Featured rescue pet: Bailey, my pit/retriever mix (with updates, video)

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(Note: please allow the slideshow a moment to get started – and click here for a PDF of Bailey’s poster March 2012)

This featured pup looking for a home resonates a little too close to home for me – literally. It’s my pup. (Scroll to the end for video of this snuggle pup)

Bailey is a year-old retriever/pit mix who came to live with us as a 6-week-old foster pup and decided to stay. But sharing her family with two active Border collies (one who is terminally ill* and one who is very, very, very bossy) proved to be too much for this perky pup with personality to spare. She doesn’t want to share her space with other dogs because she wants to be the only mutt in your life!

Bailey’s easy to please – want to play fetch? She’s ready with her favorite football! Want to romp in the woods? Get the leash! Want to just snuggle on the couch and watch TV? Leave room for Bailey! She just wants to be with you, wherever you are.

She loves going to puppy school and is a smart, eager student who learns quickly. So if you’ve got the hot dogs, she’s ready for class!

And why limit yourself to obedience? How about a tracking class? She’s got talents still waiting to be discovered. If there’s a kitty in mix, he needs to be a feline who likes to chill and let his canine companion be the leader of the pack.

You also MUST be committed to continuing her formal training to help Bailey be the best pup she can be.

If you’re willing to give this sassy pup a second chance, you’ll have a best friend for life!

To meet this snuggly, fun-loving girl, email me at joanne@joannebrokaw.com or call me at 585-734-2209. An adoption fee will be charged and potential adopters will be vetted fully to ensure that Bailey and her new family are a great match.

 

UPDATE May 2012: Bailey finished her Puppy Superstar class with Ada Simms! Ta da! Good girl, Bailey!

Bailey at Puppy Superstar class with Ada Simms.

The newly minted “puppy superstar” watches Daddy pump gas.

 

*UPDATE: On January 6th, Scout went to live on God’s Farm in the Sky, and after an appropriate period of mouring, Bailey and Bandit have decided they really, really, really don’t want to live together in the same house. After several evaluations by trainers, it’s agreed that the problem in our house is Bailey and Bandit, not necessarily Bailey and another dog. While I do believe the very best situation is a home where Bailey is the only dog, she is more than capable of having doggie friends and playmates. Besides, once you meet her you’re going to want to shower all of your love on her alone!!!

UPDATE MARCH 2012: Bailey had her annual check up and she’s super duper! She weighs 44# but she’s smaller in stature than that weight implies. I can’t stress enough how great a dog she’s become and how heartbroken we are that she and Bandit can’t seem to work out their problem.

VIDEO OF BAILEY:

Macerich bans pet sales at malls nationwide; how does that affect Rochester malls?

How much is that doggy in the window? (Bailey, still looking for a home!)

I did a story today over on my blog at Patheos.com about Macerich malls banning the sale of live animals at more than 70 of their retail properties nationwide.

In 2005, Macerich purchased Wilmorite, which owns Eastview Mall, Marketplace Mall, the Mall at Greece Ridge and Pittsford Plaza. So how does that new policy affect Rochester’s malls?

I talked to Mike Wilmot, general manager for Marketplace Mall and Pittsford Plaza. He explained that Wilmorite bought back their Rochester properties a few years ago, so the new policy at Macerich doesn’t affect any of the Rochester properties.

Wilmot told me that while there used to be a pet store in Eastview (he said ”that guy was a disaster”) the only pet store in a Wilmorite property is Robin’s Pet Corner, in Marketplace Mall.  She’s been there since 2001 and Wilmot says she does a good job and they’ve had no complaints. “She hates puppy mills” he added.

There was no answer when I called the pet shop this afternoon, but on the website for Robin’s Pet Corner, Robin writes, “We specialize in locally Bred small breed Puppies.  We buy all of our puppies from local Breeders, not puppy mills. I personally inspect the condition of each puppy to ensure our customers the healthiest new addition to their family.”

You can read more about the new Macerich policy on the Heavenly Creatures blog at Patheos.com.

Puppy socialization – start them early!

by Ada Simms

For years the norm was NOT to socialize your puppy or even bring the puppy out to meet people or other dogs until they were 4 months old. The scare was communicable diseases.

Times have certainly changed. The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behaviorists, in 2009, took a position that the earlier you socialize, the better chances you have of preventing behavior issues in the dog’s adult life.

More important than teaching Sit and Down, is the exposure to other dogs. It is the best place for your dog to learn bite inhibition as well as preventing dog/dog aggression issues later in life. 

 There are several facilities in the area that allow puppies at this age to enter a class with puppies their own age. Puppies should have one vaccination, one week before class.

Always inquire about the instructors ability to read dog body language and if they use non-aversive training methods. All interactions should be fun for your dog and they should never be forced to play with puppies that are bullies. A good puppy play group will separate the timid dogs from the fearless one to ensure fair play.

You can learn more about puppy socialization on the The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behaviorists website.

Win in Allie Larkin’s DogKarma giveaway!

One of the products in the DogKarma prize pack!

Allie Larkin, local author of the super fun novel “Stay”, is running a cool contest on her blog to giveaway some great products designed to help one lucky dog owner make their rescue pup comfortable in his new home.

One lucky winner will receive:

1. Karma Necklace from Dogeared Jewels & Gifts (Julia Roberts wore one in Eat, Pray, Love)
2. Sample variety pack of food from Newman’s Own Organics Dog Food
3. On the Go Collection travel bowls and containers from Planet Dog
4. Puppy Shampoo, Botanical Creme Rinse and Condition, and a Snoutstik from Opie & Dixie
5. Westpaw Dog Toys from Good Things Green Things
6. Gourmet Hand-Decorated Dog Treats from A Barker’s Dozen
7. Hemp Martingale Reilley “Rescued Dog” Collar from Earth Dog

Whoa, that’s a great package of stuff to help you and your new furry friend settle in! You can learn more about how to enter on Allie Larkin’s blog. She’ll be picking a winner on Monday, October 3rd, so hurry up and enter!

And if you haven’t read Allie’s book, what are you waiting for? It’s out in paperback, and with winter on the way, make sure it’s on your snow snuggle reading list! (You can read the review here.)

Controversial artist hired by Memorial Art Gallery and local dog lovers are barking mad

by Joanne Brokaw

An artist’s rendering of the proposed installation by Tom Otterness. (photo MAG press release; rendering Bayer Associates)

This story has been simmering for a while in the dog community, and today it hit the news when WHAM 13 reported that controversial sculptor Tom Otterness has been hired by the Memorial Art Gallery (MAG) to create two works of art to grace the gallery’s walkway to mark MAG’s 100th birthday.

On the Memorial Art Gallery website, Otterness is described as “known for narrative works that are at once light-hearted and socially pertinent.” His commission capped ”a two-year search by the Gallery for an artist of national stature whose work is meaningful, engaging and accessible.”

But in 1977, Otterness made an “art film” in which he chained a dog he adopted from a shelter to a fence and then shot it dead. Meaningful? Engaging? Accessible? Socially pertinent and lighthearted?

Not according to local dog lovers.

Featured Shelter Pet: Amigo, the Lab mix

Amigo is a nine-year-old male Labrador retriever mix who weighs 64 pounds.  He was brought to Lollypop Farm after being found as a stray in Avon, New York. 

Not much is known about his history, but Amigo is a mellow boy who walks well on his leash.  This handsome gentleman just wants to be someone’s best friend. 

The folks at Lollypop think Amigo would do best in a home without young children; due to his age and size and should meet any dogs in your household (just to be sure that they’ll get along).  He is eligible for Lollypop Farm’s Seniors-for-Seniors program.  An approved adopter, age 60 or older, can take Amigo home at no charge. 

This great guy deserves a forever home.  Are you the person he’s waiting for? You can learn more about Amigo by visiting the Lollypop website or Lollypop Farm, 9 Victor Road, Fairport, NY, 14450, (585) 223-1330.