Just an FYI - If you don't follow us on Facebook, at least take a second to check out our Facebook postings below. All kinds of fun, interesting and new stuff that doesn't always get posted here on the website!
My Mission
Deanna Raeke Dog Lover & Proud Pet Parent
Passionate when it comes to my canine companions as well as dogs everywhere, it's my mission to raise awareness of any issues that affect them, from their health, food and nutrition and training to their welfare. Canine advocacy is something that everyone who cares about dogs needs to be aware of and we all need to share that and raise our voice for those who cannot speak for themselves.
Andrea Rosebrock Andrea has come onboard FTLTD to help out by contributing some stories and following-up with her "Justice Round-Up" series.
For the Love of the Dog is my small effort to do that. Please, won't you help me!
Please be sure to stop by Facebook and join the FTLTD page there. All the news from FTLTD plus much more. You can scroll through and see the latest stories and info that's been posted just by looking below.
All articles on this site, unless otherwise attributed, are copyrighted to and property of Deanna Raeke. You are welcome to use my articles (excerpts) but please be so kind as to link to my site as per terms under the Creative Commons License. Thank you!
A dear reader and friend brought something to my attention this morning regarding an article published in the Chicago Tribune about Judge Judy and her sidekick Byrd. Actually the topic of the article is irrelevant,the article itself rather mundane, what is important here is the writer’s careless comment referring to the Judge as a “pit bull,” furthering the misconception that the breed is mean, vicious.
The media has bought into and propagted this myth for so long that it is hard to get your average person to see beyond it. The bully breed is fighting everyday to overcome the stereotypes and having someone so nonchalantly adding to it doesn’t help!
In writing the article, Greg Braxton makes comments like;
“[I] the lion’s den and the head lion was about to bite his head off” about the courtroom and the Judge and about Byrd, the Judge’s sidekick, “He is the guard dog to the pit bull.“
There’s no way to misconstrue the meaning behind the way Braxton is using “pit bull” as other than vicious, dangerous, mean. I don’t think I am misinterpreting it.
This video is a memorial tribute to the 100 sled dogs that were cruelly slaughtered in Whistler BC on April 21st and 23rd, 2010 after business slowed down and the dogs were no longer needed. The song is by Canadian singer songwriter Sarah McLachlan, a huge SPCA, WSPCA and ASPCA supporter.
Word has also come down that the sled dog operator, Robert Fawcett, who brutally slaughtered the dogs has been charged!
After I stopped laughing I had to decide whether to post this or not. It’s hysterically funny when you really look at it. So I figured I’d post it with the disclaimer from No Kill Nation because they about nailed it!
“For the record, we do NOT support the organization who produced this video. And it’s discussion of HSUS’s lobbing activities is a gross oversimplification. But the parts about HSUS not running shelters for dogs and cats? That’s true. And the parts about HSUS raking in the cash? That’s true too. And the parts making fun of lawyers? Well that’s just fun!”
Lorianne and Charlemagne. (Courtesty of Lorianne Pagano)
Lorianne Pagano never knew about puppy mills. Her first experience with puppy mill dogs was the hardest. In 2003, her husband purchased for her a little Brussels Griffon puppy from a pet store in Amityville, NY. They were delighted with their new family member – they named him Charlemagne. They brought him home, gave him love and good food. He was also brought home with a host of health problems. Lorianne spent thousands and thousands of dollars in vet bills trying to heal Charlemangne’s health problems. In January, 2007, Charlemagne succumbed to kidney disease, a heart murmur and high blood pressure. Charlemagne was the product of a puppy mill. The pet store never admitted Charlemagne was bred in a puppy mill. Not an uncommon scenario with any pet store or pet dealer that sells dogs.
Zeus’ story could have ended so much differently than it did if not for the determination, devotion, love and caring of one person.
Zeus is a a pittie (an AmStaf mix), strike one! His owner, Gene Lewis, 40, was brutally murdered in Manhattan and Zeus was found locked in a bathroom where the killers put him. Police took Zeus to a shelter, he had to collar, tags or chip, another strike. At the shelter Zeus was housed in a kennel, surrounded by 23 other dogs in their own runs and he was not doing well at all. AmStaffs are very social, loyal, people-oriented dogs and he’d been brutally ripped from his life and home by the cruel murder of his beloved owner. He was lost and upset and showed this by constant barking, yet another strike. But he wasn’t out yet…
Although the shelter workers did their best, he was walked and played with, he had a blanket and toy, Zeus was just inconsolable.
“He was in an isolated distress room,” Andrea said. “His pupils were dilated and he was barking like crazy.”
What could be sweeter, cuter or more precious than puppies? What evokes such a depth of pleasure with their precious little faces, roly-poly bodies, clumsy feet, puppy breath, adorable squeaks and squeals? Ah, puppies, just nothing like them! (Or even babies of pretty much any species in general but since it’s puppy day… )
So, in celebration, let’s start with an adorable vid, be sure to have the sound turned on, this one will melt your heart!
Ok, prepare to smile til your cheeks ache! In this video we have one rescued momma dog and her 11,yes, count them, 11 – 3 1/2 week old puppies! What a handful of precious puppies!
Just imagine; puppy breath, puppy feet, puppy squeaks and squeals, and those soft little whispery sighs when they cuddle and sleep…. awwwwwww…. I’m melting just thinking about it!
If you’ve been around FTLTD for a while, you know there’s no such thing a “just a dog.” Even dogs that have no other “job” but to be a companion is more than “just a dog.” They provide so much by just being a part of a person’s life; companionship, love, loyalty, support, health benefits, just for starters.
Now here’s a few stories of dogs that are special heroes for one reason or another. I have a special place in my heart for “Service dogs” whether they be therapy dogs, working dogs, ie. search and rescue, police, military, etc., service dogs for the blind, disabled, autistic, diabetic, PTSD, etc. They come in so many shapes and sizes and descriptions to fill such a wide variety of “jobs” and they’re all special heroes.
Alida & Mr. Gibbs
First, let’s meet sweet little Alida and her special ‘best friend”, Mr. Gibbs. By 6-months-old little Alida was having problems breathing. By 8-months-old she was diagnosed with a rare lung condition called neuroendocrine cell hyperplasia of infancy which required her to be tethered to an oxygen tank at all times, a 6-lb tank.
For the Love of the Dog is a free site that provides news, information, tips and help for you and canine companion everyday. Donations are kindly welcomed to keep us up and running! As a token of my appreciation please accept a gift for your donation - "Responsible Dog Ownership - Essential Tips for Every Dog Lover"
Have You Clicked Today?
Yup, just one little click, every day, and you can help feed needy animals!
Andrea Rosebrock 
A dear reader and friend brought something to my attention this morning regarding an article published in the Chicago Tribune about Judge Judy and her sidekick Byrd. Actually the topic of the article is irrelevant,the article itself rather mundane, what is important here is the writer’s careless comment referring to the Judge as a “pit bull,” furthering the misconception that the breed is mean, vicious.
