Doncha’  just love it when you find a product that’s not only good for your pet, but does some good for shelter dogs, too?  Usually, I shun products not made in the United States, but when I read the Buy 1 Box & We Donate 1 Meal, I was intrigued. (Read the side of the box below.)

So I checked the back. The product is made by our friends to the north, Canada(Hi, friends in Canada!) and distributed by a group in Oregon to stores like Sprouts, where we found this box. 

Now, GOOD BUDDY treats were running about $4.75 a box where as the other treats were running $7 for about 3 fewer ounces of treats.  (Yes, this does matter to the hound and the husky-cross. If you think dogs don’t know how to do math, give one more treat to one dog and see what the other(s) do.)

The other cool thing about this promotion is that it was launched by a 12-year-old girl’s mission to feed hungry shelter dogs in Bend, OR.  She created a website called, freekibble.com. As of this writing, FreeKibble.com has donated over 3 million meals to shelter animals. since Mimi launched the site on April 1, 2008. (NO FOOLIN’!)  

The Critters at The Red Dog Inn applaud Mimi’s efforts! Now it’s our turn:

There are lots of ways you can participate and help shelter dogs. Buy some GOOD BUDDY TREATS, then visit www.FreeKibble.com where you can answer trivia questions, follow them on Twitter or Facebook and just Do Some Good!  

“Mimi Ausland, a 12-year-old girl from Bend, OR, created freekibble.com to feed hungry dogs in their local shelter. It is now feeding 1,000s of dogs all across the country! In support of freekibble.com, we’re donating 1 nutritous meal, to shelter dogs and cats, for every box of Mac & Cheese Dog Cookies sold.”

Happy Independence Day! Let's Party like it's 1783!

LIBERTY LOOKS GOOD ON YOU!

MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND SUSTAIN YOU UNTIL TIME IS NO MORE.

“Hurrah for the flag of the free.
May it wave as our standard forever
The gem of the land and the sea,
The banner of the right.
Let despots remember the day
When our fathers with mighty endeavor
Proclaimed as they marched to the fray,
That by their might and by their right
It waves forever.” — Stars and Stripes Forever, J.P. SOUSA

WITH MUCH GRATITUDE & AFFECTION,

SUZI & THE ZOO

Though, Lula’s less than thrilled with that 1812 Overture song.  There are cannons!

So when it was time to collect Butters, I took Lula with me. She was quite animated while we waited for Butters to appear.  When he rounded the corner, still a bit dazed from the anethesia, she scampered over to him and greeted him with the enthusiasm once reserved for meeting loved ones at airline gates in the days before 9-11.

We returned home. Butters was out of it. If you ever have had a dog receive anethesia, you may have heart them whimpering as the effects wear. Lula was very concerned. She walked between Butters and me. She would look at him while he whimpered. And when it was dinner time, she did the talking since he wasn’t in the mood to remind me.  Usually they sleep apart. Tonight they’re sleeping rather close.  It’s sweet.

I love that my dogs have bonded and look out for each other.

White chocolate and carob dipped dog biscuits. (Remember: Chocolate is toxic to dogs. Butters' got into chocolate one Christmas and had to have his tummy pumped. Not cheap!)

I love:

• Dave and Marilyn, the great couple who live on the edge of the park, because they don’t mind when their border collie brings home a few friends and runs them through their freshly remodeled home.  
• The Dogfather (not a typo) who knows all the dogs and their people and helps damsels in distress.
• Auntie Tracy, who spoils my dogs silly.  Case in point: She’s sent Butters white chocolate dipped milkbones for Valentine’s day and overnighted a box of canine chicken jerky.
• Dawn, who rescues basset hounds regardless of their circumstances and finds them forever homes.
• Friends Sonia & Kim who bring their dogs to the park and make me walk with them
• Great neighbors who enjoy my dogs as much as I do and help me when I need it
• Great neighbors who think a basset hound howl is music.
• A great vet
• A compassionate chiropractor who gave me another 12 months with Mr. Finley and rescued a lovely pitbull who thinks she’s my lapdog
• Good friends who force you to bust out a dog in need
• The folks who help find homes for Baghdad Pups
• People who help us understand our dogs better
• Great groomers
• Dog-friendly businesses

I love :: people who love our canine companions.

I learned of Butters through my friend, Amy.  Amy’s boss was fostering this dog, but his golden retriever was driving him nuts.  The dog was left behind when his family moved. Somehow he got to Amy’s boss. I received an email, “Suzi, could you take him? If not, they’re taking him to the shelter.”

I had Finley, a 14-year-old golden retriever.  Oh boy. So I wrote back, “Amy, let me come see him.”

I dragged my pal, Liz, along that day to give him the once over. I should know better than to take Liz.  I had no intentions of coming home with another dog on my birthday, but after seeing him, Liz hit me in the arm and whispered, “We’re busting him out today!” 

So I looked at the lady of the house and said, “We’ll just take him now, if that’s okay?” As soon as she clipped on his leash, he pulled us out the gate to Liz’s SUV and loaded up as if to say, “See ya!”

When we got home, I gave him a flea bath and tried to take out some of the mats from his coat. Oh my goodness… my tub looked like tribbles bred it it!

 The first night, he let me pat him on the head, then he went outside to lay for a few hours.  Finley took it in stride. (I love that dog and miss him terribly to this day.)  The next night, I was able to pat him on the head twice, and he went outside to lay for a few hours before I made him come inside to sleep.

I made an appointment with my vet.  He was healthy, about 3 or 4-years-old, but he was matted, and he had fleas. She body clipped him. Now… I don’t know if he’d never been pet before, but when I ran my hands down his fuzzy crew cut, he melted. Today, he’s a petting junkie!!! 

Butters is a handsome charmer.  He’s quick with a wave and a kiss on the cheek. He’ll charm you out of your last Milkbone or insist that you pet him until you can pet no more. Women are particularly captivated by him. His Auntie Tracy even overnights gourmet dog treats to him!  But, he always knows where his mom is and how to get to her. He’s as polite as can be and a sweet, sweet boy. I even catch him acting like Finley every once in a while.  (Thanks for the help, Fin’.)

In short, Butters is my found treasure. He’s priceless.  He’s going no where.  He’s home… forever.

I LOVE:  Butters… my found treasure.

It’s gotten to the point where I’ll text message my hockey-lovin’ friends a photo of her sound asleep during the game to get third party verification. Odd thing is that she’s been accurate. One friend has taken to texting me during a game to learn what Lu is predicting for the outcome. I’ve even caught her wagging her tail seconds before her Ducks score a goal. (How does she know?)

Judging by the wagging after his name is mentioned, I gather she’s particularly fond of Corey Perry. Perhaps it’s the name ending in a long ”E” sound; then again, they do share the same hair color.  I’m still looking for the right words to break it to her that he’s playing for Team Canada in a couple weeks.

I suspect the sound of the skates on ice, the slap of the puck against the stick and fast movement on the television screen has something to do with her apparent love of the game.

Maybe she’s trying to get a ride on the Ducks’ Zamboni or maybe she’s scheming to get a team of hockey players to give her belly rubs. (If Lu was writing this the title would be Lu LOVES: BELLY RUBS.) She’ll convince them with one glance of those big, brown eyes that rubbing her tummy will bring them good luck. Or she may try to convince them that they will be a good addition to their training regimen. She’s clever like that.

Whatever her angle is I love watching hockey with my hound because it brings me joy.

I encourage you to take a moment out of your day and reflect on the thing that brought you joy today.