My chiwawa and her terrible twos

So what should one do when their two year old chiwawa has a temper tantrum? Same thing as one would do for a kid. Tinkerbell got a time out today. 5 minutes in her crate with no attention from mommy! After the time out, we went back to quiet play and good behavior.

It is so easy to see my dogs as my children, they often give me looks and have talks with me that seem so child like. One thing is clear, they tell me when they want to go out, walkies, hungry, play time, I'm cold, YOUR NOT PAYING ATTENTION TO ME! I know all of the facial expressions, yips, barks and tail wags of these basic needs.

If Tinkerbell is cold she will crawl up to my shoulder, put her head right near my ear and start licking! Ill reach over lifting up the nearest of any number of her fleece blankets that adorn various pieces of furniture and she will dart underneath popping her little head out slightly tilted to thank me. Dogs are funny, they have huge personalities that have nothing to do with size.

I am grateful for my home and my little friends, I worry though, How many dogs and cats are in shelters tonight because their families had to give them up when they were forced to make a choice between food for their families and food for their pets. Many times the abandoned pet came from a loving home, where there was an expectation that Fido or Fluffy would be a beloved member of the family till death do they part. Who knew that economics would take its toll.

Traveling to different animal shelters I have found that attitudes are changing too.
Its harder to adopt a dog or cat from most shelters now because the shelters see the revolving door, Some dogs being brought back over and over, abuse, and abandonment.

So as more and more animals are abandoned at shelters, and the number of animals adopted out continues to be done with extreme caution, The ability of the shelters to accommodate the influx caused by the failing economy can and in many cases will leave shelters with no choice but to abandon very well intentioned no kill policies.

The message of spay and neuter has reached many ears, but there are still those who think it is profitable, cute, or a great family experience for the family to enjoy the birth of and care for puppies or kittens. In talking to a friend recently, I was told that for every 6 puppies born, three will end up in a shelter at some point in their life. I have no way of proving that or qualifying that statement, but I have heard the overwhelming numbers of puppies and kittens that end up at just our little rural shelters. Its overwhelming.

If you have love in your heart, the stability and ability to manage a new pal, perhaps you will seek out one of the shelters on our web sites list to find your next family member. If you already have a pal, please spay or neuter, and if you already have, proudly tell your friends and family to follow suit.

As you may know we provide custom engraved pet id for your fuzzy pals. We talk to folks at shows and we support sequoia humane society and other local shelters where we can. These shelters are feeling the pinch too, Donations are down while demand for their services are up.

Wishing you well till the next post!