For the Love of Dogs has MOVED!

Please visit my new website at http://fourpaws0504.com.  Thank you and have a great day!

Four Paws with a Cause: The NEDA Walk Made the News!!!

FOX19.com-Cincinnati News, Weather

Yesterday, I introduced you to the 3rd Annual NEDA Walk for the National Eating Disorder Association.  Here is a video of my mother in law on the Cincinnati news promoting it.  How awesome is she? :)

To be a member of our team, please visit my NEDA post for instructions.  It is only $25 to join the team which includes a free t-shirt!  You can even be a silent walker if you live too far away, and you still get a free t-shirt mailed to you!

Thank you for your support!

Four Paws with a Cause: The NEDA (National Eating Disorder Association) Walk

Cooper & June at the 2nd Annual NEDA Walk

We all know that dogs and advocating on their behalf are very near and dear to my heart.  NEDA, the National Eating Disorder Association, is also a cause that I support very strongly.  In my post, Seven for Sophie, I explained why.  Here is an excerpt from that post:

Help A Hound Series: Hanella & Aria

My good friend and fellow rescue volunteer, Angela, and I went to our local shelter to do a story on a pup available for adoption.  Upon arriving, the shelter manager gave us the privilege of doing a story on two adorable pups!  The dogs just happened to be kennel mates, so they were already pals! 


Meet Hanella!

Hanella is an adorable white and tan hound mix.  With wonderful floppy ears, a bobbed tail, and cute little freckles, she is a bundle of cuteness!   Hanella is a young adult that came to the shelter as a stray.  I would guess her to be between one and two years old.  She is up to date on all of her vaccines, and her spay surgery will be included in her adoption fee.  Hanella is dog friendly, and she is also heartworm negative.  All Hanella needs now is a family to call her own!

Hanella

The Magic Dog Lady

My mom has a nickname for me:  The Magic Dog Lady.  This nickname started back when I saved little Betty from being a stray back in April.  My mom says the dogs know where to find me.  Word on the street is I am a lady who will always help a pup in need.  Well, sometimes rumors are true.  The dogs are right.  I will always help them!

Lucky Number Seven

After Miss Daisy (Cassidy) left, Ben and I took a three week hiatus from fostering.  Although I love fostering, it was so very nice to have some quality time with our three kids.  Ever since we adopted Willa, she never really got a chance to be the "new" dog.  We always had other dogs around.  We took this opportunity to spoil her rotten....and oh, did she love it!

After three weeks of enjoying my little family, I decided it was time to help again.  There were just too many pups in need for me to sit on the bench any longer.  I called Paula from Sea Dog Rescue and we set up a time to head to our local shelter to find my next foster.

On July 12, 2013, Paula and I met at the local SPCA.  We started walking around the kennels and I immediately fell in love!  With Farrah :)  She was a beautiful hound!  Unfortunately, we were looking for a male to go in my household, so Farrah would have to wait.  (I of course went back to photograph her and do a blog post.  She is still available!)  Hounds are most definitely my weakness.

Paula & I kept browsing.  We saw three boys that struck our fancy.  One ended up not doing well with other dogs and one wasn't available for adoption yet as he was still on his stray hold.  That left one.  Olson.

Photo courtesy of Paula Ford

Product Review: By Nature Dog Food

Recently I was contacted by a representative from "By Nature" pet food to do a review.  As I am quite picky in what I feed my dogs, I did a quick review of their ingredients before I made my decision.  After reviewing their food, I decided I would be happy to do a review for them!

Cassidy's Happy Tail

Two days after Paula & I dropped off Miss Cassidy at the vet for her spay surgery, she joined our home as our sixth foster.  Although she was very fearful when we pulled her from the shelter, she quickly blossomed into a happy girl once she joined our family.

Before:

 

After:

Help a Hound: Elvis

Meet Elvis!

Elvis is a gorgeous 2 year old black and tan coonhound!  He is neutered, microchipped, heartworm negative, and up to date on all of his shots.  All that he needs now is his forever family to scoop him up!

Rescue

I love rescue.  I feel like I have finally found my place in life now that I am a part of rescue.  It is what I was meant to do.  There is no greater feeling than saving a life.  It is the ultimate reward to see a dog go from a shelter to a loving home where they will never go hungry again and where they will never be without love and affection.  

Saving Cassidy

After our little monster left, Ben & I were going to take a little hiatus from fostering.  Our break ended up lasting only three days.  Once I saw the video of this sweet little girl in need of a foster home, I knew our break was over.

Video courtesy of ENC Shelter Dogs Facebook Page

Help a Hound: Farrah

Meet Farrah!

Farrah is a beautiful hound that is ready to find her forever home!  She is currently up for adoption at our local shelter, the SPCA of Northeastern North Carolina.

Farrah is about 1 1//2 years old.  She is a hound mix and has the beautiful red tick coloring.  Farrah is stunning!  She is spayed, microchipped, heartworm negative, and up to date on all of her shots.  All she needs now is that perfect family to fall in love with her!

Topaz Goes to her Forever Family!

On April 23, 2013, Ben & I stepped up to temporarily foster a sweet girl named Topaz.  We of course fell in love with her and agreed to foster her until she found her forever family.  I mean, who wouldn't fall in love with this 28 pound brindle bundle of joy?

Betty's Transport

As you all know, I have a soft spot for hounds.  I fell in love with this little beagle quite quickly.  I held her like a baby and she would kiss my nose.  I was so very glad that my mom and dad had decided to adopt Betty.  I would be able to see her again!

Hounds Make GREAT Family Pets

Today I set out to write a post on how hounds are sorely overlooked as family pets.  I like to be thorough with my posts like this and include sources and data to back up my personal opinion.  Guess what?  I couldn't find a single piece of information about hounds in shelters.  Pit bull statistics, however, were readily available.  While I love pit bulls and feel that they are discriminated against unjustly, hounds are so very near and dear to my heart.  I feel that the lack of statistics about hounds is my first piece of evidence that they are overlooked and passed by as family pets.

It Could Happen to You: Part 2

I woke up early the morning after June's accident even though we didn't get to bed until almost 4:00am.  I immediately grabbed my phone.  No missed calls.  No voice mails.  I called the emergency vet.  I explained who I was and that June was my dog.  The polite lady on the phone didn't really say anything, so I choked it out, "Is she still alive?" The lady assured me that she was alive!  We would've already been notified had she passed in the night.  Although we were far from out of the woods, she made it through the first night.  I couldn't wait to go up there and visit her, which I did that same day.  I needed to tell my baby girl how proud I was of her that she fought through the night.  She fought to stay alive.  She fought for us.  Now that is pure love.

My Very First Awards!

I have been nominated for my very first awards!  Roy & Shefali from Following Roy nominated me last week.  It made my day!  Thank you, Roy & Shefali!

It Could Happen to You: Part 1

December 31, 2011

Today was my birthday.  I turned 26.  This year had been full of wonderful things and life changing events.  I married my husband in May, and we moved to North Carolina.   I took on my very first general manager position, where I learned quite a bit.  We also adopted our second dog, June, in September.  It had been quite a year, but unfortunately, the life changing events weren't over yet.

Marriage & Rescue

Our Wedding Day

I love my husband.  He is my person.  My kids adore him.  He is a wonderful father to our fur kids, and he will be a wonderful father to our future two-legged children.  I see him playing with my nephews or his younger cousins, and it makes my heart happy.  He is a good man.  My good man.  I am so very lucky to have him at my side. 

Our First Adoption Event

The Sea Dog Crew

I absolutely LOVE my volunteering!  Not only does it make a difference and save lives, but I get to hang out with some amazing people in the process.  The volunteers at our rescue are top notch.  We all care so much and love what we do.  It is always a good time when we get together!

Willa's Fear

Our hounds get a little scared in certain situations.  Miss June is terrified of fireworks, gunshots, and smoke detectors.  Miss Willa, however, only has one thing she is terrified of:  thunderstorms.

June watching a storm roll in.

One Lucky Beagle

This adorable stray found her way to my back step a few days after we moved into our new home.  Where I live, hunting with dogs is very popular.  Although there are hunters that take good care of their dogs, it is a sad truth that many hunters see their dogs as equipment instead of family.  If you walk into any shelter here in North Carolina, you will see a plethora of unwanted hunting dogs.  It is so sad to see as hounds make wonderful family pets.  I can personally attest to this.  My sweet girls, June & Willa, are simply the best!   

Four...Plus One

Ben, Cooper, June, Willa, Topaz, and I moved into our new rental house on Friday, April 26, 2013.  It was quite a busy time for us.  We had a lot of packing, lifting, unpacking, and cleaning to do.  Not to mention we were still working our full time jobs and taking care of our three dogs and one foster.  The Bruner household was a very full one indeed!

Everything Happens for a Reason

After adopting our sweet Willa, I was quite sad at the fact that we could no longer foster as we had hit the city limit of three dogs.  Unfortunately, Ben also had a limit of three dogs.  I couldn't blame him for keeping me grounded.  Sometimes enough is enough.  I still felt, however, that one more wouldn't be any harder than three.  Someday....maybe....he would agree.

Third Time is a Failure

 
Willa joined our household on March 2, 2013 as our third foster.  She immediately wormed her way into my heart.  I instantly knew I was in love, which caused quite an inner struggle for me.

My Third Foster

It was the end of February.  Our second foster, Miss Sassy Pants, had been approved to be adopted by an AMAZING family!  I knew our house would have a free spot for a new foster very soon.  I couldn't help but wonder who that new dog might be.

Every time I get on Facebook, I see dogs in need of rescue.  They are all over my news feed.  They all look so sweet and deserving to be rescued.  Although they are all adorable, I had never fallen in love with a photo before.  Then I saw her.

 

Seven for Sophie

This morning I saw a wonderful event on Facebook.  It was  called Seven for Sophie.  I friend of a friend of mine suffered a great tragedy earlier this year.  She lost two little girls in a house fire.  Today, May 15th, would have been Sophie's 7th birthday.  In honor of Sophie, they inspired others to do seven random acts of kindness today.  I decided it was a wonderful idea and began thinking of things I could do.  The possibilities were truly limitless.

It's a Small World!

A few weeks ago, my sister-in-law and my nephew flew in for a visit.  We had a wonderful time playing games and baking cookies.  It was a wonderful visit!  Not to mention that my nephew, Reid, fell in love with our current foster, Willa!  (I haven't introduced you to her yet, but that is coming soon!)  He kept calling her "Illa".  It was adorable!

Sassy Found Her Forever Home!

I have been helping a bit more with Sea Dog Rescue lately.  (And I am LOVING it!)  I was given the task of doing some reference checks for a few potential adopters, including some for Sassy.  I set out on my task and began making phone calls.  I talked to so many nice people, and there were a couple of people that I felt would give Sassy a great home.  One family, however, stood out as a perfect fit for our little Sassy.

Caption Contest Winner!

Congratulations to Jeremy P!!!  He is the winner of our caption contest!  Here is Jeremy's winning caption:

 

Jeremy chose the Animal Welfare League of Montgomery County to receive the prize of a $25 donation.  This is where he and his family adopted their current dog, Gracie.  They are also looking into adopting their next puppy, a rottweiler/boxer mix.  Jeremy and his family are great people that love their pups!

Thank you to everyone that participated in the contest! Voting was done on Facebook.  A close second went to ACD6Pack for "You don't see me. Walk away"  I have to say that caption captured the essence of June bug!  

The Animal Welfare League of Montgomery County doesn't have a method to donate online, so I have to send it through the mail.  I have gotten too accustomed to the convenience of online payments haha!  Here is there website if you would like to check it out!

Please consider adopting your next best friend from your local shelter or rescue group.  You most certainly won't regret it!

Thanks for stopping by!

-Laura

 

Help for Raegan

One of the pups at Sea Dog Rescue has a tumor.  She is the little girl that my friend, Angela, fostered.  She is an absolute sweetheart, and needs to have surgery to remove the tumor.  Raegan has plenty of love and care, but is in need of funds to get the treatment she needs.  If you cannot donate, please share her story.  Even a few dollars here or there will make a world of difference for sweet Raegan!

Here is her story taken from Sea Dog Rescue's Facebook page:

"Sea Dog Rescue's little girl puppy, "Raegan" (previously known as Rylee - 3+ months old Shepherd mix), was seen by our veterinarian on Feb. 25, 2013 to have a growth on the back of her head/upper neck, near her left ear, evaluated.  The cytology report came back on 2/27/13 and results show: "CUTANEOUS MAST CELL TUMOR" and treatment recommendation is for surgical removal and biopsy of the tumor.

Location of mast cell tumor

We have received an initial estimated cost for surgery and treatment of $700.00 and surgery is tentatively schedule for next week (March 4-8); expenses may go higher depending on what the histology report shows once the tumor is removed.  We need donations to help us cover the cost of her surgery to remove the tumor, perform histological testing on the tumor, and provide treatment.

Close up of tumor

Donations can be made via Paypal to paula@seadogrescue.org or via the Sea Dog Rescue website at www.seadogrescue.org

Please help us provide this surgery for this young pup who is just starting out her journey of happy ev-fur-after!  Thank you for your generosity!"

Raegan, Sea Dog Rescue puppy who needs surgery to remove a mast cell tumor

Please help this sweet girl if you are able.  Sharing her story will be an immense help if you are unable to help monetarily.  Thank you!

Please consider adopting your next best friend from your local shelter or rescue group.  You most certainly won't regret it!

Thanks for stopping by!

-Laura

Bake Sale for the SPCA!

Earlier this month, our local police busted a local dog fighting ring.  They found 80 dogs!!!  Here is the awful story if you would like to read it.

Our local SPCA took in these animals at a makeshift shelter.  Needless to say, they needed help!  The community really pulled together and helped out.  People started volunteering and donating goods and money.

I wanted to help as well.  I called my boss and asked her if I could set up a donation bin at work.  She was all for it!  She called me back and suggested we also hold a bake sale to raise funds.  I thought it was a great idea!

We made a flyer and hung up a sign.  Our crew volunteered to help make some treats.  I would like to say a big thank you to Jessica, Angela, Rick, and Christina for helping out by baking! Christina and her daughters went the extra mile and decorated some AMAZING cakes and cupcakes!  They looked absolutely awesome!

 
Cooper was my sidekick today.  He was a great boy.  He sat by me, greeted the customers, and gave lots of kisses.  He was the perfect gentleman!

We ended up raising about $150 today.  One man didn't even take any treats as he handed me twenty-five dollars.  He simply said that he was a proud pit bull owner.  I thought that was awesome!  Another little girl gave her allowance of four dollars.  That about made me cry!  I love when good people do great things!  I am not sure if $150 is normal for bake sales, but I am proud of it!  I think every bit will go to good use.

We also collected donations over the past week.  My boss, Jessica, has some amazing in-laws!  They rounded up TONS of donations for the shelter.  These photos speak volumes about how much the community loves animals.  I cannot wait to drop off these goodies on Monday!

Thank you to everyone that helped!  It was a great day!  If you would like to help or make a donation, please visit our local SPCA's website.

As always, please consider adopting your next best friend from your local shelter or rescue group.  You most certainly won't regret it!

Thanks for stopping by!

-Laura

Caption Contest: Time to Vote!

 

The caption contest ended last night.  I would like to say a big thank you to everyone that participated!  I loved every single one of your captions.  They were awesome!

First, I am going to list all of the captions submitted so you can enjoy them as much as I did!  Here they are:

1. I was going to make a surprise dinner for you both but you caught me!! (By Terrie C.)
2. See..what..had..happened..was: The water bowl was empty so I....This is the point where I get down right? (By Jeremy P.)
3. Oh dad, you ruined the surprise, I just got up here to make you & mom a snack!  (By Lori K.)
4. What? I'm guardin' the treat cabinet. (By TerryLynne R.)
5. You wash and I'll dry! (By Debbie B.)
6. I was getting the cleaner.  Cooper and Sassy made a little mess I was going to clean up. (Anonymous)
7. Did you guys see that mouse? (Patty B.)
8. Omg...spider!!!! (By Angela A.)
9. You don't see me. Walk away. (By acd6pack)
10. What? This isn't my bed? I must have been sleepwalking again! Silly me! (By Jamie C.)

Originally, I was going to list the top five to vote on, but as I only received ten entries, we can vote from them all.   Unfortunately, numbers 6 will be exempt from voting as they didn't leave their name to claim the donation to a shelter or rescue of their choice.

Please vote by number or by name.  You can vote in the comment section of the blog, or on my Facebook page.  I will post the winner on Saturday!  Thanks for playing, everyone! 

Please consider adopting your next best friend from your local shelter or rescue group.  You most certainly won't regret it!

Thanks for stopping by!

-Laura

Welcome to the Wonderful World of Rescue, Angela!

I am so very proud and excited to announce that one of my good friends has joined the fabulous world of rescue!  Angela and her husband, Shelby, recently became foster parents for Sea Dog Rescue!

Angela & Bandit

I have only known Angela for a short time, but we bonded quickly over our love for dogs.  She is a wonderful person with a passion for animals.  She and her husband have two dogs and one cat.  Charlie is a chocolate labrador, Bandit is a pit bull, and Daisy is a sweet kitty they adopted.  All of her furkids are well loved and absolutely adored.

Daisy

I positively adore her boys.  Charlie is sure to lick inside your ear with his many kisses, and Bandit is sure to snuggle up on you and sneak a few kisses of his own.  The boys smile as soon as they see you.  They truly love people and want nothing more than to make you happy.  Don't you just love dogs?  I know I do!

Charlie

Angela got her very first foster pup last Saturday.  She and Shelby are taking care of Rylee, a sweet shepherd mix that is only a few months old.  They have quickly fallen in love with her!  She is a such a precious girl.  She has taken quite a liking to her big brothers, especially Bandit!

Rylee & Bandit

Rylee is in great hands!  I know she will get the best care and lots of love while she is waiting on her forever home!

Congratulations, Angela!  I am so proud of you, Foster Sister! 

As always, please consider adopting your next best friend from your local shelter or rescue group.  You most certainly won't regret it!

Thanks for stopping by!

-Laura

Caption Contest with a Cause

Last night, Ben walked into the kitchen to find quite a surprise!

 

Our little girl took it upon herself to investigate our kitchen counter last night.  Luckily, Ben's phone was right next to her on the counter so we could snap a quick photo! (Sorry about the ghost eyes!  It was a spur of the moment photo!)  Of course we made her get down right away, but it was too funny bad not to share!

Now for the fun part!  I would like to have a little contest in honor of my sweet, yet very bad, June.  As she was a shelter dog herself, I thought it would be quite fitting.  

The contest?  Come up with a funny, unique, or just plain awesome caption for the photo of June on the counter.  Post your caption in the comment section of the blog or on the wall of my Facebook page. 

At the end of the contest, I will post the five best captions to be voted on for a winner.  The winner can choose a rescue or shelter of their choice to receive a $25.00 donation in honor of Miss June bug.  I know it isn't much, but it is around the size of my usual monthly donation.  It can buy a bag of food or a few collars.  A little can help change the life for a pup in need!  Also, your favorite rescue will get a shout out and maybe some new fans!

I like to donate a little every month or so to different local dog rescues, charities, or to a particular dog in need of special care.  I love helping others, even if it is only a small amount here or there.  Just a little can go a long way for pups in need!

Ready, set, go!  The contest will go now through February 17th at midnight.  Then we will post the top five and vote on the winner!  

Thanks for playing!

As always, please consider adopting your next best friend from your local rescue group or shelter.  You most certainly won't regret it!

Thanks for stopping by!

-Laura

Time to Retire the Couch

Over the weekend, Ben and I made the decision that it was time to retire our couch.  It had been a good couch that kept years of puppies comfortable.  Those sweet puppies, however, took their toll on our couch.

I awoke to the sound of frolicking puppies on Saturday.  Ben was already up and keeping an eye on things.  He even came in and put away my shoes, saying "Mommy is going to be happy when she gets up."  I thought he was cleaning already.  Yay!  (I must have missed his sarcastic tone.)

Well....I walked out of the bedroom to complete disarray.  June had been continually reopening the wounds made by our first foster.  There was stuffing all over the floor and the cushions were thrown everywhere.  Someone was having fun!!!

Luckily, I just got a pup-mobile after a recent car incident, so we had a means to transport our couch to the local dump.  I did, however, save the cushions as they would make excellent doggie beds!

It was just another day in the life of a doggie family!  I wouldn't trade it for anything!

Please consider adopting your next best friend from your local shelter or rescue.  You most certainly won't regret it!

Thanks for stopping by!

-Laura

Sassy: Our Second Foster

Sassy

Meet Miss Sassy!  She is a six month old labrador/border collie mix weighing in at an adorable 35 pounds.  The moment I saw her, I melted!  

Miss Sassy Pants joined our household on Sunday, January 20.  She has been with us just over a week now.  I must say that Sassy has become quite a daddy's girl.  I think it will be a bit hard for Ben to say good-bye to Sassy.  She really has wiggled her way into our hearts, but we know her forever family is waiting for her!  

Sister Snuggle Buddies

Sassy became fast friends with her siblings even though she can be a bit of an attention hog!  She LOVES getting attention. She loves kisses, hugs, and cuddles.  She doesn't even take up too much room in bed.  She likes to share your pillow with you though!

Photo courtesy of Paula Ford

I am a bit behind on Sassy's training.  Work and life events (a.k.a. car problems) have kept me quite busy recently, so I need to play catch up with training.  She knows her name like a champ and comes when called, so I think she will pick things up rather quickly!

If you would like to read Sassy's back story, please visit her introduction post.  She is ready and waiting for her forever home to find her.  Please visit Sea Dog Rescue if you or someone you know is interested in adopting 35 pounds of fluffy cuteness!

Photo courtesy of Paula Ford

Please consider adopting your next best friend from your local shelter or rescue group.  You most certainly won't regret it!

Thanks for stopping by!

-Laura