Crazy for Critters

It's a little chilly for a swim, but the dogs won't mind

   Dog-A-Pool-Ooza hits Grapeland Water Park on the last day of the season, January 19, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Dogs can bring their owners for a day of splashing and lounging poolside.

    Free admission for dogs, $7 for Miami-Dade adults, $10 for non-county residents.  Females in heat prohibited. Proof of vaccination required.

   The event features special treats, games and activities.  Dog-A-Pool-Ooza will mark the end of the season for Grapeland Water Park, which closes Jan. 20-Feb. 14. For more information on Dog-A-Pool-Ooza call (305) 960-2951.

Doggies Need Homes

Mars, who was rescuded with his brother, Venis, is being fostered by Labrador Retriever Rescue of Florida. He's a 1.5 year old black Lab, very sweet and always looking for affection. Mars likes to be active and needs someone that will  exercise with him. He is very smart and learns quickly. It would be  ideal to have someone that will spend time with him and train him  since he is eager to follow commands, has great energy and agility. Mars loves to hang out with his brother, Venis, so if they are adopted separately it would be great to find someone with another active dog that could be his playmate. Mars  is waiting for that special family  to call LRROF so he will have the opportunity to be in his "furever" 
home.If you are interested in meeting or adopting Mars or one of our  other labs please contact Labrador Retriever Rescue of Florida by   visiting our website http://www.labradorrescue.net/  or call 1-866-464-LABS.   LRRoF has all our labs microchipped, spayed or neutered, up to date  on shots and each adoption comes with a 30 day pre-paid pet health  insurance plan. All applicants will have a home inspection and vet  reference (if applicable).

Found dog also needs a home. He's a terrier that someone dumped at the Coconut Grove dog park. What a cutie! Call: 786-473-4499 or 305-273-8100.

Dog Bowl!

It's a benefit for Boxer Friends. ALL DOGS WELCOME.

    Sunday January 25th, at T.Y. Park, 3300 N. Park Road,
Hollywood. 10:00 A.M.-2:00 P.M.

  Get ready for the Super Bowl by dressing you and your dog in
your favorite team colors and joining us for a day of fun.

   Contests: $1. Best Dressed Dog, Owner/Dog Look Alike, and
Silly Pet Trick.

   Games: $1. Dress Up Race, Bobbing for Hotdogs, Ball Retrieve,
Most Tail Wags.

   Win a Bicycle, donated by Active Cycles: activecycles.com.

   Tickets 2/$5.

   Canine Good Citizen testing: $30.

   Offered by AKC registered evaluator Marni of HumaneK9.
humanek9.com/CGC.html.

   Dog Massage by Hope. floridadogmassage.com.

   50/50 Raffle: $1 each … 7/$5.

   Chinese Auction, with great prizes that include an autographed
cookbook by Paula Deen and an autographed copy of îLove Matters'
by radio personality Delilah.

   Goody bag with bonus raffle ticket and event t-shirt: $10
donation (quantities limited).

   For further information: 954-646-3786 or Fran8786@comcast.net.

Head 'Em Up; Get 'Em Homes

There's a ''puppy roundup'' going on in the Redland, where people dump dogs in the open fields and avocado groves. These two critters were the first caught. Looks to me that a shepherd was somehow involved.

There's an actual organization behind this effort. Here's the info I got: Rescuer Barbara St. Aubin started a 501c3 organization called This is The Dog, located in the Redland. Volunteers have spent several weekends trying to round up two litters of 10-week-old puppies born in the wild. A neighbor has been feeding several adult strays in the area for almost three years, now Barbara is helping. The plan is to find suitable homes for the puppies. The problem of dumped dogs in the area is endless. Bless all those who are trying to help.

Weiner Dogs on Parade

Prepare for the annual madness that is the South Beach Dachshund Festival, Jan. 24. Here's the latest headsup from Ruth Remington, organizer of this singlualry daffy event (just picture 300 dachshunds in one place).

Greetings Dachshund Servants. 

In a mere 17 days South Beach will be alive with dachshund pleasure -- socializing, fortune telling, funhouse mirrors, tunnels, mini massage, squirrel and cat games, treats, smelly smells, celebrity photo opportunities, singing, parading and so much more!  All pertinent info can be found at DachshundWinterfest.com

1. Start spreading the news.  Attached is a PDF of the event flyer.  Print and post at your local hangouts.  More dachshunds = better.

2. Save your pennies.  The first official South Beach Dachshund Winterfest T-shirt (for humans) will be available at the 'fest from Dachshund Rescue of South Florida -- dachshundrescuesouthflorida.com -- and 100% of the proceeds go directly to rescue. Your dachshund wants to see you in a Winterfest T-shirt.  Very much.

3.  Help a dachshund in need.  This year, we're asking attendees to consider bringing a single flea/tick or heartworm treatment (such as Frontline, Advantix, Interceptor, Heartguard, etc.) to donate to rescued doxies.  Easy to bring, easy to drop off at the Dachshund Rescue of South Florida table.  Count your lucky dachshunds and help another.

See you soon on Saturday, January 24th!

Start the New Year Right

By supporting the effort to ban chaining in another SoFla town:

The Town of Southwest Ranches regular meeting agenda for Thursday, January 8th, 2009 has discussion item # DSC-4 listed as:

PROPOSED "BREAK THE CHAIN" ANTI-TETHERING ORDINANCE

This is a very welcome and appreciated reconsideration of a proposed ordinance that would ban the cruel chaining of dogs. The concept of "Break the Chain" was originally presented to the Town of Southwest Ranches on December 13th,2007 and will now have the opportunity to be considered as an ordinance for the Town of Southwest Ranches.

As many of you may be aware, Miami-Dade County recently passed an almost identical ordinance that bans the cruel chaining of dogs countywide. Unfortunately, here in Broward County, it is still incumbent on the individual City or Town to create legislation that would ban the cruel chaining of dogs because Broward County (the county) refuses to consider countywide legislation, even refusing to acknowledge constituents requests for clarification.

We are hopeful that the Town of Southwest Ranches will become the 13th municipality in Broward County that shows compassion for our four legged friends. The Humane Society of Broward County has worked tirelessly since May of 2005 educating the public about the cruelties of chaining dogs and has witnessed over a third of Broward County municipalities creating laws to protect our cruelly chained dogs, and laws that protect our children should they wander into an area of an illegally/cruelly chained dog.

I encourage each and every one of you who receives this e-mail to forward it to all of your friends and neighbors (even if you don't live in the Town of Southwest Ranches) and show up Thursday evening at 7:00PM on January 8th, 2009 to join in the discussion and voice your support for both the Town of Southwest Ranches' lawmakers and this proposed ordinance that would benefit our four legged friends.

Southwest Ranches Town Council Meeting
Thursday January 8th, 2009 7:00PM
 
6591 SW 160 Avenue (Dykes Road)
Southwest Ranches, Florida 33331

Foster Home Needed Fast for Cupid

This sweet, undernourished two year old was found roaming the streets. CUPID is sweet, sweet, sweet; he just melts in your lap. Right now he is being boarded at the vet's office and we desperately need to get him into a home environment so he can learn the meaning of a homelife and we can stop paying for him to languish in a cage day after day. The vet has given him a clean bill of health - he's been vaccinated and neutered - he has some dandruff which the vet attributes to poor nourishment. He's already looking MUCH better than he did when he was picked up. CUPID is a medium-size dog, we believe he has some shepherd and doberman in him, but he is smaller than either breed. Anyone that might be willing to foster him - even if it's short term - please contact me or gabi@williee.com for further information.

Last Days of the Puppy Cam

By now, if you're a dog lover, surely you've seen the Shiba Inu puppy cam - the phenomenon that  7 million people have watch, many of whom, including my non-dog-owning sister, have become hopelessly addicted. The 6 pups start leaving today for their forever homes, which already has comment-posters in tears. Click here to watch them one last time as a litter. The good news is that video clips of past great moments are available, as well as a puppy can tribute video.

Dog Park Fundraiser

The Miami Springs Dog Park is hosting a fundraising arts/crafts fair on Saturday, Dec 6 from 9am-3pm.

More than 40 craft vendors will be selling items ranging from  handmade jewelry, candles and holiday wreaths to home-made dog biscuits and home-baked cookies/breads (for people!). Santa will be there for photos with the dogs, and rescue groups from Golden Retreivers of South Florida, Dachsund Rescue, and Friends of Greyhounds, will be on hand to provide education about rescue dogs, as well as have some dogs available for adoption. Funds raised by the fair will be used to enhance the park and add an agility course for the dogs to play on. The park is located in Miami Springs, at the corner of Dove and Royal Poiciana Aves. just across the street from Miami Springs High School.

Home for Every Holiday

It's the annual winter adoption event at Miami-Dade Animal Services. More than ever, shelter pets need loving home-- so many are being abandoned because of the economy. If you have room in your house and heart, please consider saving a life.

It takes place Sunday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Miami-Dade Animal Services Shelter, located at 7401 NW 74 St., Medley. Anyone who adopts a pet at the event will receive a complimentary gift.

Interested adopters must be at least 18 years old. Adoption fees apply, including a $50 refundable
deposit if the pet is not yet spayed or neutered. Only Miami-Dade County residents may adopt pets under the spay/neuter agreement.  Attendance is free. Donations of dog and/or cat toys are appreciated - also shoe boxes (cats like to nest in them).

For more information about Animal Services, click here.