National Call To Service

President-elect Obama has challenged every American to participate in a national call to service today. If you can, stop by your local animal shelter or animal welfare organization and volunteer to help out. With the economy in a downward spiral, more animals than ever are in shelters and in need of help. If you can't donate your time, donate your dollars every little bit helps.

Who will be the First Dog? A variety of rescue options.

President-elect Obama announced this weekend that the choice for First Dog is now between a Labradoodle and a Portuguese Water Dog. Here at Happy Dog Land, we're rooting for the Portie in honor of Billy's dog Zeke and his previous Portie pooch Gabriel.

Regardless of the Obama family's choice, we hope that they rescue their new pooch and set an example for the rest of the world. After all, the eyes of the world are upon our new President, and his doggy decisions will mean a lot to millions of dogs across the country and around the world.

If you want to rescue a dog, you're not limited to traditional animal shelters and rescues, although they're a good place to start. Nowadays, many shelters (even city pounds) have purebred and designer dogs waiting for a new home as a result of the economic crisis.

If, like the Obamas, you want a specific breed, start with Petfinder which is a clearinghouse for over 12,000 shelters, rescues, veterinarians and private people helping dogs in need. Jill adopted Shadow, her purebred Miniature Poodle, from Small Dog Adoption in Plantation, FL after finding him through a breed specific search on Petfinder.

In addition, there are loads of breed specific rescues, that can help direct you to reputable breeders who have retired show dogs and other dogs that are not up to show dog snuff. Although not in a shelter, these breeder rejects are in need of good homes too and, of course, make wonderful pets. Billy rescued Arthur from a breeder who had retired him from the show ring. Before Billy, Arthur spent the first 15 months of his life in a cage with his hair wrapped in plastic and slathered with gobs of coat conditioner. Once he earned his championship, Arthur was retired. He's much happier now that he sleeps in Billy's bed and is a full-fledged member of the family. Billy also rescued Zeke from a breeder. Zeke is a carrier for a congenital disease that breeders are trying to remove from the Portie gene pool, so he was of no use as as stud or show dog. Lucky for Zeke, Billy didn't care about Zeke's genes and it was love at first sight.

Many good Samaritans, animal hospitals and doggy businesses take in strays and help them find homes too. The possibilities for rescue and adoption are endless.

If you are buying your dog, it's buyer beware. Never buy a dog from a puppy mill or pet store. Last year the Oprah Winfrey Show publicized the horrors of puppy mills. Just because a pet store is "fancy," the owners are "nice," or the little tiny puppies are cute, doesn't mean that they're not supporting the deplorable puppy mill industry. Some breeders are merely puppy mills in disguise. Learn how to avoid supporting puppy mills and recognize responsible breeders.

Photos by Michael Vistia, Vistia Designs

Happy New Year From Happy Dog Land!

2009 promises to be a great year at Happy Dog Land! The book itself will be published in September, and we're planning a big launch party to benefit Friends of Chicago Animal Care and Control, which helps Chicago's neediest animals.  We're also looking to do book launchor book signing parties to benefit animal charities in other parts of the country as well -- so please let us know if you are interested in helping to put these events together.  

As we finish the editing process and move into production and design of the book, we can barely keep our excitement in check!  We look forward to sharing our experiences as the project moves towards completion, and hope to provide you with useful "dogma" to improve your life and the lives of your beloved pets.

2009 will also be an exciting time in the White House.  No, not Barack Obama, silly! Sasha and Malia's new dog! The world is on tenterhooks waiting to learn the identity of the first pooch -- rumor has it that Afghan warlords are lobbying heavily for an Afghan Hound, while British Prime Minister Gordon Brown (as befits his Highland heritage) is putting the good word in for a Westie.  Meanwhile, Felipe de Jesus Calderon Hinojosa, the President of our neighbor to the South, argues that a Mexican Hairless is the way to go.  Nevertheless, we believe that all dogs are created equal, and that our New President and First Lady will choose wisely and rescue a dog that needs a home and doesn't present a problem for Sasha's allergies, so that lucky canine can find its "forever" home.

So best wishes on this New Year's Eve, and we look forward to many visits with you in 2009.