WillieFest

My brother Willie went to the Rainbow Bridge last night. He was my three-legged bunny brother. He was 12 years old, which is very, very old for a bunny, and my daddy loved him so very much. He died in my daddy's arms which was perfect. Mom was so afraid he would die at night or alone and Dad would feel guilty for not being with him.

Willie was so strong and brave even after his back leg was amputated. He still chased us dogs and was fiesty. We all knew he was getting old and one of his front legs was not working so well any more. It was making it even harder for him to get around. Daddy would give him "spa treatment baths" every week to keep his booty nice and clean and cuddled him every day. Mom and Dad shopped for his salad food every Wednesday; he got a big salad every night! Last night Daddy cried and said "What are we going to do on Wednesday nights, now?" Well, personally I think that is easy...walk or play with ME! But I know Daddy is sad right now and misses Willie, so Mom has a plan:

Tomorrow night Mom and some friends are going to surprise Daddy and take him to "WillieFest". They are going to go to a nice restaurant that has a big salad bar for dinner and have a glass of wine to toast Willie's memory. Mom says that it will be the ultimate bunny-salad dinner and that she will take a picture of Willie and a little pink candle to put on the table. ...and a little sign that says "Welcome to WillieFest". She says they will celebrate how lucky Willie was to have such a good and long life and that the distraction and friends will be good for Daddy.

I am a little upset that I can't go too. Hey, I like salad...as long as it has lots of dressing on it!

Deaf Dogs

Tomorrow is the last day for the deaf dog petition. Please check back for a new petition in a few months!

Even if you don't have a deaf dog, "Living with a Deaf Dog" by Susan Becker is a wonderful book: http://www.amazon.com/Living-Deaf-Dog-Experiences-Deafness/d p/0966005805

For those of you who have deaf dogs: there is a survey in the back that will be the very first data ever collected on deaf dogs. Deaf puppies are being killed because of a misconception that agression is a function of deafness. We all know this is ridiculous! You can help to squelch the current beliefs by completing the survey!

KILLING PUPPIES

A big THANK YOU to Nina (http://www.dogster.com/pet_page.php?i=289115&j=t) for finding a petition to fight the killing of deaf dalmatian puppies! Although Nina is not Dalmatian, but a Weimaraner, Nina took the time to individually contact over 700 Dalmatian owners and send them a link to this petition. At this writing, she says she still has another 400 Dals she plans on writing! It seems she is getting car-pawl tunnel syndrome!

Despite some typos etc it is a very worthwhile petition...see and sign it here:
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/321727584?l

THANKS NINA!

MOM"S HOME!

Yeah! Mom is home!

Darn bugs!

Sigh. We're having a pest problem at home. Take a look!
http://www.rosiethunderpaws.com/Photos.html (scroll down a bit)

And keep voting!
http://www.petcabaret.com/cgi-bin/RateAPic/view.pl?id=THUNDE RPAWS
Mom says people will get to see my site and learn about my doctors and stuff!
I loves "10's" and you can vote every day!

Everyone should have a disaster bag packed with essentials for emergencies close to the front door. Gloves, shoes, jacket, flashlight, extra medication and glasses, water, first aid, phone numbers of friends.

But don't forget us! Keep a bag for the fur kids too! Leashes, water, food, bowls, meds, blankets, p0rtable kennel, first aid, booties or bandages to wrap our feet, calming pills.
Emergency preparedness is not just the responsibility of the government, it starts with YOU! Take responsibility, increase your chances of survival.

PHOTO CONTEST

Mom says it's important to help others get info on AIHA and about my great doctors! She put my picture in a photo contest and put my website address on it! you can vote for me here: http://www.petcabaret.com/cgi-bin/RateAPic/view.pl?id=THUNDE RPAWS

AIHA

This year I got really sick and scared Mom. I have a disease called AIHA. I was in the hospital for two weeks. Mom came up to visit me every day even though I would take her 1 1/2 -3 hours each way to get there! She says that it was important that I knew I was not forgotten, and it made her feel better too!

AIHA does not have a cure but some people have a fund to help research treatment for it. (see Meisha's Hope). You can read more about what happened to me at my website www.rosiethunderpaws.com..chapter 2....there are also some very good links to some other sites about AIHA. Please visit and learn more about this disease and some of the things that can trigger it!

Mom says we would like to add some more to the "no-no" section if anyone has more information.

MY WEBSITE

Mom wanted tomake me a website so I could tell my story a long time ago, when I was just a pup ( I'm such a big girl now!) Even though we love Dogster, I finally have one here too : www.rosiethunderpaws.com. It's yellow!
I wrote my story down and Mom gave it to "the web". She made a page for my doctor to say all the big words and to show my xrays too. That page is not done yet, but it will be soon! All my doctors have links from my website too!

"THANK YOU" FROM ROSIE THE BLUSHING DALMATIAN

Please excuse me for blushing a little while I thank all of you who asked to be my "Pup Pals". I am so very flattered! Now, how does one graciously respond to such invitiations? (after accepting them of course?) Mom said I should write you all a "Thank You" note!

I feel just like a celebrity now that I have friends all over the world! Thank you all so very much for taking the time to write to me! Mom and Dad are very busy with me, but will try to help me write occasionally.

Also, tell your Mommies and Daddies to remember the wonderful doctors who helped me in case they ever meet another dog who needs help! Mom says to tell all of you that Drs. Robert Radasch of Texas and Daniel Lewis of Florida are the United States leading experts in leg deformaties. She says that writing this here may help other dogs, so here it is!

Mom wanted me to tell you how she knows that Dalmatians blush. I was named "Rosie" because when I was very little I was black and white but my tummy was rosey pink! Mom did not know if it would stay pink, but she knew that she would always remember that it once was. Well, it stayed pink, but Mom says when I get excited it gets even pinker! She says Dalmatians blush....on their tummies!