Website We Love: Dog-Milk.com!

Nope, it’s not a website about how calcium is good for your dog’s bones! Dog-Milk.com is a website for modern dog lovers. Always up to date on the the latest new products, this site is widely read by dog enthusiasts, pet retailers, publications, and product designers from around the world. Dog-Milk is the place to go for cutting edge and modern designs to suit your furry best friend. Nothing is for sale on Dog-Milk.com — they just feature cool items and direct you to the place you can purchase if you want to! And did I mention there is a lot of cool stuff to find here? What makes them one of our favorite sites is their commitment to animal rescue and promoting pet adoption! Dog-Milk has chosen advertisers who donate a percentage of their sales to adoption organizations, and they also support local charities and rescues through attendance and and coverage of fundraising events. Check out Dog-Milk.com for a website dedicated to modern dog design!

In Memory… Blue's Poem

Losing a pet is one of the most difficult parts about sharing our lives and hards with our four-footed friends. This beautiful poem about pet loss was submitted to us by someone who wishes to remain anonymous: “I wanted to pass along Blue’s Poem. I wrote this last night, after my beloved, sweet rescue dog passed away at a young age. We only had a short time together, but she changed my life for the better. I would love for her to be able to help other dogs be rescued. Below is Blue’s Poem, and her picture is attached. In her honor and memory, I’d love if this could be shared somewhere for potential adopters and dog-lovers to see. If not, hopefully you will enjoy. Thanks for all the work you do.”

Blue’s Poem

I haven’t had it easy
I know that you can see
Life can be so very cruel
As it has been to me.
I don’t know how I got here
A dog without a home
But all I want’s a master,
And a place to call my own.
I’ve been abandoned and abused
But through it, I’ve been brave
I still have so much love to give
If my life can be saved.
Of course, I’ll need some training
I might get out of line
Like you, I am not perfect
But together, we’ll be fine.
If you give me a second chance
I promise I’ll love you.
In saving my life you will find
I might just save you too.

– Anonymous

PEOPLEPets.com December Adopt Me!

The wonderful pet-loving folks over at PeoplePets.com are celebrating Adopt-a-Shelter Dog Month this month by introducing their readers to extraordinary canines who need homes throughout December, including the adorable pair of once neglected dogs Kade and Shoes, two lifelong companions who overcame horrible circumstances together. It’s hard to believe that this sweet pair was given up by their previous owners because they no longer wanted them – but their surrender to the North Central Los Angeles city shelter may have been the best thing for them.

When Tails of the City Rescue group founder Mary Ann Lagana first met them at the kill shelter in July, they were in awful shape. Both dogs’ fur was matted and they looked terribly unhealthy. Kade, 10, could barely walk without collapsing, and Shoes, 6, was emaciated. Thankfully, Lagana and her team were able to save them from euthanization and take on the expensive challenge of getting them healthy again.

A few months later, both dogs are thriving in a foster home. Kade, a cocker spaniel, was treated for anemia and kidney issues and he’s now active and happy. Shoes, a shih tzu mix, has put on some weight and eight of his infected teeth were pulled.

Friendly, affectionate and very well-trained, these guys love to be cuddled and are very young at heart – a far cry from the sad, neglected dogs they were this summer. After everything they’ve been through, they deserve a place to comfortably live out the rest of their lives.

“They are just doing so well,” says Lagana. “The dogs need to stay together because they’re amazingly bonded.”

The perfect owner for this duo would be capable of funding their continuing medical care and have the time to give them extra attention. “They need a yard,” she says, “because when they have kidney problems they need to pee a lot.”

Read more about Kade and Shoes and how to adopt them on their Adopt-a-Pet.com page at http://www.adoptapet.com/pet6382653.html

The Unexpected Pit Bull Calendar – A Gift That Gives Back!

We are very excited about the new Unexpected Pit Bull 2012 Calendar! Since 2004 this professionally photographed calendar highlights the love and spirit of Pit Bulls. Created by The Unexpected Pit Bull, a not-for-profit organization that develops and markets merchandise celebrating Pit Bulls, 100% of the calendar’s net profits are donated to deserving Pit Bull charities (mostly rescue, education, and advocacy organizations) in need of support. And we find that pretty awesome! Since launching, The Unexpected Pit Bull’s signature product has been their annual calendar, which has even been featured on The Rachel Ray Show. The nonprofit’s goals are to keep Pit Bulls with the people who love them (and away from the ones who don’t), to fund specific advocacy and education initiatives for the breed, and to create beautiful calendars that communicate the delight of that comes with having a Pit Bull! We stand behind their mission and that is why this year, Adopt-a-Pet.com decided to support their calendar and their efforts to help more Pitties everywhere. If you love these dogs, want to help them overcome unfair stereotypes, and promote more appreciation for these beautiful animals, hanging The Unexpected Pit Bull calendar in your office might be a great way to help spread the message.

This year the calendar was made in creation with HE(ART)S SPEAK – an organization that pairs photographers around the world with animals who need attention. Animal lovers and artists coming together – I mean, how cool is that?! The 2012 calendar edition features gorgeous photography and design, and we think they make terrific holiday gifts. There are a few promotions going on right now designed to make your holiday presents more affordable, which you can find out about by clicking here. This is truly a gift that gives back! And for anyone who’s ever enjoyed some Pittie kisses, you know how grateful these dogs are for your help.

PSI: Pet Sitters With a Heart

It’s nice to go out of town and know your pets are happy and taken care of. A new site we love, Pet Sitters International or PSI is a member-based organization that promotes, supports and recognizes quality pet sitting. They’ve got this great tool, their Pet Sitter Locator  which averages more than 30,000 searches per month! PSI is an awesome site for helping guardians find a top-notch pet sitter so that they can feel assured their pets are in good hands when they’re gone. Something else we love about them? They support pet adoption! Like us, the good people at PSI believe that every pet should have a happy home. The PSIStoreOnline is donating a percentage of all2011 Pet Sitter Holiday Card proceeds to the Adopt-a-Pet.com so that we can keep helping homeless pets! Plus, a majority of PSI’s nearly 7,000 member businesses donate their time and resources to shelters, humane societies, SPCAs and pet rescue groups. So whether you’re looking for a pet sitter or your 2011 holiday cards look no further – you can send your good wishes and support pet adoption at the same time!

Dog Travel: Tips For Traveling With Your Dog

Dog in a suitcaseYou’re ready to get out of town for a little R & R, but you’re uncertain whether traveling with your dog in tow will provide either of those Rs. For the well-prepared dog owner, traveling with a pet is a fun and rewarding experience. If staying with friends at your destination, don’t assume your dog is welcome in their home. Ask your hosts if the dog may tag along, and if so, where he’ll be staying so you can better prepare. If pets are a no-no, consider finding a kennel in the area so you can still spend time with Fido while being respectful of your friends’ wishes. Click here to learn more tips for traveling with your dog.

Wet Nose Guide featured pet: Minnie!

We so appreciate the exposure our partner sites give to pets for adoption, like Minnie on the Wet Nose Guide! “Well, hello there. I’m Minnie. Let me start off by saying, although I’m from Texas and I do have polite southern charm, I prefer to spend my time with adults. You see, I’ve never had much time alone with children, or even teenagers for that matter. Because of this, I get along famously with adults, and would prefer to spend my time in a forever home that was filled with other mature-aged individuals. After all, I’m of the “mature” age myself.” You can read the rest of Minnie’s story on the Wet Nose Guide here.