Breed ban!

Deke is finally bold and pissy enough to go after a Rottweiler. Please ignore the fact that it's a puppy. Oo, vicious animal!

Central Bark's Bark Bash

Last night, Deke was my date to a wine and champagne fundraiser and he was the belle of the ball. He started the day off with a trip to the groomer at the Society, who bleached and styled his fur, trimmed his nails, and freshened his breath. When we went to pick him up, I browsed the boutique and selected a lovely red leather collar for him to wear for the event. Oh, and I found the cutest, scrawniest terrier that I want so much and can't have, but that has nothing to do with the story. Ahem.

Although we didn't stay there long, Deke made the circuit and rubbed noses with the well-to-do who came out to support Get A Life Pet Rescue. Even the lot across the way was crammed full of people, not to mention the rather spacious interior of the Central Bark Doggie Day Care. They had a raffle, silent auction, wine and champagne, fondue, displays from supporters, and the entire boutique of Central Bark at their disposal. It was really quite a sight, though nerve wracking because of all the noise and people.

Everyone loved Deke. They cooed over and admired him, especially since he was the smallest dog in the entire place. Even the small dogs were bigger than him. Stacy, his foster mother and the one who started Get A Life Pet Rescue, was thrilled to see him so chubby and healthy, especially considering the condition she got him in. We also got the chance to meet the woman who actually found Deke and Pepper and called Stacy to place them into the rescue group. Yay for dog-lovers!

Taken from my own journal:

"In other news, I slept on a dog bed last night. My bed's currently covered in plastic and taped off, but considering the fumes in my bedroom, sleeping in there probably isn't the best. Can't sleep in the middle bedroom because it's crammed with all the small furniture and decorations that had to come out of my bedroom. The couch in the formal living room is out -- the combination of huge space and equally large bay window overlooking the street makes me paranoid.

Besides, Dog Soldiers was on last night, as were Jaws and Jurassic Park. So I grabbed my pillows, my woven Mexican blanket and the second dog bed from my bedroom. Brandy slept in her favourite chair, Deke was moved onto the second dog bed, and I turned the family room one into a mattress. Good thing it's sized to fit dogs up to 180 lbs. Looks like I'll be sleeping there again tonight. I have to say, though, my dogs are certainly living in comfort and luxury."

Happy Valentine's Day!

Declan may not understand the holiday, but at least he's enjoying the special treat of gourmet "chocolate" dipped bisquits.

Shelter Dogs [#678]

All my animals, even the parakeet and goldfish I had as a child, were rescued and found animals. On behalf of the many adopted animals that have peppered my life and the two rescue dogs that currently occupy it, I've created the group Shelter Dogs [#678] and named Brandy and Deke the administrators of it. Feel free to join us and share stories and pictures of happiness found through shelters and rescue organizations!

A Date with a Real Dog

One of Deke's foster mothers has set off with a few of her friends to start her own rescue group, and Deke and I have been cordially invited to their first society fundraiser -- Central Bark's Bark Bash!

Where: Central Bark Doggy Day Care (954-568-3647)
3699 Dixie Hwy, Oakland Park, FL
When: February 24, 2006 at 7:00 p.m. until …

This event will benefit South Florida's new no kill rescue, Get A Life Pet Rescue! The champagne and wine fundraiser will be catered by one of the top party planer/caters in South Florida, Mr. Richard Rogers. The silent auction will be packed full of fine items along with raffled items every 20 minutes. For those of you who have been to one of our fundraisers in past, you know this will be the place to be on Friday Feb 24.

Entrance is free, donations are welcomed at the door, and 100% of all proceeds are donated directly to the South Florida Pet Rescue Organization. Please bring yourself, friends, family and your pets!

"In space, no one can hear you howl."

Dogster offers a cool new feature that allows you to form groups with other members. A friend of mine and I, both sci-fi fanatics, decided to create a group designed for sci-fi- loving dogs. While mine are stalwart Trekkies, like the rest of the family [they particularly like Klingons], hers are currently distracted chasing Firefly episodes. The group's named The Canine Collective, neutral space for all animals, Terran and otherwise*.

I thought it only fitting to bestow upon Deke the honour of being Chief of Security. They didn't remove his canines, afterall, and he's got a commanding personality for such a deceptively tiny body.

* Note: We're all convinced Deke is really an alien incognito.

http://www.dogster.com/group/grp_page.php?g=14 7

Happy New Year!

Here's hoping 2006 will see a reduction in the need for shelters and rescues and a rise in responsible animal guardianship.

2006 Walk for the Animals

Today I registered for the Humane Society of Greater Miami's 2006 Walk for the Animals and listed Brandy and Deke as my training buddies. I figure she could use the exercise and he can just enjoy the ride in his stroller.

http://www.firstgiving.com/gravemedicine

First Christmas

This is Deke's first Christmas with us, and hopefully not his last. I think he's had a happy little time, with lots of love and cuddles, not to mention lots of presents. He got lamb jerky treats to nibble on, a wood bristle brush for grooming and massage, a tag that says "Deke the Freak," and a collection of sweaters to last him through the winter. This is the first dog I've had that has an actual wardrobe.