We love that PeoplePets.com helps pets get adopted by featuring them on their uber-popular website! Today, they’d like you to meet Jackson, a Lhaso Apso mix who’s looking for an adoptive home to love — a very special dog-experienced Valentine! The 5-year-old pooch has traveled far from the Los Angeles park where he was found wandering in 2009. Thanks to a network of animal rescuers, he’s currently in Vancouver, Canada awaiting his forever home. It’s taken some time, but the anxious pooch, who is believed to have had a traumatic past, has made great strides building his confidence with anti-anxiety medication and training. His foster mom, Alexis Adams, founder of the Penny Foundation Dog Rescue Society, is looking for someone familiar with his breed to adopt him. Blind in one eye, apparently due to trauma to his head, Jackson has been known to bare his teeth and growl when he feels threatened. He needs a patient owner who will make him feel safe and accept his idiosyncrasies.  You can read all about Jackson and see his story on PeoplePets.com right here!

Too often, we pay attention to our pets when they’re exhibiting the behavior we don’t want them to do.  It’s important to keep in mind that any time you look at, talk to, or touch your pet — meaning any time you pay attention! — you are reinforcing the behavior they’re participating in at that very moment.  So do you let your pet know when he or she is doing what you do want?  It is more common for us to interact when our pets are bugging us.  For example, when your dog is jumping up on you like the pups in the photo — a behavior most of us don’t condone —  by saying “no” or pushing her down, you are only giving your pup words, eye contact, and attention when she’s jumping!  So you’re actually reinforcing the jumping.

Try instead to remove all interaction with her when the jumping is taking place.  Turn your back and ignore the behavior.  The moment your pooch sits down and stops jumping on you, that’s the moment to give her attention and let her know that is the behavior you like.  Otherwise, you’ll just be teaching her that by jumping up on you she gets you to focus on her.

It’s easy for us to blame our pets; they don’t speak our language and it can get frustrating!  But in truth, any behavior your pet exhibits, even the ones you don’t like, are likely present because they have been reinforced unknowingly by you.  This new year, let’s try to be more mindful of how we communicate with our animals and what behavior we’re reinforcing.  Catch your pets doing the right thing!  When your furry friends are resting calmly on their dog beds, remember to give them praise and let them know that is exactly the behavior you enjoy.

In short: focus on what you want, not on what you don’t.  In the end our relationship with our animals will only get better for it, and you’ll both enjoy each other’s company a little more!

One of the things that gets keeps me up at night is thinking about chained and tethered dogs. They suffer in the cold, in the rain, in the heat. They’re alone and can’t go anywhere. I’ve learned that sometimes owners who chain or tether their dogs don’t know any better. And that’s why I think the Have a Heart for Chained Dogs campaign is so brilliant. Dogs Deserve Better is an amazing organization that works tirelessly on behalf of chained and tethered dogs across the country. For the 10th year now, Dogs Deserve Better will organize their Have a Heart for Chained Dogs week with the goal in mind to send to 18,000 Valentines from chained dogs to their owners. Along with the Valentines come educational brochures for the guardians and supportive information, encouraging them to bring their pets into the home. Raising awareness and promoting proper pet care is the name of this game, and we at Adopt-a-Pet.com are proud of their efforts! Below are 3 easy ways you can participate:

1. Submit addresses. If you see a chained, tethered or penned dog, submit the address to Dogs Deserve Better! Just write down the address and either call it in at 757-357-9292 or email it to info@dogsdeservebetter.org . Do not worry – you will absolutely remain anonymous!! The home will then be receiving a Valentine from the dog, and maybe, just maybe, they’ll bring their pooch into their home all because you cared enough to send in an address.

2. Make Valentines. Host a Valentine’s making party and whip up some doggie Valentines! You can use simple craft-like materials, and include a message asking from their dog asking to be brought inside. By letting people know that pets want to be welcome inside and sleep in a warm home, we hope that more dogs can be seen as family members. Then you just mail the Valentines to  Dogs Deserve Better by February 5th at 1915 Moonlight Rd., Smithfield, VA 23430. Consider making them with your kids as a fun art project! Perhaps you can even get your elementary schools involved as many others are doing it!

3. Send Stamps, Coupons, or Sponsor Valentines. This campaign has an estimated cost of $10,000, between mailing costs and supplies. Any stamps you send their way will help defray the costs, and any sponsor donations you make will go a long way toward making this campaign a reality. You can also send coupons for dog food or treats, and they include those in the Valentines. Send to the address above.

So spread the word – and spread the love. This Valentine’s let’s truly make it a better one for all the dogs who deserve it.

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Dear Adoptapet.com – Thank you so much for helping Cooper get maximum exposure on your site! Thanks to you, he has been adopted into an amazing loving home. I so appreciate you getting Cooper’s pictures, bio, and most especially his video posted and shared with the world. Because of what you do, Labs and Buddies here in Los Angeles will now be able to save another loving animal who also needs a home. Thanks for being an integral part of the world of rescue. Here is a photo of Cooper now with his new sister, also a rescue. He is the beautiful black Lab boy! His new human dad adores him and because of you he was able to find Cooper, and Cooper was able to find him. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. — Sandy Zalagens, foster mom for Labs and Buddies rescue LA, CA

The wonderful dog-lovers over at the Wet Nose Guide feature homeless dogs for adoption to help them find their future families! They recently posted Howie, a Border Collie/Hound mix puppy who’s only about five months old and weighs 25 pounds. His adorable story on his Adopt-a-Pet.com listing is written by someone who speaks dog, as it from Howie’s point of view! He says: I am still in my youth. I will need a home with lots of patience and someone who is willing to take the time to train me. I am very smart and eager to please. I have recently been neutered. I play well with other dogs. Except when it comes time to be fed. I need my space while I eat. I have been checked out by the vet and I have a ‘clean bill’ of health. No worries there. I do however have a parrot mouth. Yes, my lower jaw is smaller than my upper jaw. I think it gives me character!! Lol. It does not bother me when I eat or bark and does not hurt. Are you looking for a smart, handsome, fun loving new addition to your family? Your in luck. Stop looking because, you have found me!! I’m waiting!!” To adopt Howie, visit his Adopt-a-Pet.com page here.

Do you know of an amazing pet for adoption that could use some extra special exposure, like Howie? You can copy their Adopt-a-Pet.com page link onto our Facebook page here and our friends can help! Please click “like” at the top of our page while you’re there to show you care about pet adoption too.

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We love that PeoplePets.com helps pets get adopted by featuring them on their uber-popular website every week! One lucky dog who made the headlines is Storm, a 2-year-old Jack Russell terrier mix with boundless energy. The young pooch was rescued by The Little Shelter in Huntington, N.Y., almost a year ago from a municipal shelter. In his time there, he’s blossomed into quite the ham. “We have a swimsuit contest here every year, and last year, Storm actually won the male dog category,” says communications and events manager Jodi Record. “He was a scuba diver. He had a snorkel, flippers, the whole kit and caboodle. He loves to dress up, he’s a fun dog.” A “spitfire” who loves being the center of attention, Storm is very active and needs an owner who can keep up with him and work with him on his possessiveness over his toys. Find out more about Storm at PeoplePets.com by clicking here.

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Our friends over at BarkBusters reminded us of some chilling facts about the dangers that cold winter weather can pose for our pets! They rightfully point out that: “Frostbite, hypothermia and even death are real dangers to your dog as the snow piles up and the mercury drops” below 32 degrees Fahrenheit. Most dogs’ coats are more like our hair – if you need to wear a hat to stay warm, your dog coat may need some help too! Double-coated dogs like Huskies and Chows are exceptions, but even thick coated dogs vary in how much cold they can withstand. It depends not only on the temperature, wettness, wind, how long they are in the cold, but how much “fuel” (food) they’ve had to keep warm while they play with you in the snow! Other factors also affect how long your dog can stay out with you safely – including how much muscle, fat and fur your dog has protecting them, and how much energy they have to burn (literally) to keep themselves warm. Just like people, many young dogs enjoy playing, walking or running in the cold with us for hours. So how do you know how much cold is safe – and comfortable – for your dog?

photo credit: http://www.sxc.hu/photo/820746

Always play it safe, and each year when winter comes, reassess your dog’s tolerance, which will go down as they get older. Keep a close eye on your dog while they are outside with you to watch for these signs…

Barkbusters says: When your dog is exposed to temperatures below 32 degrees for too long, frostbite can set in. Frostbite occurs when the dog’s ears, paws or tail get cold enough that ice crystals form in the tissue and causes damage. If you think your dog has frostbite, bring him into a warm area and soak the affected areas with warm water for about 20 minutes. In the meantime, contact your local veterinarian immediately.

Barkbusters says:  Hypothermia, which occurs when the dog’s body temperature goes below normal as a result of prolonged exposure to cold temperatures, is another very real danger during the cold winter months. Symptoms of hypothermia typically include shivering, lethargy, a low heart rate, slow breathing and unresponsiveness. If you notice any of these symptoms, immediately bring your dog inside your warm house or room-temperature car and contact your veterinarian.

Barkbusters says: A dog’s internal system works extra hard in the cold to maintain appropriate body temperatures. As such,your dog needs extra fuel to burn and generate heat. Also, remember to provide plenty of fresh drinking water and keep it from freezing. It is just as easy to get dehydrated in the winter as it is in the summer if proper amounts of water are not consumed.

Barkbusters says: Try to keep snow from building up along fences so it does not provide artificial steps that will allow your dog to get out of the safety of your yard. If he does get out, remember that ice-melting chemicals commonly used on public streets can irritate and burn your dog’s paws. Be sure to rinse off his feet after being exposed to such chemicals.

Winter months can be just as hazardous to your dog’s health as the summer months. But by taking the right precautions and using good old common sense, you can help protect your dog from the dangers that can accompany the harsh winter climate.

About Bark Busters:
Bark Busters, the world’s largest, most trusted dog training company, started in Australia in 1989 and came to the United States in 2000. Since inception, more than 500,000 dogs have been trained worldwide using its dog-friendly, natural methods. With 225+ franchised offices in 40 states and more than 400 offices in 10 countries, Bark Busters is continuing its mission to build a global network of dog behavioral therapists to enhance responsible dog ownership and reduce the possibility of maltreatment, abandonment and euthanasia of companion dogs. Bark Busters is the only international dog training company that offers guaranteed lifetime support. SPCA International selected Bark Busters dog behavioral training services as the “Best of the Best” in its category. No other training company or dog trainer received such a distinction. To fetch a trainer in your area, call 1-877-500-BARK (2275) or visit www.BarkBusters.com, where dog owners can complete a Dog Behavioral Quiz to rate their dogs’ behavior.

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There is an owner for every pet and a pet for every owner. Even the ones with special needs. Caring for special needs pets isn’t a burden – it’s actually an especially rewarding, fulfilling journey! Just ask Mick and Bethany Szydlowski who rescued a blind kitten you may have heard of named Oskar. Oskar is sort of famous… with over two million viewers watching his precious video on YouTube we can safely say Oskar has star charisma! See it for yourself here.

When the Szydlowskis met Oskar he melted in their arms. Born the disabled runt of the litter, he was off to be surrendered at the shelter before the family stepped in. They know they could not let that happen. When they brought Oskar home, they already had an adopted cat named Klaus who they adopted from The Cat House in Lincoln, NE. And even though they adopted Klaus as an adult they referred to him as “our baby” which is just another reason that this kind couple makes us smile from ear to ear! They’re the type of people who really get it when it comes to pet adoption, and they understand the incredible love a furry family member brings. Anyway, as fate would have it kitty Oskar came into their lives, and even though Klaus had not hit it off with other cats they’d tried to introduce him to in the past, with Oskar it was a different story.

Here is where Oskar’s special needs were probably an advantage to the family. Oskar was born without formed eyeballs. This deformity is probably responsible for his innocent, sweet demeanor, which Mick describes as, “he was born into this world absolutely trusting of everybody and just happy to be here.” The Szydlowskis planned to take all the steps necessary when introducing Klaus to Oskar to make sure it was done properly and positively. They had decided they would even divide their home into two sections for them to live separately if it required. But luckily within five days, Klaus not only accepted Oskar, he also began taking care of his new brother! Very likely Klaus could sense Oskar’s special needs and felt a paternal instinct or compassion rather than competition from his new best friend. Many people report that their pets accept special needs pets more readily and easily.

Though thankfully the transition was a smooth one, the Szydlowskis continued to learn about how to live with a special needs pet. Because they worried about Oskar hurting himself by running into walls or not being able to use a litter box, the couple diligently researched in order to know as much as possible about having a blind kitten. They found that Oskar’s other senses took over, as nature would have it, even when it came to learning how to play with toys. He just figured it all out like any kitten would!

More than anything the Szydlowskis hope that Oskar’s story will inspire other people to open their homes to adoptable pets with special needs. Often people shy away from these animals thinking something is wrong with them. But nothing could be further from the truth. Special needs pets can live full, happy lives like any other animal, and they’re just extra, well… special! The Szydlowskis don’t see Oskar’s blindness as a handicap or burden – they see it as an opportunity to spend even more time with the feline they love. Now that’s inspiring!

So are you hooked on Oskar yet? Become his friend on Facebook so you can stay up to date on all his adventures! He is so popular even Ellen DeGeneres featured a video of him on her show! And hey, while you’re on Facebook make sure you’re Adopt-a-Pet.com’s friend, too! Last but not least know that there are so many special needs pets out there just as lovely and loving as Oskar. We’ve made it so easy for you to search for them that we’ve included a “special needs” box to check when you run your next search for a pet to adopt! These sweethearts are looking for their family, their safe home to belong to, and the people who will see them for what they truly are. Consider making another special needs pet as lucky as Oskar is… who knows, yours may even have the next famous YouTube video!

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Animal rescue can be hard work, but it is always always always fulfilling. The backbone of rescue is fostering. Being a foster parent to a homeless pet is a great way to give back, to get involved, and to change your life for the better! By fostering you too can be a part of healing rescue dogs. Sadly every year shelters are inundated with kittens and puppies, many accidental litters due to lack of spay and neuter. This is just another reason to spay and neuter your pets: consider all the homeless babies that come into the shelter system and do your part to encourage their adoption, instead of creating more animals! Thankfully some very generous people out there volunteer to become foster parents for puppies and kitties. By fostering a family of wee ones you can do a huge act of kindness – you can literally save a whole family’s life. Many rescues cannot save puppies and kitties unless they have a foster home to help. Though it requires work and time, raising little furballs with love and ensuring their safety is the most rewarding experience. Check out this article about a foster mom extraordinaire who had one point fostered five puppies! You can also sign up to volunteer on Adopt-a-Pet.com’s volunteer registry, and select “Fostering” as one of your interests.

Check out our previous articles on fostering too:

• Get Your Furry Fix by Fostering
• What type of pet should I foster?
• Top 5 Benefits of Fostering a Pet!

photo credit: nixxphotography / FreeDigitalPhotos.net