Stella

Stella is an adult purebred American Bulldog

Aloha

Aloha is a medium-sized adult female German Shepherd mix.

Blimpie

Blimpie is a young male purebred Dachshund.

Cristy

Cristy is an adult female Labrador Retriever mix

Dylan

Dylan is an adult male Lab Retriever mix - already neutered

Emma

Emma is an adult female Shar-Pei/Beagle mix. She is already spayed.

Michy

Michy is a small adult female Maltese/Miniature Poodle mix

Mimi

Mimi is a small adult female Finnish Spitz mix

Monica

Monica is an adult female Pomeranian mix

Redman

Redman is a young male Labrador Retriever mix

Each of these gorgeous pooches is anxiously awaiting their new best friend to take them to their forever home. All of these wonderful dogs are housed, along with many other adoptable cuties, at the Miami Dade Animal Services shelter.

For additional details about any of the dogs featured in the showcase, please click on the larger image to visit their individual AdoptAPet.com page.

* Reduced feelings of stress * Lower blood pressure * Reduced cardiovascular disease * Lower cholesterol levels * improved overall health means fewer doctor appointments * Reduced sense of loneliness * Increased sense of responsibility and alertness * Increased activity during the day * Increased fun and enjoyment of lifeSounds great, doesn’t it? But before you rush out and adopt a pooch, make sure you are making the right adoption decision.Things to Consider About Dog Adoption for Seniors* Don’t surprise anyone with pet adoption. Ever. No matter how wonderful the animal is, pet ownership is a big responsibility. The American Humane Society encourages people not to purchase animals as a surprise, so discuss dog adoption and ownership with the senior before you acquire the animal.* Let the person choose their own dog. You may love Beagles, but your grandmother might want a quieter dog. And while your grandfather says he would love to have a Collie, perhaps grooming a long-haired dog isn't what he had in mind. Dog adoption is sort of like dating...there has to be the right chemistry or it won’t work.* Consider the senior's activity level and lifestyle. Does the older person enjoy going for walks? If not, then an active dog might not be a good choice. This is another reason to discuss dog ownership before deciding to adopt.* Consider a mature dog. An older dog is likely to be calmer, which may be a good fit for a senior. Check out your local Humane Society, animal shelter or rescue group for wonderful, loving and more mature companions.* Consider the senior’s health. Having a larger dog requires more physical strength and agility to handle it, so talk about which type and size of dog would result in the most successful adoption.* Who will care for the dog if its owner gets sick? Be prepared for this by making a plan for someone to care for the

animal if the owner becomes incapacitated.

* Can the senior afford food and veterinary care? The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has calculated the following average annual costs of pet adoption, including food, toys, treats, medical care and licensing, if required:

* Small dog: $575
* Medium-sized dog: $620
* Large dog: $780

And don’t forget that additional supplies like dog crates, dog beds, and training can add an additional $75 to $400.

These are average costs for dog adoptions, but pet owners will tell you that the costs can go much higher if there are unexpected medical problems…or if you like to buy exotic toys for your best friend. Make sure the new owner can afford to care for the animal, or make additional arrangement to help pay for dog care.

Senior and Pet Adoption: Consider All of the Options

Seniors and dogs can make a great combination, but adoption brings big responsibilities along with the joy. To find the best fit, make sure you consider all of the options before making a decision about adopting a dog.

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DogBurg’s Daily Art Spot

Special Pleader

Framed Art Print

Barber, Charles Burton

30.75 in. x 25.25 in.

Buy at AllPosters.com

Panda - an adorable Catahoula Leopard Dog puppy.

Panda is available for adoption at Blackjack Animal Rescue of Piney Flats, Tennessee, located between Bristol and Johnson City.

Please click Panda’s photo for additional information about him and the Blackjack Animal Rescue.

Catahoula Cur – Catahoula Leopard Dog T-Shirts, Sweatshirts, and Other Merchandise for Sale

Click on image below:

Border Terrier

Border Terrier’s are known for their jumping ability and agility. They are very intelligent with a level temperament. Many times you will see Border Terrier’s as therapy dogs due to their capacity for independent thinking.

Borders love to run so daily trips to the park or out for a long run is just what the Border Terrier needs to keep them active. Natural born fox hunters they were used back in the day to flush the foxes, otters and badgers out of their holds. It’s always amazing to see this quick dog in action and jumping despite their how short their legs are.

Beware of these little runners, they have been known to chase many a small animal like cats, mice and others. It’s in their blood. You can break the habit if the Border Terrier is raised with the animal. But when you are outside your dog’s domain, keep an eye on them because they can disappear in a flash if something catches their eye.

If you become the owner of a Border Terrier, best to make sure that you keep all small stuffed toys and such away from this little guy. They love to chew on toys and have been known to consume a toy here and there. If you Border Terrier becomes listless or uninterested in affection or has trouble sleeping have him checked to make sure he has not ingested something.

While these dogs are typically very active, they do love to just lounge in the park and take in the sites. Watching all the goings-on is something they enjoy. They are known to be a bit stubborn once they get settled and often refuse to get up and along, especially when they are tired!

Border Terriers can be slow to anesthetize and you need to watch this because they also have a high sensitivity to anesthetics. They have a high threshold for pain and can suffer from diseases like juvenile diabetes, seizures, hip Dysplasia and other ailments.

Border Terrier’s fall in the medium size category weighing in at between 11 and 15 pounds with the females usually weighing the least. Their coats are dirt and weather resistant that requires only a weekly brushing. They do shed but the weekly brushing can help with this issue as well as hand stripping a couple of time a year.

Exercise should be a big part of your Border Terrier’s life. They are very active and we can curb this behavior by consistent command training from an early age. Their willingness to please makes training your Border Terrier easier then other dogs.

Border Terrier’s can be a nice addition to you family, just remember their limitations. Socializing your dog early on can minimize the confrontational attitude of this dog. While it’s not displayed often, it can occur so keep a watchful eye on your new pup and all should go well.

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• Coyotes and Badgers « Sam Dodge's Research Blog

So, you’ve finally made the decision that you want to adopt a canine pal. That’s great news! But first you must decide if your new best friend will be an adult dog or a puppy.

I'm cute - but high maintenance

Without a doubt it can be a real joy having a rambunctious puppy in the house, watching him or her grow. However, adopting a pup really requires a major time commitment. Initially, it can take a couple of weeks for both you and your puppy to adjust to your new living arrangements. Be aware that it could result in a few sleepless nights for both of you. Also, new puppies must be very closely supervised and properly taught what is and is not acceptable behavior. Then there’s housetraining. In many cases this can be a taxing time with numerous “accidents” to clean up. Patience, while housetraining a pup, is indeed a virtue. Also, it may take six to eight months for your puppy to outgrow his chewing phase and another 12 months to attain full maturity.

When determining whether or not a puppy will fit your lifestyle you really must make a completely honest assessment of your ability, and willingness, to deal with the challenges that the youngster will present. If you conclude that it’s not realistic for you to care for a puppy, then an adult dog can be an excellent choice.

Many adult dogs have already been housetrained. You’ll likely still have a few accidents but it won’t take long for the adult dog to learn your rules. Adult dogs are easier to train as they have longer attention spans than excitable puppies. In fact, you may find that they have already learned some basic commands from their previous owners. Choosing an adult dog, you will already be aware of its full size, true personality, and health. As puppies develop, one or more of these traits may end up being a big surprise. An adult dog may be a better choice if you have young children. Older dogs may have already had experience with children and they are much more predictable than puppies. Playing with a new puppy you’ll soon discover that they have needle-sharp teeth that can accidentally injure a young child.

You might also want to consider adopting a canine “senior citizen”. Even nine or ten year old dogs can still have many more good years to offer to a loving family. All too many older dogs in shelters are unable to find a new “forever” home, resulting in a tragic, untimely demise.

Consider adopting an older dog

When choosing between an adult dog or a new puppy, try to consider every aspect of your pet’s, and your own, needs. Adopting a dog should be great fun, but it also requires a major commitment on your part to ensure a healthy, long lasting partnership between you and your new best friend.

Many pet parents are known to select a random date to celebrate their adopted dog’s birthday, such as a significant occasion, a family member’s birthday, a special holiday that reflects the dog’s personality, or in many cases, the date on which they adopted the animal. Now, pet owners can truly designate a celebratory canine holiday, DOGust the 1st.

To engage all dog lovers nationwide in the celebration, North Shore Animal League America is offering DOGust the 1st online greeting cards at www.AnimalLeague.org featuring an original song, “Happy Birthday, Doggie Dear,” created exclusively for DOGust the 1st by Academy and Tony Awards-nominated composer Henry Krieger and lyricist Willie Reale. Mr. Krieger, who recently adopted his dog Freddie from the Animal League, has written the music for several Broadway shows, including Dreamgirls, The Tap Dance Kid and Side Show and won a 2007 Grammy Award.

Celebrants can also order a creatively-themed doggie gift box from sponsor ARFdog www.arfdog.com that says “I love you” in a unique way, or coax a big kiss from their best friend with a birthday bouquet from www.1800flowers.com . Save 10% by ordering with Promotion Code NSAL with a portion of the proceeds benefiting the Animal League. In addition, online visitors to www.AnimalLeague.org can cast their vote for the 2009 King or Queen DOGust the 1st.

At DOGust the 1st national headquarters in Port Washington, NY the Animal League is celebrating the occasion as a family fun day, with a Pet Health Fair, kids’ activities, adoptable animals and a special DOGust the 1st birthday cake under a country-fair tent. The Animal League, the world’s largest no-kill rescue and adoption organization, will be offering canine health and wellness information through demonstrations, “Ask the Experts” sessions, and special services at its own Pet Health Center. Among the experts who will be on hand will be celebrity dentist Dr.Jennifer Jablow and dog stylist Jorge Bendersky, from Animal Planet’s Groomer Has It. 

To learn more about DOGust the 1st and the Animal League and its mission to rescue, nurture and adopt approximately 20,000 animals annually visit, www.AnimalLeague.org.

Here’s a clip from one of last season’s shows:

And here is the official announcement from the DogTown website:

Ring in the New Year with a new season of DogTown starting Friday, January 1, at 10 p.m. ET/PT on the National Geographic Channel. The hit series returns with 10 new episodes that follow the rehabilitation of abandoned, neglected and misfit dogs at DogTown, the last-hope refuge that’s part of the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, the largest no-kill animal facility in the country.

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DogBurg’s Daily Art Spot

Holiday by Rail

Framed Art Print

Kriesel, Johanna

17.875 in. x 21.875 in.

Buy at AllPosters.com