I kissed a girl and I liked it!

-Bad Boy Rogan

And now I want to tell the world about it. Arooo!

Shhhh. We are not supposed to be sharing a bed. We are not even married. - Do good Abby.

Oh, OK.  I don't want to go back to the kennel.

Sometimes you come to a crossroads in life....

Fortunately for us, we are just posing for a portrait. -Buddy Love and Sam I am

I smell a nasty fart. Was that you or me Sam? 

Hmmm. Really not liking her tone right now.

- Riley Girl

 Her bed, blah blah. Who cares?

And before you grab my collar and try to pull me off the bed, you gotta ask yourself mom, do you feel lucky?

This couch was made for LOVE mom. Not for show.

So pile on, and touch us a little. - Buddy, Riley and Sam

No, we're not high. Just content.

Oh, I hope this is not THE RIDE.

The one where I don't come back home with the others.  - Sam I am...scared

It is so close to the holidays and I have been a real good boy!

They call me "Low Rider".

Just because I needed help stepping up on this rug.  - Belle

BTW, have you seen my legs and feet? I just want to make sure they are still there.

I gotta admit, I don't like the hat much (or you right now) but...

I DO like Santa and once again I haven't killed anyone this year.  

 So lay some gifts on me, fat man. Where R U?  - Shanti Baby

Are you sure if I wear this hat Santa will come?

I guess it is better than that damn Christmas sweater from last year...- Sam I am (wanting xmas treats from Santa)

We can't afford to take chances when it comes to Santa and his elves. I have been good but I am also guilty by association with BAD DOGS.

Please don't take my bone.

It's all I have. - Sam I am

Damn. We are late for church AGAIN.

The Smiths have taken our parking spot and Preacher Dave will call us out when we sneak into the back pew. - Buddy Love

I just love the drama. It makes me fart out loud.

Two new videos on YouTube

Maisy "playing" with Riley.  16.5 years of age vs. 1 year old. GO!

http://youtu.be/wdoLzB8F0d4



Buddy Love "playing" with his new toy.  Toy vs. dog - put 2 minutes on the clock.  GO!

http://youtu.be/GILWEIWv5pY

Whatcha eyeballin over there Riley?

Got anything good?- Shanti

 Don't make me get up and bark over any false alarms. I bite your ass.

I don't understand your obsession with this hot tub.

And why must you get naked to enjoy it? - Riley, perplexed

Hmmm?

Yes, I have some marks. I am a rough-n-tumble kind of guy.

Buddy Love- posing in the sun

(My little man loves to run and play tackle with Riley on the cement...)

I wouldn't reach in to pet your "kitten" if I were you.

I have been in a mood all day. - Shanti baby, cutting her eyes.

Dog Twister.

Boxer Delight. Dripping pan from grill used as twister board.

Maisy and Sam, jockeying for position.

Maisy, before she shows off with a back-bend.

I finally have the couch all to myself.

Shanti Baby - Diva

If you have issues with me being on your precious leather couch, send me a memo.

Oh, the troubles I have seen...

Have these been ironed yet, because they feel wrinkly?

Riley will pile on any of my clothes or bedding. Doesn't matter.  Sweet baby loves mama's smell.

Is that a treat for me? Please observe my cuteness and you decide. -Riley

Riley is a gorgeous 1 year old Boston/Boxer mix.  Very athletic and a big love bug. Rippled with muscle and cuteness.  She is available for adoption through BTRTOC. Please contact me to learn more about her.

I am in here mom, enjoying a snack.

Why? Whatcha need? - Buddy

Oh god. I think I am going to be seasick. Learning to paddle board is a bitch.

-Shanti Baby, living the life

Why Growling is Good - by Nicole Wilde

(I have been wanting to write about this topic for some time.  Nicole did a great job on her blog, so why not just share her words?  Maisy Moo taught me this lesson...growling is good. I was hardwired that a growl meant a possible fight. She was older and just used it as a way to teach the younger dogs how to behave and I interrupted her too many times early on- thinking she was being bad/angry. Then I studied WHAT she was doing and why. I learned from her and now honor her with this article.  Maisy- you rock!)

Why Growling is Good

A woman I sometimes chat with during my morning dog outings asked my opinion about an encounter she recently had. She’d been been walking her four-year-old mixed breed dog around a local park when she crossed paths with a man whose dog was off leash. As the owners walked toward each other on the narrow trail, the foot loose and fancy-free puppy ran up to the adult dog. With the usual lack of canine cluelessness that accompanies early dogdom, the pup leaped at the dog relentlessly in an attempt to initiate play. The woman’s dog, while not aggressive, did not want to be bothered. He growled. The puppy didn’t back off, and again tried to engage the older dog. The dog growled louder. The man made no attempt to put his dog on leash. The woman, feeling embarrassed that her dog had growled, ended up apologizing to the man and walking her dog away.
The adult dog’s hackles might not have been up during the encounter, but mine certainly were. The woman’s dog had done nothing wrong. She had nothing to apologize for! Growling is a perfectly acceptable canine warning. It’s a dog’s way of saying, “Hey, I don’t like that,” “Don’t come any closer!” or “Please stop what you’re doing.” Being on leash, the adult dog didn’t have the option to leave. He could certainly have snapped at the puppy, or worse. But instead, he gave an appropriate warning. That the puppy didn’t buy a vowel, get a clue, and understand what was being spelled out was a problem, so the dog growled louder. Hopefully that puppy will learn to back off when adult dogs warn him away, before his puppy license expires and an adult dog cleans his clock. And hopefully the man will learn to leash his dog when encountering others.
Understanding that a growl is a threat is hard-wired in humans, so it’s reasonable and even advantageous that we become upset when we hear one. But a growl from a dog is actually a good thing. I’m not suggesting that it’s a good thing for a dog to growl at his owner, but growling is a non-aggressive form of communication. Think about it. If someone kept shoving into you on line at the post office, you’d eventually say something like, “Excuse you!” But what if you didn’t have a way to warn the person that you were getting irritated? Eventually, you’d have to resort to either leaving, or physically getting your point across. Whether a dog is growling at another dog or a person, it’s simply a warning. If the dog wanted to attack, he would have. Growling is meant to avert aggression, not cause it. But people misunderstand, and punish dogs for growling. A dog then learns that growling leads to being punished and, unfortunately, once his early warning system has been removed, the dog is likely to begin biting with no warning. As a trainer, I’ve seen many dogs like that over the years and believe me, they’re no fun to rehabilitate.
If a dog is growling at you, whether the dog belongs to you or someone else, the best course of action at the moment is to defuse the situation. After all, the dog’s arousal level is already elevated. You don’t want to shout or worse, get physical, as those things could lead to a bite. Instead, glance down and to the side (this tells the dog you’re not a threat while allowing you to keep him in your peripheral vision) and back away slowly. Don’t turn your back on the dog if you can help it, as some dogs are more prone to attack from the rear. If the dog in question is your own, address the situation that caused the growling—for example, food guarding—at another time when your dog is calm, with the assistance of a professional trainer if necessary. Remember, growling is simply communication. If we take a moment to assess why a dog is growling instead of automatically taking the attitude that he’s behaving inappropriately, we will react appropriately ourselves.

Is that a new truck the neighbor is driving?

Well shut my mouth. That is the one I picked out for us. - Riley

Why can't we have nice things like the neighbors? They don't even HAVE dogs.

Oh, gawd. Where did I poop?

I can't remember where I popped-a-squat, and the leaves hide my fresh bunny turds.- Buddy Love

And you know mom, she gets ALL upset and in my bizness when I have poop on my paws. Some crap about messing up her clean house. Like it is my fault...she let the leaves get out of hand. And I didn't ask to live here anyway.

Animals are pretty wonderful...

I am amazed that animals know when another is blind, and then choose to help them- often another species altogether.

YOGA POSER...

Upward facing dog.

The key here is to relax. Take in deep breaths.  Remember that I am in competition with no one. Plant my feet and be the best I can be- Sam I am yoga zen master.

How about I get all my favorite items from Santa this year?

And I won't bring your hairdryer still plugged in while you are in the tub. 

Let's just forget the "who has been naughty and who has been nice list", eh?- Ellen

My gawd. I hope she doesn't wreck the boat with me in it.

 I am this close to retirement.  - Maisy Moo

                                                    Damn economy set me back.

I was going to jump in for a swim...

Until I realized how big CATFISH can get in this lake. Whoa doggie! - Shanti baby

(Mom, come see the whiskers on this one)

You need to clear those leaves first. What if I slip? - Maisy Moo

Old girl could fall and break a hip.- Sam

I am not saying anything. I am afraid of the leaf blower. - Riley

We need to fire the landscaper. We can't live like this.

I love you little step brother. You fit perfectly against my smooth soft skin.

Shhhh Riley. Just hold me and tell me our love is not wrong. - Buddy Love

This time go for the fingers. Go for the fingers and this madness stops!

-

Riley in training

Riley is a foster boxer/Boston who needs her forever home. Her wish list:

1.  Person or family with lots of athletic energy. I need exercise every day.  An hour sounds nice.

2. Must be very loving and affectionate. I must sleep with my human under the covers. It is my right.

3.  Must be ok that I am 1 year old, but very playful and need some training. I can start today.

4.  Needs to be okay with how beautiful I am and everyone noticing that. I am TOO CUTE.

5.  I can only eat only grain free dog food and treats, but it is easy to find. So buy me some.

6.  I love to go for rides- boats, cars, golf cart, you name it. Whatcha got?

7.  I prefer homes with submissive dogs bc I love being the pretend Alpha- especially around my bones.

8.  I am very smart so you need to give me "thinking" tasks each day. Are you thinking now?

9.  I would make a GREAT agility dog. We have an agility dog training facility even here in Charlotte and it is not very expensive. I would ace that course if someone could teach me.

10. I love to run trails and swim.   I am cheap. Only $270 to the rescue and that covers everything. I am fixed, UTD on shots, stay on flea and heartworm prevention.  I am like the best deal ever!

With love,

Riley

Why Foster a dog?

If you have time, patience and room for more pets- fostering is a great thing.  I have fostered for years and here is what I know:

You are helping a loving animal (in this case a dog).  The foster groups will spay/neuter, get them up-to date (UTD) on all shots and medical care. They will also pay for the monthly flea and heart worm prevention. I know we need many more homes and often will have donor to pay for food and leashes/dog beds, and toys if financial assistance is needed.  The rescue group also pays for the medical care.  We just need more good homes.

Over 6 million dogs are "put to sleep" in shelters each year. There are more dogs than loving, dedicated homes.We need people that will work with the dog, give it love, teach it, and give feedback to the group as they search for a forever home.  It is also a great way to "try before you buy". The dog needs a temporary home and you can try them out in your surroundings. If you fall in love, then you become the very coveted foster failure and you adopt the dog for your very own.

If you have a dog that is not a fit in your household, the rescue group will take the animal back and find it a new foster so the risk is minimal.  You can request a large dog, small, old, young, healthy, special needs, breed specific, etc. We especially need homes for older, larger, mixed breed dogs. They all give love and need love just the same.

One day we won't need a lot of fosters because there will be more homes wanting dogs than available dogs. This will happen through education, spay/neuter programs, shutting down puppy mills, and promoting adoption vs. buying from a breeder. Simple enough.  And it is happening around the world, not just the US.

Fostering is incredibly rewarding. You are saving a life. And they are enriching yours. I learn something from every dog that comes to my home. They can teach us so much, are a joy to have, and make us laugh as each has a unique personality.

The best thing is that fostering allows us to see the dog's true personality.  We witness how they interact with other dogs, people, kids, cats, etc.  And we do this in a true home setting- not a shelter or pen, where dogs are not settled and at ease. Many dogs in shelters pace, fear bite,  act shy, or are hyper because they are so damn excited to see someone and play. Fosters give society a real look at the dog- the good and the "needs work" with their insight.  And best of all, we get them ready for a life beyond the doors of our home.

I cry every time a dog leaves my home but I am also happy. I know the family is a good one (checked out by references, house visit, call to their vet, etc), chose this animal specifically, and is excited about the new family member. Luckily all the adoptions have worked out- I train the dogs, they get lots of love and exercise, and the new family knows everything about the dog so they can make an informed decision. This greatly increases the chances of a perfect match, and having the new family keep the dog forever.

When that dogs leaves, you know as a foster, YOU helped find it the best home with more information, and that you now can do it all over again. You can help another dog find its forever home. And along the way, they will find you.

I hope everyone will consider fostering.
Karla

Well, don't expect me to apologize first. You hurt my feelings.

Sam to Riley

I can sit here all day and ignore you.  You know you done me wrong.

I don't know what happened to the new toy.

It's head just fell off. - Buddy Lovest too much