Junie and The Oldest Girl Again

I had a wonderful Christmas full of new clothes (seriously, does a dog need a bathrobe and a flamenco dress?) and turkey and tons of love.  I hope yours was wonderful too!

I thought today we'd focus on other animals who maybe did not have such a wonderful Christmas - or maybe they did.  Hopefully some were saved!

SPCA: Protect your pets, please - A plea to take care of your pets during the winter.
Man who shot dog pleads guilty, faces up to two years in jail - Good!
Man jailed, accused of trying to marinate his cat - huh???
Sellers must disclose animal info - Love that they have to disclose breeder info.  Take a swing buy.  See if your pet came from a mill.
Wildlife attacks blamed on pet owners - ALL pet owners should watch their animals.  It IS irresponsible not to.
Goat found hog-tied in trunk of Nissan You would think by the headline that they make this stuff up. They don't.
Rescue Ink is searching for the killer of the two vacuumed kittens  Serial killer in the making here.
Hysterical, Grieving Mother Pulls Her Murdered Pups from Water That is heart breaking.
50-pound python survives box-cutter attack, recovering at Monkey Island - Yay! He was saved.
Animal hoarding: When pet owners lose control - It always starts out with good intentions, then swings out of control.
N.M. officials say animals ate woman's toes another one that made me say huh? That's actually sad. :(
Five Best States for Animal Abusers in 2010 - Not a proud moment to live in Iowa.
Puppy Mill Euthanizes 1,200 Dogs After Virus Outbreak Down with puppy mills!
Shetland Pony dragged behind car Another moment of what is wrong with people.  At least he was saved!  Now someone go drag them behind a car.
Tell the Makers of Lipton Tea to Stop Torturing Animals - Who would have thunk it?  Lipton?


That's it from me today!  Stay happy, healthy, and warm.  And remember they all need saved!

Junie says to check out - Inside Animal Hoarding: The Case of Barbara Erickson and her 552 Dogs

Merry Christmas From Junie Bee

Pardon the blurriness, Junie was too excited for Christmas!

Merry Christmas from me and my family to you!  May it be full of happiness, joy, and many many blessings to you and yours!

Stay safe, stay warm, and please watch out for your pets!

Make sure if you live in a cold climate like I do that you don't leave your animals outside too long.  Or follow these safety tips to keep them warm if they are outdoor animals.  My mom always stands outside with me when she takes me out.  I go out, do my thing, and jet back in to where it's warm and I have lots of fleece blankets waiting for me.

Follow these holiday safety tips to keep your animals safe inside.

And here are some holiday food/leftover tips for your furry (or not so furry in my case) one.  My mom gives me a little turkey with their holiday meal.  It's my favorite part of family get togethers. Well, besides my pretty dresses my mom puts me in when we go.  (Mom told me to say that.  I really don't care for the clothes that much.  I much prefer to be naked and free as God intended me to be.)

If you can afford to help a rescue group, please do.  They can always use the extra food, toys, money for vet bills, etc.  It's a great time to help them, then continue the tradition all year long.  I'm going to assume the holiday times get busy for rescues with everyone buying a pet for their children then finding out they aren't compatible, someone is allergic, the animal is more work then they expected, etc.  They could really use the extra help.  If you can't afford to give money, volunteer at a shelter, volunteer to foster animals for a rescue.  They can always use the hands on deck also.

I hope you have a beautiful Christmas, a happy holiday, or whatever you might celebrate may it be joyous and wonderful!

Junie says Merry Christmas in her own very
excitable way!

Stay safe and warm and I'll be back after Christmas!

Junie Says To Check Out:  Casual Canine Snowsuit Xxl Royal Blue

Mama Got Me Some New Clothes

Junie In Her New Poncho

I heard I have a bunch of new clothes under the Christmas tree, but mom won't let me wear them yet.  She said since I don't eat treats and a chicken breast would go bad under the tree after a few hours, that she got me clothes.  She did open up my poncho for me the other day.  I'm wearing it the picture.  Mom said I seem to like it more than my sweaters.  I agree. I always try to chew my sweaters off but the poncho gives me room to breathe.  Since I can't show off my new dresses yet, I thought I'd share some clothes that mom had custom made for me.  She found a lady on Ebay that makes dog clothes.  (Don't laugh, I'm a naked dog, remember, I need warmth!)  She won 3 dresses (under the tree) and the poncho I'm styling in in the picture.  She loves the way the poncho fits me.  See, I'm small (6 lbs) but I'm long.  Small clothes a lot of the time are just too short in length for me and medium clothes are too big.  I get my feet all tangled up in them.  The clothes this lady makes are perfect for me.

Mom asked her if she would custom make me some more clothes and she said absolutely!  Want to see what is in it's way?

Junie's New clothes

Oh yes, I will be styling.  My mom makes me into such a girly dog.  Pink and purple everything, unless it's laundry day, then I wear blue, orange, and/or black.  Seriously, she makes me laugh.  I don't care what I have on as long as I'm warm, but she likes to spoil me.  I think we'll keep letting her do it.  I get chicken breast and cheese in my food when she spoils me.  Let her do it.

If you want to check out that Ebay seller, her user ID is BSN 2007.  Keep an eye on her.  She doesn't have a lot listed right now, but when she does list, they are so cute...and warm!

Junie Says To Check Out: Doggles Dog Harness Dress, Pink, Small

What Is This White Stuff?

Junie And The Oldest Girl

Mom says that it's snow.  I don't think I have ever stepped in snow before. (Puppy mill dog, remember?  Lived in a cage for years.)  It snowed for the first time the other day.  Real snow.  Not just the flurries that wetted down the grass and made me not want to step in it.  A whole bunch of it that covered the grass, covered the porch, covered everywhere I like to go when I go outside.  So not thrilled.

Mom shoveled a spot on the porch and put a puppy pad out there so I wouldn't have to go out into the snow to do my thing but I didn't like that either for the first few days.  I snuck off to the girls' room and did it in there.  Mom was persistent though and kept taking me out and putting me on the puppy pad.  She kept a good eye on me, saying Junie.....every time she saw me heading to the girls' room.  I can't help myself, when she says my name I have to stop what I'm doing and go to her.  It's a trick I tell you.  She says my name then she would scoop me up and put me on that puppy pad outside.  It was so cold out.  It still is.  I finally gave in and started using the puppy pad.  Then I started sneaking off behind the grill to go in the rocks on the porch.  She'd stop me by just saying my name again and I'd head back to the pad.

After a few days of this, I did start investigating that cold white stuff.

Junie investigating the snow for the first time

I'm not saying I like it but I found it it was safe to run around in for a few seconds to get a little exercise.  Then I jet towards the door and hope someone opens it quickly so I don't have to sit around in the cold and wait for them to open it.  I have found it's safe to go out in it after it's been packed down by the kids running around in it.  If I venture out into the fluffier stuff, I sink.

Sinking is not cool.  It makes my tummy cold and wet.  I don't like to be cold and wet.

I also found a new sleeping spot at night.  My bed is right beside my mom's bed, but she finally moved it after I insisted on sleeping up against this long white thing that blows out hot air in her room.  She moved my bed in front of it so I could sleep near the hot air but not against it.  She said she was worried it would be too hot for me.  She checked it multiple times and it doesn't get so hot that it burns you, but she still worries about me being right up against it.

It feels so good though.  It's enough to have my bed up next to it.  I stay warm all night long.  I'd be warmer if she'd let me sleep in her bed next to her but she says that's too dangerous.  The youngest boy sleeps in bed with mom and dad and he flails a lot at night.  She's afraid he would kick me.

We're supposed to get more of that white stuff in the next couple of days. I think I'll just lay in my bed up against that white thing and hibernate like the bears do.  Mom said she is all for it.

Junie Says To Check Out: Earth Friendly Products Ice Melt (because it's safe for dogs)

Mama Learned A New Trick

Junie in her new sweater. She is so cute in purple.

Mom has been mixing in Blue Buffalo Stews with my dry dog food.  When she picked up new food, she grabbed some new varieties including Blue Buffalo Wilderness Canned Dog Food, Salmon Recipe.  When she opened the can, she was mighty surprised to see it wasn't stew, it was, well, kind of mush.  Like what you would expect canned dog food to be.

She dished it out for me in my bowl and sat it down.  I sniffed at it.  Then I started licking at it but I couldn't get my teeth around it.  If you haven't followed my story from the beginning, it is here, but the short story is, my jaw was broke at the puppy mill.  No one got it fixed.  My teeth don't line up at all.  In order for me to get food in my mouth, I have to be able to pick it up with my tongue and move towards the back.  I couldn't get this food up.  I was trying so hard.

Mom looked at me struggling and her heart broke.  She thought about it.  She was wondering what she could do to make it easier for me.  Light bulb moment She got out a small plate and put my food all on that.  She's brilliant.  Without the sides of the bowl in my way, I could maneuver around to get the food in my mouth.  She said she is going to get me one of those plates for babies, the ones with the suction cups on the bottom, because even on the rug, the plate moved around on me as I was trying to get the food into my mouth.

She loves me.

She is also gradually switching me from the Blue Buffalo Longevity Dry Food for Adult Dogs to the Blue Buffalo Life Protection Dry Food for Small Breed Dogs.  She is hoping since the pieces are a little bit smaller that I won't have as much trouble chewing them.  She knows that when switching dog food brands that you have to go slowly, but she wasn't sure if the same holds true if your just switching formulas within the same brand. She said she would rather be safe than sorry with my tummy.

She's not even sure if I actually NEED the dry dog food.  She thought I did, to help clean my teeth, but is it absolutely necessary?  If she brushes my teeth twice a day (which I HATE by the way and I guarantee you she is not getting them very clean when she does it because I do not open my mouth for her), would it be ok to just give me the stew and the soft food?  I mean, there are dogs out there that only eat food their humans prepare for them.  Isn't that kind of the same thing?

Any dog experts out there want to weigh in because I don't know.

She also talked to another vet yesterday about getting my teeth cleaned really good.  This vet has a health plan for dogs.  It covers all of my shots, my check ups, blood work (I don't like the sound of that - that has to do with that band aid thing they put on me at the vet last time doesn't it?).  It also gives her 15% off of my medicines, like my heart worm and flea pills.  This vet is at a pet store, but this pet store doesn't sell dogs and cats.  They work with a rescue to adopt the rescued animals out.  It bothers her though that they sell other animals, like hamster, guinea pigs, and birds.  The vet at this pet store though, tried so hard to save her gerbil when she had a stroke.  No one else that my mom called would see a gerbil.  She called the vet at this pet store and they said, yes we see rodents.  Bring her right in and we'll get her checked.  People laughed when they heard my mom took her sick gerbil to the vet, but that's just how my mom is.  The vet there wasn't sure if the gerbil had a respiratory infection or if she had had a stroke, but she did everything she could within reason to save the little gerbil.  My mom tried giving the gerbil her antibiotics, she tried giving her fluids with an eye dropper.  All she could do was keep her warm.  It turned out she had had a stroke and she died later that evening, wrapped in a blanket with my mom and the kids with her.

This was before my time here, but I heard mom talking to the kids about it yesterday, reminding them of who this vet was.  This family sure does love their pets, even the small ones that most people wouldn't take the time to take them to the vet if they are sick.

The oldest boy asked mom if he could get a mouse yet.  Mom said no.  She gets so attached to these little critters and they are gone too soon.  They had a dwarf hamster that lived almost 4 years.  Mom (and everyone else) was amazed he lived that long. Their life expectancy is 2-3 years. He died of old age.  He died in front of the Oldest Boy and the Oldest Girl a few years ago.  He was climbing up the bars of his cage, stopped, and just fell to the bottom.  Just like that he was gone.

I am going to live to a ripe old dog age.  That's what my mama says.  She says she's always right. :)

Junie Says To Check Out:  The Healthy Dog Cookbook: 50 Nutritious & Delicious Recipes Your Dog Will Love

Some News About Animals

Junie, burying into the blankets this morning.

Since it's a whole 11 degrees out and I won't do anything but stay snuggled into my blanket on my furry bean bag in my warm sweater, mom said we should post about some more animals who have been saved or need to be saved today.  I love sharing stories of those who have been saved and though I hate the stories of cruelty, they need to be out there too, so let's get going!

Dismembered cat, starving dogs found in Brooksville home The poor cat....but the dogs were saved.  They all need saved.
Hard Work Continues For Inspector My heart still breaks for this puppy who had his ears cut off with scissors.  At least they saved him from further damage.
Kathmandu founder in $2m farm cruelty fight - YAY! That will save some!
Animal refuges face huge bills for abandoned pets in big freeze - It's a horrible time of year for unwanted pets.
Holiday Cruelty: WSPA Investigation Exposes Harsh Reality of Reindeer Slaughter - poor reindeer
The New Veterinarian's Oath - What was it before?
Tell Nomura to Stop Funding HLS Animal Abuse - The details in the letter make me sick.
Will China’s anti-animal cruelty law crush this fetish?  - I don't get this at all.  People are sick sick sick.
Sven Koppler Arrested for Sending Hundreds of Tarantulas to the US By Post - Who does this?
Several think WSLS promoted animal abuse through turkey bowling story Stupid and a waste of food - unless they ate them after they bowled with them, but abuse?  I don't think it is...they weren't using live turkeys.  That would be abuse.
Dog set on fire, left to die spurs necessary change - change is definitely needed.
The Long Suffering Bull - Mom (and I) hates bull fighting
Once emaciated puppy mill dog now a hilarious part of family - yay! Dody was saved!
Martinsville veterinarian gives tips in identifying puppy mills - Good tips!  I say get a rescued dog instead though. :)
Workers at Ballito mall kick mongoose to death - again, people are sick.
Farm animal rescue group gives horse a second chance - YAY!  The horse was saved!
Champ ready for public debut as owner pleads not guilty - another horse saved!
No More Leniency For Gothic Kitten Abuser - I agree with the blog author.
Aurora-area man with history of animal cruelty is charged again - and he is allowed to have animals why?

Keep fighting for the animals who can't fight for themselves.  They all need saved!

And remember, we are still looking for guest bloggers to help out.  This blog isn't all about us. It's about all of the animals.  See about guest blogging here.

Junie Says To Check Out:  Rescued by a Horse: True Stories of Physical, Emotional, and Spiritual Healing

We Don't Need A Groomer!

Junie the other day, pre-hair cut

I don't know what I did to deserve this.  I really don't.  Dad decided the boys' hair was getting too long last night so he cut their hair.

Mom said she had an appointment set up to get me groomed (didn't know what that was) on December 15th, her birthday, who wants to celebrate their birthday doing that (now that I know what it is)?  I guess mom does.  Mom was nervous because she doesn't think I've ever been groomed before and she was worried it would scare me.  It probably would if it involved people I don't know.

Dad said why are you going to pay someone to do it?  I can do it.  I used to help my mom groom the poodles.  She said, but you have to be very careful.  She already has a scar in her eye from God knows what at the puppy mill.  I don't want her to jump and you to nick her.

I had no idea what they were talking about until I was in this position.

Dad grooming Junie

That was incredibly strange.  I would like to know who in the world thinks it is ok to shave a dog's hair off?  I liked my hair.

He used that strange machine on me to get the long hair off, then he used scissors to do the rest.  Mom was flinching every time.  I'm not sure why.  He wasn't hurting me.  And I sat really still.

When it came time to do my legs, mom held me in her arms and told me what a good girl I was while dad  trimmed the hair.  I have to say, I didn't mind that part at all.  I love being petted and told how wonderful I am.

When it was all done, mom went and got me some of the chicken breast that they made for supper.  That made it all worth it!  Chicken breast is my favorite!  The kids had already sneaked me quite a bit of it (they think mom doesn't know) but I was up for more.

Dad said if mom wants it cut closer in the traditional Chinese Crested cut that they are going to have get a beard trimmer.  He said it's a smaller version of the machine he was using in the picture above.  That was in too big to get a good nice close shave on a little thing like me.

Mom keeps giggling every time she looks at me now.  Then she says, oh Junie, you're so cute!

Junie's face after her trim - she can see now!

I have to admit, it is nice to be able to see now.  I had these hairs that kept popping in front of my eyes before.  That piece that hangs down over my nose in the picture is what mom calls my cowlick.    She told dad to leave it because it can be pulled back in a pony tail when she puts my hair up.  I think he should just cut it off if that means she won't pull my hair up ever again.

All in all, it wasn't too bad.  I'd rather have my family doing that to me than a stranger I don't know.  Strangers make me nervous and I shake so much.

Junie Says To Check Out: Andis 21420 Pro-Animal Detachable Ceramic Blade Clipper Kit

Chasing My Tail

Instead of a picture today, mom has a video of me chasing my tail.  As soon as I noticed she had the camera on, I stopped, but there's a few seconds of it.  I am awfully cute if I do say so myself.



Yep, that's me!

This morning when mom went to take the kids to school, she went out first to warm up the car.  I knew she went outside, so I stood by the sliding glass door and waited for her to come back in.  The Oldest Girl opened up the door to go out to the car and I went with her.  Mom said, take Junie back inside! It's freezing out.  There was this white stuff floating in the air.  As soon as I heard her, I took off like a shot in the dark, straight to the car.  She was not going anywhere without me!  I got to go to school today.

The oldest girl thought it was the funniest thing ever.

Once I got in the car, I realized how cold it was and started shivering shivering shivering.  Mom hadn't planned on me going, so there was no blanket in the car to keep me warm until the heat warmed up.  The Oldest Girl held me in her arms, wrapped up in her coat and it was all good because I got to go to school with them.

I love going for car rides just because it means I'm not home by myself.  I want to be with them wherever they go.

Junie Says To Check Out: Dog Snowsuit coat jacket Size Small Color Magenta

I Found Someone Else I Like

Watching TV With The Youngest Girl

I've spent the last month following mom around, never letting her out of my site, not paying much attention to anyone else in the family.  Now, now I love The Littlest Girl too!  When I can see mom and know she is within helping me if I need her, I go to the littlest girl and paw at her until she starts to give me belly rubs.  I chase around her in circles so she will play with me.  I just adore her.  She really is a nice little girl.

I've also found new toys.  I love dry leaves.  They are so fun to run and chase and hop on!  They just keep blowing and I just keep chasing.

I also found out the wonders of an empty toilet paper tube.  It fits right over my muzzle and is so much fun to flip around and throw!  I have a stash now that mom has set aside for me so I can play to my heart's content.

Let's get to some animals that need attention -

Dog Run Down in CT - Accident or Animal Cruelty - I don't know.  She's been charged with animal cruelty.  Laughing and cheering by the passengers is not right and it seems to me if you hit a dog, you wouldn't drag it 45 feet before stopping.
Woman Charged With Animal Cruelty For Killing Kitten - Disgusting
Pup on mend after scissor torture - Seriously, what is wrong with people?
Horrors of hoarding: Living and dying in chaos, clutter - It's truly sad. Someone died. Animals get hurt all the time from it.
Dogs rescued from puppy mill - They were saved! They all need saved!
Missouri Wants to Keep Puppy Mills in Business, Despite Passing Prop B - one question - why?
Denver Dumb Friends League gets dogs from Missouri puppy mill -  Yay!  They were saved. Even inadvertently because the mill gave them up to be in compliance with Missouri's new laws.
Action urged on puppy sales - We agree.
Deciding Where to Get a Puppy Can Be a Tough Choice - It really isn't that tough.  Don't buy from pet stores who get puppy mill dogs.  And as a former puppy mill dog, I'd like to challenge the author's word of allegedly.
Rescue work reaps remarkable rewards - I think I'm in love.

Junie Says To Check Out: Rescue Matters: How to Find, Foster, and Rehome Companion Animals: A Guide for Volunteers and Organizers

Happy Thanksgiving!

Junie in her Thanksgiving finery

I told mom that I know that she has been sick, but she needs to get on here and wish everyone a happy thanksgiving.  I mean, we all have so much to be thankful for - me for them, and them for me, and all of us for every other blessing we have - a roof over our heads, food in our tummies, someone to take care of us - that us would be me, the kids, and the birds.  Mom and dad take good care of us.  They love us.

She said she agreed and that she had been laying around long enough, so she got up to wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving from us here.

We did go to her brother's for Thanksgiving dinner where I found out at the end, I still don't like cats.  I bark, they hiss, mom picks me up, the cats take off hiding, it's all fun and games until they figure out they still have claws in the back and if they kick up like donkeys they could do some damage to me.

Mom brought my bowls and a little dry dog food.  She admits that she spoiled me a bit today. (Her extended family would like her to admit...when DOESN'T she spoil me?)  She gave me a dab of gravy on my food, then mixed in some minced up turkey.  I went to town on that.  Turkey is good stuff.

There were tons of little feet to avoid, so I tried to stay as close to mom as possible.  People thought she was joking when she said, where I move, Junie moves.  It's true.  I watch where she is at all times and if she gets up, I'm right there with her.  I even follow her to the bathroom, you know, just in case there's an emergency.

It was fun and I eventually warmed up to everyone.  I didn't spend all of my time on my mom's lap with my head tucked into the spot between her arm and her side.  I spent sometime laying at her feet watching the kids play.  I thought we had a lot of kids at our house.  We have 4, but The Oldest Boy was with his dad for the weekend. So The Two Girls, The Youngest Boy, then her brother has 3 kids, her other brother has 2 kids, and her sister has 1 (so far). 9 kids, that's 18 feet to avoid.  18 little people feet.  I'm not counting the big feet.  Let's see - The Grandma, The Grandpa, The Sister In Law's Dad, The Brother 1, The Brother 2, The Sister, The Sister In Law, The Brother In Law, My Mom, and My Dad. 10 more people, 20 more feet.  It was safest to stay under mom's feet.

It was a blast, but I'm not sad to be home in my basket, where mom promptly tucked my blanket around me. I am now ready to go off to dreamland where I shall dream of chasing turkeys.  Maybe there will be one in my bowl tomorrow?

P.S. If I look greasy again in the picture above it's because mom had to start my ear drops again.  She noticed I was shaking my head back and forth and licking a lot yesterday.  She got up and smelled my ears and said, yep, the ear infection is back.  She had some drops left after my 7 days worth that she gave me, so she got those out until she can get me to the vet to recheck my ears again.  They leave me all greasy on top.  I'm still beautiful though!

Junie Says To Check Out:  Zack & Zoey Safari Dress Sm Red Leopard

MIA

Junie's mom here.  I just wanted to post so no one worried cuz we disappeared.  I’ve been sick.  I went to the doctor this morning.  Bad kidney/bladder infection.  They gave me a shot on strong antibiotics and another prescription to take orally.  The littlest boy has an ear infection and antibiotics and the oldest boy has bronchitis – prednisone and antibiotics.  We’ll be back hopefully tomorrow if this stuff kicks in.  I’ve been down and out.

Cute Junie story.  You would think I had been gone 2 days instead of 2 hours.  When I walked in the door she flew from the bedroom to me, to the couch, to a chair, to the video game rocker, chased her tail for a few moments, back to me, back to the couch, you get the picture.  Baby, I was happy to see your beautiful little face too.

I'm A Teacher

Kind of blurry, forgot the flash. Junie snoozin'

At least today I was a teacher.  My mom took me outside to go to the bathroom after the kids got home from school.  There were a few kids outside that started running towards me.

Mom picked me up and when they asked if they could pet me she said, hold out your hand and let her decide.  Honestly, I didn't want anyone to pet me.  New people make me nervous.  I start to shake and mom can tell how I'm feeling.

She explained that I was nervous.  That before I came to their house people weren't very nice to me and that I was hurt a lot.  It takes me a bit to feel ok around new people.

One of the little boys said, does that mean she was bullied?

Mom looked at the little boy in amazement.  Exactly!  That is exactly what it means.  Junie was bullied by someone who was bigger than her, someone who liked to hurt her.  Animals don't like to be bullied any more than kids do.  You don't like to be bullied do you? All answered no.

Mom said then think about Junie when someone makes you mad.  Think about how she must have felt to have someone bigger than her picking on her and hurting her.  Think about that before you ever pick on anyone else.

Maybe they will, maybe they won't.  Hopefully it will stick with them though.  It usually disgusts and saddens decent people when they see my jaw and hear what happened to me.  (Not disgusted about my jaw, disgusted over how I was treated.  Mom said my jaw doesn't distract from my beautiful-ness at all, and I agree.)

That's what my story is here for.  To help animals and people.  To teach humans what happens to dogs like me and hope that it touches their heart and maybe changes the way they do things. (ie: bullying other kids in this case, not buying from pet stores that get their dogs from puppy mills, etc.)

Junie says to check out: Stop Bullying Bobby!: Helping Children Cope with Teasing and Bullying

Recent News Stories

Junie, mom, and one of The Birds

Life has been good, eating, sleeping on someone's lap, getting belly rubs to my heart's content, and yes, the dreaded going outside in the cold.  Not even my shivering will make my mom take pity on me and let me go in the girls' room to use the bathroom.

That being said, I thought I would focus on some animals that need the attention more than I do today.

(Don't mind the silly bird in the photo - and sorry it's blurry, cell phone pic - Twinkle kept flying to mom's head when she was trying to get a picture of us together.  Then I wanted to see what Twinkle was doing and we couldn't get a decent picture.  I'll show you the other shots after the news articles.)

• Appalling Animal Abuse and Food Safety Threats at Top Egg Producer This made mom sick to read.  She couldn't bring herself to watch the video.  She could only imagine the horrors she would see.
• Wiregrass teens faces felony animal abuse charge in dog beating He was saved, then he was gone.  That poor puppy.
  
• Dogfighting and Cockfighting Media Sold on Amazon Amazon has been selling some very questionable stuff lately.  It makes my mom want to cancel our affiliate account.  They recently took down a controversial book and mom is happy about that (but there are others that are similar), but do they leave these up under people's first amendment rights?  Or do they take it down as something that incites illegal acts? Another article on this subject.
  
• 'No-Kill' Facilities Contribute to Animal Hoarding I'm wondering how you feel about this one.  In a way, it is true.  That being said, there are rescues that do very thorough background checks, visiting homes, etc of potential people who will adopt a pet.  I truly feel this should happen for all adopters.  More work, I'm sure. More money, maybe?  But will that animal keep showing up over and over again at one rescue, then at another, than at your local ARL where they will be euthanized? (At least the Iowa ARL euthanizes animals.)
  
• Woman fined $225 for dyeing pooch's paws pink On this one, I have to say, probably harmless.  I'd much rather have had my paws dyed pink than my jaw broken.  That's just me though.
  
• House votes on bill to stop animal 'crush videos' I didn't even know there was such a thing.  Humans can be so evil.
  
• Petitioners pushing to ban Ohio dog auctions Puppy mills, auctions, and all of that stuff is evil. 'nuf said.
  

Takes 54 and 55

Junie says to check out: Beyond Closed Doors: Science, Ethics and Politics of Farm Animal Welfare

How Badly Was I Abused

Junie sleeping on mom

My mom said she would like to say sorry for not blogging for a couple of days.  She's been busy with The Boys being sick and then there was a bacherlorette party that she would not take me to. She got behind on things and didn't help me blog.

 My dad pointed out something to mom last night, she had already noticed it.  When he put his hand up to pet my head, I flinch away.

Mom noticed when she'd be standing up and bend down to pet me.  I flinch.  I can't help it.  I can't tell them how much I was abused.  I can't communicate that to them.  I wish I could.  I know they wouldn't hurt me, but it's instinct.

Daddy kept petting me saying, nadie te va a pegar, which means nobody is going to hit you. I'm learning Spanish in my new house too.

My mommy and daddy talked about it. They can't understand how anyone could hit an animal, let alone an animal as small as I am.  We know bad things happened to me because of my broken jaw that was never fixed, but they will never know all the bad things that happened to me.  I'm just so happy that they will never happen to me again.

I'll leave you with this clip from the Daily Show the other day.  Please tell me the lady they are interviewing first is not serious?

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c
Big Red Dogs
www.thedailyshow.com
Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor Rally to Restore Sanity

Junie says to check out:  Kids Making a Difference for Animals

Success With The Cold

Junie - about as relaxed as a dog can get

I know I have been complaining a lot about the cold lately but I think I had a breakthrough.

All day yesterday my mom thought I was holding it because of the rain and cold.  Little did she know (well, she knew later because one of The Girls told on me) that I was sneaking off to the comfort of The Girls' warm room to do my business.

She took me to the pet store in the early afternoon to buy my food and something she calls puppy pads.

She put one of those pads on the porch and told me to Go Potty.  I sniffed at it.  Why would I potty there?  I sat on it.  It was warmer than the cement.

She kept watching me and watching me and taking me out and taking me out.  Finally to make her happy I went a little on the puppy pad.  The next time she took me out, I went on the cement under the air conditioner.  If she thought I was going to go out in that cold wet grass, she had another thought coming.

Last night I had to go.  I got all antsy because she had shut The Girls' door.  She took me out.  We stood there for 15 minutes.  Me looking at her and her looking at me.  We went back in.  She took me out again.  Same thing.  And again.  And again.  Until I finally tip toed into the grass and did what she wanted me to.  I was not happy about it.

Junie burying into her blankets to get warm after a bath.

This morning she took me out and I ran to the puppy pad and went.  I still had to do the other but it was freezing.  She took me out again and I ran to the rocks and did what I had to do.

Not so bad.  As long as I don't have to touch the grass and get my paws wet I think I'm ok with the rocks.  Mom said the landlord might not be thrilled with it, but since she follows me out with a bag, I say what they don't know what hurt any of us.

Junie again after her bath

I think, if I go really really fast when she lets me out, that I won't have to hibernate this winter.  I'd hate to miss out on all the fun with my family by sleeping it away.

Junie says to check out: Nature's Miracle Quick Results Training Pads

That's the kind my mommy got me.

Jasmine The Greyhound

My mommy got an email forward today that was just so beautiful we had to share it after checking the story on Snopes to make sure it was true.  It is a perfect tale of a rescued greyhound who helps other animals and it is true.

In 2003, police in Warwickshire , England , opened a garden shed and found a whimpering, cowering dog. The dog had been locked in the shed and abandoned. It was dirty and malnourished, and had quite clearly been abused.

In an act of kindness, the police took the dog, which was a female greyhound, to the Nuneaton Warwickshire Wildlife Sanctuary, which is run by a man named Geoff Grewcock, and known as a haven for animals abandoned, orphaned, or otherwise in need.

Geoff and the other sanctuary staff went to work with two aims: to restore the dog to full health, and to win her trust. It took several weeks, but eventually both goals were achieved. They named her Jasmine, and they started to think about finding her an adoptive home.

Jasmine, however, had other ideas. No one quite remembers how it came about, but Jasmine started welcoming all animal arrivals at the sanctuary. It would not matter if it were a puppy, a fox cub, a rabbit or, any other lost or hurting animal. Jasmine would just peer into the box or cage and, when and where possible, deliver a welcoming lick.

Geoff relates one of the early incidents. "We had two puppies that had been abandoned by a nearby railway line. One was a Lakeland Terrier cross and another was a Jack Russell Doberman cross. They were tiny when they arrived at the centre, and Jasmine approached them and grabbed one by the scruff of the neck in her mouth and put him on the settee. Then she fetched the other one and sat down with them, cuddling them."

"But she is like that with all of our animals, even the rabbits. She takes all the stress out of them, and it helps them to not only feel close to her, but to settle into their new surroundings. She has done the same with the fox and badger cubs, she licks the rabbits and guinea pigs, and even lets the birds perch on the bridge of her nose."

Jasmine, the timid, abused, deserted waif, became the animal sanctuary's resident surrogate mother, a role for which she might have been born. The list of orphaned and abandoned youngsters she has cared for comprises five fox cubs, four badger cubs, fifteen chicks, eight guinea pigs, two stray puppies and fifteen rabbits - and one roe deer fawn. Tiny Bramble, eleven weeks old, was found semi-conscious in a field. Upon arrival at the sanctuary, Jasmine cuddled up to her to keep her warm, and then went into the full foster-mum role. Jasmine the greyhound showers Bramble the roe deer with affection, and makes sure nothing is matted.

"They are inseparable," says Geoff. "Bramble walks between her legs, and they keep kissing each other. They walk together round the sanctuary. It's a real treat to see them."


Jasmine will continue to care for Bramble until she is old enough to be returned to woodland life. When that happens, Jasmine will not be lonely. She will be too busy showering love and affection on the next orphan or victim of abuse.

Pictured from the left are: "Toby", a stray Lakeland dog; "Bramble", orphaned roe deer; "Buster", a stray Jack Russell; a dumped rabbit; "Sky", an injured barn owl; and "Jasmine", with a mother's heart doing best what a caring mother would do...and such is the order of God's Creation.

That is such a beautiful story!  You are a beautiful dog Jasmine!

Junie says to check out: Adopting the Racing Greyhound 

Pictures from the Daily Mail - the original article

It Is Official. I Am Going To Hibernate.

Junie Bee could have her belly rubbed all day

I don't think I went outside much at the puppy mill. I don't remember seeing all this cold and wet and yucky stuff outside before in my life.  I told you the other day that I wasn't crazy about the frost on the ground.  Today when my mommy opened up the sliding glass door I took one look outside and turned right around.  I hopped up in my basket and gave her a look that I thought meant, are you crazy?

Obviously she couldn't read my look.

She picked me up and took me to the porch and said, go potty Junie.

I don't see her stepping off the porch into the cold freezing rain.

I walked back to the door and sat.  Shivering.

She said, Junie, you have to go potty.

I stuck my face up to the door.

She must have gotten the hint that I was not going to go out and get wet and cold.  At least I thought she did.  She picked me up and took me inside.  Then she went out the front door.  Ok, we're good.  Still a roof over our heads.  Then she opened up the big door that leads to the outside.  She sat me down on the sidewalk and said go potty Junie.

That's how I felt about that.  There was no way I was going out in that cold wet stuff.  Nuh-uh.

A man opened the door and looked at my mom.  Then he looked at me and started grinning.  My mom smiled and said, she doesn't want to go potty because it's too cold and rainy.  They had a little laugh and he went off to work.

I don't think it's funny.

After a few moments out there, I realized she was not going to take me back in until I went.  I gingerly picked my way through the stone border in front of the bushes, taking care to stay under the edge of the roof so I wouldn't get wet, and went potty.

Happy?

Not quite.  She said she's going to keep taking me out until I do the other.  No pooping on the carpet she says.

I say pooh on her.  It's cold.

She brought me inside and gave me a good belly rub.  I love having my belly rubbed.  I live for having my belly rubbed.  Then she held me for a long time until I was nice and warm again.

She's going to take me back out.  I know it.

It's too cold out.

She's not sure whether to put one of my raincoats on me so I don't get wet or my winter coat so that I stay warm.  I say neither and we stay inside.

She said it's going to snow overnight, but it's supposed to be just a little.  I should be ok going out to potty in the morning.

Sometimes I think that woman is crazy.

But I love her.

Junie says to check out: Fashion Pet Quilted Dog Parka