Doggie Christmas Video

Snow & Green Beans

Did mama ever tell you that I'm a rescue dog? I'm afraid of new things including new food. I still can't figure out how to eat a carrot. I know, I know... Le sigh. But I figured out green beans. They're super nice and crunchy. And REALLY good!
See, I've been told that I have a soft mouth so I take stuff from people real gentle. See, mama can hold that green bean and I just barely have my mouth on it. I'm going to dare her to give me a raw egg next week in my mouth.

But she probably won't want to clean it up. So I win.
And it also snowed. And I eat snow.

Don't eat the colored snow, it tastes funny.

Happy Saturday!

MONSTER Drool in ACTION

Embarrassing Example 1 - Rusty's right jowl.

Yes, there's drool. Lots of drool.

I've Been Banned...

From the kitchen. See, I'm Rusty and I'm the MONSTER according to my mama. Did you know that I'm not really a good helper in the kitchen? I'd rather just eat the food. So I've been banned from the kitchen when mama cooks.
But, see, Nigel here, hasn't been banned from the kitchen yet. He lays in the corner and I don't know how he does it. There's way too many good smells. I can't stand laying down in the kitchen. Me and the pot rack don't get along. Neither do I and the garbage... Oops...
See, here's mama's evidence (my dad's a lawyer and somehow I've learned some legal words and mumbo jumbo). I stand in the middle so I can see and smell everything. That also means that mama has to walk AROUND me and generally every time she does something falls on the floor for me to eat.
So, I'm no longer admitted to the kitchen. And it makes me kinda sad because I really liked eating turkey and lettuce. So here's my last picture of me in the kitchen when mama is cooking. It's um, well, sad for me. But I think my waistline will like it. I think. My taste buds and tongue do not like it.
Oh, well. At least mama took pictures of this non-joyous occasion. Whatevs. At least Nigel can steal food for me. And we're besties. We sleep next to each other too. See, we're really good at playing and sitting next to each other.

Happy weekend!

Nigel

Meet Nigel. Rusty's new foster brother! He was rescued just hours before he was to be euthanized at a local animal control.
Nigel is such a goonie! He's handsome and he knows it. He has so many expressions and it seems like his tongue is always hanging out!
Nigel loves to chew on bones and bully sticks, of course, like any Lab/Golden loves to do!
He loves playing with Rusty (Mr. Instigator, himself) and they play tug, run around the yard and then lay next to each other in the dog bed.
And of course, Nigel is very curious. He loves the camera and he loves anything new! Nigel would be the PERFECT family dog. He loves other dogs, loves to cuddle (and doesn't jump up on the couch like Rusty does!), loves going for walks and is just fantastic!

If you're interested in Nigel, get more information HERE!

It's Lettuce, Rusty. Just Lettuce.

Rusty sure does love when I make BLT's. He gets the smell of bacon but the taste of lettuce.

There's Bacon on the Counter.

Hey, Mama... did you know there's bacon on the counter? I can smell it. Is it for me? I like bacon!
See? I'm Rusty. Rusty needs bacon. Rusty really, really needs bacon. Didn't you know that, Mama? I can smell the bacon from the basement.
It's right there. My mouth is right here. Put it in my mouth. Mama. I like me bacon.
So you're sayin' that I'm unable to have bacon? Well, that's no fun... I still want bacon!

Have a happy weekend!

Dear Previous Rusty Owners:

Last year on October 24, 2008, guess what Bimmer & I did - we adopted Rusty! I picked off over 40 fleas, fed him cheese, rice, dog food and turkey and cuddled with him on the floor because I didn't want fleas on my couch. So, as a tribute to all the adopted dogs out there, here's a poem that occasionally runs through my email inbox:

I Adopted Your Dog Today

I adopted your dog today
The one you left at the pound
The one you had for seven years
and no longer wanted around.

I adopted your dog today
Do you know he's lost weight?
Do you know he's scared and depressed
and has lost all faith?

I adopted your dog today
He had fleas and a cold
But don't worry none
You've unburdened your load.

I adopted your dog today
Were you having a baby or moving away?
Did you suddenly develop allergies?
Or another reason he couldn't stay?

I adopted your dog today
He doesn't play or eat much
He's very depressed
But he will learn again to trust

I adopted your dog today
And here he will stay
He's found his forever home
And a warm bed on which to lay.

I adopted your dog today
And I will give him all that he could need -

Patience, love, security and understanding.
Hopefully he will forget your selfish deed.

- Author Unknown

Happy Belated Halloween (Written by Rusty)

So, Momma told me that I was going to dress up for Halloween and I reallyz did not want too.. I mean seriously, a dog in a costume? Look at my sad face. This was just minutes after I saw what she bought for me.

Look. There's Dad. He's supposed to be Clark Kent. But he's not wearing a suit or glasses. Yet. And he made me wear the hat. I don't like them that much, but I do tolerate them.
And Dad thinks I look funny. He's laughing.
And I told him, I'm a fire chief, Dad! I don't put out fires very well because I'd rather be swimming in the water puddles! Duh! I'm a Golden!

Oh yeah, and Momma didn't let me eat candy either. I got a bully stick in stead. Which was still really good.

Interested In Helping Rescue Dogs But Can't Foster?

Try doing a transport instead.

There's hundreds of people every weekend that drive animals across the country to a new rescue, new foster home, adopter or back to a rescue. You are literally saving a life. Which is fantastic because it's your time that you're donating and you get to meet the animals that you're saving. It's a win-win situation!

So, for those of you that are still interested in transports, check out this website. Kelly lists transports, the legs needed and where they are along with the number of dogs that need to be driven.

If you can't donate your home, this is a fantastic option if you'd like to be involved.

Happy Thursday!

Rescue Diego!

Here's Rusty and his new foster brother Diego. They're goons.
But Diego is just so cute! He has those eyes that say... Adopt ME!
He sits pretty, knows how to lay down, knows off and is learning leave it. Diego is housetrained and sleeps in a crate (he's also crated when we're not home).
He lurves playing with Rusty, running around the yard and actually fetching a ball. Seriously, he fetches... (I bet you could teach him how to fetch the newspaper!) Diego is very smart and would do fantastic in obedience classes.

If you or anyone that you know would be interested in Diego, please click here!

Rusty is famous!!

Even Rusty Gets A Treat!

Rusty helped celebrate my birthday last weekend with the help of some fabulous friends.
He loves his dog treats and pretty much knows to keep the crumbs contained in his dog bed.
Don't his treats look like people treats too?
Our friend Kristin stopped at a doggy bakery (Rusty can't have ice cream cake, right?).
And he definitely enjoyed the goodies!
Oh... totally messy doggie...
At least he eats the crumbs too!
Nom... Nom... Nom...

I hope Rusty has a sense of humor. We were laughing the whole time watching him eat his treats!

Airline For Pets Only

PetAirways starts flights in July at a low low cost of $149. I can see flights booking fast, especially for people with larger dogs that don't want their pets to fly cargo. The airline is for PETS ONLY, no human passengers aboard so you're unable to fly with your pet. They do have kennels for dropping off and landing at the airport. Worry free pet travel! How cool is that?

If only they flew to Minneapolis! I'm sure Matt and Maia at Pet Project Rescue would be happy about that. Also - check out their new dogs for adoption.

Happy Tuesday!

Get Your Own Towel

Rusty knows "On Your Bed" so well that he does it automatically.
Seriously.
If you put a blanket, towel or any other square/rectangular/soft object he'll go to it and lay down automatically.
Yes, he does.

And he did. He chose to jump out of the kiddie pool and onto MY towel. Yes, MY TOWEL.

Thanks, Rusty. We didn't have any other clean beach towels.

Oh, and the orange thing is a Kong Wubba - it floats so we toss it into the pool for Rusty to chase around.

Mama... I Gotz Me A Bully Stick

Entertainment for $7.99. Bully sticks. A dog mama's life saver.

USDA Animal Inspection Reports

Would you like to see inspection reports from the USDA for breeders? Here's the link if you're interested. Another good link from the USDA is the Animal Welfare Regulations. They take time to read, so if you're bored or can't sleep, they might help!

Some of them are sad - not enough room for puppies, feces in cages, not good enough vet care, etc... And others comply perfectly. It just amazes me.

Unfortunately mills and bybs aren't always licensed and don't always comply with inspectors. And are not inspected. For more information about puppy mills, please visit Prisoners of Greed.

And another thing that mills do - Kennel Auctions.
Just a short video from the Humane Society.

PetSmart Friends & Family Discount

15% off - click here!!

Happy Monday!

FYI - Nutro Pet Food Recall

It's a voluntary recall. But still. If you're feeding Nutro, please, please switch your food! No more sick animals! Remember the food recalls from a few years ago that killed dogs?

Be safe! Stay up to date with pet food recalls!

Here's the FDA version of the recall, along with a link to recalls from the past 6 months.

Doggie Shampoo???

Giving Rusty a bath is pretty easy - he just lays down in the tub. We have to hold him up though to rinse him off, next time I'll take pictures!

But for shampoo, it's hard to decide what to use, mainly oatmeal shampoo, but I'd also like to be more eco friendly and more natural (Note: Rusty wears a hemp collar). So far that's been easy to do with food and accessories, but now it's onto grooming supplies.

I've found a few that I've listed below, but since dog shampoo is so easy to pick up at Target, I'd like to find a brand from there. If not, oh, well. I'm ok with ordering online!


Earthbath All Natural Shampoo, 16-Ounce
This looks pretty good, comes in other scents. Definitely all natural.


SPA Lavish Your Pet Spa Colors Shampoo for White Coats
This brand is cruelty free. I'm not sure how natural that is, but I'm open for supporting cruelty free products (but I wouldn't buy the shampoo for white coats).


Sweet Petula
How cute! Ok, I shouldn't comment on the picture, but I can't help it. It's herbal, which is great and it's coconut based so it makes me feel a bit better about using it on Rusty's skin (it's geared towards more oily coats).

I wish they sent samples!