Times are tough for our four legged friends as well as the non-profit organizations dedicated to finding homes for an increasing number of homeless pets. Donations are shrinking and populations are rising.  A study of current giving trends conducted by Dogpile.com found that Americans who typically give to charities are cutting back on their donations by nearly half from last year, and they expect that animal charities will suffer among the most compared to other organizations and civic causes. The situation is compounded by the fact that nearly one in five Americans has had to give up a pet – or know someone who has – due to financial hardship.

Additional information from the Dogpile.com Study:

• Animal welfare organizations appear second on a list of charities that will suffer the most this year. They fall just two percent below The Arts, Culture and Humanities.
• Four in five Americans studied are concerned about animal welfare and 62 percent claim they’re dedicated to animal welfare causes, but they can’t afford to give to animal welfare charities.
• Eighty percent of people surveyed agreed that if they knew there was a way to donate money to charity through their actions – instead of actually spending their own money – they would do it. And, 91 percent said they would give more money to organizations and civic causes if they were in a better place financially.

Now more than ever, organizations like the ASPCA are in need of our help and are getting creative to bring in funding.  Do you have something to sell or donate? If you want to support a worthy cause, forget ebay and craigslist.  The ASPCA has set up a Facebook application for buying and selling  items with proceeds to benefit the ASPCA. 

If your heart is in the right place, but you can’t afford to make monetary donations, buy or sell something at the ASPCA Marketplace. In the meantime, spread the word! Post a link to the marketplace on your Facebook profile and encourage your friends and family to do the same.

Even though it was raining, Maisey and I ventured outside today to Alberta Park. I didn’t plan ahead, unfortunately, and Alberta Park was muddy. Coming from Phoenix, we haven’t had the chance to play in the rain and mudd much, but it was no surprise that Maisey loved it.

We’ve both been a little stressed, and it turns out muddy shoes and paws, a wet car interior and off leash romping in the rain was just what we needed.

I just wish I had thought ahead to bring a towel.

My trip from Phoenix to Portland wasn’t easy. Packing, unpacking, getting lost in a new town, and those first grocery trips for a new place that can top $400. It’s been stressful, so I decided to treat myself to a facial tomorrow morning. But I’m not the only one a little stressed out about the new environment, Maisey is too! She hasn’t been eating as much, she’s not totally comfortable in the new digs and is basically staying as close to me as she can. Right now, she’s fast asleep and I’m glad. Hopefully a good nap will rest her anxious mind. Ever since I set up her crate, she’s been hanging out in there. I’m sure it’s familiar and comfortable to her.

So what are the best ways to make a transition like this easier on our pets? Here are a few things I’ve picked up along the way:

• Keep familiar items available and out in the open - As soon as I set up Maisey’s crate, she was eager to jump right in and take a nap.
• Bring their toys out to play - Maisey lightened up when I unpacked her favorite squeeky duck.
• Show them around - Maisey and I scoped out the new digs together. I gave her plenty of time to sniff around the new backyard and to explore each room in the house.
• Don’t leave for an extended period of time, too soon - I’ve been taking short trips out of the house (20-30 minutes). Until this feels like home for her, she might worry I’m not coming back.
• Reward them for the little things – If they go potty outside (even if they’ve been potty trained for a long time) reward them! Practice a few sit and stays with a reward. Dogs like structure and consistency, so this should be comforting to them.  
• Don’t encourage the anxiety – At my old place, Maisey hated the balcony. Here, she appears to fear the refriderator. I’m practicing walking through the kitchen with her and making it no big deal. The worst thing you can do is baby them or pick them up and coddle them, it will make them think the anxiety or fear is warranted.

Most of all, be understanding. The move can be just as, if not more so stressful for your pet, as it is for you. Dogs are creatures of habit and don’t enjoy change. A little care and attention can make the whole process easier on both of you.

Tomorrow Maisey and I are leaving for Portland. This move is so much more for me than just a new job in a new state, it’s the sunset of a very emotional chapter in my life. A chapter full of happiness, sadness, pain and faith. Those who know me, or have read my “about me” page know some of what the past two years brought for me.

So I prepare to depart on a very bittersweet journey tomorrow, which ignites both excitement and sadness in my heart. I’m listening to a song that speaks those emotions far better than I ever could.

The Heart of Life

I hate to see you cry
Lying there in that position
There’s things you need to hear
so turn off your tears
and listen

Pain throws your heart to the ground
love turns the whole thing around
no it wont all go the way it should
but I know the heart of life is good

You know it’s nothin’ new
bad news never had good timing
then the circle of your friends
will defend the silver lining

Pain throws your heart to the ground
love turns the whole thing around
no it won’t all go the way it should
But I know the heart of life is good

Pain throws your heart to the ground
love turns the whole thing around
fear is a friend who is misunderstood
but I know the heart of life is good 

- John Mayer

Today was my first day at the new job. I’ve met the people, tasted the company culture and learned of a few key perks.

Like most companies right now, this company is enduring it’s toughest economy. There were layoffs a few weeks ago. Employees are worried layoffs will happen again. It’s a difficult time for an organization to keep up employee morale, and an unhappy company culture is a sure fire way to decrease productivity and creativity.

Well, my new employer (at least in my opinion) offers a few great perks that will keep me satisfied. The best of those perks? Dogs are welcome in the office! Maisey can join me at work everyday, if I choose. I have no doubt all she’ll do is curl up on my lap or in a chair in my office and sleep, but just her presence will reduce my stress level and keep a smile on my face throughout the day.

Not to mention, it’s a great place for her to socialize. If other employees have their pets there on the same day, then she can make friends and she’ll become more comfortable meeting new people (something we need to work on).

According to a recent survey by the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association, a significant percentage of Americans believe having pets in the workplace increases creativity, decreases absenteeism and fosters better relationships among colleagues.

Employers take note! It doesn’t always take money to keep your employees happy (at least not this new employee)!

Obviously, I love dogs. Those who know me personally, know I also have a thing for ducks. So, of course I needed to share this video with you. Don’t you just love the simplicity of friendship in the animal world?

““

Yesterday was my last day at work in Phoenix, AZ. Monday is my first day at work in Portland, OR. This is the first time in my life I’m making a big life change for myself. It may sound odd that a 27 year old girl has never made a choice strictly for herself, but I haven’t.

So finally, I’m carving a life for myself. For purely selfish reasons – and I like this feeling. It’s scary, I’m mourning my old life but I’m inspiried by the new possibilities. Maisey is excited about new parks, new smells. I’m excited about new friends, new places to see, visit and eat.

The adventure begins on March 25th when Maisey and I pile our toys in the car and start driving. A new beginning, a new opportunity, a new life.

Dog lover, Oprah Winfrey recently debuted her newest family member on her show, an adorable blond Cocker Spaniel puppy, named Sadie.

Sadie came from Pets are Worth Saving (PAWS), a no-kill animal shelter in the Chicago area. Oprah urged viewers to consider adopting from a shelter where many people are giving up pets in these tough economic times, and even brought three of Sadie’s adoptable brothers and sisters onto to the show.

Oprah is a wonderful advocate for animals and I applaud her support of the animal and rescue communities!

““

Hopefully after reading last week’s post, you’ve decided to join the pet lover community on various social sites such as Dogster, Facebook, or Twitter. That was easy, right?

Now that you’re involved, you are becoming increasingly aware of the importance of animal adoption and hopefully move motivated than ever to help! The next step then, is spread the word to your friends, family and other online communities. 

So you’re on Facebook?  Add applications to your page such as Adopt an ASPCA Pet or Petfinder’s Dogpile and invite your family and friends. Everyone who views your profile will see the causes you support and hopefully help spread the word, as well. Become a fan of Dog Park Mom’s page and find more ways to spread the word.

Big movements start small, and social awareness is the first step.

As you may have read, I’m leaving Arizona for a tremendous job opportunity in Portland, OR. Moving to a new state is a challenge in itself, but moving and trying to find a truely pet friendly apartment is even more of a challenge. Portland is an incredibly pet friendly city, but finding an apartment that accepts all breeds of dogs is surprisingly difficult, which leads me to the topic of my post: Doggie racism.

Is banning a breed of dog based on the assumption that an entire breed poses a greater risk of danger to the community just another form of racism? Many factors play a role in determining whether a dog will exhibit aggressive behavior such as genetics sex, health, environment, abuse, neglect, and most importantly training and socialization. Most dogs are capable of aggressive behavior, regardless of the breed. If any dog is abused, neglected, or trained to be aggressive it can pose a danger to society. So why do dogs such as Pit Bulls, and German Shepherds get such a bad rap?

Efforts to ban specific dog breeds from a community or breed specific legislation should instead be focused on public education about dog safety. Ignorance of proper care and training for specific breeds will only further increase the problem and  by labeling an entire breed as ‘agressive’ or ‘dangerous’ is only perpetuating the problem.

The ASPCA recommends using a breed-neutral scheme to deal with the problems that ALL dangerous dogs present to the community:

• Enhanced enforcement of dog license laws, with adequate fees to augment animal control budgets and surcharges on ownership of unaltered dogs to help fund low-cost pet sterilization programs in the communities in which the fees are collected. To ensure a high licensing rate, Calgary, Canada—its animal control program funded entirely by license fees and fines—imposes a $250 penalty for failure to license a dog over three months old.
• Enhanced enforcement of leash/dog-at-large laws, with adequate penalties to ensure that the laws are taken seriously and to augment animal control funding.
• Dangerous dog laws that are breed-neutral and focus on the behavior of the individual dog, with mandated sterilization and microchipping (or another permanent identification) of dogs deemed dangerous, and options for mandating muzzling, confinement, adult supervision, training, owner education and, in aggravating circumstances—such as when the owners cannot adequately control the dog or where the dog causes unjustified injury—euthanasia. In Multnomah County, Oregon, a breed-neutral ordinance imposing graduated penalties on dogs and owners according to the seriousness of the dogs’ behavior has reduced repeat injurious bites from 25 percent to 7 percent.
• Laws that hold dog owners financially accountable for failure to adhere to animal control laws, as well as civilly and criminally liable for unjustified injuries or damage caused by their dogs. Calgary has reduced reported incidents of aggression by 56 percent, and its bite incidents by 21 percent, by requiring owners of dogs who have displayed dog aggression or human aggression to pay fines ranging from $250 to $1500.
• Laws that prohibit chaining or tethering, coupled with enhanced enforcement of animal cruelty and animal fighting laws. Lawrence, Kansas, has significantly reduced dog fighting and cruelty complaints by enacting an ordinance prohibiting tethering a dog for over one hour.
• Laws that mandate the sterilization of shelter animals and make low-cost sterilization services widely available.

In my opinion, breed specific restrictions are no different than banning children or banning a specific race from a community. Meet the dog, observe the dog in a public situation, or require a certain level of training. Base your restrictions on the animal itself, it’s no different than basing a tenants eligibility on credit score, proper references or income.

A property owner has every right to enforce rules as it choses, but please don’t call yourself “Pet-Friendly” when restrictions on specific breeds is so clearly not.