & Saatchi), with the tag line "blocked nose?" is pretty awesome. Look at that dog! It's just like Arthur, the pseudo hunter.

Otrivin ads via I Believe in Advertising

Today's Rescue - Gabe

Gabe is still at the shelter!

original post

photo from the Ashley and Hobie boards

Hat Attack

Here's another photo of Arthur in the sombrero I bought him in San Diego last May. He is a dog of few words, but you can read that look on his face without too much difficulty.

I see you, sombrero, and I despise you.

Today's Rescue - Community Board Favorites

TIERRA and REYNA

Highlights from the Ashley and Hobie boards!

JENNY
female labrador retriever/beagle/pit bull terrier
1 year old
SPCALA

Super friendly and energetic (but no cats or small children, please)

ROXY
female shepherd mix
1 and 1/2 years old
ID#: A945698
LAAS' Harbor shelter

Smart and friendly

LUCY
female shepherd mix
6-7 years old
ID#: A3507424
LA County Baldwin Park shelter

Loveable, friendly and super sweet

Good with other dogs, people and children

MACK
male pit bull terrier
10 years old
ID#: A942202
LAAS' Harbor shelter

Very affectionate, knows basic commands, good on leash and with other dogs

BRIANNA
female shepherd/beagle mix
4 years old
ID#: A939041
LAAS' South L.A. shelter
Very sweet and mellow; very scared at the shelter, but obviously a good girl

From top:
TIERRA
Female labrador retriever
2 and 1/2 years old
ID#: A317696
San Bernadino shelter

REYNA
Female labrador retriever
2 and 1/2 years old
ID#: A317695
San Bernadino shelter
Really sweet, waggy, bonded black labs

Contact info:
TIERRA AND REYNA: San Bernadino shelter (909.384.1304 or 909.384.1094)
JENNY: SPCALA (562.570.7722) or halle91203@yahoo.com
ROXY: Harbor shelter (310.548.2632)
LUCY: Baldwin Park shelter (626.962.3577)
MACK: Harbor shelter (310.548.2632)
BRIANNA: South L.A. shelter (213.485.0117)

Ashley and Hobie

Correction

My sister pointed out to me today that I was mistaken in Friday's post about the mushroom-shaped biscuit: It looks like Arthur's nose, not his head.

Indeed.

Mother's Day Outtakes

Arthur really loves my mom - she gives him lots of snacks, even on Mother's Day. Plus, she's practically his size.

He also likes her new arrangement of metal cacti sculptures along the front walkway to her house - an arrangement she claims was purely aesthetic.


Ha, ha! Grandma's so wacky.

Mother's Day Fashion

My grandma really likes her special diabetic shoes. Arthur says, They are A-Okay.

Happy Mother's Day!

You Are What You Eat

My sister noted the other day that Arthur's new favorite treats are kind of shaped like his head. Hmm.

Arthur says, Less analyzing, more eating.

Today's Rescue - Youngsters

Today's L.A. Animal Services available dog total: 913 dogs
Today's L.A. County Animal Care and Control total: 334 dogs

UP FOR IMMEDIATE ADOPTION AT L.A. ANIMAL SERVICES SHELTERS:
(Clockwise from top left; click to view larger)


1: SINDY
Female American staffordshire terrier/German shepherd mix
2 years old
ID#: A785160
South L.A. shelter

2: MALE ROTTWEILER MIX
7 months old
ID#: A944228
South L.A. shelter

3: MINDY
Female German shepherd mix
2 years old
ID#: A944072
West Valley shelter

4: PABLO
Male German shepherd mix
9 months old
ID#: A937899
North Central shelter

5: OSCAR
Male labrador retriever mix
8 months old
ID#: A943695
East Valley shelter

6: JACKSON
Male collie mix
1 and 1/2 years old
ID#: A929550
West L.A. shelter

For more information, call L.A. Animal Services at 888.452.7381 or go to www.laanimalservices.com

Dog Envy

How I'd like to be spending MY day.

(I wonder if I ever smile in my sleep when I'm lying in the sun?)

Today's Rescue

Today's L.A. Animal Services available dog total: 887 dogs
Today's L.A. County Animal Care and Control total: 337 dogs

There are two sets of adoptable dogs today!

UP FOR IMMEDIATE ADOPTION AT L.A. ANIMAL SERVICES SHELTERS:
(Clockwise from top left; click to view larger)


1: GRUMPY
Male border collie mix
2 and 1/2 years old
ID#: A938241
North Central shelter

2: LUKE
Male doberman pinscher mix
5 years old
ID#: A542338
North Central shelter

3: AL
Male labrador retriever/American staffordshire terrier
1 year old
ID#: A941191
North Central shelter

4: JAZZY
Female pit bull terrier mix
6 months old
ID#: A942183
Harbor shelter

5: MALE DALMATIAN MIX
Unknown age
ID#: A945142
North Central shelter

6: JARED
Male labrador retriever mix
1 year old
ID#: A877913
West L.A. shelter



1: XENA
Female sharpei/chow chow mix
1 year old
ID#: A872144
West Valley shelter

2: TENNESSEE
Female terrier mix
11 months old
ID#: A941842
West Valley shelter

3: CINNAMON
Female labrador retriever mix
1 year old
ID#: A940362
North Central shelter

4: PABLO
Male golden retriever
9 years old
ID#: A940411
North Central shelter

5: JAKE
Male corgi mix
9 years old
ID#: A607850
West L.A. shelter

6: BOSCO
Male great dane/pit bull mix
1 year old
ID#: A934708
West L.A. shelter

For more information, call L.A. Animal Services at 888.452.7381 or go to www.laanimalservices.com

Dog Walker Wanted

Are you good with dogs? Cool under pressure and a pack leader? Responsible and trustworthy? Then Lewis and Bark has a job for you!

Samantha Lewis, Arthur's fabulous dogwalker and my good friend, is looking for a dog walker to add to her roster of assistants. Samantha runs a pretty tight ship and expects a lot from her employees, but she's also one of the coolest people I know and one of the biggest dog lovers around. If dog walking is your thing, I'm sure she would make a great employer.

For more details, send an email to samantha@lewis-bark.com or call her at 310.980.2325

Lewis and Bark