Microchip

Micro-chipping has been debated for some time and in our opinion it's a no brainer. Show your pet a little more love by micro-chipping her/him. What is a micro-chip? A micro-chip is a tiny device that has either your vets or your personal information (name, address & phone number) that was registered, it has several identifying numbers that a scanner will pick up when it's ran across the pets body. A veterinarian or rescue organization will implant the micro-chip into the middle of the shoulder blade of the skin of the pet (cat, dog), there's no pain, discomfort or bruising to the animal. Why is it important to micro-chip your pet? Should the unfortunate happen (pet is stolen or lost) it makes it easier to find your pet once your pet is found. If your pet is picked up by shelter workers once at the shelter they will use a scanner which they run across your pets body. If your pet has a microchip the scanner picks it up, the information on the microchip shows on the scanner (vet, rescue organization or your personal information)and who's information is on the microchip will be contacted and your pet is home safely quicker. Unlike a leash, collar, name or any other "identifying" markings you can remember about your dog a microchip cannot be tampered with, falsified or removed.

We highly recommend micro-hipping your pet. Sasha & Krush are micro-hipped and the few pups we've rescued are microchip. It's another way of holding people accountable for their dogs actions. This statement is not meant to disrespect or offend anyone. We believe most pet parents are responsible. This statement is for those irresponsible individuals who for whatever reason abandoned their pups. There are plenty of stories from shelters and rescue organizations where pets have been abandoned for days, weeks months and sometimes years. There was a story recently of a family that abandoned their pup in Atlanta, GA. The pup was loyal, he stayed at the house that was empty for 3 years. He survived by eating scraps from the neighbors trash and a few neighbors feeding him. Had the pup been micro-chipped authorities would've known who the family and possibly gone after them for neglect. Thank God this story has a happy ending. The pup was finally taken to the shelter, the news reported the story and now the pup is happy with his new guardian in Ohio. A pet is a companion not a disposable garbage.

It is our belief micro-chipping should be mandatory, it's the same as having a license for your dog. Most cities, counties &municipalities require all pets to be registered, this helps keep track of pets and their rabies shot. There is a small fee to register your pet a please check with your city, county and/or municipality regarding licensing prior to adopting or buying a pet. There are many feel good stories of pets being found alive and well after weeks, even years of being stolen or lost. There was a story a local story around Christmas time last year of a family who lost their beloved pit bull over 8 years ago and the dog was in California. The pup had a microchip which helped bring her home to her family who was eager to be reunited. If that isn't reason enough we don't know what is. Prayerfully your pet isn't stolen or lost however, you can find solace in knowing if your pet is micro-chipped he/she will be found sooner than if he/she isn't.

If your pup isn't microchip and you're interested in getting them micro-chipped please contact your vet or the rescue you adopted from. If either of those are not an option for you here are a few companies you can contact (NOTE: most companies charge either a monthly fee or one time lifetime fee). Please do your research:

Pet Microchip Database: (individuals, veterinarians, shelters or rescues can register, good for US & Global search, $19.99 lifetime)

www.petlink.net

HomeAgain (endorsed by Betty White, for veterinarians & shelters, national database, lost pet alerts & travel assistance for found lost pets, annual fee $17.99)

www.homeagain.com

24Pet Watch (offers pet insurance as well)

www.24petwatch.com

PawPrints

  Along this journey we've experienced the highs and lows of advocacy, fostering, rescuing, training, heartache of knowing many wonderful dogs losing their lives due to overcrowding shelters, uncaring owners, breed specific legislation and rejection as we've had the door slammed in our faces from other organizations. On the other side we've experienced tears of joy in watching our fosters walk into their new furever home. Occasionally we receive updates on some of our fosters progress which brings more tears of joy but, then there are those that "got" away, and we wonder their fate. There have been the occasional rescue which ends with that dog being trained and a furever happy home found. In our short time in the advocacy/training/rescuing world we've seen and been through a lot. As we often reflect on our journey one thing remains constant.....the "Paw Prints" all pups have left on our hearts and minds.

Pet Insurance

With all of the talk about healthcare there are plenty of questions to ask in deciding which plan is right for you. who's covered? what care is covered? what's the cost of having or not having health insurance? There seems to more questions than answers. The same goes for pet insurance. Most pet parents ask their friends, family members or their veterinarian which company is the best for their furbabies. We've been approached by several pet parents asking us for guidance as well. We are NOT veterinarians nor do we proclaim to be experts on this matter because we do NOT have pet insurance for our furbabies. The reason we chose not to have insurance on Sasha & Krush was due to the cost of the plans and how the companies choose what they will and won't pay for. Some companies would charge a higher premium because of the breed of dog (any dog). For instance a Boxer, which is a breed prone to getting cancer , their pet parent will be charged 3-4 times more than a breed which is prone to hip dysplasia if a company would offer a policy at all. We did find a company whose plan seemed great however, as we researched further (reading the fine print) and comparing other insurance companies we found their practices and cost were the same give or take a couple of dollars. Some company's charge more and give less and others appeared to provide more but did not justify the higher premium. We did not like paying out of pocket first for whatever the procedure and then have the company picking and choosing what they were or were not going to pay.
On the other hand we have heard wonderful stories about insurance and how much money it saved them and they are happy they had it when they needed it. Having a pet is and can be expensive no matter how well you take care of them. Please conduct your research, ask plenty of questions and read the fine print.



We have included a few insurance company's information.



VPI Pet insurance (most popular)

www.petinsurance.com



        PurinaCare

www.purinacare.com   (allows you to compare their plan against other carriers on their homepage & covers dental)



Pet Insurance Reviews (highly recommend you read)

www.petinsurancereview.com


PetFirst (covers cats & dogs)

www.petfirst.com

ShelterCare (covers cats & dogs)

www.sheltercare.com


PetPlan

www.gopetplan.com


AKC
www.akcpethealthcare.com



Pet Insurance (very popular)

www.embracepetinsurance.com

Holiday Travel with Pets

It's almost that time of year again. You know ...the holiday season! Yes, it's upon us already. Marketing executives are working overtime to woo you with their advertisements from clothing to cell phones to seasonal attractions. Pet stores advertise as well but, what we found or rather did not find, were deals for those traveling with their fury family members. We have received numerous e-mails asking for "pet" friendly venues (i.e. hotels, restaurants, airlines etc.). Although there are several sites that cater to pets however, what about mainstream airlines, hotels , or restaurants? Holidays are a time to take a break, relax and be thankful for what we have and what's most important to us...FAMILY!! Pets especially dogs are considered family as well. Many are forced to leave behind their fury family member at kennels or boarding facilities. There isn't anything wrong with these facilities as long as you're familiar with them however, if you're like us you want your fury family member to experience other places than your "neighborhood." We like to travel and we have family everywhere and what better way to have the best of both worlds but to bring them along.

We compiled a list of websites to assist in planning your holiday travels. Although we have researched the information provided please contact the hotel or airline for updated information prior to you booking a flight or hotel.

        Official Pet Hotels

http://www.officialpethotels.com


 Beneful (wouldn't feed this to our babies however, they have good suggestions to include pet friendly beaches, ski resorts etc.)

http://www.beneful.com/Playbook/Travel-With-Your-Buddy

 Petswelcome.com (caters to ALL pets)
 http://www.petswelcome.com

        Marriott Hotels (Dog)

http://www.marriott.com/hotel-search/pet-friendly.hotels

        Choice Hotels (Cats & Dogs)

www.choicehotels.com/en/pet-friendly-hotels

  BringFido

www.bringfido.com

PetTravel.com (very informational, including airlines & their policies)

http://www.pettravel.com

PawPrints

Along this journey we've experienced the highs and lows of advocacy, fostering, rescuing, training, heartache of knowing many wonderful dogs losing their lives due to overcrowding shelters, uncaring owners, breed specific legislation and rejection as we've had the door slammed in our faces from other organizations. On the other side we've experienced tears of joy in watching our fosters walk into their new furever home. Occasionally we receive updates on some of our fosters progress which brings more tears of joy but, then there are those that "got" away, and we wonder their fate. There have been the occasional rescue which ends with that dog being trained and a furever happy home found. In our short time in the advocacy/training/rescuing world we've seen and been through a lot. As we often reflect on our journey one thing remains constant.....the "Paw Prints" all pups have left on our hearts and minds.

Another point of view

Two years ago I made a change in my career that brought me to meet a wild and crazy person who was definitely my opposite. Though we started off as opposites we have found a common ground and she has become a very dear friend. From birth I was raised around animals and have always been in receipt of an animal's love and devotion. I would tell stories at work about my animals and my opposite would always laugh and say I was crazy. I could never imagine her with any type of animal because it just wouldn't fit her lifestyle. That all changed in Feb 2011. She came into work and announced to us all that she had decided to adopt a dog. It wasn't just any ole dog it would be a pit bull. She proceeded to tell us about watching a tv show over the weekend and it had changed her mind about the breed. Here my opposite was excitedly looking through pages and pages of pit bulls that were up for adoption. When one finally captured her eye that was all she could talk about until adoption day finally came. She was showing picture upon picture of her new baby and not her kids. I was amazed at how she was starting to change and how we were no longer opposites. After a few months she decided she wanted another dog and adopted again. There again she was changing. I never expected the changes that would occur over the next several months to a year because of the love she received from these two pit bulls. Not only had she become a proud and loving pet owner but, she wanted to make changes. She jumped with both feet in to helping rescue organizations in VA to give other pit bulls the opportunity to have a better life with loving families. We all thought she was crazy but, it was something she now believed in because of the love of her dogs. She had to make this area better for pit bulls. She has become such an advocate for these animals and I couldn't be prouder. Here someone that was just my opposite a few months ago was rescuing and fostering dogs and now was traveling to my hometown in Charles County MD fighting against BSL. I was amazed at her devotion to this cause but, I knew it was all because of the love she received at home from her two babies, how could she look in their eyes knowing their brothers and sisters were out there not wanted in certain areas, needing homes and deserving of the love they were receiving. The love of a dog was changing her. Her next step was deciding to try and jump into working with animals full time and becoming a certified dog trainer. She has had doubts at times that she is doing the right thing but, deep down she knows it is something she wants and has to do. Why you say? Because of the love of a dog. Here someone has gone from being my opposite in not understanding the love and devotion I had for my animals to now knowing exactly what I speak of and feel. The love of an animal makes you change many things in your life. They are dependent upon us so there are times we have to change our sleeping patterns, lifestyle and schedule to fit with theirs. My once opposite has changed her entire life to be revolved around her dogs. She has jumped in with full force at making sure pit bulls in the DC/MD/VA area have a fighting chance of finding their furever home and are welcome wherever their families would like to go. So, here you had someone who was a hardworking single mother that liked to get her party on and didn't have the responsibilities of an animal at home that now has two pit bulls and is taking up fighting PG County and the State of Maryland to end their bans on Pit Bulls and Pit Bull Mixes. All of these changes she has been through the past year and half have been because of the love of two dogs!!! So if you want to know what true love and devotion is you need to find and adopt your pet soul mate so, you too know the love of a dog!!!!

FEAR

Fear….fear is defined as a feeling of  anxiety and agitation caused by the presence or nearness of danger, evil, pain, timidity, dread, terror, freight, apprehension.  Fear can be paralyzing and often the unknown brings fear, terror and apprehension.  As humans God  has not given us a spirit of fear, yet it’s prevalent in our lives.  There’s this thing called a “comfort zone” we like.  In the comfort zone it’s familiar, it takes care of our needs although our needs have been met and it’s time to move on.  The moment we want to move on that four letter word pops up…FEAR. It tells you that you’re not good enough, you’re not qualified, you don’t have the skills, you have bills, you don’t have the leave, you don’t have the experience….the list goes on.  The only thing that conquers fear is another four letter word….FAITH.

Fear can immobilize, paralyze, stagnate if we allow it to.  When people hear pit bull or pit bull mix it strikes fear in the hardest of men.  Why? These creatures breath, eat, need love, shelter, food and occasionally clothes, all the things humans need yet they are feared, hated, disliked because…..  This same fear we’re talking about was in us and instilled in us by the media.  Although we had NOT interacted with this breed we were petrified of this animal.  This animal did nothing to us, had not harmed us or anyone we knew yet we feared them.  We feared them because society told us to.  The unknown is scary to us all. Many in society will not investigate things for themselves and the reporters know this and they report what they want.  They will do anything to get the ratings even if it’s partial truth and that partial truth perpetuates fear.  Some folks are comfortable with staying in fear, not willing to have an open mind and erasing the fear out of their lives.  This is happening more often than not with pit bulls.  They’re feared for what folks make them and not for their good nature, calm demeanor and need for love.  It is because we have gotten over this fear that we find ourselves advocating, educating, training and now traveling to erase the fear people have.  This past weekend we traveled to New Jersey for the 9th annual Paws for Cause event.  Paws for Cause, is an awesome event raising awareness and funds to eradicate another fearful word….. cancer in animals.  The event features various vendors, knowledgeable veterinarians about cancer and other veterinary care, a dog fashion show, treats, swimming pools and of course dogs of all breeds, sizes and colors. No one was fearful of what could happen, everyone got along, asked and answered questions, networked and all had the faith that nothing was going to go wrong.  Guess what nothing went wrong! Yes, there was barking, sniffing, minor scuffles and none of them were by pit bulls.  We’re not bashing any breed just erasing fear!