Nonprofit helps pet owners cope with emergency vet bills | Seattle Times Newspaper

"It's a pet owner's nightmare.

Your dog or cat is sick or injured and you don't have the money to pay a veterinarian for treatment. Euthanasia or giving away your best friend become the only options.

The recession and unemployment have made that scenario a reality for more pet owners, animal-care experts say. " See link for full Story...

Living | Nonprofit helps pet owners cope with emergency vet bills | Seattle Times Newspaper

Learn more about the United Animal Nations programs. You can also donate to the UAN for those who can help.

Disaster Preparedness for Animals (free training!)

Get certified to help animals when a disaster hits our city.

In the event of a disaster in San Francisco, our animals are vulnerable and at risk for harm. We need to be prepared to rescue our animal companions. What is the best way to do this? Become certified as a Volunteer Animal Disaster Service Worker by attending upcoming training events! Certified volunteers will help with tasks such as helping triage injured animals, assisting in temporary animal shelters, and animal transport & identification.

Click here to learn more and to register: www.pawssf.org/sfdpca

The Truth about Dog and Cat Food

You are what you eat... I think I eat a pretty healthy diet & I also prepare fresh meals for my dog everyday without questionable ingredients (yes, I'm one of those crazy pet owners)... All I want is for my naughty dog to live a long and healthy life.

I don't like to tell people what they "should & must" feed their animals but if you do care what goes into their tummies like me, here's some interesting info... read your labels...

A just released video of AAFCO* (Association of American Feed Control Officials)'s president finally admitting, on camera, that it’s allowable (and, in fact, fairly common practice) for "rendered pets" to end up in some pet food...

So what else can be rendered and made into “meat and bone meal”? Euthanized pets, road kill, expired grocery store meat (including the packaging), kill floor detritus, dead stock… etc. GROSS...

* AAFCO is the regulatory body that sets guidelines for pet food and pet food ingredients in the USA. They could quite easily ban the use of rendered pets as acceptable for inclusion in pet food – but they don’t... some pet food companies use the cheap protein count that comes from rendered meat and bone meal.

Bark for Life - awareness for the American Cancer Society 8/21/10

The American Cancer Society Bark For Life^TM is a noncompetitive walk event for dogs and their owners to raise funds and awareness for the American Cancer Society's fight against cancer.

By supporting Bark For Life, you help the American Cancer Society save lives, and that helps us move closer to our ultimate goal of a world with less cancer and more birthdays.

Join Bark For Life for a fun-filled day starting with a walk, and then continuing with demonstrations, contests, and games.

See more details & sign up here.

Sophie, the Baconator!

Sophie is this cute little 4lb Maltese you see at the store on Sat. Most dogs would do anything for food/treats, but not little Sophie! We've tried everything under the roof and nothing seems to please the little princess (apparently she's on the supermodel diet)! We've recently discovered that Sophie is crazy for bacon (not the best thing for your dog, but she actually gets really excited for bacon...).

The Sophanator is now the Baconator!!

Happy Birthday Ashton!

Happy Birthday! Ashton is 1 today!

The pug with characters!

I think Pugs have the most interesting facial expressions. This baby also comes with natural leg warmers!

What?! Why am I not on the new 2011 calendar?

I'm like way cuter!

Glory... the California Blonde

Oh Glory... She's one of those cute Doodles we've groomed since puppyhood. Glory and I have this love/hate relationship...

Doodle hair is pretty high maintenance & Glory knows when she sees me (except at the park), it's going to be hours of brushing (matted doodle hair is no joke!) Glory is a very smart girl, she has learned over the yrs how to cope with grooming & few tricks to make me stop brushing her...

1. Gives me hugs (yes, both front paws & chin on my shoulders) = break time
2. Falls asleep on the table = your need to work harder
3. Plays dead with eyes wide open & won't move = haha, I win

Oh...I love Glory... :)

New Pom in town!

Poms always look like stuffed animals. We groomed Max today & I can't believe he's 12! Looking good Max!