An update on Joy... From Jaine and Astrid (foster parents)

Joy is a petite 1 year old border collie mix. At just under 30 pounds,
she is a great size. She was rescued from a high kill shelter by some
of our volunteers, where she sat trembling in her kennel. Her
rescuers inquired about her and she was going to be put down in 2
days. Her allotted time at the shelter was up and she was so nervous
and afraid that the shelter worker told us she would be given no
additional time. We couldn't leave her there. Collies breeds have a
reputation for doing very poorly in shelters. Joy came to us frozen in
fear, she has made a lot of progress, and she has a lot of work to do,
but she is trying. She is skittish and submissive. She comes to those
of us who she is familiar with, but it usually is in her own terms.
She is a sucker for chicken, though).

She is fully house and crate trained with never an accident. She rings
the bells on the back door when she needs to go out. Her house manners
are wonderful, she is very well behaved She walks on a leash like a
dream. She walks right beside you at a "heel" and you could walk her
with your pinky finger alone, as she does not pull at all. She loves
to go on walks. She is extraordinarily gentle in the way she takes
food from your hand.

I wonder if she was mistreated, because she walks so beautifully at a
heel, or was she just never around people? But when you look at that
little face, she is so sweet. She trots away if anyone besides us goes
near her, she will settle down in a few minutes and approach for some
chicken. She has made great strides in the short time we have had
her, with much work to do, but she is making slow and steady progress.
She is very good with other dogs and loves the dog in her foster home
and will play with her. She has even been to Doglando's doggy daycare and is
beginning to play with some of the dogs there.

Joy is a dog who perhaps has been abused or unsocialized and craves a
gentle hand.
We recommend that she is placed with someone with another dog. I
think she would be terribly lonely and unhappy if she was an only pet.

She is interested in people and follows her foster mom around to see
what she is doing. Adopting Joy will be a commitment to patience, but
I think it will be rewarded with a sweet pet in the long run. She
deserves a chance and you will be the one knowing "Joy" when you
receive that first lick, tail wag, cuddle.

Joy's adopter will receive a free training consultation with dog trainer, Teena Patel of University of Doglando.

A Dog’s Life Behind Bars for Profit

By NEIL GENZLINGER

You would expect a program with a name like “Puppy Mills: Exposed” to be full of gruesome sights, and it is. But perhaps the most dismaying moment in it is, at first glance, benign and trauma free: it shows a chocolate Labrador retriever walking in a circle. Only when you realize that the animal, which was rescued from a wretched breeding mill in Pennsylvania, is doing nothing but walking in a circle does the implication sink in. The dog was caged for so long that this is all it knows how to do.

“Puppy Mills,” an episode of “Animal Cops: Philadelphia” having its premiere Monday on Animal Planet, spends much of its time detailing a raid last year at Limestone Kennel in Lancaster County, Pa., where the Pennsylvania Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals found almost 90 dogs living in conditions that more than justify the “viewer discretion” warning at the beginning of the program.
Such operations exist to churn out puppies that can be sold to brokers, who then pass them along to pet stores and other outlets. They are a long way from a Norman Rockwell world where happy dogs romp in the yard and give birth once a lifetime; instead the mills view dogs merely as “puppy-producing machines,” as Bob Baker, an investigator for the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, puts it.

“They’re just bred incessantly in horrendous conditions,” he says bluntly, “and as soon as they don’t come into heat regularly, they take them out and shoot them.”
The program acknowledges but doesn’t explore in depth the great contradiction in all this: while puppy mills are turning out dogs at an assembly-line pace, animal shelters are swamped and can’t give their dogs away. A perfunctory written comment from a Pennsylvania breeders’ association is read, but the program would have benefited from some reasoned discussion between breeders and rescuers. Instead it concentrates on shock value — necessary, probably, for calling attention to the problem, but leaving the viewer feeling as if there’s another, less horrific side to the subject.

ANIMAL COPS: PHILADELPHIA
Puppy Mills: Exposed

Animal Planet, Monday night at 10, Eastern and Pacific time; 9, Central time.

Produced by Granada Anglia. Marie Thomas, executive producer for Granada Anglia. Dawn Sinsel, executive producer for Animal Planet.

Uncropped Ears Photo Contest

This is mighty cool, I am so excited about this contest and look forward to seeing photos of all the coolest looking floppy eared dogs around.

The Humane Society Veterinary Medical Association will be putting on this "Natural Eared Photo Contest" to promote the natural beauty and functionality of dogs with uncropped ears.

This contest is open to dogs from breeds that are traditionally cropped to conform to breed standards (hopefully there will be changes to this in the near future).

Commonly cropped breeds include the: American Staffordshire, Pit Bull Terrier, Doberman, Doberman Pinscher, Schnauzer, Great Dane, Boxer, Boston Terrier.

Winners will recieve gift certificates to HSUS' Humane Domain.

Here we go again.... nonsense regarding Pit Bulls

Read this article on Pit Bulls: What we think: Stop Shielding Pit Bulls

I know many of you will be just as angry, disappointed, and upset as I was after reading the ignorance and lack of knowledge the public (mainly MEDIA) has in reference to the Bully Breeds; pits especially.

I do not understand how breed specific legislation and bans:

1. Prohibit people from raising these dogs in such an irresponsible manner

2. Consequence the owners for their actions

3. Hold owners responsible and accountable for their actions

4. Stop people from creating (by breeding) other dogs to replace pit bulls

Pit bulls are not the only dogs that bite... how about Chihuahuas? We don't know because we don't hear about these dogs... I would bet if diligent records were kept on dog bites, Chihuahuas would be pretty high on that list if not on the top.... no offense to Chihuahua owners!

Speak up responsible dog owners!

University of Doglando (almost 1 years old)

Can you believe it? We are almost one years old next month!

To all our friends all over the Nation and World "believe it or not, we have people from many different countries who are our friends through our website and blog" have not had the opportunity to tour our facility... and to all those who have not had the chance to come visit yet.... here is a short video called "Campus life for dogs" at the University of Doglando.


Thanks to Caitlin (Tuesday / Thursday Pack Mum) for making this wonderful video for us:), Jessica (Monday / Wednesday and Friday Pack Mum) for their hard work, commitment, loyalty and dedication to Doglando.

Thank you to everyone who has helped us along the way: My parents, my hubby, my neighbours (Tina, Steve, and Jack), my brother, sister, brother-in-laws, sister-in-law, grandparents, Zuzanna (our much appreciated and talented groomer) our Doglando Family, Renee Thomas, Rachel Kendel, Laura Manis (we miss you!), Patricia Larkin, and everyone who has in some way, shape or form helped us achieve our dream... in Preserving Man's Best Friendship.... our relationship with dogs... Thank you very much!

There's more to come as we celebrate the next two weeks leading up our First Birthday... stay tuned.

Joy on Day 4

Here is an email I received from Astrid (Joy's Foster Mummy)
Hi:

First of all let me say I'm really happy and excited to be a part of this project ,THANKS! As you said it is really rewarding... each little step she makes .
I already told Janie this, but I want you to know how fast Joy is progressing :

Yesterday she finished all her food :) and we took our first walk, by the way she is really a nice walker... I wish Lilo walked as gentle as she does. She walked right by my side:) and today she was playing with one of Lilo's stuffed toy , I have to admit this is thanks to Lilo who is trying really hard to play with her :) she keeps bringing her all her toys one by one , and today she gave the first sign of playing , so maybe in a few days Lilo will have a playful friend.

Also she no longer stays in the corner while in the house. Now she walks all over the living room and the back porch but she is afraid of going into the kitchen , but I think it's great she is not hiding anymore.

Today we walked again (Janie, Lexy, lilo , Joy & me) and she did great, although at the end she was really tired, so when she got home she walked into Lilo's crate and slept for an hour :) She is so funny , she hates her crate , but loves Lilo's crate , maybe it is because of the bed, I don't know.

Omar cleaned her ears yesterday as they were really dirty and she had been shaking her head alot. She was so gentle , she just laid there as if she knows it was for her own good, and has not been shaking her head much at all.



Astrid

Stem Cells Keep Dogs Running

Veterinary clinics across the nation are now offering a stem-cell treatment as an alternative to surgery and painkillers for dogs with arthritis.

Stems cells are found naturally in the body, and can divide into specialized cells to replace worn out and damaged ones in the skin, blood and bones.

Stem cell transplant, is not yet available to humans, but has proven to be quite a treatment for dogs suffering from hip dysplasia and arthritis.

Pioneered by the company VET STEM, veterinarians remove a small amount of fat tissue from the dog undergoing treatment, where Vet Stem uses centrifuges to extract stem cells from that tissue.

Cells are shipped back to the dog's veterinarian the next day, and these cells are injected into the patient's hip; leading to almost "perfect" health with days of treatment.

Of course, like any medical treatment, all dogs respond differently to such treatment... but its probably worth the $2,500 as opposed to surgery which starts around $5000 and up.

Another alternative to surgery is complimentary care such as a service provided by Dr. Difonzo, with Movement Improvement, at the University of Doglando in, Orlando, FL.

Through Movement Improvement, the combined principles of acupuncture, massage therapy, physical therapy, chiropractic medicine, and video analysis are utilized under the prescription of your animals veterinarian. Dr. Robert Difonzo BS, DC, CVCP has helped to develop this approach to complimentary care with impressive results. With Movement Improvement:

* Sick animals recover better
* Injured animals heal faster
* Competition animals Perform stronger
* Geriatric animals grow old more comfortably
* And much, much, more...

To learn more about Movement Improvement or to schedule a FREE initial exam, contact us at info@doglando.com.

Joy's Journey

Max's Fund Rescue #2

Today is day 3 of Joy's flight to a happy ending.

We have named her Joy, because she needs and deserves some joy in her life. We found her trembling, frozen with fear at a high kill shelter. Her days were almost up and the sympathetic shelter worker shared that she would not be given extra time to find a home because she was so afraid and considered not likely to be adopted. Yet, there was something in her eyes, a softness there, a pleading for help. We had to take her and help her. Though she is very frightened she has made more progress in the last 2 days than we expected. She is nervous about being petted, but starting to come over to people as you just might have a little bit of roast beef for her. She is incredibly gentle and took a walk on the leash today like a dream, no pulling, just nicely walking. She is pretty and petite at 31 pounds is a very nice size.

We are accepting applications on Joy now, however we will not be re homing her until we are confident she has learned to trust and is responding confidently to the people that surround her now.

Today at the Orange County Animal Control

So you all know how difficult it is to walk through a shelter and see all the poor dogs who are hoping for a forever home before their time is up..... Well I think I am going to try and go to the local shelter at least once a month (if not more frequently) and take photos and videos of the dogs to share them with you all.

Although its tough for me to do, I think in the long run all of us together can help find these dogs homes, without operating on "guilt,sadness or feeling bad for the dog." Maybe through Doglando's network, we can help spread awareness and find these dogs their forever homes.

Today, Jaine, Astrid and I adopted a one year old Border Collie mix. She seems to be just the sweetest dog ever, however very very very timid and shy. We will work with her to build her trust and then find her, her forever home, but for now here are some others waiting patiently with some hope.

In Russia... public transportation goes to the dogs

Many of you know my love for the "street" dogs.... there is just so much about them that I find fascinating and admire.... I miss most their "common sense" which I call "learned sense" in our companion dogs today.

Here is a very cool story on street dogs in Russia: "Street dogs"

What we call "training" dogs out on the street learn as "living life" and its is very interesting how the whole nature vs nurture upbringing really forces a dog's ability to make decisions for their safety vs our dogs find it more fun to run through traffic for us to run after them.... what a fun game the street dogs don't know about huh.

For those who did not get to see my collection of photos from my last trip to India, here are a few tender hearts I encountered:

Paws for a Cause at Whole Foods

Join Sandra Amundson with the HSLF (Humans Society Legislative Fund), at the Party Animals event at Whole Foods in Winter Park, this Sunday, April 19 starting at 6:30pm.

For more information on the event and rescue groups attending this event, please go to the Party Animals website.

Very Creative, but poor dogs!

Have you ever seen any of Guido Daniele’s body paintings??? Is animal art on hands is just amazing totally unbelieveable.... check it out at: www.http://www.guidodaniele.com/ if you have never seen it before.

Although on the same level of skill and creativity (at least I think so), check out these poor poodles who had to withstand however long it was to get their complete makeover.

Back on Track

Dear U of D Fans, Family and Friends,

I am really sorry for have taken a rather long break away from blogging... I have been so busy with Doglando... running a small business is no joke huh!

Also, I celebrated my big 30th birthday last week.... it was oh so very exciting... just something about turning 30 was the greatest feeling ever! When I was young, my dad always told me "you will not learn this until you are 30, or you will not realize this until you are 30..." anxiously waiting :)

During my short break, I came across some very neat videos, exciting new products, fun reads, and a video & photo compilation of the great Doglando Dogs.... there's tons to share with you in the upcoming weeks.

I am going to give our blog a different spin temporarily... I am sure all of you will let me know how you feel about the change.

Here is to a great start: Check out this really fun video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i2t6C9Y0JLs

Shake the weight off every now and then, and start again!

Teena