WOW, I have two of the most WONDERFUL prizes to raffle off to all of you. Both are valued at over $250.00. Each raffle ticket costs $10.00, and you can purchase them on here, just go to the “DONATE” button on the top right side of the home page. In the “Purpose” location put which raffle you want to purchase for, in the “Amount” button put your dollar amount. You can purchase a raffle for BOTH for $20.00, just put in purpose BOTH RAFFLES. If you would like more then 1 ticket for a raffle, just put the raffle that you want, and the amount in tens as 1 ticket $10.00, 3 tickets $30.00, etc. Once I get your money through paypal, I will email you with your Raffle ticket number! It’s as easy as that!!!! BOTH RAFFLE PRIZES WILL BE SHIPPED TO YOU AT NO ADDITIONAL COSTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Now drum roll please…..First Raffle is for Kitty/Cat lovers! This painting is done by an artist named Barbara Matthews. She lives in Janesville, Wisconsin and is a watercolorist and teacher of watercolor. Barbara’s vivid paintings cover a wide variety of subject matter such as still life, animals, landscapes and portraits. Many of her paintings have been featured in gallerys. She painted this most beautiful painting with watercolors on a canvas and also framed it. This would go for WELL over $250.00 in any gallery.

The second raffle is for ALL PET LOVERS!! It is a certificate for one Oil Painting on canvas of your BELOVED PET done by Kathy Schumacher. She is an artist that lives in New Mexico, and originally from Beloit, Wisconsin. Kathy captures a unique portrait of your pet from your photos sent to her. As an avid pet lover and artist, the joy and inspiration behind her art is the happiness and comfort her paintings have provided to pet owners around the country. You can check out her website at www.petportraitsbykathy.com. She is donating a 9 x 12 painting that also retails for over $250.00. Who WOULDN’T LOVE an Oil painting of their furbaby for their home, to cherish forever!!

I am so excited and humbled to have these two TALENTED ladies donate their work for SaveAPett’s Fundraiser. Their styles are both unique and the difference of water colors and oils is an added plus! Please pass this site onto your friends so they can purchase a raffle ticket too. I only wish “I” could take part in it…but alas….that just wouldn’t be fair! haha….Good Luck To All….be sure and put your name, phone number and email on your purchase! Also, if you are not set up for paypal, and would still like to purchase raffle tickets, email me at Lcpooch1@aol.com and we can set something up!

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Dogs & Suds Fundraiser

by Lisa on June 25, 2010

Dog n Suds Back
Dog n Suds Front

SaveAPett is holding its FIRST ANNUAL Fundraiser, called “Dogs and Suds”. I am so fortunate to have so many wonderful, animal loving and supportive people in my life, that I thought it was time to GO BIG or GO HOME and put on my first fundraiser.

Below are the details of the fundraiser. I am also selling Tee Shirts for the event. (Click on the links above to see the logo’s) I’m hoping people will order ahead of time and help advertise it, and also wear them to the event. If you would like to order, please contact me at Lcpooch1@aol.com. The cost per shirt up to size XL is $17.00. Add $2.00 per size up. Colors come in any light color like White, pink, green, carolina blue etc. Order yours today! Hope to see all my hometown friends and meet new animal loving friends there!

JOIN SAVEAPETT &
2ND COUSINS BAR & GRILL
FOR “DOGS AND SUDS” FUNDRAISER!!!

Sunday, Aug. 8, 2010 from 1-5pm
2nd Cousins on Riverside in Rockford

BRING FRIENDS, FAMILY, CO-WORKERS!!!!

Proceeds will go to LOCAL needy animal organizations in the area. Beer will be provided, along with HOT DOGS/CHIPS for sale, raffles for great prizes, giveaways and more! Winnebago County Animal Services is bringing two ADOPTABLE DOGS out on the patio! Be sure and stop outside to see them! There will also be some Animal “Vendors” there so you can learn about their products and businesses. Questions: Contact Lisa at Lcpooch1@aol.com

We’ll have “Yappy Hour” and special drinks will be available. Proceeds from these drinks will go directly to SaveAPett, so come THIRSTY!! Come and support all those needy animals in the local area, while having fun and meeting lots of other Animal Loving People. Single? Don’t be afraid to come alone, you just may meet your furry loving soul mate. 2nd Cousins full menu will also be available for those interested.

This is a relaxed afternoon Meet & Greet
Lets Have Fun and Make Money To Help
Our Four Legged Friends!!!

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Dorm life..bring your pet or not?

by Lisa on June 15, 2010

Many college freshman bring family photos or a favorite blanket from home when they head off for school, but according to the New York Times, today’s freshman are ditching those inanimate objects in favor of something closer to their hearts: they’re bringing along the family pet now that more and more schools are allowing animals in the dorms. The Times reports that institutions that are allowing pets include including Stephens College in Missouri, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Eckerd College in South Florida.

As animal lovers, we understand the appeal of being allowed to bring a cherished pet to college. But as much as we love spending time with animals, we do see some potential hazards. Will the stress of sole pet ownership add to the pressures of college life? Will the dogs bark, for example, and disturb studying students? Will large numbers of loud students upset the animals?

The New York Times piece sparked so many questions about the logistics of allowing pets in dorms that they asked Deb Duren, the vice president for student services at Stephens College, to answer a few follow up questions, addressing many concerns, such as how the school plans to deal with the fur and poop that comes along with a building full of pets.

Duren explains that most of the campus is pet free, with the exception of two residence halls and a wing of a third so students with allergies don’t have to be affected by pets. There are special “poop dumpsters” for handling waste, and they offer doggie daycare to help keep the dogs happy while students are in class.

Even after reading Duren’s responses, we still aren’t sure how we feel about it. Some Paw Nation staffers think it’s a good idea to have pets on campus and others believe it is too problematic.

(repost from pawnation.com)

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Choosing the right Shelter Pet

by Lisa on June 9, 2010

Saving a dog from a shelter is one of the most soul-satisfying things a dog lover can do. But choosing the right one can be tough. Shelters are stressful places to visit, with lots of dogs jammed into small, harshly lit, noisy spaces. The surroundings can make dogs depressed, anxious, even manic, so it’s often hard to know what they’re really like.

Still, it’s possible–and so rewarding–to find your new best friend in one of those cages. Here’s how to go about it. Ask questions. Keep in mind that you won’t always get good answers. Shelters that focus more on animal control than adoption may know very little about the dogs. And an employee who hopes to save a dog who’s tugging on her heartstrings may not give you the full story.

Still, these are questions worth asking.

Why is the dog here? A stray is an unknown, but if a dog was given up, you’ll want to know why. It may have nothing to do with the dog–a move, a divorce, an allergy–or it may be a behavior problem. Behavior problems are often treatable, but it’s good to know about them up front.

Does the dog have any known medical issues? It’s better to know in advance if you’ll be facing large vet bills.

What’s the best thing about this dog? What’s the worst thing about this dog? You’ll learn more than if you simply ask if a dog is nice or well behaved.

Has the dog been temperament tested? Temperament tests try to gauge a dog’s personality and catch red flags such as object guarding and aggression. But take the results with a grain of salt: they’re more a snapshot of a dog’s behavior at the moment of the test than a lifetime guarantee.

Assess the dogs Even if the shelter doesn’t have much information to offer, try to spend as much time as possible with any dog you’re interested in.

1. Stand a few feet away and watch how the dog reacts to other people
Is the dog sitting quietly and watching the world?
Chances are you’ve found a calm dog.

Does he fail to react much, even when people approach?
This could signal a dog who isn’t people-friendly and may be aggressive. However, it could also mean he isn’t feeling well. So if the dog seems too quiet, ask if he’s sick or recovering from surgery.

Is he pacing and whining?
Shelters are stressful places for dogs, and this dog is worried. He may take a while to relax if you bring him home.

Is he jumping and barking?
He’s probably just excited to see people–a good sign–but you’ll need to do some training to teach him to chill out.

Does he lunge at the door, bark his head off, spin, and chase people’s feet as they walk by?
He may be aggressive, but he may also simply be feeling the stress of shelter life. If he calms down quickly after people pass, stress is the likely culprit.

Does he hang at the back of the kennel?
Worst case, the dog is scared of people. Fearful dogs take a lot of training and can bite or snap when they feel threatened. However, the dog could also be sick or depressed. Ask some questions of the shelter staff: Did the dog’s owner die? Has he been in the shelter a long time? If so, he may just be sad, and not unfriendly.

2. Walk up to the door of the kennel
Does he freeze in place, growl, move away from you, or does the hair on his back stand up?
If so, keep looking. These are all warning signs of an unfriendly dog.

Does he lick your hand, jump up, dance around, bow down with his rump in the air, show a relaxed, open mouth with a lolling tongue?
Great, these are all friendly, playful gestures.

3. Take the dog to a quiet room or yard
Can you get the dog to pay attention to you?
Just like us, dogs prefer some people over others. And shelters are distracting places. But if you can get his attention after a few minutes, that’s a good sign that the two of you click.

Is the dog comfortable with a gentle pat?
If he accepts it happily, it’s a good sign. If he moves away, freezes, or growls, he either doesn’t enjoy being touched or isn’t fond of people. Either way, it’s best to look elsewhere; you want a dog who’s safe to cuddle.

Is the dog interested in balls?
This is only a concern if you have fantasies of playing fetch with your new pooch. Many dogs can be taught to retrieve balls, but some just aren’t interested.

4.Take the dog for a short walk
Does the dog pull or jump up?
Don’t worry too much about these behaviors; you can train them out of a dog. Just make sure that you can at least hang on and control him.

Does he bark excessively, growl, or lunge at other people, dogs, or cars?
He probably hasn’t had enough exposure to the world. Once he’s out of the shelter, he may react aggressively to unfamiliar people or situations. Unless you’re up for a lot of training and socialization, keep looking.

Does the dog cower, hide, freeze and refuse to move?
Then he’s extremely shy and fearful. You can work with timid dogs, but they need lots of training. And, there’s a risk that a timid dog may bite or snap when frightened.

5.Finally, do a gut check
Does the dog seem comfortable with you, and are you comfortable with the dog? Does he give you a warm, fuzzy feeling, or a funny feeling?
You’ll be spending many years with your new dog, so it’s worth listening to your instincts as well doing your research.

(dogtime.com)

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As tempting as cool pool water is on a hot day, it can be dangerous for your dog. An estimated one out of every 1,027 pets drowns in swimming pools each year. But there are things you can do to make sure you all have fun.

Evaluate Your Pooch
Most dog breeds have the ability to swim, but that doesn’t mean yours can or will. Also, certain breeds such as bulldogs can’t swim at all, and other dogs have physical limitations that put them more at risk in the pool, so you may need to be extra careful.

“When you’ve got an older dog or a dog with a handicap, like a dog that can’t see well, definitely get a fence around the pool when you can’t watch them,” Shannon A. South, D.V.M., of Briarcliff Animal Clinic in Atlanta, Ga. tells Paw Nation. Even if the dog isn’t attracted to the pool, they could always fall in. So keep an eye out when you and your dog both are pool-side, and be wary of letting a non-swimmer in the yard near the pool without you.

Be Careful With “Protective” GearWhile items such as pool covers do have their purposes, they may not be the best option for your dog. South points out that sometimes, covers actually can be riskier. If a dog jumps onto the pool cover, it may cause the entire cover to sink, possibly trapping the dog underwater.

Displacement alarms, which measure the water levels in your pool and can be set to sound an alarm when a pet or child falls in, may be a good way to prevent against accidental drowning as long as someone is around to hear it.

Consider the Chlorine
Even dogs who love the water may not love chlorine. “Pets can get upset stomachs from drinking too much pool water,” South said. “Chlorine can irritate their eyes or their respiratory system. Remember, chlorine gives off vapors that will sometimes irritate their little lungs.” Also be sure to periodically check your dog’s ears and eyes for signs of irritation from the water.

If you’re concerned about chemicals, there are more natural ways of keeping your pool water clean that are not only more pet-friendly, but more eco-friendly too. According to GreenYour, ionization, oxidation and sonic wave pool cleaners are all able to keep your pool water pure in different hi-tech ways, but these systems can be expensive and require expert upkeep. Converting your pool to a saltwater pool or using purifying plants in the water are both natural ways to keep your pool fresh.

Work on Training
If your home layout increases the potential of your dog taking an unsupervised dip in your pool, make sure it knows how to exit the pool safely. It may take time to train it to find the shallow end and navigate the steps, but your peace of mind is worth the trouble. Some pet owners have added special pet pool stairs to make exiting easier.

Finally, remember that your pet is like one of your kids; it may not know when it should take a break from the pool and the sun. Be sure to call a time-out so your pooch can recover from its summertime adventures. At the end of the pool party, don’t forget to rinse the chlorine off your dog’s coat and dry its ears to protect from infection.

(A repost from pawnation.com)

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SaveAPett….Literally

by Lisa on May 20, 2010

Todays posts is from ME. Not a repost, or bits and peices from an article, but from me! And it has EVERYTHING to do with the name of my game!

Recently the house my daughter lives in caught on fire. First things first, everyone is fine, and all is well. My reason for writing is because their little puppy was in the house, in his kennel when the fire broke out. As the police and fireman came, the neighbors (who hardly know my daughter and her roomate) told the fireman “there’s a puppy inside, you have to rescue the puppy”. They tried to break down the door a few times, then ended up breaking the window on the door, opening it from the inside and rescuing dear ZEUS! They SAVEDAPETT! No harm was done to him (except being scared to death) due to their quick response.

They were lucky, that they have taken the puppy out both in front and in back of the house so the neighbors knew he was there. The neigbors also kept the puppy in their fenced in yard with food and water during the whole event of putting out the fire, investigations, going back into house etc.

What if the neighbors hadn’t seen the puppy. What if no one told the fireman. What if he hadn’t been rescued. That is my point. It made “me” aware that I need to put up a sign, or something that would alert the police/fireman that I have a dog if I wasn’t home. I’ve seen on www.theanimalrescuesite.com that they have stickers you can put on your windows, for a price of next to nothing. Besides, can you put a cost on something that would alert authority you have a dog? I’m sure you can get them other places too. I know this for sure, it’s made me aware of something I didn’t think of and I will be putting up stickers soon!

So, just a reminder to those who haven’t thought about it, or maybe have but put it off, that our animals are our lives…we need to make sure they are SAVED if were not there to save them ourselves!

God bless those neighbors and the fireman!

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There seems to be so many disaster’s going on in the world today. Ranging from floods, to hurricanes to earthquakes and more. Are YOU prepared on how to handle your beloved pet in case of a disaster? Here is an except from the ASPCA on some things you should do, BEFORE a disaster strikes. Being Prepared Can Save Your Pets Life!!!

Have an Evacuation Plan in Place
Plan for the worst-case scenario. Store an emergency kit and leashes as close to an exit as possible, make sure all your pets are wearing proper identification and consider your evacuation route ahead of time. Download our Ready Pets brochure (pdf) on pet-friendly evacuation for more information.

Arrange a Safe Haven
Don’t leave your pet behind if you’re forced to evacuate. Find out if there are emergency animal shelters in your area. If not, take these steps to keep your pet safe.

Pre-Pack an Emergency Kit Prepare a “go kit” of essential pet supplies before disaster strikes, and make sure that everyone in the family knows where it is. The kit should be clearly labeled, easy to carry and should include items such as a pet first aid kit, recent photos of your animal companion and any medications on which his health depends.

Choose a Designated Caregiver
Consider who you’d like to act as your pet’s temporary caregiver should you not make it home in time to retrieve your pet. Make sure the person you choose agrees to take on the responsibility, has a key to your residence and has spent time getting to know your animal companion.

Get a Rescue Alert Sticker
Affix these decals, available for free from the ASPCA website, to the windows of your home to alert rescue officials that a pet lives inside.

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Mulch can poison your pet.

by Lisa on May 11, 2010

Please tell every dog or cat owner you know.
Even if you don’t have a pet, please pass this to those who do.

I have read about several dogs who have eaten Cocoa Mulch that people have purchased to use in their gardens. The dogs loved the way it smells and it is advertised to keep cats away from their garden. Dogs (being dogs) decide the mulch smells good enough to eat
and devoured a large helping. They then may vomit a few times which can be typical
when a dog eats something new but they don’t always act lethargic in any way.
A day later, the dog can have a seizure and die instantly.

Although some of the mulch bags have NO warnings printed on the label, upon further investigation on the company’s web site, This product is HIGHLY TOXIC to dogs and cats.

Cocoa Mulch is manufactured by Hershey’s, and they claim that “it is true that studies have shown that 50% of the dogs that eat Cocoa Mulch can suffer physical harm to a variety of degrees (depending on each individual dog). However, 98% of all dogs won’t eat it”.

Snopes.com site gives the following information:

http://www.snopes.com/critters/crusader/cocoamulch.asp

Cocoa Mulch, which is sold by Home Depot, Targe, Foreman’s Garden Supply
and other garden supply stores contains a lethal ingredient called
‘Theobromine’. It is lethal to dogs and cats. It smells like chocolate and
it really attracts dogs. They will ingest this stuff and die. Several deaths
already occurred in the last 2-3 weeks.

Theobromine is in all chocolate, especially dark or baker’s chocolate which is toxic to dogs. Cocoa bean shells contain potentially toxic quantities of theobromine, a xanthine compound similar in effects to caffeine and theophylline. A dog that ingested a lethal quantity of garden mulch made from cacao bean shells developed severe convulsions and died 17 hours later. Analysis of the stomach contents and the ingested cacao bean shells revealed the presence of lethal amounts of theobromine.

THIS IS SO IMPORTANT DURING THIS planting season. Please let others know!

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I am lucky enough to have the hard working, animal activist and actress LINDA BLAIR autograph a few of my SaveAPett Tees for me. She is a true animal lover and does everything she can to help the animals on the streets of Los Angeles. Please check out her website at www.lindablairworldheart.org.

With my heartfelt thanks to Ms. Linda Blair, These shirts are up for “BID”. You can email me at Lcpooch1@aol.com with your bid by putting “Linda Blair” in the subject line and telling me which shirt you are bidding on and what your bid is. The bidding has started at $20.00 and all the money goes to SaveAPett, where I will in turn donate it to a needy animal organization(s), in the United States. Although SaveAPett has donated to County Shelters, I would like to give these donations to the smaller orgs. who can really use the help. When you bid, you can also give me the name of your favorite smaller animal charity and they may be a recipient of donations from this, or at a later date. Bidding ends on Sunday, May 16th.

Sizes of shirts:

Pink is Size Medium
White is Size Large
Lime Green is Size Large
Light Blue is Size Small

Please pass this on to your friends and family who also might be interested. All money is Donated and we can help those animals who can’t help themselves!!

Thanks for the support, Lisa Cain @ Lcpooch1@aol.com

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Why should you volunteer?

by Lisa on April 25, 2010


Here are some GREAT reasons why volunteering at your local shelter or rescue is a good thing. On the fence if you should or shouldn’t? Read below and you’ll be signed up before you know it! Make a difference in your community and help animals!.

1. Be part of the solution. You’ll join a network of hundreds of thousands of people working to make the world safe and more humane for all living creatures. You’ll make the jobs of everyone working for animals a little easier by lending a hand and spreading the message of responsible pet ownership and animal protection.

2. Get warm fuzzies. You’ll never find a more grateful and accepting comrade than an animal you’ve comforted. Who knows, you may find the relationships with these animals far exceeds your expectations of humans. LOL!

3. Keep good company. You’ll make lots of new friends—and not just the four-legged kind. Working side by side with people who share similar interests can forge lifelong friendships.

4. It will help you reinvent yourself. Which is something we should all be a little more comfortable with doing on a regular basis. Meet the new you. You’ll discover skills you never knew you had, and you may be surprised at what you’re capable of achieving.

5. Gain a new career. You’ll learn things that may lead you to the career—or career change—of your dreams. Employers and college admissions officers look favorably on time spent in volunteer service

And last but not least ~ Enjoy a wagging tail, a purr, and a smile. Didn’t someone once say that the best things in life are free?

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