Thanks to Dogster and Russell Rescue, I have my Furever- Home!

Thank you for all your love and support! My new guardians found me here on Dogster and saw so many aspects of my personality before we ever met because of all the bells and whistles that Dogster offers!
We'll keep you updated on my new life through Zoe Dingo, as they will get to come visit me and go for walks! I get to still see my Little Girl too!!!
Love to you all!
Fred

Top 10 Summer Safety Tips for Pets

By: Washington Humane Society Director of Animal Behavior and Training, Kevin Simpson

1) Heat Exhaustion – Heat exhaustion can occur in a dog when the dogs body temperature rises to a higher than normal level. This is especially prevalent during warm weather conditions and/or when over-exerted a dog becomes unable to fully regulate her body temperature. Breeds, such as Pugs, are more susceptible due to their smaller air passageways and should be monitored closely for symptoms during these conditions.

2) Never Leave your Pet Unattended in a Car – Even during mild seasons, temperatures in a car quickly soar to extreme levels making it impossible for a dog or cat to regain control of its body temperature. During the summer months in less than just 5 minutes the temperature in your car can reach 120 degrees. Our Humane Law Enforcement Officer’s have been working around the clock to rescue animals left alone in cars in these warm temperatures. Don’t put your pet at risk of a heat stroke or heat exhaustion.

3) Burnt Pads – Pavement can burn the pads of a dog’s foot, especially early in the season when pads are less calloused. When taking your dog on a long walk it’s a good idea to lift up their feet to check their pads for cracks and burns. Dogs with light-colored pigmented pads are more susceptible to burns than dogs with dark pigmentation.

4) Sunburn – Dogs exposed to prolonged periods of sun can develop sunburn on sensitive areas of their face, ears, and abdomen. Dogs with light pigmented skin and short coats are especially vulnerable and should be protected from long exposure to the sun. Sunlight reflected up from sidewalks and sandy beaches can also burn abdomens where skin is less protected by hair. When taking your dog out for a long walk consider applying sunscreen to your pet’s vulnerable burn areas. Many pet stores now carry specially formulated sun block for dogs that will help protect them from harmful UV rays.

5) Proper Hydration – Water helps regulate body temperature and similar to humans, our pets’ bodies are primarily made up of water. Water keeps tissues moist and transports essential nutrients throughout the body. Dehydration occurs when water intake does not match water expenditures. A 15% decrease in water and electrolytes can even cause death. Keep your pets hydrated by always having several full bowls of clean, fresh water available to them at all times.

6) Coat Maintenance –A dog’s coat acts as an insulator from cold temperatures during winter months and from heat during the summer. To help regulate body temperature, dogs with undercoats will shed their coat twice a year with the change of the season. With regular brushing and grooming you can help them remove excess dead hair and keep them comfortable year round.

7) Parasites – During the summer months your pet has more exposure to mosquitoes, worms, ticks, and fleas. Regularly check your yard for standing water and protect your pet from parasitical infestations with treatment available from your veterinarian.

8) Allergies – Just like people, some dogs and cats are more sensitive to the pollens associated with spring and summer. Be observant to any changes in your pet’s diet and behavior and check with your veterinarian should any changes occur.

9) Securing Screens –With the nicer weather approaching many of us will open windows to let in fresh air. However, unsecured-screens in open windows can give way, allowing your pet to escape from the house or worse. Since cats and dogs alike are attracted to the scenic view and pleasures of open windows, frequently check the integrity of screens to keep your pet safely indoors.

10) House Temperatures – During the hot summer months be certain to keep your pet comfortable with climate controlled temperatures when you leave for the day. Body temperatures in cats and dogs naturally run higher than that of a human, so keep them safe; keep it cool.

Thank you for all the rosettes and stars, my friends!

We are not on Dogster as often as we like due to a family health emergency... and life! Know that we appreciate each and every message, rosette, star and bit of love! I wish we could respond personally to each and every one but it is just not possible these days.

Remember you are in our hearts and prayers, even when we aren't online!
Love,
Zoe Dingo, Fred Astaire, and Sugar
XOXOXOX

It took me a few days to get it together but...YOU'RE IT!!!

Some dogs that weren't tagged when I wrote this may be now but, oh well, we do the best we can do, eh?

I got tag teamed! Jena, my grrrlfriend, and Radar, my fraternal twin (BOL!) and my Firefighting buddy, Baxter tagged me!
Now, I've got some work to do!!

Each player starts with seven random facts about themselves. Dogs who are tagged need to post in their diary the rules and their seven pawsome facts. They then chose 7 dogs to tag and list their names. Don't forget to bark a pmail that they have been tagged and need to read your diary or send a rosette announcing they have been tagged. Copy and paste rules in your diary then put in your info.
My 7 facts:

1. I growl rrrrrrrrrr when playing tug of war and you tickle me under the chin.

2. I am spotted like a Holstein cow under my coat.

3. My irresistible little tail…they won’t stop touching it.

4. I just want to wrestle with the kitty, Sugar, but she doesn’t believe me.

5. I love Zoe’s food more than my own, of course.

6. I bark at ants.

7. I go into my crate at night, all on my own. I am such a good boy.

Here are my seven! I am sure I will be bound to “duplitag” but I can’t resist.

1. Lyle (I know it’s a “duplitag” but I can’t help it!
2. Brinn 541867 (Welcome to Dogster!)
3. Scarlett 520805 (Welcome to Dogster to you too!!!)
Please welcome these wonderwuf new pups, guys
4. Chester McLane
5. Special Dawn
6. Trudy
7. And Meadow!!!
*Oso’s been tagged already! We love you Oso! Keep up fighting! We are with you in your victory over cancer!

PLEASE sign petition for News Coverage for Teddi Sue

Teddi Sue Still Missing Petition
By Joy in Member News, Lost Dogs and Cats

Teddi Sue is still missing. Somebody knows something and we all want to get Teddi Sue home. It takes about three minutes to sign this petition. So no excuses gang; let’s get those 1000 signatures so the local TV station will feel compelled to run the story!

Here are links to the previous blog posts:
Dogster Teddi Sue Stolen in Auburn, Washington!
Dogster Teddi Sue Still Missing in Washington

Debbie wrote:
Teddi Sue is Still Missing. We have started a petition in hopes the local TV station will cover her Story. We are emailing our poor little paws to death trying to get help for D’ann!!Here is the link to the petition:

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/94942 9552?ltl=1178550890

And Zack barked in this update:

I checked this A.M. there are only about half of the signatures that TEDDI SUE needs. Please Please if you have not signed the petition can you do it now? It only takes a few minutes to try to help D’Ann out in finding her Teddi Sue.
Please go to her petition site.

Also could you please ask your family and friends to sign also.Please! Please!
Thank you Zack

Here’s what the petition says:

This petition is a plea from the members of the Dogster.com community for news coverage of Teddi Sue’s disapearance and the search D’ann Lally is doing to recover her.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
PLEASE sign the petition.

Please cross-post--Teddi Sue stolen

Here is an entry from a forum post by Sassy:

"Here is a message from Teddi Sue's mommy. Please pray for her safe return and pray for the family. Teddi Sue*MISSING* #463287

[My car was stolen in Auburn, Washington on Monday, April 16, 2007 with Teddi Sue inside of it in her crate. The car is a white 1990 Toyota Camry with Oregon license plates.]

This is D'Ann and my heart is aching terribly.
Teddi Sue and I took trip up to Washington State
this past weekend, intending to be home on Monday
afternoon. On Monday morning I filled my car's gas
tank and then stopped to eat a quick breakfast
before beginning the 5 hour drive back home to
Eugene. I left Teddi Sue in my locked car, in her
crate. I had covered the crate with a blanket so
that it could not be seen if anyone were to look
into my car. It was a sunny day up here, but not
overly warm. I ordered my food then went out to
check my little sweetie to make sure that it
wasn't getting hot in the car. I got my food and
then went back to check her again before I ate.
The temp. in the car was comfortable and she was
content. I went in, ate my food and paid. I had
last checked her no longer than 15 minutes before.
When I went out to begin the 5 hour drive home to
Eugene, my car, with Teddi Sue inside, was gone.
The Auburn police took the report and have issued
an alert to look for my car. I am totally devasted
and worrying about my baby girl. The police have
asked me to remain here in Auburn for the next few
days, because if my car, and/or Teddi Sue, are
found, it will probably be within the following
2-3 days . I am doing all I can think of to get
the word out and look for Teddi Sue. I will let
you know, or phone a pal to let you know (if I
don't have computer access) if I find out anything
about my darling little girl. Please, please,
please pray for my Teddi to come back to me. Thank
you. - Mommy D'Ann"

I forgot to mention!!!

I have been able to see my Little Girl that used to be my guardian. Because they live down the street, Lady with Tennisballs has gotten to know the people who could not commit to my care any longer. They are nice, good people who didn't know what they were getting into with a JRT. They had me for a year and a half, until they moved to their house on our block without a fence.

It has been nice for Lady to get to know them, and they aren't Faceless Bad Guys Who Abandoned Me, if you will, in her mind anymore. She has learned little bits of info about me. Example: I have always been crate-trained...they never closed the door and I stayed on my own---Lady with Tennisballs closes the door :(

My Little Girl loves me so much still so this has been nice for her to be able to come over to my foster home and sometimes I go over to my old house. Zoe Dingo even gets to come in and play. I love getting to see my kids still, but don't have a problem leaving to come back over here to my foster home afterwards either. I am a very adaptable little dude :)

Little Girl brought us a little penguin statue she painted and on the bottom it says "For Fred's Foster Mommy." Lady with Tennisballs felt better that that is a sign of acceptance for Little Girl and that she is learning a valuable lesson about commitment, loyalty, and responsibility. It is just too bad that it has to be so painful for her. I am glad I haven't seen her cry again, though.

I think it could be a valuable lesson for people who think buying a puppy "for the kids" is a good idea, especially without taking the breed into account.

OK, stepping off my soapbox now :)
Love and Snausages,
Fred

Oh Man, I was one of the Diaries of the Day and missed it!!

Why is it Lady with Tennisballs won't even turn on the 'puter on the important days, yet will spend endless hours on it when we should be chasing a ball???
THANK YOU FOR THE HONOR, DOGSTER!!!! SMOOCHES AND SNAUSAGES FOR THAT!!!!
Well, as you might imagine, my neuter went fine and Vet said there was no need to scale my teeth as the other vet said to do. He said they look great. I thought so...I exercise my teeth on toys, tennis balls and playing tug o'war with rope toys to floss.

Vet said to keep me as still as possible for 12 days..."as still as you can keep a Jack Russell"----that's not very still as you can imagine. But I know when it is time to play and when it is time to mellow out. So we have still been having a blast playing "running up and down the stairs to fetch the toy" but Lady with Tennisball keeps flipping me over to see my stitches. It is a rather undignified moment when she does that. I like it when she disguises it as "Oh Look at the little baby" game and rocks me like a baby.

That Pawpaw guy I have heard about came home for the weekend, and I LOVE HIM. I think I really impressed him with my excellent behavior, and if only I could keep from getting excited about the CAT, I think he would have been completely won over. But I still can't help but get excited. They let me sniff her behind when she insisted on coming downstairs with the rest of us at nighttime TV time. Who can blame her? She misses her Pawpaw. But who can blame me for wanting to know "who and what is THAT???"

It is COLD here after days in the 70's and it is a cruel joke of nature to play on us. It actually snowed, and we woke to a light blanket on Saturday morning. Not enough to get crazy in, though. But we played and snuggled, and had a wonderful weekend.

I hope you all had a great Easter weekend. Maybe some of your people have Monday (today) off too. That would be pawsome. Make them take you to a dogpark or out to Petsmart...but watch out for those b-a-t-h-s!
Love and Snausages,
Fred

Lady With Tennisballs Feels Like She Stole A Little Girl's- Puppy

I don't know why, but Lady thought that I belonged to a different house of people, as she posted before (edit since). But today, while on our evening walk we stopped and talked to my former people. My Little Girl, ran towards me yelling with GLEE, "FRED!!!" Lady explained to Little Girl about Furever Homes in front of her mom, Lady asked lots of questions about me, and then at one point looked down to see the tears silently FLOWING down Little Girl's cheeks.

Lady told Little Girl she could visit me anytime while I live at Lady's house. Lady feels awful about Little Girl's pain. She's been there in Little Girl's shoes before too. She told her that but it doesn't make it any less painful for all involved.

I smell like a marshmallow!!!!

I went to Petsmart today for a B-A-T-H!!!!
The lady actually said I was the most well-behaved and tame Jack Russell she has ever bathed. Wow, I felt proud! Now I smell so yummy, I think someone may just gobble me up!

Tomorrow I get neutered. I am nervous about the anesthesia part, but I know it will make Zoe Dingo a lot more comfortable and less growl-y. I keep sniffing her rear even though she is spayed. She doesn't appreciate it.

Wish me luck! I hope Vet and my Techs think I smell nice too :)
Love and SNAUSAGES!!!
Fred