Tied Up

Chris tells me that I have super dog-spotting powers, and if there's a pooch on the street I will be the first one to spot it. I have a feeling, however, that the guy behind Dog Blog - a photo blog of dogs tied outside waiting for their owners (that's one of his pictures, above) - is probably better than I am. Just a guess.

Dog Blog is my kind of blog - absolutely, positively dog obsessed. Sweet.

Dog Blog

Today's Rescue - New Hope Dogs

All of today's rescue dogs are L.A. Animal Services New Hope dogs, which means they're in the greatest danger of euthanization. Adopt one today!

Today's L.A. Animal Services available dog total: 842 dogs

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


1: HERSHEY
Female American staffordshire terrier
1 year old
ID#: A939104
East Valley shelter

2: JULIET
Female German shepherd
5 years old
ID#: A939122
South L.A. shelter

3: GERRY
Male briard/English sheepdog
3 years old
ID#: A933877
West Valley shelter

4: NANI (left) and 5: HANI (right) - sisters!
Female American staffordshire terriers
1 and 1/2 years old
ID#: A907953 (NANI) and A907949 (HANI)

6: FIDO
Male rottweiler mix
2 years old
ID#: A937606
South L.A. shelter

7: CHIP
Male pointer/pit bull terrier mix
2 years old
ID#: A937336
East Valley shelter

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

New Hope list

Please Resume Scratching

I'm back in L.A. after five days in Hawaii for my cousin's wedding (congratulations Mark and Grace!). Arthur was extremely happy to see me, and by happy I mean glad I was back to scratch his butt.

Lest I forget how.

Sketchbook

More of my sister's awesome Arthur sketches.

Imagine the Clarity

I've posted before about how Arthur can't see too well through the side gate (not enough space between the wood slats to sniff and see out at the same time), which probably drives him crazy, but is very funny to watch. However, imagine the laughs to be had if he had a doggie porthole!

I found this masterpiece of hilarity in a boutique-y pet catalog - it's called a Pet Peek Window, and you install it into your fence or gate so your dog can have a clear, unimpeded view of the world outside his yard. Sad, yet awesome, all at the same time.


I defy you to imagine Arthur's face in that fishbowl without smiling.

Pet Peek Window

Planet Dog

Happy Earth Day!

Today's Rescue - Don

By an individual rescuer named Lacey. The picture below is one that she posted on Ashley and Hobie a few days ago - look how happy he is!

Hooray for Don!

My Little Pony

We've always said that Arthur's very gay - sensitive, likes the boys, looks great in a tight T-shirt. So when I came across this pink unicorn, how could I not buy it for him? It was my obligation, really.

It's not the sturdiest of toys, and looks like something I could've made in junior-high sewing class, but perhaps the thinking is: If you have the kind of dog who needs a pink unicorn in his life, maybe he's not the type that's going to rip it to shreds in the first five minutes. Less aggro, more emo - you know what I'm saying?


Anyway, Arthur took the unicorn and ran to the coffee table, where my sister tried to snatch it away. Not a good idea.



He doesn't like people touching his pony.

Sharpei Love

This is Singer. I met him yesterday at the Much Love adoption event at George, and he is undoubtedly the cutest sharpei/shepherd I have ever met. And such a nice boy.

Singer doesn't show that well because he's really shy and often ducks away from approaching hands, but I'm not worried - he's very calm, doesn't have an aggressive bone in his body and gets along great with other dogs. Plus, he could not be more heart-tuggingly adorable. Am I right?

I'm sure he'll find a good home. He's reportedly doing much better socially in the month since he was rescued, and jumps around and plays where he feels safe. He took treats gently from me, and liked getting scratched. I would've hugged him all day if I could have.

SINGER
Male sharpei/shepherd mix
3 years old

Much Love Animal Rescue

Crafty

The other night, out of sheer boredom, I made Arthur a toy out of toilet paper and paper towel tubes pulled from the recycling bin. It looked like a section from a ghetto Habitrail. I thought he might be deterred by the tape I used to secure the thing together, but he didn't seem to mind.

Arthur supports D.I.Y.

Rocket Dog

Last Friday, the Russian government unveiled a monument to Laika, the Sputnik II mutt who became the first living creature launched into space. While the tribute is a nice gesture, erected in Moscow near the military research facility that prepared for Laika's flight, I can't really think too much about it - it's just too sad.

Rest in peace, Laika.


AP Article via The Washington Post

Give Pits a Chance

And I thought "Give Peas a Chance" was a great slogan. I came across this poster on a website called Obey the Purebreed, which looks like a Shep Fairey thing, but is actually a project by a guy named Kevin McCormick, a web designer and illustrator. There are posters for a variety of different breeds, and they're all pretty cool. Very Shep Fairey. In fact, the whole concept is very Shep Fairey. Do these guys know each other?

At any rate, I love this poster.

Obey the Purebreed

Today's Rescue - Abandoned Husky

Denial can be a wonderful thing. It allows you to stay in bad relationships, evade your taxes, and clog your arteries with saturated fat. It also allows you to abandon your family dog when you move to a new place. Or is that just assholery?

This beautiful boy was abandoned by his family recently, who moved away and just left him in the backyard. The new owners found him there and just opened the gate because they didn't want to deal with him. Another round of denial! On the house! Luckily, he was found (roaming the streets) by an employee of VCA West L.A. animal hospital, and is now being boarded there. They say he's a sweet, mellow guy.

But I suppose everyone has their bottom line, and this boy has five days before he will be turned in to a shelter.

Just say no to denial. Adopt a husky today!

Neutered male Siberian husky (most likely purebred)
1 and 1/2 - 2 years old

For more information, contact Joyce Brown at 323.514.9022

Shock and Awe

Overheard on the street today, describing Murray the Bernese mountain dog (pictured above, holding a palm frond):

LOOK AT THE HANDS ON THAT GUY!

The View From Below

Through a hammock, not so darkly.

Dog Rescue Dog Fest

George in Santa Monica is hosting a Much Love adoption event this Saturday, and they're offering a one-time 10% in-store discount for approved adopters.

Woohoo!

George
1111 Montana Ave. between 11th and 12th Sts.
Santa Monica, CA 90403
310.393.8737

Much Love Animal Rescue
George

Next Thing You Know, He'll Be Chewing On Rocks

With all the expensive toys he has in the house, THIS is what Arthur wanted to play with yesterday.

Nice.

Today's Rescue

If it weren't already obvious, I'm a little partial to shepherds.

Today's L.A. Animal Services available dog total: 821 dogs
Today's L.A. County Department of Animal Care and Control available dog total: 355 dogs

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


1: LASSIE
Female German shepherd mix
2 years old
ID#: A937440
South L.A. shelter

2: WHISKEY
Male rottweiler mix
4 years old
ID#: A870860
Harbor shelter

3: CROSBY
Male German shepherd
7 years old
ID#: A931097
West Valley shelter

4: LUCKY
Male German shepherd
2 and 1/2 years old
ID#: A892355
South L.A. shelter

5: TAFFY
Female German shepherd
9 months old
ID#: A921239
South L.A. shelter

6: DUDE
Male American staffordshire terrier mix
2 years old
ID#: A938292
South L.A. shelter

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

Dog Door Squash

That can't be comfortable.

Today's Rescue - Gabe Revisited

Remember Gabe, the staffie with the enormous head? I love this boy. Gabe is still at North Central shelter and still looking for a rescuer. Donations are still being collected in his name, available to the qualified 501(c)(3) animal rescue group that pulls him.

Donate to Gabe's rescue fund today!

GABE
Male American staffordshire terrier
5 years old
ID#: A928647
North Central shelter

Email your donation commitment to 77dognights@sbcglobal.net

For more information, call L.A. Animal Services at 213.485.5767 or 213.485.8855 or go to www.laanimalservices.com

Blog Model

Arthur is such a pretty boy. Sometimes I'll look at pictures of him (and I look at a lot), and stop to admire his prettiness. This picture, for example, is so sweet, I'm posting it even though my brassiere is hanging in the foreground.

That's how pretty I think he is.

Smart Dogs

Mutts rule! No, really. I just read an article in the U.K.'s Daily Mail about a new study that found mixed-breed dogs to have better spatial awareness and problem-solving abilities than purebreds. I knew it.

Dogs in the study (conducted by the University of Aberdeen in Scotland) were put through a series of tests - like finding their way through a maze - then rated on a point system based on their performances. While the highest-rated dogs included the obviously awesome labrador/golden and shepherd/labrador mixes, the number one pooch was a collie/spaniel cross named Jet, who rated a perfect score.

Now if I could just get Arthur to drool less when I gave him a treat, I'd know for sure he was a genius.

Daily Mail

Good Times

Arthur says, I do not see the humor in this situation.

Now give me a biscuit.

Cone-tastic

Dogs With Cones, the blog.

Awesome.

Dogs With Cones

SARCASM ALERT!

This David Shrigley cartoon is for all those senior-dog-dumping people out there (who probably don't read this blog) who take their older dogs to the shelter when they get tired of them. There are so many sweet old guys (and girls) at L.A. Animal Services right now, and so many are owner surrenders.

Senior-dog-dumpers SUCK.

Don't Snap On Me

Is that a mousetrap? A cheapo thighmaster? Actually, it's a scat mat alternative with a very excellent name, sent to my sister and brother-in-law by his parents in Maryland to help keep Arthur off the new sofa (which just arrived). The packaging reminds me of the very awesome flea-comb flea catcher that I got for the boy a couple years ago.

The idea behind this thing is to let sound be the deterrent. You rig it up like a mousetrap, and when it's set off, the paddle attachment snaps back and makes a very loud smacking sound. They could have called it, Smacky Trainer, but I guess that sounds like animal cruelty. Good thing it's "recommended by the American Veterinary Medical Association," or so they say.

It's a little sad, but so far has kept Arthur a wary distance away. We'll see how long that lasts.

Today's Rescue - Labs, Staffies and Shepherds

Today's L.A. Animal Services available dog total: 807 dogs
Today's L.A. County Department of Animal Care and Control available dog total: 339 dogs

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


1: BARKLEY
Male American staffordshire terrier
7 years old
ID#: A936070
West L.A. shelter

2: SHADOW
Female labrador retriever
1 year old
ID#: A934880
South L.A. shelter

3: AUSTIN
Male American staffordshire terrier
2 years old
ID#: A933972
North Central shelter

4: TOBY
Male labrador retriever mix
3 years old
ID#: A936268
South L.A. shelter West L.A. shelter

5: ONYX
Male German shepherd/pointer mix
2 and 1/2 years old
ID#: A914448
North Central shelter

6: KODIAK
Male German shepherd mix
2 years old
ID#: A935759
South L.A. shelter

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

Pet Sunday

I hauled myself out of bed yesterday to check out Bow Wow Meow - an annual pet street fair in Brentwood with various animal retailers and service providers displaying their wares along San Vicente. I'd thought there would be more animal rescue groups there - only West L.A. was represented among the LAAS shelters - but it was still good fun.




And here are a few of the dogs that were (are!) available for adoption:

COLLINE
#A928954
West L.A. shelter
www.laanimalservices.com
310.207.3266

This sweet girl is a 5-year-old Jack Russell mix who is good with other dogs and friendly to people, but has a bit of a weight problem. I'm guessing she was overfed and ignored by her owner, who then surrendered her to the West L.A. shelter. A really pretty girl.

SUNDANCE
Bark Avenue Rescue
http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/CA901.html
www.k9connection.org

Sundance is a K-9 Connection dog which means he has gone through basic training. Good boy! He is a 10-month-old American staffordshire terrier mix who is a bit selective with other dogs, and shouldn't be in a household with cats. But such a nice guy and pretty mellow for his age.

ALFIE
Best Friends Courtesy Show
Private rescuer - Robin Favor
pearlrescue@yahoo.com 310.395.5559

Alfie was pulled out of the shelter in San Gabriel and was adopted by a nice person, who, unfortunately, was recently hit by a car and can't care for a dog. Alfie is a small, year-and-a-half old poodle who good with other dogs and very social - he needs a home with other pooches.

HERSHEY
Best Friends Courtesy Show
Private rescuer - Roxy
dggyluv@yahoo.com
310.595.0495

Hershey was rescued from the South L.A. shelter, which means he was one of the lucky ones. He's a 10 month - 1 year old male pit bull who is good with both dogs and cats. He was abused and therefore a little fearful, but getting better daily with his foster/rescuer, Roxy. Very sweet and mellow.

COOPER
The Rescue Train
therescuetrain.org

Cooper is a 2-year-old shepherd/Leonberger mix and a major water lover who was rescued from the East Valley shelter. He doesn't get along with dominant male dogs, but has completed a training program, and is a really nice, goofy guy.

If He Runs Too Fast, He'll Start a Fire

Here's another photo of Arthur in his convalescence - I call his leg a golf club, while my sister refers to it as a matchstick. Needless to say, he is not humored by our comments.

My sister ended up rewrapping the gauze underneath the sock because the club was just too awkward - too much gauze. And to Arthur's credit, he didn't spazz out like he usually does when you touch his paws, although he craned his neck as far away as possible while she was doing it - kind of like I do when I'm getting a vaccination.


It's much better now.