Fish oil for dogs and Omega-3 supplements are a healthy trend in
the dog and pet industry right now. The truth is, fish oil for dogs and Omega-3
fatty acids are an essential supplement for dog health. There are many benefits
to giving your dog fish oil supplement:
Fish oil acts as
a source of energy, insulating the body against heat loss and preventing
the skin from drying and flaking. The result is a vibrant coat and
healthier, more supple skin.
Extensive
research has shown that omega-3s help to reduce inflammation.
Inflammation, experts consider, is the root cause for most chronic
diseases and allergies in dogs.
Just like
essential fatty acids, EPA and DHA, insulate the skin, these nutrients
cushion the joints and tissues. For younger dogs, and adult dogs, regular
fish oil supplementation can assist with healthy aging and general
wellness.
Lower risk of
heart disease and cancer.
Support healthy
blood lipid levels and blood viscosity.
Provides high
levels of vitamins A and D necessary for the development of strong bones
and teeth; healthy skin and mucous membranes; and healthy night vision.
Let me introduce you to Nordic Naturals for Pets. Pets Deserve
Quality Omega-3 Fish Oils. Nordic Naturals uses the same oils and quality standards
for the manufacture of both human and pet products.
All of their oils are manufactured in Norway. They adhere to and
exceed all quality requirements established by the Norwegian Medicinal Standard
and the European Pharmacopoeia, delivering some of the purest, freshest, and
most effective Omega-3 pet oils on the market.
Nordic Naturals starts with the best raw materials available: fish
low on the food chain, which naturally contain low levels of impurities. All of
their products are made exclusively from three fish species: Arctic Cod,
Anchovies, and Sardines, as they are naturally high in the Omega-3 fatty acids,
EPA and DHA.
Nordic Naturals offers two great products for pets - Pet Cod Liver
Oil and Omega-3 Pet.
Pet Cod Liver Oil
• derived from the livers of wild arctic Cod (Skrei) (1 fish species)
• A concentrated source of the omega-3 essential fatty acids ePA & dHA
• Contains 1,260 mg total omega-3 fatty acids per 1 teaspoon
• Contains a higher ratio of dHA to ePA (compared to omega-3 Pet)
• omega-3s are complemented by naturally occurring vitamins A & d
(see product label for current amounts of vitamins A & d)
Omega-3 Pet
• derived from the bodies of wild anchovies and sardines (2 fish species)
• A concentrated source of the omega-3 essential fatty acids ePA & dHA
• Contains 1,725 mg total omega-3 fatty acids per 5 soft gels
(approximately equivalent to 1 teaspoon of oil)
• Contains a higher ratio of ePA to dHA (compared to Pet Cod liver oil)
• Contains low amounts of vitamins A & d (less than 0.1 I.u. of vitamin A
and less than 0.1 I.u. of vitamin d per 1 soft gel)
HipGreenDogs highly recommends adding Omega-3 and Fish Oil supplements to your
dogs diet!
Want more information on Nordic Naturals for Pets and where to get them? Please
visit their website athttp://nordicnaturals.com/pet
As you know, we here at HipGreenDogs.com love, love, love earth
friendly products for us and our pets. We are always on the lookout for
new and innovative, eco-friendly pet products and we found a great one
with Doghouse Rock, a pet bed and toy laundry detergent brought to us by the
awarding-winning manufacturer of eco-friendly cleaning products -
Rockin' Green!
Doghouse
Rock, like all Rockin’ Green products, is safe for our pets and our family, is
dye and phosphate free, contains no fillers, enzymes or optical brighteners and
is non-toxic, vegan and biodegradable. Made with recyclable packaging, it’s
blended to be the perfect detergent for pet bedding, stuffed toys and pet
accidents.
So, why use Doghouse Rock over your regular detergent you ask? Most
detergents are designed to leave something behind such as fabric softener,
fragrance or optical brighteners. That residue is breeding ground for dirt and
bacteria and is toxic to your pets’ delicate system (not good!). Doghouse Rock
contains none of that, rinses clean and leaves behind no residue or toxic
chemicals.
It's easy to use too! Just throw in your pets bedding or toys, do a quick
warm rinse to get rid of any yuckies, then add 2 scoops of Doghouse Rock
detergent and do a wash cycle. Voila - clean, great smelling pet items!
Doghouse Rock is a hit in our house and we highly recommend it! One bag does 25
loads and costs $13.95.
We believe you and your pets will love it! And even though it might be
tempting, we do not recommend throwing the dog in with the laundry!
So, just who is Rockin' Green? It was founded in 2009 by Kim Webb, an avid
cloth-diapering mom who desired a better way to clean cloth diapers and cope
with her child’s sensitive skin. In just two short years, they are in several
countries with hundreds of retailers just in the U.S. alone. And in coming
months, Rockin' Green is going to be expanding their home-line, so stay
tuned...
We think you will love Doghouse Rock so much that you will want to use the
other great products from Rockin' Green. Check them out at http://rockingreensoap.com/.
Now for the fun part - Hip Green Give-a-way!!!
We are giving away one bag of Doghouse Rock Detergent to one of our
lucky supporters!
To enter, you can do one of three things:
Subscribe
to our Blog. Simply enter your email address in the subscribe box on
the left side of this page and hit submit.
If I told you that there might be a chance your dog would die or become extremely sick if you fed them what you were led to believe was a healthy snack, would you risk it?
In case you haven't heard (and most of us have not), the FDA is investigating Chicken Jerky Treats imported from China and sold here. This has been an on-going investigation since 2007. YES I said 2007!! How many of you heard about the potential poisoning of our animals? The FDA has received 537 reports of illnesses in dogs, including 467 reports since it issued a renewed warning - yes I said renewed - about chicken jerky treats from China in November 2011. That number includes 353 reports logged in 2011 and 184 reported so far this year!
Pet owners and Veterinarians have been reporting a range of symptoms within hours or days of eating chicken jerky treats, including serious problems such as vomiting, kidney failure, Fanconi syndrome, a condition marked by low blood sugar and even death. Yet, there has been NO RECALL of these potentially fatal dog treats because they have not been able to identify the contaminant.
These illnesses are tied to chicken jerky products, also sold as chicken tenders, chicken strips or chicken treats imported from China. Popular brands include Waggin' Train, Canine Carry Outs, Dingo and many more.
When I started this blog and my business www.hipgreendogs.com, I did so because I want the best for my dog and yours. I want our dogs to be healthy, happy members of our family. It is my job and my passion to bring you not only healthy options, but inform you of unhealthy ones. I am extremely disappointed (but not surprised) that the FDA has chosen to issue a few quiet warnings that most of the public will not see instead of broadcasting this from the roof tops to ensure our pets safety and allow us to make educated choices. I am also disappointed in the big name stores that continue to keep these potentially fatal treats on the shelves with no warnings posted such as Walmart, PetSmart and Petco.
This is all the more reason we have to buy all natural, organic, made in the USA treats for our four legged babies or just make them ourselves! I would be devastated to know that I gave my dog a treat and it killed him - I'm sure you would be too. And who's to say it is limited to just chicken treats from China. I don't know about you, but I don't think I want any kind of treat from any other country.
Throw your dog a healthy bone (or treat)! HipGreenDogs.com is committed to offering you a great selection of Safe, Made in the USA, Organic, All Natural dog treats. We have competitive prices and convenient delivery straight to your door! (click on images below if you would like product info and price.)
But whether you buy treats from us or someone else, the only thing I truly care about is that wherever you buy your treats, choose the healthiest you can find. Choose treats made here in the USA to our high standards and don't put your furry friend at risk, it's just not worth the thousands of dollars in vet bills or the the pain of losing your best friend!!
Also, let's tell the government and the stores we shop at how we feel! E-mail your Senator and Representative and let them know you do not want these treats on the shelves, let your local store managers know you do not appreciate the risk! Our best friends can not speak up for themselves!
Want more information and facts on these dangerous dog treats? Click on the articles below.
Want to save money and make your own healthy dog treats? See my previous post "Eco Friendly Dog Tips That Saves You Money" or just search the Internet, there are a tons of great recipes!
Sorry for such a serious post today, but this is serious. You and I love our pets and want the best for them. It just breaks my heart that many dogs have or will suffer from something so preventable.
Please spread the word, it just may save a dogs life!
"If a dog's prayers were answered, bones would rain from the sky" - Old Proverb
IS YOUR DOG AFRAID OF THUNDERSTORMS AND LOUD NOISES?
Oh Noooo, Hide me, Hide me!
DOES YOUR DOG GO CRAZY BARKING AND JUMPING EXCESSIVELY WHEN SOMEONE COMES OVER?
You're Here! Pet Me, Pet Me, Pet Meeeee!
DOES YOUR POOCH SHOW HOW MUCH HE LOVES YOU BY TEARING UP THE PLACE WHEN YOUR GONE?
What? You don't like it?
You hate locking them up in the bedroom while you have company. You get embarrassed and start yelling when your dog starts barking and jumping on people. And you probably darn near come unglued at the site of yet another thing torn to shreds when you come home. You don't have a bad dog, you have a dog with anxiety! So what's a good dog owner to do?
Introducing.... Thundershirt!
Check this out! It is amazing!
How does it work you ask? With its patent-pending design, Thundershirt's gentle, constant pressure has a dramatic calming effect for most dogs if they feel anxious, fearful or over-excited. Experts believe that pressure has a calming effect on the nervous system. Using pressure to relieve anxiety has been used for years in other areas such as people with autism, children with certain behavior problems, parents swaddling newborns to calm and comfort. Until now, there just hasn't been a well-designed, inexpensive pressure wrap commonly used for dogs. Thundershirt is changing all that! Thundershirt has been proven effective in over 80% of all dogs with anxiety issues. And in fact, the manufacture believes in their product so much, that if you are not satisfied or find that it just doesn't work for your dog, they will let you return it within 60 days and refund 100% of your money!
So how is this eco friendly you ask? Thundershirt is a natural, successful alternative to drugs for dogs with anxiety. It is durable and long lasting. And what does the company do with the ones that happen to be returned? They donate them to animal shelters and rescue groups. Now that's green!
For most anxiety, it is recommended to just put on the Thundershirt and observe the results (no training). You may see significant improvement for noise, crate, travel, braking and others anxiety behaviors! For more complex anxiety issues, Thundershirt can be used with behavior modification training.
My Dog Conner has a few issues I am hoping the Thundershirt will help with (it's on its way). Such as the weird, sudden hatred for the UPS truck! Or the fact that he thinks he is showing his love by jumping on everyone that comes to the house (all 110 lbs. of love). And the big one we are hoping to fix is the unusually high fear of the Vet. At this point, he has to be muzzled and heavily medicated in order to get his shots, which just breaks my heart! So, here comes the Thundershirt (and probably some additional training) and hopefully, just hopefully I will have the perfect dog. Oh who am I kidding? I don't think there is a cure for the slobbering, the cold nose in the morning or the random standing in front of the TV when I'm trying to watch it! Oh well, I love him just the way he is! How can you not love a face like this??
First I would like to say Congratulations to Geri Pentz, our winner of the Great Green Give-A-Way!! And a great big woof and thank you goes to all who subscribed to the blog, liked our Facebook page and followed us on Twitter - we really appreciate the support!
So cleaning, ugh! Who likes to clean? Not me! But I just can't seem to train Conner to do it no matter how hard I try (see lazy boy below)!! So, it's left for me to do.
Lately, I have been considering the fact that most of the household cleaners I use could be doing more harm than good (to me, the environment and my wallet). Even though they may not have a warning label, many household cleaners contain toxic chemicals and harmful ingredients to us, our pets, and the earth. Cleaning products with ingredients such as bleach, ammonia, chlorine, gycol ethers or formaldehyde can cause many problems in adults and children, but young children and pets are particularly at risk for things such as cancer, anemia, liver and kidney damage. Many toxic cleaners are also carcinogenic. There have been several studies on the effects of some common cleaning products and have shown that they not only effect us, but our pets too. One study concentrated on measuring volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in cleaning products. In it, the vapor pressure of various chemical compounds in cleaners was measured. Three cleaners, Pledge, Clorox Wipes and Lysol Disinfecting Spray, registered close to a thousand times more vapor pressure than a natural cleaner. This means that even when the toxic cleaners are put away and closed, the vapors left behind can continue to harm both us and our pets.
Gee, I really, really hate cleaning now. Since it is so dangerous, I guess I'll just have to stop - right? Not that easy! No, what we need to do is Green our Clean and switch to natural, non-toxic cleaners. I have found and tested some DIY cleaners and have been pretty impressed, PLUS, they really save you money!!!
Here are two excellent websites I found that give a ton of recipes, suggestions and recommendations for cleaners, laundry detergent, fabric softener, stain remover, carpet cleaner, drain cleaner, and much more!
These two websites are definitely worth your time and will save you money!
Here are some simple homemade recipes that I have tried and love:
Homemade All Purpose Cleaner: Equal parts vinegar and water, put in squirt bottle. Simple and effective. Don't like the smell of vinegar? Phew, me neither. I added some drops of Lemon Essential Oil which also adds benefits. Lemon Essential Oil has antiseptic effects, has been studied for its effects on immune function - bonus! (if you want more info on where to purchase Lemon Essential Oil, contact me at heather@hipgreendogs.com).
Homemade Drain Cleaner: Pour 3/4 to 1 cup of baking soda down the drain, followed by 1 cup of vinegar, cover immediately (I use a plate). Let it sit and do its thing for 30 minutes and then run hot water through for about 2-3 minutes.
I am getting ready to try homemade laundry soap and softener, I don't know about you but I am tired of "washing my money down the drain". These are expensive!
With a little effort, we can Green our Clean and make our homes safer and healthier for us, our kids and our pets as well as save money and be good to our Earth - which we need to do since Earth's are hard to come by these days :-)
Happy Cleaning!
Did you ever notice when you blow in a dog's face he gets mad at you? But when you take him in a car he sticks his head out the window. - Steve Bluestone
In honor of Pet Dental Health Month and Valentine's Day and more importantly, in honor of all our friends who support www.HipGreenDogs.com and this blog, it's time for Us to give back to You!
I have put together a pawesome package of goodies for your Hip Green Dog that includes:
Kissable Toothpaste and Brush: According to the American Veterinary Dental Society, more than 80% of dogs suffer from periodontal disease by the age of 2! Help your dog ward off bad breath, gum disease, infections and heart disease by consistently brushing Fido's teeth. This all natural, vanilla flavored toothpaste is great for dogs!
Vet's Best Dental Right Bites Breath & Dental Dog Treats: For Kissable Dog Breath and a Healthy Mouth, these treats help fight tarter and plaque buildup as well as helps support healthy, strong teeth. Natural chicken flavor will have your Hip Green Dog begging for more!
Dry Dog Instant Clean Shampoo with Aloe and Kiwi: Does your furry baby need a bath like yesterday? This is a must for the on-the-go, around town hound who has no time to stop and take a bath! Perfect for quick clean ups and cold weather bathing.
New Jive Dog Ball Toy from West Paw Design in Valentine's Pink: Jive is the newest, most durable dog ball. Made from the extremely tough, BPA-free, eco friendly material Zogoflex, it's strong, bouncy, gentle on dogs' mouth, it floats and is made in the USA!
So, how can I win these awesome, healthy, eco friendly goodies for my Hip Green Dog you ask??? It's simple, just do one of the following to enter and win:
Subscribe to this blog via e-mail (come on, you know you want to, just simply enter your e-mail address in the box to your right and you will get news, tips and product reviews delivered right to your in-box!)
You can do just one, or all three! For every one you do, you will receive one entry for this great Hip Green Give-A-Way! Enter to win now through February 16th. The winner will selected and announced on Friday, February 17th.
HipGreenDogs really appreciates all of your support and wants your feedback! Is there a topic you need more information on? Looking for a certain dog product and don't see it? What do you think about the new blog look? We love hearing from you, so let us know how we can help you and your furry friends! You and your Hip Green Dogs are important to us!
Now for the shameless plug (oh man, I thought we were escaping it this time!) You can see these and a lot more of healthy, eco-friendly dog products at www.hipgreendogs.com and now through February 14th take 10% off your entire order by using coupon code "LOVE".
Don't miss out on your chance to win the Hip Green
Give-A-Way! Enter now!
Did ya enter, did ya enter, huh, huh, huh?? Oh come on, I want those goodies!!
HipGreenDogs - good for our earth, great for our dogs! Woof
"I once decided not to date a guy because he wasn't excited to meet my dog. I mean, this was like not wanting to meet my mother."
Is your dog having a bad hair day? Could he or she use a bath like, yesterday? Is the Pet Groomer costing you too much money? Here are some easy, natural, Eco friendly tips on grooming your dog that will save you money!
Some dogs just love a good bath, but some dogs, like my Conner, HATES them! Funny, because Conner is a Lab mix who should love the water, but he wants nothing to do with any of it - hates the rain, runs from the hose and no way are you coaxing him into a tub!
So what's a girl to do when she wants to cuddle with her furry baby, but he's just too stinky and is on strike when it comes to grooming? As my 6 year old likes to say...Easy, Peasy, Lemon, Squeezy! Dry Dog Shampoo!
Dry dog shampoos are powdered products that are designed to be rubbed into your dogs coat and will absorb grease, dirt and odors from their fur. Here are just some of the benefits:
They are easy to work with, simply apply and rub into your dogs coat, wait a few minutes and brush out.
They are a great alternative for the anxious or temperamental dog who does not like the traditional bath.
If your dog suffers from allergies or has had an allergic reaction to traditional shampoos, you may find that a dry shampoo eases or eliminates those symptoms.
They are great for the dog owner who has limited space or time.
It's a great way to keep Fido fresh between visits to the groomer.
They are cheap! In fact you can even make your own dry dog shampoo at home. Here's how:
Homemade Dry Dog Shampoo Recipe and Instructions
Take your dog outside or to an area of the home that can be cleaned up easily (kitchen, basement, etc..). In order to make clean up easier, I suggest putting down news papers or an old blanket and have your dog stand over them.
Brush your dog to remove any loose fur and dirt.
Mix one cup of cornstarch and a quarter cup of baking soda in a container with a lid. Shake to mix together.
Sprinkle the mixture on your dog's fur. Massage it into their fur (they love this part). Let sit for a couple of minutes. The mixture will absorb odor, oil and dirt.
Brush your pet until none of the mixture remains.
Voila - your for legged baby is smelling better and and ready for cuddle time! Plus, their coat will look healthy and shiny from all that brushing!
Bonus Tip! Add 1/2 cup of ground lavender to the mixture to give your dog a nice, soft scent PLUS lavender acts as a natural flea repellent!
Don't want to make your own or clean up the mess? No problem! There are "waterless" dog shampoo choices as well and HipGreenDogs.com offers these great waterless shampoo products.
So, how about ways to save money on the dog who loooovvvvveeeesss baths and pampering?
If your dog normally goes to the groomer to get all freshened up, try using dry dog shampoo or waterless sprays to extend time in between visits. Or if you're a do it yourselfer - try making your own dog shampoo that is inexpensive, Eco-friendly and natural. Here are some pawsitively great recipes.
Homemade Dog Shampoo
1 cup all natural dish soap 1 cup organic apple cider vinegar 1/3 cup glycerin (can be found at craft supply stores, some pharmacies or on-line) 1 quart water
Mix all ingredients together in a container with lid (such as empty plastic bottle, mason jar). The glycerin naturally moisturizes and hydrates your dogs coat, the natural dish soap provides the cleansing properties to the shampoo and the organic apple cider vinegar freshens your dogs scent while adding shine to their coat.
Apply natural, homemade dog shampoo to your dogs wet coat, lather and rinse with warm water. Repeat if necessary.
Soothing Homemade Dog Shampoo
1/3 cup glycerin
1 cup lemon liquid joy
1 cup white vinegar
1 quart water
Pour ingredients into a liter size bottle (use funnel if needed) and shake to mix.
Use mixture at regular bath time or whenever your dog seems itchy or irritated.
No time to make your own? Visit the Eco Grooming and Care section at HipGreenDogs.com and shop our extensive line of dog grooming products. Everything from your basic shampoo to specialty shampoos for the pooch with special grooming needs.
So, the next time your pup is having a bad hair day, but a trip to the groomer is not their thing or not in the budget, no problem! Just whip up some homemade dog shampoo and get Buddy and Belle smelling and looking good in no time! After all, there's just nothing like snuggling up with your furry friends, especially when it does not require a nose pin! Happy Grooming!
Reduce, Reuse, Rewolf! (What? Did she say Rewolf??? Does she know that's not even a real word? I don't know about this girl.) Yep, I said Rewolf! Just what is Rewolf? I am referring to adoption! The ultimate eco friendly pet thing you can do.
Did you know that an average of 2.7 million healthy and treatable pets are losing their lives in shelters each year? Sad, I know. But, did you know that approximately 17 million people will acquire a dog or cat within the next year? And for some good news - Shelter pet adoptions are on the rise, despite the ongoing recession and high rates of unemployment!
A common misconception about animals that end up in shelters is because they've been abused or done something "wrong". In fact, most animals are given to shelters because of "people reasons", not because of anything they've done. Things like a divorce, a move, lack of time or financial constraints are among the most common reasons why pets lose their homes. And some never had homes to begin with.
Why is adopting better than buying?
The obvious - you SAVE a life! In fact, you will be saving two lives. (What? This girl doesn't know how to count does she?). Yes two. By adopting from a private humane society or animal shelter, breed rescue group, or even the local animal control agency (most overlooked), you'll save the pet you adopt and a homeless animal somewhere who can be rescued because of the space you helped free up.
You'll get a healthy pet. Animal shelters and rescue groups are brimming with happy, healthy animals just waiting for someone to take them home. Most shelters examine and give vaccinations to animals when they arrive, they also may screen for specific temperaments and behaviors to make sure they will be a good fit with their new home.
You'll save money! Sure, you'll pay an adoption fee, that's how these shelters keep going! But adopting is much less expensive than buying from a breeder or pet store. Plus, they are already spayed/neutered and vaccinated!
You'll feel better. Who doesn't want to feel better with all the depressing news today! Pets have a special way of putting a smile on your face and a spring into your step. Not only do they give you unconditional love, but they have been proven to be psychologically, emotionally and physically beneficial for us humans (and sometimes we need all the help we can get!). Even when they do something bad, you just can't help not being mad (or at least for not too long) when they give you those puppy dog eyes and wag their tail at you, saying their sorry.
You won't be supporting puppy mills and pet stores! Marketed as coming from great breeders, well-rehearsed sales tactics keep money flowing to the puppy mill. Most of the puppies have serious behavioral and healthy problems due to the cruel and abusive conditions they endure. By adopting instead of buying a pet, you can be certain you aren't supporting cruel puppy mills with your money.
Now, what if you are saying, Heather, I totally agree with you (you are so right and so smart and so pretty and....OK, OK I said this last part), but I just can't adopt a pet right now. No Problem!! There are so many ways we can help and give back, plus many of them are earth friendly.
First, do a search on the Internet and find the local shelters in your area. Once you have a list, here are some things you can do to help.
Volunteer. I know, we all lead busy lives, but could you spare an hour a week? These organizations are looking for any and all help. Looking to keep your New Year resolution of getting more exercise, losing weight, etc? Walk the dogs! These shelters need your help to take care of these babies. They need to be walked, fed, played with. They get exercise and you get exercise - win, win!
Donate! I know things are tight, but it doesn't have to always be money. Here is a common list of what most shelters are in need of: paper towels, towels and blankets (new or used), collars and leashes (can be gently used), dog beds - get your baby a new one, (hmmm, I wonder who sells eco friendly dog beds???) and donate the old one, treats, pet food, pet toys, bleach, trash bags and much more. Most shelters will have a "wish list" posted on their website. And for you coupon clippers - clip the pet supply coupons you don't usually use, buy something extra and donate it. You save money on supplies to donate ( and I just get a thrill out of using yet another coupon!) If you can afford to donate money, it is very much appreciated! These places need to pay the light bills, water bill, provide medical care, it's very expensive. Plus your monetary donation is tax deductible!
Foster. This is a tough one for me because I get so attached. But this is a great way of giving a dog a temporary home until they find their forever home. It also helps free up space at the shelter for more dogs to be rescued.
Join a Rescue Network and help spread the word! I have been working with a great group - Col. Potter Cairn Terrier Rescue Network. They have people all across the states working to save these adorable dogs. You can visit their website and learn more at www.cairnrescue.com. In fact, I am offering hand painted wine glasses of the Cairn on my website. For every glass sold, I will donate $1.00 back to Col. Potter (oh! Here is that shameless plug again - check them out at www.hipgreendogs.com). Which leads me to another suggestion. Do you shop on-line? A lot of rescue groups have affiliate pages that have vendors that will donate a percentage of your purchase if you shop through their link - and some big names too - Walmart, PetSmart, Drugstore.com, and many more. What could be more easy than doing your normal thing and helping at the same time?
So, here is my rescue story - nothing earth moving - but it is my story and I thought I would share. I lost my Golden, Asti, in a divorce (it was actually better for her to go with him although it completely broke my heart!). Sometime later, I found myself on my own, 5 months pregnant and buying my own house. I thought, gee now is the time for a dog! So I started looking on line at the dogs available for adoption. Wow, so many and I wanted to take them all! As I mentioned earlier, a lot of the time, the local "dog pound" or animal control is overlooked when it comes to adopting a dog. I happened on to the City of St. Louis' pound and saw this cute little black face looking at me and I just had to go check him out. I got there and was a bit appalled at the condition of this place. Not very clean, cages stacked up with dogs in them, I fought back the tears (good news is they are no longer in business and has been taken over by St.Louis Stray Rescue). I inquired about # A009088, the 4 month old, black lab mix I saw on the Internet. They took me too him. I fell in love with him instantly! He was not the typical shy, timid or scared dog at the shelter, but a bit wild (little did I know this was going to be an ongoing trait!). He went crazy when I talked to him and LOVED the attention. I paid my $45 dollars and had to wait for him to be neutered. After three long days, I excitedly picked him up from the vet's office after his procedure. I couldn't wait to take him home! He jumped all over the place, whined and cried, and peed in the back seat of my new car! Just the beginning of our adventure! Two months later and 7 months pregnant, Conner was a "bit" out of control and getting very big! I brought in a dog trainer and she said, Wow, you have your hands full with this one. After working with him, she became worried that he would not do well with the baby (he dragged the baby doll around by it's head!) and suggested that I give him up. I was heart broken. I cried non stop for several days at the idea of giving him up. Then a friend said to me the most simplest thing - Don't! And I didn't and that was the best decision I made. Turned out he was super great with my daughter Emma, and eventually he calmed down, although he still has a wild streak and he grew to be a very tall, 120 lb, handsome man! He is my best friend and loves to cuddle with his head in my lap. He melts my heart every time I look at him! And as you can see, his favorite spot is my couch!
My goal is to some day have a house full and of course a bigger house :-)
"There is no psychiatrist in the world like a puppy licking your face" - Ben Williams
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