From Anxious To Amazing: All From The Thundershirt

I adopted my sweet Lili-dog from the local SPCA. I remember coming around the corner, to the first kennel. She was leaning against the cage door, looking so lost and forlorn. It was love at first sight.

I asked the attendant to take her out, and we when into the room to meet her. She was a very sweet and goofy girl! Bouncing like a bunny when chasing a ball! For me, that sealed the deal. I found out from her write-up that she was a foreclosure dog, but it was also her SECOND time there as the first time she was turned in because of her “barking”. (grrr..that’s a whole other story I could write!). I brought her home and introduced her to my 2 other dogs, and after a few tense minutes, they became best of friends!

Using Clicker Training To Teach Cats To Use Scratching Posts

In this video, Annette Caldwell teaches Francis, who is currently available for adoption at Humane Society of Pinellas, to use the scratching post, which can be a great tool for people who are concerned about choosing a cat with claws for fear of them scratching on their furniture.

Examples of Clicker Training Underway at Humane Society of Pinellas

Annette Caldwell and some other volunteers at the Humane Society of Pinellas are undertaking a program of clicker training to help showcase cats’ intelligence and ability to be trained in the hopes that our adult cats will be just as desired as our kittens for adoption.

We’ve prepared a couple of short videos showcasing two of these cats; Hogan and Shy Boy. Both are currently available for adoption at the Humane Society of Pinellas. If you’re interested in adopting these cats, please get in touch the Humane Society of Pinellas. If you want to know more about clicker training, contact either myself, or the trainer featured in these videos, Annette Caldwell. And keep your eyes peeled, because we’ll be posting more of these videos in the future.

Thundershirt the amazing tool for conquering anxiety

When I first met Matilda, my girlfriend Jes’ tiny American Staffordshire Terrier mix, she didn’t like me.  She didn’t like my hat.  She didn’t like me sitting in the recliner.  I was beginning to think she just didn’t like ME.  As often happens when boy meets girl, Jes and I became more serious and I was around Matilda and her younger adopted brother Bubba more and more.  We’ve been working with Matilda and Bubba very intensely for over a year now. She’s a very intelligent dog but her constantly shifting attention span and daily fears and anxieties were preventing her from fully grasping her training.  We stumbled upon the idea of dog “anxiety wraps” while looking at pictures of Pitbulls on the Internet.  All the dogs we saw were wearing jackets or shirts and one photo caption even used the phrase “anxiety pajamas.” I was a short Google search away from the Thundershirt.  I watched the “How To” videos and the testimonials and examples of how well the Thundershirt worked, I gladly paid the $37 dollars plus shipping.  No questions asked.

Disabled Pitbull Brings Inspiration To Disabled Children

This amazing video shows how a pitbull’s determination and love for people helps severely disabled and ill children.

Boston Terrier vs Kitten

How can you NOT think this is cute!?

Top 10 Reasons Pitbulls Are Scary!! [HUMOR]

Originally posted at No Kill NOW!

10. They will steal your spot on the couch while you are up getting a soda.

9. They will take the treat you give them and bury in the back yard like a paranoid crack head hiding their stash.

8. They will jump on your bed with muddy feet. Making you do the laundry…again!

7. They will lick visitors with an uncontrolled passion only they understand.

6. They will cause children to smile.

5. They will make you feel horrible for not walking them by looking at you with deep sad eyes.

Pitbulls are bigger lovers than most think

Pitbulls have a bad reputation owing to years of poor ownership, misrepresentation and media hype. A post over at the Doggie Stylish Blog seeks to shed some light on the “cuddlier” side of these misunderstood animals. Here’s an example of one the pictures.

Check out the rest here.

Clicker Training

This website belongs to Annette Caldwell, one of my friends who also volunteers at Humane Society of Pinellas with me.

Annette held a training that I attended on clicker training. I learned a lot and wanted to share. It’s really amazing how smart cats are and how we underestimate them. I haven’t met a kitty yet that hasn’t caught on to it.

Contact Annette or myself if you’d like more information.

Pet Photo/Haiku Contest

Do you have a rescued pet?

Enter Photography by Rebecca Brittain’s First Annual Rescued Pet Photo Haiku Contest!!

One winner will recieve a $99 MINI SESSION absolutely FREE, plus be showcased online for one week!

Contest is open to dogs, cats, birds, and reptiles…any rescued pet.

How to enter:

1. Take a photo of your pet (the contest is not really based on the photo, it’s so we can see who you’ve submitted, but have fun with it!)

2. Write a Haiku about your rescue! Haiku poems are 3 llines, and follow the 5-7-5 syllable rule. For samples, visit this page
http://www.toyomasu.com/haiku/