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.”

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/38279498#38263805

Let's Party Like It's 1776! (or 1783, though the hat would've been hip in 1886)

This Independence Day, as we thank every servicemember who’s ever served in the U.S. Armed Forces since 1775, Lula and Butters reminded me that right along side those folks are dedicated canines. And Sizzle chimed in about the horses that served, like George Washington’s horses, NELSON & BLUESKIN.

Spirit Magazine featured an article about how dogs trained in the Puppies Behind Bars program are helping retired servicemembers cope with shell shock — er Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.  (We think the late George Carlin was on to something in his critique.)  Grab some tissues and read a touching story about How Mya Saved Jacob here: http://bit.ly/a5n1pm

Read up on all the Presidential Pets: http://www.presidentialpetmuseum.com/ 

Adopt a Hero:  Check out our blog post from earlier this year about adopting dogs that served!

Tag your pets! Chip your pets!  Dogs may run or hide during the festivities.  A tag will get your dog back home quickly.

Click here to getImages &
Orcas Pictures

It’s been a couple exciting days for Southern California boaters, and whale watching tour operators are rejoicing!  The wild orcas are putting on a show!

A few days ago off the Ventura coast, fishermen encountered a playful female orca who really was ready for her close up!! On June 1, Captain Dave from Dolphin Safari in Dana Point video taped an 8-orca pod feeding.  (Thanks, Captain Dave and Fishermen Greg and Richard for shooting the video so those of us who are desk-bound could revel with you!) I’ve included links to the stories below!

It begs the question: Who’s watching whom?

REMEMBER: Keep our oceans clean! Make sure your trash gets into the appropriate cans and keep your cigarette butts off the street!

http://www.whalewatchingtv.com/Orca-LIVE.html

http://www.ktla.com/news/landing/ktla-orcas-dana-point,0,4262348.story

http://www.nbclosangeles.com/station/as-seen-on/Close_Encounter_With_Killer_Whale_Captured_on_Video_Los_Angeles.html

People who’d overnighted at the beach dumped their trash outside their RV. A trashcan was a mere 10 feet away! The beach was littered with trash. 

After watching whale rescue teams cut a giant ball of garbage off a 26 foot baby gray whale, named Lilly, the question I have is this: How can you NOT police your trash?

Lilly died, but her passing won’t be in vain. A local OC woman is planning a memorial of sorts and encouraging folks to be mindful of the oceans. READ MORE HERE:  http://bit.ly/c44NHe

Remember: Your efforts are important because all paths lead to the ocean. Putting your trash in the appropriate bins is important wherever you may be — on the beach, in the parks, on a hike.  Clean up after your dog. Keeping your cigarette butts off the streets will prevent them from getting to the beach!

Regardless of who you are or how important you think you are, make a promise to leave places you visit a little better than you find them. 

Keep our beaches clean; they're counting on us!

When a veteran retires from the US Armed services, they have options on where they can live. But when that veteran is an animal, it needs our help.  Did you know that you can adopt a hero? YOU CAN! I’ve put the link to the page here. 

There is a hierarchy on who gets dibs — Local Law Enforcement, then former handlers, then the public.  The Military Working Dog Foundation is a 501(c) 3 organization, which means you may be able to support them with donations. http://www.militaryworkingdogs.com/donate.shtml 

Help an animal that served those who serve!

“The Military Working Dog Foundation was established to provide a resource of information to law enforcement agencies who have a requirement to obtain working dogs, as well as for the public who wish to adopt dogs that become available from the military and need a home.”

Military Working Dog Bruno in Germany

http://www.militaryworkingdogs.com

CLICK HERE TO DONATE TO THIS CAUSE

Here’s my advice: Start your search with one of the accreditation groups! That way you can be assured that the person you’re paying to learn from has met some sort of standardized criteria to teach and knows the precautions that need to be taken to be safe around a horse.  Unfortunately, too many riders declare themselves qualified to teach riding and train horses when they really shouldn’t be allowed anywhere near a teaching or training situation.  Protect yourself with information!  

There are a number of groups that certify riding instructors, but the one I’m most familiar with is Certified Horsemanship Association (CHA). There are no free passes in CHA. All the folks who are listed as certified trainers have taken the classes and are ranked according to their skill set. ALL OF THEM!

I wish I would have known about this long ago. I could have saved thousands of dollars wasted with unqualified charlatans and folks who rest on their achievements from 20 years ago. 

Repeat after me:

• Just because someone owns a horse doesn’t make them an expert. It makes them someone who owns a horse. 
• Just because someone calls themselves a trainer, doesn’t mean they are qualified to be one. Do your homework. If you want to show, GO to shows. Watch the trainers interact with their students, horses, others. Ask for references. Call and verify them. Ask them for their certification.

Here’s a dirty little secret. ANYONE can call themselves a trainer in the United States. (Please don’t run out and declare yourself a trainer.) Not all trainers, even the big celebrity trainers, are certified. Why? I don’t know. Pride? Concern they won’t be ranked as a “MASTER” trainer?  Concern that they may learn something new? Frankly, I wish more trainers would step up and get certified,  if not to improve their skills then to weed out the trainers who shouldn’t be doing this in the first place.

PLACES TO START YOUR SEARCH FOR A CERTIFIED, QUALIFIED INSTRUCTOR:

• CERTIFIED HORSEMANSHIP ASSOCIATION
• AMERICAN RIDING INSTRUCTORS ASSOCIATION

NOTE: I’m not a horse trainer. I’m not certified by either of these associations. I do know people who are accredited by these organizations and would gladly put my horse or myself in training with them.

While Lula greeted her brethren, Butters really tried to not step on them. The coordinator, Nancy, was the picture of calm as eight basset hounds and one “John Wayne All*American Dog” (Butters) swirled around our feet entangling us in a web of leashes.  (Incidentally, if you need something lashed down really well, basset hounds may be the best ropers on the planet!)

Over the past couple months, I’ve met some really neat folks who work with bassets. Among them are Nancy who organizes the basset hound meet ups, and Dawn who runs Daphneyland, home to 100 bassets eagerly awaiting their forever homes.

The upshot is this. If you have dog, find other folks who have the same breed of dog. If you have an independent breed, like a basset, or a particular breed type, like a giant breed or a sight hound, it helps to know you’re not alone.  Whatever the breed or breed type you have, you can learn from each other, get training tips and more.

I LOVE:: the basset hound folks who help make Life with Lula even more fun!

Learn more about the Orange County, CA Basset Hound Meet-Up here: http://www.bhrsc.info/

“The Animal Legal Defense Fund is working to ensure that convicted animal abusers are exposed and prevented from harming new victims by promoting model legislation to establish an animal abuser registry in every community across America.”

FOLLOW THE LINK TO ADD YOUR VOICE AND LEARN MORE!  http://www.exposeanimalabusers.org/

Daphneyland made the news during the Station fire and now the faithful crew casts a concerned eye to the hillsides when it rains fearing mudslides.

Over 100 bassets have found sanctuary at Daphneyland. They have been rescued from puppy mills or surrendered by owners. Some require special medical care. Others require wheelchairs. 

If you are looking for a worth cause to make a charitable donation to may we suggest DAPHNEYLAND?  They need financial support to continue their good work.  For the necessary tax information and to learn more about the facility and the Basset Rescue Network, Inc. (BaRNI), check them out: http://www.daphneyland.com/