Artists Helping Animals

Have you heard of HeARTs Speak?

It is a non-profit organization of professional artists who use their artistic gifts to raise awareness of and promote adoptions for homeless and unwanted pets.

Lisa Prince Fishler started HeARTs Speak in January, 2010. She was overwhe.med by the number of adoptable animals euthanized each year - more than 4 million in the U.S. alone. Lisa set out to find a new way to encourage people to adopt from a shelter.

The artwork and stories are a valuable resource for the media, websites, magazines, as well as educational institutions. If you saw a photo or painting of a cute dog or heard its story, wouldn't you be more inclined to give that pet a home?

If you are an artist, an animal advocate, an educator, or just someone who is passionate about helping animals, visit the HeARTs Speak website.

Service Dog Extraordinaire

A service dog is a type of assistance dog specifically trained to help people who have physical and/or mental disabilities. Some dogs are even trained to help with medical conditions.

Any breed or mixture of breeds of dog might produce one capable of service work, though few dogs have all of the health and temperament qualities needed.

With that in mind I thought my dog, Ebony, who is well-behaved, sensitive, and smart would make a great service dog.

So she is now in training!

Old Light Bulb Question

In the world of dogs,

how many dogs does it take to change a light bulb?

GOLDEN RETRIEVER: The sun is shining, the day is young, we've got our whole lives ahead of us, and you're inside worrying about a stupid burned out bulb?

BORDER COLLIE: Just one. And then I'll replace any wiring that's not up to code.

DACHSHUND: You know I can't reach that stupid lamp!

ROTTWEILER: Make me.

LAB: Oh, me, me!!!! Pleeeeeeze let me change the light bulb! Can I? Can I? Huh? Huh? Huh? Can I?

TIBETAN TERRIER:Let the Border Collie do it. You can feed me while he's busy!

JACK RUSSELL TERRIER: I'll just pop it in while I'm bouncing off the walls and furniture.

POODLE: I'll just blow in the Border Collie's ear and he'll do it. By the time he finishes rewiring the house, my nails will be dry.

GERMAN SHEPHERD: I'll change it as soon as I've led these people from the dark , checked to make sure I haven't missed any, and make just one more perimeter patrol to see that no one has tried to take advantage of the situation.

COCKER SPANIEL: Why change it? I can still pee on the carpet in the dark.

DOBERMAN: While it's dark, I'm going to sleep on the couch.

BOXER: Who cares? I can still play with my squeaky toys in the dark......

CHIHUAHUA: Yo quiero Taco Bulb.

IRISH WOLFHOUND: Can somebody else do it? I've got this hangover....

POINTER: I see it, there it is, there it is, right there....

GREYHOUND: It isn't moving. Who cares?

YORKSHIRE TERRIER: I'm over qualified, have the boxer do it!

AUSTRALIAN SHEPHERD: First, I'll put all the light bulbs in a little circle..

OLD ENGLISH SHEEP DOG: Light bulb? I'm sorry, but I don't see a light bulb?

HOUND DOG: ZZZZZZzzzzz.z.z.z..z..z..z...z

SCHNAUZER: Bark bark bark. Mom, the light bulb is out...bark bark bark bark...MOM! I said the light bulb is out! Bark bark bark bark bark...MOM!!! WHAT PART OF THAT DIDN'T YOU HEAR? I MEAN HELLO????

SHIH TZU - Who me change a light bulb? We are royal decedents and we have staff to do that for us.

AUTHOR UNKNOWN

Doorbell Barking

Does your dog go crazy barking when the doorbell rings?

Or do you have a dog like mine that greets everyone at the door as if they came to be with her?

If your dog barks at the doorbell and runs excitedly to the door, here are steps to train your dog to stop this behavior:

The trick is that you want to teach her to go to a new spot.

1. Pick up a new treat and once you have her attention say, "Go to the rug/pillow" (or whatever) and toss the treat there.

2. As she is eating say, "Good,rug/pillow" then give her the "Stay" command.

3. Practice this gradually replacing treats with praise until she gets the hang of it.

4. Now, phase in the doorbell.

Too Old To Walk

What do you do for your favorite dog who cannot walk the miles with you anymore due to age and physical challenges?

I met a woman on the Chehalis Western Trail in Olympia, Washington, who has the answer.

Her 11 year old Airedale dog suffers from arthritis, but she figured out how to enjoy their time together on the Trail. Her family thinks she is "nuts," but I think she has a heart of gold.

Wish I got her name and dog's name.