Adopting a Dog: Home for Hope

"Home is where the heart is" and a big part of that heart can be a dog. A wonderful initiative in Singapore between Save Our Street Dogs, Animal Lovers League and different stores including IKEA, will help more dogs to become part of a family.

IKEA is displaying at some stores in Singapore life-size cardboard standees in the showrooms where people can scan a QR code that goes directly to the site and the dog's information and videos.

If you have a store or retail business, why not team up with shelters and animal organizations to do the same? Creative ideas go viral and that is the beauty of the internet, when good causes and projects can inspire others!

You can read more about this at the Homes for Hope website.

DOG: A Beautiful Song

Songs are inspired by love, breakups, nature, family, friends, God and many other feelings, but this song was inspired by the beauty and happiness to have a Dog. Nat Johnson, a songwriter, singer and guitarist from the UK wrote it a year ago after walking at Rivelin Valley Park. She was inspired by looking at dog owners running free and having fun with their dogs and by how she wanted to feel after being a person who was always thinking and rushing about her next project. One day walking at the park and surrounded by nature, she was inspired to write the DOG son. Read more about her inspiration here.

In her own words: "The dog in the song doesn’t have to be real, he’s just a guide to a life approach. To remind yourself to look for that feeling of happiness and contentment wherever you can find it. Walking, with all of your senses wide open, is one way to find it. And when you go off the main path, like I did that day in Whiteley Woods, that’s when it becomes a real adventure; that’s when it feels like playing. Dog or no dog, it’s important to walk."

You can read more about Nat Johnson and her music on her website and download the song from iTunes or Bandcamp.

This song really makes me feel like I am at that magical place running with my dog! and the beautiful video created by Fettle Animation reflects that too.

If I had a dog, I’d call him to me

And we would forget about work and everything And I would run and he would run And I would call and he would come If I had a dog, I’d tell him my name And we would forget about money and everything And I would throw and he would go And I would talk and he would know

It’s important to walk There are friends yet to meet My dog says “Forget about it!”  My dog says “Let’s run in the woods” 

I will run and he will run I will call and he will come

Happy 5 de Mayo!

Happy 5 de Mayo! Did you have a celebration on the weekend? Are you having some "margaritas" today to celebrate?

It is an important celebration in México, but it is more celebrated in the US. Click here to read more about 5 de Mayo.

Techichi

And to stay into the Mexican history, do you want to learn more about the Chihuahua dog?

"The Chihuahua’s history is puzzling and there are many theories surrounding the origin of the breed. Both folklore and archaeological finds show that the breed originated in Mexico. The most common and most likely theory is that Chihuahuas are descended from the Techichi, a companion dog favored by the Toltec civilization in Mexico"

To read more about it click here.

Best Pet Sitter

You know the feeling when you are at work or traveling hundreds of miles away and you want to go back to your home where your furry friend is waiting for you… but you smile because you have the best pet sitter in the world.

It is not easy to find someone who is kind and reliable and most important, who makes "click" with your dog(s). Celebrate your pet sitter and show your appreciation with this free "card-award". Click here to download the template, print, trim and write a personal note inside.

If you have a super-special-awesome dog's best friend… congratulations!

Share your experience in the comments below.

Letter to my dog

I love your white hair because it is a reflection of more than 12 years sharing laughs, hugs and games. It reminds me that your life will be shorter than mine but equally intense, shorter but with infinite, unconditional love to give, without expecting anything in return.

Each day you teach me to be grateful for what I have. For you, there is no difference between sleeping on a simple bed or on a bed of gold, because your bed is "your place" to rest and dream. It doesn't matter whether your plate is made of porcelain or simple plastic, because what matters most is the hand that pets you and feeds you. For you, what matters most is my company, no matter if I am wearing makeup or still in my pajamas.

Together, we've traveled to different places and have moved to different houses, but for you, home is where the heart is, no matter if it is a mansion, a small house or a corner. We have shared happy and sad times. You learned to live without your partner "Camila", since she crossed the rainbow bridge, and even knowing that she had left, you looked for her and you felt she was there, somewhere.

I love your white hair because it makes your face look prettier and your eyes, brighter. You don't run or jump as high as you used to anymore and there are days when it is hard for you to walk long distances.

Even as tired and serene as you are now, you jump and run when I come back home, you roll and get excited like a puppy and I know that deep inside, you still are.

I love your white hair because it is the reflection of a life full of love towards me and life.

I Love You Winnie,

Rosa

Winnie

Adopting a Dog: Testimonials #9 Gloria Y.

What happens to a dog when there is a divorce in the family? Difficult situations and stress affect dogs the same way than people, but they express it in a different way. Today's story is from Gloria (her second testimonial) and how she adopted a dog that had so much energy and needed special attention to become the pet she is today. Read her story:

"Jen came to me as a foster dog, a product of a divorce. She had been left with the ex-wife and child, rarely obeying either. Stats: 2 years old, female, Brittany, xtra-hi-energy, mischievous, always on the verse of starvation.

A sandwich in your hand, fair game-she would snatch it with a run, leap, grab, gobble and gone. Food on counter (if you turn your back) disappeared in seconds. Tissue, also a passion, if it peaked out of a box or pocket, seized and swallowed. Jen raced around the house, toy (or something else) in her mouth daring you to try to catch her.

Who would adopt this foster wild child? I DID! Why? When Jen was good she was very, very, good. Jen would sit close by me; look up with her big, brown expressive eyes, gazing into mine with absolute devotion. When called to “come”, she was the 1st dog back in the house; asked to sit/stay, a total statue. I saw the dog that Jen could be. She just needed more, well lots more, positive attention, exercise and a routine she understood. Jen has been with me now for 7 plus years, a great member of our family. She plays well with other dogs, never has destroyed a thing, and is usually trustworthy.

She has never lost the gleam in her eyes as you can see her brain working. Jen also charms every single male that she meets. Many are sure that she wants to go home with them. If they only knew, she would control them before they knew what happened. –Gloria Yarina, Vero Beach, FL

For more pictures of Jen go to her website.