animals-animals-animals: Cheetah and Cub, Bonding (by Fanus Weldhagen)
Tag Archives: Animal welfare
8.12.12 Mojo, All Better
The dogs have been really missing their best friend, Mojo, because he had bone surgery on his leg and was not able to walk with us or play for what seemed like forever in dog days. But Mo healed quickly and he is now back to himself. So the girls and I went over for a little romp around the yard; but, no jumping and catching frisbees until we are sure that Mojo is all healed up. I think I have mentioned this before, but Louise does not smile for many other dogs (or people for that matter), but she always has a big smile for Mojo. I just love it when the dogs are content. It is so hard when an animal is hurt or sick for many reasons, but it is also frustrating because there is no way to explain to them what is going on. But I never really thought about the fact that there is no way to explain to my dogs, Lulu and Sofie, why they could not go over to play with their friend who they have walked and played with constantly their whole lives, until this event. They knew he was still there because they heard him bark from across the street and they saw him a few times when he came out his front door for a moment or two. It was kind of a funny waiting time until he was better. They missed him. We are all happy that Mojo is all better now.
Just another DogDaz morning at the zoo ❤ 
8.11.12 Good Work, Girls; You Make Mommy Proud
I am so proud of the dogs. This week I have left them alone twice for increasing longer periods of time in the house, out of their kennels. First it was for about 2 hours. But today I had to go visiting and to dinner, and I knew that I would be gone a long time because I had to drive over an hour away. I locked the kittens and crazy Miss Kitty away so that they could not get into trouble; I gave everyone a really good snack (because I knew that I would be late for dinner); and I left (I don’t believe in making a fuss or they will fuss). I was gone 5 1/2 hours. This is a first for me 
and for the dogs. I have never left them unsupervised, out of their kennels for that long. On my way home I was envisioning shredded couch pillows, ala Wonderbutt, or chewed up pens with ink everywhere, or a dead cat (though Noel would more likely kill them before they would get her or Muffin). But, other than mauling me at the front door, they were great. This is so exciting. I hate to go out for more than maybe 3 hours when I have to leave them in the kennels, though I have left them as many as 6 hours. They probably just sleep, but I worry about stiffness and such, even though they can stand and turn around. I really want them to be able to be out, except at night, and that really is because they like to wake me up to play at weird times (which I attribute partially to the fact that they are not usually out at night when I am sleeping, but also because they are not allowed on the bed, so they need to get close to me somehow). This is a new phase at the zoo. Free roaming canines. I like it and I hope they keep up the good work.
Just another DogDaz morning at the zoo ❤
8.8.12 “In A Perfect World Every Dog Has A Home”
I stumbled upon this great animal pop artist, Dean Russo, on Facebook. Not only is his work incredible but the messages that he adds are just so on the mark. This piece, ” In a perfect world every dog has a home,” is such a wonderful battle cry. When I contacted DeanRussoArt, Megan told me that “amongst other ways he contributes to animal charities, Dean has a program of Affiliate Rescues that he closely works with and contributes to on a monthly basis since he has way too many requests to take on all of them.” Check out his colorful creativity and brilliant imagination.
Did you know that according to Angie’s List (Baltimore Edition August 2012), “5 million companion animals enter animal control facilities nationwide every year, and more than 60 percent die there.” At times, it seems like such an overwhelming problem, but I know that so many people and organizations are doing such good work to try and stop the tidal wave.
What do we do about the homeless, the abandoned, the abused? What can we do about the millions of dogs that are not properly taken care of, both pure breed and inter breed, that end up without someone loving them? This breaks my heart.
I guess you can see why the DogDaz zoo has 5 cats and 2 dogs currently (down from our high of 11 animals). I want to thank all the animal rescue organizations out there, all you tireless protectors, and voices for the voiceless. Thank you MJ’s Sanctuary for Louise, Lucky Dog Animal Rescue for Sofie, Last Chance Animals Rescue through the PetSmart Charities for Noel, Constance Kitty, Nine, and Stella, and thank you to the Anne Arundel County SPCA for The Muffin Man.
I wish I could snap my fingers and give every animal a home (actually I wish I could do that for humans too) Please remember that even $1 makes a difference. Really, it does. Ok, I will get off my soup box now. See what a picture like that can do to me.
Just another DogDaz morning at the zoo ❤
7.31.12 So what were they doing while I was gone?
Many times I wonder what the animals are really doing while I am gone. I have thought about installing one of those spy cameras, like the kind you use to check up on your human child’s babysitter to see if they are really taking them out to the park or letting them sit in front of the ‘idiot box’ TV all day. But, then I realize that might be, well, a little obsessive. Basically, I think that Louise sleeps for most of the time. Sofie, on the other hand, may try to sleep, but the cats tend to set her up to get in trouble. For example, the cats get on my desk and throw stick pens down to Sofie. Of course Sofie can not help herself and chews through the plastic until it is unrecognizable. This kind of trouble is not only dangerous for Sofie but is messy. One time, about 23 years ago, I had left Nikki dog (who was about 3) and the then kittens, Alice and Gertrude, alone all day while I was at work. I had obviously lost my mind because I left a full try of just baked brownies on the counter to cool and went to work outside the house all day. Well, when I got home, not only were the brownies and the glass baking dish on the floor, but there was one very crazy puppy running circles around the house. Now I know the only way that a little Cocker Spaniel got that heavy baking dish was with the creative pushing of it off the counter by 2 little kitties. It was not funny at the time. On second thought, maybe I should install that camera…..
Just another DogDaz morning at the zoo ❤
7.28.12 Good Dogs Start With Good Owners
I do not know who created this poster but I love it!! I am not sure how we get the message out that animals are so influenced by how they are raised. It is the same with children, you live what you learn. When a dog is loved and cared for he/she grows into an animal that understands kindness. When a animal is tied to a post all day, beaten, used as bait, starved, experimented on, or just plain neglected, the animal will not understand how to be in the world. I know that I am “preaching to the choir,” because if you are reading this, you already love animals or you wouldn’t be following my blog. Let us teach kindness everyday, and maybe someday, we will have all good dogs. (I can dream, right?)
(Getting on a plane now for the 22 hour trip back home. Can’t wait to see my zoo, human and furry.)
Just another DogDaz morning at the zoo ❤
7.19.12 The Art of Napping
The dogs love when we come back from a walk and they can stretch out on the office floor and on their dog bed and take a nap. It is funny because I will turn around and Louise will be fast asleep on the dog bed. Then I turn around again and Sofie has taken over the bed. I didn’t really think about it until this picture but maybe they are to big for the dog bed. Come to think of it they are usually half on the floor. Lil’ Sofie does look half off the mat here, doesn’t she?. Their bed is a mess because shortly before they fell asleep they had some bone tucked underneath one of the sheets and were pulling the bed apart to free the bone. (Silly dogs – I have been trying to teach them how to do ‘hospital corners,’ but they keep reminding me that they do not have thumbs to fold sheets properly.) Sofie actually moves around a lot in her nap cycle. She will start to sleep on the dog bed, then get up and lie right under my chair (so that I can not roll), then over by the door, then right outside the office door…. Louise pretty much stays put on the bed or floor, but occasionally she will lie under my desk with her head on the rollers of my chair. There have been a few times, when I just can’t keep my eyes open during the day, I have lied on the dog bed with them and caught a nap myself for a few minutes. Napping is an art that I just don’t have. Another lesson that I really need to learn from the dogs.
Just another DogDaz morning at the zoo ❤
DogDaz Zoo 