2008: Good Riddance!

Santa has come and gone.....I hope he was very good to each and everyone of you! I was expecting coal and/or ashes and switches, but instead I got a new Santa hat. BLECH! Gee thanks Santa.

I am not sure which is worse, probably the switches and my new hat does come in handy when I am visiting folks around Christmas time! Santa did not even bring me "spell checker" software which Mr Millwood at the Tryon Daily Bulletin strongly suggested I should have. Really Joey, oops, I mean Senator Millwood, the big paws just don't get it on the computer keyboard!

This year has been a year of ups and downs for many folks.....and as we all know "things" always flow downstream. This has affected the animals of the world as well. There are many more people and animals without a place to call their own.

I am blessed enough to have a home and a job, or two, maybe three, if you count my guard dog abilities. How lucky can one dog be?

Looking back over this past year, I have visited many different places. and this is my very favorite thing to do. I have met many new folks and enjoyed seeing my old friends as well. The Special Olympics probably had to be the highlight of my year as a therapy dog, but the FENCE Day Camp and local schools and assisted living places were all very special as well...and let's not forget the Farmer's Market with those wonderful doggie biscuits!

I have continued my old habits of stealing food, or paper towels, or whatever happens to be on the kitchen counter and chewing them into shreds.....and I have no plans whatsoever for any New Year's Resolutions concerning these forays.... Now that Santa is back at the North Pole until next year, why bother? You would think I would have outgrown this by now as I am no longer a pup, but it gets me the attention which I adore.

I have also been blogging this year.....although I will never make it as a twitter, mainly because I am too busy doing all my jobs to stop and twit. I am not talking about the TWIT that is "This Week In Tryon" here but I always look forward to reading their e-letter ( How's that for a plug, Doug?) I have often written about those less fortunate than I, especially the animals, because most of them truly have no voice....well, they do have voices, but sometimes no one listens! And I have tried to pass along information about "humane education", my word of the year, because I think this is a very important concept for all the beings on this planet.

I have been trying to decide on my "word for the year" for 2009, and I am open to suggestions. Please email me @ champtherapydog@gmail.com
with the word you think I should use and why you think I should use it. I don't know if there will be a prize for the winner, but there might be.


Happy New Year! I hope you have the best year yet!

As Oprah Winfrey says, "Cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right!"


Woof

CHAMP


P.S. If any of you GOOD dogs out there would like to follow in my pawprints and try your hand at becoming a therapy dog, Petpals is going to be having a training session coming up after the first of the year. For more info on this, please call my "trainer" Katie Malone at 864-415-5804.

Any Soldier, Any Dog 2008

Any Soldier, Any Dog, 2008

Christmas is just around the corner, and it always brings to mind those serving in the military to secure our freedom, far from home over the holidays.

So once again I would like to suggest that if you would like to send Christmas cards, supplies, or gifts to Our Troops overseas, now is a good time to get started.

Over the last few years, I have personally sent dog toys, dog supplies, and dog treats to our Military K9s. This year there are a number of requests from K9 units and kennel masters for dog toys, leashes for large dogs with retractable leads, harnesses and the like. One unit in Afghanistan is requesting canned dog food, and they all want treats that can be carried on missions.

I am currently packing a box for Military Working Dog Handler Brian Meinert in Iraq. His email follows:

"We are the Military Working Dog Section and we each have a dog and they work hard but toys for them are not offered here, they really like kongs, balls, chew toys and other normal everyday house dog items. Our living conditions are not that bad but some things we do need are baby wipes, tissues, personnel hygiene products and other things of that nature, drink mixes, energy drinks. Our entertainment consists of a small variety of DVD's and a TV so if you have some used DVD's you would like to donate to this section where they would stay that would be great. Snacks of all kinds for us and the dogs so when we do go out we have something for the teams. anything will be greatly appreciated by all of us. Thank you for reading this and contributing to all of here in the K-9 section."

I cannot imagine the conditions in which these dogs, and their handlers and the other troops, are living, but I can guarantee that none of them has a bed as soft, warm, and safe as mine (or the one I think is mine!). And my bed is safe because these men, women, and dogs chose to serve our country by leaving their families and putting themselves in harm's way. It is the least I can do to send them things that will make their lives just a little bit better. And I do hope they enjoy the photo of ME in a red, white and blue bandana that I am including in the package!

I sent a package to a canine handler a couple of years ago in Iraq and I got the nicest reply and thank you...it was even addressed to Champ on the envelope!


If you would like to send a letter, card, or package to a member of our military, go to the website and read the emails from our troops. The link is at www.anysoldier.com - because freedom isn't free, just ask any soldier!

And when you are writing your Christmas cards this year, please consider sending one to: "A Recovering Soldier, c/o Walter Reed Army Medical Center, 6900 Georgia Avenue,NW, Washington, DC 20307-5001 .


Maybe for Christmas this year, we can all ask for PEACE......and hope that soon these brave men, women, and dogs will be able to come home.

Until then, here's to all the working K9s AND their handlers, and to all who continue to sacrifice so much for our freedom. Happy Thanksgiving!

Woof!

CHAMP

Stop Barking and Go Vote!

Because I am neither of the appropriate age or species to vote, I can say what I think about this hullabaloo. After all, I am neither an elephant or a donkey. I am a DOG, but even I know when enough is enough, and I am about at my wit's end with politics this year! I have heard, seen, and read, (OK,maybe not the latter) about some really disturbing assaults, flat-out lies, thefts, and other acts of ugliness and violence over this election. This is ridiculous and I am beyond ready for it to be over!

Both parties have made choices, spoken words, and taken actions that have been terribly divisive. Just because someone does not agree with your way of thinking does not make them bad, or stupid, or unpatriotic. It just means that they have a different opinion!


If you remember, my words for the year were "humane education", which is a process that encourages an understanding of the need for compassion and respect for people, animals, and the environment, and recognizes the interdependence of ALL living things". (Quote from World Animal Net) That means that every being has a right to be respected for who they are.

Why are folks stealing political signs......or painting them black? Why is there so much name-calling? Why is almost every ad on TV negative, and why is everyone slinging mud and assassinating the character of the other candidates? In my not-so-humble opinion, your species has sunk to an all-time low.

Everyone is entitled to his or her opinion and beliefs -- that is a sacred right in this country for which men, women, and dogs have all sacrified their lives during times of war. What I don't understand is why some folks have no respect for any opinion but their own.

Surely you people have better things to do with your time than to steal or vandalize political signs, or to say hurtful or ugly things to your neighbors. Why not put your anger and frustration to work doing something positive? Why not volunteer to help your neighbors, or the animals, or the planet? You can volunteer to help the political party of your choice! Or volunteer to drive a neighbor to the polls -- no matter who they vote for!

At the end of the day, you are the one who will win -- as will the others who choose this path. If we're not here to help each other, well, why are we here?


Woof!

CHAMP

P.S. The Foothills Shelter on Little Mountain Rd. is having their Open House, this Saturday, November 1st from 11am until 2 pm. There will be free food, drinks, CAKE (YUM!), live music, pony rides, and photos with Santa! Dana Bergman will provide excellent music so please come out and enjoy this event...I hope to see you there!

The Any and All Dog Show

Come One, Come All!

Well, where else? The Any and All Dog Show is coming up on Sunday, October 12 at Harmon Field! This fun event is hosted by the Tryon Riding and Hunt Club for the benefit of the Foothills Humane Society. It has become an annual tradition for many folks in these parts and is a great excuse to get outside with your family and other animals!

I really hope you dogs will nudge your owners off the couch and out from in front of the TV for this one. Maybe you have what it takes to be the biggest dog....or the smallest dog....or maybe you look like your owner? Do you like to get dressed up? (I don't - last year I lifted my leg on my costume, much to my humans' chagrin.) Do you have the most unusual tail? I did one year! Or do you have the best trick of all the dogs in Tryon? Ha, I wish.....but then, I never did like to obey! And now there is a new class for "family dogs", dogs who may not be related but who live in the same household. Relatives by proxy, as it were. And don't forget, you can show off your very own human if you were adopted from the Foothills Shelter -- there is a special class just for you! This show is not only fun for the dogs and their owners, it is wildly entertaining for the spectators as well. And it is pretty cheap to enter....a buck per class or 5 bucks for all the classes you want to enter....


Father Doty will be doing a blessing of the animals at 1:30 pm and I sure could use blessing again this year......maybe this will get me through another year of being a "good" dog. Or maybe not.

They decided to have a Tailgate Contest this year.....get it, TAIL gate.....but I have considered going on strike about this. I think the dogs should judge who has the best tailgate spread. We could sample one of everything at each tailgate to decide the winner or, better yet, have the tailgate part be judged on who fixes the best dog food, and I don't mean just ordinary dog food either (blech) but something like peanut butter dog biscuits, or doggie deviled eggs, or peanut butter pupsicles.....I guess you get the picture!

The show starts at 2:00 pm but you have to register ahead of time, so plan to arrive between 1:00 and 1:30. I look forward to seeing all of you there -- with any luck, the only outfit I will be wearing this year is my Therapy Dog Vest!

P.S. -- a HUGE thank you to all who sent in the absolutely fabulous photos of their pets for the Po'Kitties All Pet Photo Contest. I have been truly amazed at the quality and beauty of these pictures! And
don't forget the Awards Ceremony on October 16 at the Red Clover Gallery in Landrum at 6:30pm. My dear friend and admirer, the magnificent Randy Grobe, will be hosting the gala affair, which means it will be a hoot! The photos will be on display at the Gallery from Wednesday, October 15 through Saturday, October 18 during Gallery hours. Stop by and take a look at these terrific photos! I think you will be impressed.

The other upcoming event is the Open House at Foothills Humane Society Shelter on Saturday, November 1. My good friend Dana Bergman will provide the music, and there will be food, drinks, and CAKE (my favorite)! There will also be pony rides for the children, and Santa will be available to pose in his sleigh for pictures with you and your pets. Between Santa's butt and my butt, it was a pretty tight fit last year! The Viewers' Choice Award for Best Photo will be announced (from the Po'Kitties All Pet Photo Contest) and if you're really lucky, you might even get to see ME!!

Woof!

CHAMP

Champ: Simply the BEST!

This is supposed to have the audio from Tina Turner's "Simply the Best", but as you can tell, youtube and I are not having a good day! So hum along when you watch my slideshow!

It helps!

CHAMP

Photo credits to Emily Bartlett and Emmy Summers.

Check it out!

Here is the link to the Po'Kitties All Pet Photo Contest!

Photo Contest Link

All monies from this will go to help our feral TNR program with spay-neuter costs!

My New Award from Addie!

Check out this cute girl's site! Raising Addie

My Official Vest!

These last few weeks have been pretty hot -- no -- too darn hot! Like most of you, I have been working in spite of the heat. I have been to FENCE Day Camp three times with the Foothills Humane Society. This photo was taken at the camp with the children, and I would like you to notice my new and, I think, extremely handsome Official Therapy Dog Vest.


As most of you know, I have routinely been dressed up in all kinds of garbage......er, I mean garb, for the various seasons......the hats, the sunglasses, the light-up antlers, the ties, the bandanas, the abominable black feather boa (and you remember what I did to that), and, of course, the ridiculous orange fright wig I wore for Halloween. I do try to be a good sport about it, but sometimes I have been downright embarrassed by some of my outfits. The children and the folks at the assisted living homes seem to enjoy the "Champ-Wear" though, so I do my best to keep from looking as disgusted as I feel. If the truth were known, however....



Now, for the first time, I finally have something that I am proud to wear. It is a (very) bright red vest with an emblem that says: "I Am a Therapy Dog" and underneath that it says, "Sharing Smiles and Joy". I believe it is obvious by the expression on my face that my relief at having an official uniform (as opposed to an "outfit") is great. I do try to bring joy and smiles to all the folks I visit, but would prefer to do so in a vest rather than a rhinestone tiara, thank you very much.


I wore my new vest to FENCE Day Camp and I am happy to report that everyone there made quite a fuss over it, and me. It was highly satisfying and hopefully my humans are taking note of this. The children at the FENCE Day Camp were a lot of fun and they were also very well behaved (which matters a great deal to me) during all three visits!

I went to check out the Columbus Farmers' Market this past Saturday, and it is a really neat "down home" market. They have lots of local produce, some is even organic. They have everything from okra and blueberries to tomatoes and honey and plants and potatoes and cucumbers, and even some beautiful embroidered towels and crocheted hot pads. And there is a man who sells fresh bread and delicious goat cheese made from goats who are guarded by..........YEP.....a Great Pyrenees livestock guardian dog! (Simply the best!) They have fresh baked doggie cookies there (and the lovely lady gave me one so I can attest to the fact that they are absolutely delicious). They also have some human baked goods that I could only drool over. I think I could really get into those sticky buns....and I believe the nice lady who sells them might be charmed into giving me one if my humans weren't around!

I thoroughly enjoyed making the rounds of delicious smells, meeting people and greeting old friends. I met two very well behaved boys whom I really liked and tried to follow around, and I met a very, very small, very, very yappy thing that I am told was actually a dog....hmm....and lots of other folks who all admired me and said what a great dog I was. I believe I need to become a regular.

Stay cool. Woof.


CHAMP

P.S. Please start taking some great photos of your pets....(any and all pets, yep, even the horsey ones!) for the Po'Kitties All Pet Photo Contest. Details at www.pokitties.com , click on the link to the contest!

NO Excuse!

"Spay and neuter, spay and neuter" yada, yada, yada.......

Are you bored yet? Everyone knows, or should by now, that spaying and neutering cats and dogs is the only answer to the pet overpopulation problem, the problem that causes shelters all over the country to have to euthanize healthy, adoptable pets because there are not enough homes for them.
I guess what I don't understand is WHY people still don't spay and neuter their pets! What part of spay and neuter don't they understand??? There is just no excuse for it!


"It costs too much money."
WRONG. Foothills Humane Society has the Humane Alliance Program which costs $8.00 to spay or neuter a dog or cat. That’s what lunch costs these days. And if you truly cannot afford that, the Shelter will still help spay or neuter your pet! Call them at 828-863-4444.

"I want my dog/cat to have the experience of having a litter."
WRONG. I've never had a litter and trust me, I don't miss it. And for you big, macho guys, guess what? I don’t miss running in front of cars or going without eating because I am so obsessed with the scent of a female in heat! And by the way, I’m still as macho as they come!

"I'm afraid Fluffy will die going under the knife."
WRONG. Fluffy is a whole lot more likely to die having a litter than when she is having surgery, as long as she is healthy.

"I work all day and don't have time to take my dog/cat to the clinic."
WRONG. Bet you make time to go to the store, or eat lunch and dinner, don't you? You can drop your pet off at the Shelter on Humane Alliance day as early as 6:30 am and if you make arrangements ahead of time with the Shelter, the staff and volunteers will work with you about the timing of picking up your pet. You can also get a coupon from the shelter to help with the cost of spaying or neutering and you can then use the vet of your choice.

"I want to breed my terrific hunting dog."
WRONG. Just because the parent dog is a good hunting dog does not mean the puppies will be any good. You have a better chance of finding the right dog for you by carefully choosing one at the Shelter. And trust me when I say that a lot of good hunting dogs wind up in the Shelter.

"I love Pumpkin and want her to have just one litter....."
WRONG. There are too many dogs and cats already! Sure, you say, you can always find homes for these animals – only sometimes you can’t, and when you do, you are taking one more home away from the homeless ones. And that means that one more pet will be euthanized!

"I want my kids to see the miracle of birth."
WRONG. You're definitely sending the wrong message on this one. I'm not much of a TV watcher but I know you can rent a DVD or watch the miracle of birth online and not contribute to this terrible overpopulation problem!

It's a guy thing."
WRONG! Oh, for goodness’ sake.......c'mon guys! Y’all are smarter than that! Be a part of the solution instead of being the problem! It has nothing to do with you and how macho you are. Even a big dog like me knows that!

"I just want to let Nature take its course."
WRONG, WRONG, WRONG! Isn't there enough suffering and death already without adding to it? This is a simple, inexpensive solution to a lot of different problems!

Between 5 and 10 million pets are euthanized -- that is, put to death -- every single year in this country. (Yep, I said between 5 and 10 MILLION.) Imagine the pain of the people who have to euthanize these precious animals....and the tax dollars that have to pay for it! That is almost incomprehensible to me. Closer to home, two weeks ago in the span of only one hour, 17 cats and kittens were brought to the Shelter. One hour! The Shelter only has room for about 45 cats at a time, so you do the math......and you'll know that this is definitely not a good thing.
Humans bring litter after litter of puppies and kittens to the Shelter. They are asked if they want help spaying and neutering the parents, but they often have some lame excuse as to why they aren't going to do it! Well, they might not mind that many of the puppies and kittens brought in have to be euthanized, but let me tell you, the Shelter staff minds! They desperately want to adopt out all of the animals but there are just not enough homes!
And yes, it is always better to take them to the Shelter than to dump them on the side of the road. At least they will be put to death humanely. When they are dumped somewhere, they can get run over, or suffer and die a slow death of starvation and disease. Some are picked up by good people and brought to the Shelter, but then the staff and volunteers don't know the dog or cat's history and that makes it harder for them. Often they don't get to the Shelter until they have been injured or have gone without food for awhile, or have gotten sick, which makes it harder to adopt them out.
I really hope someone out there has some grand idea for getting the word out about spaying and neutering to the folks that need to hear it. If you do, please write to me c/o my blog at the Tryon Daily Bulletin or email me at champtherapydog@gmail.com. Two heads, or in this case, maybe a few hundred heads, are better than one!

On a much happier note, I was at Polk Central for the after school program and several of the students formed a pyramid with me in the middle, as you can see in the photo! (Get it? Pyr-amid?) It was a fun time and it amazed me how quickly they managed to do this maneuver!

And have I mentioned that the Humane Society is having an auction? As the Official Spokesdog, I would like to say that if anyone has one or more items they would like to donate, please contact Steve King at 859-7054, and he will happily arrange for the items to be picked up.


Woof!

CHAMP
P.S. June is "Adopt a Shelter Cat" month! Please help us save their lives and adopt one today!

Everyone in the picture is approved to have their photos published. The students are, starting at the top and coming down the right hand side of Champ:

Calab Byers
Regina Dotts
Amber Miller
Martin Ewing-Macchietto
Larry Dyer
Chyanne Davis

Ears to Hear? Eyes to See?

First off, I would like to say that I, er, borrowed this title from Jeff Byrd's editorial, "Ears to Hear" in the Tryon Daily Bulletin (oops, that would be "Mr" Jeff Byrd to me!). I think his excellent commentary spoke to all of us. If not, it should have.

I am a very lucky dog. I have "ears to hear" and "eyes to see". And we do need to hear and see things that outrage us, or we will never see change occur. These past two weeks I have seen or heard of several incidents that disturbed me greatly. I find it difficult to comprehend how some folks have no respect for any living thing, be it two-legged or four-legged.

A small kitten was hit by a car. The lady (and I use that term advisedly) who was driving, got out, saw the kitten was injured, shrugged her shoulders, got back into the car and drove away. Fortunately for the kitten, there was a kind-hearted Good Samaritan behind her, who got the kitten the care it needed (and who also got a good description of the woman, the car, and the license plate. She will be remembered.)

Another incident that I personally witnessed involved a big old turkey crossing Collinsville Road, not exactly a superhighway. It was in a clear stretch, easy to see and avoid. But the "lady" (ugh) driving never braked or swerved, she just obliterated that turkey. All she did after hitting the big bird was look in her rear view mirror and I'm not sure why. I am hoping it left a turkey-sized dent in her nice looking car. I won't go into detail about the other incidents, which include a cat being thrown from a moving car, but trust me, they are equally dreadful.

I realize that these incidents may seem petty to some, but the truth is, they are not. This complete disregard for life, be it four-legged, two-legged, or winged, is indicative of a sick society. Senseless, mindless, gratuitous violence against any living being is horrific. What are we teaching our children? How do these people look in the mirror? Would you want one of these people as a neighbor? As a friend? Is this the kind of folks we want in our community? On a personal level, I find them scary.....even though I am big !

Mr. Byrd was referring to the divisiveness that comes when people of one race distrust or fear people of a different race, and, to the understanding and respecting of the viewpoint of another. I firmly believe that respect for each other is a moral imperative to each of us. I may be "only a dog" but I know, and try to live by, the golden rule: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. This sentiment crosses all boundaries, be they racial, religious, national, or interspecies, and speaks to the universal society of which we are all a part. The humans in our community need to show respect for each other and the rest of us living beings, human or animal --
So once again, I am reminded of the two words that I chose to be my "words for the year". "Humane education". We really need to learn to be humane to everyone and everything!


I think NOW would be a good time for us to start!

Woof!

CHAMP

HIP-HIP HOORAY!

103 cats have now been spayed or neutered as of May 8!

Thanks to all the caretakers, volunteers, Po'Kitties' committee members and the Foothills Huamen Society!

THANK YOU!

We have kittens from a colony that will be up for adoption through the Foothills Shelter...Two are already there...they are DROP DEAD gorgeous...their names are Thor and Tara...check them out here.....www.foothillshumanesociety.org

Also..the Po Kittens in the photos above are in foster and will be available shortly! Please hurry as I am about over these cute little Po'kittens!

Woof!

CHAMP

As Special As it Gets!

Champ being kissed yet again!



Last week it was my privilege to attend the Greenville Regional Special Olympics, which were held at Furman University. This was my third year, and it was the best yet. The weather was PYR-fect -- not at all a "dog" day -- and my own nephew and niece were there, and they both won medals!


I love the Special Olympics, I love the athletes, I love the volunteers -- I guess you could say that I love the whole thing! Oops. -- except for the balloons --I forgot --I HATE balloons, especially when they pop -- and there were lots of balloons!

I got there just in time to see all 1400 of the special athletes parade around the stadium. I got to see their bright, happy faces and to hear everyone cheering. The most moving part was the singing of the national anthem by a special athlete from one of the elementary schools. He sang slowly and beautifully. It didn't matter to anyone that he could not pronounce "R" or "L", it just made it all the more special. (Think "wocket's wed gwawe" instead of "rocket's red glare!") This boy should be on Good Morning America, he was that good, and that awe-inspiring.

After the ceremony, I was stationed just outside the stadium as the athletes were leaving to go toward the venues for the actual games. Many of them remembered my name and ran to greet me. They were excited to see me, and I was very happy to see them! The ones who didn't know me came over to meet me. Some of the athletes were frightened of me, but once they looked in my eyes and touched my soft fur, they knew they were safe and their sweet faces lit up like the sun. Some of them hugged me and some of them even kissed me (which isn't my favorite thing, but with these folks I didn't mind at all). Some of them wanted to have their pictures taken with me and they wanted it taken with THEIR cameras. And some of them just wanted to show me their medals! I always try to pay special attention to everyone, even if it is just for a moment. Seeing all the smiles was just the best.

The athletes each had at least one volunteer who stayed with them throughout the Special Olympics. The volunteers did a great job, and they all seemed to be having a great time! Actually, everyone involved in the Special Olympics, whether as an athlete, a parent, a coach, a teacher, or a volunteer, has a terrific and positive attitude. Everyone was, and is, a true winner in many ways.

Polk County used to have a Special Olympics, and I was invited to the last one and enjoyed myself thoroughly. My question is, why don't we have a Special Olympics here anymore? There are so many folks in the community who would be happy to volunteer, (I'm just a dog.....don't get mad!) and most of the students I have met would volunteer to help, I'm certain. We have some truly awesome special athletes, and I myself would volunteer to be the Very Special Spokesdog. Is there someone out there who will step up to the plate to champion this very special cause?

If you ever get the chance to go to the Special Olympics, by all means, GO! It is a time of pure joy, and, if nothing else, it will make you stop and wonder how we could ever think we have something to complain about.

Woof!

Champ

LOST and FOUND?

I got an enormous chuckle out of one of the latest threads on the Great Pyrenees List Group....it was entitled, "How to Catch a Loose Pyrenees".

 Since we all need a good laugh now and then, here are some of the ideas these silly humans have for catching a loose great pyrenees dog like me, or any dog for that matter!

1) PLAY DEAD OR INJURED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD
   Haha! OK, since I am protective of you this might work a time or two, but after that, do you really think I would fall for this trick a third time?

2) ACT LIKE YOU DO NOT CARE IF YOU CATCH THE DOG
  Well, if that is supposed to make me care......I don't see how, because I  have Places To Go and People To See.

3) GET IN THE CAR AND PRETEND YOU ARE GOING TO TAKE THE  DOG FOR A RIDE
   Again, you might fool me once or twice, but then you're toast!

 4) GET A DIFFERENT PERSON TO GRAB THEM
     It would have to be someone I really love, and that someone would  have to be armed with a LOT of my favorite treats!

Does all this sound ridiculous or what?
The bottom line is that the absolute best way to catch a dog is to keep that dog from getting loose to start with!  Of course there are some dogs who are more obedient and will come when they are called, or never even wander off to start with.  (Or so I understand.....)

It really does not take much to keep a dog contained, and it is so much safer for all concerned.  Having been hit by a car, I can vouch for the importance of safety!  Keeping a dog either on a leash or in a fenced yard can prevent the dog from getting lost (and maybe never coming home), getting injured, or worse, getting killed!
There are a lot of lost dogs coming into the Foothills Shelter right now.They often have no ID tags on their collars, or no collars at all, and they are not microchipped.  It is so easy to put a tag on a collar with his or her human's phone number on it!   You can buy these at Little
Mountain or the hardware store, or at the vet clinics. They are cheap (a few bucks, tops) compared to the cost and anguish of losing a dog!
Many of these dogs never make it back to their owners because they cannot tell anyone who their humans are, and I find this very sad. You can also get your human to have a microchip inserted in the dog or even a tattoo. Both of these have national registries to help with getting lost pets back home. I personally am holding out for a "No Fear" tattoo but it probably won't happen in this lifetime.

And PLEASE, if you humans lose a dog or cat, call Foothills Shelter at 863-4444 right away and let them know, so they can be on the lookout for your lost pet!  They will make out an index card with your pet's description on it and add the information to a master sheet that they look over each time a new animal comes to the shelter.

Please, please........make sure your furry family members have a way to get back home!
By the way, note the picture of me this week: I hate the stupid bunny hat.  Can you tell?

Woof!
CHAMP



Humane Education.......My Words for the Year

Champ at rescue

Photo Above Courtesy of Mississippi Great Pyrenees Rescue



Champ NOW!


Each year, my New Year's tradition is to pick a word to concentrate on over the coming year. Last year, my word was kindness.

Was I always kind? Ha....probably not! But I really tried to keep it in my mind as I went about my daily life of being a dog, and as I went about my job as a therapy dog. And sometimes just having a word in the back of your mind to ponder when everything else is going to the dogs can keep one on track.

This year I just could not narrow it down to one word and hence, my word of the year is "humane education". To quote World Animal Net, "humane education is a process that encourages an understanding of the need for compassion and respect for people, animals, and the environment and recognizes the interdependence of ALL living things". I think that focusing on this is somewhat of a lofty goal (I try!) and perhaps I can gain a bit of insight this year as well as to spread the word. I had not realized that humane education was so encompassing that it even included the environment (which, by the way in case you have not noticed, is taking a serious beating)!

So if you are so inclined, pick yourself a word for the year! And please write and let me know which one you choose! (Of course, you are most welcome to share mine.....)

I thought you might get a kick out of seeing my "before" picture when I was at rescue. I look a little rough, hmmm? I think it is pretty amazing how I look now, compared to how I looked when the rescue picked me up. Humility has never been my strong suit, but even though I was a skinny, rough looking boy with broken teeth, heartworms, and no home, I have come a long way and, if I may say so, I think I look terrific now!

My original owner paid good money for me and then just left me outside to do as I pleased....and of course, we "pyrs" being roamers, I went further away every day, until I was rarely, if ever, at home. It wasn't that my owner didn't care...he just couldn't be bothered to see that I had adequate care and food, or that I was brushed and free of ticks, fleas, and burrs, or even that I was confined for my own safety. Once I was used to wandering I started hanging out by the highway, and I was going to end up maimed or dead. The rescue lady persuaded him to let me live by relinquishing me to the rescue.

There are many animals like me, both cats and dogs, who just need a little care. It is so rewarding -- not only for the lucky animals, but for the caretakers and owners -- to see the changes that occur when we have what we need. Please note that I did not say that we always get what we want! But often these turn out to be the same in the long run.

And speaking of humane, the first Humane Alliance Clinic of the year will be held on February 18th, so if you need to be spayed or neutered (for the bargain price of only $8.00) please have your human call the shelter at 863-4444 to sign up.

So remember the words "humane education" -- not the sexiest words I've ever heard, but some of the most important, to be sure. As John Muir once said, "When we try to pick anything out by itself, we find it hitched to everything else in the universe."


Woof!

Champ

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