Happy New Year! Where is our breakfast?

Entry Number One, 2007

Dear Diary,

Please call the Humane Society; it is 9 a.m. and we have not been fed yet. We believe it has something to do with that new fireplace loyal owner constructed last evening. She is purring softly on her loveseat and is mesmerized by the fire, of all things. Here we lie, on our queen-sized bed, all ready to eat a New Year's Day breakfast, and fire seems to get all the attention.

Wait! I think we hear her bare feet approaching our bedroom door. Yes, I have to go now. She has decided to release us for freedom and nourishment. Today has turned out to be a Happy New Year's Day after all. Best wishes to everyone for peace in the world and lots of great dog food for our fellow dogs in 2007.

Signed with relief and gratitude,
Abel, former shelter resident, and Ashley, former lady greyhound racer

P.S. Happy New Year and abundant food to all of our other animal friends, even the cats. Woof!

Snoopy's Christmas Movie

Dear Diary,

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Ashley and I are enjoying an after-Christmas meal nap, but we wanted to wake up in time to wish you the best of the holiday season.

Our presents consisted of giant dog biscuits, hammered into chewable pieces by loyal owner, new chew toys, one which reads, "Bite Me," and two artificially preserved hamburger treats.

We gave our loyal owner lots of snuggly kisses and wagging tails to show our love today. She, in turn, fed us right on time and sent us out to play and romp in the slightly damp Florida grass this morning. Ashley, picking her way daintily across the moist and unpleasant lawn, found herself embarassed by the soiling of her immaculately manicured nails. I didn't mind because I know that loyal owner loves for me to jump up and wipe my paws, huge as they are, on her clean nightgown.

We hope that none of our friends were given as presents to unruly children on Christmas morning. We suggest stuffed animals instead. Or, better yet, why not give a gift of money or your volunteer time to your local animal shelter or greyhound rescue foundation organization.

Since all of December in Orlando, Florida, has had the weather of Spring in Bermuda, loyal owner has not gotten the true spirit of Christmas in her decorations. This is most unusual for her. We blame it on her not getting de-wormed recently, as we recommended.

However, we are happy to report that there were some stars hung in the sun porch windows, and a lovely sparkly wreath was placed on the front door. At the last possible minute, loyal owner placed a tree the size of a flower pot on the coffee table and surrounded it with Christmas candles, which set the proper atmosphere for us on Christmas Eve.

We hope you had the very best of treats this morning, and that you continue to visit your veterinarian regularly, even if you have to call to make your own appointment.

Wishing you the best in the coming year of 2007,

Ashley and Abel,
Lady greyhound racer and former animal shelter resident

November Disappeared--Not Our Fault

Entry # We Don't Remember

Dear Diary,

Our loyal owner caught some human disease, probably from not getting up-to-date vaccinations, and was sick in bed most of November. We spent a great deal of time comforting her and sleeping the days away, just waiting for our meals.

On a happier note, loyal owner has recovered fully, and we now feel our lives are happier, due to the Christmas decorations and the full cabinet of dog food, treats, and joint supplement tablets. Ah, the good life.

Even though she has returned to her healthier, happier self, she spends evenings away from us because she has opened a shop. Truthfully, she opened this shop this summer, but we didn't think she would stay interested in her new "toy."

If you want to see where she spends her evenings now, and if you like eating your meals out of very old, very special china and crystal, here is her website:

www.myspace.com/setthetable

That's really all of our news for now, but remember to put coats or sweaters on your pets, now that it has turned cold. Here in Florida, we consider anything below 50 degrees as unbearable to our delicate dispositions. This morning, loyal owner dressed us in her old tee shirts, just to make us feel loved and cozy.

Bye for now, and signed with gratitude for our blessings,

Ashley and Abel

Remember, do not give pets for Christmas presents. We are not toys, after all. Happy Holidays!

October is "Adopt a Shelter Dog Month"

Entry 20: Save a dog. Go to your animal shelter and choose a new best friend.

Dear Diary and Friends,

October is "Adopt a Shelter Dog Month." That's what our loyal owner keeps telling all of her friends. We think it's important that you tell your friends to tell their loyal owners about this very important month.

We were once adopted. We now live a life of luxury, even though we have to re-train our owner from time to time. The benefits are endless: no more crying for food, no more cold nights on cement floors, no more chasing a fake rabbit in circles every day, no more being without love.

Take it from us, Ashley and Abel, the abundant life ahead of a shelter dog is magnificent. Tell everyone. Please.

Signed with compassion for our shelter dog friends,

Ashley, adopted former lady greyhound racer, retired
Abel, adopted former shelter resident

Believe us, a nice queen-size bed is strictly heaven compared to a cage on a cold cement floor. We've been there. We know.

Entry 19: Music for Dog Lovers and Dogs

Dear Diary,

My best friend Ashley and I came across this special song about a loyal owner about to buy a precious pooch. Click on the link and see if you don't just love this song. We just can't stop howling it. Only a genius could have written such a perfect song. It is the first song listed on this website.

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=48718844

Signed with music in our hearts,
Abel and Ashley

Entry 18: More help for loyal owners of dogs!

Entry 18: Loyal owner found this informative website also--Pay attention--Sit--Stay!

Dear Diary,

Here is more information to help your owner take better care of you or to find you a loving companion.


Adopt a Shelter DogIf you are considering adding a dog to your family consider checking your local rescues and animal shelters first. Nobody wants a home to work out well and be a good match more than the people who work at the shelters and rescues. These good-hearted people know the quirks and personalities of the dogs they work, have assessed them and can often tell you why the dog was relinquished in the first place. - Dogs Guide Krista Mifflin

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Pet Overpopulation ProblemIf you want a compelling reason to consider adopting a homeless dog rather than buying a puppy, check out this article on the pet overpopulation problem and what can stop it. The statistics on the number of dogs and cats euthanized every year in the US are staggering! - Veterinary Medicine Guide Janet Tobiassen Crosby, DVM
Adopt a Senior DogJust because there's a little grey on the muzzle, it doesn't mean that he's ready to lie down and give up. Most so-called "senior" dogs are still in prime health, with energy and abilities to match. Don't let his age fool you; adopt a senior dog and have a steady companion who won't let you down.- Dogs Guide Krista Mifflin

Preparing your Dog for a New BabyIf you're expecting a new baby and you're concerned about how your other baby is going to react to the change, worry no more. Krista has tips to help you make the transition smoothly and handle common issues like jealousy.- Dogs Guide Krista Mifflin

See? Amazing stuff your owner has no idea about is located at www.dogs.about.com and you will be very glad we shared this with you. We promise!

Signed,
Abel and Ashley

Special Information from www.DogAge.com

Entry #17: Direct Quote from www.DogAge.com newsletter--Pay Attention!

Doggie Doses

October 12, 2006

Do you dread giving pills to your pooch? Try this approach. First, place your palm on top of her snout, with your fingers on one side of her mouth and thumb on the other. Gently lift the lips and insert your index finger behind the long upper teeth on one side and your thumb behind the long upper teeth on the other side. You may need to squeeze lightly to accomplish this. When you do, pull her nose up and with your other hand drop the pill in the back of the mouth, behind the hump of the tongue. Close her mouth and immediately bring her nose back down, holding her mouth shut. She should swallow right away. If she doesn't, try blowing on her nose or squirting water into the side of her mouth with a turkey baster.

Send this tip to a friend.

Buy the DogAge book!
You and your dog should get out more! Join the Healthy Steps Program.Read what our advertiser has to say about simple ways to give medicine to your pet.

See? We told you this site was great!

A Website Just For Us

www.DogAge.com

Diary Entry #16: Our favorite website just for us--Pay Attention--Sit--Stay

Dear Diary,

Our loyal owner has the common sense to take very good care of us, keep us updated in vaccinations, Frontline Plus, Heartguard, glucosamine tablets, and treats, of course. When she comes across something really important, she spends a great deal of time researching and learning at a very special website.

Here is is: www.DogAge.com

Keep this website close to your loyal owner and your owner will be sure you get the best and most up-to-date information about your health, safety, and other important things.

Signed by very contented www.DogAge.com pooches,

Abel, former animal shelter resident and
Ashley, former rescued lady greyhound racer

Snake in the Box

Entry 15: We told her to clean up her mess

September 28, 2006

Dear Diary,

Abel here, former animal shelter resident seven years ago, to relate a short but meaningful incident yesterday. Since moving to this tiny and very old new home, loyal owner has failed to reconcile the eight or so boxes and packages of leftover items, thus leaving a big mess in the carport. Not only does this look unsightly from the street, but it also blocks the way to a nice shady resting area on the cool concrete driveway.

However, we believe that a rather shocking incident has inadvertently caused loyal owner to rethink the mess we have to deal with each day. While she was sorting through a pile of old clothes, bottles of lamp oil, containers of photographs, etc., a curious creature slithered into the depths of the mass of boxes.

Happily enough, this caused loyal owner to drag everything away from the storage area. Unhappily, loyal owner continued to search for the long black snake until she had completely covered the carport floor with an explosion of unpacked boxes, containers, and old newspapers.

The moral to this story, and it is a good moral, is that loyal owner has learned a valuable lesson, and she has started to sort through the year-old pile of unknown items now. This will result in the emptying of the carport floor now, and thus we will gain a much-needed extra resting area, although Miss Ashley continues to enjoy her dirt pile to dig in and sleep in anyway.

Stay tuned to read of the progress of loyal owner's rehabilitation and renewed effort at organizing and disposing this weekend.

Sincerely grateful to the snake who inspired it all,

Abel