Dog Waits by Home for Owners to Return -- for Three Years

Chen the Chow was abandoned, but he wouldn't believe it. Now, he has the home he deserves.

Three years ago, Chen the Chow's owners abandoned their house in Atlanta. They abandoned Chen the Chow, too, but he didn't know it -- or he refused to believe it. Since then, he's been living outside the empty home awaiting their return, according to 11alive.com. 

"He was waiting and waiting for his people to come home," Lisa Renstrom of Chap's Chow Rescue said. "He absolutely would not leave that house. The people on either side would throw rocks and try to chase him away. He would not leave." 

Neighbors saw the dog every day outside the Gwinnett County home, and they didn't like it. He slept in the carport. He wandered the yard. He scavenged for food in a nearby Kroger grocery store through the woods, but he always came back to the house. He would not leave. 

Finally, one of the neighbors told Renstrom about the dog, and she took action. Over a period of weeks, she gained the trust of the dog by offering food. Then she took him into her care at Chap's Chow Rescue and set about finding him a forever home. 

It didn't take long. Ben Rupp of Ohio had been scouring sites looking for a new dog. He had just lost his own Chow of 13 years, named Goldie. Ben believes the dogs looked similar, and he felt a connection. He immediately booked a private plane and flew to Georgia. 

"His features are very similar to my old dog," Rupp said. "The pictures and the story, it all came together."

It came together for Renstrom, too. Although she had grown fond of Chen, she said goodbye to him on the tarmac. The loyal, faithful dog, who spent three years alone waiting for his owners to return, who refused to believe he had been abandoned, now has the home and the owner he deserves. 

Via 11alive.com. 

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Today is Giving Tuesday!

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A Stray Dog in Kansas Finds a Home After Eight Years

Many people tried to rescue her, but one determined woman finally took "Ditch Dog" in.

For more than eight years, a dog roamed on the edge of civilization, in a field in Buhler, KS, unwilling to come in from the cold.  

"It was a mysterious dog that sat in the field, and everyone pointed her out," said the mayor of Buhler, Daniel Friesen, according to the Kansas City Star. 

And many people tried to help her, mostly by leaving food, after they realized that the dog, a blond, wire-haired dog affectionately named D.D., for Ditch Dog, would not let any humans get near her.

"Everyone adopted her," said Buhler Police Chief Bill Tracy. "She was the best-fed dog in town. She never bothered a thing, and that's why she was allowed to stay out there."

"She was a very intelligent dog," he went on. "I could tell if someone was trying to catch her; she would go out in the middle of the wheat field and curl up in a ball."

Her life out there was not without hardship. Early on, when she was first noticed, her paw was caught in her collar, and she could only run on three legs. And she did run; attempts to catch her proved fruitless. Eventually the collar "weathered, rotted, and fell off" -- yet still she ran on three legs for a time, because of pain or habit, no one can say.

The dog was also smart: D.D. stayed on the county side of the road, which prevented her from being picked up by authorities under Buhler's leash law. 

Rachelle Cavanaugh was one person who kept an eye on D.D., feeding her and caring for her from afar. Cavanaugh had three rescues already at home, and she was determined to make D.D. her fourth. After suspecting that D.D. was suffering from arthritis, she began leaving treats with medicine, to help with the pain. She also put flea medicine in the food she left for D.D. 

Finally, after eight years, D.D. had enough of the outdoor life. When Cavanaugh was at the food dish, D.D. approached and let the woman touch her. 

"She was starving for attention," Cavanaugh said. "That forced my hand."

It took some days before the dog was ready to stay with Cavanaugh, and Cavanaugh moved slowly, so the dog would not be spooked. One cold day, Cavanaugh spotted D.D. and opened her car door. The dog jumped in. She took D.D. home and let her mix with her other dogs. Then she took her back to the field. 

"It's been a process," Cavanaugh said of gaining the trust of the dog. "I didn't want my dogs at risk or to jeopardize her. If I was taking her home, it had to work."

It finally did. D.D. is now a member of her family, and she has her forever home after eight long years in a field. Her anxiety is still an issue, but the dog knows how to soothe herself.

"She goes to her pillow," Cavanaugh said. "She knows she's safe there."

As for all the people who fed and wondered about the dog they'd see in the field, Cavanaugh put up a sign in the area. It reads: "Buhler: Thank you for all the years of care and concern. I have found a home and I am adjusting. God bless you, Ditch Dog."

Via the Kansas City Star 

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Hero Dog Geo Throws Himself in Front of a Truck to Save a Boy

Geo suffered a shattered leg and a fractured spine during the accident in England, but he'll recover.

You're acquainted with Kabang, the hero dog of the Philippines, who pushed two children out of the way of a speeding motorcycle and took the impact herself, losing her snout in the process. (She is currently being cared for at UC Davis.) Another hero dog recently did something remarkably similar -- and was just as gravely hurt in the process. 

In Clacton, England, Carly Riley was out for a walk with her sons -- Charlie (10), Josh (7), and Ben (4) -- and their dog, Geo, a German Shepherd-Collie mix. They were waiting to cross the road at a light. They heard a roar and saw a truck jump the curb. 

“We were waiting to cross the road, when I just heard a car going really fast," said Carly, according to the Sun. “Then a pick-up truck mounted the [curb]."

The pick-up barreled towards them -- specifically, right toward 10-year-old Charlie. It all happened too fast; Carly was stunned and couldn't react.

But Geo the dog could. He leapt up and pushed the boy out of the way, taking the full force of the impact himself. But Charlie was safe.

"Geo must have sensed it as he leapt on Charlie and took him out of the way. It could have wiped us all out," Cary told iTV.com. "If it wasn't for Geo I am 100 percent sure it would've been Charlie."   

The truck then hit the dog again, unbelievably, and drove off. Geo suffered from a shattered leg and fractured back, and he underwent a five-hour surgery on Wednesday. According to the Geo the Hero Facebook page, the leg needed two metal plates to hold it together, and the dog has a serious infection in her back.

The medical costs quickly overwhelmed Carly and her husband, and they've set up a PayPal account to accept donations for Geo's care. Information can be found on the Facebook page, which also provides updates on the dog. 

Geo, incidentally, is only 7 months old. 

“It wasn’t a question of getting him put down, we want him fixed no matter what it costs. He’s family,” Carly told the Sun. "I have no doubt Geo saved Charlie.”

If you'd like to help, please visit Geo the Hero on Facebook.

Via the Sun; photos via Facebook

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French Bulldog Found Tied in a Bag in Petco Bathroom

The abandoned dog was severely ill, but the rescue community has gathered around him.

It was a horrible way to abandon a dog: On Sunday, a French Bulldog was found tied up in bag in a store bathroom in Pittsford, New York. The dog was malnourished and dehydrated, and he had decayed teeth and missing fur. He couldn't keep his tongue in his mouth, and he couldn't eat solid food, according to DemocratandChronicle.com. 

The only saving grace: The person who abandoned him did so in the bathroom of a Petco. The store was having an adoption event, so lots of people were milling around with carriers. Presumably, the person slid into the bathroom with a carrier undetected. Or, more likely, the person just had the sick, listless dog in a bag, and was able to bring him into the store and dump him in the restroom without anyone noticing. 

In any event, help came quickly. Store employees found the dog and called a vet. Then an organization that saves dogs brought in by Greece Animal Control in New York, Greece Residents Assisting Stray Pets, stepped in. GRASP, as it's known, has found homes for 273 animals this year alone, and it regularly works with the Petco Foundation. Karla Barkley, the cat adoption coordinator, was determined to help the abandoned French Bulldog.

"Hearing the story about it touched my heart," she said. "So I drove up there to pick him up and bring him into our rescue group." 

"He was in terrible shape," Barkely said. "Malnourished, extremely thin, severely dehydrated, just a whole bunch of stuff." 

Fortunately, Pierre, as Barkley named the dog, is recovering quickly. After being fed by an IV for a while, he's switched to small amounts of boiled meat and rice, and his spirits are up.

"He just wants so much attention," Barkley said. "He followed me around the house all night. You cannot love this dog enough."

"He's the cutest little thing," she said. "The first thing I thought was, 'How could someone do this?' But it's very rewarding to find a dog like this and give him a second chance."

Today, Pierre is well on his way to finding his forever home -- he's just gone to live with foster mom Sue Zukoski, and GRASP is working through applications for a permanent adoption. 

"He's wonderful and loving," said Zukoski. "It's just so sad someone would have neglected him so horribly."

Via DemocratandChronicle.com 

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Priority Total Pet Care Recalls All Natural Bullstrips

The dog-treat manufacturer recalls its bully stick chews nationwide.

Dog-treat maker Carolina Prime Pet Inc. is voluntarily recalling certain packages of its Priority Total Pet Care All Natural Bullstrips, according to the FDA. No illnesses have been reported, but the product tested positive for Salmonella by the Colorado Dept. of Agriculture. 

The recall affects the Priority Total Pet Care All Natural Bullstrips in the 5-count package with the following UPC and lot codes, which can be found on the back of the packages of the dried bull penises: 

UPC: 0-21130-42080-3 Lot Codes: 20082712 S3195 and 20090312 S3195

The affected products were distributed nationally to stores from about the first of September until now. Those stores include:  

Safeway stores in Arizona, California, Colorado, Delaware, Hawaii, Maryland, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, South Dakota, Virginia, Washington DC, and WyomingVons, Pavilions and Pak 'N Save stores in CaliforniaRandalls and Tom Thumb stores in TexasGenuardi’s stores in Pennsylvania and New JerseyDominick’s stores in Illinois

According to the FDA, "Pets with Salmonella infections may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever, and vomiting. Some pets will have only decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain. Infected but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans."

For more information, contact Carolina Prime Pet Inc. at 1-888-370-2360.

Interestingly, as reported by Philly.com, no mention is made of the recall on Carolina Prime Pet's website, likely because the product is sold under a different label. 

View the original article here

Fiona Apple Cancels Tour to Care for Her Dying Dog

The singer breaks the news to fans via Facebook, and in the process turns in an incredible ode to a great dog.

Many people might call in sick from work to care for a sick and dying dog. But what if your job was going around to cities and singing heartfelt, cathartic songs in front of thousands of heartfelt, cathartic fans? Would you just stop all that to go home and care for your sick and dying dog?

That's exactly what Fiona Apple did.  

The singer cancelled her South American tour to care for her dog, Janet, a 14-year-old rescued Pit Bull who appears to be on her last legs. The dog has Addison's disease, "which makes it dangerous for her to travel since she needs regular injections of cortisol, because she reacts to stress and to excitement without the physiological tools which keep most of us from literally panicking to death." 

That quote is from a letter Apple posted on her official Facebook page. Handwritten. It is one hell of a letter. Have a look:

She writes, "I will not be the woman who puts her career ahead of love and friendship. I am the woman who stays home and bakes Tilapia for my dearest, oldest friend."

As her letter unfolds -- and it really is one impressive letter, the kind of thing you wish you still did every now and then instead of punching out texts with all the flow and music of a garbage disposal -- you realize what a great dog owner she is, and what a great dog she has. 

And that's when we decided to just print the whole letter, all 800 words of it, because it is so good. Here it is: 

It's 6 p.m. on Friday, and I'm writing to a few thousand friends I have not met yet. I am writing to ask them to change our plans and meet a little while later.

Here's the thing.

I have a dog Janet, and she's been ill for almost two years now, as a tumor has been idling in her chest, growing ever so slowly. She's almost 14 years old now. I got her when she was 4 months old. I was 21 then, an adult officially -- and she was my child.

She is a pitbull, and was found in Echo Park, with a rope around her neck, and bites all over her ears and face. She was the one the dogfighters use to puff up the confidence of the contenders. She's almost 14 and I've never seen her start a fight, or bite, or even growl, so I can understand why they chose her for that awful role. She's a pacifist.

Janet has been the most consistent relationship of my adult life, and that is just a fact. We've lived in numerous houses, and jumped a few make shift families, but it's always really been the two of us. She slept in bed with me, her head on the pillow, and she accepted my hysterical, tearful face into her chest, with her paws around me, every time I was heartbroken, or spirit-broken, or just lost, and as years went by, she let me take the role of her child, as I fell asleep, with her chin resting above my head. She was under the piano when I wrote songs, barked any time I tried to record anything, and she was in the studio with me all the time we recorded the last album. The last time I came back from tour, she was spry as ever, and she's used to me being gone for a few weeks every 6 or 7 years.

She has Addison's Disease, which makes it dangerous for her to travel since she needs regular injections of Cortisol, because she reacts to stress and to excitement without the physiological tools which keep most of us from literally panicking to death. Despite all of this, she’s effortlessly joyful and playful, and only stopped acting like a puppy about 3 years ago. She's my best friend and my mother and my daughter, my benefactor, and she's the one who taught me what love is.

I can't come to South America. Not now.

When I got back from the last leg of the US tour, there was a big, big difference. She doesn't even want to go for walks anymore. I know that she's not sad about aging or dying. Animals have a survival instinct, but a sense of mortality and vanity, they do not. That’s why they are so much more present than people.

But I know that she is coming close to point where she will stop being a dog, and instead, be part of everything. She’ll be in the wind, and in the soil, and the snow, and in me, wherever I go.

I just can't leave her now, please understand. If I go away again, I’m afraid she'll die and I won't have the honor of singing her to sleep, of escorting her out.

Sometimes it takes me 20 minutes to pick which socks to wear to bed. But this decision is instant. These are the choices we make, which define us.

I will not be the woman who puts her career ahead of love and friendship. I am the woman who stays home and bakes Tilapia for my dearest, oldest friend. And helps her be comfortable, and comforted, and safe, and important. Many of us these days, we dread the death of a loved one. It is the ugly truth of Life, that keeps us feeling terrified and alone. I wish we could also appreciate the time that lies right beside the end of time. I know that I will feel the most overwhelming knowledge of her, and of her life and of my love for her, in the last moments. I need to do my damnedest to be there for that.

Because it will be the most beautiful, the most intense, the most enriching experience of life I've ever known. When she dies. So I am staying home, and I am listening to her snore and wheeze, and reveling in the swampiest, most awful breath that ever emanated from an angel.

And I am asking for your blessing.

Images via Facebook

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Help the Movie "Shadow Trade" End Thailand's Dog-Meat Circuit

A documentary on Soi Dog Foundation aims to stop the horrible practice, but it needs your help.

One of our favorite charities, Soi Dog Foundation, is working hard to end the illegal dog-meat trade in Thailand. But accomplishing heroic rescues is simply not enough -- to spare stolen pets from the butcher's knife, there's an urgent need to raise global awareness of the terrible fate of Thai dogs who fall into criminal hands.

An efficient way to do that is through the powerful medium of film. London-based Environment Films is producing a documentary for Soi Dog Foundation called Shadow Trade: The Price of Loyalty. To complete the project, the filmmakers have created a crowdfunding campaign on IndieGogo, which ends in a few days. 

Backing a film made possible through crowdfunding is a uniquely rewarding experience -- but it's doubly rewarding when the movie's mission is to help dogs in desperate need and dire circumstances. "The dog meat trade must end," is this film's to-the-point slogan. We couldn't agree more. And the filmmakers promise that any extra funds that are raised will go toward helping the dogs themselves.

As the Shadow Trade IndieGogo campaign winds down, show you care by becoming a backer. If that's not in your budget, please help spread the word by giving Trade of Shame a "Like" on Facebook. The dogs of Thailand will thank you. 

Here's the trailer for Shadow Trade:

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2012 Holiday Gift Giving Guide for Green Dogs!

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60 Dogs and Cats Affected by Sandy Fly to San Diego

They got on the plane, posed for pictures, and prepared themselves for their new lives.

Last weekend, 60 dogs and cats who were displaced by Hurricane Sandy -- and facing euthanasia in local New York shelters -- got on a plane in New York and flew to San Diego. Not as cargo, but in coach. They had the plane to themselves, actually. 

Once they arrived, they were whisked away to a shelter in Rancho Santa Fe to be given the opportunity to find their forever homes -- for as long as it takes. The shelter is no-kill.

How does something like this happen? Thank the Helen Woodward Animal Center, who didn't just sit back and watch the drama unfold in New York City, but acted. The people who worked at the center, wondering how to help, hatched an outlandish plan. They decided they wanted people to fly them as many of Sandy's dogs and cats as possible. They just had to figure out how to do it. 

They got on the phone. They called Southwest, who donated a pilot and crew. They called SeaWorld in San Diego, whose staff know a thing or two about shipping animals across country, and they quickly signed on, donating animal handlers to make the trip. They also called BP, who bankrolled the gas money. You cannot forget gas money. 

Sixty dogs and cats now have a chance for a new life -- and that frees up room in the chaotic shelter scene unfolding in New York right now. Fortunately, that's also getting a huge break from another person who picked up the phone and got things done: celebrity chef Rachael Ray. She teamed up with the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals to open a 20,000-square-foot shelter for animals left homeless in the storm. 

“The goal is to provide the people who have been displaced by Hurricane Sandy an opportunity to bring their pets in and board them for up to 30 days and really just focus on getting their lives back together,” said Tim Rickey, spokesman for the ASPCA, according to ABC News.

There's still a lot to be done to care for the thousands of pets affected by the storm, but these examples show that there are people out there who are making things happen. If you'd like to donate to help with the 60 dogs and cats now safe at the Helen Woodward Animal Center, click here.

Via ABC News; photos via Helen Woodward Animal Center's Facebook page

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Tallim the Dog Adopts Tiger Cubs at a Russian Zoo

Three little cats are nursing from the Swiss Shepherd, and all is right in the world.

The staff members at Oktyabrsky zoo in Sochi, Russia, had quite a pickle on their hands earlier this month, when Bagira the tigress left her adorable cubs on their own after they were born. 

Oh, to have such a problem, you know? 

The staffers weren't too surprised. Some of them even expected it. Bagira, you see, did this very thing just five months ago, when she left a different set of adorable cubs on their own after they were born. The zoo seems to be overflowing with Bagira's cubs. 

The staff talked to the other tigers, but none would agree to be a surrogate mom for Bagira; they did this to teach Bagira a lesson about nurturing and responsibility (we think). A dog named Tallim overheard all this, and being a Swiss Shepard, agreed to nurse the cubs -- provided her bowls of food started to include chunks of fresh meat (again, speculation). 

In any case, we do know that Tallim the Brave entered the nursing pen with a strong heart. The cubs "bared their claws and hissed" at Tallim, according to The Telegraph, which seems like a reasonable thing to do. Tallim was unbowed. The cubs dropped the act and scampered over, and they enjoyed a long, warm drinks of milk from a slightly shellshocked Tallim. 

Eventually, everybody relaxed and started acting like nothing was amiss. And perhaps it isn't. All the cubs are feeding, and Tallim, now the official adoptive mom for the boys Olymp and Dar as well as a female named Talli, nuzzles and cuddles the cubs as if they were her own. 

As for Bagira the tigress, she is sitting near a tree in the hazy light of the zoo at dusk, eyeing a lone male drinking from a water feature. His shoulders are strong. She wanders over for a look. 

Via the Huffington Post

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9 Thanksgiving Foods That Are Safe to Share with Your Dog

There's no reason to banish Bowser from the Thanksgiving table! There are traditional meal items that your dog can indulge in, too.

Every Thanksgiving, North Americans are faced with worries as big as the feast. Will we survive another visit from our in-laws? Will our favorite football team stop breaking our hearts and finally win a game? One thing that should not be on our mind, however, is whether our pets are at risk.

Here are the safest foods (in small, treat-size portions, of course) that are safe for our best friends off the Thanksgiving menu.

Turkey: Cooked poultry bones can easily break and may get stuck in your pets' throats or bruise their stomachs, so if your pooch wants some extra protein on their plate, stick to white-meat turkey with no skin or bones ONLY. 

Yummy Yams: Although your favorite version may be decked out with caramelized brown sugar and marshmallows, hold the sweets when you serve them to your sweetie pie. Plain yams are rich, delicious and filled with fiber.

Apple Slices: Raw apple slices are a great way to hold your pet over until the main course. (And make sure Fido remembers to eat his fruit!) Hold the pie, please.

Mashed Potatoes: Without the gravy and butter, please! Fatty foods can cause inflammation of the pancreas, but it is OK to serve up some plain mashed potatoes without the skin for your pooch.

Corn: Give your pooch a few kernels of corn and the carbs will keep them from dozing off before you finish your meal! Who knew corn could be a canine energy-booster?

Don’t Forget the Cranberries: While humans may disagree whether gelatin or sauce recipes are best, dogs know they both taste great! Serve your dog a small amount — watch the sugar content — and they’ll get a tasty dose of vitamin C and antioxidants.

Stuffing: Everyone’s favorite side dish is also okay for pooches to nibble on. Just make sure their serving of your famous stuffing has absolutely no onions, garlic or strong herbs — especially sage — in it. Best to give a taste of the plain batch you make for picky Aunt Edna.

Vegetables: Make sure your pet leaves room for veggies on their plate. Carrots, broccoli or string beans are nutrient-packed and will keep your pet healthy. Keep it simple by steaming them plain, without seasoning or salt.

Pumpkin: Does your pooch have a sweet tooth? Give them plain cooked or canned pumpkin instead of a slice of that pumpkin pie or pie filling.

Dogsters, what would you add to this list?

This article first ran on our friend site, Pawnation. See more recent stories from that site:

Eliminate the 10 Biggest Pet Threats in Your Home
12 Most Dangerous "People Foods" For Your Pets
A Very Awkward Family Pets Thanksgiving

View the original article here

Reflections on My Drive Through Lancaster, the Puppy Mill Capital of the World

I felt queasy making my way through this part of Pennsylvania on a recent trip because I know its dark secret.

"Green beans, peach pie, Akita puppies."

If only I had my cell phone with me when I recently came upon that sign outside of a picturesque Amish country road leading up to a seemingly charming house. Journalism Rules 101: Have a camera with you at all times. Which I had failed to do. The words etched on that sign, however, are an eternal snapshot in my mind.

Seeing that sign on a recent trip to Lancaster, PA, left me with a different feeling than I'd gotten on previous trips in the region. Since my previous visits I've learned that this agrarian community is home to a deep dark secret: The area is known for its dog factories, puppy mills, torture houses -- call them what you will -- and the sign was evidence, however slight, of what goes on there. 

The tourism bureau boasts that there are “so many things to do, you’ll come back again and again,” but it neglects that Amish Country is also dubbed “the puppy mill capital of the world” by several animal advocacy groups.

Lancaster County is home to what many consider the oldest and largest population of Amish in the United States, about 30,000. Often called “Dutch Country” because of the Pennsylvania Dutch who were among the first Europeans in the region, this area was also the home of my dog’s veterinary specialist for years. We took the road less traveled to appointments, through Amish towns including Intercourse, Blue Ball, Lititz, and Bird-in-Hand -- and on a few occasions, we turned the vet trip into a vacation, yet I somehow missed the seedy secrets.

Of course, not all Amish are puppy-mill breeders, and scores of non-Amish folks are horrible puppy-mill producers. But my interest was piqued in returning to Amish Country while channel scanning this fall. I stumbled on the TLC reality show, Breaking Amish, and spawned by “must see” instincts, I headed for corn rows.

The Amish are depicted as comprising a quiet, hardworking culture, people who grow their own foods and live without electricity and modern conveniences.

According to the website Pet Watch New Jersey, “Many puppies sold in New Jersey pet stores originate from Amish and Mennonite puppy mills in Pennsylvania, with the highest concentration coming from Lancaster County.” How could I have driven through this area so many times and not seen it? Apparently, this is what the area relies on: clueless tourists.

Undercover video obtained by Main Line Animal Rescue (located near the Valley Forge National Park in Chester County, PA) several years ago revealed dogs are improperly bred and live in filthy conditions. Many never see the light of day. In a story reported by ABC News, Bill Smith (of Main Line Rescue) shared that dogs are often euthanized and sometimes are “legally” shot. Smith told ABC News, “Unfortunately, if a kennel breeds less than 60 dogs, they can shoot them," he said. "If it's over 60 dogs, they can't be shot."

Many people -- including the governor -- have called for reform of the law that allowed that, and web research was inconclusive as to whether the law still stands. Regardless, it's horrific to think that as recently as 2009, courts in Pennsylvania ruled that it was legal -- if disturbing -- for people to kill their pets if they wanted to.

In 2008, Main Line Animal Rescue put up a billboard in Chicago, which caught Oprah Winfrey's eye. It said, "Oprah: Do a show on puppy mills. The dogs need you." Winfrey sent journalist Lisa Ling into Pennsylvania's puppy mill country for what became an award-winning expose.

The Amish in Pennsylvania are not alone in their outrageous and harmful breeding practices. Just recently an Amish farmer in Ohio was busted for the offense of cruelty to animals and operating a puppy mill.

A recent puppy mill bust in Tarlton, Ohio, merited 50 dogs seized, some so matted and laden in fur that their breeds were unidentifiable. The dogs are being taken to several rescue organizations around the state. Sadly, the owner of the operation complained he was most upset that reporters were present and calling attention to the bust.

How is this allowed to happen? Are these quiet folk immune to the law? The Animal Legal Defense Fund is working to change legislation, which would require reform, as Dogster reported. But things are not moving along swiftly enough, and millions of innocent dogs are being bred as trash and then discarded as such. What can we do? This is what played through my mind as I sickeningly faced a three-hour ride home from the sign that shook me to my core.

The Humane Society of the United States has an actionable kit for folks to get involved, and it also provides tips to avoid buying a dog from a puppy mill.

Also, though this video may be hard to watch, it exposes what is happening and what we can do to give these innocent animals a voice.

Being registered and having papers does not ensure a puppy did not come from a puppy mill. Refuse to shop at stores that sell puppies from puppy mills. My first dog was a puppy-mill rescue, and this I know: I loved her more than life itself, and she had extenstive health problems. 

I know better now, but the problem that causes such suffering continues.

View the original article here

Product Review: Humane Healing Dog Wound Ointment & Spray

Now available to dog owners – not just veterinarians – Humane Healing dog wound ointment and spray promotes  safe and faster healing of common dog wounds such as hot spots, punctures, lick granulomas, lacerations (cuts), abscesses  burns, incisions, abrasions, etc. Using organic salts and minerals, this line of wound care is non-toxic, so if your dog licks it, he or she will not be ingesting harmful chemicals.

These are the only dog wound first aid products scientifically proven to reduce healing time, according to the company. They are free of antibiotics, non-caustic and non-steroidal.

I wondered how to test a canine wound ointment if my canines didn’t have a wound. But then our four-mont-old puppy, Benelli, swallowed some hair accessories of my girls’ and it was off to emergency surgery. $1,700 later, we had a sore and groggy but otherwise safe puppy with a long incision on her tummy.

I used the spray and ointment on her as she was confined to lots of crate rest and the dreaded cone. We could let her out to go outside and do her business, and for short leg-stretching sessions (always on leash). I was glad that I didn’t have to worry about what would happen if she were to lick some of the ointment or spray before we could stop her. Her poor tummy had been through enough. She healed quickly and within three days, we were able to liberate her from the crate for extended periods. Removal of the staples went smoothly, in part due to the good healing that had gone on while they were in.

Both products had a very VERY light odor, with no trace of fragrance. The ointment smells faintly salty, and the spray has a delicate medicinal smell, but not at all objectionable. The ointment absorbs quickly yet stays on the affected area. Both are clear.

The only (minor) issue I had was that one of the spray bottles didn’t spray. I tried hot water and anything else I could think of to get it to work, but it never did. Might have been a bad batch, which happens to everyone. I’m glad I got two to test. The other one worked fine. If you buy some in the store, ask if you can spray your hand before you leave to make sure the spray nozzle works.

The ointment lasted a long time. Of course, it depends on the size of the wound and how much you apply, but I did not use the whole tube for my puppy’s 6-inch wound. The spray will give you around 200 sprays. Since the expiration date is nearly two years away, I’m going to keep the rest in my doggie first aid kit.

I really liked these products. They’re natural, effective and user-friendly. I would recommend any dog owner have some in the house for emergencies. You just never know when your dog is going to get an infection, scrape, or other minor injury.

Price: $29.95 each

Manufacturer: www.HumaneHealing.com

Lisa Woody is a former magazine editor and professional product tester for 15 years. She has been a pet products e-tailer for 8 years and loves to find out what's new and what works for dogs.

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“Pet ID for Me” State Driver License Pet Tag

Posted on 30. Sep, 2009 by Keri in Bliss Approved, Dog Accessories, Dog Tags & Jewelry

Bliss and her Pet ID for Me magnet

So, Bliss was driving around the city the other night (as she does), checking out the studs at Dolores Park, blaring Snoop Dogg, and was pulled over by SFPD for rolling through a stop sign (or as we like to call it, a “California stop”).

This might have been a problem for any other dog, but Bliss whipped out her Pet ID for Me, a pet ID made to look like your home state’s driver license. The creators, Jason Harnum and Andrew Gallagher, have crafted these pet tags out of durable waterproof laminate, and all states are available. The ID includes your little rebel’s name, address, phone number (I’ve blurred those bits out), date of birth, and other identifying information. A 2 x 3 magnet with the same design is included free with your pet tag order, so you can post your pet’s outstanding traffic tickets on the refrigerator.

The cops let Bliss off with a warning, but I think I’ll take her keys away just to teach her a lesson. You have to draw the line somewhere.

Pet ID for Me
$20
P.S. Keep refreshing their home page until you see someone familiar.

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Zen Water and Food Dog Dish

Posted on 28. Sep, 2009 by Keri in Dog Bowls & Feeding, Uncategorized

The main feature of this dog dish, besides the awesome interior colors, is its ergonomically correct shape. If you place it in line with your dog’s body, it conforms to the shape of your dog’s mouth. And that makes for a more comfortable eating experience, if your dog is into comfortable eating.

But what I like most about his dish is the little side receptacle for dessert, you know, like those TV dinners where they give you a miniscule rubber brownie or that apple cake with the molten cranberry topping that burns the crap out of the roof of your mouth. Like that, only different.

The Ritzy Rover
$26 – $32

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What does California's Proposition 37 mean for the health of your dog?

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Six months without Bliss

Posted on 24. Jul, 2010 by Keri in Dog Bliss News, Uncategorized

It’s been a little over six months since we lost Bliss.

Some of her toys are still here (I’m looking at them now), there’s a big box of unused food and product samples in the garage (they’re headed to a charity, I promise), and I’m still sweeping errant tufts of cottony fluff from corners and under furniture.

I made egg salad today and expected her to come running in when I tapped the eggs on the counter (eggs were her favorite). If I drop a bit of food on the floor, my first thought is still, “Bliss will get that.” I still find myself lunging to close the door when my horrible cooking sets off the smoke detector because she’d tremble for an hour whenever it went off.

I miss her. I go for morning walks, but it seems so stupid. What’s the point of going for a walk without a dog? I’m working from home a lot these days, and there’s no one to talk to, and no fluffball sighing at my feet. And coming in the front door without her telling the whole neighborhood about it just seems… anticlimactic.

Friends and relatives ask me if we’re going to get another dog. I had a dream about a week ago in which my husband asked me to bring the dog in. I started calling for Bliss. He said, “Oh, no, honey. We don’t have her anymore. She died.” He gave me the name of our new dog. I sobbed, “But I don’t know how to call for another dog!” Clearly, I haven’t finished grieving for her and I’m apparently not ready for another dog.

I’ve received some very nice emails advising me to consider starting this blog again. You all are very kind. But the thing is, I don’t have a dog. I’m not a pet owner any longer. I don’t buy dog products, I don’t look at pet blogs, I don’t walk down the pet supply aisles in grocery stores. So really, how qualified am I to continue this blog? How compelling is it for you to read a site called “My Dog Bliss” if there is no Bliss?

But when the site came up for renewal a couple of weeks ago, I renewed it. And I’m here throwing words on a page for whomever might see it. And I know, someday, I’ll get another dog. I can’t imagine life without one.

But for now, I don’t know how to call for another dog.

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Duh dum… Duh dum… Duhdum duhdum…

Posted on 31. Oct, 2011 by Keri in Dog Bliss News, Dog Holiday

Happy Halloween! Don’t forget to watch out for landsharks posing as trick-or-treaters. They’re treacherous, those landsharks.

(Costume from Target.)

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How Blind Dogs Play "Fetch"

Chica and Jack are expert fetchers, just like all dogs. But they rely on other senses besides sight.

Yes, it's an amazing video. A Border Collie is running around a farm in Terre Haute, Indiana, fetching and herding a ball back to her owner, looking exactly like a Border Collie fetching a ball should look -- intense, precise, immensely happy with the whole endeavor and hoping to do it for the next 93 hours.

Only, Chica is blind. And not only blind, she had her eyes removed when she was a puppy -- there's no shadows leaking through, no fuzzy shapes, just blackness. But that doesn't stop her from finding that ball, even slipping under fences and stopping abruptly before parked cars to do so.

"I don’t understand it at all. She runs every place she goes," Chica's owner Martha Knox says in the video. "It’s almost like she has radar."

We're impressed, to be sure, but not exactly surprised. It's just been two months since our minds were first busted wide open in the blind-dog-fetching category, thanks to Jack the Labrador of Potters Green, England. He fetches object as well -- by swimming to them.

Jack lost his sight three years ago, but his owner, Margaret Simpson, instantly knew she had a special dog: "When we got him, he was losing his sight, and we taught him how to stop, look left and right. When we were out walking, wherever there was water, he could sense it."?

"Then he started going into ponds and canals using only his smell, putting his head underwater and bringing back big rocks," she told the Daily Mail. "We started throwing in a dummy, which was better for his teeth, and he just dived in. That’s when we realized how talented he was."

His country took notice. In September, Jack was named Pet Champion in the water sports category of the UK Spot On awards.

Our congratulations go out to Jack and Chica for not letting blindness get in the way of a dog's right to a great game of fetch.

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Russian Dog Hunters Kill Hundreds in Moscow Parks

The barbaric practice has become an epidemic, with more than 1,500 dogs killed in the last few years. The people are rising up.

If you haven't heard about dog hunting yet, brace yourself. It's an insane underground "sport" in Russia, in which hunters lay out traps filled with poisoned meat in parks to kill dogs.

In September, more than 70 dead dogs were poisoned in a week at a single park, as reported by The Star. 

Moscow's Green Lead Movement estimates that more than 1,500 stray and domestic dogs have been killed in the last few years, according to the Moscow Times. 

Russia has notoriously lax animal protection laws and authorities who fail to prosecute. According to the Sun, only nine cases against dog hunters in Moscow have made it to court since 2011, with just one ending in a conviction.

Stray dogs are common in Russia, with estimates of more than 25,000 in Moscow alone. The dog hunters claim they are going after strays, but pets are being killed -- and targeted -- as well. The New York Times reported on a flier in a Moscow park that read: “If you don’t follow the rules of walking your dog -- it will die.” 

The dog hunters meet and trade tips online. "Dog hunting forums -- the most well-known of which are Vreditelyam.net and Pest.net -- are populated by those who call themselves “volunteers” and provide graphic photos of their trophy killings," reports the Star. "The sites require extensive registration and identification processes for participants."

“It's a whole community,” said an event manager. “They write how they kill them, post photographs, tell you which poison is better and where to buy it.”

We can't imagine. Apparently, those 70 dogs were killed by Amanita phalloides, aka the death cap mushroom. 

Fortunately, change might be occurring, though not by the government -- while the police opened an investigation after the September murders, it seems to have gone nowhere, as not a single person has been detained for the deaths of the more than 70 dogs. 

Instead, the people are rising up against the dog hunters. 

This weekend, hundreds of protesters came to a rally at Moscow's New Pushkin Square to voice their anger. Many even brought their dogs, despite fears that dog hunters would target the area. The rally was organized by the Green Lead movement, according to the Moscow Times. Celebrated Russian actor and producer Leonid Yarmolnik spoke to the people. "People who kill their fellow creatures, they can't call themselves human beings," he said.

Let's hope the public continues to rise up against this barbaric and insane sport, and the authorities begin track down and prosecute the killers. It is madness to allow it to continue. 

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Identifying Diarrhea in Multi-dog Households

Many times it is difficult to figure out which dog has loose stool or diarrhea when you can’t watch them every time they go out. A good way to identify the stool is to shave a little bit of different color non-toxic Crayola crayon in each dogs food. The crayon does not break down in the digestive system and you will be able to tell that Sam was given pink crayon and his stool is firm but Abby was given yellow crayon and her stool is loose.

Only use Crayola non-toxic crayons. Other brands may contain lead or toxins.

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Make a homemade Halloween costume for your dog!

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Wellness Dry Dog Food and Charlee Bear Dog Treats Announce Recalls

In unrelated recalls, Wellness and Charlee Bear both take products off store shelves over Salmonella fears.

Charlee Bear Products announced the company is voluntarily recalling certain lots of Protein Crunch Bar products due to Salmonella fears. The recall went into affect after a sample tested positive for Salmonella.

The recall affects two flavors in the 5.5-oz package size, which were distributed nationally in September and October 2012.

The first, Chicken Recipe with Carrots, has UPC Code: 8710890000 and includes these lot numbers:

Lot number 19812;  Best by date: 07-16-2015;Lot number 19912; Best by date: 07-17-2015Lot number 20012; Best by date: 07-18-2015Lot number 20212; Best by date: 07-20-2015

The second, Chicken Recipe with Sweet Potatoes, has UPC Code 8710890001 and includes just a single lot number:

Lot number 20112; Best by date: 07-19-2015

To contact the company, call (800) 396-8893 or email info@charleebear.com.

Next up with a recall is Wellpet, which posted on its Wellness Facebook page that a "small amount" of Small Breed Adult Health Dry Dog Food (12 pound) with the Best By date of August 18, 2013, did not meet the company's "high standards."

The company found a higher moisture content in the product, which has the potential to cause mold before its expiration date.

To contact Wellness, call (800) 225-0904.

If you suspect your pet is infected with Salmonella from either of these recalls, watch for the warning signs, via the FDA:

Pets with Salmonella infections may have decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain. If left untreated, pets may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever and vomiting. Infected but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans. If your pet has consumed the recalled product and has these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian.

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Kate Gosselin Is Not on the Side of Pit Bulls

Jon's girlfriend, Liz Jannetta, simply posted a pic of a Gosselin boy nuzzling with a caring Pit Bull on Twitter. Then came Kate's comebacks.

Did you know that if you post a picture of Jon and Kate Gosselin's kids frolicking with dogs on Twitter, your followers will FREAK OUT?

Caveat: Your followers have to be lunatics. 

Last week, Liz Jannetta, who is the girlfriend of Jon Gosselin -- what, you didn't know? -- tweeted a photo of one of the Gosselin tribe kissing a hugging a dog. The dog was not attacking the child. The dog was kissing and nuzzling the boy. The dog is a Pit Bull, too. Here's the shot:

I know. Aww. But some of Liz's followers were not happy. Actually, mostly they were not happy about Liz tweeting a photo of Jon Gosselin's child, because she is not Kate Gosselin ... or something. Custody hearings via Twitter conversations are hard to follow. 

Eventually the photo made its way through the Internet to Kate. And Kate was not happy. Kate made her way to her computer, uprooting trees and spitting poison, and the Internet cowered, awaiting the blow. It came passive-aggressively, in which Kate retweeted some tweets about a web site dedicated to child victims of Pit Bull attacks.  

@JenWheeler @Kateplusmy8 Children who were victims of pit bulls Take a look & see why people care.http://walkforvictimsofpitbulls.blogspot.com

@Kateplusmy8 @OneMomsOpinion Pictures & stories of pit bull victims http://walkforvictimsofpitbulls.blogspot.com

You see, Kate was making a passive-agressive stab at Jon, like the time she saw his toothbrush on the floor behind the toilet and left it there all day, equating that nice photo of the boy and a dog with a site about dog attacks, the message being: Pit Bulls are dangerous dogs.

Which is a bad and irresponsible thing to do, like that time you put your family on a dumb show and everything blew up in you and your husband's fame-grubbing faces. 

If you don't know who Kate Gosselin is and have never used Twitter, I'm sorry for all this. 

Via Radar 

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Ugh, No: Usher Wins a Goldendoodle at Auction

Usher wins a $12,000 Goldendoodle at a charity auction. How many things are wrong with that sentence?

This weekend, at the Pencils of Promise gala in New York City, Usher bid $12,000 in a celebrity auction to take home an adorable and "coveted" Goldendoodle, beating Justin Bieber's manager and former Gossip Girl actress Jessica Szohr (Vanessa from Brooklyn), and everyone went home dumb and happy, according to US Weekly.

All well and good, right? Wrong.

Our biggest issue: Dogs should not be prizes in anything, even if people such as Usher and Justin Bieber's manager are involved -- especially if Justin Bieber's manager is involved.

Here's what Dogster writer Anneli Rufus had to say about puppies as prizes horrorshow on Toddlers and Tiaras, and it's just as valid here: "Excuse me, but randomly matching a dog with whoever happens to win? On how many levels is this wrong? Human-dog chemistry is almost as complex as human-human chemistry. Winning a puppy is like being forced to marry your blind date."

Next: a $12,000 Goldendoodle? So the $0 rescue dog you were going to save from a local shelter and give a great life to fell through, huh? Shoot, and all that great publicity you were going to get for your charity, Pencils of Promise -- a charity dedicated to educating children -- for doing the right thing and raising a rescue out of poverty is now going to get berated by someone from Dogster. Win some, lose some.

"We are proof that a generation empowered will empower the world," says Pencils and Promise founder on its website. Okay.

Finally, you had to go with a hybrid? If you weren't going to save the life of something, couldn't you have prevented another round of dumb fascination with designer dogs? Not that we dislike hybrids -- we dislike the cult of hybrids, which sends backyard breeders into fits of bad decision-making. We dislike celebrities such as Kim Kardashian buying a teacup Persian kitty and then sending the tweet “My new baby Mercy! #TeacupPersian,” making the phrase "teacup Persian" rocket up Google rankings and leading Phil from Arkansas to rejigger his backyard kitten-mill operation in the dead of night into something even more unholy.

To the charity's credit, though, Usher's Goldendoodle is freaking adorable. We hope he and his kids give the dog -- named Poppy Raymond (Usher names all his kids Raymond) -- a great life.

What do you think about charities auctioning hybrid dogs? Let us know in the comments! 

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51 Maltese Dogs Abandoned on a Country Road in Texas

A puppy mill operator's cowardly act nearly cost dozens of dogs their lives. Rescue is under way.

Police in Flower Mound, TX, received a call last month that "a large number of small dogs" were running loose beside a country road. Animal service officers were sent out, and they captured the dogs.

Fifty-one dogs, to be precise. All of them Maltese. They were in terrible hygienic condition, with "severely matted hair," and all were in poor health, with "issues ranging from staph infections to broken bones to cancer," according to Star Local News.

A video released later detailed those injuries, which included such horrors as a dislocated jaw, mammary tumors, tooth decay from eating urine-soaked food, a broken and dead tail, cauliflower ears, a deformed leg, nails grown into pads of their feet, and so on. The level of neglect surprised even veteran rescuers, according to the video. 

Who would dump 51 ailing and neglected Maltese? There's only one theory: a puppy mill operator. Though there is no specific breeder in mind, police suspect the dogs were abandoned due to a new Texas law requiring minimum care standards, inspection, and licensing of commercial breeders. There's a $6,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible.

Thanks to the efforts of Flower Mound Animal Services, who rescued the dogs with police, all of the dogs were placed in local rescue groups.

"It is always gratifying to see how the rescue community pulls together in these situations," said Stacy Smith of Flower Mound Animal Services. "It would have been difficult for any one group to provide the level of care and attention that these dogs required."

Smith said that nearly every dog needed extensive medical treatment, and most suffered from anxiety and fear issues. 

"The organizations who took these dogs on committed to a great deal of expense and rehabilitation," Smith said. "These are not dogs that were ready to be adopted out immediately. They needed a lot of work."

The rescue groups did that work, however, and yesterday Flower Mound Animal Services was happy to report that many of the Maltese have already been adopted. Others are still rehabilitating in foster homes. One Maltese, Audrey, gave birth the day she was rescued. Her puppies will never know the horrors of the puppy mill.

Smith wants people to think about these dogs when they consider buying a puppy from a store.

"These dogs spent their lives as the mothers and fathers of puppies you purchase in pet stores, online, or at trade days," she said. "They live their entire lives in filthy cages. A puppy purchased from one of those sources supports the puppy mill industry and this kind of cruelty. If you want to make sure you aren't contributing to it, adopt your next pet from a shelter."

We couldn't agree more.

Via Star Local News

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Introducing Ferris! (Or: Why I suck)

Posted on 05. Oct, 2011 by Keri in Dog Bliss News

Hi. I’m back. And with good news.

Introducing Ferris! He’s my 18-week-old Pomeranian puppy.

There’s so much to say about this. Such a whirlwind of emotions: Joy, nostalgia, guilt, amusement, frustration… And that was just in the last 20 minutes. So much has changed for me since I lost Bliss and even since the last time I wrote on this blog. My life doesn’t resemble what it did before. Not to get into too much detail and make everyone all uncomfortable and squirmy (don’t you hate it when you ask people how they are and they actually tell you how they are?), but seriously, almost everything has changed since I posted in July of last year.

But back to Ferris. After 20 months, I finally decided I was ready for a new dog, and debated whether or not I wanted another Keeshond. I love the breed. Bliss was everything I wanted in a dog and more. But there were a couple of issues. First, at 30-50 pounds, a Keeshond would be too large for the small place I’m renting, and second (and more importantly), I didn’t want to try to replace Bliss.

I’d considered a Pomeranian before I found Bliss, and revisited that idea. After meeting several, I found a little guy who met what I wanted in my next dog but whose size, color (he’ll get redder with his adult coat), and gender would be far enough removed from Bliss to help avoid comparison. I brought him home last week.

And here’s where I get honest with y’all (because if I can’t be honest, why bother writing?). It’s been a bit of a struggle.

Ferris is freaking adorable. He’s smart, bouncy, active, and alert. I chose him because although he was initially a little aloof, when I picked him up he nuzzled under my chin and gave me little doggy kisses. I saw how he acted with his owners (playful and attentive) and I knew that with socialization, he’d come out of his shell a little. But although he can be affectionate, now that I know him it’s not necessarily how I’d first characterize him. “Feisty” would be a better word.

I began to get concerned when I saw a couple of instances of resource guarding. He only did it twice, but of course, my mind unfairly harkened back to Bliss whom we could never get to growl outside of playtime. This little dude at 17 weeks was already doing it. Family and friends told me it’s just a “puppy thing,” but I know better. This is the kind of thing that can escalate quickly and become a real problem later. In our first vet visit, I brought it up. Although he was gold with the vet, an assistant abruptly stuck her head in the room and Ferris started growling and barking.

“Yeah,” the vet said, “you may have an aggression problem here. This is going to need constant attention, and probably an individual trainer.” She went on in that manner until she saw my crestfallen face and stopped, saying, “I’m sorry. Probably not what you wanted to hear.” It wasn’t, especially on that day (again with the personal things, but just know that date was significant and hurtful). I took Ferris back to my car and bawled until I damn near dehydrated.

I already had a training class scheduled, but thought a trainer visit couldn’t hurt. She came over on Sunday and evaluated Ferris. She didn’t see the same thing the vet did. “Well, resource guarding isn’t great,” she said, “but it’s early enough to deal with. I don’t see aggression. He’s a pretty independent little guy, and he’s never going to be a dopey, wiggly-with-strangers type. But he may get more outgoing with socialization.” I was okay with that.

But here’s the thing. Here’s the really honest, I-suck-as-a-human-being kind of thing. I haven’t really bonded with Ferris yet. I enjoy him, I think he’s adorable, but… But. I knew he wasn’t going to be Bliss, but then… you know… he wasn’t. Bliss was pure sweetness through and through. Ferris is sharp and wily. Bliss just wanted to be near me. Ferris wants to see how much he can get away with. Bliss needed me. Ferris needs what I give him. I play with him, I give him tons of affection, we’ve begun training, and I’ve gone above and beyond what a puppy needs. But it just doesn’t feel the same.

And it’s so unfair to Ferris. So, so, so unfair. Bliss had the advantage of following a real problem dog (he was neurologically impaired, had seizures starting at 11 weeks, was aggressive, and died at 2 years old), so anything she did was an improvement. And her sweet nature was so irresistible I bonded with her instantly. Ferris looks sweet, but he’s actually kind of edgy. He’s just a little harder to connect with.

But then after some significant soul-searching I realized I’ve put way too much pressure on the dude. Not only did I expect him to be Bliss (yes I did), but Bliss without all of her own set of faults. I also expected him to take care of everything else that’s going on in my life and make me instantly happy. Because if a puppy can’t make me happy, what can, right? Wow. That’s a huge burden for a 4-pound puppy.

So I’m giving him (and myself) a break. We’re working on what we can work on now, and I’m forgiving myself for feeling the way I do. I’m celebrating his victories and his differences, and trusting that all good things take time. Amazing things take time plus faith plus work. Lots and lots of work. I think we’re both up for it.

…And now excuse me while I deter Ferris from taking the drapes down.

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The Hero Dog Awards Honors America's Best Friends

The American Humane Association honored eight dogs at its awards gala hosted by Kristin Chenoweth.

Last night (Nov. 8), the American Humane Association Hero Dog Awards finally aired on the Hallmark Channel. (The event took place at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on Oct. 6.) It was a star-studded affair -- or so we imagine. Our cable plan is apparently one that does not offer the Hallmark Channel, a fact we realized far too late to do us any good.

Anyway.

We know it was a great night, because Kristin Chenoweth was the host, and she brought her Maltese, Madeline Kahn Chenoweth, along for the ride. Imagine them up there on the stage -- we had to, Time Warner.

Here's a bit of what went down on the red carpet, via YouTube:

The Hero Dog Awards is a national competition that recognizes "ordinary dogs who do extraordinary things," according to the organization's site, "whether it’s saving lives on the battlefield, lending sight or hearing to a human companion, or simply the tail-wagging welcome a pet owner relishes at the end of a hard day."

Winners in eight categories were selected by the public from a pool of more than 350 contestants. Those winners were flown to the show to be feted by celebrities, serenaded by Jewel, nuzzled by Chenoweth, doted over by Betty White, and subsequently watched by America (at least, those of you who get the Hallmark Channel). Out of those eight winners, one dog was picked to reign supreme for the night as the 2012 American Dog Hero.

Here are those eight winners:

Daniel, a Beagle who survived a gas chamber in Alabama.Tatiana, a hearing dog who suddenly transformed into an asthma dog one night when her owner had a severe attack.Tabitha, a guide dog who helped her person regain confidence and go back to college.Stella, a therapy dog who volunteered at Richmond Community Services and comforted people with developmental disabilities and critical health problems.Soot, an "air scent, scent discriminating, certified search and rescue dog" who found a lost, 78-year-old hunter in the woods.Jynx, a K-9 police dog who saved the lives of his fellow officers in the field. Holly, a seizure alert and response service dog who raises money for charity with her owner.Gabe, a military dog with "210 combat missions with 26 finds of explosives and weapons" while deployed in Iraq.

Who was the night's big winner, landing the 2012 American Dog Hero award? The military dog Gabe, who appeared with his handler, Sgt. 1st Class Charles Shuck. Here's his story:

"Him going out there, searching for the explosives and finding them," Shuck said, according to Zap2it, "he does not know that he potentially can die. He goes out and smells for this bad stuff, and if he finds it, he gets his ball, his reward."

Shuck added, "I want the world to know what military working dogs are. They are so valuable on the battlefield, and they need the support of the American people."

Congratulations to all the winners, and to the 2012 American Dog Hero Gabe!

Photo via the Hallmark Channel's Facebook

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