Scratchings-and-Sniffings

BlogPaws - Is It Really Over?

Yes, Dorothy, there is a BlogPaws full of fun, excitement, people, pets and lots of other things. And yes, it comes and goes so quickly - much like other things in Oz!

Do you feel like you made a trip to Oz? BlogPaws can be like that. You wait and plan and talk about it all year long and then... it happens...and then, it's over. And you're wondering, "Is that it? Can it really be over?"

Well... yes and no.

BlogPaws isn't just a thing of afternoons - it's a thing of now, today...and tomorrow and next year. It's a thing of wonder where dogs, cats, bunnies, ferrets, guinea pigs and more gather to help their people make friends. <<< Understand that the pets don't need help making friends, they can do that all by themselves. However, the people seem to need a little guidance and bringing them together in an educational setting once a year, to hug, kiss, and laugh, is a prime part of what BlogPaws is about. All the pets are very thankful...cause, the rest of the year, that stuff is all up to them.>>>

BlogPaws Disaster Response Network

BlogPaws has a Blogger Disaster Response Network... did you know that? It was created with Dr. V (Pawcurious) and World Vets - to help victims in disasters; that would be pets and animals, and, vicariously, their people.

In response to the terrible tragedy in OK, the BDRN is on duty! Here's what's happening and how YOU can help, via the collective voice that is the pet community. I truly believe that as a community WE have a responsibility to do what we can TOGETHER as a group, to make things happen. In this instance, to raise funds because we know the brands will be all over this disaster, sending supplies and food and such... but the veterinarians on call, the shelters, and the people, need cash, too. 

Help if you can. Share with everyone you know. Be a part of the solution...

Shelter Me - Helping Make a Difference

Who doesn't want to help... help family move (you're welcome, Twiggy and Onyx)... helping friends with a shoulder to cry on... and, most of all, helping rescue pets? 

This weekend, you can help. You can do something so simple, and help so many, it will make you smile. 

As my good buddy Romeo the Cat says, "All ya all know that Halo is the sponsor of "Shelter Me," a PBS documentary featuring incredible stories about shelter pets given a second chance. The first episode just came out on DVD and Redbox has agreed to donate 100% of rental proceeds to the Halo Pet Foundation for all rentals through April 29. SUPER exciting. And, 100% of money raised by Halo Pet Foundation goes TO PETS! Halo (the pet food company) absorbs all admin costs so it truly makes an impact through grants and other programs to help shelters! "

Now, who can't get behind that? Go on...get out there. Rent this movie. Need more incentive... well, okay...but really, what other incentive do you need?

Time for a BlogPaws Update

by Yvonne DiVita

You're coming, right? To BlogPaws, I mean? To THE event of the year? Oh yeah, it's an event, all right. It has pets galore (I hear through the grapevine - her name is Rebecca Flick - that we have a ton of dogs attending already and there are a whole lot of new registrations coming our way every day... I bet that means another 10 -20 dogs! WOOOHOOOO!), it has great speakers, it has brands that just wanna have fun (sung to the tune of "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun") and it has a ton of bloggers hoping to meet those folks they talk with everyday on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and in their blogs.

What's new this year? Well now, I can't actually tell you that. WE have some surprises in store. And when I say surprises, I mean... real surprises. For some key people in the pet community. One thing I can announce, which we announced a week ago, I believe, is that the amazing David Frei, who's Angel on a Leash will be getting a donation from us this year, will be Emceeing our Nose-to-Nose Awards. How kewl is that? I can't wait to meet him, in person, in the flesh! 

Helping Save the planet

by Yvonne DiVita

You may wonder how my next words help save the planet but the truth is - we are all in this together. By "all" I mean those of us who are human, and those of us designated with the lable "animal" ... we are all in this together. The planet was not made for human life, only.

What is being human about? Shouldn't it be about caring? About compassion? About sharing and generosity? Shouldn't being human teach us something... about the needs of our environment and how it affects OUR daily lives, regardless of where we live? Should being human and being intelligent (according to some sources, I have to wonder how many of us are really intelligent) allow us to view the entire world from the perspective of tomorrow?

Tomorrow, those of us who are left (our children and grandchildren) may well wonder, "Why did my ancestors ignore the plight of so many wondrous creatures? How could the so-called smart ones allow abuse and suffering - knowing that the people who cause that kind of terror to "animals" will have no worries causing similar abuse to humans - perhaps starting with women and children?"

Friends Don't Make Friends Wait in Hot Cars

It's not too early to start talking about this. Summer is not far off and I dread the news reports of dogs left in cars - with dire results. I've always thought veterinarians should mail out a notice, like the one here from The Preventive Vet, and remind folks not to risk the consequences.

What do you think should be done to make this message stronger and have it go viral? Sharing this image is one way to start... and helping your vet get the word out, is another. I think a sign like this should be in every veterinary office in the country... all the time, not just in summer. Maybe a kind artist should create something similar to this image, and hand out several hundred to shelters - to give new pet parents. 

I know there are a lot of ways to spread the message. What will you do in your hometown?

"I Hate Heat Stroke" - An infographic by The Preventive Vet

Wordless Wednesday: Ghost Stories

Don't Miss All the Fun & Excitement!

BlogPaws, of which I am a Co-founder, as many of you know, announced their tentative agenda over the weekend, last week. If you haven't visited the conference page showcasing the agenda, click the link above to it. <pic here is my Olive at last year's BlogPaws in Salt Lake City, looking out the window of our room... she was wondering where Onyx was as she and Onxy were the only two executive dogs to attend last year)

If you have, I hope you're checking back daily to see make sure we don't surprise you with something new!

BlogPaws is bigger and better than ever, if I do say so myself. We are over 2000 registered members. And, we have Steve Dale keynoting... how kewl is that? And, we have Clara Shih, who is a Facebook expert and social media maven. You don't get better than that for keynotes at a conference. Each one comes with different expertise and both are pet-friendly! 

I Would Never Give My Dog Up...

and other truths in my life. By Yvonne DiVita

I would never give my dogs up. Not a one of them. I don't care how much money they end up costing me; I don't care how many sleepless nights they give me; I don't care how many items of furniture or other material things, they destroy; I will keep them with me and love them and cherish them forever.

I would never take my cat to a shelter - because she is part of my family and I would never take a family member to a shelter, hoping to have that family member 'adopted' out to a 'good' home. IF I EVER had a serious issue in my life and HAD to find a home for one of my pets, I would do so by contacting friends and family and researching true rescue-shelter projects. 

Happy Chester Boy - Playing with Twiggy

An oldie but a goodie. I couldn't resist sharing this fun video of Chester, when he first met Twiggy, Chloe's Greyhound. You'll see Onxy pop in, also. Back when he was a puppy. This is just a feel good video to make you smile.