Author: Abbie

This yummy dog treat recipe (which you and your furry friends can share!) is from Robin Robertson, author of 20 cookbooks including her latest, Quick-Fix Vegan: Healthy Homestyle Meals in 30 Minutes or Less  Visit her website at globalvegankitchen.com.
If you want to make something special for your best friend, try these tasty treats. They’re made with such delicious, wholesome ingredients that your pup may not be the only one begging for them. The biscuits can be cut into any shape you want – they’re especially cute if you have dog-themed cookie cutters! Or you can simply roll the dough into a rectangle and use a pastry cutter to cut the dough into squares or rectangles.

Hint: For a sweet treat for you-if your dog doesn’t mind sharing-roll a few of the warm treats in confectioner’s sugar to make some “people treats” to enjoy. Alternatively, you could make half of the recipe for pooch and the other half for you – simply remove half the dough from the food processor and proceed with the recipe for the dog treats. Then, add 1/2 cup of sugar to the remaining dough and process to combine, then proceed with the recipe. (Be sure to make the people treats in a different shape from the dog treats to distinguish them.)

Peanut Butter Pup Treats

1 cup whole wheat flour
1 cup all-purpose or spelt flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup creamy peanut butter
1/2 cup mashed banana; cooked and mashed sweet potato; or solid-pack canned pumpkin
1/2 cup nondairy milk or water
1/4 cup neutral vegetable oil

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly grease 2 cookie sheets or line them with parchment paper and set aside.
2. In a food processor, combine all the ingredients and process to make a well mixed dough.
3. Transfer the dough to a flat work surface between two sheets of plastic wrap. Roll out the dough to just under 1/2-inch thick.
4. Use cookie cutters, a pastry cutter, or small drinking glass to cut out the treats into shapes and arrange them on the prepared baking sheet. Bake until lightly browned, 15 to 20 minutes. Allow to cool completely.

Makes 2 to 3 dozen (depending on shape and size)

Bone appetit!

*** Do you have a dog-friendly recipe that you’d like to share? We’d love to test it out! Just post it on the Adopt-a-Pet.com Facebook page here.

Not sure what to get your dog-loving family member for the holidays? Unsure what kind of gift would keep giving for your best friend? How about a subscription to The Bark, a premier dog culture magazine.  Interesting articles, helpful tips, the latest supplies and accessories, heartwarming stories – The Bark is full of all things dog! Perhaps best of all, they support pet adoption in a big way!  The Bark offers a special deal for friends and fans of Adopt-a-Pet.com: a subscription for $12 a year…and $6 of every order goes to supporting us as we work hard to find happy homes for every homeless pet!  They’re putting their money where their bark is by helping us continue to help shelters. This is one stocking stuffer that will last the whole year and make any dog-lover smile. Click here to subscribe or for more information.

I dare you to watch these two videos without being totally inspired.  Recently, our own Laurie Wisneski and her husband Frank opened their home to a special foster dog named Chauncy.  Frank, a photographer, volunteers his time with United Hope for Animals, taking amazing photos of the animals in the Baldwin Park Animal Shelter.

This first video is the “before” video.  It was taken when Chauncy, then called Champ, was still in the shelter, and was used to network him to rescuers and adopters.  As you can see, Chauncy was absolutely terrified.  Even while in the arms of a volunteer, he was trembling uncontrollably.  What you can’t see is that, while he was in his kennel at the shelter, he was an absolute wreck.  He was curled up in the corner, shaking, unable to deal with the stress of being in the shelter environment.  Luckily, Frank saw something in this little guy and when he returned to the shelter the following week and found that Chauncy was still there, he knew that he and Laurie were Chauncy’s only hope of making it out of the shelter alive.  So…check out this video first.

Pretty pathetic, am I right?  Well, prepare yourself to be amazed.  You see, this is Chauncy just a couple of weeks later:

I don’t know about you, but I got a little teary when I watched that.  There are two important take-aways here:

1.  It is very difficult to get a true read on a pet’s personality while they’re in a stressful shelter environment.  Some dogs, wonderful dogs like Chauncy, just simply cease to function when surrounded by constant barking, people walking by the kennels, volunteers cleaning and feeding and bringing in new animals all the time, etc.  Coupled with the shock and grief of being abandoned by their owners or having been lost on the streets, it’s more than they can take.  Sometimes this stress and terror makes an otherwise sweet and docile pet appear to be aggressive.  Other times, like in Chauncy’s case, the dog simply retreats to the back of the kennel, curls up into a ball, and tries not to be noticed.  Unfortunately, when dogs aren’t noticed, they aren’t adopted.  So, take-away #1 is this:  please give these scared dogs, even those who are labeled aggressive, a very close look.  More often than not, there’s a diamond in that piece of coal.  (For an AMAZING, extreme example of a seemingly aggressive dog’s transformation, watch my friend Eldad Hagar’s video about a dog named Chase. Then, like I always do, spend the next six hours watching all of Eldad’s other astounding and inspiring videos!)

2.  You can be part of an amazing transformation like this.  Become a foster home!  I can’t tell you what an amazing feeling it is to watch a dog like Chauncy or Chase blossom in front of your eyes, and knowing that without you, they would never have had the chance to live, let alone become a cherished part of someone’s family.  Fostering is addictive.  Once you’ve made that difference in an animal’s life, you’ll be hooked.  And that’s one healthy habit!  Find out for yourself: call your local shelter or rescue group (and fill out a volunteer profile on Adopt-a-Pet.com!) and ask about fostering.

OH!  Adorable Chauncy is available for adoption in the Southern California/Los Angeles area.  Please check out his information here!

Friends, this month we’d like to introduce you to a very special group that really needs your help in order to continue their life-saving work.  Meet We Luv Paws Sharpei Rescue.  Based in the Chicago area and powered by Carol Judge, her husband Bill, and fellow rescuer Jen Fortner, We Luv Paws has saved the lives of at least 200 Sharpei dogs and mixes in the last five years. When you think of Sharpei, you usually think of those adorably wrinkly faces that look perpetually concerned. What you might not know is that they have reason to worry: Sharpei often end up in shelters because people buy them as cute, wrinkly puppies, most of the time unaware of the genetic eye and skin conditions inherent to the breed. These conditions, easily treated and controlled early on, can develop into expensive problems if ignored, which leads many irresponsible Sharpei owners to relinquish now-ill dogs to shelters. Once there, these sensitive and loyal dogs can quickly develop stress-related physical and behavioral problems.  As you can see, without the help of rescuers like We Luv Paws, Sharpei too often meet their end in the shelter.

We Luv Paws opens its doors to even the most difficult (and expensive) cases: currently they are caring for Mandy (pictured), a very sick dog who has both demodex mange and heartworm.  Like many rescuers, Carol, Bill, and Jen pay for supplies, medical treatment, and food out of their own pockets when donations and adoption fees aren’t sufficient to make ends meet.  It’s always a struggle and a juggling act, but lately the situation has become dire.  The organization, which already owes thousands of dollars to their veterinarian, is facing possible closure.  Not only have donations been down, but Bill, whose income helps cover the costs of the rescue, recently lost his job.  They need help…and fast.  If everyone reading these words would donate just $2.00, we would change the world for this wonderful organization and all the dogs they care for, not to mention the ones yet to be saved.  Let’s let We Luv Paws know that their work is important to all of us!

To donate funds, go to Paypal.com and use the email address weluvpawsilrescue@yahoo.com You can also send a check to We Luv Paws c/o Carol Judge, 512 Higgins, Park Ridge IL 60068.  In addition to money, they are desperately in need of dog food.  If you can help, please email weluvpawsilrescue@yahoo.com.  Thank you!

For all of us who adore our pets, the prospect of our homes catching fire while we’re away is truly horrifying. Many of us rely on the window/door stickers that say something along the lines of “Firefighter—Save my pets!” to alert firefighters to the presence of pets in the house. But do those really work? Recently, I spoke with a Los Angeles firefighter about these stickers, and what I learned is very important: although it never hurts to have those stickers, many times the location of the fire will force firefighters to enter through a side window, where stickers might not be present or visible. Smoke from fires can quickly render stickers black and unreadable, too. Actually, there are a million reasons why those stickers might go unnoticed in the urgency of the moment. So, what is the best indicator that there are pets inside a burning building?

The answer is: NEIGHBORS. Firefighters say that in many cases of successful pet rescue, a neighbor has quickly alerted them that there are pets inside the home. The same goes for children, too! So, please, make sure you and your neighbors know each other’s pets, just in case. Why not put together a directory of neighbors’ names, addresses, number/type of pets, and number of family members living in each home and distribute it to everyone on your street? Your pets will thank you, and so will the firefighters whose jobs it is to save lives.  Plus, what a great way to meet and spark a friendship (pardon the pun) with your neighbors!

On March 23rd, Adopt-a-Pet.com launched the latest in our series of regional pet-adoption -promoting campaigns, this one in St. Louis.  The St. Louis campaign featured billboards starring St. Louis Blues hockey star David Backes and his wife Kelly, and Chicago White Sox pitcher (and St. Louis native) Mark Buehrle and his wife Jamie and a corresponding televised public service announcement.  Check out Adopt-a-Pet.com’s executive director Abbie Moore and Kelly Backes on the FOX morning show with Tim Ezell at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IErjkqs1qWE

And here’s another great piece of news coverage about the campaign!

Immediately following the campaign launch, we received an email from a wonderful rescuer that brought tears to the eyes of all of us at Adopt-a-Pet.com.  We live for success stories like this! Read the email.

Do you have a Happy Beginnings story you’d like to share? Did Adopt-a-Pet.com match you up with your best friend?  Email us and let us know!

Although sometimes the symptoms are obvious, it may not always be easy to identify when your dog is sick.  Inherent in a dog’s survival is a tendency to hide illness as a way to protect himself from being seen as a weak link in their pack.  It’s important to be aware of the more subtle indications that your dog may be not well, so make sure you pay attention to your pooch’s everyday demeanor for signs that your dog might be ill.

Occasionally dogs may experience minor digestive problems or upset stomachs that upset their appetite just like we do.  However if you detect a general or drastic difference in your pup’s eating habits it could indicate a serious problem.  There are also many factors that can affect your dog’s energy, but activity level and interest is something to notice.

Many physical and behavioral signals can signify your furry buddy is under the weather as well.  Another tale-tell sign that your dog might be ill is if you have a normally outgoing pet who suddenly becomes aloof and detached.  Overall, if you have any suspicions that your dog is sick based on his behavior or your gut instincts, go ahead and make an appointment with your veterinarian.  No harm can come from getting your pet checked out to make sure he is healthy and strong!

For more detailed information about how to know if your pooch is ailing, and for other terrific pet-related articles, please check out the great resources at petparents.com.

Ashley Owen Hill, an animal rescuer in Mississippi, is a true hero, and we couldn’t help sharing her amazing and inspirational story with you.  In addition to rescuing and rehoming healthy, adoptable pets, Ashley does something very special for terminally ill dogs who enter the shelter:  she takes them home and gives them the very best week of their lives.  In some cases, these dogs have never known love before they meet Ashley, but they die knowing that they were finally loved and cherished by their very own extraordinary person. Please read Ashley’s story… we guarantee you’ll be inspired.  Warning: keep a tissue (or several tissues) handy: this is a tear-jerker.

St. Louis Blues star David Backes and White Sox pitcher (and St. Louis resident) Mark Buehrle have a message for the citizens of St. Louis: adopt a shelter pet. Mark and Jamie Buehrle and David and Kelly Backes have partnered with Adopt-a-Pet.com, North America’s largest non-profit pet adoption web service, for a public service campaign launching today, March 23,  2011 in the greater St. Louis area.

Starting today, St. Louis residents will see light-hearted adoption-promoting billboards featuring the Buehrles and the Backeses, and televised public service announcements starring Kelly and David Backes and their three rescued dogs. Funding for the billboards was generously provided by Nestlé Purina. “Pets in St. Louis’ animal shelters are getting a boost today, thanks to these heroes,” says Adopt-a-Pet.com executive director Abbie Moore, “By speaking out about their passion for pet adoption, and educating people that they can go to Adopt-a-Pet.com and see photos and information about pets in shelters, they’re truly making a difference in the lives of people and homeless pets.”

Says David Backes, ““We’ve always been huge proponents of pet adoption and we’re excited to partner with our friends at Adopt-a-Pet.com to spread the word. We adopted all three of our dogs and our two cats, and they’re such important parts of our family.”

Kelly Backes adds, “Rescued pets make the best companions. They know you’ve given them a new lease on life and your unconditional love. Every day, so many animals needlessly die – we want to educate people that they can save a life by adopting a pet. It’s only a click away!”

Both the Backeses and the Buehrles are extremely active in companion-animal welfare issues. David and Kelly Backes both serve on the board of directors of the St. Charles Humane Society, where Kelly is Vice President of the shelter. They cofounded “Barkin for Blues”, an annual pet-adoption event held at the Scottrade Center. In addition, they’ve personally fostered and rehomed over 20 dogs, and they network on a daily basis with numerous groups in Missouri to save countless lives.

Mark and Jamie Buehrle founded Sox for Strays, a monthly pregame adoption event that brings pets from local shelters and rescue organizations to U.S. Cellular Field. They are also major supporters of Hope Animal Rescues, an Illinois-based rescue group, where a building they donated is named in their honor. Jamie serves on the board of directors of the St. Charles Humane Society and volunteers her time at Stray Rescue. Says Mark Buehrle, “Our dogs add so much to our lives, and our family wouldn’t be complete without them. The shelters are filled with great pets, both mixed-breed and purebred. We recently adopted a purebred Viszla. You can pretty much find any kind of pet you want in a shelter.”

Adds Jamie Buehrle, “It’s easy to say ‘You should adopt a pet because it helps the pet’, but what we want people to know is what an amazing impact adopting a pet has on your life. There’s nothing like having this grateful, loyal friend to greet you at the door every night. It’s the best feeling.”

Downloadable hi-res PSAs, b-roll and billboard artwork can be found at
http://adoptapet.com/stlouismedia.

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About Adopt-a-Pet.com:
Adopt-a-Pet.com is North America’s largest non-profit pet adoption website, helping over 9,500 animal shelters, humane societies, SPCAs, pet rescue groups, and pet adoption agencies advertise their homeless pets to adopters. Over 200 St. Louis area animal shelters rely on Adopt-a-Pet.com’s services to help them find homes for the pets in their care. Every month, Adopt-a-Pet.com displays photos and descriptions of adoptable pets to over 1.5 million people trying to adopt a pet. Funding for Adopt-a-Pet.com is provided by the passionate pet lovers at Nestlé Purina and Bayer Animal Health.

From our own Dr. Pia Salk, we bring you a reminder that the holidays can be hazardous to your pets’ health. Please take a moment to read Dr. Salk’s blog post on Martha Stewart’s The Daily Wag… it could save your pet’s life!