October Is Adopt A Dog Month!!

Blogging Friends.... Radio silence. That seems to be how I am rolling these days regarding posting on Beautifully Unique!! Sigh.... Truth be told? I have a particular Blog post in the works, but set it aside for about five days to write my October fictional children's book!! Yep. Because some priorities take precedence!! But cheers to October {Although we will become happily preoccupied with watching my nieces, "Amethyst" and "Opal" three days a week soon!!} here's to resurrecting Beautifully Unique!! I do mean that. Love you later.

Look for my October fictional children's book to be posted on Minuscule is good! {Lord willing!!} tomorrow!!

October. I love, love, love this month!! Trees' leaves gradually transform into bright, cheery hues. Pumpkin patches reopen. The mornings become crisp, our days get shorter. Constant rainfall is inevitable, as we go about life silently awaiting its downpour. Mmmm....Well, October also happens to be Adopt A Dog Month!! That's right. Adopt A Dog Month!! Rose is--thus far!!--the first canine that I rescued from our local shelter. Allow me to express something. I hope that every canine who enters my existence from here on is adopted!! Because. Doing so has profoundly changed my life!! I hope to always either adopt from some shelter, or a rescue organization. See. Adopting Rose, our then-three-year old "second chance" mutt, has been, personally, one of my life's most rewarding experiences!! How so? Because I provided a loving home for this Beautifully Unique four-legged creature!! She was once kenneled in our local shelter like some convicted criminal. Homeless and desolate. Now, she is mine!! I am so very, very, very blessed to own Rose!! I'm also feeling inspired now. With this being Adopt A Dog Month, I want every future canine who enters my existence to be rescued throughout October!! Why not? There are seemingly endless canines available for adoption year-round. Plus 31 days in October!! 31 freakin' days!! This may sound like some oddball, far-out notion. But to me? It's really quite logical!!

This is taken from a HealthyPets e-mail. I received it in 2011, but the information should still be up-to-date!!

--Adopt A Dog Month--

If you feel like there's a void in your life, you can make a difference in two lives as October is Adopt A Dog Month. The ASPCA started Adopt A Dog Month to promote and raise awareness of the millions of dogs that live in shelters, places not fit to be called a home. Shelter dogs don't nearly have the amount of space or the amount of love they deserve. Also keep in mind that thousands of pets that do not get adopted are euthanized due to lack of shelter space. You can do your part in many ways; here are a few helpful ideas to get the gears going.

Adoption: The best way to help a shelter dog is to bring one into the comfort of your home. Visit local shelters and share that love connection that will keep you and your new pooch's relationship going on for years. For those who absolutely prefer purebred varieties, an estimated 25% of purebreds are found in shelters. {And, where does that leave mutts? In the 75 percentile!! So, do not exclude mixed breeds from this!! Adopt a mutt!!} Some shelters offer discounts or waive adoption fees. Contact local shelters to find out what they offer.

Donations: Not everyone has the time or money to invest in a new pet - you can still do your part by donating supplies, money or your time. Local animal shelters depend on the kindness of strangers' help aside from what little government funds they receive to keep the shelter going. You can do your part by volunteering to help walk dogs, clean cages or whatever tasks that may be needed.

Events: Attending and volunteering in pet-related events is a fun way to participate in pet awareness. Attending shelter fundraisers and pet fairs are ways to help people understand how important pet adoptions can be. Even if you are unable to adopt a pet, you can help bring awareness to those who can devote their time to a new family member.

Other Ways: Information is key to preventing the growth of pets being admitted into animal shelters. Pet behavior trouble is one of biggest reasons why owners turn dogs into shelters. You can do your part by informing new pet owners what struggles they may face in the early stages of owning a pet.

National Mutt Day/July 31st

Blogging Friends.... Guess what?! It's National Mutt Day!! This very special celebration--which is written on my calendar!!--of Beautifully Unique mixed breeds only comes but twice a year!! July 31st. And December 2nd. But then again. For those who are blessed to love and own mutts. And those who embrace their mixed breeds, as just as important as purebreds. We celebrate National Mutt Day all year around!! I love, love, love Rose!! And I adored Shadow before her!! 75 percent of canines who enter shelters nationwide are mutts. 75 freakin' percent!! So. "Say it loud, say it proud", as that phrase goes. And chant with me now. WE LOVE MUTTS!! WE LOVE MUTTS!! WE LOVE MUTTS!! WE LOVE MUTTS!! WE LOVE MUTTS!! Wasn't that fun?! Love you later.

{Taken from National Mutt Day's Website!! { http://www.nationalmuttday.com/index2.htm } They also have a Facebook page { https://www.facebook.com/NationalMuttDay#!/NationalMuttDay } which has been very fun these days as mixed breed canine owners worldwide have posted pictures of their cuties!! Check it out!!}

National Mutt Day was created in 2005 by Celebrity Pet Expert and Animal Welfare Advocate, Colleen Paige, and is celebrated on both July 31st and December 2nd. National Mutt Day is all about embracing, saving and celebrating mixed breed dogs. The biggest percentage of dogs euthanized in due to the constant over-breeding and public desire of designer dogs and pure bred puppies that are sold to pet stores supplied by puppy mills that often produce ill and horribly neglected animals. National Mutt Day was created to be celebrated on two dates per year to raise awareness of the plight of mixed breed dogs in shelters around the nation and to educate the public about the sea of mixed breed dogs that desperately await new homes. Mixed breed dogs tend to be healthier, better behaved, they live longer and are just as able to perform the duties of pure bred dogs - such as bomb and drug sniffing, search and rescue and guiding the blind. There are millions of loving and healthy mixed breed dogs sitting in shelters, who are desperately searching for a new home. One of the county's most famous movie dogs is Benji, is a mixed breed Terrier. So please visit your local shelter and find a new friend today! If you can't adopt a mixed breed friend on July 31st and December 2nd, please donate at least $5 to your local animal shelter, as they all need financial assistance and every dollar counts! You can also volunteer to walk a dog, donate food and other supplies needed to your local animal shelter or make a donation in the memory of a loved dog who has crossed the Rainbow Bridge. Our goal is to save 10,000 Mutts this July 31st and December 2nd from coast to coast!

ADOPT A MUTT! PLEASE SPAY & NEUTER YOUR PETS!

Shadow Sunshine, my German Shepherd/Golden Retriever mix!!

Rose Elizabeth, my Mystery Dog of a mutt!!

Oh yeah!! Look for my August fictional children's book to be posted on Minuscule is good! {Lord willing!!} on August 2nd!!

   

National Mutt Day

Blogging Friends.... Busy, busy, busy. That describes our lives these days!! Thursday. Thanksgiving!! I hope everyone enjoyed their day!! We are still loving our leftover food!! Friday. It is annual. My Mom, sister and I went Black Friday shopping!! Insane, I know. Saturday. Our dear friends visited us from Idaho!! They came over for lunch and fellowship!! Sunday. Uh, church? At that point, I just wanted to "play heathen", stay home, and take a mental health day!! But I attended church services, anyway!! Then, we purchased our Christmas tree!! In stormy, windy, pouring down rain!! Why? Because it rains a lot over here!! Yet to be decorated, our Christmas tree is sitting proudly in its stand!! Completely naked!! I love, love, love the evergreen scent!! And today. We watched my niece, Little Munchkin, plus her baby sister this afternoon!! Tonight. We plan on decorating our finally dried out Christmas tree!! I cannot wait!! So, dear Blogging Friends. I have felt like a slacker of late regarding commenting on everybody's Websites!! I miss you all!! But I shall return!! I promise!!

 

As resulted to our seemingly busy life of late, I will not post my Christmas-themed story on "Minuscule is good!" today!! No time!! So look for it tomorrow, instead!!

 

National Mutt Day. It comes but once a year. Well, actually. It comes around twice a year now, according to their website!! December 2nd!! And July 31st!! This is practically a holiday for me!! And yes, I do write it on my calendars!! Last year, I had plans for National Mutt Day. Huge plans. With permission, I had snapped some pictures of certain mixed breed canines who I know to post on Beautifully Unique!! However. This plan crashed when the pictures were still trapped within my camera!! Whoops. This year? I had no plans, ironically enough!! Last night, I literally found myself watching a Hallmark Christmas film, while searching for ideas!! Not that I hadn't been thinking about National Mutt Day all year long....

 

Based on their Website {http://www.nationalmuttday.com/index2.htm} it says this. {They also have a super fun Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/NationalMuttDay !!}

 

National Mutt Day was created in 2005 by Celebrity Pet Expert and Animal Welfare Advocate, Colleen Paige, and is celebrated on both July 31st and December 2nd. National Mutt Day is all about embracing, saving and celebrating mixed breed dogs. The biggest percentage of dogs euthanized in due to the constant over-breeding and public desire of designer dogs and pure bred puppies that are sold to pet stores supplied by puppy mills that often produce ill and horribly neglected animals.

National Mutt Day was created to be celebrated on two dates per year to raise awareness of the plight of mixed breed dogs in shelters around the nation and to educate the public about the sea of mixed breed dogs that desperately await new homes. Mixed breed dogs tend to be healthier, better behaved, they live longer and are just as able to perform the duties of pure bred dogs - such as bomb and drug sniffing, search and rescue and guiding the blind.

There are millions of loving and healthy mixed breed dogs sitting in shelters, who are desperately searching for a new home. One of the county's most famous movie dogs is Benji, is a mixed breed Terrier.

So please visit your local shelter and find a new friend today! {Sorry. But I would not recommend adoption this close to Christmas or New Year's!! Why? Because. It is not fair to adopt a Beautifully Unique mutt, then run around with Christmas-themed activities, thus leaving him/her home, feeling neglected!! But July 31st!! That would be an excellent day to find a new friend!! Hmmm. I should try that someday!!} If you can't adopt a mixed breed friend on July 31st and December 2nd, please donate at least $5 to your local animal shelter, as they all need financial assistance and every dollar counts!

You can also volunteer to walk a dog, donate food and other supplies needed to your local animal shelter or make a donation in the memory of a loved dog who has crossed the Rainbow Bridge.

Our goal is to save 10,000 Mutts this July 31st and December 2nd from coast to coast!

ADOPT A MUTT

PLEASE SPAY & NEUTER
YOUR PETS

I cannot express this enough. 75% of canines who enter shelters nationwide are mutts. 75%!! National Mutt Day. For those who have the privilege of loving mixed breed canines, our celebration is not merely limited to twain days only. But 365. Because we celebrate Shadow. {My German Shepherd/Golden Retriever mix!!} We celebrate Rose. {"Mystery Dog"!!} We celebrate Tejas. {Coyote mix!!} We celebrate Andy. {Cockapoo!!} We celebrate Ginger. {"Mystery Dog"!!} We celebrate Bear-Bear. {Malti-poo!!} We celebrate Jake. {Rottweiler mix!!} We celebrate Zeke. {St. Bernard/Border Collie mix!!} We celebrate Callie. {Pit Bull/Labrador Retriever mix!!} We celebrate Buddy. {"Mystery Dog"!!} We celebrate Dodge. {Golden/Lab mix!!} We celebrate Lucy. {Basset Hound/Golden Retriever mix!!} We celebrate Sabrina. {Golden/Lab mix!!} We celebrate Loki. {Labradoodle!!} My goodness!! I've been blessed to have known a lot of mutts throughout my life!! Wow!! And for my dear Blogging Friends who own Beautifully Unique mutts. We celebrate Jock. {Border Collie/Kelpie mix!!} We celebrate Desmond. {Greyhound/Pit Bull mix!!} We celebrate Roxy. {"Mystery Dog"?} We celebrate Dante. {Labradoodle!!} We celebrate Daisy-Boo. {Labradoodle/Labrador mix!!} We celebrate Lightning. {"Mystery Dog"?} We celebrate Zoe. {Black Labrador Retriever mix!!} We celebrate Kolchak. {Puggle!!} We celebrate Felix. {"Mystery Dog"?} Whether passed away or still living. We celebrate mutts!!

 

Dear Blogging Friends. If I have left any of your Beautifully Unique mutts out, my apologies!! You know that they're celebrated!! And for those who are considering adopting a canine? I highly recommend mutt!!   

 

Adopt A Dog Month

Blogging Friends.... Hi. This is a shiftless repost from last year!! {With some changes, of course!!} But worth it!! My laziness is finally paying off!!

 

Not really!! I guess I haven't been that shiftless. I just finished--after three days working on it!!--writing a story for my other Blog, "Minuscule is good!". So!! Check it out today!!

   

October. I love, love, love this month!! Trees' leaves gradually transform into bright, cheery hues. Pumpkin patches reopen. The mornings become crisp, our days get shorter. Constant rainfall is inevitable, as we go about life silently awaiting its downpour. Mmmm.... Well, October also happens to be Adopt A Dog Month!! That's right. Adopt A Dog Month!! Rose is--thus far!!--the first canine that I rescued from our local shelter. Allow me to express something. I hope that every canine who enters my existence from here on is adopted!! Because. Doing so has profoundly changed my life!! I hope to either adopt from some shelter, or a rescue organization. See. Adopting Rose, our then-three-year old "second chance" mutt, has been, personally, one of my life's most rewarding experiences!! How so? Because I provided a loving home for this Beautifully Unique four-legged creature!! She was once kenneled in our local shelter like some convicted criminal. Homeless and desolate. Now, she is mine!! I am so very, very, very blessed to own Rose!! I'm also feeling inspired now. With this being Adopt A Dog Month, I want every future canine who enters my existence to be rescued throughout October!! Why not? There are seemingly endless canines available for adoption year-round. Plus 31 days in October!! 31 freakin' days!! This may sound like some oddball, far-out notion. But to me? It's really quite logical!!

 

This is taken from a HealthyPets e-mail. I received it in 2011, but the information should still be up-to-date!!

 

--Adopt A Dog Month--

 

If you feel like there's a void in your life, you can make a difference in two lives as October is Adopt A Dog Month. The ASPCA started Adopt A Dog Month to promote and raise awareness of the millions of dogs that live in shelters, places not fit to be called a home. Shelter dogs don't nearly have the amount of space or the amount of love they deserve. Also keep in mind that thousands of pets that do not get adopted are euthanized due to lack of shelter space. You can do your part in many ways; here are a few helpful ideas to get the gears going.

 

Adoption: The best way to help a shelter dog is to bring one into the comfort of your home. Visit local shelters and share that love connection that will keep you and your new pooch's relationship going on for years. For those who absolutely prefer purebred varieties, an estimated 25% of purebreds are found in shelters. {And, where does that leave mutts? In the 75 percentile!! So, do not exclude mixed breeds from this!! Adopt a mutt!!) Some shelters offer discounts or waive adoption fees. Contact local shelters to find out what they offer.

 

Donations: Not everyone has the time or money to invest in a new pet - you can still do your part by donating supplies, money or your time. Local animal shelters depend on the kindness of strangers' help aside from what little government funds they receive to keep the shelter going. You can do your part by volunteering to help walk dogs, clean cages or whatever tasks that may be needed.

 

Events: Attending and volunteering in pet-related events is a fun way to participate in pet awareness. Attending shelter fundraisers and pet fairs are ways to help people understand how important pet adoptions can be. Even if you are unable to adopt a pet, you can help bring awareness to those who can devote their time to a new family member.

 

Other Ways: Information is key to preventing the growth of pets being admitted into animal shelters. Pet behavior trouble is one of biggest reasons why owners turn dogs into shelters. You can do your part by informing new pet owners what struggles they may face in the early stages of owning a pet.

 

Word Document Journal

Blogging Friends.... Thank-you for your comments on the other day's post!! I truly appreciated them!! I feel the need to clarify on several things regarding the poem which I posted. Ready? First off, my poem wrote itself. Allow me to explain. Okay. See, I had been considering for several days to compose a poem centered on Robert Downey Jr.'s smile. And I mentally laid out the "blueprint" regarding how it would be "built". Like a good "carpenter". But then Hollywood lost yet another young actor to substance abuse. Heroin was among one of the narcotics which Robert Downey Jr. used. I then allowed myself to "go there" and realize that that could have been Robert Downey Jr. years ago. This ripped me up inside. Question. How can I love someone who I've never even met so much it hurts? How does he do that? It's a mystery. Thank God that Robert Downey Jr. is hard to kill. Thank God. Then, I remembered something. Robert Downey Jr. has been drug-free ten years this month!! Thus the poem was born. My creative Brain Juices took over and flowed like some rushing river. And I was running on emotions. I had no idea that I'd compose an artsy celebration of Robert Downey Jr. being drug-free for ten years in poetry!! Wow. Again, I am pleased with how it turned out!! I have made twain changes to the poem since first clicking "publish". Its title is "Roads", not "Incredibly Attractive Smile". And, initially, I wrote "addiction". I'm afraid that word should have been plural, thus I added an "s". Again, I am so very proud of my poem!! I would even give it to Robert Downey Jr. himself!! Somehow. Anyhoo....

 

I am personally sending a heartfelt congrats to Prince William and Duchess Kate--from America--for welcoming into the Royal Family a handsome baby boy!!

Mood swing-infused pity parties. They lurk about hiding out like the paparazzi for celebrities. Within my feelings and emotions. Mood-swing infused pity parties are not always felt, but they never completely disappear. Then come moments when I'm the most vulnerable. I am woman, hear me weep. Okay, perhaps that is not how the phrase goes. But "to each one her own", right? So, as previously mentioned the other day, I was battling mood swing-infused pity parties. I am battling mood swing-infused pity parties. That's right. I still am. All on account of being learning disabled, wishing I were "normal", and feeling left behind in life. Same old, same old issues. Well. During the writing of my Life Story, I began to keep a private Word document journal on our desktop computer of feelings/emotions regarding this ongoing journey called Self-Acceptance. There are some negative postings. Many positive thoughts. Bible verses which remind of God's promises to me, His daughter. Quotes. Movie lines. And there are posts reflecting on my self-acceptance journey. Well. Lately, I discovered that, because writing frees my soul, this Word document journal has helped evade mood swing-infused pity parties, thus keeping me mentally and emotionally strong!! "I can use all the help I can get", as that phrase goes!! I call them my "Therapy Sessions". You know what? Writing is such an amazing outlet to get emotions "out of my system", as that phrase goes. Whenever I'm feeling a mood swing-infused pity party on the horizon, I think this. "Therapy Session. Now". Yes, I demand from myself a "Therapy Session" as emotions and feelings play me like an electric guitar, strumming away every single thought. I literally stop what I'm partaking in, march to this very desktop computer, and pound on its black keyboard. Then I feel okay. For a minute. "Lather, rinse and repeat", as necessary. When I'm away, I carry in my purse a mostly-unused journal. Plus, several church bulletins which have accumulated over the weeks!! You know what? These "Therapy Sessions" truly work for me!! Knock on wood!!  

 

Now. To make this Blog about Rose, I decided that I'd repost a poem which I composed quite some time ago. Enjoy!!

 

Mama loves your big light brown Beagle eyes;
They are expressive, so playful and sly;
Mama loves that German Shepherd body;
Which neighbors could determine before me;
Mama loves those soft, floppy Beagle ears;
You are special to me, is that not clear?

                   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beautifully Unique

"What can you tell everybody about yourself that would be surprising?" How many times has this query been presented to aspiring celebrities by some television journalist? Or, anyone, for that matter? This question has always intrigued me. Always. How would I answer should some journalist ask me? I often do wonder. Well.... I have a huge heart for children whose lives have been touched by special needs. For I myself live with learning disabilities. This has been freely expressed on Beautifully Unique. And--throughout our lifetime--God has blessed my path with personally knowing kids who, too, have special needs. Down Syndrome. Cerebral Palsy. Dyslexia. "Developmental delays". "Neurological disorders". Now. To answer the opposite of that commonly-asked query. I love, love, love mutts!! Which, has also been freely expressed on Beautifully Unique!! Why do I love mutts? Because--such as with Rose--they were born different. Like me. Why do I love mutts? Because. Having "Irish"/Scottish/German-Russian blood flowing within my veins, I, too, am a mutt!! I will say it loud. I will say it proud!! Why do I love mutts? Because--such as with Rose--they are Beautifully Unique. Irreplaceable in more ways than one. Like people. Particularly special needs individuals. Thus, imagine my delight upon coming across a news article earlier this week that combined the two!! Mutts and special needs. Score!! Enjoy reading this!!

Girl's best friend is dog who carries her oxygen

By Linda Carroll

Two years ago Aaron and Debbie Knobloch learned that their baby daughter Alida was suffering from a rare lung disease and that she would need a portable oxygen tank to help her breathe. The good news was that the oxygen tank would make their little girl healthy. The bad news was that she’d have to be tethered to the 6-pound tank most of the time.

The Knoblochs struggled to find a way to give Alida a normal life. Aaron built a walker with a pocket for the oxygen tank so she wouldn’t always have to be tied to one of her parents. But as the little girl grew older – and more mobile – the walker wasn’t enough.

When Aaron saw a TV program about service dogs, he knew he had the answer: with a dog carrying her oxygen tank, little Alida would be free to roam and play with other kids. Enter Mr. Gibbs, a golden doodle trained to be Alida’s constant companion, ever at her side whether it’s scampering down the slide at the playground or trotting alongside as she rides her bike.

"He's been a great addition to the family and just awesome help for her," Aaron told TODAY's Matt Lauer. Next to him, 3-year-old Alida giggled as she alternated between wrestling and cuddling Mr. Gibbs, who patiently rested his head on her lap.

It hasn’t been an easy journey for the Knoblochs.

Though she was a little premature, Alida initially seemed healthy. But by the time she was 6 months old, the little girl started having breathing problems. Sometimes her heart would start racing for no apparent reason. Other times she seemed to be breathing too fast. Then one day she turned blue and the Knoblochs rushed her to the hospital. Though she was quickly stabilized, doctors couldn't explain what was happening to Alida.

Aaron and Debbie went from doctor to doctor searching for answers. The relief was palpable when a specialist finally figured out what was wrong: 8-month-old Alida was suffering from a rare lung condition called neuroendocrine cell hyperplasia of infancy, or NEHI, that made it hard for her body to get enough oxygen from the air she breathed.

The condition was discovered just seven years ago, and there have only been 500 confirmed cases, according to the Children’s Interstitial and Diffuse Lung Disease Foundation (chILD).

So far, nobody has figured out exactly what causes the children's labored breathing, says NEHI specialist Dr. Megan Dishop, a pediatric pathologist at the Children’s Hospital Colorado and an associate professor of pathology at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. Researchers just know that there is an overabundance of neuroendocrine cells in children with NEHI. It’s possible that when there are too many of these cells, there’s a breakdown in communication in the airways, resulting in too little oxygen getting into the bloodstream, Dishop says.

While the Knoblochs were happy they finally had a diagnosis, they quickly recognized that it would change their lives.

“After we were told how rare it was and that there wasn't a lot of information available there were about a million more questions,” Aaron told TODAY.com. “How does she get her oxygen? How do we make sure she is getting enough? Where to do we get it from? Will she be able to play with other kids? How is a baby going to grow up having to be tied to an oxygen bottle? Will she ever be able to play sports, or just go play outside? And that was just the first second.”

Getting oxygen was the easy part, it turned out. With the help of a small portable oxygen tank, Alida was able to return to good health. The tough part for the Knoblochs was figuring out how they could give their little girl a normal life – until they found Mr. Gibbs.

The dog was living with Ashleigh Kinsleigh, who trains service dogs near the Knobloch's home in Loganville, Ga. The puppy had finished up his initial obedience training when the Knoblochs came for their first visit.

Alida hit it off with the shaggy puppy right away.

“They weren’t sure they wanted to go with a golden doodle,” Kinsleigh told TODAY.com. “But she went crazy for him.”

So Kinsleigh began the specialized training a dog would need to take care of an especially young charge.

“He had to learn to get under the table at restaurants,” she says. “He had to learn that if there were other animals he couldn’t just go and play with them. He had to stay right next to his girl and ignore all the fun things around him. He also had to build up to be able to carry around the full weight of the 6 pound tank.”

Kinsleigh calls Mr. Gibbs “a work in progress” because he’s still learning to be a little girl’s constant companion. “His job is to go wherever she goes and do whatever she does,” Kinsleigh explains. “If she wants to get on the bike and go down the driveway he has to learn to run alongside. If she’s going to ride on a slide, he has to learn to climb up and slide down behind her.”

Most service dogs don't work with children younger than 5. Teaching Mr. Gibbs to pay attention to a 3-year-old has been a challenge.

Aaron Knobloch told Lauer. “This hasn’t been done with a child this young. He does really well with Debbie and I, but it’s tough for him to listen to a 3-year-old.”

Little Alida gets her share of training, too.

“She actually gets frustrated when he doesn’t listen,” Aaron said. “That’s what we’re working on right now – helping him understand that that is the command. And she doesn’t always speak real clearly, so it’s been tough for him.”

The Knoblochs hope that by the time Alida’s ready to start school, everything will be running smoothly.

“That’s why we’re doing this so early,” Aaron told Lauer. “We’re hoping by the time she gets to kindergarten it will all be figured out and there won’t be any training left to be done and they’ll just go to school.”

Mr. Gibbs may not always have to carry around Alida’s oxygen tank.

Experts say that children seem to “grow out of” NEHI – or at least the need to breath with the help of an oxygen tank. “The general thinking is that these children will only have mild residual disease long term,” Dishop says.

Maybe one day Gibbs' only job description will be: girl’s best friend.

 

National Mutt Day

Blogging Friends.... I know. I know. I am still "missing in action" around Blogville!! I hope that everybody is well and healthy. I miss all of your Blogs, but, between working on my secretive writing project, overcoming this cold, plus somehow managing to give Rose much-deserved attention, life seems a bit hectic right now....

I had plans for today. Huge plans. I thought about it all year long. I knew, exactly, how I wanted this Blog post to look like. Why? Because today is December 2nd, also known as National Mutt Day!! So, my plans. I had snapped pictures of twain Beautifully Unique mutts over the course of our Summer. Which was not at all easy!! Because neither canine cooperated!! So much for being a pet photographer!! I quit!! Not that I had any aspirations in that area.... Moving on. So, today is National Mutt Day!! Wait. What?

This information is posted on their recently updated Website: http://www.nationalmuttday.com/ .

National Mutt Day was created in 2005 by Celebrity
Pet Expert and Animal Welfare Advocate Colleen Paige,
and is all about embracing, saving and celebrating mixed breed dogs. The biggest percentage of dogs euthanized in the shelter each year are unwanted, medium to large mixed breed dogs, due to the constant over-breeding and public desire of designer dogs and pure bred puppies that are sold to pet stores supplied by puppy mills that often produce ill and horribly neglected animals.

National Mutt Day was created to raise awareness of the plight of mixed breed dogs in shelters around the nation and to educate the public about the sea of mixed breed dogs that desperately await new homes. Mixed breed dogs tend to be healthier, better behaved, they live longer and are just as able to perform the duties of pure bred dogs - such as bomb and drug sniffing, search and rescue and guiding the blind.

There are millions of loving and healthy mixed breed dogs sitting in shelters, who are desperately searching for a new home. One of the county's most famous movie dogs is Benji, is a mixed breed Terrier.

So please visit your local shelter and find a new friend today! (Sorry. But I would not recommend adoption this close to the holidays!!) If you can't adopt a mixed breed friend on December 2nd, please donate at least $5 to your local animal shelter, as they all need financial assistance and every dollar counts!

You can also volunteer to walk a dog, donate food and other supplies needed to your local animal shelter or make a donation in the memory of a loved dog who has crossed the Rainbow Bridge.

Our goal is to save 10,000 Mutts this December 2nd from coast to coast!

ADOPT A MUTT

PLEASE SPAY & NEUTER
YOUR PETS

 

So. About my plan. Uh.... Yeah. The pictures are in my camera and I do not know how to retrieve them!! Hmmm....How about using a plan B, instead? I love "Plan B's"!! Pictures of the two Beautifully Unique mutts who God has blessed my life with!! Abundantly.

 

Shadow, my first mutt, a German Shepherd/Golden Retriever cross, is on top.

 

And Rose, my "Mystery Dog" is below her.

 

 

Adopt mutt. Because, 75% of canines who enter shelters nationwide are mixed breeds.