For 50 tax deductible dollars per person, you can join us for food, drink, music and a silent  auction in West Los Angeles. One of the items in the silent auction is a guitar signed by the Red Hot Chili Peppers!

The fastest way to get your ticket is to call Daphneyland at 661-269-2682.  Pay via phone or pay at the door, but the only way to get the address is to call.

Oh yes, Daphneyland is a non-profit so your donations will be tax deductible! (BaRNI at Daphneyland Nonprofit Tax ID # 20-3737011)

See you there!

Because I’m a squish for a basset hound or a golden — oh, let’s face it, any critter in need –  I have offered to foster one of these dogs until it is adopted or an opening is available with one of the rescues. (Or adopt the critter if I fall in love, Lula falls in love, and Butters doesn’t leave us for Auntie Tracy’s! Butters always wanted to be an only child!)

Intellectually, I understand we can’t possibly save them all, but if it’s possible to help, I’m all for it. I just wish the breeders would help us out by declaring a moratorium on breeding for 12-18 months. Perhaps then, we could get get more animals homed.

If you’ve never had an animal before, or are wondering about the breed traits of a particular breed you’re considering, fostering is a great way to get the feel for it before you make a lifetime commitment. Then again, if in the course of fostering you fall in love, most shelters and rescues will allow you to adopt the animal.

Remember: RESCUED is the Favorite Breed for everyone here at The Red Dog Inn!

Do something truly crazy this year and find small ways to make someone’s day and start a chain reaction!

REMEMBER, our friend Julie Goodnight’s show, Horsemaster with Julie Goodnight,  on RFD will air on MONDAYS at 10:30 p.m. ET starting in January!

And,  if you’re looking to add a pet to your home, PLEASE adopt a pet in need.  You WILL be rewarded.

Personally, I don’t think Michael Vick should ever be responsible for the well-being of an animal again. First, his intentions are wrong. He wants to show people that he’s changed, not that he wants to improve the life of an animal. He just wants an animal in his household.  

Second, his daughters should know that their father did unspeakably cruel thing to dogs, and because of that cruel, intentional choice he cannot own animals again…ever.   When his daughters are old enough to live on their own and choose to have animals, they can have them. 

I agree with Los Angeles sports announcer Roger Lodge when he said, “I’ll believe Michael Vick is truly repentant when he donates 90% of his annual income (salary and endorsements) to the ASPCA.” I’d like to add Dogtown, U.S.A., the rescue that took in the Vick’s victims, to that.  In my mind, if Vick was truly on the right track, he’d accept fiscal responsiblity for the dogs he caused irreparable harm to.

As for the daughters of Vick, I am truly sorry that their father made such a horrible choice.  I’ve heard people say, “Well, it’s not like he was carrying weapons or assaulting women.”  To that I say: Human beings have recourse. Animals and children do not. They rely on adults to stand in the gap for them when evil people harm them.”

I think it would appropriate for the Vick daughters to get involved with animal programs where the animal is under someone else’s care, e.g. riding lessons, volunteering at an animal shelter, working adoption events.   That way they can gain a respect for animals from people who truly care about the animals and the children, not now it looks to one’s adoring, yet myopic, fans.

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.”

It’s also a good reminder to prepare for your pets, too.  Add a 5 lb. bag of your critters’ favorite dry food and treats to your emergency kit as well as bowls and water!  Make sure you have extra leashes and tags and collars.  The canines of the RED DOG INN have been microchipped, too.

There’s a misconception about microchipping.  You can have your pets microchipped and then CHOOSE to subscribe to the additional service. The Red Dog Inn dogs were microchipped for about $50 each, which included one year of service.  The chip can always be read!  Ask your vet about this method to get your pets home safely and quickly!

Here are some good resources: bit.ly/9RCqeP and bit.ly/b7Z23

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.

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/